Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own ideas and characters. I know I make a lot of references to other games and shows in this story and in this chapter especially, but I still own nothing but my own ideas and characters. We good? Good.

Authors Note 1: Yeah, this chapter gets dark in subject matter. This started up as a fun chapter, but got dark as I was writing it. So if your not comfortable with Rom and Ram having "needs", or suicidal thoughts, feel free to skip this chapter. Despite all the edits I did, I still think this chapter is my magnum opus. I am very proud of this chapter, inspite of the dark subject matter. I hope you all can agree with me.

Authors Note 2: Yeah, this is a big chapter, and between writing it and editing it, I'm not surprised this chapter took forever to be published, but I think you'll find that it was well worth the wait. Next chapter will hopefully be shorter, but I make no guarantees. I write as I go, barely planning ahead. So your guess is as good as mine as when it will be written, edited, and posted.

Authors Note 3: This is my shameless promotion Authors note. I have played through all the Mainline Neptunia games (which includes PS3 Hyperdimension Neptunia, Re;Birth 1, Re;Birth 2, Re;Birth 3, VII, and VIIr), and with the exception of PS3 Hyperdimension Neptunia (which I am only missing one trophy for the platinum, and only two enemy entries for that trophy) and VIIr (To much fucking grinding), I have all the platinum trophies/achievements for all of them. If you want to see me get them, you can check out my YouTube channel at Corey's Video Game Blog, or check out my (links on the YouTube Channel). Once your done reading, you should check it out. It would really help me out. Okay, shameless promotion over. Go read this monster already, dammit.

Chapter 3: Lowee's Finest

"So, Blanc left to go on dates, and we're stuck here doing the grunt work. I know that someone has to take over, but why does it have to be us? I want to date too. Even if I am banned from having sex. I mean, if she can fulfil her desires, why can't we?"

"Come on, Ram, don't start a new chapter by breaking the fourth wall. We're not in a Deadpool comic. This is supposed to run concurrent to Blanc's adventure. Besides, you know that even if we are ageless, we're not legal. Our bodies aren't developed enough for it anyways."

Ram gives Rom a pout.

"I suppose you're right. It still sucks though. And when did you start reading Deadpool, anyways?"

Rom gives Ram a smile.

"Right after we were shown Vert's porn magazine, I found her collection of Deadpool comics. I was going to draw on them like usual, but I started reading it and found I liked it. Read a few before Vert found me and forced me into playing a video game with her."

Ram huffs a little and says, "Lucky. While you were playing, I was forced to clean her room. She's a bit of a slob, if I'm being honest."

Rom nods.

"Agreed. Nothing was worse than cleaning the dining room in our anime though."

Ram gives a long sigh.

"Yeah. That sucked. Anyways, I suppose we should get started taking over for Blanc. Any ideas where to begin?"

Rom thinks for a moment before saying, "Maybe we could check the computer for quests. Show everyone that just because we're CPU candidates and kids doesn't mean we can't get the job done."

Ram smiles at Rom.

"Good idea. You know, for being the shy one, you can be a badass when you want to be. Okay, off to the computer then."

Rom blushes at the compliment.

Ram may be more forward than me, but that doesn't mean I'm a pushover either. I can hold my own in a fight. I hope the Author demonstrates that in this story. I hope I can break out of my shell outside of a fight soon as well. We might not be able to have sex, but I wouldn't mind being with someone too. I'm sure Ram feels the same way.

Ram, halfway out of Blanc's room, stops, and, noticing Rom isn't following her, asks, "Rom, what's the hold up? Something happen?"

Rom jumps and shakes her head.

"No. I'm coming."

Racing over to Ram, Rom gives her a smile. Ram gives Rom a concerned look, giving her a glance over. Finally, she shrugs and exits the room, Rom following. They make their way over to Blanc's office and go on the computer. They enter the Guild intranet and search for quests.

"Okay, we should probably leave the fetch quests to Blanc, and any national emergencies to her and the army" says Ram.

Rom looks at her confused.

"So, what does that leave left for us to do?"

Ram looks at Rom and says, "Paperwork, mostly. Boring, Boring paperwork."

Rom and Ram both sigh, knowing that even if they are in charge temporarily, that Blanc would be furious if they left the Basilicom without supervision. Suddenly, they hear a voice they haven't heard in a while.

"I know that sigh. You two are bored, aren't you?"

Looking up from the computer, they see C-Sha, looking even more fit than before, accompanied by Dogooman and his wife.

Ram and Rom nod.

Ram says, "Yeah. Blanc put us in charge while she tries to find a husband and get herself some action. Personally, I'd rather be drawing on her stuff or pulling pranks, but we need to be adults and take charge. Just not like that sacrifice ending in the Re;Birth 2 game. Seriously, whoever put in the ending where we the kids die is a real sicko. Even the Player and Author of this story found that disturbing."

Rom shivers and nods, trying her best to not remember that scenario. She's not the only one. Ram also shivers and every other CPU and CPU candidate, excluding Uzume and Blanc (for obvious reasons), feel a cold shiver run down their spine. Nepgear even stops her phone sex for a full minute as that scenario runs through her mind, confusing and disturbing her greatly. Luckily, Tony is on the phone to comfort her and get her back to one of her many, many orgasms. Even C-Sha, who wasn't even in said game, goes pale at that thought.

Shaking her head, C-Sha says, "That's super disturbing. Let's move on from that subject. I've been informed of what's happening from the Basilicom staff and guards. Blanc's out to find a future husband to boost shares and you're in charge."

Rom and Ram nod.

Rom says, "Which is all fine, but all we can do here is paperwork. We can't go out without supervision without ticking Blanc off."

C-Sha raises an eyebrow and says, "If you're in charge, you should be allowed to handle anything you need to, inside or outside the Basilicom. But I see your point. When I was in charge of this place and you two were missing, Blanc was super worried about you. Hmm. Tell you what, I'll supervise you today, and I'll talk to Blanc later about letting you take over all the duties."

Rom and Ram's eyes light up.

"You'd really do that?" asks Ram.

C-Sha shrugs and says, "Sure. I have nothing better to do today. You shouldn't need me to anyways, but I'll be able to help you in combat, so it's not like I'd be dead weight anyways."

Ram looks at Rom and says, "Sweet. Now we can do some of the fun, slightly dangerous quests."

Rom mutters to herself, "I'd rather go out and meet some boys than do anything dangerous."

Ram looks at Rom and asks, "What did you say?"

Rom blushes. Unable to tell if Ram heard her, she lies and says, "I said that sounds fun. Just nothing too dangerous. I don't want to get hurt. Blanc has enough on her plate without worrying about us."

C-Sha heard what Rom muttered, and looks between Rom and Ram, wondering what will happen next. Ram also heard what Rom said, but chooses to ignore it for now.

So, Rom has an interest in boys now, huh? Didn't get that impression when we were shown that porn magazine, but whatever. I'm a little hurt that she would lie to me like that. It's not like it's something bad. It's only natural to start liking the opposite sex after a while. Unless you start liking the same sex anyways. *sigh* I know we're both growing up, but I hope we're not growing apart as well.

Looking at Rom with a forced smile, Ram says, "You're right. Blanc doesn't need anything else to deal with. I'll try to find us something easy to deal with. Besides, at least for today, we have C-Sha with us to help. Even without her superpower, she's still quite the asskicker."

Rom sees the forced smile on Ram's face and immediately starts feeling guilty. She nods and looks down. Pushing her guilt down, she says, "We may have said hell and pissed off in the game, but we're still kids. Even if Blanc isn't here, maybe we shouldn't curse."

Ram smirks and says, "What is this, the 1950s? We're not in front of the ESRB. I don't think anybody's going to care. We need character progression some time you know. Even if it seems out of character for us at first."

Rom simply shrugs and says, "I would think us talking about sex would be enough character progression, but I suppose you're right. One or two curse words now and then isn't going to piss off the readers too much."

Ram and C-Sha laugh, and Rom joins in after realizing her slip of the tongue. After a moment, Ram finds the perfect quest on the computer.

"Ah-ha. That's what I'm talking about. Something to spread our wings on. It's a quest to kill two elder dragons, two hellraiser cats, and three metal dogoos. It's an S-Rank Quest, and it even has a 100,000 credits reward, along with rare weapons for Blanc, you, and me. Imagine how many games we can buy with that amount of Credits. You can even start your own Deadpool comics collection."

Rom's eyes go wide at the prospect.

"That would be awesome. It's kind of weird that they're giving us both Credits and weapons specifically designed for us."

Ram says, "Sure, but maybe the guild knows that we're the only ones who could handle this. Course, we are the rulers, so we shouldn't have to do grunt work to get the weapons, but maybe we need to level up in order to handle using them."

Rom says, "That's true. I just hope that the two elder dragons aren't Shiva and the dungeon change equivalent The God of Woe."

Ram looks at her with concern for a moment before that concern changes into excitement.

"That would be a tough battle, even with C-Sha with us. But thanks to the Player's help, we kicked their ass more than once already. We should be able to do it again."

Ram looks at Dogooman and his wife and says, "Um, I'm sorry we have to beat up your kind, but we can't have them attack innocent people or the city. I hope you understand."

Dogooman says, "I don't feel comfortable with attacking my own kind, but I do understand. Not all of us are evolved, so there are times that things like this are necessary. Besides my wife and I, there aren't many good Dogoos anyways. Never be afraid to protect your nation or its people, especially on our account. On top of that, metal dogoos are cocky assholes anyways, thinking they're better just because they have armor-like skin and more HP. I have half a mind to wipe those guys out myself. Regardless, we will help you out as well. S-Sha is resting at the nearby hotel, recovering from her trip, so we're free today."

Rom, Ram, and C-Sha, along with Dogooman's wife, all say simultaneously, "That took a dark turn."

Rom continues with, "Thank you though. We appreciate the help. We should get going."

Turning to Ram, she asks, "Where do we need to go?"

Ram prints out the guild's request and attached map. Showing Rom, C-Sha, Dogooman and his wife, she says, "They were spotted outside the village of Sungod, near the Mountain Range of Doom. I don't think we've been to either of these places. I also think the Author's getting lazy. There like 3 references to other shows in that naming convention."

Rom nods and says, "Hey, we already had one Avatar the Last Airbender reference in this story, so it's fair game. Why not a Fairly Oddparents and Yugioh reference as well? I think the Author is taking full liberty of our ability to break the 4th wall."

Ram shrugs and says, "Actually, Idea Factory started it with that DBZ reference in Re;Birth 3 so anything's fair game at this point. But we're getting off track. We should get our stuff ready and head out. We should bring food and water along with our equipment in case we have to actually climb that damn mountain."

Everyone nods and goes to get their stuff while Rom and Ram ask their kitchen staff to whip up some food for their trip along with some bottled water and some other drinks. 20 minutes later, Rom and Ram meet with C-Sha, Dogooman, and his wife at the front of the Basilicom, carrying backpacks filled with their food and other supplies. They are transformed, weapons in hand.

"Why are you transformed already? Isn't that going to waste energy?" asks C-Sha.

Rom says, "This gives us more of an air of authority. Hardly anyone takes us seriously if we're not transformed. Plus, after that brawl we had with everyone in Chapter 1, we found that even with lower shares we can last in our transformed state for a while. That said, we're not going to fly all the way there."

C-Sha raises an eyebrow and asks, "How are we getting there anyways?"

Her question is answered when the Basilicom staff brings out 3 motorcycles, each with a sidecar on it. Ram gives C-Sha a smile.

"If we are going out, we're going to go out in style. Even Blanc doesn't know about these. We had these custom made just for occasions like these. The sidecars will allow us to pick up other passengers if needed. Like boys for example."

Ram turns towards Rom and gives her a wink. Rom blushes a deep red.

She must have heard me after all. I'll have to apologize to her later for lying. Still, I had completely forgotten that we had these made. Blanc was pretty pissed about the hole in the national budget. We better tell her soon, or she's going to flip out.

C-Sha looks at Rom, then Ram and smiles. Shaking her head, she asks, "How'd you get this passed Blanc?"

Ram looks at C-Sha and asks, "The motorcycles?"

C-Sha shakes her head no and simply says, "Not them. Boys."

Rom and Ram blush. Looking at each other for a quick second, Rom and Ram silently debate how much to tell C-Sha. Finally, they sigh and look over at C-Sha, deep blushes on their faces.

"Well, a short time ago, Vert showed us a porn magazine full of naked dudes. When our shares dropped, and we had our CPU duel, it came out that we looked at it. Blanc was mad, but we calmed her down. We made a deal with her that we can read her stories full of sex, no different from the one we're in now, but we can't look at porn or have sex. Before she left, she told us that we can have boys over, and we can kiss and hug them, but no sexual contact. I get that we're not exactly legal or developed, but we have needs too."

C-Sha looks at Ram with sympathy.

"I know it's frustrating, but you are just kids. You don't want the responsibility that comes with having sex. I can understand your plight, but I also understand where Blanc is coming from. You really shouldn't be having it. But hey, making out with some boys will make you feel good, regardless."

Ram frowns.

"Not as good as having sex would. You're right though. We really shouldn't have it. But if anything ever happens to Blanc and we become in charge permanently, all bets are off. Maybe we should do some research and see if there is a way to get ourselves more adult bodies. That way on our 18th birthday, we can have some adult fun too."

