Save 3: Next City GO!
Once again, I was standing in the strange white void with the Goldman sitting on a throne in front of me. Can't just keep calling him void guy or something. Goldman is the best I can come up with. Also this is getting a bit tiring. Will I ever have a normal dream again? "Hey! I can tell you're making fun of me! Kids these days, they can never spend time with their elders. This is why so many old people get depression you know!"
"Okay, old man."
"Don't call me that!" Unlike before, he kept squirming within his throne and looked to be actually bothered by my sarcastic remarks. "Hmph, you're just being all smug because your harem grew by another member! Damn womanizer."
"First off, I'm not. Second off, there's no way in hell that any of them would feel that way for me and I don't feel that way about them. We're friends. Damn weirdo." Dodging his accusation, Goldman didn't seem to have any response to that. "Anyway, I kind of wanted to ask you a question. You said you were old and you keep talking about the king, whoever the hell that is." If this King even ever existed. I've been moving around Gamindustri all my life and have never even heard of a King. "Who are you exactly? And why are you in my head?"
"Oh, finally interested in Moi? Well, there's no real reason to. I'm nothing but a former citizen of his Kingdom. Spreading the word all over since I just can't stand the fact that he was forgotten. He had an amazing ass too!" Why did you tell me that? "Like a real dump-"
"Bro, please stop. I don't need you in my head talking about some ancient guy's buns." Shaking my head at his antics, I noticed something interesting. "You didn't answer my question though. Why my head? Don't tell me I'm going to end up being the King reincarnated, or him time traveled with amnesia or something."
Chucking to himself, Goldman placed his elbow on the throne and rested his head on his fist. "Sorry, but no. This isn't that kind of story. While I love cliches, this story doesn't have that one. Plus, you're not thick enough."
"I really do hate you." With that, the world turned dim and I soon woke u-
NEPTUNE!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC!"
"BORUIAGH!" Why? Why is it that the first thing in the morning that I have to experience, even bore my eyes open, is Neptune jumping onto my stomach?! I felt my eyes bulge out the sockets and I fell down onto the ground, clutching my stomach. "W-Why?"
"Come on buddy! We've got stuff to do! Places to be! People to meet! Money to make! Rise and grind!" Standing in front of me with a pudding cup in hand, the damn purple loli took a spoonful and smiled. "Don't you have to meet with Iffy? Well you gotta GO GO GO! Can't leave a maiden waiting!"
"Neptune..." I will have my revenge! Forcing myself to stand up, I went on to do my new morning routine. Wash my face, make sure Neptune didn't leave any bruises on my stomach, brushing my teeth and making sure I look presentable. That girl is going to get me killed one of these days or kill me herself. Granted, she did save me. But she did also crash into me in the first place. Ugh. I walk past the kitchen to see Neptune and Compa happily enjoying breakfast. "Alright. I'm heading out. I'll try and see if I can find any more clues for fragments here in Planeptune."
"Alright, Arc. Stay safe! Be back by five, alright?" What are you, my mother, Compa?
"Alright, I'll try."
"Mpurph!"
"Bye Neptune." She needs more manners. With that, I left the apartment and made my way to the Guild building once more. Once inside, it was fairly easy to find IF. As she was currently being surrounded by starry eyed members. "Oh, IF!" I waved at her from outside the small ring she was surrounded by. At my entrance, she shoved her way out of the ring of people and walked to me. "Good morning."
"Phew! Took you long enough!" The brown haired girl took my arm and escorted me over to the back of the guild, forcing me to sit down at a computer and standing next to me. "Jeez that's why I hate coming in here all the time. Is it just me, or are the people in Planeptune more excitable than everywhere else?"
"Are they? I haven't really interacted much with people." At least intentionally. As we spoke, I logged in and started to hand in the quests that we had completed yesterday. H-Holy crap! My bank account has never had that much money... ever! "So, what was it that you wanted to talk about?"
