Four years have passed since the dawn of the Era of Sea, only nine months of them peaceful. From the wasteland in the center of Gamindustri, the Graveyard birthed following, a people that believed they called upon the late Arfoire, but in truth they merely call upon her manipulator with that name.
They used the pure Goddess's name to draw the young into a cult of petty crime, with few knowing of the true nature of their worship. Few outside their own believed they stood a chance against the might of the CPUs, but were proven fatally mistaken when the Celestial Kings struck down all four at once.
Even the Silver Dragon is rumored to have vanished by their hands. For three years, Gamindustri has been in nothing but peril with little hope of recovery. However, as the following of Arfoire further grows, a new force has emerged.
A storm of unknown nature brews within the Gamindustri Graveyard, seeking and lashing out at the followers of Sin, often leaving none to tell the tale. But the few survivors of its strikes, in their scarring of the mind, have all rambled of this foe under one name. Gamindustri holds its breath, awaiting reason to call the Crimson Wind friend or foe.
Netherdimension Neptunia mk2
Press Start
The sky was choked by acidic clouds. The ground was red, cracked with pools of toxic waste gathered around. Ruined buildings sunk into the ground. Made out of junk there was a tower further ahead. There were dead flowers growing from the rocky terrain. Twisted, gray trees had sprung up from cracks in the ground. All spread out. Plenty of jagged hills and piles of rubble. This wasteland is the Gamindustri Graveyard. A byproduct of Celestia falling into the center of Gamindustri. Which all stemmed from The Sundering. Two women trudged through the harsh environment. IF, the Wind Walker and the Superhuman Nurse, Compa.
"That tower wasn't there before…" IF commented. Compa shivered as she stared at it. It was akin to a Basilcom. A tower that stood above a nation. The centerpoint of a goddess's influence. That junk tower was like a mockery of the peoples' hopes and dreams. Standing against the world, and all who inhabit it.
"Do you think Nep-Nep, Ge-Ge, and the others are in there? Maybe even…?" Compa asked hopefully and IF shrugged. "Let's keep going," urged IF. The two continue the trudge. Compa nearly slipped into a pool of toxic waste. Luckily IF caught her friend.
Compa and IF climbed a large rock and laid on top of it. Searching for any signs of threats. One of IF's nine phones buzzed. She flipped it open as her other hand held a pistol. "IF, thank goodness the signal works," a soft voice on the other end sighed in relief. This was Histoire, Planeptune's own Oracle. Someone who recorded history and advised the goddess in charge. "Are they in the tower, Lady Histoire?" IF asked. Histoire explained that Neptune and Nepgear's signals are rather close by. More along the base of the tower than inside it.
"What's in that tower Histoire? It wasn't there before when Netty and I scouted this place out," asked IF. Histoire was silent for a moment. "I can only guess our main adversary resides in that tower. IF, you and Compa must stay away from that tower for the time being. It shouldn't be there. That type of large scale construction cannot realistically happen in only three years. Along with going unnoticed by all of us. Something caused it to appear there, and as such. Whatever made it appear there, be it our main adversary or something else. Be cautious," Histoire warned. Before IF heard a click on the other side. Histoire has signed off.
IF relayed the information to Compa. Who nodded and climbed over the rock. "Look Compa, you really didn't have to come here. Netty's disappearance hit you hard. Are you sure you're up to task ahead? Especially with-" IF was interrupted by Compa shooting her friend a sharp glare.
"Everyone's counting on us, and I wouldn't do this if I didn't want to. Besides Iffy, aren't you here because you want to rescue Lady Vert?" Compa teased with a smirk. IF blushed and sputtered before climbing over the rock. The two landed gracefully on the ground. "Netty has been a bad influence on you," grumbled IF with a still red face.
"What makes you say that?" said Compa cheerfully. She had a teasing smile on her soft face. IF rolled her eyes and shook her head. "That's just… something Netty or Nep would do. Even though Netty would lace it with swears," IF sighed. Compa wrapped her arms around IF, pulling the Wind Walker into her soft bosom. IF clutched onto Compa tightly and sniffled. "W-What if we're too late? That Nep, Vert, Noire, Blanc, Netty, Gear are all dead?" IF asked, shivering at the thought.
