Chapter 6: Bravery
After having made a full recovery, Neptune was able to go back to Guild quests with Uzume. Being the nice girl she was, Neptune had completely forgiven Uzume for what had happened, though she had become warier around her red-headed whenever her megaphone was out. Nepgear continued to enjoy school, and talk to her mother about all the fun she had with her friends, though she still forgot to tell Uzume and her sister about them.
It was a new day, and Neptune and her sister were in their room, talking to Croire, trying once again to get the dark tome to be nice to the little girl.
"Come on, Croisty, can't you just be nice to her," Neptune complained to her "friend". The older sister lifted the younger one up, so the tome could see her in her seal. "Just look at her cute face. How could you hate that face?"
Coire huffed. "I bet you she's a brat."
Neptune got offended by that. "Oh, come on. That's saying that you think she's a mean kid. She isn't. She's more curious than anything."
"She looks like a cute fairy girl on a book," Nepgear commented in her cute way. "I wanna pet her wings."
"You want to WHAT!?" cried out Croire.
"She's just being innocent," Neptune explained. "And come on, how could not love that innocence."
"Big sis, why do you have a book inside a book?" the little girl asked.
"Well... you see, Croisty is my friend, but she likes to do bad things. So, I have to put her in this book."
"You're friends with a bad fairy?"
"It's... complicated. I think Croisty is misunderstood, and that she really is a good person under that dark exterior. She just needs help seeing things in a better light."
"So Crokey is a good fairy?"
"Wh-what am I to you!? A frog!?" Croire complained.
"No, you're a fairy," Nepgear replied. "...Um, are you a frog fairy? And you didn't tell why you have a book in a book!"
"Oh, well, first of all, Croisty is not a frog," Neptune explained. "Though, Crokey is a very cute nickname."
"Gee, thanks," Croire complained again, though Nepgear was just confused. She was sure she said her name right.
"And, for the book thing... the book Croisty is sitting on, it's... difficult to explain. I don't even fully understand it myself, but I think that book actually IS Croisty. So, closing up that book wouldn't really help in stopping her..."
Croire didn't comment on that, but she was glad that Neptune didn't know about ACTUAL tome sealing. She'd seen different versions of Histoire and other tomes get sealed away. Thankfully, Neptune didn't know anything about that, because it would suck to be properly sealed away.
"...so I have to put her in this other book," Neptune continued, lifting up her to emphasize. "My Nep-Note. It's actually really neat. With this, I can shrink all sorts of things, and tape them inside. I gathered all sorts of specimens in my travels. I've even sealed the occasional villain in here!"
"Woah, so, are you like some kind of hero?" Nepgear asked in amazement.
"In some places, yeah!" Then Neptune thought of something. "You know, I don't think I've shown everything I've put in my book. Would you like to see them?"
"Yeah!"
"So, no luck with the CPU Memory, then?" Merci asked Uzume. They and Umio were having some tea.
"No. But I've only just started looking while on quests," Uzume replied. "I'm sure there's one for me out there. I can feel it!"
"Enthusiastic as always," Umio commented.
"You know it! Now-" Uzume unfortunately then got interrupted by a loud scream.
Seconds later, little Nepgear came running into the room, her face full of tears. "Mommy!"
"Oh, honey," Merci leaned down to pick up the crying girl. "What's wrong."
"Big- big sis- she- she has-" Nepgear couldn't form her words as she staring bawling again.
Neptune ran in, calling out, "Nepgear, wait! What did I do!? I'm sorry!"
"What happened!?" Merci replied.
"I don't know! I asked if she wanted to see my Nep-Note, and she said yes. But once I started flipping through the pages, she started freaking out!"
"The one where you put all your bugs?"
"Yeah!"
"Neptune, you- Oh..."
"...What?"
"This is my fault, um... Neptune, I know you love bug collecting, but... Nepgear, she's absolutely terrified of bugs."
"Huh?"
"Sorry, I just realized I never told you."
Nepgear let out another loud whine, while everyone else was silent. Well, up until Croire, with the Nep-Note still in Neptune's hand, said, "hah! Looks like I get the last laugh!"
An hour later, Neptune was alone in her room, a little depressed by what happened. Then, Merci came in. "Are you okay?"
"No, not really," Neptune replied. "How's Nepgear?"
"She feeling better. She's playing with Uzume right now."
"Do you think she'll still like me?"
"Oh, honey," Merci sat down and hugged her adult daughter. "I'm sure Nepgear loves you, so much!"
