Uzume Character Story – Chapter 1 – The Nickname Dilemma

This story begins in Planeptune's Basilicom. It has been three days since a strange, yet amusing fuss took place here. Lan, a legendary guild agent now resides here and is having a hard time adjusting to his new stature as CPU King. Finding comfort in his newfound friendship with Histoire, whom has pledged to serve him as his mentor and guide in this serious and awkward situation.

Due to his "genetic presence" which attracts the female CPUs to him rather forcefully, it has been a rough few days for him. Many mishaps and strange moments have occurred and it doesn't show signs of letting up, especially since Neptune loves to instigate him…much to his chagrin. However, he is about to have an encounter that he will not soon forget. And now…let the chaos ensue…

~PLANEPTUNE CITY – BASILICOM -TOP FLOOR, CPU'S RESIDENCE~

Neptune: "Come on, Sir Majesty! I'm the main character, you're supposed to choose me! Just think of me as a Pocketed Monstrosity. The first one always has a special place in it's trainer's heart!"

Nepgear: "Neptune…I don't think that reference works. You always get a choice between three of them to start out with."

Neptune: "Hush dogs, Nep. Jr! You weren't supposed to let him know that! Way to put salt on my game or whatnot."

Nepgear: "Gosh…I'm sorry Sis…"

Lan: "Ugh…Nepgear, you have nothing to be sorry about. Neptune's just lost in her own version of reality again. This has been going on for three straight days, I have to be careful even when I sleep. I'm doing my best to give the two of you space so my powers won't affect you and yet, she doesn't seem to care at all. It was bad enough she tried sneaking into my bed, hiding in my closet, following me around as I do errands…she even tried to jump in the shower with me! It's getting ridiculous!

Neptune: "I always bathe with my "friends". Haven't you played the other games in the series? Lighten up Shower King, I just wanted to test out some new soap I got. Nepfresh, long lasting clean for those three day gaming marathons."

Lan: "I was trying to respect you in your own home, but I've had it! What is your goal Neptune? Why are you harassing me?"

Neptune: "Harrassment? Oh gawd…do I need to lawyer up? I don't think Planeptune's national budget has anything put away for goddess related legal tissues."

Lan: "It's issues! I have one right now, you won't answer my question!"

Neptune: "Chillax, King Angry. It's all apple juice and orange juice. See…I'm the protagionist. Thus, it is my plot written destiny to win this game and become the CPU Queenie. So, I'm just letting nature drive on it's race course. Haven't you ever played Maryo Cart?"

Nepgear: "That game is really fun! Can we play it?"

Lan: "You sisters…you two need to act more cool. Reality seems to be lost to you both."

Neptune: "Hear that Nep Jr.? Sir Majesty think's you're uncool. That's got to hit right in the feel sads."

Nepgear: "Oww…why does everyone always pick on my personality? I'm not getting the shaft again, am I?"

Neptune: "In this plotline lil' sis…I think everyone's getting the shaft."

Lan: "No one is getting a shaft! Also, my comment was about BOTH of you. I'm going to start calling you the "headache sisters" because I seem to always have one around you two."

Histoire: "What is all the ruckus in here?"

Lan: "Histoire...I am very thankful to see you. These two are driving me crazy!"

Neptune: "Histy's here. Fun's over folks."

Histoire: "You two stop giving Lan so much trouble. I expect this from Neptune, but Nepgear? I expect better from you. You both need to be careful. Lan's genetic presence could overtake your sense of reason if you get too close. Remember the other day?"

Neptune: "How could I forget? Nep Jr. slighty touched Sir Majesty's hand while passing him tea. Next thing I know, she forgot all about the tea and wanted to trade places with the desserts."

Nepgear: "I-I already said sorry about that. Gosh Neptune, please don't bring that up."

Lan: "It's still scary how you all will completely ignore your surroundings in those situations. I don't know how we're supposed to do missions together like this. If I had to protect you, I could be the one in need of protecting."

Histoire: "It is indeed troublesome. I can only hope the CPUs can soon figure out how they each want to deal with this situation."

Neptune: "I already made up my mind Histy. The protagionist will have her crown!"

Histoire: "Neptune, you're not even in love with Lan. If you were, you would be able to resist the genetic presence to a degree. Which you currently can not."

Neptune: "That's cold Histy…I think someone put too many cooling compounds in Histy's motherlyboard."

Histoire: "Neptune, this isn't the time. I have determined the location of another teal monster."

Lan: "Finally, something I can get behind."

Neptune: "Oh, you can get behind m-"

Histoire "Neptune!"

Neptune: "Ah! Histy powered up into Pissty!"

Lan: "Anyway…give me the details Histoire. Before the headache sisters strike again."

Nepgear: "Goodness…I really don't like that nickname…"

Histoire: "Allow me to brief you. Currently, there is a teal monster causing havoc close to the Planeptune/Lowee border. Sightings indicate that it is a primate type creature. The exact location is Black Jungle. Lan, I would like you to go alone and investigate. If possible eliminate and bring back any intel you can on the target. I don't think I need to tell you this, but even the most insignificant detail could be beneficial in understanding these teal monsters."

Lan: "Understood. Anything to get out of here for awhile. These girls are going to drive me bananas."

Neptune: "Nice one! I approve of your fruity humor."

Nepgear: "Histoire? Shouldn't one of us go with Lan? It could be dangerous. We could atleast act as supports."

Histoire: "I do not believe that would be wise Nepgear. As you are now, you would unfortunately only be a burden to Lan. He stands a better chance attempting this task on his own."

Lan: "Don't worry Nepgear. I'll be fine on my own. I'm the guild's top agent. They only call on me for the heavy stuff. I'll be fine, I assure you."

Nepgear: "Alright…I guess I feel a little bit better about it."

Lan: "Alright! Finally time for some fun. Histoire, always a pleasure. I'll be back shortly."

Histoire: "Good luck, Lan. Be safe. Do not be afraid to get ahold of me if the need arises."

Lan: "There won't be any need. Thanks though."

Just then Lan turns around towards the balcony…

Histoire: "Lan…the elevator is that way."

Lan: "…too slow."

*JUMP*

Neptune: "Oh no! Sir Majesty committed suicide! I'm sorry Sir Majesty, I was only kidding!

Nepgear: "Lan! I'll transform an-…what the…?"

Lan: "See you all later! Whoo! Free at last!"

Neptune: "Ummm…guys…he's jumping off nothing."

Nepgear: "Why are his feet sparkling? I've never seen that."

Histoire: "I…would not know."

~BLACK JUNGLE – DEPTHS~

Deep in the jungle, a trio are currently…well, lost.

Adult Neptune: "Guys…didn't we see that tree about 20 minutes ago…and 40 minutes ago…and an hour ago?

Umio: I remember it as well Big Nepsy, I believe we are lost.

Uzume: "Chill out guys, it's not over until it's over. We can't give up, that wouldn't be very cool."

The predecessor to Neptune and Nepgear…a cool, spunky young woman with the power of song and girlish daydreams…Uzume Tennouboshi. The heroine of this particular story. Along with her companions Adult Neptune and Umio the Gentleman Fish, she finds herself in quite the predicament...

Umio: "Uzume, perhaps it would be best to call Histoire? Nepsy and Gearsy would most certainly come to help us."

Adult Neptune: "Umio, you know she won't draw the fishing line on that one."

Uzume: "There's no way I'm asking for help with something like this. I'd be made fun of until next year! Nepsy would never let me live this down. If we keep at it with our heads held high, we can get through this. This place is a walk in the park compared to Zero Dimension."

Umio: "That is certainly true. I suppose we'll just have to think of a way to ensure we do not always traverse the same path over and over again."

Adult Neptune: "Well, I'm fresh out of ideas. If only we had an escape function! Smooth move developers!"

Uzume: "…! Quiet guys. Do you hear that? Something's coming."

