Author's Note
Man, guys. Its snowing already on my side of the world! And not just a light sprinkle, it's like legit snowing! It's so frigging cold! I thought snow would be coming until late November, it's still in the middle of Autumn!
Welp, enough of this author's note. Let's get you straight into the story! XD
Planeptune, Gamindustri, Ultradimension
Place: Basilicom
Date: June 15, 2005
Time: 4:14 P.M
Histoire hesitantly moved back as the screen turned black. She didn't think the call could have gone that bad. Neptune's expression was still frozen from the shock that Vert had just hung up on her. Her eyes were still watering and her skin complexion had turned pale.
"Um… Neptune?" Histoire tried calling out.
"No…" Neptune murmured. "I won't believe it…"
"Neptune."
The purple goddess clenched her hands as she screamed, "Call them back!"
Histoire jumped back at the outburst. "Excuse me?"
"Call them back! I will not be left out of this!? Doesn't she understand how I feel!? To see your girlfriend suddenly go limp like that!? Doesn't she understand how scary that was for me!? Call her back!"
"Neptune, I think you should calm down fir-"
"How can I calm down when Noire just died before my eyes!" Neptune shrieked.
"Who died?"
Histoire internally groaned, Now is not the time, Plutia! The tiny tome turned to the doorway to see Plutia walking into the guestroom.
"You took awhile, and Neppy was yelling. I got worried," said Plutia. "I heard something about dying. Did someone die?"
Neptune's lower lip trembled. She didn't want to say it. It felt like if she said it that she would be accepting it.
"What's wrong, Neppy. Your eyes are all red," Plutia voiced.
"I-I…"
"Hey, Neptune, what did Histoire call about?" Nepgear chimed in as she popped her head through the doorway. "What the goodness! Why are you crying, sis?"
Histoire smacked her forehead. Even Nepgear?
"What's going on?" This time it was Noire that walked in. And following behind her was Blanc and Vert.
"Eden is taking all my people's faith," Blanc complained.
"They are causing trouble as we speak, are we not going to stop them?" Vert asked.
"Yeah, what's the hold up?" Noire questioned.
Neptune abruptly burst out in tears again as she tackled Noire into a hug. The black goddess lost her balance and fell backwards.
"What is going on!?" Noire demanded as her face flushed red.
"I'm sorry! Noire! Noire! Please don't die! I'll work hard! I'll work hard to come home, so please! Don't die! Don't die," Neptune bawled.
"Who said anything about me dying!?" Noire was so confused. She hesitantly pat Neptune's back as she could feel her shirt being soaked by her tears.
"I assume something happened on the call?" Vert guessed as she turned to Histoire.
Histoire sighed as she watched Noire try to comfort Neptune. "You could say that…"
The tome explained what happened and everyone became shocked, especially Noire. Hearing that you died wasn't really a good feeling. And for Neptune, hearing that her lover died was especially hard. Plutia felt bad and apologized for her rude behavior earlier, but it didn't stop Neptune from crying out more tears.
Noire gently rubbed Neptune's back as she returned the hug, finally understanding what was going on with the purple goddess. "D-Don't worry, Neptune. I'm sure the other me is just fine. There's no way a version of me could ever die."
Neptune sniffled as she tightened her hold on Noire's waist. The black CPU couldn't help but turn more red as her heart pounded against her rib cage. She was afraid that Neptune might hear.
"I guess Neptune won't be having the motivation to fight Eden then?" Vert questioned.
"Vert!" Noire yelled. "How can you say that? Can't you see Neptune is hurting!?"
Blanc smirked, "When did you care about her so much?"
Noire stuttered as the redness reached her ears, "S-Shut up! I-I'm just trying to be a good f-friend… That's all!"
Blanc rolled her eyes, "Riiiiight…"
"It is!" Noire shouted.
"Noire…" Neptune whimpered as she nuzzled into Noire's chest.
Noire felt her heart explode as she tightly held onto the whimpering girl. The black goddess knew this wasn't good. She needed to get her emotions together. "N-Neptune. I understand it's painful, but I'm here for you. We all are. Y-You can rely on us. If you ever need a shoulder to cry on, t-that is…"
Neptune sniffled as she moved back. "Thanks, Noire. And sorry for suddenly hugging you out of nowhere…"
"Oh… yeah… no it's fine," Noire looked away, so Neptune doesn't see her blushing face. "D-Don't worry about it…"
"Come on, sis. I'll make you some pudding," Nepgear suggested. "It'll make you feel better."
