Disclaimer: I do not own Hyperdimension Neptunia, or any other references made.
Chapter Ten part 3: Conflict
Vert drove toward the tower of S-city—her blue eyes on the lookout for trouble on the path before her.
Radeon woke up with its master, groggy, but ready as it will be. They were not sure where to go. Only the tower seemed to be their best bet.
Vert frowned; this was making her anxious. Taking on S-Sha like this, she wasn't sure of it. Sure, she did not think of being a ruler, given it would cut her gaming. But she felt the weight of it.
She is responsible for everyone. She did have a job before being attacked. It was needed and it wasn't bad, giving a sense of daily life. Work and find time to play her games. Care for herself.
Vert groaned at how Chika got after her on keeping house. She could have done a better job, okay, maybe more. Still, she growled, and her eyes turned purple.
Her ATV revved; it sensed it also. The ruler is going somewhere.
Vert looked in that direction. It was near the tower. "Could Chika be at the tower?"
She was going to search for it, but for her to be there. Vert pushed toward the place; Chika talked about the place.
It was as a command center as Cyan Heart seemed tactical in her way of doing things, almost borderline OCD but wasn't.
The former goddess was militaristic in ways. Not as a dictator, from what Chika said. As there is a military force in S-city. It wasn't overbearing is all.
"Off to battle," Vert replied, looking at the place where she sensed S-Sha.
Her ATV rushed to the spot, primed for the fight ahead. She spotted the tower, a soft green.
It helped to blend in the green around the city, oddly, why didn't S-Sha change it? She could have, then again, many wanted to keep the goddesses' homes as were. In case they came back, S-Sha didn't seem to care about it.
From what Chika has said about the ruler. She did the minimum on the ruling. But that could have changed.
As the hunt for Vert was increased with locking up Chika. Vert also had a feeling more could've changed it because the others did seem to face the other rulers.
Which could mean they are fighting each other. Making the situation tense, even she had a part to play in that. Showing herself transformed before the masses. That alone would affect things in this city.
"This won't be easy," Vert replied, gripping the handlebars of her ATV.
Radeon gave its reply. It will stand by her, ready for any outcome. Still, I was curious about the other two T-vehicles. While it knows any number could exist at any given time, as long as they have a goddess bound to it.
It wondered if there was anything between that kart and motorcycle. As they did seem antsy, or it could be they are completive. A T-vehicle does have its quirks, itself included, as it prefers to 'rest up' for battles.
Vert gave her T-vehicle a look. "You could have talked to them, if you were that curious, Radeon."
The ATV snorted as it wasn't that curious and wanted to sleep.
Vert shook her head, knowing how her ATV was. Still.
"Please try to be careful, Radeon," Vert muttered softly. "I … don't want to lose you. This could raise a death flag for you. Sure, you annoy me at times, but." She didn't know what else to say.
She got a soft reply. It did stay by her side, because of its duty to serve her. That didn't mean it hadn't gotten used to her.
As there are times Vert checked up on the T-vehicle, showing she had a soft spot for it.
Vert smiled, still unsure of what to think of having such a thing. She could have abandoned Radeon when this whole goddess business started. But she could not find it in her to do it. On some level, she wanted to keep her T-vehicle and protect it as it did her.
A companion in one sense. She could have asked about it with the others, but. She shook her head.
"It seems so long ago; I was enjoying such simple things. No concerns about being a goddess, just a nice life. I cannot say if that was a blessing or a curse," Vert said, her eyes seeing they were close to the tower.
"Stage starts." Vert frowned rushing to where S-Sha was with Chika hopefully alive.
Chika frowned still in her cell. Not alone with a few guards keeping watch.
But she noticed a change. A box was placed near the wall. It just got here, from the muttering, S-Sha ordered it there.
What is it? Chika thought looking at it. She had not seen it before but felt it was important.
As there is no reason for that thing to be here. Unless it was used in torture, but it is too small. Along with being connected to a large amount of power on the wall.
Footsteps came from the entrance, and Chika growled at seeing S-Sha walking in.
