Chapter 11 – Puyo Poppin' Resort Battle
Nepgear's POV
It's been a few minutes since we learned from Jarne what Arfoire, Kurome, and this Ridel girl plan to do to not only Gamindustri but also Amitie's world and Resta's world. And we made it our mission to stop them before they could advance their plan any further.
The thing is…we're going up against three people. One of which is from a completely different world. I mean, we've had our fair share of fighting people from different worlds. But after what Amitie told us about Ridel, this may not be easy.
We might need a new strategy for this one…
"Ugh. How big is this place, anyway? I'm so sick and tired of seeing this damn ocean and this grey pathway."
"Seeing as how you've been here since yesterday, Jarne, I can understand." Uzume said to the whining djinn as we continued walking through Rebeat Resort.
"We should be almost halfway there at this point." IF said. "They don't have much to run to."
"Almost halfway there? *whine* What a bunch of bull…"
*CRASH*
"Geez, Jarne. Could you ease it up with the swearing?" Amitie asked her.
"What? That wasn't me! I didn't even get to finish!"
"Jarne's right. That came from up ahead." I said.
"Do you think it's a monster?" Compa asked. "Or could it be Arfoire?"
"If it's the latter then I'm ready to start shredding some purple skin! *demented giggle*"
"Nep, please calm down." IF said to Neptune after she said something insanely creepy again.
I seriously can't get used to Neptune acting like this. We need to restore her soul and fast.
"If it is a monster, I just hope it doesn't turn out to be like those Dogoo things from before." Resta said. "I'm still scarred from witnessing Neptune murdering those creepy things."
"I-I said I was sorry, okay? Even creatures like Dogoos don't deserve to die like that. Even if they are rather icky and gross."
"Well, let's just find out what it is." IF said. "If it made a noise that loud then it has to be something big."
"Right-o! Let's go!"
And so, we followed the noise as it kept getting louder as we went on. Eventually, it even started to sound violent. Almost as if someone was punching and kicking something.
"Rock Punch!"
*SLAM*
"Wind Kick!"
*BAM*
"*growl*"
"What?! You still want more?! Then I'll give you more, you unwanted mutt! Hey-yah!"
"Woah! Holy Nep! That Fenrir over there is getting a huge beatdown over there!" Neptune yelled out as we witnessed something we really weren't expecting to see. A girl with blue hair tied into a ponytail, wearing a purple & white shirt/dress combo and what looked to be gold sandals. Beating on a monster that we were quite familiar with.
And the monster was losing. Hard.
"Fenrir? You mean that wild…dog thing over there?" Resta asked.
"It's a really powerful monster that uses its huge claws and sometimes fires a laser to attack." I explained. "Defeating one can be a huge pain sometimes."
"I see…well, that girl seems to be handling it just fine."
"No way…"
"You're kidding…how'd she get here?"
"Wait, you two know that girl?" IF asked Amitie and Jarne.
"Yeah, well…that's…"
"Iron Fist!"
*SLAM* *BAM*
"Exploding Knee!"
*POW* *POW* *POW* *POW* *POW* *POW* *POW*
"*whine*"
"W-Wow…she's really going hard on that thing." IF said.
"I feel sorry for Mister Monster…" Compa added.
"This is more brutal than Neptune murdering blob creatures."
"Can you just let that go already, Resta?" Neptune retorted.
We all watched as this girl continued to beat on the Fenrir like it was nothing. Not missing a single strike.
"Now…out of my sight! Queenly Dance!"
*POW*
"*painful whine getting fainter*"
"Damn…she just pelted that thing like nobody's business." Uzume said.
"It didn't look difficult for her at all." IF added. "She honestly made it look like a joke."
"I'm…actually jealous." I said. Remembering the last time I fought a Fenrir not ending well.
"Hmph! Know you place, you damn ugly mutt! Ohhohoho!"
"Rulue!" Amitie called out to the blue-haired girl.
"What the…Amitie? Jarne? What are YOU two doing here?"
"We could ask you the same thing, Rulue." Jarne said. "You murdering ugly mutant dog creatures in a different world isn't exactly normal of you."
…
"Well, actually…you murdering ANY type of creature is completely normal."
"D-Don't label me as a freaking psychopath!"
"Hey, Amitie. So, you actually do know this girl?" Neptune asked her.
"This is Rulue. She's from my world and is really good at martial arts. To the point where she's known as the Fighting Queen."
