F3: Welcome to chapter 12 of my Neptunia Story. Last time IF was practicing with her new transformation and met White Heart and her sisters. Now can Blanc and her sisters keep her secret. Hyperdimension Neptunia is owned by Idea Factory and Compile Heart. With that said Let's Dive In.
Chapter 12: Looming Presence.
In Leanbox Vert had read the news about the sudden monster attack on Lastation and that it had cause massive amount of damage from the attack. Vert was able to contact Noire and had offered to lend her aid to repairing the damages in Noire was thankful for the assist. It didn't take her long to gather people to send to Lastation to help rebuild.
Though something bothered her about the attack and how the monsters were able to suddenly appear out of nowhere made her wonder if the same thing could happen to her own nation if not careful.
"Something on your mind Lady Vert." Chika said setting down a cup of tea.
"Huh? Oh Chika. Sorry I guess my mind was in the clouds." Vert replied.
"Hm... you're normally not this distracted. Something's got you bothered. Does this have to do with what happened to Lastation?" Chika asked.
Vert nodded as she took her cup and took a sip of it before setting it back down.
"Something about all this doesn't feel right. First the appearance of this fifth share energy source. Then an attack on Lastation and now this mysterious CPU. I feel like there is something else I'm missing but I'm not sure what." Vert pondered.
"This does feel like a problem. Maybe you can try calling the others and see what they think." Chika suggested.
"Noire is busy getting things repaired in Lastation so their communication is offline for the time being. I could try getting in touch with Blanc and Neptune and see what they think of the situation." Vert replied.
"Shall I prepare the communication link?" Chika asked.
"Yes. Also with some tea would be nice." Vert said as Chika headed toward the kitchen to get started on Vert's tea while also establishing the communication link. Two screens appeared on her screen before showing Blanc was at her desk but instead of Neptune it was Histoire but she looked different to Vert.
"Histoire is that you? My you look different than I last saw you." Vert commented.
"You have Nepgear to thank. My old body gave out and she transfered my conscious into this new body along with all my abilities. Also I've recently discovered this body having other perks as well but that will be for another time. Is their a reason why you've called Vert?" Histoire asked.
"Yeah. Is something up?" Blanc questioned.
"Actually Histoire do you know where Neptune is?" Vert asked looking for the lilac haired companion.
"She is currently out on a quest. A small pack of monsters have lately showed up in the forest. She and Nepgear have been sent to deal with them. Hopefully it shouldn't take them too long." Histoire answered.
"Of course. Though since you are here there is something I wish to bring up with the both of you. This mysterious CPU that had appeared in Lastation and not to mention this fifth share energy. Do you believe that we should be prepared incase this turns out to be enemy instead of an ally?" Vert questioned.
Histoire hummed at this for a moment like she was debating the situation while Blanc stayed quiet.
"Its rather too soon to tell about if this CPU is an enemy or an ally. For now it's best that we remain open minded about this." Histoire stated.
"Yeah I guess so for now. Do you have any plans Vert?" Blanc asked.
"Well I'm planning on holding a festival for Leanbox. I'm already starting the preparations and it'll be the biggest one yet. You're welcome to join the festival if you like." Vert said.
"I'll pass it along to them when they return though I'm sure they'll enjoy it." Histoire said.
"Sorry Vert but I'm going to have to pass on that. I've got a lot of things to take care of." Blanc added which brought concern from the blonde goddess.
"Oh. You're not pushing yourself again are you. You know what happened last time do you." Vert reminded remembering the time Blanc fainted because of her being sleep deprived.
"Yeah I know. But thing is with my oracle on maternaty leave I have more on plate than usual." Blanc said.
"Maternaty leave? Wait you mean she's pregnant! That's great news!" Vert cheered.
"Yes it is. Can you tell her congrats for us Blanc." Histoire said.
"I'll make sure she gets it. Though if you all excuse me I have things to do." Blanc said before hanging up on them.
"I do as well. Until then Vert." Histoire said as she hung up as well.
"Let's get started on the preparations for the festival. Have you invited anyone Chika?" Vert asked.
"Actually I've sent an invite to 5pb to sing for us and she said yes. Thankfully she doesn't have to travel very far." Chika said.
"Perfect. Though I want to make sure nothing horrible happens like with Lastation. So I-" Vert started but Chika stopped her.
