8:30

PlanepTower

It was an early morning in Planeptune, people were waking up to begin their daily routine for going to work. Meanwhile, the nation's ruler was still asleep in her bed. She was sound asleep, practically immobile in her bed. A sudden knock on her bedroom door was heard, but there was no response from the sleeping Goddess. Soon, the door had opened with someone peeking her head in to look inside the bedroom.

"Neptune, are you still asleep?"

It was the younger sister of Planeptune's Goddess, Nepgear. She would often check on her sister early in the morning to see if she was still asleep, knowing her habits of not being able to get up in the morning. She closed the door after stepping inside of Neptune's bedroom, gently kneeling by her bedside and shaking her body. The first thing Nepgear had noticed was the much larger lump in Neptune's bed. She knew that her sister wasn't that larger normally unless all the pudding she eats on a daily basis has finally taken its toll on her body. She pulled back the blankets covering Neptune, revealing more than what she had bargained for.

After pulling back the blankets, she immediately dropped them from her hands. She stared at her sleeping sister, left eye twitching at what she could barely understand. Neptune was in HDD, and it seems that she's been in that form for quite some time. Nepgear kept shaking Neptune's body, trying hard to wake her up.

"Neptune! Please wake up, why are you in HDD!?"

She pushed and pulled her sister desperately. Moments later, Neptune had subconsciously swung the back of her fist towards Nepgear's face. Once she was hit, Nepgear was knocked back and landed against a wall with her body falling to the floor. She winced, holding her nose and covering her face from the pain. Meanwhile, Neptune had slowly woken up with her hair covering her face. She turned to see Nepgear on the floor, rolling from side to side. Neptune gets up from the bed and place her hand onto Nepgear's cheek.

"I'm sorry Nepgear, I was not aware that it was you. Are you alright?"

The older, more mature voice exiting Neptune's lips was definitely the exact same as her HDD form. However, the question still stands. When did she enter it and how long has she been in it? Nepgear slowly shook her head, rubbing her nose gently.

"I-It's fine, I'm not hurt too bad.. But enough about me, why are you in HDD? You're not supposed to sleep in that form."

Nepgear continued to press on that her sister was in HDD, but Neptune didn't understand why she was in it either. She turned her head to the left, turning her gaze to a mirror. She stood up to check herself out, feeling around her body. She almost thought that she had grown older by a significant amount, but CPUs cannot age so that wasn't the reason. Neptune looked at her own hands, then sat down on the bed.

"Well now… I do not know what to say.. I mean, where do I start? I'm enjoying this actually, I never took the time to look in the mirror to see how I look."

Nepgear slowly got up from the floor, walking in front of Neptune and kneeling once again to look at her sister's face. Neptune found this amusing. Being in HDD for so long was supposed to tiring, but it felt the exact opposite. She felt as though it was like it was her actual body as if she has always been this way.

"I like this.. It feels nice.."

Nepgear didn't think that this was such a good idea. Not only did it seem off for Neptune to always be in HDD, she preferred her sister in her normal form best. Still, who was she to argue with Neptune's decisions, not like she would listen to her anyway.

"Well, since you're enjoying yourself. Get dressed at least, your pajamas look too small for your body. Your breakfast is on the table when you're ready. In the meantime, I'll have to explain to Histoire what happened before she freaks."

Nepgear stood up and left the bedroom to talk to Histoire and calmly explain the situation. Once she closed the door, Neptune stood up to go to her closet. She had plenty of clothes, even for her HDD form. However, most of them were for occasional purposes such as parties or political events for the nation. She looked down to see a box that was wrapped up. The tag said "To: Neptune" but there was no from.

"Seems a little early for a Christmas present.. Then again, this seems like more for a birthday."

