Hello! It's me again! Happy New Years, even though it's a bit late.
You all know what's about to happen. So I won't keep you waiting.
Dragonsayianblue: Thank you! I'm grateful that you're enjoying it so much.
Yeah, I remember you mentioning the whole Lily Rank thing. And I'm really not sure if I'd ever do anything like that. I wouldn't want it to be super quick and contrived, like I've seen in SOOO many other stories with this series. So yeah. I dunno.
Anyways…
I don't want to really spoil anything. All I can say is that some stuff's definitely going to go down. Whether it's how Gil acts during this, or other stuff like that… You'll just have to see.
Hmmm… No new ones… That's unfortunate…
Other than that…
Maybe kinda sorta prepare yourself? Maybe?
Please enjoy!
Chapter 24:
"Mmmmm…. Mmmmm…"
Neptune had just woken up from her sleep. She had felt… something, nudge at her.
It was early in the morning, she knew it. Man, she could never ever wake up late, could she?!
She opened her eyes, and looked at the bedroom wall.
"Let me… sleeeeep…", said Neptune.
She felt something nudge at her back, and she groaned in response.
"Whatsa… time?", asked Neptune, groggily. She still faced away from the disturbance.
"After seven.", came a voice. Neptune recognized it as Gil's voice.
It wasn't a cheerful voice, but Gil wasn't that type.
"Hmmm… Gilly, let me sleep in… It's still so eeeearlyyyy…"
There was no response.
Huh…
Did it work?!
"I can't do that, Neptune.", said Gil, nudging at Neptune some more.
"I don't wanna!", protested Neptune, who put her face to her pillow, lying on her stomach.
"If you don't get up, I will pick you up.", stated Gil.
Oooooh, how forward.
"Hmmm… Maybe. Do that, I'm lazy. Maybe do it bridal sty-", started Neptune, lifting her head up and looking towards Gil.
She saw him bent over, with his left knee to the floor. He had his right leg up, resting his right hand on its knee.
And he was looking at Neptune. It was… intense, to say the least.
His eyes were… wide, alert. And his face was… strained? Angry, maybe?
He definitely did not look happy. The exact opposite, Neptune thought.
Neptune shuffled herself around, leaning on her elbows. She looked at Gil with a more concerned face, and wiped her eyes with her left hand.
"What's wrong, Gilly?", asked Neptune.
Gil didn't respond immediately. He continued to stare at Neptune, almost glaring at her.
"Renna and Uzume were taken by Faust.", stated Gil, gritting his teeth.
This news didn't immediately register with Neptune.
"Huh?", came Neptune.
Gil suddenly punched the floor with his right hand, causing a loud noise, and revealed his teeth a bit.
"They were kidnapped!", said Gil, with more aggression. He wasn't exactly shouting, but Neptune could hear the anger in his voice.
"Woah, woah, calm down there, Gilly.", said Neptune, taking a more cautious face.
Gil looked at her for a moment, then took a few deep breaths in and out.
"B-But... what?! They were kidnapped?", said Neptune, now more aware of the situation.
"I need you to get up and get ready, we need to move soon."
Neptune shifted her position, now sitting on both of her knees. The blanket had fallen off of her back.
Gil got up, and walked to the door. He slid it open, and turned to Neptune.
"We need to go, soon.", said Gil.
Neptune continued to sit in her position, thinking about what she was just told.
"Neptune, you need to get up.", came Gil.
Neptune looked to him, and could see that his eyebrows were angled downwards.
"I'll… get ready now.", said Neptune, lifting herself off the floor. She opened her inventory, and looked for her clothes.
Before getting undressed, she looked at Gil and smiled.
"Butcha need to close the door first, Gilsy.", teased Neptune.
Gil blinked at her a few times, looking down at the floor.
"Sorry...", said Gil. He realized that he did sound... aggressive.
Gil backed out of the room, and slid the door shut.
Neptune, now alone, stopped smiling. She got her clothes out, and started to get changed.
"This is… really something to wake up to, I suppose.", mumbled Neptune, giving a worried smile.
"Geez…"
Neptune promptly got undressed and dressed, and made her way out of the bedroom.
She slid the door open with a smile, looking around.
She saw Gil to her right, waiting near the door.
He stood in a cross armed position, and looked to Neptune.
"We need to move.", said Gil, who reached for the door.
Neptune quickly moved to him, and grabbed his outstretched arm.
"Wait, Gilly!", started Neptune.
"Wait?! Why?! We need to move, Neptune!", said Gil, looking to Neptune with wide eyes.
"Don't you think you should do some 'splainin first?", asked Neptune.
"...I can do that as we go.", replied Gil.
"But we also need to eat! We'll need that if we're gonna go get them back!"
Gil considered this for a moment.
Neptune then placed her other hand on his arm, and held it.
"It'll be alright, Gilly. Don't worry.", said Neptune, with a caring smile.
Gil looked to her. He angled his eyebrows upwards, and looked to the floor.
He retracted his arm slowly, and Neptune let it go.
They both stood there, unmoving.
"...Sorry. For being... aggressive.", said Gil.
"Hey, it's not a problem. Just haven't seen you get all worked up like this before. If anything, it shows how bad you want to get going! All the passion and stuff.", said Neptune. She was glad to have calmed Gil down, at least a bit.
He then quickly moved to the kitchen, and prepared two bowls of cereal in a very short space of time.
He placed one on the counter, with a spoon, and started eating his own.
Neptune sighed, and then moved to the counter. She leaned on it, looking at Gil while eating her food.
Gil finished quickly, and placed it in the sink. He then prepared two glasses of water, and placed one by Neptune. He drank his quickly.
"Thanks!", said Neptune, in between eating.
Gil stood, and Neptune noticed that he was still holding his apprehensive face.
It wasn't… impatient, but it was certainly eager. Almost like he was set to do a marathon, no, a triathlon right now.
Could he do a triathlon? That's, like, three separate types of getting around, and Neptune hadn't seen Gil cycle or swim. He could run, sure, but they were all different.
He probably could. He looked alright. Ya know, all fit and stuff. He wasn't one of those super massive guys, but you could see that he had muscle. Nicely toned muscles that were juuust-
"Neptune.", interrupted Gil. "You look like you're spacing out. Hurry up… please."
Neptune, taken out from her train of thought, realized that she had food to eat.
And something preeetty serious to take care of.
"Right, sorry about that. Just thinking about stuff.", responded Neptune, who continued to eat.
Gil looked at her, then to the floor.
"Donezo!", said Neptune, who swiftly placed the dishes in the sink.
Gil nodded and was already walking to the door.
Neptune rushed up to him and stood in front of him.
"Hey, hey, hey!", exclaimed Neptune, she had stopped smiling, and looked rather serious.
Gil looked at her questionably.
Neptune softened her face, and then smiled at Gil.
"They'll be alright, okay? We'll find them, and we'll get them back.", said Neptune, in a soothing voice.
