Successors to the Goddess

by songoku2006

Gamindustri, a land where goddess rein. After many battles, it is at peace. But this is nothing more than an illusion. One that is tied to an ancient prophecy. For the land of Gamindustri is in peril. Do to actions of one these goddess. It will be up to remaining goddess to save there lands. For they might be the true successors to the original goddess.

11. Chapter 11

Disclaimer I don't own Hyperdimension Neptunia or any other references made.

Chapter Eleven-Requirements for The Successors

Noire exhaled a deep breath standing in a gym. She could see the various things set up for her, practice dummies, even a few weights. She looked at where Uni, Blanc, Vert were standing in a watch box. They were behind a protective glass to protect them in case she gets to rowdy.

They made sure that everything needed to be done to protect and help their people before coming here. They didn't expect an attack again so soon, but had to be ready for anything.

"Are you ready, Noire?" Uni's voice called out from the PA system.

Noire looked over herself, seeing the various little devices on her arms. They were monitoring her vials. "I'm set."

Uni nodded in the control room, there, she stood by a computer. On its holographic display was Noire's current information. Everything was being recorded, even more was being taken.

Blanc and Vert watched with careful eyes. They were about to see Noire transform into Next Black again, only now. They would get more information on it.

Noire took a deep breath. 'It's controlled by determination, focus on that!'

Uni saw spikes in the Share Energy, almost like when they use it to change their forms.

"Here we go," Blanc muttered out. Even Vert was holding her breath.

Noire was engulfed by a light, soon, she was replaced by Next Black. Next Black let out a breath, thankful it worked. She took two steps, feeling her new body. It seemed heavier than normal.

Next Black looked at where Uni was. "Uni, can you bring up a mirror."

"Sure thing," Uni replied working the controls.

There was a clink, a mirror came from the floor. Lastation's gyms could storage various things in the floor, helping to keep things tidy. Next Black looked at herself.

"Amazing!" She muttered out at the site of her Next form. Even if her hair was the same color as her normal HDD, there was a tint of blue mixed in.

Next, came her clothes. They were the same type as a goddess, but different. These covered her whole body, they even glowed. She willed her wings to appear. When they appeared, she looked at them.

Each one had four fins, a soft blue light coming from them. Next Black floated seeing their increased light.

"So," she muttered. "They give signs of being used. I can feel their power."

The group watching could see Next Black floating, next she shot like a rocket. Uni worked the controls. Her red eyes widened at seeing the readings.

"She's…faster than her normal HDD! This might even be much faster than…what any other goddess has done before?!" Uni screamed in shock.

"Maybe not." Blanc rubbed her chin. "It's possible, Noire is nearly as fast as our creator…"

Vert nodded. "Right, because there are records of goddesses after her death. I don't which goddess started writing history, but there is no way to tell if this is true."

"It's true." Histoire floated close to the screen. She was there the whole time, only staying in the back. "Lady…Next Black is nearly fast as mother."

The three goddesses looked at the tome. Even if they knew she was there in the background, they focused on Noire. Histoire wanted to be here, she sensed Noire's change. But, she didn't know much about it.

This was new territory for her.

"That shouldn't be a surprise," Uni said. "Noire is currently the fastest goddess."

Even before gaining the Next form, Noire was pretty fast, but still strong. She only used her speed more than the other goddesses. Even Vert and Blanc had their own strengths.

Next Black landed, feeling the rush. Even with these bulky limbs, they didn't impair her movement. She willed her sword to appear, it appeared in her hands. She smirked when she activated its blade.

Next Black's head snapped to look at the training dummies. "Here we go!"

For one second Next Black was standing there, then the next. She was standing past the dummies. After a second they all fell apart, each sliced differently. Next Black flicked her blade like there was blood on it.

"This is a beam weapon, or close to it," Next Black commented on her new sword. She did feel resistance when cutting with it, but not enough to stop it.

"Damn!" Blanc whistled at seeing this. "I…she cut through those dummies like a hot knife though freckling butter!"

Vert nodded in awe…Noire's new sword seemed powerful.

Uni nearly had her eyes pop out of her sockets, but recovered quickly. She took a reading from her sister's sword. It's a beam weapon no denying that.

"She even upgraded her sword." Uni typed the information in their database.

"Uni," Next Black called out. Uni answered back. "I want targets on the ground and in the air. Mixed movement."

"Right away, Noire," Uni replied inputting the command.

Next Black tensed at seeing various orbs appear, even four-wheeled boxes came from the ground. The orbs floated higher in the air while the boxes started moving on the ground. These were training tools used for training ones' reflexes.

They moved and turned on a dime. If they were programmed, they could give a low shock to the person chasing after them.

Next Black give off a low scream, her wings hummed to life. Everyone could barely see the goddess moving around the gym. She flied around chasing after the orbs, even tried to touch the boxes. They were at their highest settings, even with that they were hard pressed to dodge the goddess.

"She's…pushing the trainers to their limit!" Uni stated the readings on her terminal. Before, Noire couldn't do this to those machines, they were the same type she used for her own training.

"Like a wasp," Vert muttered out. She was familiar with insects, the way Noire was flying reminded her of wasp that lived in her lands. They were mean, but could fly like the dickens.

They were so agile in air, moving side to side, up and down with no equal. Is what made them so deadly to their opponents because of those movements.