Strangely, the normally cool and collected S-Ranker's face suddenly became flush. "W-Well... Neptune kind of spilled the beans about the whole saving the world thing. And I... I wanted to know if you need any help?"
"Wait, really?!" Standing up from the chair, I was completely caught off guard by her proposal. "But, aren't you busy or anything?"
Shaking her head, IF gave me a small smile. "Nah, not really. Like I told you, I just wonder around, doing odd jobs. I'm sure something like this will take us everywhere anyway, and it's a nice change of pace to actually have a goal, you know?" She just like me, fr fr. "Oh yeah, and this." Taking out a sheet of paper, she handed it to me. "It's some leads I got looking into those fragments. Doesn't seem like there's anything in Planeptune pointing to anything suspicious. I'd recommend our next move be going to Lastation. There's a couple of suspicious things going on there at the moment, so I'd say that's our best move at the moment."
Nodding my head, I looked over her research. Woah, this is pretty well organized too. She did a lot of work for someone dead tired. "Alright then. I'll text Compa and Neptune to meet us at the Basilicom then. They need to get permission to leave Planeptune after all."
"Hm, yeah." Scratching the back of her head, IF let out a sigh. "Jeez, why does moving around have to be so complicated. When the hell is the Console war going to end?" The console war... It's the reason why relations between the four nations are so tense. For at least the last century, the four Goddesses have been fighting for dominance in this world. No one really knows what caused the four to hate each other, but at some point the four disappeared and are said to still be fighting to this day. Neptune... that transformation you had looks a lot like what they say Purple Heart looks like. Are you... "Hm? You alright, Arc?"
"Yeah. Just thinking. Let's head to the Basilicom."
Nep!
The Basilicom we were standing was the largest building in all of Planeptune. It's usually said to be the home of the Goddess, however because she has been missing for a century, it's just the main hub of Planeptune's government at the moment. "Woooooooah! It's huge!" Neptune arched backwards to look at the giant tower. It was a large white tower with purple accents that slowly became thinner as it rose into the sky. "So cooooool! I'd love to live here!"
"Hehe, Nep, you'd make messes though." Surprisingly, Compa was the one to chastise Neptune, though she did it with a good hearted smile. "It'd be fun though."
"Of course it would be! As the Main Character, everything around me would be fun." Puffing her chest out, Neptune gave a huge smile to our small group. Even getting more smug with Compa's clapping.
"Woah there, Neptune. Aren't I the MC? I mean, I'm the POV character and the only guy in the group. That's way more protag points than you."
"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. But Arcy, I have amnesia and a mysterious transformation! Ha! Beat that!" Dammit, she has a point. "Hehehe, I win! You lose! Buy me food~"
"Shut up, Neptune." Turning away from her and walking into the Basilicom, I just wanted to get this over with. I definitely wasn't hiding my embarrassed face and trying to save face. No sir. As we walked in, we were greeted by a young man in a white suit with a purple tie sitting at the receptionist desk. "Good Afternoon. We are looking for permission to go to Lastation, is that possible?"
"O~K~" At this point, I was used to the lax personality of Planeptune's apparently number one receptionist. I suppose this is another aspect of what IF was talking about yesterday, everyone in Planeptune seem to be incredibly chill. Hell, even the way that the man was typing was as relaxed as possible. "So, what're your names?"
"Arc S.W."
"IF"
"Compa! Nice to meet you."
"And I'm Neptuine! Please to meetcha!" At Neptune's introduction, the man's eyes began to sparkle.
"OH~ So cute~ It's nice to meet you to!" Looks like Neptune's got her first fan. "Okay then. Arc, IF, Compa and Neptuane. Wait no... Nept...tinne?" Seriously?
"It's like one of the most basic names I've ever heard and you can't say it?" IF shrugged her shoulders at the receptionist. "Guess even the schooling system is lax."
I just let out an awkward chuckle as I took the paper slips from the now depressed man. "A-Anyway, good luck out there! Stay safe! Please come back, Nep!"
