Later on the ark.
Syuen:....
Ingrid:...
Mustang:....
Andersen: care to explain what just happened?
Syuen: explain what? Oh, you mean those raptures heading for the ark? Matis happened to be training up on the surface, so they took care of them, and now they're heroes in people's eyes once again! The end.
Ingrid: Syuen!
Syuen: Ow, my ears! Why are you yelling?
Ingrid: Do you think we're stupid? We know you activated that calling signal.
Syuen: If you already know, then why ask me?
Ingrid: Tell us the truth!
Syuen: I already told you the truth! That thing was an invention of mine that was hacked by raptures and turned into a trap!
Ingrid: ugh!! Do you even realize how badly this could have gone?
Syuen: which? Why so serious? Did I do something wrong? If I had, then surely Enikk would have questioned me, right? What, does Enikk want me to shut down missilis or something? Nothing's happened. What does that tell you? It means I haven't done anything wrong and I told the truth. No one was harmed! How can you say what I've done is wrong?
Ingrid: I can't believe you…
Syuen: Are we done here? If so, I have better things to do. Like cleaning that stupid trap that almost got us all killed.
Mustang: Syuen. I'd recommend not letting this get to your head. Even if Enikk has not judged you, everyone knows that you've done.
Syuen: For the 5th time, it wasn't my doing, even the idiot reinforced my alibi.
Mustang: By idiot, you mean commandant varakiel?
Syuen: ugh, yes! Believe me I have lost more than I gained here, now matis has to reside in that wasteland that he calls home to clean the leftover mess.
Ingrid: serves you right.
Mustang: but still that's the word of commandant varakiel, not everyone is so convinced of your innocence.
Syuen: haha! No one has the right to judge me, i made a mistake and i fixed it, that's more than could be said from them
Mustang: touche chère.
Syuen: you mind your own affairs, and stay out of mine. Word is you've got some of your hyenas keeping an eye on the data center. You all better watch yourselves, before you end up getting in over your heads.
Syuen leaves.
Andersen: *sigh*
Mustang: when did she become so arrogant?
Ingrid:...where is the other one involved in the accident?
Andersen: I heard they are in the hospital.
Ingrid: again?
Andersen: I heard this time is really serious.
….
TV: Public approval for matis is through the roof. Everyone is praising them for saving mankind even without their NIMPH! Laplace in particular has been singled out for acclaim, as she managed to defeat the raptures just as they were about to overtake her. Citizens of the ark are praising all members of matis to the skies. Those who criticized matis a few days ago have gone back on their opinion that NIMPH should be reinstated. The people are claiming that matis actions are the paragon of what nikkes should stand for. As a result missilis industries stock prices have skyrocketed…
Neon: wow…i don't believe this! What about master? He was there too! Some people get to be heroes, and some get sent to the hospital!
Anis: The only reason Syuen managed to bring back matis was because of the commander, I am sure of it! Do you really think she'd be willing enough to have made a television appearance along with the commander?
Rapi: and they haven't gotten it all wrong. If it hadn't been for laplace coming through at the very last moment, they'd have been done for.
Neon: yeah, and then master would have to clean all that mess.
Anis:.....
Varakiel: haha, you know me too well.
Varakiel says with a missing arm.
Anis: b-but commander are you really okay?
Varakiel: Of course, I can easily use magic to fix my arm, but that would be too obvious isn't it? So it is better if I wait sometime until people forget about me.
Rapi: I agree for now we should get a prosthesis for your missing arm.
Neon: oh, oh! Can we make it an arm gun!?
Anis: Are you crazy? Is clear that the commander would get hurt with something like that on his arm.
Varakiel: Maybe a blade arm?
Rapi: commander….
Varakiel: hahaha, just kidding, I'll request an arm made of Goddesium, a wooping 100%~, I wonder if I can be considered 10% nikke with it hahaha.
Anis:....*chuckle*
*beep*
Laplace: heroic slide!
