Cyberconnect2 wore a disappointed look on her face. Thankfully for her, Nepgear couldn’t see it. That was simply because the sun had set several hours ago. “This stinks…” Cyberconnect2 said, breaking her silence. “I was really hoping we would have reached the Fairy Tower by now. Did we get lost or something?”
“No.” Nepgear said, as she took out her other N-Gear and looked down at the screen. “Were almost there. We were just further away than we thought.”
“I see… That’s good…” Cyberconnect2 said, her shoulders sagged. “Can I ask you something Nepgear? Did you bring anything we could use to camp with? I don’t mind gathering firewood, but we might need more than a fire.”
“I have a tent.” Said Nepgear. “But Neptune had our sleeping bags in her backpack.”
“Uh-oh…” Cyberconnect2 said. “I’m really sorry Nepgear. This is all my fault.”
Nepgear shook her head. “Don’t be sorry. Everything’s fine. I think the Fairy Tower emits heat. I think Histoire can keep us warm tonight.” Nepgear said, her voice shook a little in her throat. Nepgear didn’t want to say anything, but her arm had been hurting for the last hour and the pain wasn’t going away. “I might need to stop soon.” Thought Nepgear.
Nepgear and Cyberconnect2 made their way over a large snowdrift. At first, the girls saw nothing but blackness. However, their worries were alleviated when dozens of lights started to come on.
“The Fairy Tower!” Nepgear said, joyfully.
“There it is! Let’s keep going!” Cyberconnect2 said. Even though Cyberconnect2 was overjoyed to see the Fairy Tower, she didn’t run. Instead she kept Nepgear’s pace and followed right beside her until they reached the Fairy Tower.
“Nepgear! I can’t believe it!” Histoire said, appearing before the two girls. “What happened to you?”
“J-Just a moment Histoire.” Nepgear said, before she reached out and touched the Fairy Tower. Almost immediately the pain in Nepgear’s arm disappeared. The strength she had been missing in her fingers and arm slowly returned and soon her arm felt like normal. “Histoire? Can the Fairy Tower fix broken bones?”
“Broken bones?!” Histoire said, horrified. “Y-Yes! Hold on.” Histoire closed her eyes. A moment later she opened them. “I just performed a scan of your body. Your arm was fractured, but it’s been mended. You should be fine now.”
“Thank you.” Nepgear said, as she moved her hand. Nepgear took a deep breath before she lifted her arm out of the sling. She clenched her hand into a tight fists before releasing it. “I don’t feel any pain. I think it’s better!”
“What a relief.” Cyberconnect2 said.
“Please!” Histoire said, in a loud voice. “Tell me everything that happened.”
Nepgear took a deep breath. “Well…” And with that Nepgear and Cyberconnect2 told Histoire everything that had happened. When the girls finished, Histoire sighed deeply. “I can’t believe it. You’ve been through so much Nepgear. Cyberconnect2? Thank you so much for looking after her.”
“Of course!” Cyberconnect2 said, smiling brightly.
“About my sister?” Nepgear said.
Histoire nodded. “Your sister has been beside herself with worry! She’s going to be so happy to hear that you’re alive.”
“Huh? Did she think I died?” Nepgear asked.
“No… Well perhaps.” Histoire said. “Nepgear. You should know that your sister has been searching for you ever since you were separated. She’s trying to stay strong, but without you she’s a mess.”
“Poor thing.” Cyberconnect2 said.
“Anyways. She’s still looking for you, but she’s also continuing the quest.” Said Histoire. “You know how important it is, right?”
Nepgear smiled and nodded. “It’s okay Histoire. I know.” Nepgear took a deep breath. “Anyways. We need to catch up to my sister.”
“Yes.” Said Histoire. “Last time I checked, she was staying in a small village near the second Fairy Tower. She should reach the area by tomorrow morning.”
“She must be lonely.” Nepgear said, worriedly.
“Actually she’s traveling with three girls.” Said Histoire. “Blanc, Rom and Ram.”
“Blanc, Rom and Ram…?” Nepgear said, furrowing her brow.
“What’s wrong?” Cyberconnect2 asked.
“It’s just that… The names Rom and Ram sound familiar. I think I’ve heard them before.” Said Nepgear.
“Odd. Normally you feel dizzy and feel some pain when you regain a memory.” Said Histoire, scratching her chin thoughtfully.
“I know, but maybe this is a memory I already regained.” Said Nepgear. “Anyways. We should get going soon.”
