The sun was shining brightly over head that particular morning, as Neptune, Nepgear, Vert and 5pb. continued their quest to locate the second Fairy Tower in Leanbox. As the girls walked, they talked amongst themselves, but for some reason 5pb. was keeping quiet. 5pb. Held onto both of the straps of her backpack as she looked down at her feet.
“Are you okay?” Nepgear asked, in a small voice.
5pb. yelped, which caught the attention of both Vert and Nepgear who were walking ahead of them. “Sorry about that.” 5pb. said, smiling at the two girls. Once Neptune and Vert looked away, 5pb.’s smile vanished.
“What’s wrong 5pb.?” Nepgear asked, concerned.
5pb. nearly yelped again, but she managed to keep it in. “Oh. I almost forgot you were there.” She said.
“I see…” Nepgear said, suddenly feeling a bit sad about her lack of presence.
“Oh no. I didn’t mean it like that.” 5pb. said, trying to reassure the girl. “I’ve just been thinking about a few other things. That’s all.”
“Anything wrong though?” Nepgear asked.
5pb. shook her head. “No. Nothing’s wrong.”
As much as 5pb. wanted to tell everyone her news, she needed a little more time to prepare herself. So she kept her worries to herself and continued walking along with everyone else. “They’re going to find out soon enough.” 5pb. thought.
Vert suddenly halted in her tracks and pointed straight ahead of them. “Hark! A forest!”
“Hark? Are you trying to seem fancy or something?” Neptune asked, giggling.
“Yes. I heard someone say it in an RPG once, so I decided to give it a try.” Said Vert, giggling as well. “Nepgear dear? How far away is the Fairy Tower now?” Vert asked, glancing over her shoulder at Nepgear.
Nepgear removed her N-Gear and looked down at the screen. “It looks like the Fairy Tower is located on the other side of this forest. It’s not very big. As long as we keep moving straight ahead we’ll reach the other side in a few hours.” Said Nepgear.
“That’s nice.” Said 5pb.. “I love taking hikes through forests and singing.”
“Cool! Maybe you could serenade us with a song!” Neptune suggested.
“That would be nice, but it’s probably a bad idea. Leanbox forests are filled with all kinds of strong monsters.” Said Vert.
“Aww… Well maybe you can sing for us later.” Said Neptune, looking hopefully at 5pb..
“Sure!” 5pb. said, happily.
With those words the girls made their way to the forest. They searched for a trail they could follow, but found nothing of use. “Well stay close and maybe we won’t get lost.” Nepgear suggested.
“Good idea.” Said Neptune, as she leapt into the forest first. “I win! That means-” Neptune began, but a serious look suddenly appeared on her face. Somewhere in the forest the girl spotted something that looked silvery.
“Goo! Dogoo!” Came a voice.
Neptune quickly summoned her katana and sliced through a silvery colored dogoo that launched an attack at her. “A Metal Dogoo!” Vert cried, as she summoned her spear.
Nepgear summoned her energy sword while 5pb. pulled out her guitar. After that, the four girls started running forwards. More and more Metal Dogoo attacked the girls, but they were able to defend themselves.
Neptune’s katana cut through three more Metal Dogoo that launched themselves at her. Nepgar managed to slay one, Vert managed to kill two leaping Metal Dogoo, while 5pb. didn’t see any enemies for her to fight. The girls continued to move forwards for several moments before they stopped running. “Yippie skippy! Yahoo! I think we got them all you guys!” Neptune cheered.
“Uh…” Vert began.
Neptune looked back at Vert, before turning her eyes to where Nepgear and 5pb. were moments before.
“Did we lose them already?” Neptune asked.
“I’m afraid so.” Vert said, sighing deeply. “I would suggest we try to find them, but they know our goal is the Fairy Tower located on the other side of this forest. I think they’re going to be alright without us.”
“Yeah…” Neptune said, sighing deeply. A small smile appeared on Neptune’s face as she placed her left hand on her hip. “And just when they told us not to get lost.”
***
Nepgear led the charge through the forest, but soon realized that she had left Neptune and Vert behind. 5pb. awkwardly followed close behind her. “I think we lost everyone.” Nepgear said, scratching her right cheek thoughtfully. “I bet sis is going to lecture me when we reunite.”
“You and your sister seem really close.” 5pb. said. “Kind of makes me jealous.”
