Shin and Blanc arrived back to the house. Just in time too as the others have woken up. They appeared to have been discussing some matters.

Compa smiled as she gave a brief explanation, "Ah, you're back. We were just about to head to Lastation"

"Unfortunately the Basilicom won't allow us to pass so… we came up with a solution to sneak in." IF added to the explanation.

"To which we goddesses will fly over while holding everyone." Vert pointed towards herself, Blanc and Neptune.

"There's one problem though…" MAGES. began

"One of us will have to stay behind." IF finished, gesturing to the uneven party.

"And I know the perfect way to resolve it!" Neptune shouted.

…..

"..." Shin stood alone silently as he was the one who had to wait.

The non goddesses of the party had to pick straws. He was the one to pick the shortest one, so naturally he was left behind. He watched as they flew away, out of sight. Though it did give him alone time, something he truly hasn't gotten in awhile.

Shin smiled. It was not because of the silence, but the fact that he realized how crazy this has all been….. Strangely he felt like he's thought of this before, but no matter. Everything here is crazy, but it was a fun kind of crazy.

A couple of months ago he was just same as he ever was silent. He still is now, but it was what one would call a loner kind of silent. He's honestly grown attached to these girls, even if he doesn't admit it outright. They are ones he would truly call friends.

Shin's Lily Rank went up with everyone.

Shin raised a brow. He's never seen that message before. He opened up his menu to see what it was about. He went through a few menus before he saw the Lily Ranks.

Hey. You finally open this menu. Took you long enough. Anyway I'll be quick. Lily Ranks are your relationships valued in numbers. It may not be one hundred percent accurate, but it's good to see what people think of you.

His brow could not go any higher looking at the textbox. Though it did make him curious as he exited the textbox. He looked at the rather unique by everyone's face and number.

Compa has a 10, Neptune has an 8, IF has a 7, Blanc has a 6, MAGES. has a 4, and Vert has a 3.

He was in no way going to this menu as he exited out of it. It's actually been a long while now, since it took him more than a couple of minutes to check the ranks. He could only assume they forgot about him or ran out of energy to fly back. Assuming the latter he decides to check what's the fuss is with the Basilicom.

He didn't have to wander far thankfully. Entering the facility he wandered up to the front desk.

"I take it you're trying to get to Lastation?" From the person who operated the desk.

A nod of approval was given.

"Sorry, but no one can get approval. It's been like that since this- huh?"

The man put a finger to his ear, "He's been approved? Alright."

"Sorry for the inconvenience sir. You are allowed to go to Lastation. Come back to Planeptune anytime."

Shin raised a brow at the fact that he was allowed to pass through. He walked away from the desk nonetheless.

As soon as he walks out of the sky harbour he saw the head of Avenir, Singe. Immediately he raised his fists expecting a trap.

"Hold, I come alone." Singe raised his hands.

Shin lowered his fists keeping his guard up.

"Thank you for being reasonable." He motioned for the silent boy to follow. Reluctantly he did.

After a short walk he spoke up again, "I'll get to the chase. Ganache is starting to go out of control. He's been acting more and more erratic acting like he owns the company. I can't help but follow him though, I'm afraid he might kill me. I need someone to stop him. The goddesses are being closely monitored, so it's a stroke of luck that I ran into you."

Shin simply nodded.

"Thank you. He's been recreating the Killachine and putting unknown tech into it. He wishes to use it at the expo. Our client is also aware of it's existence. He knows that you and your friends will be at the expo. As much as it pains me to say it, but destroy that Killachine when given the chance. I fear that Ganache may bring upon something evil with it. That is all. This meeting never happened."

Singe immediately broke off from Shin, heading off somewhere. Luckily for Shin he was in an area he recognized. His eyes caught his destination as he walked towards it.

Chian was currently washing some tables in the restaurant. She heard the door so naturally she checked to see who it was.

"Hello, Shin. Back in Lastation I see? I didn't expect you to see you alone. Did you want to cook again?"

Shin shook his head.

"Alright, take a seat. No need to stand the whole time."

Shin took a nearby bar stool watching Chian clean away.

"Lady Noire has been busy lately. She's also been hanging around here more often. She said something about Avenir somehow kicking her out of her own Basilicom." Chian stopped cleaning and took a position at the counter.

