CHAPTER 4: THE REAL JOURNEY BEGINS
Ayden White wakes up to the sounds of happily chirping birds, in which he quietly ignores for a good thirty minutes before they start chirping even louder.
"Fine, I'll get up!" yells an annoyed Ayden who decides to throw his shoe at the balcony door, to scare off the birds from annoying him any further.
Ayden, then sits up and stretches his body out to work out any sleep that was still in him, and walks into the bathroom, where he jumps into the shower and takes a very fast shower (like literally, it was like he didn't take one).
"What to do today?" Ayden thinks as puts back on his clothes and looks around his hotel room. The room itself is cladded in the color purple since it was the CPU of Planeptune's favorite color, as well as, the color of the entirety of Planeptune.
Ayden sits at the edge of the bed and starts thinking how to spend his day.
"Well, what do I do? I'm still not as familiar with Planeptune as I wish I was. Nepgear and the others probably have something important they have to do, and…"
Ayden's mind draws a blank for a moment as he thinks back to what happens next in the game, and realizing what happens next, Ayden shrugs his shoulders to himself.
"I really don't want to bother them, I mean they are probably already into the depths of the Virtua Forest to look for the mascot disc."
Not making a full decision of what he is going to do today, Ayden puts his shoes on and re-attaches his rapier and sheath to his belt, and starts for the door.
A few minutes later, Ayden is out and walking the streets of Planeptune, which always seem to be crowded with people. As he walks pass the different people, gossip is spewing out of everyone who has a functional mouth. Different rumors of the disappearances of the CPUs from all nations and the rumors of ASIC rising to power is mainly what Ayden was hearing.
One conversation Ayden hears really sparks his interest and he stops for a moment just to listen what the two guys were talking about.
"I heard the CPUs were all banished to someplace that where they suffer torment and damnation for being lame CPUs," comments the first guy.
"I think they all deserve it, especially our CPU. I mean Planeptune is the lowest ranking nation out of all four," replies the second guy.
The two guys laugh and walk off to their destination, and all Ayden could think was "Ungrateful assholes."
True, Planeptune's CPU was a bit…no I mean completely lazy but the work was still done, even if it was Nepgear or Histoire who finished the work.
Ayden shakes his head in disappointment and continues down the street, passing many other citizens, with many more rumors.
As he continues to walk, Ayden notices that he is going down the street where the Basilicom is located. His mind then starts to think about how the game continues on, when he hears a familiar voice yelling to catch his attention. Ayden looks around a bit before he catches sight of Nepgear, IF, and Compa walking towards his direction.
Automatically, Ayden puts on his "cool" act as the girls approach him, but in reality he is beyond stoked to see them approach him.
"Hello girls, I didn't see you guys coming in my direction," says Ayden with his "cool" voice and smile.
Nepgear giggles a bit when she notices that Ayden isn't acting like he did the other day. IF rolls her eyes and Compa smiles and waves to Ayden.
"It's good that we found you, because we never got to properly thank you for the other day," says Nepgear with a smile.
Ayden now is a little confused, since he clearly remembers that the girls thanked both him and Zero for their help.
"Didn't you thank me yesterday?" finally asks Ayden, still confused.
"Well the thing is, we didn't get your name," responds Nepgear.
"Oh well, my name is Ayden White," says Ayden with his natural goofy smile.
"Well Ayden, We want to thank you for your bravery and help," responds Nepgear with a heart-warming smile.
"Yes, thank you very much Ayden," says Compa with a big smile.
"Thanks Ayden," says IF as she gives him a thumbs up.
Ayden is a bit overwhelmed with the signs of gratitude that he is at a loss of words. The girls look at him, noticing that he isn't responding to them.
Finally, after about a minute Ayden responds.
"Wow, I've never been thanked to this magnitude before," says Ayden.
The girls laugh a bit and Ayden joins in on the laughter too.
"Hey Gear, remember what we have to do right now," says IF a little bit after their little laughter session.
