Neptune and Jupiter descended near the entrance to the Basilicom. Neptune carefully lowered IF to the ground before they transformed back into their human forms. Neptune let out a satisfied sigh, "That's all the nations." She said proudly.
"I'm surprised." IF admitted, "I thought that the CPUs would've reacted more violently towards Jupiter."
"Aww. Iffy… Have more faith in me." Jupiter moaned, "I'm not that unlikable, am I?"
IF smirked, "I just meant it in the way of being biased against you due to Gear."
"I suppose they didn't have a grudge against Planeptune." Neptune said, "Maybe they were just scared. I know I'm a bit scared to find Nepgear in whatever state she's currently in."
"Well, in any case. It went well." IF said, crossing her arms, "We should report back to Histoire. She did say the book would be summarised by today."
Without a second thought, Jupiter burst into the Basilicom, "Histy! We're back!" She yelled as the door closed behind her.
IF and Neptune exchanged amused looks. Someone was happy about returning. They followed Jupiter's lead and entered the Basilicom.
As they walked to the back where Histoire was waiting, Neptune turned her head and looked at her Spirit Self, "Hey. Spirit Me, something wrong? You haven't been speaking much."
Spirit Nep appeared to be deep in thought for a few minutes before she shook her head and turning to look at Neptune, "It's nothing to worry, Living Me. I'm just thinking about… Nep Jr."
"We'll find her, don't worry." Neptune reassured herself, "She'll be fine."
"That's not what my worry is..." Spirit Nep muttered low enough so Neptune couldn't hear. She… thought back to Vert's words and couldn't stop thinking, "I'm sorry, Living Me. But I think I'll take a short break for now. I'll be in... our room if you need me."
"Sure thing. Take it easy, Spirit Me." Neptune said with a smile. She didn't want to push her other self.
"You're back." Histoire said as she Neptune and IF walked near her. Jupiter was standing idly next to her, she appeared to be dancing with a happy smile, "I hope Leanbox was a success as well?"
Neptune nodded, "Yep~! The new CPUs are actually quite nice as well. I wonder how the others would react to them..." Neptune said, her eyes looking up as she thought about it.
"In any case," Histoire interrupted her thoughts, "The other CPUs are now in good terms with Planeptune, I hope."
"They did say they'd be our friends." Jupiter noted happily, "I'm sure they are."
"Speaking of which, Neptune." Histoire looked at her accusatorily.
Neptune gulped. The stare that Histoire was giving her gave her flashbacks to every other time she looked at her like this - It always meant a lecture, "Y-Yes?" She asked, a small tinge of fear in her voice.
Histoire sighed, "I'm… Afraid your revelation to Planeptune has caused… slight complications."
"Huh?" Neptune looked around her in surprise. She had expected a lecture, not… something like this, "What… complications?" She asked fearfully.
"You got mail." Histoire said in an almost robotic voice, which made Jupiter stifle a chuckle, "It seems that almost every citizen in Planeptune has written a letter addressed to you."
"Whaaat?" Neptune and Jupiter said in unison. Their expressions of shock nearly identical.
"Neptune, you know what this means, don't you?" Histoire said with a smile.
"More... work for... me?" Neptune answered fearfully. She really hoped it didn't mean more paperwork.
"If you consider replying to all 734,019 letters work, then yes." Histoire said, opening a door to the side. Letters upon letters stacked up and flowing out of the room in an almost comical fashion.
"I… I guess... I have to..." Neptune said in defeat. Even though it meant work, it was for her citizens… from another dimension. She couldn't let them down, "I'll do it… Histy."
"You will?" Histoire looked at IF in astonishment, "N-Neptune, are you feeling okay? Are you sick?"
"How mean, Histy!" Neptune pouted, "It's for my citizens after all! I can't let them down."
"I… See..." Histoire said in surprise, "I'd assume you'd want some pudding while you work?"
"Of course I'd like some pudding!" Neptune replied enthusiastically, "Alright! Time to dig in!" She said as she jumped into the sea of letters, her body disappearing behind the endless amount of letters.
"She's… Popular." Jupiter said, "Neptune looks quite happy to make the citizens happy."
