Chapter 2: Lastation is no longer Future-proof!
While Blanc was returning from her trip from the World Maze to subdue a Killachine, she caught sight of a lone rowboat travelling out from Lastation. The small rowboat moved slowly to make sure not to catch any attention, and finally stopped upon arriving at the Gamindustri Graveyeard Colosseum.
Jumping out of the boat was Uni, Lastation's CPU candidate. She had gotten up early enough to make sure Kei or Noire would catch her on this little adventure, and the rowboat was to ensure stealth. For the past days, Uni, Noire, and Kei tried their best to ignore the whole craze surround Nep-Pets, thinking it was just some trend that was going to die down soon enough. However, Uni could not ignore the fact that having something like an M-3 or an R-4 for a pet looked pretty cool. Fortunately for her, Nepgear was minding the store when she managed to sneak out to Planeptune the day before, and was able to buy one of the fancy new gadget for herself in secret.
Now, Uni stands in front of the Colosseum, loading her gun and ready to do what she came here to do. The only thing was of course, how she was going about to do this, some foes from the Colosseum were pretty strong after all. The answer to her little problem would be solved though, as Uni has focused on the towering stack of TVs of the Colosseum that she did not notice another figure sneaking up behind her.
"Good morning Noire-or Uni, whichever you are!" Said the voice behind.
"Ack!" Uni responded as she jumped from the surprise of another person at the Colosseum besides her, especially at this early hour of the morning. Fortunately (Or maybe unfortunately), it was not anybody from Lastation but Neptune.
"Oh it's Uni! Whatcha up to this early in the morning here? Training to beat Noire? Orrr perhaps you are interested in recruiting your own personal pet? Hmhm..."
"Of course not, I would never get into something so ridiculous!"
"Oh really? Then what's this?" Neptune replied, reaching out and poking on the gadget on Uni's wrist and having it display the user id: UNI
Just like that, Uni was busted, but thankfully it was not Kei or Noire because otherwise it would be way harder to explain herself out of the situation. At least here Neptune probably would not care too much about what she sees or even remember about an hour later.
"Oh well, don't worry about it, this stuff is pretty cool that's why I approved of such an idea. I am actually here to befriend something good and strong too, so good luck to you!" Neptune said, before heading for the towering stack of TVs.
"W-wait!" Uni said in response, knowing this is probably as good as it gets for Colosseum battle help without getting too many people involved, as Neptune stopped and turned around. "I need help..."
In the early morning, Kei was overlooking all the work to be done on her desk. It would seem today was another day of full of noise with production in the factories. Aside from employing people to clean up pet litter, there was also the need to constantly update technology and systems because of people getting caught up in the pet craze. Not that Kei really minded this however, as maybe things had been a bit too peaceful after ASIC's defeat and she had at one point considered stepping down from her position as Oracle to start her own business. Of course it was not happening now because of Lastation's status, not only has shares gone down but also resources were getting drained to accommodate pet resources.
"I wonder if Planeptune's R&D had nothing better to do in times of peace and developed such a thing out of boredom..." Kei said, while drawing up a plan to ensure that enough human resources will be put back into making Lastation future-proof. After all, as it is, Lastation certainly will not be future-proof with people only thinking how to take care of their mechanic pets. The whole issue with Lastation was that with mostly mechanical pets, which were sadly, customisable. It was still not the worst, because mechanical pets mean that security for individual homes had been very secure and Lastation was the safest nation.
Still, there was one thing that made Kei a bit uncomfortable... most likely because the positives from the pet-boom was because of Planeptune's technology while Lastation was just a beneficiary from the economic growth. Yes, perhaps that was it, but also because Kei remembered there were times in the past where Lastation had proposed something similar, but while Gamindustri was at war with ASIC, the idea was immediately denied. Nevertheless, Kei enjoyed the challenges of the current state of things, from trying to restore Lastation's shares as well as make improvements for completely future-proofing their technology. However, Kei could not say it was going well for Lastation's CPU though, having more... mundane responsibilities dumped onto her.
