Over Zone

Spoilers!*"Your greatest villain Drake shall warn you, SPOILERS AHEAD!"*The following article or section contain **spoilers!** Viewer discretion is advised.
Content Warning*"All **salacious** and **impure** thoughts have been swirling in my mind!"*The following article or section depicts a **disturbing** or **suggestive** content! Viewer discretion is advised.
This article is about the event. For the titular soundtrack, see OVER ZONE. For for the titular soundtrack album, see Soundtracks § Over Zone.

**Over Zone**DialoguesWhite MemoryWhite Memory Dialogues

## Over Zone

* Splash art
* Logo

## Sources

Twitter Official website

**Over Zone** is the 11th story event of *Goddess of Victory: Nikke*.

Over Zone is set decades before the main storyline of *Goddess of Victory: Nikke*, and during the first Rapture invasion. It follows the story of Goddess squad's efforts to secure the safety of humanity in Operation Ark Guardian, and Dorothy's descent to madness of taking back the Ark after believing they were neglected by the Ark and its people.

Over Zone along with No Caller ID are re-released on September 21, 2023 as part of the Archive system in the Command Center.

## Synopsis

In an eon most would rather forget, the Raptures drove humanity to the brink of extinction and forced them into the Ark. As part of Operation Ark Guardian, Goddess Squad, the greatest and most renowned of Nikke squads, fought to the bitter end to safeguard the gates of mankind's final refuge, and their valiant sacrifice allowed humanity to carry on the dream of victory.

At least, that's what those who write the history books say. Herein lies a glimpse of what *truly* happened, two months before the Ark sealed its doors forever. Before there was Pioneer, before Inherit, before Eden, and even before they became "Pilgrims". Decades ago, they were called "Goddess."

## Story

### Part I

#### Prologue - Last Farewell

A video feed plays, a recording set by its creator Liliweiss to play when her life signals cease to be. Loath as she is to use the term, she calls this video her will. Liliweiss reminisces on the moments she spent with her comrades, and fighting alongside her commander. She tells the viewers that she empathizes with their feelings, of wanting to give up after all the tragedy they've been through, as she's felt the same more than once. Yet, both she and the viewers have gone on to protect humanity, and they should take pride in that. Liliweiss ends the video with a farewell to her friends, asking them to take care and survive.

#### Ark Guardian

A gunshot rings out as Dorothy, Rapunzel, and Scarlet of Goddess oversee the execution of a corrupted Nikke. Snow White, the one who fired the bullet, answers Dorothy's questions. Though the Nikke's name-tag said "Kate", they have no way of knowing if that really was her name. As Goddess ruminates over the awful fate of the corrupted, Rapunzel decides to pray for the fallen, but Scarlet protests such an act, on grounds that too many have died already, and she's concerned that Rapunzel is putting more regard towards the dead than the living.

As Rapunzel leaves to do her work, Scarlet ponders over the nun's behavior, even making a few jabs at Snow White in the process. Dorothy curtails any imminent argument, reminding Scarlet that each of them has their role to play. The swordswoman proposes she take up the job of headman, as her blade doesn't need bullets, but both Snow White and Dorothy reject the idea. Swinging a blade to end a life is far different from simply pulling a trigger, and Dorothy reminds Scarlet that her sister would not wish for Fleetly Fading to shed blood as a butcher's blade.

Putting this grim talk aside, Snow White asks Dorothy for a sitrep. It's been two days since the last raid, a far cry from a time when three waves per day was the norm. The three talk about how there are only two months left until Operation Ark Guardian concludes successfully, and Dorothy is confident the Ark will honor their efforts with a hero's welcome and glory as Goddesses of Victory. Taking Dorothy's advice to keep a sharp eye until the end, Snow White moves to take watch at the guard post. Watching the taciturn gunner go, Scarlet remarks how undergoing a Mind Switch may have *improved* Snow White's personality. Dorothy is just glad that Snow White has become more dependable while still remembering all of them, especially after Lilith's death...

Reminded of their leader's demise, Dorothy marvels over how peaceful Lilith looks in eternal slumber, entombed in a hidden grotto. After a reminder not to spend *too* much time visiting Lilith, Dorothy decides to go out on patrol after a meal. Scarlet volunteers her aid, as there's been little luck scrounging for food as of late.

Later, at 2AM. The full might of Goddess squad is brought to bear on a group of approaching Raptures. So long as the Goddess of Victory stands vigil, the Ark's gates shall never be intruded.

