Tune 5: Licentious
A blue pillar of light shone on a platform. Once the light faded, a large robotic suit of purple armor appeared. The person inside stepped down and began to walk towards the door on the other side of the room.
He placed his long saber on his hip which caused a small device to form from pixels and it attached the saber to his hip. He opened the door with his metallic grey hand and walked down the hallway in front of him.
A large grey shuriken was attached to his left arm and it was folded into the shape of a thin shield. He walked down the large wide hallway and went by various different doors. He continued to walk down the red carpet until he faced a door where he knocked on with his free metal hand.
"Come in." A deep voice replied.
The person in the robot suit opened the door and entered a large wide rectangular room. The entire floor was white, but the walls were framed with gold and red flags could be seen across from the person.
In front of the flags was a much larger robotic suit of armor. It was nearly twice the size of the purple suit thanks to its massive pointy shoulder pads and metallic red cape that went down from said shoulder pads. The armor was mostly grey, decorated with gold and a streak of indigo that went across the armor's chest.
"Steamax has arrived." The deep voice said which came from the grey robot suit.
The purple suit went on one knee and kneeled down towards the grey suit. In front of the grey suit was a laptop that seemed to have been attached to the white desk he was sitting at.
"Oh, Steamax?" A lady's voice asked from the computer. "Well, I guess nobody else is supposed to know this place. So, the deal is done?"
"Yes." The grey suit said. "Everything is going exactly as you have planned. Your predictions are on point, as usual."
"Well, that's good to hear. If everything's good I suppose I'll leave you two to it. Oh, say hi to Frontier for me will you? He seems like he needs a hug."
"I will send him my regards." The grey suit said.
The sound of a call ending came from the computer and the grey suit closed the laptop.
"Steamax." The suit said. "Rise."
Steamax rose to his feet and faced the suit. The suit's helmet was in an angry expression with red glowing eyes, sharp teeth, and pointy gold horns, however the voice that came didn't match the mask.
"I've completed my task General." Steamax said. "Mr. Frontier and Lady Purple Heart had their meeting."
"Excellent. I shall update you on our situation. We are to continue working with Mr. Frontier. Offering our services, supplies, and information in exchange for his continued work. As long as he continues building the machine, we continue giving him what he wants."
"Wouldn't said machine benefit Lady Purple Heart as well General?"
"That does happen to be true, and I did bring this to our associate's attention, however she didn't seem bothered by this fact. She likely knows already and has something planned."
"Ms. Ankokuboshi has yet to tell you her real plans and intentions?"
"It is not my place to ask Steamax. Yes, any information at all about her would be incredibly valuable, however to ask such questions or to force out such answers would risk a breach in our mutual agreements. If she refuses to tell us what she has planned, let it be. What's important for now is that all parties are satisfied with the results of our work."
The grey suit turned to look at the red flags behind him, then turned to face Steamax again.
"If our agreements were ever to end, we would lose much of what we value. So we will do what she wishes, she will do what we wish, and as long as it aligns with our moral code and agreement, we will benefit greatly from this deal."
"I understand General."
"Now, more important matters."
"Yes, of course! I've found the perfect woman today. She's wealthy, kind, courageous, flirty, positive, and most of all… she's busty and blonde!"
"OH MY GOD HOW COULD YOU DESCRIBE SUCH A WOMAN WITHOUT PICTURES! You must have taken at least one!" The grey suit shouted.
"Of course I did Affimojas! *Ahem* General Affimojas. Here she is."
Steamax placed a picture of Million on the table and Affimojas picked it up to get a closer look.
"Incredible… who's side is she on?!" Affimojas asked. "I must know! Tell me she is neutral!"
"She's- she's allied herself with Lady Purple Heart…" Steamax said hesitantly.
"Damn it!" Affimojas said while slamming his arm on the table. "We were on the verge of greatness! We were this-"
A ringing sound was heard from the table. Affimojas clicked a button and a hologram of Mr. Frontier's head appeared. However he wore a metal kettle helmet and military issue goggles along with his usual scarf.
"Mr. Frontier." Affimojas greeted.
"General." Mr. Frontier replied.
Mr. Frontier's hologram looked behind him to see Steamax.
"Sir." Mr. Frontier greeted.
Steamax nodded back and Mr. Frontier faced Affimojas again.
