Me: "Hello again, my good readers! As mentioned in the last chapter, Lady Green Heart will be making more appearances than in previous chapters."
Heero and Neptune: (Enter IC from Break Room) "She's not gonna make more appearances then me, is she? I mean, I AM the heroine of the story and all!"
Heero: "While that may be true, it is important to give other characters an equal amount of time in the story so that the readers know that the play an integral role in said story."
Green Heart: (Enters IC from Lounge) "That is correct. And since the story is focusing on Leanbox right now, it is only fitting that I make an appearance as well."
Compa and IF: (Enter IC) "So Lady Green Heart is going to play a major role in the story?"
IF: "Well, of course she would. The story involves traveling throughout the four landmasses of Gamindustri, so naturally Lady Green Heart has to have an important part."
Me: "Alright people, before we go off topic completely, let's read off the disclaimer and get on with the chapter. Where's Lyrica?"
5pb: (Enters IC from entrance in middle of IC) "Here I am! I was busy writing the lyrics to a new song I was thinking of."
Me: "Well, it IS your job and all. Now that everybody's here…" (Points at cast) "行く!(Go!)" (Pronounced: Iku!)
Heero, Neptune, Compa, IF, Lyrica, and Green Heart: "HeeroUzuki does not own Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Hyperdimension Neptunia, Super Robot Wars, or any work pertaining to any of the franchises. However, he does own the idea of crossing over Gundam Wing and Hyperdimension Neptunia."
Me: "If only I could own both franchises… Oh well, at least I own the idea of combining the two. Okay, time to roll another chapter!"
Me, Heero, Neptune, Compa, IF, Lyrica, and Green Heart: (Leave IC)
Ch. 20 A Date with Lady Green Heart?
It was yet another day on the 'Land of Green Pastures;' clear blue skies, clean air, beautiful sunshine, the norm on the peaceful landmass. It was the day after the party went to the Basilicom to see Lady Green Heart and went to the dungeon and encountered yet another 'Stalker'.
The girls were lounging around the Safe House since Heero and Lyrica had gone to Planeptune earlier to take care of 'important business.' Neptune wore a bored expression on her face as she looked up at the ceiling from her place on her bed, "I wish Heero had come and woke me up so we could have gotten a hotel room or something and our M rated scene."
As the purple haired preteen was grumbling over having been left behind, the bedroom door opened and Compa walked into the room. "Nep-Nep, you have a visitor. Don't be too shocked, now! She's a beautiful lady with long blonde hair."
Neptune sat up on the bed and gave the nurse in training a quizzical look, "A beautiful blonde lady? I dunno anyone like that, do I…?"
A voluptuous lady with long blonde hair and a fantastic bust entered the room, and only one person on Leanbox fit that description, "It's been a while, Neptune. Do you recognize me? Surely you know me in my human form… By the way, 'Nep-Nep' is just such a perfect fit. Can I call you that, too?"
The bubbly girl was surprised to see the CPU of Leanbox in her room, "Lady Green Heart?! Whatcha doin' here?"
"Well, I have a favor to ask. Could we have a little… privacy? It's kind of personal."
Compa looked between Neptune and Green Heart, "Alone with Nep-Nep?" The pink haired nurse shook her head, opposed to the idea. "No can do, not even if you're the goddess!"
IF grabbed onto the collar of Compa's wool top, "C'mon, she's asking us nicely. Let's just leave them alone. Nep will spill everything to us later, anyway."
Compa looked back at IF as the brunette began to drag her out of the room, "…Iffy, why're you so understanding?" The nurse in training looked back at Neptune as she was pulled out of the doorway. "Nep-Nep, you better tell us everything she says to you later!"
Both Neptune and Lady Green Heart watched as the two girls left the room. Once the door closed, Green Heart turned her attention back to the preteen before her, "So, Nep-Nep… Can we talk about games?"
Neptune had a confused look on her face as she looked at the goddess, "G-Games? How's that personal? I dunno if I've even played games before!"
"My, my… You don't know if you've played them, even though they're products of Planeptune…? That's roughly equivalent to throwing one-third of your life away." After giving a small lecture to the girl, Green Heart continued with her favor. "Anyway, there's this one game on your landmass… They're giving away a raffle ticket as a pre-order bonus, but only one person can win. Isn't that atrocious marketing? With your influence, I'm sure you can get whatever you want, raffle tickets or otherwise, right?"
Neptune was beyond confused at this point, "Whoa there, missy! What d'you mean, my landmass? I'm way too poor to buy my own island, y'know."
Lady Green Heart gently shook her head, "No, no… Nep-Nep, are you taking this discussion seriously? Or are you being facetious?
The purple haired preteen scratched her cheek. "Well, I mean, do I look like a rich princess or anything?"
It was Lady Green Heart's turn to be surprised. "You are serious, then. But, why? Do you not recall anything of your past…?"
