Stage 4. The Forsaken Sanctuary, Part II: Awakening

The woman before the remaining three CPU immediately threw herself into a standing position. She immediately began to check herself over: her hands, her arms, her body. I-I'm alive again? she thought to herself confusedly.

Looking at Noire, Vert, and Blanc, she took a moment re-familiarize herself with their faces. "Hm, it seems there were no complications," she muttered to herself.

Noire eyed the woman curiously. If that was really Neptune, she would have flipped out over her bust. she thought to herself quietly. She continued to eye the mysterious woman's behavior, thinking, but if that's not Neptune… Who is that?

The woman turned her attention to the mural in front of them, her eyes focused on it intently. The CPU looked down at her right hand and eventually closed her eyes.

She returned her gaze to the three other CPU, her stance dignified and confident. "We should leave," she suggested. Her voice sounded like Neptune's, but it was noticeably deeper.

The three stared at her dumbfounded, but agreed with her idea and made preparations to leave until a monstrous shriek caused all four of them to assume their battle positions.

"Curses, I was hoping we'd be able to leave before it started up again," the mysterious CPU muttered.

Hearing this, Noire, in her frustration asked, "Who are you?"

The CPU turned to her and answered, "My name is Purple Heart, the other side of the one who isn't supposed to exist."

Noire raised an eyebrow. "'The one who isn't supposed to exist?'" she repeated confusedly.

She wanted to ask more questions, but the shriek sounded again, forcing all of them into a guard-stance. "What the hell is that noise?" Blanc yelled in an irritated voice.

Purple Heart pointed to the ground ahead of them. "That," she answered simply.

They all turned their attention to the dark mass they had seen prior to entering this forbidden tower. The only strange thing was that this time, it was taking form. They watched in horror as it took the form of a human-looking male with wild, black hair that reached half-way down his back. His eyes were a shade of red similar to Noire's.

What really stuck out to them as being in-human though were his demon horns; the pair of horns that protruded from his head facing downward. His eyes were not those of a wild monster though. They were dejected, almost pitying. "I see you four failed to take my warning," the young demon-man said to them sadly.

Noire was the first to argue. "Hmph, and to think all we were scared of was a kid with horns! You don't look so tough!" she yelled back.

"I don't think it was a good idea to admit that we were scared," Vert muttered.

In a blinding flash, the young demon was kneeled before Noire, his newly-summoned sword pointed rested right beside her neck in a slicing position. "You must learn to never underestimate your opponents. This, milady, will get you killed," he warned.

Noire's eyes narrowed angrily as she tried to take a step backward and return the favor, but he was already back where he was originally standing. "Tch, cocky brat," she murmured.

Purple Heart eyed him for a moment. "Are you the boss monster of this area?" she asked calmly.

The demon eyed her, and then moved his gaze to the portrait. "I'm surprised a thief and faker would have to ask that," he answered cryptically.

Purple Heart raised an eyebrow. Faker? she mentally repeated.

Stabbing his sword into the marble beneath them, the demon said, "I am Alastor, the guardian phantom of Celestia." He pointed his blade at the four girls, his eyes menacing. "I take it you four are the current CPU?" he asked.

They nodded to him, and once more he turned to the portrait on the wall. "My master, Lady Neptune, left me to guard this land prior to her demise at the hands of that thing," he explained angrily. "I must ask you to return what you acquired from that box," he told Purple Heart.

Purple Heart shook her head. "I would if I could, but I have no clue as to how to shut this transformation off," she explained.

Noire crossed her arms. "And what do you mean Lady Neptune? Neptune is right here buddy," she said pointing at Purple Heart, "She's not dead."

"YOU LIE!" The demon roared angrily, brandishing his sword at them. "I saw her worn down in battle until she was split into five by her own mother and that accursed tome!" he yelled.

Blanc looked around, carefully observing their situation. The book said there were five pieces, but there are only five CPU. Yet, this lady of his shares her name with Neptune, who also happens to look like his lady, she thought to herself quietly. Looking around, an idea struck her.