"I need more monsters to be attracted to Planeptune's gates." Mr. Frontier said. "Preferably at a time with minimal amounts of people. Nighttime would be ideal."
"You're beginning so quickly?" Affimojas asked. "There's no need to rush."
"With all due respect there is a very big need to rush. That need being Purple Heart, Darince has already begun promoting her to the public and I am in no position to stop her. I have to match her speed of growth."
"Very well then. Consider it done."
"Thank you. The portal machine is in its first stages, expect a rough prototype by the end of the month."
"Is there any way to speed up the machine's development?"
"Didn't you just say there wasn't a need to rush? Whatever, if I had a partner with experience in the field of portal technology it would help a lot."
"Then I will have them available for you soon. Until then, I will have the monsters attracted to the gates."
Mr. Frontier nodded and Affimojas pressed a button causing the hologram to disappear.
"You know who to contact Steamax." Affimojas said.
"Did they not already meet?"
"Yes, but Mr. Frontier is more desperate. And we have no choice, so contact him. Meet with Anonydeath and bring him to Frontier."
"Yes General."
Steamax turned around and walked out the door back towards the room with the platform.
Meanwhile, Plutia lied in a sleeping bag staring at the tent ceiling. She continued to stare with her arms relaxed on top of her. She listened to the faint sound of small animals outside and occasionally heard a car driving in the far distance.
Plutia continued to stare as memories and images flew through her mind. She thought of a black poleaxe swinging at her, then long ribs shielding someone's body, then a portal closing. She thought of whips, teeth, and punches, then turned to her side and stared at the tent wall.
The tent door made a rustling sound and Plutia turned to look at it.
"Morning!" Charlie greeted sticking her head inside the tent. "Did ya sleep well? Probably not, nobody gets any dreams anymore these days. Therapists these days now need their own therapists cause of how much work they have to do."
"Ehehehe, Charlie? Is that you?" Plutia asked forcefully.
"Think so, lemme check. Uh, yup still Charlie. Wanna go for a walk together? We have some time to kill before everyone else wakes up."
"Hmm… okay!" Plutia said.
Plutia crawled out of her sleeping bag and wore her slippers before leaving the tent and following Charlie towards the broken gate. On top of the walls, birds were perched and were looking around while occasionally making chirps and noises.
"Fuck these birds am I right?" Charlie asked.
"Ehehehehehe. Hmm… where should we walk Charlie?"
"Let's have a walk around the city. Maybe we can find something edible. Don't tell Milli this but I threw up like a dog after eating whatever she made."
"Wow… you actually ate it? I just pretended that I went to sleep."
"Teach me how to do that please."
Charlie and Plutia smiled at each other as they headed towards the city. They passed by abandoned houses before meeting an intersection where they saw a few cars driving by on the street. Charlie took a right and Plutia followed closely behind. Rarely, someone would jog by them but generally the morning was quiet.
"Probably should have went to bed earlier… or maybe it's Milli's food making me nauseous." Charlie commented.
"Heeyy! What's that?" Plutia asked.
Plutia pointed down the street at three people building a small device in the center of a park. One of them took out a large shiny red crystal from inside a bag that was placed on a fountain beside them.
"Oogh… uhm, Charlie? Those people might be meanies…" Plutia said.
"What makes you say that? The big shiny crystal?" Charlie asked.
"Mhmm."
"Welp, guess it's hero time then."
Charlie took out her black mask from inside her cape and tied it around her head. She positioned it over her eyes and followed Plutia towards the three people.
"Huh? What are you doing here?" A tall man in a rubber suit asked.
"*Ahem* I'm Presto Kid! Something tells me that you three are up to no good!" Charlie said.
"Presto Kid? Ah great, where's your senpai or, whatever?" An armored woman asked.
"She's busy but that's besides the point. If you three don't tell us what's going on, I might have to call the Basilicom."
"Is that right?" A hooded figure asked. "How about this then?"
The hooded figure pulled out a small pouch of gold from their sleeve and held it out towards Charlie.
"You take this and leave, nobody will get hurt and everyone's happy. All we ask is that we don't have to answer any questions." The figure said.
"Bribes? Yeah y'all are up to no good. It's Basilicom time." Charlie said.
"Well, it was worth a shot."
Pixels formed around the man's arms which summoned large gauntlets that sparked with electricity. He pounded them together and pixels summoned a rubber mask over his whole head with bright red goggles. The woman summoned a sword and shield from her watch while the hooded figure stepped behind her.
