F3: Welcome back everyone and its time to continue onward. Hyperdimension Neptunia belongs to Idea Factory and Compile Heart. I only own this story, and so with that being said... Game Start!
Chapter 8.
Neptune and Nepgear returned to Planeptune after the supposed failed quest "That was a big waste of time, whoever sent out that quest is probably laughing like no tomorrow." Neptune ranted still pretty ticked about the quest.
Nepgear only sighed "Well at least we got out for a little while. Right?" Nepgear said.
Her sister was about to reply but was cut by their oracle greeting them "Welcome back Neptune, Nepgear. Was everything sucessful?" She questioned.
Neptune only grunted "Try a huge flop if you ask me. Not only that we didn't find whatever was spawning monster but some reason after awhile the monsters just seemed to stop."
"Is that so. Well then there is something I need to tell you two." Histoire replied.
"Did something happen while we were out?" Nepgear questioned curious what Histoire had to say.
"Actually I was recently informed by Miss Chika from Leanbox that there might be a potential troublemaker wandering around Gamindustri." Histoire said.
"Histoire I'm sure who ever this person could be just some prankster going around." Neptune replied.
"Actually its much more serious than that." Histoire said gesturing them to follow her.
They followed Histoire into Neptune's office "When Chika sent me the information I decided to check on her background and I found this." Histoire said.
Histoire brought up an article about said person reading "Outbreak of monsters appear in Lowee due to unknown sources." The article read.
"Okay but what does this have to do with our mystery troublemaker." Neptune replied.
"Because witnesses claimed seeing a petite women actually summoning those monsters before the attack happened." Histoire stated.
Nepgear was surprised by this information "So she has the ability to summon monsters on a whim."
"Yes if left alone she could cause severe harm to the other nations if she wanted to." Neptune stated now understanding the situation.
"That might be trickier than we think Neptune. We currently have no understanding of her current whereabouts but IF is still investigating just where she might be." Histoire stated.
"So until IF gets a fix on her location we aren't going to do anything about it right." Neptune said crossing her arms.
Histoire nodded in response "I'm afraid so."
Nepgear began to ponder an idea that she had "But what if we had something of hers; would it be able to track down where she might be, like retracing a persons steps." Nepgear suggested.
"It's possible but what do we have that would belong to her?" Histoire questioned.
"Actually I have something that might belong to her." Nepgear smiled.
Both of them looked at Nepgear "Are you positive? We don't want this to be a dead lead." Neptune said.
Nepgear nodded "I'm sure of it I just have to get it from the lab and probably reassemble it as well, once then I can figure the point of origin which might be the location of where this other Croire could be at if anywhere at all." She explained.
"Very well Nepgear I will leave you to that. Come find me when you have it figured out." Histoire added.
"Alright I'll get right on it." She stated and began making her way toward her lab with an objective in mind.
"Guess I'll take care of some other work to catch up on." Neptune said making her way toward her office eager to get started on the workload.
=HDN=
After an hour passed Nepgear was able to piece back together the mechanical arm. She connected the out-link cables to it and began to retrace where it came from and maybe where this other Croire could be hiding at.
Nepgear typed furiously as data flew past the screen "It seems to be complex but nothing I can't handle." She said confidently as she typed. After about another five minutes the data came together and pinpointed a location on the map.
"Got it!" She cheered then look at where the point of origin.
"Wait a minute... that location. It seems to be an abandoned facility." Nepgear said aloud. She wrote down the location and then buzzed out of the lab straight toward Neptunes office.
She went inside already seeing Neptune engrossed in her work with Histoire hovering nearby "Sorry if I'm interrupting but I just finished analyzing the data and I managed to track down where it originated from." Nepgear said.
"I take it you made some headway on this." Histoire added.
"Actually yes. It took a little bit because I had to first reassemble it then I a ton of data which seem very complex but it didn't take me long to figure..." Nepgear began but her sister cut her off before she could say anything else.
