Well... here we are. The final chapter of my most popular work before I leave it behind to focus on what will undoubtedly be less popular original novels and stories.

Not going to lie, I'm kind of disappointed. But I feel this needs to be done. My love for this story remains but the passion does not. My disgust for Neptunia is overridden by apathy. I had so many ideas like you would not believe. I've even gotten a final boss thought out for a hypothetical mk2 is Real!, Victory is Real!, and even VII is Real!. I had so many ideas, so many twists, and I wish I could make myself care enough to share them with you.

But I can't. I'm sorry.

I don't regret a single moment, aside from the complete ineptitude that I displayed at this story's inception and the incredibly long hiatuses... I've made so many friends, including someone more dear to my heart than anyone else.

Remember, lads; my twitter is still Porecomesis. I can't promise anything on Twitter but I'm going to be working on my original stories.

But you're not here for that. You're here for the finale of the Leanbox Arc of the unfinished story of Hyperdimension Neptunia is Real!.

Again, I'm sorry. I do regret not being passionate about this anymore. But now it's time for the beginning of the end

Chapter 40: The Last Leaf Falls

With their new prize, the party of eight—well, actually, the two parties of four—left the dungeon, got on the gondola, and walked right onto the main land. Well, at least some of them walked. Nisa, Compa, Neptune, Jacob, and IF were lumbering. Jacob was holding his stomach; after the tip of the Guard Vermin's sword struck him across his abdomen, it was stinging quite a bit. The five were exhausted, beyond the help of potions brewed only to heal injuries, but they could walk steady until they got back to their dwellings and rested. That left only 5pb, Red, and Gust to actually walk properly.

"... So that's how it went," IF said into her pink phone, holding it a distance away from her face.

"Iffy! Goodness gracious, I should've come along with you!" Vert's voice cried out from the phone. With it being on speaker, everyone else could hear her. "If I knew it'd be so challenging, I'd have insisted on helping!"

"Hey, hey, we got out in the end," IF responded with a smile. "We're all in one piece and we got what we came for. This is a miracle."

"I imagine so. I still can't get the image of that Key Fragment out of my mind... It was truly stunning. I've never seen anything like it."

"Neither have we," muttered Jacob. Taking the photo of the Key Fragment was a... curious task but IF managed it with her phone.

"This is the second Key Fragment we've found guarded by a Guard Vermin," said Compa. "That can't be a coincidence!"

"It certainly seems that way. And on both Planeptune and Leanbox... The possibility exists that the same goes for Lastation and Lowee."

"We're gonna head for Lastation next!" Neptune cheered. "The Tech Expo's still a thing and we need to check in with... Chian..."

"Um... is something wrong?"

"Yeah, good question," said Red. Gust and 5pb shared glances.

"It's a long story," said Jacob. He, IF, Compa, Nisa, and Neptune remembered the awkward air they left with Chian when they saw her last. But they were technically still testing Armas and they needed to get the results back to its maker.

"I see... Well, I'll do some research on Lowee. Perhaps I'll find information pertaining to its own Key Fragment while you're in Lastation."

"That'd be great, thanks."

"It's the least I can do. Farewell, Iffy. Do call me again if you need me. You know I'm always happy to help," Vert assured in a very chipper voice.

IF's face suddenly flared. "Uh, sure, if I'm not being a bother?"

"You're never a bother to me. Bye!"

"Uh, bye!"

Vert hung up first. With a sigh, IF shut her phone and put it back in its bright pink pocket around the waist of her coat.

"Primary hair-em~" sang Jacob.

"Shut up," snapped IF.

Neptune joined in. "Verty and Iffy, sittin' in a tree, H-U-M-P—"

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me Iffy?!"

The party came to another awkward stop. IF, realising her outburst, turned away from Neptune and looked at the ground.

Jacob sighed. "Do we have to do this again?"

"Apparently so." Nisa crossed her arms.

Gust, Red, Compa, and 5pb stood silently, giving Neptune and IF space to finally face each other. However, neither of the girls were looking at the other's face.

Neptune sighed. "Iffy—"

IF bristled.

"... Well, c'mon, okay?" Neptune threw up her arms. "We beat up Yvoire, we K-O'ed Arfoire, and I'm okey-dokey! I dunno what's eating you but we fixed everything! Let's just go back to being the way we were already!"

"Neptune, you can't undo years of my life with just a few days of standard adventuring violence."

