After walking for several long moments Rom and Ram did what they usually did. They ran ahead of Blanc and Neptune and began throwing snowballs at one another. The girls laughed as they flung snowballs back and forth. The girls even built several small snowmen as well.
Blanc didn’t say anything which wasn’t unusual for her. However, Neptune’s silence took Blanc by surprise. “Neptune? You haven’t said anything in a while. Not that I mind, but what’s wrong?”
“Well…” Neptune began, looking down at her hands. Ever since regaining her goddess form, Neptune’s mind was reeling with revelations. Memories that had been forgotten were now restored. Power she once knew was now in her possession. However, the biggest thing that kept running through Neptune’s mind was simple, but also complicated.
“I’m Purple Heart. I’m a goddess.” Said Neptune.
“I know. It surprised me too.” Said Blanc.
Neptune shook her head. “Now that I have my memories back. I’m not surprised at all. It’s just that… How did this happen? I mean. How was my human forma and goddess form separated? That’s weird, right?”
Blanc nodded. “Yes. It’s weird and concerning.”
“Yep!” Neptune said, nodding several times.
Blanc looked at Neptune out of the corners of her eyes and noticed the serious look on Neptune’s face. “Not that I’m doubting you, but do you have any idea what I mean when I say it’s concerning?”
“Nope!” Neptune admitted.
Blanc sighed deeply. “Well let me ask you this. What is the last thing you remember before our memories were taken?”
Neptune thought for a moment, her serious look turned sad. “Oh… I remember Purple Sister disappearing. I remember forgetting her and then all my friends. Then everything turns dark for a moment before I ended up in that house with Nepgear.” Neptune crossed her arms in front of her chest and closed her eyes.
“It’s weird. I remember being given new memories, but they were incomplete.” Neptune continued. “Like I remember living in that house my entire life with Nepgear, but we weren’t given memories about other family members like moms or dads. I remember the goddess and Planeptune and that’s it.”
“That’s it?” Blanc asked.
“Well yeah. We did make friends with IF and Compa, two girls we knew before our memories were sealed away. Funny how that works, huh?” Said Neptune, giggling. “That’s how this whole quest has been! Meeting up with people we already knew!”
“It is. Almost like we were drawn to each other. Like destiny.” Said Blanc, a small smile appeared on her lips. Her smile vanished however and she turned her eyes back to Neptune. “What else do you remember?”
Neptune shrugged her shoulders. “I remember we were headed to a location on Planeptune. We were trying to rescue Histoire.”
“The original?” Blanc asked.
“Yep.” Neptune said, nodding.
“Who is we?” Blanc asked.
“Me, Purple Sister, Black Heart, Black Sister, Green Heart, White Heart and the White Sisters.” Said Neptune. “As we were flying, everyone started disappearing. For whatever reason I was the last one who disappeared. Guess whoever did this must have really liked me!”
“Or hated you.” Said Blanc.
“Who could hate me that much?” Neptune asked.
“I don’t know, but think about it.” Blanc began. “Nepgear is the first to disappear and according to you, all her memories were stolen. She wasn’t even given new ones. She was just forgotten and tossed away.”
“Hey!” Neptune said, suddenly getting angry.
Blanc giggled. “Why are you getting mad at me? I’m just stating a fact.”
Neptune’s eye’s widened for a moment before softening. “Sorry Blanc. I didn’t mean to.”
Blanc shook her head. “No. I would get mad too.”
Neptune clenched her hands into tight fists. “But now I’m really mad! How dare they do this!”
“And you don’t know who this person is? Are they even a person?” Blanc asked.
Neptune shrugged her shoulders once more. “All I know is that Planeptune received some kind of alert that Histoire had been kidnapped. All the other goddesses and their sisters were visiting to play games. Everyone offered to save Histoire with Nepgear and me. While flying to this mountain area… Well you know the rest.”
“Okay.” Said Blanc.
“Well Nepgear is under the impression that it’s another goddess were dealing with, but I can’t think of anyone.” Said Neptune.
“Really?” Blanc said, surprised.
