Neptunia Heart Souls- CHAPTER 16

 MAGES. Led Neptune and Nepgear outside. The Nep’s were surprised to see that all the Clyde and Ms. Clyde monsters were gone. “Where did the monsters go?” Neptune asked, as she looked around for any signs of them.

“They like to hide and surprise people.” Said MAGES. “Trust me. They’ll be back out as soon as we start walking towards the first spawner.”

“Great…” Nepgear said, as she glanced down at the energy sword she was holding. Thanks to the last few purchases Nepgear made before they left Planeptune, Nepgear was able to put the final touches on her weapon. Now the energy was consistent and her energy sword was far more reliable. Still, she couldn’t help but worry about it sometimes.

“Is everything alright small one?” Asked MAGES.

Nepgear forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

Neptune giggled. “Nepgear’s a worrier. She’ll be fine.”

MAGES. Nodded. “Very well then. Shall we go?”

Neptune and Nepgear ran around MAGES. And led the charge to the first spawner. The girls managed to run five feet away from the building when the Clyde and Ms. Clyde monsters suddenly appeared. Their ghost like bodies zoomed through the air until they were close enough to attack.

Neptune leapt out of the way as several Clyde and Ms. Clyde monsters attacked. As Neptune flew through the air, she twirled around and brought her katana down fast and swift. Her blade sliced through the monsters and with a bright flash, the creatures had vanished.

Nepgear swung her sword as well. She managed to slice through five of the creatures, before turning on her heels and killed three more.

MAGES on the other hand didn’t launch any attacks of her own. Instead she confidently strolled behind Neptune and Nepgear as they continued to kill the onslaught of monsters. A confident smile was on her face the entire time.

After ten minutes of this has passed, the girls managed to find the first spawner. The device had indeed been exposed thanks to the amount of Clyde and Ms. Clyde monsters it had created. The device was long and cylindrical in shape. It was silver in color and the base of the device had dozens of blinking lights.

“There it is.” MAGES. Said, as she aimed her staff at the device. Fire fell from the sky and slammed into the device. With a loud boom, the device was completely destroyed. “One down. Three more to go.”

“Were getting there!” Neptune said, excitedly.

“Yeah. Let’s keep it up.” Said Nepgear, swallowing hard.

And with that, the three girls made their way to the next spawner and then the next and finally they reached the fourth one. After the forth spawner had been destroyed, MAGES. Turned her attention to the remaining Clyde and Ms. Clyde monsters. “The Clyde and Ms. Clyde monsters aren’t native to this region. So don’t worry about wiping them out.”

Neptune, Nepgear and MAGES. Launched themselves at the remaining monsters. Because Clyde and Ms. Clyde monsters weren’t that powerful, the girls were easily able to defeat the rest of them.

Finally after several long moments, the monsters were gone. Neptune fell back and landed hard on her butt. “Oh man… That was a lot of work!”

“I agree.” Said Nepgear, as she fell to her knees.

MAGES. Tried to look fine, but she too was breathing rather hard. “It was but a trifle.” She said.

“Uh-huh… So you can handle those monsters over there.” Neptune asked, gesturing behind MAGES.

MAGES. Quickly spun around. “Actually I…” But stopped speaking when she noticed that nothing was behind her and Neptune was now wearing a large, mischievous smile. “I knew it was a trick.” She said. “Anyways, you two really helped me out. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.” Nepgear said, forcing a smile. “So… Will you…?” Nepgear began.

MAGES. Took a deep breath. “It would be my honor to give you both a ride to the next town using my train.”

Neptune got to her feet and held a hand out to her sister. “Come on Nepgear. Let’s get going.” She said, smiling warmly at her sister.

Nepgear happily took Neptune’s hand. “Right.” She said.

Several moments later the girls were standing in the train station. MAGES. Pressed a few buttons on a nearby control panel. The wall located beside the train station split into two sections before it popped open. After that, the mechanical arms holding the train off the ground and onto its side started to move.

Nepgear noticed the roof located outside the building and spotted a track. “So that’s why there was a roof out there.” Nepgear though to herself.

The mechanical arms moved over the track before it gently placed the trains wheels down on the track.

“There we are.” MAGES. Said, before she pressed another button. Several doors in the train opened. “I need to have my drones restock the train. Give me about twenty minutes.” Said MAGES.

“No problem.” Said Neptune.

“Thank you!” Nepgear said.

“My pleasure. We’ll settle your tab afterwards.” Said MAGES.

“Huh? Tab?” Neptune said, surprised.

“You want us to pay?” Nepgear asked.

MAGES. Turned to Neptune. “It was a joke.” She said, plainly.

Neptune and Nepgear exchanged glances. “Are you sure?” Neptune asked, but MAGES. Didn’t answer. The drones that MAGES. Mentioned flew down from the ceiling carrying large metallic boxes and they disappeared somewhere into the train.

Neptune and Nepgear headed upstairs and waited until the train was ready to go. Once it was loaded up, MAGES. Made her way up to where the girls were sitting. “The train is ready.” MAGES. Said, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “I wanted to thank you both again for everything, but I also wanted to mention one other thing.”

“Is it about money?” Neptune asked.

“No.” MAGES. Said, dropping her arms by her sides. Neptune and Nepgear noticed how serious MAGES. Suddenly was.

“What’s going on?” Nepgear asked.

“Well… Even though I can’t divulge everything to you, I can say this. You need to tell others about the Fairy Towers.” Said MAGES..

“Really?” Nepgear asked.

