AN: Hello everyone. Twilightiger here. For any and all of my old time readers viewing this, thank you all for your patience and putting up with me despite the absurd amount of radio silence over the years. After getting my IRL situation settled, and giving one of my older, if not my oldest work a proper burial on an... admittedly melodramatic note, I am officially back and ready to write some stories. For real this time.
I'm betting you're all just itching to see what I've got written up now that I'm actually back in the saddle (Either that or just plain sick of my overly long author notes... not that I don't blame you. Gotten pretty chatty over the years.), so I'll keep this short and quick; From now on, I'm going to try and upload at least one chapter per week, interchanging between this and Silent Gale so I don't end up getting burnt out like before. As for the other projects I have currently listed on my profile, I'm going to be primarily focused on Terradimension and Silent Gale for the time being, so those will be kept as side projects for now, thus updates for those will be much slower. If anyone is interested in any of those listed and wants me to focus a bit more on those, or are interested in writing them yourselves, send me a message via PM and we'll go from there.
With that said, as for any and all new readers that might stumble upon this by chances, I only have this to say;
Ladies, Gentlemen and others, my name is Twilightiger... and this is my story; one of many to come.
Note: The following is a non-profit fan-based story. The Hyperdimension Neptunia series is all owned by Compile Heart, Idea Factory and IF International. Please support the official release.
"No matter the distance drawn between it, my body, and my mind... I can still recall..."
"The tragic notes of strife and bloodshed. Of a war which should never have happened; The Console War."
"Two realms exist within this dimension. Gamindustri, the realm of the humans, and Celestia, the realm of the Goddesses; The Console Patron Units (CPU's)."
"The CPU's receive their powers through the faith of humanity, of their people. In turn, the CPU's grant them sanctuary and protection from those who wish them harm."
"In receiving mercy do humans offer praise, and in shedding grace do the goddesses solicit worship... Perfectly balanced. That's how it was meant to be."
"However, in their pursuit to prove themselves worthy to rule all of Gamindustri as the True Goddess, they have locked themselves in mortal combat for countless years."
"Celestia, once ruled in tranquility, is now nothing more than a stage for senseless war, while humanities prayers go unanswered."
"That careful balance has been shattered... all due to the ignorance of both the CPU's... and myself."
"No matter how much I lament my part in this tragedy, it will not erase the damage done."
"All I can do now... is pray."
"Pray that someone, anyone, would come save Gamindustri; to bring forth light to our darkest hour."
"Be they be human or CPU, of this realm or another, it matters not."
"If anyone could hear my plea, I beg you; Please, put an end to the Console War."
"Unite the CPU's together, so they may fulfill their duty and destiny."
"Deliver me from this place so that I might undo my own wrongs."
"... And, above all else..."
"Please... save her soul... before she becomes lost forever."
...
...
...
"For you Hist... anything."
TerraDimension Neptunia: Gray Advent Rebirth
Prologue Part 1
Celestia/ Time Unknown
Soft grass waved gently to the wind, each blade of greenery shining faintly to the sun. Clear blue skies hanged above as gray clouds move silently from the east, signs of a storm to come. Gargantuan trees stood tall amongst ancient crystals and archaic ruins, scattered far and wide on islands floating amongst the heavens.
*CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!*
(Hyperdimension Neptunia OST: Keeps Me Alive)
Sounds of steel against steel pierce through the air, the tranquility of the lands shattered once again by conflict. In one of the many floating islands in Celestia stood 4 young woman, all locked in combat with one another before a mighty oak, it's many branches hang over the battlefield.
"Haa... Haa... Haa..."
One of the combatants has long, purple hair with black hair clips with glowing blue D-Pad shapes, tied in braided twintails that reach to her feet with bright blue eyes shining in defiance, white power symbols gleaming through her gaze with determination. She wears a black and purple bodysuit that somewhat exposes her rather modest chest and black legwear made of the same material with black and purple boots, the entire ensemble itself hugging her slim yet shapely frame quite comfortably.
[Goddess of Purple Progress: CPU Purple Heart]
She was visibly fatigued, but stood firm in spite of her exhaustion, a black and purple katana firmly in her grasp as she braced herself for the battles to come.
"HAAAAA!"
