Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material of the Hyperdimension Neptunia series or the Halo series in this story as they belong to Microsoft, Compile and Idea Factory…


The Rookie

Location: The Planeptune's Basilicom

A Day after drop…

BGM: $100 - Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2

After completing the Quest to terminate the Dogoos, they head back to the Basilicom to check with Histoire about the Mascot which Rookie knows about it.

"Histoire! We're home!" IF shouts again and Histoire came down with good news.

"Ah. Good timing, you four. I was able to locate the Planeptune's mascot"

"Really?" Compa's eyes sparkled.

"Yes, you'll find it at the depths of Virtua Forest. It's seems the mascot is hibernating there" Histoire explains.

'Oh come on… does it have to be the Virtua Forest' Rookie whined and Histoire frowns.

'You just have to deal with it, Rookie' And Rookie sighed.

"Looks like we're going back to the Virtua Forest, let's roll" And the four walked out of the Basilicom till Rookie stopped as he noticed that Nepgear is standing there.

'Don't worry sis. I promise that I'll save you' Rookie walk over to Nepgear. "Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, I just thinking about my big sis, that's all" He nods and they both walked out.

'Don't worry, Nepgear. I'm sure we'll save them' Rookie hoped.


Location: The Depths of Virtua Forest

A Day after drop…

BGM: Jeopardy - Halo 2 Anniversary

After encountering some monsters on the surface, we went into the Depths of Virtua Forest.

"Here we are. Let's find that mascot" Said IF.

"Yep, yep" Compa and Rookie nodded.

"…" Nepgear didn't say anything which made Compa worried.

"Hmm. Ge-Ge, are you okay? You look a little pale…" Compa asked.

"Oh, I'm fine really" Nepgear lied and Compa smiled.

"If you say so…"

'I know you're lying, Nepgear' Then the four walked over the catwalk and Rookie looked around the area as to describe it, there was water everywhere, under the big platform and has big roots that are connect to the trees on the surface.

Ten minutes later…

"Hmm. Is the mascot here?" Nepgear asked.

"Yep it should be some—hey look, there's some Miss Tulips over there" Compa pointed at the Tulips as… wait, something's off…

END BGM

'…Something's not right with that flower' Rookie looked at a Tulip shaking like crazy. More like turning into a zombie.

Then IF notice it. "Crap, don't move! That monster is acting strange…" Then the Tulip changed. Her appearance is still the same but darken with a dark aura.

BGM: Scared, Sanctified, Defiled - Halo 2 Anniversary

"Just as I thought" IF narrowed as the other Tulips got infected as well, shocking Nepgear.

"What the goodness! What's going on?" Nepgear asked.

'What the hell is going on?' Then Histoire suddenly called.

"It's appears that the monsters have gone Viral…"

'Viral?' Rookie was confused.

"Due to the ASIC having most of our shares, they are vulnerable to the Deity of Sin's influence" She continued. "If the monsters are tainted by that influence, they'll transform into a vicious form. I advise that you'll be careful facing those viral monsters, they have poison in them and pack a punch and other monsters that are not viral will be likely turn into one of them" Histoire explained.

'It's more like a virus'

"When you put it like that, yes. Be careful out there" Histoire hangs up.

"Keep your guard up!" IF shouted as the Viral Tulips charge.

BGM: Builder's Legacy - Halo 2 Anniversary

Nepgear was the first one to strike, she swings her Beam Saber towards one of the Viral Tulips as they dodged her attack and headbutt Nepgear, only to be knocked back by Rookie, slashing his Gun-Blade at the Viral Tulips. Rookie and Nepgear look at each other and nodded, he charges at a Viral Tulip and uppercuts the Viral Tulip into the air and switches to 'Semi mode' on his Gun-Blade and shot it a few times then switched to Nepgear as the Viral Tulip falls down, she performs a Mirage Dance, finishing it off. IF came in to support them. She slashes the closest one while Compa is giving healing support, then suddenly a Viral Tulip rammed towards IF, knocking her back and Rookie noticed.

'IF!' Rookie came and took out the Viral Tulip with his Gun-Blade and helped IF, stretching his hand.

IF grabbed his hand and soon pulled up. "Thanks Rookie *cough* *cough*" She thanked him but suddenly started coughing which he tilted his head.

