Gamindustry Conquest

kyoko gives her freind a snuggle  “How are you doing?”

“… Stay here and rest up. I’ll go on ahead.”

All Ganache could do was pat her on the head and move on; she was in no-state to continue. and at current, was really no threat to anyone, the enemy included. Swapping back for his previous sidearm he’d crack his neck and let out a sigh, adjusting his glasses.

He didn’t really need them, they just completed the disguise.

Regardless, now that he was alone he could at least move a little faster, though still keeping up his standard walking speed; hands tucked into his pockets as he ventured further into the cave, he was rather surprised to see sketches and diagrams of the CPU’s; and seemingly a weapon that could defeat them.

“Judging from this, it’s that sword… So that much is at least true.”

With a nod of his head he’d quickly jot down a note and shove it in storage for later; for now, though, he needed to continue searching around. Enough sleuthing and he found himself at a large, steel double-door; there was no way he had the strength to open that.

“There’s no time for pity, I’m afraid Lady Nepgear. There’s a door I cannot open, and as such, it’ll require some more extreme power.”

He said it as bluntly as he could without making her feel worse, and the long trek back had been nice; she’d not been attacked at all, which at least let him have some form of theory that she wasn’t even strong enough to be attacked.

Nepgear slowly got to her feet, occasionally wiping a tear away from her eyes. She was a tad shaky but she finally made it completely upright and looking Ganache in the eye.

“That makes sense. As long as you’re confident in your abilities, Lady Nepgear, I shan’t question them.”

Though watching Nepgear take uneasy step after uneasy step, he was considerably more surprised to see her suddenly turn around. Indeed, the CPU of Planeptune and the candidate of Lastation were there. But… Why? He only had one option, and that’d state whether they were real, or simply a figment of imagination.

“Excuse me, Mam? I’m awfully sorry about this…”

Indeed, it’d seemingly worked; they completely ignored Ganache, eyes solely focused on Nepgear herself. Holstering the current handgun and reaching into his inventory, it would be time to bring out the big-guns. 

Indeed, another weapon was produced, though this was seemingly a revolver. 6 shots, though 1 would be enough to disable any CPU, due to the anti-crystal rounds loaded.

Though he wouldn’t fire, not yet; he wanted to see what they’d do with Nepgear first. They were seemingly talking, and yet Ganache couldn’t hear anything coming from them.

“Lady Nepgear… I don’t think those are the real CPU’s. They can’t be.”

After all, he’d confirmed their corpses with his own eyes.

“But....I heard their voices! And I see them right there! You see them right there!”

Nepgear ran at the Uni to give her a great big hug, but as she reached out to grab her she fell straight through the other candidate and fell flat on her face. Nepgear stayed on the ground as the pain in her chest grew worse.

“I knew they weren’t there....I saw them dead....I’m so stupid...how could I even let myself fall for something so obvious.....I’m sorry Uni....I’m sorry Neptune. I-I’m not sure how I can go on without you two..... I love you so much and someone stole you away from me!”

“ASIC… That’s the organization that Arfoire began, was it not? It feels like a lifetime ago since I heard that name… Regardless, it’s very possible; and this cave is extremely deep. I suggest we consider a save-point, if possible, before we continue in.”

A stupid comment to hopefully dispel some of the anxiety she was feeling, and at the very least make her feel more in-charge. He was currently wracking his brain for more information on the ASIC, but it seemed to be kept to this iteration of Gamindustri only. 

“Lady Nepgear, a moment… Do you know how to properly swing a sword? I may be more attuned to ranged weaponry, but as CEO, I was forced to learn how. If you’d like, I’d be more than happy to teach you. You seem seemingly uneasy about using such a weapon.”

“O-Of course I know how to swing a sword! I’ve been a CPU Candidate working along with my sister for as long as I can remember! I always used a sword! I just....Think I picked up one not suited for me...it seems a little heavier than I’m used to....”

Nepgear realizes she probably sounds crazy saying that a beam saber feels heavy in her hand but it was the truth....She hoped.....

Nepgear took a step deeper into the cave hoping to make Ganache drop the subject before she heard two familiar voices from behind her. Voice that weren’t Ganache’s. The Candidate quickly turned around.

“Understood, Lady Nepgear. Safety is off.”

He figured it’d give her a nice, big ego-boost if she took charge; also get her used to things once more. He could see her shaking, see her nervousness creeping into her words; but he trusted her, as much as he could.

Which wasn’t alot, for someone that loathed CPU’s. Regardless he wouldn’t turn the gun on her just yet, not until everything was sorted out.

Unholstering the finely-crafted Lastation handgun he’d quickly check the rounds loaded - .50S&W rounds - and chamber a new one before venturing behind Nepgear. He stayed just out of hands-reach of the CPU-Candidate, just in case she tried to turn around on him.

“This place isn’t naturally formed… A drill or something of the size was used for this. Well, that certainly helps our case, but now we need to find out more…”

Ganache would let out a small sigh, rodents and small creatures and insects running along the ground. Certainly signs it’d been well used, at least…

“So it looks like we’re on the right track. I guess we should go deeper to see if we can find any evidence. Perhaps it’s ASIC’s doing.....”

Nepgear drew her normal sword and clearly, something felt off...It felt awkward to hold and felt oddly heavy in her hands. She prayed that she would never have to use it as more than a deterrent for any baddies. She wasn’t sure if this sword would cut it in actual combat.

Trying her best to hide her shakiness she marched forward through the cave occasionally looking back on Ganache to make sure he was still behind her and not taking aim at her head.