IF chuckled at Neptune's question. "Arfoire I won't step on your dog-ass." IF said. "Dammit!" Neptune exclaimed, as she punched the nearest rock in frustration. "Girl, you're as small and probably submissive as me. Look in the mirror before you call someone else a dog. Maybe if you got rid of that yee-yee ass haircut you might get some big tittied dommy mommy," Neptune said and IF blushed before growling.
"But anyway, who is Arfoire?" Neptune returned to her original question. "Arfoire is a dangerous fugitive, and traitor to Planeptune. The Goddess's magician gone real bad," Netherrealm spat out his answer. IF raised an eyebrow and pointed her gun at Netherrealm.
"And how do you know that?" IF asked with a satisfied smirk. Believing she caught him red handed. "Because it's common fucking knowledge you stupid bitch. Seriously, you suck at interrogating," Netherrealm answered and IF clicked her tongue in annoyance. Her bluff having been called.
"Oh? Why would she betray the goddess?" Neptune asked. IF decided to stay silent and observe. "It's unknown why or how she betrayed Lady Purple Heart. But when she did, Lady Purple Heart branded her a traitor. Dangerous and unstable, someone that the people shouldn't make contact with unless they have a death wish," Compa explained and Neptune nodded her head in understanding.
IF then lowered her gun and it flicked up her oversized sleeve. "Okay, so you are not Arfoire's minions. But how did you three get down here? No one else should be down here," IF asked. "Before we answer that, you held a gun at us. We have the right to know what the fuck is going on," Netherrealm spoke up.
IF sighed and began to think. "Okay, I don't think you guys are connected to Arfoire because of that clueless girl you got and the way you answered. None of you seem intimately familiar with her. However I can't rule out the possibility you're lying to me. So I'll keep an eye on you three," IF explained.
"You're hunting Arfoire, aren't you?" Neptune asked and IF nodded. "Yup, she was the only one spotted heading down into the caves. So considering the only ones down here should be me and Arfoire. You three are highly suspicious," IF further explained.
"So, how did you three get down here?" IF asked cautiously. Ready to pull her gun out again depending on how they answered. Neptune shrugged, "Fell into a sinkhole in Virtua Forest. Wanna see it?" "Well this complicates things, I can't just leave you three alone with Arfoire skulking around here. And encountering Arfoire with you three in tow would put you all in needless danger," IF explained her tied hands as she took out one of her nine phones. She began to call a friend.
"I think we found a new party member," Neptune said with a shit eating grin. Netherrealm looked appalled that she even had that suggestion. "This girl is clearly a Guild Agent, and you want to include her? Are you stupid or are you fucking special?" Netherrealm hissed quietly.
"Seriously, what's your issue with the Guild?" Neptune asked. Netherrealm was silent as he glared at IF. IF glanced over at him and flipped him the bird while she talked on the phone. Compa knew full well what Netherrealm was talking about. It was an unfortunate reality of Planeptune.
"... Nep-Nep, Planeptune is in a shadow civil war. The Crime Families and The Guild. Both provide jobs, but the Crime Families want to spread into other low income areas. However The Guild being legal and not having any fine print to create debts makes it difficult. So The Crime Families spread misinformation against The Guild to harm their reputation and strong arm loyalty through debts," Compa explained. Netherrealm grunted at her explanation. "It ain't misinformation, The Guild is corrupt as all hell and they get all the benefits," Netherrealm responded.
Neptune took in all of this. A pit of anger began to fill her being as she heard this. This nation was so lawless that a secret civil war of unaffiliated organizations was happening?! The Goddess must be downright incompetent "Have there been any… fights?" Neptune asked in a worried manner. Compa nodded solemnly.
"Guild Workers who enter the slums get harassed and often attacked. This can cause entire riots to happen as the people who are too zealous for Lady Purple Heart call the Guild a bunch of heretics just for not following her. Guild Workers in turn take out all their anger on poor people and people who supposedly look like criminals. Engaging in excessive force a lot of the time, and making the Planeptune branch of the Guild look the worst by far." Compa further explained. When Neptune asked which side Compa was on. She didn't answer.
