Chapter 37 – Genuine Gemini
Uni's POV
It was just me again today. Lately, it's been a habit to wake up earlier than the others and walk around on my own. At first, it was simply because I just wanted to be alone. Still physically and mentally healing from what's happened these past few days. But now…I see it as a way to give myself some sort of peace. Something to keep me motivated as I do my part in saving not only Lastation but 3 entirely different worlds.
This is definitely my chance to become stronger!
"Brr…As much as I like coming out here in the early mornings, it's kinda chilly. What season is it in this world? Late winter? Early spring? Either way, I feel kinda exposed with this outfit…"
This outfit in question was another one I got from that Oshare guy after the first one got torn up from me fighting monsters that showed up during my morning walks. It's…definitely different from the clothes that I usually wear.
From what Oshare told me, it fits with the kind of person who's a professional thief. But I'm not really sure what kind of thief wears a skimpy-as-hell bikini top and exposes about 90% of her upper body. I truly stand out in this outfit.
…
But…I can't really complain. With the last of my clothes destroyed and the only saving grace was my underwear, I'll take any piece of clothing at this point.
…
Even if it looks "psychedelic". Pretty sure that's not even a compliment…
"*sigh* Anyway…enough questioning this outfit style." I said before looking at the Crystal Shard still around my neck. "I need to figure out why this thing hasn't been working for me. It's worked for Noire and Neptune…meanwhile, it's been nothing more than a fashion accessory for me. What freaking gives?!"
I then calmed down a bit while still staring at the shard. Albeit, in a somewhat more upset mood than before.
Even though I'm a little more clear-minded thanks to these walks…the guilt of letting what happened happen still haunts me mentally. All of those people…losing their lives because I wasn't strong enough to protect them. I know I'm only a CPU Candidate, but…but…
…
…BUT KEEPING EVERYONE SAFE SHOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TOO, DAMNIT! WHY IS IT THAT I CAN'T DO THAT ONE THING RIGHT?!
…
…
…
"*sigh* I need to stop. It's too early in the morning to be self-hating myself…"
I then looked at the Crystal Shard again. This time in a more serious mood than the previous times.
"My main goal…is to become stronger. I'm going to get Lemres to fully explain the secrets of this thing. And NOTHING'S going to stop me."
"H-Help!"
…
"W-Well, okay…maybe that." I said before rushing over to where the cry for help came from.
I ended up running all the way to a nearby field before finally seeing where the yelling came from.
"H-Help! S-Somebody help me!"
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
It was a girl…with a mix of light blue and light green hair, turquoise and orange-colored heterochromia eyes, and a purple dress that had a Roman look to it…cowering in fear as she was being attacked by a monster.
And this monster was…
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
"H-Holy crap…th-that's a Shiva! Even a monster like THAT got warped here?! With its size, it'll definitely destroy all of Primp!"
"A-Alhena!"
*BOOM*
"M-Mebsuta!"
*BOOM*
"P-Propus!"
*BOOM*
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
"*terrified scream* Nothing's working!"
I don't blame her for freaking out. That thing's one of the STRONGEST monsters alive! Defeating it is nearly impossible!
…
But…if I manage to do it…not only will I get stronger but I'll also save a civilian from danger! Something I've regretted not doing back in Lastation!
…
…
…
Alright. I'm doing it. Here I go!
With that thought in mind, I went up to the Shiva's tail, grabbed it with both hands, and prepared to pull on it with all my might.
Come on, Crystal Shard…PLEASE! Please start working for me!
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
"terrified shriek* Somebody help me! I don't wanna die~!"
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
"Ippon Seoinage!"
*BOOM*
"RAAAWWWggghh…!"
Before the Shiva could attack the girl, I yanked on its tail and managed to flip its entire body over me. Making it land on its back on the other side of the street.
"*pant* *pant* W-Woah…" I barely mumbled. Shocked at what I just did.
I then noticed the bright light emulating from me. And saw that the Crystal Shard around my neck was glowing brightly.
N-No way…it's working?! I-It's actually working?!
"*pant* H-Hey…*clears throat* a-are you okay?" I asked the girl as I helped her up.
"Um…yeah. I-I'm fine. Thank you for saving me. I'm so glad there are still natives of this world willing to rescue others in need."
"Oh, um…you're welcome. But I'm not really from this world. I've been warped here from my own. My name's Uni, by the way."
