Day 96

"Morning Bryce." Said one of the Leanbox guards as two planeptune guards passed me onto the two Leanbox guards in front of me.

"Miranda." I said, nodding in her direction, before turning to the other guard next to her. "Jacob."

This had become a normal routine at this point. While things had been getting better for me, I was still technically a convict, in some regard.

It was all just precaution, but honestly, no one took it that way.

Well, I think there's like, ONE guard in Planeptune who takes this job of moving me WAY too seriously. It's like he has a grudge on me or something.

"Ready for more testing?" Asked Jacob.

I took a breath, before nodding.

"Yeah, I… think I'm ready." I said.

"We heard what happened from Lady Green Heart." Said Miranda. "You sure you're fine?"

"Yeah, I've given myself a few days, I SHOULD be fine by now." I said. "Now then, let's get this over with."

The two guards nodded, as they led me down the same path that I had taken many a time now.

I eventually stopped at the door leading to the testing grounds. As the door opened up, Miranda and Jacob snapped to attention, saluting.

"Vert?" I asked, looking at the Goddess who was currently standing with a few other researchers, wearing a lab coat that matched the ones the scientists were wearing, only green.

"Ah Bryce, good you're here." Said Vert.

"...Someone mind explaining to me why she's visiting?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, after your newest incident of many," Vert said, to which I slightly cringed. "Histoire asked me to oversee these tests for today. She's a bit worried that you might go into shock."

"...I'll be fine." I said.

"You locked yourself in your room for an entire day. The NEXT day when the CPUs got you out, you tried drinking a glass of water and started going into shock." Said Jacob.

"Shut it Keyes." I said to the guard to my right, as Miranda elbowed him.

"We're not doing too much today." Said Setag. "Just the normal procedure, and then something new, bing."

Setag had transferred onto the project after the whole fiasco with Anonydeath. I think a few scientists were happy that someone with her programming talent was on the team now.

"Alright, let's do this." I said, picking up the causality gauntlet, and strapping it to my arm, a groove cut in for the web shooter on my left arm.

I clenched my hand, as cause and effect split, before repeating the action as everything returned to normal.

"Alright, nothing wrong here… let's get to the next portion, Bing." Said Setag. "We want you to try… grabbing someone while in that frozen state."

I nodded, as I reactivated the gauntlet.

I turned to Vert, before placing my hand on her shoulder.

...Nothing happened.

"...Well... that was pointless." I said to myself.

I let out a sigh, before realizing something.

It had been past 30 seconds at this point.

I looked down at the causality gauntlet, only to see it glowing brighter.

I tried deactivating it, nothing.

I smacked it with my hand, everything returned to normal, for a few seconds.

Then, cause and effect split for ONLY me.

I felt my breath catch in my throat as I heard the faded sounds of running footsteps.

I felt hands try to move me, nothing.

My left hand at this point was burning, the light from the gauntlet was the only thing I could see.

Then, it exploded.

When I next was able to open my eyes, I was in what seemed to be an infirmary, my left arm hurt like a bitch, and I couldn't move it.

"Ah! Bryce!" I turned to my left to see Nepgear looking at me.

"Nepgear? What… what happened?" I asked.

"One second! Just let me grab the others." Said Nepgear, as she ran out the door, before Neptune, Vert and Histoire came into the room.

"Good, you're awake." Said Vert. "We were worried that something went really wrong."

"...What happened?" I asked.

"We're not sure, but we hazard a guess that something in the device short circuited, and the digital timer turned off. While this isn't very bad, there was a few… things that didn't turn out all well." Said Vert.

"...Like?" I asked.

A nearby nurse unwrapped my left arm, allowing me to see-

"Holy shit!" I shouted, looking at my left hand. "How the hell did that even…!?"

My left hand, now had what I assumed to be the Causality Gauntlet, firmly imbedded into my skin. The main device of the gauntlet being the only real visible thing, as it poked out of the back of my hand, the skin surrounding the metal of the device seemed melted to it now.

"Unfortunately, we're unsure how to remove the device safely without it triggering, or better yet, without you losing the ability to use your left hand. For now, all we can hope for is that you be careful with it." Said Vert.

"Well, it's not like he's using his LEFT hand for anything important." Said Neptune, as I turned to give her a glare.

"This DOES mean that there isn't really a timer integrated into the device anymore." Said Vert. "So be careful you don't go over that time limit."

I nodded, as I was allowed to move my still sore arm around.

"Well, this is just GREAT, isn't it?" I asked no one in particular.

"I mean, it CAN be." Said Neptune. "Think of all the pudding you could steal for me!"

"You literally are the GODDESS of Planeptune. I don't think you really need to someone to steal pudding for you." I said, deadpanning.

"Fine… Just don't go going around doing anything that could be labeled Ecchi, bucko! I'm watching you!" Said Neptune, pointing at my face, her index finger jammed at the tip of my nose.

