"This has got to be the crappiest express elevator ride ever!"
"Oh shut it! You should've known what you were getting into!"
"Can you two shut up?! I can barely hear myself think!"
"... All this shaking is really doing a number of my chest~."
The drop pod rattled and shook as it dug, pulverizing and piercing through layers of rock and stone at breakneck speeds. The altimeter display became a blur as the numbers raced up, the irony given the direction they were going: straight down. Down, down, down…
Oh hey! Talk about an opening, am I right? But for a beginning, it sure didn't explain a lot. I suppose now is the perfect opportunity to explain what's going on - or who's who. Now chances are, you might know that already. But because some of you don't know (or might need a reminder), I'm obligated by plot reasons to introduce the main cast for the player- er, the reader.
The cheerful lilac-haired girl who expected something better than being strapped to the inside of a factory blender is me, Neptune! CPU goddess of Planeptune and protagonist of protagonists! Oh right, here in the Neptunia series, we're what's called CPUs who rule over the four lands that make up the continent of Gamindustri (yeah, no joke!). We're the main characters from our series which our fans play as, so naturally we do pretty much everything the plot mandates! And as your darling mascot of the franchise, I'm the main character, the protagonist that drives the plot, the star of the show, the belle of the ball!
The girl with black hair beside me in this shaking tin can is Noire. She's the CPU of Lastation, the Land of Black Regality as they like to say. She's straightforward and hardworking but she can be quite a stick in the mud at times with that competitive spirit of her's. It also doesn't help that Noire loves to play hard-to-get; it's a common running joke about how she has no friends. If she does, then don't expect her to be honest with her feelings. Such a tsundere, complete with twintails!
The third girl in white is Blanc, the CPU of Lowee AKA the Land of White Serenity AKA snow everywhere. Blanc's on the quiet side, often surrounded by books and writing material. She keeps reminding us about the novels she writes but so far, I've yet to see any bestsellers with her (pen)name on them. Now I said she's quiet, but looks can be deceiving. Don't let her child-like looks fool you - she's a real demon inside, especially when she gets angry! And believe me, it's actually pretty easy to rile her up, be it messing with her manuscripts, annoying her, or bringing up her "hardware" or lack thereof!
Now on the topic of "hardware", there's Vert, the CPU of Leanbox, the Land of Green Pastures. Vast tracts of land, just like their goddess if you get my drift! She's pretty and graceful looking until you find out how much of a geek she is. It's not rare to find her busy behind a controller as much as she's behind a desk, shooting for rare items, top scores, and 100% completion! The things she loves in life are tea, games, and yaoi content (I'm pretty sure about the last part). Oh and I almost forgot about little sisters (they really get her going!).
So that's us: the four goddesses rattling about in a rust-bucket hurtling towards the center of the earth. Judging by the numbers, we're more than a mile beneath Gamindustri, can you believe that?! I sure wonder what's been hiding under Neplunker. Just can't wait to get off of this ride…
Oh yeah, guess you're still wondering what happened up until now. It would make sense to start chronologically, but this right here was a way to get you hooked in. That's "in media res" for you! So why don't we rewind a little to see what you've missed so that we're all on the same page!
Hopefully it won't take long because at this rate, I might lose my pudding I had earlier…!
Earlier…
"... The what now?"
"Neplunker," Histoire reiterated, having half-expected the name to be called into question. Even with all the peculiar names that ran throughout Gamindustri, it seemed some could not quite escape the suspension of disbelief. "It's a cave found in the depths of Planeptune, made infamous for its dangers and made worse by treacherous hazards that are found every step of the way. Few adventurers were bold enough to venture down there, and even fewer still have claimed the title of having bested it."
"Oh right, good 'ol Neplunker!" chirped Neptune. "Not much there but critters, steam vents, bat dung, and jackpot. Disappointing and frustrating even the hardiest of gamers and challengers since forever."
"Speaking from experience?" teased Noire. "Seems even some cave has its ways of getting the better of you."
"Hm-hm. I doubt even it has been graced by the likes of me," hummed Vert. "As a devout gamer, there will be no level, arena, dungeon, or cave left unconquered by me!"
"A gauntlet found in the deepest pits beneath the earth," quietly mused Blanc. "Darkness, danger, d… Defeat? Doom? No that's not it…"
"So what's some tourist trap has to do with calling all of us here today?" questioned Neptune. "Is it a quest? A competition to see who can claim Neplunker once and for all to prove who's the best?"
"Hmph. Bring it on!" bragged Noire, her black hair brushed back in anticipation.
