At the Basilicom, The Gang and Neptune regrouped, meeting up with HIstoire.

"I see…" Histoire said, "So, it got to everyone, including B-Sha. Neptune and Nepgear are lucky they weren't slaves."

Asahi said, "Now that we know what and how he uses the OB Chips for, the next step is to stop him. His base is still standing, but…" Steven added, "If we don't stop his plan soon, Gamindustri will be a X-rated NSFW Paradise."

Neptune agreed, "Right! And with The Gang on my side, we'll save all of Gamindustri!"

Histoire said, "But… leaving Nepgear and Blanc in the base is wise?"

"Cut me some slack, Histy!" Neptune whined, "Nep Jr. wanted to save her!"

Mundy said, "She's right, Histoire. Nepgear volunteered to save Blanc, who's fighting Rom & Ram. The rest of us chose to leave, with the injured."

Histoire smiled, "Well, I'm glad no harm was done. But I was confused… How and why did B-Sha, Rom & Ram, and Uni all got brainwashed?"

Mizuki said, "Our guess, someone was watching from the outside. We viewed the area and learned that he has security cameras in both indoors and outdoors. He was watching our every move."

Kim sobbed, "Poor Uni… K-Sha…"

Jace asked, "And what of the rest? I should've gone back there and saved Nepgear."

Peter said, "You did what your heart tells you. You couldn't risk yourself, because Nepgear wants this alone." Mizuki said, "Obviously torn over what happened to Uni."

Farra growled, "Dammit. Here we are, taking a breather, while Mr. OB Chips is plotting his next attempt! Histoire, I know we're not supposed to bail, but let us go back there!"

Histoire said, "I am sorry… but no. Now that we learned of Chase Craver's evil ambitions, we have to plan what comes next. Luckily, I was able to procure a diagram of the base's structure, and learned more of its origins."

Asahi asked, "Lemme guess… You have three days to uncover it?"

Histoire said, "Correct. Give me three days to give you the full rundown of–."
BANG!
Mundy fired a shot upwards and roared, "THREE DAYS ISN'T LONG! IF WE WAIT THREE DAYS, IT'LL BE OVER, ANYWAYS!"

Mizuki cried, "No! He's right! We have to do this quickly!"

Histoire moaned, "Please don't shoot up my Basilicom, if you're going to be desperate…"

Peter said, "Histoire has a point… but if we don't hurry, Chase will launch his plan, right away."

Neptune cried, "Nep-whaaaaaaa? Wait a sec! You guys don't get it! All bad guys wait a day or two to map out their master plan! You don't rush the story! Besides… Neptune is here to save the day, after all. This guy wants me, after all."

Cassandra nodded, "Good point. But… From our world, we go right into it, since the bad guys always plan ahead." Mizuki stated, "Besides, we've beaten worse villains with our hands tied, by the skin of our teeth."

Jace said, "Well, I vote we rush in now, and NOT LATER!"
Mundy said, "I second it."
Farra cried, "Same!"
Mizuki said, "And I agree!"

The rest of The Gang strongly disagreed, as they said, "Not in that attitude."

Kim cried, "Histoire's right. We're rushing things. That's why we need to plan our next move."

Peter said, "God knows what Chase is up to next."

Steven said, "Asa, you agree, right?" Asahi said to him, "Right. Three days isn't long."

Farra moaned, "So, we're just gonna sit on our asses, until Histy here starts to decipher this map?"

Histoire gasped, "You too?"

Neptune chuckled, "I like the way you think, Farra!" Farra glared at her, "Don't talk to me."

"Whoa… sorry…" Neptune winced, "Scary…"

Steven said to Histoire, "I apologize if this is sudden, but we'll take the three days, as long as Chase doesn't rush sooner on his master plan."

Jace said, "What I'm curious about is how she got in the building."