"Could you get to the point already sis." She stated quickly.
Nepgear retracted a little bit "Oh um... here's where I tracked it down to." She gave the piece of paper to Neptune.
She took it and looked at it "This location looks to be in between Lastation and Lowee." Neptune answered.
"It an abandoned facility that was used as a laboratory but had to be shutdown after a monster invaded. However most of them did escape but those that were left behind perished from the monster attack." Histoire added.
"Hiding out in an abandoned building is a little cliche don't you think." Neptune said not so enthused of the matter.
"Well then if girl is their we better go Nepgear." She added getting up from behind her desk.
"Um... actually I would rather handle this myself. I mean if that's okay with you." Nepgear suggested.
Neptune blinked a moment before responding "You sure your okay cause this is someone that has a knack for hiding." Neptune said.
"Don't worry I'll be fine if anything I'll call the others in case I need help. So why don't you continue working and I'll handle this one." Nepgear added confidently.
Neptune thought it over for a minute before making her decision "Hm... Alright just don't overdo yourself okay." She instructed.
"Right." With that said Nepgear ran out of the office with her destination in mind.
She activated her HDD once she was outside the basilicom and flew toward the Lastation and Lowee border. During her flight she sent out a message to Uni, Rom, and Ram tell her to meet up at the location she sent them.
After about a half hour flight she arrived at the designated spot where Uni, Rom and Ram were waiting "Sorry for the wait everyone." She landed and deactivated her HDD returning to normal.
"Did I keep you all waiting?" She questioned.
"Actually I walked here since it was close by." Uni stated.
"Yeah but at least everyone's here now." Ram replied.
The all faced the large building in front of them which was in much need of work. It's a two story building with broken windows that still had some glass on that are threatening to come off at any given time. Some parts of the building was coming off. The roof of the building was missing plenty of shingles.
"Wow I guess it does look pretty abandoned." Uni stated getting a look at the building.
"It... looks... scary." Rom said hiding herself behind Ram.
"Hey we so got this!" Ram added confidently.
Nepgear took a breath "Okay everyone lets get going. But lets stay close so we don't get separated."
"Okay." They all said in unison as they entered the abandoned building.
Once they got inside it wasn't any better inside. There are wires hanging from the ceiling some of them were sparking which meant there was power within the building. Also with debris scattered around the inside such as broken glass and rubble. The lights flickered constantly from off to on which help illuminate the building.
"It's quite a big place so everyone stick close, also be careful of the broken glass we don't anyone splitting their feet open so watch your step." Nepgear warned as they began making their way through the building.
Some time passed and so far no monsters have appeared to try and attack them which was a change of pace for them but still having them on edge "Doesn't look like no ones here." Ram said.
"This is just the bottom floor There looks like their is another level above us." Nepgear said and just before they could move any further the intercom buzzed to life.
"Hello? This thing on? Good. Then this is your lovely hostess Croire and it seems that we have a few contestants here today with us. Lets see how they do against the obstacles that are here. Good luck you're going to need it." Coire said as the intercom buzzed again.
The girls looked at each other for a moment "Well at least we're in the right place." Nepgear said earning a sweat drop from the others.
Before they could proceed any further three circles with a pentagonal and star simple appeared as they shined bright blind the four CPU Candidates.
When the light died down they looked what appeared which were three sets of two small wild dogs for a total of six wild dogs in total.
Once again the intercom buzzed to life "Alright time for round one ladies. Your goal is to beat these monster within a three minute time limit." Coire stated as a timer appeared above them.
"And you time starts right now." She added as the timer started counting down. When that happened the wild dogs charged at them.
"Here they come." Uni said summoning her rifle preparing herself for a battle.
Rom and Ram summoned there staffs "Lets beat these bullies." Ram added confidently.
Nepgear summoned her beam sword "I won't back down so get ready." She said readying herself.
Nepgear tried charging at one them but another got in the way taking the blow while the other managed to claw at her. Nepgear yelped in pain as a third tried to attack her from the side but Uni shot it away from her.