"I will! Bye bye buddy!" Waving her hand to the man, she skipped out of the Basilicom and struck a pose. "See, Arcy! I told you that I was the protag! Just look at my amazing charisma!" Is that what you'd call that? I just shrug my shoulders at her before motioning for our group to start heading to the train station. "Oh, by the way the heck is that?" Neptune asked as she got way too close to me. Practically hugging me as we walked.
Before I could ask what she meant, Compa nodded her head in agreement. "I was wondering too. When you gave your name, you said S.W. I thought it was an abbreviation or a title you gave yourself."
"Oh! Oh..." I tried to turn away from Neptune's gaze, but her large purple eyes felt like they were looking through me. "Okay, okay! Stop staring at me!" Snickering at her win, I was wondering how I ended up in this position. "Don't laugh alright?"
"Oh, I will! Really loud, too!" I hate this girl.
"Ugh, fine. My full name is Arc System Works. It's way to weird and long so I just shorten it."
"System..."
"Works?" Compa and IF asked from next to us. Oh, they aren't going to- "PFFTHAHAHAHAHAHA! GHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" I wish that Dogoo killed me.
Both IF and Neptune began to laugh as if what I had said was the funniest thing they've ever heard. No. They're laughter was more as if I had just spoken the first joke ever made. Hell, even Compa was giggling. "S-So you're telling me that your name is Arc System Works?! That's the stupidest shit I've ever heard in my entire life! KYAHAHAHA!" I decided to just leave the laughing Neptune and ra- I mean walked away like the big man I am. I hate my life.
Ugh, Neeeeeeptune.
Finnlay sitting on the train, Neptune, Compa and IF were back to normal. Though the multiple giggles Neptune blurted out every time she looked at me didn't go unnoticed. The train we were in was mostly empty but the four of us had decided to use a booth for our group. It had six comfortable seats facing each other, 3 on each side. IF and I sat on one side, with a seat between us and Neptune and Compa copying us. Neptune, for some reason, wanted to sit right in front of me. I'm sure she just wants to laugh in my face. Either way, we had a long trip ahead of us. At least 10 hours due to the long distance between the two nations. Not to mention the train had to go around the Gamindustri graveyard.
Travelling Skit: Who are we? (Cast: Neptune, Arc.)
It had been some hours since the four had gotten onto the train. It was already late at night and it seemed half of the adventurers were already asleep. Compa and IF were both tuckered out, both of them using the window they were sitting next to keep their head up. That simply left Arc and Neptune. The purple haired girl staring at the blond adventurer. However he seemed to not want anything to do with her, as he seemed to be doing his best to not look at her.
Nep: Arcy~
No Response.
Nep: Arcy~. Ugh, look I'm sorry I laughed so hard. But do you have to ignore me the whole trip?
Arc: Not ignoring you. I'm just thinking.
Nep: You? Thinking?! Has the world come to an end?!
Arc: I'm not you, dumbass!
The young man unintentionally yelled, but he didn't seem to disturb his two friends' sleep. Sighing to himself in relief, he glared at the source of his headache.
Arc: Neptune. I need to ask you something. And I need you to be truthful. Do you seriously not remember anything? At all?
Nep: Nothin but my name. Oh, and that I looooove to eat! And not do work. Oh, and I can also lick my elbow! That's cool, right?
Sighing once again, that answer seemed to calm down the weaking. But also trouble him nonetheless.
Arc: I wish you'd take this seriously. Neptune, you fell from the sky. Lost your memory, immediately took on a world saving journey and you seem to have a weird purple witch who wants to kill you. Aren't you at all worried?
Nep: Well duh! But what's worrying about it gonna do? Arcy, we just need to calm down~ you're thinking too much. Yeah, it is scary that I don't know anyone, or if I have a family, or if this is even who I am or...
As she continued to list her hidden worries, Neptune's smile began to fall.
