Even though both girls felt uneasy about waiting. Neptune and Nepgear did as they were asked and waited until it was time for them to make their way back to the Fairy Tower. The girls had received a phone call from Planeptune’s Basilicom on the second morning and they were asked to meet lady Purple Heart near Planeptune’s main gate.
When the third morning finally came, the girls set out on their journey. “Good luck out there.” IF said.
“Please be safe.” Said Compa.
Both IF and Compa were waiting outside the Nep’s home that morning. “Thanks girls!” Neptune said. “We’ll be back soon! I promise.”
“Same here.” Nepgear said, forcing a smile. Even though Nepgear was eager to get started on their journey, she felt nervous. She had a million thoughts running through her mind and she couldn’t stop her hands from shaking.
“See you soon!” Neptune said, taking Nepgear by the hand and leading her towards the gate. “You okay sis?” Neptune asked, keeping her eyes trained on the road ahead of them.
“Y-Yeah.” Said Nepgear, nodding.
“It’s okay if you’re nervous. I got horsebirds in my stomach too.” Neptune admitted, patting her stomach.
“Yeah.” Nepgear said, taking a deep breath. “Me too.” It was strange. Even though Nepgear was feeling nervous, she felt a little better knowing she wasn’t the only one. Even her silly big sister was feeling nervous.
Lady Purple Heart stood at the main gate of Planeptune and she had gained a large crowd. People were calling out to her. Planeptune guards were trying to keep the people back, but they were having trouble.
“Oh! There you two are.” Lady Purple Heart said, floating above the crowd and gesturing for Neptune and Nepgear to follow her.
“Is lady Purple Heart going to join us?” Nepgear asked in a small voice.
“Ooh! Hunting with a celebrity. I like it!” Neptune said, barely able to contain her excitement.
Neptune and Nepgear plunged into the large crowd of people and soon found themselves running out of the other side. After passing through the large gate, the two girls ran to keep up with lady Purple Heart.
“L-LADY… PURPLE… HEART!” Neptune cried out, after a few minutes of running. “YOU’RE…”
“Oh! Sorry about that!” Lady Purple Heart said, when she realized that her companions were having a hard time keeping up. Lady Purple Heart landed gracefully and waited for the Nep’s to catch up.
“GOING… TOO… FAST!” Neptune cried, before she realized that the lady had landed.
“Yes. Sorry.” Lady Purple Heart said. “To be honest, I’m used to traveling alone.”
“It’s alright.” Nepgear said, folding her hands together in front of her. “We both know where you’re going, so we’ll catch up to you.”
“Nonsense. I’ll walk with you.” Lady Purple Heart said.
The three girls started making their way to the Fairy Tower the Nep’s had activated days ago. As they walked, Neptune and Nepgear tried to think about what to ask their lady, but their minds instantly went blank.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m going with you this time.” Lady Purple Heart said. “Well the reason is, I wanted to explain what we did around the Fairy Tower. Also I wanted to ask Histoire a question. That’s it.”
“Cool.” Nepgear said.
“I have a question!” Neptune said. “Are you going to stay with us and help activate the Fairy Towers?”
Lady Purple Heart shook her head. “Unfortunately no. As much as I would love to do it, Planeptune is my responsibility.”
“I see.” Nepgear said.
“That’s too bad.” Said Neptune. “I could have bragged to IF and Compa that we got to hunt monsters with lady Purple Heart.
“Ah yes. It’s unfortunate.” Said lady Purple Heart.
It took the three girls several hours, but soon they found themselves once again standing before the Fairy Tower. Almost immediately Neptune and Nepgear could see that several things had been added.
The first thing the girls noticed was a diamond shaped fence located around the entirety of the Fairy Tower. There were tents, tables, chairs and even refrigerators connected to generators as well. They even spotted several solar panels as well.
“This is it.” Lady Purple Heart said. “The fence doesn’t effect humans or goddesses, but they can keep small monsters away from the Fairy Tower. We have tents for sleeping, tables for working on or eating. The refrigerators have both food and medical equipment as well.”
“This is amazing!” Nepgear said, happily. “Thank you very much lady Purple Heart!”
“One second!” Neptune said, as she scurried over to the refrigerators. “Pudding!” The girl cheered, when she opened one of the doors.
“You can’t campout without pudding.” Lady Purple Heart said, matter-of-factly.
“Thanks lady Purple Heart!” Neptune said, falling to her knees in front of the lady. “You’re the only lady for me!”
Lady Purple Heart giggled. “You two make a great team.” She said. Lady Purple’s Heart’s smile faltered for a moment. “This might surprise you two, but I also have a little sister. It wasn‘t until recently that I remembered her. I feel terrible that I forgot she existed, but I have no idea where she is.”
“What’s her name?” Nepgear asked, in a small voice.
“Purple Sister.” Lady Purple Heart said.
Neptune slowly got to her feet. “I’m sorry lady Purple Heart-” Neptune began, but stopped talking when lady Purple Heart held up her hand.
“Please. Just call me Purple Heart.” Said Purple Heart.
“Are you sure?” Nepgear asked.
“Of course! I know we haven’t talked much before, but I consider you two really important friends of mine and I would be honored if you felt the same way.” Said Purple Heart, giving Nepgear a pat on the head. “Whoops!” Purple Heart quickly pulled her hand away. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay!” Nepgear said, blushing. “I love having my head patted!”
“Yeah! And her head is the greatest head to pat!” Neptune said, giggling.
Purple Heart giggled as well. “Well I don’t want to stay away from Planeptune for too long. I should ask Histoire my question before I leave.”
