Disclaimer: I don't own anything apart from the words that I write and the characters that I create. Credit goes to the original creator of the SAO universe; credits also to the creators and contributors to the Hyperdimension Neptunia series.
Hyperdimension Standard Time: [14:30] August 2nd 20XX
Nepgear and I have entered the Virtua Forest Depths, trying to find the Treasure Gem, whatever the hell that is. I'm just hopeful that Nepgear or Caelus knows what this thing is.
"Caelus, you have any idea what this Treasure Gem is?"
"I do know of it, but I myself have never seen it first hand. The only thing I can truly tell you is that they are held by Ancient Dragons."
"Oh, that's freaking great. Those things nearly killed me and Katsuo before!"
"You forget Karen Koizumi, you are much stronger than before. Before, you were unaccustomed to the workings of Gamindustri, but now you are aware of the way this world works, and you possess the armaments I once used to slay thousands of enemies alongside your enhanced strength. You have nothing to worry about."
"Hang on, what happened to 'keeping yourself in hiding'?" I ask with my voice being mildly condescending.
"Do you seriously want to piss off a CPU? Especially when she's trying to be friendly and helpful? But to answer your question, I'm disguising my energy with your gauntlet's after Nepgear nearly caught me back on the ship. I don't want her sensing me again."
"Gomen, I tend to be a jokester at times, it's a habit I got from being with my friends. You ought to get used to it, though thankfully, I'm only like this rarely."
"Histoire was right, you act just like how I used to, back when I was in my prime." Caelus says with a small sigh.
"Hey Caelus, would it be possible for this soul merge or whatever to be undone later on? I imagine you wouldn't want to stayin my soul forever if given the option."
"Sadly, it is permanent. I was aware of the consequences of the action when I merged my life with yours, but I accepted them. When you gain more power, I should be able to manifest my being into a different body full time, but I will need to stay a certain distance to you twenty four seven, as my soul exists within you, and I can only send only a part of me to that other being. Currently, I can only create temporary apparitions with it being unable to go further than a yard and a half before it vanishes."
"Wow. So what would happen if I die? Would you die as well?"
"Never thought of such a thing. I think figuratively, I'd pass over to a blood related descendent. That or I would die with you. I honestly don't know. And I'm not interested in testing thank you very much."
"So if your first theory is true; when I die, my child would house your existence?"
"I really don't know Karen Koizumi. I doubt even Histoire would have an answer for you based on this question. My memories are a bit...fragmented. I can't remember too much sadly."
Around now, Nepgear apparently began noticing that I'm out of it since I'm talking with Caelus.
"Karen, you okay? You've been out of it since we entered this forest." Nepgear asks me in concern.
"I'm fine...just...thinking about Earth." I say quickly, thinking of a quick lie to disguise that I was talking with Caelus "Anyway, Nepgear, you have any idea what this Treasure Gem looks like? All I know is that we need to hunt Ancient Dragons for them."
"I don't know what they look either. Let's just hunt Ancient Dragons until we get it." Nepgear says with a smile as she engages her Hard Drive Divinity and turns into her CPU form: Purple Sister. "I am more than capable of protecting you in this form, if things get dangerous, I can save you." Nepgear says rather confidently, I guess she's more outgoing and brave in this form.
"Nepgear, does your personality change in that form? You seem more brave when you activate your HDD."
"It's a small side-effect when you're not skilled with it. Your personality changes in either small ways or significantly." Nepgear states proudly.
"Interesting. Is it possible for you to maintain your Hard Drive Divinity indefinitely Gear?" I ask curiously, wanting to know as much as possible about HDD.
"CPUs can do it yes, but I'm not strong enough to keep it going indefinitely, the limit I can handle at a time is a few hours. We need to make good use of my time to get this Treasure Gem." Nepgear says calmly "Let's go." Nepgear follows with a very serious note.
"Yes ma'am." I say rather amusedly as I draw Celeste.
Hyperdimension Standard Time: [15:30] August 2nd 20XX
After a half hour of hunting monsters, we finally found an Ancient Dragon with a gem embedded in its head, which I guess is the Treasure Gem.
"That must be the Treasure Gem we were sent to find. Karen, attack from the right. I'll fight it from the left to keep it distracted."
"Rather simple, but sometimes simplicity is best, besides; we're fighting a mere monster, we shouldn't have a problem." I say calmly, breaking off to the right to fight this Ancient Dragon.
The two of us go all out against this dragon with us focusing on destroying its powerful Guard Gauge, and when it is destroyed, we unleash some of our more powerful skills: Nepgear's new Panzer Blade and my Dark Saber. The combination of these skills outright annihilated the Ancient Dragon with nearly no hassle unlike when Katsuo and I first faced them with Falcom. I walk toward where the Ancient Dragon was before vanishing upon its demise and grab the gem that fell from its head moments before it died. I notice that Nepgear has returned to her human form, apparently content with our progress.
"This must be the Treasure Gem" I say calmly, inspecting the gem, which is constantly shifting colors. "Here, take the Gem Nepgear, just in case." I say, passing the shiny gem to her.
"Now we need to return to Lastation and see if the others found the Hematite." Nepgear says very happily.
