Falling downwards I noticed something that probably should have been apparent in the last chapter. Everything was ruined, the grass and woods looked like it was dying; trees bore few leaves and the grass was no longer an emerald green like it was before.

Only the city remained standing, but even that looked dead. It looks like something had sucked all the life out of the surrounding area and now we were falling into the aftermath.

"Author what the hell have you done!?" I shouted,

"Wait why me?" He replied offended,

"You said you would resist making it fucking dark!"

"Its not as dark as it could be!"

"Yeah no shit!"

"Hey its fine, this is just the next story plot line"

"If Noire or Neptune is hurt I swear to god I will read between the lines"

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me!"

"Hey Tom not that I mean to break up your lover's quarrel with the Author but we are still falling towards the solid ground here!" Ethan shouted breaking up the argument between four separate walls.

"Ah its fine I'll just make us a parachute and we'll float down" I replied back thinking of a parachute.

A moment passed. Then another.

"Uh Author where's that parachute?" I asked uneasily, dreading the answer that is going to come.

"I decided it was time to nerf you, the ability to craft whatever you want at any point is way too overpowered, so good luck mini-me!" He chuckled as we continued to fall.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me!" I cried out flipping the bird towards the sky.

"Dude I thought you had some kick ass powers or something!?" Ethan shouted

"I did but apparently I've been nerfed!" I shouted back.

"Are you serious? Why!?"

"Well because apparently crafting whatever I want at will is OP"

"Well yeah it is"

"Are you seriously taking the author's side on this?"

"Well it is! How can you worry about challenge when you have essentially infinite equipment?"

"Well there are the difference in levels"

"Yeah but still, you could just make a minigun and have such a ridiculously high rate of fire that level difference wont matter"

"We are still falling here!"

"Yeah but now you've got me rolling so I can't stop now!"

"You are such a pain!"

"You know falling and arguing is great for comedy but not for survival!"

-meanwhile in the city-

"Foxy suddenly bounding out of Nep juniors workshop in your big mecha destruction form isn't cool ya know!" Neptune shouted, clinging onto the side of Foxhound. "Especially when I'm stuck on the side of you still!"

"It is urgent so I needed to go now" Foxie replied "I apologise"

"You would of thought with all that's been happening and me being the main character I'd be treated with a bit more respect" Neptune grumbled "Now I know what it feels like to be Noire"

"Approaching landing site, Neptune it would be advised if you climbed to a more secure position" Foxie advised, slowing down.

"Nep what? Uh okay?" Climbing up, Neptune spotted two black spots in the sky falling towards them. "What is that? More monsters from Arfoire?"

"Incorrect, it is the pilot and a friend of his"

"The pilot? Wait... it can't be"

-back to our heroes-

"Well this was a great adventure!" Ethan shouted

"Its not over yet!" I shouted back

"Why's that?"

"DEUS VULT!"

At that point we seemingly hit something, but it wasn't something hard like I was expecting but more like water.

"Neptune I am deactivating the vortex shield so get ready to grab them before they get too high" A robotic voice said before I felt a pair of hands grab onto my shoulders as we were launched back up again but not with the same amount of force a vortex shield would launch someone, it was more like the little bounces you get when you try to stop in a bouncy castle.

"It's been a while!" I heard a cheerful voice from behind me giggle "Man you always know how to make an entrance"

Looking behind me just as we reached the peak of the bounce I could see Neptune's grinning face.

"Neptune!" I grinned

"The one and not the same. You'll probably see when Foxie catches us" She smirked as we began falling again.

"Thomas when can we get off Mr Bones's wild ride!?" Ethan called out

"Soon just hold on for a bit longer!" I replied, the grin still plastered on my face.

Soon enough I felt cold metal on my back and I let go of Ethan, relaxing into Neptune's grip.

"Kept you waiting huh Foxie?" I looked up to him, Nepgear clearly had enough time to finally give him his vanguard chassis and it looked good on him. The light reflecting off the metal, purple stripes standing out against the charcoal black paint.

"Indeed pilot, though I believe miss Neptune may have missed you more" Foxie replied, his voice still close to Cayde from Destiny.

"I guessed from how she's currently holding me how Plutia holds stuffed toys" I laughed.

"Ya know Tom I've got to admit I wasn't thinking I'd see a real life titan in my life" Ethan muttered getting up and looking up and down Foxie.

"Ethan meet Foxie, Foxie meet Ethan" I gave a basic introduction. "Now lets head back to the Basilicom, its time to get reacquainted with everyone"

"Affirmative" Slowly Foxie turned around and walking in the direction of the Basilacom.

"So uh Tom? It may be wise to have a decent look at Neptune while you are still being held by your giant robot" Ethan coughed before looking at the surrounding area.

"What do you mean?" Pulling out of Neptune's grip I looked at her and slightly froze. She was more than a little different, goddesses shouldn't age so why was the adult version of Neptune sitting in the palm of Foxie's hand with an awkward grin on her face.

"Heya Tom Tom" She chuckled while scratching the back of her head "Long time no see?"

