Chapter 35: The Renewal of the Alliance
Note: Readers please listen to Pikmin: Forest of Hope while reading this:
I notice the people reading what the scanners say clearly and repeatedly to make sure they get it right considering the seriousness of the situation. They remember the readings and then they tell us. I guess this is it, I can only hope that it's good news.
"Good news Lady Black Heart, I'm pleased to report everyone is all clear, no one is brainwashed." One of the assistants says smiling as they're able to tell us the good news, the body language of that assistant also expressing much relief.
"Excellent thanks, would you mind excusing us after waking them up and that. I need you to do the same for all the Loweean troops." Noire requests in a friendly manner, appreciating the good news with a huge smile.
"Of course Lady Black Heart." The assistant salutes smiling as well, pleased for them.
All of us are ever so thrilled in hearing the good news as we smile and our body language express much joy; it doesn't take long at all for Blanc, Rom and Ram to be woken up after this.
It brings an even bigger smile to my face to see their eyes open, their mouths smile at not just being here, but being here apparently without the brainwashing. I've saved them, I've brought them here where they should be safe. I can tell Noire is so overwhelmed to see her best friend and ally here in one piece. I see green writing by them in my HUD, they're friendly not hostile, how pleasant is that? In fact I even sense that the Lastation CPU wishes to give a hug to the Loweean one.
Also what's pleasant is that not only do they not appear to be brainwashed any longer, it's left no effects. It's ever so wonderful how as a result they are like how they were in the flash back here with regards everything about them, and it's nice to see them like that again since I prefer that and it's easier to work with.
I like how they appear to be more confident here, and friendly at the same time, and retain the same age, in which they're older than in the series. In fact they're all adults now, and have significantly bigger womanhood, with Blanc being the biggest compared to her younger twin sisters, with an increase by 2 sizes. Furthermore it's nice to see them taller by a couple of dozen centimetres, and they're all attractive with Blanc especially being a lot more compared to the series.
I do notice that while the hair length and style of Blanc and the younger twins are the same, their makeup is a bit different with Blanc having white eyeshadow, white eyelashes that are a bit long the same length as before, and natural lipstick, while Ram has pink eyelashes and Rom has light blue eyelashes to go with their makeup, the eyelashes being of the same length.
Of course there is one more test we need to do: the friendly fire test which we should pass. Somehow we all know what to do without saying anything as me, Noire, Uni get out our G Con 45s, while White, Rom, Ram and Blanc get out their Wii Zappers. We look at each other with a smile, confident that we'll pass this, but still finding this to be a necessary evil due to the un-pleasantry of having to shoot at each other, considering the friendships we have with one another. We're about to fire when:
"If you can shoot me and I can shoot you, just put me in a coma until I can be cured. I'll do my best not to resist." Blanc requests in a tone that reassures us she understands this tests, and speaks in a friendly manner.
"Of course my friend, we'd do it anyway if the brain scans proved negative. Don't worry Blanc I don't think it will come to that." Noire reassures her with a friendly smile, her body language emphasising her reassurance.
"Ummm...if we can shoot each other won't we be able to kill each other?" Rom asks us sounding quite concerned, along with puzzle.
"Good point but we got plenty of health we'll just fire once, OK now." I order calmly, and politely.
We all fire our guns but rather than hearing the sound of bullets being fired, there's just the distinct sound of clicking, as if it's out of bullets. No one is hurt and despite us aiming at each other, we can't shoot them. I think I can say now that we're free from the brain washing, although being as this works when we're asleep I'd feel better if I was to sleep tonight, without any nightmares. At least we're back to how we were before, sensible nice caring allies, and hopefully with luck it will stay that way, never to be lost again.
All of us relax, breathe a huge sigh of relief, as we can't kill each other, and none of us have any desires to kill each other pleasing us all very much, as we can relive our happy memories as friends and allies again.
It's such a relief to know that we've survived their awful horrible nightmare. Not only that but all of us have survived together, and now Blanc is on our side once again along with her candidates, and we know how much help they've been against Neptune. They are wise, competent, and hardworking and above all share our values. I hope that even if it may just be them and significant numbers of refugees, they can at least help to defend Lastation and one day work our way such that we will face Neptune awake like in previous times.
"Ahhh I can't believe I'm alive in Lastation, and my brain washing has now gone. I feel like a character that the author treats very well. It's good to be allies again." Blanc says smiling massively, her body language expresses much happiness and relief, which is completely understandable.
"You're not the only one. I do feel like I'm treated very well almost as if someone upstairs is writing my fate, this someone must like me. And oh yeah it's definitely nice to be together again, it has been too long." Noire agrees sharing a similar body language and tone.
