Chapter Text
The night was young, and the world slept. Reclamation Site 01, shrouded in the soft light of the full moon, was as peaceful as it could be. No Raptures plowing nearby, ready to kill, no Heretics making everyone's life harder. Even the fearsome Queen, inhabiting the corpse of a Goddess, wasn't able to thwart this peace. It was a perfectly ordinary night, but even so, Dorothy never felt so at peace, so calm and happy. Despite everything, she was at peace. Her old Commander was alive, Eden had a chance to shine once again, and...she finally found a place where she let go. Let go of her anger, hate, frustration, and fears. With them, Counters, her comrades and, dare she say it, friends. With him...Commander, His Grace.
Makoto Yuki, Commander of Counters and many other Nikkes. When she first saw him, she thought nothing of him. A pathetic human whom she could use for her plans. A pretender, who will show his true colors sooner or later. But each time they talked, interacted with each other, he managed to change her opinion of him, little by little. At first, it infuriated her. Surely, he was nice only because he feared for his life and wanted something from her. He is human; it's in his nature to be a coward, an ugly creature of sin. She even started to hate him for his similarities with her late Commander, thinking him a phony. But now, Dorothy can't even begin to think like that. Not after he proved himself so many times.
The Commander is a man of few words. Quiet, calm, and collected. His quiet and somewhat withdrawn nature led many to believe him to be passive, uncaring, and apathetic. But Dorothy and so many others close to him knew better. He was quiet, not silent. He was patient, not passive. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that Makoto was one of the most active people the Goddess of Eden knew. Every time she visited the Outpost in the past, he was doing something: working, training, helping his Nikkes, and doing part-time jobs in Outpost establishments. Not to mention his various missions of different calibers. It was a wonder in itself that her Commander could function like that. Makoto is a passionate man, in his own quiet way. He likes music, to the point that he can listen to it even on the Surface. The Commander also likes cooking and brewing tea. The first time Dorothy invited him to one of her tea parties, he, at her request, brewed her tea. And she has no problem admitting that his tea was incredible. He even brought homemade sweets with him! After that meeting, Dorothy would ask him to make her some tea when he or she wasn't busy.
And every time Makoto spent with her, it was with that calm, melancholic look on his face, as if simple tea time with her brought him happy, wonderful memories. At one point, Dorothy could no longer contain her curiosity and decided to ask.
"Your Grace."
Commander looked at her, holding his own cup and sitting with all the manners of a man of his stature and game, but somehow , at the same time , looked relaxed, dare she say ordinary.
"Yes, Dorothy?"
His calm voice, that small, genuine smile and kind and accepting look in his eyes made the Mother of Eden feel, at that time, unfamiliar, frustrating emotions. She felt calm with him, but her "heart" always pulsed faster, her cheeks tinted with red, He made her feel weak and the strongest she was. It was frustrating, infuriating... But, Dorothy couldn't bring herself to hate him for it, or muster even a scrap of negativity.
"...." She stared at him, lost in his presence. Then, she caught herself and turned away, coughing, hoping to hide her reddening face.
*Cough* "Your Grace, allow me to ask you a personal question."
Makoto looked at her, then nodded "Of course. Ask away."
"Thank you" Dorothy said. "Then...every time we partake in our tea time, you have that look on your face. Like you're reminiscing on better times. Am I right in my assumption?"
Commander smiled slightly more, somehow making it even more endearing.
"Yes, Dorothy. It is....a memento. Of a comrade and a dear friend."
"A friend... what was that friend of yours like?" Dorothy asked.
"She was calm. Composed. Calculating and capable, but surprisingly innocent and inexperienced with every day life, burdened with the weight of heritage as she were." After that, the young man became silent once more, likely lost in his memories.
Dorothy didn't wish to disturb him, so she just enjoyed her tea, sounds of nature around them, and his quiet company.
He was also kind. Kind and warm. He helped her and Eden immensely, asking for nothing but help with Vapaus in return. He welcomed her into his home, making sure Dorothy felt welcomed, cared for, and comfortable. His dedication to humanity, his care and kindness towards Nikkes, even the ones who brought him nothing but trouble, his strength and loyalty made her feel all sorts of wonderful emotions.
Dorothy was not afraid to admit it to herself, and even to him. She loved him, as a woman. It was evident that she wasn't the only one to feel that way towards the Commander. But, so what? She would not give up, not when she finally found her special person. And if it meant to sharing him, to not being the only woman in his life, so be it.
But what stood out to her the most, something that she was one hundred percent sure of, was that Makoto Yuki had a secret. A secret so big it would change her whole world when she knew it, Dorothy was sure of it. He was young, like really young; 20 years is nothing compared to his own age, or even Johan's and Andersen's, but Makoto carried himself with wisdom and skill unbefitting his youth. He was also very skilled in combat; Dorothy would even go as far as to say that her Commander was the most skilled living creature in the world. And that wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Especially after Scarlet, Johan, Rapi, Andersen and Nayuta, masters of close combat, declared this certain truth themselves. Not to mention that Dorothy saw with her own eyes just what he was capable of. Which should and did raise some very serious questions about him, although Makoto promised to explain himself soon in the future.
