Lady White Heart closed her eyes tightly as she folded her hands together in front of her and tried to keep herself in line. “Don’t get angry! Don’t get angry! Don’t get angry!” She kept saying to herself over and over again. “This doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. Nothing to get mad about!”
Lady White Heart opened her eyes and looked at the response her last email to Histoire had received. “I’m very disappointed in you.” It read.
“WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!” Lady White Heart screamed, as she summoned her axe and sliced her computer cleanly in two. The message on the screen quickly disappeared.
The door to Lady White Heart’s office opened and a girl appeared. “Not again…” The girl said, in a low voice.
“You have something to say to me Financier?” Lady White Heart asked, narrowing her eyes at the girl.
“Nothing. It’s just this is the fifth laptop you’ve destroyed… Today.” Financier said, as she entered the office.
“How dare you smart off to me! You’re fired!” Lady White Heart roared.
“And that’s the twentieth time you’ve fired me today as well.” Said Financier.
“Make it twenty-one! You’re fired!” Lady White Hear said, as she sent her massive axe away. “Did you read this email by the way? Where the hell does Histoire get off telling me she’s disappointed? I’m disappointed that I have to put up with her! I didn’t bring these outsiders to Lowee! Why should I have to help them activate the Fairy Towers?”
“Because all of our memories are sealed away?” Financier offered. “Oh and the original Histoire is also sealed away too, right?”
Lady White Heart narrowed her eyes at the girl. “And who sealed them away? What a load of crap! Histoire should just unseal herself! Worthless little fairy.”
Financier took a deep breath. “I understand where you’re coming from.” The girl said, though in reality she didn’t. “But you should have helped those girls out. You could have really hurt them you know?”
“I… I know, okay dammit? I know!” Lady White Heart balled her hands into tight fists. “But every time I think about those two dimwits I get angry. I don’t know where all this rage is coming from either! It pisses me off!” Lady White Heart looked down at her hands and took another deep breath.
“Have you see my sisters today? Are they doing well?” Lady White Heart asked.
“I haven’t.” Said Financier. “They’re in their room with Mina and you won’t let them out.”
“They’re safe in there.” Said Lady White Heart. “Security cameras, trip wires, sentry guns. Nothing can hurt them.”
“Lady White Heart, please…” Financier began, but Lady White Heart cut her off.
“Enough. They’re my sisters. I’ll take care of them the way I know best.” Lady White Heart said. “Anyways, if you hear from those girls… Neptune and Nepgear? Don’t tell me. God knows I’ll try to kill them again. Just help them yourself. It’s for the best.” And with those words, Lady White Heart sank into her chair.
Financier nodded. “Yes ma’am.”
***
Nepgear and Cyberconnect2 walked side-by-side through the snow making their way towards the first Fairy Tower. As the girls walked, they chatted with each other about their lives.
Nepgear had already told Cyberconnect2 about her quest to activate the Fairy Towers. Now she told her new friend about all the adventures and hardships she and Neptune had experienced since leaving Planeptune.
“Wow Nepgear. You and your sister both had it rough. I really feel sorry for Neptune though. A head injury that nearly killed her and poisoned? Geesh! That’s horrible. Not that a broken arm is anything to laugh about.”
Nepgear giggled. “I think my sisters experienced the worst of it though.”
“Yeah?” Said Cyberconnect2. “I could be wrong, but you don’t seem that worried about her.”
Nepgear shook her head. “I’m worried, but I know my sister. She’s tough. I bet she’s in better shape than I am.”
“I hope.” Said Cyberconnect2. The vast snowfield that spread out before the two girls seemed almost endless, but it wouldn’t be very long before the girls finally reached the first Fairy Tower. “It’s weird. I knew something was wrong a while ago. I felt like something was missing, so I started searching for it.”
“Did you find anything?” Nepgear asked.
“Well… My memories started coming back, but I have to assume that it was because of you and your sister.” Said Cyberconnect2. “It’s a frustrating feeling, but things are getting better.”