Laplace quickly slides through the gap in the open door.
Anis: wha…just open the door normally!
Laplace: sorry! I just couldn't wait to see master, so I had to use my heroic slide!
Neon: she certainly lights up the room….but she's so loud…
Varakiel: haha, you get used to it~.
Laplace: master! Are you feeling okay?
Varakiel: I think I need a hand.
Anis:.....
Neon:....
Rapi:....
Laplace:.....should i laugh?
*shake*
The three nikkes shake their heads in denial.
Varakiel: hehe, i am fine don't worry, thanks for coming laplace.
Laplace: Nice! I'm glad!
Varakiel: What about Drake and maxwell? Are they okay?
Laplace: yes! Missilis and their state-of-the-art technology are taking plenty of good care of us. I feel better than ever!
Neon: she doesn't have to brag about it…
Rapi: I don't think it's intentional.
Laplace: I heard from Syuen about what happened. I'm sorry that you got tangled up in such a dangerous ordeal because of us. As the leader of matis, please accept my apologies.
Laplace bows her head.
Varakiel:....*smile*
*pat* *pat*
Varakiel: It is good to see that you're becoming such a humble and kind hero laplace.
Laplace: master….*sniffle* *sob*
Varakiel:...*nod*
Varakiel takes a look at rapi, anis and neon.
Rapi: *nod* let's go.
Anis: *nod*
Neon: *nod*
Rapi neon and anis leave the room and the vicinity.
Varakiel: Now, you can let it go.
Laplace: wahhhh!!! *sniffle* i-i am sorry master b-because of me *sniffle* because of me *sniff*....wahhhh!
Varakiel: *smile* Thank you laplace.
Laplace: huh? *sniff*
Varakiel: for not giving up, and never forget to believe in the me that believes in you.
Laplace: *hic* *hic* wahhhhhh!!! *sniffle*
….
*pat* *pat*
Laplace: ~~
Varakiel: (so adorable.) So is there anything I should be aware of?
Laplace: ah well erm…..h-how selfish would it be if matis requested to live in your outpost for a while?
Varakiel: uh? My outpost? You're welcome to it anytime~!
Laplace: *smile*!
Varakiel: But why that question? (did she? Did they grow dependent on me!?)
Laplace: ah well...
….
A few hours before
Syuen raises her glass in the air.
Syuen: to laplace, and your new life as a hero! Cheers!
Laplace:...
Syuen: Hey, how come you're not raising your glass? Did I not praise you enough? All right, let me do it again. To the magnificent hero la…
Laplace: Syuen. I have something to say.
Syuen: huh? Ah….okay. I also have something to say to you. To be honest, when I heard you talking about being traumatized, I got a little bit scared. I thought you underwent a mind switch, I am glad I was wrong. You're my finest creation, you're worlds apart from those other nikkes. I always knew you'd get back on your feet.
Laplace: Syuen…thank you.
Syuen: no…thank you.
Laplace: You know I've always wanted to be a hero, and so you turned me into a nikke. You gave me the incredible strength needed to defeat the bad guys.
Syuen: c'mon, this is starting to get a bit schmaltzy!
Laplace: I beg you…never do this again.
Syuen:...what?
Laplace: please, for the sake of matis…no, for my sake! Do not stray from the righteous path.
Syuen:....
Laplace: I do not want to think of you as a villain.
Syuen:wha...did you just call me a….
Laplace:...
Syuen: I am a villain to your eyes!?
Syuen body shakes with controlled anger
Syuen: *inhale* *exhale* *inhale* *exhale*
*shatter*
The glass cup shatters due to Syuen crushing it.
Syuen: How can you say that to me!? You can't say that to me. Not you! Not you….who do you think i did this for…i couldn't bear to see you like that! I stuck my own neck out to make you what you wanted to be, a hero!
Laplace: syuen.
Syuen: *inhale* *exhale* just, go, get out!
