All rights are reserved to their respective owners. I own nothing in this piece of fiction except my OCs and the story itself.
ENTER!
Warechu floated towards the doors of his organization's headquarters with Linda and Linette, the group of members behind them as they returned from Leanbox, and we're now in an undisclosed area of the Gamindustri Graveyard.
It resembled a black and magenta console and a controller, the latter stacked upon the former with a dark computer tower-like structure with glowing red accents beside it as a router-like object sat atop it that had many lights that either flickered cyan, pink, magenta, or red.
A rather intimidating symbol was branded onto the lower frontal panel of the tower-like object as a pieced-together red and yellow heart, with a jagged line down the middle which indicated it was divided.
It was situated around a moat of the yellow liquid, set to boil as anyone who dared to enter anywhere other than the passover built would be evaporated to the bones, nevertheless any other side effects from coming into contact with the mysterious yellow liquid.
ASIC-aligned persons, armed were all working on the clock to safeguard and keep the headquarters safe as Judge's defeat sent shock waves to the security levels of the landmass.
OPEN!
"Arfoire International Syndicate of Crime Incorporated!" A jingle sang as the group was upon the doors. The sliding doors of the entrance opened for the group as they headed through reception, with a Dark Dogoo with glasses at the desk.
"Hello, Maryo- Apologies, Nepugia. Linette. It seems you've returned from your dispatch to Leanbox with the grunts." It spoke in a jarringly intellectual manner.
"Yeah, yeah. We're back, whatever." The ASIC grunt waved off, taking off her hat.
"Hello, Yabai." Nepugia waved at the receptionist.
"Are any of the CFWs here right now in the building?" The elder sister questioned.
"All of the remaining CFWs are within the building. Magic is currently in her chambers, Brave is honing his skills in the barracks, and Trick attending to his... material, in his quarters." Elaborated the black monster as he went on.
"Alright. I'll fill in the reports for what happened up to that point in a short while. You all can go back to your quarters and we'll meet up when someone at the top calls for us." Linette told the others as the members dispersed.
Some went back outside, as others went deeper within the building as now only the four were left with the receptionist monster.
"I'm gonna go change, be right back." The imposter told the group.
"But you wear the same clothes. 99% percent of the time." Linette brought up.
"Yeah, and?" A brow was raised, Nepugia even going so far as to raise her bangs to show the woman her expression.
"What's the point, chu?" Warechu asked.
"Look, Warechu. I get you bathe like, once a month and you use sewer water but there's something called personal hygiene and every good looking girl has to follow." She talked down to the floating mouse as Underling snickered for most of the explanation.
"I DO NOT BATHE in sewer water. What kind of animal do you take me for, chu?!"
FLASH!
His disguise was taken off as he reverted to his rat form.
"The collar speaks for itself." Underling laughed.
"SHUT UP, FLAT TITS!" Warechu barked.
"Look, he's barking...! Aww..." Linette cooed at the aggravated member.
"Isn't he so adorable? Repulsive, but adorable." Stated the purple-haired member of the criminal syndicate.
"You two be quiet! I ain't adorable, chu!" He folded his tiny arms. "And since when do repulsion and adorable go in the same sentence?!" He thought about it for a bit.
"We're animal amigos! We have to stick together, no pun intended. Just take a few more showers and we'll be good." He smiled.
"You're the last person I want to hear that from, Yabai! You're even more of an animal than I am! My rodent code is obligated to take a shower a week, for your information, chu!" He told off the dog as he took off the collar for the last time.
"I'm outta here, see you losers later." He peaced out, before floating deeper into the establishment.
"Pretty apt self-description, don't you guys think?" Underling, satisfied with his clowning, asked.
"Not like you're much better, to be honest." Nepugia immediately shot down her elevated demeanor.
"Hey! I'm better than he is." The younger sibling defended herself.
"Marginally so," Linette commented.
"You shut the hell up. What do you call the past 3 hours, then?" She asked her older sister.
"Amateur hour." She informed.
"But that's one hour!" She clarified, raising a finger in exaggeration.
"Yeah. An hour of you actually doing something that's not sucking ass." The deceiving doppelganger said to her face.
"Weren't you there before us? Who're you to say anything about me?" Underling shifted the topic to Nepugia's situation at the time.
"Don't get angry at the person pointing out your flaws. Up to now, those dumbasses don't even know I'm not Nepgear. Meanwhile, you've lost every encounter with them." She hammered in.
"They even call you what you are, an Underling. Your sister even hard carried you out of prison, so that what you just did technically doesn't even count. Meanwhile, I just got mind-controlled by some hellbent vampire against my will." She differentiated to the grunt.
"I... But you!... B-But I-" The green-haired member was cur short.
"-Can't argue with that logic. Face it, Linda. You and Warechu are in the same bracket. Two rotten peas in a withered pod." Nepugia finished as she walked off.
"You'd best get some power if you want any sort of recognition outside of annoying mini-boss, Underling."
OPEN!
CLOSE!
Her voice echoed before walking down a hall to the right, some doors opening and closing as the conversation ended.
"..."
"..."
CLENCH!
THROW!
"Screw her!" Underling yelled as she slammed her hat to the floor before continuing.
"I'm not gonna let some crappy fraud of some wet the sheets broad tell me I'm nothing!" She fumed.
"To be fair, she does have some valid observations. It would not be wise to completely ignore her-"
"Nobody asked you! I'm gonna go show that bootleg broad who's a damn rotten pea!.."
OPEN!
CLOSE!
She stormed off to her quarters, the doors sliding open and closing as she went to change.
"Well, that was pleasant." Linette duly told the receptionist Dogoo.
"Pleasant and problematic are not very compatible synonyms," Yabai informed.
"It's better any of them trying ro fight each other. I still have some paperwork to fill out after all and cleaning up that mess would only make my workload heavier. Take care, doggo." The buxom sibling waved the monster goodbye.
"Good luck." The dark gelatin canine told the woman before she trekked further within the building.
Underling stood, in her shower as she reflected on what happened over the past 24 hours.
From the time she woke up to where she was now, the events played in her head.
'Hahahahaha! I'd feel so bad for them if they weren't so damn slow! Man, they really suck, huh?'
'...Damnit! Just when I thought we had the upper hand on them!'
'Get in the cage, drama queen. It's not like anyone's going to rescue you.'
'You damn bastards!'
'My potential servants! Look into my gaze and be one with my will!'
'Hey you, you're finally awake. You were trying to ambush the Basilicom, right? Walked right into that CPU charge, same as me and your rat friend over there.'
'GET TO THE CHOPPA! Wait, it's a boat? Damnit.'
'Yeah, yeah, we're back whatever.'
'You'd best get some power if you want any sort of recognition outside of annoying mini-boss, Underling.'
The last and most recent memory made her growl as she was deep in her shower thoughts.
'To be fair, she does have some valid observations. It would not be wise to completely ignore her...'
'DAMMIT!'
'SAYONARA, BIAAAAAATCH!'
'Gaaaaaaaaah! Killachine, fight these broads and bastards and buy me some time! I've got to find an escape rou- Er, find reinforcements!'
Her actions and words rebounded in her head as the warm water drenched her body. Repeat acts of her failures and blunders played back in her mind as she started to think over them.
"I'll show her... I'll show them all. I'm not just some Underling." Linda told herself as she remembered all times she was called that dreaded name.
'I think her name is Underling. She's one of ASIC's low-ranking peons.'
'Her name's literally Underling? Wow, her parents must hate her.'
'Linda is underwhelming and too nice for a grunt. Underling it is.'
'And you must be Underling. How fitting.'
"But I can't just say I'm not one. Look how far that got me." She told herself. "It literally got me launched into the stratosphere. Twice." Linda stressed.
"I gotta get them to stop calling me that, but how?..." She thought.
"It isn't gonna be as easy as just asking for it. If I gonna get some respect around here, I'm gonna need something." The green-haired girl deduced.
"But what... Friends? Nah. Then I'll be just like those broads and bastards." She shook her head.
Plot relevance?
"Like you'll give me it." She deadpanned as she looked up.
I'm giving it to you right now, Underling.
"Shut up! Even you call me that?!" Linda shouted as she shook her first at her bathroom ceiling.
Yes, but actually no. Continue your self-reflection, you're wasting brain cells talking to me right now.
"Whatever. Could it be some Credits? I doubt money's gonna let me beat those guys in any fights, and ASIC's not gonna pay me any more for being useless." She huffed.
