Chapter 5: The Meeting

"Left!" the group take a left turn. They're running away from bunch of robots. The moment the robots turn left too, the group vanished.

"BZZT, INTRUDER DISSAPEARED. COMMENCE THE SEARCHING MODE." One of the R-4 Custom talks. They all begin spreading on the building, searching for Neptune and the friends. Not long after that, Nico peeks from a room in the corridor they went to.

"Are they gone yet?" Neptune whispering.

"Maybe.." Nico closes the door slowly. "Man, that was a close call." He lets out a long sigh.

"We nearly got caught back there." Nepgear relaxed her body.

"How did they know we're here anyway?"

"It's because I beat one of them. Apparently they have an alarm planted inside them. Teehee." Neptune smiled.

"Don't 'Teehee' me.. what should we do now since they know we're here?" Nico looks at Neptune.

"Aww Nicky, you sounds more like Iffy now. Keep being serious all the time."

"Hmm.. what should we do.." Nepgear looks troubled.

Few minutes ago.

"Let's sneak inside, it's more safer for both of you too." Neptune leads the group near the building. The girls currently in their normal form in order to save energy for last fight.

"Okay then, how we find a way inside without using the front door?" Nepgear as they're walking to the side of it.

"Hmm, I can try climb the wall and enter one of the window, and then I.." Nico looking at the 1st floor window.

"There's a backdoor over here." Raven pop out from the back side of the building.

"That easily?!" Nico shocked.

"Great found Ravy! They wouldn't know we got inside this easily. Come on Nicky, don't just stand there." Neptune cheered.

"It would be interesting if we found an elevator that bring us right into boss floor." Nico chuckled.

"I found an elevator!" Neptune shouts at Nico.

"Ah... Nico just went white.." Raven looking at him, smacking his cheek. They decided to enter the elevator and headed to boss floor. After they reach the floor, they split up and try to look for clue in order to look for the boss. Suddenly, Neptune accidentally enter a security room, and there's a robot inside.

"Nepu!?" Neptune froze on the spot.

"BZZT?" the robot turn around.

"Hiyaa!" Neptune slashed the robot, and it broke down. "That should prevent it to raise the alarm." Neptune wipes the sweat on her forehead.

"INTRUDER ALERT. INTRUDER ALERT." the dead robot talks. The alarm still raised in the end. Bad luck Neptune..

"What do you mean with that?! Awawawawah! Ruun!" Neptune starts running toward other member.

*Beep* *Beep*

"Huh?!" Nepgear startled.

"Is that the alarm? How did they found us?" Nico who near Nepgear also shocked.

"Did both of you tripped the alarm?" Raven approach them.

"No, I don't think I did."

"You?" Raven look at Nepgear. She shakes her head.

"Then who?" Nico tapping his chin.

"Ah..." they just realize it.

"Everyone! It's trouble!" Neptune running toward them.

"Neptune, what did you do?" Nico holds her.

"There's no time to talk, run!" Neptune still panicking.

"Huh?" They saw bunch of robots chasing behind Neptune. "Ah, you gotta be kidding me.." Nico seems had enough. The group starts running away.

Back to the present. Neptune and her friends are keep moving deeper by hiding in a room to evade the patrolling robots. This time, they saw a lot of robots guarding a big double doors.

"It looks like they try their best to stop us from entering the room. Must be something or someone important inside." Raven looking at it.

"What should we do, there're so many of them." Nepgear also peeking. Then they went quiet for a while, thinking for a decent plan.

"Neptune, Nepgear, I'm sorry, but can you act as decoy for me and Ravy? We'll head inside first, and try to defeat it." Nico comes up with a great(?) idea.

"What?! No, I can't do that. That's too dangerous for you, and we don't know what else waiting inside the room." Neptune rejecting it.

"I know it sounds crazy and selfish. But it will took us a long time if you want to beat every single of them. Don't you think it's more efficient this way?" Nico seems serious about it.

"He got a point there." Raven agreed with him.

"But what about the boss? It still dangerous without us." Nepgear looks unsure.

"Don't worry, we'll make it somehow." Nico smiled at her.

"... Alright. But promise us that you'll stay alive. We'll join you as soon as possible after we done." Neptune looks unhappy about the plan, but still trying to hide it.

"We will. Let's do this everyone." Nico and Raven stay in the room, Neptune and Nepgear jump out and start shouting at them.

"Heyy, stupid piece of junks! Over here!" Neptune waving at the R-4 Customs.

"Ah.. uh.. we're over here!" Nepgear also waving, then they start running. The robots start chasing the girls, leaving the big door unguarded.