Gil looked at her, and then gave an ever so small smile.
He walked past Neptune, who followed him through the door.
"I know. I will make it so.", said Gil.
"WE'LL make it so, you mean?", said Neptune, leaning over with a teasing face.
Gil nodded at her, then slid the door shut.
They were quickly outside the hotel, protected from the rain, looking out to it.
"What're we gonna do about this…", questioned Neptune.
"you don't have any umbrellas?", asked Gil.
"Nope. Uzume has them all."
Gil sighed, then looked around.
"We can… We can go to a shop and buy some.", suggested Neptune.
"That'll take too long. We have to move quickly, and I'm not even sure umbrellas would be good for that.", said Gil.
"Hoodies, then!", said Neptune, who, for once, put her hood up.
The long, back parts of her hair were not visible anymore, as she had tucked them into the hoodie.
Gil looked at her, down, then back up.
"What?", asked Neptune.
"Nothing. We need to go.", responded Gil.
"Where to?"
"Dusty's shop."
"Ah, I get it. Since he's known about Faust for a while, he might know where he'd go.", summed up Neptune.
"I hope he does."
And they moved into the rain, running through it.
"Ya feelin' alright, Gilly?", asked Neptune.
"Yes."
They moved through the streets, dodging pedestrians and crossing the streets quickly. They avoided any major puddles, although Neptune did jump in a few of them.
They passed the restaurant they had yesterday. Neptune glanced inside, seeing that there were a few people in there.
Even with the rain coming down harder than it did yesterday, people were still out and about, huh?
And they kept going.
A few minutes later:
"There.", said Gil, looking ahead.
"Yup I see it. I… think it's open.", said Neptune.
Neptune and Gil had made good time, and were just outside Dusty's shop.
They walked up to it, and were in front of the door, protected by the rain.
Neptune threw her hood back, and pulled the back part of her hair up into its normal position.
"And… Open!", said Neptune, striking a pose at the door.
Gil slid it open, and quickly walked through. He frantically took his shoes off, rushing into the shop.
"G-Gilly, wait!", called out Neptune, who followed his procedure.
Gil quickly looked into the shop as he walked through hit, and could see that there were a few people at the counter.
Dusty glanced towards them, and shifted in his seat. He gestured his arm out as if to say "Give me a few minutes."
So Gil stood in the shop, and huffed. He crossed his arms, and stood by a wall on the left.
Neptune moved to him, and gave him a pouty look.
"You coulda waited, ya know.", said Neptune.
"Sorry.", replied Gil.
Neptune kept pouting at him, and crossed her arms in a huff.
She eventually relinquished this stance, and stood on Gil's right. They were both up against a wall, and Neptune rested her head against it.
She looked to her left, to Gil.
"What exactly happened?", asked Neptune.
"I woke up and saw that Renna and Uzume weren't around, so I went looking for a note. I found one stuck to the door to our room. It was written by Faust.", explained Gil.
"And what'd it say?", continued Neptune.
"It said… that yesterday was the last chance he gave us. So he… kidnapped them as "punishment,", he wrote.", said Gil. He was still wide eyed, and he continued explaining.
"He said that we should hurry up, because… they're quite… unique.", finished Gil, gritting his teeth.
He had thought about that part. He'd thought about it a lot. It irritated him.
Just thinking about that phrase, the way he wrote it, the way he said it…
It was infuriating beyond belief.
"If they do anything…", started Gil.
Neptune quickly jumped in front of Gil with her arms in an X-shape, which surprised Gil.
"Nuh-uh! That won't happen! We won't let it happen! We're gonna get to 'em, we're gonna beat up the baddies, and we'll go home safely! And then to Dusty's home.", said Neptune, putting her hands into her pockets.
Gil looked at Neptune, and seemed to calm down a bit. He closed his eyes and allowed his face to go soft for a brief moment, and then returned to his previous demeanor.
Neptune walked a bit closer to Gil, and walked from left to right, looking at him all the while.
"How experienced are you when it comes to fighting people, Gilly?", asked Neptune, with a smile.
Gil looked up and to his right, and pondered over this for some time.
"I've fought against people before, and I'd say that Renna and I are both experienced in doing that. We know how to fight people.", answered Gil.
"Okay, okay. Any… particular standout moments?", inquired Neptune.
Gil didn't speak for some time.
"Not really."
"I see… You seemed to know what you were doing back with Renna, yesterday.", said Neptune.
"We have practiced together a lot in the past."
"I figured as much. You two know how each other fight quite well, I'm guessing?"
"Yes."
"That's good. Teamwork, and all that fluff!", exclaimed Neptune, putting her arms into the air.
Gil could see Dusty raise an eyebrow at that before returning his attention to his customers.
"And what about you?", asked Gil.
"I thought you'd never ask! Geez, Gilly, you're getting used to me, huh?", teased Neptune.
"It's just a question, Neptune."
"What, are you denying what I'm saying? Are we not close?! Even though we haven't known each other for years, or even months, I feel like there's a connection, ya know?!"
Gil rolled his eyes at this.
"With all of us, I mean.", said Neptune.
"Sure.", said Gil.
"Yay!", said Neptune, walking towards Gil.
"But back to the question…"
Neptune stopped herself in her tracks, and raised a finger to her mouth, thinking.
"I haaaave, yessiroo.", said Neptune, returning to her normal stance.
"When?", asked Gil.
"I'd say… not super-duper long ago. Back when I was helping Uzume out with her… thing.", said Neptune.
"With her other… With Kurome?", asked Gil.
"Yup. Then. I had to fight against some… people that were trying to stop me and Uzume. Many times. So yeah, I'd say that I have experience with people-fighting.", said Neptune.
"That's good to know. We'll most likely be putting that experience to use today.", said Gil.
"Not unless we go in all stealthy like! All sneaky-sneaks…"
Gil didn't respond to this.
"Gilly, you know that it's going to be alright. If it makes you feel better, I'm pretty upset, too!", said Neptune.
"I don't think you feeling bad would make me feel better.", replied Gil.
"It's a figure of speech or… something! I'm saying that you're not the only one going through this, you know?"
"I know."
"So rely on me, man! Rest your weary head on my shoulders, tell me your worries, and all that stuffy-wuffy.", said Neptune.
Gil looked at her for a moment, not speaking.
Neptune showed a determined face. She was smiling confidently with her hands at her hips. Her brows angled down, and her eyes were wide open. She seemed eager to get this done.
"…Thanks, Neptune.", spoke Gil.
Neptune walked towards him, and patted Gil's right arm with her left hand.
"But it seems like Dusty's done!", said Neptune, spinning around and posing at the blacksmith.
Sure enough, Dusty was waiting for them. He sat on his chair with his arms resting on the counter, and looked at Neptune and Gil with somewhat narrowed eyes.
"Welcome.", greeted Dusty.
"Heyo!", waved Neptune.
"Hello.", greeted Gil.
