One rarely fails to notice how... eccentric our heroes are. It is quite sad that their quirkiness is oftentimes born from tragedy.

-Jinguji Kei

Despite all the fallen leaves, or the cold wind rustling both them and their kin still attached to the trees, it was a day of cheer. Not a single cloud covered the sky, courtesy of the CPU's might.

Deep green eyes followed a stray rabbit fleeing from his little family. Their owner, Jack Fontaine, was content about his life on this autumn afternoon. He did honest work at the Guild, found a wonderful wife, and today they were celebrating the birthday of Planeptune's second goddess yet again.

"Papa, look!" And, of course, they now had their little sweetheart.

Four years old and soon turning five, Isabelle jumped around the fallen leaves and laughed while kicking away at them. Several strands of hazel hair spilled from her wool hat, the colour quite obviously inherited from his wife Nina. In Jack's opinion, it fit the little daredevil much better than his own dark pink.

"I'm looking, sweetie!"

"Yay!"

Jack let out a pleased sigh and squeezed the hand that wormed its way into his grasp; there was no better way to spend a national holiday than with the two most important women in his life.

Plus, he added after a moment, Virtua Forest was always a sight to behold; in difference to the neatly trimmed parks inside the capital, this extension of Planeptune's network was wild and untamed. Both Fontaines had been stationed here often enough to appreciate its more natural flair.

And, going by how enthusiastically their daughter was running around, so did Isabelle.

"It's a nice thought, isn't it? Isa was born the same year as Lady Purple Sister, maybe this means something?" His wife wore a thoughtful look even while her eyes followed the playing girl. Jack just rolled his eyes over the thought; Nina was a little more devout than him, though that may be because she was born in Lowee and converted only recently.

He could not help but tease her a little about it. "I'm sure the Lady will let us know if our baby is a chosen one."

"Oh, you." Nina playfully batted his shoulder, but he could see the mirth in her smile.

"Oh, oh! Tell me, tell me!" They both looked down at their child, Isabelle giving them a wide-eyed stare with her arms raised at them; Jack picked her up and let her ride on his shoulders, much to her joy. Nina just giggled at the sight and held her daughter's hand. "Tell you what, Isa?"

"The Lady!" So she heard them talking and decided to investigate. Jack was happy with how outgoing his daughter was, all things considered; she always had questions about everything. It could be exasperating, but he indulged her anyway. "You saw her on TV before, right? Lady Purple Heart."

"Uh... maybe?"

He chuckled and got walking again, holding onto his daughter's legs with care. "Heh, doubt you would mistake her for someone else. The Lady made Planeptune so that everyone can be happy here."

Isabelle listened in awe, much to his delight. Jack had little time to spend with his daughter, but he made as much of it as he could in-between work. It was more necessary than ever before since Nina returned to service just last year.

"Ohh! And the... the gu... gi... uh..."

"The Guild?"

"Yes, that! Is that fun?"

Both adults snickered over the innocent question. Fun was a word to describe all the people one could meet, or the banter after a shift was over. Aside from that, boring, dangerous, and rewarding were the runner-ups for how they would describe it. But then again, it was something special for them either way. "It is. That's how Mama and Papa met after all."

They continued on their way, greeting the patrols they passed and enjoying the afternoon. Isabelle waved happily whenever they met anyone, even after Jack let her down to run around again.

Some time later however, he had to realise that this day would not end as he expected. For before them, a large figure had appeared and blocked the way. Several metres tall, its armoured head peeked at them from within a heavy and colourful shell; its stubbly green legs were grinding against the ground as the behemoth slowly marched forward.

A Turtle.

All three of them stopped at the Monster's sight, Isabelle quickly running back to her mother; Jack felt cold seeping into him from seeing what they just found. It was not just a Turtle, but a pack of purplish blue Wolves as well.

Nina's breathing grew shallow and she took a step back, as did he. While the Monsters were still creeping up on them, he drew his cellphone and pressed the emergency call button, their Guild-trackers having been left at home. Nina was already brimming with magic, making the creatures even more cautious.

He knew they had no chance against that many. A lone Turtle they could outrun, a small pack of Wolves they could hold back. But this was a larger pack, backed by something they could hardly hurt, if at all.

All these thoughts raced through Jack's mind in an instant, cutting off the moment his call was answered by an unfamiliar voice: "Fontaine?"

"Virtua Forest, southeast. A Turtle and at least one pack of Wolves." He did not bother explaining any more to the operator. There was silence for a moment while Jack continued to think; his heart was beating fast, far faster than it ever did before.

