Chapter 9 – Ratting Out a Mystery Accomplice

Resta's POV

"Woah…you know, I never took a good full look at this place, but…it's actually pretty freaking amazing."

"Glad you think that, Resta." Neptune said to me. "It's nice for the leader to hear such praise about the nation she rules over."

"W-Wait, what? You mean YOU rule this place, Neptune?"

"I know, right? I had the same reaction." Amitie said.

"Yep, that's right. Here, I'm known as CPU Purple Heart. And I protect and rule all of Planeptune and its citizens. Pretty nepping sweet, right? Both of us being rulers of a nation."

"Yeah, I guess." I said. "But honesty…I actually thought Histoire ruled this place."

"Nep-what?!"

"Well, that's a first." IF said. "Usually, people mistake Gear as the ruler due to how mature she is."

"What made you think Histoire was the ruler, Resty?" Compa asked.

I'm still not sure about that nickname…

"Kinda the same reason, really. Histoire looks and acts so mature while Neptune reminds me of a kid still going through puberty."

"What?! THAT'S how you see me?!" Neptune yelled.

"Sorry, Neptune. But it's the truth. In fact, when you told me that you and Amitie are cousins, I figured that you were the same age as her."

"Well, she isn't. Oddly enough." IF said.

"What do you mean?"

"Not this again…" Neptune whined.

"According to Nep, she insists that she's older than Amitie. Even though there isn't really any proof to back that claim up."

"Well, hey. Since you're here, Am, what do you think about it?" Uzume asked.

"Well…" Amitie thought about it. "…It's true that we're similar in height, weight, and even our style of hair. But as for age, I'm not really sure. Neither Neptune nor Nepgear ever told me their ages."

"That's because we don't HAVE any!" Neptune yelled.

"You could go with being 17, Nep-Nep." Compa said.

"I'm not 17!"

"Well, isn't there a way to randomly give these two an age?" I asked.

"Can't we just put this nepping conversation to rest already?"

"Well, there is." Nepgear said. "But we may have to break the 4th wall a little bit."

"Break the 4th wall?" Amitie and I were confused.

"Huh? You mean you two have never done it before?"

"Done what, exactly?" I asked.

"What's this "4th wall" and why do we have to break it?" Amitie asked.

"It's usually for comedic events." IF said. "But it's mainly a good way to interact with the players playing the game. Or, in this case, the readers reading this story."

"The readers?" We were confused again.

"You know. The ones in the real world."

"The real world?"

"Wait…ARE WE NOT REAL?!" We both then shouted after thinking it over.

"Did you seriously not know that?" IF gained a sweatdrop.

"Well, they are from different dimensions, IF. It's probably not as obvious there as it is here." Nepgear said.

"That's true…"

"Anyway…let's put this topic aside for now. I think we gave Amitie and Resta too much shock."

"And me too much misery." Neptune complained.

"Um…right. So…where are we going?" Amitie asked.

"We're heading for a video game store here in town." IF said. "It's where we'll find the rat that's been posting those videos. Figuratively and literally."

"Huh?" Amitie and I didn't get it.

"You'll see."


And so, we arrived at this video game store that IF was talking about. It wasn't all that crowded despite its futuristic look.

But the one thing that caught my attention almost immediately…were two child-sized mice in some kind of conversation.

What the hell kind of place is this?

"Hey, what are you slacking off for? If you're able to slack off, then go help our customers." Said a white mouse with an apron and a red bow on her (I'm assuming it's female) tail.

"Ugh. This again, chu?" Complained a black mouse with tiny wings and a weird-as-hell tail. "I've questioned this multiple times before…but why the hell do I gotta work part-time at this freaking game shop? I got tons of things that are WAY worth my time than this, chu."

"Do you really?"

"Of, course, chu. For instance…I'd rather be on a date with Compa…*sigh* Oh, my lovely perfect Compa…it's been far too long since we last saw each other, chu."

"As usual, Warechu's got Compa wrapped around his brain." Said a girl with short blonde hair with pigtails. Wearing a very…orangey dress of sorts.

"*sigh* What else is new when it comes to him?" The white mouse said in defeat.

"Oh, Compa…what I would do to see you once more. Your perfect body, your beautiful light-pink hair, your sweet & peaceful angelic voice…"

"Is my voice really that angelic?"

"Chuuu?! Th-That voice…c-could it be…?"

"Hello, Mister Mouse."

"C-Compa! You're here! Fate has finally turned to my side!"

"Oh, geez. Get a freaking grip." IF said with an exasperated tone.