Arc: Neptune... I know how you feel. I don't have any memory of before I was seven. It was like I just... woke up. Part of the reason why I joined the guild was to look for anyone who knew me. Even after traveling the world for over ten years, I never met anyone who knew me. It hurt. But that doesn't matter right now, does it? Sure, I don't have a mom, or dad or childhood friends. But hey, at least I have you. Even if you are annoying as hell.
The purple haired girl was stunned at what the idiotic blond man was saying. Why was he saying this, after only knowing her for three days?
Arc: So, you're right. Don't worry about it. Plus, thinking isn't your strong suit anyway. Let me do the worrying for you. I promised to help you, didn't I?
A gigantic smile spread onto the purple haired girl. Her downed mood made a one-eighty and she seemed to basically be dancing in her seat.
Nep: Arcy~ Are you trying to make me fall for you? Jeez~ But, okay! Don't let me down, System Works!
Arc: Don't call me that!
Instead of getting angry, the lonely adventurer stood up and ran awa- went to the bathroom.
Nep: Hehehe. He said he worries about me~
Lastation is often known as the land of Black Regality. However, to me I think of it as shitty cyberpunk. The main city is filled with a lot of corporations and black suits. Not to mention the fact that a lot of the factories just outside the the main city, making the nation one of the most polluted in the world. The city had a constant amount of smoke filling the sky, making it almost impossible to see the sky most of the time. I've only ever come to this nation a handful amount of times and it's because of this. This place really has gone down hill. If Lady Black Heart was here, would she even recognize this place as her home? "Ugh." Walking out of the train, I immediately remembered my mistake of not having a mask over my mouth. I hate Lastation's air. It feels horrible going down my throat and feels like I take poison damage every time I inhale it.
"Don't come here often?" IF asked as she walked past me. I shook my head and caught up to her and the rest of the group.
"Arcy, you need to increase your endurance or you'll disappoint your lover in the future~" Neptune's smile and joke made me want to accelerate the heat death of the universe.
"Somehow I doubt that I'll ever have anyone to disappoint."
"I don't know about that~" Her song-like tone making me wonder if she even believes that. But, I didn't really keep myself down as we headed to our first stop. "Oh~ Lastation's Basilicom looks cool too!" Like Planeptune's Basilicom, this one was large as well. However, it opted more for usage than spectacle. It was a large, gray sky scraper with a large satellite attached to the front of the highest floors. The entrance was punctuated by Lastation's logo.
Entering the building, the vibe was completely different from Planeptune's. For one, there was more than just a handful of people walking around. The lobby was bustling with people, all suits who were coming and going and they all seemed to be late for something. Sitting at the desk was another young man, this time he was wearing a professional black suit and a seemingly permanent glare on. "How may I help you? He asked as we came up to him. Well doesn't he sound fun to be around? His voice was oozing in hatred for our very existence.
This time, IF decided to take charge of this negotiation. "Hello there. My name is IF and I'm a part of the guild. I hear that the CPU is currently back in Lastation and taking visitors. May we meet with her?" She is? IF did mention that there were some things she couldn't write down for me but... that's a big thing to leave out.
"She isn't taking any visitors." He said without even checking anything. "You've come to late."
"Isn't it 9 am right now?" Compa asked checking her phone.
"Like I said. It's late." The four of us shared looks, not really knowing what to do. I figured it'd be hard to meet with a CPU. But outright denial? He isn't even asking for our IDs or anything.
Sighing to myself, I decided to wing it. "Sir, if you wouldn't mind then. Could you tell us when we would be able to meet with her? Making an appointment would be best, no?"
"There aren't any open slots for ten years." At this point, he was blatantly lying. His eyes not even on his computer.
"Whatever asshole." Not even bothering dealing with him, I just turned on my heel and walked out of the Basilicom. "Well that was a great example of Lastation hospitality if I've ever seen it."
"I know! Why is everyone so high strung? Black Heart needs to get these guys to relax." Neptune placed her hands behind her head and whistled as we aimlessly walked around. "Well, what's plan B?"