Laplace: as atonement for you choosing the evil path,
Syuen: I said get out!
Laplace: I will become a hero, a hero that my master depicts, a hero that never shows any weakness but to those he loves, no matter what the people think of me, even if they condemn me and reject me as long I have my friends at my side, my resolve will never be shaken. I will become a force of good, one that never falters. You will never have to resort to evil again for my sake.
Syuen:..you…
Laplace: promise me! Promise that you will never do something so unjust ever again.
Syuen: So you figured out it was a lie….
Laplace: *nod*
Syuen:...really? You truly are a nikke of my own creation. Will you prove to all those who doubt you that you're the best?
Laplace: I swear it. Even in the face of terrible danger, even when death is imminent, I will never falter.
Syuen: If you keep that promise, then I will keep mine as well.
Laplace: then matis shall begin its training then.
Syuen:....wait what?
Laplace: to become the greatest heroes of the ark we must train hard to learn everything about raptures first hand, so that's why we will begin to reside in master's outpost and fight any raptures that we find.
Syuen: what....
…
Laplace: yeah, you don't have to worry anymore.
Varakiel:....*chuckle* good job laplace, i promise i will give you my best for my training, so matis becomes even more stronger.
Laplace: yes master, we'll be under your care.
Varakiel: Tell me my dear apprentice, are you still scarred isn't?
Laplace: *shiver* yes. I'm scared. But…I will try not to be. For my friends sake, that's what you have teached me.
Varakiel: *nod* Never forget, you're not invincible, it is okay to be scared, but never let that fear consume you.
Laplace: thank you! Well, now that I've said my piece, I should head back.
Laplace then opens a window.
Laplace: get better soon so we can take another trip up to the surface together master! Hero apprentice, out!
Laplace throws herself out the window.
Varakiel: *sigh* *shake*
*creak*
Anis: eh? Where did laplace go?
Varakiel points at the window.
Anis:....is there something wrong with using the door?
Rapi: *sigh*
Neon: she certainly marches to the beat of her own drum.
*beep*
Varakiel: hm? A message?
Varakiel takes out his phone.
—-
Andersen: How are you feeling? Are you able to walk now?
Varakiel: Syuen covered all the healing expenses so yeah i am fully recovered but you know how mary is sometimes….
Andersen: right. I need you to come to see me. That's an order.
Varakiel: Good, I also need something to talk about.
Andersen: Oh? Hmph. okay. You know where to find me.
—-
….
While varakiel was making its way to andersen office.
*beep*
Varakiel: hm? Matis?
—--
Maxwell: Hey Cutie. How are you feeling? How bad is it?
Varakiel: I'll live.
Maxwell: That's a relief, I heard that Laplace came to visit you.
Laplace: of course. It's an apprentice's duty to look after its master!
Drake: How are you holding up?
Varakiel: Haha, I am doing great, thanks.
Maxwell: glad to hear that.
Drake: If you're feeling better, why not come visit us?
Maxwell: just because he feels better doesn't mean he's been discharged from the hospital.
Drake: !! fine. Don't come then.
Varakiel: oh, I am already on my way there~.
Drake: !!
Varakiel: Just kidding, I actually received some orders to go to andersen.
Maxwell: even with a severed arm!? Do commanders have it that bad?
Varakiel: This is just for this occasion, I also have some intel to share with Andersen, but anyways, how about you girls? Are you okay?
Maxwell: Yeah, we're doing all right.
Drake: thanks to missilis' state of the art technology, we've made a full recovery. Hurry up and get better so that you can visit us!!
Varakiel: Alright, I'll wait faster, hahaha.
Drake:.....
Maxwell: hahaha.
Laplace: hahah.
Maxwell: Cutie, Syuen and us have caused a lot of trouble for you. But thanks to you, we don't have to be implanted with the NIMPH! We won't ever forget what you've done for us. Words cannot begin to express my gratitude.