Rom frowns now and says, "Geez, I hope you didn't just wish death upon Blanc. If we ever did find a way to get more adult bodies, then Blanc would be happy too. Especially, after witnessing her dream sequence. I'm guessing Uni and younger Neptune would as well."

Ram gives Rom a little glare before calming down.

"You know I would never wish death upon Blanc, especially over something stupid like that. You are right though. Blanc would definitely be happy with a more adult body. I just hope that if that ever happens, she doesn't turn into a complete bitch like her fantasy indicated she would be. As for Uni and Neptune, I have a feeling things will work out fine, regardless of whether or not they have adult bodies. After all, Neptune seems pretty happy now as it is."

Rom nods. She hops onto one of the motorcycles. Following her lead, Ram gets on another one. C-Sha gets on the one Ram is on, while Dogooman gets on the one Rom is on. His wife gets on the final motorcycle.

"Can I see the map one more time?" asks C-Sha.

Ram gives her the map. As C-Sha is studying the map, Ram says, "For the record, Blanc really doesn't know about the motorcycles. We never found the right moment to tell her. All she knows is that there was a computer glitch that threw the national budget off. Please keep it a secret until we tell her. We'll tell her as soon as all of this gets resolved."

C-Sha chuckles but nods.

"Your secrets safe with me. Now that I've studied the map, I think I know where to go. I think we should stop at the Sungod Village first to find out any updates. You got any helmets? Safety first."

Ram takes the map back and puts it in her backpack. She hands C-Sha a helmet out of the sidecar before putting one on herself (Side note from the Author. I've been in an ATV rollover accident, and if I weren't wearing a helmet, my head would have been nothing but goo, crushed, and I'd be dead. To any readers, please helmet up.) Once everyone is helmeted up, they take off like a rocket ship. Several hours pass before they get to the Sungod Village, with several stops for bathroom breaks.

"Hey, I think I see it. Finally. Ram, you really need to learn to hold it a little. Seems like we stopped every half-hour so you could pee" says C-Sha.

With a blush on her face, Ram says, "Sorry. I must be nervous or something. I don't think I've ever had to pee so much."

Sighing, C-Sha says, "I hope you're not getting sick or developing diabetes. Lay off the sugar for a while, okay?"

Ram sighs and says, "Okay."

The group pulls into the village, stopping by the local government office. Pulling into the nearest parking spots, the group takes off their helmets and walks into the building. They are greeted by an older gentleman, in his mid-fifties.

"Hello, my name is Rodger, Mayor of Sungod Village. How can I help you today?"

Taking a deep breath, Rom takes lead and says, "Hello Rodger, my name is Rom, CPU Candidate of Lowee. With me is my twin sister Ram, our family friend C-Sha, and her friends Dogooman and his wife Dogoolady. We are here to take care of a quest you reported to the guild about two elder dragons, two hellraiser cats, and three metal dogoos. Can you give us any updates about their whereabouts?"

Ram looks at Rom, half surprised and half proud.

I never would have thought that she would take lead on this. She's usually so shy. I guess she wants to be more assertive. I'm quite impressed and more than a little proud. Good job Rom.

Rodger's eyes go wide at this information.

"You're actually thinking about taking those things on?! Those beasts have killed everyone that's encountered them. Even for CPU's they would be tough. I am asking you to please reconsider."

Rom frowns, and in a very rare moment, loses composer. She squares up to Rodger and practically shouts, "Listen here, Rodger. We may be young, and we may look weak, but we are CPU Candidates. We are more than capable of getting the job done. I am sick and tired of everyone doubting us. Now tell us where those damn things are so we can get the fucking job done!"

Ram, C-Sha, Dogooman, Dogoolady, and Rodger jump at Rom's outburst. Rom can feel her entire body shaking from anger.

Goddammit, I am so sick of being treated with kid gloves. We, no, I am more than capable of getting the job done. I know that I had to be rescued in our anime and games, but I am a CPU Candidate for a reason. No candidate is weak. I don't even want to be on this quest. I know Ram wants to get laid, but she's not the only one with needs. I want to fall in love too, dammit. Even if I can't have sex, that doesn't mean I don't want to date. Fuck I'm pissed right now.

Ram cautiously approaches Rom and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey Rom, I know you're upset, but please calm down. I know you would rather be going on dates than doing this quest, but remember, we're doing this so people will know we're capable of protecting them. We're also doing this so Blanc can save our country. I know you're not weak, and I know you're tired of being treated like you can't do anything on your own. I know I've done that in the recent past too. I'm sorry if I ever made you feel trivialized. Just take a deep breath. Please."

Following her sister's advice, Rom takes several deeps breaths. It takes her a few minutes, but she eventually calms down. While she is calming down, Rodger looks at Rom, then Ram, and says, "I'm sorry. I just…never mind. Those monster like to rest in a cave halfway up Mount Death, the biggest Mountain in the Mountain Range of Doom. It's notorious for rockslides, and it's ridiculously cold. The top is almost always covered in snow. If you're going to climb up it, I would suggest picking up some rope, some grapples, and some special mountain climbing shoes. The store about a mile down has all the supplies you'll need. I wish you the best of luck. And thanks."

Once Rom has fully calmed down, the group exits the building. Going near the motorcycles, they engage in conversation.

Rom, with her voice cracking, says, "I'm sorry. I completely lost myself in there. I should have known that you knew how I was feeling Ram. We really do have a bond that nobody else has, don't we? Twin magic as they call it. I apologize for lying to you earlier. I really would rather go boy hunting than monster hunting. I guess I'm just embarrassed about it. I'm not as sexually charged as you are. Maybe that's why. That's not to say that I don't have those urges either. Blanc's not the only one masturbating in the bath. I'm just more discrete about it. Apologizes to the Author, I know he doesn't want to write about us masturbating, but we're almost 13, it's only natural that we do."

Ram gives Rom a smile and says, "Apology accepted. And the Author's uncomfortableness aside, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with sexual urges. You are right, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. And it's fine if you just want to date and make out. As for what happened in there, we got what we needed. I say we let that be water under the bridge. Besides, he really shouldn't underestimate us. Even if I think he was just looking out for our safety."

C-Sha says, "Speaking of the Author, I think he wants us to get a move on. He wants some ass kicking action, and I think the readers do to."

Rom and Ram nod and get on the motorcycles, helmeting up. C-Sha, Dogooman and his wife follow their lead and they head off to the store Rodger had mentioned. After getting their supplies and resisting the urge to go shoe shopping (for more than what they need), they head towards Mount Death. 10 minutes after leaving the store, they arrive at the base of the mountain.

Getting off the motorcycles and removing their helmets, the group look at the mountain, which just screams DEATH in all capital letters. The mountain is huge, at least 40,000 feet high. It's covered in loose rock and gravel, and the parts that are covered in snow isn't white, it's black, almost like ash. The sky above the mountain has dark clouds, almost completely blocking out the sun. To top it off, the wind gusts, with frightening speed and chill. Even used to the cold temperatures of Lowee, the group shivers, practically chilled to the bone.

"Okay, this definitely looks like something a dragon would nest in. Let's put on those jackets we bought, grab our supplies, and get to it. Rom and Ram, I want you two to save your stamina, un-transform, and climb with us. That way, if worse comes to worse and one of us falls off, you can transform and catch us, or save yourself. This looks like it's going to be a bitch to climb, so let's be as safe as possible."

Rom and Ram nod, un-transform, and grab their jackets from the sidecar.

While they do so, Ram says, "That is a smart idea. I feel like that was a big plot point from another video game series though. Legend of Heroes maybe."

Rom says, "I think it was the Trails of Cold Steel storyline. *Sigh* I'm sure our readers are getting sick of these 4th wall breaks."

Ram shrugs her shoulders and says, "Maybe they are, but it's the Author's creative liberty. Besides, it's our series bread and butter. I'm sure he is just going with the flow."

Rom and Ram put on the jackets, grab their backpacks, one filled with the aforementioned snacks, and one filled with other emergency supplies like flares and the like. C-Sha puts on her jacket as well. Dogooman and his wife don't need them, as they can regulate their body heat.

C-Sha looks at the mountain and says, "Let's see if we can find a foothold. Otherwise, we'll have to use the grapple and rope combo and hope that it holds."

Rom and Ram follow C-Sha's lead and circle the mountain looking for any way up. Dogooman and his wife, meanwhile, look for the best place to use the grapple and rope combo. A few minutes later, C-Sha, Rom and Ram go to where Dogooman and Dogoolady are, freezing and annoyed.

"Man, I didn't see shit for footholds. Worse, when I tried to climb up a few spots, the rocks shifted under my feet. I don't know how anybody's getting up there to deal with them" says Ram.

Dogooman says, "I have even more bad news. I don't see a spot that's stable enough to use the grapple and rope combo. And my eyesight is better that almost everyone's."

C-Sha says, "Dammit, that means that the only way to get up there is to have Rom and Ram fly up there and take us with them."

Rom shakes her head and says, "With the way the winds are gusting, I'm not even sure we can fly up there solo, much less while carrying you guys."

Ram kicks the side of the mountain, and barely has time to get out of the way of the massive rockslide that her kick initiated.

"FUCK!"

Now Ram is the one pissed off and cussing up a storm. She cusses for 5 straight minutes before returning to the motorcycles with everyone else.

"Okay, so what do we do now?" asks Dogoolady.

More pissed off than ever, and still in a cussing mode, Ram says, "According to Rodger, those fucking beasts killed everyone that fucking went up against them. Which means that those people had to have found a way up this STUPID FUCKING MOUNTAIN!"

Ram's shout causes an even bigger rockslide, which ends right at their feet.

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!"

C-Sha says, "I know we're all pissed, but you need to calm down. I don't want you to get buried under one of these things."

Ram lets out a frustrated but much quieter yell before attempting to calm down.

After a minute of clearing her head, C-Sha says, "Maybe they didn't go up the mountain, maybe they found a way to get the monsters to come down here. Or they tried attacking them during the monsters' rampage."

Ram says, "I can't wait to kill those fucking bastards."

Seeing the look on Rom's face, Ram says, "I know what you're thinking, and you're right. I do need to calm down. But I think we're old enough now to use whatever damn words we want."

Rom just sighs and shakes her head.

"Perhaps we should go back into town and regroup. We could maybe find someone who can help us further."

"You rang?" says two unknown voices.

Rom, Ram, C-Sha, Dogooman, and Dogoolady all turn towards the unknown voices. They see two boys, around Rom and Ram's age, both with ginger hair. Except for one of the boys being taller, they are identical. Both are in incredible shape, with huge shoulders and arm muscles, 6 pack abs, and well-built legs. Like their sister, Rom and Ram have to hold back their own wetness and urge to orgasm.

To hide her embarrassment and horniness, and to let out the rest of her anger, Ram asks the boys, "Who the hell are you two?"

The boys chuckle. The shorter boy says, "Another Lowee leader with a potty-mouth, just like her sisters. My name is Mike, and this is my twin brother Sully. Our parents are huge Pixar fans, and thought it would be funny to name us after Monster's Inc. characters. Guess it's ironic that we ended up as Hunters in that alternate Lowee, before the world stopped going crazy and returned to normal anyways. We couldn't help but overhear your dilemma or your cute curse-filled tirade."

Ram's eyes twitch and she asks, "Are you making fun of me, you arrogant little bastard?"

Mike laughs and shakes his head. Sensing that his twin brother might get slugged, Sully says, "I don't think he was at all. Truth be told, he has had a crush on you Ram, ever since we assisted your sister in clearing out that horde of monsters near Lowee's Basilicom. I myself have had a crush on Rom since that time as well."

Rom's eyes light up.

"Really? You've had a crush on me since then?"

Sully nods and says, "Yes, I have. You may seem like a pushover, but I can see that deep down, you can be an assertive badass. And I was right. We heard from our uncle Rodger what you said to him. That's why we decided to come out here. He thought you had to climb the mountain, but us Hunter's know of a different way to get to that cave, one that if you're careful enough, can avoid the rockslides and climbing altogether. I just hope you're not afraid of heights or ladders."

C-Sha raises an eyebrow and asks, "How can we do that?"

Mike says to C-Sha, "Hold that thought for just a moment please. I need to have a private pow-wow with my brother for just a minute."

Mike pulls Sully aside so they can talk in private.

Mike says to Sully, "I don't mind helping them, that's why we came after all. But before we do, can you help me try to get closer to Ram? I think I just blew my chances with her. She is glaring daggers into me."

Sully says, "I think she's just pissed off at the mountain and rockslides, not so much at you. Still, you should apologize when you get the chance. After you do, show her that you can protect her, and show her that you can be someone that is worthy of being with her. If you do that, I'm sure she'll forgive you and open up to you. And whatever you do, don't try to pressure her into anything. Only true dicks, assholes, and scumbags do that. You don't want to be like them, do you?"

Mike shakes his head no and says, "Of course not!"

Sully puts his hand on Mike's shoulder and says, "Good. Then you'll be fine. Trust me."

Turning back to Rom and Ram's group, Sully says, "We won't be going over the mountain, but rather under then up it."

Everyone sans Mike raises an eyebrow at that.

Sully says, "If your cool leaving your hogs here, I can show you what I mean. You should still take your supplies with you though. Never know when you might need them."