"But now I'm the woman with the book of creepy crawlies."
"Oh, don't be like that. I'm sure Nepgear will forget about it in time."
Neptune was silent for a moment. "...Mom, why did you support my bug hunting?"
"Sweetie, why-"
"You've gotta hate bugs yourself, right?"
"Well... I can't say I enjoy them, but you know, you had a passion, and I wanted to support that. I'd do the same for Nepgear's love of technology, she just... has to wait until she's older and knows how to be safe with it."
"Yeah..."
"You know, I remember when you were younger, about Nepgears age, I think. We were at the old cabin, remember?"
"Oh, yeah, that place."
"You were playing on the edge of the forest, and found a little caterpillar. You were so excited about your find, you picked the little guy and ran over to me to show him off. I freaked out when I saw the critter, and you were so confused. Like you were thinking, 'why are you freaking out? This is so cool!'"
Neptune laughed at the recount about one of her childhood memories. "You know, I always wanted you to see what I saw. It was just... so hard to explain."
"I know, but at least I was there to support you, yes? I even gave you the Nep-Note."
"I know... You know what? Maybe that's what I need to do!" Neptune exclaimed.
"Huh," Merci replied, confused.
"I should show Nepgear what makes bugs so fascinating!"
"Um... Neptune, are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, maybe when she's a little older, but-"
"Oh come, I think this'll be really good for her! Let's go to the old cabin, again, and I'll take her on a good ol' fashioned bug hunt! It'll be fun! You know, sister bonding time!"
"I... I guess," Merci responded, a little worried. She was concerned that Nepgear would freak out, being surrounded by bugs, but... if Neptune was so sure of herself. "Okay, we can go this weekend. But you're going to have to watch, okay?"
"Of course. I'm good outdoors, so she'll be fine," Neptune told her mom. "I'm going to go tell everyone!"
A few days later, the weekend came, and everyone was packing up Merci's car for the trip.
"Yay! Adventure!" Nepgear cried out in joy.
"She sure is excited," Uzume replied.
"Do you think there will be robots!?" the little girl asked.
"...In the forest?" Umio replied. "I would hope not."
"Aw..."
Neptune then came over, holding several butterfly nets. "Man, it's been so long since I have gone to this old place. When I was younger, my mom would rent this place for the weekend every once in a while. Exploring the nearby forests was so much fun!"
"Big sis, what are those for?" Nepgear asked, pointing at the nets her sister was holding.
"Oh, these. There are for hunting bugs," she replied as she put them in the car.
"Bugs... You're going to catch bugs?"
"WE'RE going to hunt for bugs!" Neptune exclaimed.
"Um... I don't want to."
"Hey," Neptune knelt down and put her hands on the sisters, "if they creep you out, don't worry. I'll be there right by your side. I just want to show you that they're not as bad as you think. So, would you care to join me?"
Nepgear looked up at her big sister. "O-okay..."
"Hey, if it helps you any," Uzume spoke up, "I'm going to be joining you guys, so that's TWO big gals backing you up, Lil' Gearsy!"
"Really, you want to come bug hunting with us?" Neptune asked.
"Yep. Honestly, it sounds fun. Besides, I might find what I'm looking for out there."
"Oh, yeah. The CPU Memory Thingy."
Merci and Umio then came out. "Okay, so, is everything ready?" the mom asked.
"Yeah, I don't think we missed anything," Neptune replied.
"Well, I know you, Neptune. I'm sure you missed something." Merci came over to the car, and looked in the trunk. "Yes, hm-hm, uh..." Merci stepped back. "I'm impressed. You girls got everything."
"Well, I am the outdoors girl!" Neptune exclaimed, before teasing her mom with, "O ye of little faith."
"Hey, I have faith," Merci defended herself. "...in... my... goddess."
"But not your daughter?"
"And what about me?" Uzume exclaimed.
"Your not a goddess in this dimension," Umio noted teasingly. "Not yet, anyways. Also, aren't you just visiting? Why try to convert other's faith to yours?"
"Hey, what's wrong with having just my friends put their faith in me?"
"Well, it's good to know that I'm your friend," Merci replied. "Also, Neptune... you did disappear for six years."
"Oh, come on, mom, just let bygones be bygones," Neptune complained.
"What's a 'bygone'?" Nepgear innocently asked.
"Oh, uh, it's a saying, little sis. It means to forget the bad things you did in the past," her sister explained.
"So... if I say 'bygones be bygones', I won't get punished?"
"No, punishments are part of the present. Bygones only apply to things way in the past."
