Godslayers and Goddesses (Nikke X Destiny, Semi-Crack)

[Flameal15k]

Been feeling like doing something with Nikke and Destiny will not get off my brain. So here we are.

Leave your thoughts after the author's note.

XxXxX

Ikora skimmed through the report, occasionally stopping at some of the more outrageous portions. Why did the Young Wolf have to get into such absurd situations?

Sighing, Ikora composed herself, then glanced upwards at the Guardian in question. Clad in armor gifted by the Eliksni of the House of Light, his amber eyes stared at her, a look of discomfort coloring his face.

Clustered around him were a collection of female figures - human in appearance, but closer in nature to Exos beneath the skin. Nikkes, they were called. Five of them now sat around him - one wearing a blue and white outfit that, according to Golden Age records and claims by Executor Hideo, was used as a school uniform in South Eastern Asia, while another wore a gray and black combat uniform and jacket. The third wore a red and black uniform with a beret and skirt, while the fourth wore what could charitably be called a black skinsuit. Finally, the last among them was a girl with hair so white, the Warlock Vanguard wondered if it was bleached. Her attire, meanwhile, was a mixture of black armor, the white remains of an uncertain article of clothing, and gray, almost transparent fabric elsewhere.

There were others, too, most of whom were further back in the room. Ikora pointedly ignore how revealing some of their outfits could be.

"So, Guardian," she asked, "is this report complete?"

"As complete as possible."

"I see. So, if I am reading this correctly, while exploring one of the nodes in the Vex Network with Mithrax's assistance, you ended up on an alternate Earth."

"Correct."

"There, you encountered another group of humans called the Ark, which were opposed to an invading army of mechanical lifeforms known as Raptures."

"Also correct."

"Due to having no way to determine a method to return home, you offered your services to the Ark in exchange for their assistance, and were made into a commander of their military forces."

"That's true."

"..You being promoted to Commander so easily is either an indication of talent the Vanguard has not noticed or an indictment against the Ark."

"Probably both," conceded the Nikke in orange and gold.

"Excuse me?"

Instantly, the girl blanched. "Ack, sorry! I'm Anis, of Counters squad. We're the Commander's squad."

"Understood. May I presume that the rest of these…Nikkes clustered around you are also part of Counters?"

The Young Wolf nodded. "I think introductions are in order."

The girl in white shot up instantly. "I'm Neon, and firepower is my game!"

"Rapi," said the girl in red and black.

"Call me Red Hood," said the one in the black skin-suit.

"My name is Marian," spoke the last Nikke. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Noted. I am Ikora Rey of the Vanguard, and while I wish it was under better circumstances, welcome to the Last City."

"Wait," said the most scantily clad of the five Nikkes beside the Young Wolf, "you're his boss?"

"I am his superior. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason. He just has a lot of respect for you. Nice to finally tie a face to that name."

"...Thank you."

Refocusing on the Young Wolf, Ikora took a deep breath. "While I'm certain that this report will explain everything in detail, for the sake of brevity and immediately understanding the situation we are now in, I require a direct answer: why are we now dealing with a sudden human refugee crisis in addition to the arrival of the House of Light?"

For a moment, everyone else in the room froze up. Then all eyes darted to a trio of Nikkes - one a blue-haired girl in a military uniform, another appearing to be a child wearing clothing better suited to an office worker, and finally a more mature woman who looked exhausted and really needed a more covering pair of pants. Said trio instantly wilted, with the blue-haired one blushing in discomfort. "Hey, stop it! We thought it was just another Gatekeeper incident. How were we supposed to know that the things it summoned this time didn't need it to keep coming back to Earth? And what about Dorothy?"

The pink-haired Nikke was currently sitting with three others, mouth taped shut and arms bound, but Ikora paid her no mind, instead focusing on what the blue-haired girl had said.

"Gatekeeper? Did this involve another Gate Lord?"

"No," denied the Guardian. "It's a type of Rapture. Long story with that one."

"So it seems. Are there any other topics that require immediate discussion?"