"Not a chance. I'm going to make sure you never leave this forest alive." Linda says with a conceited tone.
"Oh, you again." I say in an unconcerned tone.
"Figures we run into this girl again." Caelus only sighs, probably feeling as irritated as I am.
"Why are you even here?" Nepgear asks, in the same unconcerned tone as my own.
"Ain't it obvious, I'm here to kill you all."
"This will be simple sister. All I need to do is transform again and I'll wipe the floor with her." Nepgear says with a smile.
"You're way more freaking naive than I thought, you pampered little princess. HDD won't work on me twice!"
Linda takes out a red gem and throws it toward Nepgear, but I instinctively intercept the gem, and it lands on my arm. I begin feeling faint and I feel something reacting within me, making me collapse somewhat.
"Wow, you are an utter idiot. You willingly let yourself get infected with my Anti-crystal to protect this pipsqueak? How freaking noble of you."
"Nepgear! Get out of here!" I shout to her fearfully, with my voice getting a little weaker.
"Sister, I refuse to abandon you!"
"Do it!" I growl very angrily toward her, with her reluctantly engaging the fast travel to wherever she went, taking the gem with her.
"Here I was, hoping I'd get to seal that girl's HDD, and instead I get a prisoner who falls under my control. This is just perfect." Linda says with an evil laugh.
"Go to hell. I will not serve you." I snarl angrily, however, it's getting tougher for me to keep myself conscious and I feel like something's changing me "Caelus...what-what's happening to me?"
"She infected you with an Anticrystal. If CPUs are the ones infected, they would slowly perish unless the crystal is removed. However, the fact you're human grants a different side-effect: You fall under mind control of the one who infected you in the first place, in this case: Linda." Caelus says very worriedly.
"But what about you? You're a CPU."
"Yes, but the curse will work the same as it would toward humans. Karen Koizumi, do not worry, it will take a little time, but I will find some way to destroy that Anticrystal. In the meantime, take this opportunity to blend in with ASIC's workings."
"Caelus, there's no way in hell that I'll serve ASIC!"
"Bare with it Karen Koizumi. We need information on the inside, and Linda has given you the best opportunity possible through her own stupidity. Do not fret about losing yourself to the darkness of the Anticrystal, I have enveloped the farthest reaches of your souls with a shield that should keep you from fully succumbing to its influence. Best of luck."
"Thanks Caelus, and just call me Karen."
"Understood...Karen..." It seems like Caelus had trouble calling me by my first name only based on the awkward tone she used for this sentence.
Around now, I have 'fully' succumbed to the Anticrystal's effect and I speak to Linda. I've never been good with acting at all, but you do have to start at some point.
"How may I serve you Master?" I state, letting myself delve into the darkness a little bit, praying that Caelus can protect me from the Anticrystal.
"Hehehe, perfect. You're coming with me to Lastation, CFW Brave is in Endless Zone searching for the Lastation Mascot. We have to go to the Septent Resort and intercept those idiotic fools and stop them from finding that deposit of Hematite for the Oracle. I want you to lead them to this area in the resort as soon as possible." Linda says laughingly, handing me a map of the Septent Resort.
"Yes Master." I say quietly, with me activating fast travel and departing to the Resort, with Linda aiding me and allowing me to access this place.
Hyperdimension Standard Time: [17:00] August 2nd 20XX
After using the Fast-Travel network, Linda and I arrive in the Septent Resort and considering the layout of the area we're in, it looks like we just reached the entrance of the dungeon.
"Okay, now that we're here, sod off. I want you to keep cover among the idiot squad as long as possible. I'll work on keeping that pipsqueak off your tail, but if you get uncovered, get to Endless Zone and find CFW Brave. He'll keep you safe." Linda says a little angrily, and a little worriedly as well, which surprises me more than I'd admit.
"Yes Master, I will depart immediately." I say emotionlessly, with Linda running off to a different part of the dungeon.
I walk around the area for about a half hour and encounter IF, Compa, Katsuo, Kazuto, Falcom, Uni, and one other girl with blue hair with them.
"Karen! You got back far faster than I thought" IF says in surprise, with the group running toward me "Did you get the Treasure Gem?"
"IF...yeah. I gave the Gem to Nepgear, but she was feeling a little tired so she decided to go rest in her room in Planeptune. She sent me to check up on you all."
"Oh, I see. Anyway, we haven't been able to find any Hematite yet, we're going to head back to Lastation for rest since it's starting to get late. Also, meet Nisa, she wanted to join our group to help us save Gamindustri."
"Another heroine fighting for justice? Excellent, now our journey will be that much more exciting. I am looking forward to fighting on the side of good with you." Nisa says in an excited tone.
"This girl is...determined at least. Shame I'm being forced to serve evil for now." I say in my mind with a heavy heart.
"Let's get back to Lastation, I imagine we all could use a good rest." Katsuo says with a calm tone.
POV: Nepgear
I fled Virtua Forest at Karen's urgent request and thankfully I apparently ended up outside Lastation's Basilicom. Lucky for me, since I randomized the coordinates because of how little time I had available when she told me to run.