Ram looks at C-Sha and says, "I don't see any other way up this damn mountain. I say we try whatever Mike and Sully are talking about."

C-Sha says, "That's fine with me. As long as it's okay with Rom. I mean, you and Rom are in charge. We're just following your lead."

Dogooman and Dogoolady say, "Agreed. We'll follow you anywhere you need to go."

Ram looks at Rom and asks, "Is that okay with you?"

Rom looks at Ram, then at Mike and Sully, then back at Ram and says, "Only if we can go on a date with Mike and Sully afterwards, to get to know them better. And I want to make out with Sully too. As long as he's not dangerous. Otherwise, forget it. I have better things to do than climb up this death trap. Even if we are powerful enough to take care of these bastard enemies ourselves, we can always call in the army and have them take care of it too. The making out with Sully is a dealbreaker. Wait, I changed my mind. Me making out with Sully and you making out with Mike is the dealbreaker. Which mean you better stop being mean to him and get along."

Ram looks at Rom, flabbergasted. She asks in a somewhat angry voice, "Are you serious?!"

Rom stands her ground and says, "Deadly serious. They have a crush on us. We're never going to get a better opportunity than this. It would make our day, and it would certainly make their day as well. Besides, are you more mad at Mike or this 'stupid fucking mountain' as you put it?"

Ram's anger immediately cool and she blushes a deep red. Looking at the ground, she mumbles, "The mountain."

Rom, pressing the issue (and secretly helping her sister in the process), says, "I can't hear you, speak up."

Ram shakes out of nervousness, and with her entire body completely covered in a blush, shouts, "I'm mad at the stupid fucking mountain, not Mike! I find him irresistibly hot and it's taking all my willpower to not orgasm right now just looking at him. And don't try to hide it. You're holding back your own orgasm looking at Sully too. Fuck! I can't take this! I agree to your terms, but before we go, I need to do this!"

Ram marches over to Mike, grabs him by the shoulders, and yanks him forward, their lips smashing together. Mike lets out a surprise gasp, and Ram lets out a moan.

I may be forbidden from any sexual contact, but I was never forbidden to do this!

Ram, with a ferocity that would make sexually charged Blanc blush, shoves her tongue into Mike's mouth, fully exploring it. Ram smacks Mike on the ass, silently telling him to move his tongue with hers. Mike complies, his confusion slowing melting away into pure pleasure. Rom watches from where she is standing, with her jaw dropped. After a moment, she closes her mouth.

Talking to no one in particular, Rom says, "I was never trying to hide the fact I think Sully is hot as hell and he's making me want to do unspeakably adult things to and with him. If I so much as look at him, I might explode into an orgasm."

After a moment more of thinking, Rom says to Sully, "Ah fuck it! When in Rome do as the Romans do. Those fucking monsters can wait. Sully, get your fine ass over here now. We're both forbidden to have sex of any kind, but damn if this isn't going to feel good regardless."

Sully walks over to Rom, and Rom grabs him by his shirt, pulling him forward and down, their lips colliding as a result. Rom is a bit gentler with Sully, licking his lips, asking for permission to enter. Sully surprises her by entering into her mouth first with his tongue. He places one hand on her back to stabilize her and himself, and his other hand cradles her neck. Rom gets more turned on by the neck contact and puts more pressure on his lips, deepening the kiss while continuing to dance with his tongue with hers.

Mike puts his hands on Ram's hips, and as the kiss continues, slowly puts his hands on her back. The gradual shifting of hands turns Ram on even more.

God, I wish we could have sex. Then his hands could explore whatever the fuck they wanted. This lack of orgasming is driving me nuts. Still, this feels so good. God, I can't wait until I can masturbate again. I'm going to put Blanc's record today to shame.

While Ram is making out with Mike and Rom is making out with Sully, C-Sha, Dogooman, and Dogoolady are watching the scene with their jaws dropped. After 2 minutes they close their mouths and engage in conversation.

"C-Sha, are you okay with this? Should we stop this?" asks Dogoolady.

C-Sha says, "They're in charge. If this is what they want, then we have no right to stop it. It would be a different story if the monsters were about to attack, but it seems quiet, so I think it should be safe for now. Still don't want to freeze my ass off, but them's the breaks. As long as they don't get too wild, and as long as there's no sexual contact, I'm fine with it. Let's just monitor them and let them be."

Dogooman says, "As you wish. By the way, since we can regulate our body heat, if you want to stand or sit between us, we can warm you up tremendously."

"Seriously, thanks you two."

C-Sha walks over to in between them and sits, Dogooman and his wife doing the same. For the next half hour, they watch the kids make out, C-Sha nice and toasty between her two non-human companions. Suddenly, they all hear a loud roar coming from the mountain. Another rockslide happens, though this one doesn't come as close to them. Rom and Ram stop their make out sessions.

Mike says, "Dammit, it sounds like they're waking up. We need to move and kill those things once and for all."

"Hell yeah, we do. We need to get back to our make out session as soon as possible" says Ram.

"Yeah, let's kill these fucking bastards. I need to get back to making Sully and myself feel good" says Rom.

Mike and Sully both smile at Ram and Rom's enthusiasm and desire to make out with them.

Don't know what we did to have this happen, but I hope it will happen again soon.

Sully says, "Okay, follow us. It's time we end those damn things."

Mike and Sully lead the group to an underground bunker door. Mike attempts to open it while Sully explains.

"The people of Sungod Village have known for many years just how dangerous this mountain is. So, over the years they've carved out an underground path that goes to the center of the mountain. It's made from solid steel, so the chances of it collapsing are slim to none. In the center is a ladder that takes you up to the cave at the halfway point. The same cave those damn monsters are nesting in. About 6 months ago the villagers put in a request to kill those things but everyone whose tried has failed and lost their lives. The guild got desperate, and so did the villagers, so they put in the reward of the 100,000 credits and rare weapons to get the attention of Lowee's CPU and you guys. Of course, this all got sidetracked when the world changed, but I'm glad you guys are here now. The reward finally worked. I wish Lady Blanc were here too, just to have that much more battle strength, but I'm sure between all of us, we can handle it. I mean, there's seven of us and seven of them and you're CPU Candidates and Gold Third. How can we lose?"

Mike fiddles with the latch for another 10 seconds before saying, "I got it open. Let's do this!"

The door flings open, leading to some stairs. The group looks at the stairs and realize that they go about 10 feet down into the ground. They also see that there is steel covering the top of the hole and the sides.

Rom gulps and says, "That's deep. I'm glad it's lit up, but if the tunnel collapses, we'll be buried deeper than a typical corpse at a funeral. Are you sure that it's safe?"

Sully grabs her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"It's as safe at it can be. Every 2 weeks, this gets inspected to make sure there's no damage and to make repairs as needed. It was inspected just 2 days ago, and everything was fine. Scared the hell out of the inspector, inspecting it with those things up there. Glad he made it back safely."

Shaking his head, Sully continues with, "Trust me, this is still much safer than trying to climb the mountain itself."

Rom looks at Ram, her eyes filled with fear. Fear that Ram has never seen before. Even Sully notices how scared Rom is, with her hand shaking uncontrollably.

Ram asks Rom, "Are you okay? I've never seen you look so scared, not even when you were kidnapped, in both our anime and games."

Rom says, "I-I'm fine. L-Let's just go."

Sully and Ram both notice her stuttering. Understanding comes to Ram's eyes. Sully gives Rom's hand another squeeze.

Ram asks, "Rom, are you claustrophobic?"

Rom looks down, too embarrassed to answer. Ram walks over to her and gives her a hug. Sully lets go of Rom's hand, giving the sisters some space.

"It's okay. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm going to let you in on a secret. I'm afraid of heights. And I can fly now. I'm going to be terrified climbing up this mountain, no matter how we do it. But you know how I'm getting the courage to do it?"

Rom shakes her head no.

"I'm getting the courage to do this because you're here with me, Rom. I know together we can do anything. And I know that even if I fall, you'll be there to catch me. Just like I'll be there for you. If this does start collapsing, then I'll pull a Spider-Man and catch the whole damn thing, letting you escape, just like that MCU movie. Or I'll pull a DBZ type move and blast the whole damn mountain. Either way, I got your back, so you don't have to worry. We can so do this. Then, when we're done, we can make out with the boys, and get to know them better. Just like you want."

Taking a nervous but deep breath, Rom hugs Ram back.

She's right. We can do anything as long as we're together. Okay, I just need to calm my nerves and do this. Then I can get back to having fun and feeling good.

Rom whispers, "Thank you Ram. I really needed that."

Breaking the hug after another minute, Rom says, "Okay, I'm feeling calmer now. Those monsters aren't going to wait any longer. Let's finish them. Mike and Sully, gentlemen first."

Mike and Sully nod and descend the stairs, Rom and Ram's group following. They follow in silence, staring at the tunnel with wonder and awe. 10 minutes later, they come across the tallest ladder they have ever seen.

"Okay, this is it. Once we climb this thing, we'll be in the cave. Is everybody ready?" asks Mike.

Ram looks at the ladder, and immediately has to shut her eyes to prevent vertigo. Mike notices the reaction and says, "I didn't think you'd have such a strong reaction to a ladder. Your fear of heights must be more intense than anyone thought."

Ram nods and says, "I can't stand high places. I have to focus on something, or I get intense vertigo. I should probably transform, then I'll be able to fly."

Mike gets a panicked look on his face and says, "That's a nice thought, but if you do that in here, your energy output from transforming could cause this entire shaft to collapse. You can always go back outside and transform."

They all hear another roar, much louder this time, and can feel the tunnel shake.

Sully looks at Mike and says, "It doesn't seem like there'll be time for that. It sounds like they're getting ready to move."

Rom puts her hand on Ram's shoulder. Ram is shaking, but she can tell that Rom is still shaking too, but is putting up a perfectly calm, brave front.

She's still scared but is being courageous. I need to do the same. I must look like a hypocrite giving her that speech, then being scared stiff myself.

Ram takes a deep breath, then nods.

Turning back to Mike, she says, "I think I know how to do this. Mike and Sully, you guys go first. That way we can focus on your hot asses. That should be enough to distract me, err, us. Then C-Sha, Dogooman, and Dogoolady can bring up the rear. That way we can help if you slip, or they start falling. Plus, this way you don't get the chance to peak under our clothes."

Not that that would be the worst thing in the world, you hot stud. God, I need to find a way to age my body. I want you so badly.

Mike and Sully nod.

Rom says, "That's a fine idea. That way we can stare at them. I mean, that way you can get over your fear."

Everyone gives Rom a glance, and she burst into a blush. Sully claps his hands and begins climbing. Mike climbs up next, giving Ram a comforting smile. Rom gives Ram a hug and a smile. Ram takes a deep breath to calm her nerves.

Here I go. Please don't let me fall.

Wiping her now sweat-drenched hands, Ram begins climbing. Rom calms her own nerves and begins climbing as well. C-Sha begins climbing next, followed by Dogoolady. Dogooman takes the rear, completely unafraid of heights or being squished under everyone else.

Ram keeps her eyes glued to Mike's backside. She can feel her heart racing, and not just from the heights. About halfway up the ladder, Ram's hand slips. She lets out a little yelp as her left arm bends over the rung, preventing her from falling. She begins breathing heavily as panic sets in.

"I don't want to do this anymore. I can't do this anymore."

Mike looks down at her and says, "You can do this. You're being incredibly brave right now. That's part of the reason I fell for you. That and you're hot as hell."

Mike blushes and clears his throat.

"Anyways, you got this. I believe in you."

Ram feels warmth flood all throughout her body. Her shares have increased slightly. She looks at Mike with newfound vigor.

"Thank you, Mike. I feel calmer now. Let's continue."

Mike smiles at Ram before turning his head around. He continues to climb. Ram looks at his derriere before continuing to climb herself. Rom, who also feels the rise in the share energy, smiles, giggles to herself, and continues to climb. Soon enough, they all make it to the top of the ladder. Sully opens the second hatch, takes a quick look around, before getting onto the cave floor. Once everyone gets off the ladder, the hatch is closed, and Rom and Ram both breathe a sigh of relief, their nerves slowly getting back to normal (well, for Ram, as normal as they can be being so high up still). Exiting the side area, they all enter the cave proper. They notice that they are not by the exit to the cave and are in the middle.

"Okay, what's the plan here?" asks Sully.

Rom looks around for a second before saying, "This isn't the most ideal place to fight them, considering we're inside a mountain and we're high up. But we should be able to kill them if we split them up. Ram, C-Sha and I should focus on the Elder Dragons, Dogooman and Dogoolady should focus on the metal dogoos, and you two should focus on the hellraiser cats. Just watch each other's backs and if things go sideways, well, let's just hope that doesn't happen. If need be, we'll switch it up on the fly to confuse them. That work for everyone?"

Everyone nods. Not two minutes later, the enemies appear.

"Oh, more useless humans to try and stop us. Even some wannabe goddesses this time. Boys you know what to do. Kill them, then eat them" says Shiva.

"Dammit, it really is Shiva and the God of Woe. This is going to be a handful. Everyone Attack!"