"Hey! What's up, everyone?! Long time no see!" Neptune yelled out.

"Oh, what a surprise." The white mouse said. "Hello, everyone."

"Nep-Nep! What's up, my CPU best friend?!" The blonde-haired cheered as the two were high-fiving each other.

"Oh, you know. The usual stuff. Another crazy adventure is unfolding for us."

"Yeah, I can tell. You already got two people that look all too new to me. Who are they?"

"Well, for starters…" Neptune then went towards Amitie and wrapped her arm around her neck. "…This is our cousin Amitie. She comes from a different dimension."

"Woah! You have a cousin, Nep-Nep?! That's so wicked!"

"Yeah, I know, right?! So totally wicked!"

"It would be super totally wicked if you would let go of my neck, Neptune…" Amitie complained as she was slowly losing air.

"And this is Resta." Nepgear said as we stood next to each other. "She's also from a different dimension. One different from Amitie's, though."

"Um…hello." I said. Still mildly confused about what exactly was going on and why are we here.

"Well, don't you look like a sweet mature girl." The white mouse said. "I'm the manager of this store, Chuko."

"I'm B-Sha." Said the blonde girl. "A member of the group known as Gold Third. Nice to meet you."

"Compa! To have us reunite after such a long time a part…it must truly be fate finally on my side for once, chu!"

"*giggle* You're so good at telling jokes, Mister Mouse."

"And the mouse derping over Compa over there is Warechu." B-Sha gained a sweatdrop. "He's less so an employee here and more so a petti thief who steals retro games and consoles. He also has a thing for Compa."

"S-Seriously?" I asked in shock. "A mouse has romantic feelings for a human girl?"

"Yeah, but it's totally unrequited." IF said. "Though the rat's too dense to figure it out for himself."

"I see…"

"Personally, I think they're both dense." Uzume whispered to me.

"You and me both, sister."

"So, what brings you all here today?" Chuko asked.

"Actually…" IF said. "…We have a few questions to ask the lovestruck rat over there."

"Huh?" And this apparently got Warechu's attention away from Compa.

"Warechu did something bad again? Why am I not surprised?" B-Sha said while completely unamused.

"H-Hold on, chu! Why are you quick to blame me?! I didn't do anything, chu!"

"And you think we'll believe you just like that?" IF asked. "With your record, anything you say can be a lie."

"That may be true, chu…" Warechu gained a sweatdrop. "…but I'm telling you the truth, chu! I ain't done nothing since you all dumped me in this part-time job thing!"

"You mean you're working?" Nepgear asked.

"Because at the end of it all, I'm too damn tired to actually do any crimes, chu."

"I see…" Nepgear gained a sweatdrop.

"Iffy. I think Mister Mouse is telling the truth." Compa said.

"Seriously, Compa? You believe him?"

"He wouldn't be pleading if he wasn't. I think we should listen to him."

"You can't be serious…"

"At least Compa has the sweet compassion in her heart to hear me out, chu." Warechu said while lovestruck again.

This is just so weird to watch…

"Come to think of it, what brought this up in the first place?" Chuko asked.

"It must be important if you were quick to accuse Warechu so fast." B-Sha added.

"Well…"

*ONE EXPLANATION LATER…*

"…And that's basically what's happening." Nepgear explained the story so far.

"You're kidding…That Kurome girl is back?" B-Sha asked. "I thought she died."

"We all did." Uzume said. "But somehow she was revived. And now she wants revenge along with Arfoire and a girl from Amitie's world."

"Typical stuff, really." Neptune added.

"Uh…I wouldn't call having your soul shattered "typical stuff", Nep-Nep." B-Sha gained a concerned sweatdrop.

"Heh. So, that old hag's still at it, huh?" Warechu asked. "I always figured that she was so desperate. But knowing that she's the one who made the CPU a crazy broad is pretty interesting. And also satisfying."

"Satisfying? So, you're fine with me like this?" Neptune asked. In a tone of voice that had the rest of us tense up in shock.

"Aw, crap. Not again." Amitie whispered.

"I-IF! I-It's about to happen again!" Nepgear whispered.

"Normally, I would be worried, too. But let's play this out a little longer."

"Wh-What?!"

"Trust me, Gear. I have a plan."

"It doesn't bother me, chu. In a way, his is more like payback for all the times you pesky CPUs pelted me with those attacks. I'm surprised she didn't outright kill you, chu. My tiny mouse body would sure be grateful, chu."

"Oh, really? That's good to know."

*STOMP*

"Gah! M-My tail, chu!"