"I hope you have no intentions of trying to kill us Alastor," she said cockily. A dark smile was smeared onto her face.

Alastor growled at her. "Enough games! What makes you think I shouldn't?"

Blanc grinned deviously. "Because we are four of the five pieces of your former master dumbass!" she said loudly.

Alastor stared at her blankly, eyeing them closely. It's true that they do look like four of the five brats she split up into that day, he thought to himself. Looking at Purple Heart, his frown slowly transformed into a maddened grin.

"Fine, I will let you leave with my master's power under one condition," he told them. Pointing at the four, he said, "You four have to manage to defeat me. If you win, that will be proof enough that you four are indeed fragments of my master."

Noire grinned ear-to-ear. "Oh-ho, that's not such a difficult request," she said cheerfully.

Vert readied herself to transform. "You will regret your decision!" she warned.

Blanc was in position, her hammer slowly transforming into an axe. "I'm gonna smash you!" she yelled wildly.

Purple Heart eyed the portrait, and returned her gaze to the demon. What he said still perplexed her. "The master's power?" she mentally repeated. Something wasn't right here, and she knew that whatever it was, it may just prove fatal if they weren't careful.

Meanwhile, in the basement, Uni was in the middle of her own problem. Alastor zoomed about the circular-shaped room and would constantly lunge for her, causing her to unleash a blast from her assault-rifle that almost constantly missed him, but kept him away from his current target: a limp Nepgear.

"Damn it! He's too fast!" Uni yelled in frustration.

Nepgear on the other hand, was still unconscious, unaware of her friend's desperate struggle.

Alastor produced a claw of energy that collided with Uni's assault rifle. "You should allow me to kill her! This girl is destined to destroy us all!" he yelled. Uni leapt back to Nepgear's side and fired off three rounds. All of those shots missed their mark, but managed to put distance between the demon and the two CPU candidates.

"You remember nothing little girl, but she will be the death of your precious big sister if you allow her to live!" he warned.

Uni's eyes narrowed as she charged her assault rifle with magical energy. "SHUT UP!" she yelled angrily as she unleashed a large stream of energy. This time, she managed to hit him and send him flying through one of the pillars in the chamber.

Kneeling beside Nepgear she shouted, "Nepgear! Please you have to get up! NEPGEAR!"

Nepgear however was lost in a world long forgotten. She was taking a stroll within the confines of her soul, within the realm of long forgotten memories.

Nepgear wandered through the broken streets of a damaged Leanbox. She shivering with fright as she walked aimlessly through the darkened streets. A black cloud hung over the sky. She was terrified of the darkness and gloom around her. At last, she finally caught sight of something- blood.

She ran towards the source, only to find another Nepgear standing beside Neptune over a badly beaten Vert. Blood was leaking from Vert's head and chest. She was badly wounded and it was clear that she wouldn't make it. Vert was saying something to them, but the current Nepgear could not hear what she was saying.

Her eyes widened in horror as she realized what the other Nepgear intended to do. That Nepgear, with reluctant tears in her eyes raised the sword. The present Nepgear felt tears fill her eyes when she realized the other Neptune had no intentions of stopping her. "Stop…" she said softly in horror.

She winced as the other Nepgear's scream echoed through the town as she plunged the sword into Vert's body. The sickening sound of a bone braking and blood splashing onto the ground echoed through the streets. The current Nepgear could only watch in horror as Vert burst into data and was absorbed into the sword.

The current Nepgear felt herself waddle off balance. She barely caught herself from falling. Her tears were falling at full force and her mind in shambles. "NOOOOOOOO!" she screamed in horror. With that, she whited out.

Within the real world, a tower of crimson energy burst forth from Nepgear's limp body. Uni immediately ceased all action, and Alastor too ceased his attacks to watch as Nepgear floated into the air. An ominous air filled the chamber as she gracefully fell before the Gehaburn.

"Oh no…" Alastor said softly as Nepgear gripped the accursed blade.