"I've already spoke with the guards and they have doubled their patrols to make sure the festivals goes on without a hitch." Chika replied.
"Thank you Chika. Although I was wondering if you sent an invitation to IF yet?" Vert asked.
Chika hummed a moment trying to recall but shook her head "I'm afraid I haven't yet. Do you want me to send one out now?" She said.
"Actually I don't mind if I tell her in person. Plus it does give me an excuse to stretch my legs awhile. Being stuck in her doesn't do well for ones complexion." Vert added lady like but Chika wasn't that fooled. She wanted to see her number one supporter.
"I'll handle things here for now. You go and visit her okay." Chika said.
"I will. And thank you again Chika. Look after the place while I'm gone." Vert said and with that she decided to get their faster if she transformed.
She now has purple colored eyes and her hair remains long but with different shades of green kept in a ponytail. She wears a white bodysuit that is open in the middle exposing her stomach and underside of her breasts. She has detached sleeves that are white and black with her gauntlets covering the majority of her forearms.
This is CPU Green Heart.
"I'll be back soon." She said before flying out the open window of her bascilicom and flying straight toward Lowee.
Chika watched her take off and figured it was time to get started on getting things ready for the festival. They already decided to hold it in two days so they had a lot to prepare in a short amount of time but Chika was going to get it done and maybe even impress Vert in the process.
"Alright let's get this done." Chika said to herself and decided to get to work.
=HDN=
Neptune slashed the monster in her path killing it instantly before moving onto the next monster with Nepgear by her side assiting her in Otori Cave as they killed a Black Salamander.
Neptune wiped the sweat from her brow catching her breath.
"Man. Talk about a workout. It's been a while since been in this cave huh?" Neptune said.
"Our task was to eliminate the monsters here. Though their has been an increase lately in the Otori Cave. You think it could be a Spawner?" Nepgear asked.
"You think so. Only one way to find out is to head in further." Neptune said as the two went further into the cave unaware that they were being followed by someone.
As they went futher into the cave they now notice a lack of monster coming after them which was rather strange to them or more like their weren't many monsters around as they got further in.
"Something doesn't seem right. There's usual Black Salamanders or even the King Dogoo around but I'm not seeing anything." Nepgear added.
"I've got a bad feeling about this." Neptune said as they arrived near the back of the cave.
"There's... nothing here." Nepgear said.
"Huh? I guess we dodged a bullet then." Neptune said with a bright smile. Suddenly a loud rumble came from underneath them as a crack appeared in the earth.
"S-Something's coming." Nepgear said readying her weapon while Neptune slouched almost completely expecting it.
"Me and my big mouth." She added as she readied herself as the monster appeared before with pieces of the earth showering up.
The monster was a large mechanical turtle like monster. It shell was made of metal with two large cannons on the side of it's shell. It tail is that in the shape of a drill. The metal turtle roared at the two causing debris from the cave to fall on them.
"Watch out!" Nepgear shouted as they dodged out of the way from the debris.
"Hey buster! You are not allowed to ambush us from behind! That's a foul play!" Neptune shouted almost berating the monster but it ignore her complaint before pointing it's cannons at her and fired two cannonballs at her.
"Yikes!" Neptune shouted ducking the cannonballs.
"Oh you want to play that way!" Neptune shouted as she decided to go HDD as did Nepgear as Purple Heart and Sister entered the fight.
"Now you'll witness the strength of Planeptunes CPU's!" Purprle Heart declared.
Purple Sister fired her gunsword at the monster but its armor was too strong as it deflect the attacks. Purple Heart rushed forward and with a battle cry she slashed at the monster metalalic shell but only to see that it had recieved no damage from her attack.
"It's shell is too thick. None of my attacks are doing anything to it." Purple Sister stated.
"Not even my sword is doing anything to it." Purple Heart added.
The mechanical beast let out a roar as the top of its shell opened revealing a crystal inside it before it glowed bright and released a pulse of energy that effected the two of them.
The two CPU's roared in pained as their bodies felt anguish from the monster pulse.
"What's... going on!? My body! It hurts!" Purple Sister said clutching her stomach her weapon falling to the ground along with herself. Puprle Heart tried to stand but it was no use as every part of her body seized up unable to move.