Neptune blinked. "What do you mean?"

IF's gaze hardened on Neptune. "I mean there are some problems in this world that you can't fix by whacking them with a sword—"

"Wait, no, yeah, I know that but I mean... that years bit. Of your life?"

IF froze. She squeezed her eyes shut and turned away.

Neptune reached out her hand but then drew it back. "If... Hey, I just wanna know what's going on..."

"I need to figure this out."

"I want to help you with that."

"You can't." IF's mouth snapped shut, as if she had said that far too quickly.

Neptune didn't try to counter. She didn't respond at all.

"Okay, guys?" Jacob butted in. "I think we're all a bit emotionally wound right now, what with the whole Yvoire thing and just finding the Key Fragment. Lastation's not coming in for a couple days so how about we just split up for now, rest, and then we'll meet back up before we leave?"

"Sounds good to me," said Nisa. "I could use a bit of rest."

IF and Neptune remained silent.

"Alright." Jacob clapped his hands together. "Team Neptune will go back to Turquoise's manor while Team IF goes back to the motel."

"Who are you going with?" Neptune asked, looking up at Jacob. He tensed when he saw her eyes; she looked at him with the same worry that she looked at IF.

"Well..." Jacob bit his lip. "I know where both of you are. I'm definitely leaving with you to Lastation but I think I'll go back and forth before we finally go. That okay with you, IF?"

"... Sure, whatever." IF began walking away. "Bye."

"Wait—" Neptune stepped forward but Jacob held her back by her shoulder, shaking his head.

5pb and Red shared a nervous look. The idol then approached Neptune, Compa, Gust, Nisa, and Jacob. She inhaled through her nose before she spoke. "I'm sorry, it's just... It really has been an ordeal and I think she just needs a bit of rest and time to think..."

Neptune looked to the ground. "Yeah, makes sense. I... I miss her."

Red placed her hands on her hips. "You really like her, huh?"

"Yeah, totally. She's one of the first friends I met on this adventure." Neptune began to smile. "She's always been super smart. She didn't actually trust us when we first met but she warmed up to us in time. Let me tell you, it took a heck of a lot of effort to break her out of the turn-based combat rules."

"Wow!" 5pb's eyes lit up. "How long ago did you first meet?"

"All the way back in Planeptune," answered Compa, smiling as well. "Then we went to Lastation, where we met Nisa, and then we went to Lowee, where we met Gust!"

"Gust feels tremendous pity for IF if she went through same ordeal as Gust to not follow turn-based rules," said the alchemist with a huff.

"Oh don't worry," Jacob assured. "We were worse with you and Nisa than her."

"What? Why?" asked both the heroine and the alchemist.

"We were impatient."

Gust and Nisa frowned.

5pb giggled. "You all must have so many memories together."

Neptune nodded. "Yeah. We... really did..." Her smile began to fade. So did everyone else's in turn.

"Uh, hey," said Red, winking and grinning. "Don't worry, alright? We like you and we think you're cool. We'll try and convince Iffy to join back up with you, okay?"

"Oh, that'd be sweet! Thanks!"

"Well that's settled." 5pb waved. "We'll be going now. See you in a few days' time!"

5pb and Red then turned and left, following after IF.

"Bye! It was cool kicking butt with you!" Neptune called as she waved at their departing forms. Once they left, she lowered her hand and sighed.

Compa turned to Jacob. "Do you really think you can convince IF to come back to us?"

Jacob shrugged. "I dunno but I'm going to try."

Neptune, Compa, Gust, Nisa, and Jacob stepped into the all too familiar room of the Aristocrat's mansion where Jade first accomodated them. It was rather grounding to see the same gold-lined red curtains, the long red rug, the golden chandeliers, and the small round table. At the table sat a very familiar face. Well, not exactly familiar; you couldn't see the face of a black silhouette. But the shape of Turquoise was hard to forget.

The leader of the Aristocrats was sitting alone at the table, swirling his wine glass in his hand. His face, although silhouetted, was directed at the agitated beverage.

"Um, Sir Turquoise...?" said Compa.

Turquoise lifted his head to the party. "Oh my... Welcome back, my friends. How fare you?"

"We're doing alright," answered Jacob. "How about you?"

Turquoise sighed. He placed his wine glass flat on the table. "I will not mislead you. I have seen far better times. Honest ones, at that."