“Wait.” Cyberconnect2 and Histoire said in unison. Cyberconnect2 turned her eyes to Histoire. “Sorry about that. You go first.”
“Oh. Thank you.” Histoire said. “Actually I was going to say that it’s too dangerous for you two travel at night. You both need rest and you both need to get out of the cold. Thankfully Blanc suggested you stay in her home.”
“Really? That was nice of her.” Said Nepgear.
Histoire turned to Cyberconnect2. “Did you have something to say?”
“Actually you said it for me. I’m too cold to keep walking.” Cyberconnect2 said. “Do you think this Blanc girl would mind if I stayed in her home? I’ll stay by the door.”
Histoire giggled. “Don’t be silly. I’m sure she would want you to relax inside her home.” Said Histoire. “Anyways. I’ll send you the coordinates to Blanc’s home and the second Fairy Tower.”
“Thanks.” Said Nepgear. Nepgear took a deep breath. “But no. Could you send me the coordinates to the third Fairy Tower instead?”
“The third?” Histoire said, surprised.
“Yeah… I have a feeling that it’s going to take Cyberconnect2 and I a long time to reach the second Fairy Tower. It might be faster if we meet up at the third one instead.” Said Nepgear.
“That’s a good idea.” Said Histoire.
“Any idea where the third one is right now?” Cyberconnect2 asked.
“I won’t know until the second one is activated.” Histoire said.
“I have a feeling I know where it’ll be.” Said Nepgear. “If I had to guess. It’ll be right next to the city that shares Lowee’s namesake.”
“Makes sense.” Said Histoire. “In that case, I’ll inform Neptune, Blanc, Rom and Ram that you’re safe and you’ll meet her at the third Fairy Tower.”
“Thanks!” Nepgear said. “Ready to go Cyberconnect2?”
“Yep!” Cyberconnect2 said, the girl was hugging herself now. “I can’t wait to get warm!”
Cyberconnect2 and Nepgear followed the map on Nepgear’s N-Gear. Soon the girls were standing in front of Blanc’s home. The house was small, but it looked quaint. “I’ll get the door.” Nepgear said, as she grabbed the knob and pulled. Even though Nepgear was more than strong enough to open the door, she could tell how heavy the lock was.
“Wow. No normal person would be able to open this door.” Nepgear said.
“Must be worried about security.” Said Cyberconnect2.
The door swung open and the girls stepped inside. Even though the house was dark and there was no heat, the difference between outside and inside was obvious.
“I’ll get the fire started.” Said Cyberconnect2, as she bent down in front of the fireplace.
“Thanks.” Said Nepgear, as she found a light switch and flipped it. “This place looks cute.”
“Yeah. I like it.” Said Cyberconnect2, smiling. “Oh right. Nepgear? I was wondering. Can’t you use your N-Gear to communicate with your sister?”
Nepgear shook her head, even though her friend couldn’t see her. “No. I built this N-Gear for…” Nepgear hesitated for a moment. “For other things. I didn’t add any messaging system to it.”
“That’s too bad.” Said Cyberconnect2.
“Yeah. I’ve mentally kicked myself a few times already for that.” Said Nepgear.
Cyberconnect2 giggled. “Well don’t kick yourself too hard. Hard to plan for these things.” After a few moments, Cyberconnect2 managed to get a fire going. After a few more moments, the fire was blazing and the room slowly filled with heat.
“Wow. I feel that!” Nepgear said, taking a seat on one of the beds. “I feel weird using someone’s house that I don’t know. Well I don’t remember them. I have a feeling that I do know them.”
“Yeah? That’s how I feel about you.” Cyberconnect2 said, sitting on a bed close to Nepgear. “We’ve met before. I’m sure.”
Nepgear giggled. “Funny. I feel like me and my sister are destined to meet people we’ve already met before. Good friends.”
Cyberconnect2 and Nepgear giggled. “Oh man! I’m so exhausted!” Cyberconnect2 said, leaning back. “Hey Nepgear? This might sound crazy, but I think we should sleep in tomorrow. I know we need to get started on the third Fairy Tower, but your sister and the other three will need a chance to get to the second one.”
“Yeah. I was actually thinking the same thing.” Said Nepgear, who stood up and tossed the jacket she had been wearing onto the bed.
“What are you doing?” Cyberconnect2 asked.
“I’m going to… Raid Blanc’s refrigerator. I’ll write down anything that we eat so I can repay Blanc back later.”