"Alright, we're on it. Hold out." Then the line went dead and he lowered his phone, giving the wife a curt nod. However, their threatening poses did little to stop the Wolves. They were waiting... and their eyes were not on either of them, he realised.

"Mama? Papa? What's going on?" Isabelle's voice shook and she weakly held on to their coats. Neither of the adults turned their head away from the Monsters, though; they would attack in that very moment. But Jack knew it would take at least a few minutes for any kind of help to arrive; patrols in the forest were reduced for the holiday. Those were minutes he did not have.

"Nina, go." His wife almost turned to look at him, but thought better of it and just answered with a curt "No". Jack cursed mentally, knowing that now was not the time for this; he was better in melee than his wife and that many enemies would not let her get any distance.

She knew that, too.

"Not the time. Take Isabelle and go. I'll hold them here."

"Papa?"

He knew what he was doing and what it meant. The Wolves were inching toward them and fanned out while the Turtle continued to stomp forward; they made some steps back once in a while, but it was getting closer.

Jack blinked a few times in quick succession and grimaced at the fact his wife was still next to him... but the heat in the air dissipated a little bit.

A beat, then everything happened at once; Nina took up their daughter and turned tail, the Wolves jumped and he drew his dagger.

A quick shot from Jack's sidearm punched a hole through the first Wolf's hindleg, laming it while the rest jumped. His daughter's shouting grew weaker already as he rolled below the next two jumping at him... but half of the pack ignored Jack and charged after his family.

He shot a small hole into one more and managed to sink the dagger into a third's eye, making the creature yowl and explode into fragments.

Jack managed a back and forth for an amount of time he could not measure between his erratic hearbeats. Somehow he could keep the Wolves at bay and stay away from the Turtle, but eventually his bullets were used up and he lost his dagger on the way. A weight settled onto his back and sharp teeth lodged themselves into his shoulder. Shouting in pain, the man threw himself forward and tried to push the creature off... only for another to bite down and halfway through his leg.

He could barely feel anything there within moments, becoming partly aware of something wet leaking out while the pain clouded his vision. It became more difficult to think straight through the haze. Another one tackled him to the ground while the first two ripped around his shoulder and leg, slowly numbing the agony that coursed through him, the closing Turtle still in his vision. It seemed oddly smug...

And then there was light.

A streak of dark purple struck through the approaching creature, cutting it clean in two while six fiery lances pierced through the Wolves. Flashes of white as everything exploded and a figure knelt down beside him, the warmth of her flames reminding him of how cold he felt.

But this was not about him... there were still more, he realised. After Nina and Isabelle!

Jack slowly raised his head until he could see what his body already knew; a regal face scrunched up in sorrow, pristine skin and a purplish black armour encompassing her; a CPU. His Lady.

"Please..." His voice broke, but he managed to point in the right direction before the goddess could stop him. "Please... my wife... daughter..."

Purple Heart's eyes snapped to where he pointed, even though his words were little more than a whisper; then she turned them back to him calmly. "Very well."

The goddess understood what he wanted; he was glad that she did. Despite the cold paralyzing his mind, Jack was sure of this: if it had to be anyone, he rather it be him and not them. His vision blacked out again, even the light no longer able to stop him from getting tired.

But as blackness surrounded him, Jack's thoughts were with his wife and daughter. A gust of air was the only indicator that Purple Heart was gone.

I beg of you, my Lady... please make it so that they survive...

::

Godspeed was a word many used in jest. But when a deity wanted to go somewhere fast, few mortals were able to even percieve them moving.

The fact she was given inaccurate directions complicated the matter, though.

Purple Heart rushed through the forest, rolling around trees and only barely hovering above ground. Her eyes snapped around and all her being was focussed on filtering the air; even the slightest noise could- there!

Turning a few degrees, the CPU rushed faster and toward the screams she heard.

Other thoughts were on hold as she broke through the underbrush and took stock in an instant; smoke and small fires all around a small clearing, the ground covered in ice. Two Wolves present, ready to jump.

Before the Monsters stood a slumped and bleeding woman, blocking the way to the crying child behind her. The destruction was centered around her.

Purple Heart moved when the Wolves jumped and hit them before they reached their target, crushing both with her bare hands. Skin, flesh, muscles, and bone gave way at once and the creatures exploded into particles of light before they even knew what hit them.

Then she rushed further and caught the woman carefully, lowering her to the ground. Several deep gashes were distributed all over her body where the Wolves struck and she had lost a lot of blood already. Tuning out the girl's cries, Purple Heart grasped for what little healing magic she had and got to work.

Green light traveled from her hands into the weak body below her, the small echoes telling her how bad the injuries actually were. Or rather, how much blood was already out of the system.

