Author's Note
Just so no one gets lost or thought they missed a chapter, I will remind again. There will be flashbacks sprinkled here and there in this story, so make sure to pay attention to the dates if you're ever confused. The main story will always be in the year 2012 and onwards. Anything before are flashbacks. So with that said, enjoyed this chapter!
Planeptune, Gamindustri
Place: Planeptune City
Date: September 23, 2003
Time: ? ? ?
On the balcony, Nepgear observed the crowd gradually expanding as the announcement time drew nearer. Her speech would take place on the enormous white stage in front of the Basilicom The CPU never wanted this to happen.
"Nepgear, the preparations are complete. The entirety of Planeptune is waiting."
The purple-haired girl turned around to face the floating tome. Her eyebrows furrowed as her eyes dropped down with sadness. "Histoire…"
The fairy smiled slightly at the CPU. "Everything will be okay. You did your best to prevent it, but now it's time to tell your people the truth."
Nepgear sighed. "Why couldn't we just be friends? Was she just that selfish?"
"Nepgear…" Histoire floated up to her friend and touched her shoulder. "Life as a CPU isn't easy."
Nepgear scoffed as she looked up at the sky with a mocking smile. "Maybe that's why big sis never found a nation of her own. She could have at least stayed to help…"
"She'll come back someday, but… maybe it's best that she wasn't here to witness this…"
Nepgear took a deep breath and activated her HDD. Her hair turned pink as her outfit was replaced with her white processor uniform. Her eyes glowed bright blue as large pink wings materialized behind her back.
"Planeptune is still small. I don't know if we'll survive, but I'll die trying." She looked down at her hand and clenched it into a fist. "Because this is my nation. These are my people. And these are my responsibilities!"
Histoire beamed. "I believe in you, Nepgear. You are strong and kind. Your people will stand by your side."
Lilac Heart looked at her Oracle and returned the smile. "Thank you, Histoire."
"Do your best out there. I'll be rooting."
The goddess nodded and took flight. The sounds of her people could be heard from above, but once she handed on the large platform, everyone went silent. Lilac Heart walked up to the mic stand and peered over the crowd. She could even see multiple camera crews. There were even doves flying around to capture this moment.
Lilac Heart held the mic stand and closed her blue eyes as she took a deep breath. This is where everything will start. Whether she lost shares or not, she had to do this.
The goddess opened her eyes and calmly spoke into the mic, projecting her voice through the air. "Hello, everyone. This is Lilac Heart speaking."
Although her face was solemn and icy, her eyes betrayed her anxiety, which worried the others. Nevertheless, they remained quiet to hear their goddess's words.
"I don't want to be a bearer of bad news, but this was something that I cannot hide from you nor should I keep from you." The Lilac CPU licked her lips and sighed. She gripped the mic to try and stop the quivering in her hands. A future she didn't want to see was slowly approaching her and her beloved nation.
"Planeptune has been peacefully expanding throughout the years. My heart blooms with joy seeing my nation prosper. Your happiness is my happiness!" Lilac Heart beamed with pride as she examined the crowd.
She made eye contact with the people and found that they smiled. The goddess wanted to keep those smiles on her people, but she knew the next few words would bring fear and anxiety.
Lilac Heart dropped her smile to a frown and the sparkle in her eyes disappeared. "But happiness cannot last forever. The Goddess of Lowee would not accept any of my negotiations for peace. I do not understand why White Heart was so persistent in turning me away and making me the villain, but our peaceful lives are over."
Worried whispers filled her ears as if they were screaming at her. This was the scenario she wanted to avoid at all costs. She had repeatedly pleaded over and over with Lowee's goddess, but words didn't seem to get through. She had tried to be nice, but even actions were turned away. Just what did White Heart want from her? It's not like she could just stop making shares. That would make her nation suffer. Lilac Heart just didn't understand. It angered her even more when White Heart said she would offer to take her place. That infuriated her to her CPU core.
Feeling that frustration, Lilac Heart let her feelings slip out as she spoke her next words. "White Heart has demanded that I turn Planeptune over, but I refused! I cannot have that happen. This is MY nation! You are MY people! Planeptune has its OWN laws and its OWN liberty. We are not Loweeans, but Planeptunians! I will stand to protect my nation's independence!"
Lilac Heart sighed and looked down at her feet. She tried to calm herself before she said anything that shouldn't be said on camera. This announcement isn't for ranting but for informing. She focused back at the crowd and voiced, "I tried so hard the last few years to convince White Heart, but I have failed. Our negotiations have failed and Lowee has declared war on us for they plan to conquer us through force!"
The crowd gasped as everyone started to shift and fidget in place. War. The one word everyone didn't want to hear. Even Lilac Heart couldn't believe the words she spoke herself. She always thought that her future was bright. That everything would be fine. Oh, how stupid she was.
Lilac Heart held up her hand and the crowd slowly went quiet. "I understand that this is scary. No one wants war. Not even me. I had hoped we could come to peaceful ways. I thought I could make things work. I truly believed in a future where we didn't need to fight. I always thought CPUs should work together to bring peace to Gamindustri! We should be protecting the people instead of fighting among ourselves! That is what I believe in!" Lilac Heart softened her voice. "What I want to believe in…"
Lilac Heart paused to catch her breath. She glanced around to see that her people were still giving her their attention. A few clicks of cameras could be heard here and there and the drones high up in the air were still circling. Lilac Heart pondered the possible emotions of others watching her on TV. Perhaps the same as the people in front of her now.