The minute she said that, Marian, Rapi, and Red Hood all glanced at their commander, who simply nodded. Without a word, all three held out their right hands, and in each materialized a ghost.

"...Oh."

XxXxX

AN: Ugh, finally done.

Alright, so, yeah, Nikke and Destiny fic. Want to do something while I figure out what to do with my other Destiny stories.

First, background stuff:

1. This story is semi-crack. Mostly serious, but some silly moments.
2. Plot-wise, this takes place concurrently with Season of the Splicer for D2 and around Chapter 15 for Nikke.
3. I still haven't decided on a name for the Commander, which is why he is unnamed here.
4. Every Nikke in the game excluding the Heretics making up the Four Beasts is currently with the Commander. This includes Exotic, Nihilister, Indivilia, Crown, and Chime.
5. Yes, Marian, Rapi, and Red Hood are risen. If I had to give them classes, Rapi is Titan, Red Hood is a Hunter, and Marian is a warlock.
6. Regarding what Privaty was saying (yes, that was Privaty who was talking about all the looks she was getting), the Point of Divergence was a Gatekeeper incursion that caused Vex from the Sol Divisive to be summoned to the world of Nikke. The incursion was mostly handled as normal, though it caused Eden and the Ark to meet way ahead of schedule. Both sides acquired Vex samples to study, on the grounds that the samples would vanish when the Gatekeeper woke up (the Gatekeeper is a giant rapture who has the ability to summon things from other universes via its dreams. It is the canon explanation for all crossover events in Nikke). Unfortunately for the Ark and Eden, they never considered the possibility that whatever the Gatekeeper summoned can naturally punch holes in the laws of reality in ways that make even the Angels from Evangelion look like child's play.

So, yeah, AN done. Will post the next chapter when my muse gets motivated. Until then, Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

 

[Flameal15k]

Neon and Anis watched as the Commander, Marian, Rapi, and Red Hood headed off toward a different part of the Tower, leaving the duo alone.

"...Should we head over to the…what did Ikora say the name of the place we were staying was?" asked Neon.

"She said it was the Minerva District," was Anis' answer. "Let's just get going."

XxXxX

Minerva District

The Minerva District had been among the many districts abandoned following the Red War. While it had been marked for repair, time and resources had put it on the backburner while other districts, such as Botza, Peregrine, and Ridgeback, were refurbished. Due to the strange circumstances of the most recent incursion into the Vex Network, though, the Minerva District had unexpectedly become home to a…very large number of refugees. Some of whom did not get along.

Of course, for Michael, why all of this was happening flew beyond his head. A six year old wasn't exactly someone who could understand the various issues with the Ark. Or why all the Outer Rim people all got angry at everyone living in the Ark. Or why the Eden people gave his parents dirty looks. Was it because they worked for Elysion?

A rumbling noise turned his attention toward the docks, where the Admire had hastily been transported after the strange plant robots had started attacking. More worrisome was that big white Rapture floating nearby it, seemingly ignorant of the ship's presence. Michael couldn't figure out why the giant Rapture was listening to the man in the Rapture suit, but somehow, it wasn't trying to kill everyone, so that was a plus. In a way, it was funny, seeing a squad of Nikkes being completely confused by a..well, not really nice, but perhaps neutral Rapture. It was also a warm thought - maybe Raptures weren't all bad.

Of course, the main reason Michael was focusing on this was to ignore how bad everything else was. Despite so many people having made it safely to this new city, the day everyone dreaded had come - the Ark had fallen. The only home all of them had known was gone now, and they would have to start over here. That had been…hard on everyone. His mom and dad hadn't even spoken to Michael or his baby sister after finding a house to stay at, just sat on chairs and stared somewhere. He remembered seeing Absolute looking, well, haunted - they had faced their failure, and it hurt. Matis also seemed to be out of it, as did Cafe Sweet. Happy Zoo had found the first building that could hold all of their animals and held a giant cuddle session, but there was no warmth in it - just a sense of longing. It seemed that this was the case everywhere - everyone felt the tinge of loss.