"Plutie watch i-"
The man charged forward and punched Plutia in the torso launching her far behind Charlie into a building. Charlie looked in shock before quickly looking back and dashing backwards, dodging a swing from the man's arm.
"Gravity." The hooded figure's voice said.
Charlie heard rumbling as she glanced behind her to see the entire building Plutia was launched into crumble down into a pile of rubble. Charlie blinked and her heart beated faster as she dashed backwards again dodging another swing and she pulled out her short sword from inside her cape. She pointed it at the man with one arm while keeping her other wrist to her mouth.
"Gya, I need help. I'm-"
Charlie managed to barely dodge another swing, but the woman charged forward and bashed Charlie to the ground. Charlie looked up and quickly blocked a downward slash from the woman.
"GYA! GEAR!" Charlie yelled.
Charlie rolled to her side dodging a thrust from the woman, then was kicked back and slammed her torso into the flat face of the sword.
"Gravity." The figure said again.
Charlie felt her arms and legs forced into the ground. She groaned as the woman held the sword above Charlie's head, but a rock was knocked on the figure's side.
"Argh!" The figure yelled.
Both the man and woman quickly rushed to the figure's side and took a stance. The woman's eyes widened as she held her shield tightly to her body while the man took a step backwards.
"What… hang on…"
Charlie took deep breaths as she grunted and rolled to her side again. She heaved herself up to her feet and looked at the three standing away, staring at where Plutia was launched.
"Ha. Ha. Ha." A lady's voice laughed slowly.
Charlie turned her head to see a lady standing over the rubble. She wore a black one-piece bodysuit with small amounts of iris purple outlines on them. Her belly, back, and shoulders were exposed as the cuts and bruises on them were slowly healing with green light emanating from them.
Her long leather like gloves and leggings were the same black and iris purple with small guards on her wrists and ankles. She had a big smile with her mouth wide open as scratches and open holes on her face were also gradually healing. Her iris blue hair fluttered lightly from the wind as her iris purple eyes stared down at the three of them. Rarely, small white power buttons could be seen flashing in the middle of her eyes.
"What is that… a succubus?" The woman asked.
"Hell no, if that's a succubus then that's gonna be the queen of all of them." The man said.
"What did we just wake up…" The figure asked quietly.
The lady closed her mouth but opened them again and exposed a toothy smile as she jumped down the pile of rubble and dashed forward towards them.
"Gravity!" The figure yelled thrusting his arms out.
As if unaffected by the spell, the lady continued to rush towards them. The woman ran forward too, but she quickly stopped in her tracks and raised her shield up once getting close to the lady.
All the way from her left shoulder, the lady swung her right arm, knocking the shield away. The woman quickly thrusted her sword into the lady but the sword going through the lady didn't slow her down as she grabbed the woman by the neck with her right hand and slammed her forehead onto her's.
The woman released her grip on her sword as she punched at the lady, but electricity sparked from the lady's arm and shocked the woman.
"AUGH!" The woman yelled as the lady tossed her aside.
"Holy shit!" The man said.
"Run… get out of here." The figure ordered.
"Hell no! I'm not leaving you here to die!"
The man ran forward and punched at the lady who dodged to her left while taking the sword out of her torso. Green light healed the wound as the lady smiled and the man dashed backwards.
"Nebula!" The figure yelled as they thrusted their arms out towards the lady.
A cloud of colourful smoke engulfed her as she ran forward and slashed at the figure. The figure leaned backwards, but a light cut was made on his torso.
"Watch it man!" The man yelled as he dashed in front of the lady and punched at her.
The lady dropped her sword and caught the gauntlet with her right hand. The lady smiled as electricity sparked all over her body.
"Hahahaha!" The lady laughed.
She pulled the man into the cloud of smoke.
"HELP!" The man yelled.
The figure took deep breaths as he summoned a can of Nepbull and drank out of it. He wiped his face, then watched as the smoke cleared and the lady was on top of the man, beating his bareface with her right fist only. She smiled with her glove covered in blood from the man's nose, then she slowly turned to the figure.
"Solar- solar flare!" The figure yelled.
They thrusted out their palms and a violent wave of fire was thrown at the lady. She dashed through the fire, and backhand slapped the figure. They staggered backwards, then the lady roundhouse kicked him, launching him into the fountain.
