(For this one i used deepseek to fix the grammar like a reader suggested) A holder of hope

ROAAAAAARRRRR!

The fortress then falls down.

Rapi: ...Status: Inoperable.

Varakiel: Good job, everyone. We did it.

Alice: Rappity! That was amazing! Everyone was amazing. I swear, all of us were shining like stars!

Ludmilla: Hahaha, now now, Alice, leave him alone for now. Using a Nikke's weapon is no joke.

Neon: Commander, where did you get that weapon?

Anis: ...That design, and that shine... Did you ask my boss for a weapon?

Varakiel: Of course. I convinced him that it would be very entertaining for a human to use a Nikke's weapon.

Rapi: While that might influence the Ark badly... I must say, that's a very encouraging view.

Anis: Yeah.

Neon: Mhm, I agree!

Ludmilla: I absolutely agree.

Alice: Yes, Rabbity is a shining star after all!

Varakiel: Now now, you'll make me blush. Let's go inside, shall we?

Rapi: Roger.

While they were walking to the research base...

Neon: So we brought this baby down to the ground after all. It's official. I simply can't get any better than this. Master, I'm going to become a teacher. I've reached the pinnacle. There's nowhere else to go at this point.

Varakiel: You're wrong. There's always a higher level when you reach a new plateau! Consider the Rail Elevator your next target.

Neon: !! Now we're talking! I shouldn't be so full of myself! Gotta keep my nose to the grindstone!

Varakiel: Well said.

Neon: Yes!

Anis: It won't move again, will it?

Ludmilla: Guess not. I'm more worried about what's inside it.

Anis: How about we take a peek?

Ludmilla: Let's do it. I just hope the records are still intact.

Alice: My Queen, have we found our way back home?

Ludmilla: Yes, Alice. Thanks to the help of my s—... of Rappity and their friends. It's all thanks to them.

Alice: Wowww! You are the best, my Queen!

Rapi: Permission to enter, Commander.

Varakiel: Granted.

Rapi: Yes, Commander.

The squad enters the research base.

Ludmilla: Ah hah! So that's the problem.

Rapi: What happened?

Ludmilla: The security system is still up and running. No way we're getting in.

Anis: What? How come?

Ludmilla: That, I don't know. We can still get in with a card, but I was too busy hightailing my way out of there to grab one.

Neon: Please don't worry.

Cha-chink!

Neon: I'll knock that door over like it's nothing.

Ludmilla: I seriously doubt that. That "door" is a 40-centimeter-thick iron alloy plate. You're gonna need something with more kick to get through it.

Neon: But I thought my weapons had plenty of kick already... I guess I was wrong...

Varakiel: Don't worry. We have a card.

Ludmilla: ...Huh?

Mustang: Take this pass. However, this pass is, shall we say... particular. If you do the same, you too can activate it. This pass is the crowning achievement of Missilis Enterprise, Tetra Line!

Anis: Um... but...

Varakiel: It's been a long time since I last danced... Alice, Ludmilla, care to join me in this ballad?

Alice: Are we dancing? Yay, that sounds fun!

Ludmilla: Why not?

Varakiel begins to dance with Alice and Ludmilla.

Neon: Rapi, Anis, am I weird?

Rapi: Weird in what way?

Anis: What do you mean?

Neon: I feel embarrassed.

Anis: Oh... well, that makes sense.

Rapi: ...

Ludmilla: You sure know how to bust a move!

Varakiel: And you're really good too~!

Alice: I've never seen this kind of dance before!

The three stop dancing. The card in Varakiel's hand is now glowing.

Varakiel: The marvel of technology, in every sense.

Click! Thud!

Varakiel uses the card, and the door opens.

Varakiel: C'mon, let's go~!

Anis: The Commander seems oddly happy.

Rapi: I guess those with power are meant to be crazy in some way...

Neon: That's true, Rapi.

Ludmilla: Fortunately, they've left this place untouched. Check out the terminal over there, and I'll tell you which directory the information is stored in.

Anis: Why? Did you plant some kind of booby trap?

Ludmilla: What do you mean?

Anis: Why do we have to go first? Why don't you do it?

Varakiel: That won't be necessary.

Varakiel walks to the terminal.

Varakiel: So, Ludmilla, why is that?

Ludmilla: ...Every machine I touch gets fried.

Anis: Is that some kind of superpower?

Ludmilla: You could say so...

Alice: I operate all the machines at home.

Anis: Really? Do you have any idea why that is?

Ludmilla: Not a clue... Well, whatever. It's only safe if I touch something that's already been destroyed.

Varakiel: I need a password.

Ludmilla: The password is "WonderLand." Capital W and L, then all lowercase.

Varakiel: Of course it's "Wonderland." Only Mustang would use that kind of password.

Ludmilla: Oh? It seems you know the meaning behind such a password.

Varakiel: I know the Wonderland tales well.

Ludmilla: I see. Okay, then click there. Now open that file. No, not that one—that's a game. "Digital Cop," ever heard of it? It's a classic. The file next to it. Yes, that one. Now you'll have to enter another password. The password is "SuperUltraNikke."