"Her transform is like a power-up of herself." Blanc rubbed her chin in thought. She knows that Noire was the fastest of the current goddesses, where she is strongest of them.

Histoire only watched this with wonder. Remembering seeing how her mother flew in the skies. Next Black resembled that flying. Her mother could be so fast, but so agile at the same time. It was like she was a ballerina of the skies.

Next Black could see three bolts coming at her. With unparalleled grace, she flew backwards even not fast as going forward. It was enough to give her time to dodge the bolts. She charged at the orbs tagging them.

She looked down slightly winded. "Uni, that's enough. I'm going to check my Share intake."

The orbs and boxes started moving to their storage areas. Next Black landed on ground. She closed her eyes to focus.

Uni watched as her sister consumed High-Grade Share Energy. At first it was high, then low. Now it was between those lines. It looked to be double what Noire needed to stay in her normal HDD, given her estimate with High-Grade Share.

"Uni," Next Black said while opening her eyes. "How much am I consuming?"

"It's about double what you need," Uni answered.

"About double…" Next Black muttered in thought, now looking at the watch box. "Do we have normal Share?"

"There is some that was made," Uni answered. "You want to use it?"

"Yes." Next Black nodded. "I need to know if I need High-Grade Share to use this form."

"Okay, I'll send it right to you," Uni replied.

Even if they can send certain Share Energy to a goddess, it wasn't like what was done to Vert, Blanc and Noire during their capture. They couldn't stop the flow completely.

Next Black winced a little at feeling the change of energy. It wasn't…bad only less filling.

"Is it not enough, Noire?" Uni asked her sister seeing that wince.

"I…don't think so," Next Black answered. "It's…less filling."

"Less filling?" Uni tilted her head in confusion.

"She might not need High-Grade Share energy. But it's like eating food when hungry," Blanc replied.

"Could you explain, Blanc," Vert said trying to make sense of the statement. Uni and Histoire also looked at Blanc.

"Think of it like this." Blanc held up a finger. "Say right now the Share Next Black is consuming, it's a medium candy bar." Vert nodded with Uni and Histoire. "When she is using High-Grade, she's eating a full course meal. I know normal Share is usually like a meal to us right now. But that might change when we use the Next form. She needs more power to maintain it which is why, normal Share is less filling to her."

"Oh." Vert nodded in understanding with the others. "So, she really doesn't need High-Grade. Normal Share is enough, only she'll need more of it."

"Right." Blanc nodded looking at Next Black. "Which is a relief! If we get our own Next forms, we don't have to worry about it being High-Grade Share energy to use them."

Vert did agree with that, luckily Lastation had enough to make it, but not enough to keep producing it. Even Leanbox and Lowee could make it, but not continually.

"So." Vert rubbed her chin. "We need to make High-Grade when we get back to our nations."

"I don't think that will be enough," Next Black's voice stated.

"What?" both Blanc and Vert asked at the same time. They looked at the window to look at why Noire said that.

Next Black was floating by the window looking at them. "When I called for more power…it was in response to a need. Not a desire. So just making High-Grade is not the answer. You must make it in a certain way."

"A certain way," Blanc muttered out.

Vert rubbed her head, thinking back to when Noire transformed. She barely heard Noire's plea for more power, more determination.

"Darn!" Blanc muttered out. "She's right! If making High-Grade was the answer, we could have done it by now! But…she's right! We have to make it a certain way!"

Vert slowly nodded, her feelings confirmed it. They couldn't just make the Share Energy, it had to be done in the right way, if not. Their efforts would be wasted.

"We…have do it the way Next Black did it," Vert stated looking serious. "Because if we don't, it would waste the power and we can't waste that chance! Because Drillix won't wait for us to be ready! I know there is a way, but…"

"It's not completely there," Blanc finished for Vert. "It might be we need more of the same feeling we're known for. Like more wisdom for myself and love for Vert."

Next Black nodded in agreement. "That's the right path. You need more of that! Only by using that feeling, you'll awaken as Successors!"

Both Blanc and Vert slowly drowned out the world around them. Their eyes formed their own Next eyes. Winds picked up around the two goddesses. Uni and Histoire slowly moved away from the two goddesses.

Next Black nodded crossing her arms. "That's right! Don't fight it! Let it come to you, my friends!"

Behind Blanc and Vert, two forms appeared. The same ones that were with them during their fight with Iris Heart.

Histoire gasped at seeing them again, they even looked clearer than before.

But, the two-gasped stopping the wind. They landed on all fours taking deep breaths.

"Green Heart, White Heart!" Uni exclaimed about ready to rush at them. "Are you okay?!"

Blanc held out a hand to calm down Uni. "I'm fine, but…so damn close! I could feel it! Taste it!"

Vert growled punching the ground. "Nearly there! I could feel…so much love! The same needed for my Next form! Curses!"

Next Black's face softened. "Don't push it too much. You'll get it, please don't get discouraged."

The two picked themselves up. Their faces were unreadable to the group. Next Black started floating down, landing on the ground. The goddess went back to human form.

"I'm calling it on my Next training," Noire called out. "I'll go check on our status, let me know if you need my help Uni." She started walking off while taking off the devices.

