"Alright… We got some investigating to do!" Neptune declared. Compa raised her arm with Neptune. While IF smiled softly at their antics. "Well, we gotta look into Transformation Magic first. Maybe we can find some type of lead," IF said. Compa looked at her. "Wait, you don't mean…?" Compa asked. "Yup, the Basilicom, don't be a baby, as long as we behave ourselves we should be fine. It's a semi-public place after all," IF assured them.
At the mentions of the Basilicom, Neptune immediately looked in its direction. "It's that giant tower looking thing, right?" Neptune asked. IF gave her a look and nodded. "Yeah… You know your stuff alright. But the Basilicom isn't a tower. It's also a church…-" IF was cut off by Neptune listing off the rest of the Basilicom's purpose. "-Library, government building, and home of the goddess, yada yada yada," she rattled off boredly. IF held up her finger to shush Compa who wanted to say something.
They took a train to the Basilicom. Heading out of the station and into the building. The Basilicom had a large atrium that goes up many floors. "The floors we can see are all the public access points. Anything else above that is made for people higher up on the chain," IF explained. Before they went over to the receptionist.
"Hey, we would like to speak with Lady Histoire." IF asked, showing her Guild ID. The receptionist looked at the party gathered in front of her. "I'm afraid she is unavailable at the moment, I could point you in the right direction in the public records if that'll help."
Neptune nodded, the name Histoire bringing up mixed emotions inside of her. "Anything on Transformation Magic? And say, where is this Lady Histoire? Why is she out?" Neptune asked. "Oh um…. Official Oracle business, stuff an employee like me doesn't know. Hey! You wanted books on Transformation Magic right?! Go to Terminal J3-1960 and I will link you some research records!" She said, clearly flustered as she typed away at her computer. Completely ignoring the four.
So they do as she instructed. Heading to the terminal, IF sitting down and opening the attachments sent to the computer. She began to look through them. "Okay, yeah, Transformation Magic occurs when someone gathers magical energy into themselves then apparently unlock latent potential, breaking their limits for a short amount of time. Resulting in a temporary physical alteration…" IF read out.
"Okay… Transformation Magic doesn't make huge alterations. Maybe makes you a bit beefier, changes your hair and eye color, etc. Nothing major," IF paraphrased the rest. As she sighed at the lack of concrete leads. Just information anyone can get that doesn't point them in any direction.
IF leaned back in the chair. Nothing seems to explain why Neptune changed so drastically when she transformed. She then leaned forward and continued to read. "...The only Transformation Magic non accessible to humans is HDD, Hard Drive Divinity. It is the potential of a Console Patron Unit(CPU) unleashed, allowing the Goddess to shed her humanity to bring divine intervention… Shed her humanity…" IF muttered.
"Okay, all of it adds up, but there's only one way to prove it…" IF continued to mutter to herself. In complete concentration. Neptune and Compa leaned in to see what IF was searching for in the database of the Basilicom. 'Public appearances of Purple Heart.' Compa gasped at IF's hunch. Neptune just had a glazed look in her eye.
Images popped up of a voluptuous woman with purple eyes, long purple hair divided into two long braids. With other people, like a twin tailed woman the size of a young girl sitting on a book. A woman in a purple cloak and hood covering her face. "...Purple Heart…" IF gasped. They all looked at Neptune. Her transformation matches Purple Heart down to the exact details.
Without looking, Neptune sat down in the nearest chair and deeply exhaled. IF looked back at her, and her slowly building excitement vanished. "Is something wrong?" asked Compa. IF nodded and responded, "What do you think her current state means for Planeptune?" "Her current state should be fine, not a scratch on the outside and I can't imagine that one tube would've been too much of a problem…" Compa said with a shrug.
Neptune looked up at Compa, "Excuse me, what tube?" Compa scratched her head nervously, "Well, when I had to do that impromptu surgery on you, I found this weird machinery coexisting with your natural organs. It all extended out of this one core inside your ribcage, opposite to your heart." IF and Neptune stared at Compa blankly. Compa pulled up a series of photos on her phone, all of Neptune's insides. There were very clearly artificial components irreversibly mixed in with her organs, seemingly made of the exact same rubbery material as the suit she was wearing in her other form. The core Compa spoke of clearly had a light in the shape of the power symbol commonly used to represent a CPU. IF facepalmed, and Neptune stood up in front of Compa, "...And ya really couldn't tell us about this sooner?"
