“Well actually…” Neptune began, as she scratched the back of her head as she laughed nervously. “… funny story. Were-” Before Neptune could say another word, Vert had covered Neptune’s mouth with her hand and brought the girl close to her chest.
“What my friend is trying to say is that we do worship Lady Green Heart, but we didn’t actually know such a wonderful village existed. Were trying to find a new place to live as well, so were hoping this might be our forever home.” Vert said, hoping that her quick explanation convinced Yvoire.
Yvoire chuckled. “Of course. I understand.” The man said, taking a deep breath. “I’m sure there are plenty of other lost lambs such as yourself, who don’t realize just how great our goddess is, but someday they’ll make their pilgrimages here.” Yvoire turned to face the large group that had gathered around him and started speaking.
“Neptune?” Vert began, in a small voice. “I don’t trust this place at all. It might be wise to keep the real reason why were traveling a secret. At least for now.”
Neptune held up a thumbs-up-sign.
“I’m glad we understand each other.” Vert said, uncovering her friend’s mouth.
“So… Mr. Eviler?” Neptune began. “My sister and friend are outside the village. Is there anyway we can leave a little early? I don’t want to leave them along too long. My sister get’s lonely you see.”
“Eviler?” Yvoire said, slowly shaking his head. “Anyways, I’m afraid it’s impossible.”
“I see…” Neptune said, sighing deeply. “I hope Nepgear and Broccoli are okay.”
***
Nepgear ran as fast as she could away from the Big Pirachu. She still clutched Broccoli and Gema under her arms. As they ran, Big Pirachu continued to take swipes at the girls. It swung it’s large paws at Nepgear forcing the girl to jump over its attacks. It raised one of it’s large feet and brought it down hard, causing the ground to shake violently under Nepgear.
However, no matter how many attacks Big Pirachu launched at them, Nepgear didn’t slow down.
After several long moments Nepgear ran into a tree grove and leapt behind a large boulder that was poking out of the ground. Even though Broccoli didn’t have any intention of speaking and Gema hadn’t said a single word, Nepgear still covered both of their mouths as she hid behind the boulder.
Big Pirachu entered the tree grove and began knocking over trees as it ran through, but stopped after several yards. The giant creature scanned the area in search of Nepgear, Broccoli and Gema. When the creature couldn’t find it’s targets, Big Pirachu turned it’s massive frame around and wandered off.
Nepgear sighed with relief. “Goodness. I thought it would catch us.” Nepgear looked down when she felt a small hand patting her hand. “Ooh sorry!” Nepgear said, uncovering Broccoli’s mouth.
“You ran fast, nyu.” Broccoli said. “We should hurry back to that village, nyu.”
“Good idea.” Nepgear said, as she stood up. Nepgear waited until she was certain that the Big Pirachu wasn’t making it’s way back to the village. After that, Nepgear, Broccoli and Gema headed back to the village.
“I wonder if they built this giant wall to keep that Big Pirachu out.” Nepgear wondered, aloud.
“Who knows, nyu.” Broccoli said. “The sooner we leave the better, nyu.”
“Agreed.” Nepgear said.
Nepgear approached the walls surrounding the city. As the girls got closer, Nepgear noticed the large metallic gate covering the entrance of the village. “That’s not good.” Nepgear thought to herself. Once she was close enough, Nepgear cupped her hands around her mouth. “NEPTUNE! VERT! CAN YOU HEAR ME?” Nepgear shouted.
“NEPGEAR!” Neptune shouted.
“YOUR BIG SISTER IS RIGHT HERE!” Vert shouted back. “SO IS NEPTUNE!”
“HEY! I’M NEPGEAR’S BIG SISTER!” Neptune.
“There’s no reason to shout.” Came the voice of an elderly man.
“Oh. Sorry.” Neptune said, giggling. “Anyways, I think were stuck here for an entire day. Security system’s activated, gates closed, ceilings protected by an energy barrier, you can guess the rest.”
“Is there a reset button or anything like that?” Nepgear asked.
Neptune didn’t respond right away, but it only took her a few moments to. “I’m seeing a lot of shaking heads. I guess not.” Said Neptune. “You and Broccoli probably need to go on ahead. We’ll meet you at the Fairy Tower, okay?”
