Interdimensional RED-Coded Contract

Interlude: Conflict Against The Wicked

The main gate… was actually open, which is rather surprising. If it was Falcom who wanted someone to stay away from her, the first thing she would do would be to lock the doors, but for some reason Angela failed to do that.

Weird.

Maybe... it's a trap?

It felt too convenient to the adventurer, so Falcom hesitated before going through. In fact, the Eyelander got impatient because of how much time she wasted debating whether or not this path was safe.

"Stop staring at the gate like some fish and just go in already. I'm not sensing anything, so the path should be safe." The Eyelander said.

Interestingly enough, the Wraith of the battering ram disappeared. Yes, it scared Falcom when it appeared, there's no denying that, but now she kinda missed it.

Maybe she can't see the Wraiths anymore? But isn't this spell supposed to have an area-of-effect?

No matter what was the reason, Falcom passed through the gates and entered the castle's grounds, surprisingly without any complications.

"Yup, confirmed. Fucked. Up. Everything. Great job, you stupid moron for not seeing this."

The Observer released an agitated sigh and threw a rather thick book onto a table that was in front of him. Strangely, the chapter he finished reading was titled "Angela Noisiv Vitca", and the context was nothing more that an abundance of information about the Dark Magician.

As he skimmed through her backstory, he felt guilt rising within him. For her to go through such a tragedy, and he was oblivious to it until it became a problem…

The Observer wasn't in the white void anymore, but rather in a library, surrounded by hundreds or even thousands of books filled with knowledge, from ancient history to skill techniques to simple cooking recipes.

But this was no ordinary library.

"How the hell has it even affected her so early? The Butterfly Effect shouldn't affect other nations so soon." He said, burying his face in his hands. "Ugh… hopefully Magnavox won't be so mad about it."

"I see you're in a bit of a pickle. Would you like to hear some advice?"

"Yeah, please Histoire."

He turned his head towards the fairy and flashed her a grin.

This Histoire isn't the Oracle of Planeptune that the mercenaries know, but she's still Histoire the Sentient Tome Fairy. She was much younger and cuter than the Oracle, looking almost like a cute doll.

She had her hair shorter, and wore a light-purple gown with sleeves that are too big for her. The observer would really mistake her for a doll if she wasn't actually alive.

"First, here is the copy of a book that you wanted to take." The fairy placed a rather thin book next to the much thicker one. "Judging by its content, I assume this is for IF from the dimension you're in charge of, yes?"

"Yes." The observer nodded and grabbed the thin book. It had a nice, red cover with a gold flame in the middle. "This is going to be my little congratulatory gift for them, for saving Blanc. I still need some ideas for Compa and Falcom though."

"I see. And I must ask, don't you think you're changing the events too much?"

"Pardon?"

Histoire cleared her throat while the male stared at her with a frown on his face. "The problem you're facing is a product of your excessive meddling with the events. And while this could be possibly fixed by messing with the timeline even more, there's a certain risk that this will make things even worse later on."

"Yes, I know about the danger. You and Magnavox already warned me about the Butterfly Effect."

The Butterfly Effect. A phenomenon in which even the smallest change in the original timeline will result in much greater changes given enough time. Something stupid like tripping on a cable and spilling a drink on a machine could potentially result in a nation-wide genocide when given enough time.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

"Yes, we did." Histoire nodded, recalling the countless lessons about time travel, and the time itself that were led by her. "And we also taught you that the simplest solution is often the best one. I advise you to simply stay put this time, and let the timeline fix itself."

"You're asking me to just watch while my dimension, and my work, are on the verge of going Conquest-route!?" The observer countered.

"The Conquest can be achieved only by Nepgear, only if she meets certain requirements, and only when Arfoire is close to being resurrected." Argued the fairy, dropping her cute little smile. "Because there is still a lot of time before the ASIC finishes their goal, I'm confident to say that Angela has absolutely no chances of acquiring the cursed sword. So long as the changes aren't too significant."

Her calm words cut apart his argument which gave him a bit of ease, but the line 'changes aren't too significant' bothered him. "So long as the changes aren't significant, huh?" He parroted.

There's no way in hell these changes 'aren't significant'. Not at all...

This is troublesome, actually.

