Nepgear sat on the edge of the bed watching as her sister kept pacing the floor. “Broke into two Basilicom’s? I can’t. How did you… Why would you…?” Neptune muttered, under her breath as she continued to pace back and forth.
“I’m sorry Neptune…” Nepgear said, in a small voice.
Neptune stopped pacing for a moment and turned to Nepgear. “Tell me Neptune. Are you too old for a spanking?” She asked. “What’s the cut off point for that?”
“Y-Yes! Too old!” Nepgear said, as she held up her hands in defense. “I had a good reason to do it too!” Nepgear said, trying to reassure her sister. Nepgear took a moment and told Neptune exactly why she started breaking into the different Basilicom’s. Once she finished her story, she waited for her sisters reaction.
“I mean it makes sense, but…” Neptune began, trying to find the right words to use. “But what would I have done if something happened to you? This is unacceptable behavior Nepgear!”
Nepgear’s shoulders sagged ad she lowered her eyes to her feet. “I’m sorry Neptune. Don’t be angry anymore.”
Neptune opened her mouth to say something, but instead she sighed deeply. “I’m not mad… I’m just disappointed.” Neptune said, before she sat back down on the bed. Neptune took a deep breath, as she turned her eyes towards the ceiling. “So… Did you break into Planeptune’s Basilicom?” Neptune asked.
Nepgear shook her head. “No. I didn’t think about it then. If we were still in Planeptune I would have though.” Nepgear admitted.
Neptune groaned loudly as she leaned back against the bed. “Alright… I get it.” Neptune said, taking a deep breath. “Listen Nepgear. Even if it turns out that Histoire was indeed taken by one of the goddesses, were not exactly in a position to save her or do anything about it.”
“I know.” Nepgear admitted. “It’s just that. I thought if we could rescue Histoire early, we might not have to worry about activating all the Fairy Towers. Not right away at least.”
“That might be true, but still. We have to remember that Histoire is sealed away somewhere. I never thought of it as being a physical place.” Said Neptune.
Nepgear blinked her eyes several times. “What do you mean?” She asked.
“I don’t know. Being sealed away feels more like a spiritual thing than a physical thing, but I never really gave it any thought.” Said Neptune.
“You have a good point.” Nepgear said, scratching her chin thoughtfully. “So… What are we going to do now?”
Neptune didn’t answer right away. Instead she sat up and patted her thighs. “Bend over.” She said.
Nepgear’s eyes went wide and she stood up. “You’re not serious! Are you big sis?” Nepgear asked, fearfully.
Neptune rolled her eyes. “No, but next time you’re taking a trip over my lap!” Neptune warned.
Nepgear breathed a sigh of relief. “I understand.” She said.
Neptune bent down and took up her controller. “I guess the only thing we can do is just continue our journey. We better keep this from Vert and Marvy though. Who knows how they’d handle it.”
“Yeah. Good idea.” Nepgear agreed.
Neptune turned her eyes back to her game and started playing for a few more moments, before she paused her game. “Listen Nepgear… I don’t blame you for thinking the way you did. One thing I always admired about you, is how you always fight for what you believe in. Just… Be careful next time, okay? I’m the reckless one of our group, right?”
Nepgear giggled. “Yeah. Thanks sis.”
Neptune giggled as well, before she realized something. “Hey! You’re supposed to disagree with me about the reckless part! Geesh! Maybe I’ll spank you after all.” Neptune said, as she began eyeing her sister.
“Oh! Sorry sis!” Nepgear began. “But… You are kind of reckless. I mean, you’ve gotten hurt several times because you rushed into danger without-” Nepgear stopped speaking when she noticed her sister raise her right hand over her head and bring it down hard on the mattress. “Um… What are you doing Neptune?”
“Just warming up my spanking hand.” Neptune said, as she raised her hand above her head once more and brought it down on the mattress again.
Nepgear could almost picture herself getting smacked instead of the mattress. “Never mind sis. Don’t listen to me.” Nepgear said, turning back to the television. “Come on. Let’s keep playing!”
“Good idea.” Neptune said.
***
Vert leaned back against the headboard behind her, while she sat on her bed. The girl was looking down at the screen on her cellphone. “What are you playing Vert?” Marvy asked, who was standing in the middle of the room holding one of her swords out in front of her. The girl had been standing like that for several long moments. She didn’t move, or even blink her eyes. All she did was stand there holding her sword in both hands.
“Just playing a cellphone game. Nothing else to do.” Vert said, shrugging her shoulders.
“Are you bored? We could go out if you want.” Marvy said. “I wouldn’t mind visiting an arcade again.”
“That sounds nice, but let’s wait a bit.” Said Vert. “I heard Neptune bought a new game console. I wanted to give her a chance to play before we invite her and Nepgear out.”
Marvy giggled. “I’m actually surprised you aren’t playing in their room.”
“I didn’t want to leave you alone.” Said Vert.
Marvy giggled once more. “Thanks Vert, but I’m alright. If you want to hang out with the Neps, I’ll understand. I need to finish my exercises anyways.”
Vert smiled. “I appreciate that Marvy, but I wanted to give Neptune and Nepgear a chance to be alone. I could be wrong about this, but I have a feeling that Histoire suggested this break for their sake, instead of ours. They have been on this journey much longer than we have. It must be rough.”
