...
Then Syuen and varakiel arrive into missilis HQ.
Syuen: Before we go in, you have to promise.
Varakiel: promise what?
Syuen: Just promise me! I'll tell you what it is later…
Varakiel: *sigh* it can't be as bad as making the ark get invaded, fine, i promise, but just this once, in the future you have to tell me on the spot, okay?
Syuen: okay….no matter what i tell them in there, pretend like you don't know anything. Just smile and nod your head.
Varakiel: why?
Syuen: You just promised me. Don't ask why. Just do it.
Varakiel: As long as it doesn't go over my patience I'll do it.
Syuen: great. Let's go in.
*beep*
Varakiel and Syuen go inside a room.
Syuen: sorry ladies, kept you waiting, huh? Look who I brought with me!
Varakiel: Hello girls, it's been a while.
Maxwell: !! Cutie!
Laplace: teacher!
Drake: Hey, dude!
Varakiel: How have you been?
Laplace: well….
Drake:...hmm.
Maxwell: well. We've been…
TV: in front of missilis industry headquarters, civil protests are still in full swing. Here we have the protestor's representative, who has been making his voice heard loud and clear the since yesterday.
Varakiel:...(another criminal? Typical they don't learn in their first lesson….i wish him bad luck….
Citizen 2: the moment any nikke is granted free agency. Who's to say they won't be aiming their weapons at us instead of the raptures? No free will for nikkes! NIMPH for nik-
Suddenly a metal debris falls on top of the citizen and makes the podium he was standing on crumble.
TV: What a horrible accident!! Let's hope the representative is okay…..what? Wait, is this true? Again!?
Varakiel was operating his phone…..
TV: everyone we have received new information, it seems like the representative of the protestors is suspicious of several crimes such as several cases of assault and several murder attempts against his ex-girlfriend. Just like the previous representative, it seems the protests are coming mainly from ex-criminals or potential criminals, just what is wrong with these people, just like the commander from yesterday said they do fear that they will be truly punished for their crimes? Are these protests just to support the lack of the death penalty upon criminals? keep us in contact on tetra TV!
Varakiel: That will teach them.
Maxwell: Hey Cutie, was that your doing?
Varakiel: hm? I don't know what you are talking about. *shrug* ¯\_(o3o)_/¯
TV: in other matters, distrust towards missilis has continued to mount amongst the citizens, and shows no signs of stopping. What actions will Syuen, the representative of missilis, take? Will she choose Matis or the citizens of the ark?
Maxwell: would someone turn that thing off?
Varakiel: sure.
*beep*
Varakiel turns the tv off.
Maxwell: thanks.
Laplace: sorry that you have to see us in such a sorry state, teacher. It's not exactly the most becoming look for a hero…
Varakiel: is okay Laplace, even heroes have their ups and downs.
Maxwell: there's no need to point out the obvious. We're being treated like criminals by people we don't even know. Not exactly surprising that we're not feeling chipper.
Laplace:....
Syuen: just look at yourselves, all huffing and puffing. Don't let them get to you…..don't forget who you are. Who we are. We are Matis and Syuen, the stars of missilis. You think public opinión is something I can't change? They say you're all ticking time bombs, that we need to put your NIMPH back in. Well, all of that nonsense ends today.
Laplace: so..!
Syuen: I found a way to make you guys heroes again.
Laplace: !!
Drake: !!
Maxwell: how?
Syuen: we're going to create a new defense wall.
Varakiel: hmmmm….
Laplace: Is something wrong, teacher?
Varakiel: oh, nothing, I was thinking of something.
Syuen: hehe, it seems you understood everything I told you.
Maxwell: What do you mean by a new defense wall? Did our company invent something new?
Syuen: yes. It's a previous creation of mine.
Maxwell: why didn't we use it before then? Why wait until now?
Syuen: oh, well…there was an issue with the financing and….the effects, we were attacked by raptures during the building process. It was difficult to access the lab.