"Um, hold on a moment!" urgently cut in the fairy-like Oracle. "There's more to this. Just early this year, it was discovered that a new system laid below Neplunker, the depths going much further into our earth's crust. A prominent mining corporation had assumed ownership of Neplunker to capitalize on this discovery. Initial explorations had found considerable yields of precious and valuable ores and minerals, projected to sustain our economies and industries for years or even decades to come."
All four heads of the guardians and goddesses of Gamindustri tilted in reaction to the news. "T-that's great!" sputtered Noire as she donned a happy look, her competitive spirit quietly forgotten. "Our factories won't ever have to worry about shortages or supply issues again."
"Who knows what else we could discover down there?" wondered Blanc, the thought of new-found discoveries lighting a spark of curiosity in her voice. "Maybe a new mineral to expand our sciences."
"Ooh, I'm relishing the possibilities," sang Vert as she daydreamed. "Imagine what we could make with what we find down there - new hardware with even bustier processors!" ("Hey!" growled Blanc from the side.)
"Who would've thought that the greatest and most daunting of caves had so much in store for us?" rhetorically asked Neptune, an ever-cheerful smile on her sunny expression. "Well, let the miners go get the gold! Full steam ahead!"
"Er, that's where the problems begin," Histoire continued. She took a second to gather her thoughts. "While the first expeditions were promising, troubles quickly surfaced. It seemed that whatever we hoped to find down there… there were quite a many tenants that didn't seem to take a liking to the miners. The company tried to regain control of the situation, but it became clear that after multiple failed attempts the new Neplunker system was deemed too dangerous to dig. So much so that no amount of hazard pay could convince the miners to venture down!"
Noire scowled at the news. "Ugh. Really?"
"Oh dear, just what could be down there…?" worried Vert.
"It seems our insatiable thirst for wealth has uncovered a new menace," pondered Blanc.
Neptune shivered. "Y-yikes, Blanc! You're making it sound like we dug up some ancient curse or an eldritch horror or something."
"So now what?" pressed the CPU of Lastation. "What're our options? Surely there's something those miners can do to try and… Wait." As she looked around, all four goddesses that ruled the land of Gamindustri exchanged looks that all betrayed the dawning realization: why they had all been gathered here today.
Histoire sighed. "... Indeed. Your help has been requested. The company has offered all sorts of benefits and incentives for your direct assistance in the deep mining operations. Only the goddesses have been deemed capable enough to venture down and return alive with the 'goods,' so to speak."
"... You're nepping with me," uttered Neptune, her eyes in stark-white shock.
"And to think that such pleasant find had struck a most awful snag," lamented Vert. "A pity it had come down to this."
"It can't be helped. If there's something our people can't solve, then it falls upon us," affirmed Blanc.
"That's right!" declared Noire. "We goddesses have a duty to our people and our nations. Whether it's defeating whoever the next ugly villain is or solving internal disputes, we're obligated to do what's best for the lands we call home! If those caves hold the resources needed to sustain Gamindustri's future, then it's up to us to get them."
"So it was a quest," remarked Neptune. "Rather than a contest to see who can beat Neplunker first, we're doing this all together! We'll beat the dangers and bring home the gold!"
Fluttering about on the open book that was her namesake, Histoire turned to leave with the good news. "Quite so, Neptune. Now then, if you'll follow me I will take you to Neplunker where the mining corporation have set up their base of operations. I'm sure they will be ecstatic to see you all."
The four followed after her, though Neptune kept close with an eager inquiry. "Just one question, Histy. Who's the corporation we'll be working with?"
Without missing a beat, the Oracle answered.
"They call themselves Deep Rock Gamindustri."
*THUD!*
Neptune looked around, the sudden and abrupt impact jolting her back to the present like a harsh kick. "Nepu-?!"
Everyone took a breather, the thud painful but once the feeling subsided it dawned on them that all was still. In unison all of the harnesses raised up. The altimeter display stood frozen.
They had arrived.
The blast doors slid open with a mechanical hiss, layers of protective steel opening in quick succession to present an open void on the other side. Cold air flooded the interior, carrying with it the dry scent of stale dust and musty condensation.
Noire hopped up to her feet, her weapon in hand. "Alright, we're here! Let's move like we mean it." With the swift motion of her other hand, an incandescent flare was tossed out. The world outside the drop pod became bathed in warm crimson, unveiling formations of pillars, arches, and rocky outcropping shining in orange light amid dancing shadows.
Boots stamped on the downward-sloping ramp as Noire stepped out, followed by Vert and Blanc, their respective weapons on hand as their flashlights and aim scoured their surroundings.
But only darkness greeted them. Echoes of dripping stalactites welcomed them from all sides. Though content to have no vile monster waiting for them right from the start, Noire was wary of the shadows. "Alright, let's do this nice and-"
She took a step forward and immediately collapsed. Noire winced as she rubbed her lower back. "Aaagh… That ride was really rough."