Umio: "Indeed, you are right Uzume. My dorsal fin sensor is picking up movement."

Adult Neptune: "Umio, the first wonder of Gameindustri."

Uzume: "…I hear it, but I don't sense it. That's strang-…lookout!'

Rarzaru: "RARAAAAHHHH!"

Uzume: "Guess again! DREAM ROAR!"

Adult Neptune: "Nice one Uzume! He won't be jumping off any beds in the near future!"

Uzume: "Of course! (Even if I can't sense him, I can hear him!) This much is…?!"

Rarzaru: "Rarahhh…"

Adult Neptune: "Oh snap! This monkey took Uzume's attack like it was nothing! It's defense stats are hacked! Hacked I say!"

Uzume: "Fine then…is that how you want to play it? Time to get serious! Access!"

*FLASH*

Orange Heart: "Uzume is going to blow you away!"

Umio: "Uzume, let's try and coordinate our attacks. Big Nepsy, you attack from above. While he has attention focused on you, I'll freeze his feet. Once his movement is stopped, Uzume…you go in for the finishing blow. I would not hold anything back, my dorsal fin sensor indicates this is a powerful foe."

Adult Neptune: "It has the ability to sense energy now? That fin is truly amazing and mysterious."

Orange Heart: "Uzume is ready! Let's finish this once and for all!"

Adult Neptune: "That's my que! Hey, monkey! After I'm done you'll wish you stayed in the barrel you crawled out of!"

Rarzaru: "Raraaahhh…RARAHHHH!"

The Rarzaru jumps towards Adult Neptune…

Adult Neptune: "HIYAH! Trying to best me in midair combat would be impossible, even with a cheat device! Take this! AERIAL SHOT!"

Rarzaru: "RARAAAAR!"

Adult Neptune: "Guys, I think the apes are taking over…"

Umio: "FREEZING BEAM!"

Rarzaru: "…rararr?"

Umio: "It worked. Uzume!"

Orange Heart: "Sorry, but Uzume has better things to do. Uzume won't show you any dreams, only nightmares!"

Rarzaru "Raraarr…"

Orange Heart: "SPECIAL DREAM COMBO! BLOW AWAAAAAAY!" HAHAAAAHHHHHHH!

Umio: "Good work, Uzume!"

Adult Neptune: "Monkey see, Monkey die."

Orange Heart: "It's over…he was…?! …no way…"

Rarzaru: RARAAAAARR!

Adult Neptune: "Uh oh…guys, this is REALLY bad news grizzly bears!"

Umio: "In this case Big Nepsy, it's bad news Monkeys."

Orange Heart: "How!? That was Uzume's ultimate attack!"

*FLASH*

Uzume: "…CRAP! I ran out of share energy! Not now! Of all times!"

Adult Neptune: "…I really hope you all saved your games. This bosses' stats are off the charts."

Umio: "I think now would be a good time to call Histoire, Uzume."

Uzume: "I would…but the Visual Radio isn't working…"

Meanwhile…

~PLANEPTUNE AREA, NEAR BLACK JUNGLE~

Lan: "Nothing like a stroll in the afternoon…to kill some monsters."

Time to explain. Lan's powers are light based. In his normal form, he can touch light physically and therefore use it to move through the air without having to transform. Think of it as jumping really far using light as a foot hold. This power is known as "Laser Leap"...

Lan: "I see there are lots of birds out today. Heh…"

Birds: "Caww!"

Lan: "Sorry guys, I'll get out of your way! …(I can't help, but think of before. I need to learn how to control that…if I don't…)

FLASHBACK

Histoire: "Lan, this is far below Planeptune. It used to be where we had the console seal, but now…it is used as a training ground due to being able to confine share energy."

Lan: "That's convenient. So, why would you bring me here? I don't need training."

Histoire: "Gold Heart however, needs lots of training."

Lan: "You can't be serious?! That form is detestable, deplorable…I honestly wouldn't even know where to start with training. It's not a good idea, period!"

Histoire: "At some point, you are going to have to learn to resist the affects of personality altering that CPU transformation causes. It's normally not this difficult mind you, it is usually safe for this to happen gradually. However, circumstance does not allow us the luxury of time."

Lan: "I don't want to do it. I do NOT want to be THAT person!"

Histoire: "Lan…I know this is difficult for you, but if you do not learn to control this power...you will only be a danger to yourself and others."

Lan: "…I'm honestly scared. What if I go…crazy again?"

Histoire "I have with me an Anti-Share Crystal. We kept specimens of these for study in our R&D labs. If you go out of control, I'll use it to dispel your transformation."

Lan: "There's such a thing? …fine. I don't like this though for the record."

*FLASH*

Gold Heart: "MY BEAUTIES! YOUR KING HAS ARRIVE-…where are my beauties? I do not see them!"

Histoire: "We are alone here, King Gold Heart."

Gold Heart: "Do not address me by name, mere tome. Know your place."

Histoire: "…!? (This is unexpected.)"

Gold Heart: "If my beauties aren't here, I'm not interested in being here. You can have the bore back.

Histoire: "Y-yes...thank you, my king. (This may prove to be a daunting task...)"

Gold Heart: "Know this…my beauties better be here if the bore transforms again, or I will not be pleased."

Histoire: "…!"

*FLASH*

Lan: "I…did not expect that."

Histoire: "Indeed. It would seem the personality alteration is strong due to the immense power your particular transformation provides."

Lan: "I had no control, at all. I was there…but I wasn't at the same time. It's…not the best feeling, that's for sure. All "he" feels is pure lust. It's nauseating. How do I control such a state?"

Histoire: "Unfortunately, I believe you already know the answer to that."

Lan: "No! There has GOT to be another way! I won't use the CPUs for my own personal gain like that! It's not fair to them!"

Histoire: "As I said before, your destiny can not be avoided. I do not wish to see the CPUs used in such a manner either, but there does not seem to be another option unless you can learn to resist the affects yourself."

Lan: "There has to be a way! I will find it! I vow…I will find a way. I refuse to lose against such a deplorable part of myself. I will conquer him! Just wait and see."

Histoire: "I can only hope your resolve pulls through."

Lan: "…"

END FLASHBACK

Lan: "…I have to find a way. Maybe during my travels, I'll find something."

Just then, a large flock of birds come from the direction Lan is heading and nearly crash into him.

Lan: "Whoooa! Watch where you're going fellas! …that's odd. It looks like they came from where I'm headed. Well, it makes sense if that monster is causing a ruckus. I should get moving. I didn't want to be too fast…avoiding the headache sisters as long as I could was ideal. Business before personal motive though. Here I go! Hah! "

~BLACK JUNGLE – DEPTHS~

Uzume: "HIYAHHH!"

Rarzaru: "RARAARRRR!

Uzume: "Ahhh!"

Umio: "Uzume!"

Adult Neptune: "This monkey is ridiculous! Hey pal! Teal doesn't look good on you! How about black and blue instead! RAGING RUSH!

*CLASH*

Rarzaru: Raraarr…

Adult Neptune: "No damage! Really? Does he have some kind of special equip? Where's a legendary weapon when you need one!"

Uzume: "Hey! Chimp bastard! Eat this! DREAM SMASH FIST! HAAAAHHH!"

Rarzaru: "Raraar…?"

Umio: "Uzume, I think we may have to accept the reality that our attacks are ineffective against it."

Uzume: "Even share energy doesn't work. How do I beat something that even a CPU can't damage?"

Adult Neptune: "I don't know guys, but I think now would be a good time to run from this battle."

Umio: "…he actually looks…bored."

Rarzaru: "…rarrr…"

Uzume: "You've got to be kidding me! He's making fun of us!"

Adult Neptune: "Uzume, now's not the time to worry about that. Come on, let's escape! We might not get EXP, but we'll live to see another encounter."

