Neptune opened her eyes. For a moment she forgot where she was, but when she noticed that her face was filled with Nepgear’s hair, she closed her eyes and hugged her sister close to her body. “Oh Nepgear… You’re so warm!”
“Thanks big sister…” Nepgear said, dreamily.
Neptune giggled as her sister sat up and started looking around the tent, her eyes were partially closed. Finally Nepgear looked down at her sister. “Did you crawl into my sleeping bag last night?” She asked.
Neptune shook her head. “Remember? We shared one. For body heat and cuddles.” Said Neptune.
Nepgear didn’t say anything at first. Instead her body wobbled back and forth before she suddenly perked up a bit. “Oh right…” Nepgear said, taking a deep breath. “Well we better get going. We should reach Lowee this morning!”
“Sounds good to me.” Neptune said. After Nepgear crawled out of the sleeping bag, Neptune got up as well. The girls quickly put on their shoes and dismantled the tent. After having a quick breakfast of cereal bars, the girls started their journey once again.
The sun was shining brightly overhead and even though it was a little warmer that morning, it was still cold. The hot packs the girls used the previous day had been reheated and were currently keeping the girls warm. The snow on the ground had also grown bigger.
“You know what? I think I’m getting used to the cold.” Nepgear said. “I know it’s easy to do with the hot pack, but it’s not nearly as bad as it was yesterday.”
“Well you’re a fighter Nepgear. I think it’s freezing! Brr…” Neptune said, though her ‘brr’ sounded forced.
A few hours later the girls finally reached Lowee’s border, though they wouldn’t have known that if it wasn’t for Nepgear’s N-Gear. Nepgear held the N-Gear out in front of her and smiled warmly down at the screen. “We did it big sister! Were here!” Nepgear said, wanting to celebrate.
“Oh! I see the Fairy Tower!” Neptune said, pointing straight ahead. Nearly a mile away was the Fairy Tower. The large machine was a welcomed sight for the sisters. “Now we can finally get started in Lowee!” Neptune raised her foot, ready to start walking, but before she could take a single step a figure appeared before her.
The figure was short. She had light blue hair and was garbed in white. The girl also carried a large axe in her hands. “Who the hell are you bitches?” The girl demanded.
Neptune and Nepgear exchanged looks. Neptune, who still had her foot raised, lowered it back to the snowy ground. “My name’s Neptune!” Neptune said, smiling brightly. “And this is my sister Nepgear.”
“Hello.” Nepgear said, bowing to the girl in white.
“Nepgear and I have traveled from Planeptune all the way here to activate the Fairy Towers on Lowee! Were doing this so we can release our memories and the original Histoire. Histoire, by the way, is like a princess and we-”
“Sis?” Nepgear said, interrupting Neptune.
“Not now baby sister. Big sister is explaining our quest to the scary girl.” Said Neptune, matter-of-factly.
“I-I know, but she doesn’t look happy.” Said Nepgear, pointing at the girl in white.
Neptune turned to the girl in white and gasped. The girl’s eyes were narrowed and her jaw was clenched. The girl’s hands were shaking violently. “You stupid skanks! You admit to invading my land with those stupid smiles on your face? AM I A FREAKING JOKE YOU!?
“Wait… is that Lady White Heart?” Neptune asked.
“You bet your stupid asses I am!” Lady White Heart shouted, as a gust of wind ripped past her and struck Neptune and Nepgear in the faces. “My name is Lady White Heart! I’m the goddess of Lowee! You think you can invade my land and get away with it?! DO YOU?!”
“Uh…” Neptune began. “Yeah?”
Nepgear covered her face with her hands. “No Neptune! No!”
“YOU’RE FREAKING DEAD!” Lady White Heart roared. The small girl leapt at Neptune and swung her axe hard.
Neptune held up her right hand and managed to summon her barrier in time. The axe struck the barrier blocking the attack, but the attack was so powerful that Neptune felt her feet leave the ground and was thrown several yards away. Neptune landed a few feet away. “Whoa! She’s tough!” Neptune cried.
“NEPTUNE!” Nepgear cried, as she summoned her energy sword.
Lady White Heart turned her eyes angrily towards Nepgear and attacked her next. Nepgear managed to parry a few attacks launched at her, but Lady White Heart was faster.
Lady White Heart slammed her axe into the ground and kicked Nepgear hard in the chest, sending her reeling backwards. After that she swung her axe horizontally, the head of the axe started from the ground before it slashed past Nepgear’s face, missing her nose by mere inches.
“Wait! Lady White Heart!” Nepgear cried, as she dodged the goddesses axe once more. “SHUT UP! SHUT UP!” Lady White Heart roared as she continued to swing her axe wildly around her.
Nepgear continued to dodge and parry Lady White Heart’s attacks. After the fifth swing, Nepgear activated her barrier and like Neptune she was launched into the air.
Without missing a beat, Lady White Heart twirled around and swung her axe at Neptune, who was trying to sneak up on her. Neptune only managed to activate her barrier before she was launched into the air as well.
This time, Neptune didn’t come down a few yards away. Instead she flew high into the air. “WHOA!” Neptune cried, before Lady White Heart suddenly appeared over her, holding her axe high over her head.
“DIE!” Lady White Heart cried, as she brought her axe down hard.
Neptune summoned her katana and held it out in front of her. Lady White Heart’s axe came down hard and smashed into Neptune’s katana. Neptune screamed as she slammed into the ground and vanished into the snow.
“WHERE ARE YOU?!” Lady White Heart demanded, as she scanned the area for the intruders. “Gone… Did I kill them?” Lady White Heart scanned the area for a few more moments, before she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I better get back home. I’m sure my sisters are terrified.” And with that, Lady White Heart flew towards the city of Lowee.