While she didn't have her yellow eyes, a shiver was going down her spine. Something has changed in the ruler from the way she carried herself.
Along with a few people in full-body armor behind her.
One behind them was a tall man in green armor. His helmet covered his face behind a yellow visor.
They stopped near Chika.
"Hello, S-Sha," Chika greeted with a snarl. "I didn't think you needed the Spartan Corps for me."
The Spartans are the most elite military force in S-city. Only a few members, but the most experienced and armed.
They were formed by Cyan Heart years ago. And used in the most demanding of missions, as the other cities had their own.
S-Sha narrowed her eyes. "They are my backup."
Chika frowned, getting an idea as to why. "You are expecting her, aren't you."
S-Sha pointed at the supervisor. "She could care enough for you. Either way, we're starting over. No thanks to you."
Chika frowned but looked at the Spartan in green, the head officer of the corps. "Are you okay with this, Master Chief?"
The green Spartan looked at her. "I have my orders, Chika."
Chika clicked her tongue. She knows how the military is, they do have strict rules. Expect to follow orders, but.
"You may not understand, but." Chika took a deep breath. "The rulers aren't to be trusted, not only are they following Orange Heart's orders. They took — "
"Quiet!" S-Sha interrupted Chika. "No one will believe you. As they don't know who Orange Heart is."
Chika clenched her teeth. That could be true, but.
Master Chief looked at S-Sha. He knows who Chika is talking about. He was twenty at the time when Cyan Heart ruled, knows the past goddesses. As with the Madness.
S-Sha glared at him, trying to keep her eyes from changing color. "You have something to say?"
Master Chief nearly spoke but heard a roar, along with a commotion. While cars were driving by, that sounded more than that. Also, isn't it too close to them?
He looked at where that could be, no one should be there at the empty spot.
(Listen to Halo Combat Evolved OST #8 The Gun Pointed at the Head of The Universe)
It went to hell. Dozens of bullets blasted against the wall. Destroying the wall.
Chika ducked while protecting her head. Pieces of the wall flew, and everyone ducked with hands on weapons.
The bullets stopped, and then a yell. The wall burst open to reveal a woman.
Chika shook the debris off. She looked to see the person walking in with an ATV. Her eyes widened at seeing her.
The ATV had revved. The woman looked at it with a throbbing brow.
"I thought this was the best way in, Radeon," she replied. "You didn't have any suggestions."
"Vert … I mean," Chika stammered in shock at seeing the blond transformed as this.
Green Heart looked at Chika. "Correct, it is me Chika. I guess you could call me Green Heart." She giggled nervously.
Chika looked dumbfounded at this site. Not only did the goddess she protected show up, but she also had to make an entrance.
A growl was heard close.
Green Heart frowned, and her spear appeared. "Looks as if she isn't happy."
"Yes!" S-Sha growled, standing with dust on her clothes. Her eyes glowed yellow.
The others shook the cobwebs and gasped at seeing the idiot who busted in. Shocked and confused at seeing her. Wearing a skin suit and holding a spear.
Master Chief looked at Green Heart and tensed when memories of Cyan Heart came to mind. This person isn't Cyan as there is a difference. But she looks to be a real goddess.
Green Heart griped her spear at sensing S-Sha's taint. "You took in the wrong stuff."
S-Sha frowned while watching her. "What do you know?"
Slowly, the goddess steps closer, watching for any attack. Radeon moved to support its goddess. Best as it could be since this place has hardly any space.
The guards were tense at seeing the ATV move without a driver, plus, it had sub-machine guns on it. It used to blast the wall. They had to be a high caliber.
S-Sha smirked. "Think you're smart by coming here."
Green Heart narrowed her eyes. She got into a ready stance. "I'm here for Chika. I would appreciate it if you kept your position and left me alone. But" she paused. "I get the feeling you won't do that."
Chika shallowed, given how tense it is. She gasped, looking at the strange box. It clicked.
"Green Heart," Chika shouted, gripping the bars. "You need to get out here. S-Sha has something up her sleeve."