“Now before you ask. Nepgear has personally cleared everyone except White Heart.” Said Neptune.
Blanc noticed a nervous look appear in Neptune’s face. As though she were remembering something unfortunate. “I wont’ ask what that means, but I know White Heart had nothing to do with Histoire being taken.”
“Oh I do too.” Said Neptune. “After all. White Heart is my best buddy!”
Blanc smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.” Said Blanc. “Especially if I’m right about what I think I am.”
Neptune smiled warmly at her friend. “You are!” She said. “Anyways we need-” Before Neptune could say another word, a snowball struck the girl square in the face.
Rom and Ram burst into laughter. “You two are being too serious!” Ram said, through her laughter. “Stop acting like a bunch of dorks!”
“Why you little!” Neptune began, smiling evilly. “You’ve just awoken the goddess of snowball fights!” And with that, Neptune grabbed two handfuls of snow and tossed them at Rom and Ram. Of course, the snow didn’t even come close to hitting the girls.
“You throw like a girl!” Ram teased.
“Like a girl!” Said Rom.
Neptune giggled. “I’ll show you who throws like a girl!” Neptune said, as she started chasing after the twins.
Blanc giggled. “Thanks Neptune.”
Neptune halted in her tracks and glanced over her shoulder smiling and winking. “Of course!” She said, before turning her attention back to Rom and Ram. “Come back here you little snow bunnies!”
***
Several days later Neptune, Blanc, Rom and Ram managed to make it to the third Fairy Tower. Neptune was eager to see Nepgear again and meet Cyberconnect2, but they hadn’t arrived yet.
“Wh-Where are they?” Neptune wondered, as she walked all around the Fairy Tower.
“I’m sure they’ll be here soon.” Blanc said. “Considering they started off near the border of Lowee, it’ll take them longer to reach the third Fairy Tower.”
“Oh yeah. I wish I could talk to Nepgear. I miss her.” Neptune said, as her shoulders sagged.
“I know, but you should hurry up and activate the third Fairy Tower. I’m sure Histoire is tired of waiting.” Blanc said.
“Right.” Neptune said, as she reached into her pocket and removed the USB memory stick. “I’m actually surprised that I never lost this thing.” She said, as she slid the device into one of the terminals USB ports.
A few moments later, Histoire’s holographic image appeared. “Not that it would matter. I could simply issue you another one.”
“Yeah, yeah, but where’s the drama?” Neptune asked.
Blanc shook her head. “It would be annoying if you lost that thing simply because you forgot to take it out of your pocket or were being careless.”
“Exactly. So be careful with that.” Said Histoire.
“Hey lady. I should remind you that I’ve been nothing, but careful with this thing. After all were only two more Fairy Tower’s away from being finished, right?” Neptune asked, eyeing Histoire.
Histoire took a deep breath before she giggled. “You are correct. Two more Fairy Towers are left.” Histoire glanced around the area. “I see that Nepgear and Cyberconnect2 haven’t arrived yet, but they should be here within a day maybe two.”
“I see.” Said Neptune, placing her hands behind her head. “I don’t mind waiting this time.”
“That’s good. Because the next Fairy Tower is actually pretty far away from here.” Said Histoire. “I’ve already sent the coordinates to your N-Gear, but I’ll hold off sending them to Nepgear. I don’t want to give her or Cyberconnect2 the wrong idea.”
“Good idea! For someone so tiny you’re a quick little thinker!” Said Neptune.
Histoire placed her hands on her hips. “Who are you calling little? This hologram your talking to isn’t my actual body. The Fairy Tower is.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say tiny.” Said Neptune.
Histoire narrowed her eyes at Neptune, who was beaming with joy. “I’ll forgive your insults, but rest assured I will get angry the next time you insult my diminutive size.”
“I know your pain Histoire.” Ram said. “I’m tiny too and because of that Blanc thinks she can boss me and Rom around.”
“I can boss you two around because I’m your big sister.” Blanc said. “And I’m not bossing you two around. I’m looking out for you. There is a big difference.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.” Ram said, copying Neptune.