"I am sorry to you all. I can't tell you how devastated and angry I am right now. Maybe someday, there will be a nation, a CPU, who could share my ideals and work together. A future where CPUs come together and bring peace to Gamindustri without needing to kill for shares. But until that day comes, Planeptune must go to war with Lowee. This is something we cannot avoid!"
Lilac Heart inhaled deeply and spoke with a powerful voice, loud and clear, letting it echo through the ears of her people. "I know our future won't look as bright anymore, but I promise you! As your goddess, I will keep you all safe! I will do all that I can to defend this land! To protect our peaceful tomorrow! So please be at ease! We will win this war!"
The crowd came to life with roars, shocking Lilac Heart. Their cheers for their goddess shook the air around. Lilac Heart could hear the fighting spirit within her people. The shares were coursing through her veins, strengthening her determination to succeed.
"I thank you all for your support! It will be tough, but I know we will pull through together! This war is just a single hurdle! Planeptune will rise to greater heights! I believe in the future of this nation! So please leave your faith to me!"
The crowd began to chant Lilac Heart's name as they jumped up and down. The CPU beamed as her blue eyes lit up with great determination. She had never felt more radiant than ever.
Lilac Heart shouted, "Let's work together so Planeptune will never have to face war again!"
The crowd screamed, "FOR PLANEPTUNE!"
The CPU followed her people and raised her fist as she yelled through the mic. "For Planeptune!"
Lilac Heart wanted to believe that there would be minimal casualties, but she was going against a nation that had been here for years. Planeptune was no match in terms of size or military power. She would need a miracle to keep Planeptune alive, even if she had to search across continents. She will find that miracle.
Looking up at the blue sky, Lilac Heart vowed to herself. "I will find her… The CPU that Planeptune needs…"
Planeptune, Gamindustri
Place: Eastern Boarder
Date: August 27, 2012
Time: 2:35 P.M.
The commander blinked at the yawning CPU. "You slept longer than I expected, Lady Iris Heart…"
The troops looked nervously as their goddess swayed on her feet. They all gathered to watch their goddess depart for the new nation, although they questioned whether she ought to have more rest. They never imagined Plutia would sleep til the afternoon. They had heard that their goddess was a sleepyhead but had not believed it until now.
Plutia rubbed her eyes, trying to wipe the sleepiness away. The sun always didn't help as it blinded her, keeping her eyes shut. "I woke up earlier this morning, but I was just sooooo tired that… I…" Her body began to sway as she was slowly dozing off.
"L-Lady Iris Heart?"
Plutia blinked and stood up straight. "Soooooorry. Still sleepy…"
"I-I can see that," said the commander. "Would you like us to drive you to Lastation instead so you can sleep on the way?"
Plutia quickly shook her head to wake herself up. "Nope! I'm okay! I can go on my own!"
"Are you sure?"
Plutia pouted. "I said I can go on my own! I'm fully awake now!"
"Of course, Lady Iris Heart." To avoid upsetting his goddess, the commander did not push further. "Have you had breakfast? Or should I say… Lunch?"
Plutia hummed. "I had a loaf of bread. I'm not reeeeeeeally a big eater right when I wake up."
"Are you sure you don't want to eat anything else before leaving?"
Plutia assured, "I'm good! I'd like to get moving since I did sleep in. The journey there will take longer if I don't start now."
"Then, please take these with you." The commander turned to the soldiers. "Bring it!"
A tall, burly soldier approached them with a big crate. Setting the wooden box down, he saluted and stepped back. When Plutia opened the package, she discovered numerous energy bars, water bottles, healing potions, and bandages.
The goddess melted from seeing the contents. "Awwwwwe, you guys! You didn't have to prepare all this. You make it look like I'll spend several days in the wild."
"We just want to ensure that our goddess makes it back in one piece."
Plutia placed the goodies box into her inventory and stated, "Thank you. I'll be sure to bring back good news. Like Lilac Heart, I'll do my best to negotiate for peace." She clutched her chest and claimed, "I won't let history repeat itself!"
The commander saluted the goddess. "We're counting on you, Lady Iris Heart! The future of this nation is in your hands!"
Plutia nodded. "Planeptune will not face another tragic fall! I won't let that happen! I promise you all in the name of Lilac Heart."
The commander softly smiled. "We know. Safe travels, Lady Iris Heart! We'll be waiting for your return!"
The soldiers repeated after their commander. "Safe travels, Lady Iris Heart! Our faith is with you!"
Plutia turned to everyone to feel their faith flowing through her body. Her chest felt warm and her body buzzed with energy she didn't have. Light and numbers surrounded her all of a sudden. Everyone felt their heart drop when the tall woman with bright iris hair stood before them. Her slim waist, ample chest, and long legs were very eye-catching, but her crazed grin and hungry pink eyes made everyone tremble.
The commander took a few steps back. "L-L-Lady Iris Heart?"
"Oh, I just want to… Eat. You. All. Up." Iris Heart grinned. "Giving me such a warm welcome and even sending me off. I'm so happy to have such good dogs." The goddess walked forward and tilted the commander's chin up. She licked her lips and purred. "Feeling so much faith from you all just makes me feel so full~ I do like my dogs full of stamina. Do keep up the good work, boys." She glanced at the soldiers and winked at the females. "And girls included."
Everyone stuttered, "Y-Y-Yes, Lady Iris Heart!"
Iris Heart pulled back and summoned out her wings. "Even though I mentioned that I would walk on foot, I am getting excited. A quick flight will help me relax. Do not worry, after I cross the mountain range, I will transform back. Bye-bye, cuties~"
A pink magic circle formed beneath her feet and she launched into the air. She glanced back to see some of the soldiers falling off their feet. She couldn't help but giggle with amusement. It was always fun teasing her military forces. They were always so serious around her.