F3: Welcome to chapter 16 of my Neptunia story. We last left off as the monster invasion has been averted but now Croire has plans for Planeptune. Wonder what will happen next? Hyperdimension Neptunia is owned by Idea Factory and Compile Heart. With that said Let's Dive In.
Chapter 16: Ripple Effect.
Morning rose to Leanbox as the sun shined in the bedrooms of the basilicom Compa was the first to rise as she sat up letting out a yawn. She borrowed one of Vert sleep wear so she was in a black see through sleep dress that reach her hips showing off some cleavage. She took off the covers of the bed she laid in, showing off her bare legs and a pair of pink and black panties.
Compa noticed on a seat was her normal clothes that look like they've been washed and cleaned. The sound of a knocking on her door brought her attention as Chika peaked in.
"Good morning Compa." Chika greeted.
"Ah good morning. You can come in." Compa said.
"No thanks. I just came to tell you that breakfast will be served in the dining room. Vert says to come as you are she's not picky." Chika said before leaving. Compa decided to follow, dressed as she was as she followed Chika to the dining room.
She saw IF at the dining table wearing a similar outfit that she was wearing but it was a see-through purple color showing off a pair of black panties she wears and cleavage.
On the table was a variety of breakfast foods that were arranged from bacon, eggs, sausages, and glasses of milk and orange juice.
"So is Vert waking up?" Compa asked.
"She's just freshening up. I know how she is. She's probably taking a shower before coming. Though she treated IF like a teddy bear when I walked in." Chika said with a teasing grin making IF blush.
"Can't help it if my girlfriend is a cuddle bug." IF started making the two chuckle.
However, Chika was checking the time as she already had a plate for Vert to eat.
"Hm… I thought she'd be down by now. Wonder what's taking her?" Chika questioned.
IF got up from her seat "I'll go check." She said as she walked out of the dining room toward Vert's room making sure that she was awake.
IF knocked on her door "Hey Vert. You, okay? Breakfast is ready." IF called out but got no response from her.
She knocked again a little harder than last time "Vert. Time for breakfast." IF called out again. This time IF decided to open the door and enter the room. Though when she entered, she froze when she saw Vert lying on the ground wearing a green sleeping dress that was at her hips but she was more concerned about Vert.
"Vert!" IF shouted as she ran to her and getting on her knees to check on her.
"Hey, Vert wake up!" IF shouted. She heard footsteps coming her way as Compa and Chika entered and immediately Chika was by her side.
"What happened?" Chika asked.
"I don't know. I just came in and she was like this." IF said as she shook Vert but luckily, she let out a groan as her eyes opened her blue eyes staring up at three worried faces.
"Did I pass out or something?" Vert questioned as IF and Chika helped her up and onto the bed.
"You think you passed out. What happened when you woke up this morning?" Chika asked.
"Well… after getting up I went to shower like I always do and then I suddenly got hit by this wave of fatigue or something and then I felt faint and next thing I know I blacked out." Vert replied.
"This hasn't happened before. Normally you're rather chipper than this." Chika said.
"Yes, but I'm not sure. What could have caused this?" Vert questioned not even sure herself.
A thought came to IF as she remembered her fight with the mech as she recalled something that was on the mech as she saw something that was on the mech when she defeated it. It was a camera lens. So that means someone was on the other end and it was broadcasting the fight.
"Chika check the shares." IF replied.
"Huh? The shares." Chika said as she brought out her N-Gear before pulling up the shares.
She about paled at how much she was looking at the share.
"What the heck!? Forty-five percent shares! We should be at seventy percent. Where'd the twenty-five percent go." Chika said completely surprised.
"No wonder Vert feels weak. She lost a lot of her shares but how exactly?" Compa questioned however Chika noticed a notification on her screen and as she opened it there was a video file that saw the mystery CPU fight off the mech that was in the area and there was already a lot of comments and views.
"Okay this is concerning. Here check this out." Chika said playing the video watching the fight unfold before them as comments were still pouring in ranging from simple emojis of hearts to other comments.
"So, this mystery CPU appears to be a hand-to-hand fighter. That's rather unique for someone like her." IF replied.