"Tell me about it," grumbled Blanc as she massaged her sore shoulders. "They couldn't make the ride any comfier? These suits are heavy enough already."
The clicks of clasps releasing preluded the sight of Vert unbuckling her armor's chestplate. "Oogh," she moaned. "More trips like that and my chest will hate me~. They need to breathe too, you know."
"Nobody asked," growled Blanc.
"Is everyone okay?"
Noire took a breath, relieved to hear a familiar voice. "Y-yeah. Just give us a second… That thing needs to work on its landing."
"I'll forward the request to DRG Management for consideration," replied Histoire. "In the meantime… Hm? Is there still someone inside the drop pod?"
'Someone?' Noire peered over her shoulder to see a figure shuffling within the open mouth of the drop pod. Stepping into the light, she realized it was Neptune. A sorry expression and a hand on her stomach as she dragged herself down the ramp told the story before she did. "Brrp… Sorry, guess my pudding really didn't like the ride. Better not take a look inside."
On the other end, Histoire glanced aside in quiet disgust. "N-noted."
As Neptune joined the rest, the others felt no better. Although not as keen on revealing what they had recently, the other three felt a disquieting sensation. It wasn't the darkness, the peculiar air, nor the fact that they were far below ground, but something more… innate as goddesses.
Shaking her head to try and clear her mind, Noire experimented by calling forth her Shares. The power of faith made manifest knew no boundaries and she could feel it within her. She tried to muster more, to transform into the goddess persona of her true self. Noire called forth her heart and-
And then nothing. Nothing but an empty, hollow void where a CPU's true heart would be. As if something was preventing it…
"Damn. So we really can't transform."
A sigh emanated from the radio. "As I've feared. The new Neplunker system is indeed radiating some form of Anti energy, though only enough to prevent HDD. This phenomena will have to be looked further into… Anyways, your M.U.L.E. should be deployed now. It is responsible for carrying all of your finds."
An arm that had been extended from the side of the drop pod slowly retracted and below it, a machine purred to life to join the goddesses. The Mining Utility Lift Engine - or M.U.L.E. - resembled more an ungainly box on four stubby legs, yet it had been described to them as a useful and valuable asset in DRG inventory. With hatches on all sides, it was the keystone in the corporation's advanced mining division, a major step in innovation in an industry as grueling and strenuous as digging through the earth for riches.
As their M.U.L.E. trotted its way towards them, a clanging sound resonated from within the drop pod. The ramp rescinded, the metal shutters closing shut one after another, and soon it lifted off and away. Clouds of dust and debris filled up in the ship's wake and soon, there was naught but a smooth chasm in the ceiling that stretched endlessly to the dark void.
Everyone gulped at the sight. Even though they had been briefed on this, it did not fail to disturb them to witness their own deliverer - and only escape option - leave like so.
But as they felt the cavern shudder, they remembered why the company was so insistent on retrieving their valuable property as soon as they could. If Neplunker from before was known for its treacherous terrain, then this new system was insidious for its starting instability that made the earth itself shift and groan around them. From what they were told, it was like the depths were changing and reforming around them.
"Alright, the signal from your transponders are coming loud and clear. And more importantly, so are the seismic sensors and scanners; I have a clear view of any potential hazards that may come your way."
"Well, that's reassuring," remarked Neptune, her nausea subsided.
"What can you see right now?" asked Blanc.
"Hmm, there seems to be a host of these subterranean creatures first encountered by DRG expeditions all throughout the caves. The drop pod's arrival had sent reverberations throughout your level so be on your guard. I will inform you of any activity from what the previous explorers have referred to as 'glyphids'."
The Lowee CPU looked thoughtful. "Hmm, I should read up on what's known about them when I have the chance…"
"Now, are you clear on the current objectives?"
Noire nodded. "Secure a quota of morkite within the M.U.L.E.; secondary objectives would be anything deemed of interest by DRG scientists and affiliates."
"Yes. Upon fulfilling the primary mission, initiate the beacon on the M.U.L.E. to call in the drop pod for retrieval. A simple mining mission, but please be careful down there!"
As the transmission ended, it became apparent that the flare Noire first threw out had died. Surrounded in all-consuming pitch-darkness, the four CPUs that protected Gamindustri were now miles beneath it. After years of adventures and mishaps, from hijinks in alternate dimensions to tests of mettle that decided the fate of everything, now it was the darkness and the unknown that was to be their next opponent.
Between enemies and encounters, from new experiences to familiar ordeals; escapades, trials, triumph, and even adversity - the goddesses of Gamindustri had no idea of the challenges that awaited them in the center of the earth.