"Ding, ding, ding! You are correct. I've lost all my memories from before Heero and Compa saved me."
The CPU pinched her chin with her thumb and index finger, looking down at the floor in thought, "I see. It's probably from when you fell… No wonder they haven't seen their goddess. Well this discussion wasted time better spent grinding." Lady Green Heart looked back up. "Thank you. I've learned what I wanted to know."
Once again, Neptune looked completely lost, "That's it? You sure? Grinding what? I have no idea what the heck is going on!"
After having concluded their private conversation, Compa and IF were allowed back into the room. A serious expression made its way onto Lady Green Heart's face as she looked over the three girls, "By the way, you girlies are trying to bring down my Basilicom with those Aristocrats, correct? I don't know what you owe them, but I'm not impressed to see you helping them with that plan."
"You're talking like that Newtype! The Aristocrats aren't naughty people. I mean, weapon trading is naughty, but… It's all cuz Mr. Archbishop is trying to push the veggies of truth off his plate and take their honor away!"
Compa chimed in as well, "Yes, that girl in the plug suit said how Nep-Nep lied about getting poisoned, too. How would she benefit from that?"
Lady Green Heart took a moment to consider the argument presented by Compa, "You're right. If she has no memories, there's no reason to be unabashedly hostile toward the Basilicom or me."
IF interjected after the CPU had been given time to think, "Maybe that Evangelist is spreading false news, thinking Nep will come after her because of what she did to us."
"Did she do something to you? Did something happen between you and Ms. Convy?"
The brunette folded her arms over her chest, looking somewhat irked as she recalled the events of the previous day. "Remember when she said she would take us to a certain dungeon in search of a Key Fragment? She trapped us inside there. It's thanks to Heero that we weren't stuck down there."
Lady Green Heart wore a frown on her face. "Ms. Convy? Really now? She's usually quite reserved. She didn't seem the type to stoop to such a tactic."
Neptune pumped her arms for no apparent reason, "Don't underestimate a woman scorned, Lady Green Heart! Appearances can be all sorts of misleading and stuff."
"True, but… I can't believe it." Compa re-entered the conversation, trying to say something wise, "My grandpa always said, 'Never give no manipulative bitch the benefit of doubt.' Let's capture her and make her confess!"
Lady Green Heart stared at Compa for a moment before responding, "…Your grandfather seems very intense. In this situation, I believe I wish to lend my assistance. With me here, you girls will find the truth out about the Evangelist much quicker, anyway."
The CPU of Leanbox turned to head for the door since her business had come to an end. "I must return to the Basilicom. There is just so much I have to do right now." Before even taking one step toward the door, Lady Green Heart turned back to the three girls, "Before I forget, where is Heero? I expected him to be in here with you."
Neptune's shoulders sank as she was reminded of the lone male party member that was not present, "Heero had to go to Planeptune with Lyrica to do some important stuff. He could've taken me, too."
Lady Green Heart reached behind her back and pulled out a white envelope and held it out to the purple haired preteen in front of her, "If you don't mind, could you give this to him? I would do it myself, but as I have mentioned, I have work to do back at the Basilicom."
Neptune took the envelope, while Compa looked over the preteen's shoulder at said envelope, "If it's from Lady Green Heart, it must be really important."
After Lady Green Heart left the room, Neptune began to look at the envelope in her hands before trying to open it. The bubbly party leader was stopped by IF, who was giving the preteen an annoyed look, "That letter is supposed to be for Heero. Why are you trying to read it?"
Neptune began to flail her arms like she was about to throw a fit, "Don't you wanna know what Lady Green Heart wrote in here? I bet Heero won't mind if we take a quick peek."
"What will I not mind?" Neptune, Compa and IF turned their attention to the window to see Heero climbing through it. "Why did you climb through the window?"
Neptune suddenly had a gleam in her eyes as she watched the Perfect Soldier step into the room from the window. "Did you go through the window cuz you thought I was gonna be asleep? Then you were gonna pick me up and carry me off somewhere where we could have an M rated scene? Heero, you are such a bad boy! Okay, you go back out the window and I'll get in bed and pretend to be asleep. Then you can come back in, pick me up and carry me off somewhere and we can have a hot M rated where no one will see us!"
Compa gave Heero an incredulous look as she listened to Neptune's reason for why she thought he came through the window, "Is that true, Heero? Then you have to come into my room and do the same with me! It's only fair."
IF rolled her eyes as she listened to the two girls, "I highly doubt that was his reason for coming through the window." The door to the bedroom suddenly swung open and Lyrica entered the room, "Sorry we're late getting back. The line was really long."
IF looked at the musician who appeared fairly winded, she had clearly been running for some time. "The line for the Sky Harbor? I didn't think the lines actually could get long."
Lyrica had a confused look on her face as she looked back at the brunette, "There wasn't a line for the Sky Harbor. I was talking about the line for the raffle."