"Their leash is tightening around Lastation. I don't know how long we can hold out."

Silence would fill the room for a couple of second until Chian once again spoke, "So… what would you like to drink? I have some tea, coffee, a couple of sodas. I just recently got a shipment of something called Doc Tear Popper." She pulled out a glass bottle clearly labeled Doc Tear Popper.

Shin grasped the bottle and used the counter edge to pop open the top. He took a swig of it. It would let out the pleasant burning sensation one would experience drinking a soda. If anyone asked for his opinion for the so called drink of chosen, it would be a 'Meh' taste like any other soda to him. He shrugged his shoulders as he downed more of it.

Chian also had a bottle of it. She took a swiss in silence as well. Why not pass the time with stories. "I once had a dream where-"

….

About three hours passed as Chian told stories of anything she could remember, unaware at the amount if Doc P. they were drinking. "So they naturally assumed the blood was mine-"

"Hey Chian. I'm back and-" Noire appeared at the front door, "Oh, hello, Shin. I didn't expect you to be here. I was wondering where you were." The rest of the party entered the building.

"Wait? What? Shin?!" Neptune shouted in surprise.

"How did you get here?" IF questioned

"I walked across the sky harbour." Shin deadpanned.

"I'm asking HOW?"

"I walked across the sky harbour."

"So just sum it up to 'details they aren't important?'" Neptune guessed.

A nod was given.

"Alright." Neptune diverted her attention, "Hey Chian!"

"Why don't you step into the factory with me, it'll make the mood more understandable, for what I'll request for you."

Everyone, but Blanc and MAGES. left the room, to enter the factory.

Blanc quickly presented a book to Shin. "I noticed your small collection of books about Demons, so I got you this when I was shopping for books."

Shin grasped the book reading the title 'The Pixie's Journey.' There was no description on the back, but there were some reviews. 'Amazing.' 'One of the best books I have ever read.' 'An instant classic.' He'll definitely check it out later.

"Thanks." Was his response.

"It's the least I can do." Blanc smiled as she took a seat and began reading her own book.

MAGES. gave a small status report, "There are still no traces of Doc. P to be found-" She stopped as she stared at the drink in Shin's hand. "You found some?! Tell me where did you get that?"

Shin pointed towards a box behind the counter. She immediately lunges towards the box and opens it. To her joy there was at least one bottle left.

"Good work. Though it appears that you drank most of the box. Honestly I wouldn't blame you the drink of chosen is powerful. I shall savor this one until due time." MAGES. pocketed the drink of chosen and left the room.

The party arrived at a cave called 'Soulsac Cave.' They were there to gather some ore and supplies for Chian.

As usual Neptune was the first to speak up, "It's been awhile since we've been sent out to a dungeon to look for materials."

"Well we have been busy with other things." Compa said, "I believe we met Iffy in a cave like this."

"I wouldn't have expected to be traveling with a goddess back then." IF added.

"Now you have four goddesses! It's like a cheat party!" Neptune yelled.

"I guess, but Nep being a goddess surprised me the most."

"You're rude, Iffy!" Neptune pouted.

"And where is this monster, we are looking for?" Blanc set the conversation back in the right direction.

"Like any other monster. We look in the way back. All the way in the back." Noire stated.

"It's better than being in such a peculiar location." MAGES. added.

"Yes, making things easier to identify is a good thing." Vert said, "The last game had a boss underwater that took me forever to find. I would like to not have any of that kind of trouble in real life."

IF smiled awkwardly, "Lady Vert is really good at comparing things to games."

Blanc sighed, "A gamer to the core I guess."

"Just be glad it's not a puzzle." Shin said.

"I guess you're right. What was the last puzzle game you played?"

"Pyro Jack."

IF stuck her tongue out, "Uh.. I remember that one. I couldn't get past level 10. What's your status?"

"Completed."

"Wow. You must be pretty smart to actually get past all those levels."

"I could barely get past level 8." Vert sighed.

If by smart they mean impossibly determined to beat the puzzles, then yeah.

"We actually have it back at home, but I couldn't get past level 5." Compa said

"Please…. never remind me of it" Blanc growled a bit.

"It is impossibly hard, even with my intellect, no amount of thinking could allow me to win." MAGES. said.

Neptune frowned at the predicament, "Man I feel left out. This is what it must truly feel like to be Noire."