Compa chuckled nervously and continued, "You see, in order to get at your Pulmonary Artery, I had to cut one of the tubes going out of that core and–" "YOU WHAT?!" shouted Neptune, before suddenly collapsing. "Oh no, Nep-Nep what's wrong?" Compa asked while IF muttered a number of expletives to herself. Neptune looked up at the two, "Good news, I figured out what that tube did. Sorta. …No more emotional outbursts from me, least for now."
IF looked out a window, "Well as long as you're feeling alright, we should check on Netherrealm. I've got a bad feeling about his situation regarding those families." Neptune shook her head, "Wait, before that. Didn't they say the Oracle was also gone?" "If there's anyone who can contact her… I've heard the CPUs can do remote communication like any old cellphone," responded IF while stroking her chin. Neptune nodded, trying to somehow contact her Oracle. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the artifact from Arfoire, feeling a faint presence.
Hello~? Anyone home?
Neptune felt something, someone trying to communicate with her.
Histoire, that you? It's Neptune.
Neptune… Yes, it is me. I'm glad you're safe. And I take it Arfoire has been dealt with?
Sort of, she got away but a friend of mine grabbed this thing from her. Are you somehow inside?
Partially. Arfoire kidnapped me, and placed me inside of this pocket-dimension prison. She then seems to have taken the device which created it apart to ensure I couldn't be brought back. It's taking all my power to even form coherent thoughts, I don't believe I can keep this up much longer.
Any idea where I can find the rest of–
Neptune's silent conversation was interrupted by IF, "Neptune, we gotta go. Now." Neptune looked up at her, "What's up?" IF held up one of her phones, "Just got a call, Netherrealm got jumped at his apartment. They're not there to give him a warning." The three left the terminal on the Transformation Magic page and started to head toward the exit of the Basilicom.
Neptune, I'm afraid that I'm out of time. It'll be a while before we can communicate like…
Histoire was gone. IF continued, "Even with the two of us I don't think we can take on that whole family after our scuffle with Arfoire, but we might at least be able to get Netherrealm out of there in one piece and find asylum with the Guild for now."
Neptune stopped, and pulled her hoodie out enough to see her bare chest underneath. In the darkness a faint purple glow was visible, pulsing through the wires and tubes under her skin in sync with her heartbeat. She looked back up at IF and Compa who had also stopped to ask what she was doing, "You two go ahead. IF, help fight. Compa, assume Netty is getting hurt as we speak. I've got a plan."
IF opened her mouth to order Neptune to join them, but stopped and nodded. The two ran off, and Neptune turned the opposite way toward a locked elevator. IF shook her head, "To be honest I have no idea what she's thinking, but uh, she is the CPU so… I guess we gotta listen."
Meanwhile, with Netherrealm, he soon entered his apartment tenant. The receptionist wasn't there. In fact, no one was there. The lights were on, music playing, yet there was not a trace of human life. Netherrealm sat down on a couch in the reception area. As McDowell came inside. He sat down in front of Netherrealm. Both were silent for a second. "You got the money?" McDowell asked. Netherrealm scoffed with a smile. His blood was pumping. He realized why we wasn't scared. It wasn't dissatisfaction with his life. "We both know how Blood Law works… Spare me your lies…" Netherrealm sneered.
McDowell sighed in disappointment. Before he raised up a lighter. He opened it and with a flick of the thumb, a small flame was dancing from it. As men in various clothes, biker looking men, suited men, fat and muscular men, skinny and average men. "I really liked ya Netters, but you killed the Boss's son. Can't let that slide now can we?" McDowell asked with a shrug. Netherrealm grabbed the wrist of a fat man attempting to grab him by the throat. He then kicked a man away who tried to rush him down from the side and pushed the fat man away.
He got out of his seat and walked in front of the receptionist desk. "Haha.. You all want my blood so bad?" Netherrealm asked as he pointed at everyone. He then got into a loose stance. Wiping his nose with his thumb. "Come take it!" He challenged. McDowell smirked as he stood up. Reaching into his pocket to bring out brass knuckles. Putting them on he got into a Muay Thai stance.
"So you're not gonna go quietly? Good, would be a shame if taking the head of a Dragon was easy," McDowell said with a bloodthirsty smile. Netherrealm realized what that rush is, excitement. To go out swinging with everything he has. Even though his life meant nothing. He can be satisfied in the fact that he went out on his own terms.
