Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
King of Beasts Productions Present:
The Legend of Falcom: Into the Western Continent!
Chapter 3: The Daring Escape!
That Same Evening...
Overlooking the snowy town of Lillian (Yes, the author finally got around to naming it) was a small hill at it's south that led further into the deep forests. Overlooking that said hill was a female clad in your stereotypical mage's outfit; her long blonde hair, adorned with a scarlet witch's cap was tied in a single braid, her black and red long-sleeved robe hugged her curves nicely up to her waist. From there, she wore a red knee high skirt with block stockings and slippers and held a staff with a floating crimson crystal at it's tip. Speaking of curves, hers was pretty impressive, and beneath that witch's cap were a pair of deep green eyes, a round cheeks and a pointed chin. Combine those with a button nose and full lips and you've got yourself an impressive enchantress.
Her physical features aside, that does beg the question: What was she doing there that night? She was overlooking the town using those fancy binoculars you use to watch the opera. Of course, she enchanted them to be able to peer into vast distances. She focused her gaze onto the town, scrying it until she found what she was looking for.
"Ah...there you are." The woman's lips curled into a smile upon seeing the source of a huge trail of smoke. With her mission complete, she put away her binoculars and pulled out a cellphone from her magic satchel. "This is Vanille. We've located this town's Share Refinery. It's at the west end of the town."
"Good job." A voice, a male with a gravelly baritone, answered from the opposite end. "We'll position our forces at that entrance at dawn."
"I must warn you, General." Vanille deemed it important to mention. "I managed to detect General Bethesda enter Lillian despite her best efforts to remain incognito."
"Heh, that does sound like her." The voice managed to chuckle despite that latest development. "This does complicate things. If Bethesda gets involved, our efforts to destroy the refinery will only become more difficult. Close to impossible actually."
"I can create a diversion." Vanille giggled as she imagined her caller giving a double take. "Do not worry, I won't engage her directly. Just keep her busy long enough for you resistance fighters to demolish that eyesore."
"I see. Thank you very much." The man answered with a tone that sounded relieved. "To think that those of the Eastern Continent would be willing to fight for our cause."
"Rest assured, the CPUs of the Four Nations are aware of your plight." She giggled in response to his gratitude. "It's just that Lady Noire has acted long before even Lady Vert, who seems to have connections to this place."
"Very well, I look forward to our success in this operation." General Blizzerd said before he hung up. "Good luck to all of us tomorrow."
"Indeed." Vanille giggled as she put away her phone. "Perhaps I should retire for now. I must prepare for the big performance, so I must look my very best!"
The Next Day...
"Good morning, Falcom."
The adventurer looks up from what she was writing on her journal to see Bungie, Agent of Leanbox, all armored up and ready for anything whilst holding a cup of tea in her hand. "Ah, good morning, Bungie."
"What is it you've got there?" Asked the operative.
"Oh, this?" Falcom answered with a timid chuckle. "It's just me penning down all the stuff that happened to me so far in this land. If things go well, it could be a potential novel."
"Of course. I forgot that you are a writer in your spare time." Bungie nodded as she joined Falcom for a seat. "I suppose you'll be penning this adventure as well?"
"Of course, I am." Falcom responded with a grin. "And everyone I'll meet will have a role in it!"
"I look forward to reading it." Bungie nodded as Plutia and Nisa made their entrance.
"Goooood morning~!" The ditzy bartender greeted them.
"Are we ready to go?" Asked the ever-eager champion of justice.
"Just about wrapping this up." Falcom nodded as she closed her journal. She immediately went for the knapsack she had prepared the night before and placed it on her back. She was just about to make her exit when Saturn (a.k.a Hyperdimension Sadie) entered the bar with a very grim expression.
"Hey sis, I was wondering where you were all morning." Plutia greeted her older sister. "You don't look very happy, though..."
"That's because our situation has gotten quite complicated." The elder sister then produced two wanted posters: One was for the bluenette, and one was for the red head. Each of them had earned a bounty of a thousand credits.
"Tch...so they haven't forgotten us." Falcom noted grimly.
