Neptune stretched and yawned as the familiar muffled sounds of the city outside greeted her ears. The gloriously advanced Planeptune never slept, after all, and this morning would be just as busy and productive as any other. Neptune glanced about the room while she rubbed her eyes, forcing away the last vestiges of the restful night that had just passed. The color purple dominated the space, which was filled to the brim with all the imagery and knickknacks that one would expect in a bedroom shared by two young sisters. Yet, there were unusual bits and pieces that clearly stood out: a giant high-definition television sat upon a stand stacked with game consoles new and old; a cabinet on one wall had several shelves packed with a variety of game-related action figures, toys, sculptures, and more; a corner of the room was devoted to various disassembled computer and machine parts, which had become part of Nepgear's newest hobby…

As Neptune's thoughts turned to her sister, her gaze moved to the bed adjacent to her own – it was empty, the lilac blankets neatly tucked in. A slight smile formed upon Neptune's face. Oh, Nepgear, you busybody, you.

"ヽ(≧Д≦)ノ NEPTUNE!" screamed a familiar voice from somewhere outside the room. "How many times must I do this before you learn to wake up on time?!"

Oh. Eheh. Histoire had been calling for Neptune to get up for at least a few minutes now, hadn't she? For such a tiny girl, Histy sure had a powerful voice. New energy spurred on by the horrifying thought of receiving yet another lecture flowed through the CPU of Planeptune, and she jumped from the bed to go through her morning routine in record time. Never before had such a refreshing shower ever been had so quickly.

Now donning one of her trademark jersey dresses, Neptune raced down the stairs two at a time toward the parliament room. Upon approaching the bottom, she made a long hop to the floor and struck a dramatic pose. "Ta-da! Good morning, my adoring little sister!"

Silence was all that greeted her as her voice reverberated through the meeting area, mostly empty aside from the large conference table in the center. She let out a nervous laugh as she realized that her sister was nowhere to be found.

Then, the quiet was punctuated by a disappointed sigh. "(-_-;) Nepgear is currently attending school. You were not awake to see her off, I can only assume." Histoire, the ever-present, ever-knowledgeable fairy who had become a sort of de facto advisor for the CPUs of Gamindustri, was there in the middle of the room, riding upon the massive flying tome that recorded the history of the world. She was wearing the same attire that she always appeared in – a blue and turquoise dress with voluminous sleeves and fashionably high-tech accents. How did it stay so clean, anyway?

"Eheh…I…kind of…maybe…no."

"( ˘_˘)┌ Ah. I see." Another sigh. "Fortunately for you, a matter even more important than your sister's first day of school has come to my attention."

"Wow. That must be super important, then. Like, code red alert, right?"

"Yes. I will explain more when the others arrive."

Neptune raised a brow. "'The others?' You mean…"

Histoire nodded. "The other CPUs, of course. Unless you object to this?"

Neptune performed the opposite gesture, shaking her head vehemently. "No, I'm perfectly a-okay with them coming over. But…well, you could have told me about this first instead of making it a surprise party." It felt strange for her to think about, but she was the ruler of a nation – and the "others" were technically rivals who competed for power and shares, even if she was good friends with them all nowadays.

Histoire's expression clouded. " (´-｀╮) Given the importance of this issue, I did not want to take any more time than necessary. If I had waited until you woke up just now, it would be hours until the others would be prepared to attend an emergency meeting."

Neptune gave a stilted chuckle. "I require at least eight hours of beauty sleep every night. I'm a growing girl, after all."

"Nepgear is also a growing girl."

"Histy!" whined Neptune. "Stop being such a bully! So what if I slept in a little late? The world's not gonna end without me!"

"(⊡ _ ⊡) Actually, it is entirely possible for exactly that scenario to occur, and I will be very disappointed in you if and when it does."

Now Neptune pouted, realizing once again how easy it was for Histoire to scold her. "So why are we holding the meeting here instead of Celestia, oh wise one?"

"As I said, you were the only CPU not awake at the time that I called for this meeting. So, while you were busy snoring and drooling on your pillow, the others were making their way here."

Neptune gave a defeated sigh. "Yes, yes, I'm a lazy girl. Lazy to the core, I am. One hundred percent pure slouch."