Jacob looked to the ground. "I can imagine that."

"I truly did believe I was just and that my legacy was proud. I must admit, it is... well, to say it is disorienting to have all that proven false would be a gross understatement."

The party kept silent.

"But Jade..." Turquoise rubbed his face. "My dear Jade... It still defies belief."

"He really seemed like a good guy..." said Compa.

"Precisely." Turquoise leaned back. "I thought I did everything right. I did my best to raise him well and righteous."

"His decisions were his own," Jacob cut in. "He had other influences and he alone chose to try and start a war. None of that is on your hands."

Turquoise did not answer immediately. He tapped his finger on the table. "You may be right. Yet I cannot help but feel the burden lies with me, that I am, in some way, faulty."

Neptune's gaze fell to the floor. Jacob nudged her, getting her attention, and gave her a small smile. Neptune looked up at him and gave him a small smile in return.

Nisa cleared her throat. "Sir Turquoise, I agree with my companions. From what I have seen of you, you are a just and honourable man who simply had the misfortune of falling afoul of the diabolical machinations of those hiding in the shadows. Truthfully, I can relate to that experience. But it is not your fault that evil set out to trick you; have faith that you rightly deserve your honour."

Turquoise lifted his head towards Nisa. From there, he remained still, as if in surprise. "You would say such things to me...?"

"Of course. Well..." Nisa rubbed the back of her head. "I kinda sorta feel bad for the way I treated you like a villain when you wanted us to help you."

"Ha!" Turquoise slapped the table. "Nisa, my friend, I dare say you were the most sensible person in this whole episode."

"Excuse me," muttered Jacob.

"You picked fight with IF," Gust muttered back.

Jacob did not retort.

With a grunt, Turquoise stood himself up from the table and approached the party of five, his arms spread welcomingly wide. "In any event, regardless of what has transpired, it is thanks to all of you that the peace of Leanbox remains. Should you need my assistance for any reason in our good world of Gamindustri, you need merely ask."

"Aw, thank you!" Compa smiled. "Is it okay if we stay here until Lastation floats into range?"

"That, my darling, is but the least I can do for you all! Please, feel free to stay for as long as you require."

"Sweet, thanks," said Jacob.

"Ah, Jacob, my boy!" Turquoise placed a hand on his shoulder. "To be truthful, I—"

Jacob reflexively brushed the noble's hand away.

Turquoise stared. Possibly. Silhouette.

"Uh, sorry," said Jacob. "I just don't like being touched."

"Ah, fair, fair. In any event, I see a lot of my youth in you. Why, back in my day, fighting monsters was a prime sport of mine. I delighted in rescuing radiant maidens from the clutches of foul beasts, and I hope you do the same for your party."

"Hey, I'm the one saving him," Neptune protested, pouting and placing her fists on her hips.

"When you're not bedridden," Jacob snapped.

"At least I'm not scared of bees."

"Have you seen the size of those things?"

Turquoise sighed dreamily. "This truly does take me back..."

IF lied on her bed, her phone pressed against her ear. "So yeah, consoles are hard to use if you're always travelling."

"Dear me, I can imagine," Vert answered back over the phone. "It sounds like a handheld would solve your problems in that regard."

"Probably, yeah. But I just play stuff on my phone. The classics are always on there."

"True but that flip phone only plays the most archaic of games. You'll never be able to keep up with the new releases that way! Think of what you're missing out on! Yupo Yupo, Number One Lawyer, Gravity Days, and so much more!"

"Believe me, I know." IF's eye twitched. "But I think I can manage."

"Had I only made a Leanbox handheld... I would give you one right this minute."

"Wh-Really?" said IF, a blush burgeoning on her face. "Th-That's very kind of you."

"Oh but you deserve it! Especially after everything you have done for my landmass."

IF did not answer.

"Iffy?"

"... Are you sure I deserve it?"

"Iffy, what are you talking about? Of course you do. Were it not for you, I dread to imagine what fate would have befallen my home."

"Ah, yeah. Okay..."

Silence took over the line once more.

"Is this about Nep-Nep?"

"What?" IF blurted out.

"Iffy, you can tell me."

IF's arm holding the phone flopped onto the bed. "I guess..." She sighed. "It's been so long since the party split because of something I did... and now everyone's trying to just brush it aside. But, I still feel awful... and if I just ignore it, it feels like I spent all that time on... nothing? Do you understand me?"