"Yeah, and she's strong too. Taking on that mech. Though I don't it's from Leanbox." Compa said.
Vert, however, noticed something on the shoulder of the mech that caught her attention.
"Wait! Pause it a moment." Vert said as Chika paused it.
"Now rewind it about twenty seconds." Vert said Chika did just that as the mech was coiling its fist back.
"There. Zoom in on its shoulder." Vert ordered Chika to do that zooming in on the mechs shoulder as she saw a symbol of an L intertwined with an S in blue lettering.
"Lastation? What's Lastation tech doing in Leanbox?" Chika asked, surprised to see the symbol.
"That's what I plan to find out." Vert replied but then was interrupted by the sound of her stomach growling leaving a small blush.
"Right after breakfast." She added as the three only chuckled but it also made IF wonder why there was Lastation tech in Leanbox. Maybe it was something to ask Noire about.
=HDN=
Noire was pleased with herself as the repairs to the homes that were destroyed during the monster attack have nearly been completed. She would really have to thank Blanc later for sending the builders to help with the needed repairs. Though there was more concerns that still troubled her and that was her missing shares as she eyed them sternly seeing them holding at sixty percent even though she was at eighty percent before they were taken.
Thanks to Fuuki she now knows where the share energy was and that she would inform her if it was moving or not.
"Miss Noire? Are you alright ma'am?" Kei asked, getting her attention.
"Huh? Oh yes. Sorry about that, I guess I was just a bit distracted for a moment. What is it?" Noire questioned readjusting herself in her office seat.
"The builders are nearly completed with the repairs. I was thinking of some ways that we could thank Lady Blanc for lending us her aid in this." Kei suggested.
Noire nodded "Yeah that would be nice. But what to send her though?" Noire added pondering a thought.
"If I may suggest. Blanc is rather fond of books if I'm not mistaken. And you do have rather rare books that you've already read." Kei said.
"Yes… but I feel like that's not enough. I want the workers to feel like they've done a great job as well so they deserve something as well. Something to show my appreciation for all the hard work that they've done." Noire said.
"Hm… perhaps we can offer a lifetime offer to many of our hotel & spa locations here free of charge." Kei suggested.
Noire hummed for a moment and while she has used any of the spa locations herself but it would be a great idea and build a relationship with the workers as well and Blanc.
"That should work. I'm sure that the workers will appreciate that." Noire said.
Kei then bowed "I'll begin preparing the packages now." Kei said before leaving to prepare the packages for the workers but then something stopped her.
"Oh, Lady Uni is spending some time with a friend of hers today. Said she won't be home till late." Kei reminded.
"Huh? Now who could she spending time with?" Noire asked.
"I'm not sure. But she left in a hurry." Kei said as she left her office but now Noire was rather curious at who she was spending time with.
Meanwhile in the mountains of Lastation Uni was in her CPU form and flying above but looking down at the mountain almost like she was looking for someone below. Just then she spotted who she was looking for as she began her descent.
Waiting ever so patiently is a large violet colored robot with blue rings on its sides. The robot carries a large sword hilted on his right side and a giant shuriken on his left wrist.
Just before she hit the ground she float in the air for a minute before deactivating her CPU form, returning her back to her normal form standing in front of the robot.
"Greeting Lady Uni. You're looking well." The robot greets.
"Thanks, Steamax. Though you called me saying that you've found something that needed my attention." Uni said.
"Indeed. Please if you'll follow me." Steamax said as he gestured to her to follow him.
They followed the path upward toward near the peak of the mountain although Uni noticed a distinct lack of monsters around the area.
"Strange… I thought there'd be more monsters here. Did they all run away or something?" Uni questioned.
"I've noticed that as well. Perhaps it has to do with what I've discovered that monsters tend to avoid this area." Steamax replied.
"Hm… that is rather odd. Were they aware to avoid this area then." Uni said.
"I'm not sure but the monsters have been avoiding this area completely. However, I think this is the reason why." He said as they stopped in front of a stone wall which sort of confused Uni.
"A… wall? What's so important of this?" Uni questioned.