Green Heart tensed at the warning. Her chariot was primed to help as it could.
"I was saving it, but what the heck." S-Sha pressed a button on a device she secretly pulled out.
A hum filled the air, and then the lights dimmed.
"What?" Master Chief questioned as static appeared on his instruments. As if a field was messing with it, his head snapped to the box.
Seeing it and hearing that hum. That box must have a purpose in doing this.
Everyone heard a grunt from Green Heart. They looked to see her using the spear to prop herself to stay standing.
Radeon gave a weak putter; it felt the affection of its master. It also is weakened.
She glared at the ruler with a hard breath. "You had to weaken me."
S-Sha gave an evil grin. "To even the odds. As you could be stronger than me." She pulled out a Dai.
Green Heart growled; she should have known better. Bosses always have something up their sleeves.
Chika shivered, this clicking in her mind. "She made a weapon that could be used against goddesses." She gasped in horror. "That thing wanted this to be used on Orange Heart."
Master Chief stood by Chika. Causing the woman to look at him. The others looked lost on what course to take on the intruder.
This woman wasn't normal.
"You have to help her," Chika pleaded to him. "I know your orders, but if Green Heart dies, our crystal will break."
The Spartan rolled his shoulders, making a choice.
"Ruler S-Sha," he called out.
S-Sha's head snapped to glare at him. "What is it now? I have a thorn to remove."
"You have to know the consequences of this, it is getting out of hand," Master Chief replied firmly. "I ask you to rethink things."
S-Sha clenched her jaw but looked at Green Heart, who got into a shaky stance. "Still defiant?"
"Yes," Green Heart growled, tense for any action. "You did say of starting over, that means killing me. Which is something I don't want. With you harming Chika."
S-Sha eyes glowed. "That's the price of messing with our plans."
Chika noticed a change in S-Sha's eyes, they did glow from what she pieced together. But now it looked as if her left was lighter with the other darker.
Could it be, Chika thought with a shiver. The two personalities of S-Sha are fusing.
S-Sha could act on her own, but E-Sha had more of a hard edge with being clever. From how S-Sha is acting now, it seems the two are merging into one. If that is taking place, how?
Green Heart expected a sword fight, as S-Sha does have a sword. But gulped as a Heckler & Koch MP7 appeared in her free hand. She fired on the goddess.
Green Heart cursed with a sloppy back jump; she screamed as a few bullets nicked her legs.
A rev and with it, knocking Green Heart behind her ATV.
Green Heart landed painfully on her rear. She glared at Radeon for the shove but gasped. Bullets are pelting her T-vehicle.
"Radeon!" Green Heart exclaimed at it protecting her from the bullets. She could feel its pain.
Chips came from the ATV, it was about to return fire, only for its submachine guns to get hit. One got blown off with the other getting a crack along the barrel. It could use its missiles, but it's too close and could get caught in the explosion.
S-Sha growled at the move by that stupid thing. "Should have known, those things always want to protect their owners." A click came from her gun, it was empty.
Green Heart felt Radeon was still alive, what passes for that, but it was too damaged to help. She growled at it: her incompetence.
It was what caused Chika to be imprisoned and now, it cost her companion to be harmed. She still felt weakened but started to notice a hidden thing.
A spot on her back glowed, and soon it was around her body.
S-Sha was reloading but heard a yell. She cursed at seeing an enraged Green Heart coming at her.
She had no time to reload, only with a second to spare. Her Dao was in hand, blocking the spear with both hands. Her Hecker fell to the ground. She grunted at feeling the strength of her opponent.
"How?" S-Sha is confused by this change. "The share restriction field should've kept you weak."
With that field, a goddess should be weakened. If so, how is it her opponent is this strong?
Green Heart didn't say anything, only saw red. She pulled back her spear and thrusted at the ruler like an enraged animal.
S-Sha screamed at a few of the strikes landing on her body. She blocked another thrust, and shoulder tackled the goddess.
Green Heart was shoved back, gagging as the tackle knocked the breath out of her lungs. A few feet back, she groaned. The glow faded from her body.