Uni replied she'll tell Noire anything if she finds anything new. Uni looked at Vert and Blanc both looking down. She wanted to comforted them, as it would seem they were disappointed with not getting their Next forms. Even if they were close to getting them.

"We better get ready to leave," Blanc finally spoke after a few seconds, walking to leave the room.

Vert only walked out of the room. Blanc nearly was out, but stopped. Without looking back, she spoke.

"Be ready to leave with me, Histoire."

Histoire only nodded, knowing that they wanted her in Lowee. Black Heart had told her that bit of information. The tome only watched the other Successor leave the room.

"I better get to work on this data." Uni turned to start storing the data for later use. It was a job needed to be done, plus, nothing she said would help Blanc and Vert right now.

Histoire only kept quiet, knowing she couldn't say anything to help either.

In the room were Ram and Rom stayed in, they were packing their things. It's been an hour or less since Next Black's testing new form. They noticed their older sister seemed…saddened by something.

They weren't sure on what to do, but…give her space for now.

"There we are." Rom nodded at being packed. Even if it wasn't much it was still a bit.

The twins heard knocking on their door. They both looked at the door wondering who was visiting them.

"Come in," Ram called out, done packing. This might be there sister or their escorts.

They might now have escorts or least be ready to fight when they go to different landmasses. Given they were in a state of war.

Uni stepped into the room. "Hello, I've come to say goodbye."

"Thank you, Uni." Rom smiled at the fellow goddess candidate. Even her sister smiled at Uni.

"So…how are you two doing?" Uni asked the twins nervously. She closed the door to give them privacy.

"I guess…fine," Ram answered reserved, lowering her head. Even Rom sobered at the question.

"I guess that fight drained you a bit," Uni sighed out, understanding it was taxing on anyone, but they had to keep their guard up.

This was only the beginning.

"You can say that again," Ram sighed out. "How…do you deal with what that damn betrayer help create!" Her mouth thinned.

Rom started to get mad, but took a deep breath to calm herself.

Uni rubbed her aching head. "That I have no answer for. This…hasn't happened before."

"Actually," Rom said. "This has happened before, only…it's been centuries. Our creator was the one to face this." She corrected them.

Uni and Ram nodded at the information. The Original Goddess didn't give many records of her time, only Histoire who was sealed away.

Ram looked at Uni. "Speaking of…unfavorable goddess. What is to happen to Iris Heart and Purple Sister?"

Uni looked back at Ram seeing simple curiosity there. Even her sister seemed curious about them, it might be they want to know what will happen to them.

"Iris Heart," Uni started talking. "She's being kept in a secure location. We can't really give her a trial since she's insane-even if she was already there-but we making sure she isn't a threat to anyone!"

Ram narrowed her eyes with a nod. Even if she wanted more done to that goddess, this was enough. Iris Heart is where she can't harm anyone else. Even Rom let out a sigh of relief glad at Iris Heart being locked up.

"As for Purple Sister," Uni hissed with her eyes narrowed in rage. "She's going to face a trial down the road. We're putting together a list of her crimes with that little posse of hers!"

"Posse?" a brow raised Rom asked Uni.

"IF and Compa," Uni answered out.

"Oh." Rom nodded in understanding. She knows who Uni was talking about, they had information about those two from there intelligence reports and what their sister said about them.

Ram huffed crossing her arms. "We finally got those idiots! I for one wish it was sooner! I would have loved to wail on that damn Purple Sister!"

Uni couldn't agree more. Maybe she should let Ram and Rom see that goddess. They had much right to speak their minds to her as much as her.

"Not now," Rom muttered rubbing her head.

"Huh?" Uni's head snapped to look at Rom. "Did you say something, Rom?"

"I did," Rom replied. "I know we'll get to see…. Purple Sister later, but…now's not the time."

"Okay," Uni said confused at Rom's reply, but knows it's her foresight at work.

"Well," Ram sighed. "I for one hope its soon! I have so many things needing say to that idiot. Like why in the hell did she make those fake versions of us!" She pointed to herself and Rom.

Uni give her a flat look, but nodded. "True, she even made a damn fake version of myself. Though I wonder…why she made them look so young? We looked older before this mess begin, so why those looks?"

"Maybe she wanted to feel superior?" Rom voiced out to everyone present.

Uni nearly slapped her head in exasperation. "She might…I don't know! All I know is she wanted us to be friends with her!"

Ram give a flat stare. "Friends…right. More like, we're her scapegoats! Blanc told me how did those versions of ours acted. They might win some battles, but Purple Sister was the star! The one who got most of the attention, even mature! I for one don't think that screams friend!"

Uni didn't agree more with that. Purple Sister was going down the same path as her older sister, taking stuff without earning it. If she wanted to be there friend she should treat them as equals, not make them her lesser.

Ram looked at her fellow twin, even if she had a calm look on her face. She could tell that anger was below the surface. Even if Rom was calmer then herself, she did have her temper like Blanc and Ram. Only, she could keep better control of it like Blanc when needed to.

"When we see her," Rom calmly spoke out while patting her dress. "We'll get our answers, but I'm not going to let her off easy! She might have gone with the betrayer's actions because of having little choice. But she still did questionable things! Things that aren't excusable."

Uni and Ram nearly shivered at Rom's cold tone. It was like being hit with Lowee's coldest wind. They were shown even if Rom was the calmest of the candidates, she knew where to draw the line.