As the figure coughed and pushed himself up, the lady grabbed him by the neck with her right hand and held him up. She smiled widely as she moved her face closer.
"Did you like English in school?" The lady asked. "To be or not to be, that is the question."
The figure held onto the lady's fingers as he struggled to escape.
"Hmmm, but every good story needs a good twist wouldn't you say? So let's start ours with a good one. Will you fight to better yourself? Bleed like a pig for a chance to be something greater? Endure the painful reality that you might be wrong, or your friend might be wrong, or everything you've ever dreamed wasn't ever going to come true, or will you continue to live like you normally do. Maybe continuing to believe in a lie, or accepting an idea of fate that you will never be better. Not believing or trying to find a different dream that could satisfy you like your old one. Hmhmhm, turning you a delicious meal for someone like me."
The lady licked the figure's cheek cleaning the tears that went down it.
"I won't kill any of you today, in fact I'll heal your friend back there that was poisoned. He'll live." The lady said. "But do make the right choice. I made a promise to not kill people anymore and well, I hate breaking promises. Such messy work afterwards."
The lady released her grip on them dropping them onto the fountain on their knees. The figure coughed as he looked back up at the lady.
"And if you do decide to continue to do what you're doing here… hmhmhm, you must have had as much fun as I did today." The lady said.
The figure took a deep breath, then the lady punched him in the head, knocking him out cold. She looked at her right hand, then flicked her hair back behind her as she walked over to Charlie who stared at the green light coming from the man, then looked up at the lady.
"Oh my goodness… wow… real goddess work huh?" Charlie asked.
"Real goddess? Well, I'm flattered Charlie, or are you only complimenting me because you're scared?"
"Ehm… just a little bit. But you saved my life so I'm in your debt. Also you're uh…"
Charlie smiled a bit to herself as she turned her head away while blushing.
"Hot…" Charlie whispered. "But- but no freaky sex stuff, I'm only 16."
"Of course, of course. And I'm only 6." The lady said.
"What?"
"Charlie! Charlie!" Nepgear yelled.
Charlie looked behind her to see Nepgear running towards them with Million and Cheekama close behind.
"Hey, everything's good now!" Charlie said. "Ms uh… Plutie here beat them up good."
"Plut- Plutie?! Wait so- so that means you're- you're Iris Heart?" Nepgear asked while looking at the lady.
"That is my name, yes Neppy Jr." Iris Heart said with a smile and a nod.
"Ah I- I see uhm… hello! Hi, I'm uh, Purple Sister ehehe… Charlie let's go."
Nepgear reached into Charlie's cape and pulled on her arm. She turned around to run back, but Charlie pulled her arm back and gave Nepgear a strange look.
"Hold up Gya, we still got stuff to do here." Charlie said. "Like that machine and the crystal, what's up with those things?"
Nepgear looked up at Iris Heart who smiled down at her.
"Eh- ehm… uh… I- I mean…"
Nepgear looked around her. She saw people in the distance across streets staring at them. She saw Iris Heart turning her head in the corner of her eye, then saw the people hiding or walking pretending that they hadn't seen anything.
"Don't worry everyone!" Charlie announced. "Everything's been taken care of, no one died! Everything's safe!"
"Are- are you sure Presto Kid?" A woman asked across the street.
"Yeah, no worries! Move along, the Basilicom has everything taken care of!"
"Charlie you're- you're not uhm… scared of her?" Nepgear whispered.
"Scared? Of Iris? Not really, I mean she was kinda violent but that's what you expect from a fight isn't it?"
Nepgear blinked at Charlie, then glanced at Million who stood in a defensive stance, holding the handle of her sheathed sword. Cheekama was hiding behind Million while staring directly at Iris Heart.
"That's weird, is it like a passive ability or something?" Charlie asked. "Oh, I get it! It's like in the movies where the kids aren't scared of the big monsters right? Yeah that makes sense."
"Uh… sorry- sorry for uh, talking about you Iris Heart in- in your face uhm… is- is fear your passive?" Nepgear asked.
"Well, it is. Although I shouldn't hurt anyone that doesn't deserve to be hurt, therefore no one has anything to be scared about. Wouldn't you say Charlie?" Iris Heart asked.
"Me? I mean, I guess. But I'm still scared of sharks and wolves even though they don't attack humans often or something." Charlie replied.
