It had been a very long walk, but soon the girls found themselves standing in front of the fifty Fairy Tower. After inserting the USB memory stick into the USB port on the Fairy Tower’s terminal, the girls waited for Histoire to make her grand appearance. “Wow. I wasn’t expecting to reach this place so quickly.” Nepgear said, taking a deep breath. “We only have one more Fairy Tower left to activate, right?”
“That’s right little sister!” Neptune said, smiling proudly. “And if I had to guess…”
“The next Fairy Tower is located at the border to Lowee.” Said Histoire, smiling brightly.
“Called it!” Neptune said, throwing her hands in triumph.
“Well it’s been like that for a while, right?” Nepgear asked, tapping her lower lip thoughtfully.
Neptune sighed deeply. “Nepgear. She sees wind in my sails and says, ‘not on my watch’.”
Nepgear shook her head. “No. It’s not like that big sister!” Nepgear said, hoping she didn’t hurt her sisters feelings.
“It’s okay Nepgear. I forgive you.” Neptune said, hugging her sisters arm close to her chest.
Histoire giggled as well, before she noticed something strange. “Why isn’t Vert saying anything?” She wondered aloud.
Vert had her cheeks puffed out in anger and her arms were crossed in front of her chest. “Oh right! Well we played ‘who’s the king?’ and I won! So as king I ordered Vert to keep her mouth closed and her hands to herself.” Neptune said.
“Yeah, but I feel bad for her.” Nepgear said.
Neptune giggled. “Alright Vert. You can-” Before Neptune could finish speaking, Vert had thrown her arms around Nepgear and was holding the girl close to her chest.
“I missed you so much Nepgear! You’re so soft to squeeze!” Vert said, holding Nepgear even tighter.
“Oh… Vert… You’re… Squishing…Me!” Nepgear said, struggling to speak.
Neptune growled under her breath. “Next time I win, I’m going to order Vert to carry all our stuff.” Neptune muttered, under her breath. Neptune turned her eyes towards Leanbox in the distance. “Hey Histoire? We have time to stop at Leanbox for a little while, right?” Neptune asked.
Histoire nodded. “To be honest. As of right now, I have no reason to rush you in this quest. Yes it’s important to release the original Histoire, but she’d understand that this is a long journey. You three need to rest every chance you get.”
“Great!” Neptune said, giggling with anticipation. “I really want to check out that arcade again, restock on our pudding supply and sleep in a bed.”
“Bed would be nice.” Vert said. “As long as Nepgear and I can share one I’ll be happy.”
“You get your own room.” Neptune said, putting her hands high on her hips.
“No!” Vert cried. “I’ll be all by myself. I’ll get lonely!”
“Neptune…” Nepgear began.
“Don’t worry sis. I’ll save you.” Neptune said, taking Nepgear’s right hand.
“No. I’m alright.” Nepgear said, her cheeks were bright red as her head rested on Vert’s chest. “I feel bad for Vert. We should get a room for all three of us.”
“Be-traitor face!” Neptune cried.
“No I’m not.” Nepgear said. “Please? For me?”
Neptune grabbed her heart and stumbled backwards. “For me? The one phrase I can’t say no to!” Neptune said, her shoulders sagged and her arms fell limply to her sides. “Fine. Vert can share a room with us. I would also add a few rules, but Vert’s going to ignore them, so forget it.”
“Did you hear that Nepgear? No rules!” Vert said, in a seductive voice.
“Changed my mind.” Neptune said, as she grabbed Nepgear’s hand and pulled her free from Vert. “Run!” She cried.
Histoire watched as Neptune who pulled Nepgear behind her, start running for Leanbox. Vert started chasing after them. “Farewell!” Histoire called after the girls. “I’ll see you soon!”
The girls ran until they reached Leanbox. Once there they slowed themselves down and started enjoying the city. The first place the girls went to was a small restaurant where they ordered themselves some food. After that they headed for the arcade where they played several different kinds of games.