Neptune softly smiled as she stood back up. "Thanks, Nep Jr."
Everyone walked out of the guestroom with Neptune in tow. Noire stayed behind, wanting to recollect herself first. She took deep breaths and then exhaled slowly. Her heart slowed to it's regular pattern and her face was no longer feeling hot. She thought that her crush on Neptune had gone away, but it seemed like it only got worse. She liked Plutia, but ever since Neptune came into her life, her feelings have changed.
This isn't fair… was what she thought.
Leanbox, Gamindustri
Place: ?
Date: August 31, 2019
Time: 11:35 P.M
Noire opened her eyes to see the black ceiling. She took a deep breath and exhaled. It's easier to breathe… Sitting up, she looked around to find herself in her room. That's weird… Last I remember, I was in a hospital…
"Pretty nice room…"
Slowly turning her head to the side, she was greeted by a tall white figure with a light purple glow. She squinted her eyes trying to make out the person's features, but she could only see white. She was just a white person with a light purple glow.
"I never property introduced myself have I? My name is Uranus and I'm-"
Noire recognized that voice. It belonged to, "The CPU of Planeptune before Neptune…"
Uranus giggled, "Ah, you remember. Though, I prefer to be called the Goddess of Purple Progress. How are you feeling, Goddess of Black Regality?"
Noire chose not to answer and asked, "Where am I?"
Uranus took no offense to that. "Follow me…" She motioned her hand to follow as she moved towards the door.
Noire slipped out of bed as she watched Uranus open the door and walk out. The black CPU followed and found herself in a large white open space. The door closed behind her and disappeared. Looking around, she couldn't find Uranus anymore. The white woman camouflaged nicely into the white space.
"Uranus?" Noire called out.
"Walk forward…"
Noire did as told as she stepped ahead. "Where am I?" She asked again.
"This is your conscience."
Noire stopped when she saw a soft purple lining of a person. Uranus was standing right in front of her. "My conscience?"
"Yes. And this…" Uranus moved out of the way to show a large black sphere covered in purple blotches. "Is your core."
"My… core?"
"Another way to word it is… This is your heart," said Uranus.
Noire subconsciously touched her chest as she started at the large sphere. "Why is it black and covered in purple?"
"Your core was originally black."
"Oh." Noire rolled her eyes as she voiced, "Is it because I'm Black Heart?"
Uranus chuckled, "I see Neptune is influencing you, but no. Your core is black because of the color of your shares. As for the purple, those are Planeptune shares. The shares that are causing you to feel pain."
"Am I… dying?"
"Yes," she bluntly answered. "In fact you are already dead."
"What!?" Noire shrieked. "I-I died!?"
Uranus laughed, "My apologies."
Noire blinked and then she pouted, "It's not funny. I actually thought I died."
"Oh no, you did," Uranus corrected. "I have currently stopped your core from beating."
"What?! Why?"
"To stop the invading Planeptune Shares from spreading to the rest of your system," she answered. "Your body was losing the battle against the invading shares, so I had to intervene."
"I-I don't understand, Planeptune shares are invading? Aren't shares supposed to be healthy for me?" Noire inquired.
"Yes, but shares that aren't from your Share crystal are poisonous to you. You can only survive with Lastation shares, not Planeptune shares," explained Uranus.
Noire scrunched up her face in confusion, "But Neptune and I… We exchange shares all the time during se-" Noire shut her mouth as her face turned red.
Uranuse giggled, "You mean during one of your intercourses?"
Noire looked down in embarrassment. "Y-Yeah…"
"Intaking a small amount of shares is fine. The shares in your body can easily convert the forgine shares into something you can use. But something like that…" Uruanus turned to the black core covered in purple shares. "Is too much for your body."
"So…" The black CPU glanced up at the ancient goddess. "You technically killed me…"
"Relax. You aren't dead yet. Time doesn't flow that fast when you're in your head. I can restart your heart anytime."
"I feel like I'm at your mercy."
Uranus giggled. "I'm not here to take your soul, Noire. I'm here to help. After all, it's not everyday you get CPUs that have united Gamindustri together. You, along with everyone else, are my greatest creations. I won't let you die."