"What kind of weapon is this thing!? I... can't move." Purple Heart said as the mechanical turtle crept closer to them. The two of them were generally helpless against the monster but just as it got closer they heard several rounds of bullets go off hitting the crystal on its back the red glow vanishing.
"Now that's rude of how you treat someone. Bad turtle." An older female voice said which was a voice they both recognize.
They turned to see that it was the other version of Neptune but she looked older with long lilac hair and purple eyes. In her hair are a pair of black D-pad hair clips. She wears a black, purple and blue parka hoodie that shows a little bit of cleavage. On her left thigh is a gun holster.
"Neptune!" The CPUs said.
"Aw hey you two. Been a while huh?" The older Neptune said.
However her attention was distracted as the monster let out a mechanical roar at them.
"Why don't we handle big bad and metal first before we talk?" Older Neptune said as the two nodded in agreement.
"Aim for its top. It's softer their!" Older Neptune called out as she charged forward holding two blades in her hands. The CPU's flew above her and spotted the weakness that the older one was talking about. However the monster wasn't going to let it be so easy as it roared loudly before firing multiple bullets at them as they swerved to dodge them.
The other Neptune threw her blades at the beast like boomerangs cutting at the head before returning to her as she grabbed them before stabbing right into the head of the monster as it roared in pain.
"Now!" She shouted as the two CPU's dove at is weakpoint attacking the crystal on its back.
"Cross Combination/Panzer Blade!" The CPU's declared slashing at the crystal as it shattered. Sparks were now sparking from where the crystal was as it sent shocks through the monster as it roared one final time before shutting down and falling to the ground.
"Well... that handles that I suppose." Purple Heart said before transforming back into Neptune.
"I'm so hungry after that one." She said rubbing her stomach.
Purple Sister turned back into Nepgear as she sighed in relief "I'm glad that's all over. But what are you doing here exactly?" Nepgear asked the older Neptune.
"Well... so here's the problem. I was doing some looking around for more bug to collect back home right and of course Croire wasn't liking it and thought it was funny to play a trick on me and next thing I know we'd ended up here." She said.
"Really? But where is Croire?" Nepgear asked.
"That's the thing. I think something happened when I landed cause as soon as I did something hit me in the back of head and when I came to my Nepnote with Croire in it is gone. So I've been searching for it ever since." Older Neptune said.
"That's bad. Whoever has her doesn't know what they have in their hands then they could let her out unexpectedly and we'll have some major trouble on our hands." Neptune added.
"Is their anyway to track her?" Nepgear asked but the older one shook her head.
"Nope. Once she's in my Nepnote nothing can get out of it. Plus it kinda limits her powers." She added.
"Drat. Well how about we head back to the bascilicom. Maybe Histoire can help us out on that front." Neptune said as the three of them left Otori Cave and walked back to Planeptune.
=HDN=
In Lowee Green Heart was slowly arriving at her destination as she knew exactly where IF lived at as it wasn't to hard to find. She found the house that she was looking for and floated down to it and when she landed she turned back into Vert before knocking on the door of the house.
"Be right their!" A male voice said as she waited. Luckily it wasn't very long as Kaito answered the door.
"Oh Lady Vert. What a surprise? I didn't know that you were coming." Kaito said.
"My apologies for the sudden visit but I was wondering if IF was home?" Vert asked.
"Yes actually. She just got back. You're welcome to stay for lunch if you like." Kaito suggested.
"Thank you." Vert thanked as she stepped inside the home. She took a look around the home as she hummed simply admiring the interior of the house.
"I must say Mr. Itome you certainly have some taste in architexture. It's quite roomy and very homey as well." Vert complimented.
"Thank you Lady Vert or should I call you Vert." Kaito replied.
"The ladder would be fine. Though I'm rather curious about Blanc's oracle and her current condition." Vert added.
"Oh. She's currently in the kitchen with IF having a sandwich." Kaito replied.
The two headed toward the kitchen and like he said IF was making a sandwich for the pregnant oracle who was already eating another that had a mixture of ham, roast beef, cheese, pickles with mayo and mustard. Mina took a bite of her sandwich as she hummed in delight.
"Thank you IF. This is something I needed." Mina thanked.
"No problem. It's just your cravings kicking in." IF replied but then turned and saw both her dad and... Vert!
"Vert? What brings you down here?" IF asked.