Neptune seemed to have forgotten all about the letter in her hands as the girls began to talk about the 'raffle' that took up so much of Heero and Lyrica's time, "A raffle? For what? A chance for an all you can eat buffet? That's what it was, wasn't it?!"
The cerulean haired musician gently shook her head, "No, that's not what it was. While we were taking care of what we were doing, I had remembered that I had pre-ordered a new game on Planeptune, and there was a pre-order bonus that went along with it. That was the raffle. Unfortunately, there were so many people there trying to win… I got nervous, so I asked Heero to do it."
Compa was sympathetic towards the musician, "That's right… you still haven't gotten used to people besides us."
"Anyway, the best part is that… Heero won!" The girls were all surprised to hear that the Gundam pilot had won the raffle ticket despite the large number of people participating, "I heard that over a thousand people pre-ordered that game and for Heero to win just like that…"
Neptune looked back at Heero with a big smile on her face as IF went off on a tangent, "My Destined Lover is SUPER lucky! I betcha Heero could totally use that luck of his to win me an all you-can-eat buffet or something, and he will do it out of love for me."
Heero had an annoyed look on his face as he focused his attention on Neptune, "We are not lovers. Now, back to my original question; what is it that I would not mind?"
IF remembered the envelope that Lady Green Heart had left for Heero was still in Neptune's hands. The Guild Moderatist quickly swiped the envelope from the preteen and held it out to the Gundam pilot, "Lady Green Heart left a letter for you, Heero. Nep wanted to open it to see what was inside."
Neptune began to pout as Heero took the envelope, "You're no fun, Iffy."
Heero opened the envelope and pulled out the letter contained within, his eyes scrolling through the handwriting. "So? What's it say? Is it an invitation to another awesome party? We should totally go!"
Lyrica stood next to Heero so that she could read the letter, "It's an invitation… but not to a party." Compa stood on the other side of Heero to see what was written on the invitation, "Lady Green Heart wants to meet with Heero… alone."
All it took was 'Lady Green Heart' and 'alone' for Neptune to come up with her own conclusion about the reason for the invitation, "No! Heero can't go! Absolutely not! There's no way that's happenin'!"
IF raised a questioning eyebrow at the preteen who was throwing a tantrum, "What are you getting so worked up about? It's just an invitation."
Neptune snapped her head to look at the brunette. "She wants to meet with Heero alone so that she can seduce him! Lady Green Heart wants to steal Heero from me!"
Lyrica could only stare incredulously at Neptune, "You still think Lady Green Heart wants to steal Heero? I don't really think that's a likely reason for the invitation…" The cerulean haired songstress had to stop herself, realizing what she said she waved her hands in a defensive manner while looking at Heero. "D-Don't get me wrong! Heero is a really amazing person, but we've only just met Lady Green Heart. Why would she want to steal Heero from us?"
IF nodded her head in a sagely manner, "That's what I've been saying. Besides, even if that were the case, Heero would still have to go anyway. This letter came from Lady Green Heart, if Heero didn't go, it would be seen as an insult to not just to the goddess, but to the entire landmass. There's no telling how much trouble it would cause."
Neptune turned to Compa, hoping that the nurse in training would agree with her, "Compa, you believe me, right? Lady Green Heart wants to steal Heero and have an M rated scene with him!"
Compa wanted to believe Neptune, but the pink haired nurse had to face facts, "I'm sorry, Nep-Nep, but I really don't think Lady Green Heart is interested in Heero the way we are. Besides, don't you think it's better this way? It means there are less people trying to steal Heero."
Heero looked back at the letter in his hand while the girls continued their conversation about Lady Green Heart's invitation, "Lady Green Heart wishes to see me when I am available."
Before he could do anything else, Neptune immediately latched onto Heero's arm, "Well you're NOT available! You're gonna spend the entire day with me, Heero! You have no time to go on a date with Lady Green Heart!"
IF slapped Neptune on the back of the head in annoyance, "Give it a rest already, Lady Green Heart is NOT trying to steal Heero! And the only thing you're gonna be doing is trying to get Heero interested in that stupid M rated scene of yours that he's no more interested in than the last several times you've asked him!"
Heero pulled his arm out of Neptune's grasp and headed for the door, "I will head to the Basilicom immediately to verify what it is that Lady Green Heart needs to see me about."
The Perfect Soldier left the Safe House and began the short walk to the Basilicom for his appointment with Leanbox's CPU.
Xxx
Upon arriving at the Basilicom Heero was escorted to the large room that the Basilicom used for its parties, though unlike the last few times he had been there the room was empty… with the exception of himself and Lady Green Heart. The CPU of Leanbox smiled at the Perfect Soldier, "Thank you for taking time out of your day to come see me. I know it was short notice, but I felt it necessary to meet with you."
Heero was curious as to why the CPU of Leanbox wanted to meet with him, considering that she was the goddess of the landmass she most likely had more important issues to attend to, "For what reason did you want to meet with me, Lady Green Heart? I cannot imagine you having time to waste on one individual when you have more important business to finish."
