"Unfortunately for all of you, my lady wishes you all to die." Magic said, "That is… Unless the CPU comes and faces me one more time."
The crowd started to spread, everyone ran for safety or tried to escape. Screams of fear filled the stadium. Magic just watched as they scattered like ants. She caught glance of three individuals that interested her, as they were not running away from her, but towards her.
"Nep, Jupiter. Let's go." IF said. She jumped over the crowd before running towards the stage.
Jupiter and Neptune nodded, following IF's lead until they reached the stage. Spirit Nep followed closely behind, observing what was going on. 5pb. and a red haired girl were looking up at Magic.
"Cave! 5pb.!" IF called out. She stopped next to her friends, katars in hand.
"IF? What are you doing here?" Cave asked. She looked as her two companions arrived next to her. She looked at Neptune with wonder, "Is that... Neptune?"
"Lady Neptune?" 5pb. said, turning around and staring at Neptune with confusion, "I thought… She had died!"
"Well, about that..." IF started to say.
"Iffy! Iffy. That's not important right now, let's focus on kicking Magic back to where she came from!"
"I'll need explanations later, IF." Cave said, she glanced as some robots started to descend and block the civilians, "Can you handle her? I'll go protect the civilians from the robots."
IF nodded. And with that, Cave jumped down the stage with her scissor-sword in hand, slashing away at the robots and helping the civilians escape.
"Neptune. We should take this fight into the air." Jupiter said, looking up at Magic.
"You're right, Jupiter." She turned to IF, "Iffy. 5pb. You two can keep things under control, right?"
"Of course, Nep. Leave it to us."
Neptune turned to Spirit Nep behind her, "Can you keep an eye on things down here for me? If anything happens to Iffy, let me know."
Spirit Nep saluted, "Righto! Will do, Living me."
Neptune turned to Jupiter, they nodded as they transformed, 5pb. looked in amazement as they both appeared in their HDD form. They quickly took off into the air, "She's a CPU as well?" She asked IF.
"Yeah. That's Jupiter, Planeptune's new CPU." IF replied, slashing at a robot that came near her.
"Seems we really need to catch up, IF."
Neptune and Jupiter floated in front of Magic, their weapons drawn. Magic had a bored look on her face, "Oh? You're the other CPUs my lady warned me about."
"Your lady… You mean Nepgear?" Neptune said interrogatory. To think that her sister would recreate the felon that trapped them for three years…
"You're not even worthy of speaking her name." Magic spat, "But yes. Lady Nepgear wishes you CPUs to die."
"We won't let that happen." Jupiter said confidently, pointing her rapier.
Magic smiled smugly, "My. What bravado. Let's see if it holds up in a fight!" Magic rushed in, her scythe mid swing. Neptune flew higher up while Jupiter ducked under the strike. She attempted to get a hit in, but Magic saw through her attempt and kicked her away. Magic pointed her hand towards Jupiter. purple energy shoot directly towards her.
"Jupiter!" Neptune turned to Magic's back, "Cross Combination!" Neptune slashed at Magic back three times, attempting to stop her attack on Jupiter. However Magic simply used her free hand to parry the strikes with her scythe without turning around.
She turned around and looked at Neptune, "Is that all?" She said smugly.
"Hyaa!" Jupiter rushed in. Her rapier shined blue as she weaved around the remaining purple energy. She thrusted her rapier, but before it managed to connect with Magic, she extended her arm and grabbed her by the neck. Her grip tightened and prevented Jupiter from breathing. Jupiter tried to get free by shaking and scratching Magic's hand but it only served to make Magic tighten her grip.
"Jupiter!" Neptune tried to approach her, but Magic was swinging her scythe keeping her at out of range.
"Just like my lady predicted. You two alone are no match for me." Magic said before she examined Neptune with curiosity. She smirked, "Well. Perhaps, the current CPUs are not. But you… You have the power to turn the tide of this battle." Magic looked down at Jupiter, "And that's why you shall be destroyed first."
Neptune watched as Magic raised Jupiter into the air and sent her crashing down into the stage. She reverted back into her human form as she hit the stage, a small crater formed around her. Neptune looked back at Magic with slight anger. She could not let what happened in the Gamindustri Graveyard be repeated. She attempted to strike, but Magic blocked and held the katana with her hand. She smiled wryly at Neptune, "That's all you can do? Pathetic." Magic raised her scythe while Neptune struggled to remove the katana from Magic's grasp.