"Uni…so, you're from a different world? So am I! I was warped here through unknown means and have been wandering around looking for help. And that's when I was encountered by that monster."
"I see…so, it was just bad timing. Well, at least you're safe now."
"Yes. Thank you once more, Uni." The girl said with a bow.
"I-It's fine, really. No need to thank me THAT hard."
"R…Raaawwwggghh…"
"Crap! It's getting back up!" I yelled in a panic as we witnessed the Shiva getting up.
(WHO DARES INTERFERE WITH MY KILL?!)
"I-It can talk?!" The girl yelled in shock.
"No…it's just using telepathy. A lot of high-leveled monsters can do that in my world."
"H-High-leveled?"
(YOU! YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A LITTLE CHILD! HOW DARE YOU GET IN MY WAY?!)
"I should be asking you a similar question! Using the fused worlds as an opportunity to attack random innocent people! Damn lowlife of a monster!"
(GRRR…SUCH COCKINESS INFURIATES ME! YOU HUMANS ARE TOO IGNORANT AND STUPID FOR YOUR OWN GOOD!)
"Well, I've you know…I'm not an ordinary human! I am the CPU Candidate of Lastation! And I'm going to take you down right here right now!"
"W-Wait, you're…what?" The girl asked me in a confused tone.
(A CPU, YOU SAY? THEN YOUR DEMISE WILL BE 10X GREATER THAN THAT OF A MERE HUMAN! PREPARE FOR YOU PERMANENT GAME OVER!)
"Game over? Wh-What is it talking about?"
"I-It's a technical term…" I replied with a sweatdrop. "…I'll explain it once I get rid of this self-centered Rathalos knockoff."
"Wh-Who the hell is Rathalos?!"
(HMPH! COCKY CPU! I SHALL CRUSH YOU WHERE YOU STAND!)
"Bring it, bitch! Haaaaaaaaa!" I then charged at the monster with all my might. Ready to kick its ass.
…
But…that was when the Crystal Shard stopped glowing. And my attack did absolutely nothing to it.
…
…
…
Well, crap…
(HAHAHAHA! FOOLISH LITTLE GIRL! TIME TO DIE!)
"Run for it!"
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
I grabbed the girl's arm and pulled her with me as we both ran from the Shiva's massive fire breath. Trying to stay afoot due to it shaking the floor with every step it took.
"Wh-What the hell?!" The girl yelled at me. "I thought you were going to take that monster down!"
"I'm sorry! I really thought I could! I thought this Crystal Shard was finally giving me power! But…B-But it was just screwing with me, I bet!"
"Cr-Crystal Shard?!" The girl mumbled to herself. "Uni! Follow me into that alleyway!"
"H-Huh?! Wh-What are you…h-hey! Wait!"
The girl pulled me deep into the alleyway to where the Shiva couldn't reach us no matter how much it tried. From there, we hid behind a nearby dumpster. Catching our breath from all the running.
"D-Did we lose it?"
"Y-Yeah…f-for now." I said. "I-It'll definitely keep looking for us, though."
"*sigh* I see. So we don't have much time left."
"Huh? Time for what?"
"Uni…you said that you have a Crystal Shard, correct? How did you get one in your possession?"
"W-Well…" I began thinking of what events led me to grabbing this thing. "…after my home was destroyed due to the worlds fusing, my original CPU powers were no longer accessible. So, a friend from this world let me and my older sister borrow a Crystal Shard each until we got them back. And so far, it's worked for my sister. Not so much for me, though."
"Interesting…Uni, may I take a look at the Crystal Shard?"
"Uh…sure, I guess." I took the necklace off and gave it to the girl. She eyed the shard very closely. Her bi-colored eyes glowed brightly into the shard's shine.
"Woah…in all my years of watching over these worlds, never did I think I would ever see a Crystal Shard with my very own eyes. This is truly a milestone…"
"W-Wait…"watching over these worlds"? Are you…some kind of God?"
"Well, I wouldn't say "God", but…"
*RUMBLE*
(WHERE ARE YOU DAMN RUNTS?! COME OUT AND ACCEPT YOUR DEATHS! RAAAWWWGGGHH!)
*RUMBLE*
*RUMBLE*
*RUMBLE*
"Crap! That thing's gonna destroy the whole town looking for us!" I whispered in total fear.
"Okay. To make a long story short…my name is Pollux. I am what's known as the Gemini Princess. And I'm responsible for guarding a special gem known as the Gemini Moonstone."