The battle concluded, Dorothy asks for a damage report. The guard post only needs minor repairs, but moderate casualties were suffered among the mass-produced Nikkes, some beyond hope of saving. Thankfully, none of them were corrupted, but it doesn't change the fact Goddess is slowly running out of resources to carry out Ark Guardian. Rapunzel volunteers to handle the last rites and burial, calling it the only thing she is capable of at this point. Snow White returns to sentry duty while Scarlet sees to repairs, and Dorothy makes ready to contact the Ark. As the rest of Goddess leaves, Dorothy contacts a service robot, a dilapidated noisy hunk of metal.

Dorothy records an audio report to the Ark as acting leader of Goddess, since Liliweiss died. Operation Ark Guardian is about 72% complete, and there are officially no more humans on the surface. Even with only two months left for Ark Guardian, and plenty of mass-produced Nikkes to bolster the defenses, the situation isn't good. Constant fighting has drained both resources and energy from Goddess, but Dorothy assures this is not a plea for help from the Ark. Goddess Squad will hold the line for as long as they have to, so long as the Ark keeps their promise; to take Goddess into the Ark, and give them their due glory as Goddess of Victory. On those words, Dorothy ends the message.

#### A Dry White Season

Dorothy and Scarlet are feeling antsy about how the Ark hasn't responded, but the former of the two is sure they're just busy getting everyone settled in down there. The latter is concerned about their rations, but Dorothy assures her that they have a surplus of provisions for their mission time. She'll even get Snow White and Rapunzel so she can whip them all something to eat. She's no Lilith, but a simple dish isn't out of her skills.

At the guard post, Snow White politely refuses to leave her post, asking her food be brought here for her to eat. She remains steadfast in keeping an eye out for Raptures, claiming that they need to pre-emptively strike at any Rapture forces or they'll suffer more casualties. Dorothy compromises by deciding to gather the others and make a feast right at the guard post. Snow White's eagerness to eat something delicious brings a chuckle to Dorothy, as it would appear the Mind Switch could not curb Snow White's appetite. Snow White tells Dorothy that Rapunzel should be tending to the graves, and the Goddess leader departs.

At the graveyard, Dorothy finds Rapunzel in silent prayer, which she explains is to help the fallen rest in peace. Dorothy offers to pray with her, but Rapunzel insists this is her job. She'll join them to eat after another 30 minutes of prayer.

Some time later, Goddess has gathered around the guard post, a veritable feast set on a table. Snow White still refuses to leave her post, but her eagerness to eat is all too palpable, her nose letting her distinguish the types of food and setting her drooling. While Scarlet and Dorothy try to beckon the gunner to come down and eat, she suddenly opens fire towards the distance. A 4000-strong swarm of Raptures is inbound, and they're all artillery units.

Dorothy orders Goddess to take cover as Snow White trades fire with the artillery. She then tells Scarlet to join her in getting into effective firing range against the swarm, and leaves Rapunzel to coordinate the MP Nikkes to mop up any stragglers.

The battle over, Dorothy asks Rapunzel for a report. Every MP Nikke save one is KIA. Worse still, the food storage took a direct hit from an incendiary shell. Barely anything was salvageable amidst the ash and cinder. Scarlet bemoans the situation before noticing a bag of seeds. Considering how long these seeds would take to grow, and how meager a diet they'd make, she decries them as useless and scatters them to the ground. Dorothy declares they need to find food, but Snow White is still insistent on keeping watch.

One hour later, Goddess compiles their scrounging. Scarlet laments that their salvage won't last them all two meals, though she finds a silver lining in the liquor stock going unmolested. Dorothy remembers that the surroundings used to be densely populated, teeming with people setting up temporary camps while they waited to see if the Ark would take them. She decides to see if there's any food to be found still, and insists on doing this herself. After all, Lilith was able to shoulder any burden alone as Goddess' leader, it's only natural she at least live up to their late leader's example. While Goddess talks over what everyone will do going forward, a voice cuts into the conversation.

The voice comes from Pinne, a Product 23-model mass-produced Nikke and the only one to survive the latest attack. She's quite flattered that Goddess remembers her name, given how most MP Nikkes are only remembered by their model name. She also overheard Dorothy's plan to check the temporary camps for food, and volunteers to go along as a porter if nothing else. The risk of Raptures killing her is of no concern, or at least no more than starving to death. After laughing off her remark as a bad joke, Pinne insists on doing whatever she can to help Goddess, and Dorothy allows her to come along.