Uzume: "I don't like this, it's not very cool at all…but, I won't die here. If a monster like him makes it to town without anyone knowing...no, I can't let that happen!"

Rarzaru: "RARAAAARRR!"

Umio: "Be careful! It would seem he is interested in us again."

Rarzaru: "…RARAAAAAAAR"

Uzume: "What the hell is that?!"

Adult Neptune: "He's charging up for some ultimate attack! Maybe it'll be like some games where it takes five turns to charge."

Rarzaru then fires a massive energy blast from his mouth.

Adult Neptune: "Me and my big mouth."

Umio: "Get down everyone!"

*BOOOOOM*

Meanwhile…

~BLACK JUNGLE~

Lan: "(This place is pretty dark. The trees are so thick…this may hinder my abilities a tad. There's a few beams of light shining through, here and there…I'll make due, I suppose. Hopefully, I can find that monster before nightfall. )"

FLASHBACK

?: …ear…e…

Lan: "…uugh…"

?: .ey…o…ear me…

Lan: "…huh…?"

?: "Hey! I said did you hear me?"

Lan: "Huh? …what? Where am I?"

?: " You're at Planeptune Hospital, Mister."

Lan: "…I see. Am I…alright?"

?: "Let's see…according to your chart, you were found lying unconscious in Virtua Forest. You know, it's not safe to wonder around forests all by yourself Mister."

Lan: "Apparently, how did I get here?"

?: "A guild agent brought you here on their way back from a quest. She took you here to get medical attention. Do you remember what you were doing there, Mister?

Lan: "I…can't."

?: "Looks like amnesia. It's becoming so common these days."

Lan: "…"

?: "Do you at least remember your name mister?"

Lan: "…it's…Lan. …yeah. That's right."

?: "Lan-Lan…got it! My name is Compa. Lan-Lan, I'm your attending nurse today."

Lan: "It's…just one Lan."

Compa: "I heard you. Lan-Lan is my nickname for you."

Lan: "…whatever. Can I leave now?"

Compa: "I'm sorry Lan-Lan. I can't let you leave, you need to be released into someone's care. Do you know anyone who would do that for you?"

Lan: "…no, I don't."

Compa: "Looks like you'll be stay here awhile then. In the mean time, I'm going to have to give you a shot as a precaution. You never know what germs you were around Lan-Lan!

Lan: "That's fine…I'm not afraid of needles."

Compa: "That's the spirit! Don't worry Lan-Lan, this won't hurt at all. I'm really good at giving shots!'

Lan: "…! T-that's huge! No…NOOOOOO! Get that thing away from me!"

Compa: "It's alright Lan-Lan, just count to three and it'll be all done."

Lan: "I won't count to SHIT! That thing is going to kill me! Who in their right mind carries around a syringe THAT huge?! Somebody…HELP!

Cherie: "What's going on here?"

Lan: "Thank god…this crazy ass nurse is going to pump me full of enough poison to kill a whale!"

Cherie: "Compa…you really do have to use a normal sized syringe in these cases. I'm surprised you're still employed here. Didn't the hospital get sued two hundred times thanks to you?"

Compa: "Actually, two hundred and seventeen times with three pending!"

Cherie: "That's not something you brag about Compa…"

Compa: "Tee-Hee."

Cherie: "So, is he ok?"

Lan: "…? Who are you?"

Compa: "She's Cherie, one of the top guild agents for Planeptune. She's the one who found you in the forest."

Cherie: "You looked like you were dead. I couldn't even tell you were breathing until you coughed."

Compa: "Lan-Lan's chart says he's fine. If you want to sign for him, I can release him into your care."

Cherie: "Sounds good. Get the paperwork drawn up."

Compa: "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere Lan-Lan!"

Lan: "Thank you."

Cherie: "I wouldn't thank me yet…I'm going to work you to the bone."

END FLASHBACK

Lan: "(…she really did to. Nothing, but training and jobs for months. I wonder which one is worse? ...) Definitely Compa."

*BOOOOOOM*

Lan: "…!"

Just then, a wave of energy comes towards Lan...

*DEFLECT*

Lan: "W-what was that?! Don't tell me that monster did that?! I better move and fast! …wait. I sense…three. Three people…well, one of them is most likely an animal of some sort. It's not malicious in nature though. It's curious though…it has a similar energy to humans. It threw me off for a second. One of them is using share energy…a CPU. One I don't know. Enough talking. LASER LEAP!"

~BLACK JUNGLE - DEPTHS~

As the dust settles and night starts to fall, a large crater and downed trees litter the area. Luckily, a certain gentleman...fish...has hidden himself away from the blast...

Umio: "That attack...what devastation. My dorsal fin sensor is picking up the others. I hope they are safe. Uzume! Big Nepsy! Can you hear me?"

Suddenly, about 500 meters west of Umio...an older purple haired woman lies on top a pile of several broken trees...

Adult Neptune: "Youch...I managed to dodge that attack, but the shockwave sent me flying. My body is going to have the same color as my hair if this keeps up. My fan base will cry a river!"

A certain "cool" natured CPU emerges from a pile of rubble close to Adult Neptune...

Uzume: "Ugh...Damn it! Why can't I even scratch this stupid monkey-brained bastard?! I've tried everything and he keeps on going!"

Umio: "I'm glad to see you two ladies are safe, for the most part. Unfortunately, we do not even have much cover now. He took out most of the trees and plant life here with that attack."

Adult Neptune: "Hey pal! That's not cool! You're going to have environmentalists after the developers! We can't make appearances, if we don't have sequels! ...ouch, I don't think I can fight anymore guys. My HP is in the red."

Rarzaru: "RARAAAAAARRR!

Adult Neptune: "Yikes! Looks like he's about to attack again. It was nice knowing you two, I'll see you again in the next save file."

Uzume: "(I have to think of something! There's got to be a way to damage him!) We can't give up guys! If we let this chimp leave this jungle, he could make it to one of the cities and millions of innocent lives would be lost! As a CPU of Planeptune...I can't let that happen!"

Uzume suddenly jumps up and takes a fighting stance...

Uzume: "(I have next to no share energy left. I need to use basic attacks and gather it while I keep him away from Big Nepsy. I'll attack him head on while checking for any weak spots on his body, or in his defense. It's all I can do for now...)"

Rarzaru: "Rarrr..."

Umio: "Be careful Uzume. I am going to see if I can tend to Big Nepsy's wounds."

Uzume: "Right! Don't worry about me, Umio. I'll figure out how to beat this stupid monkey, I have to!"

Rarzaru: "Raraaarr..."

Rarzaru then takes on a fighting stance infront of Uzume, they both prepare to clash...

Uzume: "You ready banana-brain? I'm going to make you wish you never left the barrel you crawled out of! AIR SHATTERING WAVES!"

Rarzaru gets hit by the attack, he just shakes his head quickly and roars...

Rarzaru: "RARAARRR!"

Uzume: "I'm not done yet! SUPERSONIC STRIKE!"

Uzume them leaps up and with a kick that shatters the air around them and makes cracks in the debris around them, it connects to Rarzaru's face...

Uzume "Heh! How do you like that? ...! D-damn!"

Rarzaru then grabs Uzume's ankle and starts swinging her around and around...

Uzume: "L-LET ME GO YOU CHIMP ASSHOLE...W-WHOOOA! PUT ME DOWN!"

Rarzaru: "RARAAAAR!

Uzume: "S-shi-"

He then throws Uzume straight into a giant boulder with such power it shatters like glass and Uzume falls to the ground...

Umio: "Uzume!"

Adult Neptune: "Umio, can you like go any faster? Uzume's in some real trouble here!"

Umio: "Your wounds are fairly extensive, unfortunately it is going to take some more time to heal them."

Adult Neptune: "Note to self, fishes do not make good healers."