"I have no idea where IF and the others currently are, but I think I should wait for them here in the Basilicom, since they did have to find Hematite." I say quietly, wondering what happened to Karen since she let herself get hit with that red gem. "I need to get information on that Anticrystal, maybe Lady Kei will know." I say seriously, walking into the Basilicom.
When I get into the Basilicom, I encounter Lady Kei rather quickly, to my relief.
"Ah, Nepgear. You've returned much faster than I anticipated, do you have the Treasure Gem and the Hematite I requested?"
"I do have the Treasure Gem, but IF and the others are still searching for the Hematite. Anyway, I was wondering if I could make a smaller deal with you in exchange for the Treasure Gem."
"I rarely make side deals with a client when I have a deal already in place, but I do make exceptions here and there. What do you request of me?"
"In exchange for the Treasure Gem, I want to know everything you know about something called Anticrystals."
"Anticrystal...? Why does that sound familiar? Come with me." Kei says in a mildly confused tone, though it's still remarkably business-like.
The two of us walk into a smaller room, which I guess is her office, when Kei starts up the computer. After a minute passes, Kei motions for me to come over to the other side of the desk
"According to this report, Anticrystals were developed in the last age, as a weapon to destroy CPUs. If a CPU were to become infected with an Anticrystal, their life would quickly fade into nonexistence unless it is swiftly removed. They were all reported destroyed however, but it seems that ASIC found atleast one. There's nothing here about what would happen if humans were to become infected with it."
"My goodness...A part of me is glad my sister shielded me from an Anticrystal." I say, wiping my eyes, as I seem to be crying somewhat. "Actually...what about that report in the lower right?"
"Pardon?" Kei asks in mild suspicion, before glancing over to the lower right. "Oh, what's this?" Kei says with mild shock, opening a new window "It's a list of symptoms and conditions of the Anticrystal. Let's see if it has anything about if humans are infected."
Kei searches through the symptoms of infection and I notice that the number of symptoms and conditions is very small in general. I guess this Anticrystal is more lethal than contagious I suppose.
"Curses, it doesn't give any definite reports on what happens if humans are infected, only CPUs. There is a theory of the human becoming evil and serving the individual who used the crystal, but there are no confirmed cases of this device being used against humans, and I can see why. Why waste a weapon against a common human when you can target the most important person to a nation? Right now, I hate ASIC even more for using things I have no knowledge of."
"Then my sister is in trouble...she was infected by Anticrystals controlled by ASIC!"
"We'll need to find her then and use this opportunity to study any effects that the Anticrystal did to her. It's getting late however so I'll give you a room in the Basilicom for the night, I imagine you need rest. But don't forget our deal: Hand over the Treasure Gem. I'll find Karen Koizumi for you, free of charge. Just this once."
"Sure." I say, handing Kei the Treasure Gem.
"Excellent. Now, go get some rest. You can stay in Noire's room for the night. It's just gathering dust after all."
"I will, and thank you Lady Kei." I say, lightly nodding before walking to the specified room.
After ten minutes pass, I find the room granted to me and I walk in, to find that although it's full of cosplay and anime related products, I can't find a single speck of dust. Looks like Kei was joking or something and this place was being kept fully clean for when Noire returns. I lay down in her bed, feeling pretty exhausted from this day's events.
"Sister...I hope you're okay. I imagine you're going through so much trouble all because of me."
POV: Karen
Hyperdimension Standard Time: [19:00] August 2nd 20XX
We've made it back to Lastation and we decided to spend the night staying in an inn in town.
"Okay, considering the size of our group, we need to get multiple rooms. Katsuo, Kazuto, you two are staying in your own room. Karen, mind staying with me and Compa in one room?" IF says calmly for most of it, and growls a little angrily when speaking about Katsuo and Kazuto, little surprise there considering that a good number of our party are female.
"Fine by me." I say nonchalantly.
"Okay then, so Falcom, Uni, and Nisa will stay in the other room." IF continues as the group head to their rooms, leaving me in the lobby.
"Caelus. I'm a little...worried."
"Don't fret. I I can still keep your protection going. I'll do everything I can to keep you from being corrupted."
"Don't push yourself...damn CPU." The first half of my discussion with Caelus was of concern but I suddenly felt dark impulses course through me and make me say something I didn't mean to.
"The darkness in you is already pretty strong, don't let yourself unleash it too much Karen. I won't be able to protect you if you do."
"I understand Caelus, it's just a little tough to fight this. I've never met such challenge before." I say as I shake my head to try silencing the dark energy being emanated from this Anticrystal.
Hyperdimension Standard Time: [6:00] August 3rd 20XX
I wake up rather early since I got a message from Linda on a private channel, telling me to get back to Septent Resort, so I head to the lobby and the innkeeper calls me over when he noticed me walking.
"You're up rather early, did you not sleep well?"
"Er, I did sleep well enough, but I'm just an early riser." I say a little sheepishly toward the innkeeper.
"I see. I see. Would you care for a quick breakfast?"
"I'll pass but thank you. Could you pass a message on to my companions when they wake up? I'm heading to Septent Resort for a little morning training."
"As you wish."
"Thanks."
