Lastation, Gamindustri
Place: ? ? ?
Date: August 27, 2012
Time: 7:43 P.M.
Iris Heart flew through the sky as she enjoyed the feeling of the cool air against her skin. She had long past the mountain range and decided to transform back after flying halfway into Lastation. There's no harm if no one sees her after all. Her people are too paranoid. She can control herself just fine.
"Still… I have been flying for hours now… The capital didn't look far from Planeptune, so the city should be somewhere here, no?"
Iris Heart stopped her movement and hovered in place. She pulled out the map to see where her location was. She found Planeptune and the mountain range she passed. If she flew straight, she should have hit the capital hours ago. Did she miss it somehow? Iris Heart looked around, but all she saw were trees and trees and trees.
"Oh, dear… Don't tell me I'm lost?" Iris Heart sighed. "So even in HDD, I still get lost easily. I'm so hopeless."
The CPU placed the map away and cruised ahead. Now would be a good opportunity for her to explore this new area. It wasn't like she was in a rush.
"Ah~ It has been some time since I last spread my wings. Fufufu. Hm?" Iris Heart turned to her right to see a large body of water. "Oh? If that's the ocean then I've been traveling southeast this whole time… Well, a detour never hurts."
Iris Heart headed towards the ocean and landed down on the sand. She surveyed the beach to see that she was alone. The water shimmered in the moonlight, reflecting the stars above. The goddess walked over to the edge to see her reflection. It quickly washed away with the crashing of the soft ocean waves, sending cold waters against her ankles.
Iris Heart peered down the coastline as her thoughts wandered. If she ever wanted an easy attack on Lastation she could send her navy. There doesn't seem to be a patrol on the waters. It would be easier than treading through the mountain range. The goddess frowned as she shook her head, realizing what she was doing.
She took to the sky again, heading toward the correct direction. If she keeps this speed, she should make it to the capital before sunrise. She summoned out one of the energy bars she had gotten from her soldiers and quickly ate it. She tucked the wrapper away and would toss it once she made it to the city.
There wasn't much in the nation of Lastation other than trees and grass. The nation was surrounded by a mountain range and a body of water. It reminded Iris Heart of her nation. She hoped to see something new, but it was the same old same old. She knew Lowee was covered in red trees, so she thought Lastation might have something different as well.
While she was busy observing the trees below, three loud figures zipped past her at high speeds. Iris Heart abruptly stopped and hovered in place. She looked up at the large shadows to see fighter jets.
The jets hovered around her and a voice was projected from the leading jet. "This is Lastation's Black Shooter Air Force. You have trespassed on Lastation borders without permission. Please turn back or we'll be forced to shoot."
The goddess wasn't intimidated. She wondered if she should just destroy them and be on her merry way. She flexed her fingers, ready to materialize her sword, but then Histoire's voice rang through her head.
'We already have bad blood with Lowee. Do we want bad blood with Lastation too?'
Iris Heart took a deep breath and relaxed herself. She called out her holographic screen and connected to the jets' intercom. "This is Planeptune's CPU, Iris Heart. I have been permitted to enter Lastation and meet with your CPU."
The voice from earlier came through her screen instead of the jet's speakers. "Please present a Black Card or a permission letter from Lastation's Basilicom."
Iris Heart pursed her lips. She was unaware of a black card and does not recall receiving a permission letter… unless... The Iris CPU summoned out the black envelope that Histoire had given to her. She pulled out the contents and showed them to the pilots on the screen.
There was silence from the jets until a voice finally responded from her screen. "We have confirmed with our Basilicom. Welcome to Lastation, Lady Iris Heart. Allow us to escort you to Lastation City."
Iris Heart grinned. "That would be much appreciated."
The jets got into formation and flew off with Iris Heart following. The CPU was glad she wasn't forced to return; otherwise, she'd be proving Histoire words right from yesterday. It would be quite embarrassing for her.