Not good, Green Heart thought in dread. Her burst mode is quickly dying. She hasn't stored enough share to keep it long, as she hasn't become a full goddess that long. She still is adapting to her new status.
While the other two have been longer than her. From what she could tell.
S-Sha looked at the weakening goddess with a cruel smirk. "Seems you're too green, pardon the pun, Green Thorn. You can't keep that power-up for long."
Green Heart snarled at the reply. She blocked a strike from S-Sha's Dao strike, she struggled to stay in place.
Only for a knee to slam into her torso, knocking her to the ground, coughing. She heard a magazine being loaded.
She spotted S-Sha pointing her reloaded Heckler & Koch MP7 at the weakened goddess.
"Goodbye," S-Sha said coldly, squeezing the trigger.
Chika screamed as time slowed down, Green Heart was about to be killed. No way the goddess could survive a bullet to her head or chest from what she could tell.
Others looked confused about what to do. Their ruler was threatened but she was acting odd, more than normal along with this so-called thing that weakens a goddess.
Green Heart glowed for one second, her spear dropped, and her Glock 18 appeared to fire at the ruler.
S-Sha gasped as a bullet landed on her torso. She dropped her gun in shock or pain. Backing away and falling to the ground in a heap.
Green Heart again lost her burst mode but is shivering. "I just."
Her Glock landed on the ground from her limp fingers. She gagged and turned to the side, vomiting her last meal.
The spartan force tensed, as their leader was downed. One called for a medic.
Master Chief went to the box and pulled a switch. The hum died, unsure about this. That goddess was strong, but he knows there is more to this.
Green Heart stopped hurling. She felt her strength returning, the field must have been deactivated. She looked at them, tense.
They didn't look happy. She was going to say something but felt something was wrong. She looked at where S-Sha was.
"Green Heart?" Chika slowly asked, she knew the goddess was disturbed but there seemed to be a change with the goddess.
Suddenly, S-Sha stood, her face lowered.
"Ruler S-Sha," one of the Spartans said, lost as to how she was standing. She seemed to receive a fatal wound.
A chuckle came from her, then a full-blown echoing laugh.
Master Chief could see S-Sha's eyes glow yellow with that laugh; it can't be.
S-Sha looked at Green Heart with a demented smile. "So, the third one grew a little backbone. I didn't think you would do something, all things considered, you stayed in a hole after your little tussle."
Green Heart stood; Glock pointed at S-Sha. "What are you? You aren't S-Sha."
Radeon roared at the ruler, it felt uneasy with that woman. Or could it be called that, it felt inhuman? It wasn't able to shoot, but really to do anything to protect its goddess.
A laugh from S-Sha with a tilted head at the two, a trickle of blood from her mouth. "Correct, given you can sense me. I'm not surprised, goddess with her precious, little wagon."
Green Heart narrowed her eyes, taking a step forward. Her senses were screaming danger, she wasn't sure what make of this, only, this must be the monster Chika talked about.
"Are going to help her?" Green Heart tensed for any action from the ruler, even with the others looking at her.
They thought she was a threat to the ruler still, even when she was forced into this.
S-Sha snickered while pointing at herself. "This dolt has been 'helped' by me, well." She grinned. "Or is it the other way?"
Chika shivered, that is the Madness talking through S-Sha. She spotted Master Chief moving toward the two.
S-Sha looked at the Spartan, she raised a brow. "Well, this is a surprise. I didn't think you would be here." She hummed. "Good old Sergeant or Master whatever here. You should be retired by now.
"As the years must have been hard on you," she mocked the Spartan.
Green Heart looked at the man, taller than her. He seemed to be glaring at S-Sha behind that visor.
"You haven't changed much, Madness," Master Chief replied coldly. "Why this farce, I know you don't care about humans, so why this?" He pointed at the woman.
S-Sha giggled. "Just a little meet and greet. I wanted to take this one's measure. I hope we get to meet personally goddess." She gave an evil grin and look. "Try not to get killed by these idiots: that is my job."