"Hm..." Vert took her time before answering. "If you will permit me, I think I know your problem."

"..." IF brought her phone back to her ear. "Shoot."

"Thank you. Now, everyone that matters forgives you and will gladly consider your incident to be water under the bridge. But the one person who cannot forgive you is... well, you. And that is the problem. Speaking as the CPU of Leanbox, with all it has gone through recently, the only one who can start you on your path to recovery and healing is you. Neptune and the others can't forgive you in your place; that decision is left to you and you alone."

"But... how can I...?"

"I think everyone has already told you how. Whether you follow their advice is up to you and you alone. I'm sorry but I can't make that decision for you."

"That... that might be for the best."

"Goodbye, Iffy. Feel free to call me whenever!"

"Heh. You too."

IF hung up first by flipping her phone shut. Her hand flopped back onto the bed again. "How can everyone make this sound so easy...?"

"Hey Iffy!" shouted Red as she and 5pb came in.

"Hey guys," said IF, sitting up. "Have fun?"

"We did, yes," answered 5pb. "The Leanbox air is lovely for walking in. It's getting a bit warm, though."

"Probably because Lastation's coming in. Pollutants and such are warm."

"Ooh, that place sucks!" Red huffed. "Polluting such a beautiful natural land should be illegal!"

"Well, if it helps, carbon helps plants grow so some pollution can actually benefit the flora here," said 5pb.

"Emphasis on some pollution, mind you," said Jacob, entering the room from behind Red and 5pb. "But I wasn't expecting anyone else to know that, truth be told."

Red and 5pb turned around with the sort of speed only surprise could provide. "Oh, Jacob!" said the idol.

"Why are you surprised?"

"Well, we just got back ourselves."

"Ah." Jacob nodded. "Yeah, that'd be quite a coincidence."

IF's head turned towards Jacob but her gaze was drawn to his feet. Rather than his usual black shoes, he was wearing a pair of green sneakers, with a lighter wind design drawn on the sides. "Okay, I'll bite. What's with the new shoes?"

"The old ones were getting a bit worn out and I liked this pair. They also make me feel faster."

5pb looked down at the shoes. "They seem to have an AGI modifier to them."

"A what?" Then his eyes lit up. "Oh, agility."

"Yes."

"They look nice," muttered IF.

"Glad you think so too," said Jacob.

The conversation slowed to a still.

"Lastation's coming around tomorrow," said Jacob.

IF closed her eyes. "I know."

Jacob waited. "We still want you to come back."

"I know."

Red and 5pb quietly sat down on the bed between IF's bed and the door.

Jacob sighed. "Is there anything more we can do for you?"

"I don't—" IF rubbed her forehead. "I don't know. I don't know. It's... ugh... Before this, I... I've been me, whoever that is, for years. And now that's just gone up in smoke. Now I don't know what to do. I know what people want me to do but I don't know what I should do or what I want to do."

"You can always find yourself with the party—"

"Just..." IF flopped back onto her bed. "I'm not ready."

"To come back? Or to make a choice?"

"..." IF rolled over, facing the window and showing her back to Jacob. "Please leave me alone..."

Jacob exhaled through his nose. "Fine." His feet turned away. "We'll wait for you this time. We'll be at the terraportation station tomorrow morning. You know we're always waiting."

IF sighed. "I know."

Jacob waited for a few more moments. Then he turned back to the door.

"Jacob, wait." 5pb stood up. "I'm... coming with you."

"What?" IF sat up.

"What?!" Red shot out of her chair.

Jacob turned around with a surprised look on his face. "Wait, you're serious?"

"You're serious?!" Red pointed fiercely at Jacob. "You're going with him? When you could be staying here with Iffy?"

5pb nodded with no hesitation. "This is what I'm for. The world's in danger and I can't just sit around and let Arfoire do what she wants. If I can help, I'm going to!" She turned back to Jacob with fierce eyes. "Please let me come with you and Neptune!"

Jacob paused for thought for a few seconds. After looking around the room for a few moments, he looked back at 5pb and smiled. "Of course. Bloody hell, wasn't expecting that. We'd love to have you along. But are you sure?"

"Without a doubt." 5pb pulled out her guitar and held it like she was facing a monster. "Sometimes I need to get off the stage and onto the battlefield."

"Cool profile quote and all but what about IF?"