BGM: Burly Brawl (The Matrix Reloaded)
Two hands slapped onto Netherrealm's shoulders as he ducked down. Avoiding a hook aimed at his head. Netherrealm delivered one backfist to the rib of the man to the right and another to the left. He went up and round kicked a man in the jaw, sending him to the ground. He walked back for a bit into the hallways as he began blocking multiple blows aimed for him by the crowd of criminals. His shadow acting as an afterimage to block what he can't react to. Then as the crowd filed back, McDowell jumped to the front. Netherrealm crossed his arms to block a flaming punch from above.
Muspel Family
Netherrealm kicked McDowell away. As he elbowed a man's attempted kick down. Then weaved under a swing and turned around to kick a man in the jaw. Making him spin in the air. As another hand landed on his shoulder. Netherrealm grabbed the arm and twisted it, before throwing the man over his shoulder into the crowd. He dove back to avoid a fireball headed his way. He landed on his hands and backflipped over a swing from a crowbar which got caught in the wall. He elbowed that man in the head. Before wrenching the crowbar out of the wall. Knocking someone out with the momentum of pulling it out.
He shuffled back and flipped the crowbar so he grabbed onto the goose neck. He spun it around like a tonfa. Before pointing it forward. He smirked as it stopped a guy in his tracks. Then Netherrealm spun it and smacked him unconscious. Before breaking a wrist with that swing. He then side kicked that guy in the ribs. More men began to pile through. As Netherrealm began to spin and swing his makeshift tonfa. Taking out more guys. Before McDowell gave Netherrealm a flaming uppercut. Making him crash through the ceiling.
He flew up and rolled across the floor when he landed. He looked at the crowbar as he took a breath. Before standing up, shaking, he heard the elevators dinging. As men came out of the elevators in front of him and behind him. He cursed his luck as his clone jumped up from behind Netherrealm with an uppercut to a man's jaw. Netherrealm stood back to back with his clone. As he spun his tonfa crowbar and grabbed a man. Putting him in an armbar after he threw a punch. He kneed the man in the chest and tossed him away after a spin to the guys behind him. Who were held off by the clone.
Netherrealm blocked a punch with a crowbar from a fat man. Sending him flying through walls. Drywall fell into him. He checked the crowbar to see that it was bent. He tossed it in front of him, knocking a man out as they were charging at him. He looked next to him to see a cowering family with a crying baby. He felt the heat rise as fireballs began flying towards him. Netherrealm's hands began to be coated in black flames as he stood in a sturdy stance. He took a deep breath before pushing his palms forward with a kiai, his palms struck the fireballs. His black flames consuming orange as it rocketed back towards the goons. Making them all lose their minds as they began to burn.
The fire alarm rang out as sprinklers sprayed down. "Mr. Netherrealm?" The wife of the family asked in shock. Netherrealm looked at their crying baby. Before his eyes darted for a weapon in his momentary reprieve. The man got up and scrambled to the side. Handing Netherrealm two kitchen knives. He gave the man a nod of thanks. Before he rushed back into the fray into the hallway.
More men stepped over and onto the , frightened yet breathing bodies of their comrades. As Netherrealm began swiping the air with the knives. Leaving shallow gashes before he took some men out with a wide round kick to multiple in front of him. He cried out as someone stabbed him in the back of the knee. Before kicking the knife in deeper. Netherrealm swung around and slashed the man across the cheek. Then punching him in the face.
His clone came out of his shadow once more as men had run up the stairs. Bursting through the door and piling into the hallway. Netherrealm swiped his arm to redirect a punch from McDowell. He then rolled across McDowell's back and stabbed a man in the stomach. Before spinning the other knife into a reverse grip and stabbed it in the back of McDowell's knee.
Netherrealm then dove into a portal below to go up a couple of floors. He limped across the hallway as Mrs. Lovett peaked out of her door. "Netherrealm?! Please, the Muspel Family barged in and told us all to stay inside of our rooms! Please drive them out!" She pleased. "Here, let me get this out for you…" she said as she pulled the knife out of his leg. He yelled before she shoved a cookie into his mouth. He felt the bleeding stop and his skin close. She then handed him a broomstick. "Drive them out and I'll make more," she promised before she closed the door.