She gently shook it, trying to feel what was inside. It wasn't a game or anything, but it did feel like it had some weight to it. She shrugged her shoulders and began to open the box by tearing the wrapping paper. Once she opened the box, it was clothes. An entirely new outfit for Neptune for her to wear. She took the outfit out of the box, examining it from top to bottom. It was a black suit, a black jacket with matching pants to go with it. Seemed quite the formal wear, but she didn't mind, it was much better than wearing a long dress everywhere. Neptune began to change out of her pajamas and into the suit, finding instant comfort in it. It wasn't anything that she was used to, but she could definitely get used to this.

"This feels so comfortable, where did this come from..?"

Neptune asked herself as she tried to find any clues as to where this might have come from. So far, there was nothing, not even a card or a letter to Neptune. She figured it wasn't much to worry about. She just got a new gift, what was there to complain about? She stood up and looked for some shoes to wear. She saw a pair of heeled boots that fit well with the new outfit she was wearing. Now Neptune was set for the day. However, just when she was about to leave her closet, she noticed another new apparel in her closet. Where did all this new stuff come from? It was a crimson red hat, one with a medal on the center.

"Hmm.. Not a bad hat, I'll wear it for the day to see how it looks. It might not match my outfit, but that's fine. I like hats."

Neptune put the hat on her head, gently pulling it down so it stays on her head gently. Neptune was now truly ready for the day. She left her closet and exited her bedroom, heading towards the dining room to eat her well-prepared breakfast. Once Neptune had entered the dining room, she had seen Histoire and Nepgear talking with one another about Neptune's condition.

"So you mean to tell me that Neptune activated HDD overnight and now she can't get out of it?"

Nepgear slowly nodded her head, confirming Histoire's understanding of the situation. Histoire placed her hand onto her own forehead, slowly rubbing it. She wondered how that was possible, and if it would do anything to Neptune's body due to being in that form for so long. Histoire then turned to Neptune, seeing that Nepgear wasn't making things up after all. She saw Neptune's new body and her new outfit.

"Good morning Neptune, I heard from Nepgear about what happened. Are you feeling alright? Do you feel tired or anything?"

Neptune sat down at the table, seeing plates filled with food laid out for her. Neptune shook her head just before she began to eat. She was feeling just fine as if fatigue wasn't something to worry about. Histoire turned to Nepgear and advised her to watch over Neptune for the time being.

"Nepgear..watch your sister. Something tells me that this will be something good or something bad. Since your sister's personality changes within HDD, she might become a dependable worker. Or, she'll be as lazy as ever. Whatever she does, document it. Meanwhile, I am going to see if her being in this form causes a shift in our shares."

Nepgear nodded her head, agreeing to watch Neptune for the time being. She thought the same, thinking it might be an asset or a hindrance to see Neptune in HDD. During this talk, Neptune had finished her breakfast, feeling full and ready to go out. She stood up from the table and took her plates to the kitchen. Histoire couldn't help but stare at Neptune's outfit, wondering where she got it and why she looked like a dictator.

"Nepgear, where did Neptune get that outfit? It doesn't seem...ethical to wear in public."

Nepgear shrugged her shoulders, showing her own cluelessness on the subject. The outfit seemed very much unlike Neptune, but she wouldn't complain about it. Neptune had approached the front door, stopping to see a hung up cape on the coatrack. She picked it up and held it in her hand. The cape was red, matching her red hat.

"Hey, who's cape is this? It's kinda cool looking."

Histoire and Nepgear turned to see what Neptune was referring to, looking at the crimson cape. The cape did seem stylish, but it was a bit much. Histoire recognized the cape, reminding her of an earlier event.

"Oh, Neptune, that cape is for you. Someone had left it at our doorstep and it was addressed to you, but it bears no return address. I wondered if it was something bad, but I bothered to not ask questions once I saw what it was."

Neptune grew excited, gently hugging the cape with glee. She then put the cape on her back, feeling like some kind of superhero with it on. She felt like she had power, tightly clutching her fists with a growing excitement within her heart.

"This is..so cool! I feel like...I have an increase of power."

