There's a story poll on my page. It's about what I'll write after all the short OC stories have been written and uploaded. With that being said, your feedback on that would be greatly appreciated.

[Chapter 14]

"So...tired..." Maybe I had walked in on a bad time?

A few days had passed since the events of the expo. While we talked about leaving for wherever soon, we were still staying at Chian's place for a few more days. Along with that, Noire had convinced us into helping her out with Lastation.

Since everyone kinda knew about the CPUs now, we were all treated with more respect than before.

It really is dumb how it works... Unless you have a name, you're just a nobody.

Anyways, while we had been helping Noire, Avenir had stopped making any big moves. Ganache had gone off to Lowee while some others came to Chian for work, considering their most recent creation backfired badly on them.

Though, one of the leading people of Avenir, Singe, came to Chian and decided to help her. Since then, she's been busy working.

And that brings me to walking through the door from some shopping to see Noire collapsed on a bed while everyone stared at her tired soul.

"Here," IF offered to take the bag. "I can sort through what's in the bag and get us our food packed."

I smiled at her, taking IF up on her offer. "Sure, thanks."

Then I proceeded to walk up to where Noire lay, crouching down to stare at her face. "… What's wrong with her?"

"Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that she's been working so much as of late?" Vert suggested.

I nodded. "That seems pretty reasonable to me..."

"N-No more..." Noire pleaded. "I-I've done all of it... But I'm just...so tired..."

I looked over at Neptune. "Neptune, you've been following her around, right? What's she been doing for these last few days that tired her out so much?"

Neptune thought for a moment, putting a finger to her chin. "W-Well... Everything, I guess?"

"E-Everything?" I repeated her words for confirmation, receiving a nod back. "What do you mean everything?'

"Anytime any of the peeps here need help, Noire hurries over there and helps them," Neptune explained. "She's even done some naughty things..."

"W-What!?"

"Like buying candy for kids without their parent's consent!" Neptune finished.

I let out a groan. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

"Yo, how're—Woah..." Looking over at the door, Chian had walked in to see a dead Noire. "What's up with her?"

"Too much CPU duties I'm guessing," I answered. "So, what's up? We were getting ready to head off now."

"Ah, well I was actually hoping to catch y'all before you guys left," Chian said. "Wanted to thank you guys once again for helping out with the destruction Avenir had caused. Besides, they weren't bad people; they just had a bad mindset."

Vert nodded. "That is indeed true. Though, are you sure it's fine to let them work with you, Chian?"

"It'll be fine," Chian said. "As a matter of fact, they've been a big help!"

"Yeah, I bet!" Neptune chimed in. "You've haven't been with us for the past few days as much! Business must be booming!"

"Well, it's definitely getting busier ever since the expo," Chian stated. "But that's not what I came here to talk to you guys about."

Neptune showed her curiosity, cocking her head. "What kind of talk? Are we going to discuss how Noire became a CPU by being a lonely loner?"

"…" I looked over at Noire. She seemed too tired to even try to come up with some reply.

"Actually, that's something I'd also like to talk about," Chian added. "Are you guys sure that I can treat you all the same? I mean it surprised me when I find out that you were CPUs! Are you guys sure it's okay for me to treat y'all the same?"

"Yeah, of course!" Neptune confirmed. "After all, you're our friend!"

"Thanks," Chian smiled. "Now, let me talk about what I came here for!"

"And what's that?" I had become more curious considering how our conversation had been thrown off for a bit.

"Well..." Chian pulled out a bulky chunk of something from her back pocket. "This is for you guys."

Neptune gasped. "That's it! It's the Key Fragment we needed! Where in the bacon did you find it!? We've been looking all over for it!"

"Apparently Avenir had chosen this as the power source for the robot they had made," Chian said. "But, as thanks for all that you guys have done to help me, I'll hand it over to you guys. This is my way of saying thanks."

"Gosh, thanks, Chian!" Neptune thanked her. "Maybe we can get some grub at your place when we come back!"