Michael understood that, on some level. But at the same time, the wonder of this new city was too much to keep him down. It was strange, seeing the sky for the first time. Not the screen on the ceiling of the Ark, but the actual sky, with clouds and storms, and all that. The giant sphere was weird, but it wasn't too scary.

This was the end of the Ark, yes. But all ends are beginnings.

XxXxX

Several Hours Ago

"This is Rouge, I've finished evacuating Coin Rush, but-"

"Helm reporting: we've destroyed the large flyer, but another one is coming. We're running out of ammunition for the Admire-"

"THIS IS YUNI, I NEED HELP! MIHARA PASSED OUT AND-"

Groaning in rage and annoyance, the Commander muted the comms. Instead, he turned his attention to the video terminal, which had unfortunately been reduced to just sending and receiving text.

YW: Does anyone read?

CZ: This is Commander Zavala. Your message has been received, Guardian.

YW: Well at least that went right.

CZ: Do you have any idea how insane what you are asking is?

YW: Yes, but I think all the alternatives are worse.

IR: Regardless, we are racing against time to mount the largest rescue and evacuation effort since the Red War. We must make a decision, and now.

CZ:Fine. Mithrax, can you assist?"

MK: It will be difficult, but it can be done. The coordinates you have provided make this easier, though.

YW: Thanks. Any other aid?

IR: Saint, Ana, and Shaxx are preparing to intervene, as is the Drifter. We're preparing to transmat the ordnance you requested as well. But please, be careful - this was salvaged from the Almighty before it was put on a collision course with the last city, and I cannot stress how dangerous it is.

YW: Your concern is appreciated. But I need to go right now - I have guests.

CZ: You are writing a full report on this when you return.

YW: Understood.

The Guardian terminated the transmission just as the rest of Counters returned, bringing with them Real Kindness, Mana, Exotic, Matis, Absolute, Cafe Sweet, Infinity Rail, Anderson, and the Big Three's CEOs.

Syuen, of course, wasn't happy with this. "Seriously? We're under attack and you dragged us up here?"

"For once, I'm with Syuen here," added Ingrid. "You better have a good reason for this."

Mustang just nodded in agreement.

"Of course the Commander has a good reason, he's unbeatable!"

Anis rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smiling at Neon's optimism. "Well, you do always have a plan for victory."

The Commander just sighed in response. "Yeah, well, not this time."

That hit everyone else in the room like a slap to the face. "WHAT?!"

"I know what we are fighting, and honestly? I think the Ark is already lost."

"Really?" questioned Eunwha. "You truly intend to give up that easily?"

"I know my limits. And I'm saying the Ark is lost - not the people in it."

"So, what?" asked Milk. "Are you saying we should evacuate the Ark? In case you didn't notice, we have nowhere else to go!"

"I'll handle that. I just need help making sure these things don't follow us."

"If that's the case, why don't you just blow up the Ark?" asked Crow. The stares everyone else gave her only served to amuse the terrorist Nikke. "It'd bury them down here where they won't be able to escape too easily."

"Wouldn't that require some big explosives?" asked Jackal.

"Of course it would-"

"Would these be big enough?" asked the Commander as he handed the grubby-looking Nikke a tablet.

"....Yeah, but you'd need something big to carry them on…no way."

Crow was not the only one with an objection. "Commander!"

"I know, Diesel.."

"But she-"

"I KNOW!" shouted the guardian, "and if I had a better solution I would be using it. But I am out of options here!"

"Do you even have an idea how to get everyone moving?" asked Maxwell. "There's a couple million people in the Ark."

"Maybe I could help with that," spoke the masked member of Real Kindness, Sin.

"No," answered Mana. "You are not permitted to-"

"Are you volunteering?" asked the Commander.

"Really? You're asking me that question right now? I'm hurt, Counselor-"

Before Sin could get any further, the Commander extended a hand toward her, cause a strange blue projectile to shoot forward. Sin flinched when it hit her, but surprisingly she felt no pain, only a sense of coldness coming from her face mask. She barely had time to process this sensation before the Commander grabbed said mask and pulled.