"Aw..."
"Thought you could get out of future punishments, didn't you," Merci replied. She then picked up Nepgear, and put her into her seat, as she began to buckle her up. "The only way you do that is to not do things that'll not get you in trouble."
"But things to take apart," the little girl complained.
"I know, honey, I know. Okay, everyone in. We've got a few hours ahead of us, so best start now."
"Yeah!" Neptune and Uzume responded.
"Hm, this is farther out than we've gone on quests," Uzume commented as she watched the world roll by as they drove along.
"Yes, this cabin we used to go to when Neptune was younger, it's less than a mile out from one of Planeptune's small towns," Merci explained. "If we need to pick anything, we can go to town. And there is a whole forest to explore, just... watch out for monsters."
"Of course."
Nepgear was starting out the window in amazement. "So many trees..."
"Pretty neat, right?" Neptune said to her sister.
"Yeah! But... no robots..."
"What, did you think they GROW on trees?" Uzume said jokingly.
"Why can't they!" Nepgear complained.
Merci laughed. "Oh, goodness, good thing you are so CUTE!" she jested. Looking ahead, she saw their destination. "Here we are."
Parking in front of an old-fashioned cabin, everyone starting to get out.
"Wow, it's been so long since I've to place like this," Uzume said.
"You've been somewhere like this before?" Neptune asked.
"Hey, remember, I was an old goddess before we met. Forgive me for being a little old-fashioned."
"So... was your Basilicom an old cabin?" Neptune teased.
"What? No!" Uzume said in her valley-girl voice. "Uzume had summer cabin!"
"Calm down, I'm just teasing you. I quite like this old place, in all honestly."
"Well," Merci spoke up, "if you will, let's get everything inside, and then you girls can go exploring for your... creepy crawlies."
As everyone began unloading, Merci found Nepgear trying to pick up a large case of water bottles. "Honey, what are you doing? Those are too heavy for you."
"I want to help!" Nepgear replied.
"But sweetie..."
"Let me help," Umio said, and he flew over, and helped pick up the other end of the case, allowing the two of them to lift it up.
"Yeah! Me and mister fishy are helping!" Nepgear replied happily, though the strain of the weight could be heard in her voice.
Once everything was inside, Nepgear began to look around for something to play with. Her eyes rested on a fun-looking device on the kitchen counter (which was a blender, unbeknownst to her), before suddenly Neptune, Uzume, and Umio walked over. Neptune plopped a small sunhat on Nepgear's head and handed her a butterfly net. "Huh?" Nepgear replied, confused.
"Don't you remember? It's a butterfly net, to catch bugs," Neptune said.
"The creepy crawlies," Nepgear replied, sounding scared.
"Uh... think of it as a means to catch... small things."
"Okay." Nepgear then raised her net, and dropped it down on Umio, fully catching him in the net. "I caught mister fishy!" the little girl exclaimed.
"Oh no!" Uzume exclaimed in her valley-girl voice, "Lil' Gearsy caught Umio!"
"Whelp, it appears Nepgear caught me," Umio said, taking the event in stride, seeing as Nepgear was innocently playing around.
"Nepgear," Neptune exclaimed in a playful tone, "I just said it's a butterfly net. It's not a fishnet. Besides, you catch fish for food, but Umio is a friend, not food." Neptune grabbed the net, and helped Umio out of it. "You okay?"
"I'm alright. I know she was just playing around," Umio replied.
"Do I have to catch bugs?" Nepgear complained. "They're creepy and scary!"
"Hey, they're not that bad, and remember, I'll be there with you. I'll make sure they don't creep you out," Neptune told her sister.
"You promise?"
"Of course, now come on."
"Okay." And with that, little Nepgear ran outside with the pitter-patter of her feet.
"Hey, wait for us!" Neptune called out, her and Uzume running after her.
"Aren't they excited," Merci replied, walking up behind Umio.
"I'm sure they'll have fun," Umio added, "I know they're good, strong people."
"Oh, I'm sure. Anyways, we should probably find something for dinner tonight. Preferably non-bug related. Care to join me in town?"
"Of course."
The journey into the forest started well. They hadn't run into anything super dangerous yet, which was good, as Neptune knew that Nepgear would need to take a little time to soak everything in. It was a new experience for her, after all.
"So, have you ever done this kind of old-school thing?" Neptune asked Uzume.
"Honestly, no. But it does feel nice to try," Uzume replied. "It's just cool to see you doing this the old-school way. I always see using your Nep-Note to catch bugs."