I leave the inn and walk around the city to find a clothing shop as I realized that I need to change what I look like in case Nepgear presumes I've gone rogue and tell the others, which will blow my cover. When I enter the shop I remember that although I don't have much money, I do have enough to buy one new outfit. The outfit I bought has a white undershirt with a rather large magenta necktie, a gray sweater with purple trims; a magenta colored skirt, and black boots. While I like the outfit, I dislike the skirt, but I figure that wearing it will help strengthen the disguise so I'll swallow the distaste and put up with it. I notice that the new outfit made my hair change to blonde and my eyes have turned red as well. When I ask the clerk why this happened when no other outfit I wore here has done this, I learn that it's a slight modification of the common enchantment, allowing more intensive appearance change. Apparently there are different scales of this enchantment: the basic level only changes hair color, a moderate level changes hair and eye color, and apparently, the highest level enchantments can fully change everything about a person aside from voice. Apparently the basic level is incredibly easy to do and is the generic option. Intermediary is typically specially-ordered though they do have a number of outfits with this level open for purchase. If I were to guess, I imagine that advanced is very restricted based on the options done with it. I certainly am not going to complain buying this intermediate level enchanted outfit since I'll need to eventually keep low.
Hyperdimension Standard Time: [7:00] August 3rd 20XX
I've gone to the Septent Resort as ordered by Linda and I notice her rather quickly down an off path not too far from the entrance.
"Glad to know you follow orders. What's with the new outfit?"
"I bought it to hide my identity. Considering how Nepgear got away, she'll most definitely tell the others and that would destroy my cover. I can use this outfit to gather intel without having to fear being hunted like an animal." I say rather bluntly, telling Linda about the update.
"I see. I see. Well crap. Your usefulness is waning you know. Okay listen. The idiotic CPU supporters will be coming back here to get the Hematite, which is in the deepest part of this dungeon. Bring them there and I'll ambush them with the strongest monsters here."
"As you wish." I do my best to suppress my anger at Linda calling my friends with the title she used as I simply bow as I see Linda walking away from me.
I return to the main part of the dungeon, but I change back to my old clothes beforehand because I want to keep this new outfit secret so I can hide myself in case Nepgear shows up and breaks my cover. I then think of something that can help my case later on.
"Histoire, you mind if I talk with you about something?"
"What is it Karen? Has something changed with the situation?"
"Kinda. Histoire, I actually have been given a new opportunity by ASIC's own incompetence. I've been infected with an Anticrystal but Caelus is protecting me from its effects."
"An Anticrystal? I thought they were all destroyed! But Karen; based on the knowledge I have as the world's everything; if a human were to be infected, the individual would be subjected to be controlled by the person who infected him or her in the first place. How would…? Wait, is Caelus shielding you and preventing it from taking control of you?"
"Exactly. I plan on infiltrating ASIC's ranks to gather information so I can take them down. I'm also planning on their resources to find the Mascots and discreetly plan things to ensure Nepgear and the others get them without complications."
"I see. Do you want me to tell Nepgear and the others?"
"No. In fact: the opposite. If they know my plan they'll hold back and that'll make ASIC suspicious. I need them to want to fight me without holding back. In fact, I...I need them all to outright hate me. I just need you to explain everything once we return to Planeptune with all four Mascot characters."
"Karen, that's too risky of a plan. Isn't there-"
"Histoire, we know very little about our enemy here. I have the best chance to do this. Please just work with me here."
"Hmm...Karen, I do not like this plan of yours one little bit, but I will support you since you have a true chance of learning about the organization's working and take it down from the inside. Do what you feel is necessary and I'll try to explain everything when you return. Just, be careful okay?" I can easily tell that Histoire is not fond of my decision here, but her voice is one full of concern.
"Understood Histoire. I'll keep interference to a minimal while trying to maintain the illusion I'm throwing a giant monkey wrench in the works."
"May the Goddesses guide and protect you Karen."
I end the call with Histoire and quickly find Katsuo, Kazuto, IF, Compa, Falcom, Uni, and Nisa walking into the dungeon rather calmly
"Karen, the innkeeper told us you left early. You that eager to find the Hematite?" IF asks me rather casually.
"Well, that, and I wanted to do a little training against monsters. Katsuo, I see why you were so fond of the training sessions you did back on Earth. Once you get into this kind of thing, it becomes rather compelling." I chuckle in a friendly manner as I lie a little about why I'm truly here, before looking toward Katsuo with a casual smile.
"Glad to hear it. It actually makes me feel really nervous though Karen. Considering that you're already very good with the tactician thing, if you become as strong as us, you'll be a true terror to fight."
"Hehe, you're flattering me. but look, let's find the Hematite."
POV: Nepgear
Hyperdimension Standard Time: [10:00] August 3rd 20XX
"Okay, according to Lady Kei, IF and the others returned here. I need to find them fast! My sister could be drawing them into a trap." I say worriedly, activating my HDD and then rush through the dungeon to try finding the others.
POV: Karen
Hyperdimension Standard Time: [10:30] August 3rd 20XX
We've been wandering through this dungeon for a while, and we've finally found the Hematite ore that Kei requested.
