The following morning 5pb. woke up. After gathering her things, she headed downstairs where she met Marvy, Broccoli, Jane and Same. “Good morning everyone.” 5pb. said, smiling brightly at her friends.
“Good morning.” Said Sam, a small smile appeared on his face. “You did a good thing for this village yesterday. I wanted to thank you personally for that.” Sam said, extending his hand to the young musician.
“It was my pleasure.” Said 5pb., as she took Sam’s hand into her own. “Anytime I can be of service, please call me. Okay?”
“Will do.” Said Sam. Sam took a few steps away from 5pb. and placed a firm hand on Marvy’s shoulder. “And Marvy? You did a great job here too, but I think we got this now.”
Marvy looked surprised. “What are you saying?” She asked.
“I’m saying that I would appreciate it if you escorted 5pb. to Leanbox.” Said Sam. “I honestly appreciate how much you’ve done for this village, but I don’t want you to feel like you need to stay here forever. Of course you’re more then welcome to, but small village life isn’t your thing, is it?” The man asked.
Marvy took a deep breath. “I was hoping no one noticed.” Marvy said, looking at Jane and Sam to see if they were disappointed in her.
“It’s alright.” Said Jane. “It was great having you here, but I don’t want you to feel obligated to stay. You really helped us out and I’ll never forget that.”
“Same.” Said Sam, giving Marvy’s shoulder a few good pats. “That’s why I want you to escort 5pb. to Leanbox.”
Marvy felt a lump form in her throat. “A-Alright. As long as 5pb. doesn’t mind the company.” Said Marvy.
All eyes turned to 5pb. who had tears streaming down her bright red cheeks. “I don’t mind at all!” 5pb. Said, as she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.
After Marvy, 5pb., and Broccoli finished eating their breakfasts they headed outside. Sam, Jane and dozens of other people met them at the edge of the village. “Good luck out there.” Jane said, to the three girls.
“Be safe.” Said Sam.
“Thank you.” Marvy said. 5pb. nodded and Broccoli saluted. And with that the three girls started their journey to Leanbox.
Broccoli sat on Gema as she followed closely behind Marvy and 5pb.. As they moved from the small village to Leanbox, Marvy couldn’t help but think about everything that had happened in the last few weeks. “I traveled with Neptune and her friends, I settled in this village for a little while, met 5pb. and now I’m traveling with her! This is so exciting!”
“Marvy?” 5pb. began, breaking into Marvy’s thoughts. “Are you sure you’re okay traveling with me right now? I hope you don’t feel like you were put on the spot.” The musician said, as she adjusted her grip on her guitar case.
“Not at all. This is a dream to me.” Said Marvy. “I’m happy to travel with you and keep you safe.”
“I’m glad.” Said 5pb..
“Broccoli is glad too, nyu.” Broccoli said.
5pb. Ran forwards a bit, before she turned around and started walking backwards. “I’m happy to be traveling with you too Broccoli! I’m really excited about this upcoming concert too! I already spoke to Lady Green Heart on the phone and she said I have her full support! This concert is going to be huge!”
“I’m glad! I can’t wait to see it.” Said Marvy.
“The great thing is. You two won’t be on security this time! You’ll be in the front row watching me sing!” 5pb. said.
Marvy and Broccoli watched as 5pb.’s smile slowly faded, her look of joy replaced with concern, before a look of abject horror appeared. “Oh my gosh! People I know are going to watch me sing!” Marvy cried.
“What’s going on?” Marvy asked, startled.
“Annoying personality disorder, nyu.” Broccoli said.
“What am I going to do?! I can’t perform like this!” 5pb. said, covering her face with her hands.
Marvy furrowed her brows. “You know. Even though me and Broccoli worked security during your show, we still watched you perform. It didn’t bother you then, did it?” Asked Marvy. “You also said you wished Neppy and the others heard you play.”
“I know, but still!” 5pb. said. 5pb. took several deep breaths, before she turned on her heels and continued walking. “It’s alright. I’ll be alright. Just don’t think about it 5pb., just keep walking. Keep walking.”
Marvy couldn’t help, but giggle. Jogging forwards, soon Marvy was walking along side 5pb.. “Don’t worry.” Marvy said, playfully bumping her shoulder into the musicians. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
5pb. slowly moved her hands away from her face. “Really?” She said. 5pb. Didn’t need a response. She already knew that her friend was right.
***
Neptune, Nepgear and Vert did as Cave asked and started making their way towards the last Fairy Tower located on Leanbox. As the girls walked, they couldn’t help, but wonder about the disc the strange man used to summon the two Regulus. They wondered where the man had gotten them and if they would run into those kinds of discs again.
“Anyways ladies.” Vert began. “I don’t know about you, but those strange discs that man was using made me nervous. I think we need to look further into those.”
“We should ask Histoire about them.” Said Nepgear.
“Yeah. Those discs were awesome!” Neptune said. “Imagine a game where you could summon monsters to battle for you!”
“They already have games like that dear.” Said Vert. “It’s called Pocketed Monstrosities.”
“Aw… Someone beat me to it. Oh well!” Neptune said, shrugging her shoulders. “Anyways, I think Yvoire probably had something to do with those discs, but why didn’t he use them before?”
“That’s a good question.” Said Nepgear.
“Perhaps he didn’t have access to the discs before.” Said Cave, suddenly appearing next to Nepgear.
Nepgear yelped loudly, but quickly regained her composure. “Sorry about that Cave, you startled me.”