"There there, all of them had been through a lot. It's Ge-Ge that I'm really worried about," said Compa as frowned. Nepgear, the little sister of Neptune is far too fragile and green for this type of situation. Though no one is ever truly ready for conflict. "I know, she was an idiot for following Nep! Damn it, I hate to say it. Netty was right, Gear isn't a fighter like Nep. She shouldn't have even been out here," IF replied. The two separated from their hug and continued on their way.
They walked through a bunch of gray brambles and their clothes became littered with tears. Exposed skin had thin lines of red. IF tried to cut through as best she could. Causing branches and needles to get stuck in her sleeves. When they pushed through, Compa fell on her face when she made it to the end. IF stumbled forward and almost fell because the bramble was so thick. They had to use all their strength to walk through it.
They picked the needles and branches out of their clothes and hair. Compa began healing their cuts. Sticking small bandages on them. She brought a bunch with her. "That's half of my bandages Iffy," Compa sighed. Eventually, they reached the base of the tower. They could see a giant, writhing mass of cables. It was about five meters in height. Shaped like half of an egg. IF and Compa looked at each other. They knew those cables were the same one that allowed Arfoire to regenerate.
One of IF's phones buzzed and the two ran behind a rock. IF flipped open her phone and put it up to her ear. IF described to Histoire what she saw. "Alright, the CPUs have to be contained in that mass. Now when you get close. Use the Share Crystal to power up a goddess and she'll be able to pull herself out. Be careful, there has to be guards," Histoire explained before hanging up. IF closed her phone and placed it back on her coat.
The two walked out from behind the rock. Then started running to the writhing mass. They heard the sound of wind whistling. IF turned her neck to see a large pole arm flying at her from the sky. She tackled Compa out the way. A shockwave sent them flying away. They rolled across the ground. IF landed on all fours while Compa crashed onto her back. "Ouchies…" she groaned.
"Missed the little fish. Damn!" a booming voice yelled. A giant robot floated across the terrain. IF looked at the polearm stuck in the ground. It was a large, dark two-bladed halberd with neon blue blades, adorned with button-like accessories and a large skull in the center of the bladed piece.Her heart pounded, a second slower and she would've been crushed. He is colored black and neon blue with beige trimming.
The robot has neon blue eyes. On his shoulders are chest guards with a long end on each side that arcs to point above his head. On his back are two extending parts that eventually span to three sharp, long pieces on each part. Under his chest are four bulky parts designed with directional buttons and a cross-like accessory. Under the four bulky parts is a moving black gear with neon blue trimming.
"Finally! Been waiting for three years for something new to kill!" He cackled before grabbing the halberd and tearing it out from the ground. He spun it and held it in two hands. His eyes flashed, his head locked onto IF. "You better not bore me girl," He snarled and IF looked at Compa, who nodded. IF got up to her feet, her katars fell out of her sleeves and into her hands. "I, Judge the Hard will crush you into oblivion! Hahahaha!!" He declared.
Four Celestial Kings Member
Judge the Hard
IF pulled Compa to her feet and the two jumped to opposite sides as Judge slammed his halberd where they were. He swung it to the right, and Compa blocked the blade with her giant syringe. Her feet dragged against the dirt as the force of the blow sent her back. Creating two trails where her feet were and a gust of dust following her.
Compa pushed his halberd away. She rolled under a heavy slash. IF jumped over the halberd as it swung over Compa. Slashing at Judge's face. Yet it did nothing, Judge grabbed IF by the face. Then slammed her into the ground. Compa wrapped her arms around Judge's arms and squeezed tightly. Using all her strength to get him to let go of IF. He lifted up his arm with Compa clinging onto it, her feet kicking in the air.
Judge waved his arm around and Compa was shaken off. She was sent flying and rolled across the ground. Her sweater got stained and torn. IF coughed as she shakily got up. She knew some bones were cracked. IF didn't know what to do, she and Compa were the most normal ones in their former party, the Multi-Platformers. It took everything they had to keep up with the CPUs and Netherrealm. Compa only had her healing abilities and superhuman strength. IF had some magic, her gun, and her katars. None of those would do the trick.
it became painfully clear that they're no match for Judge alone. When Compa ran to IF. She tells Compa to save her strength and not attack. "Save your full strength to heal a C- err.. me!" said IF and she gave Compa a wink. Compa gets the message and waits. IF got back up and used her speed to rush Judge. She flipped over a dust gathering swipe of the halberd. Then rolled away from a crushing blow that created a small crater. She fired pot shots at Judge to keep his attention on her.