“I imagine so.” Marvy said, taking a deep breath. “Having to travel around Gamindustri activating Fairy Towers. I’m sure they’ve made some good friends, but having to be away from home for so long can be tough.”
“True.” Vert said. “Even though I’m happy to be here. I can admit that there are times that I miss the comforts of my home. What about you Marvy?”
“Well…” Marvy began. Before Marvy started talking, she slid her katana back into it’s sheath. “To be honest with you. I have a home, but I enjoy traveling.”
“Well were all happy that you’re with us.” Said Vert, as she finally swung her feet over the side of the bed and placed her cellphone down on the nightstand next to her bed. “Anyways. Let’s go and bother Neptune and Nepgear for a while. I think they’ve had enough sister time for today.”
Marvy giggled. “Alright. Let’s go.”
Marvy and Vert headed out of their room and soon found themselves standing in front of Neptune and Nepgear’s bedroom. Vert knocked on the door and moments later Nepgear answered it. “Nepgear!” Vert cried, as she threw her arms around Nepgear and hugged the girl close to her chest.
“Oh… Hello Vert.” Nepgear said, her voice was muffled thanks to Vert’s chest.
“Hey! No glomping Nepgear!” Neptune cried, from inside the hotel room.
“If you don’t like it come and stop me.” Vert said.
Neptune didn’t say anything at first. Instead she grumbled loudly. “Wait until I reach my next save place.” Neptune said, as she continued to play her game.
Nepgear placed her hands on Vert’s shoulders and pushed until she could free her face from her chest. Now Nepgear looked up into Vert’s eyes. “Hi Vert. Hi Marvy. Want to come in?” She asked, smiling weakly.
“Thanks!” Marvy said.
“Aren’t you sweet?” Vert said, as she puckered her lips. “I’m going to give you a kiss!”
“Huh?!” Nepgear cried.
“That’s it.” Neptune said, as she paused her game. Neptune ran to the front door, but before she could say anything, Vert quickly threw her arms around Neptune instead.
“Maybe you’d prefer it if I gave you a kiss instead?” Vert asked.
“Oh my! Vert… You know… Were both girls, but I guess I can accept your feelings.” Neptune said, as her cheeks grew bright red.
Nepgear sighed deeply. “Nothing bothers you for long, huh sis?” Nepgear asked.
“Nope! Except when I run out of pudding.” Neptune said, as Vert released her from her grip. “Anyways. Come play with us girls!” Neptune said, taking Vert by the hand and leading her deeper into the room.
Neptune, Nepgear, Vert and Marvy spent several long hours playing on Neptune’s new gaming console. As they played, Nepgear started to forget that Neptune had found out about her breaking into the Basilicom. “I don’t know what to do now.” Nepgear thought. “Should I break into Lowee’s Basilicom once we reach that land, or should I stop?” Nepgear wondered to herself.
“You’re going to lose Nepgear!” Neptune said, snapping Nepgear out of her thoughts.
“Oops!” Nepgear said, turning her eyes back to her avatar. “I’ll think about that once we reach Lowee. In the mean time, I need to beat everyone in this game!” Nepgear thought.
***
The following day Neptune and Nepgear met Vert and Marvy outside of the hotel. “Are you girls ready to go?” Vert asked.
“Yep! Were ready!” Nepgear said.
“I’m ready too!” Neptune said, sighing deeply. “I decided to send my new game console to IF and Compa’s home.” Neptune said. “I’m going to miss it, but there’s no way I can lug that giant thing around Leanbox and then Lowee.” Neptune said, shaking her head sadly.
“Good idea.” Said Nepgear.
“I mean… Did you see that giant power brick? They should call it a power cinderblock!” Neptune said, placing her hands on her hips.
“Actually.” Vert said, feeling annoyed. “The power brick is very important. You see…” Vert began, but Neptune quickly changed the subject.
“The next Fairy Tower is located at Ms Mountain, right?” Neptune asked.
“Listen to me!” Vert cried.
Nepgear pulled out her N-Gear and glanced down at the screen. “That’s right.” Nepgear said, nodding her head several times. “It’s going to be quite the walk though. Are you sure you want to leave right now?” Neptune asked, looking at everyone.
“I’m ready.” Said Marvy. “I was actually worried that my ninja skills will get rusty if I stay in this city any longer.” The ninja girl admitted.
“I’m ready too.” Said Vert, crossing her arms angrily in front of her chest.
“I could stay a few more months, maybe a year, but might as well get going.” Neptune said, shrugging her shoulders. “You know what Vert? I can see why you like Leanbox. It’s really comfortable here. It has some great games and the people are friendly!” Neptune giggled as she spoke.
“I’m glad you like it so much.” Said Vert, as she uncrossed her arms and smiled warmly at her friend.
“The power brick sucks though.” Said Neptune.
“I’ll have you know…” Vert began a long explanation as to why the power brick was actually important and didn’t suck.
After that the four girls started moving through the streets of Leanbox. The previous day the girls stayed in the Nep’s room for most of the day, until they decided to go out and visit the arcade one more time. While there, they saw a girl who was playing a bullet hell game and she was incredibly skilled at it. Nepgear wanted to talk to this girl, but before she could get close the girl had vanished through a mob of people and disappeared.
The girls talked amongst themselves until they reached the city limits. “Well here we are.” Neptune said, staring across the great expanse before her. “Ms Mountain? Here we come!” All four girls turned their eyes back towards the city, before they continued their journey to the next Fairy Tower.