As Nepgear wandered around the arcade, she tried to find the girl she saw before, but the bullet hell game she was playing stood empty.
“Goodness. I don’t think I’ll ever find her.” Nepgear thought, crossing her arms in front of her chest and sighing deeply.
“What’s wrong?” Neptune asked, noticing Nepgear’s look.
“Nothing really. There was a girl here last time who was really good with that game.” Nepgear said, gesturing towards the arcade cabinet. I just wanted to ask her a few questions. That’s all.” Nepgear tilted her head slightly to the right. “I didn’t say this before, but for some reason that girl looked familiar to me.”
“Yeah?” Said Neptune. “Maybe she was someone you met before we lost our memories.”
“Good point.” Said Nepgear. “Maybe.”
Neptune looked at Nepgear for a few moments before a thought came to her. “Hey let’s play it together.” Neptune said, making her way over to the machine.
“Okay.” Said Nepgear.
Neptune and Nepgear sat side-by-side
“That was fun!” Nepgear said. Nepgear, Neptune and Vert headed outside. The sun looked like it was about to set over the horizon.
“That was fun! What should we do next?” Asked Vert.
“Maybe we should find a hotel and get a room?” Nepgear suggested.
Vert giggled and blushed. “I don’t mind that idea.”
A loud scream suddenly erupted from somewhere. Neptune turned her eyes to where that scream was coming from. It was soon followed by another. Suddenly dozens of people started running.
“What’s going on?” Nepgear cried, as a stampeded of people ran past the girls, nearly knocking them over.
“Whoa!” Neptune cried, as someone nearly slammed into her. Neptune thought about grabbing someone and asking what was happening, but her question was quickly answered when a large figure suddenly appeared at the end of the street. “I think I get it.” Neptune said, sighing deeply.
***
Marvy woke up early the next morning and headed downstairs. After helping Jane get the restaurant ready, they awaited 5pb. and Broccoli to come down and eat breakfast. “Today’s the big day. The day of the concert!” Marvy said, barely able to contain her excitement. “I just wish Neppy and the others were here to enjoy it.”
“I know. If anyone deserves to see that concert, it’s those girls. They and of course you, did so much for our village.” Said Jane.
“Thanks, but I didn’t do much.” Marvy said.
“Nonsense.” Said Sam, who was sitting in a table on the other side of the room. “If you and your friends hadn’t hunted down those monsters we’d be in bad shape.” The man said. “Thanks to you four, we now have enough to do a bunch of repairs around here.”
“I’m glad.” Said Marvy.
“Not to mention that loud friend of yours saved my life.” Said Sam.
“Wait… What?” Jane said, not sure if she heard her father correctly.
Sam finished off his coffee before he got to his feet. “Well I better get back to patrolling the town.” The man said, turning to leave.
“Wait dad… Dad?” Jane said, but Sam didn’t stop.
By the time Marvy finished eating her breakfast, 5pb. came downstairs. “Morning…” 5pb. said, her eyes were partially closed.
“Good morning 5pb..” Jane said, before giggling. “I’ll never get used to saying that! Please have a seat. I’ll get you some breakfast.” And with that, Jane headed behind the counter and started on breakfast.
“Thank you…” 5pb. said, taking a seat and lying her head down on her arms.
“Did you get enough sleep?” Marvy asked, concerned.
“I’m good. I just need a few minutes to wake up.” 5pb. said.
“I’m sorry you had to share a room with Broccoli. I wish I could have given everyone there own room, but…” Jane said, her voice trailed a bit.
“No. Broccoli is a sweetheart.” 5pb. said. “Please don’t think badly of her.”
“Oh no. I…” Jane began, but stopped talking when Marvy shook her head.
“I think she fell back asleep.” Said Marvy, smiling warmly.
A few moments later Broccoli came downstairs carrying Gema under her right arm. “Good morning, nyu.” Broccoli said, taking a seat next to 5pb..