Neptune began to giggle as she looked all around herself, admiring her new look with the cape added to the finished appearance. She decided to keep this look, finding much amusement and comfort. Then, Neptune had suddenly disappeared into thin air. Nepgear and Histoire jumped in surprise after seeing Neptune just vanish. Histoire flew towards the area on her book, checking to see if there was any trace left, but there was nothing. Neptune had just up and disappeared without a trace left behind her. Then Neptune just reappeared in the center of the living room. Neptune looked down at herself, amazed at what just happened.

"N-Neptune! What just happened? Y-You were over there, now you're over here!"

Neptune looked at Nepgear, a widened smile growing on her face.

"That felt great! I never knew I was capable of such things. I wonder what else I can do?"

Histoire flew towards Neptune, finding more concern for what was going on now. This was something that was definitely new, and something that needs to be investigated.

"Neptune, I think we need to study you for a bit. I get that you're having fun with your...whatever you have, but I think we should test your capabilities. You clearly have gained something, assuming it's not just your power of HDD. We should also see if it's possible to change you back. If not, you might be in that form forever."

Nepgear was worried to hear that Neptune might be in her HDD form forever. However, Neptune was all the more excited since that would allow her to keep using and studying the power she possesses. She then agreed to the tests, since they will answer any questions they all currently have.

"Sure, let's get to it! I'm ready to see what's up."

Histoire nodded her head and lead Neptune to a room where the Share Crystal is stored. Neptune was told to remove her clothes and lay down on a table. She did so and laid on her back, waiting for Histoire to begin her tests. Histoire had pulled up a holographic pad that showed the level of shares that the nation currently has and how much is being used by the CPU. Fortunately, the shares weren't being used at all. While it was fortunate, it was also weird to see. Neptune's HDD wasn't consuming any shares.

"Well.. Good news is, your HDD form isn't consuming any share energy. The bad news is, I do not think there is anything saying about your HDD form at all. It's not even saying that a CPU is using HDD. It recognizing this as your normal form.. In that case, where did that power come from?"

Neptune's head was leaning back against the table, slowly nodding her head. Seems her own suspicions were cleared. She thought that this was going to more than likely be a permanent thing. To her, it felt like she was still a Goddess but her aging had increased over night to assume her true appearance as a Goddess and now her aging had stopped for good. Nepgear looked at Neptune, feeling a bit down about her big sister. She was going to miss Neptune's cuter side, but it was something she was going to have to accept. There was a good side to this though, at least now Neptune was a more older and mature like person. Now she wouldn't have to clean up after her so much. Histoire wondered if any of the other Goddesses have had this issue before. It then just hit her. How was she going to explain this to the others? They'll think this is some insane prank that Neptune thought of herself, but not even she is that bad with jokes. Still, they'll have to worry about it later. Now, Histoire was going to test Neptune's capabilities.

"Alright Neptune, put your clothes back on. We're going to see what you can really do. I am interested myself."

Neptune got excited once again as she had got dressed once again. A question still remained, however. If Neptune was already in HDD but it is considered as a normal form, does she still have the ability to transform? If so, what does she transform into? Her Next Form..? That would be the most logical answer since the CPUs have gained another form since their last adventure. Histoire thought to herself, floating out of the Share Crystal room to head towards a training room for the Goddesses to test their strength. Neptune looked around the metallically white room, amazed by how everything seemed bland at first. However, it reminded her of a game she's been recently playing.

"This is the kind of training room you would see in a fighting game. Wait- Are we going to fight!?"

Fists clenched with excitement, Neptune had grown the sudden desire to fight. Histoire slowly shook her head, but then nodded it to answer Neptune's question. She tapped Nepgear's waist to gather her attention, then guided her over to a separate room. She figured that Nepgear wouldn't be needed to help, but would have her on standby in case something happens.

