Chapter 5: Secrets Out, But Friendships Grow

It was seven o'clock in the night, I just got back from the errands that Compa gave me and finding new replacement pairs of clothing, then I thought maybe… just maybe it would be a peaceful night today with no problems at all… boy was I ever wrong, not only am I in a room with three girls in here, but the fact that one of them was a person with an extreme case of metaness which those kind of people bugged the fucked out of me.

"*Sigh* Well you girls chat for a while I'll be in the kitchen preparing dinner, Neptune and Nepgear will you two join us for dinner?" I ask the two while going to the kitchen, they both nodded but neptune and her meta thinking said "I bet you're one of those kind of people that are really nice, but looks like they could kill you if you pester them for to long" which honestly bugged my because its so accurate and not at the same time.

Nepgear just seemed quite nervous to talk to me, but she presents to my a suspuscious look the kind that says "I don't trust this person, I think he'll do something horrable" which honestly, bullshit that people always doubt me because of my looks, but I let that look slide for now sseens I will lose consentration in cooking dinner.

Tonight I'm planing to make something with Compa's oven, luckily I've got the perfect dish in mind, It's an Oven-Baked Salmon with Toasted Almond Parsley Salad and Baked Squash, It's both healthy and delicious enough to make anybody who are picky eaters want to eat this, so I prepared the ingredients and necessary cooking equipments seens it is a easy yet complicated processes to make, after 20 minutes of preparation and cooking combined, and the dish was done the aroma can reach the living room that all three of them could smell it, I was on the verge of laughing seens Neptune's face literally expresses happiness and a lot of drooling on that expression, I have never in my life saw anybody drool so much that I consider that a miniature waterfall in her mouth, Nepgear on the other hand was trying to hold back from doing the same thing that her sister was doing, but she also seems to enjoy the aroma of my cooking, Compa's stomach just growled the instant the aroma hits her sense of smell.

So after that small laughable moment, I proceeded to set up the table for 4 people since I'll eat my own dish you know, after all I made the dish might as well eat a little of it, so I setted the plates, the utensils, the chairs, and finally brought the main dish on the table.

"Dinner's ready girls, come over here and eat I'll be in the kitchen to bring a pitcher of water and some glasses" I said to the girls while calling them for to eat, the first one to arrive was Neptune I knew it, she was a glutton even though her size says so, followed by Nepgear and Compa all three of them sitted them selves at the table, I came in the from the kitchen with a pitcher of water and some glasses and also an appetizer for the main meal.

"Well then what are you guys waiting for? Dig in" I said to all three of them, they looked at me and just smiled the one with the biggest smiled before chowing down was Neptune, she seems delighted from the taste, to the point her eyes have stars in them, both Compa and Nepgear took a single bite and they had a lighted up look in their faces, but agreed in just I contact that it taste pretty good which honestly warms my heart, we talked in the course of the dinner, I have to say this night is the most fun I had ever had with friend.

"So Sega, why are you living with Compa? And are you two lovers or something?" Neptune said it in a suggestive manner, the instant I heard her say lovers I spitted a the water in my mouth seens I was drinking from my water, Compa was just blushing in an obvious manner with plate white pupils, she is scolding Neptune right now for assuming that we were lovers, I my self am a little flustered at what Neptune said while in this state of mind Nepgear got closer to me, I noticed this and she also knows that I notice since she talked to me.

"Umm… are you to actually lovers? And seriously why are you room mates with her?" She ask me in a polite manner, I quickly heave a sigh and explain to her my dilemma and what is going on right now, she seems relieve to understand what is occuring with me and Compa.

"I think I got your explanation, goodness sorry for misunderstand you for a dangerous person Sega and sorry for my sisters behavior and constant teasing" Nepgear said apologetically I just smiled and gestured to her that it was okay.

"No it's okay, you don't need to apologize and I'm not that bothered about Neptune's meta rantings at all, plus it seems that it's a part of her oddly charming personality" I said to both of them, we just smiled as Neptune still watching this unfold.