Iris Heart heard police sirens. She turned her head to see police officers park near them and go to the building. Other officers approached them and headed towards the bodies, but hesitated once they saw Iris Heart.
"Good- good morning Presto Kid…" An officer greeted. "Would you and- and your party like to report?"
"Sure, I'll do it." Charlie said. "These three people were building this weird thing and were trying to bride me into not talking about it."
"I see… and who's your… friend here?" The officer asked.
"Oh she's Iris. She saved my life, she's a nice person. Say hi Iris."
"Hi Iris~" Iris Heart said with a smile.
"Ahaha… I see…"
The officer wrote some notes down while frequently glancing up at Iris Heart who smiled down on them. The officer then placed their notebook away and gave them a nervous smile.
"Well uh, good to see you two in- in action. Uhm, but I recommend… doing something about her passive… no offense or anything but we don't really… want… you know." The officer said.
"Uh, sure. Lemme ask her, hey Iris? Can you change back real quick?" Charlie asked.
"Well Charlie, which form do you prefer?"
"Personally, I like this one for… two reasons but everyone seems to be scared of this form."
"Hmhmhm, I don't care what everyone else thinks, I care about what you think."
"Uh huh. Welp, sorry officer but I tried."
The officer sighed, then quickly smiled nervously at Iris Heart as they walked away and towards the cars. Iris Heart then turned to Nepgear and Million who had a few feet of distance between them. She smiled widely, tilted her head, and stared down at them.
"What is our next objective, leader?" Iris Heart asked.
"Hey, how about we all go to my place and talk about what happened?" Charlie asked quickly. "I think Histy is gonna update us on stuff once the police report to her so we got some time."
Iris Heart patted Charlie's head and looked down at her.
"I wouldn't mind that, but only if Neppy Jr. is okay with it." Iris Heart said.
"Of- of course! Of course I'm okay with it! Ehe, uhm, Charlie are you parents home?" Nepgear asked.
"Dunno. I'll call them on the way there. Let's get going."
Charlie took out her phone and presented it to herself out of her cape. A holographic map appeared up from the phone and Charlie pointed down a road. She walked down the path and Nepgear followed closely behind with Million and Cheekama.
"Yeah mom, I'm coming home." Charlie said into her phone. "Hehehe, I told you last night I'd be camping out with friends. Hmm? No no, they're goddesses. Yeah I'm bringing them over, Basilicom stuff. Think so."
Nepgear stared at Charlie talking, then felt vibrations coming from her watch.
"Hi, Nepgear reporting." Nepgear said forcing a smile.
"Nepgear, I'm pleased to hear everything had went smoothly." Histoire said. "The crystal had been identified. As expected, it's a steal crystal. Unfortunately, until the captives wake up we won't be able to know who supplied said crystal. I must also ask, who is this "monster friend" Presto Kid had been reported to be working with?"
"Oh… do they mean Iris Heart?" Nepgear whispered.
"Iris H- oh… oh joy, she had returned I see. I suppose it was inevitable." Histoire said.
"Wait you knew about this and you didn't tell us?!" Nepgear asked.
"Knew what Neppy Jr." Iris Heart asked, turning her head to her.
Nepgear hesitated before continuing to walk, making direct eye contact with Iris Heart, then forcing a smile.
"Nothing! Nothing!" Nepgear quickly said. "Just uhm, just- just reporting to Histoire, nothing else."
"Histy? My my, it's been too long. May I speak with her?"
Nepgear glanced down to see Histoire's profile picture emote, shaking it's head quickly.
"No- uhm I mean, we- we have a lot to talk about so maybe- maybe after." Nepgear said.
"Aw, that's too bad. Although… if Histy didn't want to talk she could have told me directly, couldn't she?" Iris Heart asked with a smile.
"Ehehe… ehe… eh…"
Iris Heart faced forward again and Nepgear turned sideways while covering her mouth and watch with her other hand.
"Histoire, why didn't you warn us about this?!" Nepgear whispered angrily.
"I- it- I was- *ahem* that was my mistake, I apologize Nepgear. When I hadn't heard from Iris Heart for 6 years, I imagined that she would stay dormant, like how you are unable to access HDD without a share crystal due to a lack of shares."
"Mhm…"
"I had… forgotten that she is a very… special goddess… uhm, although she shouldn't hurt anybody anymore according to Ambience so we shouldn't have anything to worry about. Still, this goes without saying, be on guard."
