Nikke: Nullable Type

I felt a shiver run down my spine after I finished setting up the buffet in the lobby of my office building.

"...Why do I feel like something ridiculous is going to happen soon?"

Was it danger? Life-changing?

For some reason, my instincts were screaming at me to get ready for shenanigans.

But even if I wanted to, I couldn't really do much... so I decided to ignore them for now.

Whatever happened, I'd just accept the consequences. Made life easier, after all.

I pulled out my phone and checked the time. "It's almost 4 PM. Dad said he'd be coming up with the others at 5 PM after sorting out some more things in the Ark... And that should be around the time everyone else gets here too."

Anis said she was heading up from the Ark with Mustang and Eternity.

Liberalio and Nihilister would be arriving from their flight around that time too... mostly because they couldn't go as fast as they wanted to while carrying passengers.

Rapi and Marian were hanging out with Red Hood and Shifty, sorting out any remaining paperwork we had.

Suri had dragged Hana out of her room to corral the various mass-produced Nikkes to help out the Outer Rim refugees.

And Matis...

"I can't believe the Goddess Squad is coming! And all of them!" Laplace was practically vibrating in place, her blue hoodie shifting around her as her blonde twin-tails frayed from static build up.

Drake cackled and said, "Finally! The villain can meet the Goddesses!"

Maxwell adjusted her sleeveless white zip-up dress shirt and said, "I'm just curious what the difference in specs are. Ingrid keeps saying that Absolute are close in specs to the Grimms Models, but considering we're better than them and still lose out... I doubt it."

I finished laying out the paper plates while I tilted my head and said, "Grimms Models?"

"Hm?" Maxwell looked at me and said, "You don't know, Cutey? The original Nikke models were called Grimms Models. All of the members of the Goddess Squad except for Miss Scarlet are Grimms Models."

Laplace nodded. "They're suuuper strong! That's why they're called the Goddesses of Victory! Even one of them could handle like, a thousand Raptures! And if it's the whole squad, they could wipe out an entire army of Raptures!"

Maxwell looked amused and said, "I still think that's an exaggeration."

I hummed and said, "Well, Red Hood said that my mom took out an Ultra by herself in one shot... so probably not an exaggeration."

Though, considering an 'Ultra' was a Rapture that was a giant bug thing that was like the literal size of a building...

'I need better weapons.'

I was lucky that the Eva Unit copy they sent to fight me was a smaller one. If it was the full sized one...

'Even with power armor, it'll be tough.'

Unless I somehow figured out how to refract forces or split space-

Hm.

Noted for later.

Maxwell paused. "...In that case, I'll need to start making better weapons. Maybe I could compare notes with Miss Snow White." She smiled and said, "We could make your armor even better, Cutey."

Laplace pointed her finger in the air and said, "Oooor we could make armors for all of us! We can make a second Ark Rangers Squad, Missilis style! Maybe something like... The Masked Riders!"

Drake grinned and held up her hand over her face, making her mask snap into place. "Ooh... I like that idea."

Maxwell sighed. "I am not designing custom armor for you two after the last incident."

I tilted my head. "Last incident?"

Maxwell shook her head. "Design creep. So much design creep."

Drake huffed and crossed her arms. "It's not my fault that Terrifier's armor is complicated! A true villain doesn't compromise on fidelity!"

"Wait, Terrifier?" I paused. "You mean from that other Sentai show? You know she turns into a hero at the final seasons, right?"

Drake froze.

Laplace froze too. Then she slowly turned towards Drake, a smug look on her face.

"No!" Drake ran forward and placed her hand over my mouth. "Don't spoil it, Commander!"

"Mmph?!?"

Laplace giggled. "Draaake! Don't tell me you're just roleplaying as a villain so you can do a dramatic hero moment later~"

"Sh-Shut up!" Drake's ears turned red and she spun around to look at Laplace. "You wouldn't understand! True villains are never understood!"

I paused. "...Oooh. That explains why you like Megamind. Since he becomes- MMPH?!"

Drake clamped her hands over my mouth again and said, "Quiet! Please! Stop! You're ruining my image, Commander!"

Maxwell sighed. "Seriously...?"

At that time, the doors to the building opened.

I glanced over in time to see Andersen... Well, my father, I guess.

...Nah, still calling him Andersen.

Anyway.

I looked over to see Andersen walk over in full uniform, complete with cap and glasses.

Taking off his cap, he chuckled and said, "Well. Guess the rumors are true. You're even more of a lady's man than I am, Kid."

Drake immediately jumped to her feet, her face a deep red.

Laplace looked like she wanted to keep laughing at Drake, but she composed herself and saluted Andersen. "Deputy Chief! Welcome!"

Maxwell saluted too and said, "Ignore the chaos, Deputy Chief Andersen. It's not always like this."

Andersen took off his gloves and said, "No need to be on formalities with me. That guy there is my son... and I was about the same at his age, so I get it."

I raised an eyebrow. "About the same?"