“You and Vert are close, right?” Nepgear asked.
“We are, but I don’t always live with her. Vert let’s me spend a few weeks with her when I’m touring Leanbox.” Said 5pb..
“Really? That’s really nice of her.” Said Nepgear.
“Yeah and I really do appreciate it, but…” 5pb. Began, but quickly stopped talking. “Oops. I almost spilled the beans.” 5pb. thought to herself.
“5pb. I know it’s none of my business and I don’t mean to pry, but you’re acting a bit strange. Are you sure there’s nothing bothering you? You can talk to me you know.” Said Nepgear.
5pb. shook her head, but her shoulders sagged, giving away her true feelings. “Alright. I’ll tell you.” 5pb. said, swallowing hard. “The truth is. I can’t stay with you and everyone for much longer.”
“Oh no. Why?” Nepgear asked, concerned.
“It’s just that… My next tour is starting in a few days and I’m going to have to leave everyone.” 5pb. said.
“That’s alright. We can travel with you.” Said Nepgear.
“It’s not as simple as all that.” Said 5pb.. “The stops on my tour don’t last a single night. Most of them will last several days. My last stop will actually keep me in this one city for several weeks.”
“Oh…” Nepgear said, nodding several times. “I understand 5pb. and you know what? That’s okay. You have your job as a performer to think about. Neptune and Vert will understand, I’m sure of it.”
“I know… You’re right, but I feel like I’m letting everyone down.” Said 5pb., sighing deeply.
“Don’t feel that way.” Nepgear said, gently patting 5pb. on the shoulder. “You’re not letting anyone down. I promise.”
“Really? Thanks.” Said 5pb..
“Now. Let’s get going. I have a feeling that Neptune and Vert are heading towards the Fairy Tower.” Said Nepgear.
“Right.” 5pb. said, nodding.
Nepgear turned to lead the way, but before she could take a single step a girl appeared. The girl had golden hair, red eyes and wore a large flower like a skirt. “What the…” Nepgear began.
“It’s an Aluna!” 5pb. cried. “It’s a monster!”
The Aluna monster held up it’s hands as wind struck Nepgear sending the girl flying backwards. Nepgear slammed her feet into the ground and grinded to a halt. “Whoa… This thing…” Nepgear began.
“I got it!” 5pb. said, as she strummed her guitar. Energy balls shot out of 5pb.’s guitar, striking the creature several times before it vanished in a bright flash of light.
“I won’t lie 5pb.. I’m going to miss that when you leave.” Nepgear said, giggling.
5pb. couldn’t help, but giggle as well.
***
“Huh? I think I just heard 5pb.’s guitar.” Vert said, cupping her hands around her ears. “And it sounds like she’s in a good mood too!”
Neptune looked at Vert for a few moments before she blushed heavily. “Aww Vert! You don’t have to show off for me. I’m already impressed with you!” Neptune said, before she hugged herself tightly and started laughing in a goofy manner.
Vert shook her head. “I wasn’t trying to show off.” Said Vert. “So tell me Neptune. How long have you and your sister been traveling anyways?”
“About two months.” Said Neptune. “It’s hard to believe, but a lot of times gone by since we started out on this journey. Lot’s of fun things have happened too. Oh and some not so fun things as well.”
“I see.” Said Vert. “Well you’ll remember the fun times more then the bad times I’m sure.”
“You sure sound like an expert.” Neptune said. “You’ve never gone on a journey like this before, right?”
“No… Not outside a game.” Said Vert.
Neptune giggled. “I always think about games too. You’re a girl after my own heart.” Said Neptune.
Vert giggled. “Well I’ve had some fun adventures in games before. Camping out with friends. Hunting monsters and gathering items. It’s a lot of fun when you do it with other people. Though offline games can be just as fun too.”
“Yeah. I agree.” Said Neptune.
Neptune and Vert continued to make their way through the forest. They rounded large trees, moved through bushes and occasionally fought more Metal Dogoo. As the girls walked, they kept their eyes and ears open for Nepgear and 5pb..
Just as Neptune rounded a large tree, her eyes fell on a giant armored turtle. The turtle was much bigger than she was and it even had a palm tree growing out of it’s back. The turtle’s eyes fell on Neptune and it hissed loudly at her.
“Look at that thing!” Neptune said, aiming the tip of her sword at the creature. “I bet it’s worth a ton of share energy!”
