Nepgear didn’t say anything as she and her sister continued to make their way through the forest. As they walked, Neptune kept an eye out for any monsters that might attack them. “Man. This forest sure is pretty, huh? I almost wish we could spend the night here.” Neptune said, until she found herself standing in front of a small cliff. Neptune glanced up and spotted a ladder that needed to be kicked down.
“I’ll get it.” Nepgear said, as she moved up to where Neptune was standing. Nepgear reached out to grab the ladder, but couldn’t quite reach it.
“Nepgear?” Neptune began, looking her sister over. “Even if you stood on your toes, you wouldn’t be able to reach it.”
“Huh? Why?” Nepgear asked.
“It’s like… Two feet taller than you are.” Said Neptune.
“Oh… Never mind.” Nepgear said, before she took a deep breath and released it.
Neptune smiled warmly at her sister. “Aww! Don’t be sad Nep Jr.! Like we said before. We’ll see everyone again.”
“I know… It’s just hard knowing all this stuff and not being able to do anything about it. Why would anyone seal our memories away? Who could hate us that much?” Nepgear wondered, as her eyes turned to her feet.
Neptune shrugged her shoulders. “Doesn’t matter. Whoever did it is going to get Nepped up!” Neptune said, as she flexed her right arm.
Nepgear giggled. “Yeah. I’m going to Nep them up too!”
“Attagirl!” Neptune said, patting Nepgear on the shoulder. “Now. Let’s get that ladder down.” Neptune bent down and patted her shoulders. “Stand here please. Keep your trays up and in a locked position as you ride Nep-Lift!”
“Are you sure?” Nepgear asked.
“Oh please. You weigh nothing!” Neptune said.
Nepgear was about to place her right foot on Neptune’s shoulder, but decided to take her boots off first. After that, she stood on Neptune’s shoulders and was lifted up so she could grab the ladder. After a few tugs, the ladder came down. “Good girl!” Neptune said, as Nepgear hopped down from her shoulders and slid her boots back on.
After Nepgear and Neptune climbed up the ladder they continued their journey through the forest. They crossed several bridges that connected one cliff to another. They climbed up and down ladders and soon the girls had reached the other side of the forest. “Now all we have to do is walk to Lowee.” Said Nepgear, pointing towards the north.
“This is it, huh?” Neptune said, stretching her hands high over her head. “Let’s get going Nepgear!”
Nepgear nodded. “Right.”
***
After Vert and Cave were teleported to the Fairy Tower that was close to Leanbox, they stood there a moment taking everything in. Vert looked down at her body making sure everything was still in its proper place. “I think it worked.” Said Vert, feeling a bit cautious.
“Of course it worked.” Histoire said, placing her hands on her hips. “We took our time developing the teleportation technology and tested it thoroughly to make sure it worked properly. It was very difficult.”
“I apologize, I wasn’t doubting you.” Vert said. “How’s Neptune and Nepgear doing?”
“Very good.” Said Histoire. “Nepgear still looks a bit down, but I’m sure she’ll start to understand how important this journey is.”
“Yes.” Said Vert.
“Vert. I hate to take up your time, but I believe we should go to Leanbox and report in to Lady Green Heart and Chika.” Said Cave.
“Yes. That was my plan as well.” Said Vert.
Vert and Cave made their way to Leanbox and soon they were stepping into the Basilicom. “Hello. Were here to see Lady Green Heart and Chika.” Vert said, to one of the receptionists.
“Yes…” The receptionist began, as she typed information into her computer. “Ah yes! They were expecting you.” The receptionist gestured towards a nearby conference room. “If you don’t mind waiting in there. Chika will be down in a moment.”
“Thank you.” Said Vert, as she and Cave entered the conference room.
Once inside the conference room, Vert’s eyes fell on a teapot that was located in the middle of a large table. “Let’s see…” Vert began, as she took up the teapot and swirled the contents around. “It’s full. I wonder if it’s hot.” Vert found a teacup and poured the liquid inside. Steam rose form the cup. “Smells wonderful. Would you like some?”
“Sure.” Said Cave, dully.
Vert poured Cave a cup of tea as well. After taking a seat the girls started sipping the liquid. “This is nice.” Vert said, closing her eyes as the aroma of the tea was over her.
“You really do enjoy tea.” Said Cave, sipping the tea from her cup.
“Yes. It’s relaxing.” Said Vert, opening her eyes. “I wonder if Lady Green Heart enjoys a nice cup of tea as well.”
“I assure you. She does.” Said Chika, as she entered the room. “I’m sorry they had you wait in here. You should have been allowed to come up to Lady Green Heart’s room.”
“That’s alright dear.” Said Vert, holding up the cup of tea. “It gave us a chance to relax.”
Chika smiled warmly at Vert. “I would like to say something, but it mustn’t leave this room. Agreed?” Chika said, looking from Vert to Cave.
Vert and Cave exchanged looks before nodded. “Of course.” Said Cave, noticing how serious Chika became.
Chika hesitated for a moment. Even though she trusted that Vert and Cave wouldn’t spread her secret, she still felt strange saying it. “The only big sister I have is Lady Green Heart, but for some reason I feel like you’d make a great big sister as well Vert.”
Vert giggled as she folded her hands together in front of her. “I’m flattered dear! I think you’d make a wonderful little sister!”
“Scandalous.” Said Cave.
“Don’t say that!” Chika cried. “It’s not like I would cheat on Lady Green Heart. It’s just how I feel.” Chika took a deep breath, before she turned her attention towards a nearby phone. “Let’s get Lady Green Heart on the line now.”
Chika pressed a few buttons and soon Lady Green Heart responded. “Hello Chika.” Lady Green Heart said.
“Big sister! I’m so happy to hear from you again!” Chika said.
