THIS CHAPTER CONATAINS ONE CRUCIAL PICTURE, THE WILL BE A LINK UNDERLINED BE CAREFUL TO LOOK.
Part 6:
The Shadows
Mephistoe: I didn't bring you here so, why?
?: We saw the CPUs dissapear and found a way here.
Mephistoe: We? You mean the other members of ASIC are here as well..
?: Even the underlings.
Mephistoe: That adds something interesting to the mix.
He said walking away and twirling his umbrella
?: Wait! Where are the CPUs
Mephistoe: I lack that knowledge.
?: Fine we'll find them, ourselves.
Mephistoe: Very well.
The next morning was clouded and foggy
Yukio: Huh, looks like I'm the first awake, but, something doesn't feel right.
Yukio got up and went to the bathroom and got dressed.
Yukio: There.
Then he heard something coming from one of the rooms.
Yukio: Whats that?
He ran to the room and went in to find Neptune freaking out.
Yukio: Whats wrong?
Neptune: Nep jr.s gone!
Yukio: WHAT!?
Yukio then heard a series of noises all leading to a freaked out CPU and a missing CPU candidate.
Yukio: Hmm this cant be coincidence.
Rin: Hey bro, whats up?
Yukio: Took you long enough to wake up!
Rin: Huh?
Yukio: You're always the one noticing sounds in the night.
Rin: Slow down, what happened?
Yukio: Ram, Rom, Uni, and Nepgear all disappeared last night.
Rin: They what?
Yukio: Disappeared.
Rin: What!
?: Ugh why did we have to go get them.
?2: Because all of our bosses are to big. Chu.
?: I suppose that is true, but if we have to go much longer I'm gonna get a hernia.
?2: Hey stop complaining I'm a mouse carrying two people here!
?: I hope we get a break soon.
?2: Yeah I can agree with that.
?3: Hey I have orders you give the Lowee CPU candidates to me.
?: Sir! Right, of course, here you go.
?3: Thinks: Come on sound like the orders are real.
?: Now if you'll excuse us we'll just take the other candidates to the ransom area.
?3: Very well.
?2: Lets get this over with, Chump.
?: Yeah lets go, give me the one from Lastation even I cant stand seeing a fellow underling have that much weight on him.
?2: Fine just don't drop her.
Neptune: Hey Yukio I found something in Nep jr.s bed.
Yukio: What is it?
Neptune: It's a ransom note.
Yukio: What do they want?
Neptune: Not much, just the CPUs.
Yukio: What?!
Rin: That just isnt right!
Neptune: I know right?
Yukio: Theyre trying to rob us of our power.
Neptune: I know.
So they got everyone together to go to the park where they were offering the ransom, which was the same park where thay had origanally fought neptune.
Rin: Bro! What do we do when we get there?
Yukio: We give them what they asked for.
Rin: What?!
Yukio: Fine I'll tell you my plan, but it's a bit extreme.
Rin: What is it?
Yukio: We give them the CPUs including Plutia, And they are evil, so they arent gonna hold up their end of the deal so we start fighting, after a while Plutia gets mad.
Rin: No way, youre gonna unleash Iris heart on them?!
Yukio: That's the plan, I told you it was extreme.
?: We're here. Lets look profesional.
?2: You spelled that wrong. Chump.
Nepgear: Ughhhhh
?: Shut it kid!
?2: I hope they get here soon.
?: Yeah they may wake up.
?2: I hope they bring Compa.
?: They arent gonna.
?2: How do you know?
Rin: HEY! WE'RE HERE!
?: See she isnt there!
Rin: Hey we brought the CPUs.
?: Good bring them here.
Blanc: Wait, where are my sisters?
?: We had orders to give them to CFW Trick.
Blanc: Hey then the deals o—
Rin: Don't, two's better than none
Blanc: Ugh.
So all of the CPUs (including Plutia) walked over.
?: Good.
Rin: Now give us Nepgear and Uni.
?2: You really thought we would? Chump.
Rin: Ugh.
Rin leaned to Yukio and whispered.
