Part 22: Episode 22: The Legend of the Brand

Episode 22: The Legend of the Brand

Goodness, hello everyone! Sorry about last time, we were a bit busy! Now, on Neptune…

Feinne’s Notes:
So, before we get started let’s see some quests!









So, there’s an event in Planeptune if you have one of the DLCs that pops up now. It’s not a scene, though, it just gives IF, Compa, Nisa, Gust, and 5pb new skills. Everyone but Gust gets an ultimate skill they’d previously have been missing, and everyone but Compa gets a Coupling skill when paired with Nepgear (because I think Compa might naturally gain one of those). Compa and IF also get one when paired. The goal of the DLC is pretty clearly to make any arbitrary party you set up pretty great, and it succeeds pretty well in that regard.

I guess today we’re just going to have a few weird side stories? Okay.



You can do it. The F-chord is a basic technique that’ll train your fingers.
What are you two doing?
This pop idol is teaching the world’s greatest heroine how to play the guitar.
I’m not the best teacher, but she insisted, so…
Oh, I had no idea you were interested in playing the guitar, Nisa.
I’m not.
Huh?
I’m interested in being a heroine of justice who just so happens to also know how to play a mean guitar.
Oh. I kind of understand.
It’d be cool, right? I’ll make even more theatrical entrances strumming a guitar.
Da-daaaaahn! Wee-ooo-eee-ooo! You might think you’re Gamindustri’s greatest, but you’re number two.
What? Who’s number one!?
I am!
Uwahaha! Nepgear, you’re a good sport.
Ugh, I played right into her hands.
What’s next… Are you the one who killed 5pb.!?
No! I was at Planeptune’s Basilicom the whole time!
Don’t kill me off so easily, even if you’re playing pretend.
Or something like that. I wanna do that in a real fight so bad. That’s why I’m practicing!
Before any of that, you need to learn the F-chord.
I know, I’m trying. Urgh…my fingers just can’t reach…
At least she sounds like she’s having fun. Not like this is troubling anyone.

I’m not even sure when we found the time for all this stuff.



What’re you doing?
Whoa! Ch-Ch-Chika!
You should really stop being so startled whenever I talk to you.
S-Sorry. I’m just r-r-really shy, so I can’t h-help it…
Even shyness has its limits. How many times have we talked?
I really am sorry…
Why do you have a problem with just me? You converse perfectly fine with Cave.
Cave is really kind, so…
You mean I’m not kind?
U-Um! N-No, that’s not it at all.
We’ll shelf that issue for now. You’re going to get in trouble if you’re so timid on this journey.
You can’t scream at every shadow.
That’s not a problem anymore. Everyone’s nice, so I’m used to them.
…You mean I’m not nice?
U-Ummmm! That’s not true. That’s now what I meant at all!
I can’t let it go this time. Why’re you so afraid of me?
Why is anyone afraid of anything? Because those things are scary.

It’s like we’re not busy at all.



Eeeeep!
Gah. If I scare you with my outbursts, this is only going to get worse.
No, no. That’s not the kind of scary I’m talking about.
Do you remember how we met after Lady Vert had vanished?
What’s that got to do with this?
You don’t say anything overtly, but I can feel your irritation. That’s what scares me.
Hmm. I thought I was hiding it well. Seems it was a bit obvious to you.
Then after we save Lady Vert, you won’t be scary, right?
I’m not sure about that, but… Okay. If that happens, you won’t be scared of me anymore.
Maybe.
That’s one more reason not to slack off on your mission to rescue my dear Vert.
That’s the situation, so go rescue her as soon as humanly possible! Okay? That’s a direct order!
S-Sure! Uhhh…she’s still so scary…

Which is weird, because even things that should be urgent seem to wait for us.



Iffy, it’s not healthy to fiddle around with your cell phone while you walk.
C’mon, it’s just for a minute. I’ll be done after I read these.
You never quit when you say you will. It’s so dangerous and you’re causing trouble for the people around you.
Don’t be lame, Compa. This is just who I am. I mess with my phone.
It’s a bad habit.
IF! IF!
What? You don’t have to yell.
Look at this bad boy! I bought a sweet new cell phone!
Oh. You finally decided on one.
Yes, my other one was three years old. I just kept noticing you with yours and I couldn’t resist anymore.
You like these things, don’t you?
Cutting-edge cell phone technology is so amazing. They’re almost laptops.
You wanna get the same functionality as a PC? Fine. I’ll recommend some apps.
I don’t normally bother because my cell is mainly used to collect information.
I installed a ton of game apps. Most of them are free, so I didn’t even research any of them.
Service fees may be separate, you know. Be careful. Oh, that’s interesting.
This one is so addicting. I’ve only played it for 30 minutes but I think about it constantly.
Maybe I’ll install it, too.
Two delinquent children, staring at their cell phones in the street. Sometimes you youngsters are so rude!