Sitting down in the nearby room was Noire, who had just finished up some volunteer work to clean up pet litter for the people that did not get their mechanical type pets. It was exhausting but rewarding in itself. After all, small tasks such as these will eventually work towards her favour in getting shares back. Not so fortunate was the increased workload that Noire had to bear with now.
"Hm, there are so many proposals but many of them are just relating to pets... argh, why did Neptune have to approve of such a thing?" Noire said, looking through all the papers that had to be done, there was another stack that she had hoped would be done if Uni was around, but the CPU Candidate has mysteriously vanished either last night or early this morning, which worried Noire a tiny bit. It was not as if Uni would go and do something stupid and cause lots of trouble... maybe.
After a bit of time working, Noire got up and stretched herself, the work was very demanding these days, and today was no different. However, soon Noire heard something noisy from the outside, and taking a look outside her window, she saw something from far away, and approaching towards Lastation quite quickly. "What are those?"
Upon closer inspection, it was a Dolphin and an Ice Fenrir, along with riders. When they finally came closer, Noire finally recognised it was Lowee's twin CPU Candidates, but they did not stop but just continued to run, with urgency. Noire knew that Blanc must have gotten her sisters what they wanted some time and this was the result... or was it? A Dolphin and an Ice Fenrir was plain ridiculous though, and Noire knew that, but she clearly saw Ram and Rom riding them. "Have I been working too hard?"
The next moment, another huge thundering sound was heard, and Noire just had to look out the window again. A frantic moving Killachine moved past the window with high speed, knocking off the window frame in the process. Noire turned around to her desk and sighed, "I've definitely worked too hard, I don't know what's going on anymore..."
Looking down, she noticed a certain gadget at the corner of her desk. Yes, it was one of the first and best Nep-pet gadget that Neptune handed out to the other goddesses. N-not like that Noire would ever use it... right? Thinking it over though, Noire suddenly realised this whole event occuring in Gamindustri was really bad. People, everywhere of all nations could have pets as companions of all things! Meanwhile, there was Lady Black Heart, or Noire, completely lonely and without friends!
"(Wait, did the narration just really say that!? And... I made a comment about it too, why!? Am I becoming more like Neptune now? Or... I am just overworked, yeah that's right... I just need a break)" Noire thought, ignoring the comment about having no friends. Well, not that she really cared... or maybe she did, picking up the Nep-pet gadget Noire closely looked at it closely and thought long and hard about it. After all, what would the people say if Lady Black Heart was caught with something cute? It would be all over the news, and Noire would never hear the end of it from all the other goddesses, this was certainly not her image. On the other hand though, this gadget could mean the end of Lonely Heart, and gone will be the days of teasing from everybody that Noire has no friends.
Between deciding what to do, the door to Noire's room opened, and without any time to put down the gadget, Noire just simply hid her hand behind her back while facing the visitor with as much dignity as possible.
"Noire, I heard something unnatural and-what happened to the window?" Kei asked, as she noticed the window frame completely missing.
"I... have no idea! It may have just been a hallucination, but I think I saw a Killachine that flew by and knocked it off."
"What? Are you feeling all right Noire?"
"I hope so, because before that I was certain I saw Lowee's CPU Candidates riding on a Dolphin and an Ice Fenrir running away from said Killachine."
"..." Kei was speechless, thinking that Noire has completely lost her mind.
"I know it sounds weird, but I was thinking that I've worked long enough for now. I need to find what Uni's been up to as well," Noire followed up, slipping the device into a pocket before heading out of the room.
"Very well, I shall do something about the window." Kei responded, knowing perhaps it was best not to ask about what Noire had seen, because Noire did have it rough with trying to cope with the massive changes in her nation.
Thankfully for Kei, restoring the window to Noire's room was an easy task, and so the relatively normal day continued on. At some point, she had considered sending out a few scouts just to ensure Noire was all right, but then decided against it.