"Gemini…wait…are you…a Zodiac Princess?"
"You know who we are?"
"Y-Yeah, I know two of them. Resta and Sagey. They're in this world, too."
"Resta and Sagey?! Wow…to think the Positive Zodiac Princesses would get involved in this. The situation must be more dire than I originally believed…"
Positive? I think…yeah…I remember Feli talking about this earlier. Something about Positives being active and Negatives being…revived?
…
Is that where Pollux came from?
*RUMBLE*
*RUMBLE*
*RUMBLE*
*BOOM*
(I'VE FOUND YOU!) By this point, the Shiva had destroyed the roofs of the nearby buildings just to expose our hiding spot.
"H-Hey, Pollux! I know you like the Crystal Shard and all…b-but I kinda need it back now!"
"Damn! If only we had more time…"
"MORE time?! How?! With a freaking miracle?!"
"RAAAWWWGGGHH!"
*KREEEEENG*
"GAAA…aaaahhhh…!"
"Wh-What the hell was that?!" I yelled after we witnessed a bright pink projectile pieced through the Shiva's body like it was nothing. Making a single loop in the air before landing up ahead.
When we exited the alleyway to see what the thing was…it was more so a "who" than a "what".
And I happened to know who this person was.
(GRAAA…WH-WHAT IN THE HELL…)
"*giggle* Wow…just my luck~. I finally get the chance to see Primp Town with my very own eyes~…and the first thing to come into view is a freaking Shiva~. Sucking the lifeforce out of you is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience~. *creepy giggle*"
"R…Ram?!" I yelled in total shock.
"Huh?! Uni?! No way! You ended up here, too?!"
"Yeah, I did…b-but never mind that! Ram, what the HELL happened to you?!"
"Oh, you mean this~?" Ram then did a single twirl while giggling to herself. Grabbing onto her demon-like tail at the end. "Take a good look, Uni! For now I'm White Sister the Parasite CPU! *giggle*"
"P-Parasite?!"
Wh-What the hell does she mean by THAT?!
(GRRR…ANOTHER CPU?!) The Shiva raged once it gained a full view of Ram and her…new form (I-I guess?). (WHERE DID YOU EVEN COME FROM, RUNT?!)
"Doesn't matter where I came from!" Ram yelled. "All that matters is that YOU'RE my next meal!"
"N-Next meal?!" Pollux and I questioned that last part hard.
(YOU DARE TALK TO ME IN SUCH A MANNER?! I SHALL MAKE YOU REGRET THAT WITH YOUR LIFE, CPU!)
"Just go ahead and try! Your lifeforce will be in my stomach in 10 seconds flat!"
"W-Wait, is she really going to EAT this thing?!" Pollux asked in disbelief.
"I…don't know." I replied. Not really comprehending what's coming out of this girl's mouth.
Ram's known for spitting out vulgar nonsense but not like THIS…
(COCKY BRAT! BURN WHERE YOU STAND! RAAAWWWGGGHH!)
"*creepy giggle* This is gonna be fun~! Ice Hammer!" Ram then brought out an icicle hammer to counter the Shiva's flame breath. The two elements collided for a while…but Ram was clearly winning. The fire breath was getting shorter and shorter…until it was eventually reflected right back at the monster.
…
*BONK*
"GAAA…aaaahhhh…!"
With the added bonus of Ram throwing the hammer at it.
She really does take up from Blanc…
With the Shiva distracted from both the hammer injury and the fact that it was basically on fire, Ram flew to the monster's back, raised up her…tail(?)…
And then…
"*creepy giggle* You're mine now, bitch~! Siphon Skewer!"
*KREEEEENG*
"RAAAWWWggghh..."
…The two of us watched in horror as Ram jabbed her tail right into the Shiva's back. And, from what it looked like, began extracting whatever it was that was keeping the thing alive. I say this because it slowly closed its eyes and fell to the ground. No longer moving after a few seconds.
…
…
…
"Wh-What…the…hell…?" Was all I could say after witnessing such an event.
"U-Uni…i-is this type of thing normal where you're from?" Pollux asked. Also in disbelief of what she saw.
"N-No, Pollux. It's definitely not."
"Mmm~…so good~!" Ram cheered to herself before a bright pink pillar of light formed around her and changed her into her normal human form. "*giggle* Alright! I just sucked the lifeforce of a Shiva! I can't wait to brag to Rom about this!"
