Neptunia Heart Souls- CHAPTER 2

 After Neptune and Nepgear finished training in the field, they headed back to Planeptune with IF and Compa. IF and Compa were being strangely quiet. “Are you two okay?” Nepgear asked. “I’m sorry if we took too long hunting. We didn’t mean to hold you up or anything.”

Compa shook her head. “Don’t be silly Ge-Ge. We came out today to help you two.”

“That’s right.” Said IF, giving Nepgear a warm smile. “You two did great by the way. You should be proud.”

“Thanks!” Nepgear said, beaming with pride.

“Praise from IF! It’s as rare as summer snow.” Neptune said, blushing heavily.

IF glanced down at the phone she was still carrying. “Hey Neptune?” She began. “Do you think I could ask you something about your dream?”

“Huh? My dream?” Said Neptune, glancing over her shoulder at IF.

“Yeah. I was just wondering. Did you hear the names ‘Fairy Tower’ and ‘Histoire’ somewhere yesterday before you went to sleep? Maybe you read those names somewhere, or you heard someone say them?”

“Uh… No. I don’t think so. Nepgear was with me most of the day so…” Neptune began, looking at Nepgear.

Nepgear shook her head. “I don’t remember hearing anything either.”

“Why? What’s going on?” Neptune asked.

IF shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’m sure.” Said IF. “I was just curious. That’s all.”

“You know what I’m curious about?” Neptune began. “I’m curious if Chian is cooking up anything delicious today! We should go ask!”

“That sounds good!” IF said. “How about this? We’ll make it my treat today.”

“Whoa!” Neptune said, happily. “The cheapskate IF is offering to buy everyone lunch? We should buy some lottery tickets on our way home. Our luck is obviously through the roof!”

“Yeah… I’ll happily buy lunch for Compa, Nepgear and myself.” IF said.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Neptune said, suddenly throwing her arms around IF’s neck. “What about your good buddy Neptune?”

“Neptune?” IF began. “Never heard of her!”

IF, Compa, Neptune and Nepgear had been friends for several years. Neptune, IF and Compa had met by chance when Neptune had been gathering supplies to help her sister who had gotten sick. Compa insisted that they help out and after that they became the best of friends.

IF and Compa on the other hand had known each other since they were little kids. They grew up together and IF was very attached to Compa. So much so that she often found herself thinking only about Compa on most days. A little fact that IF wouldn’t be able to admit to anyone.

“Come on IF! I’m so hungry!” Neptune cried.

IF giggled. “Fine, but get off me! You’re heavy! All those puddings are to blame.”

“Pudding is a light snack.” Neptune said, correcting IF.

“Whatever you say.” IF say. IF didn’t say anything about tit, but she felt her phone vibrate several times. No doubt her contact, Otome-chan, was sending more and more information.

Before the girls headed to Chian’s restaurant, they stopped at the guild so that Neptune could turn in the quest. Nepgear went with her sister, while IF and Compa stayed outside. IF took out her phone and quickly scanned the information.

“What does it say?” Compa asked.

“It… I’ll tell you in a moment.” IF said, when she saw Neptune and Nepgear were heading back. “Let’s not worry them right now.”

“Right.” Compa said, though she looked like she was read to burst with a mixture of excitement and dread.

“Were back. Sorry to keep you waiting.” Nepgear said, smiling warmly at IF and Compa.

“No worries. Ready to go to Chian’s?” IF asked.

“You bet! I want a pudding, a pudding burger and some pudding stew.” Neptune said.

“Pudding burger?” IF said, poking out her cute little tongue. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“Oh whatever. I just want some pudding!” Neptune said.

***

After IF, Compa, Neptune and Nepgear finished their meals the girls went their own ways. IF and Compa stayed in front of Chian’s restaurant while Neptune and Nepgear headed back to their home.

The moment Neptune and Nepgear vanished from view, IF quickly pulled out her cell phone. Compa watched in amazement as IF’s thumbs became blurs as she typed out a message.

“Otome-chan. The information you just sent me? Is it accurate?” IF typed.

It didn’t take long for Otome-chan to respond. “It is. Histoire and the Fairy Tower are both real.”