Soon IF came back ready with her answer. "Okay, I talked with a friend of mine, she agrees that I shouldn't just leave you alone. So I'm gonna get you three out of here and look for Arfoire once you're safe. Don't worry, that friend of mine will pick you all up at the entrance to the cave," IF explained.
"So, what's with that statue?" Neptune asked. "I don't know, something from before the CPUs from what I've heard. It's mostly just a good landmark to avoid getting lost down here," IF answered as she signaled them to follow her. Netherrealm glared at her back before grabbing his stuff. Putting on his cowl, facemask, and tying his headband around his head.
As they continued into the cave. Neptune was busy asking IF more about her. IF just brushed the curious girl's questions off. Not wanting to really interact with these people. However she decided to put up with it until they're safe and out of the mission area.
"Netty? Do you know what that statue is?" Compa whispered to him as they all walked behind IF. Netherrealm just grunted. "Just a relic of a time before the CPUs," He replied coldly. Neptune scratched her cheek as she processed that. "If people worship CPUs now, is that what they used to worship? Some type of monster?" She asked.
Netherrealm whipped around at the word monster. He grabbed Neptune by the collar and held her up. "Disrespect them again, I dare you," Netherrealm hissed. Neptune rolled her eyes, "I literally do not know who they are." IF turned around and clapped her hands. "Okay, break it up you two. You can have your spat when you're out of here! Focus on staying alive!" IF scolded them.
Netherrealm dropped Neptune on her ass. Before sighing, he continued to walk with the other three. He then noticed something glinting ahead as they walked through a dark corridor. "Hello!" IF called as she noticed it as well.
"Mwahahahahaha!" A woman in the shadows ahead laughed. Neptune felt her entire body freeze up. "Huh, I know that…" she wondered aloud. As so many emotions welled up in her. Anger, sadness, fear, betrayal, yet there was a cognitive dissonance. As she didn't know who this woman was. She began to walk to the group. Her heels clacking against the ground. Dark purple orbs of light illuminated the corridor. Out of the darkness was a light purple skinned woman, with black lipstick, red eyes, a large staff, and a revealing witch outfit. On her hip, tied to a string was some silver fragment. It looked like a part from some electronic device.
"Arfoire…" IF groaned, as just about the last thing she wanted to happen, happened. "...All of you, can you fight?" IF asked the three. "Well duh, we can fight," Neptune answered. "Good, because we're gonna fight our way out of here. As she's blocking our way to the exit," IF explained. No longer concerned about winning, now entirely focused on keeping the other three alive.
Arfoire got a good look at the four gathered in front of her. "So, who do we have here? Hmm, not interested in sweater girl. Coat girl is clearly out of her league. That ninja boy hmm, something seems familiar about those eyes of his… and…" she judged them all out loud. Before stopping at Neptune. Her face becoming stoic and a bit somber.
"...Been a while." Neptune taunted before being cut off. "Just a figment from the past," Arfoire said wistfully. She grabbed onto the edge of her witch's hat. Before lowering it slightly. Twirling her staff before pointing it straight at Neptune.
Neptune and Arfoire began to stare down. Before Neptune jumped up and kicked at Arfoire. She smacked the foot away as she turned. Kicking Neptune away as Neptune fell.
Netherrealm unsheathed his blade and clashed with her staff. He swung his sword a couple of times as she twirled her staff. Whacking him upside the head and pushing him away with the butt of the staff. Plus a concentrated blast of air magic to make a hole in his cuirass.
Compa fired off some needles. Only for them to get smacked away by her twirling staff. IF rushed forward and tried to slice Arfoire apart with her qatars. However Arfoire knees IF in the face then palm strikes her away.
Netherrealm came out of a portal behind Arfoire. She bent down and ducked under a punch. She grabbed his arm and threw him over her shoulder. He crashed into Neptune who was blitzing Arfoire. Sending them both flying back.