Blanc and Vert were by their escorts. Vert could leave for Leanbox right away, but a nagging feeling eat at her. Was it because she didn't awaken or because Noire walked away from them.

Was that disappointment from the dark-haired goddess or was she trying to be compassionate to them? Vert couldn't come up an answer to that question.

Blanc sighed looking for her sisters. They should be done packing, so they'll be here soon. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Noire walking to them. She seemed calm, but there was…concern coming from her.

"Noire." Blanc waved at the goddess. Noire returned the wave still walking to them.

Vert looked at Noire with her own little wave. Curious as to way Noire showed up.

Noire stopped walking close enough to her friends. She looked at them, waiting for something.

"Why are you here?" Blanc broke the silence. She and Vert waited for Noire to respond.

"I'm here to say goodbye and good luck," Noire replied after a few seconds that felt like minutes. She started rubbing her arms.

"Noire…are you disappointed that we…didn't awaken?" a nervous Vert asked Noire. Wanting an answer to her own question.

Noire shook her head.

"Then…why did you walk away after our try?" Blanc asked this time, not believing Noire.

"I." Noire looked at them straight in the eye. "Wanted to give you space. I know it's difficult for you, the pressure of trying to awaken your Next forms. Even if we didn't know about them before, we sensed them. I didn't want to make it worse for you, I'm sorry if you took it the wrong way."

Vert smiled at Noire. "No apology is needed then, Noire. I thought you were disappointed we didn't awaken."

Noire softly smiled at the reply. "I was lucky or…something to awaken when I did. I don't know, it's strange…"

"Strange," Blanc hummed out.

Noire looked to the horizon. "I guess…it's because of being in that prison for those years. I've…developed a little of a habit of doubting myself."

"Noire," Vert muttered out with a hand over her chest.

"During that time." Noire looked back at her friends. "I did so many things, things that should have done great things, but blow up in my face! I know it's Neptune's way of getting revenge, but…why does it feel like it will happen again!"

Blanc softly touched Noire's shoulder with Vert doing the same. Both smiling at their friend.
"Vert, Blanc," Noire muttered at her friends' actions.

"You're not the only one with doubts my friend," Blanc's tone held wisdom. "I even have my doubts. To have doubts is normal, it's only if you don't act when the time is right. You've acted when your people, land need you! You didn't stand back and do nothing! You acted like a responsible, mature leader! You put your people first."

"White Heart speaks the truth, Black Heart," Vert said with compassion. "You are a goddess with great love for your land and people. Neptune could never dare claim that! She's only a selfish goddess, one that has doomed our world with her actions. When it came to act, you acted with your people in mind. Not for glory or praise, but genuinely wanting to save them."

"Thank you." Noire nearly teared up at the words her friends told her.

The trio heard footsteps, they looked too see all the candidates and Histoire moving at them. Even if they didn't know what was going on, they smiled at seeing the older goddesses getting along. Blanc and Vert took their hands off Noire's shoulders.

"It's time." Blanc moved away from Noire. "We must return to our home. I've learned much from you Black Heart. Now, it's time for me to use it! For my land and our world depends on it!" Her fists closed with her Next eyes appearing.

Noire gasped at seeing Blanc's Next form appear again, even if it wasn't fully formed. She could feel it's overflowing wisdom, one was wise beyond her years. She then felt a great love. She watched as Vert walked off to her own vehicle.

The love was coming off Vert, even an image of her Next form was there. Even if Noire couldn't see her eyes, she knows they were her Next eyes.

She didn't notice it herself, Noire's own Next form was there standing behind her. Showing her own support for her fellow successors.

The group that arrived couldn't help, but feel their combined power. One that was filled with hope.

"Mother," Histoire muttered quietly to herself. Remembering this was the same presence she felt all those years ago.

"We need to go," Rom replied softy to her sister and Histoire. "There's work to be done and we need to be ready."

Ram nodded, they had to leave. Even if they might be safer all together, it wasn't a guarantee that an attack would happen in their own lands, and they weren't there to protect them.

Rom, Ram and Histoire joined Blanc in their vehicle. Vert was already in her own vehicle. Noire watched her fellow goddesses leave for their lands. Uni stood beside her, looking at Noire with concern.

"Are you okay, Noire?" Uni asked her sister with a gentle voice. Noticing that she was on edge given the latest events.

Noire looked at Uni. "I'm a little…lost is all."

"Lost?" Uni tilted her head.

Noire somberly smiled looking at her city. "I guess there's still a bit of damn betrayer's programing in me, or I've gotten used to her winning the main battle. Being forced feed that I can't do anything without her help…left a mark."

Uni wanted to say that wasn't true, but she could see signs of it time to time. But Noire hasn't let those things stop her. She's been a fair ruler like before her capture. Everything she's done has been to protect her people.

"I know it's going to be a long road ahead," Noire said. "I'll need everyone's help. Maybe…I just needed to be reminded, I'm not alone in this war…truthfully. I was never alone before and after my capture." She looked at Uni with a smile. "I have you, my people, Lastation, and now the other Successors."

Uni returned the smile. "Yes, we do. They are our friends. I hope they awaken and together, you can stop The Dark One!"