"Right," responds Nepgear with a nod.
Nepgear turns her attention back to Ayden and smiles. "We got to get going right now. It's some important business," says Nepgear.
"Well I wish you the best of luck in whatever you have to do," responds Ayden, knowing exactly what the girls are going to do right now.
"Hey maybe Ayden can come with us," whispers Compa.
Ayden's Face lit up with anticipation and anxiousness as he hears what Compa suggests. IF shrugs he shoulders to Compa's idea.
"I don't know. I don't think we should get him mixed up with our business," responds IF with a stern look on her face. "It's not like I don't want him on the team since he indeed has decent fighting skills but if we mix him up with us then..."
"There's no going back for him?" questions Compa
"Exactly."
Ayden was trying to hear the rest of the conversation that IF and Compa were conducting at the moment, when Nepgear decides to join in the conversation herself. As a fury of whispers were being suggested and overpowered with other opinions, Ayden stood their quietly minding his own business.
"Come on author, speed up the process here, I'm getting impatient," thinks Ayden.
After minutes of waiting, the girls turn back to Ayden and Nepgear asks, "Ayden, would you consider going on a journey with us?"
"Thank you, author for speeding up the conversation," thinks Ayden before he answers Nepgear.
Before Ayden answers, IF intervenes the conversation and cuts Ayden's thought process in half.
"You don't have to if you don't want to," responds IF as she looks Ayden right in the eye.
"Well, I will accept because I have nothing better to do," responds Ayden with a smile at Nepgear.
Nepgear starts to blush and quickly turns away so no one can see her face, while IF and Compa walk up to Ayden to welcome him into the group.
"Good to have you join," says IF as she sticks her hand out to Ayden which gestures for a handshake. Ayden then grips her hand and they both shake hands.
"Yes, it is very good to have you join Ayden. Can I call you Ay-Ay?" asks a very ecstatic Compa with a big smile.
"Uh…sure." responds Ayden with a laugh.
While IF and Compa start to talk about other means, Ayden walks up to Nepgear and says, "Well, shall we get a move on to wherever you gals were headed."
"Oh right, we got to fill Ayden in on what's happening," yells Nepgear to IF and Compa. So IF and Compa walk over to where Ayden and Nepgear were, and all three start to fill Ayden in with all the details, though he already knew everything that was going on.
"So, we have to go to the inner depths of the Virtual Forest to find a 'mascot disc', so it can help save the CPUs from the Gamindustri's graveyard?" asks Ayden with a quick synopsis of what the girls told him.
All three girls nod and Ayden accepts that answer, since again, he already knows the entirety of what is going on. So the group makes their way towards the inner depths of the Virtua Forest, and after about an hour's worth of walking, they finally find themselves in the inner depths.
The inner depths of the Virtua Forest look completely different from the actual forest itself, since it has a swampier environment than the beginnings of the forest. This puzzles Ayden because he wouldn't know whether it is still known as a forest at this point or a swamp.
As the girls and Ayden stand their taking in the environment, they turn their direction to the center of the inner depths as they see a mysterious figure standing there.
"I didn't think anyone else was here," says Compa as she looks at the other three.
"Neither did I. This could mean trouble," says IF as she starts to equip her Qatar.
"We won't know until we see it for ourselves. Besides I believe that is the direction in which the mascot disc resides," responds Nepgear as the group start heading in that direction in a quick sprint.
The way to the center is not an easy feat as everyone has to pull out their weapons and defeat the monsters that stand in their way.
After minutes of run-and-slash, the group makes their way to the center, in which all slow their pace down upon seeing the figure up close.
This figure is of a young woman, who has a light gray skin tone and green hair. She is wearing a hoodie that looks like a rodent, and a very short black and red top. She was also holding an iron pipe and looking around in a disorganized fashion.
"Come on out you damn disc, or else I will tear this place up and you along with it," yells the woman as she starts pacing back and forth until her eyes meet with Nepgear's.
