Leanbox, Gamindustri

Place: Basilicom

Date: September 10, 2019

Time: 8:45 P.M.

Noire gasped as she leaned against the tiled walls. Her heart was pounding as her body released steam. The cold stream of water ran down her body slowly evaporating. The black goddess gritted her teeth with the pain in her body. She had released her HDD when she entered the cold shower. Her body temperature had dropped significantly, but once she returned to her base form, the heat skyrocketed.

"It's hard to… breathe," Noire whimpered. She dropped to her knees as the entire bathroom turned into a sauna. "H-Help…" She felt lightheaded and everything was swirling in her eyes. If this goes on anymore, she'll faint. "Uranus… Help… me…"

"Noire!"

The door to the bathroom burst open. Noire turned to the door to see the familiar hoodie. "Nep…tune…" She didn't have the energy to scold Neptune about knocking. And she didn't even have the energy to be embarrassed about being naked.

"Noire!" Neptune made her way to the goddess and kneeled next to her, ignoring the cold water. "You're burning up!" She touched her skin and instantly retracted her hand from the heat.

"D-Don't touch me… You'll burn yourself," Noire warned.

"What's happening?"

Noire lightly snorted, "Just a… light fever… don't worry about it."

"How can I not worry!" Neptune screamed. "You're clearly in pain!"

"I just need to… cool down. That's all." Noire pressed her head against the tiled wall, hoping it could cool her head down.

"Hold on!" Neptune ran out of the bathroom, leaving Noire.

The black CPU couldn't call out to the purple goddess as she was too tired to do so. She closed her eyes and regulated her breathing, trying to save as much energy as she can. "So… hot…"

I really can't watch this any longer…

Noire opened her hazy red eyes from the voice that rang in her ears. "Uranus…"

I can't close the gate, but I can at least help with your temperature. Uranus' voice drowned out as Noire closed her eyes.

"Noire, I'm back!" Neptune pressed something against Noire's forehead. "Does this feel better?"

Noire smiled as she felt the coldness. "It does…" But then coldness slowly disappeared.

"Eck! It's all melted."

Noire glanced at Neptune's hand to see a bag of water. It was probably ice before.

"Don't worry, I prepared more!" Neptune had a few ice bags behind her. She pressed a new ice bag against Noire's head and it would quickly melt after a few minutes. She would keep on replacing the bag.

Noire appreciated Neptune's gesture. It actually felt a lot cooler now and she didn't feel so uncomfortable. "Thank you, Neptune."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Hmmm?"

"Why didn't you tell me that using that new form would give you a fever?"

Noire blinked and sat up straight. Her body wasn't scorching anymore so she could think clearly again. "Where did you hear that form?"

"I heard Uni, Rom, and Ram say that Mode Uranus takes a lot out of you… And that… you had been put in the hospital because of it."

Noire sighed. She wanted to tell Neptune herself, not her hearing from others. This was her fault for avoiding the topic earlier. "Mode Uranus is special. It does take a lot out of me, but it's a strength that I need to master. But I might not need it until another dangerous enemy appears, so you don't have to worry about me using it often."

"But still… That time in the hospital…" Neptune bit her lower lip as tears entered her eyes. "I… I remember you…"

Noire wrapped her arms around Neptune and pulled her in for a hug. "I'm okay, Neptune. I'm still here."

Neptune whimpered as she clung to the black goddess. "I just don't want to lose you!"

"I know, Neptune. I'm sorry I worried you. And I'm sure I'll worry you again. That's why I'm going to tell you everything." Noire pulled back and helped Neptune wipe her tears.

"You can explain later," Neptune said. "You're probably in no condition to…"

Noire shook her head. "I won't be able to move from this spot for a while. I think the cold water is helping in regulating my body temperature. Just…" Noire blushed as she covered her private parts. "Don't stare at me too hard."

Neptune blinked and glanced down at Noire's body. Her face instantly turned red. "R-Right…" She shifted her eyes back up to her girlfriend's face and did everything she could to not look down.

Noire cleared her throat and started. "Mode Uranus… It's a form created by Planeptune shares…"

"Oh… wait… like my Planeptune, Planeptune?" Neptune asked as she pointed to herself.

Noire giggled. "Yes. When I was defending your nation against Rei, I gained the power of Mode Uranus, and that was because I was accepted as Planeptune's CPU. Only as a substitute, of course."