“My apologizes.” Said Cave. “I’ve spoken to Leanbox’s security officers and told them everything we knew. Hopefully they can come up with something before I get back to Leanbox.”
“So you’re not coming with us to Lowee after this?” Neptune asked, glancing over her shoulder at Cave.
“Unfortunately I have things I must attend to here.” Said Cave.
“That’s too bad.” Said Neptune. “We could have really used your help during the last leg of this quest.”
“I’ve been giving it some thought too and I’ll probably stay behind as well.” Said Vert.
Neptune turned her eyes to Vert. “Well we’ll miss you, bye!” Neptune said.
“Neptune!” Nepgear said, annoyed by her sisters attitude.
“It’s alright.” Said Vert, giggling. “She’s just jealous about what we share together.” Said Vert, batting her eyelashes at Nepgear.
Neptune groaned loudly. “Stop hitting on my Nepgear! She’s my sister!” Neptune said. A silence fell over the four girls. The girls walked across a long plain until they reached a large group of boulders that dotted the area. The boulders ranged in size and shape and the ground under foot was littered with pebbles.
“Quiet.” Said Cave, stopping in her tracks.
“Whoa! No one’s talking dude.” Said Neptune.
Just as Neptune finished speaking, three men suddenly appeared from around the boulders. “Hello ladies.” One of the men said, smiling evilly. “Were here to get revenge for our leader.”
“And who is that?” Cave asked.
“You know him.” The first man said. “His name is Yvoire.”
“Yvoire?!” Nepgear said, in surprise. “Where is he?”
“Close.” The second man said. “Were supposed to bring you to him. If you refuse…” The men reached behind their backs and pulled out discs. “Each of these discs are filled with monsters and what’s over there?” The second man turned his eyes towards the left.
The girls turned their heads and spotted a farm. “I heard a family lives in that farm. I would hate for something to happen to them.”
Vert narrowed her eyes angrily at the three men. “You people are disgusting.” She breathed.
“Where’s Yvoire. Where are you taking us?” Nepgear demanded.
“Don’t worry.” The third man said. “See that forest over there? He’s right in there.”
Neptune started giggling. “So glad you told us!” And with those words, Neptune summoned her katana, rushed forwards and swung her blade. At first, no one had any idea what Neptune had done. The men were still standing and the smiles they wore never faltered.
“Uh… If you were trying to kill us, you failed. If you were trying to scare us-” Before the third man could finish speaking, the disc he held suddenly snapped in two. The other men’s discs were cut in two as well. “What the hell?!” The man cried.
“Behold my power! Just kidding.” Neptune said, giggling.
In a flash Cave appeared behind each man and in a series of strikes, managed to knock all three out. Now they lay unconscious on the ground. “Very good work Neptune.” Said Cave, looking at Neptune out of the corners of her eyes.
“Thanks. All in a days work!” Neptune said, holding up a peace sign.
“What do you think they had planned for us?” Nepgear wondered, aloud.
“Whatever it was, I doubt it was good. Still. We can’t just leave them here and keep going, can we?” Said Vert.
“You’re right. If Yvoire is indeed in that forest, we need to deal with him here and now. He’s too much of a threat now.” Said Cave, turning her attention towards the forest. “I hate to say it, but this is where we part ways.”
“No!” Nepgear said. “Were going to help you.”
“No.” Said Cave, turning to Nepgear. “Your mission is to activate all the Fairy Towers, correct? You don’t have time to be distracted.”
“Oh please. We’ve been distracted the entire time.” Said Neptune. “It hasn’t slowed us down yet! So were going to help you Cave.”
Cave wanted to argue against this, but quickly realized it was pointless. “Very well. I appreciate your help.” Said Cave.
The four girls ran as fast as they could towards the forest. As the forest grew closer and closer, they noticed movement amongst the trees. “Horsebird’s.” Cave said, in a small voice.
The girls summoned their weapons as a huge herd of Horsebird monsters ran out of the forest. The creatures sent mini-tornadoes ripping across the ground towards the ladies.
“Watch out everyone!” Neptune cried, as she leapt high into the air avoiding the tornados by mere inches. When Neptune started flying back towards the ground she swung her katana. The blade sliced through the air and cut down several of the Horsebird monsters as though they were made of nothing.
Neptune’s feet touched the ground and she leapt at another herd of Horsebird monsters that were running towards them. Neptune sliced through several of them, before she blocked a pair of hooves that were aimed at her shoulders. Neptune grinned, before she pushed the monster away from her using little strength.
“That’s not going to work on me!” Neptune said, swinging her sword and cutting the monster down.
Nepgear hacked through several Horsebird monsters as well, while Vert and Cave took care of the rest.
Once the Horsebird monsters had been dealt with, the girls stood at the edge of the forest. “Do you think they have any more?” Nepgear asked.
“Who knows.” Said Cave, shaking her head.
“Only one way to find out!” Neptune said, turning to Nepgear and smiling a large smile. “Don’t worry Nepgear. You and me can deal with anything together! Right?”
Nepgear nodded. “You’re right.”
“And since we have Vert and Cave with us, were unstoppable! Right?” Said Neptune.
Nepgear nodded once more. “Yeah. You’re right.” Said Nepgear.
“That’s right!” Said Vert, placing one hand on Nepgear’s shoulder. “Nepgear? You’re the strongest in Gamindustri. Nothing can stop you!”
“Nothing can stop me.” Nepgear said, in a near hypnotic voice.
“Well let’s get going then.” Said Neptune.
Nepgear shook her head. “R-Right.” She said, and with those words the girls headed into the forest in search of Yvoire.