Chian smiled. "Sure! Well, I'll be heading off, you guys can leave whenever you're all ready! Until next time!"

"Bye, Chian!" We waved her goodbyes as she left the room, closing the door behind her.

Noire, who had managed to recover a bit of energy, walked with me to Neptune. We stared at the Key Fragment she held. "So those are the Key Fragments, huh?"

Neptune nodded. "Yup! Now we've got all of them! Time to summon Histy!"

I blinked. "Neptune, there's no way that saying something that dumb will wor—"

"Yes, I'm here, Neptune," How in hell does that shit work!? "I see you've collected all four Key Fragments and rounded up all the CPUs. You even managed to get a new member to your party."

My mouth had fell open, staring at Neptune. She stared back at me, wearing a wide grin on her face. "What did I tell ya? Gotta put more faith in the main character, Hikari!"

"…" Maybe it'll just be best if I just shut up and let this happen... All things considered, it wasn't a bad option.

"Anyways, we got 'em all, Histy!" Neptune declared at the voice. "Oh, but Arfoire's got the power of Noire too. I'm pretty sure I'm the last one she hasn't sucked."

"…" I stared at Neptune, who still wore a wide smile. That smile wasn't innocent at all though. "Neptune, please phrase that better."

However, Histoire seemed to ignore Neptune's innuendo. "Then please do your best to not let Arfoire absorb your powers. If she does, then I'm afraid that it'll be the end of Gamindustri."

IF sighed as she returned. "That's a great way to lighten the mood... Well, can you at least tell us where you are so that we can free you?"

"I'm located in Planeptune," Histoire answered. "Though, I do not know where exactly I am. I've been stuck down here for quite some time now."

"It's a start at least," Vert commented. "Any information that we can get helps."

"Then off to Planeptune we'll be going!" Neptune declared.

"I wish you all the best of luck," Histoire said.

As she said those last words, it was as if her presence disappeared from the room.

I looked over at Neptune. "I guess you weren't actually joking, were you?"

Neptune wore a smug expression as she spoke to me. "Of course not! After all, I am the protagonist!"

I just nodded. "Yep, uh-huh, sure. Anyways, I guess we're heading to Planeptune?"

"Yup," IF confirmed. "Have you ever been there before, Hikari?"

I shook my head. "Actually, I think I've lived my whole life in Lastation."

"Ha!" Neptune formed a wide grin. "Hikari, baby..." Did you really just call me baby? "Once you see Planeptune, you won't ever want to come back to this dark and gloomy place called a nation ever again!"

"…" Welp, I wonder if IF has anything not dumb to say. "Have you been to Planeptune before, IF?"

"WAIT, DID YOU JUST IGNORE ME!?"

IF nodded. "Well, I'm an agent for the Guild there, so I'm always working and traveling around nations. So, yeah, I've been to Planeptune before; it's a pretty nice place."

I smiled. "Alright then. Why don't we eat and then start heading over there?"

"Oh! Why don't we all stay at my place?" Compa suddenly suggested.

"Yeah, that's not a bad idea, Compa," IF agreed. "That's where we originally set up base anyways."

I shrugged. "Doesn't bother me. As long as we have somewhere to stay."

"Then let us be off," Vert suggested. "The longer we remain here, the more daylight we shall be burning."

"Lady Vert does have a good point," IF said; she then turned to Noire. "Noire, you are coming with us, right?"

"I-I guess..." Stop. Noire, just please be honest for once. "But it's only because you guys seem like you'd be lost without me!"

"You can come, as long as you don't bring that attitude of yours..." Blanc muttered.

"Alright, let's mosey on down to Planeptune and find Histy!" Neptune said. "Let's do this!"

And that was how we set off for Planeptune and began our search for Histoire.

None of us knew how long or how hard it would be.

But, somewhere in the back of our minds, we knew that it wouldn't be an easy task.