And so, Dorothy would wait. She would stay with him, and no matter what secret he might hold, his Goddess of Victory would always be by his side, ushering in a new dawn and a beautiful tomorrow for him
I did say that I will wait for his answers and accept them, whatever they were, but...I certainly wasn't expecting this!!!
"So" "Very unamused, Anis began, "Let me get this straight. We're currently in some metaphysical space that somehow both exists and doesn't. Our Commander once was a guest of this "Velvet Room." You, a master of this place, somehow dragged us here through dreams, and you show us things about Makoto? Do you think us idiots, long nose?" Anis crossed her hands under her bust, looking at amused Igor like he was clinically insane."
"Of course, miss Anis, your suspicions are valid. But" Igor chuckled "I assure you, there is a very easy way to determine if its real or not."
"Uggh, Anis, did you get anything that guy said?" Neon scratched her head, looking at Anis dumbly.
"Yeah, of course I did! We were kidnapped by new species of aliens and they will dissect us and dispose after!"
"Whoah, really?! How did you know that? Are you an esper?!" Neon excitedly asked, choosing to ignore obvious sarcasm
"I didn't, you dum dum! Why would I understand any of it?!"
"Ah!" Neon pointed at Anis, continuing her charade. "Maybe you're not Anis! You are an alien spy, here to confuse us!" The little gremlin sniffed the fakest of fake tears known to man. "How dare you, you intergalactic whore! Where is the real Anis!"
"What did you say, you dubmass?!"
And so, the two started another one of theirs skits
Rapi sighed, walked to a bickering duo and slapped their heads
"Ough!"
"Uff!"
Rapi huffed, crossing her arms under her bust
"Enough of your usual nonsense. It's not the time to goof like that."
"Ugh, Rapi, why did you hit me so hard?! You forget your strength... waitaminute...I felt pain just now" Anis shocked gaze went to Rapi and then Igor "So, all that you said is real?!"
Neon stood, mouth open in sheer disbelief "Woaah, all this actually real?! I'm not dead or hallucinating?! Cool!"
Anis looked like she didn't partially agreed to her friend sentiment.
Cinderella, who had been quiet this whole time finally spoke
"I think this is prime opportunity to learn more about My Prince. Anis, don't tell me you don't want to know more about Makoto?"
Anis scratched her chin, uncertain look on her face "Well...yeah, of course I want to. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that he has some very deep secrets, things that he keeps to himself" Rapi, Neon and Dorothy nodded, sharing the same sentiment "But, it's, well, it's his secrets. Isn't this an invasion on privacy?"
That made them all pause. Anis was right, this IS highly invasive. Commander trusted them all, surely, they don't need to betray his trust like that?
Igor chuckled, pleased that these women were this considerate of his dear guest.
"Let me assure you ladies, he would not mind" Igor continued "Furthermore, it is imperative for you all to participate in this"
"What do you mean by that?" Dorothy asked, still somewhat uncomfortable with the idea
Igor's smile dimmed a little, and his voice grew serious "What I mean is, you need to understand him. All of him, everything he has, you must see and understand. Or, it will be to late, and any bond you made with him will vanish" The master of Velvet Room concluded, with gravity betraying his smiling face
Goddesses, shocked, looked at Igor, trying to see if he's deceiving them. What they found was only sincerity and honesty in his mysterious gaze.
Rapi drew shuddered breathe, trying to calm herself and asked "Then, what should we do?"
Igor hummed "You need to make a choice. I gave you an opportunity. You must decide what to do with it" Igor leaned on his desk, delivering last warning to his guests "No matter the choice, I will respect it. But know this, you, and you alone will bare the responsibility for the path you choose"
Nikkes looked at each other, then at Igor, and with resolve not to lose their one and only answered "We agree."
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"So, that's how it is, huh..." Johan huffed
Isabel glared at him with ferocity of a hundred wolves, daring him to decline "Johan, don't you dare to decline! I haven't been brought to life only to lose the chance to truly know my Darling!"
"Indeed" Harann smiled(that was not an easy smile) "I, too, have no desire to decline such an opportunity"
Johan looked at Cecil and Noah "And you two? What do you think?"
Noah crossed her arms, trying her hardest(and failing) to look uncaring and dissinterested "W-well, I really don't care, not one bit! I doubt there will be anything even remotely interesting about Imposter"
Cecil hummed, deep in thought "I say...let's accept this offer, Johan. I am deeply interested in Yuki, and this is prime opportunity"
Johan was silent for few seconds, before sighing "Huh. Okay, I understand. We accept."
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"I accept."
"Andersen! Surely, you don't seriously believe any of this?!" Ingrid's voice slashed through the silence
Deputy Chief Andersen merely straightened his tie and smirked, looking like he knew more than he should "Believe me Ingrid, this will be most educational experience."
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"We agree!"
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Igor chuckled, pleased "Very well. Then, let me explain how it will go."
Cinderella smiled "Of course. We're listening."
"Before the main event, I will show you short moments and events that he was part of, to further flash out his character for you and answer some questions" Igor clapped his hands, and a giant TV appeared before his guests "Then, let us begin."
Entry one: Why are April Fool's so insane, ft. Makoto Yuki(Featuring Dante from Devil May Cry series)