IF jumped over the Netherrealm and Neptune ball for an overhead slash. Fire engulfing her qatars as she slashed downwards. Creating a small explosion in front of her. Pushing Arfoire back.
Netherrealm shoved past IF as he ran forward. Letting out a flurry of percise palm strikes, punches, and a couple of kicks. All of which were repeated by his shadow clone that followed him like an afterimage.
Arfoire held out her palm to block the punches. Then she smacked his palm strikes away with her staff. Blocking the kicks aimed at her torso with her arm. Finally throwing a bolt of lighting that sent Netherrealm back with a boom of thunder.
Neptune sidestepped Netherrealm getting thrown back as she fell forward. One hand pressed against the ground and legs in the air in a one armed hand stand. Then she pushed herself in the air with a twisting flip. As she flipped in front of Arfoire. She let out a flurry of kicks that Arfoire weaved her head around. Before Neptune gracefully landed on the floor.
Arfoire stepped forward, faking a high kick. Making Neptune step back before Arfoire fully raised her foot to axe kick Neptune. Causing the heroine to jump back. As Arfoire created a small crater in the ground from the kick.
Compa ran forward and shoulder checked Arfoire. Pushing the magician back before throwing sloppy but heavy punches that Arfoire blocked with her staff. Each punch pushing Arfoire back a little bit. Then Arfoire twirled her staff, poking Compa's stomach, then whacking the side of her head. Before bringing her down with a strike to the top of the head.
She then turned around to block a sword strike from behind. Then Netherrealm threw his sword into the air. Making Arfoire distracted as she followed the sword. Netherrealm stabbed her with a kunai attached to a rope. He jumped to the side and kicked off the wall to jump around her.
The sword landed in front of Arfoire as Netherrealm began to hogtie Arfoire. However a dark purplish red aura surrounded her. Before she blasted the rope apart and sent Netherrealm away.
IF stabbed Arfoire in the back and then sliced the back of Arfoire's neck as Arfoire dove forward to avoid a narrow decapitation. She grabbed Netherrealm's wakizashi and threw it at IF. Who deflected it, sending it up into the air.
Netherrealm threw a roped kunai at the sword handle. The rope wound itself around the handle. As Netherrealm began to whip it around. It scraped across the wall and floor. Creating sparks as IF ducked under a swing. Arfoire's stomach getting cut from the makeshift flail.
Arfoire growled as Netherrealm pulled the flail back. Before throwing it at Arfoire. Who held out her staff. Purposefully allowing it to wrap around her staff. Then she pulled Netherrealm forward and round house kicked him in the cheek. Breaking his jaw and sending him flying back.
IF ran at Arfoire, running off the walls with her qatars coated in flame. Arfoire hopped back and swung her staff. Smacking each slice away. Before IF swung her entire body with the deflected momentum. Slicing Arfoire's midsection. Then slicing her knee open. Before continuing to spin with the momentum. Jumping up to kick Arfoire in the jaw. Then she landed and cut off Arfoire's leg.
Arfoire landed on her back, then as IF prepared to stab Arfoire through the heart. She fired a bolt of lightning at IF. Sending her flying back. Taking her out of the fight for now. Leaving only Neptune standing.
Her blood was green. That was the first sign that something was wrong with Arfoire. The second sign came when tiny black wires came out of her wounds. Whipping around for a second before suturing up the gashes on her torso and back of neck. Leaving no scar or trace of battle. Then wires came out of her stump of a leg. Attaching itself to the dismembered limb. Quickly pulling it to the stump. Reattaching her leg and closing up the knee wound. All in a total of three seconds.
"Oh, you little…" Neptune muttered as Arfoire stood up. Before rubbing her jaw, adjusting it back in place with a pop. She opened and closed her mouth a couple of times. Her eyes centered on Neptune. "What the hell?! What the fuck is she?!" IF exclaimed as she shakily stood up. Compa groaned as she dragged herself away from Arfoire.
