Part 19: Episode 19: Underling Grows Bold?

Episode 19: Underling Grows Bold?

What the goodness? That title is still there? I-Is Underling actually going to be a threat this time? W-Well, last time we rescued the Oracle of Leanbox. Now, on Neptune…



Huh? It’s a little creepy to approach me with such a randomly dark comment.
Dubious Man: It’s hypothetical.
Well, I don’t know. If there was no other way, I guess the reward outweighs the sacrifice.
Dubious Man: I see.
What if the sacrifice was not you, rather, a friend or family member?
Wh-What? Now you’re just scaring me.
Dubious Man: Hmhmhmhm. Don’t get so defensive. These are just one man’s curiosities.

That was really strange, wasn’t it? Anyway, we got on Underling’s trail and followed her to their secret hideout.

Video- “Hideout”

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Shut up, okay!? I never said I was cut out for tactical espionage action!
Figures. Shouldn’t have sent such a trashy vagrant to act like an Oracle. It was a lost cause from the get-go.
I dunno, I mean, you’re right and all… But for some reason it pisses me off like 20 percent more to hear you say it.
Don’t burden me with your inferiority complex and failed career path, chump. As ordered, I have the mascot.
Green Disc: …
Tch, lame. If you went through all that trouble, why not just destroy it? Why d’we gotta keep it alive?
Orders are orders, chump. All you know how to do is break stuff. That idiocy is why you’ll always be Underling.
I thought I said that you of all people don’t get to call me that!

It really wasn’t that hard.



It was easy to find you because you were shouting like an enraged gorilla.
What!? You dumbasses again… How’d you figure out where we were?
A crass, dark-skinned delinquent and a giant mouse calling everyone ‘chump’ are easy for civilians to recall.
Ahh, my dear Compa! You came all this way to see me. My heart has been captured!
Mister Mouse, please release the mascot.
Oh, of course. If my dear Compa wishes for it, I’ll let it go right now. I absolutely will do that!
Don’t let this harlot toy with you, you stupid rat in a cage. You think we’d just say ‘derp, okay’ and give up!?
I don’t. I was planning to introduce your face to my justice kick and take it back!
You have gone too far. It is time to answer for your sins.
Nuh-uh! You’ve gone too far, ginger! I ain’t gonna lose to you every time!

Of course, we got in a fight with them.

Video- “Battle”

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Boss Battle: Underling and Pirachu
Underling and Pirachu aren’t that hard, but they can be pretty annoying. They like to use a lot of status effects, making it hard to keep Nepgear transformed and it very likely someone will be paralyzed at any given time. You also need to watch for Underling’s powerful ranged attack, which she’ll use sometimes to trash casters. She generally doesn’t do it when someone’s in her face, but be ready to revive if she does.

They’re pretty weak, though. Poor Underling, I kind of feel bad.

Video- “Underling Grows Bold”

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Compa really laid into me… What a delightful pain…
As expected.
Now they should realize how weak they are.
Are you okay? Please answer me. They didn’t hurt you, did they?
Green Disc: No, I’m quite all right. Thank you. You are…?
I’m Planeptune’s CPU Candidate, Nepgear. Please help us save Gamindustri!
Ge-Ge, that was too much nutshelling.
Green Disc: No, I grasp the urgency of your situation. I see the mascots’ powers within you. You will save the world.
You understand? Then, you’ll…
A moment. We must first acquire verbal consent from Chika, Leanbox’s Oracle. Let us return to the Basilicom.
Wait just a sec, princess! Who died and made you boss!?
Not you, clearly. I’m surprised you didn’t run away.
If you persist, for great justice, I will rearrange your face again!

Then again, this time she had some kind of secret advantage.



Green Disc: A mascot character’s disc? Why do you possess such a thing?
What, this old thing? Really? Heh. I got this from my favorite superior.
I was ordered to kill you all using this thing!
Huh? Ohhhh yeahhhh! This is so cool. I’m gonna kick ass. My power’s overflowing!
If we’re this strong…we got it, chump. Love’s not always about waiting. I’ll take Compa by force!
They have enhanced their stats!? Enough for even I to tell at a glance.
It doesn’t matter how much they beef up. Spam is spam, Underling is Underling. I’ll show her this truth right now!
Doink!
Huh? Did your kick just ‘doink’ me? The hell was that sad attack?
No…that was my mightiest superheroine flying kick of justice!
I think you meant to do…this!
THUD!
Whoooooa!
Nisa!?
Green Disc: She’s abusing the power of the mascot character!
Heh. Bwahahaha! I can beat ‘em. I can frickin’ beat their asses today!
Chuuuu. Compa, Compa, chump, chu…
N-No, please stay away, Mister Mouse. I think you might have rabies!

Things were looking pretty bad for a while, but we managed to get a bit of luck on our side.



I’d recommend running, but I somehow doubt they’d let us get away.
Goodness gracious… The mascot just decided to help us…
Don’t give up hope!
What are you doing here, 5pb.?
Chika told me to use my gift and save this nation when it’s in danger.
I see. We could not have asked for better reinforcements.
You’re that corporate shill who was singing at the concert. Bwahaha! What, you gonna sing at me!?
Yes, that was my plan. All I can do is sing and perform.
Oh, goodie. Then sing their dirges. It’ll improve my mood, at least!
* deep breath * Everyone, listen to my song!
Pffft, hahaha! Ridiculous. Not like I have any reason to spoil this brain-dead idol’s show. Now then, why don’t…huh?
Chu? Wh-What was that, chump? My powers…are fading away?
The hell’s this plot twist!? Something’s definitely wrong.
Wow, such a pretty song… It makes me feel like I can do anything.
Yes, now I feel like we can win!
Huh? It doesn’t hurt anymore… My injury is healing!
This isn’t a group hallucination. The only variable here is…
Her songs have such natural powers. They instill bravery in the good and inflict fear upon the forces of evil.
Ugh, gimme a frickin’ break already! I won’t lose to a pop song!

Yeah, unfortunately for Underling she’s still Underling.

Video- “Battle Two”

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Boss Battle: Underling and Pirachu
We’re up against them again. They’re a bit harder, this time, but they pretty much do the same things and you fight them pretty much the same way.

We managed to defeat them thanks to 5pb.’s help.

Video- “Victory”

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Chuuuuuuuuu…
Huzzah! Justice prevails!
Don’t pretend we weren’t in a tight spot back there.
It’s all thanks to you, 5pb.! Thank you so very much!
Uh? Uhhhhh…
Ouch…she ignored me. My feelings are hurt.
Please forgive her reaction. Lyrica is extremely shy offstage.
I-I-I’m so sorry!
You perform concerts even though you’re so shy?
Well, once I take on the role of 5pb., I’m okay…usually. In everyday life, as myself, I’m…socially…awkward.
Annoying personality disorder.
Thanks to you, we were able to save the mascot character.
Green Disc: Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you.
Please don’t worry about that. We’re just fixing what ASIC broke.
Chika and the mascot are safe. I hope this portends a peaceful future for all of Leanbox.
Let’s go report to the Oracle.

Next Time on Hyperdimension Neptunia, Mark 2: Concert! What? Really? But… okay.