"Yeah, but everyone needs to start somewhere, including my little sis. Anyways, something to keep in mind, try to keep quiet, and don't make sudden movements if you can avoid it. Those tend to cause the more lively critters to fly or hop all over the place. When I was a kid, I got discombobulated by this, and it wasn't super fun. So be slow and cautious."
"Slow and cautious..." Nepgear echoed.
"Hm, oh, look at this," Neptune called out, and guided her fellow bug hunters over to a bush.
On one of its branches, was a little caterpillar.
"These little guys are so cute," Neptune said. She held her hand and let the critter crawl onto it. Then she spun around to Nepgear. "Hold out your hand."
"Uh, uh," Nepgear sounded, being scared.
"It's okay, it won't hurt you."
"O-okay..." Nepgear held out her free hand, and Neptune carefully dropped the caterpillar into it. "Ah," Nepgear cried out. "It feels weird."
"Yeah, but isn't it awesome. You can find all sorts of neat critters like these in the forest."
"Y-yeah," Nepgear replied, still a bit uncomfortable.
"Can I hold it?" Uzume asked.
Nepgear nodded, and she quickly gave the critter to Uzume.
"Woah," Uzume said as she stared at the bug in her hands, before saying in her valley-girl voice, "It's so adorable. Uzume wants to get more."
"Woah, calm down there, let's not go overboard," Neptune replied.
"Uzie likes bugs too," Nepgear replied, sounding disappointed.
"Hey, don't be like that. Come on let's go look for something else."
So, leaving the caterpillar behind, they continued on. Neptune kept looking closely for something interesting to show her sister, but didn't notice Uzume starting to wander off on her own, because she... sensed something.
Eventually, Neptune found that thing she was looking for. "Okay, Nepgear, get your net ready."
Nepgear raised her net, considering dropping it on some else, namely, her sister's head, just because she thought it would be funny. But then her sister gave her a new direction.
"Okay, see those?" Neptune said, pointing out some small red critters on the leaves of another bush. "Try to catch some."
Nepgear nodded, and dropped her net down, catching some of the bugs in question.
Once she pulled her net back, the sisters looked inside, and Neptune reached, once again, letting the bug rest on her hands. "Now hold these ones."
Neptune dropped what were little ladybugs into Nepgear's hand. "W-woah..." she softly said.
"Like them. Lots of kids do. These are ladybugs," Neptune explained.
"Cool..." Nepgear replied. The crimson beetles then flew out of her hands and away from the little girl. "Wow!"
"Neat, huh?" Neptune looked around again, and found the next new interesting thing for her sister to see. "Look over there!"
"Wha...?" Nepgear questioned, as she carefully followed her sister, as they approached another bush with very colorful things on it.
"Butterflies," Neptune responded. "Nothing better than a nice butterfly! Come on!"
The older Nep sister slowly guided the younger one to the butterfly-covered bush. "Okay, remember, be slow and cautious," Neptune reminded her sister, "these guys are easily spooked."
Nepgear nodded and slowly walked up to the bush.
Slowly took another step...
And another...
Soon, Nepgear reached the bush. She raised her net, and...
"Awesome! I think that's it!" a voice cried out, and unfortunately...
...All the butterflies took off and scattered, right in Nepgear's little face.
"Aah!" Nepgear screamed, and she ran away crying.
"W-wait, Nepgear!" Neptune called out. "Don't run. They won't hurt you! And you might get lost! Nepgear!" Unfortunately, the little girl was too upset to really listen, and couldn't really hear her sister over her own screaming.
Neptune spun around to see who had caused the butterflies to scatter, and standing behind the bush... was Uzume, who was holding a small, shiny stone.
"Hey... so... um..." Uzume started, not sure how to respond.
"Uzume!" Neptune shouted. "Look at what you did! You scared off my sister!"
"Well, I found something, and I had to check it out, and..." suddenly Uzume switched to her valley-girl voice. "I SORRY NEPSY! I didn't mean scare her away!"
"I... sorry, I didn't mean to yell, but we got to get Nepgear before she gets herself in trouble."
Uzume nodded and the two ran off in Nepgear's direction.
Following the sounds of Nepgear's cries, the two girls had found that she managed to find herself back at the cabin, where she had apparently gotten her hands on the blender.
"Ooh boy, that's not good," Uzume commented.
Neptune ignored her, and walked up to Nepgear. "Hey, Nepgear?"
Nepgear looked up to see her sister, then looked back down shamefully.
"Uzume, do you have something to say to my sister?" Neptune said to the redhead.