"Because of this." Steamax said as he raised his mechanical hand and reached to touch it but Uni saw it go through the stone itself.
"It's hidden." Uni stated.
"Exactly. Let's investigate." He said as the two entered the hidden area.
They got a good look at the area around them as they were surrounded by what appears to be a cave with multiple tunnels leading in.
"Whoa. It's a like… no matter which way you go there are tunnels everywhere." Uni said trying to look down one of the tunnels.
"Hm… it'll be nearly impossible to navigate this entire structure. We'll need to take a different approach." Steamax added.
"So, what do you recommend we do?" Uni asked.
"Allow me." Steamax said before holding out his robotic arm. Suddenly a small section of his arm came open and what came out were small spheres like drones as they started buzzing around.
"Are those… drones?" Uni asked.
"Yes. I normally use them for scouting out my targets but I think these will help us navigate these tunnels." Steamax added as the drones separated into different tunnels.
"I have them monitored so that we can travel these tunnels safely." He spoke.
"Alright. Which one is the safest right now?" Uni questioned.
Steamax paused a moment before pointing toward the upper right.
"This tunnel is the safest." He stated.
Uni then summoned her rifle just to be safe "Alright, let's get going then." Uni said as the two walked down the tunnel.
The two wandered the tunnel for a solid ten minutes as it appeared to never end which was starting to frustrate Uni.
"Argh! Just how long is this tunnel!?" Uni shouted her voice echoing off the tunnel walls.
"I understand your frustration Lady Uni but please try and not to shout so loud." Steamax said trying to calm the young CPU.
"Sorry guess it's just me getting impatient since we've been here so long." Uni said but then she noticed something ahead of them. It was a large metal door that seemed to have some rust on the sides.
"What in the world is that? A metal door here in a cave." Uni replied.
"Hm… I'm rather curious myself about the contents behind that door." Steamax replied.
"Then we better be careful. We don't know what could be behind there." Uni said as they approached the door. Uni got to the side of door holding her rifle as Steamax approached the door before he looked toward Uni before giving a nod.
Uni then kicked opened the door pointing her rifle inside only to find that there was nothing inside but a few machines along with a control console.
"Hm… nothing. Nothing but a control console and a few machines." Uni said as she put away her rifle as they decided to look around.
"Indeed. Let's look around first." Steamax replied as they carefully examined the machines. Uni walked over to one of the machines and noticed a familiar symbol of her nation on one of the panels.
"Lastation tech? What's it doing here in an underground tunnel?" Uni questioned as she examined it.
"It would appear that these machines served some form of purpose here." Steamax added.
"Yeah. But what is that purpose?" Uni asked again as she looked at the control console and walked to it.
"Maybe this might have some answers." She said but just as she was about to press something the machine came to life on its own.
"Lady Uni. It's unwise to touch things you know nothing about." Steamax warned.
"I swear I didn't touch it! It just powered up on its own." Uni said as she backed away from the machine. On the screen appeared to be a blueprint for something that was being created as there was a label named Gear Heart.
"Gear Heart?" Uni questioned.
"Hm… interesting indeed. This could be viable information." Steamax said as he pulled out a cable from his finger and started downloading the data.
"But where have I seen that image before?" Uni questioned as she wracked her memory a moment but then realized where she'd seen her before as she pulled out her N-Gear and pulled up about the mysterious figure appearing in Lastation. They were a perfect match.
"Of course. She was in Lastation when the monsters attacked." Uni answered.
"And this CPU hasn't appeared again I assume." Steamax said as Uni shook her head.
"Not that I know of. Besides Noire is having the energy traced so that way it might be easier to track. Thing is we don't know if it's a threat to the other nations or not." Uni replied.
"Hm… I see. So, she's having someone else track them so that Lady Noire can intercept them." Steamax said as he finished downloading the data.
"I've gathered the information from the database. Let us withdraw for now Lady Uni." He stated.
"Yes. Let's go." Uni replied as the two retreated from the cave as they decided to return to Lastation with the information they've gathered.
=HDN=
After the ferry ride back to Planeptune Compa and IF decided to walk around the city for a bit to enjoy themselves and take in the sights.