Uzume: "Ouch...t-that hurts. Damn it! Nothing I do works! How can a monster like this even exist!"

Rarzaru: "RARAARRR!"

Uzume: "I can just b-barely move...ugh...I have to..."

Just then Rarzaru starts to charge another blast...

Adult Neptune: "Oh no no noooo! He's going to fire another Banana Split Cannon!"

Umio "...Banana Split Cannon?"

Adult Neptune: "The attack needs a name, right? It splits everything it touches so..."

Rarzaru: *nods* "Rararrr..."

Adult Neptune: "Check your connection speeds people! Did you just see what I saw? He agreed with me!"

Umio: "I suppose, that is indeed the name of his attack."

Rarzaru: "RARAAARRRR!"

Uzume: "He's charging again...(I can't dodge another one of those. There has got to be a way...there has to!)"

Adult Neptune: "Here it comes!"

Umio: "...!"

Uzume: "(I'm sorry guys...I...really tried...)"

Lan: "LIQUID CRYSTAL DICER!"

Just then Lan swung his sword and a large energy blade cut Rarzaru's arm clean off...

Rarzaru: "RARAAAAAAARRRRRAAAHHH! "

Lan: "I came to lend a hand and ended up taking one."

Adult Neptune: "Enter the brooding hero type! We're saved!"

Umio: "Simply amazing. He cut his arm off without any effort, when we could not do any damage at all. How curious."

Uzume: "(How did he manage to do that when I couldn't even put a dent in him?!) I don't know who you are, but I definitely owe you one. Thanks."

Lan: "No need to thank me, I just did what I wanted to do."

Uzume: "Heh! That's cool. So, who are you exactly? People don't usually wander around jungles."

Lan: "Speak for yourself...(She's the CPU, I sense share energy. She's most likely the girl Neptune and Negear keep talking about.)"

Uzume: "Got me there. I was doing a quest and ran into the chimp bastard. He's been giving me a little trouble. Then you came along and here we are now."

Lan: "I was sent here by Histoire to dispatch this monster."

Uzume: "Histoire sent you? This must be bigger then I thought. Then again, I can see why...if I can't damage him..."

Lan: "...Neptune and Nepgear can't either."

Uzume: "So it really is true. CPU's can't harm this monster."

Lan: "Well, that's not exactly true..."

Uzume: "...? What do you mean by that?"

Adult Neptune: "Looks that put mirrors back together and a calm attitude...I dub thee, Sir Handsome!"

Lan: "(That nickname...) Neptune? N-no, that can't be right. That would be breaking the world record for puberty growth. Is it a transformation, maybe? When did you learn that?"

Adult Neptune: "That's too funny. Everyone who meets little me, always have that reaction.

Umio: "Yes, it would be surprising for most."

Lan then looks at Umio...

Lan: "...?!"

Umio: "Are you alright, Sir? You seem to have turned pale."

Lan: "...well, that might be because there's a fish...with a stoic face and the voice of a gentleman...talking to me. T-this has to be a dream! Did I get hit and not notice? Is it perhaps illusionary powers? This monster is a fearsome opponent...I can't afford to hold back."

Adult Neptune: "Methinks Sir Handsome here, has confusion status."

Umio: "Do you need me to heal you, Sir? I could make some special blend tea."

Lan: "A fish...making tea? Did I hear that right?"

Uzume: "I guess these two would be surprising for most people, especially if they already met Nepsy."

Lan: "(...the fish is definitely more surprising...)"

Uzume: "I'll explain everything later. Right now, we need to focus on the chimp bastard over there."

Lan: "R-Right...I had almost forgotten with all the strange things thrown at me. I need to take care of business."

Umio: "So, I take it nobody needs any tea?"

Lan: "...a-anyway...I need you to act as support. I'm going to need a source of light, or I won't be able to move as freely. Is there anyway you can use some type of energy attack that leaves residual traces?

Uzume: "No sweat! (I gathered just enough share energy as they were talking...I should be able to...) Leave it to me!

*FLASH*

Orange Heart: "Uzume will use the sharing field! It won't hold out for long! You'll need to take him out quick!"

Lan: "(I shouldn't be surprised by the personality changes, yet I am...) Don't worry about that. My energy is far above the target's. You do your thing and I'll handle the rest."

Umio: "He's quite confident in his abilities. I am sure we are about to see something extroadnary."

Adult Neptune: "Could this really be...the legendary male protagionist that has yet to appear in this series? Good news fangirls! You finally get some eye candy!"

Lan: "I find it hard to accept praise from a fish, even if he is a gentleman. Super Puberty Neptune, seems to me like she's going to be an even bigger hassle. Why is this situation so strange? Ah, screw it. I'm going to put an end to this monkey business, so I can actually get some answers. Uzume, was it? You can pay me back that favor by giving me a proper explanation afterwards. Sound good to you?"

Orange Heart: "Uzume thinks that's pretty simple. It's a promise!"

Lan: "That's what I like to hear! Alright! Let's end this nonsense, once and for all!"

Uzume: "Uzume's ready! SHARING FIELD...ACTIVATE!"

*FLASH*

Lan: "Whoa...neat trick. (I wonder if I could pull this off?)"

Orange Heart: "*pant* ...Uzume can't keep this up for long. You need to hurry!"

Rarzaru: "RARAAARRRAAHH!"

Lan: "You don't need to tell me twice. (Based on what I sensed earlier, he seems to store energy that he gets hit with. "Archives" it would be another way of saying it. I need to output twice the amount of the limit to how much he can archive at once. I'll need to use a strong attack if I want to end it in a single strike.) Here I go! LASER LEAP!"

Rarzaru then prepares to fire his Banana Split Cannon, he aims it straight for Lan who is jow flying towards him...

Rarzaru: "RARAARRRRHHH!"

Lan: "You hurt the friends of my friends...even a defenseless fish!"

Umio: "*ACHOO* My Apologies."

Adult Neptune: "Wait a minute...can fish sneeze?"

Umio: "Gentlemen Fish can." *wink*

Uzume: "Uzume believes in you! Now, show that monkey idiot a nightmare!"

Lan: "No matter how many of you teal monsters show up, I will defeat each and every one of you! I hope there's bananas in hell, because that's where you're going! SAY GOODBYE!"

Rarzaru: "RARAAAAARRRHHH!"

Rarzaru then fires his Banana Split Cannon at Lan, whom charges head first into it with his two blades. He manages to cut through the blast. Then within a split second he appears behind Rarzaru, who now has golden energy lines forming throughout his body. They break off into seperate pieces...

Lan: "Incinerating Pulse Slash."

The pieces then burst into a gold flame that disintigrates into what seems like sparkles of light...

Lan: "One stupid monkey jumping on the bed...he fell off and landed straight in hell."

*FLASH*

Uzume: "You did it! You know, that was pretty cool. Thanks alot."

Lan: "No problem, just doing my job."

Uzume: "Now that I think about it, I never got to introduce myself with all the monkey business going on. My name is Uzume Tennouboshi. I'm a CPU of Planeptune and my goddess name is Orange Heart. Nice to meet you."

Uzume then extends her hand to Lan...

Lan: "My name is Lan and I'm sorry, but I can't shake your hand."

Uzume: "Huh? Why not?"

Lan: "Ugh...I hate refering to myself this way, but...I have to. I'm...the CPU King."

Uzume: "...! W-what!? For real? Seriously?"

Lan: "Yes...apparently."

Uzume: "Histoire told me all about it a really long time ago. I used to be obsessed with that story! I always thought it was just a legend though...I'd daydream about it all the time. It's...y-your seriously real though! That's so cool! You were able to take out that monster that I couldn't even beat, so I definitely believe you're the real deal."

Lan: "You know what this means, right?"

Uzume: "Yeah, I know full well what it means when the CPU King shows up."

Uzume then realizes and takes back her hand...