The additional shock of Purple Heart's presence had made her patient faint, open wounds quickly soaking both human and goddess red. They closed under the mere amount of magic, but not fast enough. Healing magic could not replace lost blood.

Purple Heart could feel this life fading, the familiar throbbing in her chest following the realisation at once. She was a CPU, a goddess... and yet unable to fulfill her purpose, to save this life.

Not that she stopped trying, pouring as much of her power into the body under her hands as she could without hurting it. Alas, the erratic heartbeat slowly grew weaker.

And a small figure leaned against Purple Heart's shoulder.

One eye snapped over to the scared child, taking in flushed skin around her widened eyes and disheveled clothes. A few cuts and bruises, but otherwise fine. More tears rolled down the girl's cheeks as she looked down at her mother; Purple Heart only felt worse for it.

This was not the first time she had been in this situation. It never stopped hurting.

Then the woman's heartbeat ceased and she stopped breathing, the soothing green rolling off of her still form now. Purple Heart knew she could use electricity to try reviving her, but help would not arrive in time. Not like this. So she let her go, to rest with her husband.

The magic faded out as she stopped pushing it, falling still and pressing her hands against the ground. She could feel the small frame clutching her side, a source of warmth against the chill that crept down her spine.

"W-Will mama... be okay?" The words came weak, interrupted by a hiccup and a sniffle. Looking closer now, she could see how the girl's clothes were torn in some places. Snot ran from her nose and she watched the CPU pleadingly.

Reassurance was what she wanted, but what should the goddess say? What could she say? Purple Heart did not lie unless she absolutely had to, but this... how could she tell the truth to a child?

They stared at each other for a while, the time lost to the upset girl and the mournful deity alike. Then Purple Heart caught the sound of a hovercraft in the distance.

I have to get it back together.

She cleared her mind and decided, then raised her hand skywards. With a jet of purple light streaking upward, the CPU signalled her people where to find her.

With that done, she reached out and swept the girl into a gentle hug. The iron stench of blood hung heavy in the air and clung to both of them, but this was all she could do. "How much I would love to tell you she will be alright... but that would be a lie. I am so sorry I could not make it in time."

The child in her arms stiffened for a moment, then a new bout of tears flooded her processor. Purple Heart quickly replaced the armour with a soft robe to make it less uncomfortable, then she held her charge close and let her cry.

There were far too many children like her; she was their deity, yet she did not even know their names. Purple Heart suppressed a sigh and held the girl tight, allowing her to grieve while the sound of jet-engines grew closer. There was movement in the forest, agents swarming out to secure the perimeter. They moved with high speed just as usual.

"I...I want Mama... and Papa..."

The goddess gently cradled her charge and kept quiet; she did not feel capable of speaking properly right now. There were no words to describe what she felt.

Despite their speed, none of them made it in time.

. .

. .

She watched the people gathered with mixed feelings. Many had come, though none were family. It was good to see the solidarity to their fellow human beings and -in many cases- coworkers. Purple Heart saw Guild agents, operators and even a few people that had just been nearby and joined to express their condolences. Especially the latter stuck out a little between the black and grey, being clad in casual wear instead but welcome nonetheless.

Both parents had died of blood loss, leaving behind their four-year-old daughter and a few other things the CPU had conserved for the time being.

Right now however, her thoughts were with young Isabelle. The child sat amidst other people, staring blankly ahead; she got out of the whole ordeal a week ago, mostly unscathed physically. Mentally, however, she was traumatised. Others might not see it as clearly, but Purple Heart... no, Neptune knew.

She had not arrived in HDD, but in her civilian form and garbed in her usual purple robe, face hidden by a grey veil. Nonetheless, everyone recognised her in an instant wherever she treaded. This was the least she could do after she failed in her task. To be here and speak, even when the deep voice of her larger form was difficult to imitate with this petite body.

It did not matter much, though. She had seen it a thousand times and more, the pain of a child losing the people they loved most. Just like she saw loving parents lose their babies. It never hurt any less, but she knew the ones who hurt the most were them.

Sadly, she did not have the time, or she would have taken care of all the children herself. Playing favourites was even worse. All she could do now was hope for others to work things out in her stead.

::

While people were talking quietly all around her, Isabelle did not really care. She did not get it, either. Mama and papa went away and would not come back... but why? It was not fair, not fair at all.

She felt like crying some more, but the hollow throbbing in her head was all she had now. There were no more tears and her throat hurt from screaming so much.

Above all else however... she felt so empty. As if something was gone and left a big hole deep within her.

. .

. .

Marianne was not sure how to feel about her situation.