Netherrealm smirked and dove back down into a portal. Right to the floor below. Intercepting the party chasing after him. With the sweeper end of the broomstick he pushed a guy down as Netherrealm fell out of the portal. He then spun it around him, smacking other guys to the ground. Before he held it like a walking stick. He then kicked the sweeper end and now he had a bo staff.
He spun it around him and above him before it rested sideways on his shoulder. One hand out in front of him as he got into a low stance. As fireballs flew at him from magic users of the Muspel Family. Netherrealm had the Shadow Clone come up to take the hits. Making it vaporize into black mist. Making a small smokescreen for Netherrealm to rush in. As he started knocking men down left and right. Spinning the bo-staff with expert precision. As he broke bones, caused concussions, he was a whirlwind of pure destruction.
He then stopped to take a breather. As it seemed it was clear. However a hand landed on Netherrealm's shoulder behind him. Before McDowell could turn Netherrealm around to knock him down with a punch. The Shadow Clone rose up, grabbed McDowell by the shoulder and sent him tumbling to the ground with a punch. "Is that all you got boys?! You wanna face the boss and say that we couldn't kill the man who killed his son?!" McDowell exclaimed as the previously knocked out and injured men began to rise again.
Netherrealm sighed and spun the staff as the battle began again. He was moving back as he spun the staff and smacked hands away. Before he thrust it into the stomach of McDowell. Then Netherrealm brought it back to block a punch from a burned fat man. Who broke the bo staff in two. However Netherrealm just tossed the two sticks into the air as be backflipped away. Then he caught the sticks. As he swung them for a second. Before pointing one forward and rested one on his shoulder.
His two arms became independent entities yet entirely connected. As he blocked, parried, and striked with the sticks. Knocking more men down as Netherrealm ducked down so the Shadow Clone could fly out of a portal above Netherrealm's head for a flying kick straight to McDowell's dome. A man jumped up and yelled "People's elbow!" As he elbow dropped Netherrealm down floor after floor.
Netherrealm windmilled his way back to his feet. As a door opened to his side. A man tossed out a baseball bat for Netherrealm. He caught it and swung. Knocking the man who sent him through the floors unconscious. He then ran through the halls. As he began to lure the Muspel Family into a choke point. But they just refuse to quit. Netherrealm put that baseball bat to good use. Until it broke from an ambushing punch from McDowell. Who tackled Netherrealm through a wall. Holding the kitchen knife Netherrealm used on him. He stabbed it down at Netherrealm. Who caught McDowell's wrist and kicked him away into a crowd of goons.
Netherrealm then flipped the knife blade first. Piercing it and making it explode into shards of glass. Piercing the skin of a lot of men. He ran to the side and as he thought he ditched that crowd. He ran into a clothesline. Netherrealm fell onto his back and rolled back away from a downward swing of an axe. That got stuck in the floor. Netherrealm kicked that man in the head. Before pulling the axe out to block a katana strike. Netherrealm kicked the man off of him. Before side stepping a thrust, as he grabbed the man by the wrist and tossed him out the window. Taking the katana from him. He then held an axe in one hand and a katana in the other.
Breathing heavily as he one eye got blinded by blood dripping down his head. As his body is battered, cut open. His SP is exhausted. McDowell stepped forward. Before rushing Netherrealm. He punched through the katana swing. Making the blade lodge itself into the shoulder of a goon. Before Netherrealm swung the axe. McDowell back stepped from it. Then broke Netherrealm's arm with a punch to the forearm. Netherrealm then yelled as black flames engulfed his good hand. He punched the ground and made an explosion of desperation.
Breaking the floor under him as he fell back to the first floor. Back where it started. Netherrealm used one hand to crawl along the floor. As the bodies of men fell around him. Yet they were getting up and surrounding him.
BGM End.
McDowell stepped in front of the crowd. As it was him and Netherrealm in the middle. "Ya know, ya gave it your all. Damn shame we gotta waste talent like you… but not really," McDowell said a he flipped Netherrealm onto his back with his foot. He then stomped on Netherrealm's chest. As McDowell was handed a katana. "This is the sword of Planeptune. Outsiders like you should be aware, Purple Heart uses this type of sword so we adopted it…" McDowell mused.
"So die by the sword of a goddess you hate and who hates you…" McDowell said with a sadistic smile as he held the point right in front of Netherrealm's left eye.