"...I'm really sorry, Lil' Gearsy. I didn't know you guys were there, and I really didn't want to scare you, at all."
"It's okay..." Nepgear said solemnly. "I was scared."
"...May I talk to her by myself?" Neptune asked. Uzume nodded and headed out into the further open area in front of the cabin.
Neptune sat down by Nepgear, and patted her on the head. The little girl looked up at her older sister for a brief moment, before returning to unscrew her most definitely ill-gotten trinket.
"I guess I shouldn't have tried to force you to experience my hobby. It's just too much for you, huh? I'm really sorry for putting you through that," Neptune said, trying to counsel her sister.
"It was... kind of fun. But they're so creepy," Nepgear replied. "Big sis, why do you like creepy bugs?"
"Well... I don't find them creepy," Neptune explained, "I find them very interesting and cool."
"So you think creepy things are cool? You're not scared of them?"
"Uh... no, not really. Heck, I've fought lots of monsters in my travels. I've even helped out Uzume and a bunch of other goddesses deal with some baddies before!"
"Really? Wow, that's super cool! You must be really brave," Nepgear replied.
"You think so? Yeah, your sister is super brave!"
"Big sis, do you think that I'll be as brave as you one day?"
Neptune smiled. "Of course you will, I know it. But for now, just focus on being a kid, okay? Have fun, make mistakes, and learn from them."
"Okay, big sis."
Suddenly, Uzume came running back, shouting, "Nepsy! Nepsy! Merci and Umio are coming back, but they seem super freaked out! Something seems wrong!"
Neptune stood up, and looked out, finding her mother and fish-friend both running (or flying over) to the group, looking quite frantic. "What's going on!?" she called out.
"Neptune it's awful, there's-" Merci started, before her eyes rested on Nepgear and her new plaything. "Young lady, what do you have there?"
"Let's put the motherly scolding aside for a quick moment," Umio intervened. "Uzume, Neptune! There are monsters in the city!"
"What!?" Neptune and Uzume replied at the same time.
"We were doing a little shopping in town, and then suddenly, monsters started flooding in, and they began attacking people," Merci explained. "We escaped and came to make sure you were safe!"
"But all those people..." Neptune said.
"I'm sure someone will send word to Iris Heart, but-"
"We'll handle it!" Uzume interjected.
"What?" Merci replied.
"This is what we do, right Neptune?" Uzume turned to her friend.
"Yeah!" Neptune replied, summoning her swords, with Uzume doing the same with her megaphone.
"But-" Merci started, but again Umio interveined.
"Remember, they are both strong fighters, I've seen myself. Plus, they work for the Guild now, right? So, this is actually their job."
"Well..." Merci stopped... before saying, "then what are you waiting for! People are in danger!"
Neptune and Uzume nodded to each other, and then ran off, aiming to save the town. Merci then walked up, and grabbed the blender in Nepgear's arms, saying, "we'll talk about this later." She turned back to where her eldest daughter and her best friend ran off. "Please be safe."
Merci and Umio walked inside, where soon they'd turn on the news to try to follow the happenings back in town, but they didn't notice Nepgear was still on the porch, also watching her sister and friend run off.
After a few moments, Nepgear made a decision. "I'm going to be brave like you big sis! I'll make you proud of me." And ran off towards the direction her sister went.
Meanwhile, in the Planeptune Basilicom...
Hanging around in the commons area was IF and Compa (of the Ultradimension), friends of Peashy and Plutia (sort of for the latter).
IF had long brown hair, part of it was pulled in a side ponytail by a leafy-looking bow, and green eyes. She wore her favorite, large, blue coat over a black tank top and black shorts, and blue boots with black socks. Compa had long peach-colored hair with matching eyes, held up with a hairband. She had on a light-pink wool sweater over her well-endowed chest with detached sleeves, a red plaid skirt, tight high tights with red heart patterns on top, wooly leg warmers, and white shoes.
Having lived in the Basilicom since they were children, they were just sitting around, having nothing to do. No worthwhile quests in the Guild for IF to tackle, and Compa didn't have classes today. And Plutia and Peashy, their close friends (well, sort of for Plutia), were out for the day.
"So," IF spoke up, "any ideas?"
"No," Compa said, "I miss Nep-Nep. Interesting things always happen when she's around."
"Yeah..."
Suddenly, a voice called out. "PLUTIA!"
Revealing who spoke out, it was Noire, ...being wrapped in only a blue blanket.
Noire noticed the humans, and asked, "Where's Plutia?"
