It was the night time of the first day of rest, one of only two days before Arfoire, and everyone was beginning to settle off to sleep. Terra for a moment was lingering with a cup of hot chocolate playing a game of poker between Vert, Blanc and oddly IF. They used their credits as betting chips – all the piles rather sizeable though Terra's was small - Vert confident in her hand "Well then...I think it's time I conquer this night"
"That's what you think" said Blanc picking up a new card "For I just got a cracking good one"
"Lets see what I can get" Terra exchanged two cards "Ohh not bad. Over to you IF" IF looked at her hand
"Hmm...I'll change one card myself" IF swapped out one card to which Vert went first
"A Flush of clubs, 10 high"
"I got a flush of 7 high...but a running flush of Diamond"
"As for me I got a Full house" said Terra "three 8's, and a pair of Queens"
"I got...two pairs"
Both girls flinched "Two pairs...you went with that much money?" remarked Vert "On two pairs?"
"Well Why not?" asked IF "I am in this for fun after all"
"But still" said Blanc "you can't be serious" Terra though sighed with a wry smile
"Come on...show us the pairs IF" IF confidently smiled
"Let's see...I've got a pair of Aces" she said putting them down "And then I've got...another pair of aces" before putting the 3rd and 4th ace down to join the rest.
Blanc and Vert just gawped with Terra grinning "Well...that just happened. IF got four Aces" he said
"How...How did you..." Vert just said
"I've never seen that before" said Blanc just slackjawed
"I'm...kinda glad I didn't stake so much now" said Terra relieved "Go on IF it's all yours oh wait...here" he handed her a bucket
"With pleasure" IF replied as she put the credits in the bucket filling it near the brim "Well then would you like to go again?"
"No thank you...I think my pride has been dented enough" said Vert
"Same here...good-night" said Blanc heading to bed.
As they left Terra chuckled "That's why it's important to remember, number 1 in a card game...never bet more than your willing to lose. The rewards are smaller...but the defeat is more durable"
"No wonder you didn't put in that much" said IF before getting a chunk of credits "Here this is for you...this should be your stake back"
"You sure? You won these credits so..."
"To be honest...the reward enough was seeing their faces of misery as they lost. Besides this is a bit more than I know what you deal with"
"I'm not denying you here, but I'd have thought you'd share it out with Compa and Peashy to buy toys and stuff"
"I still plan on doing that...but give them too much and you may find a bit more than toys coming home"
"Why? Do they have ambitions?"
"You have no idea" Terra said chuckling "Alright then how about this? You take us out for a meal, the four of us, you pay for the food and me the dessert"
"Hmmm...sure deal" he said shaking her hand as he took the credits.
As Terra got up and stretched "Well come on little lady, best get to bed. The last day of practise is tomorrow"
"What is the plan for now?" asked IF as she followed him unto the spare room, where Compa was happily sleeping
"Well...during the morning some combat practise, then the afternoon a quest"
"A quest?"
"A simple quest. To ease the nerves and relax. I think that'll suit me a bit more...and as I promised you can come with me on the trip"
"On the condition you fly me over in your HDD form?"
"I suppose I can remedy that...I need to practise in the form while I can anyway"
The Next day came, the sun out in the clean blue sky and all the heroes were in training practise. The six girl CPU's paired off with each other. Plutia duelled against Noire, Neptune against Blanc and Nepgear against Blanc. Terra himself was duelling Falcom...the two very even with each other. Falcom fought in her awakening mode – a flame coating around her – and Terra in his HDD form to better acclimatise fighting under the power.
Marvelous oversaw him with Histoire the same only on everyone else "Everyone's seems to be high-spirit this morning. It seems Terra's action and words have helped to inspire them"
"It also seems his little lessons have made it home" said Marvelous "all of them are showing some better proficiency"
"It could also simply be with their spirits high" said Histoire "they all feel motivated to combat the threat before then. And what of Terra?"