Rom and Ram rush Shiva, attacking him with ice coffin. Shiva brushes off the attack, no damage taken. The God of Woe rushes the girls, but Dogooman and Dogoolady tackle him, and C-Sha punches him in the head. He goes flying into a wall, causing a massive rockslide outside and causing the cave to rumble. The hellraiser cats attack while C-Sha, Dogooman, and Dogoolady are recovering, but Mike and Sully intercept them, attacking them with a whip and sword respectfully. The metal dogoos attack Mike and Sully from behind. Mike cries out in pain, blood dripping from his arm. Sully goes flying into another wall, hitting the wall then the ground with a thud.

"Mike!"

"Sully!"

Absolutely pissed, Rom and Ram let out a scream that shakes the cave before both girls transform. The energy from their transformation obliterates the hellraiser cats.

Gripping her transformed weapon, Ram rushes one of the metal dogoos, attacking it with fierce strikes. One of the strikes cleaves the metal dogoo right in half, causing it to disappear back into the nether.

Rom attacks another metal dogoo with one of her special moves, causing the metal dogoo to freeze solid. Rom then runs her weapon through her now frozen target, shattering it.

The girls then turn their attention to the last metal dogoo. They surround the metal dogoo. Rom uses her special attack Ice Cacaos, and Ram use her special attack, Icecalaber, and together, they annihilate the metal dogoo. While they are destroying the metal dogoos, C-Sha, Dogooman, and Dogoolady are attacking Shiva, but to no avail. Backed into a corner, C-Sha use what little power she has left to enter her golden form. Her energy is less than 1/10th of what it was before. It is just enough to damage Shiva though, breaking off one of his horns. Shiva cries in pain, wildly thrashing. Shiva is about to hit C-Sha with his claw when a whip wraps around it. C-Sha looks over towards Mike, who is wincing in pain.

"Thank you, Mike."

C-Sha does her super combo on Shiva while Mike holds Shiva's one claw and Dogooman and Dogoolady hold the other. Shiva gets knocked off his feet, hitting the floor of the cave with a thud, causing the cave floor to crack slightly and rumble. Suddenly, they all hear a loud roar, causing even more rumbling. The God of Woe, having recovered from being tackled into a wall, start shooting fireballs at C-Sha, Dogooman, and Dogoolady. C-Sha's eyes go wide, and she is frozen in fear. She is immediately tackled to the ground by Sully, who has just enough energy to rush over to her. C-Sha sees the fireball pass mere inches over her head, the heat threating to light her head on fire regardless. Rom and Ram block the remaining fireballs with ice sanctuary (*the possible anime exclusive move*), the ice immediately melting into steam.

"Are you alright, C-Sha, Sully?"

C-Sha looks over at Sully, then Mike.

"I'm alright, but I'm worried about Mike and Sully. Sully passed out again, and Mike looks like he's on the verge of following suit. Plus, Mike's lost a lot of blood."

Ram says to Rom, "Go heal Mike and Sully. I'll cover you."

Turning back towards the God of Woe, Ram says out loud, "C-Sha, you and Dogooman finish Shiva off, before this gets any worse. Dogoolady, help me cover them."

"Got it!" says C-Sha, Dogooman, and Dogoolady.

"Alright, leave it to me" says Rom.

Rom makes a break towards Mike, picking him up and bringing him towards Sully. Ram, without her twins magic helping her, can't fire her ice sanctuary spell, so she switches strategies, and fires her ice coffin spell towards the near endless fireballs, while Dogoolady tries to get close to the God of Woe to attack him. She is having a hard time avoiding the fireballs. C-Sha and Dogooman stand over the prone body of Shiva, deciding how to finish him off. C-Sha uses her super combo on his head while Dogooman attacks his body. His body is undamaged; however, his head is bleeding badly. Before C-Sha can react, a sword is tossed directly into Shiva head, finally killing him. Sully looks on with satisfaction as Shiva's body disappears, leaving only his broken off horn.

Meanwhile, having healed Mike and Sully as best she could, Rom joins Ram in deflecting the fireballs. Ram then de-transforms back into her normal form, having run super low on energy. Rom stands in front of her, protecting her with her body while protecting the others with her magic. Before she runs out of energy too, Dogoolady finally manages to break through, attacking the God of Woe with several stiff kicks to the back of the head. These do no damage, but it does manage to distract him long enough for Rom, C-Sha, and Ram to attack with everything they have left. Rom de-transforms as well as she hits the ground, C-Sha and Ram doing the same. The God of Woe lets out a howl before disappearing, having finally been defeated. At long last, the battle is over. However, the God of Woe's last howl causes the cave to rumble one last time, which in turn causes rocks to land on the hatch leading to the ladder, leaving the group no choice but to find the actual exit or move said rocks. With how exhausted they are, that's no easy task either way.

Dogooman reports just that to the group as they rest and recover. They all sigh.

"Great, either way sounds like a huge pain in the ass, especially since we have to carry that damn horn with us as proof of a job well done" says C-Sha.

"Well, we better start recovering our strength. Good thing we packed all this food and drink. Let's eat" says Rom.

Ram nods and begins to unpack said food and drinks. While doing so, she says, "I know Blanc's busy, but we should probably report this to her. She would be proud."

Rom nods and says, "Yeah. Knowing her, she's probably worried about us. She's probably also either getting horny or angry about something. Or both. Maybe we should give her some encouragement."

Rom and Ram both laugh at that statement.

C-Sha says, "You should also tell her about Mike and Sully. Or at least tell her you're bring them back with you."

Rom and Ram stop laughing, gulp, and ask, "She's going to be pissed off enough about us fighting monsters, do we really have to tell her about the boys?"

C-Sha gives them a look. Rom and Ram relent and say, "Fine. But you better protect us if she gets angry."

C-Sha nods and smiles. Rom and Ram give some thought about what to say before typing out their response. They show C-Sha and ask, "Is this good enough?"

C-Sha takes a look. They say:

"Hey, big sis. Hope your day out on the town is going well. We just cleared out some monsters and are bringing some boys home we met on the way to kill the monsters. Might make out with them too. Don't worry, nothing more's going to happen, especially with C-Sha watching us like a hawk. Hope you have some fun too. Don't get angry, and don't be nervous. You got this! We have faith in you! Love you, Blanc!" -Rom and Ram-

C-Sha laughs.

"That's pretty ingenious. This gets right to the point without causing her to panic. If you told her that you already made out with Mike and Sully, or that we all got hurt fighting the monsters, she would lose it. I approve of this. Nice touch giving her some support and encouragement. I think she's going to want to hear that. Even I can feel the love in this. By the way, I was not watching you girls like a hawk."

Rom and Ram send the text. Rom and Ram then look at each other and smirk.

"Ram, I could feel her watching me like a hawk. It was like she was trying to orgasm through osmosis" says Rom.

"Well, what do you expect? She's getting old, and she's still single. I think she's trying to live vicariously through us" replies Ram.

"I suppose that means she's jealous of us then. I mean, we are junior goddesses after all. Of course, she would be" says Rom, her smirk growing.

Ram's eyes go wide for a second before her smirk grows even more as she says, "Junior goddesses, huh? I like that. Makes us sound that much more badass. All the more reason to be jealous of us. I mean, we're called junior goddesses and she's the odd man out of the group 'Gold Third'. I mean, can that name be any lamer? It doesn't even make sense."

C-Sha just deadpans, "Yeah-Yeah, yuck it up."

Rom and Ram burst into laughter, a warm feeling of joy and relief washing over them. C-Sha is about to comment that at least she's old enough to have sex, but after hearing their innocent laughter, decides against it.

We've all been through a lot lately, especially today. I should let them have their fun. No need for such a low blow anyways. Still, I'm in my mid-twenties. Maybe I should start looking for someone. After all, I can't stay attached to Blanny forever. Besides, even if I do like her romantically, my body still aches for a man's touch and dick too. Best not let Rom and Ram know that though. I wonder if Blanc already knows.

As if reading her thoughts, Ram says through her laughter, "Hey, I just noticed that you haven't called Blanc 'Blanny' all day. Why is that?"

C-Sha blushes.

Oh man, I didn't think I'd be put on the spot like that. Truth is, I call her that as a type of pet name, and as a way to tease her. If she's not around to hear it, there's really no point in doing it.

C-Sha says, "I really only say it when she's around to tease her. She's not here right now, so there's no point."

Rom and Ram look at C-Sha, then at each other.

"That may be true, but I think she's hiding something. What do you think, Rom?" asks Ram.

Rom looks at C-Sha one more time before turning to Ram and saying, "I think so too. She wouldn't blush like that otherwise."

Rom turns towards C-Sha and asks point blank, "Do you like our sister as more than just a friend? Because it's no big deal if you do. I mean, you understand that she needs to get laid by and marry a man for the sake of our country. As long as you can make peace with that, I see no problem in you having feelings for Blanc. It's not like you can't use her as your emotional rock and see someone else at the same time. It's like a forbidden love."

Ram looks at Rom and says, "That would be mightily painful and may stretch them too thin, but you're right."

Turning to C-Sha, Ram says, "It's perfectly fine if you have feelings, as long as you don't act on them and screw up what needs to be done. But we trust you not to do that. So please, tell us the truth. It's not like you'd be the only one of Gold Third to have romantic feelings for a Goddess. And I'd take great comfort in knowing you're nowhere near as crazy or warped as K-Sha is. Poor Noire and poor Uni. I feel bad for both of them."

C-Sha blushes a deeper red as she debates with herself whether or not to tell them.

On the one hand, it would be so embarrassing to admit this to them. And then the temptation to act on these feelings would be even more powerful. On the other hand, it would be quite the relief to tell them and get this out in the open. And if I tell them, then they may be able to help me find someone. Though, that'd make me even more crazy than K-Sha, relying on kids to help me with my love life. What should I do?

Almost in tears over said decision, C-Sha breaks and says, "I'm in mad love with your sister. But I don't want to act on my feelings and mess up the big plan. I need to move on from Blanc and find someone else. Preferably a man with a huge, focused sexual appetite. After all the Goddesses and Junior Goddesses find someone, can you help me find someone too? Otherwise, I think I'll go crazy watching or at least hearing Blanc be happy with a man, knowing that he's the one who will make her happy and touch her petite body."

Rom and Ram look at each other, before walking over and hugging C-Sha. C-Sha lets out her tears and cries into their shoulders. They pat her back as she lets out all her emotional pain and suffering. C-Sha cries for about 10 minutes before she runs out of tears to shed. Once she is done crying, Dogoolady hands her a tissue. She cleans up as Rom and Ram lead her over to where the food is. The group sits down and eats. Once C-Sha has calmed down and recovered, Rom and Ram discuss her feelings for Blanc with her.

"So, you've fallen for Blanc hard. How did that start? When did that start? And how have you hidden it so well for so long?" asks Ram.

C-Sha takes a bite of her chicken salad and says, "It started shortly after that asshole asked me to kill Blanc. I couldn't do it. Sometime between when I had met Blanc and that moment, I found myself wanting to be with her and keeping her safe. Then, when I was captured and locked up, when I thought that Blanc sold me out, I was so hurt. I don't know why, but the thought of her selling me down the river tore me apart. That's the moment I realized I had fallen in love with her. Of course, with all that was going on at the time, I couldn't bring myself to tell her. I had been in love before, and I've had sex with several guys, so I knew it was love. It scared me. How could I be in love with Blanc, when I've been in love with guys before? It just didn't make sense. I mean, I realize now that I'm pansexual, but at the time I had no idea. And after we saved the world, and before this crisis, I thought I would move on like I did from every other love. But this is different, because I see Blanc constantly, whereas I hardly ever see my previous lovers. And now, it like the forbidden fruit. I want what I know I can't have. And just like then, if I have it, the world's going to go to shit. I'm so torn. That's why I've been traveling with S-Sha and E-Sha lately. To try and separate myself from Blanc and just try to move on. Which is why, as crazy as it sounds, I would like your help. You're the only ones who know, and you're the only ones in a position to help me. Will you?"

Ram finishes her sip of water and says, "Of course we will. You helped out our sister countless times, and we'd be dead if you weren't here today. Hell, even if we sent the army here instead and stayed safe, we wouldn't have met or made out with these studs. So of course, we're going to help you. Just give us some time to figure out how."

C-Sha smiles. Mike and Sully blush at the compliment.

Rom smiles and says, "Yeah, we know how bad it is to feel things that we have no control over. For example, Ram wanting to get laid and orgasm, even though she banned from the former. Not being able to act on your feelings suck. So, we'll gladly help you. Just do us a favor. Tell her before she gets too deep into any new relationship. It will give you closure, and it'll give her a new perspective and another much-needed kick in the ass. Besides, you never know. She could be like all the other Goddesses and be into threesomes. That way you can have her and a man at the same time. As long as he's willing to share. And let's be real. As long as he's not being replaced by the woman, hardly any male is going to turn that down, at least not as a one and done. Then you can get that out of your system and truly move on."

C-Sha and Ram look at Rom with their jaws dropped. Ram is blushing with embarrassment, shocked with being called out, and C-Sha is shocked at the rationale and detail of Rom's statement.

Ram is the first of the two to recover and says, "I can't believe you'd single me out like that, especially since you're going through the same thing."

Rom says, "I am trying not to orgasm, absolutely, but you're the more sexually frustrated one, not getting to jump on him and fuck him cowgirl style."

