F3: Welcome to chapter 7 of my Neptunia story. We last left off with Neptune and Nepgear trying to help Histoire and solve whatever is going on with her. I do not own Hyperdimension Neptunia. With that said Let's Get Started.

Chapter 7: Answers.

Inside what appears to be a pocket dimension Croire is currently sitting down on her chair trying to come up with a plan of some sorts that revolves around IF and to teach her about her new powers. However she noticed at the amount of shares that she's collected that it wouldn't be enough to trigger it. So she needed something that could help.

"Ugh! This is much harder than it is. At least I had a better time stealing that little me's power so she wouldn't boggle things up for me. That's the last thing I need." She said as she held in her hand a purple notebook with a black N in the middle of it.

"Besides she's pretty much useless now but keeping her here with me so that nothing happens is another thing. Not even that other Neptune knows where to look for it. Though I'll deal with her momentarily. Right now I need to focus my attention on IF and allowing her to get more shares from the other nations... but how is the question." Croire pondered her thoughts before a thought came into her head.

"Of course. She works for the guild so no doubt they'll be sent on missions especially if say a monster hoard is on it's way to attack a village in Planeptune. Then a small rampage in Leanbox, or even better an outbreak in Lastation. Oh they'll be busy for days with that one. Though I got to give her a reason to go to those places." She pondered again however this time it didn't take her too long to figure out.

"Duh. She believes I'm just a traveler and she can show me all those nations and that's when I'll spring my monsters on them. Perfect." Croire said as she placed the notebook down and opened a rift.

"Though I better get back before she notices I'm gone." She said before stepping through the rift leaving behind her little pocket dimension. Inside the notebook the small version of Croire was struggling against the tape but it became fruitless without having energy to do anything. She only wondered if that dimwit Neptune could figure it out.

=HDN=

Meanwhile Uni and Noire landed in Leanbox in front of the its basilicom as they began walking up the steps toward it. The guards noticed them immediately.

"Miss Noire, Miss Uni? What exactly are you doing in Leanbox?" The guards asked.

"We'd like to talk with Vert. It's quite urgent that we speak with her." Noire said.

The guards nodded "Very well. We shall inform Lady Vert that you're here." He said they went inside the basilicom with the sisters following right behind them.

The inside of the lobby was rather different than Lastations as it was filled with gold decorations and marble statues of figures giving off a regal and modern look.

"Wow. Almost forgot how this place looks on the inside." Uni commented.

"Yep. That's Vert for you. Just as long she doesn't try to steal you again for her dress ups then we'll be fine." Noire replied recalling too many time that happening not only to Uni but to the other canidates as well.

Not long they heard Verts footsteps coming toward them.

"Ah Noire. So what do I owe this pleasure for meeting with you?" Vert asked crossing her arms under her bust.

"Well we've come with some news that you might want to know. Some friends of mine of located where Rei Ryghts could be." Noire said caught Verts attention.

"Are you certain of this?" She asked as the two sisters nodded.

Vert clapped her hands together and smiled big "Splendid! Probably now we can get some answers that we're looking for." Vert replied.

"Let's hope so." Uni added.

"So where is this place then?" Vert questioned.

"Apparently it's within a mountain just outside of Leanbox. They gave me a map of where to go." Noire replied pulling up a map on her phone of showing where to go.

"Hm... I'm not sure but that places looks oddly familiar." Vert muttered almost like she had been their before.

"C'mon we better get going. The quicker we find her the better." Noire replied as the three CPU's left the basilicom.

After leaving the basilicom behind they traveled away from Leanbox capital and out of the city entire entering the wilds. Any monsters that came at them were quickly dispatched before any of them could do harm to them but they still conserved energy incase they encounter something big in the mountains. It was a twenty minute walk for them as they arrived at the mountain side but noticed a cave entrance at the side of it.

"Well here's the place. Matchs the location on the map." Uni said putting away the map.

Vert seemed to hum as she looked at the cave almost like she was trying to remember something.

"Okay as Neptune once said 'Nothing ventured nothing gained.'... I can't believe I just quoted her." Noire said as the three of them entered the cave with their weapons at the ready.