"Indeed it has my friend. Do you believe we're actually characters in someone's fanfic then?" Blanc asks with much curiosity trying to conceal a chuckle as she continues to smile.
"It would be cool if it was the case, I mean I don't feel like a butt monkey and it's so nice to be able to be myself, a benevolent, smart, hardworking leader, not some grumpy arrogant tsundere urgh that trait is so unrealistic. Whoever was the first to think I should be a tsundere is a complete idiot." Noire replies casually with a smile and a smirk.
"Same here, sure I like to yell and swear but usually I'm a jolly person. It's too bad not every author can treat their characters very well." Blanc says agreeing with Noire and sharing a similar tone.
"Uh huh like that curly haired idiot with the trouser phobia? Uh he has no originality just repeating that lame series and he's such a whinge bag." Noire speaks in a friendly manner though showing evident disgust with the idiot as she speaks about him.
"Or that stupid girl with the foxes, her writing is terrible, it's just a cheap dark knock off. They need a lesson from our favourite authors: this author, our author who treats us well, and the other who's a good friend to our author, who has written much stuff and has much respect for us, and myself; I am in literature what ghosts are to their government. Speaking of which Black?" Blanc adds in her friendly manner, smirking as she metaphorically breaks a certain wall.
"Yeah Blanc?" I ask her with a smile curious to know what she wishes to say to me.
"Thank you so much for getting rid of my brainwashing and bringing me here. I'm very grateful Black." Blanc says while smiling, ever so grateful as her body language shows much appreciation for her act.
"Indeed. If it weren't for you who knows when we would have been back together again?" Noire nods before placing her arm on my shoulder in gratitude, which feels so warm and soft. She even gently massages it in appreciation as well.
"You're welcome although I'm not 100% sure about that despite the tests, we'll need to see what our dreams are like. How are you feeling Blanc? Are you in pain?" I ask her out of genuine concern for her.
"You have a point there Black. As for my health I'm perfectly fine, I don't think I feel as powerful as Noire but it's probably down to not having as many followers as her. I gotta admit though I do feel a lot better than I thought. I wouldn't be surprised if it's down to the good people of Lastation, I'm unsure if the readers will understand this but I can feel their faith from playing my consoles. Speaking of which: Noire?" Blanc responds sounding ever so grateful and happy, I even wonder if she wishes to hug someone with the way her body language is acting.
"Yeah Blanc?" Noire asks smiling at Blanc as if to say it's nice to see you again my friend after all these years.
"Thank you so much, for everything. For not killing me as well for saving my life, I feel your faith for me inside me and I appreciate it highly. Thanks a lot for not invading Lowee, this must be the only war ever where hopefully no one will have died, if all my troops are clear from the brain washing. Also Noire, I'm extremely sorry for falling out with you, and for declaring war against you. I only hope you can forgive me and I can make it up to you." Blanc feels a mixture of emotions as she speaks and her body language shows much confliction, much struggle to get what she wishes to say out.
She feels anger and regret as well as shame for what she was forced to do, but at the same time she feels grateful and she's full of joy, after what we have done for her. Noire then reassures Blanc with a smile only to then give her a meaningful hug, as a sign of their friendship being renewed, and not being broken by either one of them.
"It's alright Blanc you have done nothing wrong, you didn't mean it. You had no choice. If anything we are proud of you lot for being able to resist the brain washing, so you was able to avoid fighting me. And you did your absolute best in not letting the brainwashing turn you from an excellent benevolent leader like me, to a poor terrible leader like Neptune. The first thing we need to do is sign a peace treaty between you and your forces and Lastation, so this stupid pointless war between us can properly end." Noire replies showing genuine appreciation and happiness, along with massive reassurance that it's all alright.
"I agree, to make it up to you I wish to have me and my forces at your disposal, and I wish to be your servant." Blanc proposes with a genuine smile and her body language reinforces this.
"That is rather kind of you Blanc, and I completely understand how you feel the need to suggest that for what has happened. But I have to decline on your generous offer, I really want you to be my friend and ally, not slave or vassal. We have no slaves in Lastation nor will we ever, except for evil people guilty of crimes against humanity like Plutia. Your people need you and they need to feel strong and independent as well.
I also want our nations to unite against our enemies, and I want to do the peace treaty in public for the people to see. The terms will be that I, Uni and Black will run Lastation, while you, Rom, Ram and White will be in charge of your forces. That being said feel free to discuss ideas or plans of any kind.