Compa went over to Netherrealm and placed her hands on either side of his head. Her hands began to glow pink, and Netherrealm began to slowly heal. The pain of his jaw trying to fix itself woke him up, but neither of them have the stamina to fight.
Neptune stared at Arfoire, seeing how these people. IF, Compa, and Netherrealm are all helpless. None of them can win against Arfoire. Even when they all worked together they failed.
Maybe you should let me take a shot at her.
Neptune's eyes widened as she heard a voice. It sounded like her own, but deeper and more mature.
"What?," Neptune muttered as she gripped her head. As images began to flash by in her head. Causing a searing headache to occur. She grunted and panted as sweat began to drip down her brow. Images of a brown, bloody jacket. Images of a book. Images of green, white, and black.
Let's try this.
Then, Neptune was back in the cave. Arfoire grabbed her by the neck and held her up as she began to squeeze. Everything went black, but she could still see her own body. Instead of Arfoire choking her, she saw someone else standing before her. Someone that clearly was at least half machine.
"...Who are you?" Neptune asked.
She shook her head, "Wrong way of thinking about it. I'm no separate person. I'm a part of you, a bit of a personality shift but still very much you. Your own consciousness is trying to help you remember something important, and I am that something."
Neptune's eyes widened, "Ah. I see what you are… How do I do it?"
She shrugged, "You forgot. Look, we're in a pickle right now, all you have to do is let the emotions flow. After this time, it'll probably come naturally. You've been doing this for quite a few years already, the memory will probably come back with a little reminder."
The two smiled at each other, and took each others' hands. They merged into one, and Neptune was back into the cave. She was starting to fade, but it wasn't a problem anymore. She let the pain, the hopelessness of the situation burn inside her as the catalyst. It was enough.
It felt like a dam burst open inside of her. Her body began to heat up. Her hair fluttered upwards. Neptune grunted and hissed as blood vessels across her body began to glow purple. Her hair began to darken. Her eyes lit up more strongly than any time before, and she felt some mechanical parts within them begin to spin.
Arfoire had to drop Neptune as her hand began to burn. Purple arcs of some sort of energy began to jump off of Neptune in random directions, becoming more and more frequent until a sphere of purple light had encased her. She began to float up as the air around her rapidly heated up, the pressure causing artificial wind powerful enough to push everything and everyone away from her.
Rocks began to fall down, and the sphere became too bright to look at. Neptune became a purple star, and the cave collapsed. Any debris that touched her melted.
Neptune's clothes had vanished, she floated in a purple void. Her darker hair was growing longer, her body rapidly aging until she looked in her twenties. Then parts of the void began to darken, forming parts made of a black metallic rubber around her.
They came closer, and began to attach to her body, connecting to eventually encase most of her. It was an extremely tight fit, like a new layer of very tough skin. But it was the most comfortable thing Neptune has ever felt. Two new round clips replaced her D-clips, fitting the look of this suit more. And two more complex-looking devices floated near her back, activating to project something behind her. The void faded, and Neptune was in the ruins of the cave.
The room they were in was now a giant crater. The moon was shining down on them. Netherrealm pulled himself out of a pile of rocks. It was hard to tell, but his clothes and armor were singed. It was easier to tell with IF and Compa. As their clothes, along with some of their hair were blackened. They both looked rather upset at this.
Floating in the center with a wild purple aura. A black leotard, long dark purple hair in twin braids traveling down her back flowing with the aura of power she radiated. Mechanical wing-like structures floating over her back. Like they were connected with a magnetic tether. A black and purple nodachi in one hand. Her body was voluptuous and her eyes were glowing purple. Her pupils a white power symbol.
She turned her head back to look at IF, Compa, and Netherrealm. Seeing that they were alright, she sighed in relief. Before looking back at Arfoire. She pointed her nodachi at Arfoire. Silent and cold as she glared at the witch. "I thought you had forgotten." Arfoire said with a growl.