"I didn't tell her to bad mouth them.. but it still works." Nico looking at them. "Let's go, Ravy." Raven nodded. Both of them approach the door. It's not locked, so they enter the room right away. Inside, there's a large robot waiting them. "It's name is R4i-SDHC. Okay then." Nico approach it calmly and looking at a label on one of its feet.

"What are you doing..?" Raven being cautious.

"Hmm? Reading the big guy's name. We can't let the readers don't know the name." Nico make Raven speechless. The robot react to Nico and about to attack him. Nico then backing away from it, and slowly walk to Raven. "Stay quiet, he can't see us if we don't move..." Nico whispering.

"Really? You gonna do that? He's not a dinosaur, Nico."

"Yeah, I'm just messing with you." Nico chuckled. "Oh, shit!" he dodge a shots from the robot just in time. "No more joking then. Ready for this, pal?" Nico on fighting stance, readying his gun.

"You don't have to ask. There's no turning back anyway." Raven drawing out his scythe.

"Let's go!" they dash toward R4i-SDHC. At first, they learn it's movement and special attacks. The boss apparently move slow, but it got a thick armor around it. The boys start attack it slow and steady while evading the attacks. And also, with the limited supplies they have right now, they had to do this carefully. Although, Nico sometimes being clumsy and nearly get knocked out and had to heal up several times. After some time has passed (and because the author too lazy to write the entire fight ╮(╯▽╰)╭ ), both party got exhausted. Then Nico pulls the robot's attention to him, and then Raven jumping up from behind it.

"Void Slash!" Raven swings the scythe vertically, leaving a dark trails. He does a fatal damage to it, cutting the robot into half. It falls on the ground, and then disappeared into particles.

"Phew, that boss was a real deal. Ravy, why you didn't tell me you had a special move too?!" Nico adoring him. "That is so cool."

"I got it back then after we fight the dogoos." Raven turns his head. "Stop looking at me like that."

"I see. Since we have beaten the boss, we just need to find the stuffs we need to get, right?"

"Aaahahaha! It seems that won't be easy for you." a pale skinned woman with short light purplish hair, wearing a witch hat, appeared behind them. She bring a spear with her.

"Huh?!" Both of them turn around quickly, and went silent. "Umm.. Auntie, are you lost? We can help you get out from here." Nico with friendly tone.

"Who you call Auntie!? My name is Arfoire! You brats just like her, always rude everytime we met." Arfoire suddenly angry.

"Ravy, do you know this old hag?" Nico loudly whispered. Raven shake his head. "Then, have we met her before?" same reply from him.

"I can hear you! You brats... you will pay for it!" she get her spear ready.

"Aw hell.. another fight." Nico sounds lazy and Raven is on alert.

Meanwhile, the girls did a well job distracting the minions, while also evading being sandwiched by them. The keep running until they meet a dead end corridor.

"Nepu, a dead end!" Neptune did a deep brake, even the floor do a screeching sound.

"Oh no.. Onee-chan.." Nepgear looks disbelief.

"It's okay Nepgear, I'll not let them hurt you no matter what. Transform!" Neptune steps forward, and then transform to her HDD form.

"I'll also fight along with Onee-chan." Nepgear transformed too, standing beside her beloved big sister. They are on fighting stance.

"Here they come!" Neptune about to dash right into them. "Huh? They not going to attack?" she looks at them.

"TERMINATING THE MISSION." the robots talk. Then they went away, emptying the building, leaving the girls confused.

"Did.. they did it?" Nepgear breaks the silent.

"Yes, let's go to them now." Neptune smiled at her. They went to the boys who are currently fighting a powerful(?) enemy. Back to the boys side.

"Millenium Buster!" Nico shots the beam, she dodge it easily.

"Void Slash!" Raven does vertical slash, she also dodge it. The witch attacks them once again, both of them barely escape, they got away just on time. They stand in front of the big door without realising it. Nico then saw it, a bitter plan came after that.

Damn it.. our attacks always miss, and we keep getting attacked instead. Must be because of the last fight with the big guy, we ran out our stamina. Even Ravy having a hard time... This is getting dangerous. I have to do this!

"Forgive me, Ravy. And tell the girls I'm sorry." Nico smiled at him. He quietly open the door behind them.

"Huh?" Raven got push by Nico, out from the room and falls on the ground. Nico closes the door. "Nico!" Raven stands up and try to open the big door, but Nico had it locked from the inside. "Open the door, Nico!"

"I'm sorry pal, but it's for your safety too." Nico talk from the other side. Then he face the witch. "Now it just between us. Let me ask you something, old hag. Why are you doing this?" Nico looks serious.

"Why? Of course I want to kill Neptune and her annoying friends, and then I'm gonna conquer the Gamindustri. By making people losing faith in goddesses, the CPUs are nothing to me." Arfoire evil smile.