“Yeah.” Said Nepgear. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” Said Cyberconnect2.
“Do you remember anything about Lady White Heart?” Nepgear glanced around as though she were expecting someone to be listening in. “I don’t mean to speak out of turn, but how can someone so angry run a nation like this?”
Cyberconnect2 furrowed her brows. “Yeah? Well… She wasn’t always like that. At least according to my memories. I mean she flared up, but she never attacked an innocent before.”
“Really?” Said Nepgear.
“Yeah. It’s weird. My memories of Lady White Heart are completely different from how she is now. It’s almost like she was replaced by a duplicate or something.” Said Cyberconnect2.
“Duplicate, huh?” Nepgear said, thinking for a moment.
“Wait… You don’t think she was actually replaced, do you?” Cyberconnect2 asked, nervously.
Nepgear didn’t answer right away, but soon a smile appeared on her face and the girl shook her head. “No. That’s crazy.” Nepgear said. “Sorry, I got mixed up for a second.”
“It’s alright. Are you cold?” Cyberconnect2 asked.
Nepgear touched the coat that Cyberconnect2 had leant her. “Nope. This coat is really warm. Thanks again for letting me use it.”
“You’re welcome!” Said Cyberconnect2. “I bought that jacket when I moved to Lowee and-” Cyberconnect2 winced in pain and felt dizzy. “Oh… Wow… Just remembered that.”
“Are you okay?” Nepgear asked, concerned.
Cyberconnect2 nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine. I’ve felt that pain a few times. Never going to get used to it.”
“Yeah. It can get annoying.” Said Nepgear. “Anyways, back to what we were talking about. I think Lady White Heart is missing something.”
“Missing something?” Said Cyberconnect2.
“Yeah. It’s something I’ve noticed all the goddesses going through. They were either missing something or obsessed with something. Well everyone except for Purple Heart, but she could also be missing something as well.” Nepgear began. “For instance, Purple Sister was missing all her memories. Black Heart was missing her focus, Black Sister was obsessed with getting approval from her sister and Green Heart was obsessed with video games.”
“That’s interesting.” Said Cyberconnect2. “I guess in Lady White Heart’s case, she’s missing restraint.”
Nepgear giggled. “Seems so.”
“I wonder about White Sisters though.” Said Cyberconnect2.
“White Sisters?” Said Nepgear, confused.
“Yeah. Lady White Heart has two little twin sisters, but they haven’t been seen in a while. I wonder if they’re okay.” Said Cyberconnect2.
“Huh…” Nepgear began. “Kind of scary. Little girls having to deal with an older sister who can barely contain her anger.”
Cyberconnect2 shook her head. “No way Nepgear. Lady White Heart would never hurt her sisters. She loves them too much.”
“Yeah.” Nepgear said, but she didn’t push the matter anymore. Some thoughts were too much, even for her. Nepgear pulled out her other N-Gear and glanced down at the screen. “Looks like we should reach the Fairy Tower in a few hours.”
“Good!” Said Cyberconnect2. “So all you have to do is touch this thing and your arm will mend?”
“I hope.” Said Nepgear. “It’s healed quite a few serious injuries in the past. I’m hoping it can fix a broke bone.”
Cyberconnect2 nodded. “Let’s think positively. Oh and let’s hurry up! The sooner your taken care of, the sooner we can start looking for your big sister.”
“Right!” Nepgear said, excitedly. “Please hold on a bit longer Neptune. I’ll find you soon!” Nepgear thought, as she started walking a bit faster.
A few hours later Cyberconnect2 halted in her tracks. At first, Nepgear was confused why she would suddenly stop walking, but she quickly realized why. Located several yards ahead of them, were several Ice Golems.
“Great…” Nepgear said, as she summoned her energy sword. “My arm might be broken, but I can still fight if I have to.”