"Indeed..." Histoire replied with a smile," She always put the happiness of her people before anything… I guess that's what makes her special."
"I should try to be more like her..." Jupiter muttered.
"No!" IF and Histoire said together in alarm. They coughed before IF spoke again, "I mean… No need, Jupiter. It's fine. You should be yourself."
Jupiter looked at Histoire and IF suspiciously, "You're so mean to Neptune." She sighed.
Histoire smiled sympathetically before she remembered something, "Oh yes. Jupiter, you also have work to do."
Jupiter sighed, "I'll get to it." She walked towards the desk at the back, three days worth of paperwork stacked up. She sighed. But it's not like she could do anything else, Neptune was preoccupied with her own work as well. She clapped her hands together, maybe this was her chance to impress Neptune in her working skills.
"She looks excited to work." IF commented as they watched Jupiter determinedly work through the stack of papers, stamping some while moving others to a rejected pile.
"If only Neptune was like her..." Histoire smiled, "Jupiter and Neptune are similar in some ways, however."
"They are." IF agreed. She turned to Histoire, "I'll go check on the Guild, Histoire. I haven't been there for three days."
"I'll see you in a few hours, then." Histoire said, smiling warmly at IF.
"See you, Histoire." IF said as she walked away.
Histoire turned to her room. Everyone was doing something… She couldn't laze around. She knew what she could do.
She would find Nepgear's hideout.
Neptune had been writing replies for the past three hours. At least twenty-five empty pudding cups laid next to her - A new record in her books. She had gone through at least half the letters which either contained a heartfelt message, a gift or a simple thank you. There was also the rare love letter, but they didn't bother Neptune that much. She felt happy.The thought of her citizens thinking about her made her feel happy. This was what she always wanted.
Her thoughts trailed off as she heard a knock on the door. Histoire walked in and looked at the mess. The pudding cups resting behind Neptune while the opened letters laid neatly next to her. The same could not be said for the envelopes or her replies. Opened envelopes littered the floor while Neptune's replies were in a pile next to her. She sat on the floor smiling to herself as she read another letter.
Histoire opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Neptune was actually working. This was a sight to behold. After she saw her come in and out of the room at least twenty times for pudding, she had lost hope that Neptune was working… But now, she felt relieved that she actually worked throughout the three hours.
Histoire cleared her throat, "Neptune. You think you should take a rest?" She asked worriedly. Those were also words she never thought she'd have to say.
"I'm in the zone, Histy!" Neptune exclaimed as she wrote another reply, "I have to keep going for my citizens!"
Histoire sighed and smiled, "It's nice to see you work like this… But it's mildly concerning."
"I'm fine Histy!" Neptune said as she opened another letter, "Plus, Jupiter came in and challenged me to who can finish first as well… I can't lose!"
"She did?" Histoire said in surprise. To think both CPUs were competing for something like paperwork.
"I'm also going to take a break soon." Neptune added, "I sent Azure a message. She'll be coming to train in the next hour or so."
Before Histoire could ask another question - mostly who Azure was - Jupiter burst into the room, "Neptune! Emergency!"
"Huh? What's the problem, Jupiter?" Neptune said, jumping to her feet.
"A robot… A big one… Has appeared in Planeptune." Jupiter said, almost out of breath, "It… from what I've seen it… It resembles the… Deity of Sin..."
"The Deity of Sin?" Neptune said in astonishment, "Jupiter, we need to go. Now." Neptune said seriously. She walked past Histoire and Jupiter, "If it's… Nepgear's… Then we can't let it continue."
"Agreed." Jupiter nodded, "Is Neptune's Spirit coming with us?"
"She should be in our room." Neptune replied, walking hurriedly towards their room.
Histoire stopped her, "Neptune. Jupiter. Be safe." She said with a smile, "I'll be looking at the footage to see if I can locate Nepgear's base."
"Thank you, Histy." Neptune replied with a smile. Histoire moved aside and let them to their room. Spirit Nep lazily floating around, "Spirit Me! We need to go!"
"Oh? Sure." She replied with little questioning. She floated around Neptune and Jupiter as they transformed and left through the window.
