Even though Nepgear was happy to have Broccoli join their ranks, apart of her was worried. Broccoli, after all, was a very small girl. Also for some reason she rode around on a floating yellow ball she named Gema. “Broccoli?” Nepgear began, trying to find the right words to use. “Are you sure you want to help us with our quest? I appreciate the offer of course, but you know this is going to be dangerous.”
“Danger doesn’t scare Broccoli, nyu.” Broccoli said, dully.
“Still… What weapons do you use when you fight?” Asked Nepgear.
“Broccoli can fire her Mekara Beam, nyu.” Said Broccoli.
“Mekara Beam?” Nepgear said, thoughtfully.
Broccoli pointed at a nearby tree. “See that tree over there, nyu? Broccoli will blow it up with her Mekara Beam!”
“Uh… Is that the same as your laser eyebeams?” Neptune asked.
“Yes, nyu. Broccoli has a fifty fifty percent chance of it working, nyu.” Broccoli said, confidentially.
“And if it doesn’t work?” Nepgear asked.
“Y-You don’t want to know.” Neptune said, stepping forwards and patting Broccoli on the shoulder. “Alright tiger, settle down. It’s not nice blasting trees with your Mekara Beam, or covering the ground in disgusting eye goop.”
“Broccoli has to prove herself, nyu.” Broccoli said.
“Oh no you don’t!” Nepgear said, waving her hands wildly in the air. “I’m sorry about that Broccoli, you don’t have to prove yourself to us. I’m sure you’re a very strong fighter!”
Nepgear’s words only seemed to push Broccoli further. “Very well… Broccoli won’t use her Mekara Beam, nyu. She will use her Gema though, nyu.” Said Broccoli, as she hopped off Gema and grabbed it’s side. After that Broccoli ran into the trees and disappeared.
“She ran off.” Vert said, confused.
“Should we follow after her?” Nepgear asked.
“Nah. I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Neptune said.
A few moments later several strange monsters ran out of the trees. “Boxbird monsters!” Vert said, as she quickly summoned her spear.
Nepgear held up her hands and was about to summon her energy sword, when Broccoli suddenly reappeared. The small catgirl was flying over one of the Boxbird monsters, she held Gema over her head and brought him down fast. Even though Broccoli’s attack looked like it would be epic, instead she lazily brought Gema down on the Boxbird.
Gema slammed into the Boxbird and the creature vanished in a bright flash of light. Broccoli landed on her feet and slowly approached the other Boxbird monsters before swinging Gema at them.
“It looks like a pillow fight.” Nepgear thought, as Broccoli smacked the remaining Boxbird monster’s with her Gema. Each attack looked lazy and weak, but they were powerful enough to defeat each monster with a single blow.
“Broccoli is the winner, nyu!” Broccoli said, as she turned to Nepgear.
“You sure are!” Nepgear said, happily. “I wasn’t doubting you Broccoli. I was just worried. That’s all. My sister has a habit of leaving important information out and I thought she didn’t explain everything to you. That’s all.”
“Sure… Blame me.” Neptune said. “Anyways I found us an amazing new friend. You may worship me now!”
“Welcome aboard Broccoli!” Vert said, excitedly.
“Yes. Welcome aboard.” Said Nepgear.
Neptune giggled. “You’re welcome guys!” Neptune said, feeling a bit left out.
“Thank you, nyu.” Broccoli said.
“Anyways…” Nepgear pulled out her N-Gear and looked down at the screen. “Our next destination is several miles in that direction.” Nepgear said, gesturing towards the small village Neptune had just come from. All we have to do is go past the village over there and keep walking. It looks like were headed for some mountains.”
“Do you mind?” Vert asked, holding out her hand.
“Sure.” Nepgear said, handing her N-Gear over.
Vert looked down at the screen. “I think were headed towards Halo Mountain.” Said Vert.
“Have you been there before?” Nepgear asked.
Vert shrugged her shoulders. “To be honest dear, I feel like I have, but I’m not sure. My memories are jumbled.”
“I understand.” Said Nepgear, as Vert handed back her N-Gear.