"I think the changes are already too big, Histoire." The observer pointed out.

"This just reinforces my argument." Histoire sighed and rubbed her temple, trying to fight off a rising headache. "Just wait and see what happens, act only when necessary."

"I'll give it some thought, but I won't promise anything. Thanks though, Histoire. For the advice and the skill book." The observer stood up and stretched, he's been sitting there for quite a long time. "When you see Segami and IF, tell 'em I said 'hi'."

"I will. Do your best."

He left the library with Histoire giving him a warm smile. It was already evening in their time, and the sky was clear. It would be a good time to take a pleasant stroll, but he had no motivation to do so, and the work was calling for him.

He raised his hand towards the heavens, and shouted with clear voice.

"To Celestia I ascend!"

The calm evening was interrupted by an odd phenomenon, despite the cloudless sky a thunder could be heard and seen near the library. It disappeared as suddenly as it appeared, and the Observer vanished along with it.

The doors to the castle were open as well, almost like Angela actually wanted Falcom to come back.

Falcom grew really suspicious this time around and had to ask. "Are you really sure this isn't a trap?" She kept her hand on the sword and alert for anything. But so far, her eyes saw nothing.

"..." The Eyelander didn't answer Falcom, which unnerved her. A moment of eerie silence has passed, then another, and another but he still stayed silent. "...Duke Eyelander?" Falcom looked down at the battered claymore, afraid that something truly was wrong.

Finally, he spoke.

"...They really hid themselves well."

And a bunch of arms erupted from the ground, before Angela's undead domestic force arose from the depths of the earth. Like always, their clothes were in pristine condition, and in their hands were their rusted blades that Falcom remembered from before. They were short and damaged, but the adventurer knows to not underestimate the weapons of an undead. They could be perfectly sharp for all she knows.

Falcom unsheathed the Eyelander and waited for their move, but none of them attacked. Instead, they threw their hands towards the stairs, like they wanted to present something.

And that something turned out to be Angela herself, slowly descending with her purple eyes zeroed on the adventurer. There was a mix of emotions behind them, disappointment, acceptance and… anger.

"So you have come. Of course you would, but why? Why would you do that?" The Dark Magician asks as she reinforced her gaze onto the redhead. For some reason her eyes seemed to be literally glowing with the dark crimson, Falcom didn't know if it was some sort of spell or something else...

Even so, it was her turn. "Angela, please!" She pleaded. "Don't do this! Why can't you give Nepgear a chance!? Just one!"

Angela scoffed and turned her head to the side. "I already gave her a chance and look what happened." She spat out, motioning to the sword in Falcom's hands. "Eyelander already informed you, didn't he? My sister died because of that fight between her and the CFW. My boyfriend was murdered in one of those assaults that she's orchestrating. I thought I could move on and forget about my parents' demise, but all I got was even more despair! From the CPU Candidate, no less!"

The Dark Magician faced the adventurer once more and Falcom was certain this time. Her eyes were really changed. They were filled with hatred, vengeance, loathing, she truly hated the CPUs.

Falcom knew that persuading her would be hard, but this was above her expectations. Just the sight of her was enough to make Angela's blood boil, and there wasn't anything that Falcom could use to calm her down. There just wasn't anything for her to go on.

"So just because they didn't help you, y-you want to become a murderer just because of that!?"

The adventurer couldn't even understand Angela's pain. Even as an adventurer, Falcom had lived a relatively peaceful and simple life. Death of others around her just wasn't something that she was familiar with.

"Yes, I do want that!" Angela shouted, after days of suppressing her anger she can finally let it all out on the other woman that was in this room. "Have you ever lost somebody dear to you? Just one person is painful enough! And when you lose all of them in just a few days, right in front of your eyes? People commit suicide for less!"

Falcom could only gulp and wait for any opening. This battle of words just isn't her style, she's horribly underprepared for this situation…

While Falcom pondered how she could disarm the ticking bomb that was the Dark Magician, the girl in question continued her shouting tirade. "The CPUs and their Oracles don't care about people they lead, I saw it with my own eyes in Lastation, and here in Planeptune. None of them gave a slight damn about me when my life was falling apart!"

"There are millions and even billions of people in each nation! Just because the Goddesses didn't help you, it doesn't mean they don't care-!"