Histoire said, "Well, to ask that question, the moment the others left to join you, I took the liberty of monitoring the secret base. While it is a huge mountain tower, I have discovered that this building also has a satellite on the top. But whatever it is, maybe something inside will tell us the details. As soon as Neptune, Nepgear, Blanc, and K-Sha stepped in, I secretly snuck in and analyzed the huge building, from top to bottom. It's only twelve stories tall, and there's also a huge command center way up on top. And that is all you need to know. There's more to this building, which is why I'm getting a full detailed map of the place, so we can learn his next attempt." She added, "But fighting against guards from Leanbox, Lastation, and Lowee, it'll be much more difficult. Chase Craver must've offered them a new home, upon the capture of Vert, Noire, & Blanc. Blanc escaped, but Vert & Noire… And to make matters worse…"

"C-Sha and S-Sha were also taken." Mizuki said.

Histoire moaned, "How they were displayed in a huge figurine display, it was horrific… and despicable."

Steven growled, "Damn… I know he's a pervert, but this? Kim never said there was a figurine display!"

Kim barked, "Uhh, yes, I did! I said they were a life-sized sex doll figurine display!"

Steven huffed, "Never mind then."

Peter added, "But he's still a pervert." They all agreed, "Yup."

Histoire explained, "Listen, as much as we want to storm ahead, we cannot… But give it time. Whatever Chase Craver has planned, let's hope it's not anything too perverted or lewd. That would mean a drop in the shares. Just give me three days, and I will map out Chase Craver's main room, and maybe we will learn what his master plan is."

Steven responded, "Knowing him, he may contact all of Gamindustri. He's already taken Leanbox and Lastation. Lowee is left open, while Planeptune City is still protected."

Asahi said, "And without a Goddess to protect Lowee, we're sitting ducks."

Mizuki said, "Maybe we'll head to Lowee and protect it, while we wait. The rest can–."

Neptune remarked, "NO! As much as I like the idea, absolutely not! No one is protecting Lowee!"

Histoire stated, "She's unfortunately correct. There's a chance that it may have already been taken, during your scuffle in the base."

Kim gasped, "So, we're doomed, either way?"

Jace stated, "We still have three days… maybe longer… or shorter. GOD! I wished Chase Craver explains to us his plan!"

Mundy said, "Nope. I have a strong feeling all will be explained, once we arrive."

Cassandra said, "There's still the little matter of two problems. One, Black Lobelia. And the other, Zero."

They agreed, as Neptune asked, "Who's Black Lobelia again?"

Histoire responded, "Then we have much time to prepare. Neptune will go with you, as she looks to bring Nepgear and Blanc back."

"Provided that Nep Jr. & Blanc survives, Histy." Neptune pouted. "But as her older sister, I'll do what I can."

Histoire asked, "By the way, what exactly did Chase do to Vert & Noire?"

Mizuki showed an image of the bikini dolls and said, "There it is. And it was complete with Catchy Villain Song and more." Kim blushed, "Horrible… Lifeless dolls of what were once the Goddesses."

Jace asked, "It's just a microchip. You don't think–."

"I do." Cassandra said. "When commanded to pose, they can pose infinitely, without tiring. The problem is how they eat or sleep."

"Like those Mannequin Challenges, long ago…" Farra gasped.

Peter asked, "Mizuki, you sure this is just four? I only see three."

"It happened before C-Sha was taken. She was brutally injured and captured, and she revealed the truth. He was the leader of The Secret Society." Mizuki responded.

The Gang was devastated. Neptune was hurt, as she sniffled, "Noire… Vert…" Histoire whispered, "How horrible for them to suffer a fate like this. But whatever the case, their poseable fate will not go in vain."

"Yeah." Asahi nodded, "All of us are going back to the base, as soon as Histoire gives us the OK. So, for now, we tend to the fallen."

"What about Naoki?" Farra asked, "We never got the chance to check how she and the others fared."

"Trust me." Mundy nodded, "If I know Neo… She's already got backup with Miki… in the most bizarre conception possible."

Asahi stated, "Anyways, while we plan our next move, we have to disable these chips, one way or another. And Mizuki, you'll be our expert hacker."

"I'll try… but hacking into an OB Chip is really hard to do. Besides, we don't even have a spare OB Chip, let alone the ones Neptune and Nepgear had."

Histoire said, "You wish to hack into the OB Chips? Then, since I still have Neptune's OB Chip. I will let you use hers, and mine into the files on how to disable it, without any voice command."