Nepgear closed her eyes for a moment as she folded her hands in front of her. Broccoli furrowed her brow. “Are you praying, nyu?” Broccoli asked, in a small voice.
“No. It’s just…” Nepgear opened her eyes and shook her head. “That’s alright Neptune. Broccoli and I will camp out here. We’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Okay. Where’s that giant Parachute?” Neptune asked.
“You mean Pirachu?” Nepgear offered.
“Him too.” Said Neptune.
Nepgear turned around and looked over the entire area, but the Big Pirachu was nowhere to be seen. “I don’t know. It stopped chasing after me a little while ago.” Said Nepgear. “Anyways, were going to find a safe place to campout for tonight. We’ll meet you in front of the gate as the same time tomorrow.”
“Okay!” Neptune said.
Nepgear turned to leave, but stopped when Vert called out to her. “Nepgear? Are you still here?”
“Yes!” Nepgear called back.
“This village is beautiful and they really love Lady Green Heart here!” Vert called out. “We might have found the village of our dreams. A place where all four of us can live together.”
Broccoli furrowed her brow once more, but didn’t say anything. “Excellent!” Nepgear called back. “I can’t wait to see it!” And with those words, Nepgear and Broccoli turned to leave.
Broccoli had a million questions running through her mind, but she didn’t ask any of them until they were out of earshot of everyone in the village. “Broccoli is confused. What was that about, nyu?”
“This doesn’t make sense.” Nepgear said, shaking her head. “Why would they set up a security system that literally locked them in for twenty-four hours? And they have no way of resetting the system, or turning it off? I don’t believe it.”
“Broccoli also thought it was suspicious.” Broccoli said, scratching her chin thoughtfully.
“I have a feeling that Vert’s thinking the same thing.” Said Nepgear. “I just hope nothing happens to them while we wait.”
***
“You sound like a great big sister.” Yvoire said. “You two must be very close.”
Neptune smiled and nodded. “Y-”
“Yes we are.” Vert said, cutting Neptune off.
Neptune turned her eyes to Vert and groaned loudly at her, but Vert didn’t seem to notice. Instead she was smiling brightly and had her hands clasped together in front of her. “She and Broccoli also have great love for Lady Green Heart too. I’m sure they can’t wait to see this village.”
Yvoire was brimming with joy. “I’m so glad to hear you say that.” He said.
“I have a question!” Neptune said, raising her hand. Vert turned her eyes nervously towards Neptune. “What’s the deal with that giant rat? That thing was gross and big and crazy strong!”
“Yes… That.” Yvoire said, closing his eyes and shaking his head. “As followers of Lady Green Heart. You are aware of her evil nemesis, correct?”
Neptune shrugged her shoulders.
“You don’t mean Lady Purple Heart, Lady Black Heart and Lady White Heart. Right?” Asked Vert.
“Unfortunately I do.” Said Yvoire. “You see… A long time ago the goddesses all lived together in a wonderful place called Celesita. There they ruled together in relative peace. Little did Lady Green Heart know that the other goddesses were plotting against her. One day they attacked Lady Green Heart and they had every intention of killing her.”
“Uh-Oh.” Neptune said, shocked.
“Thankfully our goddess was much more powerful than they were and she easily defeated each of them.” Yvoire said, beaming with joy. “And in our goddesses infinite mercy, she decided not to kill the other goddesses. Instead she sent them to Gamindustri to learn how to be proper goddesses.”
“Cool.” Said Neptune.
“Cool indeed.” Yvoire said, nodding several times. “Our Goddess though was humble. She too believed that she had something to learn as well, so she came to our planet as well. Unfortunately the thing that Lady Green Heart learnt was that her so-called people didn’t love her. They didn’t worship her and didn’t believe in her anymore! Because of this, Lady Green Heart vanished, but she didn’t leave Leanbox.”
“Where is she?” Neptune asked.
“No one knows.” Said Yvoire. “No one except me! Lady Green Heart is out there and she’s waiting for her people to start loving and worshiping her once more.”
“How do you know all this?” Neptune asked.
“Because Lady Green Heart came to me in a vision. She told me to go forth and start a village and call it the New Leanbox. A place where her worshipers can go and be saved!” Yvoire held out his hands. “And as you can see. I did exactly what she asked of me.”