"These monsters are wild dogs so they hunt in packs and work as a team." Uni said dodging one before it could hit her.
Rom fired one of her spells "Comet Meteor." Rom declared as twelve white orbs came falling down on striking two of the wilds dogs defeating them as they turned into pixels.
"Try these on for size you dummy! Ice Coffin!" She declared as she stab her staff into the ground which cracked toward one of the wild dogs before encasing it in ice then it exploding defeating the monster.
Uni looked up at the time seeing only about a minute and thirty seconds left "We better hurry up we don't got a lot of time left." Uni warned blasting away another wild dog.
"Then we got to finish this fast." Nepgear added.
They all agreed and charged the remaining monsters. Nepgear took her sword sliced it on the ground "Slash Wave!" She declared launching an energy wave on the ground knocking the other monsters away.
"I'll finish this." She then began charging her rifle "EX Multi Blaster: Load Empress!" She declared as a gold beam fired from her rifle hitting the remaining monsters turning them into pixels.
They looked at the timer above them noticing the timer stopped at only thirty seconds before vanishing.
The intercom buzzed again "Well congratulations you passed. But that was only the first round you still got another round to go." Croire stated as the door open which was another flight of stairs.
"C'mon up if you ready for the next round." Croire said as the intercom buzzed out.
"You know I'm really starting to get annoyed. Just wait till I get my hands on her." Uni said annoyed.
"What if this just another one of her traps?" Rom added worried.
"Hey we got this! We can take anything this girl can throw at us.!" Ram cheered.
"Hope your right on that." Nepgear said.
They walked up the flight of stairs to the next floor. When they arrived the next floor was littered with trash the only difference was the floor seemed more open spaced than the previous floor.
"Great another conveniently placed floor." Uni said nonchalant.
The intercom buzzed again "Oh great not her again." Uni said.
"Welcome to round two ladies. This shouldn't be complicated for you. You'll see ahead of you'll see some puzzle blocks ahead of you." She said.
They looked ahead of them and there are nine puzzle blocks each with different shapes.
"Your job is to solve this puzzle. Easy right? Wrong cause while you're trying to solve it I'll be sending waves of monsters at you and they'll stop once the puzzle has been solved. Oh and one more thing only one of you is allowed to solve. Take as long as you need." Croire explained then the intercom buzzed out.
And on cue a summoners portal opened and monsters of all sizes began to come out of it.
"Uni you think you can handle the puzzle?" Nepgear questioned readying her sword.
"Alright you girls keep the monsters busy." Uni said getting right to the puzzle. The puzzle itself had multiple shapes with different symbols on each one. "How am I suppose to solve this one?" She whispered.
Nepgear, Rom, Ram continued battle back the monsters "Slash Wave!" Nepgear shouted slicing the ground releasing a purple wave sending some of the monster back.
"Take this you dummies! Ice Coffin!" She stabbed the ground with her staff and before they knew it the monsters were frozen inside ice crystals stopping them in there tracks.
Rom sent three light arrows at some monsters before stepping back then firing a medium sized fireball at them "They just keep coming." Rom said.
"Uni has the puzzle coming!" Nepgear shouted back.
"I think I'm starting to understand it." Uni said pressing one of the piece inward. It didn't move once she did so which means she got it right. "Okay I think I got. Keep them busy just a little bit longer okay girls." Uni said.
"Okay!" They all said charging the newly summoned monsters.
"Bit Combination." Nepgear declared as two mini drones appeared next to her "Go." She ordered and the drones charged the monsters flanking them on each side and then releasing a beam of energy hitting them from both sides. Nepgear then charged in with her sword to deliver the last hit turning the monsters into pixels.
Rom and Ram each summoned a thunder cloud above the monsters and before the monsters could attack lightning struck them paralyzing them momentaraly.
"Okay next is this piece and... got it!" Uni said pressing the final piece into place which then unlocked the door.