"Oooooh. That's cool!"

"That's also when I met your predecessor, Uranus. Also, the goddess that created us, you could say."

"So you did di-"

"I did not die," Noire corrected Neptune's thinking. "She called out to me. She also gave me her blessing in dating you."

Neptune blushed. "Jeez. I only heard stories of her from Histy, but I never actually met her."

"She said she's always been watching both you and Nepgear."

Neptune lightly scratched her cheek. "So she saw my laziness too…"

I sure have.

Noire chuckled, "I don't think she minded too much. But in any case, using shares that weren't from my nation was actually poisonous. Histoire had said the Mode Uranus was a defense mechanism that helped me burn out the poisonous shares in my body."

Neptune's eyes widened at the information. "Wait, so are you saying your fever is because of MY shares?!"

"Yes, but it's okay. It's just my body trying to convert the share-"

"But that still means it's my shares that are hurting you, right?"

Noire knew this would happen. She could already see the pain and guilt on Neptune's face. "Listen to me, Neptune. It's not your fault. I asked for it. I've been warned that I could die-"

"You could DIE?!"

Noire winced. "Okay, not a good way to put it, but yes. The main point is, I asked for this power. If it's anyone's fault for my situation then it's mine. I put myself here, so please don't blame yourself."

The purple CPU pouted, "Too late."

Noire planted light kisses over Neptune's face. "Don't. Even if it didn't happen now, it will probably happen in the future if we are in this relationship. At least I can properly help you with Planeptune affairs, as a substitute, if need be."

"That still doesn't make me feel better."

"I promise. Mode Uranus will only be for emergencies. Besides, they do say the more you do something the fewer mistakes you'll make. The fevers might stop if I master Mode Uranus."

Neptune's face was still scrunched up with worry. Noire couldn't help her chest from swelling with joy. She didn't like for Neptune to worry, but being cared for felt really nice. It made her feel warm and not the uncomfortable kind. Actually, she feels a bit cold now…

Noire shivered and Neptune noticed. "Noire? Are you cold?"

"Yeah…" Noire looked at her arm to see that it was pale instead of red. She had also stopped steaming. "That's weird. I'd assumed the fever to last longer…"

Neptune stood up and turned the knob of the shower toward the warmer side. "Don't want you freezing now that your fever is over."

Noire smiled, "Thank you."

Neptune took a deep breath and stripped, "Okay!"

Noire was cold before, but now she was hot all over again, and this time, it wasn't from the fever. "Neptune!? What are you doing?"

"Stripping silly! My clothes are wet and I thought I could just join you in your shower! I'll help wash your back."

Noire stood up and claimed, "I-I-I… I can wash myself!"

Neptune pouted, "Noire… I'm worried. What if you suddenly get a fever again? I don't want to see you collapsing! You collapsed last time when you used Mode Uranus, right? I don't want that happening when I can be here to catch you. Please? Just let me help you."

Noire sighed. "Fine…" Neptune was really worried about her, and Noire wouldn't push away her goodwill. "I'm sorry for making you worry so much."

Neptune smiled and took a step closer to the girl. "I can never stop worrying about you, Noire. I love you."

Noire blushed and returned the smile. "I love you too, Neptune."

They happily closed in on each other and kissed under the flowing warm water that showered their bodies.

Planeptune, Gamindustri

Place: Virtua Forest

Date: September 11, 2019

Time: 9:13 A.M.

The sun lit up the green land of Leanbox, signifying a bright new day. People moved around early trying to get their day started as the news about the rebellion coming to an end spread around.

Neptune yawned as she stood beside Noire. She rubbed the sleepiness out of her eyes as Vert looked over the documents for them. Tired, Neptune leaned against the black CPU for support as she waited, her eyes slowly drooping close. Noire noticed and wrapped an arm around her waist so the shorter girl doesn't fall over.

Vert read over the documents and quickly signed the papers. She then stamped the Leanbox seal and handed them back to Neptune and Noire.

Seeing that Neptune was still half asleep, Noire took both documents into her hands. "Thank you, Vert."

Vert smiled. "Of course. I am happy to look over your people a bit longer until your nations are back in commission."

"Lastation was reclaimed almost the same night as Lowee, I didn't think construction on my end would take longer," explained the twin-tailed girl.