The cybernetic mask, meant to keep in check a voice capable of enthralling anyone who heard it, shattered.

For a moment, Sin couldn't even think, instead feeling around a portion of her face that hadn't been exposed to air for years. But then the Commander surprised her yet again by taking a microphone and tablet and shoving them toward her. When she glanced up at him in confusion, the man simply sighed.

"Start reading."

Everyone's eyes shrank at those words. They shrank again when suddenly, a set of colossal artillery shells appeared in the loading bay they'd hastily met at, alongside a crate containing remote detonated explosives. Without bothering to look at the newly arrived ordnance, the Commander opened a different crate and pulled out several boxes of ear plugs, the first of which he shoved into Syuen's hands.

"What the hell is this for?!"

His response was to point at Sin.

"...Oh. This is really bad, isn't it?"

The guardian merely nodded. Then he glanced at Exotic and Infinity Rail.

The two squads glanced at each other, faces plastered with shock, then started loading up the shells. The rest of the squads present soon joined them.

"So, can we handle Eden yet, Guardian?"

"Soon."

XxXxX

AN: And that concludes chapter 1.

Now, onto the notes:

First, I'm writing these notes on the assumption that some of you are familiar with one half of the crossover but not the other, so I apologize if I baby some of you here.

Still trying to get a feel for how a lot of the Nikke cast feels. This was why Mustang didn't speak so much.

The Last City is implied to be where Santiago, Chile is IRL based on when we see its location from space during Season of the Seraph. I'm not sure if the city is big enough to reach the coastline, so if you want, you can assume the Admire is in a large lake.

The big rapture and the guy in the Rapture Suit are Raptalion and his Mother Whale.

Wanted to show just how badly everyone from the Ark is taking their evacuation - this is probably the day all of them have dreaded, just like how the arrival of the Black Fleet is the day the Vanguard dreaded.

For context regarding Crow and Infinity Rail, the Nikke known as Crown is the leader of the terrorist group Heavenly Ascension, and acts as the main villain for the second major arc of Nikke's story. She's probably the only irredeemably evil Nikke in the game. Prior to being turned into a Nikke, she bombed a train that was carrying the girls who would become Infinity Rail, killing everyone on board. One of the casualties was the brother of Diesel of Infinity Rail, who is still traumatized about it to the present day (when they added in special gifts you could give Nikkes, Diesel's gift is a toy train she meant to give her brother but never could, and seeing it gives her bad memories). This stuff isn't revealed until well after chapter 15, hence my earlier claims of this story not completely lining up with the main Nikke storyline.

Nikke!Crow and Lightbearer!Crow will not meet for a while.

Since I haven't said it in my other stories involving him, RIP Lance Reddick - I've been meaning to say that elsewhere, but all my stories that feature characters he played have stalled out before said characters actually show up.

Real Kindness are all criminal Nikkes that the player has to rehabilitate in a special part of the Outpost (your homebase in Nikke). This means completing a special set of missions that cycle daily until you get 3600 points. For this story, the Commander has gotten through all of them.

Sin was arrested for using her voice to manipulate others into doing her bidding, and is still manipulative without it - her first few counseling sessions have her blatantly and subtly manipulating the players, which they eventually catch on to. For this reason, she is never allowed to take off her mask and has to eat everything as a liquid. She even tries to figure out what kind of circumstances would get the Commander to take the mask off for her.

The Commander not only taking the mask off, but completely destroying it, was mostly to set the stakes here. Everyone else except maybe Counters assumed the Commander was pulling stuff out of his ass regarding the evacuation plan. Making it clear that he was willing to mind control everyone in the Ark to make it happen silenced all those doubts. It also cowed Exotic into submission, and for the time being made Infinity Rail drop the issue, because again, if he's willing to cross that big a line to evacuate the Ark, then he probably has a really good reason for it.