Rin: Your plan's working.
Yukio: Well if you wont, Lets go!
At very fast speeds the two tied the CPUs up and set them to the side to fight.
The battle went on for a while until…
Plutia: Stop.
?: Huh?
Plutia: If you don't stop beating them up you wont like the consequences.
?: Wait… Youre!
But Plutia started shine and before you knew it the area was full of screams.
Yukio: It worked!.
?3: Oh no you don't!
Just then the person who had taken Ram and Rom (And still had them) landed in front of Iris heart.
?: CFW Trick sir!
CFW Trick: That's right, now stop!
Iris heart: make me!
CFW Trick: Ugh, don't bounce those things at me! Theyre gross.
Iris heart: Grrrr.
CFW Trick: Anyone in or above puberty is gross, I prefer these nubile maidens.
Iris heart: You better give them back or I'll knock you into next week!
CFW Trick: I don't think so.
CFW Trick brought his large tongue down on Iris heart, knocking her unconcious.
CFW Trick: Now for the rest of you!
Rin: Yeah right we can beat you!
?: Rinforzando!
After the weird voice yelled that Rin saw someone with a guitar land behind Trick and start strumming her guitar
Rin: What!?
CFW Trick: What!?
Just then an electrical explosion hit Trick making him go flying leaving Ram and Rom behind, and also clearing the area of the enemys.
Vert: 5pb.?
5pb.: Huh? Lady Vert!
She ran over to where the CPUs were and untied them.
Rin: Who is this?
Vert: Oh, Rin this is 5pb. She's a pop idol from leanbox.
5pb.: Yeah ummm. Right.
She said as she scooched behind Verts back
Vert: Oh and off-stage she's extremely shy.
Rin: Well that's nice but I hate to remind everyone but we're in public and four people are passed out.
Yukio: By the way Rin just a quick question but where is Usamuro?
Rin: he's back at the dorm with Kuro and Ukobach, don't worry.
Yukio: Good, lets get everyone back.
CFW Trick: That's smarts.
?: Nice way of messing it up Trick.
CFW Trick: HEY! I was caught off-guard!
?: You have proven you are worthless I'll take care of this.
?2: Now Judge don't get to excited.
?: Huh? Oh you.
?2: I'll see how they fare against a new trick.
?: Fine but if it doesn't work its my turn!
?2: Very well. But it will take until nightfall so we wait.
?: Ugh.
So Rin and the others went back to the dorm and continued to rebuild the roof, it wasn't until twilight that Nepgear and the others woke up.
Rin: Alright we'll finish soon.
Uni: Yeah looks like without us you slowed down… A lot.
Yukio: Good youre back, well we went faster than we would have 5pb. was gracious enough to serenade us all day, shes taking a break now.
Nepgear: Right so what should we do?
Rin: Go over there and help your sisters.
Ram: Okay.
Yukio: Looks like they're well-rested.
So they finally finished the roof after nightfall, but were still plenty awake so Rin, Nepgear, and Uni, tagged along when Yukio was called to patrol an area.
Yukio: Now remember strange havok-making shadows were reported in this area so watch the more lit areas.
Rin: Right.
Nepgear: How many?
Yukio: They said four.
Rin: It's weird for me to suggest, but we should split up all four of us together is to easy to ambush, I say we go alone.
Uni: I think he has a point, besides all of you would just slow me down.
Yukio: Fine go wherever you want.
So everyone went in their own direction to search
Nepgear: It should be here somewhere.
She said looking at her N-gear which had motion senceing.
Nepgear: Did I just hear somethi—
She was cut of feeling something go INTO her back making her fall over.
Nepgear: Owwwww.
?: Clearly this body is to weak, but I can do this!
Nepgear felt energy leaving her and something appearing behind her.
Nepgear: W-Whats happening?
?: Simple I now copy you just stronger your body was to weak.
Nepgear: W-WHAT!?
It was then that she realized she was staring a darker version of herself in the face.
Nepgear: Who are you?