"Ah… this place never gets old does it." Compa said taking in the sights.
"Yep. Though I think Nep had some ideas to help improve Planeptune." IF added.
Compa nodded "Yep. Neptune does try her hardest, does she. Plus, she has GeGe to help her too. With those two I'm sure anything can be possible." She said with a bright smile.
IF smiled with her looking to Compa like she was a pillar of life but she then glanced down to Compa injured arm that was still in a sling recalling how she get injured.
"So… um… how's the arm? Is it getting any better?" IF asked.
"Hm… oh right. The doctor back at Lastation told me it'll be about a month for it to heal properly and that I'm on leave until then. It throbs a little every now and then but I guess that means the process is working." Compa said.
"That's good to hear. You'll be back helping others in no time." IF encouraged which only made Compa smile more.
However, her cell phone started to ring as she brought it out and saw who was calling and grimaced seeing that it was her father calling.
"Oh crap. I think I'm in trouble." IF muttered as she flipped her phone open which answered the call.
"M-Morning dad." She said nervously.
"Don't you good morning me young lady. I saw what happened on the news. Something about a monster invasion in Leanbox. Do you know how worried I was?" Kaito said firmly over the phone.
"Sorry about that dad. I really had meant to call you this morning. But I'm fine and I'm in Planeptune right now with Compa. Were just checking out the sights here and then I'm heading back to Lowee." IF said.
"Well, that's a weight off my mind. Even Mina was starting to worry that I had to calm her down." Kaito said which made IF chuckle a little.
"But yeah sorry about making you worry about me." IF replied.
"I'm always going to worry. It's kind of the job of a father. Now stay safe out there okay." Kaito said.
"Always. I'll see you soon dad." IF said before hanging up.
"Your dad? He's a nice guy." Compa added.
"Yeah, he's always worrying about me. Wondering if I'm okay and all that. It's good to know that you've got someone looking out for you." IF replied.
"I can agree. Even friends sometimes lookout for each other too." Compa said.
"That's true." IF added as the two continued to enjoy the sites around Planeptune. However, about twenty minutes into their walk they saw a tall purple-haired girl walking in their direction.
"Huh? Wait a minute. Isn't that the other Neptune?" IF questioned.
"Yeah, I think so. Let's go say hi." Compa said and immediately started walking over toward her.
"Hey Neppy!" Compa called out getting the girls attention turning to face them before waving at them.
"Oh, hey you two. Long time no see." Big Neptune said.
"What are you doing here? Did you lose your Nepnote again?" IF asked jokingly.
Big Neptune only chuckled nervously rubbing the back of her head "Yeah… I lost it." She said as the two only stared at her.
"Seriously. How'd you lose it?" IF questioned.
"Well, I was out hunting bugs back home and Crostie decided to play a prank on me and we ended up here. But before I could chew her out for it something hit me on the back of the head. Then when I came to my Nepnote was gone." She explained.
"But who would want to take Croire? I mean she's kind of small and can't get around very fast." IF said.
"Yeah, but I still need to find her. Think you can help Iffy?" Big Neptune said.
"Sure. I mean someone here is bound to know something about seeing a purple notebook." IF added.
Big Neptune beamed with delight hearing this. "Oh, thank you. I promise to pay you back for this." She stated.
"Nah don't worry about it. Now let's go find Croire." IF said as the three cheered before began looking around Planeptune.
The group of three began scouring around Planeptune asking people around if they've seen a purple notebook with a big black N on but to no avail nobody hasn't seen it. They continue looking for about another hour before eventually they sat down on a bench to rest their feet.
"Ah man. We've asked almost everyone and still nothing. This is harder than we thought." Big Neptune said.
"Don't worry we'll just have to keep looking. I'm sure something will turn up." Compa said confidently, putting a hand on her shoulder.
IF sighed looked around from the bench but she then heard something from some adventurers that were nearby.
"Hey, you tried heading to the forest lately." The male adventurer said.
"No way. Not with the Mother Fenrir hanging around there. You know what they do to you." The female adventurer said.