The woman takes a step back and yells, "Who the hell are you, and what are you doing here?"
Nepgear starts to silently freak out, and IF takes a step forward in the woman's direction.
"We can ask you the same thing. Just who are you and what are you doing?" questions IF as she holds her Qatar, which are pointing at the ground.
The woman laughs and in a smug fashion introduces herself.
"Who am I? Well, I am one of ASIC's strongest subordinates; I am a warrior, who if you get in my way I will cut you down. I am the one everyone should fear. I am Linda!"
"That's right. That is what the underling's name was before she was deemed 'underling' in the game," thinks Ayden with a smirk.
"A subordinate?" asks Compa with a puzzled look. "So like an 'underling'?"
"Ye- Er I mean No! It's not like an underling!" yells Linda with a very pissed off expression.
"Ha! Underling, what a pathetic title for a pathetic person," laughs IF.
*From now on, Linda will be known as underling*
"Did you gals see that? Now she is officially 'Underling'," says Ayden as he tries to hold back laughter.
"Wow, even the story makes it known. That's pretty funny," says Compa.
Underling starts to use foul language very loudly which scares Nepgear a bit more. Underling then turns to Nepgear and starts to yell at her.
"Well what the hell are you looking at princess?! I will beat that pretty little face of yours in!" yells Underling.
Nepgear takes a step back and tries to fight back tears. IF notices this and attempts to get Nepgear to transform.
"Gear, you need to transform right now. This ASIC skank isn't anything threatening, so don't let her punk you," says IF as she stands right next to Nepgear, Qatar in hands, ready to beat the hell out of Underling.
"Yeah Ge-Ge, beat that bad person," says Compa as she readies her giant syringe.
"We are all right behind you," says Ayden as he unsheathes his rapier.
"I-I can't. I just can't. I'm too weak," responds Nepgear, releasing all the tears she was holding back.
"Maybe this will help," says IF and in the spur of the moment, kisses Nepgear on the mouth for a few seconds.
As IF and Nepgear kiss, Compa and Ayden stand by in shock and surprise while they witness this event.
All Ayden can think at this moment is, "NICE!"
After IF releases her lips from Nepgear's, a bright beam appears and in a split second, Nepgear transforms to her HDD form "Purple Sister".
"WHAT THE HELL, YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE CPUS?!" yells Underling in surprise as she takes a few steps back to distant herself from Purple Sister.
"I am Planeptune's CPU candidate Purple Sister and I will defeat you," says Purple Sister as she readies her weapon to battle against Underling.
Underling gets a tighter grip on her iron pipe and lunges at Purple Sister.
"I WON'T LOSE TO A CPU!" yells Underling as she gets closer to Purple Sister.
The battle ends in only a few seconds and everyone stands still in silence as they witness Underling crumple to the ground.
"What the hell just happened?!" questions Underling as she tries to get herself up but falls back down on the ground.
"You just witnessed the power of my 'Mirage Dance'. Now please leave or I might have to get rough again," says Purple Sister as she points her Gunblade at Underling.
"Wow, that didn't sound dirty at all," says Ayden with sarcasm, but just after he says that IF socks him in the arm.
Underling finally gains enough strength to stand up and picks up her iron pipe off the ground. She starts to grind her teeth at the sight of Purple Sister.
"You caught me off guard! Next time, I won't lose, especially to a CPU!" yells Underling as she runs off into the opposite direction and disappears from sight.
"Wow Gear, that was very…" says IF but before she can finish Ayden cuts in.
"AWESOME! THAT WAS EXTREMELY AWESOME! YOU ONLY DEFEATED HER IN ONE TURN!"yells Ayden in great happiness.
"T-Thank you, but if it wasn't for IF, I wouldn't have transformed at all," says Purple Sister with a gentle smile.
IF starts to blush and says, "It was at the heat of the moment. Besides you were the one who defeated the Underling."
Purple Sister reverts back to her human form, and once she did, everyone hears a faint voice.