"..." Silence filled the room, as the suds that conveniently blocked her lack of assets ran down her greyish skin before she came to a conclusion when the lights turned off.
SHUT OFF!
"Damnit! Again?! That's the third time this week! What's with all these power outages!... That's it!"
LIGHT UP!
"Hey, it's back. That means I must be right. Power is what I need. I can't be respected if I have no reason for people to respect me. If I get stronger, then that means people will give a damn about what I have to say, and I can actually get some kind of sway around here!" She told herself as she shut off her shower head.
TWIST!
"And if I get powerful enough, then even those damn broads and even those damn bastards won't be able to stop me anymore.
Even CFW Magic will have to notice me that way! Nepugia'll have to suck it! And that buxom bitch can finally see who has the better genes! Hahaha!" She wrapped a towel around her before going into her living quarters.
"I'm gonna get me some power. But noe the question is, how do I do that?" She met yet another blockade in her plans. "All I really got is just a bent pipe at the end of the day." Linda came to terms with her current resources.
"I'm pretty sure I can get a better weapon, but to use that weapon I'll need enough power to get the job done." She cupped her hands. "I wonder if I can upgrade it...?" Linda asked herself.
"A sword isn't really my style, though. How about... I just straighten it out?" Asked the grunt to herself as she took the weapon and tried to bend it back into shape.
"Hnn!" She attempted.
STRUGGLE...!
"Hrk!" Once more.
STRUGGLE...!
"Come on..." A final round.
STRUGGLE...!
...CREAK!
After about a few minutes of trying, the pole only managed to bend marginally.
"I guess I need some physical power too. It's looping back when I think about it." Another connection to the importance of power was made as she put down the weapon and changed into some clothes.
Her hair was tied into a spiky ponytail, her green hair put behind her which revealed her pointy ears. The black long sleeve gym top fully exposed her midriff, with red and yellow patches where it went to her palm, forming a connected palm layer, with the ASIC logo on her back.
She also wore some form-fitting polyester pants that were divided between red on her right and yellow on her left, the jagged and iconic divider running down from the band of the pants to around her crotch and back up to the opposite side. Some yellow and red Drafters with a white midsole as she finished trying her shoe.
Her chest somewhat grew, having increased her bust from an A to a B. Albeit due to her putting some weighted pads with some small disc weights behind a sports bra. It still did wonders for her figure, no matter how small the increase.
"I'm ready to kick some ass! Now I just gotta hydrate." She shouted, before taking a sip.
"Aah... Right. Let's do this thing!" She hyped herself up before picking up and storing her pole and walking out of her room.
OPEN!
CLOSE!
Linda walked out of her room, only to be face to face with Nepugia.
"Going somewhere?" The doppelganger questioned.
"Save it." Underling raised a finger before walking past her, not being swayed by any small talk she had planned.
"But your clothes-"
"I said I dont wanna hear it," Affirmed the front before she was out of her sight.
"Tough crowd." Shrugged the copy of Nepgear before moving on her day. "Wonder where her rat friend went?" She looked around before walking, looking to pester someone else.
Warechu floated around, wandering through the organization grounds as he tried to take his mind off of what occurred.
"I ain't cute. Adorable, sure! I mean, look at me. But not taking-me-like-a-joke cute." He moped as he slouched-floated through the room.
"Look, guys! It's Warechu." An ASIC member pointed.
"Uh... You mean the rat?" Her partner answered as the person in question stopped.
"Yeah. Isn't he adorable? He's our mascot, after all." She reminded him.
"If I wanted a rat for our mascot, I'd just live in the sewers. It's cute that he's trying though."
"You shut it! I'll have you I'm the official ASIC mascot!" The rat fumed.
"Officially a joke. Smell ya later, sewer rat. Might burn some nose hairs if you keep it up." The member waved as his partner looked back at him.
"Please don't mind him, Nepdonalds just ran out of fries." The other member pleaded to the rat before following her colleague.
"Even people I don't know take me for a joke. When will this end! Damn it all, chu."
Grumbled the rat as he floated, looking back at the distancing duo.
SLAM!
SWING OPEN!-
"Oof!-"
THUD!
"Urgh..." Warechu sounded as he shakily floated back up.
"What the heck did it just bump into? Stupid door, chu..." The flying rodent grumbled before he looked up at what was happening in the room he accidentally entered.
Numerous machinery engineers were attending to a huge station within the expansive space that was the laboratory of the headquarters, located within the tower-like structure.
A robotic body, black in frame with neon blue accents that were currently offline with a multitude of large and small cords alike hooked up to it, the head and left arm with the core glowing from being what the smaller color-coded cables within the mechanical exoskeleton connected to.
Multiple giant power cells, wrapped around in cautionary tape at the base with the radioactive symbol plastered on the center had the same yellow liquid that flowed around the Gamindustri Graveyard, using the supply in the moat to regulate the amount they could gather, as the large cords were directly connected to the top of the objects.
At the side of the room, resided a huge monitor, with a flat-lined audial interface, with some other engineers running diagnostics on the audio for the project all in the room currently as Warechu looked around in complete shock.
Some cords also connected to the incomplete robotic structure, as the other side of the room had many statistics, with a collection of monitors, with some information concerning things such as the robot's capabilities, power consumption, and even the server he was uploaded to which was 'Airnet'...?
Strangely familiar.
"What the...?" Words were stolen from his mouth as he has none to describe the happenings of the room.
"...You maggots better build me back better than ever. I want to make sure those slimy bitches and that insufferable blue bastard writhe in perpetual agony for what they've done to me!" A familiar, coarse and slightly more metallic voice sounded from the surround sound speakers as it clicked for who that was to the rat.
"C-CFW Judge, sir, chu?!" His eyes became white, comical saucers appearing from the surprise he felt at the robot making an out-of-left-field comeback.
"Who said that?!" He barked as the entire room jumped, not wanting to further incur the wrath of one of the Four Felons, as they scoured the place looking for the individual that said his name.
HOVER...!
"I'm getting out of dodge, chu." He whispered as he tried to sneaky float.
YANK!
"NOOO, CHUUUU!" He cried in dismay.
Warechu tried to bounce but was promptly grabbed by the scientists and hauled to the monitor as he protested, not wanting to face the full brunt of Judge's wrath.
"State your reason for coming here, maggot!" CFW Judge, in the database, barked through the screen.
"CFW Judge, sir! I... I thought you were dead, chu!" Shivered the rat as he was answered.
"My death was... Greatly exaggerated." He stressed as if he was trying to remove his defeat from the rat and his mind.
"But that's not important! Why the fuck are you here! Give me a stupid answer and I'll make sure you're the first idiot who gets cleaved in two when I'm rebuilt!" He warned, his words getting to the rat as he visibly wrenched into fright as the color left his body.
'If I don't tell him something he wants to hear, looking cute is gonna be the least of my worries...! Think, Warechu, think! There's gotta be something you can tell him, chu!' The rat's survival instincts kicked in.
"Uh... The other CFWs wanted to know how you were, uhm... How your rebuilding process is going! They, er, wanted me to get it from the source." He lied so hard he physically became incapable for him to look the monitor dead ahead.
"Is that so? Damn twin-tailed kiss ass, always up in my business. Her, the prehistoric pervert, and that insufferable life-sized gundam should fuck off." Judge cursed as he responded.
Luckily for Warechu, the CFW didn't have eyes, and his reasoning seemed semi-decent, so his fate was spared.
'Thank Arfoire he actually believed that.' Bullets of sweat rolled down his body as he sighed in relief.
"Tell them to eat my cache. I have nothing to say to them because they're not even gonna know about my comeback until I come back!" He informed and instructed the rat simultaneously as he became curious.
"How did you even come back? I heard you got blown into smithereens when you fought someone not too long ago." He recalled, only to flinch as he got a response.
"DON'T FUCKING REMIND ME! That dreadful fucking eyesore caused me to look like this! If I wasn't stationed to guard this floating dump, I'd beeline straight to his position and tear him apart!" Emotions of anger and the holding of a grudge stemmed from the painful remembrance of his last fight.
"S-Sorry, sir, chu! But you are gonna come back better and stronger... Right, chu?" Warechu asked the digitized AI.
"Of course I am! Upgrades, people, upgrades! I'll be damned if I ever have to feel the cold, remorseless, and unforgiving clutches of oblivion ever again!" CFW Judge told the rodent as he continued.
"The engineering personnel say that I'll be done by the end of the day, thanks for them being able to find enough of my busted parts and reinforcing it with some of the more resilient junk around the Graveyard. The tougher the better!" He was content with the increase he could receive if they did their job right.