"Yep. Always good to pull a few pranks to keep people on their toes."

I laughed and then walked over to shake his hand. "Well, guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Andersen shook my hand, amused. "Clearly."

I gave him a once over and then said, "Huh. You look better. Have you been exercising?"

"Hm? Ah, well the surgery you suggested went better than expected, you see."

"Surgery?" I paused. Then my eyes widened. "YOU WERE JOHN DOE?!"

"Guilty." Andersen chuckled. "Surprise."

I gave him a blank stare. Then I said, "No wonder I'm superhuman. You're ALREADY superhuman."

Andersen laughed and placed his hat on my head. "Not as ridiculous as you are now... but a bit superhuman, yes."

I rolled my eyes and took the hat off. "Where are my 'aunties' that you wanted me to meet, 'Dad?'"

Andersen shivered. "Okay, yeah. No. Just call me Andersen. Dad feels weird."

"Deal."

Andersen chuckled and grabbed a soda from the mini-fridge that I'd set up. After cracking it open, he said, "They're scattered here and there in the Outpost. It's still an hour before we're supposed to meet, after all. I'm just here early to check on you. And to warn you ahead of time."

I blinked. "Warn me? Of what?"

"What else?" Andersen looked at me with a soft gaze. "You're the son of the captain they cherished as well as the Commander they thought long dead. Get ready for all the questions in the world, as well as hugs." He paused. "...Maybe more from Rapunzel. Honestly, I can't stop her and she's a lost cause by now, so..."

"...I am suddenly EXTREMELY concerned, Andersen..."

===

On the elevator up to the Outpost.

Anis grumbled and crossed her arms, dressed in a yellow hoodie and black jeans. "Great. I take some personal time off to do a send off concert and my man's getting attacked on all sides by some two-bit harlots."

Mustang chuckled and adjusted his sunglasses.

Unlike his usual outfit, he was dressed in a sleek black blazer with a golden diamond print on its inside, a deep cut black dress shirt that revealed his toned body down to his abs, and black slacks that flared out at the bottom, covering leather loafers.

Smiling at Anis, Mustang said, "My popstar... Don't you think you should have a little more faith in your beau?"

"I would. Except he's the sort of guy who can't say no to girls who will give up everything for him. And he's also the sort of guy who girls will do that for, so I am VERY concerned, Boss."

Mustang looked amused and said, "Ah, but my popstar... The commandant has chosen who he loves, no? While he may entertain some lovely ladies with their affections, the only ones he is serious about are you and the other girls, no?"

Anis paused. Then she sighed. "...Yeah. I know that, Boss. Doesn't mean it stops feeling sucky knowing some other girls are throwing themselves at Commander."

Mustang chuckled.

Anis frowned and said, "What's so funny, Boss?"

"Ah, excusez-moi, my popstar. It's just ironic, no? You are the popstar, and yet your beau is the one getting the popstar treatment. Normalement, you would be the one being pursued while the commandant would be the one concerned. And yet, here we are."

Anis paused. Then she let out an amused smile. "I guess so. Huh. Life's weird..." She paused. After hesitating a bit, she said, "...Is that how you felt with Pretty, Boss?"

Mustang's smile faded.

Anis flinched and said, "S-Sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"No, no." Mustang sighed and took off his glasses. "...It's fine, Anis. I've been thinking a lot about those times recently anyway."

Anis's eyes widened when she heard Mustang... No, Hanson, drop the act. "B-Boss...?"

Hanson let out a faint smile and leaned against the elevator wall. "It's just us here, and since your commander's paranoid about security, this elevator's a black box. Nothing can get in or out communication-wise while it's moving. So let's chat for a bit. Like old times."

Anis frowned. Then she slowly said, "...Are you okay, Boss? If you're chatting like this..."

Hanson chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm not dying any time soon. I have to live a long and healthy life to spite my father, you see."

Anis blinked. Then she burst out laughing. "Is THAT why you work out so much? And look like that?" She pointed at Hanson's muscles. "You used to be such a twig, Boss."

"Excuse you. I still had muscles back then. I just wasn't eating very well."

"Suuure."

Hanson chuckled.

Anis smiled and said, "It's nice though. Hearing you talk normally again instead of being all eeeeeeeentertainment."

Hanson chuckled again and said, "Well. I've gotten used to being Mustang. And it's pretty funny. It's like spitting on my father's grave every time I act up."

"Oh my god." Anis laughed. "Yeah, he'd be rolling in his grave at what you turned Mustang into."

"Right?"

Anis leaned against the elevator wall too and said, "...If you aren't dying anytime soon, why the talk though, Boss?"

"...Well. I'm curious." Hanson looked over at Anis and said, "You know your commander best, Anis. ...Can he really perform miracles?"

"Huh?" Anis blinked. "I guess that depends on what you call a miracle, right? I mean, the fact that he saved all of us... how skilled he is in fighting... And reviving Red Hood by separating her from Rapi. I guess so? Objectively, those are miracles, right?"