Ram looks at her, more shocked, with a lobster-colored blush on her face. She asks, "Where the hell did you learn that term from?"

Rom gives an innocent whistle before saying, "I first saw it in the Deadpool comics, then in an interview in Vert's porn magazine, then I looked it up on the internet. It does look fun, but only when we're older and more developed. I'll relent on this fact; It sucks having urges without the body to fully satisfy them."

Mike and Sully look at each other.

"Hey Sully, should we be listening to this conversation? I mean, I sort have expected this but it's getting kind of personal. I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable."

Sully nods and says, "I know. I'm not really comfortable listening to this either, but until we recover our strength, we can't go anywhere. We don't really have a choice. Not that the idea of sex with her hasn't crossed my mind."

Mike nods and says, "Mine too. But I'm not going to force her into anything. Especially since I was in heaven simply making out with her."

Sully nods and simply says, "Me too, buddy, me too."

"Oh, is that so?"

Mike and Sully jump at Rom and Ram's sudden injection into their conversation. Mike and Sully blush scarlet.

"So, you've thought about having sex with us. Doesn't that make you perverts?" asks Ram, accusingly.

Mike says, blushing even deeper now, "I-I guess it does. We're the same age, though, so I don't think that a problem. Be-Besides, tha-that only comes after we are in a relationship for a while. It's not like I was just thinking of having sex with you without commitment! Please don't think of us as some kind of sickos because we're really not!"

Ram asks Rom, "You think we should kill them? Pervo's shouldn't exist in this world or the next."

Rom says, "I can agree with that, to a point. The sick fuckers who prey on children should be executed, like that damn licker who kidnapped us and Histoire, but if all Perverts were to be executed, wouldn't that include us?"

Ram blushes and, completely enraged, shouts, "That's completely different and you know it! It's one thing if it instinctual, a one moment thing. It's another matter entirely if you think about it long term. Besides how the hell do we know that these guys aren't those sick fuckers who prey on children?"

The cave rumbles again, and Ram covers her mouth, having forgotten their predicament.

Rom gives Ram a look. Ram says, "I know. I forgot. I'm sorry for shouting. There's no denying I have a point though."

Rom sighs and says, "You do. But ask yourself this. Do you think they would try to save us from the monsters if they were completely perverted scum? And do you think they would run over here to help us in the first place if they were evil? If anything, they would have tried to kill C-Sha, Dogooman, and Dogoolady, then tried to have their way with us. Especially, right after the battle ended, when we were all exhausted and they were almost fully healed. I just don't get the vibe from them. Besides, being meta for a minute, I don't think the author would write a rape story, especially for this one. I think the main conflicts will be revolving us figuring out why we're losing shares and the suckyness of unrequited feelings, especially for Gold Third, not us being sexually assaulted."

Ram has a pissed off aura about her for another half-minute before she relents.

"I'll give you that. Even if I don't trust these two after hearing that, there's been no evidence they would try anything. There is no evidence that the author would write a story like that either. Leave it to the meta to solve everything."

The author here. I would like the audience to know, that this will not be a rape/sexual assault story. I may make references to Rom and Ram having needs, but that as far as I'm taking this. Everything will be CONSENTUAL and LEGAL. Though, there may be a future storyline about them finding a way to age up in both years and body development. As for the story conflict being about the share loss and unrequited feelings, just stay tuned for what I have in mind with Noire, Uni, Steamax and K-Sha. Hahahaha!

"Um, when the hell can the author do meta here without going through us? Oh well, you heard him" says Rom.

"I hope that doesn't become a regular thing. Poor Noire, Uni, Steamax and K-Sha. *sigh* Okay, you both win. I won't kill them. But I want answers. Like what caused you guys to fall for us? And just what do you want to do with us sexually?"

Mike fields the questions first.

Clearing his throat, he says, "We were there when you were defending Lowee from that horde of monsters. I can't speak for my brother, but the way you moved Ram, it was majestic. You took out whole swarms of them by yourself like they were nothing. I thought to myself 'I'd love to have a woman like that'. It was at that moment that I wanted to meet you. I got interested in you. My interest in you only grew when I heard that you helped save the entire world, again. You even had to go up against the Goddesses and Dark Goddesses to do it. How can I not have fallen for you at that point? As for any s-sexual fantasies, they typically involve me taking you out on a date, proving that I can protect you, and then you being so impressed that you ask me to have sex with you. And I take my time with you until you and I are both satisfied. Nothing too painful. Just a bit of oral action, followed by…penetration of your frontal lower region. Then after we're done, we sleep, and we continue repeating that cycle. It doesn't go any further than that. Sometimes, I have dreams where I have the balls to ask you for sex, but that's it."

Ram looks at Mike with an unreadable look before she looks at Sully, wanting a full explanation from him as well, looking out for the wellbeing of her older twin. Rom wants to protest this inquisition but knows that Ram would never allow it. Besides, she knows that Ram is in the right here. They deserve to know the truth, even if there are nicer ways to get it out of them.

Sully clears his throat as well before saying, "Like Mike said, we were there when all of us were battling the monster horde. Rom, when I saw you leading the charge, I was quite impressed. I was a little shocked that this shy girl could be so bold. I think that was the moment that I began to have an interest in you. Then, I saw you at that racetrack, looking good as always. I was surprised to see you there, as I was under the impression that that was something uninteresting to you. I was coming to talk to you about it, and ask you out on a date, to get to know you better, when your sister Lady Blanc came storming over like a hurricane. I wanted no part in that, so I was forced to just stand there and watch Lady Blanc chase after Lady Vert before Lady Blanc yelled at you two and forced you to leave. If I was just a little braver, I would have introduced myself regardless and asked you out."

Shaking his head and catching his breath, and with a huge blush on his face, Sully continues with, "As for my sexual fantasy with you, it always starts off with you and I in an established relationship celebrating our six-month anniversary. I would take you for a ride in a horse-lead carriage, then take you back to the Basilicom for a romantic meal I would cook myself. After such a romantic evening, we would make out near an indoor fireplace, gently removing each other's clothes before I would take my time with you, my hands and mouth roaming your body, making you feel good before you would do the same with me. Then finally we would connect our most cherished, private parts, making each other feel good all night long until we are both exhausted. The fantasy ends with us kissing one more time before grabbing a couple pillows and a blanket and snuggling together, falling asleep in each other's arms. I must admit, there are times where I fantasize that we are together and, like today, we kiss passionately, and I hoist you up in my arms and we have sex pinned to a wall or other such places. I'd say it's a 50/50 split, depending on my mood at the time and how horny I am feeling. Not that I wish to scare you, quite the opposite. I wish to be as honest with you as possible."

Rom looks at Sully, stunned, tears forming in her eyes. Ram looks at Sully, convinced at his sincerity, but somewhat angry still.

"It's a little bit presumptuous to have a fantasy about a six-month anniversary when you never even had the guts or balls to talk to her before today, but it's your fantasy, so I can't really criticize you for it. But that other fantasy sounds like a cheap hookup if you ask me. I suppose if you're in an established relationship with her it's not as bad. I must ask, how often do you think about her when you… masturbate? And how often do you do so?"

Rom glares at Ram and says, "Okay, that's enough. He bore his soul telling us that much, he doesn't need to answer that. We can tell that they're good people, just horny like us. We don't need to ask them anything else."

Ram glares back at Rom and says, "I'm just looking out for you. I want to make sure he would be faithful to you. Wow, that's ironic. You know what I mean though. It sounds like he's in love with you, but for all we know, that could be an act. We shouldn't trust him or Mike just yet."

Sully wants to freeze up at the loud yelling, but instead kindly interrupts by saying, "I completely understand if you don't trust us. I know that it's a lot to take in. I don't mind answering the questions. Just please don't yell. I tend to…freeze up when there is a lot of yelling. Plus, I don't want to get trapped in here anymore than we already are, sans the actual exit to this cave."

Rom and Ram's eyes grow wide, and they immediately stop arguing.

Clearing her throat, Ram gives Sully a look and says, "Okay, we'll stop fighting for now. Now, out with it."

Sully shivers at the look Ram is giving him. He nervously says, "Before I saw Rom, when I first became 'sexually active', I would get horny and pop boners at random times. It would happen when I thought about any female. Nowadays, it only happens when I think about Rom. I actively masturbate once a day, but depending on how horny I get, it's usually more. I know it sounds creepy, only to masturbate to one girl I've never actually met, but I can't help it. I feel strange whenever I think about her, and not just horny. It's hard to describe."

C-Sha laughs to herself.

If I had to guess, I'd say that that indescribable feeling he's feeling is love. He either doesn't know what it is, being so young, or is being considerate and not saying it, to not overwhelm her and scare her off. I'd say it's probably a little of both. He suspects that it's love and doesn't want to say it. Poor kid. In love with Rom, a girl he doesn't really know, and getting the 5th degree by Ram, who he wants to make happy and be respectful towards. Maybe I should step in here.

Rom and Ram both open their mouths to talk, Rom to tell Ram to leave him alone and Ram to inquisition Sully more, when they both get interrupted by C-Sha, who says, "Okay, that's enough. Sully has bore his heart and soul here. That's more than enough. And while Mike didn't give as descriptive an answer as Sully did, it was enough to prove that he's a good person too. They just want to be with you two and make you two happy. Isn't that enough?"

Rom nods her head and says, "Yes, it is. I'm sorry Ram put you through that Sully. I know that her heart is in the right place, and that she wants to protect me the best she can, but she took it a little too far. Please don't hold it against her."

Sully gives Ram the briefest of glances before looking at Rom and nodding his head.

Ram gives a frustrated look towards Sully, then Mike, then Rom, and then finally C-Sha, who gives her a 'think it over then drop it' look.

Dammit, I know that was harsh, but it needed to be done. We don't know them that well, and we shouldn't have to just trust them at their word. Even if they have no intention of raping us or sexually assaulting us, thank God, that doesn't mean they won't use us and lose us. I may be horny, but I still want to be in a loving relationship too. *sigh* If anyone would know about this, though, it would be C-Sha. I mean, she did say that she has been in love before, and has had sex before, lucky bitch, so she would know if something was amiss. Still, I shouldn't have to apologize for just doing what I thought was right.

With the most conflicted, frustrated, and from a certain point of view, evil look on her face, Ram says to Sully, "If anyone would knowabout love and sex, it would be C-Sha. So, I'm going to trust her that you two are good people and won't use us and lose us. Not that that would happen for a long while anyways, with our bodies being undeveloped and us being…rightfully…banned from having sex. So, I'm sorry for all the questions Sully. I did take it a little too far. Even I can recognize that. To make it up to you, I'll say this. Rom masturbates at least twice a day, once in the bath, and once using Blanc's sex toys, after sneaking into her room after Blanc goes to her office workstation to write her adult novels. And she's loud, not holding back at all."

Ram grinds her teeth at the word rightfully but gives a sorrowful look to Sully when apologizing to him. She smirks when throwing her sister under the bus, her eyebrows doing a little wiggle. Mike's, Sully's, C-Sha's, and most importantly, Rom's jaw drops at such a statement by Ram. Rom looks at Ram with a look that could kill when her shock ebbs, while Mike and Sully try to break the tension by saying, "T-To be fair, when we have our fantasies about you, both of us have late teenage or early adult bodies. Not that you're not perfect as you are."

Ram shivers at the look Rom is giving her. Unable to maintain eye contact with her for much longer, Ram turns towards Mike and says, "Thank you for the compliment. That's good to know. Thank you too, Sully."

Rom, without ever breaking her glare at Ram, says, "Thank you, Sully, Mike, for the compliment. I really appreciate it. I'll show you my appreciation later, Sully, as well as show you how sorry my sister is. Now, both of you, shut the hell up. Oh, sister dear, we have much to discuss."

Rom's tone of voice makes everyone take a step back, and forces Ram to look her in the eyes again, much to her dismay.

"Ram, what the hell was that about me using Blanc's sex toys and being loud doing so?"

Rom mocks Ram's earlier eyebrow wiggling while somehow maintaining her death stare. Ram gulps, for the first time ever, being scared of her sister. No, scared isn't the right word. Terrified of her sister.

Nervously, she says, "Th-Th-That was just a little revenge for throwing me under the bus earlier. It also worked as an olive branch between Sully and I."

Rom slowly stalks over to where Ram is. Ram takes a step back for every step Rom takes forward, in perfect harmony like always, until Ram bumps against the wall. She begins to shake in fear, while Rom starts to shake in anger.

"I…am not that loud when I masturbate…especially compared to you, who won't stop screaming out the name of her latest fantasy boy-toy. And I didn't want my new boyfriend to know I use my ELDER SISTER'S SEX TOYS!"

"Calm down Rom, let's talk about this."

Rom slowly shakes her head no. She lifts up Ram by her hair, and proceeds to hit Ram in the gut, hard.

"That one was for Sully, taking his inquisition one step too far!"

She proceeds to slap Ram in the face.

"That's for always looking down on me."

With a sinister look on her face, Rom sneers, "And this is for throwing me under that bus and embarrassing me in front of Mike and my boyfriend Sully."