"Then who's guarding the Gamindsutri Graveyard?" Warechu asked.
"I am! This is just an elongated sick day! No one is going to guard this place but me! That's my duty as the Guardian of the Gamindustri Graveyard!" CFW Judge reaffirmed his duties as the watchman of the headquarters as an engineer pulled up towards him.
"Your overclocking function is also in the final stages of testing. With its completion, you will have access to an entirely new reservoir of power to work with." She described.
"Excellent! Don't you dare screw this up. I need to have all of my potential upgrades at optimal function or there'll be severe repercussions!" He warned before the ASIC member nodded quickly.
"Yes, CFW Judge, sir!" Shouted the engineer before going back to her work.
"Now piss off! You're wasting my time. I have to run some combat simulations so that those glass house wenches and that blasted Brave Heart!"
TOSS!
SLAM!
"Ack!"
CFW Judge kicked the rat out, the engineers tossing his body to the curb before the doors slammed behind him, as he got up and sister himself off.
"That hurt, chu..." Warechu groanes before getting back up.
"Man, that was close... I really gotta watch where I'm going."
FLOAT...!
He breathed in relief before floating back up as he spoke to himself in the now empty corridor.
"So Judge is gonna make a comeback, huh? That's something for ya." The rodent mused as he was more alert thanks to his latest experience.
"I'd feel sorry for those guys that pissed him off if they didn't make me look bad in front of Compa no less." He grumbled.
"Not like I care about her anymore... It still hurts if I'm honest..." A glum sigh escaped his lips as the heartbroken rodent came to terms with the relationship status.
"W-Who cares about her anyway! I already said I'll devote my life to my job! And that's what I'll do! I already have some classified info on CFW Judge, I just need to become one of ASIC's greatest assets as well as its most popular mascot!" He vocalized as something was heard from around the corner of the corridor he was facing.
"Is that so?" An articulated and sophisticated voice, masculine in tone and accented in pitch was heard with Warechu's ears only increasing the quality of what he had heard.
'Shit! I really shouldn't have said that out loud!... Damnit, Linda's stupidity is rubbing off on me!' Internally berated the floating rat as the voice continued.
"Pretending as if you are not there hasn't removed your presence." Another voice, slightly higher in pitch pointed out as his presence was also known to the rodent.
'Crud...! These guys don't sound like they're any old chumps. I might be in for it, this time...' Warechu's mind acknowledged the hot water he could potentially be in.
"First we have a massive breakthrough in our joint isotope virus, and now we hear about Judge's reemergence? How fortune smiled upon us." The accented voice, sounding slightly British stated.
"I feel as if we should inform the other CFWs. They should be privy to this information as well." Said the next voice.
"NO!- I mean, please don't do that, chu! I got a job to keep! They're not supposed to even know about it!" Warechu pleaded.
"Well, it's not our fault you couldn't keep your trap shut." The first voice almost laughed. "You can't blame us for your incompetence and expect us to simply abide by it." It continued.
"Who the heck are you, anyway?" Asked the monster grunt as some footsteps echoed.
A built peach-skinned man standing at 6'3", with slicked-back medium blonde hair that went down to his nape, some stylish sunglasses hiding his eyes, making his expression unreadable. He wore a lab trench coat with ASIC's logo on the back, that went down to his calves as his arms were behind him as he towered over the rodent.
His undershirt was a zipped-up tall neck dark grey patterned shirt, that was barely seen through being covered.
His belt was also the same color as it had a seat belt clipping-like design, with his polyester pants sharing the same square pattern and color as his shirt.
His black boots shined from how clean they were as the rat could see his reflection on the part that reflected the light. A white ID card with his identification was hanging from his neck as his facial features were cold and stagnant as he continued the conversation with the grunt.
"Dr. Albert Wesker, Head of ASIC's Scientific Biohazard Division." Wesker started his identity.
'Holy crap! That actually sounds like it could fire me!' Sweat resurfaced as the man went back on track.
"I dont think your other bosses would appreciate what kind of information you're withholding from them. The terrors that await for your insubordination amuses me." He couldn't care less about Warechu's neck as his fate was inconsequential to his concerns.
KNEEL!
"P-Please, Wesker, sir! There's gotta be some kind of agreement we can reach without going past this corridor...!" Pleaded the large rat as he clasped his hands and begged for negotiation.
"There's nothing you can possibly offer me that could even make me consider keeping my lips shut." Wesker spat.
"Actually, we do have one thing he might be able to help us with." The other voice made himself known once more as he walked beside him.
Another slightly lighter-skinned man of average build, standing at 5'10" with a dirty blonde undercut suddenly came into Warechu's line of sight. He also wore a white lab coat that possessed the same criminal logo with his hand in his pants pocket as he looked down at the mouse, the coat reaching to his knees with a white undershirt and a loose red necktie that hung to his black belt with a silver buckle.
He wore some ironed grey work pants with light brown work shoes as his coffee-brown eyes looked at the rodent with some prospect. An ID card was pinned no his shirt pocket as his face was neutral for the most part, the only discernable characteristic being the gaze that he sent which was one of opportunity.
"Our experiments have been doing well so far, so having someone to test them will be a great method for us to truly test their effectiveness." The shorter man proposed.
"I know he's a rodent, but he hardly has the makings of a lab rat. He probably couldn't find his way out of the classic cheese maze." Wesker insulted Warechu once more.
"I'll have you know I'm very compatible with the scientific method for your information." A hand went up in clarification, as the taller scientist rolled his eyes, mostly unbeknownst to the rat.
"You know, I'm something of a scientist myself." Pride rolled off the shortest member of the conversation as he pretended to be something he wasn't.
Highly intelligent.
"That's good to hear. I'm William Birkin, Head Researcher of the Biochemical Virology Department." Birkin introduced himself with a formal smile.
"We could use your talents to help us with our first important experiment." He continued as he took out some of his papers.
"Initially, we wanted some test subjects to partake in our volunteering program, but unfortunately, no one signed up for it..." The shorter blonde frowned as his colleague visibly scowled.
"But since you seem to be in quite the predicament, we could use your services in our laboratory in exchange for the confidentiality of the formation you've just leaked." He offered.
"What were you going to do if I wasn't here to hear your offer, Birkin, sir?" Warechu asked.
"You may not wish to hear the response to that question. I suggest you drop the hypothetical as of now." The head researcher replied.
"What's that supposed to mean?..." The rodent was unnerved.
"It means to be silent, petulant pest," Wesker growled as the grunt quickly nodded in understanding.
"Do you accept our proposition?" Birkin queried.
"It's not like I have much of a choice here. If I say no, they go straight to Magic, and my ass is grass. If I say yes, my fate is left completely up to chance in an experiment that I might not even survive. This seems more like a patented ultimatum than an actual choice." He murmured to himself.
"Well, it is." The shorter virologist confirmed. "Choose wisely." The taller scientist added.
"... I'll do it, chu." He accepted. Warechu knew that he had no alternative to agreeing to go ahead with the experimentation.
'I might be able to not be taken for a joke if this doesn't completely screw me over-'
And the world went black.
Over the slumped body of the rodent, was an abnormal 6'11", with a black fedora that hid his eyes, white dots glowing from where his eye sockets would be located, with two black leather collars with silver buckles that kept the collar of his dark grey shirt popped. His frame was intimidating as he was tall with his muscle mass being nothing to sneeze at as a cloth of chloroform was in the arm that he's the rat.
A black, buttoned-up, leather, double buttoned trench adorned his body as the coat sash was tied around his waist as some more leather belts were wrapped around his forearms with three on his right and one on his left. Black leather pants with equally dark boots completed his looks as his pale grey skin with many wrinkles made his face warped in appearance.
"Bring him to the underground facility. We have work to do." Wesker grunted before the taller man carried the man alongside Birkin as Warechu's unconscious body was slung over the towering tyrant's shoulders.
"This is surely going to be an interesting experiment." The undercut-wearing virologist said.
"..." Silence permeated the atmosphere as the once filled hallway was left completely empty.
CFW Magic resided in her quarters, currently eyeing a picture of her goddess, embedded into a shrine within her room.
It was naturally dim, due to her widows only showing the outside of the graveyard, which meant that there wasn't much light, to begin with. She made up for this by having some ornamental ones that glowed magenta and yellow around in specific places to give the room a soft yet personalized glow.
The walls were a deep red as a shelf of the history and origins of the object of her worship was stacked, with one on her desk opened about her battle against the previous generation of CPUs, and the result of it.