As for Noire, she took a short walk just to the outskirts of Lastation. She was not really sure what to do right now, as she had no idea where Uni had gone and the idea of taking a break really was not something she did often. Of course, if she really wanted to learn about taking a break, she could go to Planeptune and ask the (in)famous CPU there. "No, I definitely won't go there to see that lazy pig!" Noire said, ignoring her own thoughts and just travelling to an open field to refresh her mind.
Meanwhile, at the Colosseum...
"Achoo!" Neptune sneezed, breaking her concentration and taking a hit from the opponent, getting knocked back in the process. "Owie!"
"Neptune!" Uni shouted from behind while unloading another magazine of ammunition at their foe.
"Sorry, I dunno why, I just sneezed for no reason at all," Neptune said in response while getting up and taking her role as the frontline tank while Uni was the damage dealer support from the back.
Back at the Lastation basilicom, Kei was also taking a small break, having taken a few steps and plans to help Lastation being future-proof once again. "It has been quite awhile since Noire went out, and I haven't heard from Uni, just where could she have gone?" Kei said as she realised that it had been at least last night since Uni came back to Lastation but has since disappeared again. Since Noire was not back from outside yet, Kei decided maybe she would send out a few scouts or go look into the matter herself, but when she along the way out, she noticed that Noire had already returned, seeing that Noire's room had lights on already.
Except the one strange thing was that the door was not completely closed, and Kei could clearly hear Noire talking from inside. Did Noire actually find Uni? Or perhaps it was something else. Kei approached closer, and definitely confirmed that Noire was in her room, talking. Not wanting to be inconsiderate, Kei knocked on the open door, making herself known. "Noire?"
No response from Noire directly, but Noire's voice could definitely be heard, so Kei tried again with another knock, "Noire, I am coming in." Kei said before pushing the door open and walking in. Once inside the room, everything was as normal as it could be: Clean, tidy, and bright. However, to the side where the bed was Noire lying on her back while holding up a Kupokitty.
"OMG OMG OMG ILOVECATS! (1)" Noire said, completely absorbed into her Kupokitty pet, but only then from the corner of her eye noticed the door had opened wide and very slowly she turned her head and saw Kei.
There was awkward silence for about 20 seconds as Noire and Kei just looked at each other, after hearing what Noire said, it was no surprise. Not wanting to just stay still, Kei slowly broke the silence, "Please excuse me, Noire." as Kei moonwalked outside and closed the door. Shortly afterwards, there was a scream heard from Noire's room.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
After a short time for things to settle down, Noire and Kei sat down in their office, trying to talk some things out. "Noire, I am not going to judge you for what you do, as long as you keep-" Kei managed to say before Noire fell into despair at being found out.
"I-it's not that... I am..." Noire trailed off unsure of what or how to explain all this, there was nothing wrong with wanting a friend... Still, clearly this was a really bad day for Noire. Luckily, Kei had a call at that moment, so the discussion had to be put aside for now.
"Hello? ...yes? ...What? I see... thank you, we shall look into it." Kei responded on her phone before hanging up and turning to Noire. "Looks like we got some trouble coming our way."
"What kind of trouble?"
"I am not entirely sure by my report, looks like one of the Four Felons are roaming Gamindustri again."
"No way, I thought they-oh never mind, I will have to defend Lastation myself!" Noire said, picking up her Durandal blade, knowing this one might be a big fight, while Kei followed behind her for this one.
"I suppose you did not find Uni when you were outside?"
"Unfortunately no, at this point I really wonder what's happened. As a matter of fact, I have a bad feeling something happened to her if what you said is true..."
When Noire and Kei reached the open field, what they saw was true, CFW Brave had been reborn for whatever reason. Almost. The giant robot was not the same colour, but instead was darker and even looked more evil. However, there was something strange about the way this robot moved, it appeared to be wandering around with no direction rather than a warpath for destruction.
Seeing this as a good opportunity to launch a surprise attack, Noire sneaked behind the giant robot, and readied to attack. Jumping up, she was ready to give the first slash, but then she stopped and landed back on the ground without attacking. She had just seen something that was way too familiar.
"Noire, what's wrong?" Kei asked, seeing the goddess hesitate with attacking.