"Fighting Queen?" Compa asked.
"My fists rival to no other." The girl named Rulue said. "I deliver devastating blows to all who challenge me."
"Her cold gaze and voice make those who hear it tremble in fear. Her overbearing laughter echoes across the field."
"Yes…w-wait, who are you calling overbearing?!" Rulue then yelled at Jarne.
"What? I'm just reading how you were described in this game manual I found. It's honestly no different from how you are now."
"Game manual?"
"How are you already used to this "4th wall-breaking" thing?" Resta asked.
"It doesn't really bother me all that much. Since I'm already used to living so carefree."
"Huh…"
"Anyway, Rulue…" Amitie continued. "These are my two cousins. Neptune and Nepgear. And their friends IF, Compa, and Uzume."
"W-Wait, your cousins?" Rulue went silent for a bit. "Now that I think about it, I do remember Melody saying something about having nieces in a different world. But I thought she was spouting nonsense again so I tuned her out. Who would've thought she would be right…"
"After all the stuff Mom has gotten us into, this wasn't much of a surprise." Amitie said with an exasperated look.
Just what exactly has Melody been doing before we met her?
"So, where exactly is this place? And why am I here? Furthermore, why are you two here?"
"Well, you see, Rulue…"
*ONE EXPLANATION LATER…*
"…And that's pretty much the gist of it."
"*sigh* Another world, huh? At least that part sounds normal…"
"Uh…why exactly is that part normal?" I asked. But was ignored.
"…But seriously. Ridel's at it AGAIN?! Doesn't that girl EVER learn?!"
"Apparently not."
"And so, we were actually on our way to stop her, a girl named Kurome, and a woman named Arfoire from fusing the worlds together as a way to destroy them." IF said. "But then we ran into you fighting that monster."
"I see…" Rulue then went silent for a bit. Gaining an angrily puzzled look on her face in the process. "That last name…why does it sound familiar…?"
"Miss Rulue? Are you okay?" Compa asked.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine. But…do you mind if I tag along for a bit?"
"Huh? You actually want to help?" Amitie asked.
"I have my reasons. Mainly to get back home. But for some reason…I feel like me being here was completely intentional. Almost as if someone purposely brought me here. And I kinda have a feeling as to who it is…"
"Someone brought you here? But who would want you here in a completely different world?"
"Why don't you turn around and find out."
"Th-That voice…" I said after we heard someone talking to us.
"So…you all found your way here. I'm not surprised in the slightest."
"Arfoire!"
"Geez…THAT'S Arfoire?" Amitie asked. "You two weren't kidding when you described her as an old lady in very questionable clothing."
"I told you. Just as I detailed her." Resta said.
"Ugh. Just seeing it again is burning my eyes." Jarne said. "What mid-life crisis is she going through to dress like that in public?"
"A mind-shattering one, from the looks of it."
"Grr…YOU THREE SHUT UP!" Arfoire yelled at the trio. "I WILL NOT BE TREATED THIS WAY BY A BUNCH OF MERE CHILDREN!"
"Then freaking dress your age." The trio replied.
"Tch! Damn brats…"
"Guys…you're not making this any easier." I said to them with a sweatdrop.
"So, you're the one who decided to show up, huh? Where's the other me?" Uzume asked.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you that, child." Arfoire said. "And besides…you brats aren't the reason for my sudden appearance. For I'm here for…someone else."
"Someone else?" Most of us asked. The only one who didn't was…
"Hmph. So, it is you. My gut feeling was right, then."
"Hahahahaha! Long time no see, Rulue. Did you enjoy your trip?"
"Wh-What?!" The rest of us shouted in shock.
"M-Miss Rulue! You and Arfoire KNOW each other?!" I asked.
"Holy Nep! A plot-twist out of nowhere!" Neptune yelled.
"Yeah, we do. We go way back. But that part isn't important right now." Miss Rulue then turned back to Arfoire. "So, why'd you bring me here, Arfoire? Another one of your hexing spells?"
Hexing Spells?
"I'm surprised you remember such a thing. But unfortunately for you, that isn't the case. This time, Rulue, I will get my revenge on you. And on the others who made me what I am now. This time won't be like the last."
Revenge? On Miss Rulue? And others who made her what she is now? Does Arfoire seriously have a backstory nobody even knows about? If so, how does it relate to the Zodiac Stones and the fusing of the worlds?
…
Could this be bigger than any of us originally thought?