"Fierce Edge!" both bounced off each other with their specials before going back at it
"A big improvement" said Marvelous "His movements are still not quite back to how they once were. I'd say...75 – 80%. Saying that...I think the skill with the sword is...actually better now than before. He's been shuffling between one-handed play for speed and movement, while two-handed for defence and power"
As the two blocked each other "Alright you two...take a break" said Marvelous clapping "You two have been at it for hour or so straight"
"Terra you too" said Histoire "You may have reclaimed your HDD form, but your power will wear away your stamina. Best to ease back into it" Terra nodded, reverting to normal to show he was mildy sweating.
The kids were on standby, handing out drinks to the pair "A good workout Terra. You're practically almost to how you were" said Histoire
"Or rather...he is to how he was" said Falcom "he's got the training suit on underneath" Terra tugged at the collar to show the red suit on
"Goodness...you're still wearing that?"
"I've...kinda gotten used to wearing it" said Terra "I don't even really feel it anymore"
"Once Terra takes off the suit, he should be back in top-form" said Marvelous
"That's wonderful" said Histoire smiling "I'm glad to hear that"
It was Histoire went over to Terra "Oh you should know it's not long till lunch time. About 35 minutes or so"
"Thanks for the update" said Terra turning to IF "So...have you decided on where we're going to eat IF?"
"The Pizza Buffet!" called Peashy excitedly
"After some discussing" said IF "we've decided on the Pizza Joint where you can eat unlimited pizza for a price"
"It also has unlimited ice-cream" said Compa "Hey Histoire do you want to come with us? You can share some of us"
"I mean you don't eat much being small and all" said Peashy
"Oh my...is it alright me to come?" asked Histoire
"Of course" said Terra smiling "You need to have some fun too"
"Then yes please. I would much like to join you"
As the group discussed their pizza options, Falcom and Marvelous got together "So have you thought on battle plans yet?" asked Falcom "That is have you scouted the playing field"
"My buddies have...and they've detected no traps in the area" said Marvelous "And they counted the number of machines. There is enough fire-power to do immense damage to each nation. Planeptune and Lastation are the closest with Leanbox the furthest away"
"Then...we continue with our plan?" asked Falcom
"We do indeed...well I know for a start we'll leave Arfoire to the CPU's, and we'll start destroying the machines between us. We'll delay them a bit, which should be enough to give everyone enough time"
"And our back-up plans should things go sour?"
Marvelous and tapped her nose "I've got two...one already in effect and by my calculations it'll be a good pay off. Providing it goes smoothly"
"Two? What's the second?" asked Falcom
"We'll...only ever come to that if absolutely necessary. If you need a hint...look up the 'Ruler Ending' and you'll see"
"Alright...well minus one little thing we need to do, we're all but prepared for the battle"
"Here's hoping...it goes well"
As the Afternoon went on, Terra set off on a monster hunting quest alongside IF and Peashy. Flying in his female HDD form, he carried Peashy in his arms and IF on his back "Wee...Wee ah-ha-ha faster, faster" she wagged her arms and legs
"Thanks for letting Peashy come with us" said IF gratefully "though are you sure it's alright for you to carry us both?"
"It's alright...to be honest both of you are light-weights" he said back to them "Besides we're just here to have some fun. I picked a deliberately easy quest, simple monster slaying is the best way for me to relax. That...and I need to get used to this form"
"Why is being in HDD form hard?" asked Peashy
"It's not a question of difficulty...I just want to make sure I least can fly and move alright. And it'll let me see how much more energy the HDD form burns"
"So just to work out the kinks huh?" asked IF "no issue there"
"Hey look...there's a forest down there" said Peashy pointing "Is that it?"