"Not happening!" A voice yelled as a green spear appeared from out of nowhere, heading directly towards Magic. She let go of Neptune's katana and moved back, avoiding the spear.
"Tch. So you've come." Magic mused, "I thought you'd let these two weaklings die."
"Not happening, Magic." The owner of the voice said as she approached Neptune. She had a white full bodysuit with green lines which connected at different nodes around the body, much like the other CPUs'. Her teal hair was tied in a ponytail. Her bangs reached down to her chin. An X shaped green and white object connected with her back, acting as her wings. She smiled at Neptune, her purple eyes had a white power symbol in them as pupil. She spoke again, in a voice that appeared to resemble Vert's, "Need a hand?"
"Teal Heart, I'd guess." Neptune said, "Thank you for the help."
"No need to thank me." She replied, "Let's beat this fiend first, then we can talk."
Neptune glanced down below. She noticed IF helping Jupiter to her feet. She was safe, at least. Neptune turned to Teal Heart, "Let's do this."
"That's what I like to hear." She replied. She pointed her spear at Magic, "Magic... This time, you're not getting away."
"We'll see." Magic said smugly. She spun her scythe a few times, "Three CPUs in one day. My lady will be very pleased."
"Keep dreaming!" Teal Heart exclaimed, she pointed her spear at Magic, "Sylhet Spear!" A green circle appeared in front of her before a giant spear made out of green energy shot out of the circle.
Magic flew up to avoid the spear, only to be met by Neptune's katana. She parried the strike with her scythe, Neptune slowly pushing her down.
"Stormy Ratnapura!" Teal Heart rushed Magic, slashing with her spear multiple times. The spear coated in wind magic. Magic managed to block some of the attack with her free hand. She moved her hand along with Teal Heart's spear, but some still managed to find their mark. Magic pushed Neptune away and moved away from the goddesses and looked at her injuries. Small cuts, but nothing too serious. Some sparks flew from the damage she took.
Magic put her hand to her ear, as if someone was speaking to her. When she finished, she looked around her and pointed at a Nepgeardam in the distance, purple energy coming out from her hand. She pulled the robot closer to her and sent it towards the CPUs, "You go lucky this time. But next time, I'll see that you are all defeated by my hand." Magic took off into the distance, her figure quickly disappeared in the distance.
Neptune slashed at the Nepgeardam that Magic had thrown, cutting it in half. She looked around her, the other robots either destroyed or escaping with Magic. She turned to Teal Heart, "Thank you for the help."
Teal Heart took her time to respond. She was fixated on Magic's trail. She finally snapped back, "Oh it was nothing. After that fiend insulted me, it was personal. We've been fighting for a few days." She said casually.
Neptune raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She had more important things to attend to - Namely, Jupiter. She looked down below and descended. Teal Heart followed after her.
Neptune floated towards Jupiter to check on her. She was leaning on the wall of the stage. She smiled as Neptune approached her, "Are you okay, Jupiter?" Neptune knelt down and looked at her. She wasn't too injured, her HDD must've absorbed most of the impact.
"I'm fine, Neptune." Jupiter said, pushing herself up, "The attack just disabled my HDD, that's all."
"I'm glad." Neptune smiled as she transformed back into her human form, "Don't be so reckless next time, okay?"
"Hey, Nep. We're done with the robots." IF said, walking towards her. She slowly noticed Teal Heart standing behind Neptune. She looked her up and down before speaking, "Are you… Teal Heart?"
"Indeed. I'd wager that you three are the ones that Grey Heart talked about?" She said formally, almost like she was trying hard to... act a certain way.
"Yeah. My name's Neptune, or Purple Heart if you want to be formal." Neptune said, smiling at Teal Heart, "Nice to met ya."
"I'm Jupiter. It's a pleasure to meet you." Jupiter tried her best to smile.
"The name's IF."
"I guess I should introduce myself as a human, then." Teal Heart said as she was enveloped in a white light. Once it faded, the party looked at her human form. She was wearing a simple sleeveless green dress that reached down to her knees. Her blonde hair was untied and reached all the way down her back. She held her head high while her golden eyes looked at Neptune with interest. On her hands, she wore simple white gloves with gold embroidery around the edges. She had white high heeled boots that reached up to her knee. She smiled at the party, "My name is Jade. Pleasure to make your acqu-" Jade's voice trailed off as she noticed Neptune looking in wonder at a certain area, "Nep-Neptune. Could you please not stare at my chest?" Jade said indignantly.
