A/N: Well then...that was long overdue...but I managed to do it.
Hello again guys! So, Chapter 7 awaits you below. I'm glad I get to continue on, because my love for Gear-chan just went high. I was able to think of some awesome events which I will get to very soon. I promise, I won't take as long. Thank you for the reviews you guys give me. It empowers me to do more. I can feel the energy in me rising again, unlike in Hyperdimension Z Gundam, which I don't know if I'll be able to continue or not.
Also, a hero will soon emerge...meh, you probably know who it is if you have watched too much anime and stuff.
Anyway, enjoy the chapter everyone. Thanks for reading!
RaiXGear Chapter 7
[Vert's P.O.V.]
Today marked another milestone in my life…
"Yeaaaaah! Go to the other guy and shoot him!"
I have met a legend…
"Raiken, you're so good at this game!"
Who could finally match my gaming skills…
"Nice round!"
Never have I been this excited in my entire career as a gamer. I am finally seeing how one of Gamindustri's best gamers could step up to the challenge. I have also found someone who can relate to my likes and dislikes…well, not in my manner though.
Today, Raiken and the others are enjoying his welcoming stay in Planeptune's Basilicom. It is quite a lively time for all of us here present. Currently, an hour after lunch, Raiken decides to show his gaming mantra by playing Call of Duty Black Ops II. Although, I would have loved to see him play the new Black Ops III game, he still does not have it and has yet to buy a copy.
I enjoy watching his videos on Neptube very much. But to think that I have been given a chance to see him in person showing such skill, it is an honor for me, even as a CPU.
"Say, I wonder if you can defeat Vert in this game…" Blanc smirked while watching the man play.
"I don't know, Lady Blanc…I think I'm below her standards…" he bowed his head with an awkward smile.
"Come on, Raiken. Show meee! I always wanted to see you against Vert in a video game!" Uni said.
I could not believe that my chance actually came. To be able to challenge Raiken in an online match…I have been waiting for this my entire career.
I immediately stepped forward and spoke "Raiken, I challenge you to one round, pistols only. The map shall also be Takeoff." the entire party and the players from the other side of the screen gasped in surprise.
Raiken smiled humbly before me. It was quite a cute sight to behold. "…Alright then. I accept your challenge, Lady Green Heart." Everyone cheered again at those very words.
I smiled in glee, nearly about to squeal. "{Kyaaaaah!} Very well, Raiken. I shall prepare my console then. Although I will be using the TV here this time though. I shall be right back."
I transformed into HDD and flew out the window, excited for the match.
[Nepgear's P.O.V.]
"Ooooooh, a match between legendary gamers…I'm so excited to see this!" I jumped in excitement.
"Yeah…Let's see who can dethrone Vert today…" Uni replied.
"Ooooohh! Hey, hey, Raiken, are you pumped up or something?" Neptune asked.
"Of course I am. It's an honor to finally battle against a CPU in this game." Raiken replied.
"I honestly think you can defeat Vert and take her place…" Blanc bluntly said.
"M-My…p-please don't conclude that yet, Lady Blanc…I think she's very strong too. Besides, I haven't been gaming much lately due to my work at the command center…" Raiken retorted.
"Hmph! I don't think Vert will let you off easy…" Noire cockily replied.
"I expect that, Lady Noire…besides, no gamer would let me rest in battle…" Raiken smiled.
Rom asked "What other games do you play, Mr. Raiken?"
"I play just about anything, Lady Rom." he softly petted her with a warm smile on his face, to which Rom adores.
"Then, do you play Pokemon too?!" Ram gleefully asked.
"Yes. I'm a huge Pokemon fan…although until the Hoenn era only though." he scratched his head.
Both of them shouted "Hooray!" Raiken chuckles.
I was just here, listening in. I have really not much to say. I feel flustered since he's a big personality here in Gamindustri. At least the others are enjoying his company, and that's a great thing, really. It makes me happy he's a part of our circle of friends now.
Neptune is also really happy, since Planeptune might just be livelier with him living here.
Well, as for the others, Noire is kind of honored, but doesn't admit to it, as her tsundere personality implies ["Hey!"]
Uni is very happy. She finally knows someone with an extensive knowledge of weaponry and her other hobbies. And maybe some more things in the future to come, I guess…
Blanc treats this as normal, yet refreshing. She met someone who she can stand her temper against. Well…at some points later on…
Rom and Ram, I think they might treat him like a big brother figure, considering he's a really nice guy. Apparently, Raiken can also handle children well. He must be raised just right. Also…he might wanna beware of the pranks those two might pull…some of them are kinda life-threatening at times…Believe me, Blanc's head has a lot of bumps coming from getting hit by heavy books thrown by the two cute little pranksters.