I looked, at neptune for a second with a face of 'why the hell would I do that?', before looking over at Vert.

"...So! When can I head out?" I asked.

"A few hours. We need to gather a few more things and then send you off."

"Fair enough." I said, opening and closing my hand. "...feels weird."

"You have a giant piece of metal in your hand, that's a reasonable reaction." said Vert.

Neptune looked at me for a second, before turning to Nepgear.

"Jr, with me! We got some things to plan!" Neptune said, grabbing Nepgear's arm, before running out of the room.

"...What was that all about?" I asked.

Vert sighed. "Knowing Neptune, nothing good."

"Great…" I muttered, leaning back.

Day 97

"...What happened to you?" Asked IF, looking at me while I groaned, slumped on one of Neptune's beanbag chairs.

"Nanomachines, son." I said.

"What?" Asked IF.

"Neptune wanted Nepgear to build nanomachines that would be able to do… well, I'm not entirely sure, but I'm sure that it would have ended up doing more harm than good." I said, sighing.

"Anyways… Your arm feeling any better?" Asked IF, as I raised my left hand.

"Well, aside from the cold metal that was soldered into my skin, I honestly feel fine." I said, running a hand through my hair.

"I get that you were cleared to leave, but I still feel leaving that piece of metal in your skin isn't healthy for you." Said IF.

"Hey, ask Compa on that. She said I should be fine if we keep the area sanitized." I said, as the elevator doors opened, as Compa and Plutia walked into the room. "Speak of the devil and she shall appear…"

"Hey guys." IF said, as Compa took a seat at the table IF was sitting at, while Plutia sat down on the Sofa beside me.

"Hey Iffy." Said Compa, as she looked at me. "...Did Nep-Nep try cheering you up?"

"Is it really THAT obvious?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Your wrists have a mark that's slightly faded, almost like you were restrained." Said Compa.

"...Fair enough." I said, leaning back, as I looked at an upside down Plutia. "And what exactly were you doing out today?"

"I needed to get some things to make Plushie Bryce accurate." Said Plutia, as she started stiching metal into the left arm of what seemed to be a VERY accurate plushie of myself.

I felt a bead of sweat run down my forehead. "Of course…"

At the sudden sound of crying, everyone turned to see Peashy run out of the balcony into the TV room.

"...What do you bet Neptune went a bit… too far this time around?" I asked, as Plutia walked over to her room.

"I'll handle this…" She said, smiling as she opened her door.

"...I'm gonna go have a chat with Neptune then." I said, standing up.

"Try not to end up sympathizing with her too much." Said IF.

"What? When have I ever done that?" I asked.

"You're a very persuadable person." Said IF.

"Name one time I've been persuaded easily." I said.

"The shortbread incident." Said IF.

I felt an involuntary shiver run down my spine. "Never again shall we discuss what transpired in that kitchen…"

I shook my head, repressing already repressed memories, as I walked over to the balcony.

"Neptune? I saw peashy run inside crying, so- Oh, hey guys." I said, walking out to the balcony as Vert, Blanc, Rom, Ram, Noire and Uni were standing opposite of Neptune. "...Wait, when did you get here?"

"About the same time that Neptune made Peashy cry." Said Blanc.

"I may have went a bit too far." Neptune said.

"No… You don't say?" I asked sarcastically, my eyebrow raised.

"Shut it you!" Neptune said, as rolled my eyes with a smile.

"So, what brings you guys here?" I asked.

"Something about some R-rated Island." Said Neptune, a slight blush on her face, as Blanc covered Rom's ears, while Noire covered Uni's, and Uni covered Ram's respectively.

"It's an island for forbidden desires exclusively for adults." Said Vert. "Things happen there, you know what I mean~."

"Things of a certain nature in every shape and form," Said Vert, as she brushed her hair to the side. "It's the most alluring theme park, where fantasies come true."

"Oh…! Now I see what's going on here!" Neptune said.

.."Oh great… Is it time for the obligatory beach episode?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

"You know, when I said that, I DIDN'T ACTUALLY MEAN IT!" I shouted, as Nepgear and Vert held me up by the arms as we flew over to R-18 island.

"Please don't shout when you're right next to my ear…" Purple Sister said.

"Ah, sorry." I said.

"We aren't going just for fun you know." Said Green Heart.

"Wait, you're telling me we're not just going there to have some fun?" Asked Purple Sister.

"I wish. But, unfortunately, that's not the case." Said Green Heart.

"I was running a routine search on my satellite network yesterday, and came across a giant gun battery installed right in plain sight on the island." Said White Heart.

"So we thought it would be wise to investigate." Black Heart said. "Histoire said to also be on the lookout for anything else strange while we're at it."

"Well, if they were trying to hide it, they were probably not expecting it to be seen via satellite." I said. "If they wanted something hidden in plain sight where it couldn't be seen from above, the R-18 shtick would've been enough to keep people too distracted to notice."