The glow from S-Sha's eyes vanished, and the ruler fell to the ground. Soon glowing blood came from the body.
Green Heart groaned and sat on the floor. She glowed and was back in human form, spent. She looked at Radeon.
"Thanks for the save, Radeon," she thanked the ATV softly, her eyes saddened. "It seems things are bad for the both of us."
A reply came from the ATV, causing grunts from Vert.
"I'll see about that, I'm so beat," she whined. "This is as bad as that forty-eight-hour binge I did."
The ATV retorted that it was her fault for that. She wanted to play that game for that long.
Vert pouted but smiled. That fell seeing the Spartans nearly pointing their pistols. "Great, into the fire."
They are at a loss. This goddess—from what has been seen—has killed S-Sha, but things are complicated.
Master Chief shook his head. "We have a cluster coming."
Chika looked at him sourly. "That is an understatement."
The Spartan looked at her and gave the order to open her cell.
"Sir," one of the others said, lost at this choice. "Is this wise? Chika was locked up by our ruler."
"I'm aware of that," Master Chief replied calmly, this isn't a time to lose it. "But it seems Chika knew what was going on. We'll need her to explain things to the advisors."
The Spartan nodded and unlocked the cell.
Chika slowly stepped out, looking at them. On edge, she looked at Vert. "Seems more overtime."
Vert looked at her. "So, what now? I know we were fighting S-Sha and possibly thought of." She paused. "Stopping her, but this is confusing."
Chika sighed. "I know, Green Heart. For now, I'll have you put in place for you and Radeon to rest. Hopefully, we can work this out."
Vert groaned and leaned against Radeon. "Sounds good, we need to sleep twelve hours. I'm so drained."
Radeon agreed with that. It wanted to sleep after getting fixed. It needed to be ready to protect its goddess. It can't do that with broken guns.
Tifa stood by Noire, in a garage that she owned. It wasn't that big but had enough space for them to move around.
It has been around two hours since K-Sha was killed. From what was done, Black Heart is under a loose house arrest. They didn't think of putting her in a cell, at what Kei had told the authorities and discovered.
As with her being a new goddess, connected to the shareicite. An innocent bystander by all accounts.
As for the black-haired goddess, she was fixing Cavilere. The parts she ordered arrived and once in hand, she went to work.
Tifa could tell her guest is conflicted about what to do. She is focused on fixing her chariot right now.
Noire fixed her hair, it was in a single ponytail, with a few bandages from her ordeal. She started by taking out the broken pieces of the fins. Next, she started removing the front wheel. She had raised the front part of her motorcycle for this.
She took out the bolts and removed the bent wheel. Cavaliere could fix its wheel but went with getting a new one. Its bent handlebar is back to normal.
Noire placed the new one, an alloy one, given how demanding Cavaliere is.
It fixed into place, she then worked on the fins, both were green, clashing with the white color. But they were the right size and for some reason, the color didn't matter. Once placed on, Noire got two small blades.
She carefully placed the blades along the track where the old ones were. She let down the motorcycle.
Noire stepped back to look at her finished work. Cavilere did not look the same. The new wheel didn't seem right, it did fit but wasn't as sturdy.
The blades looked off, not as sleek as the last ones. The fins did fit but clashed without the right color.
Tifa didn't say anything about the repairs, she knew what was about to take place. After a few seconds, it did.
The T-vehicle glowed, and the front wheel turned bigger and sturdier. The fins became white, then the blades went into the fins. They glowed in there, and then they popped into place. Looking like the ones before.
Noire smiled and gave a soft pat to her companion. "I'm glad you're back in working order, my companion."
Cavilere agreed, eager to test its new wheel and blades. But won't press it, given how tense things are. They have to comply for now.
Tifa nodded with a faint smile.
Noire turned to look at the woman, who honestly was lost at this. Why did Tifa help her? Know how she could fix Cavilere? That eat at her, but Kei did say Tifa was trustworthy.
"You don't seem surprised at this," Noire commented calmly.
Tifa giggled. "I'm not a stranger to this." Her eyes became starry. "It reminds me of all the times Navy Heart had to fix hers."