"You hate, maybe. Hates you, I have to contest that," said IF as she slowly walked in with Compa following. McDowell turned around and looked to see them. He kept his sword pointed at Netherrealm's eye. "Oh really now? You two are his friends, right? Where's the third one?" He asked as he pressed his foot on Netherrealm's chest harder. "No clue, you've seen her enough to know she'd forget everything and go after whatever catches her eye. But don't play dumb here, you know me better than that," replied IF as she showed her Guild ID. "Palling around with Guild Members? Ai-Yai-Yai-Yai Netters, you're more of a degenerate than I thought. Fitting for a Loweeanite," McDowell commented. Before taking his foot off of Netherrealm's chest. Pointing the katana at IF.
"Netherrealm has been assisting in my current operation, killing or otherwise rendering him unusable is an act of sabotage and will be reacted to as such by the Guild, your entire family will also be forwarded to applicable Guild agents and Planeptune investigators as a suspect for cooperation with the primary suspect," explained IF.
"You think that badge will scare me? I have taken out more Guild Fucks than you think," McDowell threatened. IF glared at him, "She's suspected of high treason. Even if you've got nothing to do with her, that severity may be the perfect excuse to finally bring you all in for everything else. After that, do you really think you can still buy your way out?"
McDowell frowned and was still for a second. "You got guts, I'll give ya that. You're going out of your way to help some degenerate Loweeanite," McDowell commented. Before getting into a fighting stance. "But what makes you think you'll live to bring us in? We'll kill you two, Netters, and then walk on our way out," McDowell replied with a smile on his face. A similar one Netherrealm had when his back was against the wall. If there's one thing these Crime Families have that is admirable, is their willingness to stick to ideals until the end. The criminal band of brothers bound together through shared ideals against the world is an attractive quality, no doubt.
"Netherrealm is no different. It's why he decided to go down swinging. And so have we, because he has earned that same respect from us," IF said with a determined smile. McDowell noticed something glowing and looking down to see a circle of fire magic forming on the floor around Netherrealm. McDowell held his hand out as a similar fire circle formed beneath IF and Compa. Fire was the Muspel Family speciality. It was a standoff.
IF sighed, "I never thought this was gonna be how it could end. But I'm sure mom and dad are gonna be proud regardless of what happens. If I'm dying here, I'll take all of you bastards with me!" IF held up her fingers to snap as Compa prepared to make a break for Netherrealm. "Fucking adorable," McDowell scoffed as he pointed two fingers at IF. Ready to curl them upwards to activate the spell.
But before either of them could, a spotlight came through a large hole in a wall, mounted on a police VTOL. A voice followed through a megaphone, "Everyone drop your weapons, and put your hands where we can see them!" IF gave Compa a confused look as both compiled, "Too late, I guess? Forgot to bribe the cops this time or something?" McDowell had a deadly frown. The police shouldn't be here. They made sure of that. Unless something changed, but what? "This is why ya should've just died quickly Netters!" McDowell scolded harshly.
Another voice, familiar to IF, Compa, and Netherrealm came from above. "Guild Agent IF was correct before. I do not hate Netherrealm. And my preferred weapon will not be used to take his life," said the unmistakable silhouette of Purple Heart as she lowered to float in front of the spotlight, highlighted by her glowing wings and pulses of Share Energy coursing through her Processor.
McDowell took off his sunglasses to make sure he wasn't seeing things. "... Ain't no fucking way…" he muttered in awe. IF laughed, "Oh, that's where you went." Every goon, that had all been, sliced, and bruised by Netherrealm all in unison stared at her. Purple Heart gracefully landed inside the building, "I suppose I offer Planeptune an apology, being absent for so long has allowed scum like yourselves to take control of my institutions. I will thank all of you though, for gathering here to make the first destruction of a Family so easy."
Purple Heart tapped the divine katana sheathed on her hip, McDowell dropped his sword and fell to his knees. As did every other criminal at Purple Heart's command. It was like a weight brought them down. The weight of divine law. Purple Heart concluded her statement as a SWAT team entered the building, "Netherrealm is hereby pardoned of all crimes by order of the CPU of Planeptune. The rest of you… not so much."