"Of course."
The call ended and Nepgear sighed while facing forward again. Million leaned over to Nepgear while staring at Iris Heart.
"Are all goddesses like this?" Million asked.
"No, no of course not. She's an exception Million." Nepgear said.
"Ah, well… normally a woman of this caliber would catch my attention but I must pass on this one."
"You would have to be sick in the head to wish for this woman." Cheekama whispered.
"But our youngest companion appears to have no problem with her!"
"That… is odd." Nepgear said.
"Alright, we're here mom!" Charlie announced.
The group looked up to see a two story apartment building with a staircase on the right and an elevator on the left. On the second floor a woman wearing a purple business suit waved at the group.
"Charlie! Welcome back home!" The woman shouted.
"Hi mom!" Charlie shouted back.
"Well come up with- with your friends and we can all talk."
"Alright! Let's go upstairs." Charlie said.
Charlie and Iris Heart went to the elevator while the rest of the group went up the stairs. Eventually they met at a point in front of a door and Charlie opened it.
"Y'all are really scared of Iris huh?" Charlie asked.
"Uhm… may- maybe." Nepgear said.
"I still don't get it but ah well. Anyway, mom is dad home yet?" Charlie called out.
"Your father is still at work so you're stuck with me for now."
The group walked into the plain and simple apartment building and Charlie's mother placed a tray with tea on a table. She brought fold out chairs from a closet and placed them around the table.
"I- I'm sorry if the house is sort of a mess. I expected a bit more time to set up from my…"
Charlie's mother glanced at Iris Heart and gulped.
"Daughter… uhm, would any of you like water instead? Perhaps soda, or a snack?"
"We're okay, thank you very much." Nepgear said.
"Thank you dearly for being our kind host this evening." Million said with a smile.
"Evening?" Cheekama asked.
"Morning! Morning."
The group sat at the table and Charlie sat beside Iris Heart. On Iris Heart's other side, Million hesitated before sitting down and looking away from her. Iris Heart grinned with her teeth exposed and glanced at Million before closing her mouth and looking at Charlie serving tea.
"I'm- I'm Yui Mortis." Charlie's mom introduced while fixing her long brown hair. "Are you uhm… all goddesses?"
"Good morning Mrs. Mortis, I'm Nepgear. I'm Planeptune's CPU Candidate. I also go by Purple Sister, I am a goddess." Nepgear introduced.
"Million Arthur of Great Britain!" Million said happily. "And this would be Cheekama, also of Great Britain."
"Good morning." Cheekama said with a smile.
Mrs. Mortis turned to Iris Heart who grinned while showing her teeth again and placed her cup back on the table.
"I am Iris Heart." Iris Heart greeted. "I hope you don't mind, I may drop by here more often."
"Don't tell me you've made closest acquaintances with the dominatrix of the pack." Mrs. Mortis whispered to herself.
"You're scared of her too mom?" Charlie asked. "Weird. Everyone else outside was as well."
"I- Histoire said that it was a passive." Nepgear said while looking down at her watch. "And- and that the Basilicom would pay you well for uh… keeping her here until… further notice, uhm…"
Mrs. Mortis looked at Iris Heart who tilted her head at Nepgear.
"Neppy Jr. is that what Histoire wants?" Iris Heart asked.
"Uh- uhm that's- that's what she has written here!" Nepgear said. "Un-unless you're willing to swap back you can't… we- we wouldn't want everyone to panic… right? You- you know?"
Nepgear touched her index fingers together nervously while Iris Heart smiled and shrugged slightly.
"Well, I was looking forward to doing some work, but I won't complain about spending time alone with Charlie. However, I had been asleep for 6 years, then I answered her call for help, and now she wants me to go back to sleep? I did a good job today, didn't I Charlie?"
"She took down three pretty well equipped criminals by herself." Charlie noted.
"I didn't over extend, nobody died. No limbs were cut, no innocents were hurt, I've learned my lesson from last time, but does Histy still want to leash me like a dog? What does she want from me?"
Nepgear leaned backwards instinctively and her arm was raised slightly as Iris Heart stared and grinned at her. Charlie looked around to see Million lower her arm under the table and Cheekama's wings began to appear again. Charlie then quickly held Iris Heart's shoulder and pulled her back.