Varakiel: ...She did seem super ultra.

Ludmilla: Project that picture onto the screen. It's a map covering the entire northern region. It also shows everywhere the Pilgrims have been spotted.

Rapi: Spotted?

Ludmilla: I've only seen them from a distance. I've never actually interacted with them up close. This map also shows the dates we saw them.

Rapi: It looks like they're on some kind of patrol route.

Ludmilla: Yes, the Pilgrims seem to be searching for something—with astonishing regularity. According to this pattern, they should appear sometime soon. If we're lucky, we may run into them. The codename is Snow White.

Rapi: It seems we've finally found who we're looking for, Commander.

Varakiel: Yep. Alright, time to rest for a bit and replenish supplies. Rapi, report how many bullets have been used up until now for everyone here.

Rapi: Roger.

Ludmilla: Follow me. There's no ceiling here. It's not a good place to rest.

Ludmilla brings everyone to a resting area.

Ludmilla: Rest in here.

Varakiel: Thank you, Ludmilla and Alice. I have a question, though. You seem to be following the Pilgrims. Might I know why?

Ludmilla: Do you really want to know?

Varakiel: If you're okay with it.

Ludmilla: Mhm, two reasons. One, I'd rather not say. Two, I just feel like this is something I should do.

Varakiel: Alright, thank you for telling me.

Ludmilla: Oh? Aren't you gonna explore further?

Varakiel: We barely know each other. I know you'll tell me when you trust me.

Ludmilla: Good answer.

Varakiel: But before I go to sleep... Rapi?

Rapi: Roger. Here's the total ammunition used.

Rapi hands a note to Varakiel.

Varakiel: Thank you... Mhm, now... (Lily, please~.)

Lily: (Of course. I'll put it in the room in an hour, starting from now.)

Varakiel plays with his phone as if sending a message.

Varakiel: There we go. The ammunition should arrive in an hour. Now, if you'll excuse me~.

Varakiel lies on the sofa and falls asleep.

Ludmilla: Hm? What does it mean, "the ammunition should arrive in an hour"?

Rapi: Well, the Commander seems to have a rather special family.

Anis: Somehow, he's able to communicate with them anywhere he goes.

Neon: And before you know it—bam!—they've delivered everything.

Alice: Wow, Rabbity is really magical!

Ludmilla: Interesting.

The next day.

Rapi: You're awake, Commander. Perfect. How are you feeling?

Varakiel: Did all of you just watch me sleep all night?

Anis: Well, duh! What if Raptures suddenly attack us?

Varakiel: Huh... Didn't I tell you that I put a light reflector outside yesterday?

Rapi: ...You didn't, Commander.

Ludmilla: A what now?

Neon: Master has a special gadget. It can reflect all light around an area, perfectly masking our position so no one can see us!

Ludmilla: That's impressive.

Anis: Sigh You should have told us. I could have used a nap, you know.

Varakiel: Sorry, hehe.

Rapi: Commander, we should go.

Anis: Where was I... Oh yeah, so you still can't reach the Ark?

Rapi: No. I don't know why. The concentration of Alva particles here should be very low.

Varakiel: Really... Then there's something jamming all communications... And since Snow White is about to go near here, it's clear they want to ambush her.

Ludmilla: The most plausible theory.

Varakiel: We should move out, then. I don't know how powerful Snow White is, but we can't let her fall under this ambush.

Alice: Oh my goodness!

Ludmilla: What is it?

Alice: We need to check on the sleeping princesses!

Ludmilla: ...How about we do that later?

Alice: This can't wait! We haven't seen them for a long time! They might have woken up!

Anis: ...Sleeping princesses?

Ludmilla: ...

Alice: We must leave at once!

Ludmilla: ...Okay, let's go.

...

Alice takes everyone to a laboratory.

Alice: This is it! This is where the princesses are sleeping!

Rapi: ...These are?

Alice: Let me introduce you. This is Princess Blue Hair!

Beep!

A capsule opens.

Rapi: !!

Anis: What...!

Neon: Ahh..!

Inside the capsule is a Nikke missing the upper part of her skull.

Alice: This is Princess Yellow Eye.

Beep!

Another capsule opens, revealing a Nikke with only her upper body. She is also missing the upper part of her skull.

Alice: These are the sleeping princesses. We are going to wake them up and go to Elysium together! Sometimes, we all have milk and cookies together!

Ludmilla: Alice.

Alice: Yes, my Queen!

Ludmilla: Now that you mention it, I could go for a glass of milk.

Alice: Right away, my Queen!

Alice runs away with a smile on her face.

Ludmilla: ...

Rapi: Are these the Nikkes on the surface you "rescued"?

Ludmilla: Yes.

Anis: Aren't they all dead? Why did you collect the bodies?

Ludmilla: They're not dead yet.

Anis: They're completely missing a brain!

Ludmilla: ...I've been helping Nikkes for a long time, and you know what I come across the most? Missing brains. You know what that means? If a Nikke's brain dies, there's no hope of ever bringing her back. So, they've taken their own brains and kept them in a safe place, hoping for a miracle—for someone else to come around and return their brains to them.