"Nep-Nep?" Compa groaned as she stared at the figure in front of her. The figure's face in a cruel frown. She then raised her free hand up and looked at her palm. Closing the covered hand into a fist before opening it again. Then she cracked her neck. Her piercing glare locked onto Arfoire.
BGM: Pellagra (Yakuza: Like A Dragon)
Neptune pointed her nodachi at Arfoire. Before rushing at the witch. Arfoire spun her staff and their weapons clashed. Creating a shockwave from the point their weapons met. Kicking up dirt, dust, and small rocks as the two were pushed back apart slightly. Arfoire looked down at the marks her heels made when she was pushed back. Before pointing her staff at Neptune.
Former Magician of Planeptune
Arfoire
Neptune jumped up and raised her sword. Arfoire created balls of fire around her. Sending them hurtling at Neptune. Who slashed one in half. Flipping forward in the air as she does it. The others going past Neptune. Arfoire rolled out of the way from a crushing blow. Which created a small crater, the force of the blow sent Arfoire hurtling away.
Arfoire twisted in the air. The wind gently catching her and placing her on the ground. Neptune looked at her sword and nodded in satisfaction at her new power. Arfoire spun her staff and created a wave of flames. Neptune coated her sword in fire. Before slashing downwards. Parting the wave as the torrent of flames met her blade.
The flames began to swirl and further divide into two whirlpools. Gathering into IF's qatars. A flaming aura surrounding her as IF looked mighty pissed. Neptune watched IF dash past her. Going so fast the wind has to catch up to her. Making Neptune's hair billow forward.
Arfoire swept her staff across the ground to the side. Before ice spikes rose from the ground faster than a man could blink. IF's qatars cut right where Arfoire anticipated. Creating a hissing burst of steam. Blinding IF before a harsh cannon of air blew her back.
Neptune was flying forward. She caught IF and spun around for a second. IF's feet dragged across the ground as she was let go by Neptune. Before Neptune continued her charge. The momentary delay in her charge allowed Arfoire to set up spheres of dark energy. With a glowing blue eye on it.
Neptune slashed two energy shots. She hissed as electricity conducted off of her from the laser. She back flipped to avoid more shots. She mentally counted ten. Before IF pulled out a pistol from her sleeve. The barrel glowing a molten orange. As she squeezed the trigger. Sharp strips of orange light trails followed the bullets. As IF took out two orbs.
Neptune jumped up and slashed one in half. Before she looked down to see pillars of ice erupting from the ground. Messing up the already rough terrain. She moved from side to side. Trying to keep track of the orbs that are now slowly floating around and the ice pillars flying out of the ground. Her inexperience in this form caused one of her wings to get shattered by a pillar. Sending her to the ground.
On the way down she cut an orb in half. She rolled to her feet as she ducked between pillars. She saw two more orbs get taken out. She didn't see IF but began to pinpoint her location based on where the bullets came from.
The pillars then created large spikes. That jutted out and attempted to skewer Neptune. She jumped up and got her heel grazed. She heard a beeping and an icon appeared in her vision. She landed on a pillar to survey they battlefield. She could see firery explosions go off as the orbs are focusing on one location. Neptune looked behind her to see her wing has repaired.
She flew forward. The orbs turned around to begin peppering her energy arrows. Which Neptune weaved and flipped around. Cutting the remaining ones down as she passed by. Then she spotted Arfoire. Who had her staff locked with IF's qatars. With IF being pushed back. Neptune dove down and tackled Arfoire. The two rolled across the ground. Before Arfoire pushed Neptune off with a gust of wind. Sending her straight up. She rolled out of the way when Neptune came right back down with a stab.
Then Arfoire got up and created a long blade of darkness before winding back. Then turning as she slashed horizontally. Neptune and IF jumped up. As the pillars of ice all shattered into pieces. The two landed as the battlefield was covered in steam.