"Have you ever walked off the main streets of Planeptune!?" Cut off by Angela, the redhead stayed silent as she realized the mistake she just made. She shouldn't have said that, she just made things even worse.

The Dark Magician voice was mocking, but still held her angry, venomous tone in it. "Do you know how many people are getting scammed right as we speak? Do you know how many innocent people are getting arrested and locked away, just because they were cheated by those pirates? Do you know how many people lost their families, their homes and lives, just because the Oracle and the CPU thought that they can just murder the ASIC out of her nation!? Everyone in the whole Gamindustri has realized that goddamn Nepgear has ordered those attacks! She kills her civilians just for siding with the ASIC! How can you still be her friend!?"

"That wasn't Nepgear! That was Histoire-!"

Falcom stopped herself but it was too late, the damage has been done. She shouted it out without thinking and now she has ruined everything. She has done it, she screwed it up.

"See! You knew!" Feeling victorious, Angela jabbed her finger at shocked Falcom. "You know all about it! You're one of Nepgear's friends aren't you, of course you would know. And you just confessed that they did it."

"N-No… w-wait!"

There's nothing she could do now, Angela won't back down and all Falcom did was just give grounds for Angela's ideas.

"There's no waiting here, Falcom." Angela shook her head. "But you're a decent person, so I'll give you a choice. You can either drop the Eyelander and leave, never to cross my path again. Or you can try and kill me. Either way, one of us has to go. Choose."

To run away and let Nepgear get killed…

Or to fight and stop Angela…

No matter the choice, there's going to be bloodshed. Angela won't be talked down, Falcom can either give up or try to stop Angela by force…

She sighs.

"I really didn't wish for this to happen." The adventurer said as she readjusted her grip. She failed to do it peacefully, but maybe Angela will listen if she beats her up."

The Dark Magician closed her eyes and made a small nod. "Me neither, but it has to be done."

Fighting 25 to 1 is hard.

But when those 25s are a horde of zombies that are surprisingly skilled and clever, backed up by a strong and crafty magician? That's even harder, even with Eyelander's help.

With a single swing, Falcom parried strikes coming from 4 butlers, metal met metal and the Adventurer grit her teeth as she was forced to match the strength of several undead men. While she was distracted, a maid tried to stab her but Falcom avoided the blow with a quick side step.

They didn't give her a chance to recover, as a butler charged from Falcom's left, but the adventurer swung her sword and crossed blades with him. She kneed him in the stomach and swiftly decapitated, making his headless body and weapon crumble into dust.

1 down, 24 to go.

Falcom took a deep breath, and saw several dark blue projectiles coming her way. They moved in an erratic, unpredictable way but the Eyelander had a plan. He guided Falcom to hide behind a maid and use her as a meatshield; Angela clicked her tongue when all of her bolts hit the zombie instead their designated target.

2 down, 23 to go.

Angela's mistake shocked the undead, and they all stopped to stare in shock at the fallen maid. Falcom took advantage of this opening and charged straight at Angela. Before the staff realized what happened, Falcom was already at the stairs thanks to her superior movement speed.

The Dark Magician narrowed her eyes while the redhead moved in for a decapitation.

Or at least, that's what she thought.

"Nice try, but that is not going to work."

The Eyelander was blocked by a transparent barrier that surrounded Angela, and Falcom's orange eyes widened when she realized that she was suspended mid-air, and she couldn't move too...

"A magician never engages in a direct fight without some sort of protection." Angela smugly explained and raised her staff, holding it with both hands like a baseball bat.

"Begone, thot!"

Shouting, The Dark Magician swung her staff at Falcom with all her might, putting her entire body into it. The force felt unnatural, too strong for someone of her small frame to achieve, and yet Falcom was blown back into the horde of zombies.

Angela didn't see Falcom falling because something else took her attention. It was the sound of a cheering crowd. But from where did it come from? It wasn't her Familiars' doing, but there wasn't anyone else nearby…

Weird…

Meanwhile, back in Planeptune, Scout felt goosebumps all of a sudden. It was this familiar sensation which left the young merc staring into a certain direction. Yet again he felt a disturbance in the force, like someone just did something baseball-related without him knowing.