Lady Green Heart waved her hand in a dismissive manner, "I happen to have some free time right now, and I thought I would use it to get to know you better. After all, if I am going to be asking for your services I should learn a little more about you than what I have heard from Iffy."
Heero had to admit that the goddess made a valid point, she had mentioned that she might request his services in regards to monster hunting, but if she was going to trust him with such tasks she would need something to go by in regards to what kind of person Heero was, "…Very well."
The CPU clapped her hands together as her small smile grew, "Then it's a date. Wonderful." Lady Green Heart beckoned for the Gundam pilot to follow her. "Let's go to my room, I don't want any of the Basilicom staff to interrupt us."
Heero followed Lady Green Heart to her room in silence, his eyes focused on the back of the CPU. When they arrived in the CPU's room in the back of the Basilicom, Green Heart turned to face Heero, "Heero, do you like to play games?"
"I find them to be useful for training ones hand-eye coordination, though I do not require constant electronic stimulation like Neptune." Lady Green Heart shook her head, "While it is good that you have found a practical use for them, that's not what video games are about. They're a source of entertainment and a way of life… Video games are one of the three sacred treasures after all."
Green Heart set up one of her game consoles and plugged in two controllers, holding one of them out to Heero. "I find that playing with someone is a good way to learn more about someone. We'll play a few games together for now."
The Perfect Soldier was unsure of how playing video games helped people to understand one another, but resigned himself to the simple task, "I am curious as to how playing on electronics promotes understanding between people. I will go along with your idea… for now."
After deciding on a list of games to play, Lady Green Heart plugged in one of the games and sat on her knees on the floor, "Shall we get started?"
Heero and Lady Green Heart began their gaming session so that the CPU could learn more about the Gundam pilot… of course, the CPU of Leanbox was beginning to regret some of her choices in games. A few of the games were multiplayer and Green Heart was losing… badly. She had played a number of games and was very good out most video games, but Heero was in a league of his own. And when the two played a strategy game? Lady Green Heart learned firsthand why it was better to be playing on Heero's side rather than against him.
After a string of loses, the CPU decided to pull out one more game in an attempt to beat the Perfect Soldier, "I have one more game we need to play." Lady Green Heart plugged in yet another game into the game console, but unlike the previous games she took out the controllers and replaced them with pads with arrows on the. "For our last game, we're going to play 'Super Dance Party Revolution.'"
Heero stared down at the dance pads on the ground and Lady Green Heart had come to the conclusion that Heero couldn't dance. "(Well, looks like I've found a game he can't play.)"
"I have never seen this kind of control device before. Would you mind demonstrating how it works?" The CPU blinked a few times as she looked at the Gundam pilot, "I guess it wouldn't hurt."
Lady Green Heart had stepped onto the first dance pad and was about to start working the controls when she suddenly stumbled. Having sat on her knees for most of the time they had been playing, Green Hearts legs had fallen asleep. The CPU closed her eyes, expecting to hit the floor… she had indeed fell against something, but it wasn't the floor. Opening her eyes, Green Heart saw Heero's green tanktop, then lifted her face to find herself only a few inches from Heero's face, "…Clearly we have spent enough time in this room. It may be best to step outside."
The CPU straightened herself and attempted to calm herself after the close physical contact she had with Heero, "Y-Yes, that would be a good idea. I can't stay in my room all day." As the two made to leave the room Lady Green Heart cast a glance at Heero, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink, "(He has rather strong arms… and a well-built body.)"
Xxx
With the gaming session over with, Heero and Lady Green Heart walked down the streets of Leanbox's capital city. The blonde haired goddess was leading the way with Heero following behind her, "Why don't we stop for some tea? I know a lovely little café that serves the best tea in Gamindustri."
Heero was questioning how Lady Green Heart was supposed to learn anything about him with these methods of hers, but resigned himself to going along with her for the time being. Upon arriving at their destination, Heero and Lady Green Heart were immediately seated and given menus, "I think I will have green tea… what about you, Heero? What are you going to order?"
The Gundam pilot looked through the menu, carefully analyzing the list of beverages, "Tea is not a drink that I normally consume, so I do not know what to order." Green Heart directed her attention to their server. "We'll have two green teas, please."
Heero gave the CPU an annoyed look as the server took their menus and promptly left. Lady Green Heart directed her attention at Heero, "Well, I didn't exactly learn anything from our little gaming session. I've played with many people, but the level of precision and skill you play with is something I've never seen before. You are quite difficult to figure out."
"As I mentioned before, maintaining secrecy is an important part of my job." Heero focused his attention on Green Heart. "As for you, I have noticed that you seem distracted. Is there a problem?"
Lady Green Heart waved her hand in a dismissive manner, "No, no… everything is quite alright. You're just imagining things."