"Ah, alright! Uhm, that settles that, I'll show you around Iris! I personally think they have enough to think about, what about you?" Charlie asked.
Iris Heart smiled at Charlie, then her pupils turned and looked at Nepgear.
"Last chance, until Charlie calls the shots." Iris Heart said with a smile.
"Come on now, actually I wanted to talk to you in private anyway." Charlie said.
Charlie and Iris Heart got up from their chairs and walked down a hallway. Million let out a sigh of relief and Cheekama stared down the hallway.
"I'm- I'm so sorry for bringing this here Mrs. Mortis." Nepgear said.
"This wasn't what I was expecting… but she is Presto Kid. *Sigh* how has she been lately?"
"Matches every stereotype of a youthful adventurer." Million said with a smile. "If she were a few years older, I would-"
Cheekama quickly covered Million's mouth with her hand.
"You really were going to say that in front of her own mother?" Cheekama asked.
"I'm glad she's not too much trouble. Honestly I get really scared every time I see the word "Presto" on a title of… anything. It's not like I can exactly tell her to stop chasing her dreams though, you understand right?"
Nepgear nodded and gave her a soft smile.
"I think the most heroic thing Charlie could do right now is stay here with- with Iris Heart. They seemed to have bonded well very quickly, uhm… I hope you don't mind."
"I trust Charlie, and she's a goddess right?" Mrs. Mortis asked. "Then it should be fine. You said something about us getting paid?"
"Uhm, yes. Your family will be paid fairly for your service."
Mrs. Mortis sighed and drank from her tea.
"First time I was ever on the receiving end of things… I'll talk with my husband about this first. Speaking of, she should be here about now."
Mrs. Mortis looked at the door, then a knock was heard. She got up from her chair then walked over and opened it revealing a small man wearing a plain shirt and pants with a large bag and pink dyed hair.
"Hello! Good afternoon everyone! You must all be Charlie's friends, have you served them tea already Yui?" The man asked.
"I did, welcome home." Mrs. Mortis said with a smile.
Million stared at the two, then glanced at Cheekama with lowered eyebrows.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Million asked.
"With all due respect not in a million years would I think what you think."
"It's a trap!" Million said with sparkling eyes.
"I'm going to bonk you…"
"Uhm, hello Mr. Mortis, I'm Nepgear. Planeptune-"
"Oh a customer talked about you today actually. Ah, I'm really sorry to interrupt. Carry on." Mr. Mortis responded.
"Hmm? Someone did? Who?"
"Uhm… it was a couple, they went by Mr. Frontier and Darince. They were talking about how you and… someone named Iris? How you two ruined something? I couldn't hear everything."
Nepgear stared, then nervously turned to Million and Cheekama.
"Do you think Mr. Frontier was behind what had happened today?" Nepgear asked.
"Most likely. I had my suspicions that they were behind the last few monster attacks." Million replied.
"If they're our enemy then we will have to be prepared for a fight the next time we see them." Cheekama said.
"Mhmm."
Mr. and Mrs. Mortis sat down at the table. Mr. Mortis placed his bag next to him, then looked around.
"Where is Charlie?" He asked.
"In her room with Iris Heart. I wouldn't recommend going in there now, they could be… well, most likely not." Mrs. Mortis replied.
"How could you have assumed something like that of our daughter?"
"Well my first time was in high school too, just not with a psychopath…"
"What was that last part?"
"Nothing."
Mr. Mortis sighed, then smiled brightly at the rest of the group.
"Charlie was good today wasn't she? She's always been good with Presto Mask."
"I asked already, she was good today." Mrs. Mortis said.
"Oh, good. So why is everyone here?"
"We've come to drop off Charlie and Iris Heart." Nepgear said. "If you don't mind."
"Hmm okay, for how long?"
"Uhm…" Nepgear said nervously. "I… I don't know. A day maybe?"
"Huh?! A day?!"
"Our daughter is gonna have a sleepover with a fear goddess and we're gonna get paid for it." Mrs. Mortis said. "Sounds like a manga title…"
"That's hard to believe… couldn't the Basilicom have chosen someone… I don't know, older than 18?"
"I'm so sorry, but Charlie seems to be the only one impervious to Iris Heart's fear passive." Nepgear said. "Uhm… it might cause some problems especially since she doesn't seem to want to transform back… actually, how does she have her transformation on for so long? Does she have a lot of followers?"