"I'm fine Rookie. Looks like Gear finishes off the last one" They both looked at Nepgear, performing her Mirage Dance again and the last Viral Tulip disappeared. "Okay. Let's move on and find that mascot… *cough*" And they continued walking.

END BGM


Thirty minutes later…

As they walked through the depths of Virtua Forest, they saw a bright light from a distance.

"Is that it over there? I think I see something…" IF's eyes narrowed as she saw a bright then started coughing again that worries Rookie and Compa asked her.

"Iffy? Are you alright?" Then IF answered.

"To be honest… *cough* *cough* I guess I got poisoned by that viral bastard"

'I knew it…'

"What the Goodness! Poisoned?! Compa, do you have a cure for her?" Nepgear panicked.

Compa quickly looked inside her nurse pouch. "Let me see… hmmm… Ha! I got some Anti-venom" Then she hands the medicine to IF. "Here you go, Iffy"

"Thanks Compa" IF quickly made use of the Anti-venom and her poison was soon removed plus having 30% health restored. "Alright! Let's go, people!" IF shouted and they nodded and walked except for Rookie as she looked at him and apologized. "Sorry for worrying you, Rookie" He rolled his head and ruffled her hair and he walk away, leaving IF blushing, she shook her head and joined.

After that they finally found the Planeptune Mascot, the only problem is…

"Wait… Somebody's there too" Compa spotted a female teenager who is breaking something.

*Smash* *smash* *smash*

"Hey, it's look like someone breaking somethingggggg… WHAT THE GOODNESS?! PLEASE STOP!" Nepgear suddenly began shouting.

BGM: Warechu's Theme - Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2

The female teenager continued smashing what appears to be the mascot till she spotted Rookie and the girls.

"Huh? Who the hell are you four! You better stay outta my way, kids!" The teenager shouted.

"Likewise, missy~~. What are you doing to the mascot?" Compa asked a simple question.

"Uh… Destroying it, duh… Captain oblivious. I got orders from ASIC, they're nothing but a nuisance" She explained.

"So you're a member of ASIC, then?" IF narrowly asked.

"Huh, not like I need to explain myself to you kids. Alright then, Listen Up!" Then she began to introduce herself.

"I'm a proud and mighty member of ASIC's frontline infantry, Linda's my name so don't you forget!" Linda shouted, as she has a… do I really have to repeat this? *whispers* Okay FINE. Linda has an odd white-purple skin and she was wearing a big, opened gray jacket with a mouse eared hood.

IF raised her eyebrows. "Frontline infantry? Wouldn't that make you one of those expendable underlings?"

"Definitely an underling…" Nepgear commented.

"Miss Underling is definitely an underling" Compa repeated.

'Just like one of those cowardly grunts' Rookie remembered how the grunts run in random directions when they killed their leaders like the elites and the brutes, sometimes being cocky.

END BGM


Meanwhile in a random scene

BGM: Sneaky Adventure - Kevin MacLeod

"OW! OW! OW! OW! Bleh…" A grunt getting supressed by an Assault Rifle, killing him in the process.

"…GET READY FOR AN ASSHOLE DAY! OW!" A grunt headshotted by a Magnum pistol.

"COME ON! *get stuck by a plasma grenade* OH NOOO- *BOOM*"

"Here comes the grunty punishment!" A grunt throws his grenade into a random object next to him, blowing him up in the process.

"Hey, let's stick our heads out" Two grunts nodded and stick their heads, only to get shot by snipers.

A grunt cowardly running till he peed his pants. "I just wet myself :("

An Elite informed the others of a grunt getting headshotted. "He was shot in the face!"

"DON'T SHOOT! DON'T SHOOT! DON'T SHOOT! DON'T SHOOOOOTTT!" A grunt running away through a crossfire.

Then lastly a grunt saw a grunt getting shot in the head. "THEY SHOT HIS FACE! HIS GREATEST WEAKNESS!"

END BGM


Back to Rookie and the girls…

'To be honest, they're weird sometimes…' Rookie honestly commented.

"WHAT?! Where the hell do you get off, calling an underling, HUH?!" Linda angrily shouted.

"Underling's the only name you need… Underling, now beat it" IF scolded.

"Can you please move outta our way, Miss Underling" Compa asked politely.