"Hey, where is Vert? She should be here by now." Neptune looked around.
"Don't worry, guys. I can wait." Raiken smiled, then turned to look at me. "Oh, Lady Nepgear…Come on, don't be so quiet…you can speak up to me about anything."
I blushed hard, why am I blushing so hard?...He just asked me something so simple…but why?
"U-Uhm…s-sorry…I'm just t-thinking of something…" I hesitantly replied back.
"You can tell me. We're all open here, so…" he tilted his head a little bit.
"I-I guess…" I looked away and smiled, my face still flustered.
"…Oh, and I almost forgot something." Raiken stook from the couch and approached me.
"E-Eh? W-What is it, Raiken?" I replied awkwardly, clasping my hands together.
"Is this yours, Lady Nepgear? I found it on the ground when I first saw you." he was holding something in his hand. It was the RAM chip that was missing for my computer. I gasped.
"Hmm?...Oh! Yes…this is mine…" I smiled in glee. "I'm so glad you found it…thank you…"
Raiken extended his palm containing the chip, I took the chip from his grasp, but I realized his hand was against mine, making me retract my hand back swiftly. It got my face more tainted in red. Raiken just chuckles when he saw my reaction. It was embarrassing.
"Hahaha…you look so cute…" he warmly said to me.
"O-Oh, please don't say such weird things…It's making me blush…" I replied back. Raiken just smiled and returned to the couch with me.
Neptune noticed the occurrence between the two of us and gave her trademark troll face and chuckled evily. "Oh?..."
"N-Neptune, what are you thinking about?! This isn't what you think it is…" I replied. Everyone at this point, was now staring at me the same way Neptune did.
"I see where this is going…" Noire thought.
"Hmmm…Nepgear and Raiken might actually be a good pair…" Uni whispered to herself.
"A commander and a CPU…Hmm…This might be a good source for a story that I want to make soon…" Blanc told herself.
"E-Everyone! I-It's not what you think! We're just friends, that's all!" I replied with much awkwardness in my voice. Raiken just stared at everyone's faces densely oblivious to the trope.
At last, everyone's attention was diverted to Vert's arrival with her console.
"Ah, it seems I have all made you wait. Forgive me for taking quite a while." she smiled.
"It's okay, Lady Vert…I'm ready when you are…" Raiken crossed his arms.
"Very well. I shall set up my console immediately." she reverted back to human form and began setting up the TV, disconnecting Raiken's HDMI cable so she may connect hers. Then, she plugs in the adapter and the controllers.
She then signed in her account to connect to the online lobby in Black Ops II. She was full of excitement as she was about to take on one of the best gamers around.
"I have connected, Raiken. I shall choose the settings and rules for us today." Vert smiled.
"I can play through any game setting. Don't worry, I'm not picky." Raiken replied.
Vert joined in a lobby set just for the two. I can tell from behind that Vert is smirking. Raiken remained calm and collected as he crunched his fingers, ready to take her on.
The game then began, Raiken was spawned at a building to the north, while Vert was spawned in the open port to the south east.
"This pistol shall be enough. I have to be careful with the recoil…" Vert spoke to herself.
"Ah. So you're using a Desert Eagle imported from the DLC, Lady Vert?" Raiken smiled, surprising her.
"H-How did you find that out, Raiken?!" Vert asked.
"I just recognize their sounds. And—OH!" Raiken spots her and they begin firing at each other.
"Ah! I have you now!" Vert uses cover to circle around him, but unfortunately for her, Raiken saw her pattern and proceeded to where she was, knifing her down.
Raiken got the first kill. Everybody was shocked.
"N-No way…! Again! Up to thirty points, am I right?!" Vert shouted.
"Raiken managed to take her down with a knife…that's..." Blanc analyzed.
"Ooooooh, blonde guy takes first blood! I can't believe it…I feel like trying out this game too!" Neptune exclaimed.
"Sure, Lady Neptune. We can play after thi—!" Vert shoots Raiken in the head with the same weapon she used earlier. "Oh…you got me. Nice one." Raiken gave a thumbs up to Vert, who was smirking evily.
"I have also mastered this game, my dear. But you are pretty much on par. Very intuitive and sleek. I like the way you play…" Vert smiled at him.
"Thank you, my Lady. This is a fun match." Raiken simply replied. "I can't wait to try the other guns with you." Raiken grinned in glee. He was having so much fun, it makes me smile even more.