"I recognize the color of that ore, it's definitely Hematite." I say with a small smile, while trying to find out where Linda is.
"Perfect, now we just need to collect it." IF says happily, with us all walking toward the Hematite deposit.
However, around now, we hear someone suddenly shout
"IF, Compa, everyone, you can't trust her!"
We all glance in the direction of the voice and see Nepgear in her HDD state, floating toward us.
"Crap! I thought Linda was supposed to keep her off my back! What the hell is she doing?!" I shout in my head as I see Nepgear, feeling incredibly irritated that Linda failed like this.
"Nepgear, you made it, and what do you mean by 'We can't trust her'? Who aren't we supposed to trust?" Katsuo asks curiously.
"Karen has betrayed us! She's working for ASIC!"
"Nepgear, if you're joking, this is not funny in the slightest." Kazuto says rather bluntly, and mildly angry as well.
"I am not joking around! I was there when Underling infected her in Virtua Forest!"
"Ridiculous, if I was supposedly helping ASIC, why would I help you all find the Hematite? After all, it's one of the things stopping us from finding the location of the Mascot." I say rather casually.
"Okay, one of you is lying. But one thing that happened yesterday is making me support Nepgear." IF says calmly.
"And what would that be?" I ask curiously.
"You got here too fast yesterday, you haven't been here before so you couldn't you have fast traveled to this dungeon. That only means someone from the outside brought you here." IF states seriously, drawing her Qatars toward me.
"Wow did that take you a long time to notice, such a shame that it'll be the last thought you ever have." Linda says with an evil laugh.
We all look in her direction to find six floating Dolphin like monsters around her, seemingly getting ready to fight Nepgear and the others.
"Oi, get over here before these Dolphins tear them apart."
I exchange a hidden anxious glance between Linda and my friends, with Caelus persuading somewhat to move.
"Karen, you need to do this. Step forward and continue to 'serve' ASIC."
"I...I know..." I say reluctantly, walking toward Linda.
"Karen! How could you betray us like this?!" Kazuto shouts in anger, with me hearing him and all of the others drawing their weapons.
"ASIC promised me that if I help them, they would send us back home, where we should be." I say with my back to Kazuto and the others, winking somewhat to Linda, hoping she's able to play along. It's taking all of the willpower I have not to cry as I'm called a traitor by my friends.
"Yeah, unlike your 'beloved' CPUs, we have no desire to keep you trapped in this world. If you help us, we'll send you back immediately." Linda says with an evil smile, keeping the charade going.
"You traitor! I cannot believe I let myself trust that you would do what was best for Gamindustri! You've let yourselves become corrupted by dark influences." IF growls angrily, not that I can blame her, since it does look like I'm going back on my word from before.
"Big talk for someone not stranded in an alien world." I say, with a scoff toward IF.
"Enough with the pity talks, let's get out of here." Linda says, activating the fast travel out of the dungeon with me in tow, but not before directing the Dolphins to attack Kazuto and the others.
POV: Nepgear
Karen just abandoned us to our fates against these six monsters. Uni and Compa are providing long range support with their rifle and syringe while the rest of us are fighting with our swords, or in IF's case, her Qatars. During the fight, I noticed Uni activate her HDD and become a CPU like myself. Now that I think about it, she does look like a younger Noire in human form, so this girl: Uni, must be Lastation's CPU Candidate. It takes a good fifteen minutes for us to defeat those six Dolphins and when they're defeated, we group up again.
"Nepgear, I want you to fight me, right here, right now." Uni says in a quiet, but mildly angry tone.
"Uni, after what just happened, we need to find out where Karen went. If she serves ASIC, she must fall." IF says bluntly, obviously feeling angry at her betrayal.
"No! This conflict must be resolved here and now." Uni responds in an angry tone.
"I accept your challenge." My voice is surprisingly irritable and I found myself shocked that I am this angry. I guess that Karen betraying us all hurt us all pretty bad.
"N-Nepgear?!" Kazuto asks in a moment of surprise before regaining his composure "We don't have time for this. The longer we stand around here, the more time we give ASIC."
"This must be dealt with. No more questions." I say in a very solemn voice, taking up a combat stance against Uni.
I effortlessly dodge many of the rifle rounds fired by Uni and when I manage to get into point blank range, I activate my Mirage Dance and rather quickly break Uni's guard gauge and defeat her, making her HDD deactivate.
"Okay, now that we've finished this match, let's go hunt down my sister." I say emotionlessly.
"Actually, why don't we try the gauntlets? Ophelia recently told me that they also have a locator feature. They could track any of the gauntlets, and considering how recently she left, it could still be active." Kazuto says calmly as he activates the locator feature and shows us that the signal from Karen's gauntlet is coming from a dungeon called Endless Zone.
"They're in a place called Endless Zone."
"That dungeon is only an hour north of Lastation's capital, we can get there pretty fast and find Karen." Falcom says in a passive tone, and I can't see a single speck of anger in her voice. Is this girl not angry at the slightest over how she betrayed us?
"Uni, do you still plan on traveling with us?" IF asks calmly.