"I'm right here you know?!"

"Yes. I know."

….

The party went through the cave with relative ease. The cave looked like any other anyway, they crossed a bridge.

"Is it here? Or maybe here? Hey! Where are monster?" Neptune ran around.

"You're so energetic. Don't you ever get tired, at all?" Blanc asked the energizer loli.

"I was tired before, but hey, I'm not that tired now…. strange."

"If you've been adventuring all this time, you'd naturally have more stamina." IF said.

"I'm super okay too." Compa said.

"All that whining before and now you're a lot more like a goddess than before." Noire commented

"I've been honed through battle! I'm a lot better than before, Noire." Neptune said.

"Okay then. We'll rest here, so why don't you get the material for us."

"Um.. Miss Noire? Am I giving you the wrong impression by any chance?"

"You said that you're better now. This should be a cinch then, right?"

"Aw man. I didn't expect the day when I'll be talked down to by Noire."

Shin and Vert wandered about a bit, stopping right next to a pedestal, but first.

"So are you doing a harem?"

Shin raised his brow at the ridiculous question, before shaking his head.

"But you're a silent protagonist. They always have harems. I won't let you take away Iffy of course, but maybe she might want to share…" Vert's eyes sparkled a bit.

"However I may have started a scene where you unlock level one of my affection. Or not. Do you perhaps fancy at least one of them? It could even be me, for obvious 'reasons'." Vert pushed her chest up to emphasize the 'reasons.'

Shin remained silent.

"I won't allow you to get away until you tell me." Vert had somehow pushed him into the corner.

He still remained silent at the goddesses, merely looking at the pedestal behind her.

"What are you looking at?" Vert turned to the pedastal.

"We'll deal with that later, now tell me~"

Shin knows he could've stayed silent, but that arrives with the possibility of the others coming over and Vert telling them of what she was doing. Knowing these girls it would be better to tell now, instead of being pestered for the longest time.

"Possibly, Blanc." Was his answer.

"I know you can do this forever and- Did you say Blanc?"

Vert has a smile that instantly crept up, "I guess it does make a little sense. You two like to be quiet, more so you than Blanc." Smiling the goddess turned to the pedestal, "I won't tell anyone else, just a secret between you and me. However it still doesn't stop you from making a harem."

And that's why he said, 'Possibly.'

"Iffy can you come here for a second?" Vert looked at the pedestal.

IF immediately came, "What is it Lady Vert?"

"This pedestal looks man made, know anything Iffy?"

"That's a - Everyone! Come quick!"

The rest of the party arrived.

"Recognize this?" IF asked Neptune and Compa.

"I've seen it before, but I can't remember." Compa tilted her head.

"No need to expect anything from me since I have no memory in the first place." Guess who?

"I'm not surprised either of you remember this." IF sighed. "This is the same pedestal where we found the key fragment in Planeptune."

" I guess it does look like it." Compa commented.

"See the notch. The one from Planeptune probably fits in here."

"But. We don't have one that fits this. The one that does was possibly taken by Arfoire." Blanc said.

"Iffy? Can you tell when the fragment was taken? Neptune questioned.

"I can't tell off hand, but it looks like a while ago."

"Shucks. If it was a while ago then maybe Arfoire could've been around here.

"Well let's get going. First things first is getting Chian her materials."

….

The party once again explored the caves some more before meeting upon a crystal monster.

"There's the monster!" Neptune shouted.

"So that's the monster." Blanc repeated.

"It looks kind of tough." Vert said.

"It doesn't matter. It's outnumbered, so we keep hitting it until it dies." Noire gave a little insight.

"As a matter of fact, I feel as though we are the bad ones this time."

"I'll leave the rest to you, Noire." Blanc said.

"I'll pass too then." Neptune said.

"If Nep-Nep is not going to fight, I'll skip too" Compa agreed.

"I should skip this too, then."

"If Iffy is going to skip this, then I will too."

"I am sorry, assistant. Consider this a course of fate." MAGES. said.

Shin wordlessly waved a hand.

"Wait, hey! Everyone! And don't call me assistant!" Noire yelled in defiance.

"We're just pulling your leg here. Let's get this over with quickly, everyone!" Neptune admitted.