Noire nodded, if they could fight together. Their chances would be much better. Her gaze fell to where they left, hoping the best for them.

Blanc muttered in her sleep while lying in her queen bed. It was too quiet to be heard. Her blue eyes slowly opened. Even her short hair looked messy. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

"What time is it?" Blanc looked at her clock, seeing it near seven in morning.

She pulled off the covers to show various papers and an Lpad near around her body. She's been busy the last two days working on preparing for any attacks from their new enemy.

Even Rom and Ram were doing all they could with her people.

Blanc let out a yawn, even if she did get enough sleep. It was mainly a restless one, but it would do. Slowly she got out of her soft, warm bed. Even if she is used to Lowee's cold temperatures, she still enjoyed being warm time to time.

Blanc's feet touched the floor standing to her full height. Even if she needed to rush to her office to start checking everything, she walked to a full-length mirror.

Blanc looked at herself in the mirror. She was still dressed in her sleepwear, a long shirt that nearly reached to her knees. Even with this shirt, you could see hints of her femaleness. Her skin was lightly tanned, but still had a tint of silky white.

Then her legs, ones that even short they looked longer. They could entice a person with them being so smooth.

Blanc wondered…why? Why way she so enticed at looking at herself.

"Noire's problem with Dante," Blanc answered herself.

She lowered her head. It was like she told Noire back in that hospital. They never thought about taking on a life partner, no goddess thought of it before…or have they? Blanc wouldn't kid herself, time to time she would notice various people who looked cute to her.

Including Dante to name one.

But, before seeing him. She noticed a couple before her capture, maybe even some returning. Why did it bug her so much…?

"Neptune," Blanc nearly growled. "Are you so jealous of us that you didn't want any of us to notice the other sex…or was it because no one wanted to see you!"

Her thoughts raced to come up an answer. From all the reports from Planeteptune no really cared about Neptune. They would give her HDD a look, but for the most part. No one seemed to care about her. Because of what she did, which was a big fat zero.

But with the other goddesses, there were…talks about them. Vert and Noire could easy be called beautiful by any standards. Given their figures, smarts, even their compassion for their people. Then there was herself.

There were talks about how spirited she was, but smart beyond her years. Even various members of the opposite sex found her cute, beautiful even. She had a classic beauty to her.

Blanc removed her nightshirt to show her half-naked self. She didn't have a bra on, showing her modest breast. Her lean stomach with the right amount of weight. Then her only piece of clothing, her panties. They were a light pink with snowflakes engraved in the waistband. They were a bit skimpy being a side-tie type with snowflakes hanging on the ties.

If she let a male see this…they probably couldn't help, but stare at her. That…made her cheeks burn.

"Darn Noire," Blanc cursed. "She has to bring this up, but…truthfully. It's a good thing. It means we're not being controlled…"

There were times Blanc wanted to pinch herself. When she said, everyone had doubts, she meant it. Even if she had to fight a powerful demon lord. She still wouldn't go back to that mess Neptune called reality.

How could she fail at writing, even barely prosper in her land? When she worked hard to make sure her people were being cared for! They had food, shelter, encouraged to learn, even put new ideas into effect. They had passion to thrive.

But Neptune, she wanted to be praised. Only she was the star, the strongest of the goddesses, but that was a lie she spread.

When all of Blanc's memories came back, she learned that she indeed was forceful in her land, but she learned to loosen her grip. Because it would only lead to tragedy. She couldn't do that…they depended on her.

Maybe that's why, you never got to see her people. If they were truly seen, then it would lead to exposing Neptune's dirty secret in that dream. Even Blanc herself could feel something was wrong. Her people at times looked…dead in that dream. So, lifeless like the walking dead…maybe they were. They were numbed to the point they couldn't tell what was going on around them.

Even Blanc was numbed to not notice this. Or had to fight some stupid villain to distract her.

Blanc's mouth thinned with a twirl. She walked to her closet, in a few seconds. She was dressed in her normal white dress and shoes, she grabbed the things on the bed. With purpose, she walked off to her office to start the day.

Vert watched the sunrise in her room. Even if she had work to do, this little reprieve was needed. She needed to remember what she was fighting for. Her land, it's people under her care. She couldn't forget that.

It might be because she didn't want to walk down the same path as the betrayer. She could become so engrossed her own wants that she…forget her duty to her people and land. Or was it because of something else at play.

It could be that the Goddess System made an error when creating Neptune, but then again. The same could be said of Iris Heart. She was nearly bad as Neptune, becoming consumed by seeing people in pain.

Even if Vert loved to play games…she couldn't live with herself if her people got harmed because of her neglect. Maybe, she never did because of that want. She fell in love seeing her people being cared for by her tender hands, even care for nature. She loved it too much.

"How much is that from myself or is it from inheriting the Original Goddess's love?" Vert said with melancholyat knowing that bit of information.

Would she be the same if she didn't inherit that trait. Or heaven forbid it, she became the betrayer…she didn't want the answer to that. She thought back to the talk with Noire and Blanc coming back from their fight with Iris Heart.

Each, and every goddess born was given free will. Even if she did inherit their creator's love, Vert might have shown it in different ways. Like how Noire and Blanc could be doing it also.