5pb closed her eyes and pursed her lips. "I don't regret meeting IF. She's one of the few real friends I have. But the world's in danger... I can actually do something about it; what reason do I have to say no?"

Jacob looked towards Red. He remained silent for a few moments, taking her measure... then he spoke. "Red, what about you?"

"Nuh uh!" Red shook her head. She crossed her arms and glared at Jacob. They remained looking at each other for a time before Red's gaze softened as she looked at IF. "Iffy needs me..."

Jacob looked at IF as well. The Moderatist's eyes were on Red, dim with appreciation complimented by a small smile. Jacob nodded. "Red, I may resent you for constantly tying me up and gagging me but you are very noble. Selectively noble but noble all the same."

"Yeah, yeah, save it for someone who cares. I've got my Number 1 wifey to care for and wuv."

5pb giggled. "The days are never boring with you around."

"Says the famous idol that sings!" Red ran up to 5pb. "You're a slammin', jammin' babe who's famous the world over! And you're leaving?! But who's going to be our shy babe?!"

"Just gonna say," Jacob cut in, "that she can still be your shy babe if you join our party—"

"Jacoooooob..." 5pb said, drawing her words out with an increasingly red face.

"Oh, sorry. But yeah, door's always open." Jacob's eyes flickered to IF. "That's especially true for you."

5pb smiled. "You're lucky to be surrounded by so many people that love you. Lady Green Heart of all people, Red... and Jacob and Neptune and... mysel—"

"Please don't bring up the hair-em thing again..." IF groaned.

"The wha..." 5pb's eyes slowly widened as she remembered what Jacob said just in their previous dungeon. "No! No no no, I-I-I meant as in friends and family, n-not l-l-lo... W-Well, it's not that I d-don't—"

"5pb, chill," said Jacob. "I think she gets the point. Nakama and so on. Right?"

IF raised her thumb in the air.

"Good to see. So..." Jacob placed his hand on the doorframe. "Shall we go?"

"Actually..." said 5pb, "I just need to get ready first. I'll meet you there when you're leaving."

"Fair enough. You know where the terraportation station is?"

"I've played all over Gamindustri. Of course!" The idol added a wink.

Jacob smiled. "Good to know. I'll tell the others. Toodles."

And then he left, shutting the door behind him. 5pb, Red, and IF remained alone in the room.

5pb turned around, sighing yet with a smile. The smile was short lived, however, for she saw Red pouting at her with crossed arms. "W-What?"

"Traitor," Red grumbled.

"C-Come on, now..." 5pb stammered nervously. "It's our home, w-we should protect it..."

"But what about Iffy?!" Red jumped from the bed and ran right up to 5pb, pressuring her with surprisingly intense passion despite being much shorter than her. "You can't just leave her like this!"

"I-I know..." 5pb placed her hands on Red's shoulders, calming her own nerves until she smiled. "I know. Allow me."

Red raised an eyebrow but she stepped back, allowing 5pb to walk past. The idol made her way to IF's bed and sat down on the edge, her back to IF's own. "IF?"

"Hm?" IF mumbled.

5pb took a breath. Here goes. "Can we talk...?"

Neptune sat on the grass cross-legged as she looked beyond the edge of Leanbox. Further away, beyond the thick clouds, floated the landmass of Lastation. Before it was clearly visible, the clouds darkened as they mingled with the smoke generated from the industrial nation. It was by far the most easily visible landmass when one would use terraportation.

Compa was sitting next to her while holding her knees. "What do you think we'll do first when we get there, Nep-Nep?"

"Hm. Y'know, it's been forever and ever since I've had a nice steak. Or a good burger. Let's see if we can find a barbecue somewhere."

"Or," Jacob interrupted as he leaned down towards Neptune's ear, "we go see Chian first, ask about the Tech Expo, bring her up to speed on Armas, and then stuff ourselves?"

Neptune pouted. "Or we stuff ourselves and then advance the plot?"

"You know Chian runs a restaurant, right? Maybe just knock out two birds with one stone?"

"Well yeah but does she even make burgers?"

"What is with you and burgers?"

Nisa paced over. "Sister, come on. Turquoise gave us a swell breakfast. Surely it will be sufficient for meeting Chian again?"