Laplace: really? You should have told us, we'd have taken care of it for you.
Syuen: oh, but you ladies are always so busy. And besides, I needed an ace-in-the-hole for a situation like this.
Laplace: So we just have to go to that institute and activate the barrier?
Syuen: precisely. If you go to the institute, there is an activation switch. All you have to do is turn it on.
Laplace: sounds easy enough! We can become heroes again just for doing that?
Syuen: of cou-ouch
Varakiel pinch syuen shoulder.
Syuen: ah yes right, the effects….you will notice an increase of raptures in the area, nothing you should worry about, right?
Syuen turns her head to look at varakiel with a clearly fake smile.
Varakiel nods to her, with a naughty smile.
Laplace: sounds good, nothing we can't handle right girls?
Drake: the more the merrier,
Maxwell: *sigh* as long as this can fix this fiasco.
Syuen: you'll be shown on camera defeating the raptures and activating the new defense wall. Then all those morons will realize how glad they should be that Matis is here in the ark!
Varakiel: *cof*
Syuen: fine not only Matis but all the nikkes.
Laplace: this sounds great! Matis helping bring a new defense wall to the ark! The heroes of the ark! As long as Matis is here, the ark will be safe from anything! What a great plan!
Syuen: exactly. I'm sure it won't be a problem for you all.
Laplace: leave it to us! Hahahahaha!
Drake: Why are we laughing? Whatever, guess I'll join in. hahahaha!
Laplace: hahahahahaha!
Varakiel: hahahahahaha!
Maxwell: another one? Oh jeez god help me…
Maxwell says with a clear smile on her face.
Laplace: I assume teacher will be the one in command?
Varakiel: Yes, it would be an honor to command the three of you again.
Laplace: All right, sounds great! You'll be helping restore our reputation. I'll be sure to repay you someday.
Varakiel: of course
Maxwell: hm? You seem awfully serious about this, is something wrong? Is there anything about the plan that worries you?
Varakiel: oh, no it's just me thinking, you know being away a whole week can ruin someone's plans a lot.
Maxwell: oh yeah, you were on the surface for a whole week, welcome back i guess , haha.
Varakiel: *chuckle* a little late for that but thanks, don't worry is not anything i can't handle.
Syuen: *sigh* Can we continue this meeting please?
Varakiel: sorry heheh.
Maxwell: sorry.
Syuen: I need to have a little conversation with the idiot, you all go out and prepare for the mission.
Laplace: Alright, don't wait too much for us teacher, we will come back soon. After all, as long you are with us there's nothing we can't overcome!
Maxwell: Would you can it with the hero talk? Let's go.
Laplace: very well then, heroes! Let's take our leave.
Laplace runs out of the room.
Drake: I won't lose! See ya!
Drake runs out as well.
Maxwell: What is this life I lead…anyway, see you later.
Maxwell then leaves the room.
Varakiel: Alright, what is this defense wall?
Syuen: Well it's not technically wrong. Matis will be a new defense wall for the ark.
Varakiel: Syuen, I think we already have a conversation about overworking your employees.
Syuen: don't be so loud. Do you want to tell them the unvarnished truth? What if they say they won't do it? Are you going to take responsibility for that?
Varakiel: *sigh* listen, you could have told them the truth and they would have still done it, i could have helped with that.
Syuen: Oh yeah? how?
Varakiel: you see the reason that i am doing this in the first place is that for my future plan to save nikkes i need the ark to be aware that they are not completely safe down here, i need to give them a reality check, just like you said they have become too comfortable.
Syuen: I see, well the damage is done, just if something wrong were to happen just tell them that there was an unexpected event.
Varakiel: You want me to lie to them?
Syuen: Yes, is it that hard?
Varakiel: It depends, is it for you or for them?
Syuen:....is for them, i can't bear to see their depressed faces….