"Doesn't really reassure me," said Noire as she glanced down to her feet. "If I died, doesn't that just mean it's my time to go?"
"Noire, honey, sweety." Uranus walked up to Noire and lifted her head to see her red eyes. "You may not think it, but you are too young to go. You still have a lot to do, don't you?"
"Uni… She's doing so well for only being a year old. Lastation is still in good hands even if I'm gone."
"Then what about Neptune?"
Noire's bottom lip trembled as her eyes watered. "S-She still has Nepgear and Historie to watch over her. She even made new friends in the Ultradimension. I-I…" Noire took a deep breath and stared, "I think she will be fine even if I'm gone…"
"Oh Noire…" Uranus shook her head. Even though Noire couldn't see her face, she could tell that the old goddess was giving her a saddened look. "My poor girl… You think too little of yourself."
"Am I really?" Noire challenged.
"I know so, because…" Uranus turned to the black core to see it slightly quaking. "That's what your heart is saying…" She turned back to the shorter goddess and asked, "Tell me Noire. What goes on in that head of yours? I'm no psychic, so even if I'm in your conscience, I can't tell what you're thinking."
Noire fiddled with her fingers for a few seconds. It was weird. She has never been this open with anyone before, not even Neptune. Something about Uranus just makes her want to speak her heart out. She found it strange, yet soothing at the same time.
"Have I…" Noire suddenly stopped, unable to speak.
Uranus only smiled, "It's alright. Speak your mind. Let this be a safe place for you in your soul…"
Noire took a deep breath and said, "Have I done well?"
Uranus tilted her head in confusion. "Please elaborate."
"They always say that I'm hardworking… That I'm a prime example of what a Goddess should be. But I don't think that. I always think that it's not enough. That I'm not good enough… That I'm not a good leader to my people."
"You are more than qualified to be the Goddess of the Land of Black Regality," Uranus responded.
"But I didn't take out Rei. I wasn't strong enough. I did my best to protect the people. I know I didn't do well in protecting the city, but I did my best. Vert might have to pick up some of my slack, but was it enough? Did I do enough to not be a burden to my friends?"
Uranus giggled, "You did more than enough." She placed her hand on the top of Noire's head as she stared into those familiar red eyes. "You reminded me so much of your predecessor, but you certainly don't have her cold personality. You have such a kind heart and such kind eyes."
Noire scoffed, "I think you're mistaken. I don't have a kind heart."
"That's what you think. But if you didn't have a kind heart, I doubt Neptune would have fallen in love with you…"
Noire frowned, "I haven't really been good to her… She deserves someone much better than me…"
"You, my dear, need to stop criticizing yourself. But I'm to blame for that."
Noire blinked in confusion, "What do you mean?"
Uranus moved her hand away and said, "You are created with my power. There's a piece of me in you. In all the goddesses."
"I don't understand."
"Hmmm… How do I explain this? It's like a split personality. Blanc has gotten my fierce personality from the time I was on a killing spree. Vert has gotten my conceited personality about a perfect body. Neptune has gotten my happy-go-lucky personality, though, that's usually how I am. And you Noire, you've gotten my self-loathing personality from the time I realized my mistake."
"Your mistake?"
"I was a monster back then. Well, not as bad as your predecessor, but definitely a monster. I killed the rest of the goddesses and took the title of True Goddess when there was no such thing. My soul has wandered Gamindustri because of such regret and grief after my downfall. Seeing you four fight like how we fought hurt my heart. So when I saw you four coming together and making peace, I felt relieved. You have fixed my mistake, a mistake that shouldn't have been."
"So why are you still here? If you were relieved shouldn't your soul have been put to rest."
Uranus smirked, "Now, why would I leave when I have four lovable children?!"
Noire squawked as her face turned red. "C-Children?!"
Uranus chuckled, "Neptune wasn't kidding. You are cute when you blush. I can see why she likes teasing you. But you four are created from my powers, so in terms, I'm like your mother, though not related by blood, of course."
Noire let out a breath of relief, "Oh good. So my relationship with Neptune is still legal…"
"Oh~ So that's what you were worried about, huh?"