"I've never heard of someone named Iris Heart until today." Mrs. Mortis said.
"If they exist, they're not from Great Britain." Million commented.
"So Iris Heart and Charlie will stay with us for now and the rest of you will continue Basilicom work. Hmm, then I guess that's it."
"Ah, right we have more work to do!" Nepgear said. "Histoire would want me to go help properly discard the steal crystal, thank you very much Mr. and Mrs. Mortis! Please feel free to call if you have any questions!"
"Thank you for taking care of Charlie!" Mr. Mortis replied. "Oh, you should say bye to her before you go."
"Aye. Uhm, Million and Cheekama, I will be back."
"Careful." Cheekama said.
"Remember to knock first." Million said.
"Ehehe…"
Nepgear got up from her seat and walked down the hallway Charlie went to and knocked on the door that said "Charlie" on it.
"Charlie? Iris Heart?" Nepgear asked.
"Come in!" Charlie replied.
Nepgear gulped before opening the door. She saw Charlie sitting in a large gaming chair with Iris Heart looking over her shoulder.
"There's a popular story at my school about a guy diagnosed with the visual novel protag disease and he got the worst subclass of it called "harem protag" and now he's raising like 10 kids with all his wives." Charlie said. "Oh hi Gya."
"Hell- hello…"
Nepgear forced her eyes away from Iris Heart and looked around the room. She blinked and stared at all the pictures of Charlie and B-Sha both wearing masks and posing taped onto the plain white walls. She saw B-Sha in a fist fight, Charlie and B-Sha in front of a burning building, and then noticed the wall beside her bed was covered in self-printed article pages mostly with the words "Presto Mask and Presto Kid" on the headlines.
Nepgear stared at everything, then looked at the shelves to see a large amount of books, but one dedicated to opened envelopes and letters. She stared at them, then looked on the bed to see Charlie's suit, cape, short sword, and pieces of armor all neatly placed on the bed. Nepgear took deep breaths, then looked at the two again seeing Charlie turn to her wearing a tank top and shorts.
"Are we needed again Gya?" Charlie asked.
"Uhm, not quite yet. We will be leaving you two here uhm maybe a day or so if you don't- don't mind. We'll be going, your father is also here."
"Oh, well alright. My parents are fine with it? That's good, they never let me have girls over for sleepovers normally. Alright, I'll see you out-"
"No no no, it's okay you can stay here with Iris Heart." Nepgear quickly said. "Uhm… just stay here and… stuff."
Nepgear nervously glanced at Iris Heart then forced a smile and opened the door behind her.
"Thank you two very very much, we will pick you up soon! I promise to make it up to you, good bye!"
Nepgear quickly left and Charlie sighed and turned to Iris Heart.
"Just the two of us?" Charlie asked. "Guess we're the backup now."
"I will follow your lead Charlie. For as long as you're doing good." Iris Heart said.
"Doing good huh?"
Charlie reached onto one of her shelves and looked at a letter. She then tossed the letter onto her table and turned to Iris Heart who stepped back and sat on the bed.
"Alright, that settles it, I'm gonna be an even better hero. And once I become a great hero, I'll finally be able to get the woman of my dreams." Charlie said proudly.
"Oh? And who might that be?" Iris Heart asked.
"Uhm, well this may be an awkward confession but it's you, I can't be in a relationship with a goddess unless I deserve it right? I'm gonna work for it, I'll make myself worth your time and attention."
Iris Heart stared at Charlie, then looked down at her left arm. She looked at her left hand, hovered her right hand over it, then relaxed her arms and looked down.
"Iris?" Charlie asked.
"Vow to me then." Iris Heart said.
"Hmm?"
"Vow to me that you will continue to try your best to be a hero." Iris Heart said. "Tell me honestly, are you willing to die?"
"I've thought about that for a while, before I became Presto Kid actually. Yeah, I know the risk. I'd die a thousand times over to keep Planeptune safe. I'll vow it."
Iris Heart looked at Charlie to see her determined expression. She stared at her serious smile and glare, then began to chuckle. Then Iris Heart threw her head back and laughed at the ceiling. She placed her right hand over her eyes, then slowly dropped it looking at Charlie with bright white power buttons now in the center of her eyes.
"Alright Charlie, I accept." Iris Heart said. "I'll be a good girl, as long as you're a good girl too."