“We only spoke a moment ago.” Said Lady Green Heart. “So. What news do you bring me?”
Vert cleared her throat before she spoke. “Lady Green Heart? It’s Vert. Cave and I successfully escorted Neptune and Nepgear to the final Fairy Tower and they were able to activate it. Now they are headed towards the next Fairy Tower located in Lowee.”
“That’s excellent news.” Said Lady Green Heart.
“That’s not all.” Said Vert. “Histoire, my other baby sister, told us some invaluable news. She said that we’ve reached a threshold and we were able to recall several memories that had been sealed away.”
“That’s really excellent news.” Said Lady Green Heart.
Cave didn’t say anything at first. Instead she was looking down at her hands, but once Lady Green Heart finished speaking she spoke up. “Lady Green Heart. Histoire also mentioned that there was another bigger secret that we needed to uncover. I have a feeling that may happen in the next few weeks. It will depend, ultimately, on how fast Neptune and Nepgear activate the Fairy Towers in Lowee.”
“I see… Do you think this secret is a good or bad thing?” Lady Green Heart asked.
Cave shook her head. “To be frank. I’m not sure. Histoire didn’t make it sound like it was a bad thing, but you never know.”
“That’s true.” Lady Green Heart said. “Well you two did very well and will be rewarded. Thank you very much for all your hard work and sacrifices.”
“Thank you very much.” Vert and Cave said in unison.
“Chika? Would you please explain this reward. I need to get back to my game.” And with that, Lady Green Heart hung up the phone.
Chika sighed deeply. “Oh Lady Green Heart. Why can’t you get back to me?” Chika asked, her voice quivered.
“Should we leave?” Vert asked.
“Of course not!” Chika snapped. Chika closed her eyes and shook her head. “I mean. I need to explain the reward to you.”
“That’s alright.” Cave said. “I was merely-”
“I didn’t say it was alright! Be quiet so I can…” Chika took a deep breath. “No. I apologize for my attitude.” Chika swallowed hard. “The reward is credits. We paid you both quite a bit for all your hard work.”
“Thank you.” Said Vert.
“Thanks.” Said Cave.
“I also have some more information for you.” Said Chika. “First off. 5pb. And Broccoli are both here in the Basilicom. I’m sure they’ll want to see you both.”
“Excellent!” Vert said, happily.
“Also Marvy is camping out at a nearby Fairy Tower hunting monsters. If you’d like, you could both travel out there and work with her. I heard that Neptune and Nepgear are asking people to get stronger. I’m not sure what they’re expecting to happen at the end, but it might be a good idea.”
“Very true.” Said Cave. “I worry about how all of this is going to end, but I promise I’ll be strong enough to face it. For Leanbox and Lady Green Heart’s sake.”
“Alright, that’s enough self promotion.” Chika said. “If you’ll excuse me. I need to get back to my big sister!” And with that Chika briskly walked out of the room.
Vert couldn’t help, but giggle. “Well then Cave. What should we do?”
Cave didn’t have to think about it. “I’m going to join Marvy. Please give me regards to 5pb. and Broccoli.” Cave said, getting to her feet. “I’m worried that my skills are getting rusty.”
“I understand and I will.” Said Vert, getting to her feet as well.
Vert followed Cave out of the conference room. After saying goodbye to each other, Cave headed out of the Basilicom while Vert went further inside. Vert traveled up several floors until she found herself standing outside 5pb. and Broccoli’s room. “Hello?”
“Oh Vert!” 5pb. said, moments later. 5pb. opened the door and stepped aside so Vert could come inside the room.
Vert spotted Broccoli laying out from underneath some warm blankets. Her head was exposed, but the rest of her body was hidden. “You look comfortable Broccoli.” Vert said.
Broccoli smiled. “Broccoli lives here now, nyu.” Broccoli said.
“Is Neptune and Nepgear with you? How did everything go?” 5pb. asked.
Vert shook her head. “Unfortunately they had to continue their journey to Lowee. As far as how things went, well…” Vert took several long moments explaining everything that had happened since 5pb. had left. Once she was finished, 5pb. had a stunned look on her face.
“Wow. I’m so glad things worked out.” 5pb. said, not really sure how to feel about everything she was just told.
“It did and that’s all that matters.” Vert said, taking a seat on the edge of 5pb.’s bed. “So with that said, things are proceeding nicely. Although Histoire did warn us about being able to recover all our memories before Neptune and Nepgear reach the final Fairy Tower.”
5pb. nodded her head several times. “That’s going to be very interesting.” Said 5pb..
“Yes. I’m a bit nervous about that as well. I just hope I don’t remember anything unpleasant.” Said Vert.
“So Vert? What’s your plans for now? We still have some time before Neptune and Nepgear finish their quest.” Said 5pb..
“Well, I made a promise to Neptune and Nepgear about getting stronger and I plan on keeping that promise. Until they reach the final Fairy Tower, I’m going to keep fighting monsters.” Said Vert.
“Wow…” 5pb. said.
Broccoli suddenly sat up in bed and leapt on top of Gema. “Broccoli made that promise too, nyu.” She said, sighing deeply. “But Broccoli is going to miss a warm blanket at night, nyu.”
Vert giggled. “You can bring something to sleep under if you want.”
“Broccoli will, nyu.” Broccoli said, as she grabbed a small blanket that she was lying on and wrapped it around her small body. “Broccoli is happy now, nyu.”
“What about you 5pb.?” Vert asked. “I won’t blame you if you decided to stay here in the city.”
5pb. shook her head before balling her hands into tight fists. “Nope! I made a promise too! I have a few more gigs I need to finish up, but as soon as I do I’ll join you and the others!”
Vert got to her feet and nodded. “Sounds good! I’m sure we’ll both manage to surprise Neptune and Nepgear when we finally reunite!”