"It's quite dark in here. I can barely see anything in front of me." Vert said.

"Leave that to me." Uni said before calling an acessory to her aide and placed it over her eyes. It was pair of goggles with blue lens and black exterior color as they fit snug over Uni's eyes. On the right side of the goggles are two buttons as she pressed the top bottom as the blue lens suddenly became green.

"Night vision goggles. Helps in really dark caves." Uni said.

"Okay Uni. You're our eyes." Noire replied as Uni lead them through the cave though Vert was starting to remember where they were now.

It wasn't until they were about midway through the cave that they came to a fork in the cave.

"Which way do we go? Left or right?" Uni asked.

"Well... we don't want to get separated so I say we go..." Noire started but Vert spoke up.

"Left. We go left." Vert said confidently.

"You sure?" Uni asked confirming with Vert.

"I'm most certainly sure. I'm not sure how but I think I've been here before somehow." Vert replied.

"Really!? Then why didn't you say so in the first place?" Noire stated.

"I'm not sure but when I went this way I came across a door. Then when I opened it something hit me in the back of my head knocking me out and next thing I remember was being outside Leanbox capital with no memory of this place." Vert explained.

"Hm... must've been a Forget Me Stick that you've been hit with." Uni said.

"Uni now is not the time for a gag joke." Noire scorned.

"No really that what it is. It's a weapon that gives a person a Forget status. Makes them lose a memory temporarly." Uni replied.

"So that must've been what Linda hit with me. Well it won't work a second time. Uni take us to the left." Vert ordered.

Uni did just that leading them down the left path. Nothing happened for a while with no sign of monsters to be seen. They soon saw a small light at the end of the path and much like Vert said before it was a steel door in front of them.

"This must be the door you mentioned." Noire whispered.

"Then I was correct about this." Vert whispered as well. Uni tapped the other button on her goggles switch from nightvision to infar red as she saw a red body waiting at the door holdig something in her hands along with another body in the room.

"They're both in their but Linda is waiting by the door." Uni whispered as she placed a hand on the door knob.

"On three I open the door and Noire you counter her strike. Ready?" Uni said as Noire nodded.

"One... two..." Uni said turning the knob carefully.

"Three!" Uni shouted and flung the door open as Noire charged in and like what Uni predicted Linda came at her with an overhead attack as she summoned her sword and blocked it. Vert was quick calling her spear and pointed it directly at Linda.

"Hold on we don't want to fight!" Noire exclaimed.

"Yeah right. You CPUs never change. Can't leave well enough alone can you." Linda said.

"I suggest you lower your weapon Linda. We know that Rei is here and all we want is answers." Vert stated.

"Right so that you can lock her up. Yeah not happening." Linda growled jumping away from Noire.

"We're too confide in this space. If we battle here it would be good for either of us." Vert reminded.

"Hope you three are ready for a beating cause that's what I'm here to do." Linda said as she was about to charge at them.

"Enough Linda." A female voice stopped her as they all turned to see Rei Ryghts standing before them.

"That's enough. I don't want you getting hurt just for my sake. You've been hurt enough by them." Rei replied wearing a short black one piece dress that curves her body including her bust that matches Verts.

"But... Miss Ryghts." Linda said lowering her baseball bat.

"I know that you did well to protect me but no doubt they've come for answers. More importantly about Project Liberator right." Rei said.

The three of them nodded in response as Noire spoke first dismissing her weapon.

"Yes we do have questions that require answers. Maybe you can help us?" Noire asked.

"I'll answer them to the best of my abilities. But after I'm done answering your questions you leave and never speak of my whereabouts. That's the condition." Rei said sternly folding her arms under her breasts causing them to slightly jiggle.

"We accept." Uni answered.

"Good now why don't you three come in and sit down. I'm sure you have much to ask me." Rei replied as they entered the room and found spaces to sit down although wasn't very happy about it.

"Ask me anything and I'll answer it the best I can." Rei began.

Vert was the first to speak out of the three of them first "This Project Liberator? What was it's goal?" Vert asked.