Uzume: "I can't ever touch you, not even for a second or I'll lose my sense of reason, right?"

Lan: "That's how it is."

Uzume: "That's definitely the most frightening power I've ever heard of. I'm honestly a bit curious what would happen though..."

Lan: "N-no don't...!"

Uzume: "Relax, I'm just messing with you. You're pretty cool, don't get me wrong...but we just met. You know?"

Lan: "Finally, a CPU with a sense of reason. I have a feeling we'll get along just fine."

Uzume: "Same here. Let's get along, ok?"

Lan: "Sounds like a plan."

Uzume: "...!"

Lan: "Hmm? ...what is it?"

Uzume: "I...have a serious problem."

Lan: "...?"

Uzume: "What should I call you? Lansy? Kingsy?"

Lan: "...huh? It's not really important..."

Uzume: "Nicknames are majorly important! Especially in this case! You're my friend now, so I want to address you like we're close, but you're also the CPU King! Do I need to address you formally? What are the rules in this situation?! This is a tough one..."

Lan: "(Maybe I spoke too soon...) Address me however you like. It really doesn't matter to me. Everyone calls me whatever they want anyway. Makes me wonder sometimes, why I have an actual name."

Uzume: "Ah, man! Umio! Come here a minute."

Umio: "Yes, Uzume?"

Uzume: "What do I call Lan? Lansy? Kingsy?

Umio: "Kingsy?"

Uzume: "Oh yeah, you guys wouldn't know...let me explain it for you."

Lan: "Not this again..."

Adult Neptune: "Is it story time? I get a feeling we're going to be blasted with text boxes."

Lan: "You know, I hope you keep your promise Uzume. I need an explanation on these two oddities. I have a hard time believing those two are different people. Especially since they keep saying the same things."

Uzume: "Well...it's like this guys..."

Uzume then explained the entire situation to Lan, Umio and Adult Neptune. She detailed the legend of the CPU King and finally gave Lan proper details as to the situation regardinng Umio and Adult Neptune...

*SKIP*

Uzume: "...and that's everything guys."

Adult Neptune: "Boy, am I glad the player pressed the skip button. You're awesome."

Lan: "Atleast I have a handle on these two now. After hearing things out, it's not as weird as most of what I've seen or heard so far. Frankly, weirder things come out of Neptune's mouth."

Umio: "A CPU King...I never knew such a thing existed. I believe on the topic of a nickname, as a gentleman it is my job to convey the proper respect accordingly. Therefore, I feel it's best to refer to you as Kingsy."

Adult Neptune: "As a protagionist, I'm kinda bummed out that I won't get a shot at this competition thingamagiger. Thanks a lot, writers! Anyway, imma call you King Handsome."

Uzume: "This is a tough one...Lansy...Kingsy...I just don't know!"

Lan: "Nicknames aside, I think it's time we headed on back to Planeptune. This Neptune is half dead and I need to report my findings to Histoire, immediately."

Uzume: "...Lansy? ...Kingsy? ...King Lansy? ...Kingsy Lan? ...Kingsy Lansy?" Lansy Kingsy?"

Adult Neptune: "Check out Uzume guys, she's stuck in some deep nickname power struggle! Will she be able to face herself?"

Umio: "It is the nickname dilemma." *wink*

Lan: "...I have a feeling this isn't going to end anytime soon."

Adult Neptune: "Earth to Uzume? Hello? Are you in there?"

Uzume: "Lansy...no...Kingsy? Kingsy Lansy? This is so hard!"

Adult Neptune: "We've completely lost Uzume you guys. She like a level in game code, that's inaccessible unless you have a cheat device. I say we do one of those skip thingies, that gets us from one scene to another and leaves it up to the viewers imaginations what happens inbetween."

Lan: "A non-discript journey back to Planeptune...whatever. As long as we get back safety, I don't really care. All these CPU's are like the personifications of headaches."

Umio: "And so, our heroes made their way back to Planeptune. Uzume contemplating her nickname dilemma, the entire way there."

Adult Neptune: "Ummm...Umio...don't we have a narrator for moments like these? You even stole the italic text. Way to hook the audience."

Umio: "I always wanted to try narration at least once. Besides, the viewers seem to appreciate my deep and charming voice. Right, Uzume? ...Uzume?"

Uzume: "...Kingsy Lansy...Lan Kingsy...Damn it! What do I call him?!"

Lan: "I really hope one of the teal monsters show up in a different nation soon. These Planeptunne CPUs are going to be the end of me."

~PLANEPTUNE CITY - BASILICOM, CPU'S RESIDENCE~

Lan: "Hey everyone. I'm back from the quest."

Adult Neptune: "It's great to be back! To the fridge, where pudding awaits!"

Nepgear: "Lan, you're bac- goodness! Neptune! Histoire! Uzume's back!"

Neptune: "If it isn't my predesessor! What's happenin' girlie! Any cool stories for us! Or any edible souveiners? Preferably pudding shaped..."

Uzume: "Kingsy? ...Lansy King? ...UGH!" *mumble*

Neptune: "Ummm...Uzume? I think she may be broken. I wonder if she came with an instruction manual?"

Umio: "Uzume has been quite literally doing this for hours. I am honestly starting to worry about her. She's rather fixated on this nickname dilemma."

Neptune: "I like totally understand. Nicknames are extremely important for us Planeptune folks. I even put in the -Charter of Planeptune Laws-.

Lan: "I keep forgetting you're the leader of a nation, due to the fact you're so random and foolish all the time. If it wasn't for Histoire, Planeptune would probably be in ruins. It's disturbing to think you're allowed to write any laws."

Neptune: "Awww...that's so cold, Sir Majesty! Maybe I should warm you up...with my body."

Nepgear: "Gosh Neptune, you're going to get in trouble from Histoire if you keep being so forward with Lan..."

Lan: "She's right, Neptune. I have business to discuss with Histoire. You'd do well to listen."

Neptune: "If it is thy Majesty's orders...wait, where's big me? Isn't she with you guys?"

Umio: "I believe Big Nepsy is currently engaged in raiding the fridge."

Neptune: "WHAT?! A pudding party and I, the protagionist...was not invited?! Wait for me! I need to fill my stamina gauge!"

Histoire: "What is all the ruckus in here? Neptune, it's not safe to ru-...forget it."

Lan: "Histoire, I have returned."

Histoire: "Lan, welcome home. The quest certainly took you quite some time to complete. Fourty two hours to be exact...I am quite surprised by this."

Lan: "I ran into a bit of trouble...and I decided to bring back a few people you were missing. Any of these guys look familiar to you?"

Histoire: "Uzume! I am very happy you have returned home to us safety. Thank heavens."

Uzume: "Lan...Kingsy? Lansy, Kingsy, Lansy...AHHH! So hard to chose!" *grumble*

Histoire: "Uzume? What has gotten into you?"

Umio: "Uzume is currently caught in a nickname dilemma, Histy."

Histoire: "Ah, Umio. Welcome back, I am glad to see you are well."

Umio: "Same to you, Histy. Would you like some tea?"

Histoire: "That would be delightful, Umio. Thank you."

Umio: Not a problem, Histy. I shall be, but a moment."

Lan: "(That may have been the most civil conversation I've seen...well, in my life.)"

Histoire: "Lan, I can imagine everyone is rather exhausted. I think it would be wise for everyone to take a short respite, then we will reconvene and go over what happened during the quest. I am most interested in the details, concerning what you witnessed and learned about the teal monsters."

Lan: "Understood. I shall take my leave for the moment then."

Uzume: "LANSY!"

Lan: "..."

Uzume: "I'm calling you Lansy, from now on. You plan on controlling your transformation someday, right? I believe in you and the fact you can do it. So, I'll call you Kingsy when you transform. In your normal form, it'll be Lansy. That makes the most sense, right?"