Neptune and IF went back to back. As they began to slowly turn as a bolt of lightning fired at Neptune. Who used her sword as a lightning rod. Before firing the bolt back into the steam. Then Arfoire dashed at IF who blocked a stab from a purple sword made of magical energy in Arfoire's offhand. Before IF pushed her back. While Neptune turned to the side and slashed at Arfoire. Who was sent away as she blocked the harsh slash.
Then the steam began to move and swirl. Before gathering into Arfoire's staff. She fires a condensed, scalding hose of water. Neptune and IF dove to the opposite sides. As it went straight past them. Compa, who was in the back of the battlefield. Dragged Netherrealm out of the way as the stream nearly hit them.
IF held out her hand as an orange magic circle appeared beneath Arfoire. Arfoire gasped as she planted her staff in the ground in front of her. A flicker of brownish yellow energy went around her body. IF grunted and a pillar of flames erupted from beneath Arfoire. However Arfoire stood with only steam coming off her body. The brownish yellow energy shattered into rocks. Before IF growled and ran at her.
Arfoire humphed as she tilted her head. Dodging a lethal strike from IF. She blocked a spin kick from her with her arm. Then Arfoire swept IF off her feet with her staff. Before she could do anything else. She quickly blocked a slice from Neptune. She jumped back and glared at the two. Creating a twister that picked up and slung giant rocks at the two.
Compa dragged Netherrealm to his feet. As the two were using all of the remaining energy to dive out of the way to safety. Neptune noticed this and flew up into the night sky. Slicing apart rock after rock sent hurtling towards the two. On the ground IF jumped onto a rock being picked up. She stabbed a qatar into it to hold on. As she was spun around by the tornado.
IF jumped off of the rock and was right above Arfoire. Who gathered dark energy into her staff. "Ruin to all!" Arfoire chanted as she fires a beam of dark energy. IF briefly twisted in the air as fire orbited around her in a sphere before becoming holy light. The dark blast engulfed the white sphere as it acted as a beacon while falling down the beam from the inside.
IF jumped out of the sphere after the beam shrunk and faded. Tackling Arfoire and the two rolled across the ground. Arfoire kicked IF off of her when she was rolled onto her back. Sending IF up into the air.
Neptune meanwhile noticed the twisted energy was getting closer to Netherrealm and Compa. Even though there weren't any rocks available for throwing anymore. Neptune dove into the twister. Landing into the eye of the storm. Wind coated her blade as she spun in the opposite direction. Changing the twister's direction and sending it right back Arfoire.
Who pointed her staff at the twister. Causing it to disperse around her. Nearly making her witch hat fly off. Neptune flew at Arfoire. Who tapped the butt of the staff against the ground. Her feet slightly sunk into the ground to create cracks. When Neptune collided with Arfoire. Instead of sending her flying. She stood her ground.
They grunted as their weapons scraped against each other. The ground beneath Arfoire's feet cracking more and more. Neptune putting more and more power into her wings. Before she overpowered Arfoire. Neptune shot forward with Arfoire being held by the neck by Neptune. Slamming Arfoire into the wall of the crater.
Arfoire headbutted Neptune. Neptune grunted as she was pushed off of Arfoire. The witch dusted herself off as IF pointed her gun. Molten bullets being fired from it. Arfoire gasped as her stomach was pumped full of lead. IF pointed at Arfoire's knees. However Arfoire shot a gust of wind at IF. Slicing her coat and sending her back. Gashes all across her petite body.
Arfoire held onto her stomach as she focused on Neptune. She was fending off Neptune's hard and fast swings. Batting away each attempt on her life. Then Arfoire kicked Neptune away. Arfoire coughed up green ichor. As the molten lead was painfully burning her insides.
The witch knew this wasn't the best position to be in. Especially as IF was rising up from her puddle of blood. She sees lights in the skyline. It seems the explosion of Neptune's transformation woke up Planeptune. She looked at Compa and Netherrealm. Before firing two balls of fire. IF and Neptune turned to see the balls of fire rushing past them. Realizing their intended targets.