Histoire looked as their forms slowly vanished in the distance. She hoped they would be okay… An idea formed in Histoire's head at the last minute, she rushed out of the room and towards the Basilicom. She had a few calls to make.
The CPUs arrived and saw the beast rampaging through the border of the city. Just as Jupiter had said, it resembled the Deity of Sin. Neptune and Spirit Nep looked in horror at what their sister had created.
"It… Really is the Deity of Sin." Neptune muttered.
"We have to stop it." Jupiter added.
The Deity of Sin roared. She saw the CPUs above her. A purple orb materialised in her hand before throwing it towards them. They dodged to the side, their weapons materialising.
"Spirit Me." Neptune called, "Let's wait before fusing."
"Sure thing. I'll be close by." She replied, floating off and observing the fight.
The Deity of Sin roared. She attempted to punch the CPUs as they descended. Jupiter and Neptune dodged to opposite sides, slashing with their blades as they fell.
They landed on the ground unharmed, civilians scrambling behind them. Jupiter extended one hand and raised her voice, "Everyone! Run to safety! Purple Heart and I will deal with this!"
"L-Lady Red Heart and Lady Purple Heart!" The civilians cried in joy, "We're saved!" They shouted as they ran away.
Neptune smiled. Jupiter was becoming more confident in herself and taking the lead more, just like the successor of a protagonist should! Neptune nodded at Jupiter, "Let's do what we did with Judge."
"Alright!" Jupiter agreed.
Neptune rose into the sky, avoiding them balls of energy the Deity of Sin threw at her. She pointed her sword at the sky, "32-Bit Mega Blade!" She shouted with energy.
Jupiter flew behind Neptune and got behind the giant pixelated sword that was forming in the sky. She moved her rapier in a half arc shape, "Beam Sword!" She exclaimed.
"Take this! Planeptune's Might!" Neptune exclaimed. Coming up with a name for their Coupling Skill. Jupiter smirked at the name.
They watched as the attack slowly descended on top of the Deity of Sin, a pillar of light erupting as the giant blade and rapier copies hit her body.
Neptune and Jupiter descended and eyed the smoke warily. Waiting to see the Deity of Sin.
Suddenly, two fists lunged out of the smoke. Neptune managed to hit it away at the last second while Jupiter barely managed to dodge. The Deity of Sin roared as the smoke cleared, revealing her relatively undamaged body.
"Capture… Purple… Kill… Red…" She growled. She slowly walked closer to the CPUs, each step making the ground tremble slightly. Her joints creaked and groaned as she moved.
"Jupiter..." Neptune muttered, "Follow my lead." She said as she dodged to the side as the Deity of Sin's hands slammed down where she stood.
Jupiter nodded and flew after her. They dodged as the Deity of Sin attempted to swat them out of the sky. They flew high above her and out of reach. The Deity of Sin roared again and threw orbs of dark energy towards them. Neptune acted quickly, flying in front of Jupiter and slashing the orbs in half, "Spirit Me!" She exclaimed. Spirit Nep swiftly responding to her call and fusing with Neptune's katana.
"One attack." Neptune muttered, "That's all this is for."
"Understood." Replied her Spirit Self.
"Jupiter!" Neptune called out as her sword started to shine brightly. Jupiter nodded, understanding the message clearly. Neptune smiled, "Delta Slash!" Neptune slashed three times, creating a triangle with her energy beams.
"Beam Sword!" Jupiter joined in. Their attacks connecting with the Deity of Sin as she tried to block. Jupiter's rapier copies slashing at her body, leaving some wires exposed in her chest. The Deity of Sin roared just as Neptune's attack connected, covering her body with smoke and dust.
Neptune and Jupiter waited, Spirit Nep floated around Neptune with the same expectant face. They observed the smoke for the faintest of movements. The smoke moving to the side as the Deity of Sin's fist approached Neptune. She slashed with her katana, sending it away but… She did not notice the second hand behind the first. The hand grabbed her body and gripped her tightly, Neptune's hands and body covered by the robot's orange hand.