"I...I need some time to think..." Uni says quietly, leaving the dungeon using fast travel.
"Let's deliver the Hematite to the oracle and then go hunt down the traitor. You have my condolences Katsuo, Kazuto, somewhat." IF states rather angrily.
"It's no problem, let's find her as quickly as possible." Kazuto quietly mumbles; maybe he's trying to get over this surprising turn of events.
POV: Karen
Hyperdimension Standard Time: [11:00] August 3rd 20XX
Linda and I have just left Septent Resort and apparently ended up in the Endless Zone dungeon. We find ourselves in front of a red and yellow colored giant robot with it carrying a giant sword with the same colors.
"I see you have brought a friend this time. Who is this human?"
"CFW Brave, sir, this is a human I've enslaved with the Anticrystal. She was originally working for the CPUs, but now I've brought her over to our side."
"I see, but then why can I sense the presence of a CPU in this woman?"
"Lord Brave, it may be from the extensive exposure of being around Planeptune's CPU Candidate." I say in a calm tone, trying to hide the nervousness of the fact I'm harboring a CPU.
"I see. Very well, I will not press the matter any further. I want you two to go to Rebeat Resort, we have strong evidence to suggest that the Mascot is there. Go there and destroy it." CFW Brave says proudly.
"Yes Lord Brave, we will depart at-" I try to say before my gauntlet's radar system activates; someone from IF's group must be trying to track me.
"What is that?" Brave asks curiously.
"The CPU's group is trying to track me, they'll be coming to this dungeon no matter what." I say with a heavy frown, as I quickly deactivate the locator to prevent them from easily finding me after this.
"Change of plans, Linda, I want you to go search for the Mascot. I want you to remain here and help me fight off the intruders."
"Understood CFW Brave, sir." Linda says with a salute, before departing via fast-travel.
"Okay, so what should we do in the meantime?" I ask curiously, not wanting to stand around doing nothing for possibly hours since I don't know how long it'll be until IF and the others show up.
"You hardly seem normal to me, you have an aura that suggests you are foreign to this world of Gamindustri."
"Yeah, my friends and I were forced to come here from a different dimension. The oracle: Histoire was responsible for doing it."
"You have my condolences. It must not be easy being forced to come to another dimension to solve one's problems. We would be willing to help you all return home if you help revive our guardian deity: Arfoire."
"You-You really would send us back if we help you? I originally said it as a lie to my friends." I ask in mild shock. I never expected to hear this from ASIC since I did say that as a lie to my friends to make my plan flow smoother.
"You are not an inhabitant of Gamindustri, therefore the problems of this world should not have affected you and your friends."
"You're nicer than you appear. I may have had the wrong impression about ASIC after experiencing the actions of...Judge was it?" It's hard for me to believe, but I'm actually finding myself growing a little fond of Brave already. He just seems quite more noble than Judge.
"Judge is difficult to get along with, I suppose you would define him as 'all brawn and no brains'. He is strong yes, but his strength is the only thing keeping him from being dismantled by our leader: Arfoire. Trick is the only one I cannot truly stand since his actions repulse me immensely."
"Why is CFW Trick so bad?"
"Trick is what humans would call a pedophile."
"Eww! Please don't tell me any more!" I shout in a disgusted tone, I would've died happy if I never asked about Trick.
"I apologize, but you did ask."
"And I regret asking...Ugh, that description of him seriously makes me want to gut CFW Trick right now." I say, feeling outright disgusted right now.
"Although I'd be against it as a Criminal of the Free World, as my own person, I'd have no problem looking the other way."
"Wow, you really must despise him if you'd look the other way about me killing him."
"Publicly, I cannot say such things, but in private, yes. Anyway, let's move on. I wish to know your name."
"Karen Koizumi."
"What a fascinating name you have, that proves it even more that you are not from Gamindustri. What is your world like?"
"It's difficult to say in a few words, but; it is a beautiful, culturally diverse world. We are technologically advanced to a point, but the laws that seem to govern Gamindustri's workings are far different from our own. We don't have any literal goddesses in control of the nations in our world, rather, we have presidents and rulers often elected by the public. In addition to that, practically all of the nations of our world joined the United Nations, which is a sort of super-government making decisions over the world."
"Fascinating, who knew such a world could exist. I wish I could see it for myself, but I am content with merely stories. Tell me as much as you can about your world" Brave says in an amused tone, clearly seeking to learn as much as possible.
"Is there any sort of topic you wish to ask?"
"Gaming."
"...You sure?" I ask in a bewildered tone, feeling a little lost for words, with Brave merely nodding "Okay...well, about four years ago, our society has actually developed the very first Virtual Reality game, which brought forth a term known as FullDive. As a result there's a whole new genre of Massively Multiplayer Online games: VRMMOs. The first VRMMO was a game called Sword Art Online. Sadly, it's creator: Akihiko Kayaba imprisoned all ten thousand of the players inside the game."
"That is barbaric, I hope this person received the justice he deserved."