Each one of themselves may have those traits, but it didn't rule them. Because if it did, they wouldn't have done what they did. Noire would only care about moving forward, even if meant putting her land in danger, but she didn't. She was determined to succeed, but not at the cost of her people.

Blanc would only care about knowledge, live like a hermit and not share it. Then came Vert herself, she could care about a few things. Because even if the Original Goddess cared for Gamindustri.

It didn't mean all of it. Vert would only care for a small part, her own land. Nothing else, even then, she didn't have to give it so much attention. She didn't have to care about what went on in the other lands or their people, but she did.

So, there lays the answer.

"We may have been named her Successors because of inheriting her traits," Vert said to herself. "But we really are because of the choices we made!"

Even if you did inherit something from a person. It doesn't mean you'll be like that person. You could do things differently, something that their creator wanted for them.

Because, if she didn't want that. She could have made copies of herself down through the ages. But there have been different kinds of goddesses, even if you include the bad apples, all of them were unique.

Speaking of unique. Vert looked at her mirror in her room, one she uses every now and again. Vert give a mischievous smile at seeing her underwear.

She was dressed like before in that vision shared with Noire and Blanc. She had on forest green baby doll, one that showcased her sizable breast. Along with her firm stomach. The one thing that could make a person look twice was her panties, they were green, but…had a bowl of fruit on the back. Saying 'Soft Contour' on them.

Vert giggled at having such an interesting pair on, but didn't mind it. She couldn't help if she wanted to be…different at times. With that thought, her face turned serious. Enough fooling around, she had work to do.

Rom and Ram walked toward their sister's office. They finished with checking on how their defenses were doing with their commanders, even if it didn't seem Blanc was doing this. She did her share with the twins.

They arrived at the office with a knock, the two entered the modest office after hearing Blanc. That at times seem like a library with all the bookshelves with different kinds of books, but on the desk. Were stacks of documents with a computer, and a videophone.

"Hello." Blanc waved at her younger sisters, a small smile at seeing them.

The two retuned the smile. Even if there was tension in the air from newly started war, they couldn't help but be happy at seeing each other fine.

"So," Rom took a seat by the desk with Ram. "Things are looking okay on reinforcing the Sharicite?"

Blanc nodded her answer. "It's done, even if it's tougher. It's not invincible. So, we still need to watch over it when we're attacked."

The twins nodded at the logic of their older sister. Sooner or later, something is bound to give when attacked.

"Now for the other business that we need to talk about," Blanc stated to her younger sister with seriousness.

They nodded, ready to hear what Blanc wanted to talk about.

"As you know," Blanc said with a cough. "I've brought Histoire here to be examined and if possible, have her knowledge drained out of her. So, we can see what secrets that tome has on magic with other things."

Ram didn't like the sound of Blanc's voice. Even when she explained this to them. She and Rom knew that Blanc wanted them to learn the Original Goddess's spells, but there seemed to be a snag.

"What's the problem?" Ram asked Blanc with Rom waiting patiently for the answer.

Blanc sighed. "We're making progress, but we still have ways to go! There is a bit of failsafes and it could be months before we could drain that information."

"Okay?"

"The thing is," Blanc continued. "I would like it where you two can read it yourselves!"

"You're telling us." Ram narrowed her eyes a bit. "Histoire is going to be teaching us!"

Blanc nodded her answer.

Ram didn't know how to react to this information. Sure, she wanted to learn more on magic, but learning from Histoire. It seemed to leave a…bad taste in her mouth.

"We were expecting to learn, but this…" Rom managed to say, shocked as her twin.

"I know." Blanc rubbed her head. "Even if Histoire seems to be helping us. I, we're, still weary of her! She might not pull anything with you, but…"

"We'll be careful of her!" Ram stated fiercely with a firm look. "It's the only way to start learning, because time isn't on our side!"

Blanc agreed with her sister on that. Their time is limited given their state of war. The Dark One could attack at any moment, and they needed to be ready.

"I'll…trust you," Blanc said with reluctance at doing this. She didn't know if Histoire would do anything to hurt her sisters.

Sure, the tome isn't combat capable, but that didn't mean. She couldn't sabotage their efforts.

"Thank you, Blanc." Ram smiled at Blanc for trusting them. Even Rom gave her own thanks with a smile.

"Why don't you two go see her. She's expecting you," Blanc replied to her younger sisters with a small wave.

The twins nodded and left their sister. Blanc watched them, after a few seconds. She flopped back in her chair with a sigh.

"There…growing up." Blanc could cry at seeing her sister's maturing.

It wasn't bad, given they were making good choices under her teaching. But…it was saddening to her. Because her sisters are showing signs of wanting to leave Lowee and start their own land. In that dream world, they never showed that want.

But then again, Neptune or Nepgear didn't want that to show how mature her sisters were. Even before she was captured, Rom and Ram were mature…like her in ways, but so different.

Ram was the headstrong one, but could be clever and kind. She had a passion for succeeding for what she set her mind to. Even if it nearly blinded her to certain things, she was learning to control it.

Then there was Rom, calmer then Ram. Even Blanc herself, but was a bit timid on matters at times. But her patience helped her to think things though. She even had a temper, only it was a bit hard to come out.

They even wanted to rule their land together, in a way. This makes sense, because the two work so well together as a team. Ram can make the much-needed moves for Rom, while Rom's calmness can help Ram with her drive.