"You are correct, Bryce." Said Purple Heart. "In particular, I'm afraid they might be planning to start a war."

"This is silly Neppy." Plutia said. "I'm perfectly capable of flying myself."

"What!? No, I don't think so!" Purple Heart said Hastily. "You just stay like that, please. Plutie, I mean it."

"Aww." Plutia sighed.

"What's the big deal?" Black Heart asked. "If she can transform, why not let her?"

"Trust me, that is a fate that not even I would wish on our most hated enemies." I said, turning my head to look at Black Heart.

"I agree with Bryce. If you've seen what I've seen, I'd promise you'd agree with me." Said Purple Heart.

"Speaking of me, why am I being brought along?" I asked, looking up at Green Heart.

"Well, considering what has recently happened to you, as well as events before such.." Green Heart began.

"We decided that you were probably due some time outside of the Basilicom that doesn't involve something bad happening to you." Said White Heart.

"Well, Murphy's Law still exists, so let's see how long this lasts…" I muttered.

"Alright, we have to go through the immigration inspection before we can enter." Green Heart said, as we were separated into changing rooms.

"Oh, joy…" I muttered, finding that there were girl's changing rooms, and what seemed to be the same size as a single stall for men was what I walked into. "I forget that males are a freaking endangered species here…"

After swapping my clothes for my swim trunks, as well as throwing on a spare plain white t-shirt, I walked out to find the others in their own swimwear.

Everyone who was in their HDD form was still in HDD, since you could probably prove Neptune was an actual adult when she was transformed.

Speaking of Neptune…

"Uh, is this good enough?" Asked Purple Heart, as she posed alongside Black Heart and Purple Sister.

"Is it just me, or does it feel weird to power up then put on a swimsuit?" Asked Purple Sister.

"Our outfits are like swimsuits anyways." Said Black Heart.

"She's not wrong." I said, making my presence known.

"They have a pretty strict dress-code here." Said Green Heart, wearing what I assumed to be a seashell bikini that looked borderline dangerous. "Swimsuits, or all nude. Take your pick."

"That is rather strict, isn't it?" Said Purple Heart.

"...Yeah, I'm just gonna stay with the swimsuit…" I said.

Purple Heart's eyes landed on my shirt. "You're keeping that on?"

"Uh, yeah?" I said, raising my eyebrow. "What, you think I'm going out shirtless?"

"That was the idea, yes." Said Purple Heart.

"Yeah, uh… even though I HAVE fallen out of exercise, I'm not as bad as when I first arrived here, so I don't plan on being female eye candy." I muttered.

"I do believe the dress-code says males aren't aloud to wear a shirt…" Green Heart said, a smirk on her face.

"Oh god- fine!" I sighed, pulling off the white shirt. "It would've done literally nothing once I got in the water anyways…"

"You've fallen out of exercise?" Purple Heart asked. "Because it doesn't look like it."

"Cut the flattery, would you?" I asked, turning to the female changing rooms. "And it seems Plutia and Blanc are here."

"Hey guys!" Plutia said, waving to us as she walked out in a swimsuit, White Heart walked out as well, looking a tad annoyed.

"Hello." She said bluntly.

"Hehehe… You think this is cute enough?" Asked Plutia.

"Oh goodness me…" Green Heart said, a slight blush on her face.

"That's a yes, right?" Asked Plutia.

"I… don't think cute is what this island is going for…" I said, arms crossed.

"Oh, goodness me." Said Green Heart.

"Hey! You sure changed your tone of voice!" White Heart said, crossing her hands over her chest, a blush on her face, though it could be confused with anger.

"Huh? Oh, uh, I didn't mean too." Said Green Heart. "It's just that… Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm a little worried that they won't be convinced that the two of you are adults."

"Which way am I supposed to take that!?" White Heart asked, glaring at Green Heart.

"Oh joy, here we go again…" I muttered.

"I'm sure it will be fine." Said Purple Heart. "Besides, we're goddesses, and Bryce, I'm sure they'll understand that we're ageless."

"I mean, I AM 17 so..." I said.

"I'm sure you can sneak past. It's not like they'll be able to tell the difference for you." Said Purple Heart.

"Speaking of Bryce…" Green Heart said, handing me a single fingerless glove for my left hand. "Put it on. It's waterproof and air tight. It should keep the device in your hand from going haywire while we're on the island."

"Huh… Thanks." I said, putting it on. "Fits like a glove… well, you get what I mean.

"Well, I guess we might as well take a crack at it." Said Green Heart, walking over to the terminal… door… thing. "Immigration check!"

"You know, for an island, the fact that they're doing 'Immigration' checks seems…" I began quietly.

"Weird?" Black Heart asked.

"That's one way of putting it…" I said. "This feels like something more of a vacation thing. Like a… nude beach or something more along those lines, you get me? I am never saying that again."

"Alright, see you on the other side." Said Green Heart, as she walked through the curtain as Purple Heart walked up next.