I decided to excuse myself to the kitchen in order to create some snacks. Uni joined me while Rom and Ram watch in Raiken's point of view, sometimes spoiling his position away to the others.
"Hey, Nepgear…do you wanna play with him later too? I can't wait for our turn." Uni asked.
"Yes. I really wanna have fun with everyone in that game…I wish we had another TV to spare…"
"Well, should I get my laptop from Lastation then?"
"N-No, no need, Uni. Let's just wait for our turn, okay? In the meantime, I want to make some pudding for everyone." I went to the cupboard to gather some ingredients.
Later, I heard a scream. We immediately returned to see what happened. It was Vert who screamed in shock, as we both looked at the TV to see what happened…Unfortunately
Raiken defeated Vert.
We saw on the TV killcam that Raiken was charging towards Vert with a knife, while taking some damage. Yet, he managed to somehow defeat her. I was surprised as much as everyone else is.
"What?! Vert got beaten?...No way!" I exclaimed.
"He has some guts charging at her like that…" Uni said.
Vert stood up, bowing her head.
"…Never have I lost in an FPS game in my entire career…" she said in a brooding tone.
Raiken looked at her with concern, believing she is angry.
"L-Lady Vert?"
When Vert turned to us, she wasn't angry. Rather, she wears a face of pure bliss.
"This is most remarkable! I have finally met my match!" she exclaimed in a not-so-suggestive manner.
"U-Uhh…" Raiken's sweat dropped from his face as he looked at her awkwardly.
"Raiken! It has been an absolute honor to be able to play with you! I wish to play with you again. Let us team up this time, hm?" Vert smiled and bowed before him.
"O-Of course! I'm always up for a game." Raiken gave her another thumbs up.
Uni and I returned to the kitchen to continue making pudding. Everyone is already rearing to go and join the game and enjoy his company.
An hour later, the game went on and on, and gradually, the other CPUs joined in, the TV split into four screens. Raiken still went solo on his computer as the 4 face him.
"I'll kill him first." Noire said.
"Nuh-uh, Tsundere Heart won't be getting a score since I'm the one with the rapid-fire pistol!" Neptune retorted.
"W-Who are you calling Tsundere?!" Noire shouted.
"Calm down and lets just take him on…we have 30 points to spare." Blanc sighed, removing her hat.
"You guys are pretty funny. I like people who are open about everything." Raiken shrugged as he chooses his soldier class.
A few hours later…
We all became tired. Vert and Noire lying on the floor, Bland laying her head on a table and Raiken simply laying his head on the top of the back rest of the couch. We Candidates simply sat beside him. It was an intense game. Everybody's hands must be twitching in pain for constantly pushing buttons on the controller.
"…wow…that was an extreme playoff…" I commented in between pants.
"Yes…this day has been most…tiring…" Vert replied.
Noire sat up, massaging her own hands "Geez…even with all 4 of us, it's so difficult to be assaulting him…"
"Even when we all use that L-SAT machine gun, or that Ballista or DSR, we still encounter much difficulty…" Blanc commented, wearing her hat.
"Wowzers…that was AWESOME!" Neptune exclaimed as she stretched.
"Thank you, everyone…" Raiken suddenly spoke up. "Thank you for giving me a chance to have a match with you all…I'm truly honored."
"Of course! Everyone would be if I was around!" Noire said with a cocky tone.
"Oh, yes…It would be delightful if we were to bond together like this." Blanc said.
"Most welcome, my dear Raiken. I'm very glad to have played this game with you."
I just smiled as everyone had a delightful exchange of compliments, until I saw the clock, it was 8:00PM.
"Oh…it's getting late…" I mumbled.
"Well, I guess this is it for today. I-It's not like I had fun or anything!" Noire blushed and turned away. "Come on, Uni. We're going home. It's late…"
"Aww…well, it's been great meeting you and all, Raiken. I hope to see you again!" Uni giggled.
"Mr. Raiken…will we…be seeing you again?" Rom cutely asked.
"Hey, why do you question that? There will always be time for me to see all of you."
"Yaaaay! Oooh, Rom! Let's have him come to Lowee next time and play the Wii!" Ram cheered. Rom just nods.
"Haha…T-That would be good…" Raiken commented.
Everyone prepared their things before they left. I assisted IF with the dishes while Compa cleans up the couch and the living room. Raiken and Neptune on the other hand saw everyone off from the door.
"Thanks for coming, everyone!" Neptune said
"A pleasure, Neptune. Until next time. See you soon." Vert replied while the others waved goodbye.