As they flew for a few more hours, Iris Heart noticed something bright up ahead. The closer they got, the clearer it was. Tall black buildings started sprouting from the horizon. It was at this time she remembered that she had promised Histoire not to be transformed.
Iris Heart hovered in the air and reconnected to the jet's intercom. "Thank you for the escort, boys, but I'll be good from here. I can see the city, so I'll continue on foot."
"Then we wish you a goodnight in Lastation, Lady Iris Heart." The jets split off and disappeared into the night.
Iris Heart smiled and dove down into the trees. She landed and released her transformation. She looked around in the darkness and questioned, "Nooooooow… which way was the city again?"
Plutia knew she didn't land too far away from the city. She squinted her eyes and saw the sight of flickering lights. Her eyes lit up as she quickly pushed past the bushes and maneuvered around the trees. The lights ahead helped guide her through the forest.
Finally breaking through, Plutia found herself on the road. People stared at her weirdly as they walked past. Plutia had leaves stuck in her hair and dirt staining her clothes. The goddess sighed as she plucked the leaves out of her hair one by one and patted her dress to get the dirt off.
After trying to make herself look presentable, she asked a passing citizen for directions to the Basilicom. "The Basilicom? It's a pretty long walk from here then. It's located on the other side of the city. It's got these giant glass wings. You won't miss it."
Plutia chirped, "Thank you, kind citizen!"
Plutia waved the citizen a good night and made her way to the mentioned building. It wasn't that late into the night, but usually, this was the time people would get off of work in Planeptune. Seeing how active Lastation City still was, the goddess wondered if everyone was a night owl in this nation.
Plutia felt her stomach grumble and she summoned out another energy bar. She munched on the snack as she strolled down the street. The street lamps helped illuminate the pathway as she took in the buildings with her curious eyes. They were very square and bulky, unlike her nation. The colors were also the complete opposite. Planpetune's buildings were mostly white while here in Lastation, everything was pretty much black. It was amazing to the iris goddess.
When she found the Basilicom, Plutia couldn't help but be awed by it. It was big and it had wings! It wasn't tall like the Planeptower, but it was very pretty from how the glass wings reflected the starry sky. Whoever the goddess was, Plutia can say they had great design taste!
The iris goddess entered through the automatic glass doors. She was instantly assaulted by the air conditioning upon entrance. "Woooooah!"
Plutia's eyes sparkled from seeing the reflective black marble floor. A stunning glass sculpture hung from the ceiling, acting as a chandelier. Instead of a Basilicom, Plutia felt like she had entered a high-class hotel. She was very impressed by the building's design.
"Are you lost, little girl?"
Plutia turned to the counter to see a blonde woman dressed in a black suit. She had a forced smile on her face, probably part of her job as she was the receptionist. The CPU approached her and gave a fake smile of her own. "Hellooooo! I'm actually here to see the CPU."
"The CPU? I'm sorry, but the CPU has turned in for the night. She had a very busy day," said the receptionist.
The goddess frowned. "But I have an appointed meeting with her."
"Meeting?" The receptionist chuckled. "I don't think the CPU had any meetings scheduled at this time."
"Ah, the meeting isn't now per se, since I know it's very late, but if you let the CPU know I'm here-"
She interrupted Plutia. "If that's the case then when's the appointed time?" The receptionist pressed a few keys as she looked at the computer. "Is it for your parents? Are they here?"
"Ah, no. It's not for my parents," Plutia corrected. "But I would really appreciate it if you called the CPU…"
The receptionist smiled. "Give me a second." She picked up the phone and made a call. She was whispering, so Plutia could not understand what she was saying. The receptionist placed the phone down and asked, "The CPU is busy and said for you to wait."
Plutia pouted. "But I'm exhaaaaaausted. Can't I wait in a room? If you tell her my name is Iris Heart, I don't think she would make me wait here like this…"
"Iris Heart?"
Plutia beamed. "Yes! I'm Iris Heart. CPU of Planeptune!"
The receptionist stared at her for a few seconds and then laughed. "Well, isn't that cute!"