“Are you okay traveling with us that long?” Nepgear asked, Broccoli. To Nepgear’s surprised Broccoli was already heading back towards the village.
“Broccoli is already making her way to Halo Mountain, nyu.” Broccoli said, throwing her tiny hands into the air.
“Don’t go ahead of us dear!” Vert cried, as she ran to catch up with Broccoli.
Nepgear sighed deeply, as she slid her N-Gear back into it’s holster. “You okay Nepgear?” Neptune asked, making her way over to her sister.
“I just feel like I’m saying the wrong thing to Broccoli. I’m not trying to make her mad, but I’m concerned about her. I’m worried she doesn’t fully understand what were doing. I also don’t want her to feel like were trying to trick her.”
“Don’t worry about that Nepgear.” Neptune said, taking her sister by the hand. “I know you’re always fussing over everyone else’s feelings. Just do what you always do!” Neptune said, as she pulled her sister along with her. “Come on! Let’s go!” And with those words, Neptune and Nepgear ran to catch up with Broccoli.
The girls made their way past the village and continued their journey to Halo Mountain. As they walked, Broccoli started singing a song. “Nyu, nyu, nyu, nyu!” She sang. Vert blushed heavily as she sung along with the song. Neptune and Nepgear on the other hand kept their eyes open for any signs of monsters.
Several long moments later Neptune spotted something ahead of them. “Hey! Is that another village?” Neptune asked, as she placed her right hand above her eyes just incase the sun was making her see things.
“Yes. I think it is.” Nepgear said, her eyebrows furrowed. Unlike the last village the girls passed, this one seemed strange. The entire village was surrounded by a large wooden wall. The walls looked like they were made up of tree trunks and the tops had been sharpened to a sharp point.
“What’s going on with that village?” Neptune asked, confused.
“Don’t know, nyu.” Said Broccoli.
“Maybe it’s to defend themselves from-” Before Nepgear could finish speculating, a giant monster appeared. At first Nepgear had no idea what it was that she was looking at. The creature was tall and dark in color. It had large rodent like ears and a strange symbol drawn on it’s stomach. “Is that Pirachu?” Nepgear said, her lower jaw dropped.
“You mean that jerk that tricked you and Uni back in Lastation?” Neptune asked.
“Yeah, but… He wasn’t that big.” Nepgear said.
“What’s this about tricking you?” Vert asked.
“Ooh! Now I’m mad!” Neptune said, as she summoned her katana. “Come on everyone! Let’s Nep that big jerk up!”
Before anyone could stop her, Neptune rushed forwards and started running at the Big Pirachu as fast as she could. It only took her a few moments to reach the giant creature. The Big Pirachu was pushing against the walls that surrounded the small village, the panicked voices of people on the other side caught Neptune’s attention.
“Worry not folks! Neptune is here!” Neptune leapt high in the air and sliced at Big Pirachu’s side, causing the creature to stumble to the right. The creature kicked up dirt and debris as it moved away from the villages wall.
Neptune landed gracefully on her feet and watched as the giant creature turned it’s body towards her. “Chuu!” The Big Pirachu roared, as it stomped towards Neptune and swung it’s paws at the girl. Neptune leapt back several times, but had to jump high in the air to avoid the creatures tail, which had been launched at her.
“I’m here Neptune!” Vert cried, as she leapt into the air and stabbed the Big Pirachu with her spear.
The Big Pirachu roared angrily, as it began running towards the right. At first, Neptune and Vert thought the Big Pirachu was trying to run away, but quickly realized that wasn’t what it was doing. The creature lunged towards the girls and lashed out at them using both it’s paws.
Neptune and Vert held up their hands to block the attack. The paws struck their weapons forcing them to fly backwards. Neptune and Vert flew through the entrance of the city and landed gracefully on their feet. “You can’t-” Neptune began, but before she could finish speaking a large metal gate fell over the entrance of the city. “-defeat us…” Neptune said, dully.
***
Nepgear and Broccoli finally made it to the Big Pirachu. Now that Nepgear was closer, she noticed that Neptune and Vert were nowhere to be seen. “Sis? Vert? Where are you?!” Nepgear called out.