Vert chuckled. "Well, I'm sure relocating your basilicom took some time."

Noire sighed as she lightly nudged Neptune awake. "Uni really wanted the basilicom near the center. Your documents, Neptune."

The purple CPU took the papers and giggled. "You were the odd one out with your basilicom near the edge of the city."

Noire grumbled, "I liked the scenic view of the grassy fields though…"

"Well, I wish you luck on your new basilicom. Since you are remodeling it, maybe you can give it more character," Vert suggested. "And lose that gigantic satellite dish. It doesn't look good."

Noire frowned. "What do you mean? At least my basilicom wasn't just a box. I'd say your basilicom has the least character, Vert."

The green goddess felt her eye twitch. "I'll have you know my basilicom is based on the look of our console! And it's very elegant."

Noire scoffed. "Pfft! Based on your console? Isn't it the other way around? I'm pretty sure your basilicom came first then the making of your console."

"I'm just saying your basilicom can look more graceful than rustic."

"Why don't you remodel your basilicom before trying to put your taste on mine?" Noire countered.

"Are you guys fiiiiiighting?"

Neptune glanced back to see Plutia walking in with Ultra Noire and Ultra Blanc. "Plutie! Noire and Blanc! Where's everyone else?"

"They're watching the kids in the backyard," Ultra Blanc answered. "We came to see what's going on since you guys were taking a while."

"I was just giving some nice suggestions for Noire's new basilicom, but she just went and insulted my good gesture," Vert voiced.

"I'm pretty sure you insulted my basilicom first," Noire corrected.

"You're remodeling?" Ultra Noire questioned.

"Might as well since my entire city was burnt to the ground. And Uni wanted our home to be more central so the original look won't work when surrounded by so many buildings," Noire explained.

"I can give you some suggestions," Ultra Noire offered.

Noire raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Ultra Noire only shrugged. "I don't mind."

"I'm soooooo happy that you're making new friends, Noire!" Plutia praised.

Ultra Noire blushed as she crossed her arms. "I-I just figured I'd help! Since she did kind of…" she softly grumbled, "save us…"

Noire smiled and accepted the offer. "I'd appreciate some design suggestions. Thank you."

"Then I guess you're staying a little longer?" Ultra Blanc asked the other ultra pair.

Plutia nodded. "I wanna look around Hyperdimension more!"

"This dimension is more advanced than ours, right? I'd like to take some notes while I'm here before we head back."

"You aren't staying?" Neptune asked.

Ultra Blanc replied, "We don't want to keep on intruding on your Vert's home."

Vert waved her hand. "Oh, I do not mind hosting you guys a bit longer if you need."

The brunette shook her head. "Thank you for your hospitality, but Rei, Peashy, Vert, and I plan to head back to check the condition of our dimension. We have to make sure our Gamindustri is fine after your Rei was defeated."

Neptune nodded. "I understand. I guess we won't be seeing each other anymore then…"

Ultra Blanc smiled. "Don't be sad, Neptune. Remember, that portal will be up for a while, so we can still visit each other any time."

Neptune beamed, "You're right!"

The room suddenly shook, catching everyone's attention. A loud explosion could be outside putting everyone on edge.

"W-What the nep was that?!" Neptune questioned with wide eyes.

"Are we under attack?" Ultra Noire shouted.

Everyone hurriedly moved to the balcony. They all squeezed through the glass doors to make it outside and see a deep dent in the white wall of the basilicom. The poor wall was scorched black with smoke emitting from it.

"M-My basilicom!" Vert cried out with shock.

"Oh, goodness! I'm so sorry!"

The group looked up to see Yellow Heart, Purple Sister, Black Sister, and the White Sisters hovering above. They all had a look of shame on their faces.

"What's going on?" Noire asked the candidates.

The younger White Sister started, "It was an accident, right Rom?!"

"Uh-huh. W-We didn't mean to…"

Noire glanced at Black Sister and questioned, "Uni?"

"Um…" Black Sister hesitated.

Noire raised an eyebrow, expecting an answer from her sister.

Black Sister sighed, knowing that she had no excuse. "We were sparring but… one of my attacks accidentally hit the basilicom…"

Noire groaned as she rubbed her head. "Uni…"

Black Sister lowered her head with guilt. She didn't want to disappoint her sister, but this was something that she had to take responsibility for since the attack was fired out from her weapon.