"The fact that you're my junior in the town guild makes this worse." Sadie nodded grimly. "It won't take long until they come here. So that means you'll have to take me and Plutia with you."
"Really?"
"Yes, dear little sister." Sadie giggled while patting the girl's head. "It's Falky's fault that we're in this mess, so she has to take responsibility~!"
"And on that double entendre, we have to go." With a nod exchanged between them, Falcom and the rest of the crew make their hasty exit.
"Quickly. We have to make it to the southern entrance before we get spotted."
Falcom nodded in agreement with Sadie's suggestion, and all five of them began making haste through the town. Unfortunately for them, they've triggered all the flags for an encounter.
"Halt!"
They were already half-way through the town when a large, booming voice echoed in the air. They halted their advance and, sure enough, Captain S2 stood in front of them with a full battalion armed to the teeth. He looked better than when they left him yesterday, as he had a new set of gauntlets and a freshly pressed uniform on.
"In the name of the great Emperor Valve, I place all of you under arrest!" The large gorilla haughtily addressed them while being flanked by a cadre of police officers.
"Is that...a gorilla?" Plutia blinked a few times, mostly to make sure that she wasn't seeing things.
"Trust me, the author has a warped sense of humor." Falcom sighed, displaying the 4th Wall Breaking privileges a Neptunia protagonist has. "Wait, I can do that now?"
Yes, Falcom. Yes, you can.
"Sweet!"
Going back to the action, the gorilla glared at them as he and his battalion stood in their path. "So..." Bungie would be the first to speak, smirking as she slowly put on her helmet. "I take it that the only way we can get through here is by force?" As she spoke, she slowly reached into her belt for a couple of tiny spheres.
"Correction: You WON'T be going through here at all." The gorilla declared smugly. "I'm giving you all one last chance to surrender. Otherwise, I'll execute you all like the criminals you are." With that signal, all soldiers present trained their weapons on the quintet.
"I figured as much." Bungie concluded with a smile under her helm, the spheres expanding with a press of a button before she reared back and threw them at the troop. "In that case, here's a little present from me to you!"
Once the spheres got closer, the officers could see them flickering red rather dangerously. It didn't take long for them to realize that those were-
"GRENADES!"
"Scatter!" S2 ordered, but it came a little too late as they detonated, sending most of the troop flying with a blue explosion.
"Plasma grenades." Bungie smirked as she produced an assault rifle. "One of the many wonders of Leanbox tech."
"Very nice." Falcom grinned as she drew Dragon Slayer. "Well, so much for sneaking out of town quietly. Looks like we'll have to break through their blockade!"
"Ohohoho~!" Sadie giggled as she drew her own blade. "Lead the way, Falky! Show this girl a good time!"
"Don't let them get away!" S2 roared as the officers regrouped and reorganized their ranks.
"Sorry, but I can't let you do that!" Falcom declared as she raised her blade up high, glowing brightly before she brought it down. "Photon Blade!"
The swing divided the ground before her, sending many more troopers flying and opening up a path for them to run through.
"STOP THEM!" S2 roared as he and the officers began to give chase. While doing so, he pulled out a radio and began requesting back-up.
"Cover the rear!" Bungie shouted while aiming at the enemy and firing with her rifle. Nisa nodded while bringing out her Prinny Gun, stopping to take aim before contributing to the volley.
"Leave the front to me and Falky~!" Sadie roared as she brought her menacing blade to bear. She charged her weapon with electricity, the dispatched much of the foes in front of her in one swing.
"I'll help too!" Plutia giggled as she smacked a leftover soldier with a swing of her stuffed animal. She showed a surprising amount of strength behind her blow, as the poor sap was sent flying into a nearby building and leaving a hole in the wall.
"We have to keep going!" Falcom roared as she led the vanguard, the rest of the group following behind her. "If we stay here too long, we'll be swarmed by those reinforcements that gorilla called in!"
So the chase continued, Falcom and Saturn at the front, Plutia supporting everyone the best she can from the middle, while Nisa and Bungie used long ranged weapons to keep their pursuers at bay. As this chase continued, they passed by a certain red-clad mage, who smirked as she watched the five continued to deny S2's men.