"If she really an underling… Maybe I can fight her" Nepgear happily said while Linda…. Eeeeehhhhh getting pissed off in the process.

Till she had enough. "Ugh! Underling this, Underling that! ENOUGH ALREADY, YOU BRATS!"

She readied her Iron pipe. "Okay, now I'm really pissed off. You'll regret calling me that, TAKE THIS!" She swings her Iron pipe towards Nepgear as her eyes widen, she took a hit on her chest, knocking her back, screaming in pain.

"KYAAAAAAAH!" She hits the ground, unable to get up as the three was shocked.

"Jeerz… How is she this powerful?!" IF wondered.

"Maybe it's because ASIC has most of this area's shares?" Compa guessed.

'That is possible that the—Wait… NEPGEAR!' Rookie notices Linda walking towards Nepgear with her Iron pipe on her shoulder.

"Hah… With all that barking, you idiots had no bite at all. NOW to kill you one by one" Linda looks at Nepgear with an evil smirk. "Starting with you"

BGM: We're Burning Sunshine - Halo Wars [1:30-1:48]

"Eep" Nepgear went pale and tried to crawl away. "Um… Uhh… Well… I didn't anything, sooooo…" Linda raised her Iron pipe as her eyes widen with tears.

"GEAR/GE-GE!" IF and Compa both shouted, Linda slams her sledgehammer onto Nepgear as she screamed, covering her face till…

*CLASH!*

"Huh?" Linda noticed that her Iron pipe was stopped and glared at a familiar weapon blocking her attack. "Wh-who the hell are you?!" Linda shouted.

BGM: Machines and Might - Halo Legends

Nepgear uncover her eyes and was shocked to see a man protecting her, it's the Rookie. "Rookie!" She happily shouted as for IF and Compa, their jaws dropped, shocked about the Rookie, blocking a powerful attack for Nepgear as he knocked Linda back, she was surprised.

"Huh… You must be the one who fell down from the sky, tch" Linda smirked at Rookie as Compa was surprised.

"Wait, you saw it too, Miss Underling?" Compa asked.

"Well duhhhh, yeah. I didn't have time to check it out until now" She continued. "Looks like this is gonna be fun. BRING IT ON, PUNK!" She battle cried at Rookie, he readied his Gun-Blade and glared at Linda.

'With pleasure…' Rookie began to charge at Linda as she evilly smirks at him till their weapons collided.

END BGM


BGM: Tear Drop - Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2

"Gear, are you alright?" IF asked as the both went towards Nepgear which she was still in shocked then IF look over to Rookie and Linda, fighting each other. "Yeah, Rookie saved you in a nick of time, Gear" And Nepgear furiously shook her head.

"Why… why did he save me like that? I'm not even carrying my own weight…"

"That's not important now. He saved you because it's the right thing to do" IF explained but she didn't understand,

"I… I don't understand, IF…"

"Gear… When we first encounter Rookie at the Virtua Forest, I thought that he could be one of those ASIC elite soldiers. I was wrong. I saw his fighting style when we fought that big robot" IF continued. "I was also shocked that he fought a dragon, solo." Nepgear's eyes widen. "Look… Rookie saved you twice now. He saved from that big robot AND that underling, I fully understand why he's protecting us but sometimes we have to return the favour, Gear" She finishes as Nepgear looked at Rookie as he is still fighting with Linda.

"Rookie…" She closes her eyes. "I'm so scared, but I need to fight… I become stronger, otherwise all my friends will suffer…" Then she frowns and opens her eyes with determination and stood up. "I WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN!"

BGM: Her Determination - Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2

IF smiled. "Finally, I got your passion back. So you ready to take her on?" She asked.

"I will win. I SWEAR IT!" Nepgear shouted.

"Atta girl. Well then, Nepgear…" She pulled Nepgear's face towards hers. "Let me pass my strength over to you…" Then IF kissed Nepgear in the lips as she was surprised till she started to glow brighter and brighter.


*CLASH!*

As Rookie continues the fight with Linda, she was surprised of his skills and his strength. "Damn…. How is he this powerful, we took most of the shares and should have weaken them but… this guy is different, he's not even affected by the low shares they have… WHAT THE HELL IS THIS GUY?!" She glared at Rookie then suddenly a bright light caught their attention. "What the… OH CRAP! YOU'RE A CPU?!" Rookie looked at Nepgear's suddenly appearance, it's the same appearance he saw at the Graveyard.