"I suppose he did, in a way. Anyway, the first console used to play these VRMMOs was a helmet called the NerveGear, which used high powered scanning technology to cut off your senses while you're in the game. However, the NerveGear has been heavily phased out because of the internal microwave transceivers which killed the people who died in Aincrad. It's successor, the AmuSphere changed to a lower frequency scanning method which is safer, alongside the medical scanner built in which watches your heartbeat and forces you out if your body is in danger."
"Interesting, are all kids able to acquire these...NerveGears and AmuSpheres?"
"It's tough to find NerveGears nowadays, the public fears them as they were indirectly involved with the deaths of roughly thirty five hundred people in addition to how the government ordered them destroyed, but the AmuSphere however can be bought at a mildly cheap price."
"Wonderful, so there are many children that can enjoy these...FullDives?"
"Well, it's not too widespread outside my country yet, but figuratively, yes anyone should be able to afford it."
"I see." Brave says in a mildly depressed tone.
"Lord Brave, the technology is still new, and VR gaming has a bit of a bad reputation throughout the world, they just need to time to get used to it" I say, actually trying to encourage him; it's...really odd considering who I'm talking to: One of the Criminals of the Free World.
"Oh, I see. So after enough time passes, all children will get to enjoy the FullDive?"
Perhaps. Humanity is a difficult race to read, it is near impossible to read the future Lord Brave."
"That is an undeniable fact. The reason I was created was in vengeance of game creators overcharging for their works, making it so children can never afford to play their games. I am the voice of the oppressed, of the children who can never afford the unfair prices."
"Wow, you're much kinder than I anticipated Lord Brave. It's noble of you to stand up for the children who cannot purchase what's considered top-line." I say in mild awe. I can hardly bring myself to hate this...person...robot...whatever he is considering this.
After about a half hour passes of conversation between the two of us, we hear a shout from the familiar voice: Nepgear. I notice Kazuto, Katsuo, Nepgear, IF, Compa, Falcom, and Nisa among them.
"Karen!" Nepgear shouts rather angrily.
"So you actually did come, I'm surprised." I retort sarcastically.
"Karen, do you think you can handle this? I know it can't be easy to fight against your friends like this. As solemn as I was before, I don't want you pushing yourself."
"I appreciate your concern Caelus, but I am going to use this opportunity to harden Nepgear. We can't afford to send a crybaby after ASIC."
"I will not allow your plans to continue, you will fall. Right here, right now!" Nepgear growls angrily, activating her HDD.
"Lord Brave. I will handle fighting Nepgear. When I defeat her, I will come aid you."
"As you wish." Brave responds simply, dashing further into the dungeon while I go down a different path after following him a short distance.
I flee to an elevated platform with Nepgear chasing me, leaving CFW Brave to fight the others. Once I find myself alone against Nepgear on the platform, I can easily tell that she looks rather pissed off, but also kind of sad as well.
"Sister, I know you. You would never serve ASIC unless you were being manipulated by that Anti-crystal. Listen to me; you need to break free!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I serve ASIC out of my own free will, with every fiber of my being. In fact, I have never felt more alive in my life." I state calmly, trying to keep the charade going. Even though I am seriously jeopardizing the bonds I have with my friends and potentially making it where they'll never trust me again, a part of me needs to test them all. If they can't fight against their friend, they'll never make it against ASIC. In addition, I have an opportunity to mess with ASIC from the inside and I'm not going to let this chance slip by me.
"Please don't lie to me. You're a good person, I know you are!"
"I don't think so, young, gullible Nepgear. As an ally of ASIC, I am drawn to fight you. Prepare yourself!" I say mockingly, drawing Celeste and charging at Nepgear, with her blocking my strike with her gunblade with a struggling defense.
"Sister, snap out of it, you're stronger than this!"
"Take a look at yourself first, young Nepgear. If you want to save your beloved Neptune, you need to be able to fight anything or anyone in your way and show unrelenting effort to defeat that foe. Unless you show me a hundred and twenty percent, you ought to give up now. If you can't bring yourself to fight me at full strength, you will never have the power to save your beloved sister." I continue to mock Nepgear, since I'm trying to provoke her into truly fighting here.
"You want a hundred and twenty percent? Fine!" Nepgear shouts angrily as she pushes back and activates her Panzer Blade skill, which actually does hurt me a little bit when it hits me, though I am doing my best to hide that pain.
"Hehe, that tickles. Is that all you have silly, naive Nepgear." I say mockingly, hiding the pain I'm feeling.
"There's more incoming!" Nepgear says, activating her special HDD Skill "Multiple Beam Launcher Overdrive! This is the end!" Nepgear executes her special Celestial Severance skill which inflicts heavy damage on me, causing me to grip Celeste with the blade in the ground "Satisfied yet?" Nepgear mockingly asks me, seemingly laughing at my weakened state, the fact I'm even alive from this barrage surprises me more than I'll admit.
"You hold promise, but you still have much to learn. Your hesitation at the start could have easily gotten you killed." I say with a small smile. "Rain of Destruction, come forth from the cosmos! Dark Saber!" I activate my skill and inflict a surprise attack on Nepgear, causing her to fall just like me.
"Ugh..."
"Never underestimate your enemy young Nepgear."
"I will not give up, fall!" Nepgear shouts and executes her Mirage Dance.