"You do? Thanks!" Mizuki giggled. "Wait… Neptune had an OB Chip, and no one told us?"

Neptune said, "Zero put it on wrong. Same went to Nep Jr's OB Chip. Her long strands were victorious over the microchip."

Steven gasped, "What?"

Mundy said, "The chips are only attached by skin contact… not hair."

Farra smirked, "So, there's still a chance. Good. glad a few of us here are hairy… in this hair-raising situation." She sighed, "I miss home."

Asahi stated, "Gang, we have a task at hand. Mizuki, hack that chip!" Mizuki saluted, "Affirmative!"

Asahi said, "The rest of you prepare. We're going after Chase Craver in three days. Let's see him try to stop us now." She saluted to Histoire, "I leave it in your hands, Histoire."

The Gang walked out, as Neptune was worried, "Jeez, now I am getting worried…"

Histoire said, "It'll be alright, Neptune. You should check on B-Sha and K-Sha, before you go on ahead."

Neptune nodded, "Right." And she left the Basilicom.

XXXXX

Asahi walked into the medical room, as IF and Compa were tending to B-Sha and Uni. K-Sha was lying in her cot, out cold.

"Ah, Miss Sakurai." IF said. "I didn't expect you here. I thought Nep and Gear would show up."

"Histoire will tell you everything. How're the others?" Asahi responded.

Compa said, "B-Sha and Uni should make a full recovery, but K-Sha, she's done worse. She's fully healed, but… she's not waking up."

Asahi sighed, "K-Sha… I bet when she heard about Noire, her heart was shattered. I mean, K-Sha's a lesbian, right?"

"I wouldn't call that, Miss Sakurai. It's admiration." IF corrected. "But I cannot get why she is clingy towards Lady Noire."

"Maybe it's because she wants her all to herself, like a yandere." Asahi said.

"Yandere?!" IF gasped, "No way in hell!"

"Believe me when I say this, but I have seen a lot of anime and manga to know about it."

Compa said, "Yeah… But I believe that seeing Noire as a mannequin made her heart break. And now she's in a coma."

"I figured much. K-Sha really loved Noire, not just as a friend. B-Sha and Uni, well… I hope they pull through. And hopefully free of the OB Chips."

IF asked, "What OB Chips? I don't see any."

Asahi smiled, "Oh, that… We destroyed them. It was either disable all protocol, or that. And since Chase found a way to bypass free control, we had no choice."

Compa said, "About recently, Miss Sakurai. I'm sorry about the other day."

"It's alright. You and IF were in control of the chips, too."

"And Nep-Nep? Was she a part of the hive?"

"No. She never was."

"And never will." Neptune grinned, "And so is Nep Jr."

Compa smiled, "Nep-Nep!" IF grumbled, "Dammit… And I thought we'd have an obedient goddess."

Neptune barked, "HEY! That's cold, Iffy! Nepgear and I were never controlled, yet we were used by the man, but the–."

"EH! I think they get the point already." Asahi stopped her.

"Yeah… Zero really screwed up, didn't she?" IF said. "Makes me wanna get my hands on her, after what Chase Craver did to us."

Compa asked, "Miss Sakurai, Nep-Nep, is this true? They want the bouncy breasts of beautiful girls like me?"

Asahi agreed, "Exactly correct. Chase Craver has Vert, Noire, C-Sha, and S-Sha. Nepgear and Blanc are back at the base. Rom and Ram were under his control… again."

IF asked, "Again?"

Neptune said, "It happened before, back in Lowee. But they freed them… and Blanc, as well. By the way, you should read the past chapters for more on how they were brainwashed. But not me and Nep Jr."

IF huffed, "You don't have to brag. And didn't you say that like it's a bad thing?"

"Sorry…" Neptune giggled.

Asahi smiled, "Well, we have time to plan our next move. Now that we know that Chase knows our every step, we'll have to enter another way."

IF asked, "Wait… You were ambushed, which is why these girls were controlled?"

SLAP!
Asahi slapped herself on the head and cried, "THAT'S the word? Sorry, my mind was in the wind, since I arrived here. And I'm supposed to be team leader!"

"Well, now that you know he's watching from outside the base, you need to find a place away from his range. He does have cameras all over his base."