"Well I wanted to personally invite you IF to the Leanbox Autumn Festival I am hosting back home. It's going to have all sorts of festivities, games, and of course a concert by 5pb herself will be performing as well." Vert replied.
IF wide eyed at this especially hearing about 5pb "Seriously! 5pb. I thought she was taking a break for a bit from her tours." IF added.
"She did but she contacted Chika and informed her that she'll be returning to her tours and she wanted to start with the place that started her career." Vert replied.
"My that's great to hear. IF's been a fan of 5pb for a while. She even has her latest album she released." Kaito added.
"Autographed by her herself of course. But sure I'll come to the festival. Plus it'll be a break from all of the work I've been doing." IF replied.
"Excellent. I look forward to seeing you their." Vert added.
"Can I come to? I've always wanted to see the concert up close in person." Mina asked but Kaito looked at her with a knowing look.
"Not in your condition. We don't want to risk your baby or your health in this matter. I'm sorry but I have to firm about this as your doctor." He said firmly which made her pout her cheeks puffing out.
"Actually I already had plans to stream the concert live for anyone that can't make it to the concert so they'll be free to watch it." Vert replied.
"Really! That's neat. I'll be sure to watch it." Mina added as her stomach gurgled.
"Excuse me a moment." Mina replied as she got up and rushed out of the kitchen and into the nearby bathroom. Almost a minute later they could hear gagging coming from the bathroom.
"Is she going to be okay? I heard from Blanc that she was on maternity leave." Vert replied.
"Yeah. From what I was informed she's four months pregnant and Blanc wanted me to look out for her until she has her baby. Which means she'll be staying with us till that time comes." Kaito replied.
A short while later Mina returned looking completely drained.
"Ugh... I felt like I just puked my whole guts out and then some." Mina said tiredly.
"Yeah you're going to feel that from time to time. Here why don't you lay down for a while." Kaito replied.
"I think I'll go do that." Mina said as she walked to her bedroom provided for her as Kaito couldn't help but crack a smile as a thought came to his mind.
"Everything alright dad?" IF asked.
"Yeah. This just reminds me going through the same thing with my wife years ago. She would have the strength of an ancient dragon if she didn't have her snacks. Now how about I get started on some lunch for the rest of us." Kaito replied as they nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile in the pocket dimension Croire was paying close attention to everything that was said and especially the mentioning of a festival in Leanbox that was going to be hosted.
"So an Autumn Festival in Leanbox huh. That'll be perfect for my next attack. The crowds screaming in terror once I unleash my monsters. Their CPU coming to the rescue and maybe even IF getting involved to steal her shares to make herself even more stronger. Even those quests she's been doing for Lowee are giving her shares little by little but once she has enough shares then and only then will all four CPU's fall. I'll even have her slay those sisters as well. Once they have been defeated they'll have no choice but to obey the newest and strongest CPU ever created! I promise you father your dream will become a reality no matter what!" Croire declared.
"You really think you're little scheme will happen?" A voice came from the Nepnote she had on the side.
"Oh. So you still have strength to talk back. How annoying. You think my plan will fail?" Croire asked.
The smaller Croire that was in the Nepnote chuckled "If I know those CPU's then yeah. They'll crush your scheme before you'll even get what you want. That's kinda their entire thing of beating up bad people like you." She said.
"Oh really. They only see me as a lone traveler going from place to place. I've already befriended both Neptune and IF. Blanc doesn't suspect a thing out of me. Noire is busy rebuilding her nation and Vert... let's just say I have a little surprise for her and her nation." Croire said with a laugh.
"So tell me where do I lack? The way I see it once they see that this mysterious CPU is a real threat to them and to their nations they'll be gunning for her and once that happens they'll find out that she'll be too strong for them to handle. The CPUs will be exterminated along with their sisters. And their is nothing that you can do about." Croire chuckled darkly.
"You really are some sick girl." The smaller Croire said.
"Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me. I have to visit Leanbox and prepare for its destruction. See yah." Croire said opening a portal to Leanbox as she stepped through while the smaller one could only do nothing but wait.
"Well this is bad. Honestly starting to miss the other Neptune right about now." the dark fairy thought to herself.
F3: And that's chapter 12 in the books. The other Neptune has arrived and Croire has some evil plotting she is cooking up. What will happen next? Let me know in the comments of this story and please don't forget to follow and/or favorite as well. This is Fireuser3 and I'm Out.