Dusty ushered them both over with his hands, and they both walked to the front of the counter.
"Coming to have your gauntlets checked up on? Have you broke them already? Not like that'd be easy to do.", said Dusty.
"No, nothing like that. They're still in tip-top condition!", said Neptune.
"It's about something else.", said Gil.
"And what is it?", asked Dusty.
Gil looked to Neptune, who looked back at Gil with a smile.
He then looked to Dusty, holding his expression.
"Renna and Uzume were kidnapped by Faust.", stated Gil.
Dusty widened his eyes and slightly opened his mouth. He sat back in his chair, leaning into it.
He then leaned forward again, covering his mouth with his right hand, as if he was thinking.
"You're serious?", asked Dusty, looking angrier.
"Yup.", replied Neptune.
Dusty sighed, briefly closing his eyes.
"This is why I said you should've all come to my place last night.", mumbled Dusty, throwing his right arm up in a show of frustration.
Gil looked down, closing his eyes while taking an angry face.
"But there's nothing that we can do now, Dusty.", said Neptune.
"I know.", said Dusty. "So what is it that you're here for?"
"We wanted to ask you if you might know where Faust would've taken them?", asked Neptune.
"If my… experience with them serves me right, I should know. It wouldn't be at their main hideout, although I know Faust has a few smaller places he likes to go to.", said Dusty.
"You sure know a lot about these people…", muttered Neptune.
"Unfortunately. I'd rather they'd never have gotten involved with me."
"Can you give us the places locations?", asked Gil.
"I can. I'll write down their addresses, and some directions. Some other things to help, too.", said Dusty, looking around. He rummaged under the counter, and brought out some pieces of paper and a pen.
He began to write down onto them rather quickly.
"Either of you have a phone?", asked Dusty.
"Nope.", answered Neptune.
"No.", answered Gil.
"Great. Then these directions will have to do.", said Dusty, writing down some more.
He continued to write for a few more minutes, and eventually looked back up at Neptune and Gil.
"You two had better be quick. Faust is a sick, sick thing.", said Dusty.
"I… know. He said that in his letter.", said Gil.
"Do you have it with you?", asked Dusty.
Gil looked to Neptune, who had stored the paper in her inventory. She pulled it out, and held it to Dusty.
"There ya go.", said Neptune.
Dusty took it, and held it in his left hand.
His eyes scoured through the paper, and he eventually looked at the two people in front of him, giving it back to Neptune.
He then pushed the pieces of paper he had written on forward, and Neptune took them.
"I hope that you all have transport, because they're not close.", said Dusty.
"We… We don't…", said Gil. He closed his eyes tightly, and grit his teeth, thinking.
"We do! Oh. My. GODDESS do we have transport!", exclaimed Neptune, looking up with her hands covering her eyes.
"What do you mean?", asked Gil.
Neptune smirked at Gil while holding her hand out.
She then summoned her Nep-note, and opened the pages.
"Dusty, please don't be completely blown away by what you're about to see. Keep your socks on, ya hear?", said Neptune, grinning.
"Now why would I-", started Dusty.
A flash of light, and Croire appeared where the Nep-note was, hovering above it.
"Geez, whatcha need me for now?", asked Croire.
"We need your help! Desperately!", pleaded Neptune.
Meanwhile, Dusty was staring at the fairy with a surprised expression, his mouth slightly open.
"What… What?", said Dusty.
Neptune looked up from Croire and looked to Dusty with a smile.
"Dusty, this is Croire. Croire, Dusty.", said Neptune.
"Yo.", saluted Croire.
"She's a fairy! Ain't she the cutest!", smiled Neptune.
"Who ya callin' cute, you ditz!", responded Croire.
"How… do you have a fairy?", asked Dusty, still very much surprised.
"Well, a tome to be specific.", corrected Croire.
"She's my friend! I keep her in my Nep-note, and she helps us!", said Neptune.
"Huh, right. Maybe I should get out of this damn thing more…", said Croire.
"A tome? I've heard that the Planeptunian Goddess has one of those, and yet you have one. You're not a CPU, are you?", asked Dusty, looking between Neptune and Croire.
"Nope! I captured her one day, and she's been my buddy ever since!", explained Neptune.
"You really are a weirdo…", mumbled Croire.
"And she's our transport.", finished Neptune.
"How?", asked Dusty.
"She can do portal stuff, don't worry about it too much.", said Neptune.
"You are all a strange bunch…", said Dusty, still in disbelief.
Neptune looked down at Croire, and smiled.
"Hey, Croire, we really do need your help this time. It's super-duper serious and stuff.", said Neptune.
"What's happened now?", asked Croire.
"About that… The thing is…", started Neptune.
Gil walked next to Neptune, and stared down at Croire.
"Renna and Uzume have been kidnapped, and we need you to transport us to different locations. Can you do that?", asked Gil, quickly, almost glaring down at the fairy.
Croire looked up at him with surprised eyes, and then steadied herself, blinking all the while.
"You can do that, right?", asked Neptune.
"Yeah, yeah, I can, alright. Just give me the locations, I'll need to sort out where the co-ordinates are.", said Croire.
Neptune put her Nep-note away and held the pieces of paper up.
"Gimme a moment…", said Croire.
Croire read through the different pieces of paper, looking through them all.
She took a few minutes.
"Gotcha. I can take ya to these places. There's six of 'em in total.", said Croire.
"Six?! Whaaaaat?! Isn't it supposed to be, like, in threes all the time?! And we always get it on the third one?! The rule of threeeees!", exclaimed Neptune.
"It doesn't always work out in such cliché ways, Neptune.", said Croire. "You could still get it on the third try. Maybe."
"Or the first, you never know, huh? Maybe? Please?", pleaded Neptune, to nobody in particular.
"We need to get going. Take us to one of them.", said Gil.
"Alright, alright.", said Croire, and sure enough, a swirling mass of energy appeared near her.
Dusty blinked at the situation in bewilderment.
"Sorry about this, Dusty. At least you saw something amazing, today!", said Neptune. "And, uh… don't go telling people you saw this, okay?"
Dusty recomposed himself, then looked at Neptune.
"I'll be sure not to.", said Dusty.
"Thanks a bunch! But we gotta go now, so… see ya!", saluted Neptune.
"Go get them back.", said Dusty.
"We will. No matter what.", said Gil, turning to walk through the portal.
"Gil, wait.", called out Dusty.
Gil turned to face him, and so did Neptune.
"Be prepared.", warned Dusty.
Gil nodded to him and narrowed his eyes.
"I will be. No matter what, I will get them back. I will make it so.", said Gil, with determination.
"Ooooh, all confident and stuff.", said Neptune.
Gil looked at her, and then to Dusty.
"Goodbye, Dusty.", nodded Gil.
"See ya!", called out Neptune.
"Goodbye and good luck, both of you.", said Dusty.
And with that, Neptune, Gil and Croire moved through the portal, and the portal closed behind them.
