Neptune hugged herself tightly. As she and Nepgear continued to move forwards, the air around them started to get colder and colder. Now the girls could see their breath in the air. “Man it’s cold now! Why didn’t we get warmer clothes?” Neptune wondered, as her hands started to shake.
“I actually have something that might warm us up a bit.” Nepgear said, as she swung off her backpack and pulled out two small white pads.
“What are those?” Neptune asked, glancing down at the pads.
“Hot packs.” Said Nepgear. “Just put one on your chest and one in your pocket.” Nepgear said, as she handed the packs over to her sister.
Neptune wanted to make a joke, but she was too cold to try. Instead she took the packs and slid one onto her chest and stuffed the other into her pocket. A few moments later she felt warmth coursing through her body. “Wow! That’s a lot better!” Neptune said, giggling with delight. “Wait… What about you?” Asked Neptune.
“I’m okay.” Said Nepgear, as she zipped up her backpack.
Neptune shook her head. “You’re not okay little sister.” Neptune said, as she pulled the hot pack out of her pocket and handed it over to Nepgear, who wore a quizzical look on her face. “You use that one. I’m not going to be a happy Nep if you don’t.”
Nepgear smiled warmly at her sister. “Thanks Neptune.” She said, as she stuffed the hot pack into her shirt close to her chest. After that, Nepgear started to feel a bit warm herself, but considering she was only using one, the warmth wasn’t as great as it could be.
“I know what else will make us warmer.” Neptune said, as she held her hand out to Nepgear.
Nepgear giggled as she took her sister’s hand. “Thanks! I feel warmer already!” Nepgear said.
“I’m glad.” Said Neptune, as she looked down at her feet. Light traces of snow was littering the ground. “I have a feeling this snow is going to start getting bigger, huh?”
“Yeah, but were nearly at Lowee’s border. After that, we should be able to see the Fairy Tower.” Said Nepgear.
“Good to know.” Said Neptune, as she helped her sister up. The two girls continued to make their journey to Lowee. As they walked, Neptune couldn’t help, but wonder what kinds of people they were going to meet there.
“Hey Nepgear. I was wondering… Why do you think Histoire calls out to certain people to help us?” Neptune wondered.
“I’m not sure.” Nepgear admitted. “I was wondering that as well, but you have to remember. We know who Noire, Uni and Vert were before all this. We just had our memories sealed away.”
“Oh right! I totally forgot to remember that.” Neptune said, giving her sisters hand a gentle squeeze. “Still. We knew Cave as well, but Histoire didn’t call out to her.”
“That’s true…” Nepgear said, turning her eyes towards the sky. “Maybe Histoire only has so much power at one time. Maybe she has to be selective of who she calls out to.” Nepgear offered.
“That’s an even better point!” Neptune said. “Well I guess we won’t know the truth until we release the original Histoire.” Said Neptune.
“That’s right and were almost finished!” Said Nepgear. “I’m actually looking forward to finishing this quest and going back and spending time with Uni, Vert, Cave, Red, MAGES., 5pb., IF, Compa, Purple Heart, Purple Sister, Green Heart and of course you!”
“Really?” Neptune said, surprised. “I thought you’d be sick of me by now.”
“No way!” Nepgear said. “Are you sick of me?”
“Please! My Nepgear tanks are infinite! No way I can get sick of you!” Neptune said, which caused her and Nepgear to laugh. “Come on Nepgear! Let’s hurry up and get to Lowee!”
Nepgear nodded. “Right!”
The girls continued to walk for several long hours, but soon the sun started to fall over the horizon. Not only that, but the weather was slowly getting worse. Neptune and Nepgear decided to set up a camp for the night.
Neptune and Nepgear set up a tent and built a small fire. After that, the girls crowded around the fire while a kettle of soup hung above the fire. “Soup again, huh?” Neptune said, sighing dully.
“I know, but we should save the best stuff for later.” Said Nepgear.
“Yeah, I guess.” Neptune said, as she rested her chin in the palms of her hands. Once the soup was ready, Nepgear served the soup in a cup and handed it over to her sister. “Thanks!” Neptune said.
After Nepgear finished her portion of the soup, she pulled out her N-Gear and looked down at the screen. “Tomorrow morning we should reach the border of Lowee. We actually got further than we planned.” Said Nepgear.
“That’s good.” Said Neptune, taking a deep breath. Neptune suddenly opened her mouth wide and yawned. “Man… I’m getting sleepy.”
“Me too.” Said Nepgear. “I know I never mentioned this, but sitting around the camp fire used to be the worst part of our journey. Oh and also taking a rest at a hotel. That was sometimes horrible.”
Neptune giggled. “Let me guess. Cause of all the pain your legs were in once you sat down?”
“Exactly! It felt like torture!” Nepgear said. “Funny what you can get used to. I feel like I could walk a few more miles before calling it quits.”
“Same here I-” Neptune began, before she suddenly stopped talking. “Wait a minute! Is this a trick?”
“Huh?” Nepgear said, confused.
“I know what this is! You want to pack up and keep walking a little longer, right? Well I’m on to you missy!” Neptune said.
“No. That’s now what this is.” Nepgear said, shaking her head.
“Uh-Huh…” Neptune said, eyeing Nepgear suspiciously.
Nepgear sighed deeply. “We should get some sleep.”
“Right!” Neptune said, as she stood up and began kicking dirt onto the fire until it was completely out. After that the girls crawled into the tent. Neptune crawled into her sleeping back and held it open. “Climb aboard Nepgear.” Neptune said.