Before Neptune could start rambling her usual metaness the door open while our little conversation was about to end, I saw IF enter the room with a smirk on her face with paper work on her hand, I was confused and surely both Compa and Nepgear feel the same, Neptune on the other hand just pouted that she couldn't talk in the conversation.

"Sega I need you to sign this paperwork right now, sorry if I'm bothering you right now but it's urgent" IF stated her reason to show up, I'm both unease and getting a bad vibe on this one since I'm usually a magnet for trouble in the dimension I'm from.

"Can I read this document first before signing this strangely ominous paperwork that I didn't agreed with" I said it in a slight wisecracky way, but I notice that it was a document about the citizenship of every nation, I looked at IF in a confused manner as she expected it to happen.

"I'll explain to you what the document is about in a moment, but first Neps and Gear what are you two doing here?" IF ask the two sisters what are their buisnesses here, which honestly I'm curious as well since they seem to be focus on something serious.

"Ahh… well it is a because me and big sis are here to help with Compa's problem, also we heard that there is a boy that lived here so big sis wanted to know if it was true" Nepgear said to IF in a more relaxed manner than when she talks to me, and it proves that I was right that Neptune's the older sibling of the two.

"Okay… wait Compa what was troubling you? And Sega you look nice in your new clothes, I see you got that from the store people usually recommend to go too to get custom designed clothing" IF ask Compa what troubled her and complimented my new clothes, which I'm please that it looks good on me.

"Well… it's been bothering me ever since I found Sega in Virtua Forest" Compa said to all of us, I listen since it has something to do with me and since I was still unconscious by that time I was wondering what happen to me while I was out. "Sega started to emit an aura that was both terrifying and calming, it was captivating and menacing like I was looking at the eyes of a monster bigger that the Planeptune Tower itself" Compa said it while sweat dropped on her head, I was confused on what Compa said, emitting an aura that ressemble a monster and yet she said it feels soothing, what was happening to me, is it the side effects of my transfomation to a Phantom or not? I don't know myself anymore at all.

All of us were astonished at what Compa said, but both Nepgear and IF started again to suspect me again which is part of a lot of worse events that are starting to unfold, first thing my insticts told me is to hide since I've got the feeling that my life is on the line, so the instant that IF stand to get near me my insticts kicked in and I dive rolled out the dinning room in one motion, people just stared at me as I did that under 5 seconds I honestly wanted to laugh when seeing Neptune's awed face.

"Where are you going Sega why are you hiding in the living roo-" IF tried to enter the living room, until she the whole area was jacked up be 20 people with ski masks on them and a lot of weaponry, and not to mention that 5 of them are down for the count, but what surprise IF was the speed they were took down she got to the living room in 2 second of walking and after entering ¼ of them are already out, she wondered who did it in that fast of a motion.

"LOOK OUT!" I said to her while mid tackling, since 3 of the robbers have .22 caliber pistols and currently firing like turrets, I had to help IF since she was in the lines of sight and the 5 robbers that are down, yeah I might have slach them the instant I saw the robbers, which it took me to ready my katana out of it's scabbard slash five in one strike in under 3 seconds, but what surprise me is how did they sneaked in here so easily and not get notice by any of us, thinking about it makes my spine shiever since if I had not exited the dinning room I didn't know what would've happen, I force IF in the dinning room.

"Huh, guys what's going on outside it sounds like the console wars all over again, and why are you in a battle stance Seggy" Neptune spoke in her usual domineer… wait did she call me in a ridiculous nickname, she did call me Seggy what the hell Neptune?! Random rambling aside the robbers enter and the instant he step inside the dinning room I slash him in a vertical position, Compa, Nepgear and Neptune were shock to see me attack somebody, but then realize it was a robber.

"IF are you okay? Did you got shot or something?" I ask her if she is injured, but from what I see she seems fine, but I got a seriously powerful punch to the gut.

"Oof, that's gonna leave a mark…"I said as I got winded by the punch that IF deliver, I swear she is going to kill me one of these days.