Histoire's grim expression turned into a subtle grin. "(^_^) I'm glad we are in agreement."

"Histy!"

It did not take much longer for the other CPUs to arrive, but to Neptune, it could have easily been hours. They filtered into the room together through the door that led from the main area of the Basilicom. The trio was a striking sight, and it would be easy for them to stand out from any crowd. Noire, the proud and headstrong CPU of Lastation, was wearing her favorite gothic-inspired outfit, complete with a daring skirt more than short enough to turn a few heads. Vert, the CPU of Leanbox, donned an elegant and expensive dress that matched her demeanor quite well. Meanwhile, Blanc, the CPU of Lowee, wore an attire not unlike that of a priestess, fitted with furs to protect against the bitter cold of her homeland. Together along with Neptune, this eclectic group was responsible for the safety and well-being of Gamindustri's faithful citizens, even as they often butted heads over matters both serious and trivial in a manner reminiscent of children at a playground.

"(。･o･｡) Greetings, Lady Black Heart, Lady Green Heart, Lady White Heart," spoke Histoire as they approached. "Please, have a seat."

"What's so important that you had to call us to Planeptune's Basilicom on such short notice?" were the first words from Noire's mouth as the goddesses took their seats at the parliament table. "I have my own affairs to attend to, you know."

"I agree," said Vert. "I had to cancel an event that I'd scheduled a week in advance because of this meeting." She breathed out a sad little sigh. "My guild members are sure to be disappointed."

"This must be important," Blanc added in her quiet voice. "I just wish we had been told about this earlier."

Histoire sighed at the CPUs' obvious discontent. "（●´･△･｀）I must give my sincerest apologies. I was not given any advance warning about this issue, myself."

"So?" asked Noire. "What's the trouble?"

The fairy's words gained a dramatic flair as she spoke, "╰[ ⁰o⁰ ]╯ I have called you to this meeting to discuss a matter of grave importance, one that may very well have far-reaching consequences across more than just Gamindustri. In fact, the source of this disturbance comes from a world that is not our own."

Neptune practically jumped out of her seat. "Nepu! Are we being invaded by aliens?!"

"(⊡ _ ⊡ # ) Please do not interrupt me, Neptune," said Histoire, giving the eager girl an annoyed look before resuming her briefing. "Last night, I happened to have a strange dream." She hesitated before adding, "Well, perhaps 'dream' is not the right word."

"What do you mean?" asked Vert. "Like a…vision?"

"(v_v) I believe so. Within this vision, I became aware of a voice that seemed to be calling for help. Most disturbingly, it was my own voice, yet I was not the one speaking. It told of a world in dire need, one that is threatened with impending doom."

"Wait, wait, wait, wait," said Neptune. "Histy has to sleep?" She let out a childish giggle. "I can just picture little Histy curled up in that big ol' book, using the pages like blankets. Hah!"

"( ⊡ _ ⊡ ╬ ) Neptune."

The girl's mirth instantly faded. "Shutting up now."

Noire decided to add her own comment. "'Impending doom?' What kind of impending doom are we talking about?"

Histoire's expression grew puzzled as she thought over the question. "(눈_눈) I am not sure. The message was cryptic at best, yet its urgency was quite clear."

"Are you sure that it wasn't just a strange dream?" asked Noire.

Histoire gave a sigh. "(v.v') Yes. I am quite sure that it was more than just a dream. If I had to guess, I would say that this is a cry for aid from a version of myself who lives in another dimension."

"Another…dimension?" said Blanc. "You mean that there are other worlds which have copies of us all?"

"Yes…I think."

"You 'think?'"

"Cool!" exclaimed Neptune. "I want to meet myself! We'd be the best friends ever!"

To that, Blanc replied, "Tch. I don't want to imagine a world with two Neptunes. One is already enough of a headache."

Histoire paused as she formulated her next words. "(´ ˙-˙ `) As you may be aware, several of the brave warriors who aided you in the battle against Arfoire were from another dimension. Given that these people did not exist in our own world until they traveled here, it is safe to assume that there are indeed worlds not like our own. But, at the same time, it is possible that exact copies, or very similar copies, also exist, as Lady White Heart suggested."

"What happened to those guys, anyway?" asked Neptune. "I kinda miss them."