Lan: "(She has faith in me, huh? She said that without even a second thought.) Heh...you are pretty cool, after all."

Uzume: "W-what? You think I'm cool? Really? Why'd you say that all of a sudden?

Lan: "I just spoke what I thought, I think you really are a cool person. (Easier to deal with as well.)"

Uzume: *blush* "Well, of course I'm cool! I'm senior to all of you CPUs! Even you, Lansy! You might be CPU King, but you're still my junior. I might even show you the ropes, if you think you're up for it..."

Uzume then sticks out her tongue tauntingly...

Lan: "Oh really? Forgive my boldness, my cool and humble senior. I'll be sure to come to you if I need to learn anything about CPUs.

Lan proceeds to walk away...

Uzume: "...wait...Lansy?"

Lan: "Yes, Uzume?"

Uzume: "Thanks...for everything. I mean it. I really owe you one. I don't think a simple explanation cuts it."

Lan: "Like I said...I just did, what I wanted to do."

Uzume: "...yeah, I know."

Lan: "I'm glad I saved you though...things will be more interesting around here with you around. (More stable too.)"

Uzume smiled at Lan with a slight blush as he walked towards the way to the balcony...

Uzume: "(...thanks Lan...)"

~PLANEPTUNE CITY - BASILICOM, CPU'S RESIDENCE...THE KITCHEN~

Neptune: "ONE, TWO..."

Adult Neptnne: "THREE, FOUR..."

Both Neptunes: "I DECLARE A PUDDING WAR! ...bow...shake boobs...GO!"

And as they would have it, both Neptunes started throwing pudding cups at each other. In an attempt to try and eat airborne pudding...

Adult Neptune: "This is like totally awesome. I love trying to eat pudding, as it's flying through the air! It's like eating and a game...an eating game!

Neptune: "The best part is, it's not even irresponsible...because I'm still feeding myself."

Adult Neptune: "Nice loophole find there, Little Me!"

Neptune: "Thanks a bunch, Big Me! Bending the rules never tasted so good!"

Nepgear: Goodness! Neptune...or, I guess Neptunes! There's pudding everywhere!"

Neptune: "I know, right? Isn't it awesome?"

Adult Neptune: "I can lick the walls, lick the halls..."

Neptune: "Put some on Sir Majesty and lick his-"

Histoire: "WHAT IN THE BLAZES IS GOING ON HERE?!"

Neptune: "A wild Pissty appeared!"

Adult Neptune: "Not even an external cooling fan is going to work here!"

Neptune: "There's only one thing we can do...

Both Neptunes: "RUN AWAY!"

Histoire: "Both of you get back here this instant!"

Nepgear: "Wait...what's that? Something is flailing about on the floor..."

Just then what seemed like a fish fin emerged from thhe mountain of pudding on the floor...

Histoire: "Umio! Quickly Nepgear, before he aspixiates!

Nepgear: "R-right!"

Nepgear then pulls a dazed gentlemanly fish, out of the mountain of pudding... _

Histoire: "Heavens...Umio, are you alright?"

Umio: "I nearly met my end...at the hand of pudding." *cough*

Nepgear: "I want to say pudding doesn't have hands, but we've fought with pudding monsters before..."

Histoire: "Those Neptunes! They are going to be severely punished! Nepgear, clean this mess up at once. I need to deal with them immediately."

Nepgear: "Why do I always have to clean up after them? ...gosh, I really do get treated poorly..."

Histoire then proceeds to go after the Neptunes, meanwhile a certain incident is about to occur...

~PLANEPTUNE CITY - BASILICOM - TOP FLOOR, BALCONY~

Lan: "(It's nice to have some peace after what went down earlier...seeing a human faced fish and another Neptune was definitely mind boggling at first. To think there are even other dimensions. It's hard to believe I stumbled into a world like this I knew nothing about...and I'm even at the center of it...wait, I sense...?!"

Uzume: "Hey there, Lansy. What's happenin'?"

Lan: "Uzume? What do I owe the pleasure?"

Uzume: "I wanted some air...and maybe I wanted to talk to you about some things."

Lan: "Well, you're easier to talk to then the rest of them. Sure, it might be nice to have a conversation with someone besides Histoire. Well, I can speak with Nepgear sometimes when Neptune isn't around. She's weak to my genetic presence though...actually all the CPU Candidates seem especially affected by it."

Uzume: "So, it really is true...you're the CPU King. It's still so hard to believe. It feels like just yesterday, Histoire was telling me about it. I always hoped, I'd get to meet him someday. Look at me now! Talking to him in the flesh! I'm glad I was able to live to see this day."

Lan: "You know what it all means, right? Why would you be excited about it?"

Uzume: "I guess the reality hasn't sunken into my head yet...back when I was the reigning CPU of Planeptune, the CPUs despised one another. If the CPU King had of appeared back then, we all wouldn't have thought twice about doing what needed to be done to ensure one of us became CPU Queen. It wouldn't have really changed anything between us all. If anything, we would have had a chance to see who was finally on top. You know? It would have been the best thing for us at the time."

Lan: "..."

Uzume: "The CPUs of this generation are all friends with one another, I never thought I'd see the day. I'm starting to think though, maybe that's why CPU's never worked together until now. It's because they all care about each other...that's what makes this situation truly difficult for them."

Lan: "The balance that was upheld for 10,000 years...all to ensure humanity stayed alive. Sarcelle must have been an unrivaled genius. To think ahead so far and so throughly...it's almost insanity, even trying to comphrehend it."

Uzume: "Cheer up, Lansy! It won't do you much good to think about the past. You have to look forward!"

Lan: "That's easy to say...how do you personally feel about all this Uzume?"

Uzume: "Well...I've never been one to run from anything. Especially my duty as a CPU. Like I said before, if this had of happened in my era...I would have done what needed to be done to protect Planeptune and my people without a single thought."

Lan: "...but, that means...!"

Uzume: "I know full well what it means, Lansy. I'm not really that interested in being CPU Queen, to be honest. The title doesn't interest me that much. I wouldn't think twice about sacrificing myself for the good of my nation however, if I felt I had no other choice."

Lan: "You really are a cool person Uzume. You seem to really have it together, I'm jealous."

Uzume: "W-what's with that all of a sudden?"

Lan: "Sorry, I didn't mean to fluster you like that."

Uzume: "I-I'm not flustered! You just complimented me like it was nothing. Pretty smooth, Lansy. Be careful or I might fall for you."

Lan: "...!"

Uzume: "Now who's flustered? I was just kidding, chill."

Lan: "I didn't take you as someone to hold a grudge."

Uzume: "I always repay my debts! It's the cool thing to do."

Lan: "I can't say I don't understand. I feel the same way, I always make sure my debts are paid in full."

Uzume: "Actually...about that, remember how you explained to me about your transformation?"

Lan: "It was the part that got skipped by the viewer."

Uzume: "You got it! Anyway, I might be able to help you a little with that."

Lan: "Seriously?! How?!"

Uzume then goes on to explain to Lan was transpired twenty one years ago. The battle in Zero Dimension, The Dark CPUs, The battle with Affimax and most importantly, Kurome...

*SKIP*

Lan: "I see. You had to fight and reclaim the lost part of yourself. A battlle of control within a -metaphysical mindscape-."

Uzume: "Exactly! It was definitely tough, but I managed to overcome the delusions and despair."

Lan: "So, in other words...I may have a side to myself, a dark side...that I need to overcome."

Uzume: "Yup. You got it! You'll have to figure out a way to bring him out."

Lan: "The room below Planeptune, the -console seal chamber-...that may be instrumental in all of this...thanks Uzume. I feel like I'm just a little bit closer to figuring this out."

Uzume: "Don't sweat it, Lansy!"

Uzume then walks over and slaps Lan's back...

Lan: "I'll definitely...wait a minute..."