?: I am but energy, brought forth by CFW Magic to copy you.
Nepgear: So your like me, but a shadow?
?: Yes I think I will take that as a name.
Nepgear: Shadow Nepgear.
S. Nepgear: Yes but soon I'll be the ONLY Nepgear!
It said as it punched Nepgear on the head knocking Nepgear out, and making herself lighter colored.
S. Nepgear: Now to ruin you.
Rin: hmmm, where could it be. If only I had brought Kuro.
He then heard something behind him, was it footsteps?
Rin: Who's there? Is it the shadow?
S. Nepgear: No, no its just me.
Rin: Oh, Nepgear.
S. Nepgear: I was wondering if I was hearing something.
Rin: Did your path converge on mine?
S. Nepgear: I guess it did, because after all, I'm just a dumb kid.
Rin: That last part sounded confusing, but confusion's kinda my comfort zone, so I'll just go with it.
S. Nepgear: Right.
Rin: You should get off my path so we get more done.
S. Nepgear: Actually can I tag along? I got mine already.
Rin: Umm sure.
Nepgear woke up to see Rin and Herself? Walking beneath the bridge she was on.
Nepgear: Wait Rin!
Rin: What was that.
S. Nepgear: Look!
She said pointing at the real Nepgear, who she had made darker colored.
S. Nepgear: It's the shadow, just before I beat it, it took my form!
The real Nepgear jumped off the bridge.
Nepgear: Get away from her Rin!
Rin: Yeah right, you just want me away so you can hurt her
Nepgear: What?
Rin: Youre obviously the shadow
Nepgear: WHAT!?
Rin drew his sword and sent a tongue of blue fire at Nepgear.
Nepgear: WHY!?
But Rin wasn't listening he attacked her until she had run away.
S. Nepgear: Rin! You saved me!
She jumped at Rin and kissed him.
Rin: Whoa it was nothing no need to kiss me awkwardly on the lips.
S. Nepgear: Of course there is.
Rin: No reasoning with you i guess.
And they kept walking.
Nepgear: Why?
Nepgear put her hands over her face and started to cry, and she noticed something.
Nepgear: Huh?
She looked closely at her hands and noticed they were a darker color.
Nepgear: The shadow, she…
Uni: I should be finding something here.
There was nothing but silence.
Uni: I don't get it, the others have probably already beaten the—
She felt something go into her and latch to her brain.
Uni: What… Is… This….
She stood there doing nothing.
Uni: Heh, ha hahahahaaaaa!
Nepgear: I wont let her do this!
She flashed into her HDD form.
Nepgear: Lets see how you fair with me now!
She flew off.
Rin: Whats up with you? Ever since you tagged along you've been kind of clingy.
S. Nepgear: Its nothing I just think… I'm in—
She was interupted by a laser striking her back.
Nepgear: How do you like that Shadow?
S. Nepgear: What the he— I mean what the goodness was that?
Nepgear: Nothing just painsentive.
Rin: What are you—?
Rin stopped when he saw color draining out of shadow Nepgear and going into normal Nepgear.
Rin: Whats going on?
Yukio: I should have run into it by now.
Yukio felt something grab him.
Yukio: Hey!
It was a shadow he shot it with a few bullets and it dissapeared but he was instantly attacked by another which was brought to a similar death.
Yukio: Well that's two, That's probably all I'll find I'm going back to regroup.
Nepgear: Rin that's the actual shadow it mimicked me.
S. Nepgear: You little bitch you figured me out.
Rin: Well then—
Shadow Nepgear gave Rin a blow to the head rendering him inert
S. Nepgear: Now that he's out of the way we can fight.
Nepgear: Well youre at a disadvantage I'm in HDD.
S. Nepgear: Hah! You think youre the only one!
Shadow Nepgear was covered in darkness and emerged in an HDD form exactly the same as nepgear just still darker.
Nepgear: That wont change much!
S. Nepgear: That's what you think, but I'm much stronger than you!
Suddenly Nepgear got a call from Histoire telling her the Sharicite just started glowing much brighter.
