IF and Vert laid in bed at the Sunset Overdrive Hotel. Vert had been brought up to speed. IF laid atop Vert's stomach, her back being rubbed by Vert. "Lady Vert? Nep, she's done some terrible things. She killed her sister and who knows else what? Should she answer for that?" IF asked her newly gained girlfriend.
Vert hummed in thought, the vibrations of her abdomen relaxed IF. "Neptune, she fought the most dirty. She had liasons in Gamindustri that did her bidding to hinder us. Such as sabotage, propaganda and espionage. Now, Neptune has changed, and it's because of you," Vert said.
"So what should I do? I don't think this is something we can ignore!" IF said and Vert hugged IF tighter, then kissed IF's head. "Iffy, why are you so fixated on this?" Vert asked and IF sighed. "Because, some part of me still has that whole 'hero of justice' shtick I used to do back in middle school. Blah, blah, blah no injustice goes unpunished, blah, blah, blah," IF explained in a bitter and sarcastic manner. The two snuggled through the night.
The next morning, the Multi-Platformers all headed for the Leanbox Basilicom. "Please, keep my identity a secret for now. I wish to ascertain the situation," Vert requested. "Okie dokie Verty!" Neptune said with a casual salute.
They all were brought into a dining room. Yvoire and a priestess entered the room. They all sat down as they were served food. "So you've found Lady Green Heart, but she is in hiding? Do you bring proof?" Yvoire asked, and IF handed the Archbishop a letter written by Vert. It detailed that she is in hiding, and feels like she's being targeted. So for her own safety, she is in hiding.
"These writings, yes it makes sense. Thank you for finding our exhalted lady. I am deeply troubled that she feels unsafe in her own nation. Please stay in the Basilicom, and I beg of you to act as our liason," Yvoire said and lowered his head to show humility in the request.
"You believe it? Just like that?" Noire asked skeptically. "Yes of course, the signature matches the old documents signed by Lady Green Heart," Yvoire replied. Vert's eyes widened somewhat that they kept her old homework.
"So who is this? I haven't seen her before," Yvoire asked, looking at Vert. Vert snaked her arm around IF's shoulder. IF blushed and squeaked, not used to PDA. "S-She's m-my girlfriend," IF stuttered. "May Lady Green Heart's bountiful kindness bless your relationship forevermore," Yvoire said and smiled kindly.
"Why didn't you ask The Guild to track down Green Heart?" Neptune asked. Yvoire frowned, his wrinkled face twisted into a scowl. "The Guild are heretics that serve their own selfish whims. They were founded by exiles who wormed their way back into our society," Yvoire explained in pure disgust.
"Now, one of the greater threats is this 'Overlord Momus'. A demon who's wicked gospel is being spread and infecting the minds of the people. I want to kill Overlord Momus and then dispose of the person behind the spread of this heresy," Yvoire requested. Vert hugged IF closer to her chest. As they all began to head to their now assigned rooms. IF was told to stay behind by Yvoire.
"Ms. IF, I have another task for you," Yvoire said as the two walked down the hallways. "Huh? What is it Your Holiness?" IF asked in trepidation. "Neptune, I have told you about her crimes. She must be disposed of. Mark my words, the day will come when she will betray you in a bid for power. You can prevent that, and save millions of lives," Yvoire said and IF looked at him in horror.
"No! I won't do that!" IF exclaimed and Yvoire guided IF into his office. He took out a folder and opened it. "Take a look at this," Yvoire handed IF a paper. It was a page from Gust's ledger. A ledger that IF tampered with to implicate her in false crimes to steal her fortune. "There are some, inconsistencies in this old ledger. They are so obvious, that it seems like a 'middle schooler' did it," Yvoire said.
IF froze up as she realized the implications. He knows about what she did. "I do have two other incentives, here, look further in this file," Yvoire said and he handed IF the folder. IF shook and tears brimmed her eyes as she saw some pictures.
Gust, was in Lowee, leaving a building while shaking the hand of someone. "Gust was killed by some punks after she was released! This is bullshit!" IF yelled, slamming the photo on the desk. "She faked her death, Ms. IF, I can tell you where she is if you do the job. You will also not be arrested for robbery, fraud and framing an innocent woman," Yvoire offered in a soft, almost grandfatherly way.
IF put a katar to Yvoire's throat. Her green eyes glowing a hateful red, tears flowing down her cheeks. "Take another look in the folder," Yvoire urged IF calmly. IF kept the weapon to his throat. Until she saw the next set of photos. Her eyes went back to their green, and her arm slacked.
It was pictures of her parents being followed by men in black suits. Those men looked somewhat familiar. She couldn't put her finger on it at the moment. "Kill Neptune, and capture Netherrealm, bring him to me. Do that, and you can reunite with Gust, your crimes will be pardoned and your parents will live to see another day," Yvoire laid out the terms.
"I'm sorry for putting you under so much pressure. Please, for Gamindustri, for Leanbox, for Lady Green Heart. I tasked you with this because you were born here in Leanbox. Now this is your chance to be a nationwide hero to your fellow Leanboxanites. Tell me your decision after Overlord Momus is killed. You may leave Ms. IF," Yvoire said with disgusting kindess.
IF hobbled out of the office with a haunted look on her face. Yvoire looked at the priestess who watched that exchange. The priestess took off her hood. To show off her pale skin, that's unnaturally tinted in a light purple. Dark purple lipstick that looks almost black. Red eyes with sharp eyeliner.