Varakiel: Mhm, you are making a lot of progress, you're not thinking for your own gains only, but for the people around you as well.
Syuen: And that's a good thing?
Varakiel: Of course, if your employees are happy with you, you gain their loyalty and trust. Tell me would you prefer for matis to be loyal to you through NIMPH or without NIMPH?
Syuen:.....without it.
Varakiel: good, very good, points for Missilis.
*pat* *pat*
Syuen: I already told you, I am not a child!!
Varakiel: Whatever you say.
Syuen: aghhhh i fucking hate you.
Syuen leaves storming out of the meeting room.
Varakiel: hahahah.
.....
*Wheeeeeeee*
"Emergency Alert. Emergency alert. From the central government. Raptures have appeared near the ark. All citizens should move to the designated shelters. We repeat, once again"
Syuen:....
Rian: boss. Maxwell launched a drone to film everything.
Syuen:....
Rian: boss? Are you okay?
TV: as the sounds of the alarm fills the streets.
*Wheeeeeeeee*
TV: Does this siren also signify all signs of the previous protests have disappeared? Will we suffer the loss of our peaceful everyday life as we knew it? Will our precious homes be taken by the raptures once again? Is there no hero that can save us from this impending disaster?
Rian: boss, are you deaf or something?
Syuen: ah, sorry, wait what did you just said?
Rian: um…i didn't say anything boss!
Syuen:...have you connected to the broadcast station?
Rian: yes, it's connected. But perhaps we should stop things here…
Syuen: Are we ready to broadcast?
Rian: yes. We just have to turn the cameras on from our side and it will be sent out immediately.
Syuen: Then it's done. Get ready, let's start broadcasting.
Rian: Are you sure? Laplace is….
Syuen: I know. But we've already come this far.
Rian: can you please let me finish a sentence!?
Syuen:...*inhale* *exhale* we're standing on the edge of a cliff. I refuse to be pushed off it, not when everyone thinks that everyone in missilis screwed up everything!
Rian: boss….okay.
Syuen: start the broadcast, rian.
Rian: Okay boss!
Rian turns on the camera.
Syuen: Citizens, can you hear me? I'm sure I need no introduction. The report tells us to head out to our shelters. There is no need. Do not be afraid. I have my very best keeping the raptures at bay as we speak.
24 hours before…..
Laplace: and so the heroes set off on their journey! A journey of redemption!
Syuen: You seem awfully chipper. Just don't forget what your objective is, alright?
Laplace: of course! Create a new barrier for the ark and come back with our heads held high! My heart is racing at the very thought of becoming a hero once again!
Syuen: good, good. It's been a while since I've seen you this happy. Let's get this performance over with quickly so you can have your hero's return. You remember where the institute is located?
Maxwell: yes. I know the path.
Syuen: great. Then I will prepare for the broadcast. Contact me once you are in front of the institute.
Then communications with Syuen ends.
Varakiel: so, what do you think?
Maxwell: hm? What do you mean Cutie?
Varakiel: the change of attitude of Syuen?
Maxwell: ah that, i have to say, i am very surprised, i didn't expect her to change so much, or to change at all.
Varakiel: See, I told you she could change, everyone can change, they just need the push to make such change.
Laplace: yeah, teacher is even helping Syuen to change into a better person after all he's the greatest hero of them all.
Varakiel: *chuckle* alright if you believe that i'll try to live up to those expectations of yours laplace.
*pat**pat*
Varakiel pats laplace head.
Laplace: hahah, thanks teacher! Whatever you do I believe is for the greater good.
Varakiel: (*sigh* she still has a long way to go to be a true hero) hm….
Maxwell: What is it Cutie, something is bothering you?
Varakiel: well…..
Maxwell: Let me guess, you're not at liberty to say? Sounds like Syuen, all right. That's fine. So long as we can restore our reputations, that's all that matters.
Varakiel: Alright, then I will not think about it for now.