Dusty looked on for a moment, and then sighed to himself.
"I can see this getting messy…
Really messy."
First location:
"Oooh, what's this place?", asked Neptune, as they walked through the portal.
Neptune looked around, surveying the area.
Seemed like it was more of a commercial district, but even more modern than the area close to the hotel. The buildings, although still holding the classic Loweean architecture, were a lot more sleek and refined.
"Should be right in front of us.", said Croire.
Sure enough, in front of them was a large building. It was among a row of similar looking buildings, all with looks resembling warehouses. Large entrance, doors that would need to be pulled up, many windows present, fairly bland design, that kinda stuff.
"There are no guards here.", said Gil.
"Ya think you can go look through those windows, Crostie?", asked Neptune.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever.", said Croire, and she floated off towards one of the upper window.
She put her head to it, cupping her hands by the eyes. She returned, holding a disappointed face.
"Nope. Nobody's inside, and there's nothing going on in there.", said Croire.
"Dammit…", said Gil.
"At least we figured it out quickly! Now we can go to the second one without having wasted soooo much time, huh?", said Neptune.
"You always look at the bright side…", muttered Croire.
"I gotta! It's good to stay positive.", replied Neptune.
Gil then looked to Croire.
"Next place.", said Gil.
"Yeah, yeah, I know.", said Croire, who then opened a portal.
And, similar to before, all three of them moved through it.
Second location:
They arrived at the next location, looking around again.
Seemed like it was a manufacturing district. Many small, factory like buildings lined the streets, and even now, what seemed like cargo trucks drove through the rain.
They looked forward to a particularly large building. Larger than the surrounding ones, at least.
"This the one?", asked Gil.
"Uh-huh.", replied Croire.
"Then… Croire? Could you go all Metal Gear again? Sneaky, sneaky observation and stuff.", asked Neptune.
Croire rolled her eyebrows, and flew upwards. She flew over the roof of it, and came back a few moments later.
"Nope. Nothing. The backside has no activity or nothin'. No working people or machinery.
Gil scoffed at this, looking to his right while doing so.
"Onto the next one! Let's see if the rule of three still holds…", said Neptune.
"I think your expectations are too high…", said Croire.
And so, another portal was opened, and they all moved through it.
Third location:
"Come on, be the one, be the one!", pleaded Neptune, as they walked through.
They had arrived at what seemed to be an older part of Lowee. The architecture definitely looked older. More… traditional, with lots of orange beams and bridges in the area.
They could see all of this because the three of them were currently in a more elevated part, and so overlooked a part of the district.
"Looks promising…", said Gil.
"This must be it, it must be!", said Neptune.
"I'll go check it out.", said Croire, in an expectant, tired voice.
She flew towards the building in front of them. It stood out, and was much taller than the other buildings, and with many floors to it.
Neptune looked up to the sky, noting that the sun still hid behind the clouds.
"She's taking longer than usual… could be a good sign!", said Neptune.
Just then, Croire returned.
"Nope, not it.", said Croire.
"Dangit! After all this, not even that old rule came through for us!", said Neptune, in mock disappointment.
"Next.", said Gil. He still looked… less than happy.
"I'm gonna have to start chargin' you someday…", said Croire, opening up another portal.
And through it they went…
Fourth location:
"I swear to Nep if this isn't the one… Ahh, maybe it's my luck stat! Did I equip something that lowers it?!", asked Neptune, looking through her inventory.
"You're ridiculous. Anyway, I'm gonna go check it out, as per usual…", said Croire, floating off.
The area seemed to be… a combination of commercial and industrial. There were shops and businesses about the area, and Neptune could see many taller buildings over the roofs of closer ones.
Still not as tall as the skyscrapers in Lastation, though. These were much shorter, and much less showy.
They were in an alleyway, and looked to the building in front of them. It was a warehouse with a large entrance for vehicles to enter, and a normal door to the right side of it, along with some stairs leading up to it.
Gil narrowed his eyes, and could see that there were three people hanging around that area. One was leaning next to the door, one was sitting on the stairs, and one was just to the left of the stairs, on a lower level than the two other people. They were all under cover.
"I think this is it. I can see three people by the entrance. Could be guards.", said Gil, starting to walk forward.
Neptune moved to him and placed her palms to his chest, stopping him from moving.
"Hold on there, Gilly boy! We gotta wait for Croire.", said Neptune.
Gil looked at her, then stepped back a bit. He was tapping his right foot against the ground.
Croire came rushing back from the building.
"This is it. There're some guards around this place, and there's people working inside. Machinery, weapons, all that stuff.", said Croire.
"Wow, nice going there, author person! Really subverted my expectations by making it so that it was the one AFTER the third location! Betcha think you're really smooth, huh?", said Neptune.
"Any signs of Renna and Uzume?", asked Gil.
"Nope. But this has gotta be it.", replied Croire.
"Maybe she just missed them…?", suggested Neptune.
"Maybe, I dunno. Whatever, let's go already. And try to make this interestin', alright?", asked Croire, floating besides Neptune.
"It probably will be. No doubt 'bout that.", said Neptune.
"Cool. Been a while since I've seen somethin' like that.", said Croire.
Gil didn't speak, and instead had his eyes locked on the door with three people around it.
"Let me handle the talkin', alright, Gilly?", asked Neptune. "Let's see how far we can go inside without having to go all guns blazin'! That's how I play games, at least."
Gil looked to her, then nodded.
"Alright.", said Gil.
The three emerged from the alleyway and walked through the street, approaching the entrance.
They eventually got to the bottom of the stairs, and Neptune walked forward.
"Man, it's really cold out here… You guys feeling alright?", asked Neptune, gripping her sides as if she was shivering.
The two people by the stairs looked at Neptune quizzically. The one next to the door had a blue jacket on, and the one sitting on the stairs had a black hoodie over his shoulders. They both had black hair. The first one had green eyes, and the second one had light blue eyes.
"I mean, it's really cold and stuff out here in the rain.", continued Neptune.
Gil stood a bit back, and Croire floated above the scene, out of sight while being close enough to see everything that was happening.
"Who're you and what do you want?", spoke the man next to the door.
"Why, me? I'm just a passerby making some idle chatter! And staying out of the rain for a bit.", explained Neptune.
"Yeah? Well can ya get outta here?", said the man on the stairs.
"What's going on here?", spoke the third man, coming out from next to the stairs. He had an unzipped jacket, grey in colour. He had browny-blonde hair, and hazel eyes.
He saw Gil, and looked him up and down.
"What do you want?", asked the third man.
"I'm with her.", said Gil, simply.
The third man looked to Neptune, then walked closer to her.
"What's this, a lost girl? What're you doing here?"
"I'm just taking cover from the rain. Is… Is that a problem?", asked Neptune, in a pleading tone.
The third man looked at the other two, and shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't really gotta problem with that. I don't mind at all…", said the third man.
"Oy, stop that. Don't be a pig.", called out the first man.