"Prepare yourself! I'm not gonna lose EVER AGAIN!" Nepgear equipped her Gun-Blade and dash past Rookie and towards Linda. Rookie however, decided to watch how this unfolds.

*CLASH* *CLASH*

She knocked back Linda as she dodges her attack, she slashes her Gun-Blade at Linda and finally performs a Mirage Dance, completely knocking her back. "DAMNNNNNNN ITTTTTTTT!" She screamed, hitting the ground and Nepgear defeated her.

END BGM

She stood up and started stomping on the ground in anger. "GAAAAAAHHHH! DAMN IT! That is SO UNFAIR, getting my ass kicked by that punk AND YOU, transforming and shit, finishes me off! This is unfair! C'MON!" She yelled furiously.

Nepgear frowns and spoke. "I'll spare your life if you leave us now in peace" Which made Linda twitched.

"Oh, yes ma'am, thank you so much…" She said in a child voice. "If you think that I said that, pull your head outta your ass! I got a job to do" She walks towards the mascot which is damaged now.

"No, wait!" Then Linda glared at Nepgear.

"Why the hell would I listen to YOU?!" *SHATTER!* She breaks the mascot, leaving nothing but broken glass. "I'm all done now. Next stop, Lastation's mascot. Cya later, dorks, Hahahahahahah" She ran away, laughing.

"Hey, get back here! Damn, she's too fast…" IF said as the four looked at the remains of the Planeptune's Mascot.

"Oh no… the mascot…" Then suddenly out of nowhere.

"Worry not, CPU Candidate" The Mascot spoke while her body was shattered.

BGM: $100 - Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2

'What? When? How? What the hell is even going on?' Rookie was completely confused.

"Huh? You must be the mascot, correct?" Nepgear asked.

"Yes. I'm this nation's mascot. How unexpected to have my body destroyed while I was sleeping" The Mascot complained,

"U-um… so you're okay? I mean, you're talking even after you got smashed into pieces…" Nepgear said.

"'Okay' is not accurate, but fortunately, I was able to separate part of my power from the body" Then the Mascot offer Nepgear her power. "Here. I'll grant you what power I have left to you" Nepgear started to glow again but ended quickly but Rookie, having the same thing but with his armor.

'What the… Did I just got upgraded or something' Rookie wondered.

"Goodness… So this is the power of this nation's mascot them?" Nepgear whispered.

"CPU Candidate. I have no way of knowing what has transpired since I began my long slumber" She continued. "But I have faith that you will use my power for just a cause, good luck on your journey. Farewell" Then Mascot vanishes away into thin air.

"And just like that, the mascot vanishes completely. Phew, that was a close call" IF wiped a sweat off her head.

"Yes. We did it, all thanks to you, IF" Nepgear smiled, making IF blushed.

"Hehe… It was a bit embarrassing thought" She scratches her head as Nepgear look at Rookie which he puts his Gun-Blade on his back.

BGM: Tear Drop - Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2

"Rookie…" She came closer to Rookie and suddenly hugged him, making both of them blushed and jawdropped at the same time. "Thank you for saving me…" She buries her face on his chest plate and Rookie hugged her as well till she heard a whisper from him.

"Your welcome, Nepgear…" Her eyes widen and look at Rookie then she smiled, it was her first time to hear his voice as for IF and Compa, still blushing with their jaws dropped, they didn't hear his voice and they let go as she changed back to her normal self.

END BGM

Compa was getting jealous. "NO FAIR! WHY ROOK-ROOK AND IFFY ACT ALL BRAVE AND LOVELY-DOVEY WITH GE-GE!" She yelled.

'Looks like Compa is getting jealous~~' Rookie tensed her while IF blushed redder.

"Wh-what!? N-no! That's not how it was, idiot! Um… Oh! Let's hurry back and report this to Histoire!" Covering her embarrassment they walk out of the Depths of Virtua Forest and return back to Planeptune.


Back At Earth

Mickey

Location: Kizingo Boulevard

90 Minutes after Drop…

BGM: Traffic Jam - Halo 3: ODST

Mickey was running through the streets of New Mombasa till he heard an engine running and suddenly saw a Scorpion Tank backing up at full, followed by marines.