The Gundam pilot could tell that the CPU was lying, but decided not to pry any further for the time being. After the waiter came back with their tea, Heero and Lady Green Heart drank their tea in silence. As so as they were finished, Green Heart led the Gundam pilot around the city to a bakery, a museum and a finally, a park, "…Now I know for a fact that something is bothering you. What is wrong?"
Green Heart figured that she wouldn't be able to hide anything from the Perfect Soldier, "Oh… it's just that there's something I really want, but I don't think I'll be able to get it."
Heero raised a questioning eyebrow. "What exactly is this item you want?"
"There's this game that's being released on Planeptune and there is a ticket that comes as a pre-order bonus. The problem is that there's only one ticket and it's being given away as a raffle. I've tried to get it, but all of my attempts have ended in failure."
The Gundam pilot looked at the disheartened CPU, then reached into his jacket pocket to pull out the ticket he had been carrying, "By any chance, is this what you are referring to?"
When she looked at the ticket in Heero's hand, Green Heart could do nothing but stare awe-struck, "That's…! How did you get it?"
"I had gone to Planeptune with Lyrica in order to take care of some important matters. While we were there, she mentioned that she had also pre-ordered that particular game, but as she is nervous around people she is unfamiliar with, Lyrica asked me to do the drawing in her place. Since I won, she insisted that I hold onto it."
Lady Green Heart could not help but feel a little jealous of Heero, "I see… there were a lot of people who entered the contest. You must have incredible luck, Heero."
Heero kept his gaze focused on the CPU, "Do you wish to have it?" Green Heart looked at Heero with a surprised look on her face, and then began to alternate between looking at Heero and the ticket in his hand. "Are you sure? This is the only ticket that's going to be given away… And you're just going to give it to me?"
"I myself have no use for it. It's better that someone who can actually use it have it." Lady Green Heart watched Heero's face to make sure that he was being serious and not joking around, but of course his stoic façade made him unreadable. The CPU gingerly took the raffle ticket out of his hand and looked at it intently, trying to keep her excitement under control, "While I can't tell what you're thinking, clearly you're a much nicer person than you let on to, Heero."
Heero caught movement behind the CPU, then he was able to make out just what it was that was approaching from behind her. He grabbed Lady Green Heart and quickly moved out of the way, just as a large object struck the ground where she had been standing. When she looked back, Green Heart could see a large metal club had smashed into the ground where she had been a second ago. Following the blunt weapon, she could see a 'Ubellarin' towering over her.
The large monster passed by Heero and Lady Green Heart and proceeded in the direction of the nearby residential district. Green Heart stood up, frowning at the monster that seemed intent on rampaging through the city, "I will not allow this monster to harm the innocent people of Leanbox."
Before she could do anything Heero grabbed Green Heart by the arm, preventing her from following after the creature, "That would not be a wise course of action. If any of the civilians were to see you transform, it would cause a big scandal. Not only that, but if you were to be injured it could throw the landmass into disarray."
Green Heart bit her lip as she listened to the Gundam pilot, "Maybe so… but I can't stand by while these civilians are in danger."
"Which is why I will take care of this problem." Heero let go of the CPU to go after the monster, but was stopped by the blonde haired girl. "This is neither your landmass nor your problem, Heero. Why do you insist upon getting involved?"
Heero kept his back to the CPU, his attention still focused on the monster, "It is true, this is not my landmass. However, that does not change the fact that innocent people will suffer unless something is done. I will do all in my abilities to ensure that these people are safe." The Perfect Soldier looked over his shoulder at Lady Green Heart. "But more importantly, I do not want you getting hurt."
Green Heart could feel her cheeks grow warmer as the Gundam pilot took off after the monster. When Heero finally caught up with the rampaging monster, it had already begun to destroy everything in its path. Civilians were fleeing from the monster as it went on its path of destruction, "I need to draw the targets attention away from the civilians and limit damage to the area to a minimum."
Heero armed his GN Sword, changing the weapon to rifle mode and fired a round of thermal energy into the back of the Ubellarin. The attack garnered the monster's attention, though now it would most likely be directing its rage and destructive intent at the Perfect Soldier. With its club held above its head, the large monster charged at Heero. The teenaged soldier evaded the Ubellarin with easy, using its size against it. "The targets size renders it slow. Against a fast moving adversary, it is not much of a threat."
Every time the monster would attempt to attack Heero, the Gundam pilot would deftly evade the attack, strike a few accurate blows, then retreat. It was not long before the monster began to succumb to the numerous injuries it had received from Heero. Lady Green Heart had arrived and witnessed Heero's handiwork, "He handles himself quite well. I guess I was worried for nothing."
Heero had figured that the monster had already sustained enough damage so as to effectively impair its movements, "One more attack should eliminate the target."