Hanson tapped his fingers against his thighs. "I see... Then it might really be possible."

Anis tilted her head. "What's possible, Boss?"

Hanson was quiet. Then he said, "...Do you remember? What I said to you when you woke up after becoming a Nikke?"

Anis paused. "...You thanked me for what I did for Pretty at the park."

"I did." Hanson shifted his gaze towards the elevator windows, watching the shifting lights pass. "Back then, I couldn't bring myself to comfort her. To stand against anyone."

Anis was quiet as she watched Hanson collect his thoughts. And as she did, she couldn't help but realize just how much he had been holding in over the years...

'No. Was it even since back then?'

Hanson was the one who asked Anis to be a star. Because the Ark needed stars like Pretty.

And Anis had said she wanted to be a star that gave people hope.

But since she didn't manage to make that come true-

"...Oh." Anis realized it now. Why Hanson acted the way he did. Why Mustang was so 'fabulous' and flashy. "Boss. ...You made yourself a star too. Didn't you?"

Hanson let out a faint smile. "You finally figured it out, huh? ...Yeah. Mustang used to be the shadows that pulled people into the dark. I kept that, but in the background. But in public, I made him into a star. A flashy guy who did everything to cheer up the world as best he could. All for entertainment... because it was possible for entertainment to just be pure joy without misery."

Anis let out a sad smile. "...I'm sorry it took so long to pull myself together, Boss."

"It's fine." Hanson chuckled. "I had fun. What is it they say...? A man with nothing to lose has everything to gain?" He looked at Anis and said, "I already hit rock bottom. So it was only up from there."

"Even so-"

Hanson chuckled. "I'm not a young man anymore, Anis. I look like this, but I have decades of experience now. Besides, I threw my sense of shame away a long time ago."

Anis looked into Hanson's eyes. And when she saw that he was sincere, she finally relaxed. "...Okay, Boss. If that's what you really believe."

"It is."

Hanson looked at Anis. Then he said, "You know. I envy your commander a bit."

"Huh?" Anis blinked. "You do? ...Don't tell me you have a crush on me, Boss...?"

Hanson laughed. "Please. You're more like my daughter than anything. It's just..." He shifted his gaze back towards the flickering lights through the elevator window. "...Seeing him made me realize that it was possible. If, at that time back then, I had gathered my resolve. If I made a passionate speech too, if I dared to fight with my life on the line against those Nikkephobes, if I had gathered my resolve sooner to get rid of my father..."

"Boss." Anis walked over and placed her hand on Hanson's shoulder. "...It's not good to keep dwelling on what ifs. Weren't you the one who told me that after Riss passed?"

Hanson chuckled. "I know. Still..." He looked back at Anis. "...I can't help but think about them now. Because there's a chance, you know?"

Anis blinked. "A chance for what?"

"...For Pretty to come back."

"...What?" Anis's eyes widened. "How?"

Hanson looked into Anis's eyes and said, "You said it yourself. Your commander is great at performing miracles. And... although it was processed into something else. I still have her body. They didn't let her rest, even in death... but I guess it's a blessing in disguise that they did that."

Anis froze, the implications hitting her all at once.

If Hanson still had Pretty's body.

If Commander could pull out Red Hood's consciousness from Rapi's core and even separate it out.

Although Pretty had died... she surely had lingering sentiments.

Then...

"...You think Commander can revive her?"

Hanson fidgeted with his blazer. "...I don't know. But from what I do know about Nikkes as the CEO of Tetra Line. I know that Nikke bodies are special. I know that a firm will and mind can change the form of a Nikke body. And I now know that your commander proved that lingering sentiments can be resparked into full sentience."

Anis paused, suddenly remember that 'Rose' that Rapi had mentioned before. And how she was supposed to be dead, but had been resurrected somehow, even without a Nikke core. And still with all her memories.

The elevator was approaching the Outpost.

Seeing that, Hanson put his glasses back on. But just before he did, he said, "...We've had one miracle already with Riss. Maybe we can have another. Right?"

"...Dammit, Boss." Anis brushed her eyes, wiping away tears. "You can't ruin my mood just before we get off the elevator!"

Hanson... No, Mustang again.

Mustang grinned and said, "Why, my popstar! It's the hallmark of a star to be able to regain your poise whenever, wherever, no?"

"Ugh. I hate you."

Mustang chuckled, just as the doors opened. "Come, my popstar. Let's go reunite you with your beau... and discuss the musical number with him for your finale!"

"What? Boss, were you serious about that?" Anis walked out with Mustang and said, "Are you really going to make me sing with Commander to finish up the concert?"

"Oui." Mustang nodded. "After all..." He looked up at the clear blue sky. "We are rewriting the stars and changing the world to be ours... no?"

===

Eternity quietly walked out of the elevator after Anis and Mustang, having been standing with them in the corner the whole time. As she did, she muttered, "Hypothesis confirmed. It is possible to be treated as a background fixture by people during emotional moments. This may be useful in the future..."