"What? I'm just helping the pretty lady out.", shrugged the third man.
"Thanks a bunch, you guys…", said Neptune, looking back to Gil and waving him towards her.
Gil walked towards her, and they both stood by the stairs.
"You guys know what the boss has told us…", said the second man, still sitting on the stairs.
"We're supposed to be wary of any suspicious people.", said the first man, eyeing Neptune and Gil.
"What, me? Suspicious? Never in your life!", said Neptune.
"Hmph, sure. I'm going to have to ask you to leave.", said the first man, getting up from his leaning position.
"Whaaaaat?! You won't just let a lady wait under cover for a while?", said Neptune.
"You do know what this place is, don't you? You're not stupid, are you?", said the second man.
"Oh, right, right, this place… this place… Oh shoot, it's this place!", exclaimed Neptune, with surprise.
"You must be slow…", said the first man.
"Sorry to say this, girl, but… you do actually have to go. Totally forgot about what the big man said…", said the third man. "Doesn't mean that we have to part ways, though…"
Neptune smiled at the third man, and kept talking.
"Why in the hell don't you have a jacket on?", asked the second man, aimed at Gil.
"He put his umbrella away just before we got here.", said Neptune.
"Is that right?", asked the second man, raising an eyebrow.
"Yup!", came Neptune.
Neptune moved closer to Gil, almost touching his right side.
The third man still eyed Neptune, and started walking towards her.
Gil saw this and glared at the man.
"What, you gotta problem?", asked the third man.
Gil didn't speak, and kept looking at the man.
"They're starting anything?", asked the second man, getting up and walking down the stairs.
"Nah, nah, just this guy here giving me the eye.", said the third man.
"Don't worry about him, he's just protective of me. Always been that way.", explained Neptune.
"Yeah? What, you two together or somethin'?", asked the third man.
Neptune quickly looked at Gil with a small smile, and then back to the man.
"Yup! He's kinda my boyfriend.", said Neptune.
She moved even closer to Gil, and wrapped her arms around his waist whilst snuggling into his right side, smiling, slightly moving Gil to his left.
Gil, at first, was very, very, very surprised by this. He opened his mouth slightly, and looked down at Neptune with a very confused and tensed up face.
Neptune simply looked back up at him for a moment, and then snuggled into him again.
Gil was feeling… very uncomfortable. Very, very uncomfortable.
But he knew what Neptune was doing. This was all an act, to cover up for Gil. And to make it more believable.
Gil knew this.
He really did.
But did that make his awkward feeling go away?
Not… quite.
"See? Lovable guy, he just doesn't talk much.", explained Neptune.
The third man blinked a few times at Neptune, then looked back up to Gil, who was staring out into nowhere with a scowl.
"Huh… Fair play, I guess.", said the third man. He rubbed the back of his head, and walked towards the stairs.
Neptune pulled away from Gil, leaning against the wall on his right.
"Sorry, Gilly. Had to come up with something.", whispered Neptune.
Gil took a deep breath in and out, and nodded slowly while looking forward.
"Made you feel uncomfortable, didn't I?", asked Neptune.
"…Yes.", replied Gil.
"Oooh, sorry about that…"
Gil didn't reply.
"You're gonna have to get used to it, though! I'm super clingy and stuff.", said Neptune.
"Great."
"Yup, it is."
Gil, again, didn't reply.
Neptune nudged at his right side, and Gil looked at her again.
"Just a test.", smiled Neptune.
Gil narrowed his eyes at Neptune, then shook his head while returning his vision forward.
"I know you've heard this a lot, but you're very strange.", said Gil.
"I have, and I know! Makes me super cute and lovable, huh? Don't ya think, Gilly?"
Gil rolled his eyes at this.
"You two can leave now. You've been under the covers for long enough, so leave.", spoke the first man, still next to the door.
"Awww, why? It's so cold, and wet, and mushy, and…", started Neptune.
"I don't care. Get outta here before we have to take drastic measures.", said the second man. He had returned to sitting on the stairs.
Neptune hung her head, then looked at Gil.
"Bear with this a bit longer, alright?", warned Neptune.
Gil raised an eyebrow, and then saw that Neptune took Gil's right hand with her left one, and lead him towards the three people. He half-lidded his eyes, but went along with her.
The third man looked on with a slightly disappointed stare.
The two others looked at Neptune and Gil with somewhat narrowed eyes.
"Well, the thing is, we actually do have business here.", said Neptune, as she walked to the bottom of the stairs. She still held onto Gil's hand, and they stood close together.
The men all looked intrigued at this.
"And what would that be?", asked the first man.
"Why, we're here to make you people an offer! Or more like, join you all?", said Neptune, scratching her chin with her free hand.
"What? You do know what this is, right?", asked the second man.
"Yeah, I already said I did! This is one of those gang hideouts, right?", asked Neptune.
The men all looked around, shifting their stances.
"And why would you want to join some organization like that, if you were right?", asked the first man.
"Uhh, why not? I'd get to make the big bucks, have fun, and get away with what I wanted.", explained Neptune.
"Huh. Suppose that's what a lot of people join for.", said the third man. "But why now, when it's raining and not that great of a day?"
"Makes for good cover. Not so easy to be seen and tracked when the weather's like this. You see many people walking about?", said Neptune, smirking.
"I suppose you have a point…", said the third man.
"I never heard of any arrangement like this, and I'm pretty sure we would've.", said the first man.
"We… didn't exactly schedule a meeting…", said Neptune, rubbing the back of her head.
"Hmph, so many people just expect to get in like this…", commented the second man.
"Can you blame us?", asked Neptune.
"Yes, I can.", said the first man.
"At least let us show you what we have on offer!", exclaimed Neptune.
The men all considered this for a moment. They spoke amongst themselves, and after a moment, turned to Neptune and Gil.
"Go on, tell us, then.", said the second man, in a tired voice.
"Alright…", smiled Neptune, who looked to Gil.
She let go of Gil's hand, and gestured at him as if showing him off.
"This guy's super tough! He's really fast, strong, always alert of everything around him, and he's smart! He's really good protection, so he'd make an excellent bodyguard.", said Neptune.
"Yeah, whatever. Maybe if we saw it.", said the third man.
"…He can show you if you want.", said Neptune.
"We don't need that happening.", said the first man. "And what about you?"
"Me? Little old me? Why, I'm super sneaky and such. I'm really good at getting in and out of places all quiet like, and I'm really reliable when it comes to gathering information.", said Neptune.
"Yeah, sure.", said the second man.
"You are? That's great to hear!", said Neptune. "I'm sure your boss would like to take us in. What was his name again…
…Faust?"
The three men all widened their eyes at this. They blinked in disbelief, and looked around at each other.
"How'd… How'd you know that?", asked the third man.
"Well, finding out about him ain't so hard. He's a big name, after all, and a lot of people know of him. I guess the harder part was finding out that he was here, specifically, on this day, with you all here as his subordinates. Something about a… special delivery? Or two?", said Neptune, smiling smugly.