"Ugh! Why did I make a party full of killjoys?" Neptune fell onto her back, looking behind her, away from Lastation, towards Leanbox. The clean yet archaic Leanbox street stretched out before her, with its citizens walking to and fro across the roof of her vision between homely upside-down buildings. Not a single familiar face in a slightly more familiar place.

Jacob bent over in a manner not dissimilar to a lamp over a desk. "Neptune, if it weren't for us, you'd still be in Planeptune wasting all your money on arcades and food."

Neptune didn't fire back.

"Neptune?"

Still no response.

"Sister?" Nisa failed to get her attention as well.

Jacob noticed the way her head was tilted back and looked in the same direction. "Ah..." he muttered.

"You told her where we'd be, right?" Neptune asked, more quiet than her usual self.

"Yeah," Jacob answered. "Told her we wanted her."

Compa rotated around on the grass to look as well, concerned as she normally was. "I hope she comes. It's not the same without her."

"What about 5pb?" asked Nisa. "Didn't you say she was coming?"

"Yeah." Jacob pursed his lips. "Probably changed her mind."

"Wait bit longer," said Gust, who was sitting a short distance away under a tree while looking through the party's CDs. "Still taking inventory."

"Are you still doing that?" Nisa responded. "You've been at that for an age and a half!"

Gust frowned at her. "Much useless junk. Also sorting into what can sell, can't sell, and must-haves. Takes long time."

"You should've done that before!"

"It passes time! Is something wrong?"

Neptune sat up so suddenly that Compa yelped.

"Uh, something up?" asked Jacob.

Neptune turned her gaze towards Gust. "Wait a cartridge-blowin' minute..."

The alchemist held a couple of disks to her chest, like they would protect her. "What? Don't stare!"

The CPU's eyes narrowed. "Are you buying time so we don't leave until Iffy gets here?"

Compa, Jacob, and Nisa looked at Gust in a hurry. The alchemist froze in the face of their stares, her own eyes looking all around like a cornered mouse for an escape. "Um..."

"Awwwwwwwww!" Neptune lunged towards the alchemist, who was too stunned to move out of the way before Neptune wrapped her arms around her and buried her cheek in her rabbit hat. "You're so sweet and nice and cute!"

"Let go!" Gust protested to no avail.

"C'mon, accept the love! Didn't know you cared so much about our party!"

"Wow, Nep-Nep, how did you figure that out?" asked Compa.

"Just a guess." Neptune winked. "But wow, talk about a plot twist! Our greedy oppor... op... oppothingamajiggawhatchit cares about our whole party to the point she'd lie like that!"

"I think she lies about a lot of things but I'm a bit surprised as well, truth be told," said Jacob.

Nisa smirked. "So what motivated you to deceive us, Gust?"

Gust pouted. She didn't look back at Nisa, either.

Nisa was left tapping her foot. That said, the heroine's patience only stretched so far. "Well?"

Gust sighed. "Is just..."

"Juuuuuuuuuust?" Neptune sunk her cheek deeper into Gust's hat.

"Just.. Gust does care." The alchemist's expression softened tremendously. Neptune certainly wasn't used to it, and neither were the others; Gust was a sly businesswoman or businessgirl or rabbit or whatever and she never showed any of her real feelings aside from her occasional irritation and ego. "We are a party on quest to save Gamindustri. It just... feel wrong when someone leave. Party should stick together and IF is party."

Jacob looked down at the grass. "Didn't know you could be that sentimental."

"You can't?" Gust snapped back. "Also, Nep, please let go."

"Oh, sorry!" Neptune's arms flew off Gust so fast that they flipped her hat off her head.

"Ah!" Gust snatched her hat out of the air and yanked it back onto her head. She was too forceful, though, and she pulled it over her eyes. "Gnnnngh...!" She tugged it back up again to its usual position.

"Well," Nisa began, "glad we learned of that but IF hasn't shown up. I don't think she's going to."

"What?" Neptune stood up with a start. "No no no, we just haven't waited long enough! Iffy might just be—"

"Sister." Nisa cut in. With Neptune silent, she continued. "We've been here for hours. She was told where we'd be and she was told when she should be here. Gust even delayed us and she has yet to arrive."

"But, yeah, so..." Neptune began fumbling over her words, looking for a rebuttal. But nothing came.

"I'll go visit her again," offered Jacob. "I'll—"

"How long have you been with her for?" asked Nisa. "How many times have you asked her to come back? She hasn't, not even now after Arfoire was killed and we retrieved the Key Fragment. If not now, when will she come back? Will she ever?"