"Maybe, maybe not" said Terra "Let's go explore"
As the group pitched down, the forest name appear "Uranium Greens". IF pulled out the quest sheet "Hmm...it doesn't quite say this is the place, but the monster is said to be found in most forests"
"It says...4 yellow bandits" said Peashy "then one lower Fenrir"
"Well then let's get looking" said Terra "and maybe just beat up the normal baddies along the way"
"What like those ones?" Peashy to dog like creatures with blue fur and thick white tails
"Lesser wolves huh? Well might as well get started"
The kids watched as Terra took on the many beasts, with precision and skill. The beasts tried to swarm him, but being somewhat careful he deflected and blocked each of their attacks. It was then as they all jumped in, Terra took flight going above them – back-flipping – before charging his sword with energy "Tornaraid sword!" and firing an arc to defeat most of the wolves before flying down "Crazy Combination" with wind-milk strikes he cleaved through the dwindling numbers before striking the last one up and then slamming it down.
Terra landed, breathing out a bit "Well...that was...easier than I actually thought. Not the fight but moving around"
"Does it feel the same?" asked IF
"How to put it? Though my gender changes, this still feels like my own body and it moves the same. The only difference is I can fly...which is quite easy"
"So how is it you transform anyway?" asked Peashy
"Hmm...well I can tell you if you're interested. Well for me, not sure if it's like this for the others, but I focus on this warmth inside me. It's about above the stomach but below the heart"
"So...about here?" asked IF to which she put her hand on herself, Peashy doing the same
"I call the warmth...willing it to spread through it, asking it to lend me it's strength. Then I feel...this weird sensation that I just let it out while calling 'Tenshin'. Which just means transform, to add a bit of flash.
Peashy and IF went through the motion with IF curious "Well I'll to ask Nep maybe on how it's done"
"So I ask the warm feeling to make me strong" repeated Peashy "Then I feel ticklish all over...and then call 'Tenshin!'"
"You didn't have to go that..." Terra was abruptly cut off as the familiar column of light surrounded Peashy "What the!?" and Peashy was transformed in a young woman with long blonde hair
"Whoa Pea!?" asked IF "you got bigger?" though Terra saw her really bouncing bosom
"In two places more than anything. Peashy...you're a CPU!?"
"I am?" she said looking at herself "Hey I did! I'm all bigger too!"
Peashy was now fair-skinned young woman with bright peach colored eyes and pale blonde-yellow hair, in a very similar shade to Vert's. She's a tiny bit under average height with the most endowed body of any of the girls, her chesrt bigger than Marvelous' and Verts. Her hair looks to be medium-long in length. Her bangs are about eye length with two very long one's going past her ears and ending directly at her breasts. Her hair is pulled into a ponytail held with an odd dark blue/black, red, and white piece. It also has two curled strands out hair popping out of it, resembling cowlicks.
Peashy's HDD outfit is mainly white, with small amounts of dark blue/black, and red. Peashy is now wearing a single bathing-suit like piece that covers her torso leaving her inner and top of her breasts exposed. Her sleeves are dis-attached and wide, purple along the sides, a purple ring on the wrist and the knuckles. She has black or dark blue markings on both hips and breasts, along with small red glowing segments on each piece and below the breast that compliment this. She has an odd collar-piece around her neck, and wears plain white gloves above the elbow in length. She also has on above the knee boots with kneepad pieces and blue/black coloring at the top and back of the leg. At the ankle on the front is a red glowing marking on both legs.
Terra and IF were shocked the say the least, to the point Terra went human "Okay...hmm...what the heck is going here?" asked Terra
"Well...you can see it right" said IF "Peashy...transformed!?"
"I was...asking more metaphorically"
"Wow...I'm so big" she said looking at herself, and her chest "I'm really tall and my boobies are as a big as Verts"
"I'd say...bigger" said IF to herself
"Peashy...to check that is you of course?" asked Terra
"Of course it's me Big Brother" she said running to him before spinning "See? It's still me"
"I...can see that, but I can't believe it"
Terra just itched his head "Since...when could you transform?"