"There isn't one." IF sighed as she looked down at her phone. "There are a couple leads to a fragment, but they all revolve around Black Heart's arrival. She's our best lead."
Compa and Neptune just shrugged at each other, clearly deciding to leave the thinking to IF and I. Great. It's not like anyone knows anything about where she might regular or something, or even what she looks like. She just came back. Conveniently around the same time as Neptune. Ugh, everything's pointing to her being Purple Heart and I don't like it. Interrupting our thinking, a voice called out to us. "Hey, you all want to meet the CPU as well?" Looking up from the ground, I was met with a fairly short girl. She was a bit taller than Neptune but about an inch shorter than Compa. She had short light blue hair with goggles, a dark pink jacket and a white scarf around her neck. Grease stains from mechanical oil were noticeable on her jacket. Pointing at herself, the girl spoke once more. "Hey, I'm Chian! And I might know a way to help you."
"Hmmmm, don't you think that's a little too convenient? I don't-"
China interrupted Neptune's rare moment of thought. "I know a great restaurant! Cheap too!"
"LETS GO!" Ugh. This idoit's way to trusting.
Nepepepepep!
It wasn't a restaurant. No, we ended up in a small factory on the outskirts of Lastation that she owned. The restaurant she was talking about was the cafeteria. But, not like I'm gonna complain. Food was free and good. As we were eating some pretty decent Udon, Chian sat down at our table. "Look, I sort of overheard what you guys were talking about in the Basilicom. You're from the guild, right?"
Before Neptune could speak with her mouth full again, I nudged her with my arm. "Well, technically just IF and I, but we are all traveling together." I spoke up.
"Perfect! Well, I have a job for you! I've been working really hard on a secret weapon! I plan on submitting it to the Lastation Tech event in a few weeks. If I win, then the prize is to meet Lady Black Heart herself!" Weapons, huh... Lastation has been making tech for centuries. Whether they be gaming consoles, kitchen supplies and weapons. The weapons usually are used by either Guild members or Lastation guards against monsters. But... If the Console War ends up encompassing even the nations. The bloodshed...
"You want to meet her? I find that a little surprising, considering the shape the nation's in." IF inquired.
"Well, that's the reason why I want to talk to her. Lady Black Heart has to do something against Avenier." Ugh, Avenier. They are currently the largest company stationed in Lastation. They basically have a monopoly in the nation, owning over ninety percent of the companies and factories here. It's because of they're selfishness and corporate greed that the pollution in Lastation has gotten so bad.
"Fucking Corpos... I'd help just to stick it to the bastards." But things aren't that simple. "However, we need to do a couple of conditions. First of course is payment. Probably not too much considering. Second is your guarantee to meet her with you. And lastly-'
"Free pudding!" Oi! But, the last condition didn't matter. Plus, Neptune's interruption got me out of that strange mood I was feeling
Smiling at us, Chian stood up from her seat. "Perfect! Alright, then. First job is simple. A friend of mine has a lot of materials I need, but her delivery keeps getting interrupted by a huge monster! Please take care of it please! It's in West Windy Valley."
West Windy? Isn't that- "LETS GOOOOOO!" Jumping out of her seat, Neptune was already out the door. God dammit.
AN: Hello. I once again come to you with a chapter of Neptunia. Small note about this chapter, the travelling skit. It's a pretty obvious reference (Or should I say stolen asset) to the Tales games. I honestly always thought that the Neptunia games would be a perfect game to have skits like Tales, considering just how much the banter is important to the series. So, travelling skits. They'll happen occasionally, usually just random conversations unlike this one. I hope you all liked that addition and the rest of the chapter as well. Thank you for reading!
HaMCRI: My first review! Thank you for your kind review. I didn't really think that anyone would be too interested in this remake, considering the original came out around six years ago, But thank you for showing interest in my story, I hope I keep it with my updates. thank you for your review once more.