Furthermore I want you to show me everything you have: Technology, weaponry, abilities, culture everything, in return I'll do the same in hopes of learning from each other. What do you think Blanc?" Noire speaks with much patriotism offering her hand to shake and her smile is also genuine and her body language encourages Blanc to accept the deal.
"Good idea and I accept your proposal. Not only will it mean we'll know each other's nations, we'll be able to exchange ideas and perhaps advance and progress further together than alone. If Lastation is wonderful right now, and Lowee was a decent place before the brainwashing, think how great both our nations would be together?" Blanc also speaks with pride as she shakes Noire's hand in agreement with much enthusiasm, excited about the opportunities now they're together once again.
Both of them are nodding in agreement too, and smiling as we are now at peace and we are together face to face. This pleases me very much especially as together they defeated Neptune in the console wars, together we stopped the Planeptune CPEwws plans from where we originated from, and together we will end this war.
"Erm, I hope I'm not interrupting but do you know where we can get breakfast here? We haven't had anything to eat since waking up." Rom asks politely hoping that she isn't offending anyone as she looks at our body language to see our reaction.
My CPU notices this and so she puts her at ease instantly with her response and her own body language.
"Sure no problem we haven't yet eaten either." Noire laughs in a friendly manner after what she says, in which it was said in a friendly polite manner.
We then laugh with her for a while, smiling at each other as it reminds us of good times which is good as it means that things should improve now we have Blanc back where she belongs, on our side along with her sisters.
"For food and drink we use high tech machines called atom manipulators. Those machines are capable of creating any food and drink customised to what taste you like, what smell you like, what the food and drink contains, even the appearance and nutritional along with calorific value, all from atoms. Anyway what would you guys like?" Noire explains and expresses with her body language with pride, while appreciating the looks the Loweean CPUs give to her in amazement of what she has.
"Sounds impressive Noire, your nation is so advanced. Erm I'll have pancakes with vanilla ice cream and I'll have erm... I'm unsure between tangerine juice and vanilla milkshake, surprise me please." Blanc asks deep in thought, as she's in complete awe with what the Lastation CPU explains to her.
"Can I have some porridge please with chocolate spread, and to drink a strawberry milkshake please?" Ram asks with much enthusiasm, eager to have some of our delicious breakfast, and ever so excited to try out the atom manipulator.
"Same for me but can I have a blueberry milkshake instead please?" Rom asks sounding very polite, while her body language expresses much excitement and joy.
"I'll have eggs benedict please with bacon, and a vanilla milkshake please." White asks with enthusiasm and excitement.
"I fancy a fry up myself with Pepsi Max please." I ask them politely, friendly and casually, as I always enjoy eating the food from there, due to the unbelievable quality, the flavours, the combinations and how healthy it is.
"I think I'll have what Black is having." Noire speaks in a playful manner, while smiling and thinking about what she wants for breakfast.
"Yeah same here, I'll go and get the food and drink. Hey Rom and Ram why don't you come with me, I can show you how our atom manipulators work." Uni proposes sounding enthusiastic and smiling.
"Sure." Rom and Ram smile in unison, showing much excitement from their body language to what Uni will show them.
We thank the 3 of them as Uni then leads the Loweean CPU Candidates to the machine, as they have fun making our breakfast. I couldn't help but notice how the food they will eat matches who they are, how Lowee drinks milkshakes, while we drink Pepsi Max. I often wondered what Lowee was like, and what similarities and differences there are between there and Lastation's considering the CPUs of them. I intend to find out.
"Out of curiosity does Lowee have any equivalent in making food and drink?" I ask Blanc, my body language showing keen interest in finding out.
I can tell from her body language that the Loweean CPU is more than happy to explain, if anything she's pleased that I asked such a question.
"Well, we used to have wizards and sorceresses capable of creating any food which can have any smell, any nutrients, any taste, and even any appearance by magic. We used to have plenty of them all over Lowee including streets, villages and areas of work, and this is where people got their groceries. There was approximately 1 wizard or sorceress to 10 customers. When the customers buy the food they then store it in areas that are frozen by different Ice Pokémon at different temperatures.
When they wish to cook the food they use Fire Pokémon, specially trained to cook food at different temperatures and through different means. For drink the wizards would provide different special powder for Water Pokémon to eat, and the Water Pokémon would squirt the drink for the person. It was perfect as all my people had plenty of food and drink that they loved and is completely healthy. Unfortunately due to the nasty brainwashing we lost a lot of them, and this caused starvation in Lowee, we only have a handful of these wizards and sorceresses left." Blanc explains showing a variety of emotions from her body language as she explained her own system of food and drink.