Noire raised a brow. "Navy Heart fixed her T-vehicle more than once?"
Tifa nodded with a smile. "Believe me, she complained how much she needed to. It was always crashing into things, so much, she had to have a full garage of parts all the time." That smile turned sad.
"In the end though, the two were companions. They stuck with each other until the end."
"The end," Noire muttered quietly, knowing what Tifa was talking about. She looked at Cavilere.
"It is the same with you, Cavilere."
The motorcycle softly revved; it knew what that entailed.
"We should've known that, back then," Tifa spoke. "Vehicles that only a goddess can ride. They could let another use them, but when it comes down to it: they belong to their masters."
Noire nodded, she had a soft hand on Cavilere. Neptune and Co. Could say the same. They have seen how a T-vehicle acted when pushed.
From what she knew, Karuta was more independent than Cavilere. Can talk back, but it has shown its loyalty to Blanc.
"So, when I die," Noire said softly, rubbing Cavilere. "You won't run anymore, my chariot."
The motorcycle gave its answer.
Tifa nodded. "You two know that. We did try to restore the last gen's T-vehicles, parts, and the works. But." She shook her head.
"They didn't start, only silent. Even when the motor was replaced. They died with their masters. Nothing would change that, so, we placed them near their burial place. That way, they could be together."
Tifa could remember that it was an odd thing when thinking about it. But since the past T-vehicles wouldn't work, it felt right they were with their masters.
They did find them by the goddesses' side when found dead.
Noire caressed her motorcycle, what she said to Kei those days ago was true. Cavilere was only made for her, and her alone.
"You protect me," Noire spoke quietly. "Knowing that if I die, you die. But … you are my companion. You knew long as I'm alive, there was a chance you could be fixed."
Cavaliere gave its answer. It does know as long as she is alive, it can be fixed. But that is the duty of any T-vehicle.
Noire could treat her T-vehicle as a tool but couldn't find in her to do it. She has gotten fond of it. It stayed by her, protected her. They have a symbolic relationship.
Her thoughts turned to the others. She heard that Vert had done the same as them. Become a full goddess, which surprised her.
Vert was so against becoming one. From what she could gather, she was in a fight where she needed that power.
"Is there any way I can talk to White Heart?" Noire turned to face Tifa.
Tifa raised a brow. "White Heart? Is that C-city's new goddess?" Noire nodded. "I could run it by Kei if she is free. But why?"
Noire blinked. "White Heart helped me, and we." She paused for a second, "we've started to become friends. It's funny, given how we meet and all."
She chuckled at the memory of that. Cavilere gave a putter, it did repay the kart for its challenge. Still, it hoped that Kart was okay, knowing it would want a rematch.
Tifa's jaw dropped. She did hear a little of this, but from what was said. It seems a bit deeper than thought.
"Sure, I heard you helped each other, but" Tifa stammered. "I didn't expect you two to be friends."
Noire frowned. "I guess that is expected. Given the history of the goddesses, but." Her cheeks burned a little. "White Heart helped and worked alongside me. It sorted of happened."
Tifa slowly smiled. "I guess we thought you wouldn't do that. I pass the message to Kei." She tilted her head. "What about Green Heart?"
Noire looked flatly. "I'm fine knowing she's okay."
Tifa took the hint. Maybe they wouldn't be that friendly with that one, as long as they aren't at each other's throats.
That reminded her of a certain goddess.
Noire shivered to see a cold look on Tifa's face. "Tifa?"
The motorcycle tensed, feeling something was wrong with their provider.
Tifa relaxed and calmly replied, "Sorry, I've thought of Orange Heart. That is one goddess we need to be wary of."
Noire's eyes turned green. "We agree with that. The Madness is locked up, but it might be ready to break out. Still, we need to be ready for Orange Heart."
Tifa could only nod, they messed up Orange Heart's plans. They have to be ready for her to make a move. She turned to ask about making the call to White Heart.
Blanc finally replaced the ruined seat in Karuta. She was in a decent-sized garage. She's been here for the past two hours, not wanting to leave her companion's side until it was completely fixed.