“I can’t believe it.” IF said. “I asked Otome-chan about Histoire and the Fairy Tower out of curiosity. I thought they would be some kind of reference to a video game or something, but no.” IF scrolled back to the messages Otome-chan had sent her earlier. “According to her. Histoire used to be some kind of consultant that worked for lady Purple Heart, but most of those records are missing. Also the Fairy Tower is this huge data gathering site located in the middle of the field we were just fighting in.” IF explained.

“What does all this mean?” Asked Compa.

“I’m not sure, but-” IF began, but before she could finish speaking, her phone started ringing. “I don’t recognize the number.” IF said, nervously.

“Iffy! This is scary. Maybe we should forget the whole thing.” Compa said, folding her hands in front of her.

IF and Compa yelped as all the phones on IF’s belt started ringing. “Uh… OKAY! STOP!” IF cried, as she pressed the answer button on her first phone and held it to her ear. “Hello? You have the wrong number.” IF said.

All the color drained from IF’s cheeks.

“Iffy?” Compa began, nervously. “What’s wrong?”

IF lowered the phone before turning to Compa with a look of disbelief on her face. “I think we need to get Neptune.”

***

When Neptune and Nepgear made it back home they quickly split up. Neptune made her way over to the television set. After plopping herself down on a large pillow, she grabbed a controller and began playing a video game.

Nepgear on the other hand went to her workbench and placed her energy sword down. After that, she grabbed her tools and started tinkering with the weapon.

“Hey Nepgear…?” Neptune began.

“What’s up big sis?” Nepgear asked.

“Do you think there’s anything to my dream? I can’t get it out of my head.” Neptune admitted. “I know it sounds weird, but I’m pretty sure I heard the name Histoire before.”

“What about the Fairy Tower?” Asked Nepgear.

“I’m not sure about that one, but Histoire sounds so familiar to me.” Neptune said, leaning back against her pillow.

“I’m not sure.” Nepgear admitted, as she started fiddling with the settings on her sword. “I noticed my sword’s energy output wavering a bit. I want to increase the range a bit and…” Nepgear’s voice suddenly faded.

“What’s wrong? Lose a finger?” Neptune asked.

“Histoire… I don’t know why, but I’m starting to think that I remember that name too.” Nepgear said.

“Oh! I know!” Neptune said, jumping to her feet. The controller she was playing with clattered to the floor. “Maybe the name is cursed! It’s a mind virus and I just infected you, IF and Compa!”

Nepgear looked at her sister for several moments, before she shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“Well that was my theory.” Said Neptune, sinking back onto her pillow and grabbing her controller.

“NEPTUNE!” IF screamed as she ran into the Nep’s home.

Neptune and Nepgear both screamed. Neptune jumped back to her feet, accidentally launching her controller across the room. Nepgear on the other hand fell off her chair and landed hard on her back.

“You two should really learn to lock your door.” Compa said, appearing behind IF.

“You think so?” Neptune asked, breathing hard. “That’s something me and Nepgear really need to think about, while we kick your butts!” Neptune roared, clenching her hands into tight fists.

“What’s going on?” Nepgear asked, as she struggled to her feet.

“Sorry about that.” IF said, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. “This is really important. It’s about your dream.”

“My dream?” Neptune said.

“That’s right.” Came a voice everyone in the room knew.

IF and Compa quickly moved out of the way as a tall figure stepped into the room. “Holy Crackers!” Neptune cried.

“Oh Goodness!” Nepgear said.

“It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.” Said lady Purple Heart. “I’m sorry for visiting you both so late, but it’s urgent that we speak.”

Neptune and Nepgear both exchanged nervous looks. “Of course.” Neptune said, scratching the back of her head nervously. “Please. Have a seat.” Neptune said, gesturing towards a nearby table. “Nepgear? Please bring out our finest puddings.”

“Neptune, lady Purple Heart isn’t interested in-” IF began.

“Pudding!?” Lady Purple Heart said, excitedly. The lady quickly cleared her throat. “I appreciate the gesture. Thank you.” Lady Purple Heart said, as she took a seat at the kitchen table.

Neptune took a nervous seat in the chair across from her lady, while Nepgear made her way to the refrigerator and pulled out several puddings for everyone to enjoy. She served lady Purple Heart first, before she handed them out to everyone else.