Maxwell: Good, and to be honest I can't wait to see how much you'll be able to command us, c'mon Cutie, show us what you got. And remember only us are doing the actual combat.
Varakiel: hehe, alright, and don't worry unless it is extremely necessary i won't interfere.
Maxwell: We are counting with you then, so shall we go?
Varakiel: mhm, matis, let's move.
Laplace: roger.
Draker: got it.
Maxwell: roger.
...
Matis and varakiel move to the institute.
Maxwell: How is everyone doing? It's been a while since we've been up to the surface.
Drake: hmph. Sounds like you want something to be wrong!
Maxwell: I didn't say that.
Drake: sorry…nothing's wrong.
Maxwell: What about you laplace?
Laplace:...
Maxwell: laplace?
Laplace: emmm?
Maxwell: What are you doing? Is something wrong?
Laplace: n-no! Just feeling a little nauseous.
Maxwell: nauseous?
Drake: !! Did you eat something before we came up here? You porker!
Laplace:...did i? Right! I've been looking forward so much to our comeback that all the excitement must have gotten to me! That's why I'm feeling nauseous!
Maxwell:...so you're fine. We're good to go here. What about you, cutie? Are you good? You have been awfully silent, I remember you used to talk a lot with us on our operation to claim the heretic fragments.
Varakiel: ha, hahah, sorry.
Varakiel suddenly snaps from his trance and laughs with shyness.
Varakiel: I am creating a plan for a future project of mine, there's so much that I need to do.
Laplace: c'mon, teacher, leave that for later! Let us share our enthusiasm with you. If we want this to work out, we need to bust out the gate firing on all cylinders! That's how heroes do it! right?
Varakiel: *sigh* alright, ill leave it for later.
Laplace: yeah, be strong!
Varakiel: mhm. So tell me how have you been?
Maxwell: thats more like the cutie i know....Hmm! Something is definitely up in here. We just don't know what it is yet.
.....
Laplace: something's not right…
Maxwell: what?
Laplace: my stomach… it's feeling worse than before…..
Drake: you're filled with too much excitement.
Laplace: !! you're probably right! I need to get rid of some of it!
Drake: throw it up!
Laplace: *Barfff-!*
Drake: more!
Laplace: *Barffff!*
Maxwell:...i'm sorry you have to see all this.
Varakiel: it's okay, anis and neon are like that as well.
Laplace: ha….hahaha! Isn't the surface wonderful? I feel like i'm a nikke again. Once this job is finished, this'll become part of our daily routine again. I can hold my head high once again. I won't have to hide away like some criminal! I can live my life as a nikke should, as a hero!
Varakiel: laplace, we already had this conversation, not all nikkes want to become heroes, even worse some nikke don't like heroes.
Laplace: i….yes teacher, sorry i forgot, is just the excitement you know!? We can finally come up again without being pointed out.
Varakiel: mhm, just don't forget the lessons I have given you.
Laplace: of course!
Varakiel: good.
Laplace: alright then, let's hurry it up. The highlands are right in front of us.
...
Laplace: this is the institute where the new barriers are set up.
Varakiel: we are finally here.
Drake: it seems older than it should.
Maxwell: right….considering how new the barriers are supposed to be. It's practically run down…Cutie are you sure these are the coordinates?
Syuen: yes, they are….
Syuen goes online again.
Drake: It looks spooky! We're more likely to find scary monsters in here than any barrier generators!
Varakiel: *chuckle*
Drake: ¿? Was it funny what I said?
Varakiel: Sorry, sorry.
Syuen: just….just get inside okay?
Laplace: Okay, everyone enter!
Varakiel: *nod*
…
Then, Varakiel and matis go inside the institute….
Maxwell: Hm. That's a relief. This institute is so dilapidated, I was wondering if the machines would even be operational. They're in better shape than I thought they'd be.