Once Judge's back is turned before making a break for the wires, shoving the crystal in before Judge can realize what IF actually meant. There was some light inside from inside the writhing mass. Compa breathed in and grabbed the wires. She grunted as she strained herself to pull the wires apart. A hand came out of the mass. Compa grabbed onto the wrist of the girl reaching out. Pulling hard as gunshots and explosions went off behind her.
Compa yelled as she pulled a girl out of the wires. The wires quickly closed and Compa fell onto her back. Her arms wrapped around the person laying against her soft, ample bosom. The girl wore a white and purple, skin tight leotard. It was shiny and mechanical. Along with long black and purple gloves. A white hair clip, long lilac hair and watery blue eyes with a white power symbol for her pupils. "Ge-Ge…" Compa gasped as she helped the girl to her feet.
This is Nepgear, or in this form, Purple Sister. The younger sister to Neptune. Purple Sister could barely register her surroundings and she babbled incoherently for a second. Before blinking and looking at Compa. "Miss. Compa?" She asked hopefully and Compa nodded with a great big smile.
IF's body flying, and crashing at their feet got their attention. "Iffy!" Compa cried out as she held her knocked out best friend in her arms. Purple Sister stared at Judge in fear. Her legs trembled and so did her lips. She looked like she was about to burst out crying. Compa brought out her syringe and placed IF down. She ran at Judge with a battle cry. Judge raised his halberd to kill Compa. Yet she pressed down on the end of her syringe. Spraying an acidic liquid in Judge's eyes. He howled and grabbed onto his face.
Compa ran back and slung IF over her shoulder, dismissing her syringe into her inventory. She grabbed Purple Sister's wrist and pulled her harshly. Almost pulling Purple Sister's arm out of her socket. Judge's howls faded as they made their escape. Purple Sister's eyes started to close as she started to lose control over her body, but a sudden bump woke her up. Compa had staggered for a few steps, nearly falling over. The hairs on IF's neck stood up, she felt it too. Something was watching them. Something far more dangerous than Judge.
IF's eyes snapped to every nook and cranny in the area, eventually settling on a gap between two rocks. The tall rocks left the space between them dark, the only thing she could make out was a pair of glowing crimson eyes, watching them while remaining absolutely still, unblinking. Compa tapped IF on the shoulder and pointed behind them, Judge had recovered and was starting to chase. IF nodded, and the two continued forward. Soon, everything became bright and blurry to Purple Sister as her HDD Form gave out. In a blink, she was no longer in the Gamindustri Graveyard.
Nepgear's violet eyes awoke to a round face right in front of her. It was a little girl, about three, sitting on Nepgear's chest staring at her, their noses were almost touching. Soft black hair, creamy pink eyes, two growing horns. Two small, black dragon wings and a swishing tail with little spines. The toddler wore a beige onesie with a pink heart on the center. Nepgear blinked to make sure what she was seeing wasn't a hallucination.
After a second, Nepgear screamed and jumped back. The little girl tumbled over onto her back, giggling. She sat up and clapped her hands with a great big smile. Nepgear noticed that her canines were sharp to a dangerous extent. "Nepugya!" She laughed, repeating that word. The door to Nepgear's room opened. Compa came in with a tray of food and a glass of water. She noticed the little girl and sharply glared at her. "Mary Marchen! What are you doing in here?" Compa asked and Mary looked at Compa.
"Mommy! Nepugya up!" Mary reported proudly. Compa put the tray down onto the nightstand. Before picking up Mary and bouncing the toddler in her arms. One hand under Mary's bottom and the other on the little girl's back. Mary's wings lightly flapped excitedly and her tail swished. "Oh Nepgear, you haven't met my daughter yet? This is Mary," Compa introduced her kid.