“We’ll pay her back.” Said Cyberconnect2, getting to her feet. “I’m tired and hungry. Let’s do something about that.”
***
The following morning Neptune, Blanc, Rom and Ram continued their journey to the second Fairy Tower. After passing by several buildings in the small village they stayed in, the girls soon found themselves surrounded by nothing, but endless whiteness. “Oh man! I’m pumped today!” Neptune said.
“Why’s that?” Ram asked.
“Got to watch anime last night, I slept good. Yeah! I’m ready for today!” Neptune said, gleefully.
A small smile appeared on Blanc’s face. “I’m happy to hear that.” She said. Even though Blanc didn’t say anything, she knew that Neptune had left the hotel earlier that morning in a search for Nepgear. Unfortunately she wasn’t able to locate her sister.
After walking for several long hours, the second Fairy Tower came into view. “There she is!” Neptune said, as she fished out the USB memory stick from her pocket. Once Neptune was close enough, she slid the memory stick into one of the terminals USB port. Moments later, Histoire appeared.
“Neptune! I have great news for you!” Histoire said, excitedly.
“Oh? Did you locate a mine filled with pudding?” Neptune asked.
“No silly! Nepgear!” Histoire said.
Neptune’s smile faltered. “N-Nepgear? You found Nepgear?”
“No. She found me last night.” Histoire said, excitedly. Histoire spent several minutes telling Neptune and her friends everything that Nepgear had told her. When she finally finished, she noticed that tears had welled up in the corners of Neptune’s eyes.
“Wow. I knew that kiddo was okay, but still…” Neptune wiped away her tears. “I’m so happy!”
“I’m happy as well.” Said Histoire. “Also Blanc. Nepgear’s friend Cyberconnect2 is staying in your home with Nepgear. I hope that isn’t a problem. I told them it wouldn’t be.”
“Of course not.” Said Blanc. “They can stay there as long as they need to.”
“As long as they don’t delete any of our save files on our games!” Ram said.
“I’m sure they’ll be respectful of those.” Said Histoire. “Anyways, Nepgear suggested that you should meet up at the third Fairy Tower. She correctly guessed that it’s close to the city that shares Lowee’s namesake.”
“Okay. Great!” Neptune said, as she removed the N-Gear and looked down at it. “It looks like Lowee city is quite a distance from here. It’ll probably take us about three days to reach it.”
“Yes. It’s quite the walk, but I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Said Histoire.
“Of course! Now that I know Nepgear’s alive.” Neptune said, smiling brightly. “Histoire? Can you do me a favor?”
“Of course.” Histoire said.
Neptune bent down and whispered something into Histoire’s ear. Histoire giggled and blushed. “Of course. No problem at all.”
“Great!” Neptune said, closing her eyes and smiling brightly. Neptune took a deep breath and turned to Blanc. “Well Blanc? Are you ready to go?” She asked.
Blanc shook her head. “No. First I need to ask you a very serious question.” Blanc said.
“Huh?” Neptune said, tilting her head slightly to the right. “What is it?”
***
The following morning Nepgear and Cyberconnect2 headed out. After closing the door to Blanc’s house and making sure it was bolted shut, the girls started walking towards the Fairy Tower.
When Nepgear woke up that morning she tested her arm. It felt just as great as it did the previous day. “I think I got used to feeling pain every morning. Thankfully the Fairy Tower really did take care of it!” Nepgear thought to herself.
The two girls trudged through the snow, their destination was the first Fairy Tower. “Do you think that your sister and her friends reached the second Fairy Tower by now?”
“I do.” Said Nepgear. “No doubt about it.”
Once the girls were close to the Fairy Tower, Histoire appeared. “Welcome back Nepgear and Cyberconnect2.”
“Thanks Histoire.” Said Nepgear, smiling brightly.
“I’ve already sent the coordinates to the third Fairy Tower. You were right about it’s location. It’s on the very outskirts of Lowee city.” Said Histoire.
“Great!” Said Nepgear, as she pulled out her other N-Gear and looked down at the screen. “I hate to do this, but we really need to get going.”
“Of course, but I have to keep a promise to Neptune.” Said Histoire.
“Promise?” Nepgear said, confused.
“Yes.” Histoire said, nodding. “I promised your sister that I would pass a message on to you.”
“A message?” Nepgear said. “What is it?”
Histoire giggled. “This is the message Nepgear.” Histoire cleared her throat before she started talking. “Nepgear? I love you.”