Probably going to divide this story into normal chapters and sidestory stuff for the future. Until then, Read and Review at your leisure! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

 

[GBucket]

They evacuated one of the rapture thingies?

 

[Flameal15k]

They evacuated one of the rapture thingies?

Click to shrink...

It's kind of a big plot point that the Raptilion guy managed to befriend a boss Rapture called Mother Whale, which comes to rescue you in Chapter 26.

 

[Flameal15k]

The hulking Rapture watched as the humans milled around, taking what items they had retrieved from the Ark and Eden as the only mementos of their past lives. Some were curled up crying, other staring off into nowhere in particular, while a brave few swallowed their pain and tried to find something positive about their change in surroundings. The strange sky didn't help with that, but the pushed on all the same.

It was admirable, in a way.

Yet that wasn't what Chatterbox was focusing on. No, his mind was elsewhere. Part of him knew that his long term objective was finally completed - the Ark was no more, its populace forced to flee as the cavern it had been built with collapsed in on itself. That Eden had been destroyed as well was a nice bonus. And yet…

"Well, this sucks."

The hulking rapture didn't even bother looking to his side. "Hello, Nihilister."

"Nice to see you too, Chatterbox."

"Why are you talking to me right now?"

"I'm bored."

"Can't you find something or someone to destroy?"

"….Not in the mood for that today."

That was a first. "Really?"

"Yeah. Just…not feeling up to it."

"Hmph."

The red-maned Heretic raised an eyebrow at him. "You're feeling the same, aren't you?"

"....Yes."

"What are you two talking about?"

The giant rapture and his heretic master glanced at the intruder on their conversation - the rummage clad Nikke known as Crow. Her compatriots were nowhere to be seen, and neither the heretic nor her creation really cared to know where they went.

"It's none of your concern," was Chatterbox's reply.

"....You're not sure what to do now, are you?"

'How'd she figure that out?!' wondered Nihilister, who only barely failed to hide her shock. "And what if that's true?"

"...Well, I'd say I'm the same as you there."

"...Really?" questioned the heretic. "You wanted to destroy the Ark?"

"Yes. It was just a vessel destined to sink, a monument to mankind's hubris and hypocrisy."

"But it sounds like you're not happy it's gone."

Crow sighed. "I thought I'd be the one to destroy it - directly or through the Raptures. Seeing it destroyed by a different party - one that just showed up - just doesn't feel satisfying."

Nihilister opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out, and eventually, her lips closed, a look of uncertainty on her face. "Yeah, that seems about right. I feel cheated out of watching the Ark suffer."

Crow rolled her eyes. "I'm surprised you came to our aid. Thought you'd just leave the Ark to burn."

Nihilister and Chatterbox actually pouted upon hearing that remark. "It wasn't our choice."

XxXxX

Several hours ago…

"This is Poli, we've managed to get everyone to the evacuation point and linked up with the Scouts, but more enemies are approaching and we're almost out of ammunition. Requesting backup!"

"Understood," replied Ingrid, "but we don't have anyone to spare-"

"Actually, backup is incoming," interjected the Commander. "Just hold on for a few seconds."

"What?" asked the Elysion CEO over the radio. "We don't have any squads free right now. Did you manage to get aid from Eden?"

"Oh hell no, they're fighting off their own army of these machines."

"Then who did you-"
"Sorry I'm late!" spoke a surprisingly cheerful voice. Moments later, a humanoid figure slammed into one of the oncoming Minotaurs, sending it flying through the vex war group, clearing away many of the smaller machines.

"Commander, it's Marian. I'm here now!"

"Marian?" questioned Ingrid. "You're here."

"Yes. I promised the Commander I'd bring help!"

"...Then where is it?"

Before Marian could reply, a Wyvern leapt into the air and surged toward her, only for another large form to collide with the Vex chassis, sending it hurtling into a now abandoned building. The new arrival, meanwhile, uncoiled itself, revealing what could best be described as a muscular robotic gorilla.

"...Is that Chatterbox?"