Well it was a quick beatdown as the crystal monster didn't even have a boss health bar just a regular one, which was quickly taken down due to that fact. Everyone just wailed on it none stop.

Neptune panted in excitement, "I guess Noire was right. Ganging up on the poor monster was fun and cool."

"I didn't make it sound as bad as you're saying, Neptune"

"Oh really?"

"Do you have a grudge? I can face any day you know?"

"Well… I am always looking for a way to add fun, but Noire? Are you mad?" Neptune asked a very obvious question.

"Mad? No. Not at all. I only have the urge to shove eggplants into your mouth!"

"Okay, that's not a joke! Stop it!"

"Those two are as rowdy as usual. Did you get the ore, Compa?" IF asked.

"Yessy! I think Chian would be happy with this much on hand."

With that they left the dungeon, two goddesses still arguing.

…..

"We're back Chian!" IF yelled as they entered the factory of Passe.

"Welcome back. So how was it?" Chian asked.

Neptune presented the ores, "Ta-da! How's this?"

"That's good. It's exactly what I was looking for!" Chian grabbed the ores. "Sorry, but I need to get going. Time is short you know?"

"Speaking of, when's the expo." Compa asked.

"Three days." Noire reminded

"Three days? Wait a minute three days?! There's not enough time!"

"That's why I'm going now. I'll be occupied for a while, so see ya!" Chian exited the room and entered a smaller one.

"She's gone."

"So what do now?" Neptune asked.

"If my intuition is correct. Avenir is plotting something at the expo." Noire said.

"Plotting what?"

"How should I know? I said it was an intuition."

"So it's just your imagination then."

"Why you-"

"Actually, Noire may be right." Blanc said, "If Arfoire is up to no good, she's bound to use Avenir's weapons."

"I see… Arfoire herself may appear there too." Vert concluded.

"Correct."

"Super Blanc! Now that's what I call convincing!" Neptune cheered.

"The real question is, what are they going to show?" IF asked.

"The Killachine." Shin stated.

"Of course!" IF snapped her fingers, "They have been attacking us with multiple models. So that can be the only answer."

"Whoa! Nice job, Shin. I should probably get you a cookie." Neptune smiled.

Compa yawned, "We should probably get back to the hotel. I'm tired."

…..

It was the next day and Neptune, as usual, was sleeping on top of Shin. This time however a couple of things were different. One she was naked, two she was under the blanket, and three she was smiling mischievously.

"Morning Shin." She placed a finger on her lips, " Just let it happen"

Noire arose from her slumber, "Time for me to- ahhhh!"

This woke everyone up.

"What are you screaming for?" Blanc said in an annoyed tone.

"Tho- Those two are sleeping in the same bed!" Noire pointed at tge duo.

"That's what the fuss is about?" IF said.

"Yeah, not much to scream over." Compa sighed.

"But they-"

"Neptune is Shin's sleeping buddy." Vert stopped her right there.

"Why is this okay?!"

"Because Shin doesn't react much." Neptune said as she raised herself up revealing a partially naked form.

Noire's eyes and mouth widened letting out small sounds of displeasure, before just collapsing in embarrassment.

"I think you went a little far Nep."

"Yeah, I was expecting her to, you know, not pass out."

"Get some clothes on."

They would spend the remainder of the two days doing whatever, playing games, reading, being loud etc.

Compa sat next to Shin while she was knitting. He was reading the book Blanc got him and Blanc was sitting typing on a computer.

She gave a satisfying sigh, "Done" She let go of the keyboard.

"What's done, Lady Blanc?" Compa asked.

"A book I've been working on for a while."

"What's it about?" Surprisingly Shin was the one to ask.

"A man enters a different world he doesn't know about. The twist is he is not special in any way, so he has to earn his keep."

"Sounds interesting." Compa put down her knitting equipment, while Shin nodded in equipment.

"Thanks." Blanc smiled.

Compa had an idea, "Let's go get some ice cream!"

"Sure."

A nod was given.

….

The party has arrived at the expo, everywhere you look there was people showing off their designs.

"And so three days later." Neptune said.

"I feel like we could've used the three days better." iF grumbled.

"What are you grumbling about? The ceremony is about to begin." Chian said.

"Wasting three days is hard, you know? Like playing games, talking, and stuff" Neptune said.

"I'll just pretend you're saying that to make me feel better" IF sighed and grumbled.