"But not all of the area. We're glad he didn't post cameras in every country."

Asahi asked, "Speaking of, how is Lowee, in Blanc's absence?"

IF sighed, "Not so good. Shares are going down, despite her and Rom & Ram's disappearance. Lastation and Leanbox all suffered casually, because of him. After I was freed, I gave everyone a state of emergency address, and all countries are to stay indoors, because of the disappearances of their goddesses. All our countries are under lockdown. And being Nep is the only Goddess left, aside from Blanc, we leave this mission to you guys. Histoire was nice enough to tell us, after we were freed of his control."

"Smart move. And sorry again for the treatment."

"No problem. I'm just happy that no one's hurt."

Compa said in sadness, "Almost everyone…" She turned to K-Sha.

Asahi said to K-Sha, "Rest easy. We're getting Noire back. And all the rest."

Uni moaned, as she was waking up, "Noire…" Uni sat up a little and groaned, "W-Where's Noire?"

Asahi bowed her head and said nothing. IF said, "Uni… Do you remember?"

Uni remembered Noire and whispered, "N-N-No… Noooo!" She gasped, "She's… Oh, god… What have I done? Noire's a sex doll, just because of me!" Uni bawled.

Compa whispered, "It's alright…"

Asahi said, "You did a nasty thing there, but the chip… It did make you brainwashed into believing you want to be just like her."

Uni wept, "It's my fault I left Lastation in ruins."

Neptune said, "We'll get Noire back, no matter what. After all, she needs us, more than you."

Uni asked, "Then… as soon as I recover, I'll join you guys. I want to make amends for my actions. Let me, Uni, Goddess Candidate of Lastation, redeem myself for you, The Gang. Please?"

Neptune asked "Nep-wha? When did you pull a Babyface Turn?"

Uni said, "This OB Chip, while I was under his control, I dreamed of having a bigger bust like Noire… but after seeing Noire as a mannequin in a bikini, I tried to resist. But the chip overwhelmed me. I submitted myself to the Master. I'm sorry."

Asahi smiled and said, "It's alright. You will join us, once you're fully healed. It's not just Neptune, it's Nepgear, as well."

Uni asked, "Then, where's Nepgear? I heard her voice, and tried to call for help… but…"

Asahi said, "Uni, she…"

Asahi told her what Nepgear did, and Uni shrieked, "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?"

XXXXX

Nepgear and Blanc were back at the base, fighting the controlled Rom & Ram. Rom & Ram used fire magic to blast them away, but Purple Sister and White Heart dashed away. Blanc swung her axe down, and Nepgear hits a sword strike.

"Dammit!" Blanc cried, "It's like fighting an infinite broken character!"

"Hold your ground, Blanc!" Nepgear cried.

Rom & Ram prepared their next strike, but they slurred down and dropped their arms. They bent forward and powered down. Blanc gasped, "ROM! RAM!"

"NO!" Nepgear cried.

The guards entered, as Nepgear gasped. Blanc cried, "SHIT! THE BASTARD USED THEM!"

Chase, via the pa, called out, "Attention all personnel… The base will now be closed until tomorrow morning. Will all personnel return to your quarters. But don't fret. We'll be right back."

Nepgear gasped, "It's him… Chase Craver."

"You're right, Nepgear!" He called, "And since you decided to come in late, you and Blanc will be perfect in my display. Well, not Blanc, of course."

"HEY! SAY IT TO MY FACE, YOU FU–!"
"BLANC! STOP!" Nepgear stopped her. She said to him, "What is it you want? We know all about your sick and perverted schemes… But Neptune will stop you! She's the only one left!"

"What are you saying?" Blanc asked.

Nepgear put her sword down and sobbed, "I surrender."

Blanc cried, "Nepgear… Why?"

"We can't fight back. Look at Rom and Ram…" Three guards carried Rom & Ram away like dolls.

Blanc powered down and kneeled down. "Fine…"

Nepgear and Blanc surrendered, after the guards surrounded them. Blanc sobbed, "Rom… Ram…"

Nepgear whispered, "Neptune… Please… You're the only one left to save us."