"Alright!" Purple Heart said, as she walked up next, quickly followed by Black Heart and Purple Sister.

"Alright, my turn." I said, walking over to the terminal.

{Hello, welcome to R-18 Island.}

{I ask you, are you an adult?}

{Yes/No}

"Yep." I said, pressing the Yes button.

{Are you really over the age of 18 years?}

"Yes." I said, pressing the button again.

{Honestly?}

"YES!" I cried, pressing the button again.

{I can see your chest.}

"I'M A GUY!" I exclaimed.

{Scanning… Scan Complete}

{We apologize for this inconvenience}

{Please read through and agree to the above.}

"What? The hell's with this end user license sh*t?" I asked aloud. I sighed. "Whatever… Let's see… R-18 Island is not responsible for any injuries sustained via females on the island due too increased hormonal- Is this really happening right now? Yeah, sure whatever…"

I pressed the checkmark button, as the light on the Adult sign shone, as I was let past.

"Finally…" I muttered, walking out towards the other goddesses.

"So… What was that about you being confused with a girl?" Asked Purple Heart.

"God dammit…" I muttered, turning towards the curtain. "...Five bucks says Blanc destroys the terminal."

"I'm not taking that bet, I agree with it." Said Green Heart, as a loud crashing sound was heard.

"...Well, looks like I was right." I said, as White Heart and Plutia walked through the curtain.

"I… didn't mean to take a literal crack at it…" Green Heart said, eyebrows twitching.

After making past the checkpoint, the CPU's deactivated their HDD. Somehow, they were still wearing swimsuits… somehow.

Aside from Neptune, Plutia and Nepgear, the swimsuits worn by the other CPUs seemed to match their normal outfits to some extent.

"Okay, we made it onto the island… so uh, what are we supposed to do now?" Asked Neptune.

"Good question, maybe there's someone we can ask for directions?" Noire mused.

The sound of footsteps caught my attention as a rather familiar voice started talking.

"Hello, hello, hello! Welcome!" Said Linda as she walked up to us, wearing a swimsuit with a purple vest hoodie overtop. "My name is Linda, If you need anything at all, I'm your guide! And I'll cut you a discount."

"Wait, I know you…" Said Noire.

"It's her! The kidnapper!" Nepgear exclaimed, pointing at Linda.

"Aw crap, the CPUs!?" Linda exclaimed, jumping back.

"Well, look at this, so you're the bitch who stole my sisters!" Blanc said.

"Woah, wait, no no no no no, please hold on!" Linda shouted, jumping back further and bowing. "I totally swear to you, on my life that I am fully reformed now and am working hard."

I looked over at the CPUs next to me, all looking at her with unbelieving expressions.

"You expect me to buy that?" Asked Blanc.

"You will regret it if you lie to us." Said Noire.

"Wow, colour me surprised. You ACTUALLY got a job… I'm not even being sarcastic, congrats Linda." I said, walking in front of the CPUs.

"Huh! Bryce!? What are you doing here!?" Linda asked, standing up as I walked up to her.

"Oh, you know… Visiting? Well, no, more like I've been living with Neptune for the past… what was it, 60 days now? Something like that. And they decided after some… less than pleasant events that occured to me that they'd bring me along for this vacation." I said. "So anyways, how have you been?"

"Well, things kind of went downhill since you were arrested, but things picked up once I got hired here." Said Linda.

"Sounds good, anyways, I do believe you have a job to do, so I'll try not to keep you away from it." I said, walking back over to the CPUs. "She's fine, if anything, if she even does anything, it'll be harmless."

The CPUs looked at each other in thought, before they nodded.

"So that's it?" Asked Linda. "The only reason you're all here is to see the giant gun battery?"

"Do you know where it's located on the island?" Asked Vert.

"Yeah, of course, I can lead you right to it!" Said Linda.

"You make it sound like there's nothing wrong with having one out in the open on the island…" I said.

"You'll understand when you see it." Said Linda.

"But hey, you guys, we might as well check out some of the party spots while we're here?" Neptune suggested.

"I already told you, this is not a vacation." Said Noire.

"Don't be lame…" Neptune said.

"Oh! Hey, I know!" Linda said, gesturing to an opening behind some trees. "I've got just the place for some quick fun. This is the most beautiful spot of the island, Wairisqué Beach!"

"Oh wow! Wait, wha-wha-wha-wha-what?" Neptune stammered, as we looked out at the beach, covered in completely nude women, which in turn… were covered by… light beams?

"Whooaa…" Plutia awed.

"What the goodness!?" Nepgear exclaimed.

"Well, that's bold!" Neptune said.

"But there… where's their!?" Noire questioned. "Everyone's naked! I mean, Everyone!"

"It's like a real-life internet." Said Nepgear.

"Oh my, how wonderfully uninhibited…" Said Vert.

"What did I just let myself get dragged into?" I asked myself, remembering the warning I accepted earlier.