Her room surprisingly didn't have much within but was still crafted after the goddess she praised with her Deity of Sin styles bed, which had the colors of the very goddess with a dakimakura of her on it, posing rather suggestively.
And her desk was filled with files, plans, and er... Some self-relief tools as she also had her scythe brandished on her wall alongside her processors as she could equip them at any time, but chose not to as she did not need them at the present moment.
The picture itself was one of a woman, covered in white fur with a purple headpiece that contained a red jewel.
Wing-like appendages sprouted out of her head, and long, deep light purple fur from the back of her neck, flowed behind her. Her eyes are depicted as shadowed over as dark purple fur formed a fluffy ring around her neck, and black fur wrapped around her chest to serve as a bra.
Purple gauntlets adorn her arms as they reach to just before her shoulders and over the back of her palms with some gold pieces on them. She has a red gem piece on the center of her waist that was held up by a belt, some black lingerie stockings with purple accents going into some purple boot armor with gold accents on it as well.
She wielded a red broadsword with black crystals pointing out with a gold centerpiece as the hilt, a maroon handle, and ruby pommel with her hand gripping near it as it was facing away from her body in a reverse grip.
It was framed in a dark and handcrafted frame, encrusted in dark crystals that radiated energy capable of weakening the goddesses as X-shaped crystals decorated the frame.
"Our goddess will be revived, and her beautiful grace will be reintroduced into this pitiful world." CFW Magic said, her voice filled with admiration and desire.
The devotee herself knelt on a single knee, bending her head as she gave herself up to her goddess, eternal servitude a constant reminder in her day-to-day activities as she took out at least 5 minutes of non-stop praising.
She would have continued her daily devotion, when suddenly...
KNOCK!
KNOCK!
KNOCK!
Her yellow eyes opened before kidding as she turned to the door.
"Come in." She spoke as the leader of ASIC stood up to face the individual.
OPEN!
She allowed the person by the door to enter, that being Linette as she held a stack of paperwork to her boss.
"I finished the report on what happened in Leanbox, ma'am. We were able to get all of the members out of the vicinity before anything could occur." The older sister told her.
"..." She remains quiet, as her eyes were fixated on the worker.
Linette was now in a dark grey cloak that was currently pulled up to expose her face. Her top consisted of a black fabric thay held her bust in place, yet left her toned midsection exposed as a buckle-like accessory wrapped around her as it was the beginning of her hood. Her sleeves were puffy as the same black fabric went from the middle of her upper arm to her palm, stopping at her middle fingers as a ring adorned the fingers.
Small black belts wrapped around each forearm sleeve as a calf-length cape was connected to the back of the cloak which donned the syndicate's symbol of a red and yellow cracked heart. Linette's light grey pants were form-hugging and had a pouch strapped onto her right thigh with some items, as her boots were stylized combat heels that had the heel itself color-coded to red and yellow respectively, representing her alliance.
"Even my sister and the Warechu were a significant part of our escape from the correctional institution." She put their names in good faith.
"Your relative being...?" A slender brow was raised as Magic was unfamiliar with the girl in question.
"Linda." She informed.
"Pardon?" She asked again, still unclear of the person she was referring to.
"...Underling?" Linette attempted once more, as she tried to give her sister some spotlight.
"I do not believe I have ever heard of this... Underling you speak of." She admitted as the attempts fail.
"You can learn more about her when you read the report. I just dropped by to give them to you, and to ask about your plan at this point." The older sister of Underling inquired.
"Very well. Since Leanbox is currently still gathering itself from the past events, we are going to take advantage of their disarray by targeting their Mascot as we always have at this point." She instructed, as her employee listened.
"We will also be enacting some more invasive measures, as we are beginning to lose influence on the nations." Magic pointed out as she walked towards a table which was a red digitized map of Gamindustri that proceed from it.
She fiddled with the controls, showing a more statistical interface as the levels of influence were directly shown with Lowee being the weakest and although fading fast, Leanbox was on top.
"Our grip on Leanbox is steadily fading. If we lose this, then all our work for the past 3 years will be lost in no time at all. Since the object of desire is already in our hands, all we need to do is keep it secure." She iterated.
"If we do so, then they'll be unable to recover the last Mascot, and their plans will be significantly hampered. We can use this advantage to reclaim our influence in other nations due to this inhibition with the underground industry already rooted in all nations, being majorly controlled by us, and can sway the citizens due to all of them being in Leanbox currently as I am informed..." CFW Magic explained as Linette voiced something.
"There's a problem in that plan, though." She told the leader.
"Speak of it." The leader ordered. As one of her more useful subordinates, her input may very well be something to be heard of.
"We had the Mascot. I got everyone to leave the island, which means it's unguarded. If someone stayed, then sure. But I have a feeling that was about everyone that was in the prison, so it's vacant right now." She told the CFW.
"What?... And you all left it there?!" Her eyes widened, surprised and slightly upset.
"We got it over 3 hours ago, so it's still in the same place!" Linette rattled out, trying to calm the slowly rising anger of her leader.
"And with Leanbox going through what I put in the documents, even they don't know where it is, but we do! We have both advantages of knowing the exact location and the manpower to outnumber them. I'll make sure they'll get to it first!" She told Magic as the magenta-haired leader stared her down.
"You had better. Do not disappoint me. Punishment is promised." Her eyes narrowed as some sweat started to form at the sister's head from the pressure she was being put under, before looking to the left to see some... Questionable and rather inappropriate means of doing so.
"Y-Yes, ma'am!" She saluted, trying to look her dead in the eyes as there was a long and uncomfortable silence.
...
...
...
"Return to Leanbox and secure the Mascot. You are dismissed." She put a hand on her waist before motioning to the door with her hand.
OPEN!
CLOSE!
Linette spared no words before leaving the room, as she left briskly.
Alone in the room, CFW eyed a specific toy as she now had some of her time. And she would use it very accordingly if it meant to appease her goddess-like the fanatic she was.
Meanwhile, on the outside of the stress-relieving leader's room, the green-haired elder sister walked out into the corridor before walking.
"Look, it's Linette."
"Can you believe she's related to Linda?"
"Her?... Really? I get they look the same but they definitely don't do the same job."
"I know, they're like the sky and the ground when it comes to missions."
Linette heard the murmurs of the members as she walked through the halls, her relation to Underling being put into question. It was
"Tch. All this damn chatter. Everyone do me a favor and shut the hell up." A coarse voice grumbled as it walked through the halls.
"He's...!"
"Shush! You don't wanna piss him off, man!"
"Crap!..."
"It's him...!"
STOP!
Linette stopped as she heard the topic of the whispers change as she looked around trying to locate the origin of what was causing all within the stretch to talk about.
Her eyes momentarily looked through the window, to see Underling in her workout clothes, currently pulling a pile of junk behind her, as it dragged across the ground.
"C'mon... Stupid... Hunk of junk...!" She sounded as sweat covered her body, the trail starting to carve a circular track.
BUMP!
"Ack!"
"Tch!"
She was interrupted from watching over her sister by the person she was looking for bumping into her.
"Hey, watch it-"
"Out of my way, damn bitch."
Her annoyance was cut by blatant harshness as the person walked past her.
ゴゴゴゴ!...
It turned out to be a somewhat shorter teenager, with moppy white hair that was spiked to some degree as red eyes glared up at the woman from the corner of his eyes.
He currently wore a black open zipper parka with dark grey fur around the neck with two white stripes on each sleeve as the bottom of it was also lined with dark fur as two lines ran from his left shoulder, side to side from the front to the back.
His undershirt was white, with the ASIC insignia on the front as the white jeans he wore were camouflaged in a winter fashion as white, light grey, and black patterns decorated his pants. Black and white was the theme of his shoes with white laces and midsoles complimenting the black base of the high tops.
His fists were balled as he was already having a bad day, and this interaction was only pushing him.
"I-It's you..." Linette gulped as she made sure not to look him in the eyes, as she heard his footsteps echo, the entire corridor becoming silent.
"Damn nuisances. Learn to step out of the way, lady." He told the member before going on his way, as he made the turn, cleaning his ear as he did as his mood somewhat calmed down to simply annoyed.
"...That was close." The green-haired girl sighed once he was out of sight. "But I gotta get ready. Magic's gonna call us once back to debrief the rest of us. I'll go visit Linda." Linette decided as she made her way to the outside.
Exiting the building, she quickly made her way to her sister as Underling was currently training.
SLAM!...