#### Those Who Have Seen Paradise

Dorothy and Pinne head to a temporary camp near the Ark's entrance. The latter ponders if people were going to live here, but the former denies such a notion. The people who resided here waited to see if the Ark would grant them a lifesaving miracle, and lost all hope when they were denied entry. Pinne is apprehensive at the idea of sharing the fate of these camps' former inhabitants, but Dorothy assures her that the ones who survive the operation will be given a hero's welcome to the Ark. Feeling assuaged, Pinne opens a tent before Dorothy can warn her, and...

Inside the tent is a couple holding each other, the ripe smell of decay juxtaposing the silent stillness. While Dorothy is unsettled by the sight, Pinne simply shrugs at the lack of supplies in the tent. While lacking her memories from her time as a human, it would seem whatever Pinne did before becoming a Nikke, it inured her to the sight of death and corpses. If anything, a Nikke retaining all her human memories like Goddess seems painful to Pinne, as one would have to constantly grapple with a disconnect between who they used to be and who they are now. Ergo, she has a lot of respect for Goddess, to bear the weight of those memories and not succumb to Mind Switch. The two carry on the scavenging operation, with Dorothy insisting that she too check the tents, even if all she finds is...unpleasantness.

The two return back to the Ark Guardian outpost with a decent supply of canned food. It would also seem the two of them ate on the way back from some of their haul, meaning they had less encumbrance to deal with. Dorothy tries to join Rapunzel in distributing the food, but the priestess urges her to rest, seeing the exhaustion on her face.

Dorothy finds herself unable to sleep, her mind stuck on what she saw while scavenging. A rotting lump of flesh that barely resembled a human. Pinne explained that this is what happens to humans who've been dead for a while, especially this one who seems to have been left in the sun for some time after the tent ripped. The mere thought of it is enough to make Dorothy bolt up from bed, choking and gagging...

Two weeks later, and Goddess' scavenging turns up empty, same as always for four days now. The camps have been picked clean, and the Ark still isn't answering their messages. Scarlet asks Dorothy if she has told them how dire the straits are now, with the water tank broken, the loss of all but one MP Nikke, no electricity, and the looming feeling of *sheer hopelessness*. With 5 weeks remaining until Ark Guardian concludes, Scarlet makes to say what everyone is thinking, only for Dorothy to curtail her.

Dorothy tries to buoy everyone's spirits, claiming Goddess Squad, mankind's Goddess of Victory and greatest hope, will not, and **cannot**, meet such an ignoble end. She pleads Scarlet to trust her until the Ark finally responds, which she accepts with some trepidation. Rapunzel declares she will go and pray, which Dorothy notes she's been doing with increasing frequency and length lately. Rapunzel responds that it's because so many have fallen, but Dorothy worries that perhaps the nun is busying herself overly much with the dead over the living. Rapunzel answers that perhaps it'd be *better* to be with the dead right now. The dead do not get angry, do not become sorrowful, and do not fall into despair.

These words fill Dorothy with outrage as she tries to stop Rapunzel so they can plan out their course of action. The argument eventually escalates into some uncalled for aspersions to Rapunzel's abilities, and while Dorothy apologizes, Scarlet tries to defuse tensions before suddenly hiccupping. Dorothy takes Scarlet's hand and detects an excess of alcohol in the swordswoman's systems...

Scarlet rationalizes that the liquor is derived from grain, and is a better alternative to starvation with their current resource drought. It only riles up Dorothy further, as one of Goddess' main attackers has gotten drunk in the middle of a potential warzone. Off to the side, Pinne winces at how Goddess has dissolved into infighting like this. Scarlet tipsily snarks at the MP Nikke how their squad is not a circus act to entertain her, but the MP Nikke admits Goddess is a spectacle nonetheless.

From the moment Goddess took to the field, all the MP Nikkes, Pinne included, could not avert their gazes. The strength and valor Goddess displayed meant there was no worthier candidate for the mantle of mankind's hope, the Goddess of Victory. That's why she can't stand to see them squabbling like this. Weathering Scarlet's annoyance, Pinne continues that she and every last MP Nikke that went on this mission volunteered, because they wanted to stand on the same battlefield as mankind's symbols of hope. Pinne then leaves to rest, leaving one final plea to Goddess to not bicker like this and disgrace the sacrifices of those who fought and bled here. Bereft of any energy to fight, Dorothy adjourns the meeting so everyone can rest.