"I don't think she was lyin' about being able to get information…", said the second man.
"Wasn't even that hard, honestly.", shrugged Neptune.
The first man looked between Neptune and Gil, as if assessing them.
"Fine. We'll let you in. But don't wander off, and don't touch anything. We'll be your escort, and we'll lead you to where you need to go, but that's all.", said the first man.
"Alright!", exclaimed Neptune, who jumped at Gil with her arms out, wrapping them around his neck.
Gil showed his displeasure on his face, and the second man even gave a huff of amusement.
"Don't… do that…", said Gil, who had to lower his head down so that Neptune still stood up.
"Why? You know you love me.", replied Neptune, in a teasing way.
She let go of Gil, and they both walked towards the stairs. All three men were at the top of it, looking down at Neptune and Gil.
"Lead the way!", said Neptune, holding her arms out in front of her.
After a moment, the first man opened the door and looked at the pair.
"Get inside."
Neptune and Gil walked up the stairs, passing the third man, then the second. They walked past the door, and entered through.
After that, all three men walked inside.
And shut the door behind them.
Inside the warehouse:
"Wowza.", said Neptune, looking around.
Neptune looked up and about the inside of the building. There were some hanging lights across the roof, although it didn't brighten the entire place up.
It was generally quite dark, but not so much that you couldn't see.
Neptune saw Croire, in her purple butterfly form, fly across the ceiling. She would follow their path.
The sounds of machinery was present in echoes that emanated from the opposite side of the building. Sounded like metalwork.
"Move.", said the first man, who started to walk forward.
And they did. The maneuvered through aisles of boxes, some of which in small piles. Neptune could spot some weaponry such as guns, axes, swords, and other probably illegal stuff.
"Pretty big place…", said Neptune. She saw that there was a set of stairs that lead up to a second floor.
They walked through an opening in the aisles, turning right into a wider area.
There were many tables present here, some with computers, and some with other equipment that would be found in a factory.
Neptune and Gil could see a few conveyor belts off to their right, some distance away. People seemed to be working at it, picking up items and sorting them into piles, packing them into boxes, and sending them off on the belt.
"What's that for?", asked Neptune.
"Oh, that stuff? Contraband.", said the third man.
"How's about you don't give away the entire operation? They could be cops…", said the second man.
"Oh no, no, we're not cops.", said Neptune.
"That's what you say.", said the second man.
"I do!", replied Neptune, smiling.
"It doesn't matter. If they are…", started the first man, looking behind him. "…they're gonna die."
Neptune looked forward to the man, and blinked at him a few times.
"Well I'm in no mood to bite the dust today!", said Neptune.
"Better hope you don't do anything wrong.", said the first man, who continued to walk forward.
"I'll… make sure not to do anything like that.", finished Neptune.
The group turned to the left, heading in between stacks of boxes and equipment. They were closer to a wall.
They sometimes passed other people, whether they were walking around, staying in an area, or working.
And many times, Neptune and Gil had been stared at.
"Are we there yeeeet?", asked Neptune.
"Keep quiet.", said the first man.
"Yeah, yeah, almost there.", said the second man.
They walked close to the wall, heading to what seemed to be a small room.
"That's where we're going?", asked Neptune.
"Yeah. From there, we'll…", started the third man.
"Keep quiet.", said the first man."
"Sorry…"
As they were about to reach the door leading into the room, Neptune spoke up.
"Um, so… do you guys have a bathroom anywhere close to here?", asked Neptune.
Everyone else stopped and looked at Neptune.
"What?", asked the first man.
"You've gotta be kidding me.", said the second man, rolling his eyes.
"I'm serious. I really gotta go.", said Neptune.
"I mean, there is one close by, but…", said the third man.
"Don't try anything. Don't think we'll let our guards down just because you need to "go to the bathroom."", said the first man.
"Got it.", said Neptune.
The first man eyed Neptune suspiciously, and then led Neptune slightly to the right of the room they were originally going to go to. They walked that way for a moment, and then came across two doors.
One had a sign reading "Male" and the other one had "Female."
"Be quick about it.", said the first man.
"Okie-dokie.", saluted Neptune, as she walked through into the woman's bathroom.
Gil waited outside as the three other men looked at him. He looked back at them for a moment, and then leaned next to the woman's door.
"So you know how to fight, huh?", asked the second man.
Gil looked at him slowly.
"Yes.", replied Gil.
"We'd have to put you through a test.", said the third man.
"That's fine.", said Gil.
The three men all stared at Gil without saying anything.
They all waited a few moments without talking to each other.
The only sounds that they could hear were the chatter of other people, the moving of machinery, and the general running of the hideout.
"All done!", said Neptune, opening the door and looking at the three men.
"Thanks for being so patient.", said Neptune, before turning back to Gil.
She leaned into him, nudging at his right side.
"Come on, let's go.", said Neptune, smiling.
Gil got up and then nodded at her.
"Come on, you've wasted enough time.", said the first man.
"Yeah, yeah, we're coming.", said Neptune.
They all entered the room, and the door was closed behind them. There were no windows or openings in this room.
It looked like an office. There was a desk, a chair, some pictures and documents on it, as well as there being boxes, shelves and cabinets in the room.
"I… don't get it.", said Neptune. "Where're we supposed to be going?"
The second man walked forward towards the opposite wall, then placed his hand behind a particular cabinet, feeling around for a while.
"Bingo.", he said, and there was a clicking sound.
The wall close to the cabinet started to open up, leading down into a long stairway with lights running down it.
"Wowee! That's super cool!", said Neptune, looking down the stairs in excitement. "Where does this lead to?"
"To where you need to go. It isn't too far, so try not to get lost along the way.", said the third man.
"If it's so close, then we should be able to make it there ourselves. But I suppose we need you all on guard duty, huh?", asked Neptune.
"Correct. People will see you and probably attack you if we didn't escort you both.", said the first man. He had walked forward, looking down into the stairway.
"Awww, really? Even if it's, like, super close?", asked Neptune.
"Yes. So keep quiet and follow us.", said the first man.
Neptune suddenly smirked, looking to Gil. She brandished a toothy smile, and walked towards him.
"I think it's time to drop the stealth, Gilly.", said Neptune.
"Huh?", asked the third man.
The first man turned around, and reached for his pocket.
"Kill them.", he said.
And so, the fight began.
Neptune, in a fluid motion, slinked towards the first man, who was next to the opening in the wall. She used her left arm and elbowed the man in his chest, and then rocketed her forearm upwards to smack him in his face.
Gil spun around and attacked the third man. Gil lowered down as he punched him in his stomach, elevating the man slightly. Gil let him fall to the floor.
Neptune, now dealing with the second man, dodged a swipe that he made at her neck, lowering down and kicking him at his left side, sending him tumbling into a cabinet, causing him to fall over.