"Nepgear, I do not know what this feeling is, but it is not a good one. I have never seen Neptune with this sudden desire to fight. It is best that we quench this thirst before it gets out of hand. That is why I created this room, in case Neptune ever wanted to train herself. I figured it was useless since she never works, but not it has an actual use."

Neptune was growing angsty, her foot tapping against the polished, white floor. Her arms were crossed as she looked around as she was waiting if something was going to happen. Historie pressed a button on the console mechanism, activating a blast door with a ground of people pouring from the inside and into the large room. Neptune turned around towards the group of people, confused as to why they were here. Nepgear turned to Histoire, concerned about the group's presence.

"H-Histoire, why do you have these people here?"

Histoire took a moment to answer, trying to come up with the best words to raise the least amount of shock.

"They are protesters that caused plenty of problems when Neptune wasn't doing much work, which is always. They almost started a huge revolt, claiming to desire a Goddess that actually did something for her people or they will take over the nation themselves to fix what she cannot. Luckily, we have loyal citizens despite having those who also hate us. We had no choice but to take them into custody, but since we have no prisons in this nation, we did not know where else to put them. Now they are here and the Goddess of this nation finally gets a chance to appoint the proper punishment. We will also be able to see what Purple Heart does rather than Neptune.."

Neptune's left ear had twitched. It seems she was listening to Histoire talking about who these guys are. Neptune slowly nodded her head, gently fixing her hat as she began to step towards them. Her crimson cape was flowing behind her, giving Neptune that superhero feeling she had before. The crowd gazed at the oncoming Goddess, still feeling that same hatred that did before they were confined.

"So, these humans are the being that wanted to partially dethrone me? Do you honestly believe that you could dethrone a Goddess?"

One member of the crowd had stood up, stepping to the front to face the Goddess and voice his complaints in person. Neptune stood before him, her arms crossed under her chest. To Neptune, this guy seemed like the type that would lead a cause such as this. He was much larger than Neptune, almost a fat guy. Neptune looked up, her expression showing no expression other than a smirk.

"I am the one who leads these people. We are tired of this nation's Goddess and her lazy nature of ruling. We, the people, have decided to liberate ourselves of you and your Goddess Candidate to take over the nation in order to make it prosper in our own vision and not some faulty Goddess. We want a true ruler!"

Neptune slowly nodded her head, trying to act as if she cared, but it was obvious that she did not. However, what did cross her mind was the fact that she truly hasn't been working on her nation's progress and was always told about how the nation was failing. She kept hearing it over and over, and hearing it once again didn't make it sound even better. At this point, Neptune's state of mind was saying "Alright...you want me to work so much, I'll work. However, I am going to do this my way.". After all these years, Neptune had understood that once she heard the complaints from her citizens directly. Neptune then began to chuckle, placing her hand over her mouth to try and stifle them. The main leader looked down at Neptune's snickering, and Histoire slowly shook her head. It appeared as if she really didn't care.

"Hey, what is so funny!? I am voicing my complaints up front and you just laugh them off as nothing!? Do you not understand what we are trying to do!? We are taking over your nation!"

Neptune began to laugh even more, slapping her knees and holding her stomach due to feeling slight pain from laughing so much and quite hard from hearing such things. She truly did not care about what the man was saying to her. She held her hand up, her laughter slowly subsiding so she could speak a coherent sentence. She then held her chest, breathing in and out softly so she could finally calm down. She lifted herself back up to face the male, clearing her throat before speaking, then lowered her hand.

"I know, and I don't care. I get that you people are upset, but I don't care. However, what I do care about are the people who didn't cause a ruckus just to get their point across. So I will say this here and now, as the ruler of this nation, I will not step down from my position and you will not dethrone me. Now, I ask that you beings cease this foolish banter and you may return to your respective homes. Failure to comply will result in the usage of deadly force against you and you will be deemed as terrorists of the nation, and I do not negotiate with terrorists."