"I certainly didn't see this coming." Vanille smirked as she watched the escapade. "This does certainly create the diversion we needed. Perhaps I can take advantage of this..."
"We shook them off!" Falcom sighed in relief as it appeared that no one was chasing them anymore. It took them several blockades, but they finally were close to freedom.
"We're almost at the entrance." Sadie explained as they all began running towards it. "We'll be safe once we make it through-" That line of thought was immediately cut off when they saw what was waiting for them at the said entrance: Instead of another blockade, it was a tall, statuesque woman with black plate armor, a red cape, long jet-black hair that went past the shoulders, and a smirk as she stood alone.
"Oh shit..." Saturn swore under her breath while the rest of the party looked at her with worried expressions. "Just our luck. Of all people we had to run into..."
"Do you know who this is?" Nisa asked the blue-haired sadist, to which she nodded.
"You remember that conversation we had about the Five Lions?" Once everyone nodded, she continued. "This woman is one of them. She's General Bethesda, the greatest of the Five."
"Oh no..." Plutia murmured with dismay.
"Hmm..." Bethesda put a hand on her chin while giving them an analyzing gaze. She then turned her gaze to Falcom in particular. "So you're the troublemaker that thwarted S2's efforts yesterday. I must hand it to you; as clumsy as he is, S2 is formidable. You must be real good with that sword if you could best him like you did."
"I'll have to thank you for the compliment. You seem pretty good with that sword yourself." Falcom grinned as she held her blade aloft, trailing her gaze at Bethesda's greatsword. "Is it too much to ask that you let us pass, swordsman to swordsman?"
Bethesda chuckled as she drew her own blade. "As much as I am amused by your cheekiness, I have a duty to perform to the Emperor. As such, it would be in poor form if I let any enemy of the Empire slip through my fingers."
"It was worth a shot." The red-head chuckled as she got into a stance. "To be honest, I always wanted to try my skills against one of the Five Lions."
"Hmm...such bravery." Bethesda chuckled as she untied the knots of her cape, taking it off as she got into a stance of her own. "Very well, I'll humor you. What is your name, swordsman?"
"Falcom. Native of Planeptune."
"So you're of the east? Very well." The Lion smirked as she measured her opponent's every move. "Don't worry, I ordered all my soldiers not to interfere, so you don't need to worry about any underhanded tricks. Now, don't disappoint me."
Several seconds passed as each combatant locked eyes on their opponent, not leaving any opening in their stance. The four who watched could feel the tension as the air suddenly grew heavy.
"W-wow...such intensity." Nisa trembled as she felt a chill go down her spine. Plutia, who had been holding in a sneeze since the entire time, let it out with an adorable little squeak.
"Atchoo!"
That sneeze, however, was the trigger that started the duel. The two combatants moved so quickly that it appeared as if they disappeared before their very eyes. Half a second later, they reappeared, swords locked as neither combatant gave an inch.
"Amazing..." Bungie could only watch in awe; she had heard the tales about Falcom's prowess with the blade, many considering her among Gamindustri's elite swordsmen. She concluded that reading the files about it and witnessing that technique before her very eyes were two different things.
Of course, the taller Bethesda used her height to her advantage and pushed Falcom back with all her strength. The General advanced, launching a series of strikes meant to chip away at her foe's defense.
"She's pretty good!" Falcom, despite grunting while trying to keep up her guard against the overpowering strikes that was pushing her back, felt herself get excited. "She doesn't waste any movement, going for the most efficient way to dealing with her opponent. However, I can't let myself fall behind such a skilled warrior!"
Bethesda swung with an upward diagonal strike that Falcom ducked. Seeing this opening, she slammed her hilt on the General's gut. It didn't do much damage, but it disoriented her long enough for Falcom to mount an offensive.
"Impressive, swordsman of the East!" Bethesda felt herself smile despite being forced into the defensive. "I haven't had this good a fight since that traitor Blizzerd!"
"Glad I can impress!" Falcom grinned as their sword dance continued, their blades sparking with each clash. "I feel like you're the kind of opponent I have to go all out on if I want to win!"