"So, you want to fight, huh?" Miss Rulue said as she flipped open a red fan. Making a simple *fwip* sound. "Well, then…I'll be glad to be your opponent. I'll give you an extensive reminder of why they call me the Fighting Queen! Ohhohohoho!"
"Is Rulue seriously going to fight her all on her own?" IF asked Amitie and Jarne.
"She's a good fighter. Probably the best in our world." Amitie said. "But since this is a different world, I kinda have my doubts."
"Rulue's high amount of confidence really got her into an interesting situation here." Jarne said.
"Hmph. Cocky as always, I see. Well, then I won't hold back either. Let's…"
"PUYO BATTLE!"
"P-Puyo battle?!" Amitie and Jarne yelled out in shock after Miss Rulue and Arfoire shouted the same phrase.
"Puyo battle?" And as the others were confused as to what was going on, I stood there in complete and utter excitement.
No…way! I'm actually going to see a Puyo battle live and in action! I gotta take notes!
Amitie's POV
As the two began playing the infamous game that sometimes gets us into trouble, my mind was currently rapid-firing a bunch of questions at once.
Wh-What the hell?! What is happening right now?! Why are there puyos falling into this world?! Why is there a Puyo battle happening in this world right now?! How does that Arfoire lady know how to play?! How do she and Rulue even KNOW each other?! I'M SO FREAKING CONFUSED RIGHT NOW!
"Uh…hey, Amitie. How exactly is a Puyo battle happening right now?" Jarne asked me.
"I-I don't know. I'm just as confused as you are. I didn't think Puyo battles would work in this dimension."
"Rock Punch!"
"Dark Magic!"
"Wind Kick!"
"Double Strike!"
We continued watching the two with their sudden Puyo match. Both were easily making chains and conducting attacks like it was nothing to either of them.
"I see…well, I gotta admit. The old hag's pretty good at it." Jarne said.
"Yeah, no kidding…" I gained a sweatdrop.
"Uh…hey, Amitie." Resta said to me. "What exactly is going on right now? I'm so confused."
"Well, you see this is…"
"It's Puyo Puyo!"
"What?" We then looked at Nepgear, who oddly had a notebook filled with notes in her possession.
"The game in which you connect four of the same color to clear them…and go for the biggest chain. The game in which popping rainbow jellies can give you magical powers…and use it to attack your opponent. Sending Garbage Puyo onto their board. Filling it up to the point where they crumble over in defeat! And I'm seeing it all first-hand and in-person! I'm finally witnessing the game of my dreams! *giggle*"
"Uh…Ge-Ge. You're starting to look really scary." Compa said with a sweatdrop.
"Puyo Puyo, huh?" Resta asked as she went back to looking at the match. Both were still going at it.
"Hey-yah!"
"Take that!"
"Rock Punch!"
"Wind Kick!"
"Iron Fist!"
"Exploding Knee!"
"Queenly Dance!"
*BOOM*
"Damnit!"
The only difference now is that Rulue was winning.
"Come to think of it, those things do look familiar?"
"You've seen one before, Resta?" I asked.
"I ran into one when I first arrived in Primp. It kept saying "Puyopuyo~" before running away from me. And that's how I found the place."
"I see."
"So, out of curiosity, Resta, what color was it? The Puyo, I mean?" Nepgear asked.
"Color? Uh…I think it was green. Its eyes were so neutral that it looked like it had no emotion at all."
"Oh. So, it was a green one." Nepgear looked defeated. "I was hoping for it to be a purple one. The way how it's always annoyed really intrigues me."
"Nepgear, you're taking this game just the tiniest bit too seriously…" I gained a sweatdrop.
*BOOM*
"N-No…I-I've been…defeated?!"
"Holy Nep! Rulue totally NAILED on Arbore!" Neptune yelled as she, IF, and Uzume were the only ones fully paying attention to the match. Completely amazed that Rulue won against this Arfoire woman in a game they've never heard about.
"Those moves were so precise…amazingly graceful and didn't miss a single shot." IF said.
"Who would've thought that a bunch of rainbow blobs would take down that purple pop-up hag as well as a regular fight…I'm truly blown away." Uzume added.
"Ohhohohoho! Did you enjoy my technique, Arfoire? Brought back memories, didn't it?" Rulue gloated as she looked down at the defeated Arfoire.