“Your sister is right here!” Vert called out, from behind the large wall of the village. “Neptune’s here too! She’s fine!”
“Stop trying to steal my little sister Vert!” Neptune cried. “Nepgear? Be careful! That thing is tough! Don’t worry though. Were getting out of here and helping you!”
“Right!” Nepgear said, nodding. Nepgear aimed the tip of her energy sword at the Big Pirachu. “Let’s do this Broccoli!”
“Right, nyu!” Broccoli said, as her eyes began to shine. “Mekara Beam!” Broccoli called out.
Nepgear screamed as green goop exploded from Broccoli’s eyes, covering the ground. “Broccoli messed up, nyu.” Broccoli said, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment. Nepgear screamed once more as Big Pirachu lifted it’s left foot high in the air and brought it down hard.
Nepgear grabbed Broccoli and Gema and began running from the Big Pirachu as fast as she could. “We have to regroup! Run away!” Nepgear cried, as Big Pirachu stomped after them.
***
Neptune and Vert listened nervously as the fight outside the village continued, but soon things started dying down. “Did they win?” Neptune asked.
Vert shook her head. “I think Nepgear and Broccoli fled. I don’t blame them. That monster was tough.” Vert said, her shoulders sagged. It was at that moment Vert and Nepgear realized they had been surrounded by people.
The people in the village all looked nervous. “Have you come…” A man began. “To worship lady Green Heart?”
“Lady Green Heart?” Neptune said, confused.
“Please.” Came a loud voice. All Eyes turned to an elderly man, who was dressed in green robes. “Don’t confuse our guests. They just went through a very trying ordeal.” The man said, slowly making his way to Vert and Neptune. “My name is Yvoire. I welcome you to New Leanbox.”
“Thanks for the welcome and all dude, but we have to go.” Neptune said, gesturing towards the large metal gate. “My sister and our friend is being attacked by that giant rat. We need to help them.”
“I’m sorry.” Yvoire said, slowly shaking his head. “The security system has been activated. It’s impossible to open the gate for another twenty-four hours.” Said the elderly man.
“Twenty four hours?” Vert said, shocked.
“Yes. We built these walls to keep the giant rodent monster away from us. The security system you see there had been malfunctioning. It normally would have been impossible for you to enter our village. You entered just as we fixed the problem. I’m truly sorry.” Yvoire said, bowing.
“It’s alright.” Vert said, smiling warmly at the elderly man.
Neptune glanced upwards. “I think we can just jump over the wall.”
“I’m afraid that would be impossible to.” Yvoire said. “If someone could throw a rock up there?”
Neptune looked down and found a rock lying at her feet. Picking it up, she aimed upwards and threw it as hard as she could. The rock flew from her hand, sailed high into the air, before it struck a red barrier and exploded.
Neptune and Vert covered their eyes, but the people around them didn’t move. “What the…” Vert began.
“As you can see. We employ energy barriers to keep our top protected as well. In twenty-four hours it should shut down.” Yvoire said.
Neptune wanted to argue, but she knew it was pointless. “Great… Trapped in here…” The girl grumbled.
Vert was feeling panicked as well, but something else was on her mind. “Yvoire? You said this was the New Leanbox correct? Why?”
Yvoire smiled brightly. “We call this place the New Leanbox for a very simple reason. Because we are the only people who still worship Lady Green Heart with all the love and respect she deserves.”
“That’s right!” Someone shouted.
“I love Lady Green Heart!” A little girl cried.
“Lady Green Heart is the true goddess!” A man shouted.
“Oh cool.” Neptune said. Neptune wasn’t sure why, but she was starting to feel a bit nervous. Something about Yvoire didn’t sit right with her.
Yvoire made his way closer and closer to Neptune and Vert. “Even though this village might look old, it’s actually been here for only a few months. Were small now, but we imagine more and more people will come here to worship along side us. I’m sure that’s why you two are here, correct?”
Vert and Neptune exchanged looks. “Of course!” said Vert.
Neptune on the other hand shook her head. “Well Actually…”