"We're wasting our time here." Said Noire, a blush on her face. "We need to find the battery!"

"Hey, what's with the glowy light streaks?" Neptune asked Linda.

"Yes, PLEASE explain that." I said, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, those? That's the mysterious light grass. It clings to the nether regions for some reason." Said Linda.

"You sound awfully calm about that." I said, before turning to see Vert leaning in and whispering something to Neptune.

"Why can't these people just wear swimsuits!?" Noire asked, a blush on her face.

"W-why the nether regions!?" Asked Nepgear, and equally red blush on her face.

"Great idea!" Neptune said suddenly, as I turned to see her throw off her swimsuit.

"It's totally safe to do this with that grass stuff!" Neptune said.

"Oh geez, Neptune. Uh, oh..." Said Nepgear.

"Come on, Nepgear! You do it! It feels great!" Neptune said, doing cartwheels and all sorts of things.

"Which does, the grass or the breeze!?" I asked aloud.

"Well, I'm not going to pass this up!" Vert said, pulling her top off.

"Yeah, me neither!" Plutia said, as Noire let out a gasp.

Soon, all three were nude, the only thing blocking their nethers were some very bright pieces of grass.

I suddenly felt myself trip at the sight, the back of my left hand slamming into my nose, as I held my hands over my nose.

"Ow fuuuu…" I muttered, pulling my hands away to find my nose bleeding. "Of course this happens…"

"Ufufufu…" Neptune said, laughing maniacally at this. "Since when we're you an anime protagonist, Bryce?"

"Oh shut up!" I said, as Linda handed me a some nearby light grass. "Thanks."

"Just hurry up with it." Said Linda as I quickly fixed the bleeding nose issue.

"If everyone else can do it, so can I!" Nepgear said, pulling her swimsuit off as well.

"Take this!" Neptune said, throwing water at Vert.

"What the hell has gotten into them?" Blanc asked.

"Come on, we need to hurry!" Noire said.

"Hahaha…" Neptune chuckled darkly, as she squatted down and pulled up Light Grass seaweed, as she threw it at Me, Noire and Blanc. I ducked behind the two, as the seaweed wrapped around them both. "Go and act modest all you like! With a little extra use of the mysterious light grass… Voila! You might as well be naked now…!"

"Ooh, such naughty girls, good thing they're censored!"

"Come on! You know you are a serious perv, Neptune!" Noire said.

"Pervy melts what the heart does best! Now hurry up and strip for realsies!" Said Neptune, before she turned to me. "And don't think I forgot about you there Bryce!"

"Oh god please no…" I muttered, only to get hit by a piece of seaweed and find a moderately sized chunk stuck to the front of my trunks. "...I swear I am not compensating for anything."

Neptune let out a laugh as I sighed. "You know, I could've sworn this was meant to be some sorta vacation for me, but it turns out it's just another way for Neptune to torment me…"

"That freak… alright, no use fighting it." Said Noire.

"Wait, hold on." Said Blanc, summoning her hammer as she swung it around, sending a gust of wind at all of us.

"Huh!? Aww man!" Neptune said, as the light grass flew off, revealing her in her swimsuit.

"Aww… she figured it out." Said Plutia, also back in her swimsuit.

"What a pity, and it was just about to get good too…" Said Vert.

"I just knew there was something fishy about this." Said Blanc.

"I don't get it Neptune, I clearly saw you rip off your bikini!" Said Noire.

"I was wearing another one under it!" Said Neptune, sticking her tongue out.

"Wait, but how the hell did you even manage to plan that far ahea- you know what, forget I asked." I said.

A sudden scream from Nepgear was heard as we all turned to- woah, okay, looking the other way now. Going to uh… wow, okay then.

"What kind of big sister are you!?" Nepgear asked as I heard her go back into the water.

"Sorry Nepgear, I didn't think you'd actually go through with it." Said Neptune.

"Hang on a minute, I'll go bring you your swimsuit." said Plutia.

I turned to Linda, seeing her with a devious smirk on her face holding a bottle of some kind.

I looked back to Neptune and the others and found them already start doing different things. Neptune and Noire started setting up a volleyball net, Blanc and Plutia started building sandcastles, or… whatever Plutia was doing, and Vert and Nepgear were setting up sunbathing spots.

I walked over to Linda as I sat down next to her as we watched the CPUs do their own thing.

"...So… you've been housing with Purple huh?" Asked Linda.

I sighed. "So you're not totally reformed, huh? Figured, but I didn't want to assume."

"Old habits die hard." Said Linda.

"And that aphrodisiac or whatever it is in your pocket sure doesn't seem to say 'Old habits'." I said, glancing at her. "Word to the wise, here's what's going to happen if you spike a drink with that. Neptune is going to immediately start acting weird, everyone is going to immediately find out it was you who spiked her drink, and then Plutia is going to mess you up."

"Plutia? You mean the one who talks slow?" Asked Linda.