"Yes," replied Marian. "I asked him to help us, and he said yes!"

"Only because you were the one asking, my queen."

"..Did you ask any other raptures to come?"

Within moments, more raptures began to pour in from above.

"Yes. And also two other Nikkes I found with them/"

What Ingrid said next was not something that could easily be translated.

XxXxX

"Really?" asked Crow. "Marian just asked you to help out?"

Chatterbox and Nihilister gave the terrorist a flat look. "She can be very persuasive."

XxXxX

Even more hours earlier

Chatterbox and Nihilister stared at the absolute mountain of plant-covered machine parts they had amassed. 'Is that…*huff*...the last of them," huffed out the heretic.

"So it seems."

"Hello!"

The two turned around, weapons primed, only to find Marian-Modernia behind them and…how had a Mother Whale gotten behind them unnoticed?

"W-what are you doing here?" questioned a flummoxed Chatterbox.

"The robots that you were fighting are attacking the Ark. I'm trying to get help for them. Will yu help."

The rapture and his master shared a flat look. "No."

Marian had a look of shock on her face. Then her expression hardened and her eyes started to shine. "Please help me now."

Without hesitation, Chatterbox and Nihilister bowed. "Yes, my queen."

Both were stunned when they realized what they had said, but they did not back down from their statement.

Meanwhile, atop the Mother Whale, a regal-looking Nikke stared at a man wearing a poorly designed Rapture costume. "That was….significantly more expedient than I expected."

"It was."

Behind them, a girl in an equally badly designed Rapture suit was arguing with a yellow-clad Nikke about snacks.

XxXxX

Elsewhere, present

"Are you okay, Jien?...Yes, I'm fine….Yes, Matis and Wardress are safe…"

Ingrid glanced at Andersen and Mustang. "You know, I'm not sure what's weirder - seeing the night sky or Syuen actually being a nice person."

"Everyone is full of surprises, mademoiselle," was the Tetra Line CEO's reply.

"That doesn't make it any less odd."

"Regardless," interrupted Andersen, "it would seem that…I don't know where to start, actually."
"Agreed. So, how're your Nikkes taking everything?"

Mustang actually seemed to deflate upon hearing the question. "As well as they can. I don't believe any of them will be performing for a while."

"My Nikkes aren't doing well either. Absolute is taking it especially hard."

"Weren't they in need of serious repairs?"

"Serious? All of them need new limbs!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."

Ingrid sighed. "It's fine. Just…what was that thing we saw just before leaving?"

XxXxX

Last minutes of the Ark's evacuation….

"Is everyone through?"

"Affirmative, Commander," answered Rapi. "All civilians from the Ark and the Outer Rim are through."

"All charges outside of those in the immediate area have been detonated," informed Crow.

"Good. Exotic, give me the detonator for the remaining explosives, then extract with Underworld Queen and the Scouts."

Crow raised an eyebrow. "You really think your squad can keep the last of these things away from us until every other squad can be evacuated? Even with the Pilgrims backing you up, you know that's a fool's hope."

"Eh, I got some other tricks up my sleeves."

"...Good luck. Nice knowing you."

Beneath his helmet, the Guardian rolled his eyes. "Please. I can make it out of this. And if I don't, I'm haunting you."

Crow laughed flatly at that comeback, then followed Viper and Jackal through the portal alongside Delta, Signal, Moran, Sakura, and Rosanna. They were soon joined by a very badly battered Eunwha, Vesti, and Emma, who were followed by Sugar, Milk, and Frima, leaving only Counters, Matis, the Commander, Pioneer, Chatterbox, Nihilister, a scorpion Heretic whose name no one knew yet, and the three CEOs, who had insisted on seeing this through.

"Where did all these greyscale machines come from?" questioned Anis. "Are these a new line of these…you said they were called the Vex, right?"

"Yes, but these aren't quite a new line. More like surplus given to allies."

"What?!" squealed the CEO of Missilis. "You mean these things have friends?"

"Kinda."