Neptune would then cross her arms, standing her ground with her own statements made. His requests were not only ignored, but his decree and call to war was shut down as well. Histoire and Nepgear were actually shocked by this, they did not expect Neptune to be so direct with retaliation. "Didn't expect that response.. Probably wasn't the best approach, but at least it shows she is capable of even this." Histoire thought to herself, watching everything unfold before her. Neptune simply nodded her head after the male had fallen silent to her words, then turned his back to him to show that the discussion was final. Suddenly, someone from the crowd had thrown a rock at the back of Neptune's head.

"No lazy Goddesses!"

It was a young teenager that was seen in the protest that threw the rock, shouting at Neptune. The rock had hit Neptune in the head, and quite hard at that. Neptune paused for a moment, then reached back to touch the spot where she was hit, gently tapping it. Though it did send a sharp pain throughout Neptune's head, she didn't wince or show an expression of pain. She did it to confirm that she was indeed hit with a rock. She looked down to see the rock beside her left foot, reaching to pick it up. She looked at the rock, seeing that there was a spot of blood on the rock. She pulled her hand back to look at her fingers, seeing a bit of blood on them.

"Huh..kid's got a good arm." Neptune looked up at the person that threw the rock, holding the rock in her hand and tossing it up and down in her palm. "You must have thought you were going to get somewhere with that little display. I should commend you, you had balls for a moment. Now, you will pay for that." Neptune tightly clutched the rock in her hand and threw it back to the boy. However, when Neptune threw the rock, the initial toss of the rock had sent it flying across the air at an intense speed. The rock had traveled towards the teenager's face and hit him dead center in his forehead, the impact causing the rock to be sent through his head. The teen's head had exploded from that impact, splattering the poor boy's blood everywhere and on the people that were around him. Everyone suddenly jumped back in shock and even fear. Nepgear and Histoire quickly stood up and ran out towards Neptune to grab hold of her. Neptune only stared at the damage she had committed. Histoire reached up to Neptune's face and held it tightly. She was both furious and too shocked to even comprehend what had happened in such a short time.

"N-N-NEPTUNE! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?"

Neptune simply looked into Histoire's eyes with a lack of concern on her face, using her hand to push her face away. "What I did was simply carry out what I said before. Persist your actions and I will not hesitate to retaliate, I was serious. I'm getting tired of this 'I don't work' nonsense going around. So I am going to do this my way and nip this in the bud right now." Neptune pushed Histoire out of the way and was about to approach the crowd with open arms. However, she was stopped by her own sister wrapping her arms around Neptune's waist. Neptune let out a quiet sigh, looking back at Nepgear. Nepgear's face was pressed against her sister's back, trying to hold back tears after seeing what just happened. Her once kind and hyperactive sister had become this cold-hearted murderer in just under a few minutes. What happened to Neptune? Why was she like this? Nepgear didn't know what to say or do, she just held her closely, wishing that it would all just go away. Neptune placed her hand upon Nepgear's, closing her eyes a bit tightly on the fact that if she goes through with this, Nepgear wouldn't see her the same way anymore. Neptune knew that her course of action was harsh, but she wanted to make it known that she was not messing around and her words were final. The people were in a slight panic, afraid of Neptune now that she just killed someone right in front of them. However, the older male had only looked down at the child that was struck by Neptune's wrath and held his hands together to pray for him. Once finished, he looked at Neptune with disappointment, then back to the people behind him.