Butlers and maids scattered in fright, not wanting to be crushed under the falling woman. Falcom fell onto the hard floor… actually unharmed... but she still sucked some air through her teeth.

Then the staff charged once more, not giving her even a moment of break.

They surrounded their prey and tried to overwhelm her, but a cornered fox is more dangerous than a jackal, and they had to fall back after Falcom cut down 3 of them with her swift, precise strikes. More of them would go down as well, if they weren't fast enough to block or dodge.

Still, 5 down and 20 to go.

Slowly, but surely, the scales were turning towards Falcom.

Then the butler that died first, reappeared, which made the odds fall back onto Angela side.

"You can't be serious!" The Eyelander cried out while Falcom backed off to dodge incoming blades. "They can respawn!?"

"Their bodies aren't of flesh and bones after all." Explained Angela, resurrecting another dead member of her staff. "Death for them is just a temporary thing."

Falcom made a small growl out of anger, and used her opponents' mistake to kill 5 of them at once. She tried to do it again, but the rest of the group just backed off. At least it gave her some breathing space.

The fight quickly evolved into a battle of attrition, where a winner was uncertain.

Falcom fought alone and was surrounded at all times, but her superior skills and the Eyelander's help made it easy for Falcom to stand her ground. However each undead that she killed kept respawning after a few seconds, and Angela was an untouchable enemy that Falcom couldn't attack no matter what she does.

"Alright, this is getting tiresome." The Eyelander commented, decapitating a suicidal maid that tried to jump on Falcom. "Woman, follow my lead. It's time for Plan B."

"We have a Plan B!?" Falcom yelped and ducked underneath a sword that tried to make her a head shorter. She didn't hear anything about any Plan B.

"I have it, but I need you to trust me."

"Alright, got it!"

The short exchange had an immediate effect. Falcom changed her stance and stopped staying on the defensive. She charged at the group directly between her and Angela and pressed them on with a flurry of strikes, clangs of metal were loud and often as the adventurer attacked hard on several people at once, while also keeping her back covered from any cheeky zombie that tried to stab her in the back.

It was no surprise to anyone that the undead group was quickly dispersed, either by getting themselves killed or simply pushed back, but Falcom wasn't interested in fighting them anymore. With the path between herself and Angela cleared once more, the adventurer charged towards the stairs, while also parrying a swing from the desperate maid that was really more of a last ditch effort than anything else.

Angela frowned and released the same black cloud that she used to incapacitate Falcom before, but the adventurer simply jumped over it and landed right in front of the magician. The girl tensed and prepared herself to whack Falcom back into the horde…

But Falcom ignored her completly and ran around her, climbing to the second floor.

Her maneuver caught the Magician off guard, and for a moment Angela thought that Falcom would suddenly jump back down and attempt to cut her down… but her steps grew quieter with each second…

She had fled deeper into the castle…

But for what reason?

Sprinting across the hallway, Falcom encountered numerous Wraiths that inhabited the relatively empty building. She didn't stop to listen to any of them but, strangely enough, just their presence alone soothed the adventurer's nerves.

At least, as much as they could be soothed while Falcom was running for her life.

"T-This is your plan?" The adventurer asked, running through two guards that were chatting in the middle of the corridor.

"A part of it, but we need to discuss the rest first. Turn right when you can and catch a breather."

The adventurer gave him a nod and focused on her breathing, in and out, in and out…

She didn't notice it while she was fighting, but it was harder to move her legs and arms. She didn't feel anything like pain, but her limbs could be a few kilograms heavier… "I feel… heavy." Falcom said, feeling confused by this. She looked at her left hand and tried to ball it into a fist, and she managed to do so, but she had problems keeping it up…

"That's because you're tired, Woman." The Eyelander said flatly as Falcom turned the corner. "Okay, that's enough. Now rest a little and listen to me."

Falcom didn't actually feel tired at all, but her entire body felt like it was made out of lead. Nonetheless the adventurer leaned against the wall and asked. "Where's Angela?"

"She and her little zombie horde are following you, they'll soon catch up so I'll make this short." The sword paused for a moment, either to think of how he should say this or just for dramatic effect.

Then he instructed her to...

"...Close your eyes, clear your mind and just relax. That's all."