McDowell and the hit squad were all cuffed. Then dragged to their feet. Being filed out of the apartment buildings. Netherrealm stared at Purple Heart in shock as his head fell back. Some of the tenants were watching the whole thing, carrying more makeshift weapons slowly walked out, in front of Netherrealm. Blocking him from Compa, IF, and mostly Purple Heart. "L-Lady Purple Heart, please spare Netherrealm. He was just defending us. He didn't do anything wrong. He's always been looking out for us," A skinny, rat like man chattered in fear as he held an iron pipe tightly. Another one stepped up, "he took out the Vanir Family when they were extorting us and kept other families from moving in…" Mrs. Lovett stepped forward, "when my husband and son died, he was there for me, he's a good boy, don't execute him." She pleaded before getting on all fours in front of Purple Heart. Do the people fear her that much?
Purple Heart nodded, "I suppose you all didn't hear me before. I will, on one condition." "Anything, My Lady!" A woman cried out as she held her five year old daughter's hand. Who had her fingers in her mouth as she stared at Netherrealm in curiosity. "Mrs. Lovett," said Purple Heart, singling her out. "I have heard good things from Netherrealm about your cookies, it would be a pleasure to try them sometime soon," said Purple Heart with a friendly smile. IF facepalmed, "And you were on such a roll Nep…" Mrs. Lovett gave a warm, tearful smile. "Of course, My Lady," she agreed.
The four of them left the severely damaged apartment complex through a random back door, IF and Compa helping Netherrealm walk while Neptune went ahead to make sure nobody was looking. She suddenly stopped and put a hand to her chest, "Woah, something feels real good." IF nodded, "Pictures of you have made it online, you're probably the biggest story in all of Gamindustri right now. Returning in such a positive way is probably causing your people's faith to soar, more Shares for you." Neptune giggled, "I had no idea what I was doing up there." IF saw reporters gathering in front of the apartments and shivered, "Thank the Goddess we got out of there before the press rolled up." Neptune blinked in surprise, "Oh, you're welcome." IF shook her head, "Actually I'm from Leanbox, I worship Green Heart." Neptune gave her a blank stare before being distracted by a voice in her head.
Hello? Neptune, can you hear me?
Oh, hey Histy. Back pretty soon, huh?
Indeed, you seem to be receiving a large boost in Shares as we speak. It has strengthened our connection and thus given me the strength to talk to you again far sooner than I expected to. I was even able to reach out myself rather than wait for you.
That's great, was worried I missed something. So, where were we?
I believe you asked where you could find the other pieces of my prison.
Right, but it would probably be better if we all could get that info. Lemme see what I can do.
Neptune took the part out of her pocket and held it out for everyone to see. Her eyes and the blood vessels in her hand began to glow as a tiny blonde girl with twintails was projected from her hand and the part, lacking any clothing but too blurry for any of them to see anything. Neptune introduced her, "This is Histoire, my Oracle who is currently trapped in this thing. She looks all glitchy because this thing that trapped her was taken apart by Arfoire, it's why I can't get her out either."
Histoire nodded and spoke via Neptune's mouth in a different voice, "Neptune is correct, Arfoire likely deconstructed my prison as a measure to prevent my release. The other pieces, I don't know their exact whereabouts but I can feel them, far away. All are east of here, but two are also far north and south. That likely means they've been left in the other CPUs' possession, so obtaining them will be a long and difficult task."
Netherrealm interrupted her, "And you expect us to join you on this big journey, just because we've gotten to know Neptune?" Histoire nodded, "I know that none of you are under any obligation to assist Neptune and I in any way, but if you do we will be sure to reward you all handsomely, relieving all debts you may have and far more. That is, on top of Neptune paying all expenses for the trip."
Compa immediately raised her hand, "Medical school can wait, I'd be happy to help Nep-Nep out!" Netherrealm looked back at his cheap, now destroyed apartment, then at the shining Basilicom, piercing the clouds in the distance. The sleek, powerful motorcycle IF was hoping to get popped into her head. After a moment the two responded in sync, "I'm in."
Histoire smiled, "You've found yourself a fun group of friends, Neptune. I'm glad. As for Arfoire, I'm sorry about what happened between us. Hopefully we can stop her before she's too far gone." Neptune's smile faded as she realized that Histoire didn't know the whole situation. She hesitated for a moment then spoke, "Histy, I'm sorry. But I've lost everything." Histoire turned to face her, "Neptune, what do you mean?" Neptune took a deep breath, then told Histoire all she needed to know, "I just recently remembered I was a CPU." Histoire's eyes widened as Neptune continued, "Until we spoke earlier… I had no idea who you were."