"You see, this is the Goddess that we had to live under for so long. Not only is she unable to truly satisfy her people, but she will take a life without hesitation or regret. There, has been spilled the blood of your fellow man by this menace because he spoke his mind. He too has seen the uselessness that Planeptune's Goddess brings and has decided to do something about it. We too should follow in our fallen comrade's footsteps and take matters into our own hands and do what the Goddess was unable to do!" Raising his fist into the air, he chanted "Rebuke the Goddess, liberate the people! Rebuke the Goddess, liberate the people!" The crowd began to chant along with him, raising their own fists into the air with him. Neptune only stayed quiet, staring down the people with narrowed eyes and a stern expression. Her hand was still above Nepgear's. She would gently pinch it, asking her to let go. She slowly turned herself around so she could face Nepgear and lifted her head. Her face was riddled with tears. Neptune couldn't bare to see such a face much longer. It would only upset her. Neptune simply looked into Nepgear's eyes. "I can handle this." She whispered to Nepgear, gently stroking her hair. Nepgear still didn't want to let go of Neptune, but she knew she had to eventually. She nodded her head and slowly let go of Neptune, placing her hands at her sides. "Go stand by Histoire, not even she can stop these people." Neptune turned around to face the crowd, stepping before them. Once they saw her, they slowly stopped chanting and Neptune began to talk once the room had fallen silent.

"You humans talk a lot about what I don't do. That is quite a lengthy list you have. Oh, wait, it's just one thing compared to the countless others that are done to keep this nation and the home you reside in still standing strong no matter how weak its legs may be. I gave you children of man a home when you needed some place to live. Believe it or not, I actually know who you people are. You are the group that made this same revolt in Lowee because you wanted someplace else to live but had no place else to go. That is when I made the order to take you all in. I did it to take most of the problems off of Blanc's hands, and to give you a home that wasn't so cold but also wasn't so hot either. I made sure you were all properly fed and taken care of under my protection. I even made arrangements to make you all official citizens of Planeptune. That way you wouldn't be just refugees running around Gamindustri. I did everything to be sure that you were all living in peace, and this is how you repay my kindness? My generosity and hospitality? You completely forget the person who gave you homes when Blanc would rather cast you out of Lowee in seconds? That actually breaks my heart, and that angers me so. It was literally ALL ME that saved you people. You would not be here, alive, breathing, healthy, fed, and living in prosperity voicing these bullshit complaints without me! So, I would suggest you fuckers understand that the very Goddess that you want to be gone is the SAME Goddess that is the reason you are even breathing air to exhale that bullshit coming from your insignificant mouths!"

Neptune's fists were tightened, her breathing was heavy after telling them everything that happened and why they were accepted into Planeptune so easily. Even Histoire wasn't aware of this. She did wonder why there was an increase of citizen count, this answers it. Histoire slowly rested her head on Nepgear's shoulder. "It would seem that we have underestimated your sister... She truly does care. Of course, it was highly unnecessary to kill a child to prove a point." Nepgear slowly nodded her head, approaching Neptune and standing by her side. The crowd began to realize everything after listening to Neptune's words. It was definitely true. Most of them would not even be there without Neptune's influence in getting them a home and her protection. The older male could not argue any further. Despite Neptune doing little work for the nation, she did plenty for the people she is facing today and they should be showing gratitude than hatred. They soon lowered their fists and began to slowly clap for Neptune. Neptune's face still showed an angry expression, but she was content with this outcome. She was still upset about having a rock being thrown at her, but that will pass soon enough.

The crowd continued to cheer for Neptune, even giving her well-earned thank yous for all of her efforts. Neptune simply rose her hand up slightly, then turned away from the crowd. "Now that we are on the same page. I want you all to head to your respective homes. We never speak of this incident again, and you beings never cause anything like this to happen again. For things will not be as they were before. Also, don't bring up that I threw a rock at a child. Be grateful the rest of you are even alive because I am known to be kinder than the other Goddesses." The crowd complied with Neptune's orders and quickly left the area after Neptune let them leave through the way they came in. Neptune then began to walk out of the room as well, heading towards her bedroom to rest after all that had happened in a single day. Nepgear carried Histoire and followed behind Neptune, forgetting that the only reason they were in that room was to test Neptune's power. Though it tested more than that, it tested her leadership and ability to rule.

