“I heard that a Nikke’s appearance and abilities are determined by her ideals during her human life.
Rapunzel, what were your ideals before you decided to become a Nikke?”
Upon arriving at the first mission location, Dorothy and Rapunzel chatted casually.
Rapunzel thought carefully for a moment before answering seriously, “Hmm—it’s simple.
I hoped I could return home safe and sound.”
“Oh?
That ideal ultimately led to your interference abilities.” Dorothy recalled that Rapunzel’s role in the Goddess Squad was a supportive one, providing cover.
“Now with the Commander, you also gained the ability to heal teammates in combat.
What a remarkable ideal, even your teammates can return home safe and sound.”
Rapunzel remembered the incredible skills she had acquired after the Commander arrived.
“Haha, yes.
My ideal really came true.”
She continued, “Then what about Dorothy’s ideal?
Your ideal as a human.”
“—”
“Me?” Dorothy seemed a little evasive.
“Well, I forgot.”
Rapunzel felt like she had been tricked.
It was unfair, too unfair that only she had confessed.
“Hey~~ Don’t be like that, tell me.
Otherwise, I’ll go back and tell the Commander that Dorothy is a scoundrel!
A pink, scoundrel puppy!”
Alright!
You win.
“—I, I wanted to survive.
The sight of the Rapture rampaging on the Surface was too terrifying.
At that time, I just hoped to survive.”
“So I’m not sure what ability this thought gave rise to.”
“When fighting with the Commander, with the participation of Scarlet, the battle ended quickly.
I also don’t know what new skills I have.”
Dorothy had yet to truly unleash her full power.
Because it wasn’t very elegant.
The first time they encountered the Heretic Anachiro (Cinderella), their leader Liliweiss was still with them, but Liliweiss ultimately chose to retreat.
The second encounter with Cinderella was shortly before the Ark Guardian Plan was implemented.
Dorothy finally set aside her demeanor and prepared to go all out.
However, Anachiro’s final kill was snatched by Red Hood, who had rushed back to say goodbye, so Dorothy didn’t get a chance to act.
Thus, Dorothy still had no concept of her limits.
Of course, she still couldn’t compare to Liliweiss.
“But your ideal has also come true,” Rapunzel said.
“Eh~~?” Dorothy was puzzled.
“Because Dorothy is still alive now,” Rapunzel offered her understanding.
“Heh heh, haha!
Yes, that’s right.
We lost too much in the war.”
“But we are still alive.
And we will continue to live in the Ark, the paradise—”
“Live together!”
“Right?
Because we made a promise that day.”
“To return to the Ark, every single one of us, and then we and the Commander will live proudly together.”
Dorothy now only wanted to complete the mission, then take the rookie Commander and everyone to live happily in her dream paradise.
Rapunzel nodded, “Mm, of course.
Including Liliweiss’s and Red Hood’s share.”
“If they were still alive, the Commander would be in trouble.
They both liked strong yet gentle people like the Commander.” Dorothy recalled their former leader Liliweiss and Red Hood, both of whom were forthright and passionate individuals.
Rapunzel blushed, remembering her mentor Red Hood.
It was Red Hood’s guidance that opened the door to a new world for her.
“Maybe they would even fight over the Commander!
Although Liliweiss is terrifyingly strong, Red Hood is not afraid of death either.”
“Haha, that’s certainly possible,” Dorothy echoed, as she wouldn’t agree to let Liliweiss have him all to herself either.
Just like that, the two destroyed the Aevum Particle Generator amidst laughter.
They also took the time to clear out the nearby Rapture. This story is hosted at g.com.
By the time they returned to the temporary outpost, it was just in time for dinner.
Next was the Commander’s nightly Andersen fairy tale time.
Everyone obediently prepared their “small stools” and sat neatly around the Commander.
“Today’s story is about a tragic little girl.”
“Dorothy was born into a poor family in the Ark.
She lost her family at a very young age.”
“On a snowy New Year’s Eve, the freezing and desperate Dorothy had to go out and sell her handmade nuclear bombs to make a living.”
“Dorothy walked alone on the street.
She hadn’t sold a single nuclear bomb today.
Everyone else was gathered neatly around a warm fireplace, eating a reunion dinner, while she could only continue walking on the cold street.
She hadn’t earned a single penny.”
“The people of the Ark saw the poor little girl Dorothy, but not a single person offered a helping hand.
So, frozen and helpless, Dorothy had no choice but to take out a nuclear bomb and prepare to light it for warmth.”
“Just then, Oswald, who was passing by, saw Dorothy and was startled.
He quickly took away the nuclear bomb from Dorothy’s hand.
Then he praised Dorothy for being a beautiful girl and left.”
“But Dorothy was still very cold, so she pulled out another homemade nuclear bomb.”
“This time she successfully lit the nuclear bomb.
Dorothy felt warmth all around her, as if it were summer again.
Through the flames, she saw her former friends waiting for her with a feast of delicious food.”
“After this night, the cold Ark was infected by Dorothy’s enthusiasm and became warm.
People no longer treated the weak coldly; everyone became acquaintances, regardless of closeness.”
“Alright, today’s story is pretty much over.”