"Then by all means, Falcom!" Bethesda went for a heavy two-handed horizontal swing that Falcom was forced to block, the momentum causing the red-head to skid back while wrecking the pavement. "Show me your best!"
"Alright, here goes nothing!" Falcom roared as her blade began glowing once more. "Magic Blade, Sorcerian!" With each swing of her sword, several darts made of pure energy closed in on Bethesda, who did not look like she was going to move from her spot. In fact, she was grinning as the runes on her blade and armor began to glow a dull, ominous red.
"Brace yourselves!" Sadie commanded instantly.
"What's going on?!" Bungie asked as she and the others did what the dominatrix instructed.
"Tales and rumors have gone around the Empire concerning Bethesda, that she is what one would call 'Dragon Birthed'."
"What does that even mean?!" Nisa asked.
"I don't know either, but I do know this." Sadie explained as she grabbed Plutia and held on tight. "She's about to use an attack known to wipe out armies with one shout! It's called-
"DRAGON ROAR!" Bethesda let out one mighty shout that echoed throughout the entire town. The magical darts aimed at her exploded in mid-air while Falcom, seeing that there was no way she could dodge an attack of that magnitude in time, planted her sword in the ground and dug her feet in to tough it out.
"Such...power..." The adventurer grunted as she felt as if she was being ripped apart. The rest of the party were able to brace themselves in time, but still felt a good amount of the attack.
"This...is the power...of the Five Lions?!" Bungie grunted as she held Nisa before she could fly off, her Athenian Power Armor thankfully shielding her from the damage.
Thankfully, the roar had subsided, leaving many cracked windows and pavement in it's wake. At the fore was Falcom, crouched on one knee and panting heavily from the damage she sustained from the attack. Her ears were still ringing due to the sheer volume of the shout.
"Impressive." Bethesda gave her opponent an honest smile. "Not only have I been forced to use the Dragon Roar in such a long time, but to see one still standing, albeit barely, after taking it head-on is most impressive."
"Trust me..." Falcom took deep, labored breaths as she spoke, resuming her stance the best she could. "I'm barely...standing as it is..."
"As much fun as this was, I'll have to end it now." Bethesda slowly advanced on the weary heroine, her blade glimmering in the noon sun. "It was an honor, Falcom."
"General Bethesda! Come in, General Bethesda!"
It was at that rather fortunate moment that she felt a muffled voice come from her side. Suddenly remembering that she brought a radio with her, she pulled it out and began speaking.
"This is Bethesda. What is the matter?"
"It's the Resistance!" The gorilla frantically shouted from the other end, the sounds of explosions in the background. "They're attacking the Share Refinery!"
"What?!"
Before she could construct a proper follow-up, Bethesda instinctively swung her blade up. It sliced a rocket sent towards her by Bungie in two, the halves exploding behind her a short time after. She was then forced to guard when Saturn and Nisa simultaneously attacked her.
"I got you, Falky~!" Plutia grabbed her wounded friend in the confusion, propping her up on her shoulder while the other two were buying time for them.
"Fall back!" Bungie shouted, Saturn and Nisa nodding as they withdrew and covered Plutia while she was dragging Falcom with her. Bethesda was about to give chase when a wall of fire obstructed her advance.
"What?!"
From the other side, the troupe encountered a blonde red-clad mage who smirked at them.
"You helped me out a great deal, so I'll have to return the favor." She smirked as a light began to surround them with a flick of her finger. "As a reward, I'll grant you all one express ticket out of town!"
It was at that same moment that Bethesda dissipated the flames with one swing, only to find that her quarry had disappeared. Then S2 radioed her again to tell her that the Resistance had fallen back, but not before the Refinery was left in ruins.
"The Emperor will not be pleased." She sighed as she sheathed her sword. Yet, she could not help but smile in anticipation. "Falcom...that will not be a name I'll forget in the near future."
At the Forests on the Outskirts of Town...
"Thanks for covering me guys. Really." Falcom smiled gratefully as Plutia tended to her wounds.
"No problem at all, Falky. I'm just glad you're okaaaay." The lavender-haired girl smiled brightly.
"We'd like to thank you as well, Miss Vanille." Bungie, having taken off her helmet, smiled at the newcomer mage, while Nisa blinked in surprise.