Neptune, Nepgear, IF and Compa watched nervously as lady Purple Heart eagerly tore off the lid to her pudding, pick up a spoon and start eating the pudding. After lady Purple Heart finished her pudding, she picked up the cup and lid and started licking the pudding off.

“Thank you. That was very nice.” Lady Purple Heart said, licking her lips.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Nepgear said.

“You must really like pudding! It’s something we have in common!” Neptune said, as she opened her own pudding and started eating it.

“Neptune!” Nepgear began. “You should give lady Purple Heart your pudding instead of eating it!”

“Huh?!” Neptune cried out, in surprise.

“No please!” Lady Purple Heart said, shaking her head. “I would never take pudding away from someone. Please enjoy it.” Lady Purple Heart said, gesturing towards the pudding with her hand. “While you eat, I would like to tell you all about a dream I had. A dream that might sound familiar to you Neptune.”

“A dream?” Neptune said.

“I had this dream several times. I found myself in a strange abyss. It felt like being underwater. It was dark and I was the only one there. Suddenly I heard a voice calling out to me. The voice asked me to find two girls. One named Neptune and the other Nepgear. The voice told me to tell them that they need to activate something called a Fairy Tower in order to release someone named Histoire.”

“Histoire!” Neptune said, pointing at lady Purple Heart with her spoon.

“Neptune!” Nepgear cried, covering her eyes with her hands. “Please don’t point at our lady with your spoon! It’s bad manners!”

“Oh… Sorry.” Neptune said, giggling nervously. “Anyways, I had a dream where Histoire told me to activate something called a Fairy Tower. What is that anyways? Also who’s Histoire?”

Lady Purple Heart sighed deeply. “I don’t know.” She admitted. “When I had that dream, I asked the staff at my Basilicom to look into the matter. They found some details, but they made no sense to me. Apparently Histoire used to be my Basilicom’s oracle. Apparently we worked closely together, but no one can seem to remember her.”

“And the Fairy Tower?” Nepgear asked.

“According to records. The Fairy Tower was a tower that was used to collect data, but I’m not sure why we relied on them to collect anything. We have that sort of thing here in Planeptune.” Lady Purple Heart said, scratching her chin thoughtfully.

“That was all the information my friend Otome-chan sent me.” IF said, stepping up to the table, holding up her phone.

“Yes. I had the staff at the Basilicom do a search for the phrases ‘Histoire’ and ‘Fairy Tower’ and that’s when we happened upon your messages.” Lady Purple Heart said. “I apologize for reading your private messages IF, but it was an emergency.”

“No!” IF said, waving both of her hands dismissively. “No problem at all! What’s privacy compared to whatever this is?” IF asked, laughing nervously.

“I have a question.” Nepgear asked, holding up her right hand as though waiting to be called on. “How do you know any of this is real? I admit, it’s a crazy coincidence, but still.”

“That’s a good question Nepgear.” Lady Purple Heart said, smiling wryly. Lady Purple Heart held up her hand. Suddenly a USB memory stick appeared between her thumb and index finger. “In one of my dreams, Histoire told me about this. In order to activate the Fairy Tower, you need to insert this into it.”

“I see…” Neptune said, crossing her arms in front of her chest and sighing deeply. “So why do I have to do it? Sounds like a real bore chore!”

“Neptune!” Nepgear said, annoyed.

“I-I agree.” IF said.

“Me too!” Compa said, in protest. “I’m sorry lady Purple Heart, but it’s really dangerous out there and Nep-Nep and Ge-Ge barely have any experience fighting monsters. It wouldn’t be right to send them off on a mission like this.”

“I agree.” Lady Purple heart said, nodding. “That’s why I won’t force you to go. It wouldn’t be right for me to put you in danger like that, but please consider it.” Lady Purple Heart got to her feet and placed the USB memory stick down on the table. “I’m not sure why Neptune and Nepgear, but I feel like I know you two very well. Same goes for Compa and IF. The moment I heard your names, I knew we knew each other somehow.”

“Yeah?” Neptune and Nepgear said, in unison.

“I know you Neptune even better and I know you’ll do the right thing.” Lady Purple Heart raised her hand. Suddenly a katana appeared in front of her. Taking the katana, lady Purple Heart placed it gently down on the table. “When you leave, please take this with you.”