“This story tells us that Dorothy was too foolish; she should have lit the nuclear bomb for warmth much earlier, having been cold for so long for nothing.”
“Time for bed.”
Then Kai prepared to sneak away.
But he was grabbed by the collar of his sturdy jacket by a dark-faced Dorothy, unable to move.
The other members of the Goddess Squad and the Mass-Produced Nikkes who were sitting were still savoring the fairy tale.
The Commander must have a deeper meaning!
Except for Snow White, who was standing guard while listening to the story.
She had figured it out: the Commander possessed extraordinary skills!
Yesterday it was her, Snow White; today it was Dorothy.
He was going to catch all of them, the Goddess Squad!
“Com!
Man!
Der!
Sir!” Dorothy showed a dangerous smile.
“So, in your eyes, I’m such a ‘pitiable’ little girl.”
“Shoo!
Come inside with me!” She dragged Kai by his collar, preparing to pull him into a dark room.
“Pinne, don’t stop me!
Today I must let the Commander see what a foolish Dorothy is like!”
Dorothy looked displeased at Pinne in front of her.
Sister, are you actually siding with the Commander?
Are we still close friends?
“No, Lady Dorothy, although the Commander’s story just now was indeed a little unrealistic, he probably wanted to make a joke.” Pinne then revealed her true purpose, pulling out the multi-functional robot.
“The real-time communication with the Ark has been restored.”
Dorothy: —Forget it, important matters first.
Dorothy gently put Kai down, who then grinned mischievously at Pinne.
Hehe!
Pinne couldn’t help but chuckle, then immediately became serious when Dorothy glared at her with a dark expression.
“Can you hear me?
This is the Ark.
Goddess Squad, can you hear me?”
“I heard your laughter just now, so it seems the situation is still relatively optimistic.”
A familiar voice came from the robot, the same man who had previously sent the voice message requesting new missions for the Goddess Squad.
Rapunzel:!!
Scarlet: “It worked!”
The other Mass-Produced Nikkes also gathered around.
Dorothy’s face also darkened.
To think that people from the Ark heard their laughter.
Fortunately, they didn’t know what was happening here.
We can hear you.
No one was laughing here just now!
You misheard.”
The mysterious man was silent for a moment before replying, “Oh, oh, that’s great.
We noticed the Aevum particle concentration dropping and tried to contact you.
We finally succeeded.
You all are amazing!”
Dorothy maintained her captain’s dignity: “I am acting captain Dorothy.
Who are you?”
The man replied, “I am the general manager of this Ark Sealing Project.
According to regulations, I cannot reveal my name, so please understand.”
“Alright, in any case, we still thank the Ark for sending the Commander to support us.
This is very important, and all Nikkes are very grateful to the Ark for this.” Dorothy still thought Kai was support from the Ark.
“—” The man on the other end of the real-time communication was silent, but he quickly said, “A Commander sent by us?
I will check the records immediately, please wait a moment.”
After a while, the man’s voice reappeared.
“When all personnel were evacuating, there was indeed a record of a new Commander being approved to go out.
His name is, the Ark is all —”
The man on the other end was stunned looking at the recorded name.
Who approved such an awesome name?
Isn’t he asking for trouble?
“Insects!
My name is The Ark is All Insects!” Kai was particularly proud at this moment.
Anyway, the Nikkes already knew, so he raised his head and looked at the Nikkes proudly.
How about that?
This Commander is just that awesome!
Not scared at all!
Wow!
You’re serious!
Earlier, everyone thought the Commander had hacked their identification devices and changed his name to play a prank, but they didn’t expect the Ark to officially confirm it today.
Hehe, my system Doro is amazing!
It’s all Doro’s hard work and sweat, not a single cheat used!
(Impossible)
The man on the other end tacitly approved and praised inwardly: The Ark had long ago decided by public vote to abandon all Nikkes outside and seal off the Ark as quickly as possible.
And you still dared to apply to go out and support Nikkes?
You’re impressive!
This was the highest affirmation from a man.
He continued, “He is indeed a very brave Commander!”
“The Ark migrated so many people at once; everything was a chaotic vortex.
However, one thing is certain.”
“Everyone held onto the hope of survival.
They escaped the fear of the Rapture.
People were filled with hope.”
Kai couldn’t hold it in: “Haha!”
He quickly made an excuse: “You continue, I just remembered something happy.
My wife is about to give birth.”
“—” The man continued, “As I mentioned earlier, we have prepared the highest courtesy.”
“Pfft!” It was Kai again.
He said with a serious expression and a clumsy excuse: “I have another wife who is also about to give birth.”
Dorothy had no way to deal with the erratic Commander, so she had to speak up herself: “Can we also go to the Ark and embrace hope?”
This time, the man was quick, “Of course.
We will meet soon.”
Then the real-time communication ended.
Kai, who had been causing trouble earlier, had already run off.
“Ah, I’m going to take a shower!
Don’t you dare act like hooligans!
Especially Rapunzel!
I’ve tolerated you for too long!” Kai ran off while taking off his clothes.
With so many people around, Dorothy didn’t dare to chase him.
But she made a mental note that she would get her revenge on the Commander sooner or later.