Compa gasped as Neptune dashed to the two. However the audacity of the attack caught everyone off guard. Neptune reached too late. It was going to reach the two. Netherrealm looked at Compa before dragging her behind him. His eyes were strangely entranced on the fire. Before he was blasted back from the force of the two striking him. Melting and warping his cuirass as he was sent flying back.IF looked back to see that Arfoire had vanished. Her flaming aura dispersed with a sigh of failure.
End BGM
"NETTY!" Compa screamed as she ran over to Netherrealm. Neptune gasped as she saw him writhing in pain. Smoke hissing off of him. "Fuck! His cuirass is burning him!" IF hissed before grabbing onto the heated up metal. She pulled it off of him. His torso red and shiny with burns. Compa turned him over as Neptune removed the back of his cuirass. Along with the shoulder pads, his greaves and his bracers. Now he has no armor or shirt.
Compa out her hands on his burns. Causing Netherrealm to hiss and shudder. As green light glowed from her palms. As the open burn sores began to close up. Squeezing out any bacteria or dirt to keep him clean. Compa kept going, as she whimpered. She was already running on fumes, passing out once he was fully healed.
Netherrealm looked at Compa as she was sprawled on top of his chest. He sighed before grunting as he got up. Some steam and the smell of metal, burnt flesh clung to him. He pushed Compa off of him. As Neptune checked on Compa. Netherrealm looked at his palms as he stood up. In one of his open palms was a metal fragment. He frowned as he lowered one hand to look at it.
Netherrealm threw a roped kunai at the sword handle. The rope wound itself around the handle. As Netherrealm began to whip it around. It scraped across the wall and floor. Creating sparks as IF ducked under a swing. Arfoire's stomach getting cut from the makeshift flail.
Arfoire growled as Netherrealm pulled the flail back. Before throwing it at Arfoire. Who held out her staff. Purposefully allowing it to wrap around her staff. However, as he was pulled in. The world slowed around him as he eyed the swinging fragment on her hip. He reached out with one hand before snatching it. Ripping it off her hip. Then everything resumed as Arfoire pulled Netherrealm forward and roundhouse kicked him in the cheek. Breaking his jaw and sending him flying back.
He then stared at it, as he remembered the fire. The way it moved, the way IF used it. All of it played in his head as he stared at his reflection in the metal fragment. He stowed the metal fragment away in his pocket. Before a dark, midnight blue fog surrounded him. A bright light in the distance, obscured by the thick fog. He stood on a stone circle above a void.
He was all alone. He then entered a kung-fu stance as IF's acrobatics were then shown to him as holograms. He ran forward kicking the air. Then he did a set of three quick vertical punches. Before a snap kick and he swept his foot, turning with it to face the other direction. Before he jumped up, front flipped and punched the ground. Dispersing the fog and destroying the stone platform.
Now he was back in the crater. Neptune and IF looked at him in shock. He looked at his fist and his own eyes widened. His mouth upturning into an unhinged smile. As black flames had engulfed his hands. The sound of IF's attacks echoed in his head.
"Now no one can mess with me…" Netherrealm declared with a chuckle. Before that chuckle became a malicious laughter. Neptune and IF watched him laugh. Both of them were uncomfortable with how he's acting. Netherrealm then smirked as he stopped laughing.
He looked at the transformed Neptune. "Guess I am also a Multi-Type! Why don't we have our rematch? Where I can put you in the dirt for real!" Netherrealm challenged. Neptune looked at his still fairly severe wounds, then IF's cut up body, then the passed-out Compa. She looked back at Netherrealm, "...What the fu–"
Teach Me [???]!
Netherrealm has unlocked the Demonic Inferno Style! Only two more styles left to go! Unlike his Shadow Style which gives him a numbers edge. Demonic Inferno is a huge upgrade in his offense and allows him to manipulate his black flames. Make sure to switch styles in combat for maximum use!