"I wish they could stay," Blanc said with thoughts of seeing of her sisters leave Lowee, and what that means for her.

But…she couldn't really stop them. They would leave with or without her permission. They only stayed because they knew there was still much to learn, with handling there enemy. Even Uni seemed to share this want.

"Our sisters…they will become full goddesses," Blanc muttered out at what that means.

Will they succeed in their new lands? Will it be like the ones that call home right now. Or will it be different? Blanc couldn't come up an answer for those questions.

"Vert…is this why you wanted a sister?" Blanc asked looking out her window.

Even if Vert had her people and Leanbox. That didn't mean she didn't want a family member to be with her. Even if it seemed selfish, in a way, it wasn't completely. She wouldn't be alone with her duties as much. A candidate could help her while at the same time. It could be frustrating. Blanc knows this with her sisters.

Even if they did get along better here than in that dream world. They still had their disagreements, even when Ram thought that Blanc loved Rom more. Which wasn't true. She wanted them to succeed and be happy. Only…it was difficult to make the right choice with them. She…can't force them to be like herself…it wasn't right.

It would be like that damn betrayer's way of doing things. Making everything right because she said so, when that's not how it works. Sure, Blanc could be right about certain things, but she could also make mistakes. Even Vert and Noire were the same. Only, they were willing to admit them and learn from them.

Her thoughts went to what Histoire told her about something last night.

Blanc walked into the room where for the moment Histoire was staying at. She still had the anklet on her ankle, only now. She was wearing a helmet that had various chips and wiring. Near-by were people examining the information coming from the helmet on Histoire's head, on their various computers.

"I see your doing fine," Blanc replied to Histoire with a neutral tone.

Histoire nodded while looking at Blanc. "I am Lady White Heart. It's only…different."

Blanc raised a brow. "How is this different from Lastation?"

"Not different from my time in Lastation." Histoire shook her head. "The past few days of me being…with you and the other Successors is what I'm talking about."

"Are you saying." Blanc glared at what Histoire could be talking about. "Is that we're not good enough for you!"

Histoire shivered at Blanc's cold tone. Even the other people seem effected by seeing their goddess mad, but they kept on working. "No! It's…"

"Tell me why?" Blanc drilled the tome.

Histoire gulped, but started talking, "It's that…I've never had seen so much action from Neptune like what I've seen from you."

"Your saying, you've finally seeing what a true goddess should be doing," Blanc stated with a calm voice.

"Right." Histoire nodded. "Maybe I've gotten used to that way…if only. I've awakened to the facts of what my nativity was causing…I'm sorry. This is confusing to me."

Blanc wanted to bite her head off, she wasn't lying when she could hold a grudge. Considering what Histoire had done to herself, her land, and her friends. She wouldn't mind giving her another kick in the teeth, but took a calming breath.

"Your trying to learn from your mistakes," Blanc replied after a minute to collect her words.

Histoire looked at Blanc softly. "Yes, it's so different or maybe I've never wanted to see the truth. That I've screwed up."

Blanc might have lost a little of her anger with Histoire, but she wasn't going to trust her fully. Not yet.

"There's another thing we need to talk about," Blanc said.

Histoire only nodded for her to go on.

"I want you to train my sisters," Blanc replied to Histoire with a firm tone.

"In what?"

"Rom needs help on her foresight. While Ram could learn about spells focused on attacking," Blanc answered.

Histoire lowered her head. "I'm not sure if…I'm the right one for the job…"

"As much I would like to agree with that," Blanc said. "We both have to face facts! The knowledge hidden in your head. It will take to long for us to exact safety."

Histoire nodded at the logic. Even if she wasn't sure about trying to teach anyone given her…mistakes with Neptune. She knew after helping Lady Rom how much she could help with teaching them the mystical arts of being a goddess. But…

"I'll…try to help them." Histoire looked at Blanc. "Your right Lady White Heart. We need all strength we can muster. Even if Drillix would know about my mother's spells, they still can help stop him."

Blanc nodded at this. It wouldn't be surprising if The Dark One knew about their creator's power. Those two must have fought each other to know their opponents well enough.

Blanc narrowed her eyes when Histoire seemed to speak, but closed her mouth. "Are you hiding something again, Histoire."

Histoire nodded after a few seconds, not looking at Blanc.

"What is it?"

Histoire thought on what needed to be said. Because the more she thought about it, the more they will find out what she now knows.

"As you noticed," Histoire begin talking quietly while looking at Blanc. "I'm starting to get more information, information that wasn't accessible to me before."

Blanc nodded, and motioned her to go on explaining.

"I've learned…how to connect to the Goddess System," Histoire whispered to the brown-haired goddess, trying not to let everyone know this.

Blanc stopped breathing in shock, hell, you could hear a pin drop after hearing this.

"You mean…" Blanc nearly grabbed the tome, trying to keep her voice down. "You can excess the very same system that makes goddesses?!"

Histoire only nodded her answer.

Blanc held her forehead in disbelief. She even might faint from hearing such information. The very essence of what made goddesses of Gamindustri…could be accessed!

"That…"

"I know," Histoire agreed. "It even shocked me. I didn't think that was included in my memory…it must have been added before my awareness was made. Or I didn't notice it."