“Thanks.” Neptune said.

Lady Purple Heart bowed, before she turned on her heels and made her way out of the house.

“Well…” IF began, trying to find the right words. “That was certainly something that just happened, huh?”

Neptunia Heart Souls- CHAPTER 1

 There was no sound or light. Nothing seemed to reach the strange abyss. A young girl stood in the middle of this abyss, a vacant look in her eyes. As though stirred by an invisible force, the young girl started to move. At first she moved her fingers, before she blinked her eyes several times. Soon she took a step and then another.

“Where am I?” The girl wondered aloud. Her voice lacked any impact. As though it were only strong enough to reach her ears.

“Neptune?” A voice said. This voice had impact. It echoed and reverberated off walls that the girl couldn’t see. “Can you hear me?”

“Yeah.” The girl said, nodding her head. Neptune slowly moved her eyes left and right, but she couldn’t see anything. “Where are you? Who are you?” She asked.

The voice didn’t answer right away and Neptune couldn’t help, but wonder if it would. “My name is Histoire. I’m a tome.”

“Tomb?” Neptune said, her eyes widened a bit.

“No. A tome.” The voice quickly corrected. “I need your help Neptune. Please activate the Fairy Towers. Release me.”

“Fairy Towers? Release you?” Neptune repeated. “That sounds really hard.”

“It’s alright-” Histoire began, but her voice was cut off by a different voice.

“Neptune? Hey Neptune! Please wake up!” The new voice cried.

Neptune opened her eyes and spotted Nepgear’s face hovering above hers. Nepgear wore a worried look on her face and she was grasping one of Neptune’s shoulders in her hands.

“Oh Nepgear!” Neptune said, happily. “You saved me!”

“I saved you?” Nepgear said, furrowing her brow.

“Yeah. A weird voice was asking me to activate some Fairy Towers and release her. It sounded like a real bore chore and I didn’t want to do it! So thanks Nepgear!” Neptune said, with a large smile.

Nepgear shook her head. “Well you’re welcome sis, but we need to hurry. We have to kill some Dogoo’s today and-” Before Nepgear could finish speaking, Neptune rolled onto her stomach.

“That sounds like a real bore chore too. Let me go talk to Histoire again.” Neptune said, as she tried to go back to sleep.

“No sis!” Nepgear cried, as she started shaking her big sister harder than before. “We have to go now! IF and Compa are waiting for us!”

“Okay okay…” Neptune said, sighing deeply as she sat up in bed. “Hey Nepgear, I have an idea…”

“If you drop that idea and get up now, I’ll make pudding for breakfast!” Nepgear said. Nepgear gasped as Neptune leapt out of bed and in a matter of moments was changed and ready to go out.

“Let’s go Nepgear! Times wasting!” Neptune said, as she led the way out of their room.

Nepgear sighed once more, but a small smile appeared on her lips. “Maybe I should try the pudding approach more often.” She thought.

Nepgear followed her sister into the small kitchen where she quickly prepared some puddings for the two of them. After that, they headed outside. The sun was shining brightly overhead and a warm breeze blew through the girls hair. “What a morning!” Neptune said, as she happily ate away at her pudding.

Neptune and Nepgear were both girls who lived in the city of Planeptune. Planeptune was a small city that was mostly made up of small wooden houses and factories Planeptune was ruled over by the goddess Purple Heart. Purple Heart was a kind, but serious leader. However, every once in a while Purple Heart would act childishly.

Neptune and Nepgear were members of the guild and often went on quests together. This morning however, they were planning on teaming up with their closest friends IF and Compa.

“Do you think IF is going to be mad this morning?” Neptune asked, as she continued to shovel mouthfuls of pudding into her mouth.

“No. I woke us up early so we wouldn’t be late.” Nepgear said, as she led the charge through the city.

“That’s my super brainy sister for you!” Neptune said. The two sisters stopped at a trashcan and tossed away the cups their puddings had come in and the plastic spoons before continuing on.

The two girls moved down several alleyways and streets until they reached a large gate that led out of the city. Standing by the gate were two girls. IF and Compa. IF was looking down at one of her cellphones while Compa was patiently waiting next to her.

“Hi! Were here!” Nepgear called out.