It kinda saddens me that everyone already left…It seemed less lively. Unfortunately, Raiken has to leave also. He went back inside to prepare his things, then personally approached us.
"Well…my sister might be worried about me. I have to go." Raiken bowed his head.
"Oh, please Raiken. I hope you enjoyed your stay today." Histoire replied.
"I'm glad I finally get to meet'cha. I always wanted to see you in the flesh. Its just that work at the Guild really got me constricted." IF implied.
"Oh yes. Also a pleasure to meet you, Lady IF, Lady Histoire…"
"Nepu! Leaving alreeaaaaaddy?" Neptune came from behind.
"Hahahah, it would be nice if I was allowed to stay. But hey, I had fun. There's always next time, you know." Raiken replied warmly. "Take care of yourselves everyone, okay?" Raiken turned around to walk to the door.
"Ah, Nepgear. Please escort Raiken out of the Basilicom." Histoire turned to me.
"O-Oh yes, of course!" I walked to Raiken's side as I lead him out the door towards the elevator.
"Hey, thanks for stopping by!" Neptune said as she, IF and Compa waved at Raiken.
"Thank you so much! Well then, bye!" he walked out and closed the door.
I was blushing. I realized just now that I'm escorting Raiken outside, just me and no one else…I feel tingly inside. I could not help but blush whenever he looks at me.
"Well then, Lady Nepgear…let us go." Raiken warmly told me.
"A-Ah! Yes…lets go…" I fidgeted as we took the elevator.
On the way down, he was looking at something I couldn't identify on his hand. When I got curious, he hid it inside his pocket.
"Hm? What are you holding, Raiken?" I shyly asked.
"O-Oh…it's nothing. You don't have to worry about that." Raiken turned to me with a big smile on his face. It's a priceless expression I could never forget.
"O-Oh…s-sorry for asking…" I bowed.
"N-No, its okay..It's okay, really…but this is a secret of mine…Maybe one day, you will understand." Raiken looked through the glass, viewing the beautiful night lights of Planeptune.
"…I'm…grateful to you…" I decided to speak up, my face all red.
"Hm? For what, my Lady?" he curiously looked at me.
"…Uhm…Thank you for being my friend today…" I finally said it.
"…Ah. I see. You're welcome. In fact, I owe you for being my friend too…" he smiled.
"Y-You don't have to repay me…It's just that friendship is free, you know. I'm always open to anyone who needs me…you know…" I fidgeted as I said those words.
"Yeah…They say your friends are an extension of yourself…" Raiken looked again at the city lights through the window, grasping something from his chest. "Whatever friends you got represents you. Who you are, your persona…yeah. It seems that I am quite the colorful rainbow when it comes to friendship. My circle isn't even that big…" he bowed his head in deep sentimental thought.
"Y-You don't have many friends, Raiken?" I curiously looked at him.
"Not many…but a few…but now, I met you CPUs…IF, Compa and Histoire too. I'm glad you get to be a part of my circle…" he said.
"I-I see…thank you…" I blushed.
"S-Sorry…I don't mean to get all sentimental and stuff…I…" before he could say anymore, the elevator door opened. We are now at the lobby of the Basilicom.
I walked with him towards the front door. Before Raiken left, he decides to give me something.
Something I would always treasure with all my heart…
"Hey, Lady Nepgear…I want you to have this."
In Raiken's hand was a keychain that he made with perler beads. It was a cute, pixelated and chibified 8-bit character sprite that we see in certain RPG games like Pokemon and such. It's a pixel art of himself in 8-bit form.
"I like…making these…aside from Gunpla, I do some other crafts and arts as well. I just happened to make an extra…" he bowed, blushing a bit.
I once again grasped the gift in his hand, my palm landing on his. I blushed again as surges of emotion fill in my chest as I took the keychain from him.
"O-Oh…t-thank you, Raiken…I'll…I'll always treasure this…"
"Yeah. It's my gift of gratitude. Keep it." Raiken looked up at me. "I have to go now. Thanks for everything today. You can chat me up on Chirper or Facebook if you want, okay?" Raiken winked before he turned around and walked away, thanking me for the wonderful things that had happened today.
"Goodbye, Raiken…Thank you…" I shouted as he walks away, waving back at me.
I then held the keychain to my chest. I think I'm beginning to understand this new emotion that tingles me inside…it's different from the love I receive from Neptune. Not that I am saying her love is not as good…but…it's much, much different…
Honestly I wouldn't want to find that out yet though, because our lovely friendship has just begun…