When that skill finishes, I fall to the ground from all the injuries. I was barely able to keep myself up from Celestial Severance, and with this attack...I can't handle it. I am able to look up a little and see Nepgear keeping the sword near me.
"Hehe...why hold back Nepgear? Finish off your enemy." Although I said this confidently, I am shouting at myself 'Why the hell did I say this to her?!'. I cannot believe I just told Nepgear to kill me!
"No, that is where I draw the line. I will not kill the person I consider my sister." Nepgear states solemnly as she sheathes her sword.
"Heh, you hold a good amount of compassion. As your enemy, indulge me: Is the sister thing genuine or being used to cope with your beloved Neptune being captive in the Graveyard?" While this might be a strange time to ask, I figure this is my best chance to ask if Nepgear is serious about this or not.
"It is genuine. You nearly died trying to save me, and when you recovered, you have helped me ever since. When I asked you to be my sister, I meant it."
"I see." I then close my eyes and chuckle before trying to get up "Caelus, give me a hand."
"Understood." Caelus says calmly, reenergizing my strength to a level where I can freely walk about.
"Caelus?! Y-You have a CPU helping you?!"
"In a way. I am Caelus now, as our souls merged back in the graveyard. I am Caelus, and Caelus is me, we are one single entity. However, don't presume I am going to betray ASIC just because I have reawakened the power within me. I am not returning to you all." I say rather boldly, jumping down to the lower platform to aid Lord Brave in his battle. I used a fair deal of philosophy in my statement here, so much that I barely understood parts of it myself. Whatever the case, it is true depending on how you look at it.
"Bold speech Karen." Caelus certainly does sound rather impressed right now.
"Eh, it's all just semantics. We'd better hurry, considering how strong IF and the others are, Lord Brave won't last long with such strong firepower."
"Right. We should...Karen, you have any idea how freaking strange it is for me of all people to want to help Arfoire and ASIC?"
"We have no choice. We can't let Brave be defeated. Besides, you were the one that told me to help ASIC."
"I make rash decisions, I do that more than I'd like to admit. I may be a goddess, but I am by no means a good one. That's why I tended to let Histoire make most of the decisions involving my nation. I may be intelligent, but that doesn't always translate into good leadership. My little sisters were more diverse in skill sets since I made them that way."
"Your sisters? Do you feel like talking about them now?"
"Yes and no. We're in the middle of battle, I'll explain more when we get out of here."
I dash to where Brave is, who is fighting Katsuo, Kazuto, IF, Compa, Falcom, and Nisa single handed; but considering how he is bent over and has dropped his combat stance, he must have been pushed to exhaustion, defeat being inevitable.
"Lord Brave! I'm here to aid you!"
"Your offer of assistance is appreciated, but I can tell you are getting exhausted, we must flee from this area."
"Understood." I glance over at everyone who has varying emotions before I fully vanish as well.
Hyperdimension Standard Time: [13:00] August 3rd 20XX
POV: Katsuo
"I can't believe this. I can't believe that Karen really betrayed us. I can't..." I just can't believe that Karen truly betrayed us like this. I've known her six years and she would never do something like this! She'd rather die than betray her friends.
"Well believe it. Karen is nothing less than a damn coward and a traitor. Next time I see her, I will kill her." IF growls with an angry tone.
"IF, I've known Karen six years, she would never do something like this! If you try to kill Karen, I will personally make sure that will be the last thing you ever do!" I snarl angrily to IF. I don't care what she or the others say, I have known Karen for a long time and she would never willingly betray her friends. She would only do something like this if she has some plan in mind.
"Let's not worry about that right now. Let's bring the Hematite back to Lady Kei and then find the Mascot. My sister and ASIC will be there." Nepgear says in a solemn tone, still in CPU form at the moment.
"Right, let's get going." I say with a grim frown since I'm still angry toward IF.
We all fast travel out of the dungeon to Lastation's capital, so we can quickly return to the Basilicom to learn of the Mascot's location. When we enter, we find Kei not far ahead of us, seemingly anticipating our arrival.
POV: Nepgear
"Welcome back. I trust you have retrieved the Hematite this time?"
"Yes. We have it right here." IF says, handing over the Hematite.
"Now it is time I honor our deal, I will tell you where the mascot is, but first; I wish to know what happened in the graveyard."
"Very well." I say, explaining what happened three years ago back in the Gamindustri Graveyard.
"So Noire really is alive, that's a relief."
"If you were worried about your CPU, why did you make us go on this wild goose-chase? It cost us quite a bit you know. This goose-chase caused our friend to become corrupted by ASIC!" Kazuto growls angrily.
"Like you had your objectives, we had our own. We needed these components to advance our technology. Like I promised, the location of the Mascot is written on this paper."
"We need to hurry, ASIC may already be reaching the Mascot." I say seriously, urging the desire to get moving.
"Wait. Don't assume that the Mascot will offer her assistance so easily."
"What are you talking about?" Kazuto asks curiously.
"You'll find out soon enough, best of luck."
Author's Notes: Okay, I am aware that Nepgear is acting a little out of character in this chapter, but considering Karen's plan, they have every reason to be incredibly mad at her.