#### The Magic Word

In the graveyard, Rapunzel is lost in prayer, wishing the fallen to rest in peace till their rebirth in a peaceful, gentler world. Watching the priestess pray for salvation, Dorothy leaves without saying a thing...

In a desolate part of the outpost, a tipsy Scarlet notices Dorothy and invites her to drink. Seeing the lush offer some "water", Dorothy leaves without saying a thing...

At the guard post, Snow White notices Dorothy and reports no abnormalities spotted. Seeing the sentry's stubborn insistence on keeping watch, Dorothy leaves without saying a thing...

Dorothy meets with another collection robot to make another audio report to the Ark. The report is short and simple, relaying Goddess' hopeless situation and requesting more resources. The robot rolls away at Dorothy's directive, set to keep sending the message until it's received. Dispirited, Dorothy decides to go and see Lilith.

A sarcophagus rests at the foot of a tree, a ray of sunlight beaming down on it. The woman entombed looks so peaceful one would mistake her state for a less permanent slumber. Dorothy confides in how hard it is to be a leader where Lilith seemed to always know what to do. While she pleads with the silent sleeper for advice, Pinne's voice rings out, claiming she has a solution.

Turns out Pinne had followed Dorothy here, as she too is a regular visitor to the Goddess leader's resting place. At Dorothy's prompting, Pinne explains that Dorothy has never really asked for help, likely out of some pride as the squad's leader. Dorothy pauses as she considers this before admitting she'd rather do things herself and get it done right than ask someone's help and risk it getting messed up. Pinne suggests she simply say "I need your help" to her colleagues, and assures the leader that such a phrase works to make her intentions clear.

#### Idol

Under the guard post, Dorothy makes small talk, asking Snow White if she's eaten or slept before saying what Pinne suggested she say. Somewhat surprised, Snow White jumps down from the lookout and asks Dorothy what she needs. She details the dire state of their supplies, which then devolves into bemoaning how Rapunzel and Scarlet have fallen into ruts while the loss of Lilith and Red Hood mixed with the Ark's silence have chipped away at her hopes. In response, Snow White proffers a protein bar and tells Dorothy to eat and sleep while she scopes out some resources. Dorothy tries to go with, but Snow White insists she stay and handle defenses in place of a drunk and a prayer-struck fool. The two talk about how asking for help is a change of pace from Dorothy, and Snow White promises to return once a day. The two exchange thanks as Snow White steps into the wilds.

Some time later, Pinne speaks with Dorothy, concerned about Snow White's absence. The acting leader explains she's taking over lookout while Snow White is out scavenging. She then admits that Pinne was right, both about the words to say and Goddess' obligations. Mankind's Goddess of Victory cannot afford to break down, especially at a crucial time like this. If any of them falls, the others will pick them up, and they will all stand together. Ergo, she plans to snap Rapunzel and Scarlet out of their funks, and invites Pinne to watch how Goddess stands again. It's the least she can offer for someone who has stood by and kept faith in them all this time.

#### Get Up Again

Dorothy finds Rapunzel in the graveyard, still engrossed in fervent prayer for salvation, both for the fallen and for the squad. Dorothy cuts in stating only they can save themselves. She denies Rapunzel's question about the fallen who died in vain. Those who died on the battlefield and now rest here, was there anyone who voiced the idea that they died for nothing? She claims the dead buried here did not believe their deaths would be meaningless, a notion Rapunzel denies claiming their anguished voices torment her. Pinne interjects by telling Rapunzel that as someone who fought beside most of those interred here, she knows none of them would think or say their ends were meaningless.

Rapunzel becomes confused. If the voices tormenting her mind with sorrow are not of the dead, then who are they? Dorothy has the answer; it's Rapunzel's own voice, her soul quailing at the hopeless injustice of this situation. Goddess' comrades lay dead, their food and ammo reduced to nil, and the Ark that should have had their back remains deaf to their pleas. Bereft of those who would've propped up her spirits, it's no wonder Rapunzel's weary soul has begun to collapse. But that's no reason to forsake the living for the dead, whom the living cannot see or speak to. No matter how much Dorothy misses Lilith, or Rapunzel misses Red Hood, they must still stand and fight for those who yet draw breath. Seeing the hand outstretched towards her, Rapunzel asks for a little more time, making one final prayer before standing.