The Perfect Soldier quickly closed the short distance to the monster and drove the blade of his GN Sword through its abdomen. The Ubellarin howled in pain as Heero plunged the sharp bladed weapon into its body. The Gundam pilot pulled his sword out of the monster, which had made one final vain attempt to injure Heero.
Heero evaded the attack with ease, though the large club struck yet another building. Heero looked down at where the debris was falling and grit his teeth, "Dammit…!"
The Gundam pilot quickly ran into the path of the falling house, and Lady Green Heart shouted towards the teen, "Heero!" Green Heart had tried to run, however a pain expression made its way onto her face as she looked down at her leg, "I think… I twisted my ankle."
While the monster was dead, the CPU was more concerned with the boy who was now buried underneath debris. The townsfolk began to gather around the site where Heero had been, and before anyone could do anything the rubble began to shift and Heero emerged from the wreckage of the house.
Lady Green Heart had finally made it to where Heero was after limping the entire way and was about to chastise him when she saw the two children that were sobbing on the ground next to where Heero was standing. The Gundam pilot had run into the path of the debris to protect the two, who would have been crushed otherwise.
Heero walked past the townspeople as they tended to the two children, and the Gundam pilot focused his attention on Green Heart, "The target has been eliminated."
The CPU could not help but feel relieved that Heero was alright, "You certainly are a much nicer person than you let on to be. Hopefully these people won't have to worry about any monsters entering the city for a while."
Heero watched a pained look cross Green Heart's face, "Are you injured?"
Green Heart bent over and gingerly touched her right ankle. "I believe I twisted my ankle when that monster attacked. You can go to the Basilicom and ask for the Archbishop to-"
Before she could get another word out, Lady Green Heart felt herself being lifted into the air, eliciting a surprised gasp from her, "That will not be necessary. It will be much faster if a take you back to the Basilicom myself."
Green Heart could not help but swoon over the Gundam pilot as he carried her back to the Basilicom while the townspeople began the process of cleaning up the mess created by the monster.
It had taken Heero roughly fifteen minutes to carry Green Heart back to the Basilicom, where he set her down in her room, "As I have not taken the time to examine the severity of your injury, it would be best for you to have it looked at as soon as possible."
Lady Green Heart gave a slight nod in response, "Yes, that would be best, wouldn't it? I can't exactly do too much like this."
The blonde haired CPU was still processing the events that transpired in her mind. She was so lost in thought that she did not notice Heero moving around her room until he was standing front of her. When Green Heart looked up from her place on the couch, Heero was holding a bucket of what appeared to be water. The Gundam pilot placed the bucket on the floor, knelt down and removed the shoe on Green Heart's right foot, and placed her foot in the bucket, "Until you have a doctor or other medical specialist examine your ankle, it would be best to keep your foot submerged in warm salt water so as to reduce the swelling."
Green Heart watched the Perfect Soldier in silence as he stood up, her lips slightly parted. "I will have to cut our 'date' short. I have other matters to attend to and you need to focus on recovering." Heero reached over and gently took hold of Green Heart's and placed the raffle ticket he had given her earlier in her hand, "You dropped this while I carried you back. Try not to lose it again."
Lady Green Heart looked at the raffle ticket in her hand, then back to Heero. She didn't know what to say and could only watch as Heero made to leave the room. Heero stopped when he opened the door and looked back at the CPU sitting on the couch. "Get well soon."
Heero closed the door behind him as he left, leaving Green Heart alone in her room. She sat on the couch in silence. Finally, the CPU fell back against her couch and let out the sigh of a love struck school girl, a hand over her chest, "Be still my heart. Never have I been so enamored by a human before. Is this... love?"
The dazed look on the CPU face turned into a frown. "And he's supposed to be Neptune's bodyguard? Clearly Heero is much too good for her. Neptune much have coerced Heero into doing her bidding, that's the only way I see him willingly submitting to her demands. I shall take it upon myself to liberate Heero from Neptune's evil clutches... then he will be free to be with me."
Xxx
As soon as Heero emerged from the Basilicom he found himself face to face with Neptune and the rest of the party. The purple haired preteen made her way up to Heero, and she looked to be in a pouty mood, as was hinted by her slightly swelled cheeks, "I was just about to come get you, Heero. You've been with Lady Green Heart long enough! It's time for you to come home with your wife and help take care of the kids."
Heero looked at the preteen incredulously, "...What exactly are you talking about?"
IF quickly made her way up to the pair an smacked Neptune upside the back of her head, causing the preteen to hold her injured head while IF addressed the lone male of the party, "Nep's just being random, as usual. She probably sees herself as the mom, you as the dad, and us as the kids... if that were the case, we would be one hell of a dysfunctional family. Jokes aside, we came to get you because we thought we could try searching at least one dungeon today and see if we can't find the Key Fragment, or any clues that could tell us where it is."
Compa tended to the pouting Neptune while Lyrica approached Heero, "More importantly, how did your meeting with Lady Green Heart go? What did she want?"