IF glanced up from her phone. “You’re late.” IF said, in a stern voice.

“No way!” Neptune said, stopping a few feet away from IF and Compa. “My sister woke me up early. So were actually early.”

“I know.” IF said, smiling mischievously. “I knew Nepgear would be smart enough to wake you up early, because if she didn’t you’d be late. So I’m scolding you for being late anyways.”

“Aww not fair!” Neptune said, her shoulder sagged.

“Good morning Nep-Nep! Good morning Ge-Ge!” Compa said, using her usual nicknames for her two friends.

“Morning Compa!” Neptune said.

“Good morning.” Nepgear said, bowing her head a little.

“If I’m being scolded for being late. I should say that I have a good reason for it.” Neptune said.

“Pudding coma?” IF asked.

“Pudding Coma?” Compa offered.

“Pudding Coma.” Nepgear said, crossing her arms in front of her chest and nodding her head several times.

“Not a pudding coma! Though that is a great idea.” Neptune said, her voice trailed off before she started shaking her head hard. “But no! Not a pudding coma! I had a weird dream!”

“What kind of dream Nep-Nep?” Asked Compa.

“Well…” Neptune began, trying to remember the specifics. “I had a dream about a girl named Histoire and she told me to activate something called a Fairy Tower. Oh and she asked me to release her.”

“Weird.” IF said. “So was it a bad dream or something?”

Neptune shook her head. “I’m going to have to say no. It was just weird.”

IF didn’t say anything more. Instead she started typing something into her phone. After that, she slid the phone back onto her belt where several other phones were waiting to be used.

“Anyways, let’s get this quest over with. I’m ready for my second pudding.” Neptune said, glumly.

IF giggled as she pulled out the quest form and looked it over. “Alright. So our client is asking us to kill five Dogoo.”

“Dogoos’ are pretty easy, right?” Neptune said, as she held out her hands. In a flash of bright light a wooden sword appeared in front of her. “I bet I’ll kill all five of them before any of you can!”

“You’re not used to fighting monsters are you?” IF asked, titling her head slightly to the right and smiling.

“Uh… No.” Neptune said, shaking her head. “Every quest we’ve been on so far involved finding herbs.”

“Thought so.” IF said. “In that case, just stick with us. It’s true Dogoos’ can be easy, but they can still overwhelm you if you aren’t careful.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll use my mad nursing skills if anyone gets hurt!” Compa said, smiling brightly.

“Aw! I knew I loved you for a reason Compa!” Neptune said, hugging Compa’s arm close to her chest.

“Enough of that!” IF said, grabbing Neptune by the scruff of her shirt and dragging her away from Compa.

“Sorry IF. I didn’t mean to make you jealous.” Neptune said, giggling nervously.

“Me jealous?” IF began, her cheeks grew bright red. “I’m not jealous! I’m annoyed! Now let’s get this quest over with!” And with those words, the four friends headed out of Planeptune and into a large valley.

The valley was beautiful, but it was filled with all kinds of monsters.

The four friends didn’t have to walk far before their first target appeared in front of them. “Dogoo!” The monster said, as it turned its gelatinous body towards the group.

“There’s our first target!” IF said, her eyes shifted towards Neptune. “Hey Neptune. Why don’t you show us how its done?”

“Alright!” Neptune said, nervously. “Uh… Here I go…” And with that, Neptune ran forwards, her sword held high over her head. “Die monster!” She cried out.

Before Neptune could do anything however, the Dogoo leapt backwards avoiding her sword by mere inches. “HEY!” Neptune cried out, as the tip of her wooden sword slammed into the ground.

The dogoo suddenly leapt at Neptune, smacking her hard in the chest. The wind was knocked out of Neptune and she was sent flying backwards. “Ouch!” The girl cried out, as she slammed into the ground and rolled several feet away. “Uh… IF? Maybe you should show us how its done?”

“I guess I could.” IF said.

Nepgear and Compa knelt down beside Neptune. “Are you okay big sis?” Nepgear asked.

“I’m fine. That dogoo is stronger than it looks.” Neptune said.

“You just have to anticipate its attacks. Once you learn to do that, you’ll be fine.” IF said, as she summoned two daggers into her hands. After that, IF slowly made her way over to the dogoo.

“Dogoo! Goo!” The creature growled.