Laplace: me too! Thank you again!! A hero never forgets those who lend her a helping hand.
Drake: Well, I think you two have gotten the point across. No need for me to keep hammering it in.
Maxwell: seriously? How can you be so rude?
Drake: I'm just kidding! Of course I'm incredibly grateful.
Varakiel: haha, drake is cute in her own way.
Drake: c-c-c-cute!? I-i am not cute!
Laplace: eh? Drake, are you okay? Is your keyboard malfunctioning?
Maxwell: oh? Who would have thought.
Varakiel: heheh, so adorable~, but still, hasn't laplace told you?
Maxwell: Tell us what?
Drake: Is she supposed to tell us something?
Laplace: ah! I forgot!!
Varakiel: haha, alright it seems this is a good time to explain so i'll see you later girls.
—
Varakiel: who would have thought, drake is weak to being called cute~...
Varakiel walks to Andersen's office with a sunny smile on his face.
…..
Andersen: you came…..
Varakiel:....
Andersen: I wouldn't like to be rude to ask this but, can't that magic of yours fix your arm?
Varakiel: It does, but wouldn't that be too weird? I'll wait until people forget about it.
Andersen: Right, so how does it feel saving nikkes while holding the entire ark hostage? Are you happy with all of this?
Varakiel: Well there was so much darkness engulfing the ark so i had to use the nuclear option to unveil it, tell me didn't you noticed the weird activities in the outer rim when the raptures were "invading"
Andersen: i see, so that's what you were after, so it doesn't really matter what you think. What's done is done. The ark has shaken up once again. Not since the creation of the ark itself has a commander shaken things up as much as you have. I wanted to look at your face and see how you felt about all of this.
Varakiel: I had to shake up the nest to take out the bees after all.
Andersen: good analogy,
Varakiel: I'll assume you didn't call me here to give me a dressing down.
Andersen: Why should i?
Varakiel: because due to my "negligence" I lured raptures to the ark?
Andersen: What of it? Did they end up getting inside the ark?
Varakiel: *chuckle* hahaha, i see i can work with that in the future then.
Andersen: Indeed, the ark is completely walled-off. Utterly isolated. Do you know what the scariest thing is in such a society?
Varakiel: the very people inside the walls.
Andersen: Indeed, doubt, jealousy. Slander. Fear. All of these negative emotions can spread like poison. If left unchecked, a society as insular as ours will inevitably collapse. All things considered, what you did might not have been such a bad idea. That's probably why Enikk has not punished Syuen either.
Varakiel: Yeah, I gave the ark a reality check. Something that should be done periodically at least. Of course there are better ways, so let's call it that i compensated for all the time someone didn't do such a thing.
Andersen: Indeed, you did something that wasn't right. So what are you going to do? Give up on the Nikkes and choose to serve the people in the ark instead?
Varakiel: i'll do what i want to do, and that's save nikkes, and to save nikkes i have to save the ark.
Andersen: I see, if you could turn back time, would you refuse to help Syuen?
Varakiel: I would accept every time, until I get the best outcome for both the nikkes and the ark.
Andersen: So there's no problem. It seems you'll be able to bring changes to the ark in a way we never thought possible, a way where you atone for the consequences of your actions. I am not going to ask where you come from, those we're all the questions I had for you. What did you want to tell me? Try to keep it short.
Varakiel: I am going into an extended mission.
Andersen: an extended mission? That's what you wanted to ask me?
Varakiel: yes.
Andersen: haha, why ask me? You always do what you want anyway.
Varakiel: We are going to the institute that made the vapaus.
Andersen:!!... I see. Did you hear that from the pilgrims?
Varakiel: yes.
Andersen:...and the reason you're telling me this is because you need more resources than usual, right?
Varakiel: *shake* that's not it either, i'll like to leave something under your care and ingrid's
Andersen: Oh? What is it?
Varakiel takes out his phone and shows Andersen a massive farm with a ton of trees alighted and some animals roaming around.