"As far as I am aware, they have returned to their own world…or perhaps they traveled to another world in need of aid, such as the one I have received this message from."

"And how do they do this, er, dimension hopping?" Noire inquired.

Again, Histoire hesitated before giving her answer. "I am not sure. However, since there is precedent, it must be possible. Perhaps if I search the tome, I can find a record of how to perform such a task."

"How long will that take?" asked Blanc. "From the way that you called us here, I imagine that this requires immediate action."

"(v_v) Hmm…" Histoire raised a finger to her lips as she thought it over. "Three days."

Noire nearly jumped out of her seat as her famously sharp tongue made itself known. "Three days?! Why didn't you wait until then to call the meeting?"

Vert chuckled softly at this outburst. "There is no need to get your striped panties in a twist, Noire. I believe that I may have the solution."

"(` o . o') Oh?" Histoire seemed surprised. "Please, share any knowledge that you may have."

Meanwhile, Noire appeared to be dumbfounded as she muttered, "How did she know that I'm wearing striped…?" Unconsciously, she crossed her legs a little tighter as a red glow formed on her cheeks.

Vert proceeded to enlighten the assembly by explaining how her faithful assistant, Ran-Ran, had once told her about the mythical origins of the pig-faced race. According to legend, they were created to give worlds assistance in times of need, and they used their strange powers to go where they were needed most.

"(◎ܫ◎) Interesting," breathed Histoire. "I am not sure how much of that is based in fact, but it sounds promising. Would it be amiss if I asked you to call your assistant here?"

"Not at all," said Vert with a warm smile. She pulled a phone out from some unseen place within her dress (which did not have pockets) and made a brief call. After hanging up, she explained, "Ran-Ran will be arriving shortly. Very shortly, according to her."

"( =_=)/ It will no doubt take some time, even with the fastest ship available. Until then, I would like to discuss—"

Histoire was interrupted when a brilliant flash exploded through the room, temporarily blinding all within. When the participants of the conference managed to open their eyes, they saw a new figure standing before them.

"(´・ω・｀) Ran-Ran has arrived."

"( _0 . 0_ ) That was…quicker than expected," understated Histoire.

"(´・ω・｀) What do you require of Ran-Ran? Ran-Ran was busy watching her favorite show."

And with that, Histoire hastily explained to Ran-Ran all that she had told to the CPUs during the meeting.

"(´・ω・｀) Ran-Ran sees. And Ran-Ran knows."

"Knows wha—"

An alien energy electrified the air as a hole was ripped into the space beside Ran-Ran. Within, the only thing visible was an ominous black void that seemed to go on forever.

"Is that a…portal?" Vert asked with a raised brow.

"∑('0'＠) It would seem so," said Histoire. "And it is releasing energy very similar to what I have been sensing since that dream." She turned to Ran-Ran. "How is it that I have no knowledge of these powers that you seem to possess?"

"(´・ω・｀) Ran-Ran knows much, and tells some."

"(￣ω￣) Ah, but I have many questions for you, pig-faced one."

"(´・ω・｀) Ran-Ran does not wish to be interrogated by a book. Bye-bye."

"Wait—"

Again, the room was filled with blinding light, and, just like that, Ran-Ran was gone.

"What a strange character," remarked Blanc. "I would like to write about one of her kind. That would be an interesting experience."

Vert seemed just as bewildered as everyone else by this series of events. "Ran-Ran has been my assistant for quite some time, but even I was unaware of her…abilities. This would certainly explain how she is such an efficient worker."

Histoire made a frustrated sigh. "(;¬_¬) Well, the portal still remains, at least."

"How convenient," mumbled Noire. Then, she spoke loudly enough for the others to hear. "Wait – you don't expect us to go through that creepy black hole of evil doom, right? Right?"

"Well…"

"I was getting tired of all of this exposition, anyways," said Neptune. "I'm ready for some action! You know – the walky-walky, not the talky-talky."

"The plot needs to proceed in a logical fashion, Neptune," chided Blanc. "It would be silly if we simply jumped straight into the next scene without explanation."

A sly smile crept upon Noire's lips. "And you would know this, yes?"

Blanc's brow furrowed threateningly. "What are you implying?"

"Oh, just that you're intimately familiar with the workings of a fan fiction, that's all. Nothing more."