"Oh um sorry." Neptune said, taking her eyes away from Jade's chest, "It's just that… I thought Vert's successor would have more… um… volume..." Neptune's voice got quieter as she muttered the last part. Her eyes darted away from Jade.
Jade gave Neptune the stink eye and sighed, "I know you're part of the previous CPUs from her era, but could you please not bring her up or compare me to her? Like ever?"
"Um. Sorry?" Neptune said, taken aback. She glanced at Jupiter and IF with a puzzled look.
Jade sighed, "It's fine. Just… I've been compared to Vert all my life. Chika always used to say 'Vert that' and 'Vert this' whenever I did something."
"I did hear that Chika went into denial about Vert's death." IF said, crossing her arms, "When you were born, she must've realised that it really did happen."
Jade sighed again, "Well, yeah. I can understand that. It was just annoying having to put up with it."
Before the conversation could continue, Cave and 5pb. approached them, "Lady Teal Heart." 5pb. said respectfully, "You came in the end."
"But of course. Couldn't let that fiend get away with it. Though I'm sorry I missed the concert, 5pb." She said regretfully.
"No no. It's okay, my lady." 5pb. quickly replied, "I'm sure you were busy with your CPU duties."
Jade laughed nervously, "Yeah… CPU duties."
"That must be why we didn't get a reply on the Basilicom." IF added, glancing at Jade.
"Wait, that was- I mean, yeah. I was really busy with quests." She laughed nervously again, scratching the back of her head.
Neptune looked at her suspiciously, "Really~?"
"I wouldn't lie." She said sharply, "Anyway. Grey Heart told me you had business with me, right?"
"Yep." Jupiter said cheerfully.
Jade nodded, "I understand. Let's talk it over in the Basilicom, shall we?"
The party started to move out of the concert after politely apologising to 5pb. and Cave. Their eyes fixated on Neptune, looking with wonder at the previously deceased CPU.
"IF." Cave stopped her, "I hope we'll be able to talk at length later on. I'd assume you're in a mission, correct?"
IF glanced as the CPUs got out of earshot before replying, "Yeah. I'm helping those two airheads and keeping them out of trouble." IF replied, a slight smirk on her face, "Hopefully we'll be able to talk later. It's been too long." IF raised an eyebrow and looked up, thinking. She finally spoke again, "Wait. Couldn't you two come with us like last time?"
Cave shook her head, "I'm busy keeping Leanbox safe at the moment. Sorry, IF"
"And I have concerts planned all throughout this week. Sorry, IF." 5pb. replied with a smile.
"No, it's fine. You two have your jobs to do." IF replied, "I'll come find you when this is over, okay? And I'll explain about… Nep here."
"Hey! Iffy~ C'mon!" Neptune called out near the stadium's exit. Jade and Jupiter stood behind her, looking back at IF.
"I'll see you later. It's a promise." IF said quickly, running towards Neptune. 5pb. and Cave's eyes digging into her back, wonder and glee in their faces.
The Leanbox Basilicom was… oddly organised. After having to visit Vert in multiple occasions to retrieve her sister, Neptune had come to recognise the Basilicom as a mess of 'Boy's Love' manga and figurines.
This wasn't the case now. The shelves and desk were neatly made and taken care of. The floor wasn't covered in half-opened BL manga and other similar items. Instead, the shining green and black floor glistened with lustre. The green desk had a tray full of paperwork along with a computer sitting next to it. Compared to Vert's, the desk had nothing more than the essentials - A pen, stamp, and a book on ruling a nation… written by Blanc. That last one made Neptune chuckle.
Neptune walked near one of the doors to the side, she attempted to peek in but Jade slammed her hand on the door and looked disapprovingly at Neptune, "That's my room. Please don't go inside."
"Oh~? Is there something you're hiding there?" Neptune asked with a smirk.
"What?! No! It's just… Messy. That's it. I haven't cleaned it in a while." She laughed nervously.
Neptune knew she was clearly hiding something but she decided not to push it. They kept walking forwards in the Basilicom until Jade stopped in front of the desk. She placed a hand on her desk and leaned on it, "So, what is your purpose here? Grey Heart didn't include many details apart from 'Planeptune CPUs are coming. They are nice people.'" She smiled softly, "She's very kind and shy, you know?"
"Well..." Neptune turned to Jupiter, "You want to speak, dear successor~?" She smiled teasingly.
"Neptune…" Jupiter sighed defeatedly, "Fine." She turned to Jade, "We've… Been visiting the nations. We hoped that we could become friends and… protect Gamindustri from Nepgear."