She proceeds to punch Ram in the face, enough to cause her to bleed a little. Rom continues from there, punishing poor Ram for the next 10 minutes, Ram's begging then screams bouncing off the walls of the cave, causing it to shake and causing the biggest rockslide of the day to occur on the mountain. The group look on at the beating, to terrified to move and too powerless to stop it even if they wanted to. Once Ram is in a heap on the cave floor, bruises all over her body and blood spewing on the cave floor from her mouth, Rom snaps out of her rage. She looks at her handiwork for a full 2 minutes, secretly relishing in the pain and suffering she caused, before having mercy and healing her twin. Like a sensu bean from a certain popular franchise, Ram's bruises slowly go away and her bleeding stops. Once the healing is done, Rom helps Ram to her feet.

"I'm sorry Ram. I got carried away. I wanted to hurt you, not almost kill you."

Ram, too scared to do anything else, says, "I understand. Apology accepted. I'm sorry too."

Rom pulls Ram into a hug, and Ram remains frozen in Rom's arms, unable to hug her back. Rom notices Ram's body shaking.

Oh man, I went way too far. It was like a demon took over me. I don't know how I'm ever going to make it up to her. Now I know how Neptune must feel after letting Plutia or "Sadie" have her way with Nepgear.

To her surprise, Ram suddenly hugs Rom tightly, and begins sobbing into her shoulder, burying her face into said muscles.

"I was so scared Rom, that I had completely lost you to your rage. That I had lost my sister and that she wasn't coming back. I've never even seen Blanc that angry before. I'm sorry for everything I did. Please, don't get that angry ever again. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Rom gets a super pained look on her face as she rubs Ram's back, whispering "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I'll try like hell to never get that angry again."

Rom begins to tear up now, and the sisters cry on each other's shoulders for the next thirty minutes.

Mike and Sully, after witnessing said beating, then make up, then crying for a minute, say to each other, "It's always the quiet ones, isn't it?"

Mike asks Sully, "After witnessing that, do you still want to get to know her and be with her?"

Sully gulps.

That was scary. That was probably on par with the time dad beat up mom and almost killed her. How she survived that, I'll never know. Still, while its always a possibility that she could do that to me, Mike, her friends, family, and others, it's also possible that she could do that to her enemies, and that thought is…comforting in a way. Still, if I never see that happen again, it will be too soon.

After calming himself down, Sully looks at Mike and says, "Yes, I do."

He adds, "As long as you're okay with it. I mean, it's possible that she can do this to anybody, including you."

Mike puts a hand on Sully's shoulder and says, "She terrifies me. I never thought I would say that about our kind, beloved Junior Goddess, but she does. She terrifies me. But if you want to get to know her, I'm not going to turn tail and run. I got your back, now and forever."

Sully says, "Thanks, bro. Now, while they sort this all out, why don't we get to work on clearing the rocks so we can finally get the hell out of here? I'm getting tired of seeing these same damn walls."

Mike nods and says, "Agreed, Let's go."

Noticing Mike and Sully walking over to the massive rockpile, Dogooman asks, "You guys clearing the rocks?"

Mike and Sully nod.

"Let us help then. I'm ready to get out of here."

Dogoolady nods and beginning walking, but C-Sha stays put, a sheepish look on her face.

"I'm sorry guys but transforming took a lot out of me. I'm still worn out. I don't think I'd be much help. Besides, I think someone should keep an eye on them."

Dogoolady nods and says, "I was thinking the same thing. Don't worry about it. Between the 4 of us, we should be more than enough. Besides, any more of us and it might be too crowded over there."

C-Sha nods and says, "Thank you, Dogoolady. I'll rest here then. Hope we can get out of here soon."

Dogoolady smiles and nods in acknowledgement. Dogoolady, Dogooman, Mike and Sully make their way over the rock pile.

Sully asks everyone, "Okay, where do we start here?"

Dogooman looks over the pile before saying, "You and Mike climb on the Mrs. and my shoulders and start from the top. Just hand us the rocks and we'll do the rest. My pectorals can handle this!"

"So can my gorgeous chest and tone legs!" added Dogoolady.

Mike and Sully look at each other, shrug, and hop onto Dogoolady's and Dogooman's shoulders respectfully. C-Sha, sitting down near Rom and Ram, hears rocks being moved and tossed (Not near them, thankfully) for the next 25 or so minutes.

Rom and Ram slowly come out of their sobbing, having emotionally connected on a deeper level for the first time in years (not that either one of them realizes this yet) just in time to hear Mike say, "Yes, we finally did it, we cleared this."

Seconds later, they hear him say, "Fuck! This isn't good."

C-Sha rushes over to where the boys (and Dogoolady) are at, while Rom and Ram stay still for a moment, not ready to leave just yet.

"Ram, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have acted like that. I really hurt you. Fuck, I damn near killed you! I don't know how I'm ever going to earn your forgiveness, much less forgive myself."

"I know Rom. I can't say I'm not scared. Losing it at Rodger is one thing, but this is on another level entirely. I just don't understand how you could get that angry at such a simple dig. Yes, I know it was personal, but it was meant to break the tension, not your sanity. I was so scared that you were never coming back. I was more scared about that than dying. But I am willing to let it go as long as you promise me two things."

Rom looks at Ram with confusion but also with determination.

"What is it?"

Ram gives Rom another hug and says, "One, I never want you to bottle up your feelings and explode like that again. If you need to argue or fight, let's do that. Just no more senseless beatings."

Rom says, "I can do that."

"Good, because that was festering for a long time. I knew it when you said I looked down on you. I did before, and I'm so sorry about that. Okay, so in addition to no more senseless beatings, I want you to talk to a psychologist. Get professional help. Not as punishment, but as a way to vent about stuff without having to tell me or Blanc about it. It's not that Blanc doesn't love you or me, but her demeanor, well, to be honest, leaves a lot to be desired. And I'm sure that there are some things you don't want to talk to me about either. Blanc doesn't have to know. It can be our little secret. As a matter of fact, I'll see one as well. A different one, so no one has to know anything we say. It might help us get closer as a family. Hell, just imagine if we could convince Blanc to see one."

Rom laughs at that thought and says, "She'd probably break his or her desk in half with her axe, throw the couch out the window, and make whoever she sees run scared within the first 10 minutes."

Ram laughs at that, and the two girls laugh for the next minute.

Rom hugs Ram back, giving her a bear-hug for a moment before returning to a normal hug. She says, "I will do just that. No more senseless beatings and I'll see a psychologist. Let's be a family again. A happy one this time."

Ram nods, finally breaking the hug. Looking around, Ram and Rom notice that rocks are sprawled in all manor of direction, except near them of course, and everyone has gathered near the hatch, with pensive looks on their faces. Rom and Ram go over to them.

"Why does everyone look so ser…" Rom begins to ask before looking down the hatch into the room below.

She quickly notices that the ladder has broken, fallen into the depths below. She also notices that the rope they brought with them is sitting at C-Sha's side, grapple hook attached.

"Do you even have to ask? That was terrifying" says Mike.

Rom looks down in shame, while Sully gives Mike a look.

"Come on. You know it true. Why act like it isn't" says Mike, returning said look.

Sully simply sighs. Before anyone can get any more upset or saddened, Rom looks at Mike and says, "You're right. I was out of control, and what I did was unforgiveable. I won't ask anyone to forgive me or not be scared of me. But I will say that I will do everything in my power to make sure that it never happens again. I truly am sorry for what I did."

Ram says, "We have a plan in place that will all but ensure that senseless violence will not happen again. For now, though, we have more pressing matters. Like how we're getting out of here. Clearly, we can't climb down the ladder, and even if we find the actual cave entrance, we still have the problem of no footholds and no place to use the grappling hook."

Rom looks at Ram, thankful for her moving the conversation along. Ram looks at Rom with a smile, trying to ease Rom's guilty conscious.

Thank you, Ram. I know what I did was unforgivable, but I promise I will make it up to you. Somehow, Someway, I will make things right!

C-Sha looks between Rom and Ram, understanding slowly coming to her face. Her fears of bad blood between the two slowly going away.

Clearing her throat, C-Sha says, "We do have a plan, but it's not a very good one. We will have to connect the grappling hook to the inside of the hatch. That is the only place sturdy enough to attach it to. Unfortunately, as soon as we do that and start climbing down…"

Understanding comes to Rom and she says, "…Our weight will slam the hatch closed."

Sully nods and says, "Which means that someone will have to stay here and hold it open. Otherwise, we'll be in for a bumpy ride, with the possibility of the rope breaking."

"And the last person will have to climb with the hatch closed and hope the rope doesn't snap" says Mike.

Without a second thought, Rom says, "I'll do it."

Ram's eyes go wide, and she exclaims, "What!"

Rom looks at Ram and says, "I'll do it. I'm the only one here with any strength left to keep it open. And I may even have enough strength left to transform. It's the best chance we have to get out of here safely."

Dammit, I'm lying through my teeth. I don't have enough strength left to transform. My energy was already low, and it's even lower now with everyone witnessing my crazy side. But I'm strong enough to hold the hatch open at least. I have to do something to make it up to everyone…to Ram.

Ram looks at Rom, and can see her body slouching, her eyes determined but tired, her soul utterly beaten down with guilt.

She's so lying. She's exhausted. Is she trying to play hero to alleviate her guilt? I shouldn't let her do this. I don't want her to drop dead trying to do this. She may have a point though. Mike and Sully may be healed, but they suffered some horrible injuries. And C-Sha is in no better condition, having to transform into her golden form, which is only possible if she takes some shares from Blanc or us. And Dogooman and Dogoolady can't take all of us down. I'm sure their just as tired, especially clearing the way for us. Fuck, I don't think I have a choice but to let her do this. Just don't become a suicidal death seeker, Rom. What you did was bad, but it's not unforgivable.

"…Fine, Rom. You can hold it open for us. But I want you to remember something. What you did was bad, but it's not unforgivable. You don't need to push yourself to the brink to alleviate your guilt, okay? I love you, and I have faith in you. Faith that things will change and get better."

Rom has unshed tears in her eyes. She quickly wipes her eyes and nods. She grabs the grappling hook and hooks it to the bar on the underside of the hatch, letting the rope fall. She grabs the bar on the other side and steadies herself, planting her feet as firmly as she can.

"Okay, I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Try to get down as fast as possible. I don't want the rope snapping from the weight."

Sully gives Rom a smile and an air kiss, albeit with nervousness, before wiping his hands of sweat and dirt and begins climbing down. Rom grunts a little at his sudden weight but holds the hatch steady. A minute later, Dogoolady starts climbing down, making sure not to make the rope slimy or slippery. Her light weight doesn't add much strain on Rom, but with her muscles so worn out, causes her to grunt anyways. Dogooman is next, and like his wife, barely adds any weight to the rope, also making sure the rope doesn't get slimy or slippery. Mike gives Ram a kiss on the cheek before giving Rom a mixed look. He climbs down next. The added weight causing Rom's arms to shake. She bends her elbows the best she can a couple of times without shaking the hatch and her arms stop shaking. Rom gives a nod to C-Sha and Ram, signaling to them that they can start climbing. C-Sha hesitates for a moment before wiping her hands and begins her climb down. C-Sha's weight causes Rom to yelp, and nearly causes her to lose her grip. Ram looks at her with urgency and concern.

She can't do this, she needs help!

Ram goes to help her when Rom shouts, "Stop! I can handle this! I'm a junior goodness for fucks sake! Go please!"

Ram stops mid-walk at Rom's shouting. With the most conflicted look on her face, Ram goes over to the rope.

"I trust you. But you better not fuck this up, you got it. If you get hurt or get us killed, I'll never forgive you."

With that, Ram begins to climb down. Her twin sister's weight causes Rom to yell and the cave to shake. It takes everything in Rom's power to hold the hatch steady.

Dammit, this is too much! I can't do it anymore! I should have listened to Ram and not been so egotistical. Ram, I'm sorry!

Just as Rom is about to hit her limit and let go, she feels the hatch get…less heavy? Rom is confused at first, before it hit her.

Sully must have made it down. I hope his arms didn't fail him and he didn't fall.

Before she can think the worst, she hears Sully's voice say, "Woo-hoo! Solid ground at last!"

Rom smiles, the weight shift allowing her arms a slight reprieve and giving her the confidence and strength to finish this.

Leave it to my almost boyfriend to give me the strength to finish this by simply being himself. Thank you Sully.

Soon she can feel the weight lessen more and more, while hearing more and more praise about being on solid ground.

Finally, she can hear Ram shout out, "Thank goodness that's over. I fucking hate heights. That was the scariest thing I've ever had to do. Rom, if you can hear me, we're all done. It's just you. Please be safe on your way down."

Rom lets go of the hatch and takes a minute to get the feeling back in her arms. She shakes them to get the feeling back and get rid of the built-up lactic acid. She does her best to calm her nerves. She grabs the backpack full of the emergency supplies out of the main cave, along with stuffing the other backpack and whatever food was left over into it and walks over to the rope. Taking a moment to calm the last of her nerves, she begins to climb down. The hatch miraculously holds her weight while snapping shut. However, the rope, after so much weight at once on it, starts to fray. Unfortunately, Rom doesn't hear it and continues her climb down. She climbs down about a fourth of the way, enough where everyone can start to see her, when three bad things happen all at once; the rope snaps, Rom's arms give out on her, and her own claustrophobia causes her to panic. She starts freefalling in the air, flipping over and over again. Her eyes grow wide, as panic truly sets in, before slowly getting replaced by the calm right before death.