"Arfoire, why do you want Netherrealm? I felt a darkness, a type of hold over his essence. That boy is dangerous," Yvoire asked the witch in holy clothing. She licked her lips hungrily. "I've seen power similar in nature. While they aren't the same. The demon I encountered dragged me into the abyss. I crawled out of it more powerful than ever," Arfoire said, she walked to the window.
"I have taken everything from that boy. Yet the nature of our powers, are similar. I wish to take him for myself and use him as my own hand," Arfoire explained with a lustful and gluttonous smile. "Besides, in my haste, I attacked Neptune in a bid for her power. While in reality, their power is the very faith of their nation. All I need is a small portion, and I can keep you safe," Arfoire said, turning to look at Yvoire.
"The Deity of Sin, she will spare us?" Yvoire asked in fear. "Yes, she will spare your wretched life, because I deemed it so," Arfoire said with a seductive chuckle. "Still, hiring those criminals to stalk Deco and Aksys. Ugh, are they reliable?" Yvoire scoffed. "Yes, the rank and file want revenge on the Multi-Platformers. They'll do as their told. Now leave me," Arfoire replied with finality.
Yvoire bowed and left Arfoire alone in the office. "I need all four CPUs in the same place. Then, I will be at the apex. I would be a 'dragon' so to speak," Arfoire said. Then laughed to herself when she made the 'dragon' comment. "Yes, I will be a dragon, the very apex of the world," Arfoire sighed with a smile.
With IF, she is dragging herself down the hallways, not going anywhere in particular. Her mind was going a million miles a second. She felt sick, but she didn't know what to do. IF doesn't want to betray her newfound friends. After destroying her friendship with Nisa and Gust.
This is why IF tried to run away from her past. Because it will pile up and eventually entrap her in the spider's web. However, by letting her guard down. Her past was thrown right back at her. Now, IF has to truly confront her past. Like Netherrealm did in Lastation. She has to face down her demons.
"Iffy!" Neptune exclaimed, running up to her friend. IF felt the weighted feeling of guilt run over her like a tidal wave as Neptune got closer. "Vert is sensing for Overlord Momus and the Key Fragment! Let's get going!" Neptune explained, dragging IF by her coat sleeve.
IF met with the other Multi-Platformers in Neptune's room. Netherrealm was laying on Neptune's bed, tossing the pillow in the air and catching it. Compa sat next to the bed on the floor. Noire leaned on the wall with her usual haughty expression and arms crossed. Vert was in the middle of the room, eyes closed and concentrating.
Vert opened her eyes and locked eyes with IF. Vert smiled warmly at IF, tilting her head slightly. IF felt some of the crushing guilt be lifted by a warm feeling. By Vert's love and the bond she has with her friends. "Now, I didn't find Overlord Momus. I did however sense three divine signatures. Two small, and one large. A small one and the large one at the same location. While the other small one is on the other side of Leanbox," Vert explained.
"So which one are we tackling first?" Netherrealm asked, itching for some action. "The large one, it might be Blanc!" Neptune said. "No, it isn't Blanc, it's something twisted and chaotic. It's barely holding itself together," Vert replied.
"Large one, this sounds like it might be a fun fight," Netherrealm chuckled. "Small one, it's less risk free," Noire spoke up. "Large one! It's gotta be something major!" Neptune exclaimed. Compa didn't speak up, she's fine with whatever. IF decided to go with the large one. She's curious, the childish part of her that's been guiding her all these years wants to explore that unknown.
So the Multi-Platformers headed out into streets. Deco came up to them and asked IF what they're doing. "We're heading out to track something down," IF replied, scratching the back of her neck. "Well come back for dinner Ai-chan afterwards. Because we're having some pasta!" Deco exclaimed, excited to eat pasta. IF was then hugged and kissed by Deco. Before they were allowed to leave.
IF spotted some thugs looking at Deco. IF recognized one of them from the photos. Yvoire wasn't bluffing in the slightest. IF was frozen, she wanted to signal to her mom that she's in danger. Yet Vert pulled IF away with a look of concern on her face. "Iffy, what's wrong?" Vert asked. IF was silent, and Vert clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Iffy, my darling, don't bottle up your feelings. I'm here if you need me," Vert assured her new girlfriend.
The Multi-Platformers headed off to find the large and small signature. It's coming from an island in the distance. "The Scorpio Ruins are on that island," Vert pointed at the island. "How are we going to get there?" Compa asked. Vert looked at Neptune and Noire.
The three CPUs flew slowly across the sky to the island. They held one human each. Black Heart is giving Compa a piggyback ride. Compa was looking down and around her like a child. IF was being held by Green Heart, like a bride. The divine bosom of Vert laid across IF's face. The poor girl was too flustered to move in anyway. Netherrealm stood atop Purple Heart's back with his arms crossed, like she's a platform.
The sun glinted over them as from the Basilicom. Arfoire sat in the office of Yvoire. She stood up and a black sphere surrounded her. Before White Heart was in her place.
Most of her body is shrouded by a white cloak that fades into a blue gradient at the bottom. The collar of the cloak is popped with the inside being red, trimmed with yellow. The cloak is held together by a large red brooch, and covering her hands are white gloves. In one hand is a brown scepter topped with a blue jewel.
The inside of her cloak is designed like outer space, moving like it's a galaxy. She wears a white vest buttoned together by gold buttons over a white leotard. Along with white armored leggings and heels. She place a white tophat on her head ans adjusted her gold monocle on her right eye.
She walked to the rooftop of the Basilicom. She floated upwards and shot off back to Lowee.