IF overheard this information "Mother Fenrir? What's that about?" IF thought as she listened.
"Apparently from what rumors told me this Mother Fenrir gets super aggressive when someone enters its turf. Though I think it was protecting something. I thought I saw a small fairy with the Mother Fenrir." The male adventurer stated.
That did catch her attention hearing something about a small fairy as she approached the adventurers.
"Excuse me." IF greeted firstly.
"Huh? Yeah what's up? You need something?" The male adventurer asked.
"Actually, I couldn't help but overhear something about a fairy you've spotted." IF said.
"Yeah. It was with Mother Fenrir. Normally they're quite docile but they can get very protective of their young. I think it was protecting the fairy." The female adventurer added.
"Maybe it saw it as someone it had to protect." IF said.
"That could be a reason it got protective. Though I wouldn't risk going back there." The male adventurer admitted.
"Hm… thanks for the input." IF said before returning to the others.
"Girls I might have a lead on where to find Croire." IF stated.
That got Big Neptune's attention "Really? Where?" She asked.
"Those adventurers mentioned a Mother Fenrir that was in the forest near here. They also mentioned seeing a fairy with it." IF said.
"So, you think that Croire might be with this Mother Fenrir?" Compa questioned.
"It's possible. I say let's go check it out. You just stay behind us Compa okay." IF said as she nodded.
"Then what are we waiting for let's go." Big Neptune said as the three of them took off toward the forest. Watching them from her hideaway, Croire smirked at seeing the three of them entering the forest.
"Well, well. So, trying to locate the little me are you. This is the perfect time to test out another one of my monsters." Croire said as she raised her hand as a summoning circle appeared on her hand while a bigger one appeared on the ground in front of her.
"Monster of earth and thunder. I summon you to my side. Rain judgement on those that oppose you. Split the earth asunder and destroy." Croire chanted as a flash of light engulfed the area around her and before long a monster appeared in front of her.
It was a monster with four legs having scales covering its whole body. Sharp spikes on its ankles and knees. Its long tail covered in scales and at the end it has a sharp pointed arrowhead shaped tip at the end. On its head are two long drill shaped horns used to cause maximum damage. Its body color is cerulean, blue scales and dark gold armor.
"Excellent. Now then go to the forest in Planeptune and wait. When they show up cause as much havoc as you like." Croire ordered as the monster roared before disappearing out of sight.
"Oh, this is going to be good. Not only she'll get shares out of Planeptune but she'll get stronger if she beats this monster." Croire added with a smirk on her face.
=HDN=
In Lastation, Uni had returned from her mission with Steamax as the two of them headed into the basilicom only to be met by Kei.
"Ah Lady Uni. You've returned along with… my apologies but I don't believe we've met." Kei replied.
"Um… I'm Steamax. I am an ally of Lady Uni… sorry for the intrusion." Steamax said nervously.
"Where's sis? Is she in her office right now?" Uni asked.
"Yes actually. I was about to bring her some lunch." Kei answered rather curiously.
"Good. Then we need to show her what we've found. It's related to this other goddess." Uni replied as she and Steamax headed towards Noire's office.
Noire was in her office but she was communicating with Fuuki who was keeping an eye on the signal where the energy was coming from. It looked like it was in Planeptune and moving toward the forest area.
The doors opened revealing her sister and Steamax.
"Uni! Knock before entering. Also why is Steamax with you?" Noire asked.
"Sorry sis but this is important. We've found something that might help us with this problem. Steamax show her what we've found." Uni said as Steamax brought out his arm and began uploading the data into Noires computer.
Noire looked at the computer and noticed the data showing everything they've found.
"Gear Heart? So that's the name of that goddess." Noire said.
"That's not all. Apparently, she was equipped internally to have the ability to take share energy from the other nations whenever in this state. The question is now the identity of Gear Heart." Steamax replied.
"Yeah, you got a point there. If we don't know the identity of this Gear Heart then we're not going to get anywhere." Noire said.
"I'm still tracking the energies signature. It looks like it's heading straight toward the forest in Planeptune." Fuuki replied.
"Now why would it go there?" Uni asked.