"Neptune... what have you done?" I replied

"heh... well its best to leave that to Histoire, my memory is a little foggy right now" She winked, rapping her knuckles against her head. "But hey now I'm just like you said all that time ago right?"

"Big but still you? Well yeah obviously"

"Well as I just saved your life so I think I deserve some compensation"

"I should have known you wouldn't have saved my life for free" I rolled my eyes but still smiled as she got up and hugged me.

"Hey the main character doesn't have to do everything for free" She retorted.

"Aww look the newlywed couple" Ethan chuckled

"Oh shush Mr Jealous" I countered "Just because you haven't gotten to meet Blanc yet"

"Hey I'm just saying you two are like one"

-Ten minutes of bickering, teasing and fourth wall breaking later-

As we neared the Basilicom we took a slight turn towards where Nepgear's once hidden workshop rested, the doors looking like they have been torn off their hinges; I guess we can thank Foxie for that. The inside looked relatively similar to when I last saw it, except for what looked like the corner of a display case hidden just inside one of the various rooms.

"Nep Jr we're back!" Neptune called out "With extra guests!"

"Guests?" Nepgear's head poked around the door, she had a welding mask on so it was impossible to see her face "Who are they"

"Well when we reach the floor again I shall show you" Neptune called back as Foxie continued inside the building and back into the place he stood last time. Various tools and ladders were around it with more than a couple laying on the floor as collateral damage for him breaking out to catch me and Ethan.

Slowly his hand moved downward to the point when we were able to drop down. Neptune went first, followed by Ethan; which resulted in a gasp of shock and a few muttered questioned so I thought I would drop the biggest bomb shell by jumping off Foxie's hand.

"T Thomas!?" Nepgear gasped, taking half a pace backwards "I I thought..."

"Come on you can't believe the main hero, beside Neptune here, could stay out forever" I smirked

Nepgear tried to speak but no words left her mouth as tears started slowly welling in her eyes. She moved forward and hugged me while silently weeping, after a moment's hesitation I hugged her back.

"Nep Jr! stop stealing my man!" Neptune almost growled before hugging me as well.

Looking over at Ethan I could just see the smirk on his face through all the pink and purple hair. He was enjoying this way too much for someone who just came to a completely different dimension.

"Ethan don't you dare" I glared at him,

"Why not?" He replied, his smirk changing to a grin and growing larger by the second.

"Because I have two girls hugging me I don't need you to start hugging me as well"

"But it would be funny"

"I don't care if it would be funny, two hugs are more than enough"

"But dude come on"

"No means no you muppet"

"Who are you? Captain Price?"

"Well you'd best not be any other character from that series or you won't last long"

The accursed Ding! Of the elevator caught everyone's attention, causing us to look over in its direction as a very tired and bedraggled Histoire floated out, she had a cup of what I could guess was coffee and a really tired smile on her face.

"Ah good it worked" She said as she floated over to us "it has taken us a very long time to find you again"

"A long time huh?" I echoed looking down to the older but still not very matured Neptune "Yeah I can guess. I can also guess something big has gone down with all the dead plants everywhere"

"That would be correct, in the years you were gone a lot has gone down but wi-"

"Years!? I was gone for like two weeks!"

"Yes I thought as much, the time frame between the two dimensions is great indeed; but that is of little concern as now you will need to rest"

"Yeah that sounds about right"

"A drink would be nice!" Ethan spoke up

"Alcoholic!" I shouted over to him

"Bite me!" He shouted back

"Hey no cheating on me!" Neptune growled, poking my cheek.

"It's not cheating it's just... aggressive friendship" I shrugged.

"Like I said you two need rest. We can talk to you about everything that has occurred since you have been gone afterwards" Histoire sighed "Come along"

"I'll stay here and continue work on Foxie" Nepgear let go of me and smiled sweetly "Come back down later so we can catch up too"

"Will do Nepgear, its good to see you again" I grinned and patted her on the head resulting in another poke of annoyance from Neptune.

"You too" Nepgear grinned before moving over to Foxie

"Well time to enter the elevator of doom" I groaned walking forward with Neptune and Ethan behind.

Somehow we managed to fit without being too pushed against each other and the ride up didn't take too long thankfully. I feel like I'm being choked. But then again that may be from the overly-affectionate Neptune.

"Ya know Neptune I didn't think you could be this affectionate" I commented dryly while still hugging her back. "You're breaking character"

"With a story like this we might as well be original characters" Neptune replied "Anyway why are you complaining? Unless... Le Gasp! You found someone else!"

"What? No!" I retort while she looked at me with hurt eyes,

"Pfft Tom isn't that good" Ethan rolled his eyes and scoffs

"Doing better than you!" I counter as the doors open and I push out trying my best to avoid starting a roast session between me and Ethan again.

"Anyway there are a few available guest rooms just up ahead" Histoire said shaking her head with a soft smile on her lips "It is good to have you back Thomas, Neptune has become dreadfully bored without you"

"Yeah I guessed" I chuckled "Well we will hopefully see you guys in a couple hours"

"Well I'll show you there" Neptune grinned stepping off the elevator before being pulled back on by Histoire. "Hey Histoire let me go!"