SLAM!...
SLAM!...
By now swinging her pole onto a pile of junk, slowly damaging it as she was sweating a storm.
"Well look at you." The elder sister started. "The last thing I ever expected you to do was to use your free time to exercise." Snorted Linette as she was amused with her younger sister's attempt.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up." Underling responded with a scowl on her face from being near her sister.
SMASH!
Junk flew from the pile as a critical was landed into the mass of resilient trash.
"On the contrary. I find your willingness to improve admirably." She complimented, causing the younger sibling's eyes to narrow.
SWING...!
"Suuuuure. What do you want." Growled the ASIC grunt, as she raised her pole for another swing.
"Magic and I had a discussion-"
SHATTER!
Her eyes widened before completely obliterating the pile of junk as shards flew, the mention of CFW Magic.
SHINE!...
A light barrier was erected to deflect the debris as the elder sister guarded.
"You what?!" Underling barked, her voice filled with anger with a hint of jealousy.
"Relax. All I conversed with her was the details of what transpired and what comes next." She worded.
"...Whatever." Her words were held back, but her gaze remained heated as she looked back to her task at hand.
"Look what you made me do." She motioned to the scraps.
"Weren't you supposed to do that?" Linette held back a laugh.
"Shut up!" Underling blushed as she looked away, her ponytail swishing in the air as she turned.
"Well, you still have some time to break more. CFW Magic just got the papers. You have any idea where Warechu went?" She asked.
"Ain't gotta rat's ass. Don't know, and frankly don't care." The sister looked back to the ASIC superior with a snide smile.
"But you two were so cute together, though. Two Ls make a W, after all." She smiled as a tick mark was formed on the younger sister's forehead.
"Piss off! Damn bitch." She huffed before realizing her voice had an echo.
"Huh?"
To her left, which both she and her sister stared towards as they found the same white-haired individual from before, this time yelling at some other goons that were cornering him.
"Run those pockets, kid." A male ASIC henchman pressed.
"Think you're tough shit? CFW Judge's apprentice my ass." Laughed another rather busty ASIC member
"Only reason he's named Accelerator is that all he knows how to do is run away fast." A bulky man made fun of his name.
"The hell outta my sight, trash."
SNAP!-
SHOCKWAVE!
FLASH!
A snap of the fingers caused an excruciatingly loud shockwave that blew the trio back as the sisters covered their ears in turn.
The bodies of the three were sent into some of the numerous piles that lay around the area, exploding upon contact from the sheer force they were launched.
"The hell? What the fuck just happened..?!" Underling yelled as she barely managed to cover her ears before her eardrums were ruptured.
"...!" Linette's eyes were white with fear as she did not dare look the person that just did the attack in the eyes, remembering the most recent encounter.
"Everyone's just out here to piss me off, today."
BOOM!
LUNGE!...
Spat the teenager before he walked off into the graveyard, his body zooming into the air as he put his arms into his parka pockets before zooming away.
GRAB!
"Yo!" The ASIC grunt grabbed her sister's shoulder, which got her to look her in the eyes.
"Who was that guy?... What the hell did he just do? It sounded like he had a bomb in his fingers...!" Underling shifted between the fleeting gaze of the individual and her sister as questions were asked.
"He's someone you don't want to cross paths with," Linette warned, as her usual calm demeanor fell into a serious gaze.
"But who IS he?..." Persisted Underling.
"His name... is Accelerator." The older sister revealed.
"So let me get this straight." IF, with Compa and Nisa by her side, and Gust to the left a bit, by the Nurse-In-Training as they all faced Nebula and Nepgear as the others crowded around.
"You," She pointed to the male CPU before continuing. "With him, him, him, him, and him with the Leanboxian Army managed to not only defeat a otherworldly vampire that was gonna destroy all of Leanbox several times over, but also managed to use an SP Skill revive not only THE DEAD but the national economy from financial ruin by turning back the hands of time in all of Leanbox by 3 hours?" The Guild Agent rattled down the details before taking a short breath.
"Stonks. You can bet your ass we did all that in twelve hours." Finger gunned the adventurer CPU as he shot a small side grin with a wink.
"Twelve- Gear, you believing this crap?" A look of exasperation as the Planeptune CPU Candidate was looked at for confirmation.
"I and the other CPU Candidates only got here right after the fight was said and done, but he's telling the truth about everything after." She explained as the second voice of confirmation as IF's eyes became comical.
"And I thought Nep's hijinks were weird. This is just bizarre." Admitted the Guild Agent.
"But isn't it interesting? I mean, Neb-Neb and the others saved everyone." Compa voiced her perspective to her best friend.
"The important thing is, that they've saved the day and justice was carried out!"Nisa pumped her first into the air, taking in the state of the city rather than the means to get there.
"Gust says all's well that ends well. Speaking of which, I dropped a dangerous arrow in Lastation. Have any of you guys seen where it went?" The alchemist asked as she stared at the group of guys.
"Nope." Shook the head of Nebula.
"No comment." Gris droned.
"..." Shrugged AL, not looking at the girl as his eyes were closed.
"No." Denied Kars.
"Er..." Domio scratched his head as he looked away.
"What is it, kid? You know something?" Gust walked up to him, seeing that he was holding something back.
"No..." He lied, his voice rising as he said so.
GRAB!
"Hmm... Look at me." She pressured as she grabbed his face before making him look at her.
STARE...
Domio felt the pressure as she made sure to look deep into his eyes to see if he was actually telling the truth.
"W-Was it important?" The Loweean inquired, trying to get Gust to lay off his case.
"Very. That arrow can unlock someone's latent potential but will amplify their negative emotions. We have to-" Her explanation was cut off.
"Oh. I used it." AL sold himself out, not wanting to prompt a goose chase."
"What? When!?" Gust was lost.
"When we were fighting-" The fighter was cut short by a microphone's interference.
"I'm sure the lot of you are bloody confused about what's going on right now." Future Heart voiced, as he now stood on the stage in his crisp suit, delivering a speech to his people, unbeknownst to them in between Yvoire and Chika.
"Hey... He looks a lot like Lady Green Heart." A citizen narrowed his eyes.
"The resemblance is uncanny." Another voiced their observation.
"Think he's the new CPU?" A conspiracy theorist asked.
"Don't be stupid. Never in a million years would Leanbox ever replace our glorious Lady Green Heart. But it does beckon the question..." An elder thought.
"Is he single?" A starstruck fangirl squealed, getting the old person to facepalm.
As the plan had worked, the once rather large group of people were quickly dwarfed by the masses, with millions of people now either watching from home, work, on the streets nearby, or still within the area as cameras were all honed in on the CPU Candidate, who was using a mic propped up for him.
"The past events may have already been explained to you, but if not then I shall elaborate." The bloke began. "We have just averted, or rather spared the nation from a national crisis. Just hours ago, we were under attack from a fearsome force by the name of DIO that wanted nothing to wreak havoc for only a few lives." He continued as the speech went on.
"Even enlisting ASIC to help in his cause, this nightmarish monster was hellbent on his mission, and wasted no time and soared no soul. But thanks to the valiant and tireless efforts of your defense forces, myself, and a select few individuals, we have not only saved the endangered and revived the fallen but are here now to celebrate." Future Heart paused, as he let the crowds react.
"Celebrate...?!" Eyes widened with excitement.
"Which is why I present to you..." A dramatic pause.
"THE STEAM SALVATION SALE CELEBRATION! DUE TO NOT BEING A SMOLDERING CARCASS AND SOME BEHIND-THE-SCENES AGREEMENTS, TAX REFUNDS, AND THE KINDNESS AND SUPPORT OF MULTIPLE CORPORATIONS BIG AND SMALL, EVERYTHING IS 40% OFF AT LEAST UNTIL THE END OF THE DAY!" Yelled the CPU Candidate in a hyped tone as the people erupted into cheers.
"IT'S THE STEAM SALVATION SALE! LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" A child screamed at the top of his lungs.
"I can finally buy that gaming chair! Holy shit! What a day to be alive! Skill issue deficit, here I come!" Roared another.
"Does that include taxes? Maybe I can stop my fraud for today..." A tax evader murmured.
"Glory to the goddess and this man who looks just like her! Come on people, let's celebrate and praise the goddess!" Shouted the pear-wearing man as the crowd cheered.
"Sweet GTX 1090... You shall be mine...!" A reptilian-sounding gamer breathed as he cheered.
CHEERS!