"I don't know," IF replied, before pointing out, "hey, ...is that my blanket?"
Suddenly, Noire got a lot more sheepish. "Yeah, probably..."
"Is there a reason you're all wrapped in it?"
"Well, you know, things… happen."
"Okay, sure, so can I have it back?"
"No... not really..."
"And why not?"
"Well… you see, all I remember, before blacking out, was seeing Iris Heart. And when I woke up… my clothes were missing."
"Okay," IF said flatly, "never mind. You can keep it."
"Yeah, when Plutia says she's going to unwrap you, she means it," Noire said, though IF and Compa were confused by that statement.
"At least something exciting happened, like we wanted," IF noted.
Suddenly, Histoire flew in. "IF, Compa, have Plutia and Peashy returned- Oh, Noire, you're here. Thank goodness."
"What's wrong?" Noire asked.
"One of Planeptune's border towns is under attack from monsters, and there are no available Guild Agents. Plutia and Peashy need to be made aware of this right away. And if you're here, then you can find them and stop the monsters."
Noire sighed. "Of course, I will." Suddenly, Noire was covered in a bright light, the blanket being thrown off her. When it faded, Noire had transformed into Black Heart. She now had white hair, which was still held in twin tails, now with gray hairclips, turquoise-colored eyes, and she had on a gray swimsuit-like outfit, leaving her cleavage exposed, and she had forearm-length and thigh-high boots of the same color, all of which was traced with a dark gray color. "Huh," Black Heart said with her now deeper, more mature voice, "I should've just transformed earlier. My processor fixes my outfit issue."
"Um, did your outfit get torn or something?" Histoire asked. "Why not just fix it yourself? You're certainly skilled enough."
"Doesn't matter!" Back Heart quickly replied. "I'll go find Plutia and Peashy, and we'll head out to the town. Which direction is it in?"
Histoire pointed out where she had to go, and the Ultradimesion goddess flew out. At this point, IF spoke up. "Hey, Histoire?"
"IF, I know you're bored, but you're not going to make it to that town in time," Historie told IF.
"Oh, yeah, I know. No, what I wanted to say was," IF pointed to the discarded blanket. "Have that burned for me."
"Um, why? Did Noire did something to it?"
"It isn't about what Noire did," IF explained, "it was Plutia."
"Ah, I see," Histoire said, knowing it was better not to ask further questions, not if Plutia was involved. They all knew what she was like when she was in HDD.
Author's Note: So, that last scene, it was one of the earliest things I came up with (especially the interaction between Noire and IF, though I had to rewrite it a bit to make it work), back when this was still a co-written story. It came to me randomly, and it made sense that Plutia would do something like that. And yes, this is the punchline to the unwrapping joke made in the first appearance of Plutia and Ultra Noire in Chapter 2. And yeah, it's not completely what I promised with Plutia coming back, but it is clear, she's going to get involved
Also, I want to be honest, I literally just copy and pasted IF and Compa's description from my new Nepsisters story, because it's just a character description. Once you get through it, all you know is what they look like for your imagination, so I far as I am concerned, just get through it, and move on with the story.
Now, this is the beginning of a four-chapter arc. To start, I wanted to put Nepgear on edge by having her be scared of bugs, and hey, she's a kid, so it makes sense. But Neptune takes a risk to try to get her sister to not be so scared, but Uzume messes everything up when she finds something. And that something will be brought up next chapter.
Now, we all know what these bugs I used in the chapter are: caterpillars, butterflies, ladybugs. Some of the most common bugs that KIDS know. Well, while I wasn't too concerned, I still wanted to look these up to get more details, and just make sure I handled them right. And what I saw... yeah, they are still creepy. I can never think of ladybugs in the same way ever again.
So, if you are wondering why didn't the Guild didn't consider Neptune or Uzume as agents to send to the town, well, they were not just off duty, but on vacation. Yes, it seems like a weird time for vacation, when you just started working there, but one, it's a short vacation, it was only going to last a few days, and two, they did kill an Ancient Dragon on day one, so, yeah, there's that. And it doesn't matter anyway since they're going to the town anyways.
And last thing, the "robots in the woods" thing I wrote was just something I came up with on the spot, but let's think about it for a bit. If Nepgear were somehow able to create trees that grow robots on them, they'd have to be small robots, like Roombas, right? Because, if they were giant robots, the tree would have to be MASSIVE, like, world tree size! But don't worry, I don't plan on actually making that a thing. ...But you could, if you were crazy enough. There you go, free idea!