"Ya know…ever since I first saw ya all those years ago, I always thought you were a disgusting oversized sewer rat. Pathetically committing petty crimes because nobody…human or rat…gave a damn about you. You worthless abomination of a creature."

"Wh-What?" Warechu looked scared for his life.

"W-W-Woah…N-Nep-Nep is actually terrifying…"

"M-My cute mouse body is trembling like crazy…" B-Sha and Chuko were also scared of what was happening in front of them. As they never knew the true extent of Neptune going insane.

And even now, I'm still a little terrified. Even though I know that she has some of the Sagittarius Topaz's power.

"I always wondered what kind of screams you'll make while in undeniable pain~. Wailing and crying as I tear your pathetic rodent body limp from nepping limp~. The desire of it all is making my burning soul flare-up in excitement~! Maybe I'll finally find that out right nepping now!"

"Gah! W-Wait! Pl-Please! Don't hurt me, chu! I-I'll do anything, chu!" Warechu began pleading for his life.

"Anything? Like what? Spit it out before I change my mind!"

"Gaaah! O-Okay! I-I-I'll tell you! I do know something about those three! I'll tell you everything, chu!"

"And…that's a wrap." IF said with a smirk as she slapped Neptune in the back of the head.

"Ow…Iffy, why'd you hit me?" Neptune whined.

"W-Wait, was this that plan you mentioned?" Nepgear asked.

"I knew the rat was lying. So, I let him talk until he pissed off Nep somehow. And get the truth out of fear."

"W-Wow…"

"Geez. That's some devious thinking." I said.

"Although, it did cost a bit of your remaining soul, Nep. Sorry about that."

"It's fine, I guess. I don't really remember what just happened, to be perfectly honest."

"G-Geez…I almost got killed by a demented CPU, chu. Fate really keeps screwing with me, chu." Warechu mumbled to himself.

"Alright, rat. Start talking. What are those three doing?"

"I don't know what they're doing, chu. I'm totally clueless when it comes to those stone things. All I really know is who's been filming the CPU going crazy, chu."

"H-Huh?! You mean you know who it is?!" Nepgear asked in shock.

"That old hag actually came to me to do it. But I was too tired to even hear her out. Frustrated, she then told this girl standing next to her that she'll have to do it, chu."

"Wait, Arfoire was with another person? Who was she?"

"Ugh…I think I've said enough already…"

"Want Nep to make you kiss your tail goodbye?" IF asked.

"N-No! I-I mean, fine…"

"Uh…kiss his tail goodbye? What did I do?" Neptune whispered to us.

"Not much." Uzume said. "But it was still pretty scary."

"She was this pink-haired girl with a black hoodie mostly covering her up, chu. Only being able to see her face and two bangs. She looked pretty new. I've never seen her around before, chu."

"A pink-haired girl with a black hoodie…her face and two bangs being the only one visible…" I mumbled to myself.

Why does that description sound…familiar?

"I think they were heading over to Rebeat Resort, chu. Something about their next phase going into action or something like that, chu."

"Their next phase, huh?" IF asked. "At least we know where they are now."

"Rebeat Resort is a bit of a travel." Nepgear said. "But isn't too far from here."

"*sigh* There. That's all I know, chu. Now leave me and my tail alone."

"Don't cause any trouble and we won't have to bother you." IF said.

"Tch. Whatever, chu."

"Don't feel too bad, Mister Mouse." Compa said. "What you told us was very helpful in the long run."

"N-No problem, my dear Compa! Anything for you, chu!"

"Geez. This guy keeps doing a 180 with his personality, it's hard to take him seriously." I said.

"No one really does. So, it's fine." B-Sha said with a sweatdrop.

"I see…"

I don't think I'll ever understand this nonsensical world…


And so, after leaving that video game store, we were now at a boating dock about to go to this place called Rebeat Resort. To confront this person that's been filming Neptune going crazy and posting it online.

Although…I can't shake off this feeling that I know who this person is.

"So, how do we get to this Rebeat Resort place?" Amitie asked.

"There's a boat that can take us there in about 30 minutes or so. It won't be too bad." Nepgear said.

"I see."

"So, once we get there, we'll have to start looking for a pink-haired girl with a black hoodie that barely exposes her face and bangs." IF said. "*sigh* That description sounds almost impossible to figure out."

"Maybe she's from the same worlds as Ami or Resty." Compa said.

"I've never heard of her." Amitie quickly debunked the idea on her end. "What about you, Resta?"