"You are a coward, aren't you. If you want to prove that you are better than them, and can conquer the Gamindustri, face them directly and fight them. Show it to the world that you can beat them. Doing things like this just make you looks pathetic." Nico pitying her, with a big grin on his face.

"Hoo.. You still got nerve to say that, even though you can't win against me. Prepare yourself, this won't take long to take you out." Arfoire snapped. She point her spear at Nico.

"Give it a try, auntie. I am better than you think." Nico going to fight her with fists, a close range battle with Nico in disadvantage situation because his limited stamina. The two start fighting each other. Nico throw a few punches, but she keep dodging him.

She's fast!

"Hmph, too slow." Arfoire suddenly dash toward Nico.

*Stab!*

"Hngg!" she stab Nico deeply with her spear. He's trying to endure the pain, clenching his teeth.

"That's what you get for underestimating my power." Arfoire smiling.

"Heh.." Nico smirked.

"Hmm? What are you laughing at." She looks a bit confused.

"Don't you think it's strange that I fight you bare handed, even though I got a weapon?" Nico grinned.

"..!" Arfoire just realises his plan. Nico tried to get stabbed purposely, so he can attack her without afraid missing the shot.

"I got you..!" Nico grab her hand tightly with the other hand drawing out the gun, pointed directly to her stomach.

"Shit!" Arfoire trying to get away with all might, but still outpowered by Nico.

"Millenium Buster!" Nico shoot the beam right at her stomach.

"Guhaa..!" she got knocked back so far, flying in the air for a second before she hit a wall and fall.

"That's what you get for underestimating my brain." Nico copy her words, while looking at her. He used his gun to help him stand. "*Cough* *Cough*" he falls on his knee, vomiting some blood. Seeing Arfoire got hurt so badly, Nico smile a bit even though he know he's on the verge of death. Once again, he's coughing some blood and then falls on the ground. Nico, lying on the floor, only able to move his eyes. His body has given up on moving, and his breath is getting slower every seconds.

My.. vision.. is fading..

"Nico!" Raven successfully open the big door by blasting through it with the help from the girls. He saw Nico lying down on the floor, then he slowly look at Arfoire with anger. She still able to stand up apparently, but can't fight anymore. "You... You..!"

...

... Am I dead..

...

I think I am, being stabbed so hard like that, there's no way I'll survive that. Well, as long as Ravy is alive, I'm okay with this. I'm sorry buddy, I guess this is the end of the road for me..

Nico..

Huh?

Nico...

That voice.. is that you.. grandpa?

Yes son.. it's me...

Where is dad, mom, and Erika? I thought they should be here by the time I'm arrived.

No, they won't be here anytime soon.

Really? It seems they still hate me until the end..

No no, your family will never hate you, son. I'm here just to tell you that you shouldn't die yet..

Why? Did I do something wrong?

No..

Then?

You must.. enjoy your current life!

...Excuse me?

Like I said, you must..

I heard what you said, but what do you mean with the 'enjoy'..

Oh don't play dumb with me son. It's every man's dream to be surrounded by cute girls like them. Even I got jealous with you, son (he laughing). So, what are you waiting for, go make a harem!

Wait wait wait.. this is getting ridiculous, that is so wrong in so many ways.

But I saw you flirting with that lilac haired girl called Nepgear.

I'm not flirting with her! Grandpa, this is supposed to be an adventure story, not a romantic harem stuff you talking about.

Pfft, who cares. I can ask the Author to alter the story a bit. They won't know, except the readers. What do you think, Author-san?

Not a bad idea, but I'll take a look at what the readers thought about this. I might received a lot of messages and stuff though (The Author jokingly).

There, you hear that son? Son..? Where did he go?

He had left already before I appeared.

Aww, that's too bad. I wish you luck, my boy..

...

"...ky.." Nico hear something.

"...icky...!" a voice getting clearer and louder. Nico can feel someone keep shaking him.

"..Nicky..!" He can hear it clearly now, someone is calling him.

"Nicky!" calling him again, shaking him harder. He know that the voice is Neptune's, since she's the only person who keep using that nickname.

"Gosh.. I'm here already... Stop shaking me." Nico slowly open his eyes, smiling at Neptune in front of him.

"Thank god, I'm glad you're still able to make it." Neptune let out a little hearty laugh. Then Nico check out his chest, looking for the hole made by the spear, but all he see just a scar left behind. She told him that in this world, all kind of attack to human from every kind of enemies will just leave a scar behind, but still hurt like real one (and because the author doesn't like gory stuff). She gives Nico a Nep Bull, so he can recover quickly. He drink it, and he can feel the effect. It worked charmly.