IF stopped in her tracks and lifted her daggers. “Come on dogoo.” She said.

The dogoo suddenly leapt at IF, but unlike Neptune, IF knew what to do. Moving swiftly to the side, she avoided the Dogoo’s attack, but as the creature flew past her, IF swung one of her daggers cutting into the creature.

The dogoo landed on the ground, but before it could do anything else, IF slammed her daggers into the creatures upper body. With a bright flash, the dogoo vanished.

“You see? Not that hard.” Said IF.

“I agree.” Neptune said, getting to her feet. “Why don’t you take care of the rest of the dogoos, while Nepgear and Compa rest here?”

“Good idea. I’ll take the whole reward for myself too.” IF said, shrugging her shoulders.

“On second thought. We’ll come with you.” Said Neptune.

The four girls continued to make their way through the valley. Every time they came across a dogoo, one of them would deal with it. Nepgear used an energy sword that she had made herself, in order to defeat one a dogoo. Compa used a giant syringe to kill one and IF dealt with the fourth one herself.

“One more dogoo left.” Neptune said, smiling brightly. “We make a great team! You three kill them and I cheer for you! Hooray!” Neptune said, throwing her hands into the air.

“Neptune you should kill the last one.” Nepgear said.

“Seriously. We can’t carry you this entire quest.” Said IF.

“I disagree. You three have been carrying me quite well so far.” Neptune said. “Right Compa?”

“They have a point Nep-Nep.” Compa said.

Neptune gasped. “Betrayed by my two best friends and my baby sister. What will I do?” Neptune asked, pretending to cry.

“You could kill that over there.” IF said, pointing somewhere to the right.

Neptune turned her head and spotted a dogoo hopping towards them. “Oh… I see.” Neptune said, sighing deeply. “I guess I don’t have a choice.” Neptune said, as she started running at the dogoo as fast as she could.

“Remember what I said!” IF called out.

“Yeah yeah…” Neptune said.

Neptune charged forwards, her feet slammed against the ground as she ran. Neptune held her sword down by her right side. The moment the dogoo was close enough, it leapt at the girl with all it’s might.

Neptune gritted her teeth as she held her sword up in front of her. The dogoo slammed into the weapon causing Neptune to stumble a bit, but she didn’t fall.

“Goo!” The dogoo growled as it landed on the ground. Before the creature could do anything else, Neptune raised her wooden sword and plunged the tip deep into it’s gelatinous body. The dogoo growled once more before it vanished completely.

“Whew… That was tough.” Neptune said, dabbing her sweaty forehead with the back of her hand.

“You did it sis!” Nepgear cried, as she jumped at Neptune and threw her arms around her sister.

“I know, I know. I’m awesome.” Said Neptune.

“Nice work Nep!” IF said, smiling as well. “Now do it again.”

“Huh? Isn’t the quest over already?” Neptune asked.

“Yeah, but you said you wanted to do more hunting quests, right?” Asked IF. “You need to get the practice in.”

Neptune wanted to argue, but she knew her friend was right. “That’s true.” Neptune said, sighing deeply. Nepgear looked from her sister, to IF and Compa. After that Nepgear closed her eyes and giggled a bit. “Things have been hard lately. Taxes are going up and no ones hiring. We need to do hunting more hunting quests big sis.”

Neptune swallowed hard. “You’re right. I need to provide for my baby sister.” Neptune said, turning on her heels and holding her wooden sword with both hands. “Let’s get started!”

“I’m going with you.” Nepgear said, activating her energy sword.

“That’s the spirit!” IF said, as she watched Neptune and Nepgear charge after a small group of dogoo.

“I’m proud of them.” Compa said, smiling sweetly.

“Me too, but I’m also a bit worried. Neptune’s a good girl, but she can be lazy. I don’t want her to rely on Nepgear to do everything.” IF said. Just as IF stopped speaking, she felt her phone from before vibrate.

Pulling out her phone, IF’s smile vanished when she read the text she had just received.

“What’s wrong?” Compa asked, noticing IF’s mood had changed.

“Look.” IF said, turning the phone so Compa could read the screen.

Compa’s eyes went wide. “What does it mean?” She asked, before turning her eyes towards Neptune who was being chased by four dogoos’.