S. Nepgear: WHAT!?
Nepgear: All this power! I can do anything!
Nepgear started glowing extremely bright emerging in a much more powerful form.
Nepgear: You still wanna fight!?
S. Nepgear: Of course! I'm not spineless like Underling.
Nepgear: Fine.
The battle ended quickly with Nepgears power far outlasting Shadow Nepgears.
Nepgear: Alright.
Nepgear flashed and was back to normal.
Rin: Ughhhh.
Nepgear: OH, RIN!
Rin: We should get going.
So everyone went back to the spot to go back to the dorm and shared stories.
Nepgear: How did you beat yours Uni?
Uni: Oh you know. Similarly to Yukio.
Yukio: OK, now that everyone has told their own story I think we should rest.
When everyone got back to the dorm they found Shiemi with Compa and IF still tied up.
Yukio: Shiemi?
Sheimi: Me and mom didn't know what to do after covering their wounds so we brought them here.
Yukio: Alright, lets take them in, to Neptune
So they took them inside and Neptune convinced them it was fine and everyone slept, but after everyone was asleep Uni got up and went to the roof.
CFW Magic: Good it was a success.
Uni: I successfully possessed her, now what?
CFW Magic: I want you to…
Before Rin fell asleep he started to remember something.
Rin: Why am I remembering now?
Kid Rin: Dad!
Shiro: What is it?
Kid Rin: I saw a cute girl today!
Shiro: Oh yeah?
Kid Rin: Yeah!
Shiro: Well I'll tell you, get to know her first, looks arent everything you know?
Kid Rin: I know.
Shiro: And remember you may have to go through multiple relationships before you find the right one, you may even go through the same one a few times.
Rin: It really has been a long time since ive remembered the old man.
The next morning no one knew exactly what to do, everyone did their own thing, until…
Nepgear: Hey Rin.
Rin: Yeah?
Nepgear: Its getting kind of boring here don't you think?
Rin: Yeah, but I'm excited for later 5pb. says she'll preform on our roof later.
Nepgear: That does sound like fun.
Uni: Hey Nepgear!
Nepgear: I'll go see what she wants, I'll be back soon.
Rin: OK.
Uni: Come on.
Nepgear: OK.
So they went off and Rin was left alone in the kitchen with Ukobach.
Rin: Ugh.
Rin realized that a decent amount of time had past and remembered.
Nepgear: I'll be back soon.
Rin: Huh.
So Rin went to where they had gone and went into the only room he could hear noise in.
Rin: WHAT!?
IMPORTANT!
Nepgear: Ah! Rin it isnt— well it kind of is.
Rin: Whats going on here.
Nepgear: I'm sorry Rin she was just so persuasive.
Uni: Enough talk.
Uni got up.
Uni: Why don't you just leave us alone?
Rin: This isnt right.
Uni: Huh?
Rin: Even Nepgear seems to regret it.
Uni: Youre wrong, right Nepgear?
Nepgear: Well…
Uni looked at her and something in her eyes changed.
Nepgear: No I don't.
She said kind of slow.
Rin: Fine you two do all the kinky shit you wanna do just leave me out of it!
He walked out and slammed the door.
Yukio: Rin is something-?
Rin: No everything's fine.
Back in the room.
Nepgear: What did I just do, why?
Uni: Don't worry about it, lets just get back to what we were doing.
Nepgear: O…K…
Rin: Thinks: Ugh, of course, that's why I remembered that about the old man last night, its was a warning to not think too much about Nepgear. Thanks old man.
Yukio: Rin are you sure theres nothing wrong, you seem tence.
Rin: I told you it was fine.
Yukio: Rin, if theres ever a problem just tell me.
Rin: Right, I will.
Rin walked away but Yukio could still tell something was wrong.
Uni: Well that was fun.
Nepgear: Ummmmm, right.
Uni: What do you not agree?
Nepgear: O-Oh, uh no, its just…
Uni: Is it baffling how well I preformed for a first-timer?
Nepgear: Yeah that's it.