"Hey! Where's the fight at?" Mickey asked as the marines are still running.

"Take a guess, genius!" Mickey looked at the marines, confused till he walked out of the street, look right till he saw a Wraith, firing its operated turret and its plasma mortar, he dodges it and takes cover as a metal object hits his helmet.

"Son of a gun!" He swore as the marine suppress fire at the Wraith with the Scorpion, firing its operated turret, a marine yelled at him.

"Wanna live? GET YOUR ASS OFF THE STREET!" The Scorpion fires its main cannon as the shell went pass Mickey's ear, he responded.

"WAIT FOR ME!" He runs towards the marines as they retreated back to the Scorpion, as more Covenant came outta the buildings.

"Trooper! Get in the tank before the Wraith takes it out" Mickey spotted an extra Scorpion on the streets, he jumps in the tank and starts firing its cannon, as he took out the Wraiths and the ghost that was deployed from the Phantom and wipe out the rest of the Covenant.

"Ah, good work trooper! Covenant's been rolling us back block by block. Every Marine in the city is headed for a rally point near the Naval Intelligence building, you oughta come with us"

"Sure, as long as I get to drive the tank!" Mickey happily said as the marines jump on the tank and he drives through the city with the tank, blasting every Covenant forces he'll meet. "Excuse me, coming through!"

*BOOM*

END BGM


The Rookie

Location: The Planeptune's Basilicom

A Day after drop…

BGM: $100 - Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2

Meanwhile with Rookie and girls, they returned back to the Basilicom and reported the good news to Histoire as she smiled.

"It's appears that you have indeed secured the Planeptune's Mascot but however…"

"We know that the ASIC are aware of the Mascot's existence, too" IF added.

"Miss Underling said that she be taking a trip to Lastation next" Compa further explained.

"We should chase her quick or else she'll be one step ahead of us!" Nepgear said.

"I see that Nepgear's passion has been relit" Histoire smiled.

"Um… Yes, I'm still fighting off my fears but I'm fine now"

"Excellent. I suggest you do what I said and hurried over to Lastation next" She explains. "Regain shares and seek the mascots… Oh… I nearly forgot about giving you an important advice"

"Oh, what is it" Compa asked.

"CPU Candidates like Nepgear, reside with both Lastation and Lowee" She explains further. "I recommend that you seek their aid on your journey as well"

"That would make them Noire's and Blanc's younger sisters, correct?" Compa asked.

"Correct" Histoire answered.

'Uhhh… Who's Noire and Blanc?' Rookie wondered.

Nepgear put her hand under her chin and think. "CPU Candidates… Others girl like me…" She muttered as Histoire continues.

"Each nation had their situation to deal with so they will refuse at first but making contact with them is Vital. I'm sure that they'll share your desire to save their sisters"

"Okay. Looks like we have our plan. Let's get to Lastation!" Said IF and they nodded.

"Right!" As soon as they head out to Lastation, Rookie stopped as she heard Histoire's voice called for him.

"Rookie"

'Yeah, what it is, Histoire?'

"I saw that Nepgear hugged you back at the Depths" Histoire smiled.

'What? How did you-'

"I record history, remember" Histoire reminded Rookie.

'Oh that's right. Yeah that is embarrassing and Compa got jealous about it' Then she giggled.

"Okay, go on, Rookie, you're doing a great job out there"

'Thanks…'

"You promised to keep them safe for me?" Rookie chuckled.

'I will, Histoire' He catch up with the rest and headed to Lastation as her smile faded away, remembering what he said again...

'I will. I'll do ever I can to protect them, after that tragic moment I'll never forget...'

She decided to research about his world and his story.

END BGM


Author's notes:

I'm actually surprised and speechless, seeing over 10 favourites and followers, it really giving me the courage to carry on the story, hell I'm getting enough courage to make a goddamn sequel of this story. I'm very pleased with this, thank you all.

Welp, Planeptune's Mascot has been secure, time to go to Lastation, also Rookie is a strong silent type, not a completely silent type so you'll rarely see him less talking much later on the story.

Also I do not own the grunt's funny lines as they belong to Bungie, 343 (IWHBYD Skull lines of Halo 3 and 5) and Teh Spearhead (The two first lines are from 'The Lives of the Grunt').