“It’s okay.” Cyberconnect2 said, as she summoned her weapons as well. Cyberconnect2 now held two crimson red daggers in her hands. “I can deal with these guys!” And with those words, the girl rushed forwards.
The two Ice Golems turned their attention towards Cyberconnect2, but before they could launch any kind of attack, the girl rushed past them. Moments later several large slashes appeared in their icy bodies. Moments later, the creatures vanished.
“Whoa! Cyberconnect2! You’re so powerful!” Nepgear said. “I guess I didn’t need this after all, huh?”
“I appreciate the thought.” Cyberconnect2 said, giggling. “Anyways, is your arm still okay?”
“It’s fine.” Said Nepgear. “I was worried it might start hurting if I had to fight, but with you around, I might get lazy.” Nepgear giggled.
Cyberconnect2 giggled as well. “Well I’m happy to help if I can. Come on. Let’s keep going.”
Nepgear nodded. “Right.” She said.
***
Neptune giggled as she ducked out of the way of a snowball. Grabbing a handful of snow herself, she quickly packed it into a ball and heaved it at Rom. However, Neptune had intentionally missed her target and the snowball flew several inches above Rom’s head. “You missed!” Rom giggled, as she ran over to her sister and hid behind her. “Blanc’s timeout.”
“Hey! No fair!” Neptune said, pretending to be annoyed. Before Neptune could say or do anything else, she was hit in the back of the head with a snowball. Neptune’s eyes went wide, before she suddenly fell over.
Blanc and Rom had been walking together, but both stopped when Neptune had fallen. “Ram? Did you put a rock or something in your snowball?” Blanc asked, looking over her shoulder at Ram.
“No. Just snow.” Said Ram.
Neptune suddenly rolled onto her back and threw a snowball at Ram. Like before, the snowball missed its target. “Shoot! I missed.” Neptune said, sighing deeply.
“You suck! You suck!” Ram teased.
Blanc sighed deeply as Rom ran over to her sister. Neptune stood up and dusted the snow off her body. “Thanks for playing with them Neptune.” Said Blanc, a small smile appeared on her lips.
“My pleasure. Rom and Ram are pretty tiring though.” Neptune said, sticking out her cute little tongue in exhaustion.
“They can be, but they make me happy and I’m happy when they’re happy.” Said Blanc.
“Aww! That’s how I feel with Nepgear. She makes me happy too.” Neptune took a jagged breath, before she released it. Even though she was certain that Nepgear was alright, she still worried about her. “When will I find you Nepgear? Is this how Purple Heart felt when Purple Sister disappeared? I bet it is.”
“You okay? Thinking about her?” Blanc asked.
Neptune nodded. “I’m cool. I’m cool.” Neptune said, waving her hand dismissively. “Oh look!” Neptune pointed straight ahead. Near the horizon was a small village. “Is that our next stop?” Neptune asked.
“Yes.” Blanc said, nodding. “Were pretty close to the second Fairy Tower. Hopefully we’ll reach it tomorrow morning.”
“Cool beans!” Neptune said. Neptune twirled around on her heels. “Hey Rom and Ram I’ll race…” Neptune began, but she stopped talking when she noticed Rom and Ram were holding a large snowball in their hands.
“Hey Neptune! Come here a second!” Ram said.
“No.” Neptune said, shaking her head.
“Let’s get her!” Ram cried.
“Yeah!” Said Rom, nodding.
Neptune turned on her heels and started running as fast as she could. “Don’t hit me with that! It’ll die! I’ll die!” Neptune cried.
Blanc couldn’t help, but giggle. “Better you then me.” She thought.
Rom and Ram suddenly halted in their tracks and turned to Blanc. “Hey maybe we should-” Ram began, but a single look from Blanc caused the two girls to drop the snowball to the ground. A look of terror could be seen on the young girl’s faces. “J-Just kidding!”
“Yeah! Kidding!” Rom cried.
“Good.” Blanc said, her voice was small and the smile she wore looked creepy. “Let’s keep going. I want to reach the next village before it get’s dark.”