"She wanted to know what kid of individual I was, since she will be requesting my services in the near future. As to whether or not she learned anything, I do not know."
Neptune stopped holding her head where she had been smacked and began to pull on Heero's arm, "Who cares about that? We gotta go looking for that Key Fragment! All hands, march!"
The party ventured beyond the city limits and searched the first dungeon they came across, but of course, their search turned up nothing. The group found themselves within one of the many forests that dotted the green landmass. As the party made their way through the forest, and conveniently near another town, Compa spotted something in the sky that grabbed her attention, "Look! A mysterious ring is floating in the air."
Neptune and the others stopped to look at what the nurse in training was seeing. Neptune had assumed her thinking position as she looked at the ring, "Yep. Like it's hovering over the whole world..."
"You trying to enter this town?"
The group turned their attention to a teenaged boy, who appeared to be a monster hunter judging by the equipment he was carrying. Neptune pumped her arms as she looked at the individual. "Ooh, a neato-looking guy! Uh, we're looking for a place to rest."
IF asserted herself to the front of the party to address the teen, "We're also looking for somewhere to eat. Nice to meet you. I'm IF."
Neptune had her hands on her hips as she looked at the brunette, "Hey, no fair! You tryin' to get his attention and make yourself the leader?!"
Both girls were getting irritated with each other, but not for the reason that most people would suspect, "(Heero spent so much time with Lady Green Heart, I'm uber jealous! Well, two can play at that game! He's nowhere near Heero's level of hot, but I bet'cha I can make Heero jealous with him.)"
IF had the same idea planned for the boy before the party, "(This guy might not be as handsome as Heero, or of the same caliber as him, but he should do for what I have planned.)"
Neptune turned her attention back the monster hunter, "I'm Neptune. Who're you and what's your favorite cookie?"
"Nobody worth mentioning. I like oatmeal raisin, I guess. Anyway, as a warning, you should all leave this place immediately."
The bubbly preteen gave the young man a quizzical look as she assumed her thinking position. "Huh? Why? We just met you! ...Is something bad gonna happen?"
"Yes. A barrier's been placed to protect this area from beastly invasions, but..."
Neptune turned her attention back to the ring floating in the air, "So that explains the ring dealie."
"Right, but the machine core operating our barrier was stolen by someone...! The townspeople are anxious to find the culprit. If they see you outsiders wandering around..."
Neptune had a slightly nervous look on her face. "They'd think us cute girls would take some big machine stuff?"
Compa herself had a somewhat fearful look on her face, "Th-That's no good!"
The party's purple haired leader turned to Compa, "But, if we find the culprit, you think we'd get a totally sweet reward or whatever?"
"Reward? I'm sure you'll be given something far beyond what you'd describe as a 'reward.'"
IF folded her arms over her chest, "You don't say? Well, we don't have a choice now, huh? They're in a pinch. Let's help them find the culprit."
Neptune jumped in the air, ecstatic about the idea, "Yay! Besides, I kinda wanna hang out with this guy and eat some oatmeal raisin cookies. (Cuz I still haven't gotten to make Heero uber jealous yet!)"
"H-huh...? You're talking about me? W-Well..."
IF pushed Neptune to the side, "Nep, shut your stomach up for once! He'd rather talk to me about relevant things, right? Instead of feeding her cookies? (Dammit, you're going to ruin everything! I'm trying to use this guy so Heero realizes that I'm the only girl for him!)"
"I... I, um..."
Lyrica had been standing on the side watching the exchange between Neptune and IF. The cerulean haired singer pulled Compa to the side, "Compa, do you realize what's going on here?"
Compa looked at Lyrica for a moment, and her facial expression told the songstress that the pink haired nurse did not know what she was talking about. "Neptune an IF are fighting over this new guy! That means we have less competition for Heero!"
Lyrica got Compa at 'less competition for Heero' and the nurse in training was quite over joyed, "Oh, yeah! Well, it's Nep-Nep and Iffy's loss."
"Hey, we found the culprit! Hurry!"
The young man turned in the direction of the civilian, "What? Amazing. I'll be right there. Thanks for the offer to help, girls."
The young man took off, and IF watched as he left, "Hey! ...He's gone."
Compa had been watching the young man as well, "We didn't help at all, but he still thanked us."
"He ran away because Nep freaked him out with her manipulative dessert talk."
Neptune stomped her foot as she looked at the Guild Moderatist, "Hey now! You had your plans with him, too."
The young man suddenly came back, "I almost forgot, we could use your compatriot's help in dealing with the culprit. He looks intimidating and tough, that will help with the interrogation."
Heero contemplated the idea before responding, "As long as it does not take too long."
Heero left with the young man to go and interrogate the culprit, leaving the girls by themselves. Compa addressed both Neptune and IF, "Nep-Nep, Iffy, we'll be sure to come back regularly so you can see your new love interest. Lyrica and I will take good care of Heero."