“Morning.” Marvy said.
“Good morning.” Said Jane.
“Mom?” Said 5pb. sleepily.
“Broccoli is nobodies mom, nyu.” Broccoli said, annoyed.
“She’s asleep.” Said Marvy. “I guess she’s not a morning person, huh?”
Broccoli shook her head. “Normally 5pb. is fine in the morning, nyu. Broccoli thinks 5pb. is nervous, nyu.”
“Seriously?” Marvy said, surprised. “I didn’t think she ever got nervous.”
“5pb. is human, nyu.” Broccoli said.
Jane finished preparing 5pb.’s breakfast and brought it to the table. After sitting a plate of food and a cup of coffee down, she gently shook the musician awake. “Huh? Where? Oh… good morning.” 5pb. said, lifting her head.
“Good morning. Breakfast is ready.” Said Jane.
“Oh? Thanks!” 5pb. said. The first thing 5pb. went for was the cup of coffee.
“So…” Marvy began. “Are you feeling nervous about the concert today?”
5pb. blushed a little before she said anything. “Just a little bit. I always get a little nervous before a show. Don’t worry. I’m ready to perform.”
“Great.” Said Marvy. “But if you’re feeling nervous or need someone to talk to, just come to me. Okay?”
“Thanks!” 5pb. said.
“Same here!” Said Jane, raising her hand a bit.
“Broccoli will listen, nyu.” Said Broccoli.
“Thank you everyone.” 5pb. said, feeling touched by the kind offers. “After my breakfast, do you mind if I check out the stage? I’d like to get a feel for it if you don’t mind.”
“Of course!” Said Marvy.
After 5pb. finished her breakfast, she headed upstairs and grabbed her guitar. Marvy led 5pb. over to the stage where she would be performing. As the girls made their way through the village, they were surprised to see how many people came to hear the musician play. It wasn’t simply the people who lived in the village who came out, but others who lived all over Leanbox.
“5pb.!” Someone shouted.
“I love you 5pb.!” Someone cried.
“5pb.! 5pb.! 5pb.!” A small group cheered.
5pb. was blushing heavily as she followed behind Marvy. Once they reached the stage 5pb. climbed on top and faced the large crowd who gathered around. “Thanks everyone for coming out to see me! The concert won’t start for a few hours, but I hope you don’t mind listening to me practice!”
The crowd erupted in cheers.
“Oh and please remember! It’s thanks to the people of this village that I’m able to perform here right now and also the goddesses who keep us safe!” 5pb. said. “Now let’s get started!”
Even though 5pb. was practicing for the concert that night, she played her heart out. The crowd cheered and screamed the musicians name. Some people sang along, while others listened to her intently.
Even though Marvy wanted to listen to 5pb. play, she knew she had work to do. Making her way around the village, Marvy soon found Sam. “Hey Sam? How’s it going?” Marvy asked.
“Can’t complain.” Sam said. “All these newcomers were making me nervous, but they’re behaving themselves.”
“That’s good.” Said Marvy, looking around. “Sam? If you want, you can go and take a nap. I’ll keep the watch going.”
Sam looked at Marvy for a few moments, before he shrugged his shoulders. “Might as well. You’re tougher than I am. Just keep walking around and make sure no one get’s out of hand or a monster wonders in.”
“Will do.” Marvy said, saluting.
Sam was about to make his way back to the restaurant when his radio suddenly crackled to life. “Dad? Are you there? Over.” Said Jane.
“Great… I knew I’d have to explain what happened when Neptune saved me.” Sam said, rolling his eyes. Marvy giggled as Sam pulled out his radio and brought it to his mouth. “Dad here. Over.” Sam said.
“Dad have you seen the news? Over.” Said Jane.
“News? What news? Over.” Said Sam.
Jane didn’t answer right away, but when she did Marvy and Sam knew something serious had happened. “It’s about Leanbox. It’s under attack. Over.”