Uni: Well now you can go do what you want.
Nepgear: OK.
Nepgear walked out of the room but as soon as she shut the door she started running.
Nepgear: Thinks: Oh god, why did I do that? I feel so bad, I have to go apologize to Rin!
Yukio: Oh Nepgear what are you do—
But he couldn't finish she was moving to fast.
Yukio: First Rin and now her? Whats going on?
Uni: Hahahahaaa I cant believe that worked, now Rin will NEVER forgive her, this is working perfectly!
CFW Magic flew to the window and knocked on it.
Uni: CFW Magic!
CFW Magic: Did it work?
Uni: Yes, and Rin saw it, now that power-couple will never fight against us together.
CFW Magic: Good now, go destroy Nepgear.
Uni: Yes ma'am!
Rin: Ugh.
Nepgear: Rin wait!
Rin: Huh?
Rin only breifly payed attention then kept walking.
Nepgear: Rin wait!
Rin: Ugh.
Nepgear: Rin it isnt.
Rin: Stop following me!
Rin quickly yelled at her and kept walking.
Nepgear: But…
Nepgear had stopped but Rin kept going and went outside.
Nepgear: Rin…
Nepgear fell on her legs and started crying.
Nepgear: Why… Why did I do it?
Yukio: Nepgear!
Nepgear: Huh? Yukio!
Nepgear got up and tried to make herself look like she wasn't crying.
Yukio: Are you OK? Wheres Rin?
All Nepgear did was shake her head: No.
Yukio: I'm gonna go find him, you go talk to somone.
Nepgear: Mhm
Nepgear: Sis!
Neptune: Huh? What is it?
Nepgear: I did something terrible.
Neptune: What is it?
So Nepgear told Neptune what she had done.
Neptune: Hey well what do you know! You beat me to—
Neptune looked at Nepgear and saw that it wasn't time to joke.
Neptune: Sorry.
Nepgear: I shouldn't have done it!
Nepgear burst back into tears.
Neptune: That's it!
Nepgear: Huh?
Neptune: I'm talking to Noire.
Neptune walked out of the room and slammed the door.
Yukio: Rin?!
Rin: Yeah what?
Yukio: Nepgear told me something happened, what was it?
So Rin explained to Yukio what happened.
Rin: And she even agreed with Uni.
Yukio: Look Rin, I could tell, she's sorry.
Rin: I don't care, she did it and that's that!
Yukio: Rin when you get like this you cant be reasoned with.
Rin: Its true and I'm gonna tell that two-face something.
Rin walked off toward the dorm building.
Yukio: Dammit Rin.
Nepgear: When is Neptune gonna get back?
She heard someone start to open the door.
Nepgear: Good sis your ba—
She then realized it was Rin at the door.
Nepgear: Oh Rin, look I'm really sor—
Rin: Get out.
Nepgear: What?!
Rin: Get out of here! You never should have been here in the first place!
Nepgear: But Rin I—
Rin: Now!
So Nepgear got up and left.
Rin: Good now there's a thorn out of my side.
Neptune: Sis I'm ba—
Seeing the empty room Neptune knew something was wrong.
Neptune: Nep jr.?
Plutia was walking around outside (Yes in the animal slippers she wears) humming, when she saw a heartbroken Nepgear leave the building.
Plutia: Huh? Hey Neppy jr.!
Nepgear: Thinks: I can at least talk to her, shes perpetually happy, and if I don't mention it…
Plutia: Is something up?
Nepgear: No everythings fine I'm just getting some air.
But the lie didn't work, plutia could tell Nepgear was crying.
Plutia: Why are you sad Neppy jr.?
Nepgear: Well, you see Rin just kicked me out, I'm not allowed to come back.
Plutia: Well you would have to do something pretty bad for that, what was it?
So once again, Nepgear had to tell the story.
Plutia: Oh, I could make an Iris heart joke but now isnt the time.
Nepgear: Yeah.
Plutia: Did you apoligize?
Nepgear: No, he wont listen.
Plutia: He'll listen to me.