Back at the castle, they were gracious enough to change Karuta's tires, there is no shortage of them. Given how many karts are around C-city.
Once done, they came here. A few bandages are on Blanc. Her injuries are healed, but she still has a few scratches.
Blanc smiled at the work done. The seat was purple, but soon, it changed into a red color.
"Your back up to snuff, Karuta," Blanc replied in joy.
Karuta gave its thanks. This wasn't a priority, but it is nice to have it.
Blanc sat down; she could go inside the home. But wanted to stay with Karuta a little longer and think.
"I hope Noire is doing fine." Blanc has gotten the news that her friend has killed K-Sha.
But from what Mina said, Noire was locked in a building and about to be tortured. They aren't giving them the full details as the investigation started.
Blanc sighed, her guilt at killing C-Sha coming at her. Could she have done it differently?
Find a way to save the ruler. She was being used by those people.
From that limited talk, it seemed C-Sha wanted to help.
Karuta gave its remark on that.
Blanc smiled at it. "You have to bring that up. Still, we're in trouble, my companion. They could lock us up."
Karuta roared in anger at that. They only defended themselves, not storming into that castle blindly. They had to help Mina and stop the ruler.
Blanc sighed; those are good points. The Madness was using the rulers. Did Orange Heart notice that?
Maybe or maybe not. That is up for debate until they talk to that goddess.
"I'm sorry to dispute you, White Heart," a female voice spoke, causing the brown-haired woman to look at the entrance.
The woman had long sliver hair in a bun. Her hazel eyes looked at her. She wore a simple navy shirt with a skirt. In her hands was a cordless phone.
"Yes, Paya," Blanc said to the woman.
This is Link's wife; she was staying at his house for now. They weren't that far from the castle and could call for help if needed. From what Blanc has noticed from the sliver-haired woman, she seems kind.
"There is a call for you," Paya answered softly, holding up the phone. "I believe it is from Black Heart."
Blanc's eyes widened; she didn't think she would call. She hopped out of Karuta, trying not to rush at Paya.
Paya handed the phone over to Blanc and stepped back to give her some privacy. A little lost, she didn't think the other new goddess would call each other. She was going on off her experience with the old ones. They did have business talks, but this seemed different.
"Noire," Blanc said, "is this you?"
A sigh came. "Yes, Blanc."
Blanc flinched, that is Noire's voice all right. "Sorry, I guess I wasn't sure if they would let us talk to each other."
"Noted, but I don't think this hurts them now," Noire replied. "I wanted to know how you're doing. I did hear about you fighting C-Sha and getting hurt."
Blanc smiled, glad to hear Noire was worried about her. "Blanc's injuries are healing, but our heroine's heart is in turmoil."
Noire lightly giggled. "Ever the interesting approach, Blanc."
Blanc pouted. "That is how I am. I need a little of that in my writing."
Noire chuckled but replied in a somber tone, "I'm also mentally beat up. I wanted to stop K-Sha from hurting Kei, but."
Blanc sighed. "I know there was more to them. It seems Orange Heart gave a potion to them."
"A potion?"
"That is what I'm calling it," Blanc answered. "It could be called a different name. Only they were told it was purified, free of taint. When it could've been tainted, only not showing it or hidden, that is what C-Sha told me before she died."
"K-Sha did come to her senses when she was dying," Noire told her friend that part. "She apologized for harming me and knowing she was making things worse," she paused. "Blanc, could it be possible that K-Sha had feelings for me?"
Blanc flinched. "Noire, why in the heck are you asking that?"
"I don't know," Noire replied frustrated. "It seemed that K-Sha's feelings were being manipulated, that is what I felt."
Blanc rubbed her chin, C-Sha did say that too. Her grief was being used against her. "That could have been possible, Noire. C-Sha did talk about it, saying how they did respect the last goddesses."
Noire didn't speak, making it unbearable for Blanc.
"Noire," she broke the silence. "Did you think of joining K-Sha?"