She was in her mid-twenties and had started working at Sunflower Orphanage just a few months ago. For now her superiors only had her supervise a few children at a time, to let her get used to the workings. She was greatful for that; even after studying for this and taking a great many courses, those rascals were a handful.

And then came Isabelle. Almost five years old, the girl was docile and kept to herself most of the time; instead of being interest in the TV or computer, she instead tried her best reading books and played outside in her remaining time.

At first Marianne was glad about the easier assignment in-between everything else, but these feelings vanished when a coworker told her why this girl acted the way she did. Isabelle did not smile, did not speak except if necessary. This was unhealthy in many ways, though she at least talked properly to her therapist.

Once she knew this much, she looked up the matter by herself; the state kept hold on the Fontaine's possessions and financial means until their child was old enough to inherit them. There was no close family for her to stay with either, as both of her parents were only children. With her father's parents having passed on duty for the Guild as well, and her mother's parents in Lowee refusing to take her, she was now here.

By herself, Marianne doubted that the quiet little thing she tended to could thrive in Lowee's cold, which probably would have become a problem even if the grandparents had decided to take her in.

With all this on her mind, the pinkette did her best in trying to help Isabelle get back into a healthy mindset. She ate plenty and seemed at least content, but never really got along with any of the older children; for whatever reason, no matter whom she asked, everyone said they found Isabelle creepy.

Meanwhile, all of the younger children around loved Isabelle; she spent time playing with them whenever she had some, showing a more honest smile and actual joy. It vanished soon enough each time, but Marianne could hope from seeing that.

In the end, what appeared as an easy task turned out to be the most taxing of all; not because she had to give Isabelle special care, but because she wanted to. Many of these children were suffering from traumatic events in one way or another, but only very few to that extent. She wanted to see Isabelle become whole again.

Much to Marianne's surprise however, the girl soon ambushed her in the hallway with a determined expression; pudgy cheeks were pushed out and the tight line her eyebrows formed would have been intimidating on an adult... as it was, she only looked adorable. Marianne did not let the sight distract her, though; if Isabelle looked at her like that, she knew, this was important.

"I want to train." Which was not among the things Marianne expected to hear in this moment. She blinked owlishly at the girl in front of her, readjusted her glasses, and nodded understandingly even though she did not get it. "I see; why do you want to train... and what?"

She went down on one knee to be on eye-level with her charge, whose green eyes stayed on her in a hopeful stare. Isabelle hesitated for but a moment before blurting it out: "I wanna be a Maker, so I got to be strong!"

This declaration was met with another bout of surprise, though the adult did not let it show. She just pushed a few pink strands out of her face to gain time and tried to figure out what to say. Marianne knew that becoming a Maker was but a fleeting dream many children had. To be one of the nation's great heroes.

But what was she supposed to respond with when confronted with that very dream, and in this manner no less?

In the end, Marianne decided to try an approach she read about and that one of the older men had said worked well enough: "So you want to exercise, hmm... give me a week or two and I can see about that."

"Really?!" Isabelle appeared genuinely surprised to get her way, to which Marianne just booped her nose with a smile. "Of course, dear. You have to work hard to become a Maker, though"

"That's okay, Mari! I'll do my best!" Following that declaraton, Isabelle hugged her tightly. The adult smiled by herself, knowing that it was but an empty phrase no matter how genuine. Isabelle would cave under the exertion within two weeks and let it go instead of insisting if she told her no from the get-go.

Years later, she would think back to this very thought and laugh at herself for being so dumb. She would also praise herself for going along with it.

After making a proper appointment with a fitness trainer and getting the girl set up, she sat in on the practice sessions. Watching, encouraging... and waiting for Isabelle to give up.

Two weeks passed, yet she kept going.

Four weeks passed and her vigour had yet to decrease.

Six months passed and Marianne began to feel awe.

This awe would grow ever further for a long while.

::

While she was not busy working out or attending school however, Isabelle herself had yet one more thing to practice. She was scared that someone might force her to become a mage if she went to the test for magical aptitude; that was why she never went, even though magic coursed through her every fibre. She could feel it, just like her mother used to describe the sensation.

In these days, to Isabelle, becoming a mage meant being unable to be a Maker. It was a misconception, yet one that took years to be cleared up. She found a nice spot in a nearby park, secluded from the normal routes and covered in stones; that was her practice area, where fire could be spouted without having to risk it catching the trees. Light remained unseen through the thick foliage in summer and her healing magic was used solely on herself, tending to self-inflicted burns from using too much magic at once or losing control.

Isabelle did not mind the pain or the effort of keeping things a secret despite her busy schedule. She was determined to fulfill her dream by any means necessary.