"Hmm...I dunno. This is my first time" said Peashy
"Ooo...kay, that and I somehow doubt any of you could keep the secret"
"Say Peashy...when did you find a CPU core?" asked IF "Histoire did say only certain girls when they eat one can change"
"You make a point" said Terra "Try and remember...did you eat anything shiny and round?"
"Hmmm...Hmm" Peashy crossed her arms, thinking hard until "Oh yeah that's right. I found one when I got away from that naughty rat"
"Do you mean Warechu with the satchel that Marvelous carried?"
"That's right. I found some shiny candy on the floor, and I was so hungry...so I ate"
IF just dropped her jaw "So...let me get this straight" she said "You were taken by Warechu, saved, suddenly felt hungry, found what you thought was candy and it turned out to be a CPU core?" it was then Terra sharply flinched
"That's...completely true!" said Terra in shock "I remembered something Marvelous told me. Marvelous told me that after interviewing Warechu, he was emptying his satchel when he said"
"What the heck? Where did it go!? I did have a CPU core, Chuu, I was give to the Goth hag? Must've dropped when that runt ambushed me" IF then flinched as well before both face-palmed themselves
"Huh...what's the matter Iffy and Terra?" asked Peashy to which they replied
"Nothing"
As they came back up "then...we really did dodge a bullet" said Terra "but I wouldn't expect Peashy to have the potential"
"Me neither" said IF "but...this could be really beneficial to us"
"Huh...what's that mean?" asked Peashy to which Terra saw a much brighter side to this discovery
"It means...with you, if this goes well" said Terra sounding hopeful "we stand a much better chance of defeating Arfoire tomorrow"
"Wait so I can help you guys? Then count me in! I can help beat up the bad guys"
"Hang on, hang on" Terra said easing her down "Let's not rush ahead just yet. We need to see how you fight, if you can fight, and how strong you are"
Terra then saw yet another benefit to this day "It's good thing we're out on our own here. We can get some training in peace. Well since I'm here for HDD training, might as well train you in the process. Are you up for it?" Peashy saluted
"You can count on me" she said happily
"Well first basic three things. First Peashy try reverting to normal, then back to HDD"
"Hmm...how do I do that?"
"Well...I guess just relax" said IF "Imagine your power having a nap"
"Umm...okay" and with a thought she went to human "Hey I did it, and recall the feeling" and she transformed back "and I'm bigger again"
Terra nodded as he showed a single index finger "That's crucial step one, now for step two. Peashy do you know if you can summon any weapons? Just ask your power for things to beat up bad-guys with"
"Okay...and now!" Peashy summoned two yellow claws which attached to her wrists like bracers "Wow...I got tiger claws" Terra himself transformed back to Azure Light
"That suggests...Peashy is a up-front fighter with those things" Peashy vanished the claws "And last crucial power up. Can you fly? Just think to yourself, to go up and you'll go up" Terra hovered off the ground
"Okay...and going upppppp!" Peashy flew off the ground "hey I'm flying, I'm flying" Peashy just began to circle and flew through the air "Whee...up, down all around whee"
"Well she's having fun" said IF "It seems she can move about fine"
"Alright Peashy come on back down" said Terra
"Alright I'm coming" Peashy was coming but seemed not quite fluid "Whoa, whoa too fast, too fast" Terra and If flinched as Peashy crashed landing on her butt "Ow...I hurt my bottom"
Terra walked over "Are you alright?"