"Yeah, well, just wait until she transforms… THEN, you will wish you were never even conceived." I said. "Just a warning. Anyways, I'm gonna go join them, you go do… whatever it is you do."

I walked over to Neptune and Noire, ignoring Vert and Nepgear putting sunscreen on, as the volleyball came crashing down onto Neptune's face as the ball landing behind her.

"Ooh… that's gotta hurt." I said to myself. "It's like watching a Scott Sterling video…"

"Hey ladies!" We turned to see Linda walk over carrying a tray of drinks. "Anyone care for some Iced Tea?"

"Now THAT is service!" Noire said.

"Tea time! Bring it on!" Said Neptune.

Everyone grabbed a glass from the tray, as I walked over to find the tray empty.

"Oh right, here." Said Linda, handing me a seperate glass.

"Thanks." I said, taking a sip, only to start coughing once I swallowed. "Did you just give me Alcohol!? Holy SH*T that burns!"

"Think of it as a gift." She said, as I rubbed my throat.

"AH! Now that's what I'm talking about!" Said Neptune as she finished her drink.

"Have some, there's plenty to go around." Linda said, as Neptune crouched down, holding her throat.

"Neptune!" Nepgear exclaimed, running over.

I stole a look at Linda, as I looked down at my drink. '...This better not end badly…'

"What's wrong Neptune?" Noire asked.

"Are you having trouble breathing?" Asked Vert.

Neptune stood up, as she turned away from us.

"Uh… You okay there Neptune?" I asked, walking over to her, giving my drink back to Linda on my way over.

Neptune turned around, a different… aura, I guess, was around her, as she suddenly covered herself. "Waa! No, what happened! I'm so embarrassed!"

"Yes!" I heard Linda pump herself up.

"Dammit." I muttered.

"Why am I dressed like this? It's so improper! Oh no… Don't look at me!" Neptune said, squirming around as we stared at her.

"Is this supposed to be a joke, because it's kind of creeping me out." Noire said.

"You and me both…" I said. "Seriously, you would think this would be better, but it's honestly just unnerving."

"That is not the sister I know." Said Nepgear.

"There can only be one culprit." Said Vert. "Although it's certainly a taboo on this island, I've heard of a drug that can strongly enhance a person's sense of shame."

Everyone, and I do mean everyone, besides Neptune of course, turned to look at Linda with a guilty look.

"Ah! Hey, woah! I don't know nothing about any drug okay?" Linda said, only for the bottle FOR said drug slipped out of her pocket.

"...Welp… I warned you Linda." I said, leaning back as I rolled my eyes.

"You're dead you punk!" Blanc shouted. "To think we ever believed you-!"

Plutia seemed to slide in, in front of Blanc, as she smiled sweetly at Linda, her face shadowed. "Hey wait, I'm sure she can explain. You turned over a new leaf, right? So what's going on here?"

I felt myself start nervously laughing, as Vert turned to look at me. I just shook my head with a 'Someone's dead' expression on my face.

"Ah! Plutia! Don't get mad!" Nepgear said.

"It's too late now…" I said, placing my hand on Nepgear's shoulder.

"Tch, get real! I wiped my ass with your new leaf!" Linda said. "I'm a natural born villian, see?"

"Well that's too bad, no benefit of the doubt for you…" Said Plutia, as a chill went down everyone's spine.

"What's happening?" Asked Linda.

"You pressed the Iris Button." I said. "You shouldn't have done that."

"Oh well…" Plutia said, as she was enveloped in a column of purple light, as Iris Heart emerged.

"Uh oh, this was what I was worried about." Said Nepgear.

"I suppose I'll have to reform you myself!" Said Iris Heart, pulling on the whip that appeared in her hands. "And this is going to be a long, slow process."

"Go ahead and try it, I don't care…!" Linda said, shaking in her place, only for her to sprint off into the jungle, Iris Heart quickly giving chace.

"...Welp, there she goes…" I said, turning around. "This day… I swear…"

"Right this way, we have almost reached our destination, the gun battery." Said Linda, almost robotically as we followed her.

"It's like, she's hardly even human now." Said Noire.

"What did you expect after being victimized like that?" Asked Vert.

"Well the perpetrator seems alright with it." Said Blanc, as we looked over at Nepgear, Plutia, and Neptune, who was currently holding her head with her right arm.

"Feeling better now?" Asked Plutia.

"I think, I just can't remember anything about what happened to me." Said Neptune, as I paused to get in line with them.

"Well, you know, that's probably for the best." Said Nepgear.

"Wait, what, really?" Asked Neptune in worry.

"Oh don't listen to her." Said Plutia. "It wasn't all that bad."

"If you call her completely doing a 180, and acting all shy and embarrassed about showing skin, then yeah, it wasn't that bad." I said, a smile on my face. "Shame no one had a video camera though. But I do believe that it's both not waterproof, as well as not being aloud on the island in general."