"So this is Lastation's largest technology event." Blanc said.

"Pretty huge, isn't it? Lastation still has more to show!" Noire gloated.

Blanc's eyes widened at something.

"Find something interesting?"

"A swag booth, I'm going to check it out." Blanc left to check it out.

"That's what you were looking at?"

MAGES. spoke next, "This is the first time I have attended, but this is quite interesting."

"Isn't it? I knew you'd appreciate the event."

"It may be interesting for me to display my ultra…. NO. Hyper gadget."

"Hyper gadget, what's that?"

"Oh do you have an interest in it, assistant?"

"Like I said, don't call me an assistant."

"Don't indulge in details. The hyper gadgets are my creations"

"That wasn't a detail. Anyway what type of gadgets did you make?"

"Let's see… a microwave that turns food and humans into gel."

"Please don't exhibit that…" Noire pleaded.

"How boring. I presume it is safer than what ASIC will show."

It was at this point that Shin decided to wander about the expo. The weapons here were rather unique. They ranged from tanks to robots. Though he couldn't help but feel something was off. It's like something was in his head, yet not.

"Welcome to the Avenir sponsored technology expo!" A familiar bastard's voice echoed, Shin naturally looked up to see him.

"We have a special opening ceremony for you all." Ganache paused as he looked around, "In keeping with the theme, we would like to hold an exhibition match. Of course we will enter our own weaponry of course."

"Our opponent representing our smaller local companies, is Passe"

Shin immediately headed back to the group.

"Both participants please prepare please prepare. The match will begin in ten minutes."

"Prepare for what? There's nothing to prepare for." He heard Chian say.

…..

"The match will now begin." Ganache said.

"Good luck, I'm counting on you." Chian told everyone.

"Leave it to me. I'll send it to the junkyard." Noire gloated.

"All right, I'm changing forms from the start!" Neptune said. She tried to do it, only to fail.

"Nep! You can't change here everyone wi-" IF stopped.

"Iffy, I can't change. What's the matter?"

"That can't be, but why now" Blanc tried to do the same.

Vert tried to do so as well, "I can't as well? What's going on?"

"What's happening?!" Noire, who else?

A bout of laughter occurred, "It seems you are confused." Arfoire appeared.

"Amore'dcore" Neptune messed up… again.

"That's not my name! You're doing it on purpose, right?! Don't think I'd get irritated!"

"I don't think Nep-Nep has any real intention." Compa awkwardly laughed a bit.

"Her mentality is more on the side of 'As long as I have fun" Blanc said.

"It seems you want to know why you can't use Hard Drive Divinity." Arfoire boasted.

"Because of you? Blanc said.

"Correct. I evaluated the copied powers and created a device to prevent HDD! Though this can only be used in a short range. It should sufficed here."

"How unexpected to have our powers sealed." Vert commented.

"It seems the stage was set all along." Noire said.

"So what now? Should we just give up?! Neptune horrendously suggested.

"Stop whining! You're the one to convince everyone to participate!"

"It seems everyone is ready. Let's begin."

Shin held his head as he was having a small migraine.

"Are you alright, Shin?" Compa asked the boy.

"Is their yelling finally getting to ya?"

"You can sit this one out if you want, it wouldn't be a good idea for you to fight with a headache." Compa sat Shin down.

"Let the first match begin!"

"Come on!"

Shin closed his eyes, hoping his headache would reside.

He was awoken by Neptune. Who was clearly exhausted.

"Hey, now you have to fight! Got a big guy here!"

"Let the second match begin!"

The enemy looked like a killachine, but more heavily armored to say the least. It was promptly named 'Hard Breaker'

The whole party got ready for an upcoming fight.

MEGIDOLOAN!

A purple circle appeared and damaged the entire party.

ENDURE!

ENDURE!

It proceeded to wipe out the party, but Shin and Neptune.

"How does it know that?" Shin voiced.

"I hate…. curbstomp… battles." Neptune said as the two were hit again.

Everyone's voices were drowned out as he couldn't concentrate on what was happening. The machine was going berserk, but he still felt like he was hearing someone's voice, a familiar one calling to him. Yet it wasn't at the same time.

Ganache was nowhere in sight as he eyed the machine, destroying the building. He watched as an orange haired girl smashed something at the top of it's head. A flash of white goes off as he charged at the machine.