"Is the dad Mr. Netherrealm?!" Nepgear asked and Compa nodded with a smile. Nepgear felt guilty, she made a mother put herself at risk of never seeing her daughter again. All to save her. Nepgear felt so pathetic.
"Well, Histy wanted to know when you're awake," Compa said. Nepgear took the tray off the nightstand and put it on her lap. Compa nodded in satisfaction before turning around. Mary peaked over Compa's shoulder. "Bye! Bye!" Mary chirped while waving happily. Nepgear waved back shyly with a flustered smile.
Nepgear began eating her food. Why was she saved? Why couldn't it have been the other CPUs? Why couldn't it have been Neptune? 'Random chance…' Nepgear thought bitterly. Before taking a bite out of a piece of garlic bread.
After Nepgear finished her food. She felt strong enough to get out of bed. She walked to the meeting room. She saw Histoire, a woman about three feet tall sitting on an open book floating and the Oracle gave a motherly smile at Nepgear. Relief was clear in her eyes. "Nepgear! Thank goodness you woke up!" Histoire exclaimed. Floating up to Nepgear and almost hugged the CPU Candidate. Before clearing her throat and resuming her professionalism.
"Nepgear, please sit down. We have much to discuss," said Histoire. She gestured to Neptune's seat at the head of the oval table. Nepgear stared at the chair. Imagining her sister spinning around in it while laughing. Before tentatively sitting down. She turned the chair to face Histoire.
The chair felt uncomfortable, and not only because it was a gaming chair in a conference room. She didn't deserve to sit where her sister sat. But with Neptune gone, she has to take up command. "Nepgear, can you recall what happened out there? How were you and the CPUs taken down?" asked Histoire.
Nepgear recalled that day as best she could. Netherrealm had been missing for a few days. All the CPUs were visiting for a gaming session. When Histoire reported to them that Netherrealm's phone signal had gone completely dark. He was off the grid, disappeared into the shadows. Nepgear remembering Neptune jumping out the window. The other CPUs ran out onto the balcony in order to stop Neptune from chasing a ghost.
Nepgear, without thinking, ran off to follow her sister. Soon all of them were in HDD and in the air. All heading up to the center, where the Gamindustri Graveyard was. Until from all four directions. The Celestial Kings all ambushed them. Caught off guard and with Share draining wires surrounding them. They were quickly restrained. Before, everything had gone black for three years.
"...And that's what happened," Nepgear explained tearfully. Shivering as she thought about the ambush. It was chaotic, everyone had their guard down. Nepgear found it hard to process what all exactly went down. She doesn't know who was wrapped up first or last. Nepgear wanted to curl up and die. Why was she so stupid? Why was she the one that had to be rescued? If only Neptune were here.
"...I see. Thank you Nepgear. I am sure that was difficult to retell. Though even with the ambush. The Celestial Kings seemed unnaturally strong. Considering how experienced and powerful all the CPUs were. It being just an ambush is not a conclusion I believe in. There's something more going on under the surface," pondered Histoire, biting her thumb.
"Our first plan of action should be simple. Reclaim Shares and Planeptune," said Histoire and Nepgear nodded sullenly. Histoire floated over to Nepgear and placed her hands on Nepgear's cheeks. Forcing the Candidate to look directly into the Oracle's eyes. "Nepgear, you are the hope of the nation. This is your duty. Take pride in it. I believe in you. I will do whatever I can to lessen this immense burden," promised Histoire.
Histoire floated back and turned around to look out the large window. "IF has gone to Leanbox to provide assistance since they lack a Candidate. Nepgear, you can't rely on her or Compa. You have to step up," said Histoire. Nepgear nodded and looked at the floor. Her body trembled in fear.
"That is all Nepgear, please get some more rest. I'll talk to you again Tomorrow," Histoire dismissed Nepgear who stood up and bowed before leaving. Histoire shook her head at Nepgear's action. Logically Nepgear is not up to this task and shouldn't have been saved. However logic doesn't mean everything. Neptune and Netherrealm are two of the most illogical people she's met. They're two of the strongest. Histoire in her heart believes in Nepgear's potential.
But Histoire hopes Nepgear can activate that potential before it's too late