"Nepgear?" Jade's eyebrows rose, "Isn't she your sister?" She nodded towards Neptune.
Neptune scratched her head, "Yeah. She's gone bonkers ever since she… um… well, killed us."
"Nep Jr…." Spirit Nep muttered sadly.
"So, you want me to help you in your attempt to stop her?" Jade asked, "Is that it?"
"Yep! About it." Jupiter replied.
"I'm not sure. I've been very busy with these robot attacks on Leanbox..." Jade sighed. She turned to the window at the back, overlooking Leanbox
"Those are Nepgear's robots." IF said casually, leaning on a wall.
"They are?!" Jade turned around and looked at IF, "Well, that makes matters much easier. Yes, I'll help you…" Jade paused for a few seconds,"but after I deal with a few of my own issues."
Neptune's head perked up, "Issues? Is it Magic and such?"
"Exactly." Jade replied. She turned to the paperwork and looked through a few files before taking out one, "There's also the multiple reports of this black… mouse figure that has been stealing tech and games from around Leanbox."
"Black… Mouse?" IF looked at Neptune, "You don't think it's one of ASIC's underlings do you?"
"He's been in every release I think..." Neptune said with a disappointed look.
"You know about this thief?" Jade asked. She glanced between the party members. Jupiter simply shrugged while Neptune and IF sighed in unison.
"He was part of ASIC." IF said crossing her arms, "He really wasn't that much of a threat."
"Pfft. He was the weakest of them all." Spirit Nep said, laughing by herself, "Him and Underling."
"Yeah. He and… pfft Underling..." Neptune tried to contain her laughter before stopping abruptly, "Wait… What happened to Underling?"
"You don't remember, Nep?" IF said, "Well… I guess it has been ten years…"
"Wait one second." Jade intervened. She pointed at Neptune, "How are you alive exactly? You are from Vert's era, right?"
"Oh~ That question again." Neptune muttered, a finger on her cheek, "Well… Nepgear couldn't kill me. She just left me badly damage. It took me quite a few years to heal and return. Yeah that's it." Neptune said slowly, attempting to recall IF's lie.
Jade raised an eyebrow, but decided to drop the subject as a notification sound came from her computer. She leaned over the desk and read the message, "Oh! Lucky me. Looks like some guards have found the mouse's location in a warehouse… in Leanbox's forest." She quickly pressed a few keys and stood up straight, "I will leave for this location right now, you three are welcome to wait here or come with me."
"If we wait here, then I can take a peek inside your room..." Neptune said deviously.
"You know what? You three are coming with me, no questions asked." Jade said sharply after hearing Neptune's remark.
Neptune chuckled to herself and attempted to high five Spirit Nep, only for her hand to go right through.
Jade looked in amusement at Neptune's weird attempt before rolling her eyes, "Shall we hurry up, Neptune?" She said as she clicked her heel with the floor.
"Right right!" Neptune said before starting to whisper, "Are you coming with us, Spirit Me?"
"I'm kinda discouraged after… failing to meet Blanc's and Noire's spirits. I doubt that Vert will be any different, so I'll go with you."
Neptune nodded and followed after the rest of the party that were waiting just outside the Basilicom.
The warehouse was made out of a silver-grey metal. It's silver walls surrounded by the greenery of Leanbox. Luscious green trees reaching high into the sky, covering the warehouse from view.
Jade sighed, "So that's why I couldn't see it..."
"Must've been well hidden from view." IF said, her arms crossed.
"Well? What are we waiting for? Let's go in!" Neptune said, pushing the door open and walking into the warehouse.
The party looked at each other before following Neptune inside the warehouse. They looked around, huge wooden crates filled to the brim with electronics and spare parts filled the entire storage. Catwalks hanging over the crates, a black creature could be seen observing the CPUs from above, "Dammit, the broads chu."
Their eyes turned towards the voice, a black mouse with a yellow and red heart in his chest looked down. Neptune pointed up towards him, "Hey! It's Ware… Were… Uhm What was his name again…?" Neptune said quizzically.
Before anyone could respond, the sound of metal being cut screeched around the warehouse. The tip of a dark scythe seen just barely through the ceiling before it was ripped off. CFW Magic floated in and looked at the party, "My. It seems we meet again, CPUs."
"Are we seriously ending the chapter in the same cliffhanger twice?" Neptune muttered, her finger on her cheek. A disappointed expression on her face, "Get more creative!"
"Nep. Seriously." IF sighed, crossing her arms, "Just drop it."
"Fine~" Neptune said defeatedly, "But it better not repeat again!"