"Resta…"

"Hey! Resta! Wake up, girl!" Neptune yelled as she shook me back and forth.

"H-Huh? Oh, sorry. I was just…thinking of something."

"Of what? Do you know who that girl is?"

"For some reason…I-I actually do."

"For real?!" Everyone asked.

"At least, I think I do. The description sounds familiar…but I can't think of a name for it. It's almost as if I barely know this person."

"Does this mean that there's a fourth person involved in this?" Compa asked.

"We don't know for sure." IF said. "But at least we know that Arfoire's over there."

"We'll just have to rush on over there and make that old hag talk!" Uzume yelled out with a tight fist.

"Hell yeah! I'm gonna make Arbore pay for shattering my soul! And then some! *demented giggle*"

We all then looked at Neptune with mildly worrying looks on our faces. Panicking that she was going to go insane again.

"Neptune, please. Remember what Umio said." Nepgear said.

"I know, it's just…it's hard, you know. I honestly thought I was going to die. But to have this happen…I mean I'm grateful to still be alive. But I'm pissed as all hell that Arfoire did this to me. I want revenge! I want her to pay! I want her to suffer under the great massive pain I'll endlessly inflict on her! To hear her cries of everlasting pain as I mutilate her purple-toned body into nothing but a bloody corpse! YOU HEAR ME, ARBORE?! I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU! GRAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

As Neptune was raging, her body began to glow a blue-colored aura. And then suddenly, she started punching a nearby wall with an extreme amount of rage and power.

The latter…was caused by a symbol on Neptune's arm. That shocked the everlasting hell out of me.

A bow and arrow…the symbol of Sagittarius! I know Neptune has some of the Sagittarius Topaz's power fused with her. But for it to be at this extent…

I then notice the Scorpio Citrine barely glowing around my neck. And as I looked at it, I figured out what it could possibly be telling me.

No way…so she is here. And nearby, too. She must be the cause of Neptune's increased power. It just has to be.

"Nep! Calm the hell down!"

"You're burning up your soul, damnit!"

"AS IF I FUCKING CARE! I WON'T BE SATISFIED UNTIL THAT OLD PURPLE HAG IS SIX FEET UNDER THIS GODDAMN NATION! SHE NEEDS TO PAY WITH HER LIFE!"

Meanwhile, IF and Uzume were trying to calm Neptune down from her rage fit. While Nepgear and Compa were watching in total fear.

And Amitie was…

"Goddamnit, Neptune…SHUT UP!"

*POW*

"W…Woah…" We all said in shock after Amitie had punched Neptune in the face. And not just that, but the green wristband on her left arm was glowing and her right arm (the one she punched Neptune with) was pattered with a weird glowing rainbow marking that ran up the entire arm.

And with that single punch, Neptune had returned to normal. And was just as shocked as the rest of us after she too realized that her cousin had punched her in the face.

"*sigh* Sorry I had to do that. But you were really losing it this time." Amitie said as she had placed her hat back on her head. Somehow making the glowing from both arms stop almost instantly.

"W-W-Woah, woah! Wait a second! What the hell was that?!" IF asked.

"Your arm was all glowing and crap! Like a freaking rainbow of some kind!" Uzume added.

"It's…complicated to explain. And besides, it's not important right now. We should head over to that resort place before whatever this "next phase" of theirs starts being active." With that, Amitie went on ahead. Leaving the rest of us still shocked as to what just happened.

"Uh…Nep-Nep. Ge-Ge. I don't think Ami is a normal 17-year-old." Compa said.

"I never thought it was possible…but is Amitie now hiding something from us?" Nepgear asked.

"Whatever it is…I don't think she'll be willing to tell us so willingly." Uzume said.

"Well…let's just go." Neptune said. "She'll tell us when she's good and ready." And as she walked off, the others went with her. Not really much questioning her calm demeanor after what just happened.

"*sigh* Aw, geez…"

"Hey, Resta. Are you getting the same feeling I'm feeling right now?" IF asked me.

"That something big and highly difficult to understand is going to happen in the next chapter? Yep. Pretty much."

At least I understand this "story" thing now…

Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait for an update on this story. But I actually had a good reason for the drought.

I now have Megadimension Neptunia VII in my possession.

I got the game sometime last week for the Switch and I was trying to get to a certain point before I continued with this story. And I have (mildly) successfully gotten to that point.

The game's fun so far. Even though I watched the whole thing on YouTube first so I know what's going to happen. Give it a try if you're new to the series. Despite it being the 4th main game in the series, you're not missing much in terms of story.

Thanks for reading. Later.