"Wait, Miss Noire, it's not Uni's fault!" Purple Sister jumped in. "I was the one at fault. I was the one that deflected her attack. I didn't look where I was redirecting it and hit Miss Vert's basilicom! It was my mistake!"

Neptune sighed, "Oh, Nep Jr."

Both Purple Sister and Black Sister landed on the balcony and bowed their heads to Vert while shouting, "We're so sorry!"

The White Sisters also joined in. "We're sorry too, Vert!"

"Sorry, Bert," Yellow Heart also said as she floated down.

Vert sighed from seeing all their sorry faces. "It's alright, dears. Mistakes happen, but I hope you all will be careful next time," she said. "So train in an area that won't affect anyone."

"Sorry, Vert," Noire also apologized. "I'll pay for the damages…"

Vert shook her head. "Just owe me a favor instead. You need all the credits you have to rebuild your city."

"I'll make sure to discipline Uni later," Noire stated.

Black Sister whimpered as she knew she was gonna get a huge scolding. She blames this all on Nepgear.

Purple Sister mumbled, "I'm sorry…"

Neptune shook her head. "Oh, Nep jr. Still messing up, I see."

Noire lightly bonked Neptune on the head. "I don't want to hear you say that. You should discipline Nepgear more. I've told you plenty of times already."

Purple Sister flinched as some memories returned to her. "Oh, please no…"

Neptune pouted, "I have disciplined her!"

Noire rolled her eyes. "If you're saying shoving your work onto Nepgear is disciplining, then you aren't doing it correctly. You have to make sure they actually understand what they did wrong!"

The ultra goddesses stood on the sidelines as they remembered how Neptune 'disciplined' Nepgear that one time. They all glanced at Black Sister and wondered if Noire also disciplined Uni the way Neptune disciplined Nepgear. And seeing how Noire was, they also wondered if it was worse than how Neptune disciplined her sister.

"Alright, alright, I'll give her some proper discipline later," Neptune said.

Noire smirked, satisfied with her answer. "Good."

Purple Sister only whimpered with dread. "Uni… everyone… It was nice knowing you."

Black Sister chuckled, "Why are you being so dramatic?"

"Blanc scolds us all the time, right Rom? We're used to it."

"Yes… But I think she scolds you more, Ram," corrected the blue-haired White Sister.

Black Sister smirked, "Yeah, it's just some light scolding."

"Is that really all?" Purple Sister asked her with hope in her eyes. "Is it really just light scolding?"

Black Sister blinked. "Uh, yeah… At least that's how Noire disciplines me…"

"C-Can I be disciplined by Noire?" Purple Sister asked Neptune.

"You want me to discipline you?" Noire rubbed her chin as she hummed. "I mean, I'm not against it. I could transform Nepgear into a great CPU."

Neptune snorted. "Haaa! Whaaaat?! I can discipline Nep Jr. just fine! Besides, I'm her big sister. Disciplining is my job!"

Noire sighed, "I really want to try training Nepgear, but I don't want to take your role as big sister…"

Ultra Blanc gave Purple Sister a look of pity. "Good luck. If you ever need some ice for your tush, I'm sure my counterpart would be happy to have you in her nation."

Black Sister was confused. "Your tush?"

Purple Sister cried, "Noooooooo!"

Author's Note

Let's all pray for Nepgear's tush. may it rest in peace.

Anyway! The next chapter should be the last, if not, maybe chapter 40 will be. Ending it on an even number could be good since I ended LITOW on an odd number. I do want to announce that past Shiena did have a part 3 planned for the Love in Time series. It's a little iffy and incomplete, but it focuses on the candidates. I do have another story that's outside of the Love in Time series that I'm working on, but it's like... so behind and very fresh. It's still in the baby stages while part 3 of the Love in Time series is in its teenage stages. Yeah, both WIP stories need some growing up to do before entering the public eye.

Once LITOH is completed, I might not be posting for a while again since I have no completed chapter/works to post away once this story is done. Maybe I'll try writing one-shots even though one-shots aren't really my thing. Eh, we'll see what future Shiena does. With that said...

Thank you for reading and I'll see you all next chapter! Bye bye!

-Shiena