Uni, confused by Nepgear's actions soon noticed that Nepgear's eyes were still closed. It was almost as if she were being controlled like a puppet. "Nepgear stop! Open your eyes, it's me, Uni!" she begged.

"It's too late for your friend now," Alastor told her sadly.

Uni turned to him, confusion covering her face. "What?" she asked softly.

"The darkness within her has allowed the Gehaburn to possess her as its new host," he explained.

Uni ran towards the pedestal, but was stopped by an invisible barrier. Helpless to stop what was occurring before her, she fell to her knees. "No, Nepgear," she pleaded softly, "You have to wake up! Please! I'M BEGGING YOU DAMMIT! WAKE UP!" she yelled.

Nepgear suddenly opened her eyes. Her hands were still on the sword. "Huh?" she said to herself confusedly. Looking down at the sword, she released her grip from it in horror when she realized that it was the same sword the other Nepgear had used to kill Vert.

Without warning, Uni immediately dashed to Nepgear's side, embracing her strongly. "Don't you ever do that again!" Uni yelled angrily. "You hear me Nepgear?"

Nepgear wasn't exactly sure what she had done to worry Uni so greatly, but she nodded anyway and returned the girl's embrace.

Alastor crossed his arms. She resisted the sword's pull? he thought to himself confusedly. Grinning he said, "Fine, you can leave."

Uni turned to him and asked, "What?"

Alastor shook his head as a shining, blue portal appeared beside him. "You managed to stop your friend from being possessed by that sword. You should leave before it tries to pull her in again. Next time, you might not be so lucky," he explained.

Uni didn't quite understand his explanation, but she took his way out with gratitude. She and Nepgear immediately walked towards and stepped into the blue portal, gazing about in wonder when they were incased in a blue crystal.

The crystal began to shine and suddenly disappeared, leaving Alastor alone in the Gehaburn's chamber. "My work here is done," he muttered quietly. The demon's body became black mist and quietly returned to the accursed sword from whence it came.

On the upper floor, the older CPU were having troubles of their own. Blanc charged the demon with her axe, going for a slice to his side. The demon grinned at her and stopped her axe with a single hand. "Nice try," he said cockily as he fired a blast of red-colored energy at the blue-haired CPU.

With a grunt of pain the young CPU was sent flying into a wall, which she crashed into with incredible force. A loud BOOM! sounded through the chamber as Blanc fell to the ground.

"BLANC!" Vert yelled worriedly as she attempted to spear the demon with her drill spear. The demon's eyes remained trained on her weapon, but his plan of defense was eventually proven ineffective when Purple Heart appeared behind him and swung her katana.

Alastor barely managed to leap over the two weapons and out of harm's way. It's just like the master's Army of One ability. It's a real pain to fight four of them, he mentally complained.

Looking at Purple Heart, he made use of his speed and teleported behind her. "But if that's the case," he muttered quietly, raising a newly-summoned dagger. "Then all I have to do is kill one of you to make this easier!" he yelled crazily as drove his dagger toward Purple Heart's back.

He was about to stab her, Purple Heart was in the middle of momentum while floating. She had no way to dodge, when the most shocking of things happened.

STAB! CRACK! SPLASH! The most sickening of sounds pierced the girls' ears. They all looked towards the source of the sound to find that Noire in her transformed state had sped behind Purple Heart and had taken the blow to her abdomen.

A ball of fire was building in Noire's hand as she coughed up a small amount of blood. "Eat this!" she yelled as she forced the dagger out of her abdomen. A stream of fire emerged from her hand, and with its devastating force, it sent Alastor flying into a wall with a loud CRASH!

Purple Heart immediately turned around and cradled the white-haired goddess in her arms. "Noire!" she yelled worriedly.

Noire eyed her and with newfound closeness peered into the girl's glistening, blue eyes. Cupping her face, Noire muttered, "I knew it, you're definitely not Neptune," she told the taller girl with her usual cocky voice. She coughed and lurched as she coughed up another round of blood.

Purple Heart did her best to keep composure, even with her shaking hands. "How did you figure it out?" she asked curiously.