The trio finds Scarlet still surrounded by bottles of spirits, still three sheets to the wind. Unresponsive, Dorothy grabs the bottles and smashes them one by one. Scarlet suddenly stiffens as she asks what the Goddess leader is doing, revealing she was never actually drunk to begin with. Dorothy downs a half-drained bottle, and offers some more to Pinne, revealing the contents of the bottles were plain water this whole time. She found it odd there were still so many bottles left if Scarlet was downing liquor as much as she claimed to be, and asks what the swordswoman was trying to accomplish by faking inebriation.

Scarlet answers that she simply wanted to *feel* intoxicated. In response, Dorothy knocks back another bottle, acting as though she just downed some strong liquor. Like this, the two begin downing shots of "liquor" for a time, much to Pinne's confusion. In this state of "inebriation", Dorothy decides to exercise a little *in vino veritas*.

She asks Scarlet why she drinks, which the swordswoman admits is a coping mechanism for herself. In a past epoch, Scarlet and her sister blazed into the battlefields with naught but blades in their hands, and when the sister died, she bequeathed Fleetly Fading to Scarlet. From there, Scarlet became a part of Goddess, and met Lilith, Red Hood, and everyone else. Watching her comrades gave her a new compass, and she helped guide humans to the Ark. Now, after fighting and guiding for so long, she simply desires to rest. At Dorothy's questioning, Scarlet admits she's rested well enough, and is ready to stand and fight again.

At the swordswoman's questioning, Dorothy admits that she's mostly fighting for the glory of being a Goddess of Victory, an exalted aspiration to all who look upon her. Of particular note is her desire to be a leader, after seeing just how big of an example Lilith was. Scarlet jokes that Dorothy is perhaps 20% of a Lilith, and the latter takes the joke in stride. While the two get ready to stand up and fight as Goddess again, Pinne points to something that's caught her eye.

A small plant has begun to sprout from the ground. While Scarlet marvels at the persistence of life, Dorothy notices that spot is where the former tossed the seeds. After gazing at the plant for a time, Dorothy urges the group to get up and start moving. There's so much to be done and only so much time to do it...

Later, Dorothy is sending another message to the Ark. It's been 20 days since Operation Ark Guardian began, and all is going well. No assistance is needed, and Goddess will hold off the Raptures until the Ark is sealed. However, she wants confirmation on the promise that the squad will have a place of honor in the Ark after the completion of the operation. Her report finished, Dorothy watches the robot leave to transmit the message.

#### Paradise Incommunicado

A loud rumbling signals Snow White dropping off her latest findings; electric wires, canned food, liquor, even a whole deer, freshly hunted. She hasn't the skill to skin the thing, so she brought it as is. While Dorothy vetoes Scarlet's suggestion to eat the deer whole, Pinne pipes up that she knows how to skin a deer. While Rapunzel ponders how Snow White could hunt a deer while on lookout, the Nikke in question passes the baton to Dorothy.

The acting leader of Goddess states that their newfound goal is to survive, as they should assume based on the Ark's previous silence that no help will come. The plan is to have two of them keep watch while the rest scavenge the surroundings for resources. Food is still a concern, but they can get by with only the minimum to ensure their brains remain nourished. Pinne tries to alleviate the situation by claiming her core provides enough power to not need food, but Dorothy warns her that while true, not eating for extended periods of time would remind her that she is fundamentally inhuman, and *that* would lead to a Mind Switch.

The planning continues as Dorothy explains that the group cannot remain here forever, and will eventually need to seek greener pastures elsewhere. By Snow White's guesstimate, it would only take half a day to scout out the routes she found while scavenging. Pinne is still concerned about leaving the Ark's gates undefended, so she and Dorothy will remain here while the others check the routes. As the rest of Goddess departs, Dorothy asks Pinne to show her how to skin a deer.

Later, Pinne displays a perfectly-skinned deer with a small amount of pride. Dorothy understands the process, but finds the actions involved quite discomforting. The Goddess leader's queasiness is surprisingly humanizing to Pinne, who thought the "Goddess of Victory" could do anything. The words make Dorothy pause for a moment before she asks Pinne to be honest with her.