She then saw that the first man had taken out a knife, and was thrusting it at her with his left hand.
Gil intervened. He grabbed the outstretched arm with his left hand, and then elbowed the man in his ribs with his right arm. After this, Gil grabbed at the back of his neck.
He raised the man into the air, and slammed him down face first into the table, causing papers to fly.
The third man was recovering from his attack, and stood up quickly, backing away.
"I-I knew we shouldn't have trusted you!", he said, running for the door.
Neptune maneuvered in front of the door, stopping him.
The third man, looking slightly panicked, went to punch at Neptune.
Neptune grabbed onto the side frames of the door, and raised her legs to her chest.
She then shot them outwards, kicking the third man in his chest, sending him back.
He spun around to see Gil attacking the second man.
The second man had gotten up from the floor and had also pulled out a knife, holding it in his right hand.
Gil walked towards him, and the man swung at Gil.
Gil grabbed his right arm before the man could make contact with him, and Gil punched at the man's throat with his right fist. Gil then grabbed the top of the second man's head with his left hand, and forced the man's head downwards.
Gil kneed him in his face with his right leg, and then pushed the man towards another cabinet, causing the man to fall over again.
The first man had gotten up from the table, although he still looked slightly dazed.
Gil moved to him, and the man swung his knife at Gil multiple times. Gil had to block the man at his forearm to prevent any attacks from landing.
The man then rushed to Gil, and his left hand was by Gil's right shoulder.
Gil felt a sudden, sharp pain.
Gil grabbed the man by his chest and ran to the nearest wall. Gil slammed the man into it, causing the man to gasp in pain.
The third man backed away from this, and saw that Neptune was rushing towards him.
She sent a right punch towards the man's stomach, but the man managed to dodge to the right.
He punched Neptune in her left side, and then kicked her in the stomach, causing her to recoil back for a moment.
Neptune saw that the third man continued to back away, and so she focused on Gil's fight.
The first man was kicking out at Gil, and managed to give a solid push to Gil. This caused Gil to let go of the first man.
The second man, although his face was slightly bloody, lunged at Gil. He sliced at Gil's left leg, and Gil turned around to face him after moving away.
The second man was following up, and was going to try to cut at Gil's neck.
But Neptune stopped him, kicking him straight in the face with her right leg.
"Nice one, huh?", asked Neptune.
"Yes.", said Gil, quickly. He turned to face the first man, who was in the midst of an attack.
He threw his left knee at Gil, but Gil blocked it with his right arm.
But the man kept spinning going, and threw the rest of his left leg out, kicking Gil under his chin.
Neptune started moving towards the third man slowly.
"You don't mind giving us more specific directions, do you?", asked Neptune.
The third man looked at her in a confused way, and then smirked.
"Hah! I don't think I'll need to!", he said.
Neptune widened her eyes, and then felt a kick at the back of her.
The second man, having recovered from Neptune's kick, had managed to get that kick in.
Neptune stumbled forward, and the third man had grabbed her neck.
The man smirked at Neptune, then turned her around, putting his left arm around her neck to prevent her from moving.
The second man walked slowly towards Neptune, and pulled out his knife. Neptune struggled to pull at the arm around her neck, but the third man managed to lock both of her arms down, too.
"I can still kick!", said Neptune.
She kicked out at the second man, and managed to hit him in the chest.
The second man looked at Neptune with an annoyed face, then moved to her quickly.
"Stop moving already!", said the second man, who punched Neptune in the gut before hitting her across the face with his right hand.
"Make this easy, will you?", said the third man, still holding Neptune in a lock.
"Yeah, easy…", said the third man, taking out his knife.
He thrust it at Neptune's stomach, and Neptune prepared herself, but felt no pain.
Instead, the man was cutting at her hoodie.
Neptune widened her eyes and started trying to kick out again, but was punched in her gut again.
Then the second man reached at her with his hands…
Gil, who had just pushed the first man away again, managed to look at Neptune's situation for a moment while he was on his knees.
Just a moment…
In that moment, Gil saw everything as if time was moving slower.
The second man, with a knife in his right hand, had reached for Neptune.
He cut at a part of her hoodie…
He was trying to grab at her clothing…
He reached into the cut he made…
And started to tear at it…
Gil froze.
He could see Neptune struggling to free herself.
He could see both men by her taking joy from this, and what they wanted to do.
They wanted…
Neptune kicked at the man, sending him away. He quickly returned, and was making an attempt to grab the zipper on Neptune's hoodie.
Gil… couldn't handle that…
On his knees, Gil stared out at Neptune.
Gil's eyes were wide. His mouth was open, as if he was stunned, or bewildered. His arms were at his sides, limp.
These people… they wanted to touch her… they wanted her…
Neptune continued to kick out, and even shouted sometimes.
Shouted out, looking for help.
And these… things…
They took joy from it…
The second man had grabbed at Neptune's zipper, and started to pull it down slowly.
Gil could hear Neptune call out.
"Gilly!"
She called out his name.
And that…
…Is when Gil snapped…
The first man, now recovered, lunged at Gil with his knife in his left hand.
Gil, still on his knees, turned his head to face him.
The man was going to cut down at Gil's right shoulder.
And he saw Gil's face.
Gil had gotten to his feet, and grabbed the man's arm with his right hand, keeping the blade above his shoulder.
Gil then gripped at the man's neck with his left hand, and held him there.
The man tried to pry Gil's hand off with his free one, to no avail.
The man could see Gil's face. His mouth was slightly open, but his teeth were grit together.
Gil started to twist the man's arm at his elbow.
Gil heard a snapping sound, and the man screamed.
Gil then picked the man up from the ground, and fell to the floor with him.
Gil had fallen to his left knee, and had forced the first man into the ground with great pressure.
Gil heard the man gasp in pain again.
Gil once again picked the man up, but now held the back of the man's head with his right hand.
And Gil forced the man, face first, into a wall. Gil heard a cracking sound.
Neptune was still struggling, and was desperately trying to break free.
"Almost there, lady.", said the second man.
"Look out!", called out the third man.
The second man turned around just in time to see Gil charging at him.
Gil had his right hand next to his face, his palm facing the man.
And the man could see Gil's expression.
Pure, pure bloodlust.
The second man saw Gil's right hand rocket towards him.
It hit him in the chest, and Gil had grabbed the man's shirt.
Gil pulled the man closer to him, and then elbowed into the man's stomach with his right arm. Gil then pushed the second man behind him, continuing his path.
The third man, still holding Neptune in a lock, didn't know what to do.
Gil's mouth was now closed, and was a thin line on his face.
Gil grabbed at the third man's left arm, pulling it away from Neptune's neck. Gil then grabbed at the man's right arm, which completely freed Neptune.
Neptune fell to her feet, and moved out of the way, leaning against a wall.
The third man couldn't move away, kept in place by Gil.
Gil looked at him for a moment, not doing anything.
The third man squealed.
Gil pulled the man's arms apart, as if trying to pull him apart.