"We will talk to you in a couple hours then" Histoire smiled sweetly as the doors closed and the elevator began moving away.

"Dude how can Histoire hold someone back she's so small" Ethan asked nervously

"She is really strong. She could probably throw Iris around if she was given the chance" I rolled my eyes before setting off down the hallway, Ethan on my heels.

"So... What's with Neptune?" Ethan asked

"Now I could act like a dumb anime protagonist and say 'I dunno' but I'm not going to" I replied shrugging "For her two years has passed between us seeing each other. For me two weeks so it's pretty obvious she's missed me terribly"

"You know you have two more girls who might be like that right?"

"Yeah.. I'm more worried about what one of them is going to do"

"So where are we supposed to be staying?"

"Well I'd suggest you take the room further down the hall" Stopping in front of my old room I pointed him in the direction of another door "Best put up a sign so they know you are in that room"

Putting my hand on the handle I felt a pang of nostalgia run through my system before I opened the door. My room was how I left it, the closet half open revealing some of the clothing I had before, a mirror on the stand and... a body in the bed?

"Wait what?" I asked aloud before walking over to the body. They were curled up on the bed and were breathing deeply like they were asleep. The doll tightly gripped by them told me who they were immediately. "Plutia?"

Slowly the small CPU sat up and stretched, yawning deeply before looking around with sleep filled eyes eventually settling on me.

"Tom Tom?" She murmured, squinting at me "Is that you?"

"Yeah its me" I smiled with a pang of guilt. With the difference in time passing I could only imagine how it felt with me gone. Not trying to sound vain but I was pleasantly surprised Neptune stayed feeling the same towards me, especially after learning the time difference I would of thought they would of moved on from me.

"Am I dreaming?" Her eyes were slowly gaining more life in them as she woke up more but at the same time they were filling with tears. "If so I don't want to continue this dream"

"No this isn't a dream Plutia" I chuckled before poking her on the forehead "Felt that didn't ya?"

"Tom Tom..." She sniffed before getting up and jumping on me, hugging me tightly as I returned the gesture. Getting to do this again, hug one of the girls who I love more than anything in the world again; I'll admit I didn't think it was possible.

Setting Plutia down we both looked at each other with a grin before her eyes suddenly went wide at the thought of something.

"What's up Plutia?" I asked confused and curious

"I just remembered I got you something in case I did find you again" She smiled sweetly before a sharp flash of light filled my eyes Iris Heart stood before me with her usual predatory grin. "You've been a really naughty doggy leaving me for two years"

"P Plutia?" I stammered taking a step backwards, I've forgotten how terrifying Iris Heart can be. Especially when she's giving me the look a starving dog gives to a three course meal.

"Now be a good little puppy and come here" She cooed, beckoning me over.

"T This isn't what rest is described as 'resting'" I took another step back before turning and running out of the door. I didn't make it far.

In a second she had grabbed me and hauled me over her shoulder so all I could see was the back end of her lower half.

"Like what you see back there?" Iris giggled

"I.. uh..." I stammered out twisting around in vain to look anywhere else but there.

"P Plutia?" I heard Neptune gasp

"Ah Neppy today is a good day!" Iris giggled again, it was probably the most terrifying sound she's ever made.

"I Is that Thomas?" Neptune asked

"Yeah he's came back to us. Now I'm sure you want some time alone but you can let me go first right?" I felt Iris's hand impact on my butt cheeks and I could barely hold in a yelp

"Woman that is not a reason to spank me!"

"W What are you going to do with him?"

"Oh you know.. This and that. Show him how much I missed him~" Another smack came from her.

"Hey stop that!"

"H How much you missed him? P Plutia this is a Teen story you can't show that!"

"Oh? Planning on stopping me Neppy?"

"N No.. just don't break him?"

"No promises~"

"Neptune save me please!"

With a sharp turn Iris started walking back into the room with me over her shoulder. Looking up I could see a rather scared, and somewhat jealous, Neptune looking on before the door closed and I was deposited on my bed. Iris straddling me before I could escape.

"Uh... Hi darling?" I tried to open negotiations between us but it was ineffective.

"Hey sweetheart, look what I got you~" She giggled before pulling something around and dangling it off a finger. A collar. Specifically a black collar with the words "Tom Tom" Imprinted on it.

"You're kidding right?" I watched as she reached forward, making sure to press herself against me as she fastened it around my neck.

"Nope, you're not going to take that off unless you are going into water so I can't loose you again. Nepgear helped me make that so it has a tracker on it and another thing" She purred, looking into my eyes.

"What thing?" I almost immediately regretted asking as her eyes narrowed with what I could only assume was barely contained pleasure.

"This" With a short gesture a lead of energy appeared around one of the chains and ending in her hand. "A special chain for my special man"

"Y ya know I'm going to reiterate what Neptune said: this is a Teen story Plutia you can't show that adult rated stuff here!" I tried but to no avail.

"That isn't going to stop me~" She giggled before leaning in and fastening her lips around mine, the familiar heat coming from her overflowing into my system.