“Anyways…” Blanc turned her eyes towards Lowee. The city that shared the countries namesake. “We should head to Lowee and find a hotel to stay in. Once we find a place we’ll let you know Histoire.”
“Thank you and I promise I’ll send the coordinates to Nepgear and Cyberconnect2 when you do.” Said Histoire.
“Great.” Said Blanc. “Alright everyone. Let’s get going.”
***
Nepgear sighed deeply when she pulled out her N-Gear and looked down at the screen. “We still have about two days to go. Unless you feel like walking all night?” Nepgear asked, looking up at Cyberconnect2.
“As nice as that is. It’s getting colder Nepgear. We should find a place to stay tonight. Like that village were headed towards.” Cyberconnect2 said, gesturing towards the village that was several miles ahead of them.
Nepgear sighed deeply. “Oh goodness. You’re right Cyberconnect2, I’m sorry. I just really want to see Neptune now! I miss her cuddles and hugs and demands for pudding! I want my big sister now!” Nepgear cried, her cheeks were bright red in color.
Cyberconnect2 hid her smile. “I know how you feel… just stay strong!”
Nepgear narrowed her eyes at Cyberocnnect2. The girl noticed that her shoulders were shaking. “Are you laughing at me?” Nepgear demanded.
“N-No.” Cyberconnect2 said, giggling. “I’m just remembering this funny joke.”
“Funny joke, huh? Tell it to me.” Nepgear said.
Cyberconnect2 waved her hand dismissively. “You wouldn’t get it.” Cyberconnect2 said. “Anyways. You should be happy. Everyone knows the other is alive. Your arm is healed. Just be patient and you’ll be reunited with your sister in no time.”
“Right.” Nepgear said. A beeping sound caught Nepgear’s attention. Looking down at her N-Gear, she noticed a green dot located on the map. “Huh…” Nepgear said, furrowing her brow.
“What’s up?” Cyberconnect2 asked.
“A green dot appeared on the map. It’s located in the middle of Lowee City.” Nepgear said.
Cyberconnect2 thought about this for a few moments. “OH! I bet your sister and her friends are staying in a hotel in Lowee.”
Nepgear nodded. “That makes sense to me.” Nepgear smiled warmly. “I’m glad. We’ll be reunited soon Neptune.” Nepgear hugged her N-Gear close to her chest. “So Cyberconnect2. How about we-”
“No.” Cyberconnect2 said, cutting Nepgear off. “We’ll spend the night in that village and then head for Lowee City.”
“Poo…” Nepgear said, sighing deeply. “Oh well. We’ll get there soon enough.”
When the two girls reached the village they found a hotel they could stay in. After checking into their room, Cyberconnect2 kicked off her boots before crawling underneath her blankets and rested her head on the pillow. “I’m so cold!” Cyberconnect2 said, as she began to shiver.
“You look cold. I’m sorry for trying to make you walk all night.” Nepgear said.
“It’s okay. I understand.” Cyberconnect2 said.
“I have an idea. I’ll turn up the heat and then go get us some warm food. That’ll warm you up.” Said Nepgear.
“Thanks!” Cyberconnect2 said.
Nepgear turned up the heat in the room and left to get some food. When she returned, she was happy to see Cyberconnect2 was sitting up in bed and watching television. “Are you feeling okay?” Nepgear asked, handing her a plate of food.
“Yeah. Thanks!” Cyberconnect2 said, looking down at her meal. “I just needed to warm up. Anyways, they’re still looking for Lady Purple Heart.”
“Yeah… I wonder what happened to her.” Nepgear said. “She’s pretty tough, so I doubt she was kidnapped.”
“That’s true.” Said Cyberconnect2.
The two girls watched television as they ate. After a few moments, they showed a video of Purple Sister, who had tears streaming down her cheeks. “Aww! I feel so bad for Purple Sister.” Nepgear said.
“Me too.” Said Cyberconnect2, before she tilted her head slightly to the right. “Hey Nepgear. Don’t you think you look a little like Purple Sister?”
Nepgear looked at Cyberconnect2 for a few moments, before turning her eyes to Purple Sister who was still crying. “Maybe… A little bit?”