Both girls swiftly turned around to face the pink haired nurse, "What's that supposed to mean, Compa? I don't love the guy! He's not my Destined Lover! Only Heero is!"
IF was giving Compa and irritated look, "I was just trying to use that guy so that Heero would realize that out of the four of us, I'M the only one for him!"
The quartet of girls saw themselves with no other option but to wait for Heero to finish helping with interrogating the culprit who had stolen the machine core. It had been about ten minutes when Heero had finally returned, "It did not take as long to interrogate the culprit as I had originally thought it would." The Gundam pilot directed his attention to Neptune and IF. "Regarding you two..."
Neptune and IF looked at the Perfect Soldier as he addressed them, "You two had attempted to start a relationship with the individual we had met. Unfortunately, it would not have worked out between you.
IF was the first one to say something, "Not that it really matters, but why wouldn't it have worked?"
"...Because he is homosexual. I left just as he was about to engage in sexual intercourse with another man."
That was a definite bomb shell for the two girls. Of course, they didn't care that a relationship with the young man wouldn't have been possible, they had only really intended to use him to make Heero jealous... or at least tried to. But it did explain why the young man was not interested in them. Neptune immediately latched onto Heero's arm, You didn't seriously think I was interested in him did you, Heero? You're my Destined Lover! I was just tryin' to make you jealous cuz you spent so much time with Lady Green Heart."
IF wanted to make sure that the Gundam pilot knew that she had no real interest in the young man either, "While I know there is no reason to be jealous of Lady Green Heart, I had my own reasons for pursuing that guy... but I wasn't interested in him." The brunette looked away from Heero as her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "Not like I'm interested in... you."
Compa and Lyrica were slightly disheartened by the turn of events, "I guess this means we still have the same competition for Heero, huh?"
Lyrica tried to look on the bright side, "At least it can't get any worse, right? I mean, what are the odds that we'll end up with more girls who are interested in Heero?"
Neptune let out a yawn and began to hold her stomach, "I'm tired and hungry... let's get back to town and get something to eat! Then I wanna curl under some warm sheets and sleep."
The party departed from the area to head back to the city and rest from the days events.
Xxx
Me: "And there you have it, folks. Another chapter done, and another girl interested in our hero."
Heero and Neptune: (Enter ACCC from Break Room) "Boo! More competition for my Destined Lover, that sucks!"
Heero: "I fail to see how I have garnered the interest of another woman."
Me: "Poor, poor Heero... you're a little dense in the romance department. YOU don't have to do much to get a girl to fall for you."
Green Heart: (Enters ACCC from Lounge) "Oh, there you are, Heero. I won't forget the pleasurable evening we had together."
Neptune: "Hold it right there, missy! Ain't nobody gonna steal MY Destined Lover from me!"
Me: "Please don't kill each other. We need you for the story. On a more important issue, I've been stuck on what I wanted to do for the next chapter... or rather, I was. I figured I would make another filler chapter that will also address a certain issue from two chapters ago."
Compa, IF and Lyrica: (Enter ACCC from Break Room) "Are we going to play a bigger role in the chapter, Mr. Author?"
Me: (Looks off) "Well, umm..."
IF: (Has disgruntled look on her face) "What the hell? It's another chapter where we only play a small part?"
Me: "Well, you will play a part in it. Just... not as big a part as you would think... and you're real parts will be later on in the chapter. It's going to focus on Heero and the three 'stalker ladies'."
Black Heart and White Heart: (Enter ACCC from Lounge) "Hey! I am NOT a stalker! I-I just happen to conveniently run into Heero, that's all."
White Heart: "...What a load of shit, I'm not a stalker!"
Me: "Now, now, you know I didn't mean that. It's just that the party doesn't know who you really are yet... except Heero knows who one of the 'stalkers' is. In fact, she's in this very room."
Neptune: "She's in here already...? Then that means it's...!" (Turns to point at Compa) "It's you isn't it, Compa?!
Compa: (Looks at Neptune in disbelief) "Wh-What?"
Neptune: "It's totally the most innocent looking person that turns out to be the stalker. I totally got it, didn't I?"
Me: "Right... you keep thinking that. Anyway, let's wrap up this little After Chapter Chat Corner session. Greeny, if you'd do the honors."
Green Heart: (Looks out towards readers) "Please read and review this chapter and look forward to the next update. Especially since it is another chapter that will be featuring your favorite goddess... namely, me."
Me: "Righto... though, I don't exactly think that everyone finds you to be their favorite of the four goddesses."
Black Heart: "That's right! It could be someone else! L-Like Lady Black Heart!"
White Heart: "...Who are you trying to fool? Everyone know that the fan favorite is Lady White Heart."
Me: "Anyway, let's get out of here and get back to work, people... I need some Ibuprofen."
Me, Heero, Neptune, Compa, IF Lyrica, Black Heart, White Heart and Green Heart: (Leave ACCC)