Chase called, "Take them away! Have Rom & Ram in my quarters."

"You bastard! If you harm a hair on them, I'll–!" Blanc yelled.

Chase remarked, "You think I'm stupid? Like I'd have sex with your sisters. I'm no pedophile."

Blanc yelled, "What does that make me?"

He said, "You're simply flat."

Blanc seethed in anger and rage. He called out, "Now, place them in their cells! I'll deal with them, tomorrow morning."

The guards saluted, "Yes, sir."

Nepgear and Blanc were taken away, as does Rom and Ram.

XXXXX

Minutes later, Rom & Ram were placed in a huge toybox, while Blanc and Nepgear were in their prison cells. Rom and Ram were still in their Goddess Forms, but with wind-up keys attached to them.

Blanc whispered, "No… He's turning them into dolls." She sobbed, "Rom… Ram…"

Nepgear whispered, "I'm sorry, Blanc. But… I shudder to think what he'll do to me."

"You? We're in separate cells, and our weapons were taken. We're sunk."

"I'm sorry… It was foolish to do this myself. I want to save Rom & Ram, as how I did Uni… But I'm pathetic."

Blanc said, "That's not true. You wanted to be stronger like Neptune. But you showed that, since you're the more serious one in the group. Not unlike Neptune… That idiot always plays games, eats pudding, and slacks off."

"Yeah, that's Neptune, alright." Nepgear giggled.

They sighed in disdain. Nepgear sat in the corner and whispered, "We're trapped here, and until morning, he'll… He'll try to hurt us. We can't break out… There are guards everywhere. And the cell doors are shut tight."

Blanc whispered, "Still… I'm upset that I miss home. If only we find a way…"

"The Gang will save us, as does Neptune." Nepgear sobbed. "We're without help…"

"No, you're not." Zero appeared with Nepgear's sword and Blanc's hammer.

Nepgear gasped, "Zero!" Blanc roared, "You bitch! You would work for him, just to taunt us! Give us back our weapons!"

Zero held the hammer and swung hard, "You got it!"

SMASH!
She broke the doors open, and then gave her the hammer back. Zero said, "You two… Get out while the Master is sleeping. The guards are absent, and there's a clear path to the backway. Follow me."

Nepgear asked, "Why are you helping us? Weren't you with Chase Craver?"

Zero said nothing. She escorted Nepgear and Blanc to the exit. Blanc asked, "What about Rom & Ram?"

Zero replied, "It's too late for them. You have to get out now. This one will only leave you to your escape…"

Nepgear whispered, "Thank you. Good or bad, you're still a person. But I'm glad you changed your ways…"

Zero replied, as she showed them the backway, "This way. Now go. But… If you want to save the rest, go to the Top Floor. He's transmitting his OB Chips from above. His secret base is also a control tower. He's using the OB Chips to…" She blushed, "But perhaps I said too much…"

Blanc replied, "The others will not believe it. But still, please… Protect Rom & Ram."

Zero replied, "I will do no such thing. I shouldn't even be here… I was disgraced by him, so I wish to abandon this place, at once. But I wish you best of luck."

Nepgear smiled and said, "Thank you." And they exited the base. Zero left the base, as well, leaving behind a slew of dead bodies, in the main path to the exit. Zero only did to get back at Chase Craver, and she did. However, little did she know… There was a lone camera watching her every move. And Chase was already sound asleep.

Nepgear and Blanc flew away, heading back to Planeptune City. "We can't go back to Lowee… So, we're heading back to my country, where it's safe."

"Right. That man has gone too far."

"You said it. Histoire will tell us everything that happened."

As they flew off, a woman was watching from afar. She was wearing a witch's attire and with white hair and purple skin. She was accompanied by a black mouse.

"I hear that these Goddesses are already fighting an enemy… Hmm…"

"Hey, the base is that way, chu! We should hurry and check what this is about, chu!"

"No, take your time. We have lots to do. First, we use his services, then I'll dive in and destroy those meddling Goddesses, once and for all. But I'm quite curious… Why did these two escape?"

They were Arfoire and Warechu, arch-enemies to The Goddesses. Arfoire is the evil witch that wants to kill Neptune and the others, while Warechu is a black mouse that is a tagalong; plus he has a thing for Compa.