"Piece of cake." Uni said.
And as per completing the puzzle the summoner circle disappeared. The intercom then buzzed to life "Well done for completing the second round ladies now come on up and claim your prize." Croire stated.
"Oh there's going to be a prize alright; it's called me getting a hold of you when I get up their." Uni said obviously irritated by this.
Once again the four CPU Candidates began there accend toward the top floor of the facility.
=HDN=
When the reached their destination the top floor looked more like someone was living here complete with an old run down mattress with bed covers, a small table for dining with a run down gray cloak hanging off one of the chairs.
"Whoa this is not what I was expecting." Nepgear said taking a good look of the place.
"It's like some homeless person lives here." Ram said bluntly.
"Gee thanks. Sorry if it's not up to your standards of living." A familiar voice rung out ahead of them.
They each prepared there weapons readying to confront whoever it was.
The person stepped out of the shadows and into full view of them. Coire stood just taller than Nepgear but mature and lady like. She has bright blonde hair that is curved off the sides and messy in the back with dark blue eyes. Her tan color skin complements her slick hourglass figure. She wears a black and purple dress that splits down the bottom of her dress and open in the middle of her chest revealing her flat stomach along with white stockings. On each side of her face is a translucent butterfly wing.
"Thought you girls show up." Croire stated holding a smirk.
"Wait a minute." Nepgear said looking her over before coming to a conclusion "Are you Croire?" She questioned.
"Took you long enough to figure that out." She laughed.
That only seemed to anger Uni "Look you we don't have time for your games so why don't just..."
"Game? Oh right my little trial that I put you girls through, boy that was fun!" Croire laughed holding her gut.
"Why you..." Uni began angry but Nepgear stopped her.
"Stay calm Uni. I'll take care of this." Nepgear said calmly which was enough for Uni to back off.
"You know... you don't look that dangerous from what the file described you to be." Nepgear said.
"File... wow they have a file on me. Not surprised there. Let me guess they pictured me as some troublemaker that causes havok anywhere I go." She said.
"Um... yes... actually." Nepgear said.
"I only cause trouble just for the fun of not to really hurt people you know. I mean heck even switching the personality of the CPU's was harmless." Croire stated.
The girls became silent for a moment before they spoke.
"So your telling us that you..." Nepgear began.
"Swapped our sisters..." Uni added.
"And Verts personalities just because..." Rom stated.
"It was funny!" Ram finished.
Croire just nodded her head "Yep." She stated before realizing what she said
"Wait did you say sisters?" She questioned as they all nodded.
"Oh... well... didn't know that." She stated plainly as the other just fell on the floor comically.
"But you know for you girls getting through my little trial I might have something that can turn them back to how they use to be." Croire added.
"Seriously just like that not even going to put up a fight." Uni said. Croire just shrugged
"Hey four against one is more than likely I'll get my ass handed to me on silver platter. But I do have one condition." Croire added.
"Knew it. There had to be a catch." Ram said.
"You girls can't tell anyone that I'm here okay. I just for now want some piece and quiet." Croire said.
Before Nepgear could question Uni beat her to the punch "How do we know we can trust and that ain't some trick?" Uni questioned.
"You can' 's why it's called gambling." Croire added as she took something from her dress pocket which was a small silver case handing it to Nepgear.
"What's this?" She asked.
"That contains four needles that were used on them. That will turn them back to how they once were." Croire explained.
"I can't believe this but thank you." Nepgear said actually wrapping Croire in a hug.
"H-Hey I didn't asked to hug all over me okay." She said pushing her off
"Now get going before I change my mind." She ordered.
And with that the Candidates left the facility Uni taking one of the needles to Lastation while Ram took one to hold till they got home to Lowee.
Nepgear would have to deliver one to Chika in Leanbox while she took the last one to Planeptune finally beginning able to put this all behind them.
F3: Well just one more chapter to go and that will be that. Thank you for joining me on this wonderful adventure. I'm Fireuser3 Blazing Out!