"Please don't. You'll scar her for life." I said.
"But she already knows about my new form. So, it's fine."
"I see…" I gained a huge sweatdrop.
So, she's already mentally scarred…
"S-So, uh…who is this girl?" Pollux asked.
"Oh, right…well, this is Ram. She's from the same world as me and…we're both CPU Candidates."
"CPU Candidates? Is that what her other look was?"
"W-Well…we do transform. But not like THAT." I then turned to Ram. "What WAS that other form you took on, anyway?"
"I told you, Uni…I'm a parasite now. And I got wings and a badass tail to boot! Woo!"
"Right…" I gained another sweatdrop. "…A-And just how did you become a…"parasite"?"
"Well…my soul was near shattered from fighting this girl who played a role into all of this nightmare-shit happening right now. And so, a girl I know named Nasos fixed it using a Crystal Shard. And a side-effect to it was that it made me into a parasite. Though, I'm not complaining. The ability to steal the lifeforce of monsters and make them suffer is the BEST THING EVER~! *creepy giggle*"
"Uh…" And I had no idea how to respond to that last part.
Is Blanc REALLY okay with this?
"W-Wait a second…did you say a girl named Nasos?" Pollux asked.
"Yeah, you know her?"
"I see…so, Lady Nasos is aware of what's going on. That's a bit of a relief…"
"Lady Nasos? Wait, are you a Zodiac Princess?"
"You know about them?" I asked.
"Nasos explained it. I also know two others named Neva and Raum."
"Neva and Raum, too?!" Pollux asked in total shock. "Wh-Where did you last see them?!"
"Ah, well…that's the thing. We were trying to escape from the world as it was tearing apart. And the portal we went through must've scattered us randomly. I was lucky enough to end up here and run into you two fighting that Shiva."
"I see…" I said. "…So, the situation was just as bad on your end."
"W-Wait, "tearing apart"? What exactly is going on?" Pollux asked.
"Ah…well, Pollux…you see the thing is…" And as I was about to explain this whole mess that three separate worlds are involved in…
*RINGTONE CHIME*
"Hello?"
"Uni, where are you? Are you safe?"
"O-Oh, Noire! Yeah, I'm safe. In fact…I'm with Ram right now."
"Ram?!"
"Hey, Noire!" Ram cheered from behind me. "Looking very tsundere-ish as usual!"
"Th-The hell does that even…*sigh* whatever. I'm just glad you're safe, too."
"So, what's up?" I asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Ah, right. We've gotten some new leads on where we can find the group responsible for what's happened. Akuma and Histoire are holding a meeting about it. Blanc's here too, by the way."
"Blanc, too? So, it sounds like everyone from that portal Ram mentioned did get scattered. Anyway…we'll be right over."
"Just be careful, Uni. There are still monsters coming from Gamindustri and you're not exactly well-equipped to fight them."
Didn't have to remind me, Norie…
"Y-Yeah…I know." I then hung up the phone before my depressed anger got the better of me. "S-So, anyway…we can go the the library to find out more information. You'll better understand what going on there, Pollux."
"I see. Well…thank you ever so much for your assistance, Uni. Oh…and here's your Crystal Shard back."
"Oh, yeah…THIS thing." My depressed mood grew even more.
"Woah…you have a Crystal Shard too, Uni?!" Ram asked in excitement. "What's it been doing for you?!"
I didn't answer her and continued to stare at the shard in a mild rage-filled mood.
Taunting me at every chance it gets!
Author's Note: Just when Uni believes that the Crystal Shard is finally working for her…it gives out on her mid-battle. And even with Pollux the Gemini Princess AND Ram having some knowledge about them, she still questions why she even has the damn thing.
So, here's a notice for all FanFiction readers: The site is broken…again. The issue this time is that I am unable to track ANY views from ANY of my stories. Reviews, Favorites, Followers, and PMs seem to not work, either. So, really…there is no way for me to know if you guys are reading my stories.
And it's been like this for over A MONTH, it seems. I found other users upset about the same issues.
So, until these issues get fixed (which I don't think it'll happen anytime soon), updates on FanFiction will be put on hold. And I'll be posting and/or updating stories on AO3 or other sites I come across. I'll keep checking if and when they fix everything. But for now…this is how things are going to be.
Thanks for reading. Later.