Oh, speaking of weird, I found…something.



Can you still call it a sword? It’s like a middle-aged man with a hilt.
I wonder what the creator of this object was thinking.
I still feel a tremendous aura from it. This must be…yes! I mega feel it, man! It’s a game creator’s fiery passion!
What’re you talking about? I don’t feel crap from this thing.
I really do feel it. There’s no mistake.
Well, for me, I only feel…apathy.
Ge-Ge, you aren’t going to try to use this thing, are you?
Why? I can’t?
It’s not that you can’t, but… It might be embarrassing to others if you wield this in battle with them.
I hear that. I’m all like, whatever. Give me a break. Are we still talking?
Ugh, you’re not even paying attention. Should I just take it?
Really? This might be a huge decision…
I might be considered a crazy heretic or something if I brandish this thing. So embarrassing. Do I still want it…?
Using this in the final battle will ruin the mood for everyone. I feel bad for the things I’ll hit. Do I…?
Okay. I’ve made up my mind. Yaaaaah!
Oh. She took it.
W-Wow, she really did.
System Message: Nepgear acquired Inafune Brand.
This…is incredible! What an amazingly balanced sword! It’s full of power! Mega power!
Ge-Ge is so happy she found a new toy. Why don’t we overlook its appearance?
I just wish she’d consider the feelings of the allies fighting by her side.

Feinne’s Notes:
Yes, we just got a skill that uses Mr. Inafune as a sword. Yes, it asked us if we really wanted to four times, including intimating that it might have some negative effect. No, it doesn’t.

I don’t see what the problem was.



Teehee, I know! Ahhh…so nostalgic.
What are you two talking about? You look so happy.
Nice timing, Ge-Ge.
We were reminiscing about the day we all met.
All of us? You mean when you two met me and Neptune?
Yeah. How many years has it been? That was way back during my Worldwide Tower Climbing Tour…

Huh. The day we all met…



Sound: Snaaaaaaaaaaaap!
Huh? Is someone screaming ‘snap’? No…it’s gotta be my imagination.
Whooooooa! Move it, please!
Huh? What the-!?
Swift dodge!
Glarble!
Wow. She literally stabbed herself into the ground…like a spear.
Oooof…you’re a really cruel stranger. You could’ve broken my fall…
You yelled at me to dodge. Anyway, how are you still alive?
Define alive. I can’t…move…
This looks pretty bad. I don’t think we can get an ambulance all the way out here.
Oh, right. One of my friends is a nursing student. That’s basically legit, so maybe she can treat you.
I don’t care who… Just so I stop munching dirt…
Hold on. Hello, Compa?

That was a really weird day too, as I think about it.



That was quick. She’s…here. Ish. I got her out of the ground.
Ugh… Please help.
This is horribly severe. One moment! I know just how to treat a wound that is this extreme!
Please…huh? Wait, why’re you taking my clothes off?
If I don’t disrobe the body, I can’t properly dress the wound! That’s what my textbooks say.
Okay, I get your point, but stripping me butt-naked is a bit…extreme.
Extreme measures for extreme injuries! Don’t speak. I will now make you better!
I don’t think you’re using those bandages the way they’re intended! Yikes, this is getting messy!
Don’t worry about the trivial details. I’ll just wrap you up in more!
Whoa! This just got painful in a totally different way.
I get that she’s enthusiastic to put her skills to the test, but sadly, I don’t think she tested well on her skills.
The injury seems less serious than I thought. Compa might actually be fine.
G-Goodness, Neptune! Are you okay!?
Hiya, Nep Jr.!
I’m glad you’re still alive. Whew. That’s why I said not to play at the edge of the tower.
That’s neat and all, but how about rescuing me!
Huh?
Oh my goodness! What are you doing to her!?
I’m treating her injury. Don’t disturb the professional.
Crap. My vacation is ruined now…

I still don’t get why all those bandages.



Oh, my. It’s so embarrassing to recall. I didn’t even know how to use bandages properly back then.
You think that’s actually changed?
Boo, Iffy. If you say that again, I won’t heal you ever again!
Sorry. I was kidding.
The big surprise came after that. I would’ve never guessed the girl who fell was Planeptune’s CPU.
Neither of you really looked like it…
Hahaha. Is that a compliment or an insult?
Don’t even go there. That’s like one million times better than being an arrogant princess.
Now I really want to see Nep-Nep…
Yes. I miss her, too.
Same here. Let’s get her out of that dumpster of a place as soon as we can.
She’s still being a nuisance to us. I guess some girls never change.

Anyway, Next Time on Hyperdimension Neptunia, Mark 2: Return of the Underling. What the goodness? We’re fighting her again?