Neptune looked to Jacob. She couldn't counter Nisa but he could. He had to. But he was taking his time thinking of an argument.

Jacob breathed in through his nose and fixed his gaze on Nisa, and Neptune smiled as she saw he had an answer. "IF's in a very dark place in her mind. It's not something you can just slap out of her. She needs love and support."

"We've given her that in abundance and she has it further still with Red, 5pb, and even Lady Green Heart. She can recover with their help. Us, though? The world, and Histoire as well, call on us for rescue." Nisa turned around. "If, by some miracle, IF should arrive, she can meet us on the other side in Lastation. But we're done waiting here."

Jacob sighed. "Okay... That's actually fair enough." He looked at Neptune and winced as he saw her pained expression. "Sorry..."

Neptune looked to the ground.

"But... yeah. Maybe we should go on ahead and wait in Lastation. If IF's not there by the time the terraportation's stopped, then we have our answer."

"But, but we have to at least leave a note!" Neptune shouted. "Or she's gonna think it's weird we're not here!"

"... That's actually a really good idea. Yeah, let's leave a note. Anyone got a pen?"

"I think I do!" Compa stuck her hand inside her disk—

"First place Gust," said the alchemist, twirling a really expensive black pen around her thickly-gloved fingers.

"I've got paper," said Nisa, waving a sheet in the air.

"You're helping too?" Neptune asked, mildly surprised.

"But of course. Just because I think we should leave already and we've done all we could, doesn't mean I think this is a bad idea."

Neptune smiled a bit. "Well, thanks."

Nisa held the paper out to Neptune. Neptune stared at it, waiting just a moment longer. But the moment passed and she slowly reached out to the paper. She took it in her hand and pulled it out of Nisa's.

"WAIT! WAIT, HOLD UP!"

Neptune whirled around, dizzying herself and nearly stumbling from the speed. Just up the road, running right towards them, was IF. Red trailed behind, looking just as exhausted but far less determined. 5pb was with them as well, looking positively exuberant and out of breath in equal measure.

IF came to a stop in front of Neptune, buckling over and bracing herself on her knees as she rasped and breathed in more and more air to fill her tired, puffing lungs. 5pb followed suit while Red just collapsed on the grass.

When IF lifted her head, she saw Neptune frozen as she looked back at her. Not quite believing that this was happening, as much as she hoped for it. "Neptune..." IF breathed. "I... need to tell you something..."

"Uh, yeah?" Neptune responded, slightly shaken from her stupor.

IF sucked in a huge breath and stood up straight. Yet she would not look Neptune in the eye. "I've been through... a lot of crap, really, as a kid. And, well, one thing led to another and... I blamed you for it."

"But why?" asked Compa.

"Because I was stupid! And..." IF clenched her eyes shut tight. "Neptune, I blamed you for something that wasn't your fault. When I met you, you just made me think you were a slob who didn't deserve to be a CPU but you're actually... great. I'm really sorry. For everything."

Neptune shook her head. "Hey, what's—"

But IF held up her hand to stop her. "Just let me finish..." She took another breath. "Maybe, if there's any point in the future, is there a chance... just a chance that you'll... forgive me?"

"What are you going on about?" Neptune didn't even think for a second before she spoke, with her fists on her hips. "I'll always forgive you!"

IF winced, far from assured. "How can you...?"

"Well..." Neptune's hands spread out to lay flat on her hips, drained of her determined vigour. "After talking with Noire and Vert and thinkin' about a lot of things, I'm... kinda thinkin' I wasn't the best CPU back when I remembered stuff, so maybe... I can't blame you for feeling the way you did."

"Wha—No!" IF shot up, looking Neptune in the eye for once with urgency. "It's not your fault! You couldn't have known what happened and you didn't even do anything! I blamed—"

"Hey hey hey hey!" Neptune snapped her hands onto IF's shoulders. "And you weren't gonna poison me! You were thinking about it but you weren't going to do it! Right?"

"Right, yeah—I mean, I wanted to, but—no, no! I wouldn't ever—"

"Then that's okay!" Neptune gave IF's shoulders a squeeze. "We all think bad things from time to time but we don't actually do 'em! Sometimes I wanna slap Jacob or hang him from one of those line pole thingies that give electricity to houses and stuff."