"Tch! Damnit…I freaking lost. That's what I get for not playing that game in years…"
…
"…But in the end, it didn't matter if I won or not. I got what I wanted."
"Got what you wanted?" IF asked.
"What are you talking about, you nut?" Rulue asked. Looking unamused as usual.
"Take a look." Arfoire said as she took out a lilac trigonal stone with a black symbol on it resembling two curves with a line going across them. "While we were battling, Rulue, this gem here was analyzing your fighting style. Making an exact copy for me to use. Hahahahahaha!"
"Copy MY fighting style?! Oh, hell no! That's something I won't let you get away with, you petty little…"
"So, are you finished now?"
Suddenly, walking up to Arfoire, was a girl with pink hair being covered up by a black hoodie. Her mouth and two bangs were the only things visible.
…
W-Wait a minute…
"Yes. I got what I wanted. Thank you so much for letting me borrow that stone of yours."
"If it is to exact revenge on those who ruin you, then I cannot resist lending a hand." The girl said. And in such an emotionless tone, too.
"H-Hey, guys…isn't that her?" I asked. "The girl we've been looking for whose been filming Neptune going crazy?"
"Holy Nep! It is her!" Neptune yelled out. And it was easy to tell that she was getting angry again. "Finally…I'm been looking all over this damn nation for the likes of you! I'm gonna rip that goddamn hoodie off of you…AND SHOVE IT DOWN YOUR ****ING THROAT! GRAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"N-Neptune!"
"O-Oh, no! Not again!" Nepgear and Compa yelled out in total fear.
"I'LL ****ING KILL YOU BOTH FOR SCREWING WITH ME! BURN IN ****ING HELL!" Neptune then started rushing over to the duo with full force and maxed-out rage. Her mind completely filled with insanity as her lust for revenge and murder destroyed her sense of reasoning.
"Ascella!"
"But then…"
"Alrescha."
*SWIPE*
*BOOM*
"*bl-bleck* G-Gah…"
"Neptune!" We shouted in horror as we saw Neptune being pierced through her stomach and slammed to the ground hard by a giant demonic-looking pink hand that formed from the gem. Blood pouring out of her body as she even started puking some of it.
"Do not waste your breath, child." The girl said as she was holding the gem in her hand while glowing a pink aura. "Your meaningless pathetic life will not last that long for you to rebel. Especially with your weak control over the Sagittarius Topaz's power."
Sagittarius Topaz…that's one of the Zodiac Stones Resta mentioned! How does this girl know what it is?!
"Hey, Gearsy! Let's hurry and get Nepsy!"
"Right, Uzume!"
Then out from the corner of my eye, I saw both Nepgear and Uzume glow and get absorbed into a bright white light. And after a few seconds…
"Transformation Complete! Purple Sister has arrived!"
"Orange Heart! Spiral Dream~!"
…Let's just say they weren't recognizable anymore.
"What…the…hell…" Jarne, Rulue, and Resta all said in disbelief. And I honestly don't blame them.
Nepgear's hair became longer and pink with a white & blue hair clip to replace the D-pad hair clip she had before. Her eyes changed from purple to blue and her clothes changed to a white skintight bodysuit with light purple designs and light purple N's on the backhand part of her gloves. Along with matching thigh-high boots.
Uzume, on the other hand, went through the most change. Her hair grew in length and turned from red low pigtails to light orange regular pigtails on top of her head held by large loops of hair. Her eyes changed from orange to blue. And she's now wearing a white one-piece with orange bottoms and silver and black accents with a section of blue fabric in the middle of it. Alongside white opera gloves with squared bracelets and armor, puffy boots with an orange platform sole, and a brimmed hat with pieces reminiscent of animal ears.
Also, her personality changed. By a lot.
So, this is what they meant by "CPUs", huh? It's…honestly pretty wicked.
"Okay, Gearsy~!" Uzume(?) said. "I'll take on these two baddies while you try to get Nepsy back~!"
"Okay! Let's go! Mirage Dance!"
"Dream Roar~!"
Both then started charging towards the due in front of us ready to strike and save Neptune.
"Fumalsamakah."
*BOOM*
"G-Gah…"
"G-Gah~…"
But the girl deflected both attacks with another one of her own from the gem. With the same pink demonic-like hand appearing from it.
"Delta Piscium."
*SWIPE*
*PIERCE*
"Epsilon Piscium."
*SWIPE*
*PIERCE*
"Van Maanen's Star."