…

…

…

…

...

"Huh?"

Completely uncharacteristically, Falcom deadpanned and gave the Eyelander a flat look. "Haaauuuh?" She repeated, staring expectantly at the sword.

"Just do it, there's no time. Angela will catch up soon." He hurried her, but Falcom saw right through him.

"Your Plan B is taking full control of my body, right?"

"Yes."

There was no point in denying it, all he wanted was to take a full control of her body. But he had a good reason to do so. "Think of your choices here. You can either continue this little tirade and try fighting Angela by yourself, but remember that your body has its limits and you're reaching them."

"Or let you take the helm, and let you use your power to the fullest, is that right?" Falcom finished for him. She remembered how he said that he's holding her back and that she's a poor vessel for him. But if he could unleash his full power by taking full control over her...

Call this a Woman's Intuition or just experience, but she knows how this will end…

"Correct. I can save your life, but only if you let me possess you. Just close your eyes and relax, or continue fighting and eventually die. Your call."

Yet another choice. How many of them has she faced today…

"HAAAAAAAAALT!"

Angela interrupted Falcom's train of thought, and the adventurer turned her head towards the Dark Magician. Her entire posture was different from moments ago, where all Angela wanted was to see Falcom dead. She isn't angry anymore.

She is afraid.

"Falcom, no matter what you do, DON'T listen to Eyelander! Don't do this, let's just talk it out."

The Eyelander chuckled, amused by this turn of events. "It's funny how quickly you changed your tune." He offhandedly commented. "Moments ago you wanted this woman either dead or gone, but now you're so eager to be diplomatic. What changed your mind?" He mocked her, and all Angela could do was to suck it up. The tables had turned now and Falcom had the better hand here.

"Falcom, listen to me. You will throw away your soul if you listen to him. Please, reconsider."

"She will lose her soul AND her life if she doesn't." Countered the Eyelander. It always amused him whenever the arrogant begged when the tides have turned. He cannot get enough of this. Angela just got her just desserts.

But Falcom thought deeply about something that bothered her… The colors of Angela's eyes has changed, they're back to purple.

Was this just the light?

But ignoring her eyes for now, Falcom couldn't talk Angela down the first time she tried, because she had nothing to go on…

But this time, she has an excellent bargaining chip to use.

"Angela, I'm going to do what you say and not let the Eyelander take control of me-"

"Really?" Deadpanned the Eyelander.

"-But only if you surrender, and stop your whole revenge plot!"

Every bit of hope that Angela felt right now was shattered, while the Eyelander laughed hysterically. "Ahahahahahahaha! Good one there, woman!" The ghost applauded his temporary partner for getting this idea.

"I-I w-well..." Angela was panicking, just like Falcom did when she tried to talk her down. The entire thing had turned by 180 degrees, where Angela was the one who had no cards to play. She pushed Falcom too much and forced her to use her trump card…

And her experience with ghosts tells her that it won't be pretty if Falcom was to use it.

"Angela, please." The adventurer begged. "Stop with this revenge nonsense and let's be friends, you, me and Nepgear. All of us."

To show that the redhead bears no ill will towards her, Falcom extends her hand. Which was the worst possible scenario for Angela. Now it was either throwing her entire past life, and goal away for a chance of redemption. Or continue clinging to her past, and avenge her fallen loved ones...

A major step in her life no matter how she cuts it.

The Dark Magician turned towards her Familiar for support, and sighed after a brief moment.

"I'm sorry, Falcom."

Whether it was determination to get revenge, or just fear of change, not even Angela knew.

But at least Falcom understood this, and dropped her hand. "Not much of a choice then." She sighed and looked down at the sword in her hand. "I hope you will at least go easy on her, Duke Eyelander."

"Please… this'll be a breeze." He bragged as Falcom closed her eyes.

"Good." She could hear the Eyelander saying. "Just relax, clear your mind and leave everything else to me."

A moment later, something clicked and she couldn't move her legs or arms. It was a strange sensation, she knew that she still had her limbs and where they were, but she couldn't move them at all, Falcom couldn't even try moving them. Her body was simply ignoring her commands.

Falcom panicked and tried to open her eyes, but the darkness still remained. Like someone blindfolded her.