Another combatant yelled out, rapidly flying towards the purple samurai with a massive black and white greatsword. Her eyes are a bright cyan, the power symbols within gleam brilliantly with pride, alongside pure white hair flowing past her shoulders. She wears a similar body suit that too fit snugly, her slender frame similar to her purple adversary, but with notably wider hips. The suit itself was colored black and white with patches of silver, along with pure black sleeves and leggings, a pair of mechanical black and silver gauntlets and matching colored boots.
[Goddess of Black Regality: CPU Black Heart]
The second her opponent closed in, greatsword raised above her head swinging downward, the purple woman swiftly slashed upward, their respective blades clashed against one another, stopping her attack dead in its tracks. Sparks danced across the blades as the two women pushed and grind their weapons against the other.
"Tch!" The white-haired woman clicked her tongue. "Always the stubborn one, Neptune. Why don't you just give up and accept defeat?"
Purple Hearts eyes narrowed "Humorous coming from you, Noire. You're the one always challenging everyone when given the chance." She took on step forward steadily, her katana pushing back against Black Hearts greatsword. "Why don't you quit now and save yourself another loss."
"S-Shut up!" Black Heart snapped, harshly pushing out of their blade-lock as she sent Purple Heart back several feet. Skidding to a stop, Purple Heart quickly regained her foot as Black Hearts greatsword changed shape, extending in length as it glowed with all the colors of the rainbow. Seeing this, Purple Heart took a deep breath and lowered her katana in a quick-draw stance, a faint lilac light glimmered across the blade.
"Torneraid Sword!"
"Critical Edge!"
Both Goddesses shouted as they flew towards one another as fast as the wind, their figures obscured by a blinding flash as their attacks collided.
"My, my... This is really starting to get out of hand." Another one of the combatants observed, her voice gentle yet mature.
This one has long, spring-green hair tied in a ponytail, her eyes a light shade of purple with power symbols looking upon the battle with a calm and analytical gaze. She wears a white bodysuit with bits of green hugging her very much gifted hourglass frame. The suit itself was much more revealing than her fellow goddesses, exposing her smooth stomach, much of her back and the underside of her generous bust, along with black and white sleeves, gauntlets and leggings.
[Goddess of Green Pastures: CPU Green Heart]
She stood to the side as the other two fought on, a long spear in her right hand, and her left arm wrapped under her breasts. "How much longer much we continue this foolish battle?" She mused with a sigh, tugging at the collar of her suit with her free hand. "It's getting rather muggy out here."
"Well then, do us a favor and drop dead!"
"...!"
Casting her gaze to her right, the green-haired woman twirled her spear and expertly parried an enormous white and blue battleaxe aiming for her head. In response, she rapidly thrusted her spear multiple times at the fourth fighter, who in turn blocked her assault with her axe almost effortlessly, in spite of her smaller stature compared to the others.
This one has short, sky-blue hair with long bangs that reach to her stomach, her crimson eyes narrowed fiercely as the power symbols within seethed with a quiet rage. She wore a white and blue bodysuit that strangely resembled a one-piece swimsuit that hugged her slim, petite frame, along with long detached sleeves and leggings, both complete with black and white boots and gauntlets.
[Goddess of White Serenity: CPU White Heart]
Grunting in frustration, the blue-haired berserker broke through the spearwomans attack and began spinning her whole body around, her battleaxe striking against her opponents spear as the other desperately parried against her fierce onslaught. "Tanzerin..." using the momentum of her swings, she twirled one more time before heaving her axe above her head "Trombe!" before slamming down onto her opponent. The green-haired goddess just barely jumped back away from the attack, the axe smashing into the ground, leaving rocks flying in all directions and a sizable crater in it's wake.
"Haa... Haa... I don't care how long it takes..." The petite woman huff, glaring fiercely at the other woman. "I won't let any of you bitches take the title of True Goddess!"
"*Sigh* Honestly Blanc..." The green-haired goddess shook her head before chastising "Must you always use such coarse language? Your demeanor is rather unfitting of a goddess."
"Shut your damn mouth!" White Heart barked back "Ugh, I can't stand the way you talk all high n'mighty! Besides," She jabbed a finger at her "With the way you look, you're not exactly the image of a goddess either, Thunder-tits!"
"W-What!? How rude!" Green Heart blushed. "Breasts are a sign of maturity and fertility. The size of my bust shows my aptitude as goddess." She boasts proudly, her chest bouncing in accord of her words before she narrows her gaze with a sly grin "Which is more than I can say for you or Neptune."