Neptune struggled to escape. She wriggled and trashed around, but the grip was too strong and… She could feel energy in the robot's hands, "M-mist?" She muttered as she noticed the faint purple mist emanating from her captor's hands. It was draining her strength, and preventing her from fighting back against her, "Darnit." She muttered.
"Neptune!" Jupiter shouted, flying towards her. She got so close to her before she was swatted out of the sky. She rolled on the ground before coming to a stop as she hit a lamp post. She managed to raise her head and look at the Deity of Sin as it attempted to turn around and escape with Neptune.
The Deity of Sin had been injured by their attack. It was obvious from the fact that her body was charred and some of her wires exposed. But… it still wasn't enough. Jupiter slammed her fist on the ground. If only she was stronger… She slowly started to get up, using her rapier to help her. She pointed her rapier at the robot. She would not allow it to get away with Neptune!
Jupiter charged at the Deity of Sin and slashed at her body. Her attacks at the robot proved futile as it simply shrugged them off and kept walking away. This angered Jupiter, "Pay attention to me, you stupid robot! You're not escaping with my friend!" She shouted, "Energy Thrust!" She exclaimed, her rapier shining blue as she slashed and thrusted at the Deity of Sin's body.
"Main priority… Capture Purple..." The Deity of Sin muttered mechanically, "You… Not needed..." She said as she flicked Jupiter aside and resumed her escape.
Jupiter simply stood up again and charged one more. Neptune watched as her attacks bounced off the Deity of Sin's body, "Jupiter! Let's flee. Let's get Iffy to help us!" Spirit Nep said, floating around Jupiter.
"No, Neptune's Spirit!" Jupiter exclaimed as she was thrown towards a lamp post again, "I won't leave her!"
"Jupiter..." Neptune muttered as she once again attempted to escape. The attempt left her without breath.
"I can't let you get captured, Neptune!" Jupiter said as she attacked once again, "We're saving your sister, together right?" Jupiter went flying once more.
"Jupiter..." Neptune and Spirit Nep muttered together. She stared sadly at her successor. She was trying so hard to save her…
Jupiter charged once again but stopped halfway as she noticed a strange blue light, "Huh?" She muttered. She looked around her, trying to find the source of the light... Until she saw her.
"Endless Slash!" A voice called out. A girl wearing a black bodysuit quickly flew past the Deity of Sin and severed the hand that held Neptune captive.
Before Jupiter could process the information, two identical girl joined the fight - both wearing a grey bodysuit, "Blitzaxe!" They yelled in unison, slamming their axes on the Deity of Sin's single eye. The robot clutched her eye with her remaining hands.
And finally, the fourth girl joined the fight. She flew past the hand and removed Neptune before it could even hit the ground. She gently descended towards the ground and let Neptune down with her back to the wall. She opened her eyes weakly, "Jade?" She muttered.
"Looks like you're in a bit of a pinch." She replied with a smile, "We'll take care of it."
"Long time no see, Jupiter." Said the girl with the black bodysuit. Her dual swords resting on her shoulders, "Need some help?"
"Juppy and Neppy need help!" A voice said behind her.
"Mhm." Replied an identical voice.
"Azure! Marin! Jade!" Jupiter muttered in disbelief, "What are you all doing here?"
"Histoire called us." Jade said, "She told us you were in trouble."
"Well..." Azure scratched the back of her head, "Neptune had called me to train before Histoire called. I was on my way here when she did."
"GROAH!" The Deity of Sin roared, interrupting the conversation.
"Let's talk after we beat this bastard." The Red Marin said. She raised her axe into the air.
Azure raised an eyebrow in surprise. She didn't expect the youngest looking CPU to use that kind of coarse language, but she let it go. She gripped her swords and looked at the robot, "Jupiter. Think you can fight?"
"I do. I'll fight alongside you." Jupiter replied confidently. She stepped forwards next to her friends.
"Right." Jade turned to Neptune, "We'll be showing off now. Watch us closely, Neptune!" Jade said cockily.
"I'm right here." Neptune replied with a smirk. They were getting along well.
"Let's kick this bastard so hard, she'll wish she was never built!" The red Marin said again, "Left! Let's go!" She exclaimed as she rushed towards the Deity of Sin.
"Mhm!" Replied the blue Marin, hurrying towards her other half.