“Cool story, but what about the giant Parachute thing?” Neptune asked.
“Yes… Well that’s where the evil goddesses come in. You see the other goddesses also learnt that they weren’t loved by their people either. However, instead of learning from this and doing better, instead they created an evil monster and had it attack New Leanbox.” Yvoire said. “That’s why we have this wall surrounding our entire village, that metal gate and the energy barrier overhead. To protect us from their evil.”
“Cool story. When’s dinner?” Neptune asked.
Yvoire looked down at Neptune. “Did you understand my story?” He asked.
“Sorry.” Very said, covering Neptune’s mouth before she could say anything. “Neptune’s really slow. I’ll make sure she understands.”
“Excellent.” Yvoire said. “And I also understand you two had a hard day. I’ll show you to your rooms before we have dinner.”
“Awesome!” Neptune said, pulling Vert’s hand away from her mouth.
Yvoire led Neptune and Vert to a small shack that was located a few yards away from where they were talking before. “This is the building you two can stay in. I hope you don’t mind sharing a room.”
“Ooh… Nope! Were a thing I guess.” Neptune said, hugging Vert’s arm close to her chest.
“I’m glad your satisfied.” Yvoire said. “Now. Let’s get something to eat, shall we?”
“Sounds good!” Neptune said. “I’m willing to give Vert the ole boot if you have some refrigerated pudding.”
“Oh Neptune.” Vert said, roughly patting Neptune on the back. “You’re such a kidder!”
“Hey I’m tired of lukewarm pudding. I haven’t had refrigerated pudding since Last-” Neptune once again found Vert’s hand clasped over her mouth.
“Since last night. I know.” Vert said, giggling.
Yvoire was looking over his shoulder at the two girls. “I see. I’ll see what I can do for you.”
Yvoire led the two girls into a large room that was filled with tables and chairs. Located in the very back of the room was a kitchen. “Please you two. Have a seat. It would be my pleasure to serve the both of you.”
“Thanks!” Neptune said, as she found a seat and sat down. Vert sat down beside her and sighed deeply. “What’s wrong with you?” Neptune asked. “All that mouth covering got annoying you know. You can’t stop this Nep when she has something to say.”
“Neptune dear.” Vert began. “Please just think a moment before you say something. I don’t trust this place. Doesn’t it seem really cultish to you?”
Neptune turned her eyes towards the front door of the building and watched as dozens of people filed into the building. Each of the people wore green veils over the back of their heads and wore white and green robes as well. “Yeah… I’m starting to see it now.” Neptune said, in a low voice.
“You see? We need to be careful. Just watch what you say. Once the gates opened tomorrow, we can leave.” Said Vert.
“Right.” Neptune said, nodding.
A few moments later Yvoire reappeared carrying two trays of food. Even though Vert was feeling very wary of the village, she was surprised to see the food they were being served. Instead of flavorless gruel, they were served meat and vegetables. Yvoire even placed down a large bowl of pudding next to Neptune’s tray.
“Please. Enjoy.” Yvoire said.
“Pudding!” Neptune said, as she grabbed the bowl and a spoon.
“Wait Neptune!” Vert said. “You shouldn’t eat dessert fist.”
Neptune blinked her eyes several times. She had a spoonful of pudding just hovering outside her mouth. Neptune suddenly shrugged. “Yeah but whatcha gonna do?” She asked, before placing the spoon in her mouth. “Yummy!”
Vert giggled. “Neptune. You really love your pudding, don’t you?” Just as Vert finished speaking, Neptune suddenly fell backwards and collapsed onto the floor. “Neptune?” Vert began, jumping to her feet. “NEPTUNE!”
The color in Neptune’s cheeks had vanished and her lips turned purple. Neptune’s entire body started to shake. Vert fell to her knees beside her friend. “Yvoire? What’s happening?”
“I’m so sorry.” Yvoire said, the man looked as though he were close to tears. “I was suspicious of your friends. I thought she might be a messenger sent by the evil goddesses. I didn’t want to believe it, so I served her a special kind of poison that only works on evil. Unfortunately it seems that the other goddesses evil influence has corrupted her heart and soul. I’m afraid that your friend will die.”