She said starting to get an angry look on her face.
Nepgear: No it's fine.
Plutia: I'm talking to him.
Plutia started to walk in.
Nepgear: Well at least he'll get what he deserves for not listening.
So Nepgear once again started to walk and passed Yukio, who didn't say anything.
Plutia: Rin!
Rin: What is it Plutia?
Plutia: I heard you kicked Nepgear out.
Rin: Umm well you see I kinda—
Plutia: You know, that makes me kind of mad.
Rin: well lets not do anything hasty—
Noire: Where is that younger sister of mine? She needs a punishment.
Uni: Oh hi sis.
Noire: We need to talk.
Uni gulped and started to look nervous.
Uni: Umm now, I was about to—
Noire: Now!
So Noire gave Uni a harshly worded talk (and a beating) and told her to apoligize to Rin AND Nepgear.
Uni: Thinks: This is perfect, when I eradicate Nepgear and Rin, This brat will be in trouble, its TOO perfect.
Neptune: Sis!?
Neptune was flying around outside low to the ground when she was suddenly hit and crashed into the ground and saw something fly towards (though she didn't know it) Nepgear.
Nepgear: Why did I do it?
Just then she heard something hit the ground behind her.
Uni: Its because you knew you wanted it more than Rin.
Nepgear: No that isnt the reason!
It was then that Nepgear realized (because Uni was in HDD) that her eyes had changed to bright red.
Uni: Oh well, I came here to kill you anyway.
Nepgear: What!?
Uni shot an energy blast at her which she dodge.
Nepgear: Why are you doing this!?
Uni eyes changed back to green and she sounded oddly… normal.
Uni: I'm sorry Nepgear!
Uni then unleashed several energy blasts the last one hitting Nepgear. And Unis eyes changing back to red.
Uni: I knew this would work, after you I'll kill Rin, and then I'll leave this brat with huge trouble on her name.
But nepgear couldn't hear it because she was dazed.
Nepgear: Huh?
Uni voice changed back to normal.
Uni: Nepgear! I cant control myself, get out of here!
Uni: I have you under control stop festering!
Uni kicked Nepgear, and aimed her blaster at her.
Uni: It's time for your life to end.
Uni: Noooooooo!
Uni yelled in her normal voice as her body was envoloped in light.
Uni: I wont let you kill ANYONE!
Uni: What? What is this power?!
A shadow Uni flew out of Unis HDD form and looked on in horror as Uni emerged in a stronger form.
S. Uni: This isnt over brat!
And she ran off leaving Nepgear and Uni behind.
S. Uni: Why is this happening.
Rin: Oh no you don't!
Shadow Uni bumped into Rin.
Rin: I see, you took over Unis body.
S. Uni: That's right I am but a humble servant of CFW Magic, go ahead kill me now.
Rin: Ignoring my better judgement I'll let you live.
S. Uni: Thank you.
And shadow Uni ran off.
Rin: I'll probably be seeing her again
So Rin walked to Nepgear and Uni ( who was now back to noraml) and picked up the injured Nepgear.
Uni: Rin, look I'm sorry.
Rin: Don't sweat it, it was that shadow besides I just got a beating from Iris heart, so I think I can deal with the…
Nepgear: Don't say the word, even though our game does a decent amount of fanservice we still don't like "the word."
Rin: Right.
Neptune: Ugh how long have I been out?
She neednt have bothered because she saw Rin, Uni and Nepgear walking together and laughing.
Neptune: Nep jr.!
Nepgear: Sis! Come over here!
So Neptune walked over, but before they could say anything, Neptune said:
Neptune: 5pb. is going to do her concert at twilight and that will be soon so lets walk to the roof while talking.
So they walked up to the roof while Uni told everyone her story and what it felt like.
About 15 minutes later they were all listening to 5pb. Sing, Rin looked over at Nepgear and Uni.
Rin: Thinks: You know what old man, I was with Shiemi first, so maybe you were trying to tell me that my first pick… wasn't the right one.
And Rin kept looking at Nepgear and her friends have fun.