"Yeah I'm okay" said Peashy nodding "I just landed wrong" Terra helped her up with a hand
"Well minus her landings, she seems to be fine" said IF "Now we just have to see her fight"
"Well Peashy you heard the little lady" said Terra "Since I'm to practise in HDD, you're better off doing the same. That way we can see how strong you are. For now just do what comes naturally"
"Okay I will" she said before remembering "And we have to look out for each other as team-mates so we don't get hurt"
Terra seemed surprise "You showed me that. That when fighting, against Monsters or bad guys, friends have to help each other" said Peashy
"That's right...and nicely remembered" he said rubbing her head making her chuckle "Well try to stay as...as..." he then thought "Oh yeah we need a name for you"
"As in a CPU name?" asked IF as she looked Peashy "Well each girl seems to name themselves after their dominant colour. Your suit is all white, but White Heart is taken, and we can't call her Booby Heart" Peashy turned to IF, her bust swaying to her turn
"No we can't" Terra said as he then looked to her hair "Hmm...what about, Yellow Heart? Yeah, yeah that'll work. Alright Peashy...from now, your HDD form is called Yellow Heart"
"Alright...I'm Yellow Heart" Peashy said cheerfully "Now then...let's go"
As they walked along, soon more lesser wolves came out to confront "Alright...these seem pretty weak" said Terra "alright Peashy this'll be your first opponents. Just go nuts and use what comes natural"
"Okay!" Peashy forged her yellow claws and with a strong punch to the ground caused a shockwave to scatter the wolves before slashing through two to defeat them
"Whoa...not bad" said Terra "Some nice power there" at once the machine swarmed Peashy – and in complete surprise – managed to evade and block each attack put upon her
"Whoa...look at her go" said IF "She's batting those monster away like a Master"
"Talk about good battle instincts" said Terra "she's not doing much for acrobatics but she's managing" as in no time at all Peashy defeated them all before breathing and waving
"Big Bro...Big Bro I did!" said Peashy excitedly
"You certainly did"
Terra walked up to her "So then...how did fighting feel to you?"
"Hmm...easy I guess" she said "I sort of felt my body tell me what to do. And it worked"
"As I thought...that'll be your instincts guiding you" said Terra nodding "For now it might be best for you to listen to them, getting used to how you fight"
"But don't rely on them too much" said IF "you haven't been fighting as long as the Grown-ups have. But then again with Arfoire tomorrow"
"Yeah we may not have the time"
Terra smiled and tapped his fist on his palm "Now then Peashy...all that's left is to work out your strength and speed, that is comparing to rest of ours. That way I can see what your - time to break the walls here – what game level you are"
"Okie-dokie." She said back to them "How should I do that?"
"We fight together of course" said Terra making it sound simply "and speaking of fight here it is" four bi-pedal skunks with yellow helmets appeared "And our targets have arrived"
The Monster looked ready "Alright Peashy let's go" said Terra putting his hand to her
"Right" she said high-fiving him "Let's go" it was then with sword and claws the two leapt into action. Terra took the first move, with sword at right to which all the beast scattered. One leapt back at him "Terra duck down!" as if instinctive Terra lowered himself for Peashy to vault over him to kick the attacking beast away before to swipe a second away from them.
The four skunks began encircling them, the two pressing to each other's backs until all of them attacked at once. As if knowing how to react, Peashy grabbed Terra's hand and swung him in a circle to kick all the skunks before throwing into the air. Terra with sword aglow swung it "Tornaraid Sword!" he struck at two of them to knock them away as Peashy jumped at him.
Grabbing her hand he threw her to the ground to smash the floor and send the others away. Two of the skunks vanished, leaving the remaining two but Terra disposed of his with a jumping stab while Peashy went for punch, the skunk jumped but Terra came in to block the skunk and send flying while Peashy flew up and with X claw slash dealt with it no problem.
As Peashy came down IF came out "That was...somewhat amazing I have to admit but Pea I have to ask, are you absolutely sure you've never transformed?"
"Even I have to ask" said Terra "You knew how to react, and even work together with me as if we've been doing it for months"
"Yeah this is my first time" said Peashy "but it's strange, I can feel these whispers in my head...telling me what to do"
"Either way...it seems we've got no issue on teamwork. We'll have a few more fights to see if they're any kinks...but otherwise I don't see any problem with you fighting alongside us" Peashy grinned joyfully
"We just to work out Peashy's level to you guys" said IF "And our remaining monster the Lesser Fenrir should suffice"
"First how do you feel? Hungry? Tired?"