"Those two...!" Azure muttered, "We can't let them fight alone, let's go!"
They ran after Marin, who was busy attacking the Deity of Sin in perfect synchrony. They slashed with their axes at her leg and jumped over each other as they pushed the Deity of Sin back. The robot decided it had enough and slammed one of its hands over them. They dodged to either side and ran towards the remaining legs, weakening them as they hit. Wires soon laid exposed.
"Grey Hearts!" Azure yelled as she jumped to the action, "Pull back! I'll give you a signal."
"Right!" Shouted the red Marin as she pulled back. Blue Marin joined her, running away from the robot.
Azure smirked. She was the start of the combo, "Let's dance!" She said as she slashed at the Deity of Sin's body. She pushed her hands back whenever she tried to attack. Slowly, but surely, wearing her down. Azure noticed the Deity of Sin's back legs crack as she took one step backwards. This was their chance, "Grey Hearts! Into the air!" She gave the command, pointing towards the sky.
"Got it!" Yelled the red Marin, she nodded towards her blue half. They rushed from opposite directions towards the Deity of Sin's sides as Azure jumped backwards. They smashed their axes into the robot's underside and sent into spinning towards the air, where Jade was waiting for her.
"Stormy Ratnapura!" She exclaimed, keeping the Deity of Sin in the air with her quick and decisive strikes, "Jupiter! End this!"
"Got it!" Jupiter rushed to Jade's aid. Her rapier coated in blue energy, "Energy Thrust!" She exclaimed as she thrusted her rapier alongside Jade, taking turns at keeping her in the air until the Deity of Sin's body was covered in dents. Her body creaked and moaned, electricity sparked from the exposed wires. Jupiter flew past the Deity of Sin and pointed her rapier at her head, "This is it! The final strike!" She yelled, thrusting her rapier and sending the Deity of Sin crashing down.
The Deity of Sin's legs broke as she hit the ground, the broken pieces scattering around her. Her body laid at rest and heavily injured. She stretched her hand one last time in an feeble attempt to grab Neptune, "My… Mission…" she groaned before her hand collapsed on the floor. Her body exploding in a blazing fire.
Jupiter sighed and placed a hand on her chest. She could feel her heart racing. She approached her friends around Neptune. Spirit Nep floated around her, but said nothing. She smiled at Jupiter once she approached, even if she could not see her.
Neptune smiled and observed each of the CPUs, "You did well..." She muttered.
"Are you okay, Neptune?" Azure asked, kneeling, "We should take you to the Basilicom..."
"No need. I'm fine." Neptune said, standing up, "My strength was drained. That's all."
Jupiter noticed from the corner of her eye that the Blue Marin was hiding behind her other half's body, eyeing Azure timidly. Jupiter walked behind Azure and smiled at Marin, "Scared of her?"
She shook her head, "No… Just shy..." She muttered.
Red Marin gave her a smile, "When we divide, one of us takes a half of our personality." She explained, "For some reason, she takes the shy half."
"We… are still… Marin… But… Divided." The other Marin finished.
"Speaking of, we should fuse back." The Red Marin said.
"Mhm." The Blue Marin agreed. They high fived each other and a white light enveloped them.
Azure stepped back when she noticed the white glow, "What the-?" She muttered as she watched the two of them turn into one CPU, "You… Can split yourself?" Azure asked with a confused look.
"Mhm." Marin replied.
"That's her special ability." Neptune added, "Seems reminiscent of the twin CPU Candidates from Lowee."
"Lowee gets the best stuff, I swear." Jade muttered, crossing her arms.
"You're sounding like Vert." Neptune teased as she reverted back to her human self and stretched, "Ah! Much better. You girls feeling like heading back to… our Basilicom?"
"We're here already. Might as well." Azure replied. She turned to the other CPUs, "Any objections?"
"None from me." Jade replied.
"I… want to see their… Basilicom." Marin added.
"Righto!" Neptune said excitedly, "Lead the way, Jupiter!"
"Okay, Neptune." Jupiter said with a smile. At least she was back to her usual self, "Follow me." Jupiter said as she lead them towards the tower in the distance.