"Thanks for the warning," said Jacob.

"But," Neptune took one hand off IF and left it at her side, "it doesn't matter what we think. What matters is what we do."

IF looked down at the ground again. "And all I did was run away..."

"Well..." Neptune patted IF's shoulder. "Sometimes you just feel bad about things and can't help feeling what you do and what you do because of what you feel. That's okay. You gotta let this go, Iffy."

Neptune went to pat IF's shoulder again but the Moderatist pushed her hand away. Neptune's smile dropped. "Iffy—"

"Look..." IF cut in before sighing. "There's only one way you're going to call me Iffy."

"What's that?"

IF looked at Neptune. One corner of her mouth lifted up into a smirk. Then the other corner lifted and IF was truly smiling at Neptune. "You have to let me call you Nep."

Any movement and sound from Neptune vanished in a flash. The only thing to move afterwards was Neptune's mouth, its corners rising higher and higher and opening wider and wider.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!" she screamed as she tackled IF to the ground. "Yesyesyesyesyes! Call me Nep all you want! Write it on my birthday card! Put it on my birth certificate! I DON'T CARE! IFFY IFFY IFFY IFFY IFFY!"

"Hey hey hey, easy...!" IF pushed against Neptune's face. "At least give me some personal space!"

"Sorry, bud," said Jacob with a grin, "but you gave us enough trouble for a year. She's entitled to this."

"I know and sorry but come on! Some common courtesy here!"

"But it's so cute and-and wonderful and, and, and, and..." Compa sniffed and wiped tears from her eyes. "We're all together a-again... Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah...!" But nothing could stop her from wailing tears of joy.

"Alright, sister, that's enough." Nisa yanked the back of Neptune's hood to pull her back up. "We have all the time in the world to celebrate this reunion."

"Aw, c'mon, we need to catch up on lost time!" Neptune tried to pull herself away from Nisa's grip but the heroine's clenched fist budged for nothing and no one no matter the occasion. "We're all on huge emotional highs right now! Let's enjoy this rollercoaster typhoon! Sisterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"

IF took a deep breath before standing up. "Almost forgot what she was like..." she breathed.

"Yeah, same here, actually," said Nisa. "She's been down the entire morning without you. We were about to leave you here."

"Can't say I'd blame you. Thanks for waiting."

"You better be thankful."

Jacob chuckled, looking at 5pb. "Bloody hell, you're something else."

5pb smiled. "I couldn't just leave her without trying. She needs us. All of us."

"Appreciate it." He then nodded to Red. "Thanks for coming along as well."

"Hey, it's the opportunity to journey with a gorgeous selection of wifeys!" Red winked and threw up her hand in a peace sign. "You can't get a deal like that for a dozen eggs anywhere else!"

Jacob rolled his shoulders. "So we have a party of eight now. I reckon we can just about do anything at this point."

"If we believe in ourselves, anything is possible!" cheered Compa, her eyes still wet.

"That's corny as hell but nonetheless true and a good attitude to have. And well..." He looked at IF and Neptune. "It's true, isn't it? We're only all here now because we believed in each other."

IF nodded. She looked over the entire party again. Red was hopping from one foot to another, 5pb was smiling bashfully with her hands behind her back, Nisa was giving her a thumbs up, Gust was smiling and rocking back and forth, Compa was wiping her eyes again, Jacob merely grinned, and Neptune leaned against IF.

"Thanks, everyone..." IF wiped her eyes. "It's good to be back."

"It's good to have you back," said Nisa.

"Hey, Iffy," said Neptune.

"Yeah?"

Neptune hooked her arm around behind IF's neck, holding the two of them side by side. "Welcome back, Iffy."

IF smiled and put her arm behind Neptune's back and on her shoulder. "It's great to be back, Nep."

The one party of eight walked forward together. With the terraportation, they left Leanbox behind and departed for Lastation.

Whatever else may come, I'm happy to have written this story, or at least this much of it. And I'm just as happy that you all kept up with me to this point.

The story does not end here but neither shall I be writing it. Disappointing, yes... but it took me so long to just care about writing this chapter and more effort than I could contain. It's exhausting, really. I'm glad to be free of it.

So farewell, friends and fans and followers alike. I don't know where you lot keep trickling in from but I like the growing attention. But I shall now fill this world with my own stories, my own heroes.

I hope to see you all again.

[Return to title screen?]

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