Neptune and Nepgear stepped aside so that Purple Heart could make her way to the Fairy Tower. Once she was close enough, Histoire appeared. “Lady Purple Heart. It’s an honor to meet you again.” Histoire said, bowing a little.
“Thank you.” Said Purple Heart. “I heard everything from Neptune and Nepgear, but I was hoping you could answer a question for me.”
“Of curse. You have unlimited access to all my data, but I’m missing large sections of it, so I might not be able to answer your question.” Said Histoire.
“That’s alright.” Purple Heart said. “My question is this. Is Neptune and Nepgear really the only ones who can activate the Fairy Towers? Can anyone else join their journey?”
“I can’t see a reason why no one else can join them.” Said Histoire. “But that’s not really the question you want to ask. Is it?”
Purple Heart smiled. “No. It’s not.” Purple Heart looked back at Neptune and Nepgear. “Don’t be offended by my question please.” Purple Heart said to them.
“It’s cool. Were tough! We can take any question!” Neptune said, placing her hands high on her hips.
“Were alright.” Nepgear said.
Purple Heart turned back to Histoire. “The real question I want to ask you is this. Why is it necessary for Neptune to activate the Fairy Towers? I’m more powerful than both of them combined. I can also fly so my journey from one Fairy Tower to the next could be cut in half. It doesn‘t make sense.”
“That is a good question.” Histoire said, closing her eyes. “I don’t have an answer for you however. I can speculate that the real Histoire believes that Neptune is crucial to completing this mission, but she might simply be taking Planeptune into account as well. I overheard you tell Neptune and Nepgear earlier that your duty is to Planeptune first. That’s admirable that you’re so devoted to your people. It could be the ultimate reason why.”
“My people…” Purple Heart said. “I feel strange about my people.”
“What do you mean?” Histoire asked.
Purple Heart tilted her head slightly to the right. “It’s hard to explain. I feel like something is missing when it comes to my feelings towards my people. I have a duty to protect and serve them, but it almost feels hollow.”
“I see…” Histoire said, scratching her chin thoughtfully.
“Maybe I shouldn’t be a CPU.” Said Purple Heart, her eyes turned to her feet.
“No! You’re fine just the way you are!” Nepgear said.
Purple Heart turned to face the Nep’s. Nepgear had her hands folded into fists in front of her, while Neptune looked dejected and her shoulders were slumped. “You’re a great leader! You don’t need to change.”
“Maybe I could work out… I guess. Being so weak…” Said Neptune.
“Thanks Nepgear.” Purple Heart said. Purple Heart turned back to Histoire. “I need to get going.”
“Of course.” Histoire said, bowing once more.
“Please look after Neptune and Nepgear for me.” Purple Heart said. After that Purple Heart lifted off into the air. “See you two later!” She called back, before turning herself towards Planeptune and flying off as fast as she could.
“Right!” Nepgear said, happily. “Neptune? Let’s get to work and fight monsters!”
“Y-yeah… Work…” Neptune said.
***
“It’s okay Compa!” IF said, as tears trickled down Compa’s bright red cheeks. “I know Nep and Gear are going to be okay. I promise!” Ever since Neptune and Nepgear left Planeptune, Compa had been crying.
“I know.’ Compa said, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. “I just miss them really badly! Who’ll I make my special dinners for? My special puddings?”
IF’s cheeks grew red and she began shuffling her feet nervously. “Y-You could make them for me if you want.”
“Really?” Compa asked, hopefully.
“Yeah! Only if you want.” IF said, in a small voice.
“Thanks Iffy!” Compa said, throwing her arms around IF’s waist. “I love you.”
IF’s eyes went wide and her heart began pounding wildly in her chest. “L-Love? Compa loves me?” IF had been dreaming of the day when Compa spoke those words to her and now it was her turn to respond. “Well Compa. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but…” Before IF could finish speaking, she spotted a strange figure stumble out from a nearby alleyway.
The figure was completely covered in a black blanket so it was impossible to see what they looked like. The figure swayed back and forth before they stood fully erect, before they suddenly fell backwards knocking over a trashcan. Compa yelped and turned in time to see a trashcan lid roll past them. “Wh-what’s going on?” Compa asked. When the young girl noticed the fallen figure, she rushed over to their side.
“Compa!” IF cried. “Be careful! You don’t know who that is!”
Compa ignored her friend and knelt down by the fallen figures side. “Are you okay?” She asked.
The figure didn’t answer. Instead they groaned loudly, before rolling onto their back. Once they did that, Compa could tell several things about the figure. The first thing she could tell was that the figure was female. The second thing she could see was the figure was pale. Unnaturally pale.
“Is she okay?” IF asked, bending down to take a closer look at the figure.
“I don’t know Iffy. She looks sick. We need to get her to a hospital!” Said Compa.
“I’m on it.” IF said, as she pulled out one of her cell phones. After a few quick clicks and a short conversation, IF hung up her phone. “Ambulance is on its way.”
“That’s good. She doesn’t look hurt, but something is wrong.” Compa said. As Compa spoke, the girl’s eyes slowly opened. “Are you okay? Can you hear me?” Compa asked. Compa didn’t need to be a nurse to tell that the figure was almost completely out of it. Her eyes fluttered and it looked like she was struggling to even move.
The girl nodded her head.
“That’s good. Did someone hurt you?” Compa asked.
The girl shook her head.
“Do you live around here? I can call someone for you.” IF said.
The girl didn’t move. Instead she looked straight at IF, before she finally shook her head.
“Shoot.” IF said, annoyed. “Do you have a name?”
“My name…?” The figure finally spoke. “My name is Arfoire.”