Truth be told, Dorothy is all too aware of how unsightly her squad has been, touting themselves as humanity's saviors even while they mope about the unfairness of their situation. Pinne asserts that Goddess has been through worse than this, which Dorothy claims was only because they had promises and things to look forward to back then. But now, with the Ark seemingly disinclined to say a word, let alone keep their promise, the acting leader cannot see anything to look forward to. If the paradise they've strived so hard to protect will give them nothing, then they need to figure out how to survive by themselves until they accomplish their mission. Dorothy continues on about the hero's welcome of her dreams, where the people cheer her name and cast flowers upon her path. She hopes Pinne will be there to see it, a sentiment the MP Nikke echoes. The mood is cut short by the rumbles of explosions, and the two move to investigate.

Just as they'd suspected, a wave of Raptures is inbound, its size like nothing they've seen before. Turns out *this* is the whole reason why it was so quiet lately. The Raptures were just waiting for the critical mass needed to drown the outpost in a tide of metallic bodies. Dorothy orders Pinne to launch a signal flare and take shelter while she faces the horde by herself. Call it reckless, but Dorothy feels a sense of unwavering resolve right now, and bids Pinne to watch how a Goddess stands against the storm.

Against all odds, Dorothy renders the horde a pile of scrap. She turns to ask Pinne if she saw the whole thing, but gets no response. Confused, she calls a few more times until Pinne comes out...chanting Dorothy's name, her once clear blue eyes dyed the damning red of corruption.

Dorothy's face twists in horror, and she pleads for Pinne to not succumb to corruption, but all the MP Nikke does is chant her name with increasing distortion. She tries anything to rouse Pinne's consciousness, struggling to call herself "the Goddess of Victory".

Then Pinne manages to say something else...only for it to be a request for Dorothy to kill her. The corrupted Nikke struggles to say more, saying it was an honor to fight beside Goddess. Dorothy tearfully levels a pistol at Pinne, and as the corrupted Nikke forces out words of going to paradise together, a \*bang\* echoes in the air...

The others of Goddess spot the signal flare and hurry back to the outpost, and they find...their acting leader Dorothy, her eyes empty and tear-tracked. In her hands is an unloaded gun bared to her neck, which she keeps cocking and dry-firing. She notices her subordinates' return, and asks if anyone has seen her bullets.

Snow White approaches Dorothy and takes the gun out of her hands. The acting leader only halfheartedly tries to take it back. Her pleas turn from asking for the gun to asking for Pinne's return, for a chance to fulfill their promise to enter paradise together. Dorothy lets one final heart-wrenching wail as she realizes her precious wings are gone.

Later, Scarlet and Rapunzel convene over Dorothy's condition. Their leader has been taken to her room to rest, Rapunzel has taken to removing any potential self-harm instruments, and Snow White has been stationed in front of her door just in case. Scarlet ponders over how Pinne got corrupted fighting a massive Rapture that apparently came separate from the rest of the horde. A Rapture five times the size of any Nikke, and Pinne, a mass-production model with nary a fraction of Goddess' power, bested it by herself to protect Dorothy. With watery voices, the two admit that at that moment, Pinne was truly a Goddess, stronger than any of them...

Meanwhile, Dorothy is still in her room, plaintively calling Pinne's name. A buzzing ensues as a collection robot comes in. It bears a voice message from the Ark, asking Dorothy if she'd like to hear it...

### Part II

#### Utopia

Rapunzel, Snow White, and Scarlet convene over Dorothy's condition, wondering if she's in any condition to get up. Snow White and Rapunzel are about to go forage when Dorothy addresses them all. Assuring everyone she's all right, Dorothy brings forth a collection robot, bearing a voice message from the Ark. The news is welcome to the rest of Goddess, and the message plays at Dorothy's command.

A man's voice addresses Goddess, first offering his condolences for Liliweiss' death before offering words of gratitude for the squad's steadfast defense of the Ark's gates. The man elaborates that requests for supplies and reinforcements have been delayed due to ongoing issues within the Ark, and that for now, Goddess alone will need to handle a few more objectives that are impeding the progress of Ark Guardian, which once handled would allow the Ark to be sealed and become mankind's sanctuary. Offering one final thanks on behalf of humanity, the message ends with leaving the final decision to Dorothy. After a moment's silence, Dorothy notifies them that there is another message, and Scarlet asks her to play it.