Gil then pulled downwards, pushing the man to the floor.
Gil turned around, seeing that the second man was lying on the floor, recomposing himself.
The man saw Gil, and started to rise up.
Gil walked towards him, looking down at him.
The second man suddenly felt very afraid.
The third man, having not taken any serious damage, started to get up.
But Neptune jumped onto his back and placed her right knee to it. She pulled her gun out from its strap, and placed it against the back of the man's head.
"How's about you "make this easy,", huh?", said Neptune.
The third man didn't resist.
Gil stood above the second man, now backed up against a cabinet.
The man blinked at Gil, and had his knife in his right arm.
He quickly got to his feet and thrust the knife at Gil.
Gil reacted incredibly quickly, kicking the arm away with his right leg.
This caused the man to lean against the cabinet, as well as lose his grip on his knife.
Gil reached forward and grabbed the man's right arm, holding it out straight at the man's side. Gil then stepped towards it, and raised his right knee quickly.
Neptune looked up from the third man, as she heard the second man scream.
And she saw that his right arm, at the elbow, was bending in a way that it normally shouldn't.
Gil let the man fall, still leaning against the cabinets. Gil then kicked at the man's left knee.
Gil heard a crack, and could see that this man's left leg was now also bending in a way that it normally shouldn't.
The man was now breathing heavily, panting while sitting on the floor.
Gil lowered down onto his right knee, just in front of the man.
As the man looked at Gil, Gil elbowed into his face, causing his head to hit against the cabinet. The man fell to his side, lying across the floor.
The third man could see all this happen, and started breathing faster.
Gil got up and turned around, facing Neptune and the third man.
Gil walked forward.
"W-What're you going to do?!", asked the last man.
Gil didn't say anything, and instead walked to the door.
"We want you to tell us more specific directions.", said Neptune. "Kinda like a treasure map, ya know?"
"Why should I?!"
"Because if you do, I won't hurt you."
"W-What?!"
"Yup! You'll get home free from me!"
A crashing sound was heard. Gil had toppled over some cabinets to block the door to the room, making sure that nobody could enter.
"W-Well what do you want to find?!"
"Remember when I mentioned the two special packages? Yeah, them. Where are they?"
"I, um… I-I think they're down the main path. I d-don't think you have to turn into any o-other rooms at all…"
"You think? Or you know?", asked Neptune, pressing her gun harder against the man's head.
"I know! I know, okay! I know for sure!"
"Are you though?"
"Yes! I'm certain!"
Neptune didn't do anything for a few moments, which terrified the last man.
"Alright then! I'm satisfied.", said Neptune, getting up to her feet.
The third man continued to lie down for a moment, and then slowly rose to his feet.
"You… mean it?", asked the man, still unsure.
"Yup!", said Neptune, smiling.
The man smiled warily, and took a deep breath in.
But then he realized something.
"B-But how am I supposed to get out?", he asked.
"Oh, right, right. That. Well, you're not.", said Neptune.
"Why not?!"
"Because I said that I wouldn't hurt you. Gilly, though…"
The man widened his eyes. He turned around slowly, and saw that Gil was in front of him, glaring at him.
"Please no…", muttered the man.
Gil started moving towards him.
"Please no!"
Gil grabbed at the man's neck with both of his hands. He began to squeeze, and the man tried to pull Gil's hands off.
Gil let go of the man, letting him drop to his knees and cough a few times.
Gil grabbed the man's right arm and led him to the table. Gil slammed the man against the side of it, and the man fell to his back.
Gil then stepped on the man's chest with his right foot, and started to push down.
The man could not pry Gil's leg off of him.
Gil took his foot off from the man's chest…
And then stomped on his face.
"Don't… touch her.", said Gil, with a vicious look.
Neptune, still leaning against the wall, looked around the room.
All three men, each with pretty… nasty injuries, were lying about, not moving.
Neptune gave a wary smile at the scene, and looked down at herself.
"Dangit… Now my clothes are all ripped.", said Neptune, feeling at the torn parts. There weren't too many, but some of them were quite… big tears.
Gil turned to face Neptune, and quickly walked towards her.
"Are you alright?', asked Gil.
Neptune looked at him.
"Yeah, yeah, all fine and dandy… Maybe you should worry about yourself, huh?", said Neptune, raising an eyebrow.
Gil had been stabbed in his right shoulder, and cut at his left leg. He'd been hit multiple times, as well.
"I'm fine.", said Gil.
"Uhh… no, you're not.", said Neptune. "You were kinda stabbed."
Gil looked down, slightly scrunching his eyes.
"But are you alright?", asked Gil, again.
"A bit battered, but other than that, yup. Just a bit mad that my clothes are kinda ripped."
Gil looked at her, and then down at her clothing.
"Oooh, you're such a perv, Gilly…"
"I can repair that later. When we're done with this.", said Gil.
"You can?! Are you some sort of expert clothes-maker person?!"
"No. I can use my magic."
"Your magic?"
"Yes. I'll show you later.", said Gil, still looking at Neptune apprehensively.
Neptune looked at him with a slight pout.
"What'sa matter? I'm really fine, Gilly.", said Neptune, who stood up from her leaning position.
Gil closed his eyes and relaxed his face, taking a deep breath out.
He looked at Neptune again, and nodded.
"Then we need to get moving.", said Gil.
"Yessy! I'm all for that.", said Neptune, stretching her arms into the air.
Just then, a purple butterfly appeared in the room.
"I'm still here, ya know.", came Croire, who changed into her normal form.
"Hiya Croire! Did you see all that?", asked Neptune.
"Yeah, I did. Gotta say, that was pretty fricken' interestin'.", replied Croire. "Not the part with you were... Ya know, grabbed... But everything else, yeah."
"See, Gilly? Croire cares. She isn't some heartless fairy..."
"Quiet, you.", said Croire.
They three of them started moving towards the opening in the wall.
Neptune looked at the three men again.
"But geez, Gilly, you really went ham on them in the end!", said Neptune.
"Was it that bad?"
"Yes!", said Neptune.
"Definitely.", said Croire.
"…Sorry."
"Do you think I did a lot, too?", asked Neptune.
"Yes. You did.", said Gil.
"Aww, thanks."
The trio were at the edge of the stairs. They all looked down into it.
"You ready?", asked Neptune.
"Uh-huh.", said Croire.
"Yes.", said Gil.
And they both stepped through the opening, and down onto the stairs.
Leaving the room, and the three men, behind.
And that's that.
How was that fight? Did it feel alright? I really hope I wasn't undermining Neptune's abilities. She's not some girl that doesn't know how to fight after all.
And the rest of it, leading up to the fight? How Gil woke Neptune up, how they went to Dusty's place, teleported around, all that stuff.
Let me know? Maybe? Maybe?
Reviews and all that nice stuff are all welcomed! Openly! Don't be afraid to share, and stuff.
So yeah. That's that.
Goodbye for now!