"It's Uni!" Noire responded while pointing to the top of the head of the giant robot, and surely enough, Uni was sitting there feeling proud of her prized pet.
Upon hearing her name, Uni turned around and saw the Oracle and her elder sister, "Oh, Noire! And Kei!"
"Uni, what are you doing?" Kei inqured, realising that the report of the CFW-Brave look-a-like was in fact Uni's pet Zegallion from the Colosseum.
"Oh, I was... just taking a walk outside," Uni replied, unsure of what to say now that Noire and Kei are right there in her sight and seeing her with her hard-earned pet.
"Wait Uni, are you serious? You got that as a pet?" Noire asked, realising that Uni actually got up early just to sneak off to the Colosseum.
Before Uni could reply though, something else flew into the scene, something that was equal to the Zegallion in height and almost just as imposing, but not robotic. Turning their heads, everybody saw a massive Guardragon has landed and standing on top of its head was somebody familiar.
"Halt, evil robot! The heroine of Justice has arrived! I shall banish you back to the depths." Said the voice, belonging to Nisa.
"Wait! This is not evil! I am using this to protect Lastation from beasts like your dragon!" Uni replied, clearly offended that Nisa has labelled her the villain in this scene.
"Those dark colours and the fact that it resembles a villain from the previous crisis means that you are definitely evil! Have no fear corrupt CPU, I shall cleanse you from the evil for my Justice is never wrong!" Nisa replied, clearly bullshitting.
"I am telling you, I am not evil!"
Charging forward, the Zegallion opted not to use its sword, but instead locked hands with the Guardragon and began to push each other, while Uni and Nisa argued who is evil and who is good.
"I-it's like something straight out of a movie or something... except I really have no idea who's the villain. Actually, it doesn't matter! Kei?" Noire said, trying to make sense whatever is going on in front of them, but saw that Kei was already taking control of the situation.
Kei had stood right where both Nisa and Uni could see her, and right away raised her voice. "Stop right there you two! Have you forgotten? when the whole Nep-pet gadget was approved, there was also the rule that pet battles were strictly you two don't stop, I will throw both of you in jail."
That did it, Zegallion and Guardragon let go and backed off with prompting from their respective owners, certainly they did not want to go to jail or something like this. Yet, pride still got in the way as they wanted to prove their point.
"Hm, it would be extremely bad for the Heroine of Justice to go to jail, there must be another way for Justice to prevail."
"Of course you are wrong, everything I do is for Lastation, I am not evil!" Uni insisted.
"No, Justice will never lose, and even though direct pet battles are prohibited, I have another method for delivering justice to evil!" Nisa said, jumping down in front of her dragon, smiling with confidence before continuing. "For there are no laws concerning using pets as accessories, therefore, I shall use this technique I learned while travelling the Netherworld, My Justice Dragon, get ready! This is MAGICHANG-"
"Wrong Franchise! And that counts as cheating!" Uni interrupted, before Nisa could finish her action.
"(Did I really just say that? I've only been around Neptune for a few hours and I've already been infected...)" Uni thought, realising what she did was completely out of nowhere even if it was effective at gaining the upper hand.
"No, it was still my turn! I cannot be defeated easily, I shall return once my powers have returned, evil will not prevail!" Nisa concluded, before jumping and flying away with the Guardragon.
With the whole bizarre scene over, Uni smiled, it was definitely her victory. The Zegallion was definitely not evil, and now can be the proud defender of Lastation. Kei, however, was not amused at what happened and began to set things in order once again.
"Uni, get down from there, we need to talk..."
Going back to the basilicom, Noire, Uni, and Kei sat down and began to draw out all the costs and logistics of pet-keeping.
"And this is the total that it will cost to maintain that each month, not including oil changes and other maintenance," Kei explained, handing Uni a balance sheet with the cost of housing the Zegallion.
"You see Uni? It's an unnecessary expense, why did you get into this whole ridiculous pet craze anyway?" Noire added in, while Uni was less than amused with Noire.