"Wha-wha-what!?" Neptune exclaimed.

"It's not as bad as you think Neptune." Said Nepgear.

"Besides, you were kind of cute." Said Plutia.

"Huh? Why'd a chill just run down my spine?" Neptune asked as she I shrugged.

"As promised, we have arrived." Said Linda, as we looked out.

"Huh? What is this?" Noire asked.

"A bubble party!" Plutia said.

"That's a bunch of naked people…" I said, putting a hand over my eyes. "...Well then."

"So is this just, a giant disco?" Nepgear asked.

"But those are gun barrels." Vert said.

"So that thing's the gun battery?" Asked Noire.

"Looks like it." I said, hand still in front of my face.

"Oh for the love of-" Neptune said, pulling my hand away from my face. "But it's nothing but a big bubble maker."

"Hey, it stopped." Said Nepgear.

"No, it's about to start." Said Blanc, as everyone but me tensed up.

The gun barrels turned to up, as I looked at the others.

"Get ready to transform, everyone." Said Vert.

Everything grew quite for a second, before more bubbles were shot out of the gun barrels at a faster rate, the sound of cheering from the females on the gun battery grew once again.

"...Huh." I said. "False alarm then."

"That's adorable." Said Noire, before she paused. "Wait, hold on! You mean we travelled all this way for bubbles!?"

"Uh… yeah." I said, as I turned to Noire, who seemed to be distracted by something. "Noire?"

"Why is he here?" She asked, pushing some of the bigger bubbles away as we ran towards the battery.

"Wait, no okay, fine…" I said to myself, as I ran after her.

"Did I imagine that?" She asked herself.

"Imagine what?" I asked.

"I could've sworn… Nevermind." She said as we walked back to the others.

"Wow, now that's what I call a wasted afternoon." Said White Heart, as we flew back towards Planeptune.

"I suppose so…" Said Black Heart.

"Noire, is something wrong?" Asked Purple Heart. "It seems like you're a bit distracted."

"Huh?" Black Heart raised her hands. "No, I'm fine! Really it's nothing."

"It's alright. I know you regret not getting naked, but there's always next time." Said Vert.

"Really? So are you saying that Noire isn't just a Cosplayer, but an aspiring nudist too?" Asked Purple Sister.

"Yeah, I DON'T think that's what has her attention." I said, laughing a bit as I held onto Purple Heart's arms.

"Hey guys…" Plutia asked, as we looked at her. "You've seen me transform right? So why don't I do a little Henshin-a-go go and-"

"Absolutely not!" Everyone else said in unison.

"Biggest meanies ever…" Said Plutia.

"We're home you guys!" Neptune said, as she landed, dropped me and de-transformed.

An unanimous greeting of: "Hey, welcome back." was what we were greeted too.

"I brought a present for P-ko, check it out!" Neptune said, as I suddenly felt uneasy, as I reattached my web shooters to my wrists. "I wrote my name on all of 'em, so we'll have a whole bunch of Nep's puddings."

"Now I can always share 'em, we won't have to fight P-ko." Said Neptune as she looked up from her bag. "Hey… where's P-ko."

I looked at the faces of IF, Histoire and Compa for a second. "...Oh no…" I muttered.

"Well, that's the thing… actually…" Histoire began. "P-ko… went back home."

"What do you mean P-ko went back home?" Neptune asked, as I walked over to her.

"Her mother came to pick her up and… that was that." Said Histoire, as I felt my right hand clench.

"Are you kidding out of the blue, just like that?" Asked Neptune.

"I know how you feel, but Peashy insisted on leaving right away." Said Histoire.

"She didn't even stop to say goodbye…" Said Rom, as Neptune suddenly bolted off into the basilicom.

"Hey, Neptune!" I yelled, as went to follow after her.

"Let her be…" Histoire said, as I stopped. "Let's continue this conversation inside."

I sighed, as we walked towards the dining room.

"I miss her…" Said Rom.

"Okay, but… We can still go visit her at her house sometimes, right?" Asked Nepgear, as I leaned against the window, arms crossed.

"I'm afraid not." Said Histoire.

"She took off before we could find out where she lives." Said Uni.

"I'm sorry if I sound out of line or something, but shouldn't there have been ANY kind of background check on her 'mother' or at least, shouldn't you have been given any sort of address before you even let them leave?" I asked.

Histoire looked down, as I sighed.

"I'm going to go find Neptune…" I said.

"If you do, tell her that we need to announce 'that'." Said Vert.

"Um… okay?" I said, walking out of the room.

"Really? Now of all times?" Noire asked.

"I understand the mood, but unfortunately, we need to let him know as soon as we made our decision…" Said Vert. "Why do you think I said to bring him along…?"

"...Oh…" Said Noire.

"...So this is where you are…" I said, walking onto the balcony, as Neptune hugged the plush Peashy to her chest.

"...The last thing I did was call her a dummy… That's what she'll remember me for…" Neptune said.