Noire giggled. "You don't even talk like her for starters," she answered honestly. Noire grimaced when she realized that her HP was still dropping.

Purple Heart remained motionless, unsure of how to react. Within her, another interaction was occurring.

Neptune woke up in a plain space, white as far as the eyes could see. "Wh-Where am I? Oh man did I kick the bucket! No way! I don't wanna die yet!"

"That's not it. You're just conscious within the realm in your soul. It's a first though I'll admit. Usually, you're never conscious here when I take over," a voice similar to hers explained.

Neptune leapt at the sudden entrance of a new voice and looked behind her to find a woman resembling Purple Heart, but with the exact appearance of the woman in the portrait.

"Okay, I guess I should start listening to Noire and lay off the cookies before bed," Neptune said to herself dejectedly.

"I can assure you that this is no dream and unless you help me, your friends are going to die," the woman told her.

Neptune gasped in horror as a display-screen appeared and relayed to her the image of a dying Noire. "No way, Noire, how did this happen?" she yelled.

The woman shook her head and assumed the appearance of Purple Heart. "We don't have much time. I need to know, do you honestly not recognize me?" she asked.

Neptune gazed at her, until finally realizing it. "You're my CPU form aren't you? Purple Heart!"

The taller CPU nodded. "Usually, in another time, I would assume partial control of your body and personality when you assumed HDD, but right now I need to ask something greater of you," she told the shorter CPU.

Neptune tilted her head before saying goofily, "My body's not for sale. Besides, you're hot enough to score anyone you want."

The taller CPU shook her head with a sigh. "Do you want to save Noire or not?" she asked seriously.

Neptune stopped her clowning and immediately looked away. "I can do that?" she asked with a sliver of hope.

Purple Heart nodded and returned to resembling the goddess in the portrait. Embracing the younger-looking CPU, she said, "Just leave it to me," she told her quietly.

Neptune nodded. "Okay, but," she paused, "make sure to beat up whoever did this to her!" she said seriously.

Purple Heart was taken aback, but smiled anyway and nodded. "You bet," she replied.

Returning once more to the surface, she told Noire, "Sorry, I had to get the admin-privileges."

Noire's face was one of half-confusion and half-twisted-in-pain. She was confused by the taller CPU's words.

Purple Heart reached a hand over the girl, whispering, "This'll feel a bit weird, but I promise it'll only be for a little while." Purple Heart's hand began to glow pure white as she a strange gate opened over Noire's naval.

Noire's eyes widened with surprise as Purple Heart plunged her right arm into the gate, causing the CPU to scream in pain. The other two CPU watched in horror as Noire burst into silvery-white flames and surrounded Purple Heart.

Alastor's eyes widened with surprise. "No way!" he shouted.

As the flames died down, a single CPU stood where Noire and Purple Heart once stood. She held Purple Heart's appearance, but she had Noire's silvery-white hair. Her eyes were closed, as if deep in concentration.

Alastor growled at them. "Enough of your tricks! Where are the two CPU?"

The woman opened her eyes, revealing Purple Heart's glistening, blue eyes. "Right here!" she yelled, her voice slightly electronic and mixed between Noire's and Purple Heart's.

The other two CPU stared agape at what had just transpired: Neptune had absorbed Noire and somehow, the two have fused together! "What the hell just happened?" Blanc asked blankly.

Vert shook her head. "Don't ask me. I'm just as confused as you are," she answered.

Purple Heart, now armed with Noire's power, summoned Noire's two-bladed sword, and her own katana. Her eyes were fierce, and the amazing amount of energy gathered around her body was nothing short of terrifying. "Ready for round two?"

[Neptune Obtained Noire's Goddess Fragment!]

[Neptune Acquired the C-Trans: Noire]

[Noire Acquired the C-Trans: Neptune]

[Neptune can now use Hard-Drive-Merge with Noire]

[Noire can now use Hard-Drive-Merge with Neptune]

[Save?]

Next Time: The Forsaken Sanctuary Part III: The Goddess of Silver