Blanc tried to stop her head from spinning at the thought of seeing the Goddess System. The one thing that she knew existed and was out of her reach…

"Damn," Blanc only said, trying to wrap her mind around this. Luckily no one seemed curious about this talk between her and Histoire. Or they know when to stay out of her business.

Histoire decided to tell about another important detail. "I'm afraid The Dark One might come here first."

"What?" That snapped Blanc out of her trance. She looked at the tome.

"He knows of my existence. Maybe from Planeteptune, I don't know, but he knows what I am. So…."

"You're afraid he'll come for you," Blanc finished the statement.

Histoire nodded looking sad. "He would want to destroy the Goddess System. To stop anymore goddesses from being created."

Blanc rubbed her aching head. What the tome said was true. If you prevent more enemies from coming, you would do what it takes to stop them.

"It's relevant," Blanc stated.

"What?!" Histoire screamed in shock. "How! If he gets his hands on me, he could find a way to excess my knowledge!"

"True," Blanc agreed nodding. "But! Your forgetting, he has to deal with us first!"

Histoire nearly screamed that wasn't good enough, but she thought about it. If… she was captured by The Dark One, he'll need time to exact her information, then need more time to get the materials needed. Even if she did know how to access the Goddess System, it needed certain items to call it forth. With so much delicate work…there was no way to fully say he would summon the Goddess System right away.

Not being in a war with observant goddesses.

"Your right, Lady White Heart," Histoire replied. "He'll focus mainly on stopping the current generation of goddesses! Because, you would get in his way. But…"

"You'll be his primary target if…we fail," Blanc bitterly stated. "Because he'll need that information to stop any new Successors being created."

Histoire nodded in agreement. Even if there were Successors right now, that were in the process of awakening. Her mother was still in the system, and possibly her traits needed for being a Successor where there. They could be passed on again to a new generation.

"So, if worse comes to worse." Blanc stared at Histoire with seriousness. "You need to hide your ass! Anything to stop that information from reaching The Dark One's hands!"

Histoire gulped in agreement. She already had seen what little her knowledge has done. Sure, it might have been a fraction on what she had on goddesses, but it was enough to cause so much harm.

"Yes, Lady White Heart." Histoire kneed for her delegation. "As the Tome of Knowledge, I'll make it my duty to protect that information to best of my ability. I will not fail again."

Blanc only stared at the tome, knowing she got the point across. For there would be disastrous results if she failed in that mission. Even if she wasn't going to roll over and die. She had to had to least have a backup plan or know someone would finish their fight. Maybe that's why the Original goddess made sure the Goddess System was working and safely hidden. To have descendants protect their world and its people that call it home.

Blanc let out a sigh at the memory. Even if she wanted to see the Goddess System, she wouldn't want to tamper with its settings. It seemed to be doing a good job as it was. Even if you could argue that goddesses like Iris Heart and…Purple Heart were made by the system. That it needed to be fixed, the truth is. They themselves were also examples of it working right, even with other goddesses from the past.

Each one had a choice to follow their duty to care for their people where their land formed. Its only that those bad apples made bad choices and didn't see what they were doing. It's no different than humans. They had the capacity to do great things, good or bad.

Maybe one day she will get the see the system. Not alone, she would invite her sisters and fellow goddesses. But, she will make sure not to mess with it, and not say anything. Not intel it's safe to talk about it. She had to keep this information under wraps. Even if she did share information, she knows what can happen if the wrong knowledge were let out.

Histoire's example was enough to show that.

Blanc worked out the kinks in her body. Her glaze went to her window. She could see Lowee's scenery, even if it was mainly covered in snow. It had that beauty she loved…maybe more from seeing her people living there lives with peace.

"Please my people," Blanc pleaded softly. "Be ready for the coming storm. I'll do my best to protect you with the others. We'll fight for you, so please, help us to win this fight." Blanc's Next eyes formed.

Whatever she knew this or not, there was no way to tell.

Even if Lowee was near a mountain covered in snow. They haven't had an avalanche before, but only because of their goddess's protection and her precautions. Between the mountain and Lowee was a station. It was packed with various equipment meant to stop an avalanche from forming or derivate it away from Lowee. The building was a good size to hold equipment and people.

There was a skeletal crew of workers that worked in there. They did have firearms training in case someone wanted to sabotage this station. They even housed the spare parts in case of a failure with their systems since this was an important place, even if unnoticed by most people.

The crew went about their usual routine of checking their systems. For the most part they were isolated from Lowee, but not forgotten as they give reports and shift rotations.

Near this vital station, a small platoon of demons. One of them watched the station with a pair of binoculars, colored white for this mission. It was lowered to the ground with the rest. Even if it was smaller than the ones with weapons on their frames. It was by no means weak, it was more agile and strong enough to rip into its opponent.

It along with the rest were in white clothing from head to toe with weapons hidden. They weren't effected by the cold, this mainly used to hide their presence from watchful eyes. They needed stealth for this mission.

The demon could see the people moving in there and a possible window to over-take it. But now's not the time. They were waiting for the other part of the mission. The needed the go to attack, because this mission needed to be executed at the right moment.

They knew their master's plan and were surprised by it. He was going to use the goddess own land against them. It was only a matter of time before they strike and crippled their foes.

To Be Continued

A/N comment or review.