"Stay calm, stay calm. Everything is going smoothly." The Eyelander said, but his voice wasn't coming from the sword anymore.

It was coming from within her.

She was in the same predicament as after Angela casted that smoke spell on her.

But this time, it was much more pleasant.

A pleasing warm surrounded her, lulling her to sleep, like a blanket in a cold night. Falcom's soul was growing tired, but she felt at peace, knowing that she wasn't alone in this body.

As she went to sleep, a demonic voice laughed.

"Aha- AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Aha- AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

A creepy and eerie laughter pierced the silent air, sending chills through the spines of listeners.

This… isn't Falcom anymore.

"You're a fool, Falcom…" Angela whispered, staring nervously at the person in front of her. Her undead staff grew worried as well. They weren't fighting Falcom helped by a ghost anymore. They're fighting a Possessed Falcom.

Possessed by an ancient, malevolent spirit to boot...

Despite keeping her voice low, 'Falcom' still heard Angela and turned 'her' face towards her. 'Her' eyes were closed, but they burned with the cursed green flames.

And 'her' lips morphed into a smug, wicked grin. "A fool?" Possessed Falcom repeated, hers voice fused with Eyelander's resulting in one dreadful combination. "This woman has made the right choice!"

'She' examined her left hand, observing Falcom's muscles. "I have to take back what I said about her earlier. I said that she's a poor vessel, but when you do take full control over her, her body can surprisingly strong." 'She' cheerfully noted.

"I guess it's too late to bring Falcom back." Angela sighed.

"Actually the Woman is still there. Taking a pleasant nap." Retorted the ghost. Flicking 'her' finger, Possessed Falcom chanted a spell. "Barpo kabalto" And a surge of life coursed through 'her' veins, revitalizing and momentarily Übercharging the body.

The spell that was used confused the Magician. "I never seen this kind of magic before, what did it do?" None of her books had anything about spells like that one. Is this an ancient type of magic? No, it couldn't be. It's different.

Possessed Falcom checked 'her' nails as she explained. "Impressed? I guess it's understandable you don't know, this is a magic from a whole different world you don't know about. It's an Über Heal, I think it's name is pretty self-explanatory. It couldn't save me from death though."

"No amount of those new spells will save you." Angela growled, she isn't standing against Falcom anymore. This is just an abomination to defeat, a monster waiting to be defeated. "You hear me! I'm bringing you down!"

"Yes. Yes! Yeees!" Exclaimed Possessed Falcom. "I was waiting for this moment. Do you have what it takes to carry out your revenge? Or will you fall before it even begins? And just so you know, I'm not going to hold anything back."

"Neither will I!" The Dark Magician grit her teeth and prepared her spells, while her undead army took the front and protected her.

This isn't going to be an easy fight… But now it's truly a kill or be killed moment.

Seeing butlers and maids surround 'her', Possessed Falcom chuckled and raised 'her' brow at the Dark Magician. "Headdds…" 'She' muttered and went into 'hers' combat stance.

Interdimensional RED-Coded Contract

Interlude: Conflict Against The Wicked

Are you guys getting bored with this side-arc? If so, then I can tell you that we have like… 3-5 chapters left to write. There's going to be this Possessed Falcom (Eyelander) vs Angela fight, the Gehaburn itself and the official introduction of the Observator. Afterwards the Lowee Arc can finally begin.

Few things to explain:

The Histoire that the Observer was talking with, is the one from Superdimension Neptune vs Sega Hard Girls, and the book that he got from her is a skill exclusive to that game. Yeah, IF is going to get a power up soon, so will Falcom. Compa however will have to wait for her own gift though.

Yes, Eyelander can freely use the spells from spell book. But he can only use the regular ones (so no Monoculus or Meteor Storm) and it also burns out Falcom's SP. He also have an access to Falcom's skills from the Re;Birth 2 that Falcom forgot that she even has them. She spent so much time with Nepgear that she forgot she can use her own magic.

Respondes:

kerrowe -

I didn't really change much in the prologue. I just made the descriptions a little clearer and made the whole thing a lot longer. (Like… 4-5k words longer… bloody hell…) I wanted it to be just a better read while also not changing the base too much.

- Harmless Orange