Uzume: "What's up, Lans-...ohhh..."

*THUMP*

Lan: "Uh oh..."

Uzume: "(What is this...feeling...it's...overwhelming. My body feels so warm...!) Lansy...*pant*...I...my body...*pant*...it's..."

Lan: "...! (She's...resisting it!) Don't give in Uzume!"

Uzume: "...I...Lansy...I always knew you were cool, but I'm just noticing now...just how attractive you really are. I really wouldn't mind letting you have your way with me. In fact, I want you to."

Lan: "U-Uzume..."

Uzume then cups Lans face with her hands and smirks seductively, she takes on what seems like a Kurome-like persona...

Uzume: "Think about it, Lansy...if you took me here and now, you would gain control of your powers to a degree. You would be able to keep the other CPUs out of this situation. With my knowledge of how to control and tame your inner self, you would have unimaginable power at your disposal. You could use me to your hearts content...all that lust welling up inside of you, I would act as a conduit for it all...and then...you would be able to fufill your desires using me, at your leisure."

Lan: "Uzume...I-I can't do that!"

Uzume: "Oh...but you can, Lansy...and you will. Don't you feel it? Perhaps you need to feel it even more. Feel my desires, Lansy.

Uzume then takes her left hand and puts Lan's hand on her left breast...

Uzume: "Feel my resolve to be your own personal plaything, channel all that lust and desire and thrust it upon me! Give in to your role as king, take me...your loyal pawn and subjegate me!

Lan: "...! (She's so adamant. She's like a completely different person! This is bad!) Uzume, if you keep this up...I'll..."

Uzume: "You'll what, Lansy? Say it! Do it! Show me your desires long locked away. Open the door to pleasure and show me what awaits inside. I'll recieve it all...I want this, I want you...Lansy.

Uzume and Lan lock eyes, as if their was nothing else in this world, but them. Suddenly, as if in a trance...Lan leans his head forward, Uzume responds with a smile and proceeds to do the same...closer...closer...and then...

Nepgear: "Lan, Histoire wants to talk abou-...goodness! Uzume!"

Uzume: "You're interupting us, Gearsy. Why don't you be a good little girl and leave the grown ups to finish their talk. Lansy and I, have much to discuss."

Lan: "...! (What was I? ...here's my chance!) LASER LEAP!"

Lan then jumps far into the air..

Lan: "Nepgear! Restrain Uzume! The affects will wear off in a minute or two, since she's not touching me!"

Nepgear: "R- right. Sorry Uzume, I have to do this. HIYAAH!"

Uzume then punches the air and it shatters, sending Nepgear flying backwards...

Nepgear: "Owww...t-that really hurt..."

Uzume: "Not smart, Gearsy. I am your senior for a reason. You should not be so quick, to think you could hold me down. Now where was I? I believe I was about to recieve an honor from my king."

Nepgear: "Uzume, don't!"

Lan: "Uzume, fight it! You won before, don't let it all go to waste! That wouldn't be very cool!"

Uzume: "...! Y-you're right, Lansy. *pant* Ugh...that is one seriously terrifying power."

Nepgear: "Phew! ...thank goodness. I thought I was about to witness something embarrassing."

Lan: "I knew you could do it, Uzume!"

Uzume: "I-I'm fine now. Seriously though, I never felt anything like that. All I wanted to was...w-well...you get what I'm trying to say. I'll have to be more careful, from now on...geez, I feel like I'm hungover."

Nepgear: "I know the feeling, Uzume. Don't feel bad, I've made the same mistake."

Uzume: "Timid lil' Gearsy getting all hot for Lansy, now that I got to see!"

Nepgear: "Come on now...don't pick on me Uzume..."

Uzume: "By the way, sorry about attacking you Gearsy. It's no excuse, but I wasn't me. You know?"

Nepgear: "Gosh, It's alright Uzume. I know how strong Lan's genetic presence is."

Uzume: "Thanks, Gearsy...ugh, my head..."

Lan then lands safety back on the balcony...

Lan: "Nepgear, you were saying something about Histoire wanting to speak with us?"

Nepgear: "Oh right! I almost forgot! Histoire wants to have the meeting, concerning the teal monster you fought in Black Jungle now. She sent me up here to come get you Lan."

Lan: "Alright. Thanks Nepgear. I'll be down soon. I believe it would be wise if you two went down ahead of me."

Nepgear: "R-right. Come on, Uzume. I'll help you."

Uzume: "Thanks Gearsy. ...Lansy?"

Lan: "Yes...?'

Uzume: "You're a seriously cool guy! Not many guys, could hold out like that when a goddess came on to them. You truly are a King. Take some pride in that! You're a good person, I'm glad you were the one to be born the CPU King."

Lan: "...Thank you, Uzume. I'll try to remember that."

Uzume: "Heh...you better!"

Uzume and Nepgear enter the elevator and proceed downwards...

Nepgear: "Lan really is a nice guy, isn't he?"

Uzume: "He's definitely cool in my books. I've never been one to run away, Gearsy. It's the destiny of one of us to be CPU Queen. Just maybe...it might not be so bad."

Nepgear: "W-what are you saying, Uzume?"

Uzume: "Heh! Who knows..."

~PLANEPTUNE CITY - BASILICOM - MEETING HALL~

Lan: "Sorry I'm late, something came up."

Histoire: "It matters not, Lan. Let us all be seated and begin this meeting."

Lan: "Ummm...I probably shouldn't pry, but why do the Neptunes have a stack of bumps on their heads?"

Neptune: "Pissty over there, went all super-secret boss on us and gave us some critical hits!"

Adult Neptune: "I think she hit us so hard, she permanently decreased our HP. My last ten level ups, mean nothing now."

Lan: "I'm just going to assume you two deserved it and ignore it."

Both Neptunes: "Ice cold, Sir Frozen Heart."

Histoire: "*ahem* If I may continue?"

Lan: "Please do, Histoire."

Histoire: "As you all know, aproximately two days ago...I sent Lan to Black Jungle which lies near the Planeptune/Lowee border. His mission was to find the teal monster, now known as "Rarzaru" and dispose of him. He was to bring back any and all information and share it with us, so we could work together to form a solution to this ever growing problem. As luck would have it, he managed to get there before Uzume, Umio and the Ultradimension Neptune had fallen. I am most curious as to why you three were even there in the first place and what you were doing, most importantly...why you never called for back up when the situation had gotten out of your control."

Uzume: "That's...well, it's an embarrassing story."

Umio: "Indeed."

Adult Neptune: "Even I don't want to touch that hot potato."

Histoire: "You can and will explain it to me later, first...I'll let Lan have the floor."

The Trio: " ^_^; "

Lan: "Thanks Histoire. Listen guys, this is the situation and how it unfolded. As you all know, two days ago I proceeded to Black Jungle on a quest. I was to eliminate Rarzaru and take back any information I could. Upon arriving I was greeted with a large scale energy blast. I was able to deflect it and continued into the depths of the jungle. That is when I found the trio of Uzume, Umio and Super Puberty Neptune."

Adult Neptune: "Do I really need a nickname...like that?"

Lan: "I observed his powers carefully and I noticed something strange. He was able to archive share energy and use it to counter balance the share energy emitted from the attacks of the CPUs."

Histoire: "Monsters utilizing share energy?! That would be absolute madness, if that really is the case. If enough of them were to learn how to harness it..."

Nepgear: "It would mean the end of Gameindustri..."

Histoire: "It is as you say Nepgear. This could very well be one of the most serious situations, we have ever faced."

Lan: "These teal monsters have very high energy levels. Most of the CPUs are not strong enough to handle them. However, I did sense strength that was able to reach higher. It was right before I got there. I'm assuming Uzume used an attack that surpassed the monster's share energy output."

Uzume: "If I was able to do that, why couldn't I win then? That dosen't make sense."