"I can't say, Blanc," Noire answered uneasily. "I don't know about being in a relationship with anybody. Only what K-Sha wanted at the time, it wasn't what I wanted."
Blanc nodded. "Nothing wrong with that, Noire. You have that right; it could've been unhealthy for you. K-Sha in that state wanted to own you, from what I can say." she paused, "We had to stop them. The rulers were helping our enemy and not Orange Heart.
"That monster used them," Blanc continued. "It talked to me during my fight against C-Sha. It knew certain things. We have to assume it knows more, clearly it is crazy, but not dumb. It has a plan."
"I know," Noire replied. "It also talked to me during my fight. It knew what I was. Seemed to know about what was taking place. Along with that field, could it want that for Orange Heart?"
Blanc narrowed her eyes. That share restriction field couldn't have been made on the fly. It must have been in the works for years.
"You make a good point, Noire," Blanc said. "That field had to have been in the works for a while. Only 'we' were lucky enough to get hit by it."
"You think Vert had to deal with it?" Noire asked.
Blanc clicked her tongue. "I believe she did, S-Sha could've access to the blueprints and set it up. Same as C-Sha and K-Sha."
"Then," Noire replied with a gulp. "Is it possible the Madness has one to use? I mean, we don't know what it takes to be used or built. She could have one lying in wait to be used."
Blanc cursed. "I'm going she has one. We need to be watchful for it." She took a glance at Paya, she didn't seem to be listening. "Burst mode or not, I rather not deal with a field. Because there might be other surprises that darn monster has."
"I agree with that," Noire agreed with the points made. "Do you think it will go after Orange Heart first?"
Blanc thought about it, the odds are high Uzume would be first. The Madness made remarks about them being good.
"She didn't say it outright," Blanc spoke tightly. "But it seems that monster hinted at wanting to go after Orange Heart. So, she will go after her first. But that isn't to say we relax."
Noire clicked her tongue. "Right, it seemed willing to fight us. That says it all."
Blanc sighed while running a hand through her hair. "That is a given, only now what fate awaits us?"
"I know," Noire grumbled. "We are in the hotbox; they could lock us up. Or try something. This has so many ways of going against us."
Blanc groaned, true on all that. There was discontent with the rulers. But won't outright say they will accept new goddesses.
"Best of luck to all of us," Blanc said with a heavy heart.
"You said no truer words, Blanc," Noire agreed.
Chika made one last look at the sleeping Vert. The blond repaired her T-vehicle, and once done. Fell asleep on a bed.
She might have slept on the couch. She is dead tired from the events.
All from becoming a full goddess and the fight that entailed afterward. Her body was changing from it.
Chika shook her head; she cleaned up and changed clothes. The documents were left in the building she was going to.
She had a quick talk with Kei and Mina, both are also going to be talking to advisers.
Each city had their own, the rulers had more say, and this group helped run things. The best they have for the event, a power vacuum has been made.
Chika closed the door and walked off; she spotted Radeon close. It looked better.
She smiled at seeing the ATV take its usual spot, watching the gate. She talked about the thing with Vert.
It was quirky for sure, it seemed to sleep. But could wake at the first sign of danger. Once she did try to touch it, only to be scared once it moved away. Thankfully, it didn't point its submachine guns at her.
Chika nodded at it and went off.
As for the T-vehicle, it didn't move or anything. It was awake to see Chika leave, it knew they were in hot water. The other T-vehicles feel the same. Their masters took out the rulers.
Alone the followers will be watching them, making a choice that will let them help or worse case: lock them away.
The goddesses controlling the share crystals might help in the situation, but that is no guarantee.
That does not include Orange Heart in the mix. That goddess attacked Green Heart when she was not a threat per se. She did not want to get involved, but Orange Heart attacked.
That is when the secret goddess hunt began. Searching for them, maybe that is why Orange Heart went to S-city, she wanted to see if Cyan Heart would come back.
But instead found a new goddess. One that barely got her T-vehicle, against the odds.
And once again, their fate is unknown at this point.
To be continued.
A/N read and review.