"...You'll see her again." I said, as I helped Neptune up. "...I know how you're feeling right now… but I need you to… calm down… Vert said that 'we need to announce that' or… something like that…"

"What!? No, we can't!" Neptune said, as she looked at me with tears in her eyes.

"Hey… what are you talking about?" I asked. "I'm sure it's not as bad as you think. Come on, we shouldn't keep them waiting."

I extended my right hand as Neptune looked at it before grasping it.

"Alright." I said, walking back inside.

"...Why aren't you sad?" She asked me.

"...I am." I answered, looking at her. "...Peashy… was like my little brother. She was an annoyance, she was an attention hog… but I still loved her like a sister. There's no way I couldn't. I'm not in tears like you are… because I… I don't cry when someone is gone… I laugh… I laugh the saddest laughs I can in private… because it's the only time I can let myself go…"

I sighed. "We're here."

We walked back into the dining room as Vert, Noire and Blanc were standing opposite me from the table. Everyone else was on the sides, leaving Neptune to hold onto my hand.

I swear she gripped it tighter.

"Bryce… while the timing… I would prefer it to be at a better time… but we must tell you anyways." Said Vert.

"...What's going on?" I asked, looking at the three goddesses in front of me.

"...Your sentence… has past." Said Vert, as I felt my eyes widen. "As of right now, you are no longer to be held in the basilicom."

"Wait, so… I'm… free?" I asked, looking over at Neptune, who just looked down.

"Your apartment has been kept vacant for your return." Said Vert. "Considering you'll be here for the foreseeable future… I think you'll appreciate it…"

"...What do you mean by foreseeable future?" I asked after a moment of silence, as Noire and Blanc looked at Vert in confusion. "Vert… what do you mean by that?"

"...Unfortunately…" She began, her voice straining. "...After the accident… we discovered that even if we were to try to continue… What I'm trying to say is…"

"...We're unable to find you a way home." Said Vert finally, as she looked down. "...Even if we were to remove the device… it wouldn't make a difference…"

Vert looked me in the eyes. "...You're stuck in Gamindustri… for the rest of your life."

I felt the words hit me like a brick wall, as I took a step back, my eyes landing on my feet.

"...What?" I asked, looking back up at Vert. "You're… you're joking right? Vert? Noire, Blanc, tell me she's joking… You're joking right!?" A smile had crept up onto my face, as I started to sweating, tears welling up in my eyes.

"...No… I'm not." Said Vert looking down once again.

"...Bryce…" Neptune said, looking at me, as I my smile curved downwards, as my left hand started shaking.

"...Ha…. hehehehehe…" I laughed, as a single tear dropped down my cheek, my breathing starting to pick up. I looked up at Vert, my eyes flashing with anger as I clenched my left hand into a fist.

"Bryce, no-!" Vert tried to say, as Cause and Effect split, the device melted into my skin now active.

I breathed in and out, as I glared at Vert in anger, as the only thought in my head at the moment was to cause her pain. The same pain she gave me. And since there was no more time limit…

I felt 30 seconds go by, as I clenched my right hand around Neptune's hand… only to realize what I was doing.

I turned to face Neptune, who was stuck just like Vert, just like everyone else in the room as well as beyond was currently.

"...Wait… no!" I shouted, unclenching my hands as cause and effect snapped together, Neptune dropping to the floor, as Vert caught herself on the table. "No no no no no no!"

I looked around at the CPUs and the other inhabitants of the room, before running towards the balcony.

"Bryce… wait!" Vert tried saying, as I jumped off and started web swinging away from the basilicom.

When I ran out of buildings to swing from, I ran.

I ran and ran, and I ran and ran…

Until I found myself at a beach.

I collapsed to my knees, as my hand pulled out my kimber.

"...The magazine's almost full…" I muttered, as I pulled out the magazine, and slid it back in, pulling the slider back as I looked out at the ocean in front of me.

"Bryce!" I heard the sound of wind, as Neptune landed behind me, returning to her human form as she walked up next to me.

"...Hey…" I said, closing my eyes.

She sat down next to me, as I felt her place a hand on my shoulder.

"...We were given the notice that you had finished your sentence earlier by Vert, and she seemed very keen on bringing you along to R-18 island when it was brought up." Said Neptune. "...I guess… She thought of it as a way for you to consider staying here as something that wasn't a bad thing…"

"And then Peashy left…" Neptune said, as she started crying. "...I… I didn't want you to leave too…"

I opened my eyes. "...I… I'm sorry." I said.

"...You have nothing to be sorry about." She said.

"...Then what do you call what just happened?" I asked, not looking at her.

"...I'm not sure." She said, taking her hand off my shoulder.

"...It's not your fault though…" She said, looking at me. "...Whatever is going to happen after this… With you… it's… it's going to be okay."

I smiled. "...Yeah… It will be." I said…

As I brought the barrel of my gun under my chin, and pulled the trigger.