Noire turned around as she mumbled, "S-Shut up…"
"Well, enough chit-chat. If I keep your core frozen like this, you might actually die. But first…" Uranus turned to Noire's core. "Let me help you with this virus…"
Uranus waved her hands and the purple blotches slowly peeled themselves off of the black sphere. The Planeptune shares all bunched together into a ball, about the same size as the core, only slightly smaller. It floated above the black sphere and two chains suddenly appeared shackling the Planeptune shares.
Uranus huffed, "There, all done."
"Sooo… I'm good?"
"Yes," she answered, "But listen here, Noire. I have only sealed the Planeptune Shares. It hasn't left your body. If you ever undergo that transformation again. If you ever call upon the sealed off Planeptune shares again, I won't guarantee you will survive. And if you do, I won't be here to help you seal it back up again. This is the only time I'm helping you, you understand?"
"You mean, I can use those shares?"
Uranus narrowed her eyes at the black CPU. "Noire…"
The black goddess sighed, "I understand. But will it just sit above my heart like that?"
"Yes. It will stay dormant unless you unleash those shackles, so this is the only warning I'm giving you, don't go into Mode Uranus."
"Then why did you let me use the Planeptune shares in the first place if it was so dangerous."
Uranus smiled, "Because you reminded me of an old friend. Someone who once also cared about the people. Someone that would do anything to save their friends… How can I not lend you my strength?"
"Who was that person, may I ask?"
"I've known her as Chrome, but after my downfall she changed her name. She didn't want the name of someone that had killed her dear friend."
Noire wasn't sure, but she thought she saw tears. "Uranus…?"
"Yes, Noire?"
"Thank you for watching over me… I'm sure I've been a bother."
The old CPU chuckled, "Oh nonsense, it's been a pleasure. I haven't fought in years and you let me experience it once again. If anything, I should be the one thanking you. Now wake up. Your friends are worried about you."
Noire softly smiled, "Yeah…"
Uranus closed in on Noire and pressed a light kiss on her forehead, "Take care of Neptune for me, alright?"
Noire suddenly felt light. The world around her glowed and she had to close her eyes so as to not be blinded. She felt refreshed and warm. Like her body was being washed over by a calm ocean.
Leanbox, Gamindustri
Place: Hospital
Date: August 31, 2019
Time: 11:36 P.M
"Once more!"
A loud shock went through the room and then silence. The doctor was about to try again when a soft beep came from the heart monitor. Everyone stared at the green line to see a spike, and then another. The nurses and doctor cried as Noire's heart started to beat again.
"You did it, doctor!"
"Lady Noire is alive!"
"Oh thank the goddesses!"
Histoire happily cried to see that Noire hadn't passed. She had been on the side the whole time watching the scene. She never wanted to record the death of another goddess ever again. "Noire… Thank goodness. I don't know what I'd do if you passed…"
Help them grow, Histoire. I'm counting on you…
Histoire gasped as the voice rang in her head. She looked around, but didn't see the person she expected to see. The tome let out a shaky breath and whispered, "You've been watching over us, my dear friend. Thank you for saving Noire."
Histoire watched as the doctors and nurses checked through Noire's vitals to make sure that her heart didn't stop again. That was when Vert came in with puffy red eyes.
"Vert…"
"Historie, I overheard. Is it true? Is Noire really still alive?"
Historie smiled, "Why don't you take a look?"
Vert hesitantly walked up to the bed as the nurses moved out of the way. Vert watched with wide eyes as Noire's chest slowly rose with every breath. The goddess lightly touched Noire's head to feel her temperature back to normal. Vert couldn't help but cry again upon seeing her friend back in good health. She dropped to her knees as she wailed beside Noire's sleeping body.
Historie hovered next to the green CPU and gently rubbed her back as her shoulders shook. The nurses and doctors excused themselves as they left the area. The room was left in silence with only the sound of the heart monitor and Vert's crying.
Author's Note
See, Noire's alive. Who said she died? XP
Not sure if I want to dive deeper into Uranus's story. Maybe in a different story if I feel like it. I don't think I can fit any new ideas into LITOH, so I might do another sequel, but I'm getting ahead of myself. I haven't even finish LITOH and I'm already thinking of a trilogy. (-_ - lll)
Anyway, I'll see you all in the next chapter. I wish everyone a safe Halloween tomorrow! XD
-Shiena