He brought his fist back and released. The machine shrugged it off as he was knocked backwards. He could make a voice calling his name, worrying about him. He felt himself being healed as he got back up again.

The goddesses were able to transform and fly around the machine taking potshots at it.

Once again he punched the machine, but to no effect. It's like he's hesitated at the last second. The Machine let out another Megidoloan, possibly damaging everyone, but he doesn't know.

A fireball appeared from the sky and hit Neptune, causing her to fall to the ground. He took the opportunity to use a heat wave.

Holding his arm up, a beam of light formed in his hands, before he smashed it down, making a fire like circle and damaging some of the Killachine.

He heard a scream, so naturally he covered his ears, crouching as he did. He felt a presence by him patting him on the back and healing him. Unsurprisingly it was Compa, she was saying something, but he couldn't decipher.

A bolt of lightning struck the two, bringing their healths down by a lot. Compa quickly healed them again.

Shin got up to try to see if he could attack again.

"The middle." He heard a familiar voice say.

He saw Blanc trying to hack the thing to pieces, with it obviously defending. He ran up to the machine and punched it in the middle section. He did it again and again, until the machine swatted him away. He was up in the air, until he was caught.

He gave a quick glance to see it was Blanc, saying something in an annoyed manner, before dropping him off by Compa. He still couldn't hear anyone as Compa once again healed him.

MAGES. was firing a few bolts of lightning at it, causing him to hear the scream again. He covered his ears again.

A strong force of wind hit him.

ENDURE

He didn't realize that his health was that low! Feeling the sensation of being healed he ran up to the machine again, going for the same strategy as last time.

Striking the middle he did so again and again, having absolutely no effect, was he really hesitating?!

He was once again swatted by the machine and once again healed by Compa. Who appeared to have tried to stop him.

He honestly didn't notice everyone else weakening the thing as it's joints were starting to slow down substantially. When did it become weak, why isn't he paying attention?!

IF appeared in front of him, saying something, trying to hold him in place. He wouldn't have any of that as he merely got IF off of him.

"Get me…. out" He once again goes for the middle.

This time instead of punching it, he reaches right into it, breaking the armor. Using both of his arms he reached deep inside of it, before grabbing a hold of something. Pulling it out, a familiar woman was taken out of the machine. He collapsed with the woman in his arms, watching as the Hard Breaker started crumbling and breaking apart. It fell backwards, avoiding the two on the ground.

The last thing he saw was a familiar green gem, falling more than a couple of feet away from them. He promptly blacked out.

….

"Terror strikes at the Lastation Expo. Avenir's robot went on a rampage, destroying most of the it was stopped. There were no civilian casualties, but the head of Avenir, Singe, was found dead, with his neck snapped. Ganache, an employee of Avenir, is currently missing. Reports say of Ganache picking Singe by the neck and killing him." A female reporter reported.

"The reports also tell of what Ganache said to president Singe, such as, "You are unworthy of the Lord." "How dare you try to betray me!" "Fools like you shouldn't be allowed to live." We are not sure which of these are real-"

The T.V was smashed.

"How could the plan fail!" Ganache yelled in anger, "They destroyed the Hard Breaker, ruining my plans to end them there. I had to kill Singe since he was obviously plotting against me! What went wrong."

"Foolish human. You relied on a machine to do your work for you."

"You gave me supplies to power the Hard Breaker, this is as much as your fault, as it is mine!"

"I only did it, because you requested it."

"Then what else am I supposed to do?!"

"Fight them yourself, there is only so much a machine can do."

"How!? I can't fight!"

"I shall lend you my power, as I said before."

"Alright. Now where's our client? I would like to extend our partnership with her."

Holy crap guys, I'm sorry this took so long. Guess I get distracted too easily. Actually I'm starting to write a book of my own, after my uncle encouraged me to do so, while helping with some ideas. So what did you think?

The end bit was to display Ganache being crazy, crazy power hungry.

You may be surprised with some things later on. I guess you can correctly guess the mysterious woman.

The Hard Breaker was using some skills that people, who played any SMT game should know. Oh yeah. Basically Shin went Berserk, characters will comment on it.

We're near the final stretch guys. Let's cheer everyone on as this Fic is almost at end. Huzzah!

See you next time.