Neon: ...

Ludmilla: And that's exactly what we do here at Unlimited.

Rapi: You've found their brains?

Ludmilla: Of course. We've saved dozens of Nikkes this way. Unfortunately, since their brains have been separated from their bodies for so long, we've seen a few instances of asynchronization. We've seen mental breakdowns and amnesia as well. But they all survived in the end. They survived. And that's good enough for me.

Varakiel takes Ludmilla's hands, and a tear runs down his cheek.

Varakiel: Thank you, Ludmilla. Thank you.

Ludmilla: ...

A tear runs down Ludmilla's face, too.

Ludmilla: It's hard, you know... Seeing my comrades in this state, unable to tell if I'll ever rescue the next one...

Varakiel: I know it's been hard, but you succeeded against the odds. You had hope. Thank you for not giving up.

Anis: ...

Neon: ...

Anis and Neon have tears on their faces, too.

Rapi: ...

Varakiel: Let me help you. I promise I will find these two sleeping princesses.

Ludmilla wipes her tears.

Ludmilla: How so?

Varakiel: You have the full support of my family. I just need a sample of their DNA, and I'll be able to locate their brain proximity.

Ludmilla: Really?

Varakiel gives Ludmilla a serious look to show he's not just bragging.

Varakiel: Really.

Ludmilla: T-t-then let me get you a sample—no, wait, I can't do that. I-I-I'll tell Alice when she gets back.

Varakiel: Alright.

Neon: You've been through a lot.

Ludmilla: But like the Commander said, it's worth it. While I didn't originally intend on showing all of this, I am yet again grateful to that child Alice for telling you to come. She really is light in all this darkness... Maybe she was right when she said the Commander was a shining star. Even so, I'm sorry to have let you see something you shouldn't have seen.

Rapi: No. I respect what you're doing here.

Anis: Me too.

Neon: Same here.

Ludmilla: Thank you. But right now, there's something more deserving of your attention. It's becoming more difficult to find Nikkes who are lost or are willing to be rescued.

Rapi: Any guesses as to why?

Ludmilla: We don't know. We've seen a sharp decline on our end over the past few years, but the survival rate inside the Ark hasn't changed. It's intriguing. That's for sure.

Varakiel: If that's the case, then I know why.

Ludmilla: Do you?

Varakiel: Let me tell you...

Varakiel explains everything about Chatterbox and Enikk.

Ludmilla: So that's why... Thank you, Commander. You say you're after this Chatterbox, right? Make him pay for all the Nikkes he has hurt.

Varakiel: I promise I will.

Alice suddenly enters the room.

Alice: My Queen! My Queen! We're all out of milk!

Ludmilla: Alice... is that milk I see on your lips?

Alice: Eeep!

Ludmilla: All right, that's it. We'll stay here. Best of luck to you.

Anis: You're not coming?

Ludmilla: This is as far as we can go. Sorry, but there's nothing I can do about it.

Varakiel: Thank you for all your help, Ludmilla and Alice.

Alice: Good luck, Rabbity!

Varakiel: Mhm, I'll send you the location of those brains when my family locates them. For now, wait only for good news.

Ludmilla: Thank you, Commander. You should get going, then.

The Counters squad steps ahead.

Ludmilla: Commander... Thank you, for everything.

Varakiel: Hehe, tell me when we meet again!

.....

Rapi: Arrived at the checkpoint. According to Ludmilla's intel, we've got a good chance of coming across them today. I suggest we lie lo—

Neon: Guys, look over there.

Neon points to a flat land covered with snow. There is the back of a human figure.

Varakiel: That's way too easy...

Anis: Yeah...

Rapi: Commander, permission to open fire?

Neon: So you've finally come over to the dark side, Rapi! Happy to have you. However, we shouldn't fire at someone indiscriminately. The true path of firepower is—

Rapi: No tracks.

Neon: Um, yes, I suppose there aren't any tracks on the path of firepower...

Anis: I mean, there aren't any footprints, despite the fact she's all the way over there. Is this a trap?

Rapi: It's quite possible. We need to scope out the situation before going in guns blazing.

Boooooom!

With a loud bang, the figure sitting on the snow explodes.

Anis: Aah!

Rapi: This is...! Commander, give me your hand!

Varakiel: Run!

Rumble!

Varakiel: This is why I hate snow zones!

Anis: What is this, Avalanche Central?

Neon: It's all right! We can avoid it this time!

Rapi: Commander, hold on to me! I won't abandon you this time.

Varakiel: Kyaaa, you sound so cool, Rapi~! But...!!

Varakiel suddenly pushes Rapi out of the way.

Bang!

A tail falls onto the snow. Varakiel stumbles and falls due to the sudden move, rolling down the snowy slope.

Rapi: Commander!!

The surging waves of snow don't stop, and something comes faster than the snow to Varakiel's side—a familiar smile.

Rapi: Chatterbox!!

Chatterbox: Nice to see you again.

Varakiel: (Hello, baby!)

Chatterbox grabs Varakiel and runs away.