"It matters not what compatriots these foul machines have, we shall cut them all down!" countered Scarlet.

"And then we'll go back to killing each other," added Nihilister.

Suddenly, all of the Vex forms stopped attacking, instead backing up as a distortion appeared in the center of their ranks. But instead of a glowing set of lights, this distortion took the form of a a strange black vortex, which elicited a swear out of the Counters' Commander. Before anyone could ponder his reaction, the vortex resolved itself, releasing more shadowy entities - but not those of robotic form. Instead, these were foes unlike any seen before: hulking brutes carrying shields with holes in them. Another brute with a strange blue shield around it. Six limbed warriors holding strange rifles. And most worrisome of all, a colossal monstrosity, with strange limbs coming out of its chitinous back.

"What the-"

"Everyone fall back!"

All eyes fell on the Commander, with Ingrid' indignation at being interrupted being replaced by puzzlement.

Snow White balked at the order. "Commander, what are you-"

"I said fall back," he answered, stepping out of cover and approaching the new foes. "I've got this."

The assembled Nikkes held their fire, but refused to budge, all focused on the human approaching their new foes. He had holstered all of his weapons, and while his foes seemed inclined to oblige his stupidity and not shoot, that certainly wouldn't last long.

"Cutie," asked Maxwell, "what are you doing?!"

"...This."

With impossible swiftness, the commander stretched out his arm, and from it materalized a sword of cleansing fire, while behind him, wings of flame surged into existence. While those at the portal could only stare in shock (except for Rapi and Red Hood), the monsters in front of him simply roared and either charged or opened fire.

The Commander responded in kind.

XxXxX

AN: And done.

So, yeah. The Raptures and Exotic are kinda listless over how the Ark got destroyed by someone who wasn't them. Had this planned from the get go.

As for how Marian got Chatterbox and Nihilister to help her, BIG SPOILERS NOW:

The Raptures are led by an entity known as the Rapture Queen, which the OVER ZONE event implies was created using the remains of the former Goddess Squad Nikke Liliweiss (Lilith). The Last Kingdom event would later heavily imply that Marian (who was converted into a Heretic Nikke) is developing into a new Rapture Queen, and said event ends with her ordering Chatterbox and Indivilia to stop attacking Crown's kingdom. The two bow in acknowledgement without even realizing what they are doing. So as crack filled as that sequence was, it is entirely plausible.

The girl Syuen is talking to, Jien, was introduced in the new sidestory WORDLESS, and she's Syuen's half-sister. Certain actions that Jien takes in said event (which handles the fate of Yuni after the events of story Chapter 23 and 24) imply that Jien at least cares about Syuen, and given how Syuen treats Matis (as much of a jerk as she is to them, Syuen views them as her kids and begs the Commander to help them), I'm assuming they do have a somewhat close relationship. Also, Syuen is still in panic mode right now, so she's being much nicer than normal.

I like Mustang, but I'm still not quite sure how to write him properly, which is why he doesn't speak much.

Those final enemies mentioned at the end of the Chapter are Taken - a couple Taken Phalanxes, some Taken Vandals, Taken Goblins/Hobgoblins, and finally, a Taken Unstoppable Ogre. Taken Unstoppable Ogres don't exist in-game, but I made one here because I wanted a more visually distinct Taken to use - this one looks a lot like what a Taken Golgoroth looks like (I hated fighting him in the Pantheon, and he's the second easiest foe after Atraks!)

Read and Review at your leisure! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

 

[Fragment of Serenity]

Oof. Taken Unstop Ogre sounds... like whole lot of nope.

I hate the normal ones enough, but a taken one just sound a thousand times worse.

Does your 'lock stick solar or is he a generalist lightwielder?

 

[Flameal15k]

Oof. Taken Unstop Ogre sounds... like whole lot of nope.

I hate the normal ones enough, but a taken one just sound a thousand times worse.

Does your 'lock stick solar or is he a generalist lightwielder?

Click to shrink...

Generalist, currently still on a Stasis high.