I suppose this is penance for almost killing Ram. I wonder if after committing that atrocity if I'm still going to heaven or if I reserved a spot in hell. For some reason, I feel completely calm. I guess I've accepted both death and hell. I just wish I had a chance to make it up to Ram and make out with Sully one last time. Or have sex just once. Oh well.

Rom closes her eyes and has a peaceful smile on her face, ready for her fate. However, fate has other plans.

Ram, seeing her sister fall to her doom, screams, "Rom, Noooo!"

Without a second thought, being fueled by freight and love for her sister, Ram lets out a monstrous scream, and a powerful light, powerful enough to cause everyone else to shield their eyes for a second, and transforms, racing up to catch her sister with speed never shown by her before. Her scream causes the passage to shake, even more so when Ram transforms. Ram catches Rom, who slowly opens her eyes.

"Ram…"

Ram looks at Rom, nothing but love in her eyes, and says in a calming voice, "It's okay Rom, I got you."

Rom puts her head on Ram's shoulder and lets out some tears as Ram glides them down, holding Rom bridal-style. After a moment, Ram lands safely on the ground, Rom nestled safely in her arms.

Ram looks at Rom and says, "Dammit, didn't I tell you to be careful?! We…I almost lost you. Don't ever do that again."

Ram sets Rom down on her feet, then pulls her into a hug, bawling. Rom returns the hug, patting Ram's back, trying to comfort her. She can feel Ram's entire body shaking.

"I…almost…lost…you. I…don't…ever…want…to…lose…you. I…love…you…Rom" Ram barely whispers through her tears.

Rom whispers, "I know. I love you too Ram."

It takes a minute, but Ram manages to calm down. She cleans herself up.

"Okay, I'm good now. Let's finally get out of this damn mountain and go home. I'm ready to make out then collapse. Way too much drama and action today. Damn you author."

Rom says with guilt on her face, "We did want character development, especially you Ram, but this isn't what we had in mind. Fucking Author."

*Author grins with a sad smirk on his face*

C-Sha leads the way through the tunnels when about 3/4th of the way through, they find that tunnel has caved in slightly, rocks blocking the way.

Fed up with the day that just won't end, Ram asks Rom, "Did you grab the backpack with the supplies in it?"

"Yeah, what did you have in mind?"

Without answering, Ram digs through the backpack, finding the other backpack, food, and much to her relief, both the flare gun and monster horn (Thank God she remembered that. I would have been pissed to do all this work for nothing). Ram takes lead and tells everyone "Step back". Everyone takes a step back, looking on with curiosity and slight fear. Ram concentrates all her newfound energy and fires the flare at the rocks, combining it with her ice magic, similar to Aya's Energy Bullet from the Parasite Eve franchise. The rocks explode upon the flare's impact, causing the metal on the roof to melt, then freeze due to Ram's magic (even more powerful now that she's transformed). The ice also stops the rock fragments from shooting at them. The path in now cleared enough for them to escape.

"Okay, that did it, but I don't know how long that metal's going to hold now it's weakened. We should go before we're buried alive."

Almost as if on cue, the metal starts groaning and the tunnel shakes. Sensing Rom's nervousness, and not wishing Rom or herself another near-death experience, Ram picks Rom up and books it to the exit, the rest of the group doing the same, even faster when said tunnel does start collapsing, like in an Indiana Jones movie. Like in those movies, it collapses right behind them instead of all at once, telling gravity to do one. They all make it outside just as it collapses fully, out of breath and scared out of their minds.

"I know that was my bad for transforming in there against your warning, but I almost want to kill you for suggesting we go in there in the first place. Almost. Right now, all I want to do is collect our reward, take you home with me, make out with you, take a shower after then go to sleep. No more drama. No more heavy emotions" says Ram to Mike.

"Amen. I just want to make out and go to sleep. That is, if Sully isn't too afraid of me to be with me. And I hope I didn't scare Mike away from you Ram" says Rom.

Mike and Sully look at each other and engage in a conversation.

"Um, I know we talked about this earlier, but are you sure about this Mike? You seem really apprehensive about being around Rom" says Sully.

"I am, but if you want to be with her, I'm not going to stop you. I can push my own fears down. It's you I'm more worried about. Are you sure you want to be with her?" asks Mike.

"Yes I am. And I'm glad you're concerned, but I'll be fine" says Sully.

"Then there no problems then. You can be with Rom, and I'll be with Ram. As long as she wants to be with me that is" says Mike.

Ram grabs Mike by the shirt and slams their lips together for a few seconds before breaking the kiss.

"I'm want to be with you. Don't ever forget that, stud-muffin" says Ram.

"Stud-muffin? Does that mean you want to eat me?" asks Mike.

Ram shakes her head, a sultry smile plastered on her face.

"You, no. Stuff off your ridiculously hot body, abso-fucking-lutely."

Rom, Mike, and Sully all blush, while C-Sha, Dogoolady, and Dogooman look at Ram stunned.

"W-Well, alright then. G-Good to know" studders Mike.

Ram laughs at Mike's reaction, before giving him a long, slow kiss. Rom and Sully pull their gazes away from them and towards each other.

"I know what you must be thinking. You must be thinking I'm some kind of psycho. To be quite honest, I'm not sure if I am or not. I've always been seen as the quiet one, the one who couldn't do anything herself, the one who always needed protection. I knew, deep down, that on some level they were right. I just couldn't accept it. I wanted to be bold, show the world that they were wrong. But look what happened when I tried. I nearly died trying to fight those monsters, lost it and almost killed my twin sister, and nearly died climbing down a simple rope. If that doesn't prove that I need the world's protection, or at least that the world needs protection from me, I don't know what does."

Sully walks towards Rom and gently puts his hand on Rom's cheek, returning her gaze to his when she tried to turn away.

"Rom, I can't even begin to imagine what you're feeling right now. What I can tell you is that you're wrong. You are a brave, independent girl who's not afraid to take charge when she needs to. Yes, there is no denying you have a dark side. And yes, that side is scary, for both the world and you. But you are strong enough to overcome all the darknesses in your life. Your dark side is no exception. You kicked those monsters' collective asses, you stood up for yourself against your sister, and you did what you could with the rope climbing. Yes, you took it too far with your sister. But you shouldn't punish yourself forever because of it. She'll forgive you with time. Just be patient. She wouldn't have transformed to save you otherwise. As for me, while I am scared of that dark side, that side doesn't define you. I feel for you, and I'm not going to be scared off by your dark side. You're a good person who make a mistake. And while you may be a Goddess, or a junior Goddess in this case, I think this saying still applies to you gals as well. To err is to human; to forgive, divine. You need for forgive yourself. Can you do that?"

Rom gives a sad laugh and says, "I only knew the first part of that saying, and until he looked it up, so did the Author. I am a Goddess, so I suppose I have no choice but to forgive myself. Goddesses are divine after all. In all seriousness, it will take time, but I will forgive myself. I hope in time Ram forgives me as well."

Sully laughs and says, "She's a Junior Goddess too. I'm sure she will. Now, is there anything else I can do to make you feel better?"

Catching the hint, Rom blushes and says, "A kiss where you hold me tightly would be nice. O-Only if you want to that is. N-No pressure."

Sully puts his arms around Rom's waist, resting his hands on her back.

"As you wish, my brave Junior Goddess Rom."

Sully pulls Rom close and places his lips on hers. Rom feels a warmth running through her body, different from the horniness she felt before. It is…comforting. For the first time since calming down from her rage, she can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. She finally feels like she can forgive herself and repent the right way. She can finally see and feel serenity again.

Rom kisses Sully back, slowly at first before kissing with urgency. For the first time, she can understand where her sister is coming from, because for the first time today, she wishes that Sully can touch her all over and give her the comfort she desperately needs. Before things can get too heated, Rom breaks the kiss.

"As much as I would like to continue, I need to calm down before I break my promise and we end up having sex. Besides, that to one side, everyone is tired, and I think everyone wants to go home."

Much to her surprise, C-Sha laughs at that statement. Rom and Sully turns towards her, a little annoyed that their private moment is being intruded on.

"I'm sorry, Rom, Sully, I didn't mean to interrupt your moment, but I have news. I just got off the phone with Blanc. Before I could tell her anything about what is going on, she cut me off and told me that she found somebody and is bringing him back to the Basilicom. She wanted me to send a limo to pick them up. From her urgency and tone, it sounds like they were making out and about to have sex. Or they were having sex and just wanted more privacy. Either way, it looks like we're crashing at a hotel tonight. She ordered me to keep both of you out of the Basilicom for the night. While it sucks that you can't sleep in your own beds, she did say that you can be with Mike and Sully tonight."

Ram and Rom's eyes light up. Ram opens her mouth to ask about her having sex, but C-Sha anticipates her question.

"She didn't say anything about you two having sex. Sorry, but that's still off the table."

"Fuck" says both of the twins.

Ram shoots Rom a surprised look. Rom looks away and gives a not-so-innocent whistle.

After a moment, Rom looks at everyone and says, "I don't care if you guys tell Blanc about the monsters or about my near death from the rope breaking, but I ask that you don't tell her about my freak out and attack on Ram. I have a plan to work on my dark side and anger problem. It will just worry and upset her, and she doesn't need the stress or distraction right now. If it happens again then all bets are off, but I ask that you please keep that between us. I may tell her later myself anyways."

Everyone has a pensive look on their face, sans Ram, who suggested they keep it a secret in the first place. Ram un-transforms now that all the danger has passed and now that things are settling down.

"That is fine with me. I was the one who suggested that we keep it a secret in the first place. Besides, unless she loses it on someone else, it's really nobody's business but me and Rom's anyways."

Mike and Sully exchange a look.

"That's fine with us. It's none of our business anyways" says Mike.

"I don't see any reason why we can't" says Sully, giving Rom a comforting smile and tightening his hug with her.

Rom gives Sully a grateful smile.

C-Sha clears her throat.

"I don't like the idea of keeping it a secret from Blanc, even with everything going on. I think that outburst was a symptom of a deeper problem that needs to be resolved. Sweeping it under the rug isn't really going to solve anything."

Ram gives Rom a look, not expecting C-Sha to put her foot down like that (although, with C-Sha's stubbornness, she really should have). Rom lets out a frustrated sigh and looks at C-Sha with fire in her eyes. C-Sha takes a step back, hoping she won't have to fight Rom, but preparing to do so all the same. Sensing this, Rom puts up her hand in a "stop" motion.

"I am frustrated, but I'm not going to attack you. A good sign that I can control my anger and darker side. Or at least can given some time. I should have said this earlier, but I was too embarrassed and ashamed to, given what it means, but I'm going to get professional help. I am going to see a phycologist to find the root cause of my anger, find out why I snapped, and get help controlling it. So, I'm not sweeping it under the rug so much as I am handling it without worrying Blanc. Yes, she needs to know, which is why I will tell her. Just not now. The time isn't right. You may think my mental health is more important than her mission, but you'd be wrong. She would think this too, which is precisely why we can't tell her yet. It's one person, even if that person is her sister and a Junior Goddess, vs an entire nation (or planet going by the original game). One person's life, no matter how important that person is, is not worth more than millions. Besides, I'm a future Goddess. If I can't handle my own problems, how the hell can I handle any or all of theirs?"

C-Sha looks at Rom, surprised by this new information. She closes her eyes for a minute, deep in thought.

She does have a point. Blanc is doing this to obtain true happiness and save Lowee. Even if they don't realize they need saving. But she's not going to be happy if we hide this from her, nor is she going to be happy about Rom's breakdown. And how is it going to look to the citizens if her sister can't keep her shit together. Or the fact the Blanc did nothing to help her, or worse, did everything she can to help her and failed to do so.

Making up her mind, C-Sha says, "No. You need to tell her what happened as soon as you see her next. Tell her you know what you did is wrong and that you're seeing someone for professional help. It would look worse for the citizens to have Blanc do nothing to help you. Your shares may drop even faster. Besides, even if you see someone, it's going to take time to truly know what's wrong. How's it going to look to others if you can't keep it together in public? I mean, hiding from them while you get help might cause problems in its own right, but much less than losing it again. And if you can hurt your own sister and push her to near death, just how much damage are you going to do to a regular human if it happens again. I'm sorry, but I'm putting my foot down on this. If you don't want to tell her, I will, but it will be easier for her to understand if she hears it from you."

Rom gives C-Sha a frustrated look, but after a brief stare down with C-Sha, she relents.

"Fuck! You're right. I'll tell her about my outburst and about me seeing a phycologist. I'm just worried that she'll abandon her mission to try to help me."

C-Sha shakes her head and says, "She's Lowee's Goddess, she's good at multitasking, at least nowadays. And if her priorities ever slip or if she panics, I'll give her a good bonk on the head and straighten her out. Besides, I have to talk to her about other stuff too. I'll just let her process what you say first. Her mission takes priority, but you definitely take second. I'm a distant third."

Ram says to both C-Sha and Rom, "You're both looking at this the wrong way."

C-Sha and Rom turn their attention towards Ram.