"THAT'S BULLSHIT AND YOU KNOW IT!" White Heart growled, her eyes shadowed with one bright red eye gleaming through. "GRRRR! Listening to you talk crap outta your ass really pisses me off!" She raises her hand, summoning numerous small blue orbs of energy floating in front of her. "How 'bout you shove these up your fatass and die!" White Heart then quickly raises her axe with both hands, wielding it like a baseball bat as she slammed it towards the orbs, sending each and every one of them towards Green Heart.
"...!" In response, Green Heart summoned several green glyphs behind her in an arch. "Sylhet Spears!" On her command, magic spears fired out of the glyphs and shot right towards White Hearts volley, each attack crashing into one another creating a smoke-cloud in it's wake, forcing the two goddesses to cover their eyes. "Got you!"
"Wha-!?"
Both goddess snapped to attention, as Black Heart came bursting out of the smoke cloud high into the air, her greatsword raised above her head with flames gathered along the length of the blade. "Volcano Dive!" She then divebombs straight towards the other two goddesses. Both Green and White Heart attempted to move out of the way, but Black Heart already slammed her greatsword onto the ground in front of them, flames erupting on impact as the two CPUs were caught in the blast radius.
"Gah! Shit, that was smarts!" White Heart grunted, covered in soot as she was nursing her arm.
"Aahahahahahaha!" Black Heart laughed haughtily "That's your fault for letting your guard down!"
Green Heart sighed as she put out a small fire from her hair. "Truly, how much longer must this sterile battle go on?"
(Music Fades)
"Agreed." Purple Heart called out, all eyes now on her "This whole battle is nonsense. Dragging things out like this will not benefit any of us, much less our nations and people." She shook her head disapprovingly. "What will it take to end this fighting?"
"Why is it that you only ever speak sense when you're in Hard Drive Divinity?" Black Heart questioned with a hand to her hip "Still, you do have a point there Neptune; this stalemate has gone on long enough."
Rolling her eyes with a huff, White Heart planted her axe to the ground blade-end as she turned to Green Heart "Well, you're the one who brought it up Vert. Got any bright ideas?"
Unbeknownst to the other three goddesses, Purple Heart inwardly sighed in relief. Perhaps now they can actually get somewhere with this, as opposed to just wasting their time in this pointless war. ("Then... perhaps we can...")
"Then let us think on this carefully for a moment." Green Heart said, closing her eyes as she placed her spear aside "This battle is ultimately all for the people in Gamindustri below... settling this matter is for their sake." She opened her eyes back up and looked to her fellow goddesses "To that end, I would like to propose a collaboration between us; to work with one another, instead of against each other."
Purple Hearts eyes widened ("That's-"), though just as she opened her mouth to concur, Black Heart curtly replied "Hmph! us? Collaborate? Please, that idea won't solve anything! Competition is the only thing that drives us forward!"
"It's thinking like that that's put us in this impasse in the first place, Noire!" Purple Heart snapped in frustration, her gaze making Black Heart visibly flinch for a moment. ("Honestly... are you that determined to prove your worth? That you would so easily brush off a chance of peace between us?")
"Neptune has a point." White Heart spoke up calmly "The way things are now is beginning to fail us."
Purple Heart sighed, thankful for the blue haired goddesses input. "If so, then maybe we can-"
"I'd say..." White Heart cuts the purple goddess off, a smirk betraying her calm features "Why don't we just... thin out the competition?"
*BA-DUMP*
"...!?"
(Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;birth OST: Rough Flash)
The clouds above had begun to roll over Celestia, sounds of thunder rang out as the skies darkened around the goddesses. Purple Heart could feel her own heart thumping in her chest. Her eyes widen as she felt herself break out in a cold sweat upon White Hearts proposal... if one could even call it that.
"Hmm..." Green Heart hummed, tapping a finger on her chest before answering "A sound plan Blanc. That could be the catalyst of change we've been searching for."
"Yes... yes, I like the sound of that. not a bad idea." Black Heart concurred.
"W-Wait, what!?" Purple Heart exclaimed "What are you all talking about!?"