“Are you sure? Won’t it be snug with just the two of us?” Nepgear asked.
“Yeah, who cares? We’ll use your sleeping bag as an extra cover. So crawl inside so we can cuddle!” Neptune said.
Nepgear nodded. “Alright.” She said, as she crawled into her sisters sleeping bag. After that the two girls cuddled up close to one another. Moments later they fell into a deep sleep.
***
Earlier that day. Vert had teleported to the Fairy Tower that Marvy had been camping out at. Once Vert had appeared, the woman spotted Marvy standing several meters away. The ninja girl was stretching her arms over her head. “There we go.” Marvy said, as she placed her hands on her hips.
“Hello Marvy. How are things?” Asked Vert, taking a few steps towards her friend.
“I’m good Vert. Nice to have you join me.” The girl said.
“I’m not alone.” Said Vert.
Marvy giggled and nodded. “Yep. I see that Broccoli is with you too.”
“How’d you know, nyu?” Broccoli asked.
“I could hear you breathing.” Said Marvy, finally turning to face her friends. “Did you just get back?”
“Yes.” Said Vert. “Neptune and Nepgear are currently approaching Lowee. They might have already reached it now that I think about it.”
“Maybe.” Said Marvy. “Knowing Neptune, she’ll probably want to camp out one more night.”
“True.” Said Vert. “I have a feeling that Neptune and Nepgear are eager to get this quest over with. Not that I can blame them. I’m eager to recover all of my memories too.”
“Same here.” Said Marvy.
“Broccoli isn’t missing any memories, nyu.” Said Broccoli.
Marvy and Vert turned their eyes towards Broccoli. “Surely you jest.” Said Vert.
Broccoli shook her head. “No, nyu. Broccoli has all her memories.”
Vert looked at Marvy for a moment before turning her eyes back towards Broccoli. “Is there anything you can tell us about ourselves?” Vert asked.
Broccoli didn’t say anything at first. Instead she floated away form Vert. “Broccoli knows all kinds of things, nyu. Does Vert and Marvy want Broccoli to tell them everything, or do you want to wait, nyu?”
Vert thought about this for a moment. “Well… I think we should wait.”
“Why?” Marvy asked.
“I’m curious about something.” Said Vert. “What would happen if Broccoli tells us something that we can’t remember just yet? I’m worried what might happen. Would we even be able to understand it? I don’t know if that makes sense, but that’s how I feel.”
“I’m not sure.” Marvy said, shaking her head.
“Broccoli understands, nyu. Broccoli will keep quiet.” Broccoli said.
“Alright.” Vert said, folding her hands together in front of her. “Shall we start hunting monsters now?”
“Sounds good to me.” Said Marvy.
Marvy led Vert and Broccoli forwards. After a few moments, the girls found themselves standing in front of a large Regulus. The robot didn’t notice the girls however as it continued to pace back and forth. “A Regulus, huh?” Vert said. “These Regulus are starting to become regulars.”
Broccoli giggled. “Very funny, nyu.”
“That wasn’t bad.” Said Marvy, giggling as well.
“A dear friend of ours came up with that joke.” Said Vert, as she summoned her spear. “Come on ladies. Let’s fight!”
Vert, Marvy and Broccoli spent most of the day fighting the same Regulus monster. After defeating it, the girls would heal at the Fairy Tower before heading back and fighting the monster again. As the girls did this, they slowly gained more and more Share Energy until they were able to improve their stats multiple times.
As the girls fought, the sun started to lower over the horizon. Even though they all felt like they could keep fighting longer, they decided to stop for the day. “So Marvy? Do you camp out here or do you head back to Leanbox?” Asked Vert.
“I like to camp out here. Of course you two don’t have to.” Said Marvy.
“Broccoli will camp out here, nyu.” Broccoli said, as she pulled out the small blanket she brought with her. “Broccoli is happy now, nyu.”
“I’m glad.” Said Marvy. “What about you Vert?”
Vert shrugged her shoulders. “I’m happy. The weather’s nice and warm. I don’t mind sleeping outside tonight.”
“Oh, we don’t have to. I actually have a tent set up over there.” Marvy said, pointing towards the left of the Fairy Tower. Located in a small area was a tent. “You don’t mind sharing one do you?”
“Not at all.” Said Vert, shaking her head. “I appreciate you sharing one with me.”
The girls made their way over to Marvy’s campsite. After eating a small dinner, they sat there looking up at the sky. “It’s so peaceful right now.” Vert said, taking a deep breath. “I have a feeling that’s probably going to change, soon. I feel like we need to take advantage of this peace while we can.”
“That’s ominous, nyu.” Broccoli said.
“Yeah, but that’s how I’m feeling right now.” Said Vert. “I just hope everything works out for the best.”
“I’m sure it will.” Marvy said, but a look of doubt could be seen on her face. “It almost feels like it doesn’t matter how strong I get. I never feel like it’s enough.” The ninja girl admitted.
A silence fell over the girls, but it was Broccoli who broke that silence. “Broccoli will protect you, nyu.”
Marvy giggled. “Thanks Broccoli. I feel better already!”
“Me too!” Said Vert. “Broccoli? How would you like to be my little sister?”
Broccoli looked warily at Vert. “Nepgear wouldn’t like that, nyu.”
“Don’t worry. I have enough love for several little sisters.” Vert said, reassuring Broccoli. Vert took a deep breath as she turned her eyes back towards the sky. “I really hope those two are okay and will be okay. If I have to. I’ll join them.”