Somehow, Blanc's visage managed to grow even more frightening, but her voice remained calm. "Your derisive tone indicates just how plebian you truly are. A fan fiction is a work of art, a labor of love, just like any other masterpiece."

Noire gave a bratty laugh, waving her hand dismissively. "'Masterpiece?' Oh, please. What a joke."

Blanc rose from her seat and slammed her tiny fists on the table with surprising strength, causing the others to flinch. "I'll show you a joke, you uncultured bi—"

"( ;»д«) Ladies, please!" pleaded Histoire, which caused Blanc to slowly lower back to her seat. "For once, I agree with Neptune – we must act quickly."

Vert decided to advance the story by adding some meaningful discussion to the conversation. "If we go through this portal, will we be able to return? We are needed here, after all."

"(；´･Д･) Sadly, I am unsure," replied Histoire. "What I do know is that you four are the best candidates to handle a threat of this magnitude, whatever it may be. However, I cannot force you to help if you do not wish to. The choice is up to you."

Noire asked, "What's so important about helping another dimension, anyway? It can't affect our world, can it? I mean, there could be hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions or billions of other worlds, and we don't know a thing about them."

"( ³⌓³) Ah, but there lies the problem. What happens in another world can indeed affect our own, even if we have no knowledge of it. Consider if Arfoire had defeated the four of you in this world and successfully destroyed it. What if she learned to enter other dimensions and destroy them, as well?"

Noire nodded thoughtfully. "I…see what you mean. So we can't simply ensure the safety of one world – we must protect all of them. But how can we watch over so many places at once?"

"Again, I am not sure. But this is the first time I have ever received a message from another world like this. I believe that it is worth investigating, if you are willing. It is a start, at least."

Once again, Neptune seemed prepared to leap from her chair as she kicked her feet with excitement. "Lemme at 'em, Histy! I'm ready for anything! Even interdimensional catastrophe!"

Vert took a moment to think before voicing her agreement. "I am willing to help, as long as my assistants are notified of my absence. I do not wish Leanbox to fall into disarray while I am gone."

Histoire nodded. "( •﹏•) Of course. I will notify all four of the nations about your mission as soon as the meeting is ended, if you agree to it."

"Very well, then. I will join Neptune in this quest. It should be a fun experience, I hope."

"I will also join," said Blanc. "I am very interested to see what lies beyond that portal. And…I could use a break from Rom and Ram. Financier will simply have to handle them for a little while longer than usual."

"Excellent." Histoire turned to the only one who had yet to agree. "And what of you, Noire?"

"I don't know…"

"Come on, Noire!" encouraged Neptune. "We'll get to meet ourselves and stuff! It'll be radical!"

Noire gave a nervous smile. "I suppose it would be interesting, and it would look bad if I was the only one who didn't go…" She nodded. "Very well, I will join, too."

Histoire beamed, glad that her pleas had not fallen on deaf ears. "o(*^▽^*)o Thank you. I wish the four of you the best of luck. I regret that I am unable to provide more information, but I will do my best to ensure your safe return."

Several hours later, having tied up any loose ends in their respective nations, the goddesses now stood before the portal. It was just large enough for one person to fit at a time, looming like an evil omen above the floor.

"So, who among us is going first?" asked Vert.

"Geronimo!" shouted Neptune, leaping through the portal with her knees tucked to her chest as if jumping from a diving board.

Vert found herself chuckling. "Well, that answers that. I suppose I shall go next. See you on the other side, as they say." Vert stepped through with confidence, disappearing into the inky darkness.

Blanc and Noire continued to gaze at the unnatural hole for some time. "Er…you go next," suggested Noire.

"Oh? Is your bravado failing you?" Blanc mocked with a smirk.

"N-No! I just, er, want to make sure that all of us go through."

"Sure." Without further ado, Blanc walked forward and vanished.

Noire stared for several moments longer, attempting to discern anything that could be waiting for her beyond. "It'll be fine, Noire. You're supposed to be the one who sets the example. Stop being such a baby. And…er…stop talking to yourself. It's weird." Noire sighed huffily. "Well…here goes nothing."

As the last goddess disappeared from the world, Histoire wondered whether she had made a terrible mistake. "(°m°;) I must have faith in her. It is too late to turn back now."