"You know this girl?" Saturn would be the one to ask.
"Indeed. This is Vanille, a resident of Lastation and a premier mage." The Agent of Leanbox made her introductions. "For her to be here means that Lastation has sent someone to the Western Continent as well."
"Fufufufu...You are correct." The mage giggled while answering her question. "Lady Noire has sensed their movement as well, so she had sent me in to investigate. Though I'm quite surprised to see Planeptune natives here. I mean no offense when I say this, but I have doubt in Lady Neptune's ability of foresight."
"None taken. I actually ended up here by accident." Falcom chuckled. "As usual, ships tend to hate me."
"I for one ended up here randomly as well." Nisa nodded. "In my travels to stop injustice, the ship I was on took me to this town a day ago."
"Then it's just a matter of time before we encounter someone from Lowee." Bungie chuckled at the oddity of it all. "I take it that you've made contact with the Resistance, Vanille?"
"Indeed. The nearest base is near the next town over, but we'll have to wait in consideration of our wounded friend."
"Sorry about that." Falcom chuckled.
"It's no trouble." Vanille smiled at her. "You're friend seems to be quite a healer, so you should be ready to go by tomorrow morning by my estimate."
"Good job, Plutie." Saturn smiled as she praised her sister, who giggled contentedly.
"Thanks, sis! I'm so glad I can help Falky~!"
"It's best we turn in soon It's about to get dark." Bungie nodded as Nisa began gathering fire wood. "I volunteer to take first watch, so rest easy everyone. Especially you, Falcom."
"Alright, alright." Falcom sighed as she closed her eyes, smiling as she got some much needed rest. She would need it, though, as her latest adventure had only just begun.
End Chapter 3
Nepstation Time!
Neptune: Wassup, everyone! This is your series' protagonist, Neptune, comin' at ya with your regularly scheduled Nepstation, the section where we get ALL the meta!
*pauses as the studio audience give an applause*
Neptune: Sorry if we took a little too long to update. King of Beasts has been preeeetty busy with his Zero Hourverse related fics. Plutie has already appeared in one, and yours truly will follow soon enough, so if you're a fan of megacrossover mash-ups about defending the multiverse, ya might wanna give it a look!
Histoire: *from behind the camera* I will make an appearance as well to make sure Neptune and Plutia don't laze about like usual.
Neptune: Aww, don't be such a meanie, Histy! Anyway, let's give a round of applause for our next guest! She's the self-proclaimed champion of justice and the bane to all flat-haters everywhere, let's give it up for Nisa!
*Applause as Nisa enters and takes her seat beside Neptune*
Neptune: Welcome back, Nisa!
Nisa: Good to be back!
Neptune: I gotta say, this chapter was VERY intense!
Nisa: You could say that again! That General Bethesda is very formidable! To think our foe would have such a formidable warrior under it's employ...
Neptune: You can say that again! I'm kinda glad I'm not the one who has to deal with her, even if I am a CPU. So, what's the story with S2? Are we gonna see more of that funky kong in the future?
Nisa: He'll be a recurring foe. Like Underling, but more threatening.
Lisa/Underling: *from the background* Hey!
Neptune: Bungie was pretty cool too! I mean, being the Maker who represents one of the Xbox's most successful franchises, it's to be expected.
Nisa: We're quite fortunate to have her by our side. And also Miss Vanille who, by the way, is the Maker representing Vanillaware.
Neptune: I see, I see. Someone in league with that loner Noire...
Noire: *From the background too* Hey!
Neptune: Anyway, we're gonna have to wrap this episode up for now! This has been your host, Neptune, and I'll see y'all next chapter!
Nisa: See you next time, and remember, always bet on Justice!
End Neptstation
A/N: And that's a wrap! There' really nothing left to say other than please leave a review after you're done reading. I appreciate all the feedback you guys can give me. Also, if you've sent me OCs, know that I'll try to find the time and place to insert them and see if they fit in the story. Well, that's that for now. This is the King of Beasts and I'll see you all next chapter!
Next time on The Legend of Falcom: Into the Western Continent!: The Journey South!