"My, so you are the CPU candidate of Planeptune. I am glad to see you," says the faint voice.
Everyone starts to look around to see where that voice came from and after a minute for searching for something that is their height, everyone directs their attention to a small purple disc on the floor.
"Ge-Ge, is that the mascot disc?" asks Compa.
"I believe so. Hello, we were looking for you," says Nepgear to the disc as she crouches down to talk to it better.
"Yes, I am Planeptune's mascot disc. How can I be of some service to you?" asks the mascot disc.
Nepgear starts to explain the entire situation to the mascot disc, while the others stand around waiting for the conversation to end.
"I understand the importance of this dire situation, but it was the CPU of Planeptune who told me to stay here. I'm sorry but I cannot go with you," says the mascot disc.
"Please hear us out to the end," requests Nepgear and the mascot disc agrees to.
Nepgear finishes her synopsis and the mascot disc says, "Well, if it is to save all the CPUs then, I'll journey with you. It will be my token of appreciation for saving me from that foul-mouthed ASIC Underling."
Everyone rejoices and with that they head back to Planeptune's Basilicom, which was another hour of walking to get back to.
"I am glad to see that you all are safe and unharmed," says Histoire as the group walks into the Basilicom.
"Histoire, we got the mascot disc to come with us," responds Nepgear with her signature gentle smile.
"I can see that. Now the problem we face now is getting the other mascot discs to our side. We need the other nation's oracles to give us permission to take them," says Histoire.
"Well, we face an even bigger problem than that," says Ayden as he walks up to Histoire.
Ayden then explains the run in with Underling and Nepgear's transformation back into HDD.
"I see. If ASIC was after our mascot disc, then they will be after the others as well. We need to get a hold of the other discs before them, or else it will spell out disaster," responds Histoire after hearing Ayden's story.
"Then we must waste no time at all right? I say we get to the next nation and fast," says IF as she clenches her fist.
"I agree," says Histoire.
"What nation are we hitting next then?" asks Ayden in anticipation.
"Lastation, since it is the closest to Planeptune," responds Nepgear.
"That will have to wait until tomorrow, since it is getting late," says Histoire, "Besides, I do not think that ASIC will hit Lastation right after suffering a defeat."
"Well we should all rest up then. I'll make us a yummy dinner that will fill our tummies," says Compa with glee.
"I guess we can rest for one night, but tomorrow we are off. We will have to leave early if we want to make to Lastation before night," says IF.
With that the girls go off into the Basilicom's kitchen, leaving Ayden in the audience chamber with Histoire.
"May I request something of you Ayden?" asks Histoire with a troubled look in her eyes.
"Sure, no problem," responds Ayden with a smile.
"I'm sorry if this is asking for too much but, can you make sure to protect these girls with your life?" asks Histoire, "I know they can hold their own in battle and now since Nepgear can ascend back into HDD, but please protect them, whatever the cost."
Ayden looks into Histoire's eyes and he can see the concern and worry in them. He then puts on his big smile and responds in a cheerful manner, "Well of course. I've only known them for a little time, but they have already become my good friends. I always protect my friends, no matter what it takes."
Histoire smiles as she can see the fire of determination burning in Ayden's eyes.
"You are a fine young man, Ayden. I must say that our meeting with you was fate," says Histoire as she continues to smile.
Ayden returns a smile to Histoire, and both of them head off to the kitchen, where Nepgear and the others are.
As Ayden is walking to the kitchen, he starts to think, "This is it. There is no turning back. This is now my journey as well, and I'm going to make the best of it anyway I can. I promise you Histoire, I will protect Nepgear, IF, and Compa, as well as all of Gamindustri. "
Ayden and Histoire make it into the kitchen, and everyone has a fantastic dinner laid out in front of them. Tomorrow, though, their journey will completely begin and they will make new friends, new enemies and will have to make some life changing decisions but for now they can rest easy and enjoy the happy moments they have right now.
CHAPTER 4 END