***
Neptune groaned loudly. The fight against Lady White Heart had taken a lot out of her. Her arms and legs were sore. So sore that she wasn’t able to move them. “Hmm?” Neptune said, as she pulled on her arms and legs. It was at that moment the girl realized that the reason she wasn’t able to move them was because they had been tied down.
“She’s waking up.” A voice said.
Neptune opened her eyes and saw that she was in a large room. The room was dark, but there was light coming from a nearby fireplace. Neptune took a deep breath as she closed her eyes tightly for a moment before opening them. It was at that moment, Neptune saw that she was looking into the eyes of two girls who looked nearly identical.
“Huh? Where am I?” Neptune asked. Neptune tried to move her arms and legs again, but couldn’t budge them. Looking up and down, Neptune saw that she had been tied to the four corners of a bed . “And why am I tied up like this? I’m not into this kind of thing you know…”
“Hey lady.” Said a girl in red. “We saw you fighting Lady White Heart. After she kicked your butt we carried you here.”
“Th-That’s right.” Said the girl in blue. Both the girl in red and blue were sitting on both sides of Neptune.
“Really? That’s nice.” Said Neptune, smiling nervously. “So why did you tie me up like this?”
“Cause were going to interrogate the heck out of you!” Said the girl in red. “Isn’t that right Rom?”
“Yep! That’s right Ram.” Said the girl in blue.
“Whoa now! I’ll tell you anything you want to know!” Said Neptune.
“Oh? Then what’s one billion trillion times a trillion billion?” Ram asked.
Neptune furrowed her brows. “Uh… One?” Neptune offered.
“Wrong answer! Come on Rom!” Said Ram.
“Right!” Said Rom, nodding.
Ram and Rom dug their fingers into Neptune’s armpits and ribs and started tickling. Neptune instantly burst into laughter and began wriggling wildly on the bed. “You better start talking or we’ll never stop!” Ram warned.
“Never stop.” Said Rom.
Neptune howled with ticklish laughter. She desperately tried to pull down her arms and legs, but she had been tied down too tightly. “STOP- PLEASE!” Neptune cried, as her cheeks grew bright red.
The door in the room suddenly opened and another girl stepped inside carrying firewood. “You two. Stop.” Said a calm voice.
Rom and Ram halted their torture and turned to the person who spoke to them. “Oh come on big sis! She’s a spy!”
“No she’s not.” The voice said.
A few moments later a third face appeared over Neptune’s. This girl also looked a bit like Rom and Ram, except she looked slightly older. “Are you alright? Your names Neptune, correct?” The girl said. “I’m sorry about my little sisters. They can be trouble makers.”
The girl reached down and untied Neptune’s arms.
“Thanks.” Neptune said, sitting up. “You little munchkins almost tickled me to death!” Neptune said.
“Apologize you two.” Said the third girl.
“But sis!” Ram began.
The third girl didn’t say anything. All she did was turn her eyes towards her sister. Neptune felt a shiver run down her spine. Even though the third girl looked calm, Neptune could tell that she wasn’t someone you wanted to upset.
“Were sorry.” Said Rom.
“Sorry.” Said Ram.
“It’s cool!” Neptune said, waving her right hand dismissively. “No harm done.”
Rom and Ram climbed off the bed and made their way over to a nearby television. The third girl however, finished untying Neptune’s feet. “My name is Blanc by the way.”
“Nice to meetcha Blanc!” Neptune said, saluting. “I guess you got my name from Nepgear, huh?”
“Nepgear? No.” Blanc said. “I got your name from Histoire. She told me you were coming and what you and your sister look like. I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen your sister anywhere.”
“Huh?” Neptune said, shocked. “Th-That can’t be. She was with me just a minute ago! Maybe Rom and Ram have her tied up in a closet or something.” Neptune got to her feet, but nearly fell over.
“Careful.” Said Blanc, catching Neptune before she could hit the ground. “Lady White Heart went all out trying to kill you.”
“Lady White Heart? Oh yeah… Wait!” Neptune said, shocked.
“It’s okay.” Blanc said, helping Neptune back down on the bed. “I didn’t see any bodies out there, but I did find this.” Blanc reached into her pocket and removed a familiar device. “Does this belong to you?”
Neptune felt a lump form in her throat. “No…” Neptune said, taking the device. “This is my sisters N-Gear.”
Blanc took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry Neptune. I looked everywhere for your sister, but I couldn’t find her anywhere. Perhaps Histoire will know. We should hurry to the Fairy Tower soon, but we should wait until morning.”
“Morning?” Neptune said, confused.
“Yes. You’ve been asleep nearly all day. It’s night time now.” Said Blanc.
“W-Wait. I can’t just go to sleep! Nepgear’s out there somewhere. She’s going to be cold and lonely without me! What should I do?” Neptune asked, her voice shook in her throat.
Blanc slowly shook her head. “I know how you feel, but right now it’s too dangerous to go out there and look for her. The temperature has dropped and monsters are roaming around right now. I promise you, your sister is okay. We just have to be patient and look for her.”
“That’s right you dummy!” Ram said, who had been playing a video game. “I don’t know who your sister is, but she’s tough. She blocked and dodged Lady White Heart’s attacks like a pro.”
“That’s right.” Said Rom.
“Girls? Be nice.” Blanc said, before turning her attention back to Neptune. “Is it okay Neptune?”
Neptune forced a smile and nodded. “Yeah. Nepgear’s one tough cookie. I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Neptune said, but her head was filled with doubt. “And I’m sure we’ll find her soon enough.” Neptune looked down at Nepgear’s N-Gear and hugged it close to her chest. “Please be alright Nepgear.”