Varakiel: as you can see, this is a secret farm that i have built up in secret on the outpost, some people might try to infiltrate it and find it out, i would like for you to recruit trustworthy people to take care of it, of course i don't want it free, it would be a 50% 50% exchange.
Andersen: I see, so you really haven't been playing around on the outpost...i'll inform ingrid just send me the coordinates.
Varakiel: *nod* The animals are very docile as well, but try to not put too much pressure on them.
Andersen: I see, would do.
Varakiel: Thanks, and I also would like a connection to acquire the finest armament available from Elysion.
Andersen: don't you already have a big connection with Syuen?
Varakiel: she's good, but when it comes to weaponry ingrid's the best.
Andersen: if she was here she would probably give you a 2% discount.
Varakiel: Since I admit she's way better than Syuen isn't? They are great friends haha.
Andersen: I wouldn't call them friends…..good luck out there commander.
Varakiel: Of course, and thanks for the help.
…..
Varakiel was on the streets. And he walks towards downtown on the way to the outpost.
*tap* *tap*
Varakiel: *sigh* I know it's you crow.
*click*
Crow: how?
Varakiel: Your bloodlust is too obvious, try to not show it that much.
A gun is pressed against the back of varakiel head.
Crow: don't move. This might not kill you, But it'll hurt something fierce.
Varakiel: really? Pointing your gun to a cripple, I thought you were better than that crow.
Crow: that's what you get from involving with the ark. Be quiet and listen, or I'll send you back to the hospital.
Varakiel: you have the gun *shrug*
Crow: and to believe you'll remember my name, how touching.
Varakiel: So did you come here to see me? How touching , I knew we had something special.
*click*
Crow: Why else would I have a gun to the back of your head?
Varakiel: so? What do you want from your friendly neighbor?
Crow: just wanted to see your face when I told you…. You are the saboteur that ruined my plans, yet at the same time, you are the one who kept me from falling apart.
Varakiel: really? What a shitty plan was that i destroyed it without even being aware of it, did you ask viper to make it?
*click*
Crow: I see even when you lose an arm you'll keep cracking jokes the same way. Sure, you went all the way up to the surface to change the IP and sway the public, but I never imagined you'd go so far as luring raptures straight to the ark.
Varakiel: I told you, I'll do something big enough that would change the ark forever~.
Crow: motherfucker. You're good, the unidentified corpse. John doe. The first person who rallied against. The dangers of nikkes being deprived of NIMPH. Who do you think it is?
Varakiel: who else, viper.
Crow: hmph, it's really too bad it turned out like this. I wanted nikkephobia to spread so that i could take something precious from Syuen. The last thing i imagined was you coming back. And wrecking my plans after i put a bullet in you. Very impressive, truly. You put on quite the show. But we're not at the finale just yet. You put on a splendid hero act, but it doesn't change the fact that you can't control nikkes without NIMPH. Distrust. Fear. Doubt…. Even if the flame is extinguished. The wick still remains. One day, a little tiny spark will catch fire and spread even faster than before. Try not to get yourself killed. When the time comes, i want to bring your chapter in thi-
Varakiel: *shiver*
Crow: oh? Scared? I though-
Varakiel: Jesus Christ, can't you end already hearing your chuuni rambling is so damn cringy!!
*wooosh*
Varakiel: The truth is crow, I knew about everything about your plan even before you even started them, while you use Distrust, fear. Doubt…..i use Trust, Hope, certainty, because of your distrust and your fear i was able to know everything and due to your doubt you never found out about it.
Crow: !!?
Varakiel: you might have 2 or 3 moles in your lines~
*click*
A gun was behind crow's head.