They headed to the base, and waited until morning.

Come the next morning…

"WHAT? THEY ESCAPED?" Chase roared, "BUT HOW? I had security tight!"

One guard said, "I'm sorry, sir… but a few of our security guards were found dead in your halls."

"A bloodied mess in MY BASE? Well, we can't have that. Have the janitorial staff clean it up."

"Sir, you just dismissed the staff… because you have no staff. Just us guards."

"AGH! MUST I DO EVERYTHING?" Chase hollered. He held up a microphone and said, "Vert, Noire, C-Sha, S-Sha, activate!"

The bikini dolls moved, as they stood in attention. "Attention, my sexy dolls… Clean up the halls for The Gang's arrival. We don't want a horror theme now, do we?"

Vert said, "Yes, master." They walked off, as C-Sha said, "We shall do you bidding, Master."

Chase said, "Guards, have them fitted in uniform, and supervise them. Here." He gave the guards cameras and smirked, "Shoot the money shots on them. The audience just loves the sexy shots. NOW GO!"

The guards left, as Chase grumbled, "Things were going my way! But why?"

Arfoire appeared and said, "I see that you have a little trouble, do you, young man?"

"Yes… and I'm left with the twins. But they aren't that sexual…" He paused and asked, "Who the hell are you?"

"Arfoire, a sorceress and a beautiful woman, too. I wish to offer my services t–"
"EUGH, god, what the hell are you wearing?" Chase points at her wardrobe.

"H-HOW DARE YOU? This is how I'm dressed!"

Chase said, "Sorry, I don't have sex with purple-skinned hags. But my sincerest apologies. Who are you exactly?"

"Arfoire. The Deity of Sin. I'm the Goddesses' arch-enemy. And I was wondering if you and I can coexist a deal."

Warechu added, "Yeah! Whatever it is you have, we'll work for free, chu!"

"If you wish, but my fees are cheap, as I'm usually an eggplant farmer, during my offseason."

"Eggplant farmer?! What are you from, Kid Icarus? Or was it Ice Climber…"

"I actually adore eggplant. Neptune, on the other hand…"

"Hmm… I see. She hates eggplant." Chase agreed, and he grinned, "You know, you have a grudge on those girls, right? Well, as a matter of fact, I have about two of them, Vert & Noire. (I had Blanc in my hands, but…)"

"How did she escape?"

"I don't know… But I wish I knew. On the plus side, I got a fun deal on these cute wind-up dolls." He showed Arfoire his two slaves, Rom & Ram. They walked to her and bowed robotically. Rom and Ram stood straight, as Arfoire was amazed.

"AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! You turned them into toys? And still in their Goddess Forms, too… Amazing! How did you do it?"

"Well, glad you asked me that. If you and your little rat boy work for me – since I got an opening for a minion, replacing that failure, Zero – I will tell you how it works." He bowed, "Chase Craver, au chante."

Arfoire giggled, "Yes… Again, I am Arfoire. And this little rat is Warechu." Warechu saluted, "Yo."

Chase smirked, "So… when can you start, uh… Are-Four? That name needs work on spelling. But the pronunciation is on point."

"One of the brats always get my name wrong…"

"Oh, well, once we have Neptune, I'll make sure of that. Come along, I will show you my collection." He clapped, "Rom, Ram, you are dismissed. Just, uh… Stay here."

Rom and Ram stood straight, as Chase & Arfoire laughed evilly. They walked together, leaving the room. Rom let out a tear from her eye, as she and Ram were under his control. And what's even worse is that their arch-nemesis, Arfoire, has joined The Secret Society.

So now, Chase Craver and Arfoire have joined forces. And Chase has Vert, Noire, C-Sha, S-Sha, and Rom & Ram! Nepgear and Blanc escaped, and K-Sha's out of commission. How will Neptune pull off the miracle in this horrible battle between Good and Evil?

And speaking of, what will happen back in Washington DC, as Ran Kuzuryu draws near her end goal? Will Miki Naoki agree to the fight, before it's too late?
Or is the world doomed, either way? By Ran or by nuclear warhead?

To be continued…