Lan: "That's the part, I can't understand. I did the same thing as you and proved successful. There has got to be something we're missing. Whatever it is, I couldn't determine it in that particular fight. I was too concerned with the safety of the others. Their lives were in immediate jepoardy. I had to act fast and prioritize their safety above all else."

Histoire: "You took the right course of action, Lan. The safety of you all is and always will be, the top priority of any quest. If we were to lose even one of you, it would be dramatic blow to us all...as well as our nations. Always keep that in mind, your lives always come first."

Lan: "That goes without saying for all of us, I believe. In any case, that's all I really could discern from the encounter. My suggestion would be for the CPUs to start training so that when we find the weakness of these monsters, they will be able to counter balance their share energy output. Uzume may have done an attack that surpassed this monster briefly, but it was a boost fueled by emotions. It was not a permanent boost."

Uzume: "Damn it! I need to get stronger!"

Neptune: "Hold your ethernet cables pals! What about my next form? Would it be strong enough to beat those bosses and win the game? It is pretty balance breaking, if I say so myself..."

Lan: "I remember Blanc saying something about those forms. I am very interested in seeing them for myself. Would you mind showing me? I was able to sense the monster's energy levels. I can determine how close you are to being able to fight them."

Histoire: "Do as Lan says, Neptune."

Neptune: "Will do, Histy! Behold my power!"

*FLASH*

Purple Heart: "First, I transform into my goddess form. Pay close attention, Sir Handsome. This next transformation is for you." *wink*

Lan: "..."

Purple Heart: "Activate Next Program!"

*FLASH*

Purple Heart NF: Here it is, my next form. What do you think, Sir Handsome? Do you want me to be your Queen now? I would not blame you, if you did."

Lan: "That power is immense. I give you that much. You could give me a run for my money in my normal form. You're not even remotely close to my CPU form's power though. That form is definitely enough to match the teal monsters, overpowering them though...I don't think you're there yet. I imagine that form puts strain on your body as well. You wouldn't be able to last long enough to defeat them. I would focus on training in that form. How many of you can access next form and how do you do it?"

Purple Heart NF: "We used a hyper share crystal made from the golden summit's gold crystals to unlock this form. Currently, only the four leading CPUs can access next form."

Lan: "That's why I sensed energy similar to my own. Are those gold crystals still around?"

Histoire: "The gold crystals were lost in the battle against Affimax. The hyper share crystal shattered after it was used."

Lan: "Well, the energy used to make them is the same as mine. I was born because of the energy released at that time, as you said before. It would make sense, I may be able to recreate those crystals. Provided that I can access Gold Heart's energy without losing myself. In that regard, we're back to square one."

Umio: "If I may, Kingsy. If the gold crystals power the golden summits and they are used to create the CPU King every ten thousand years, would that not mean a CPU King can no longer be born?"

Histoire: "I never...thought of that possibility. You are indeed right, Umio. If the entire world were to believe in the leading CPUs at once, it could happen. However, that is a very slim possibility. There will always be atleast one person or more who do not choose to believe in the CPUs, unfortunately. Now that this has been brought to my attention, it is of the utmost importance to restore the gold crystals to the golden summits. If this task is not completed, the world as we know it coud fall out of balance. We must put as much effort as we can muster into figuring out how Lan can control his CPU transformation."

Nepgear: "It seems no matter what we do, it always comes back to that in the end. Doesn't it?"

*FLASH*

Neptune: "The fate of the world...rests in the hands of a royal pervert."

Uzume: "I know you all have told me about Gold Heart, but is he really that bad?"

Lan: "One hundred times the effect from before."

Uzume: "T-that's...I can't even find the words."

Histoire: "As it stands, the situation generally remains the same. Our goals are as follows: Find the weakness and origin of the teal monsters, figure out what we will do about controlling Gold Heart's power...which will in turn, allow us to recreate the gold crystals. This will restore the power of the golden summits and allow other CPUs to access Next Form, which will help us in the upcoming battles with the teal monsters. I'm going to relay all of the information gathered here today to the other CPUs so they are aware of our current plans. I will summon you all here again when I have more news on the situation. For now, I suggest you all take a much needed rest and sort through your individual thoughts. You are all dismissed."

Everyone: "Right!"

END CHAPTER

And that's Uzume's introduction chapter! Pretty cool, eh? If you hadn't already noticed, Lan's attacks are named after computer/TV screen references. LCD, IPS, PIXEL...and Rarzaru should be obvious to anyone who's been on the internet for about 10 minutes. Black Jungle is a reference to White Jungle in Sonic Adventure 2. Since it was a Dreamcast Game, I figured it was fitting.

So, I got one serious complainer about how I wrote this story. If you don't like it, don't read it. Don't take it so personally man. I'm writing this story out of boredom. I just got out of major surgery, so I'm recovering over a few weeks. I'm in hella bad pain, so writing random smut is fun. Deal with it.

As for the writing style, I wrote it to be similar to the games. I did this for the feeling of realism, if this was an eroge style Neptunia game (We all want one. Don't deny it.)...and because when I write the actual lemons, I'll be switching to a more traditional writing style. That way, it leaves an impact on the readers and you know they're done tastefully. Look forward to it!

Character Stories could have anywhere from 5 -10 chapters. It depends on request and demand. Uzume was highly voted for. So, I am meeting demand. I plan to dive into how Uzume may feel out of place in this competition due to being a CPU of old. She also has a "minor" obsession with the cool ideal of the CPU King. She may not want to be CPU Queen exactly, she just thinks the legend is totally cool...on account of the fact she likes cool things.

Lan has a backstory, I delved into that a bit. He has a bit of a fear of Compa...that may lead to some awkward moments. Whether or not Lan has intimate moments with human characters is uncertain at this point. No male CPU ever got a human female pregnant before. Is there risk there? Or maybe I might need to throw in another "weird biology lesson". I know that was a flame remark by a persistent flamer, but I find it really funny now. Makes me want to throw in more of them for shits 'n gigs.

Gold Heart displayed some personality in this chapter. He wasn't trilled his "beauties" weren't around. Lan and Gold Heart are not seperate people. They will have to face each other...or "themselves" eventually. Perhaps Uzume could have some insight on this? She went through a similar expereince with Kurome. She may have something up her sleeve that no one expected.

As for how Uzume and Lan interact...maybe they'll bond over both feeling out of place? It seems like Uzume and Lan are both the types to dive into their work. Doesn't it? Uzume was off doing a quest when this story started. So was Lan. Work can sometimes be used as a way to avoid issues, but as we all know...issues often push their way to the forefront when they're large enough. Both Uzume and Lan HAVE to deal with the CPU King issue at some point. This might take them out of their comfort zones perhaps? People bond over shared experiences all the time. Fear is a powerful motivator, impulsive behavior commonly follows. Uzume is the self sacrificing type as well...this may lead to an interesting moment.

I didn't forget about the story of how the trio ended up in Black Jungle. That I assure you, will be a plot point later. I have special plans for that story. It may be bigger then you all thought.

Kurome is not truly dead. Uzume is simply the dominant nature right now. There is light and darkness in everyone. Perhaps that will become plot point? The Kurome persona Uzume took on sure did like Lan...or maybe it was the CPU King she liked? Kurome loves power, but I have the feeling it's more then that. Uzume's original persona was obsessed with the legend of the CPU King. There may be an shocking turn of events there.

The major objectives of the story are underlined in the last paragraph, keep your eyes peeled!

Anyway, Affection Points are in!

Uzume: 1725ap

Nepgear: 1300ap

Lan raked in quite a few points this time around! Looks like perhaps, there may be a slight change going on inside Uzume. She does like "cool" things (and people) after all. Nepgear even got a littlle boost. Perhaps resisting Uzume's advances made her think Lan was pretty dependable?

Until the thhe next chaper. Stay classy homies.