“Yes. The Fairy Towers are critical and you need to make sure there are other people who know about them. I have a feeling that it’s going to pay off in the long run.” Said MAGES..

“We need to tell others, but you can’t tell us why?” Nepgear asked.

“I do apologize. All I can do is hope that you’ll take me seriously.” Said MAGES.. “And that’s all I’ll say on the matter.”

“Thanks MAGES..” Nepgear said, getting to her feet.

“Yeah. Thanks for the ride and all that.” Neptune said, giggling.

“You’re welcome.” Said MAGES..

Neptune, Nepgear and MAGES. Headed downstairs. Neptune and Nepgear stepped onto the train and turned back to say goodbye to their friend. “The train is completely automated, so you don’t have to worry about doing anything. I doubt I have to tell you this, but don’t get out of the train until it’s come to a complete stop.” Said MAGES..

“Thanks MAGES.!” Nepgear said, waving goodbye.

“We’ll see you later!” Said Neptune.

“Yes you will.” Said MAGES..

Neptune was about to ask MAGES. What she meant by that, but before she could utter a word the door closed and the train started to move. Neptune couldn’t help, but sigh deeply. “MAGES. Can be difficult, huh?” She asked.

“Yeah.” Nepgear said, taking a deep breath. “Anyways, let’s find a place where we can relax.”

“I won’t argue with that plan!” Neptune said.

Neptune and Nepgear made their way from the main train and into a car where they found a lavish room for themselves. The room had two beds located on the left and right sides of the room. A refrigerator located near the door and even a small bathroom located near the back.

“Whoa!” Neptune said, her eyes were filled with delight. “Look at this place?” Neptune opened the refrigerator and gasped. “It’s full of drinks and pudding! I love MAGES. Magic train!”

“It’s not magic big sis.” Nepgear said.

“So… How long are we going to be on this train anyways?” Asked Neptune.

Nepgear thought for a moment. “To be honest with you sis. I think were going to be here for at least until tomorrow morning. The Fairy Tower was moved quite a long distance.”

“Ah. I see…” Neptune said, as she reached into the refrigerator and removed two puddings. “Well we’ll just have to make the best of it.” She said, handing one of the puddings over to Nepgear.

Nepgear looked down at the pudding cup with a guilty look on her face. “I don’t know if we should eat any of this big sis.” Said Nepgear. “MAGES. Was nice enough to give this to us, but we shouldn’t take advantage of her.”

“Take advantage of what now?” Neptune asked.

Nepgear saw that Neptune had already torn off the lid of her pudding cup and was already digging into it with a spoon. “You’re terrible big sis!” Nepgear said, before she tore off the lid of he own pudding cup and started eating as well.

The two sisters sat side-by-side and devoured the pudding. “That was yummy.” Neptune said, falling back against the bed behind her. She still held the empty cup in her right hand and the spoon in her left. A look of satisfaction was on her face.

“We shouldn’t eat anymore though. MAGES. Was nice enough to give us a free ride.” Said Nepgear.

“Yeah, but we helped her with those monsters, remember?” Said Neptune.

“Yeah, but…” Nepgear began.

“GEESH!” Neptune sat up and narrowed her eyes at her sister. “Nepgear, you need to loosen up! If MAGES. Didn’t want to do this for us, she wouldn’t have, right?”

“That is true.” Nepgear said.

“See? Sometimes it’s best to just sit back and enjoy the gifts we were given! Now give me your spoon and pudding cup. I’ll throw them away.” Said Neptune, holding out her hands.

Nepgear smiled and handed them over to Neptune. “Thanks big sis.” She said.

“Of course! I’ll always look out for your sanitary needs.” And with that, Neptune leapt to her feet and made her way over to the door where she spotted a trashcan tucked between the refrigerator and wall. After tossing them inside, Neptune collapsed onto the bed. “My legs are starting to feel sore again.”

“Yeah.” Nepgear said. “I think it’s about time we take a nap.”

“Heh. My nap’s have a habit of going into over time Nepgear.” Neptune said.

“That’s true.” Said Nepgear, as she began kicking her feet. “Hey Neptune… Do you mind if we share a bed?”

Neptune giggled. “Sure! I don’t mind, but I’m going to sleep next to the wall. Okay?”

“Huh? Why?” Nepgear asked.

“Like I don’t know my brainy baby sister! At some point you’re going to wake up and think, ‘goodness how does this train work’? And you’re going to go investigate, right?” Neptune asked.

Nepgear’s eyes went wide and her cheeks grew bright red. “Well… Yeah.” She said.

“See? I know you like the back of my head. So I’ll take the spot near the wall. That way you don’t have to crawl over me to get out.” Said Neptune, as she pulled off her shoes.

“Thanks Neptune.” Nepgear said, smiling warmly at her sister.

Even though the girls were planning on sleeping, all they ended up doing was lie side-by-side staring up at the roof of the train car. Each girl’s mind was occupied by different thoughts, but they did share one thought. They really missed their home and their friends. “I wonder what IF and Compa are doing right now.” Nepgear said, breaking the silence.

“Knowing them, they’re probably working. IF’s a real workaholic.” Said Neptune. “I think after this quest I’m going to be worksober for a while.”  

“You’re always worksober Neptune.” Nepgear said.

Neptune took a deep breath, before she cuddled up with Nepgear. “Just for that I’m going to make it a bit harder for you to slip away and check out the train.”

“Oh… no…” Nepgear said, dreamily. Soon the two girls fell into a deep sleep.