"As soon as the prices receive the appropriate discount in value, they're yours for the taking at newer, lower, and more affordable prices! BOGO deals, limited time offers, you see the discount it's not a miscount!" The brother of Vert continued.
"So go and buy to your heart's content! In the name of Lady Green Heart!"
ROARS!
CHEERS!
APPLAUSE!
Future Heart reminded before walking off the stage as the crowd gave a round of applause from down the street as the roars echoed across the blocks, Yvoire took up the mic to regulate the departure of the conference partakers as Chika followed the CPU Candidate.
He went backstage as a conversation started upon his arrival.
"Good job on your segment." AL lightly jabbed the greenette's shoulder as the deity responded.
"Well, it's all in the message. Whatever it takes to make the people happy. That's gonna be a few favors gone." He scratched the back of his head as the twins spoke next.
"I hope we get to go on a stage, too!" Ram was envious of the transformed CPU's limelight.
"It'll be kind of scary, though... All those eyes looking at us." Rom voiced her view.
"Don't worry, we'll be on stage together." Nepgear put her hand on the child's shoulder with a warm smile.
"Not like I'd enjoy being out there." Uni huffed, looking away with her arms folded.
"Look, guys. A tsundere. Point and laugh at her." Gris instigated before he, Kars, Nebula, Future Heart, and surprisingly Domio followed through."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" They all collectively cackled.
"SHUT UP! ALL OF YOU!" Her face became steaming red from anger mixed with embarrassment before she glared at each one, specifically honing in on Domio.
"And you don't even know WHY you're laughing, Domio!" She shouted as she stuck her finger into the boy's face.
"Ah, I'm sorry!" He cringed, looking away in fear.
"Stop bullying the children, Uni. We're supposed to protect the weak!" Nisa chastised.
"I wouldn't be one to call this child particularly weak," Cave interjected.
"Really? But he's just a kid." Chika doubted her friend's words.
"You should've seen him. It was huge, cold, and strong." Blinx iterated with the appropriate gestures.
"Sounds like my father." Snorted the assassin. "But unlike him, his potential for magic is interesting to say the very least."
"Whatever could you mean?" MAGES., her interest piqued by the child's ability to use spells, asked.
"He went from basically getting bodied, to smacking DIO, to getting bodied again, to surviving by the skin of his teeth." AL described, after informing the Mad Magician.
"H-His growth sounds like a rift for one of my songs." 5bp. spoke as she looked at the preteen.
"I'll have to do some experiments with his magic." The blue-haired magic user plotted as she moved closer a certain glow in her eyes.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. You look shady, and it's not because of that hat blocking your eyes right now." Nebula stood in front of his son.
"Well, how about you two compromise." Taleia offered a solution.
"You, and her," The agent pointed to the two taller blue-haired individuals. "Take Domio to an agreed location with proper supervision from Nebula and I and MAGES. gets to do whatever experiments she wants within reason." Stressed the half-elf as the two looked at each other.
"Seems legit. Sounds like a deal?" Asked the pseudo-protagonist.
"Only if I get to see if he can freeze a can of Doc P in a way that can perfectly cool it to crisp drinking temperatures." She started her condition.
"I'll tag along to make sure this agreement is kept intact. C'mon, Dom." She grabbed the hand of the child before they walked with the other two, off of the stage into the street.
"W-Wait! Take me with you!" The performer shouted, bit wanting to be left alone.
"Go make some friends, it'll be a good experience with so many colorful faces around." Her friend encouraged her before walking with the others.
With the four gone, they simply left 5bp. by herself as she looked cornered not being used to so many eyes on her while not performing.
"U-U-Uh..." The idol was very timid as she backed away a bit.
"Wanna go sing some karaoke with us?" Asked AL as he looked towards the girl.
"...Huh?" 5bp. was caught off guard by the question, so much so that she momentarily forgot her shyness.
"Yeah. Since you're so uncomfortable around us, and you're an idol, I figured doing something you would like should get us better acquainted." The fire user scratched the back of his head as he looked unsure of her possible reaction.
"That's not a bad idea. I guess we could spare a little bit of time before we go look for the Mascot." Nepgear allowed it.
"You sure about that, Gear?" IF questioned.
"Evil does not rest, so neither should we!" Nisa seconded. "We can't all just rest when the time is right for action!" She justified.
"Prioritizing relaxation is not recommended for such a golden opportunity," Cave spoke.
"Come on, they've earned it. Or at least, the ones who were here did." Compass thought about it.
"But that sounds fun, though!..." Ram pleaded ok the side of fun.
"Can't we just have a little bit of fun?" Asked Rom as the puppy dog eyes were starting to be unsheathed.
"Gust still has to find out what happened to that arrow, so I might have to stay and investigate." The alchemist voiced her standing.
"And I still have to make sure no one else impersonates me, after all." Chika put a proud hand on her chest.
"Did you not get captured when you tried to do that?" A snide look from Future Heart was given.
"Shut it, Fake Heart...!" The insulted Oracle rebutted.
"To quote Nebula's ex, I propose a compromise," Gris spoke up, as the group turned to him. "Whoever wants to go and find the Mascot, can form a smaller party and locate it meanwhile those who'd rather relax can go with 5bp. to the karaoke bar. By the next morning, we can bring that one," He pointed to Nepgear.
"To the place the searching group found it. Taking a day off is nice, but progress shouldn't be fully halted." Finished the assassin as he put his hands in his pockets.
"So who's doing what?" IF asked, looking around as she was looking for the ones that'll come with her.
"As if. I've associated with you all enough for one day."
SOAR!
Kars immediately dipped as he shot into the air, before flying away from the capital, towards the wilderness.
"Is that a bird?!" A citizen yelled.
"Is that a plane!?" Another roared as he pointed.
"Are you all blind?!" The Ultimate Life Form shouted down.
"HEY!" Both yelled in offense as the alien laughed at their insulting eyesight.
"Well, that's one down. How about you, negotiator?" Inquired the Guild Agent.
"Oh, please. I have better things to do than to search for glowing orbs that tell you no 75% of the time. I'll be drinking coffee somewhere in the food district. Gonna need it after being up for a day straight if my warped sleep schedule has anything to say about it." He walked off as the assassin went to get some sweet sustenance.
"Alright... Future Heart?" IF, not expecting much looked towards the mysterious CPU.
Only to realize he was gone.
"Wait, he left?! Since when...!?" Bamboozled by the sudden disappearance, she and the others looked around for his presence.
Some distance away, he occupied the sky as he watched over their panicked and confused faces.
REVERT!
"Sorry I can't tell you guys about it, but I'll make it up to you by aiding you to search for the Mascot," Vergo, in his regular clothes said as he lay on a cloud to hide his figure before using it as a prop.
DASH!
ZOOM!
WOOSH!
A thin line of cloud could be seen by the keen but was largely ignored due to the celebrations.
"Damnit. That's like half the heavy hitters gone now. Gear can't go because she has to watch the twins with 5bp." IF sighed as the person in question apologized.
"Sorry, IF," Nepgear told the Guild Agent.
"It's ok, Ge-Ge. I'll go with Iffy and help her out for you." Compa offered her assistance as the Guild Agent nodded.
"Thanks, Compa." She gave her gratitude. "Anyone else?" The brunette asked as she looked at the other girls.
"I shall lend my assistance!" Nisa lent a hand of justice and righteousness to her ally, a finger raising.
"We will scout for the mascot and return with the information." Cave was also on board, her allegiance to Leanbox fueling her decision.
"I'll go with you. The more people that go, the more we can do to make sure ASIC's progress is halted." Lastation's CPU Candidate was adamant about going.
"I'll help supervise the twins for today. I'll have Yvoire take over for today at the Basilicom for the day." Chika gave her assistance as she went to speak with the elder that was just finished.
"Alright. Sounds like a plan. Let's go, everyone."
"See you later!"
"We'll be back citizens!"
"We will return shortly."
"See ya."
IF called to the girls that were with her as they said their goodbyes before heading towards the city's exit.
"Okay. Now that they've gone to advance the plo- I mean, scout for the Mascot, now we can go sing some songs." AL reminded as the twins gushed at the idea.
"I wonder what songs we're gonna sing?" The pink twin wondered.
"I hope we get to sing more than one...!" Wondered the blue twin.
"I'm sure we'll get to sing many songs. Right, 5bp.?" The Planeptunian CPU Candidate turned to the idol.
"Y-Yeah. We'll s-sing lots of songs!" 5bp. slightly became less shy as she thought about the prospect of singing.