It's great to know that while Lowee has the same sort of quality of living as us, it's different and it's more magical and less futuristic to go with the theme of the nation. I like how they seem to use Pokémon in Lowee for different purposes, reminding me of how significant Pokémon were for Nintendo considering the size of the franchise. I'm curious to find out more about them.
"What a shame, what other Pokémon's did you use in running Lowee?" I ask her with much curiosity in my voice.
"We had different ones for different things, we had Grass and some Normal Pokémon as pets, Flying Pokémon and Water Pokémon for transport, Rock Pokémon for construction and Electric Pokémon for powering up buildings, vehicles, anything needing power to run. We even use some for combat and much of our military is based on Pokémon and its trainers. We have different ones like Juniors, Youngsters, Beauties..." Blanc explains with enthusiasm and pride.
Beauties? I don't know about you but I wasn't sure what to make of it considering this is Blanc we're talking about, but maybe I'm thinking of the Blanc from Neptunia. After all the Blanc I remember and the Blanc I see here are completely different to the Neptunia version, just like Noire and Uni. This Blanc is more tolerant over other people's cleavage and friendlier, in fact her womanhood is significantly bigger than in the Neptunia version. But just like with Noire, is she like this because of me, or is it because they were always like this? I initially thought the former with Noire when I met her here, but now I think the latter. I like it that way though, it's much better than in the series.
"...all sorts of Pokémon trainers." Blanc finishes off smiling, enjoying explaining about Lowee to me.
"What technology were you developing Blanc?" I ask her eager to learn more about her and her Lowee, my body language emphasising how much I'm listening to her.
"One of the things we were working on was the ability to alter the dimensions of our bodies, so that we can become very large or very small. We believe special mushrooms are the key to making this possible, but we have yet to perfect this and we only have a couple of these special mushrooms. We have yet to understand their atomic structure or the knowhow of producing them by magic." Blanc explains to me maintaining the same tone.
While it's a wonderful idea, I do find that amusing as it reminds me of games where they can be done, ah what was the name, I think he was a plumber from some country who jumped on things. I'm sure I'll remember if I was to encounter this plumber.
"I think that's a wonderful idea Blanc. If we could become gigantic we'd be stronger and be able to take down enemy bases, by our sheer size alone. It would be good during peace time as well as then we could show our gigantic versions to the public, we could become living statues. That would be really cool for the public to see. If Uni was alright with it which I'm confident she will be, her curly hair would make a great slide for kids to play on for example, or my hair which I'm more than happy for.
As for little. I see use for that as well such as in infiltration, and for peaceful uses, which again would be ideal for the public to see, and be useful in designing and repairing. I'll get my scientists to help you develop it in Lastation, the technology would be very useful Blanc." Noire advises smiling at her wonderful idea, and her body language approving of the excellent idea.
"Thank you Noire, you're so kind. Another thing we were working on, was magicians and sorceresses having the ability to use magic to do things besides creating food, drink and medicine, for any disease or any pain or any ailment. I wish to use them for teleportation and combat, but as of now we need to find ways of creating more magicians and sorceresses, as we have yet to understand how come they are able to perform magic if you know what I mean?" Blanc explains having much passion and enthusiasm behind her ideas, her body language deep in thought over different ideas.
"Again my scientists can help you with that, after all the magicians and sorceresses form part of the back bone to Lowee, and I'm sure there must be something specific about them that allows them to create magic, and there must be a way therefore in creating more." Noire advises showing much enthusiasm towards her allies ideas, along with reassurance that it can be made a reality.
As if on cue, Uni, Rom and Ram then come back with enthusiasm and smiles along with the breakfast for all of us. We decide to eat the breakfast on Noire's gigantic bed, just so we can all have the novelty of breakfast in bed especially a massive comfortable one. We then start eating the delicious food. It's really fantastic to be able to eat together, and I can tell from the look of their faces how great is to be doing stuff together as allies. This does take me back. I am constantly thinking how it's so beautiful that our entire families are friends with each other once again and hopefully this time, will remain so.
"Mmmmm, your machine is wonderful. My vanilla milkshake tastes exactly like the best tangerines I've eaten. It's just like when I used magic to make our breakfast back in Lowee." Blanc says with amazement as she has fond memories of her past, as I can sense her reminiscing wonderful memories that she has, as she smiles and enjoys her food and drink.
She then quickly opens her hand out fingers apart, as she then waves her hand as if to do a spell and in a flash, a bowl of various delicious fresh fruit appears next to her. She takes out a couple of tangerines and then passes the fruit bowl around. Eventually the bowl is passed to me and I take an apple, I eat the apple and find that it's really fresh and tasty.
