Re;birth Hacker

Realize: Melancholy Of A Desperate Daydream

"How long has it been... Since this world and I were swallowed by this dark vortex of delusion? Except... it didn't swallow me. It was my doing. I threw myself, willingly, into this maelstrom. But... it's pulled me down deeper, and with more violence than I could have ever imagined." In the ruins of a nation, four orbs of light came down from the sky. With their arrival, the end of the world followed. As the orbs found themselves in the forms of giant humanoid titans, with a striking resemblance to the CPUs. The four titans were of purple, black, white, and green. The earth quaked, the cities lit ablaze, as these colossal beings destroyed the land. "How can I escape this boundless whirlpool of delusion? Someone... Please give me the answer." A single girl stood, watching the four tear apart everything that she had known. Her red hair whipped in the wind that carried the flames of ruin. "Anyone... Please... Save me."

(Location Update: Planeptune)

In a park somewhere within Planeptune, the cherry blossoms blew in the wind. The quiet atmosphere that had been built was soon interrupted by our usual protagonist, Neptune, who was taking a nap on the grass. Neptune stretches her arms, "Yaaaaawn... Mmmm, taking a nap in the warmth of the Planeptune sun is the best! ...Although, I kinda feel like I just had a super creepy dream..." The noise of something plastic slamming against the concrete came from nearby, causing Neptune to jump, "Aaah! What was that noise?! If I didn't know any better, I'd say that sounded like somethin' plastic slamming against the concrete... Hmmm. I think it came from over there. Maybe I should go take a look." Neptune trudges through the grass, heading towards where she heard the sound mentioned previously. Her quest leads her to a back alley; this isn't weird at all... Neptune hums to herself, inner monologuing aloud, as you do. "And so, here we find our heroine in a spooky back alley, shrouded in darkness in the middle of the afternoon... Yeah, this isn't weird at all." A quiet, staticky voice comes from somewhere nearby, "-----Someone, save me..." Surprised Neptune is surprised, "Huh?!? Is that a voice??" ~ "-----Someone, anyone... ...Save me... Save... the Zero Dimension..." Neptune looks around, most certainly ruffled, "Helloooo? Someone there? C'mon, answer me!" After a few seconds, Neptune deadpans, "...That's so weird. I could've sworn I heard it coming from around here." She stops when she notices a small plastic box that would definitely make the sound of plastic slamming against the concrete, "...Hm? Wait. What's this on the ground? It almost looks like a...game console...? But who even makes this? It's got a white body, a swirl mark- even a sophisticated games sommelier like myself has never seen anything like this." She looks around for a moment, before going to pocket the console, "Well, I don't see anyone around here... so I guess I'll just take, err, I mean, deposit... This... at the Basilicom... For... safekeeping! Yeah!" Neptune slinks off into the distance.

(Location Update: Planeptune Basilicom)

Neptune holds the console out to Nepgear, "Hey, Nepgear! Lookie look! I found a super cool, vintage game console!" ~ "Oh, really? Maybe we can try playing it later. Also, welcome home, Neptune. I'm glad you made it back safe and sound." Histoire floats into the room, turning to Neptune, "Neptune! Where in Gamindustri have you been? This is not the time to be goofing off! I will not forgive you today!" Shocked Neptune is shocked, "Gah?! It's Histy!!" ~ "Neptune! Listen to me. We're in the midst of Gamindustri's Shift Period and this is simply not the time for brash behavior." ~ "Ah, c'mon Histy, lighten up, it's just a little old... Shift... Period... Wait. What is that again?" ~ "Even though I had explained it so thoroughly... I will explain it once again, so please, listen. The CPU Shift period is the season when citizens begin searching for new CPUs to follow, instead of placing their faith in those already presiding. We're currently in the window of time when rumors about the CPUs will begin circulating, tarnishing their reputations. In fact, at this very moment, the other CPUs have been working relentlessly to prepare specialized teams to counter any allegations." Neptune snickers, "Pffft, I'm totally fine. This is Planeptune we're talking about, Histy! My people love me! Besides, isn't Noire the only one who's made an actual team? Vert has that MMO tourney and Blanc has Rookie Novelist Awards coming up soon..." Histoire sighs, "...Dear me. Why is it that all the CPUs lack a mature and appropriate sense of danger? I would have Dorian take you two out for his daily Guild work...although, I'm not sure if he could handle any company as things are..." Nepgear looks down, "True...it's only been a few months since we lost Cerah... The news hit him the hardest." Neptune nods, "He's changed... he doesn't even make his jokes anymore." Histoire sighs, "As unfortunate this situation is, it doesn't change the fact that we need to do something about this Shift Period." Neptune looks to Histoire, "We?" Histoire glares at Neptune, "You." Neptune sweatdrops, "Oh boy..." Nepgear looks over to the hallway, "Do you think he'll be okay?" Neptune shrugs, "The guy's pulled through many times before. He just needs a push, that's all. Anyway, Nep Jr., think you can fix this console? It looks like it's pretty broken." Nepgear takes the console, "I'm not sure if I can, it doesn't look like technology I'm familiar with... May I inspect it for a moment, big sis?" Histoire sighs...again, "It cannot be helped. It appears I will be constructing a solution on my own for Planeptune's safety yet again." Neptune turns to the hallway, "One sec, Nep Jr., I'll be right back." Neptune walks down the hallway, towards a door with a small plaque that read: "Memoir." Neptune sweatdrops, "He's always doing weird stuff like this... must mean something if he insists on putting it on his door..." With a few taps on the door, the subtle sound of footsteps later, the door creaks open. Inside, a gaze of ice stared back at Neptune, eyes dull and uncaring. Neptune rubs the back of her head, muttering, "C'mon..." She clears her throat, "Hey, why don't you come out for a bit? I found this vintage console that looks like a blast to play." Her proposal was met with silence, to which she stood her ground, "I know it hurts... I know that you want to hide in silence... I know you think this world is cruel... That you want to run away, and just think... but...know that when you're ready, we'll be here for you." Neptune turns to walk away, as the door opens all the way. She turns back as I step out of the room. She smiles, "So, are you ready, Player Three?" My blank expression doesn't change, but I nod all the same. Nepgear looks to us as we enter, "Oh! Dorian, you're here." Neptune hums, "Yep! Now we can play the game together!" Nepgear looks back to the console, "It's strange... I can't seem to figure out how to get it to work, even though the power is turned on..." That same quiet, staticky voice comes from somewhere, "-----Anyone... Please, save us..." Nepgear pauses, "...Huh? N-Neptune, did you hear that...?" Neptune nods, "Oh, I knew I heard something earlier! Good work, Nep Jr., where's it coming from?" Nepgear picks up the console, "This is gonna sound weird, but I think the voice came from inside this console..." She presses something on the console, as it starts glowing, "Oh...!" The light starts drawing everyone towards it, growing stronger the bigger it gets. Neptune sweatdrops, "Yipes! What in the what is this?! Why are we getting swallowed up in our own room?!" I slowly slide across the floor, with the most deadpanned expression I can muster. Such is the life of the second coming of Manga Blanc. Panicked Nepgear is panicked, "Oh no! W-What should we do?! I can't move! Neptune!!" The two of them scream at once, "We're getting sucked in!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" The light overtakes the room, as we're pulled into the wormhole.