"It's not that Blanc's mission is top priority, and that Rom comes second, or that the people need to come before Rom. At the end of the day, both take top priority. Even if Blanc gets married and has a kid, if that's the plan, that doesn't necessarily mean that shares will go up or that Blanc's child or children will magically have God or Goddess powers with or without shares. It's quite possible we lose our powers. And whether or not someone comes and replaces us, if our powers are gone, then it would make sense that we would want to rely on each other. And if that happens, then we all would want Rom back to who she truly is. The quiet, reserved yet kind and brave badass. We won't want to lose our power and lose our sister to her rage, her dark side. Rom doesn't need to do this alone and neither does Blanc. If Blanc starts to abandon her mission for the sake of Rom's health, then we'll have to simple remind her that nobody can do everything alone, and that we all have our roles to play. She can play both wife and mother to her child and guardian to us, but she has to get to that point first. Which means she'll have to learn to lean on us for support. After all, she can't be in two places at once. Even if she thinks she can, stretching her like that might break her. So, I can see why Rom wouldn't want to tell her right away. But I also see where C-Sha is coming from. So, with all of that said, I ultimately agree with C-Sha. Telling Blanc right away means that we can formulate a better plan to get you help. And, even if you don't tell us everything, being more open with each other is always best. Hell, keeping secrets and emotions bottled up is what got us here in the first place. Let's not make the same mistakes again."

Rom and C-Sha share a "where the hell did that come from" look. Rom then look at Ram and sighs.

"I'll try to remember that when I tell her. Now, I want to get going, and I know for a fact the Author, and probably the readers at this point, want the chapter to end soon, so let's get going to wherever the hell we're going."

Rom makes her way back to the motorcycles, hopping on one. Dogooman and the rest of the group follow her lead. Mike and Sully hesitate when they get near the hogs. Rom and Ram notice their hesitation.

"What's wrong?" asks Ram.

"It's okay. I won't bite. I promise" says Rom, with a bit of hesitancy herself.

Mike and Sully look at each other before addressing Rom and Ram.

"Um, are you sure you want us to come with you? I mean, you barely know us. Spending the night with you, even without having sex, it's just…"

Rom and Ram get off their bikes. Rom takes Sully's hand in hers, while Ram gives Mike a hug.

Rom says, "Of course I do. You may be the one person on Gamindustri who accepts me for me right now, good and bad. I'm not going to let you go so easily."

Rom gives Sully a slow, somewhat shy kiss, calming the last of his nerves, while setting hers ablaze.

Ram says, "Didn't I already tell you I want you, in more ways than one? I know I put you guys through the ringer before, but that was just to make sure that we can trust you. So far, you've both proven that we can. So quit worrying so much and just get on the damn motorcycle already. After this of course."

Ram gives Mike a slow kiss as well, although hers is a little bolder. She pushes Mike into the sidecar, both of them landing at an awkward angle, not breaking the kiss. It's only when C-Sha clears her throat that they break the kiss.

Ram look at Mike, then C-Sha with a blush before saying, "Sorry, I got carried away."

Ram gets out of the sidecar, and hops on the main bike behind C-Sha while Mike readjust and gets comfortable in the sidecar. Rom and Sully break their kiss and hop on their own bike and sidecar respectfully.

After giving himself a moment to catch his breath, Sully says, "Let's go see our Uncle Rodger first. Not only can he give you guys the reward credits and weapons, but he can also set us up in a few rooms at a hotel not too far from the office. As much as Rom and Ram might want us all to stay in the same room tonight, I'm sure it would put Lady Blanc's mind at ease for us to sleep in separate rooms."

Rom and Ram look slightly disappointed, but nod, knowing that Sully is right. Rom takes a moment to make sure the horn is still in her backpack. It's barely in there, but it's in there, nonetheless. She stuffs it back in and zips the backpack up. With that done, the group finally heads away from the mountain and back towards the village. While Rom and Ram have to wrap their arms around Dogooman and C-Sha respectfully, that still leaves Sully and Mike free to place their hands on Rom and Ram right leg, which they do without hesitation. While their actions and smiles, which Rom and Ram turn their heads to see (as much as they can through their helmets and the boys' helmets), prove that the boys have nothing but pure, innocent intentions, that doesn't stop Rom and Ram from getting turned on again.

He just needs to place his hand a few more inches to the left. Damn Blanc's rules. And damn this underdeveloped body. I'm so turned on right now. Fuck! Both girls think at the same time.

About 10 torturous minutes later, they all make it back to Sungod Village. After parking, Rom and Ram's group enters the building where Rodger is at. Rom makes a beeline towards Rodger. Mike and Sully enter the building and, seeing Rom, rush over to their uncle, worried that Rom may lose it again. However, Rom opens her backpack and pulls out the horn mid-walk and drops it on Rodger's desk with a condescending smirk. Rodger jumps in surprise, then looks at the group in shock.

"Still think we can't handle it?"

Rodger just shakes his head no.

"Good. Now when people ask what happened, you can tell them that Lowee's CPU candidates, or as we wish to be known by now, Junior Goddesses, slayed your beasts without Gold Third or Blanc's help. I also want you to tell them that we can handle anything that Blanc or our military can, and that you can rely on us. So, if you ever have a problem again, and just Ram and/or I show up, we are more than capable of handling it. Now, I was told that you have our reward credits and weapons. If you do, hand them over."

Rodger stands up from his seat, gives everyone a "follow me" motion, and leaves the room. Everyone follows him to the storage room, where he opens a giant safe. He pulls out a briefcase and three weapons. The first weapon is a hybrid axe-hammer weapon, with a hammerhead on one side and an axe on the other. The handle and grip-guard are made of rust-proof silver, while the axe and hammerhead are made of a white Mithril, enhancing ice resistance, and strengthening ice attacks. Based on the size and weapon type, this is clearly meant for Blanc. A very rare weapon indeed, best used in Goddess (HDD) form, but useful in "Human" form too. The second weapon is a gigantic pen-like weapon. It is made of Orichalcum and has been painted blue. The tip of the pen has been sharpened and is best used for stabbing attacks. It has been enhanced with many runes, allowing greater ice damage and greater, faster healing. It also protects against ice, fire, and wind damage. The final weapon is also a pen-like weapon. This one is made on Damascus and has been painted pink. This one has the top "eraser" part smoother, allowing for better projectile attacks. Its tip has also been sharpened, but not to the same degree. It has also been enhanced with many runes, allowing for greater ice damage. It also enhances movement speed, allowing for faster attacks, dodges, and/or escapes. It also protects against ground, dark, and light attacks. Finally, in the briefcase, is the 100,000 credits reward. Rom grabs the blue pen and Blanc's weapon, and Ram grabs the pink weapon and briefcase. Rom and Ram examine the weapons before they disappear into the ether, to be summoned when needed. They open up the briefcase.

"So, I think since we all contributed, even just a little bit, we all deserve some of this. Fair is fair after all" says Ram, much to everybody's surprise.

Dogooman and Dogoolady say, "We don't need it."

Dogoolady elaborates by saying, "We don't need it. We can make the clothes we need by gathering materials from other monsters and from the environment. As for food, S-Sha and E-Sha usually provide us with more than enough. Besides, if we need credits for anything, Vert usually gives us anything we need. I think she appreciates our company so much that she doesn't really care about a few credits here or there."

Ram nods and says, "Yep, that sounds like Vert alright. I guess it's a 5-way split then. 20,000 credits should be more than enough for some fun things."

"Like some Deadpool comics and games" says Rom.

"And some sex toys of my own" Rom adds in a whisper, with a blush.

Everyone notices the blush and hears what Rom whispers, but ignores it, not wanting to reignite her anger.

Mike and Sully turn towards Rom and Ram and say, "Being with you is more than enough. We barely did anything anyways. You should keep the credits."

Rom and Ram turn towards them, eyes wide in surprise.

"Are you sure?" Rom asks.

"Positive. All we did was give you a clear path in and out and help near the end. We didn't even actually fight those things. You did that all on your own. You deserve the reward" says Sully.

"Yes, take it. We insist. All we ask is that you give us a fair shake when it comes to dating you two. Not that we want the kissing and making out to stop. We just want the opportunity to take you two out on dates as well."

Rom laughs at that statement, Ram following suit.

After a moment, Rom says, "We get to keep the weapons and credits, and all we need to do in exchange is date and make out with you hotties? How the hell can we say no to that?"

Rom burst into more laughter. Ram simple nods and continues laughing. They continue laughing for another minute before settling down.

Wiping tears from her eyes, Ram turns to C-Sha and asks, "You bailing out too, or do you want to keep your share?"

C-Sha contemplates the offer for a moment, then says, "As much as I would love to let you keep your earnings, that amount of credits is too much to pass up. Besides, it would be just enough capital to start up my own business teaching people how to survive in the wild. Or get my own place to start a family in."

Rom and Ram look at each other and shrug.

"That's alright. Was never expecting an even 50/50 split anyways" says Rom.

Mike and Sully walk up to Rodger to engage in conversation.

"Hi Uncle Rodger. As you may have gathered, Sully and I are going to start dating Rom and Ram. So, we'll be seeing you less and less. But when we're not out on dates, we'll still be crashing at your place. It's home to us after all. That said, Rom and Ram are not going home tonight under Lady Blanc's orders. So, we were wondering if you can hook us up with two rooms at the hotel. One for the ladies and one for us."

Rodger looks at Mike and Sully, then at Rom and Ram, then back at Mike and Sully.

"Wow, this is all a lot to take in. They managed to kill the monsters, you two are dating them, and now you want to go to the hotel with them. That's moving fast. I'm not going to stop you. Just make sure you're not moving too fast. I'll set you up. Just give me a few minutes. I need to make a phone call."

Rodger leaves the room to call the hotel. Rom goes over to Sully and kisses him on the lips for a moment before holding his hand. Ram does the same with Mike. About 20 minutes later, the group has made it to the hotel. C-Sha, Dogoolady, Rom, and Ram are in one room, and Mike, Sully, and Dogooman are in the other.

"I think before we meet up with the boys again, we all could use a shower" says C-Sha.

"Agreed" say Rom and Ram.

"Man, do I love being a Dogoo. Not only can we regulate our body heat, but because we can, we don't sweat, and thus, don't smell or stink. You girls have fun."

C-Sha nods. She then turns towards Rom and Ram and smirks.

"Since I know you're going to need extra time to "let out your hormones", I'll take a shower first."

Rom and Ram blush a deep red as C-Sha laughs and heads to the bathroom to take a shower. As C-Sha is washing up, Rom, Ram, and Dogoolady can hear the shower flip on in the adjoining room. The image of Mike or Sully naked in the shower gets Rom and Ram super-heated. On instinct, their hands go to their center. By some miracle, they are able to hold back their urge to masturbate until they get into the shower, Rom then later Ram letting out hours of sexual frustration, Rom's howls of pleasure and Ram's howl of Mike's name only barely drowned out by the sounds of the shower. And, yes, their individual (and collective) records just edge out Blanc's from earlier in the day (in a shorter per person timeframe too). Once they are all done masturbating and showering, they put on the hotel's complementary PJs (the hotel exclusive for high roller guests, and family members of the hotel owner), and join the boys in their room. Everybody has a good laugh at the sight of everyone else in PJs. The girls cuddle with the boys as they begin watching Monster's Inc. on the hotel's TV. Their time is split between watching the movie, enjoying room service, and making out. The adults enjoy some champaign and steak thanks to C-Sha, and the kids enjoy some orange and apple juice, steak and lobster, and cheesecake (except Sully, who Rom comes to find out, is lactose intolerant). The kids make out for another 20 minutes after the movie ends. Rom and Ram end up falling asleep on Sully and Mike's respective shoulders. Once Mike and Sully are asleep as well, Dogoolady and C-Sha move Rom and Ram back to their room. C-Sha makes her way back to the bathroom, masturbating and letting her own sexual frustrations wash away, while Dogooman and Dogoolady sneak off somewhere outside to have sex of their own. The night ends with Rom, Ram, C-Sha, and Dogoolady sleeping, thoughts of Blanc and the boys racing through their heads, some with sweet dreams and others with sexual fantasies. In the other room, Mike and Sully are dreaming about Ram and Rom, them dating, getting married, leading the military in a badass battle for survival, and then having sex with their respective lady, making them feel good all over. And of course, Dogooman is dreaming about his wife and friends. Overall, even if the day was full of extreme ups and hellish downs, they are all satisfied and happy.

As the author, I am too. This chapter is finally over. Magnum Opus or not, this was one long chapter, perhaps too long. Fun to write. Bitch to edit. Hope you all enjoyed that. A bit darker than I normally write, with a lot more horniness and sexual urges and jokes than I am comfortable with (just because the kids are so young, but remembering what it's like being that age, I think they're right in character). Speaking of right in character, some of you may be wondering about Rom being so extremely violent. I look at it like this. Blanc is also quiet, but when she gets pissed, she tends to lose it and not listen to anybody. And if Rom and Ram are the two halves of Blanc's personality personified (as I read on the Neptunia wiki somewhere), then it's within perfect character for Rom to do the same. As for the fallout, I have something in mind for the next chapter, which will focus more on Vert and Noire's journeys but will also include some fallout from the last 2 chapters. Trust me, if you like this chapter, you'll probably like the rest of the story, next few chapters especially. But please check out my video game channel, and please review the story. Both would make me so happy. If you don't it's fine. Either way, thanks for reading, and have a great rest of your day.