"Hmm...maybe a bit hungry but not tired" said Peashy with arms high
"Just tell us if you at all get tired, gotta pace yourself"
As the trio went on, elsewhere another person was training but for more simple goals in mind. Enfive was sparring against many multiple machines, with dual-blades and energy shots dismantling any that came before him. The machines were small or 5ft tall, all swarming around him...and though Enfive was handling himself...it wasn't without flaws.
Enfive was notably more sluggish than he thought, as he handled the machines. Some he would easily beat, while the identical next one he would near-miss or not handle well. As he defeated a mid-sized machine, a second one came at him "Begone! But as he fired his blast it missed "what!?" and the machine slammed into him hard but he retaliated and with angry resolve cut through them all.
Enfive panted, a bit tired and sore until four small ones came at him surprising him. At that moment...a memory of Falcom flashed in his mind teaching him/Terra swordplay to which he responded accordingly and destroyed them all that were around him.
Enfive panted, vanishing both sword before rubbing his side "It's as I thought..." he said bitterly "my body is still not up to par, worse still...is those lessons from that interfering teacher...is what I need right now"
"You seem to be having trouble brother" said Arfoire walking towards him "So what's the problem? Are you able to engage in battle tomorrow?" Enfive paused and added bitterly
"Sadly no. My powers and power feel no different...but my body is not responding as it should. I'm making mistakes...and the lingering soreness from what Purple Heart did to me...remains like an odour" Arfoire recalled the moment
"You did take severe damage after all...to the point your life near ended"
"Still...It's nothing permanent. A mere few more days is all I need" Arfoire patted his shoulder
"Then there is no need to fret dear brother. My power should be sufficient to crush them...and if needs be I can still take the power of Green Heart and that infernal Neptune to add to my power, and the hidden power I've yet to unveil"
Enfive seemed a tad relieved "For now...simply regain your strength" said Arfoire "It will be required to govern the new world as no doubt...there will be those who defy us"
"Still...can you be certain?" asked Enfive "Not to question your power...but before you fought only four CPU's while I fought the rest. Neptune and Nepgear will no doubt enter the fray, as will that Boobed Ninja and Falcom. Also while I doubt he'll make much indent...there is that false self of mine"
"I fear him less than catching a cold" said Arfoire arrogantly "he is weak...nothing more, nothing less. As for your previous comment...I might make a plan or two should things go bad...but I see no pause for concern"
"If you say so...but I doubt that false ego will have been twiddling his thumbs"
"As I said...I see no pause for concern" as Arfoire walked off
"Let that arrogance consume you...and you'll regret it"
Enfive looked to his hand "While I shouldn't let it bother me, I wonder if that poor ego mine is any better. How he was even freed...or the fact he could be freed is beyond my comprehension. Terra...must've really established his own force of will, to linger that bit longer. But still...I did assimilate near all I had given to him, strength and special powers included, so at best...he'd be an amateur"
Enfive decided to call it a day "Still...in the end it could be advantageous. The girls wll no doubt be nursing him, reducing whatever time they had to train. Making our job of world dominations to be more real"
"You say that...but you have doubts don't you?" Enfive shot round, forging both blades "You say that to be certain...but your will wavers"
"Shut up! Who's there...show yourself?"