Looking quite suspiciously over at Noire, Uni pouted, just having recognising the hypocrisy in her sister's words. "Then what is that supposed to be?" She asked, pointing above Noire.
That's when Noire realised that her Kupokitty had playfully climbed to top of her head and was smiling innocently.
And then after a few moments, there was an embarrassed cry, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
With Noire completely dying in embarrassment, Kei continued on, "So you see, not only is it resource intensive for upkeep, but also that pet resembles our old enemy, it will be bad for Lastation's image."
Before Uni could respond though, the ground nearby cracked open and a Plum-met appeared, with Gust jumping out.
"Gust has what you need all in one package and for a good price!" She said, showcasing a box full of the necessary materials and goods to maintain the Zegallion while showing the receipt.
"Oh, this is great! Problem solved." Uni responded, confirming the transaction with a cha-ching.
"Thank you for your patronage!" Gust said, before escaping with her Plum-met.
Meanwhile, Kei was simply shocked. In her many years as an oracle, there had not been much that really surprised her, but what she just witnessed with the Plum-met, was definitely a new one. That, and also the fact that Uni would accept such a shady deal from the infamous scam artist called Gust. However, Gust did prove to be a powerful ally during the war with ASIC, and with the time spent together, Uni must have seen where Gust was trustworthy enough for sales.
Still, it does not take into the fact that the Zegallion was just a recoloured CFW Brave, and so Kei could only take a deep breathe and walk out of the room. This had simply been too much, her efforts to dissuade Uni from keeping the most expensive pet had failed, Noire was almost dead from embarrassment, and worst of all, Gust's Plum-met broke a hole in the basilicom!
It would appear that keeping Lastation future proof with pets was way harder than Kei had bargained for, and she certainly had mixed feelings about this now. She could have been fine even if Noire and Uni wanted to keep their own (reasonable) pets, but what truly surprised her was not the choice of pets. Rather, it was the fact that Uni was willing to pay the costs for upkeep. It was truly a horrifying affair, and this was all enough to make Kei lose her own mind, but she opted to calm down and approach things without emotional involvement.
In addition, the few scouts that Kei had sent out did confirm that Lowee's twin CPU Candidates were running through the outskirts of Lastation with a Dolphin and an Ice Fenrir, along with the speculation that the Killachine chasing them was also a pet. At least Kei knew that Noire was not going insane when she described what she saw, but still, Lastation would need lots of help to be future-proof now. Kei would need to speak to Uni again sometime about her pet, but right now... it is what it is.
It was now in the afternoon, and in the poorest and quietest part of Lastation, a manhole gets lifted and moved aside, with two figures emerging. One wore a gray mouse hoodie while the other was an actual gray mouse.
"Phew, I think we're clear for now." Linda said, exhaling after a long morning of hiding.
"Yeah, there was that crazy girl with a dragon that wanted to char my fur." Pirachu added, unhappy at needing to hide in the sewers.
"Those CPU bitches are a bunch of hypocrites, they all got whiny when I had a few Killachines and now they're playin with one. I mean, you saw that right? Even riding a Dolphin and a Fenrir..."
"I had a Fenrir pal too, but they beat me up along with it before..."
"Exactly, what the hell is wrong with them anyway? Well, we can't steal much with so many of these robots as security, we need to leave town."
"Where would we go? This whole world is infested with people being buddy buddy with monsters."
"This is why we're heading out," Linda said, pointing at the boat that was getting ready to leave Lastation to Leanbox, where they would sneak on board and get to relative safety.
Of course, the two were watched (somehow) by the Planeptune goddess from some remote location. "Oh look at that, they're heading to Leanbox, guess next chapter is going to be about Leanbox... That kinda stinks, I gotta wait until that one is done before Planeptune's chapter is up, guess I'll settle for dropping in random dialogue for now. All right, giddy up!" Neptune said, while heading home with her prized pet.
(1) This line is actually a word-for-word extract from Noire's blog post in the first HDN, totally ran with it, the whole thing is voiced and can be found on Youtube.