"Did I made you guys worry...? Sorry..." Nico looking at the others, there's Ravy who always stand behind the rest, and also Nepgear sitting beside her sister. She on the verge of crying though.

"Nepgear..?" Nico looks confused.

Nepgear starts crying, she hugs Nico. It gave Nico a little shock.

"Nepgear was crazily worried about you. She's scared that you won't wake up anymore." Neptune seems to be relieved too.

"Then how am I still alive? I mean, I do happy that I'm still able to be alive." Nico ask the girls.

"We use the life fragment you got from beating the boss. We use it at you just in time, any longer and you'll be dead for sure." Neptune sounds bit angry, after seeing what Nico pulls.

"Oh.. umm.. Thanks Nep-nep. And sorry Nepgear, for making you worried like that."

"*Sniff* Promise me you won't ever do that again.." Nepgear tried her best to stop her cry. Nico gives his handkerchief to her.

"I will.. I will. Now calm down okay. Stop crying." Nico pats Nepgear's head. She nodded. He took little glance at her face.

Is she always cute like this..?

"Son, what are you waiting for, go make a harem!" Nico grandpa's voice still echoing in his ears.

"Huh, Nicky? Your face red, Are you sick?" Neptune staring at him.

"Hmm? Ahh.. it's nothing. Maybe because I drank the energy drinks." Nico tried to cover his face. "We should get going, have you guys got the stuff we need?"

"Yup, it's all inside that chest." Neptune pointed the chest behind her with her thumb.

"Alright, good to hear. Ravy, can you help me up and walk? It's a bit hard for me to do that right now." Nico chuckled. Raven sigh, but he still lend his hand and shoulder to Nico. "Thanks man.".

"Don't you ever do that again." Raven speaks as they all walking away from the building.

"Jeez Ravy, you heard me already, I won't."

"Nicky, hear me. Back then when we found you, Ravy was angry, really angry! Even I can feel his anger filling the building. He was like this when he angry." Neptune trying to imitate Raven.

"Ahahahah, was that true Ravy?" Nico smile at him.

"No, she is exaggerating it." Raven quick reply.

"Come on, would that kill you to crack a smile. That stiff face of yours make me want to keep poking it." Nico pokes Raven's cheek as he talk.

"Stop that, or I will drop you right now." Raven stare at him with killing intent.

"You're so cold, man.." Nico forced smile.

The party then leave the dungeon, bringing all the loots they can grab. They headed home right away since it's sunset now. After they get home, Histoire and IF greet them, and they got shocked seeing Neptune and the others got injured so bad. Nepgear tell the whole story to IF and Histoire about today. Neptune of course got scolded by Histoire for running away from her paperwork. Nico also got scolded by IF for pulling that suicidal stunt since they still new to this world. But both of them glad that Neptune and others came back in one piece. Compa comes out from the kitchen to see what is the commotion about. She saw Neptune and Nico badly hurt, and drew her bandages right away. She try to tend Neptune first by covering her scars with bandage, which end up mummifying her.

"I think I'll get back to my room to get some rest..." Nico try to run away.

"No, that's not good desu! I should tend you right away, before you got infected from it!" she's done taking care(?) of Neptune, now she face toward Nico. She draw her bandages and a giant syringe from her back again.

"Oh god. Please, anything but the syringe of yours!"

"Don't worry, it doesn't hurt at all." but Nico can see her eyes gleaming as she comes closer.

"Wait, please, no.. Noooo!" Nico screaming in fear.

"Anyway, Nepgear, you got everything for the quest yet?" IF speaks as she and Nepgear watching the others from afar.

"Yes, we got all of them in here." Nepgear hand the bag full of quest items to IF.

"Alright, I'll go and give it to them. I'll be back at dinner time." IF take the bag and then went outside.

"There we go, all done desu." Compa is done taking care Nico's injuries.

"Ugh.. I guess I'll pass on dinner and get some sleep.." Nico breathing heavily. It seems he got a new trauma now. He slowly walks downstairs to his room followed by Raven from behind.

"I should take a bath and take some rest. We still got time before dinner." then Nepgear enter the bathroom.

"Ah, wait for me Nep Jr." Neptune also want to join her, but Histoire grab her by the collar.

"Wait a second Neptune. I never told you that you could rest." Histoire with friendly sound.

"Uhh.. but I'm a bit smelly right now." Neptune stuttered.

"After taking a bath, you got free time, right?" Histoire smiled.

"..yes.." Neptune knows what's waiting ahead.

"Good. ( ￣︿￣ )" she sighed.

Nearly 3 months without update, where am I? Don't worry, I'm not dead. Yet I should say sorry for those who have been waiting all this time. I am also working on the next chapter. I'm not dropping the series yet. See you again on the next chapter.