She could hardly believe her ears. True, these past few centuries worth of battle have bore them nor their people any fruit. Change needs to happen if they were to move forward... but do they really need to go to such lengths? They may not have the best of relationships with each other as goddesses, but is that justification enough to kill one another? To coat their own hands in the others blood? To leave the people of one of their nations to rot while the others prosper?
"To make this easier on ourselves," Green Heart continued "We should prioritize ridding ourselves of the one who is the most difficult to fight, not necessarily one we hate."
"Tch!" White Heart clicked her tongue in annoyance as she glared at Green Heart "Fine by me, Vert. That just means I get to kick your ass myself later."
"I would say the same for you." Black Heart proclaimed to White Heart, folding her arms in front of her chest. "The way you fly off the handle on a moments notice really gets on my nerves... I'd love nothing more than to discipline you myself."
"True, true." Green Heart nodded "To be perfectly honest, I bear no ill will against any one of you... That said," She cast her gaze to Black Heart "If I were forced to choose, I'd prefer to defeat you, Noire."
"Fair enough." Black Heart conceded "Then, that just leaves..."
In one motion, all three goddesses turned their gaze toward the only one left among them; to the purple goddess that stands before them, her twintails gently dancing in the wind as the storm raged on above.
*FLASH* *BOOM* *CRACKLE*
"..." Purple Heart narrowed her eyes, lightning flashing around the island as all eyes fall to her. The three goddesses stand under the shade of the tree, while she alone stands within the storm.
"Well," White Heart called out, grasping her axe and pulling it out of the ground before hoisting it onto her shoulder. "Sucks to be you, Neptune."
"Aahahahahahaha! It's settled then!" Black Heart smiled, her greatsword already primed and ready for battle. "Sorry Neptune, but it looks like your going to have to go!"
"Don't be foolish!" Purple Heart called out to them "Do you three even realize what you're saying!?"
"My apologies Neptune, but this is for the best." Green Heart told her as she readies her spear. "For the sake of our nations, and to end this Console War, you, CPU Purple Heart, have to fall. Thus, this shall be your last battle... please, do make the most of it."
White Heart hoisted her axe from her shoulder and gripped it with both hands "You better give it all ya got, or your gonna regret it!"
"Not like you have any choice anyways!" Black Heart proclaimed "I've been waiting a long time for this, so don't disappoint me!"
(Music Fades)
Purple Heart could only look down in dismay, her bangs cast a shadow upon her eyes "... Is that it?" she speaks softly as she tightens her grip on her katana "Is this what you all really want?" Her nose flares up, her lips forming a frown "Does that pointless title really mean that much to you three?"
The other three goddesses raised a brow, lowering their weapons a tad as they stood puzzled at Purple Hearts demeanor. "Well," Black Heart spoke up "is it not obvious? That's the whole reason we're even fighting, isn't it?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Everyone stood silent. No one else said a word as the three goddesses waited for her to make a move. Nothing but the sounds of wind and thunder resounded throughout the hallowed lands of Celestia.
There truly wasn't a shadow of a doubt in Purple Hearts mind. They truly intend to snuff her out. Truth be told, she would have every reason to be furious with them for such a short-sighted decision... yet she is not.
No... She is not angry with her fellow CPU's... rather, she is sad that things had turned out like this. Was there really no other way to resolve this conflict? There had to have been some way for them to cooperate with each other; to live in harmony with one another, instead of fighting in this futile war.
Then there was the matter of her nation of Planeptune, and the people who she alone they placed their faith in. What would become of them should she fall? Do they really need to suffer for the sake of the other three nations? Do the other goddesses even care what may happen to them?
"... Very well then." With those words, The three goddesses witness upon a sight they thought they'd never see.
CPU Purple Heart, the Goddess of Planeptune... silently sheds a single tear.
"Huh?"
"What the-?"
"N-Neptune?"
Without a word, Purple Heart raises her katana, and with a flick of her wrist-
*SLASH!* *BOOM*
(Hyperdimension Neptunia The Animation OST: Launch)
She sundered the ground directly behind her, a giant chunk of land and crystal shattering before her blade with a deafening crack, the fragments falling down to the human world below. With that act, Purple Heart has made her stance clear; Even in the fact of certain defeat... she will not retreat!
"Do with me as you wish!" Purple Heart declared loudly as she readied her stance, her eyes snapped towards her opponents as her hard-light wings appeared behind her shining brilliantly "I shall take everything you throw at me and return them a hundred-fold!"