"Then let's go already!" He started to walk. "We can't sing if the bar's filled up!" He motioned for the small group to follow him as they left for the bar.
Within a magic store, currently was the place the four that left first were in.
It was filled up with many magic items, all being severely reduced in price due to the event that was occurring right now.
Domio felt like he was in a candy shop as he ogled at all the magical items that occupied the shelves.
"Like what you see?" Taleia teased the child as she had a suggesting look on her face, stooping down to his level.
"Yeah! I've never seen so many potions, spellbooks, and runes before! Only a few, and they were cracked!" He gushed at the things before him.
"Perhaps I can purchase a few of these. They do look rather interesting for experiments." MAGES. inspected a weird-looking contraption with constantly shifted the state of matter in three hourglass-like areas.
"Well, you're in luck, kiddo. Because since everything is so cheap now, we can buy some stuff for you, since you're a mage and all." Nebula figured since his son needed a buff after almost dying multiple times.
"Don't forget the twins. I think they should get at least some type of benefit from this." His ex-girlfriend reminded him.
"Don't forget about our experiments. I won't be satisfied until he can carry out at least three of them." The Mad Magician stated.
"Right. But we have to find some stuff for me to use so that your experiments don't fail." Explained the boy.
"Very well. Let's begin searching." The wizard hat girl went off to search for items.
The Loweean split with his foster father, as Taleia followed the mage to keep an eye on her position as they explored the store.
Nebula and Domio were on an aisle as they looked at some magical artifacts, consisting of gloves, rings, shoes, to even tomes.
"See anything that you want?" Asked the foster father as he walked side-by-side with his son.
"Uh... This looks cool." Complemented the boy as he picked off an item from a shelf on his level.
It looked like a silver ring with an aquamarine gem encrusted into its center, and markings that were very detailed as it depicted a swirl of motion.
"Oh. Says here it... Doubles your capacity for SP? Pretty good choice, for your class." Nebula complimented as he checked the price.
"AND HALF OFF?! Yeah, we're getting this. 500 Credits isn't much for something like this at all." He shrugged, feeling for his aching wallet as he sighed.
"Then there's this one over here." Domio took another one from the shelf, this time a white ring that had a symmetrical pattern, with a shining ruby crafted into the middle.
"Increases constitution and stamina, making the wearer more resilient. For the price of 750 Credits after a 40% discount." His father read.
"What's constitution?" A question was aimed at its effects by the young lad.
"It's just your HP. How much of a beating you can take. You'll especially need this since wizards are known for being notoriously squishy." His father figure wagged his finger at him.
"So I'll just be chonky. Neat." He beamed.
"Here's one more." He took a necklace from the top shelf. It was a light grey, with many small orbs that made up the chain with a star-shaped citrine gemstone that had two small eye marks.
"It says that it can cancel out lesser status ailments completely. Also, if it manages to get broken then something spectacular will occur." He read out.
"I wonder what it is..." Domio thought about it.
"I dunno, son. But at a 75% discount, you'd have to be pretty spectacularly stupid not to buy it, even at 900 Credits." He took the third item.
"Let's move to another aisle. Don't want to spend all our money in one place, after all." He told the youth, who nodded in agreement.
"I wonder if I can get anything that'll make my spells stronger?" He wondered.
Meanwhile, with Taleia and MAGES., they had found themselves in the magic texts aisle.
"I found this spellbook over here." Taleia held a faded grey book with the symbol of a blue flame.
"That is the Greater Alchemist Flame tome. Is he proficient in either?" Asked the magician.
"Nope." She denied.
"Then you'd be wasting your Credits." MAGES. gave her the obvious response.
"Then what did you find?" Asked the half-elf, now curious about her find.
"A simple rune." She presented the markings of the arcane symbol of 'empower' on the front of the rock. The rune itself was deactivated as only the markings were present.
"What does it do?" Taleia asked.
"It can greatly enhance the user's magic attacks, once they channel the steel through the stone. It even glows according to the affinity."
GLOW!
BURN!
A red glow shined from the cracks as what would have been a small ember was now a small campfire being projected from the stone.
"How interesting. Never knew things like that existed." Her chin was cupped as the agent commented.
"That's only the tip of the iceberg." The Mad Magician smirked as she handed her the stone, as the prior book was put back.
"Funny, since that's the type of magic he uses," Taleia revealed to the magician.
"Surely you're kidding. If not, then I found the perfect grimoire for him." MAGES. pulled out a navy blue pocket-sized grimoire with the symbol of a snowflake.
"Ice Magic For Dummies. Are you sure this is an actual grimoire?" A brow raised from suspicion as she looked at the magic expert.
"Do not question the sacred texts." MAGES. raised a finger as her eyes closed in a holier-than-thou manner.
"We're buying this at Better Purchase!" Argued the military woman.
"Because it's a better purchase-" The magician was cut off.
"DON'T PLAY WITH ME!" Yelled Taleia with a tick mark, comical anger displayed. A smug smirk made its way to the Mad Magician's face as she was having more fun than she bargained for.
"Moving on..." Huffed the swordswoman as she moved towards a bracelet.
"What's this? Increases magical perception of anything that emits SP?" She asked as the agent recited the description.
"A mana-sensing bracelet. Usually, wizards use these to further enhance the range at which they can sense, but this should be a good crutch for him if he is unable to do so." Advised the Mad Magician.
"Yeah, we're buying this too," Taleia noted. "How much... 1,000 Credits?! And an 80% discount? How far does this thing even sense?" Exasperation was evident on the soldier's face.
"As far as I recall, one of this craft should allow you to feel SP from the entirety of the island of Leanbox." MAGES. explained.
Silence ensued.
"We're buying this." She clutched the black bracelet, lined with the four basic elements engraved into it.
"Good choice." Agreed the wizard.
The two groups met back up at the register, but not before collecting some more items for the twins as well.
"You think Rom is gonna enjoy this mana crystal I got for her?" Domio asked as he held up a necklace with half a snowflake, an enchanted aquamarine gemstone encrusted into it.
"I mean, it increases the power of the ice magic cast when worn." Nebula shrugged.
"Wait a minute. Why don't I get one?" Questioned the Loweean, what could be interpreted as jealousy was actually curiosity with a side of ignorance.
"Because of Domio. They're CPU Candidates. They quite literally have tutors and teachers at their disposal, their Oracle looks graduated from university, and at least three types of magics are under their belt. I only need to improve upon their craft, since they have the entirety of Lowee at their disposal." He explained.
"What about me?" Domio asked, pointing to himself.
"You... The only person that trained you in magic domestically abused you every other day, circumventing the entire point. On top of the fact, that did not want to learn from them partly because of this. You only know one magic, which is rudimentary at best if you're not shot up with adrenaline and red from wrath." He elaborated, which got th boy to understandably feel down.
"So... I just suck?" He looked down.
"No, you dont suck. You just underperform due to circumstances." Replied the father figure, reassuringly rubbing the boy's shoulder.
"So I suck?" He was a bit confused, but he had the spirit.
"I should stop saying that word. You do not suck, Domio." Nebula stopped, stooping down to look him in the eyes.
"You're simply not as good as you can possibly be. You have potential, I've seen it. But it's locked away, and pretty hard to reach, even I'll admit that." Toned down the blue-haired adventures. "You just need to develop the mindset." He smiled.
"So it's about drive, and it's about power?" He started to understand.
"Yeah. That's one part of it, but you're starting to see what I mean. You gotta be able to keep that up and use the items we've bought to further your strength. Both of body and mind since magic is about physical capacity and mental capability... Or that's at least what Taleia's mom told me." It was broken down as the kid nodded.
"So what you're saying is... Is that I just need to practice?" The boy wanted some verification of his answer.
"Always have been. Now, practicality is good and all, but magic is also about the theoretical. You're going to have to read, and read a lot." Stood the CPU.
"What... I have to read?" He let his tone drag on. "But that's so... Time consuming. By the time I'm half-decent, the world ended 20 years ago." He complained.
"Tell me about it. It took 10 years, giving up hentai for the most part, and blood, sweat, and tears for me to get where I am now." He told the child.
"But why so long? It's not like we have the time..." He sighed.
"Technically, we do with the edge lord, but thats besides the point." The older male waved aside. "Every accomplishment starts with the decision to begin. And every achievement requires time and effort, no matter how small or how big." Nebula went on.
"Don't even think about it like a daunting, tiring task. Cut it into little pieces and treat every day like a step up. Today is just the first." Gestured the CPU as he smiled.
"Okay. I'll try." Domio made up his mind.