Varakiel: yeah…..(i wonder if i can use that to twist the truth…who will blame me? The raptures? haha)
Lily: (*giggle* just be careful with your choice of words)
Syuen: You see the button in front? Push it. Don't touch anything else.
Maxwell: shouldn't I check to see if the machine is running properly? Considering how old they are, I should conduct a few tests…
Syuen: if i tell you not to touch anything. Then don't touch anything!
Maxwell:...syuen? What's gotten into you?
Syuen: we're going to start broadcasting now, so concentrate. We'll be recording video, but no sound.
Maxwell:....ok. Something isn't right.
Varakiel: yeah.
Syuen: hey y-
Varakiel: is too quiet…
Syuen: what?
Varakiel: we barely found any raptures on the way.
Laplace: Now that you mention it master, you're right! We are in luck! Maxwell! Quit psyching yourself out. All we have to do is turn this defensive wall on and return as heroes!
Syuen: exactly. That's all you have to think about. Coming back to a hero's welcome. That's it, and that's all. You don't have to worry about losing your memory anymore due to the masses. Okay?
Maxwell:...okay. Let's begin recording.
*Wheeeeeeeee*
A drone circulates the area, filming everything.
Laplace: thank you syuen. If it weren't for your trust in me, in us….we would have been branded criminals for the rest of our days. We would have spent our entire lives rotting away indoors. But thanks to your trust in us, and master's help, we once again can hold our heads high and face everyone as heroes. As nikkes.
Laplace walks towards the button.
Laplace: right here, right now, thanks to this new barrier wall, we will be remembered as heroes.
Varakiel:....
Laplace finger approaches the button.
Laplace: for the ages!
Varakiel: ages....!! Laplace! Wait!
Varakiel walks to laplace to try to stop her but…
*beep*
*Reeeeeeee*
Laplace: ?!! That sound, that's….
Maxwell: a calling signal! It went off as soon as we pressed the button!
Drake: it's coming from the ark!
Laplace: !!
Maxwell: what's going on? What is this button actually for?
Varakiel: damn it! I should have noticed sooner! The lack of raptures, the seemingly clean machinery...this was set up!
Maxwell: What do you mean!?
Varakiel: The raptures changed the barrier into a trap!!
Maxwell: but that would mean they hacked into it raptures can't possi-
Varakiel: They can hack our technology! They already did it before in one of my operations!
Maxwell: Are you kidding me!?
Laplace: did i just….bring the raptures straight to the ark? It's all my fau-
Syuen image appears again
Syuen: seems the idiot here is right, i didn't expected that either, we already cut off the signal but the raptures that caught up with it are on their way. (yeah let's blame those metal scraps, who will blame us?) no more talking. You don't have time to discuss that right now. Go outside.
Maxwell: Roger!
Varakiel: Laplace, it wasn't your fault, it was mine, I should have noticed sooner, but there's no time for regrets, let's go!
*Booooom*
Maxwell: What was that?
Drake: The building is collapsing!!
Varakiel: they even set up the building to collapse!? Damn!
Laplace: building…is collapsing?
Laplace then remembers the time they fell into that underground rapture nest.
Laplace: *gasp!*
Laplace's face is full of fear.
*thud*
Varakiel grabs her hand.
Varakiel: calm down, we can do this, but right now, we need to get out, let's go laplace!
Maxwell: Everyone out!
*clang!*
Laplace: building…collapsing…under feet…tentacles..! *gasp…Gassp….Gasssp!*
*hug*
Varakiel: relax…..i am here, remember what i have always told you, no matter the fear and the despair….
Laplace:...a hero is never alone….
*creak*
Varakiel then begins to carry laplace while his body exudes a brown hue.
Varakiel: Let's go you two!
Maxwell: Run!
Drake: woah! How come you're so strong dude.
Drake says to varakiel with a surprised face while she sees varakiel carrying laplace like it was just a normal girl.
Varakiel: Just run you idiot!
…..