"Hey Blanc this apple's very nice. I never knew you could perform magic like this." I say to Blanc in amazement and in approval of her.
"I've always been able to do it in Lowee, it's nothing special. I can only do magic involving food and drink like other wizards and sorceresses in Lowee. It's rather interesting that the vanilla milkshake your machine made for me, and my tangerines made from my magic taste exactly the same and have the same wonderful abilities." Blanc comments from her observations, while maintaining her smile and friendly body language.
"Interesting how our technology appears to be different and yet similar at the same time, we'll have to compare more. Excuse me." Noire says in a friendly manner, as she got out her radio insuring everyone else can hear the conversation she's about to have on there.
"How is the progress on the brain wash tests?" Noire asks them in the same tone, and smiling a lot on the radio.
"The good news is that everyone we have tested so far has been successful, so we've been able to wake them and release them. Unfortunately it is a slow process as we have yet to test many more people. We haven't even started on the Pikmin and Pokémon as we have no knowledge on them." The radio person replies calmly and sounding optimistic.
"Keep going, do your best. Just do the brain wash tests on the people for now, I'll get some experts for the Pikmin and Pokémon for you. Thank you." Noire orders politely and smiling in appreciation for their efforts.
Noire then holsters her radio, I can sense that her feelings are mixed as she's happy with the good news, but concerned with how long it's taking due to the resources and number of people to process.
"While I'm happy that the progress is slowly but surely, I feel bad for all those Loweeans. I mean it must be demoralising for them to have been forced to flee their homeland, I just hope we can retake Lowee soon." White speaks with much concern in her voice and body language.
"I know the feeling, we will look after the Loweeans. As a matter of fact my people never had any animosity towards Loweeans, even during the war no crime has ever been committed against them. We'll help them get back on their feet, we will ensure they're united with their friends and their family, and we will also ensure they have homes and employment, along with means for entertainment that they will love along with some familiarity for them. We always welcome people from other nations to Lastation. As for taking back Lowee I don't know when we can do it, as we need to keep Leanbox at bay. When we can do this, we will find a way of liberating Lowee that I promise." Noire reassures White with pride, as her voice and body language expresses how it will be alright.
"The thing is, I predict that Leanbox will invade tomorrow with a significant force. I think this because since my arrival, Leanbox has only invaded once and since then apart from an ambush, we have heard absolutely nothing from them. We've then been having to deal with the brainwashing in which we finally succeeded last night. It is this that makes me believe that despite Neutral Land seeming to be dark for a couple of generations, they're in league with Leanbox.
What concerns me is that since Neutral Land is a no go area, Leanbox is our enemy and now Lowee has fallen, Lastation is left. Will we be able to get all the Loweeans processed today? And while we now have Team Lowee's help, how strong do you feel considering the amount of people you have? Do you think you'd be strong enough for battle?" I ask them sounding fairly concerned with the situation even if we refuse to give in to them.
"I suppose we would be, but I propose we train together today just to be sure, and see what we are capable of since the last time we have met." White suggests to us.
"Agreed it's what I planned to do today. Noire do you know the status of the garrison here in PS3 City?" I ask her calmly and politely while trying to think of a plan in mind for when they do attack.
"We have more troops than before, but I don't know if they will match Leanbox's numbers. We now have airpower as well of different sorts as some tanks and a few robots and artillery, although again we're outnumbered. Fortunately we have technological edges over Leanbox as we have better armour, better firearms, better vehicles, stealth technology for all our forces, as well as radar that has a very long range giving us plenty of time to react to any invasion force. And now we have perk a colas that should definitely give us an edge over them with their special abilities specifically designed for fire arm combat.." Noire speaks with plenty of confidence in her voice and body language.
What Noire says reassures me, and even with the concerns of the Loweean forces, it won't do to have low morale or else it spreads. Besides we've won before under such horrendous odds, we can win again.
"I propose we do the peace treaty in public after breakfast, with luck this will increase their morale and then we can prepare for Leanbox's arrival with confidence and determination." I suggest sounding positive and upbeat in my voice and body language.
They all agree as we then finish our breakfast still able to enjoy it despite the situation we are in, and making the most of being together once again. All we can do now is prepare as we hope that Lastation's technology and Blanc and her remaining people, are enough to defeat Leanbox's large numbers. In any case at least I feel more positive in knowing what we've achieved. Not only are we still standing, but we are standing together in defiance against our enemies.