"Where are you going, Neptune?" Questioned Nepgear, following behind her sister. Neptune was walking towards the bedroom, placing her hand onto the doorknob. "I will be in my bedroom. There are plenty of things that need to be thought about. Come see me in about..an hour and thirty minutes, and bring a bottle of wine with a glass." Neptune opened her bedroom door and stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Nepgear simply nodded, placing Histoire down onto the couch. She then went to grab the bottle and wine glass as requested, setting them on the table so she could bring them to Neptune when ready. Meanwhile, Neptune was sitting in her bedroom. She took a moment to really think about what had happened today, letting each and every word that was said to her ring her in mind. Each time it did, Neptune would clutch her fist tightly. She looked outside of her large window, giving her a full view of Planeptune.

"What did I do to make this nation where it is now? Every being that has made residence here lives in peace and prosperity. All because I had given it to them. Even with that, I am told that I do not do anything to deserve rule over this nation. Now..the blood of man has been spilled by my hand, all due to the revolt of citizens once they have finally had enough of this..lazy rule. If a working Goddess is what these beings desire, then I will shape this nation to be the strongest. I will show these humans, and those other Goddesses, that forcing me to work was the biggest mistake they will ever make in their feeble lives." Neptune began to chuckle suddenly, growing into a sinister laughter. She placed her hand over her face, calming herself down a bit. "Now..I just need to understand this feeling I've been having.. This feeling of power.. Why does it feel so familiar?" It was apparent that Neptune had felt this kind of power once before. Not on a personal standpoint, but from being on the outside of it. As if she has witnessed it before. Her memory was foggy, unable to remember specific details. She decided to let it go for now, taking a seat in front of her window.

Later that evening, Neptune was still in her bedroom. The night has come, her bedroom was dark, and the moon was the only light one could see in her room. She took her hat off and held it in her hands, looking at the golden pin in the front of it. Red wasn't her usual color, but it wasn't a bad one either. She also has her red cape, thinking red might be a cool color. With a soft chuckle under her breath, she thought that maybe she could be CPU Red Heart. However, even she knows she can't exactly do that. "I wouldn't change that, that is a legacy I must uphold." Putting her hat back onto her head, she heard her bedroom door being knocked on. "The door is unlocked, you may enter." She calmly commanded the being at her door. The door slowly opens with Nepgear walking inside with a serving tray filled with a wine bottle, a wine glass, and a plate of freshly baked cookies. "Hey Neptune, I brought you the things you wanted. I also brought cookies for you." She placed them down on a table beside the chair Neptune was sitting in. Nepgear then opens the wine bottle, pouring a glass of wine for her big sister then standing by her side until Neptune had finally spoken to her. Neptune kept her gaze focused outside of her window, reaching over with her left hand to hold the wine glass and slowly tilted the glass back towards her mouth to gently take a sip of wine. With a soft sigh, she lowered the glass.

"Nepgear, kneel down in front of me." Neptune commanded, keeping her gaze forward. Nepgear slowly nodded her head, walking towards the front of her sister and knelt down before her as told. She looked down at first, afraid to look up at Neptune. By the sound of her voice, Neptune seemed like she was angry. Or maybe that was just how it sounds when she's serious. Either way, she waited for any further instructions. "Look at me Nepgear." Neptune commanded Nepgear once again, causing Nepgear to look up at her sister and stare into her eyes. "Nepgear, I've come to a conclusion. I am going to start ruling this nation and build it to become the strongest nation. I have grown tired of always being at the bottom. So we are going to see what it is like to be at the top. The top of the food chain, above everyone while they gaze at us from beneath our feet. However, we need to do this with an iron fist to show that we mean business and that we are not messing around anymore. We need to show that we are in fact strong and we will now be classed as the weak and outcasted by those who claimed to be superior for so long! Today marks the day we begin the era of the Empire of Purple Heart!" Neptune's hand began to clench into a tight fist. Nepgear heard her sister's words, her heart slowly sinking within her chest. She did want Planeptune to be strong, but she didn't want to seem like she had to force it onto anyone. She continued to stare at Neptune, her mouth slowly opening as if she wanted to say something to her. "N-Neptune... I don't think we should enforce such a way to rule. We let the people decide things and we carry out the wishes of the people.." Neptune held her hand before Nepgear's face, stopping her sentence there. "That, my dear little sister, is a faulty way of ruling. It is that way of ruling that we had to deal with a revolt. Those humans tried to dethrone us and take over the nation for themselves. They do not know what it means to rule a nation, and I will not allow lesser beings to take what is rightfully mine! The humans are the beings that serve the Goddess while we provide them the food, shelter, and prosperity that they so desire. We are the reason they have a home and healthy lifestyle, we should be worshiped and knelt before when our presence is before them. These humans are becoming too aggro with their demands. So they will get they have always wanted, a capable Goddess with a strong nation. Then, no one will see us as weak. They will cower before my power!"