“Yes. Let’s beat it up!” Vert said.
Neptune and Vert rushed after the giant turtle. The turtle opened it’s maw wide and attempted to bite Neptune when she got close, but the girl was easily able to avoid it’s attack by jumping over it.
Neptune landed gracefully on top of the palm tree growing out of the monster’s back. “Ta-da!” She cheered.
Vert rolled her eyes as she ran past the creature and stabbed it multiple times with her spear. The spear bounced off the creature several times, but the fifth attack managed to crack the turtle’s shell.
“Now Neptune!” Vert said.
“Roger that!” Neptune said, saluting. Neptune leapt high into the air and began doing several flips, when she came back down she aimed the tip of her katana at the crack in the turtle’s shell. The sound of glass breaking erupted, as Neptune’s sword broke the turtles shell, sending debris flying everywhere.
The turtle opened it’s maw wide, but no sound came out. Instead the creature vanished in a bright flash of light.
“We did it!” Said Vert, holding up her hand.
“Yeah we did!” Neptune said, as she and Vert gave each other a high-five.
“Over here!” Came the voice of Nepgear.
“I heard it too!” Said 5pb..
A few moments later Nepgear and 5pb. appeared before them. “There you two are.” 5pb. said, happily.
“How did you get lost big sister?” Nepgear asked, furrowing her brow.
“Uh no. You two were the ones who got lost.” Said Neptune, wagging a finger at Nepgear. “What did I tell you about going off on your own Nepgear? Does big sister need to punish you?”
“Huh? N-No!” Nepgear said, holding up her hands in defense.
“I’m just glad you two are safe. Shall we continue our journey?” Asked Vert.
“Wait!” 5pb. said, before anyone could make a move. “There’s something I need to tell everyone.”
5pb. took a few moments to tell everyone her future plans. Once she was finished, both Vert and Neptune looked disappointed. “I’m sorry 5pb..” Vert said, once 5pb. finished explaining herself. “I completely forgot about your tour. I’m really sorry about that. I was just so excited about that dream I had, that I forgot everything else. Please forgive me.” Vert said, bowing low.
“Oh please don’t bow!” 5pb. said, surprised by Vert’s reaction.
Neptune bowed low as well. “And I’m really sorry about Vert. Not only did she forget about your tour, but she’s been glomping my baby sister. She’s a terrible woman!”
“Neptune… Do I need to punish you?” Vert asked, an malevolent aura appeared around her. Neptune took several steps away from Vert while still bowing.
“No! Please.!” 5pb. said, trying to get everyone to stop bowing. “There’s nothing to apologize for. I should have told you sooner.” 5pb. suddenly bowed herself.
Nepgear giggled before she bowed. “Were all bowing in the forest.” She said, which caused everyone to start laughing as well.
When the girls stood erect they exchanged glances. “Well. Let’s get out of this forest and send 5pb. off with a smile.” Vert suggested.
It didn’t take the girls very long to reach the Fairy Tower after that. After Neptune activated the tower and were given information on the next one, they all turned their eyes to 5pb..
“I’m sorry. I wish the next Fairy Tower that needed to be activated was around the area your concert took place in, but I don’t have control over that.” Said Histoire.
“No. That’s not your fault.” 5pb. said, trying to reassure Histoire. “Neptune? Nepgear? I’m really happy I could meet you two and I hope we meet up with each other again.” Said 5pb..
“Same here!” Neptune said, saluting.
“Me too!” Nepgear said. “Oh!” Nepgear said, suddenly remembering something very important. “5pb.. I know you have your hands full with your concerts, but please keep using the Fairy Tower. There’s a chance were going to need help with something later and we need as many strong allies as we can get.”
“Huh?” 5pb. said, surprised. “Of course I’ll keep using them to get stronger. I promise you that!” And with those words, 5pb. turned to leave. “See you girls later!” She said, and with that 5pb. left their party.
“I miss her already.” Vert said, wiping a tear away.
“Me too… She had all our pudding in her backpack.” Neptune said, the color in her cheeks vanished.
“Huh? I’m pretty sure your backpack is filled with pudding.” Said Nepgear.
“She also had all our cooking equipment.” Said Vert.
“Oh goodness that’s right!” Nepgear gasped. “I’m really starting to miss 5pb. as well!”