Varakiel: the game was rigged from the start, let me tell you something about me, i am not your average commander, nor human, i can do things others don't, i can see things some aren't able to, i have eyes and ears everywhere, if something happens in to the ark, i'll know it. It was easy to track john doe when you have the help of 2 of the best operators of the ark, you want to throw the ark into chaos? Begin from getting more people, nikkes and humans are useless without numbers, only those with absolute strength are able to overcome that, and those are the heretics, so tell me, you think you can defeat someone who has defeated 2 of those?
Crow: *shiver*
Varakiel: Now, who's shivering in fear~?
Varakiel then puts down the gun and walks past crow,
Varakiel: I told you, your actions have consequences, now behave, the ark is mine.
Crow: (monster! This is not a human, not a nikke, nor a rapture,he is a monster!)
*bang* *thing*
The bullet stopped, between varakiel fingers.
Varakiel: that won't work this time, i already seen that trick
Varakiel says as he looks back at crow with a pair of crimson eyes.
Crow: *pant* *pant*
…
Varakiel: (hahahaha nice job Gregar THAT WAS SO COOL!)
Gregar: (*Growl!!*)
Lily: (you act like kids….don't you think gnome-chan?)
Gnome: (*shrug*)
….
Back in the outpost.
Neon: m-master what's all this? Is there something special about today?
Varakiel's room was filled with a lot of boxes.
Neon: Did you hit the jackpot? Awesome!
Anis: cool your jets. Keep your expectations low. That way you won't be as disappointed. Those might not be supplies. This might be a trap!
Rapi: I confirmed it. They're from Elysion and andersen. I checked the contents and it's all various supplies and equipment.
Anis: really? Did you actually win the lottery or something?
Neon: you see! It pays to be optimistic sometimes!
Anis: hey!
Neon: what luck! This isn't a dream, is it?
Varakiel: *shrug* who knows.
Rapi: commander, can you explain what this is?
Varakiel: This is what we'll take to go to the institute that Snow white talked about.
Varakiel explained everything to his squad.
Rapi: I see, considering the quality of the equipment, I'm guessing this institute is no picnic.
Neon:....
Varakiel: Well, Snow white said that the raptures were nothing compared to the ones we have faced now.
Anis: c'mon, let's be positive about this! How many close calls have we had and lived to tell the tale? I'm sure this time it won't be any different. And besides we have the commander here to take care of the hard stuff right?
Varakiel: haha, that's true.
Anis: we'll just have more combat power than we usually do!
Neon: anis, you usually doubt everything. But you never doubt the commander and your luck.
Anis: if there's one thing i can trust, it's myself...…and the commander *smile*.
Varakiel: heheh, i'll try to live to your expectatives (isn't she adorable?)
Gnome: (*nod* *nod*)
Lily: (yeah~)
Anis: but still with this equipment maybe this trip will be a walk in the park.
Neon: yeah! Is time to increase our firepower!
Anis: exactly! Is time to blast those raptures to the moon!
Rapi:....should we begin the change on our equipment commander?
Varakiel: *nod* take what you want, if you believe in useful or can use it, as for me.
Varakiel walks to a box that was filled with flashbangs.
Anis:....ugh, seeing that brings a bad taste in my mouth.
Varakiel: hahaha, sorry but it might be useful.
Neon: but flashbangs don't work well with raptures.
Varakiel: who said we'll be only facing raptures on our way there?
Anis: a heretic?
Rapi: other nikkes isn't?
Varakiel: exactly, that's a possibility.
Neon: but….
Anis: no no, the commander is right, we are going to this institute without an invitation, so we should expect something like that.
Varakiel: heheh, it seems you noticed that too.
Anis: Of course, I would hate it if someone barged into my house uninvited, just like those terrorists and syuen.
Varakiel: exactly, as for the leftovers and your previous equipment, i'll save them up with magic, we don't know when we'll need them.
Rapi: roger, anis, neon let's go.
Anis: Having magic is really useful, we don't have to worry about our carry weight anymore.
Neon: yeah, if we wanted to we could walk around the world without problem.
Varakiel: hehe, alright gear yourselves.
….