"Oh sorry I thought you're one of the robbers, and why did you ran off like that?" IF apologizing tone and quickly she ask me the reason for me quick moved to safety, but could you blame me that I fear for my safety when I'm near IF.

"Duly noted, and can blame me if I think that you'll be head me if I do something fishy or you girls misunderstand something about me that my reason to dash outta here" I explain my answer to them, all I saw was them having the same expression and sweat dropping from their head.

"Oh, I'm really sorry for nearly decapitating you yesterday, but please can let it down"IF said to me with a concern tone, like hell that I'll let that slide with no consequence, you'll live this mistake that you nearly beheaded someone in your life.

"Oh belive me, you'll know when I'm extra careful not to be beheaded by somebody with a short fused temper" I said wisecrack of the day that makes IF feel like garbage, which everybody noticing it.

"Anyway I can throw it under the bridge, but right now more robbers are everywhere in the apartment so no time wasting, let's get hack n' slashing" I said to IF with an up beat mood, which IF just smiled and put a thumbs up, so we readied are selves to charge in the living room, I leaded the duo seens I remember where all the robbers locations are, I said "In the count of three we charge in blades a blazing" I said to IF, she nodded and I started to count, "One… … … Two… … …" I said as I readied to sprint full throttle, then I said with a loud voice " THREE!" Then we fully sprinted to the living and every robber is on full alert now.

I manage to take down 7 of the 15 in one slash and dodge the relentless barrage of bullets by the 3 gun men, IF took down 4 robbers consecutively and manage to take down one of the three gunners, I deflected the bullets to hit the two remaining robbers in the shins, and they groan in pain as I knock them out while they try to stop the pain, both Nepgear and Compa tied up all 20 and Neptune called some guards to assist us with the robbers.

"*Whew* I feel like I can sleep for a whole week *Sigh*" I said to them, they just laugh except for IF who just smiled, I on the other hand was very exhausted and sleepy snice the fight took all my senses to win it.

"I gotta say, you took out 15 of the robbers with little to no effort, you may not have skill but your insticts are quite a useful replacement when it comes to fighting" IF said with a smile on her face, Compa too smile… but Nepgear and Neptune were surprise and awed by my fit that I did, both sisters seems to be thinking on what just happened.

"So… this isn't the first time he fought huh, oh I know! Maybe he's a super human or a mutant that has super speed, strength, flexibility, and senses, cuz' that is't possible to knock out 15 robbers without actually killing them" Neptune said in a cheerful manner, geez she almost said something that will give me a heart attack, she described it so accurately that she could say one more word that will reveal my identity as a Phantom, which I still don't know what exactly am I.

"Don't be ridiculous Nep, if he were any of what you describe he would be like a CPU… wait he did display abilities that almost if not exacted, what a CPU is able to do? But he can't transform and he doesn't even know how to fight in an average nor novice matter" IF said to Neptune, ouch… just ouch that she's calling me below novice which I won't deny but still…

"Yeah but he did beat that giant dogoo by him self after defeating a battalion of dogoos and tulips before it though, and he just sprained his left leg and arm and also only broke two ribs,but what surprise me is his recovery, he manage to stand up again in two days" Compa tried defending my abilities to fight, but I fear about the fact that she said something that could be impossible to do by an ordinary human, I notice the two sisters, IF and Compa realize what Compa just said and it made me sweat a little.

"Um… ho-how many is a battalion Co-Compa? And was he tried as well?" Nepgear said in a stuttered way, I feel like many of blades will be pulled out of IF's holster, I tip-toed out of the dinning room but was notice by Neptune, gawd this is why I hate to be social with anybody since they will ALWAYS notice you.

"About… 160 monsters… and one giant dogoo… wait a moment… IS that even humanly possible?!" Compa said with a lot of questions circulating in her head and a shocked expression with it as well.