"Going straight for the obvious one. Well how can I put this into words. Essentially the project was meant for when you four returned from above Gamindustri and to quote on quote 'deal with you' and then install itself as the ruler of all nations. However we came to a realization that if there weren't any problems in the world then it wouldn't progress with conflict if we got rid of you." Rei replied.

"So basically your plan was to overthrow us and rule all the nations under this new... whatever it is." Noire said.

"Yes." Rei simply answered.

"Though what make you start this project in the first place?" Uni asked. Rei flinched at the question at first but then she took a calming breath befoe speaking.

"It was quite a while ago. Five years I think when all of you went to The Great Plains and began your Console War. Me, my husband and my daughter were in Lowee and we've struggled to get through each day. Salvaged any water that we could and hunted any game that was nearby especially during the cold months. But it was all for nothing... our daughter past away in her sleep due to the cold." Rei replied as the CPUs listened with Linda off to the side.

"I was stricken with so much grief I began blaming the goddesses for this entire mess and wished their was something that could be done about it. That's when we met... Dexter Grimm." Rei replied which made Noire go wide eyed.

"Wait a minute! Him!" Noire said raising her voice.

"You know him sis?" Uni asked.

"Yeah. He was a professor at Lastation in the R&D department but was exiled because of illegal experimentation." Noire answered.

"That's when he came up with a plan to start Project Liberator. He knew just how strong you CPU's were so we, alongside other scientists decided to create a CPU of our own to counter you." Rei stated then she suddenly became saddened.

"If only we realized what we've created." Rei replied.

Uni was the next one to ask her question.

"What changed your mind? I mean you're hiding down here so something must've happened to change your mind." Uni asked.

Rei took a moment to compose herself before she answered.

"After we sucessfully created the infant we started a growth cycle. It was a long cycle meant for it to grow within a few months. However... looking at the infant made me realize just how wrong my anger was misplaced." She started with a sigh and looked away.

"My husband must've realized it too so we came up with a plan to escape with the creation. We both understood that we had to separate for a while that most was certain. So I provided a distraction allowing my husband to escape with the subject. Still to this day I want to be with him but I know that he might still be out their looking for the both of us." Rei replied.

"So what you're saying is that your husband still has the subject but you don't know where he his." Uni said.

"Actually I know exactly where he is. Just because we are separated doesn't mean I keep tabs on him." Rei replied.

"Perfect. Then you'll tell us where he is then?" Vert asked.

"Absolutely not! That remains with me and no I will not tell you his name either. I'm sorry but I just can't risk it." Rei said rather appalled by the question.

"Why not?" Noire asked.

"Probably because her husband is trying to raise the subject you geniuses." Linda retorted at them.

Uni turned to Linda "Nobody asked you to comment!" She shouted.

Vert then spoke again to Rei "Miss Ryghts. You must understand that something that we don't know is stealing our shares from our nation. We know that it isn't any of us nor is it Blanc or Neptune but we do know that its a fifth share energy signal doing it." Vert said.

"That is not my problem. Now if I've answered all of your questions I want you all to leave. Now." Rei said sending them a glare that sent shivers down their spines.

"Alright... we'll leave. We won't tell anyone that your here. Just as promise." Noire said as the three CPU's left the small home that Rei and Linda made for themselves.

"You really think they won't tell where you are?" Linda asked.

"I'm sure they won't. There word is law to them." Rei said before letting out a deep sigh.

"I think I'm going to bed. You should too Linda." Rei added.

"Yeah I think I'll take the couch this-" Linda said but Rei already grabbed hold of her.

"Oh no you don't. This time you're sleeping with me tonight." Rei replied as Linda's face became bright red.

"B-But... are you sure?" Linda questioned.

"You seemed to not have trouble with that the last time. After all you laid on these the whole time." Rei said pushing up her breasts. Linda gulped nervously well knowing that she didn't have much of a choice.

=HDN=

The three CPU's left the cave and began their walk back to Leanbox but that doesn't mean they were in a happy mood.