Nepgear began to shiver, almost becoming afraid of Neptune's demands. She held her hand to her chest, the speed of her heart's pulse growing faster. She knew this wasn't a good thing, but she also did not want to argue with her sister, especially with the way she is now. Then, Neptune looked down at Nepgear, knowing that such things are not how her more innocent sibling sees the world. "You do not have to follow me, you know that right?" Nepgear quickly rose her head after hearing such words, her body now visibly trembling. "W-What..? What do you mean?" Neptune gently placed her hand upon Nepgear's head, feeling the fear from her body escape through the speedy pulses in her body. "You do not have to follow me. You can turn away from me, even leave my side. I know this is not what you desire, and I will not force my own sister into such a road that she cannot find light in. Do not allow me to darken your pure heart, walk away and find your own path if you so wish it. If you grow to hate me for what I may become, I can understand that." Neptune had given Nepgear the green light to leave her and go somewhere else. Nepgear looked down at the floor, thinking of her answer to that. She then closed her eyes tightly, then latched onto her sister's waist. Neptune only placed her hand onto Nepgear's back. "By this gesture, what is your answer Nepgear?" Nepgear slowly looked up with tears in her eyes. "I-I don't want to leave you.. I don't want to see you go alone on this road.. S-So.. I will follow you, wherever you go. If it's to make our nation strong, then I will do what must be done." Neptune stared into Nepgear's eyes, taking her finger and wiping the bitter liquid that was streaming from her lilac irises. "I understand. However, I want you to know this. Whatever happens, know that it had to be done to achieve our goal. Not even Histoire would agree with what I have in my mind. However, she will not stand in our way of pure domination. So, always remember, whatever happens, was necessary to achieve our goal. Failure to understand that will be the inevitable failure of becoming strong. Have I made my words clear Nepgear?" Nepgear's chest was tight. She could hardly breathe, let alone let all of that amount of realism sink in at once. Still, she had to let it be known that it was evident that hardships will come while walking down this path. So she nodded her head, agreeing with her sister's words. "Y-Yes... We will face problems that will test who we are as people, but letting them overcome us will lead to inevitable failure. For the sake of our nation, we cannot allow that." Nepgear placed her hand upon her chest, slowly breathing inwards and outwards to calm herself down. Neptune took another sip of her wine, impressed by Nepgear's understanding and willingness to comply with her way of ruling. "Good, you aren't as pitiful as you make yourself out to be." Nepgear tried to smile, laying her head on her sister's lap.

Neptune would then grab a cookie, taking a bite out of it. "Yo, these are some good cookies. Are these sugar?" Nepgear nodded her head, now showing a genuine smile. Even with such a serious attitude, Neptune was always that sister Nepgear truly loved. She nodded her head to her sister's question. "Mhm, and chocolate chip, your favorite." Neptune smiled more, enjoying her batch of cookies with glee. That night, Neptune and Nepgear began to discuss plans to begin their way of ruling Planeptune for the better of themselves and the people living in it.

End of Chapter 1

==TO==BE==CONTINUED⇒

By: ByondOmnipotent