"Put in the work, put in the hours, and take what's ours." He recited.
"Which is...?"
"Screentime." He beamed.
"If you say so." Shrugged the Loweean as they walked some more before meeting up with the ladies, who were also having a conversation.
"Ram should enjoy this pink snowflake necklace I got for her." Taleia, finally understanding a bit more about magic, held up the necklace that had the snowflake made from enchanted rose quartz.
"It increases the severity of the effects of ice spells." MAGES. explained. "It is indeed a good choice. I see you're beginning to become somewhat knowledgable." A compliment was given.
"I just read the item description before I took it." The agent explained, with her praise being somewhat dampened.
"I stand corrected." The Mad Magician took back her compliment, a small sweat drop on the back of her head as she smiled.
"Hey, girls. Seems you guys got some stuff for mah boi." He grinned widely, as Domio looked at them with familiarity.
"Our boy." Taleia corrected. "I don't trust you to raise a child by yourself, so I'm taking partial custody." She had half-lidded eyes and slightly furrowed brows as she voiced her feelings.
"Why does everyone keep saying that? I can raise him just fine. He's fed, cleaned, emotionally supported, and learning every day." His arms folded with his title of a parent being defended. "What more could you want?" He asked, sounding worn.
"For him to not get seriously injured every time you bring him along, which is every time from what I've seen." She argued.
"That's exactly why we're here, Tals. I'm not sending my son to die. Even I know when to stop and think." He explained himself. "I'm not going to send him out into the world unprepared. We even have a professional mage helping us pick equipment for him, so have some faith. Appreciate the help, though." He nodded.
"I guess I can accept that explanation. Just don't screw it up, this is Domio we're talking about here." Taleia felt good enough about the response she garnered to continue.
"Well, since that has been sorted out, I believe it's to buy these items, then the young Domio can wear them and aid my experiments." She had an excited glint in her eye, even if her expression remained cordial.
"Yeah! I wanna see what I'm capable of... I don't wanna be treated like a liability, or like I can't do anything to help...!" He remembered the conversation he had with himself in the convoy and was reminded of it by his foster father arguing with Taleia.
"Sounds like a plan. Just hope my wallet's on board." He dug deep into his pockets.
"I'll sponsor the things I'm carrying. To lighten the load." Responded the half-elf shot a smug look as she dug into her rather full purse.
"No need to flex your military salary on me. Then again, you were never really poor, per se." Sighed the adventurer as he got out the necessary Credits.
"You still owe me 20 Credits." She reminded him.
"For what?" Was the question that was in everyone in the group's heads, as it was inquired by Nebula.
"For smashing my controller after I kicked your butt in Monarch of Masters '98. That controller was vintage too." She held the ex-boyfriend to the standard.
"C'mon, now you bring that up? I'll pay you later." He told her as they reached the counter.
"You told me that the day before I left that you were gonna pay me tomorrow." Taleia reminded him as she put the items and Credits on the counter.
"Look, I was broke. I'm slightly less broke now." He slid half of the Credits on the counter.
"Then give me the Credits right now." She pressed him.
"Can't." The CPU denied.
"Why." Her eyes narrowed.
"Cuz I'm broke now." He had a trollish look on his face.
Taleia was now inches away from Nebula, able to feel his breath on her lips as her eyes were narrowed as she made sure to whisper these words so the child present would not hear.
"Listen here, you son of a-"
"Lady, I asked for my coffee blacker than charcoal in the recording booth of an idol. Why does it look like you poured enough milk that it looks like I ordered fucking tea." Gris asked the cashier, already slightly cranky from not sleeping for over 24 hours, slight bags under his eyes with his order being wrong only pissing him off more.
The assassin found himself sitting on a bar stool in a restaurant, trying to get some of his energy back for the time they were relaxing, thinking about taking a nap but discsrding the idea, due to the store being nester than any inn.
"S-Sorry sir!" The Moonbucks employee quickly apologized, being full on the amount of orders from the shopping craze, the place being filled with many customers, from the slew of city girls to the groups of University students and high-income customers.
"Tch. Customer service is ass, but being shit at your job doesn't make it any better." He grumbled, not caught up in the staff's struggle to get everyone's order.
He looked through the window of the establishment, to see AL, Nepgear, 5bp., Chika, Rom and Ram, with the third person being in between the other four to hide her from the fans that might stir from her reputation.
"The matchstick's babysitting, is he? I hope they know that children shouldn't be near open flames." He chuckled at the group, only to be flipped off by the same fire user who saw him laughing at them.
"HAHAHA!" Cackled the edge lord. "Shove that finger up your ass, lava lamp." He chortled before looking away.
"Here's your expresso shot, sir. Sorry for the mix-up." Apologized the clerk as she handed him his drink.
"Thank you." He gave a content smile, his eyes half-lidded from his fatigue, but managed to make his gratitude have a hint of sharpness.
"N-No problem." Stuttered the cashier before she moved on.
SWIG!
"!"
The drink that had steam radiating off of it nearly cauterized his throat from the size of the sip he took, but instantly made his move from a slouch to proper posture, some of his lost energy instantly returning to him.
"That's that good shit." He said in a raspy tone, his throat still smoking from downing the beverage without a second thought.
SIT!
"Drinking straight from the machine? Brave." A raspy voice commented on his recent action.
"Don't compare me to that dumbass. He's on the other side of that coin." Scowled the hitman.
"So you associate yourself with stupid people? Talk about a hassle." Sniggered the stranger. "A black coffee." He ordered to a clerk that asked of him.
"Something we can both agree on. But they help me reach where I want to go, so I do the same for them. Mutual benefit is the simplest kind most times since trust is only a surface level factor." Gris trailed thinking about his experiences.
"Good. People are not to be trusted. The human mind falls back to treachery far too often." Spat the anonymous individual.
"What makes you say that?" An eyebrow curled.
"They spout lies from their mouths expecting you to truly believe them. They do, say, and even show you things in order for you to believe a false narrative. Only to betray you in the end." He continued.
"..." Gris remained quiet as he sipped his drink.
"And the worst part is, they really expect you to believe the fucking crap that comes out their mouth. It can span from a white lie, to years of deceit. The thought of it boils my blood." Growled the stranger before taking his drink.
"Who... Hurt you?" He glanced to the person, somewhat curious.
"None of your damn business, that's who." The stranger, revealed to be Accelerator, shut down any prying.
"Oh, my apologies. Who cares." Reiterated the hired killer as he maintained a straight face, any curiosity and dare I say sympathy, down the drain.
"That's more like it." Laughed the member of ASIC as he enjoyed the honesty of how Gris actually felt.
"I figured being more earnest with someone that raves about lies was the intelligent choice." Explained the assassin as Accelerator drank some.
"Good for you, your brain cells function optimally." He spat. "I'm going now." Getting up from his chair, he went to leave the store with his beverage.
"Where to?" Inquired the hitman.
"You talk about being smarter than your 'friends', but you're actually not that smart, are you? Remember the last time you asked a question like that?" Jabbed the member as he reminded the fellow white-haired fellow.
"Then I'm sure you remember my answer." Gris sipped his expresso.
"Maybe I stand corrected. You'll need it if we cross paths again." Accelerator shook his head with a faint smirk, enjoying the conversation before walking out of the building.
ゴゴゴゴ...!
"Likewise." A foreboding air manifested as the silver-eyed party member glared at the back of the head of the fleeting form of the character.
A/N:
Heya there, reader!
If you're seeing this, this is a rewrite of the chapter, just to correct some repetition, fix some spelling errors, and improve the spelling quality, especially in the earlier chapters.
So remember, italics and bold is going for gold
And done!
Another chapter for you guys, expanding on some characters, new and old while also introducing some more crossover characters! If you know where they're from, comment and have a cookie!
The plot's development is finally rolling as groups of characters get down to business and development. ASIC and our heroes prepare for another face-off with this time the Makers getting first contact with the enemy once.
Meanwhile, in the Graveyard, other things are happening behind the scenes. A certain CFW is making his comeback, and a once irrelevant grunt may not be the same the next time we see him. The evil sisters are planning to return to Leanbox soil and their leader dishes out yet another plan.
If you wish to see any ideas or any changes, then make sure to leave a review. Don't forget to favorite and follow! I can only get feedback if you decide to give it!
Also make sure to check out my friend's fanfiction, Memerdimension Neptunia by Dasaucegod. It was made in collaboration with me earlier last year and could use some traction.
Anyways, that's it for now.
Arrivederci.
Read and Review!~