"Argh! All we found out that she involved in that things creations. What are we supposed to do now?" Noire questioned.

"Well... she did asked for her privacy. We should at least respect that." Vert replied.

"Yeah I know but I mean about this fifth CPU. If it turns into a threat then we might have to act. Lastations shares aren't getting low thankfully but it'll still be a problem if they get any lower." Noire mentioned.

"Then I'll return to my basilicom and see what I can dig up. That Linda did mention something about her husband raising the subject. Maybe it'll be in a database." Vert replied.

"We'll do some more digging too. We'll also let both Blanc and Neptune know about this too. Maybe they'll come up with a solution." Noire said as she and Uni transformed into their CPU forms and flew off back to Lastation but planning to make a stop at Planeptune.

Meanwhile at Planeptune Neptune and Nepgear were working on making sure that Histoire was okay as she was still burning up. Like what Neptune said she called Compa who luckily made a trip to Planeptune for urgent business and made a stop by Planeptune as she was now checking over Histoire as Neptune and Nepgear looked on.

Compa returned to them after examining over Histoire and she has a rather worried look.

"So... what's the verdict?" Neptune asked.

"She's severally overheated and isn't responding. Her body must be worn down that the cooling process is taking a lot longer than it should." Compa replied.

"Then what are we supposed to do? We can't leave her in this state can we?" Neptune asked actually worried about her oracle.

"I'm not sure but I'm afraid Histoire's going to remain like this until something is done. Sorry Nep-Nep." Compa said.

"Thank you anyway Compa. I'm sure we'll find something to help her." Nepgear said as Compa left the two of them to worry about Histy.

"Oh man... what to do?" Neptune questioned as she tried to rack her brain on what she could do.

However that was when Nepgear got an idea and it might just help with Histoire.

"Neptune... I have an idea that could work but we need to take Histoire down to my lab." Nepgear answered.

"Wait... you're not planning on disecting her are you?" Neptune questioned suspiciously.

"What!? No! I have something that'll help her! C'mon." Nepgear said as Neptune grabbed hold on Histoire and followed her sister toward her lab.

It was a quick five minute walk as they came to a door with a keypad to the right as Nepgear inputted the combination. The door lock disabled and opened as they entered Nepgears lab.

It was quite big even with all the clutter around. There was a work bench with some parts of a weapon Nepgear was working along with other assortment of parts from other machines that Nepgear has taken apart but Neptune noticed something ahead that made freeze in place.

In front of her appears to be a young girl that is about 4'4 with long blonde hair, tied into a ponytail. On the head is that of a butterfly-shaped hairband along with wearing a white dress with blue and purple stripes and white triangle details at the end of the skirt. On the legs are white leggings along with black and blue heels. Her eyes were currently closed so they couldn't tell the eye color. Despite the body being small it has a moderate C cup.

"Um... sis what is this?" Neptune asked.

"Well... this was my project that Histy had me working on. Though it was meant for something else but... we can use this for Histoire." Nepgear stated.

"Um... okay and just how are we supposed to do that?" Neptune asked confused at this.

"Well the best thing we can do is to transfer Histoire's data into this body here. We just have to plug in the one from Histoire to this body and start the data transfer. Hopefully I calibrated all of it correctly." Nepgear replied as she grabbed the proper connecting cord.

"Set Histoire here." She said as Neptune sat her on the table. Nepgear inserted the first part of the cord into Histoires mouth before then going over to the other body and inserted the other half just above the cleavage.

"Alright connections ready." Nepgear stated before going over to the computer nearby and pressed a key.

"Starting tranfer." She said as a progress bar came up along with the estimation of how long it will take which was two hours.

"This'll take some time so we should wait for until the transfers completed." Nepgear replied.

"I'll go grab some snacks and a movie." Neptune said quickly leaving the lab while her sister waited. Hopefully her idea would help safe their oracle and she also wondered how she'll react to her new body.

F3: Looks like Noire, Uni, and Vert had found answers but not what they were expecting. Also Histoire is getting an upgraded body. Let me know in the comments of how this story is going and don't forget to follow and/or favorite as well. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm Out.