Without a moments hesitation, CPU Goddess Purple Heart charged forward towards the other CPU's, beginning what would likely be her final battle. Summoning their own wings of hard-light, the three goddesses charged to meet her head on. The first to face her would be Black Heart, their respective blades clashed causing a shock-wave to shake the landscape around them. The two CPU's stood firm before both broke out of their clash, Black Heart skidding to a stop as White Heart charged forward in her place.
Just as Purple Heart recovered, White Heart was already on top of her, her axe reared back and ready to strike. With a mighty roar, White Heart crashed down towards her just as Purple Heart narrowly dodged and spun out of the way of her attack. Taking to the air, Purple Heart stood ready as White Heart changed direction and charged for the purple goddess in the air, with Black Heart and Green Heart shortly following. From there, Purple Heart skillfully blocked, parried and dodged each in-coming attack as they came, her three opponents not letting up for a moment. With every slash, charge and thrust that was sent her way, she nimbly maneuvered her way through almost flawlessly.
Amidst the onslaught of attacks Purple Heart lamented to herself ("Noire... Blanc... Vert... I truly wish we could've been friends.")
Soon, all three goddesses charged towards her at the same time, Black Heart at her front, White Heart to her right, and Green Heart behind her left. Seeing this, Purple Heart stays firm and just as they closed in, weapons ready to strike, she quickly flipped over their simultaneous attack, causing their weapons to collide into one another as Purple Heart spun in the air above them.
Purple Heart summoned a glyph to her feet and launched herself towards the other CPU's. "Cross Combination!" She called her attack as she struck fast and fierce, sending all three goddesses back down onto the island. She landed back down between the three and flourished her katana, ready for round two.
Black Heart charged forward and slashed at Purple Heart twice, the latter countered with ease before the former backed off, leading to an attack from Green Heart above who swung down as Purple Heart narrowly dodged out of the way. From there, Purple Heart deftly dodged one strike after the other from Green Heart before slashing forward, the green goddess blocking the attack. Seeing an opening, White Heart flew forward towards the purple goddess and swung up ferociously, knocking Purple Hearts katana out of her hands.
Seeing her weapon spinning in the air, Purple Heart backflipped away from White Hearts on-coming axe and leaped into the air to grab a hold of her katana. Just as she inched near it, a green and white spear shot towards it, knocking it further away from Purple Heart. Shocked, she looked to the source of the attack, only to see Green Heart smiling triumphantly. "That's checkmate."
"She's wide open! Get her!" White Heart bellowed as Black Heart charged forward.
"YOU'RE MINE!" The black goddess proclaimed, her greatsword glowing with energy as she went for the finishing blow.
Purple Heart's eyes shook as she watched Black Heart rapidly closed in on her, bracing herself as the black goddesses greatsword swung forward. And then-
(Music Stops)
*FLASH* *CRASH*
With a flash of light and a thunderous roar, a massive pillar of lightning struck down from the clouds above, vaporizing the leaves and branches off the tree and striking down unto the island dead in it's center, right in between the purple and black goddesses. The sheer force of the lightning pushed them both back away from each other as debris and smaller bolts of lightning flew in all directions, forcing the other two goddesses to move back at a distance.
"Ghh!" White Heart grunted, covering her eyes as the blinding light beamed before them. "What the hell is that!?"
"I don't know!" Green Heart replied.
Black Heart meanwhile used her greatsword as a make-shift anchor as she forced herself to a stop, her form shaking as sparks flew off her body from the blast as the light began to die down.
Stopping herself mid-air a few feet away from the cliffside she made earlier, Purple Heart gently landed onto solid ground looking to the crash site where the lightning struck, only to be met with a smouldering crater; The earth scorched and the air surrounding it heavily ionized as sparks of electricity scattered about. "Where in Gamindustri did that come from...?" She squinted her eyes to the craters center. She could just barely see a figure crouching down, it's form shrouded in dust and smoke. "Wait... is someone there?"
"What!?" Black Heart shouted in surprise upon hearing Purple Hearts words, her and the other two goddesses gaze fell onto the crater before them.
Within the dust-cloud, the figure breathed in and out slowly, his messy ash-blonde hair shadowing his eyes as he smirked to himself. "Heh."
[To Be Continued]