*BOOM*
"*tearful screams of pain*"
The whole area was filled with smoke for a good while. But when it cleared up, we saw both girls lying on the ground. Back to their normal-looking selves and looking just as injured as Neptune right now. Their blood pouring from their cut bodies.
"Ge-Ge! Uzume!" Compa yelled in a panic.
"Why must you fight?" The girl said. "You're all going to die and be erased from existence. Do you really wish for your last moments alive to be filled with everlasting pain and suffering?"
"Damn…what the hell's wrong with you, you psycho chick?!" IF yelled.
"Psycho chick? Wanting revenge makes you psycho? Wanting to avenge your fallen people…who have succumbed to their unavoidable demise filled with torment and despair…losing all they had worked for as they lie in a pool of their own blood, sweat, and tears…THAT makes me a psycho?"
The hand appeared once again and grabbed IF. Sending her up into the air before slamming her back onto the ground. Her quiet moans signaling that she was in pain.
"If doing all of that makes me a psycho…if your only wish being to right the wrong that's been done to you and your livelihood…to get even with the people who have destroyed and ended your life…if doing all of that makes me a psychotic little bitch…"
The girl, still in a mellow fit of rage, then removed the hood from her head. Revealing her full set of light-pink hair with the two bangs in the front and a long ponytail in the back. And there were three red dots on her forehead. Looking like a triangle if you traced them together.
"…then I shall become that psychotic little bitch! AND MURDER EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU!"
"IFFY!" Compa screamed as she tried to rush out to save her friend. But Rulue grabbed her at the last second and held her tight.
"Don't, you fool! You'll be next!"
"B-But Iffy…a-and everyone else…"
"Hahahahahaha! Don't you get it, you airheaded brat?! This is your demise!" Arfoire said. "You and those infuriating CPUs will all succumb to the destruction of this pitiful world! And vengeance will be ours for all eternity! Hahahahahaha!"
"IFFY! GE-GE! UZUME!"
While Compa was crying her eyes out in fear and sadness for her bleeding friends, I stood there in horror as I watched first-hand of how this simple yet confusing sudden Puyo Battle turned into a situation in which my cousins and their friends were bleeding profusely and basically dying.
I was so freaking scared…traumatized, even. To the point where my whole body was shaking and I was trying really hard not to wet myself. The sheer bloodbath this one girl made on so many people was something I've never seen before. Her lust for revenge and murder is on a whole different scale. Possibly bigger than Ridel's.
But just who the hell is this girl?! Who is she trying to get revenge on?! And without a doubt in my mind…how the hell does she have a Zodiac Stone?!
"*demented giggle* I'LL SEE YOU IN HELL, YOU LOLITA PIECE OF…"
"Dschubba!"
*BOOM*
"*cough* *cough* N-Now what?" The girl said as her finishing attack that most likely would've killed IF was stopped at the last second.
"I…I finally get it. I finally remember who you are."
"Resta?" I asked silently as those of us still standing turned to look at her.
"At first, I couldn't remember. Basing on the poor description that talking rat gave us."
Resta then started walking forward towards the girl in question.
But then Jarne told me about you having a lilac trigonal stone with a black symbol on it resembling two curves with a line going across them. Then you started rambling about how you seek revenge. For the people who had fallen and for your early demise. By then, the memory of you was slowly coming back to me.
But what really made it click for me…were those attack spells.
Alrescha…
Fumalsamakah…
Delta Piscium…
Epsilon Piscium…
Van Maanen's Star…
There's only ONE person I know who uses those spells…Revati. The Pisces Princess."
"Th-The…Pisces Princess?!" Jarne, Compa, and I yelled in complete shock.
"Hmph…Resta. The Scorpio Princess. How nice of you to show up…to your FINAL GRAVE!" Was all the girl named Revati replied with as she started glowing a dark pink aura filled with insanity.
Get really real…things just got a whole lot more complicated.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Note: What started out as the sudden appearance of Rulue ended up revealing the true identity of the hooded girl. The Pisces Princess, Revati.
I'm SO DEEPLY SORRY for this story not being updated in over a month at this point. With this being only one of 7 active stories and work taking up most of my time (well, not exactly most. The recovery process from working takes a while), I've been lagging behind in updating. And it'll probably be like this from now on. Depending on my work schedule.
But on the bright side, I managed to get this out before Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 comes out tomorrow. I can't wait to dig myself into that game. So worth the wait.
Thanks for reading. Later.