"Should we investigate?" Steamax questioned.
Noire shook her head "No. If we go there without a reason Histoire will get suspicious and most likely send out Neptune and Nepgear." Noire replied.
"So, we just lay and wait. Sounds fine to me." Uni said as they watched the monitor in front of them to keep track of the energy signature.
Meanwhile, in the forest the three of them were traversing the forest to find this Mother Fenrir the people were talking about at the guild. IF sliced through the vines in front of them as they continued their path forward.
"Man, just how deep is this forest." Adult Neptune said following behind IF and Compa.
"I think were about halfway through. So, lets pick up the pace a little." IF said slicing through another vine blocking their path.
"Don't worry Nep. Soon you'll be reunited with Croire soon." Compa said trying to cheer her up.
"Thanks, Compa." Adult Neptune said as they continued onward.
After another thirty minutes they soon came to a large cave entrance that had several claw marks on the side.
"Think this could be it?" Compa asked as IF examined the markings.
"Hm… these look like Fenrir marks. So, this could be the place." IF said and not a minute later something came rushing out at IF as she just managed to step back. She readied her weapons and saw a red colored Fenrir in front of them and it looked ready to fight.
"A Fenrir? But it's different colored than the others." IF said.
Upon inspection IF say behind it two pups in the cave in which she realized what was in front of her.
"Are you the Mother Fenrir?" She asked but the Fenrir remained vigilant.
IF put away her weapons as she put her hands in front of her.
"I mean no harm. We're just looking for someone." IF said softly as she got down on one knee and bowed slightly to the creature. Compa and Big Neptune stayed back watching what was unfolding. The Fenrir then slowly approached IF with caution as IF remained perfectly still. Now the Fenrir was directly in front of her as it sniffed at her. Seeking no ill intent from the woman the Fenrir licked IF on the cheek as she rose up slowly.
"It's okay girls. We're no threat." IF said as the other two approached the pups poking their heads out and practically tackled the other two.
"Aw~. There so adorable." Compa said hugging one of them as Big Neptune petted the other one.
"Yeah, they are pretty cute too." Big Neptune said as the pup licked her cheek playfully.
"And what do I look like. Chopped liver." A small female voice said in which Neptune recognized seeing Croire floated out to meet them.
"Crostie!" Big Neptune cheered as she ran toward her and hugged her which made her yelp.
"Hey not so tight!" Croire said struggling in her grip.
"What happen to you? I was worried you know." Big Neptune replied as Croire floated around her before sitting on her shoulder.
"Right. There's something I need to tell you. I was-." before Croire could say another word the Mother Fenrir ears perked up as it growled in response.
"Is something wrong?" IF asked as the Mother Fenrir growled to the left of them her fur sticking on end.
Just then a loud roar echoed throughout the area as the sky around them suddenly got dark with thunder clouds forming above them.
"What the heck was that?" Neptune questioned.
IF readied her weapons standing next to the Mother Fenrir "Compa get the pups inside. Nep going to need you for this." IF said as Compa did what IF said getting the pups inside the cave and just in time as the monster revealed itself to them its drill like horns generating lightning.
"What is that thing!?" Big Neptune said as she brought out her twin swords.
"Don't know but it looks dangerous. Get ready!" IF shouted as they prepared for battle.
Meanwhile, in Planeptune Histoire was monitoring any activity when she noticed something outside her window seeing thunder clouds forming above the forest but it was acting rather strange for thunder clouds.
"What in the world? I didn't think there was thunderstorms today." Histoire questioned as she decided to call Neptune and Nepgear.
"Neptune, Nepgear! There is something I need you both to check out." Histoire said.
"Where to Histy?" Neptune asked.
"Head to the forest. A sudden thunderstorm just appeared over the forest." Histoire ordered.
"We're heading out now. We'll report if there is any trouble." Nepgear said. Histoire could only see as Neptune and Nepgear flew off toward the location. She only hoped that she was wrong.
F3: And that's chapter 16. Big Nep reunited with Croire and now must deal with a monster that can control lightning. This could only turn out well. Don't forget to leave a comment and please make sure to follow and/or favorite. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm Out.