Plutia pouted. "I reeeeeeeeally am the CPU of Planeptune!"
"Of course, of course! Lady Iris Heart." The receptionist gently patted Plutia on the head.
The purple-haired puffed out her cheeks. "I'm not lying!"
"Then when's your appointed time with our Lady Black Heart?"
"Oooooooh, her name is Black Heart. Our meeting time is… Uuuuuuuum…" Plutia remembered Histoire told her to leave for Lastation right away, but she never told her when the meeting time was. "I'm not so suuuuuure…"
"Someone called about a lost child?"
"Hmmm?" Plutia turned to the entrance to see a pair of policemen walking in. "Lost child?"
"She's over here!" The receptionist called over.
"Huuuuuuuh?!! I'm not a lost child!" Plutia snapped her head back and grumbled at the receptionist. "I told you I'm the CPU of Planeptune!"
The two policemen walked over and kneeled at Plutia's height. They treated her like a kid, which greatly irritated the Iris CPU.
"Did you lose your mommy and daddy? Can you tell us your name?"
Plutia pouted, "I'm not lost!"
"Yes, yes, of course not. Do you know your parent's phone numbers? Would you like us to call your parents for you?"
Plutia was too tired for this. "I don't have parents."
The two policemen exchanged glances. Their eyes suddenly turned to one of worry. One of the policemen stood up and began to talk in their walkie-talkie while the other one continued their questioning.
"Did you run away from home? Do you have a guardian?"
"I didn't run away and I don't need a guardian. I'm a goddess," Plutia monotoned.
The policeman chuckled. "Yes, yes, you are a cute goddess."
Plutia mumbled, "You don't believe me…"
"Since you're lost, would you like to come to the station with us?" he gently asked.
Plutia took a deep breath and smiled. She understood how they see her now. These people didn't believe a single word she spoke. So she could only do one thing. Histoire would be very upset with her if she caused any trouble, so…
Plutia stared at the policeman for a minute and abruptly ran off. The officer was taken by surprise as he called after her. Plutia didn't stop as she ran into the night. She hid in a nearby alley as she heard the rushing footsteps pass by. She heavily breathed trying to catch her breath. She never thought that this would happen. Hopefully, they don't put out some kind of notice about a missing child.
Plutia looked down at her feet and frowned. She had assured Histoire she wouldn't transform in the new nation, but if she was going to get treated like a lost child, maybe it would be best she stayed transformed. That receptionist also didn't believe her when she claimed to be the CPU of Planeptune.
Plutia clutched her chest, feeling the diamond shape beneath her clothes. "I'll just try again tomorrow."
Plutia came out of the alley and decided to find a hotel to stay in. Since she can't stay in the Basilicom, she'll have to find somewhere else to sleep. Hopefully, she finds one soon because she's tired and sleepy.
Lastation, Gamindustri
Place: Basilicom
Date: August 27, 2012
Time: 10:28 P.M.
Walking out from the corner, she let her presence be known. "What was the commotion about?"
The receptionist placed the phone down and bowed to the dark-haired girl. "Lady Black Heart! You're still awake?!"
The girl flipped one of her twintails and explained, "I had some late-night work and decided to get some fresh air. Did something happen?"
"Oh, it was nothing serious. Just a lost child," answered the blonde receptionist.
The girl narrowed her red eyes. "A lost child?"
"Yes! She was quite cute. She claimed herself to be the CPU of Planeptune."
"Oh, did she? Where is she now?"
"She ran out when the cops came."
"You call the cops on her?"
"Yes. I figured she ran away from home," said the blonde receptionist. "Is something the matter, Lady Black Heart?"
She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "No, don't worry about it. I'll just have to buy a plushie to ease the whining… I hope she's still into that…"
Author's Note
We finally in Lastation! Yaaaaaay! XD
Also, I do want to give a heads up as the next chapter might be the last update until after the New Year! I'm sure you guys will be busy during the holidays so enjoy your time with your loved ones! I'll see you guys in next week's update! Hopefully...