"Simply do what you wish. Being born for a purpose is the basic way to live. But sometimes one's purpose...is not one dictated and can be taken away"
"Kindly keep it to yourself why don't you?" Enfive said to the air before coming back down "Right that's it...working too hard" he swung his arms round "Might pay a visit to a town or something and check out the local hot springs. One of us needs to scare kids with strength not body odour"
Back at Planeptune the girls were all preparing for their battle with Arfoire through strategy plans led by Marvelous and Falcom...but one notion that came up was met with...resistance "You...want us to do what!?" asked Blanc
"Hear me out" said Falcom "Me and Marvelous have got a plan in mind, and that leads to Terra - as well as one or two of you – to hang back and not partake in the battle"
"You can't be serious" said Vert
"But...he's being training so hard" said Nepgear "We can't tell him he can't compete"
"I know this whole fight...is more our problem than his" said Noire "But frankly I prefer to have all my chess pieces on the board"
"It's not that we're leaving him out" said Marvelous "He's to be our back-up plan, our wave 2 so to speak"
Marvelous folded her arms "I know this is dumb to say...but it's unwise for ALL of us to attack Arfoire at the same time"
"Why can I ask?" asked Neptune "I mean raid bosses need about 30 players or more to beat you know"
"It's...something I thought to point out" said Falcom "A party of about 4 – 6 should suffice. Arfoire has good skill in crowd control, able to fend off attacks from multiple angles. Not only that...but there's also your emotions to take into account"
"What do you mean by that?" asked Blanc
"I think she refers to...our reactions to each other" said Vert "Naturally when we're in battle...should one of us get hurt, or make a mistake, we'll all react to it losing composure. We'll also be naturally trying to cover each other...and having a large group will – ironically - spread us too thin"
Nepgear seemed anxious "Then...what is it we should do?" she asked "I mean I get the idea of separating into teams...but"
"Mine and Marvelous' plan" said Falcom gesturing to her "Is for us to be broken into two teams. The first team, which will have the most members, will go forth to challenge Arfoire"
"The first team will gauge her abilities so to speak" said Marvelous "and force her to show more of her power"
"Team A will set off earlier to the battle" said Falcom explaining "and engage Arfoire. Once Noon Arrives, the actual time, Terra and Team B will head in...or if things grow desperate we'll get him then"
"Can I ask...the true purpose of this plan?" asked Noire "I can understand why you're splitting us up AND your reason of the plan is sound. But why Terra specifically in the second team?"
"All will be clear...honest"
"But...one question ladies" said Neptune who sounded a little sombre "Should Terra even be involved in this fight? Not that I don't want him to join...but I'm worried about him considering whom he'll be fighting. He says he's ready but..."
Neptune's point was understood "Terra...had to be made to understand himself" said Nepgear sombrely "and I know it hurt him a lot to understand it. We have helped him to recover...but I know Arfy will be trying to reopen the wound she made"
"And...we can't be certain" said Vert "That he's as mentally strong as he says"
"But, before we gain doubts" said Plutia to everyone "This is Terra's choice to make. He wants to help us...thats why he's been fighting so hard. Sure it won't be the easiest fight for him...but it'll hurt him more knowing he could help, but we wouldn't let him"
"You...make a good point Plutie" said Neptune "We'll leave it to him to decide. I can happy with that knowing he willingly wanted to come"
Falcom looked among everyone "Now...counting me there are seven of us in battle. Marvelous has decided she'll be overseeing the battle to relay to Terra Arfoire's abilities"
"Why?" asked Plutia "I know watching Arfy will be important...but are you hoping Terra can act accordingly?"
"He is quite a battle technician" said Vert "We've all seen proof of that when he's aided us"
"Among us...at least one or two should stay behind" said Marvelous "and specifically Vert, Neptune or both"
Neptune seemed a little annoyed "Heyyyy why us?" asked Neptune "Don't we get to any fun?"