Everyone looked at me and started to and more of a death stare from IF, now I know I wanted to run like a little bitch after this, I stand and walked near the door but got stopped by a katar pinning me down near the door, I just gulped at what is going to happen but Compa stopped IF since she was at the verged of crying IF just gritted her teeth, Nepgear and Neptune hold back they know that this isn't their buisness but I know both wanted to fight since their eyes are showing fire like aura in them, I know I messed up for not telling them what I am but could anyone belive me at all, people will just see me as a liar but I know myself and I planned to tell them now who I really am.

"Why… I keep asking who or what are you! Now tell me who are you!" IF yelled to me with a crying Compa on her side, Neptune seems angry but Nepgear… she looks like she is about to break and kill anyone on her sight, I simply looked at her with no emotion at all, IF now more pissed than ever before she punch me directly to the face but I was unfaze.

"Just damn talk already! You shameless mother fucker!" IF cursed at me while trying to fight back her tears but to no avail, Compa now is very… very down right now her eyes are lifeless yet still stained by tears, both sisters looked at me with disgust and anger in their eyes… but now I finally spoked.

"You want to know who I am and where I came from right?" I said in a monotone voice, IF looked at me with wided yet understandable.

"The reason I haven't told anyone… is because will everyone belive me… will everyone think I'm insane… but the real thing I feared, will everybody starts to hate or fear me?" I said with a tone of depression, IF and Compa's eyes wided at what I said, while the two sisters still needs to processes what I was about to say to them.

"… … … I'll listen to your explanation and understand what you have tried to hide" IF said with a forced smile to me, it hurts that she doesn't trust me but I understand why, because of the feeling of someone backstabbing her completely.

"*Sigh* then sit down it's going to be a long story, but I feel guilty for not telling my story to you" I said to both IF and Compa, I look at the sisters and they were looking very intently so I heaved a sigh and started to explain, explain how I got here, how I died, how I made a deal that will give me a second chance to live, how now I'm called a being known as a "Phantom", and finally about my lie of being an amnesiac. After explaning all that information IF's eyes wided so did Compa but she shook her head profusely trying to deny the last part, Nepgear and Neptune seemed surprised to my explanation and interested to hear more about me.

"Are you really being serious here Sega? Or are you pulling our legs" IF said to me but I expected it to happen.

"*Sigh* You know I expected this to occur seens no one actually belives me from my world, and I haven't told a lie in my life since no one is their to tell me to lie, I was alone for so long so I felt nothing of being told insane" I said to IF who just looked at me with concern in her eyes, Compa's eyes says the same as IF's eyes says too, they so regret in my eyes but also acceptance of the truth that they heard, the two sisters just smiled and Neptune spoke.

"Cheer up Seggy you don't need to mope around like that donkey in winnie the pooh from that story book that I readed to Nepgear when she was still a toddler, ah I know the thing that could cheer you up! Let's be friends to call it even" Neptune said to me, I looked at her with a surprise expression while the others either smiled or giggled.

"Hmm… I would like that lets be friends Neptune!" I said with confidence in my eyes and a happy tone in my voice, everyone smiled and clapped at our new friendship, I know it might sounds corny but all I ever ask was friends and family that are there by your side.

I looked at IF which tooked IF a little surprise by my action. "Let's train tomorrow and get stronger IF, I want to be strong enough to be of help" I smiled as I said that to her, which she just blushed with a little of a flustered looked on her, she just smiled and nodded.

I can feel it tomorrow will be the ultimate challenge to me, I want to protect my friends and my family, the family of friend that are important to them I'll risk my life to that cost, that is my oath and power.

I looked up in the sky with a face of complete peace, one day I want to see my family in a happy place than a miserable place, I reach the new skies and smiled to my old life and I shed a single tear to that distance memory.

Chapter 5 : END

Sorry but the Chapters will be slowed down to five to six days of making it, since I still have school and it's very frustrating to focus on two things, so have a happy week and thanks for reading. And also thanks to the followers (Arkimanser, Taiman215, and cisun) and special thanks to sebku ssj3.

-PhantomNightHour

Signing Out