"If things get tough for Arfoire" said Falcom "It could be possible she tries to copy your power or Vert's"
"I see what you mean" said Vert folding her arms "Before Arfoire has felt no need to copy my abilities or Neptune's. But if pushed she could easy assimilate our power and boost her own"
"Not only that" continued Falcom "But it's to my understanding your own strength is weakened for a while...meaning everyone else will be trying to cover for you"
"So if at least Neptune or Vert stay back" said Blanc "then at least we won't be worried with Arfoire going From Final Boss, to Super Boss to Broken at least"
Neptune then nodded "Then...I'll vote to stay behind" said Neptune "I'll go with Terra on the B team. Besides the heroine of the game is allowed to turn up late to make her dashing entrance"
"I'll join in with Terra" said Nepgear quickly "Neither me nor Neptune has fought Arfoire yet...so honestly I'm worried of fighting her first. Not that I wouldn't feel reassured fighting alongside everyone else...but Terra is my mentor. So at least he can help me if I mess up"
Falcom nodded "Then me, Vert, Blanc, Plutia and Noire will Team A, with Marvelous scouting for us"
"Once I send the message for back-up..." said Marvelous "You all come join us"
"Now...we come to the crucial, and arguably, morale dividing part" Falcom heavily sighed "we...cannot tell Terra about this plan. Team A...will be going forth in secret"
"Wait what!?" remarked Blanc
"As soon as Terra hears of you going to fight Arfoire" said Marvelous "He'll naturally come in to help you"
"Why do I feel like...there's something you're not telling us here?" asked Noire "Has Terra...learnt something we should be aware of?"
Falcom sighed "I realise that our plan is...being a little cruel to Terra, but if it works it'll gives us the edge over Arfoire"
"Again...is there something we've missed?" asked Noire "Why can't Terra be part of the forward Team?"
"You'll...have to take our word for it on this one"
"Besides...we may not even need him" said Vert "Our levels have progressed and all our skill levels have grown"
"At best...we could soften up Arfy for everyone" said Plutia
"Or make her chew through more of her power"
"Now for one note" said Falcom "While you CPU's will be fighting Arfoire, I'll be seeing what I can do to stem the Machine horde. From just that TV shot alone, the best I can do is slow them down. For remember while we duel Arfoire, the machines will be advancing on the nations"
"You...make a valid point" said Vert as if remembering "This battle is also against time"
It was then Nepgear spoke up "Falcom...can I assist you with taking apart of the machines? I'd feel better knowing you had assistance"
"Well...not that I won't complain but why switch?" asked Falcom
"I still plan on going with Neptune and Terra...but the plan revolves around keeping a secret from Terra and...I know I'd be unable to"
"So you're putting it all on me huh?" asked Neptune sighing "But I hear you Nep Jnr. As your as honest as they come"
"So Neptune will join Terra...and rest go ahead before Noon" said Marvelous "Then with that...all we can do is prepare. So you'd best buy items, equipment and the like. For even with the plan we have...we can't guarantee success"
"And the Chapter ends, things are about to begin to build. The next day our hero and heroines journey forth to challenge Arfoire. Only what is the plan that Marvelous and Falcom have in store? What has Terra learnt, that he needs to be held back? And will the arrival of the new CPU Yellow Heart help to even things up. Well...stay tuned for the next chapter...is what I would say, but those words belong to Young Histoire"
"Greetings everyone...sorry for my absence in this chapter, I had a small matter to attend to. It seems that I've been getting Spam Messages from an Unknown user called C-Roire and I've been discussing with my older self how to block them. Still I plan on sticking around now...and may I say I didn't expect Peashy to be a CPU"
"Just keep it to yourself Histoire. You're the only neutral member we can get right now"
"Of course...for it would spoil it for the audience. Now...next time on Neptunia's LC Mk 2. Terra continues his training session with the newly transformed Peashy, satisfied with what he sees. As they head home, deciding to keep Peashy's power a secret, the next day begins"
Histoire takes a small drink "With the plan in place, everyone heads out leaving Neptune, Terra and the kids at home. They set off to duel against Arfoire and her machines. With Arfoire yet to unveil her full power, will the improved CPU's stand a chance? Or will Terra be sent out early. Stay tuned for Chapter 50: The Shallows of Darkness. See you then