The message details three missions Goddess is being entrusted with;

1. Destruction of an Alva particle generator within the Ark's vicinity. In addition to its role as a communication nexus for the Raptures, the generator's output is disrupting systems within the Ark itself, stymieing sealing efforts.
2. Destruction of Rapture groups in designated areas. These points are where sealing efforts are being conducted close to the surface, and there is concern that the noises generated by the construction would draw Raptures.
3. Destruction of the freight elevator. Once used to ferry food and supplies to the Ark, it has since become a security risk that would offer the Raptures a straight path to the Ark.

The man advises starting with the Alva generator, as it's the closest objective *and* would allow the Ark to communicate with Goddess in real-time once it's gone. The voice message ends with a final plea, promising Goddess will be rewarded for their bravery and sacrifice. While the others parse this information, Snow White immediately suggests heading out to complete these missions.

Dorothy assents to this idea, and proposes spearheading the missions with the others. Rapunzel is concerned about the fatigue buildup and proposes rotating deployments, but Dorothy insists on taking the front as the leader, plus her high spirits are filling her with an almost anxious energy. Finally, after so much strife and silence, the Ark has responded, and they remember the promise with Goddess. Dorothy feels as though she can do anything, her eyes alight with life now that she knows a hero's welcome to paradise awaits her squad, making some...odd comments in the process. Snow White agrees with this plan, and Rapunzel agrees to accompany Dorothy while the others scavenge for supplies. While the acting leader sets forth, Snow White pulls the others aside to ask them to keep an eye on Dorothy, and *especially* to avoid bringing up Pinne. She offers no explanation beyond being worried for Dorothy, but the others agree.

Dorothy remarks that they've never come out this far, given Ark Guardian restricted the squad to the outpost near the gates. Her seemingly self-targeted musings bring a giggle to Rapunzel, as she hasn't seen her leader smile like this for some time now. The priestess then notes their approach on the Alva particle generator. The concentrations will adversely affect her jamming ability, so if they find Raptures nearby, a battle will be unavoidable.

The comment prompts Dorothy to ask about Rapunzel's unique ability to jam sensors with her hairs, a result of her becoming a Nikke. It would seem that whatever process is used to create Nikkes, it alters the subject's body and abilities based on their ideals, and Dorothy is curious if that is the case with Rapunzel. The priestess agrees, as her jammers were made such out of a desire to return home safe and unharmed. Dorothy tries to act like she forgot her ideals from before, then admits she just wanted to survive. While she doesn't know *what* power she got, she remembers the fear and uncertainty in wake of the Rapture takeovers, culminating in an all-consuming desire to live.

Rapunzel notes that whatever the power is, it's done its job, as Dorothy is alive here and now, talking with her. The acting leader smiles over this fact, remembering a promise to go to paradise together with everyone. She asks Rapunzel if she remembers the promise, and the priestess agrees...

#### A Lamentation for Memories Past

The Alva particle generator is spotted, the surroundings devoid of Raptures. Before the two can approach however, Rapunzel notices something off in this distance, which Dorothy recognizes as a graveyard. The priestess is reluctant to go, but Dorothy decides they can spare a moment to stop by. Rapunzel comments she would prefer to lure the Raptures to them in order to avoid any combat from destroying the graves, to which Dorothy fires into the air and alerts the Raptures to their location. Rapunzel finds it a little showy of a move, but Dorothy confidently strides in front of the approaching Raptures.

The enemies dispatched, the two find a field full of wood posts, a dog tag hanging off of every one. By Dorothy's count, there are about 20 graves marked here. Rapunzel requests a moment to pray, which Dorothy allows, and the priestess falls to her knees in prayer. Naught can be heard save the jangling of the dog tags in the breeze that rolls through the graveyard. After a moment's silence, Dorothy asks Rapunzel a series of questions, which garner confusing responses;

"Do you still hear their voices?" "No, the dead don't speak, remember?"

"Then who are you praying to?" "To no one."

"What are you praying for?" "I desire nothing."

"What fulfillment does praying bring you?" "None."

Dorothy asks Rapunzel why she prays when it does nothing for her, to which she answers she wishes to hear their voices. She heads off her leader's concern, knowing last time all she was hearing was her own sorrowful voice. This time, she wants to truly hear what the departed are saying, and help them find their homes. That those who have gone ahead may be brought to the place that brings them peace, and rest eternally there. Dorothy ponder if Rapunzel wants the same, to which she agrees, but she has own mission first. But before she can explain it, a bright light envelops the surroundings. Golden particles rise from the graves to settle inside Rapunzel's rosary.

While Dorothy tries to understand what happened, it would seem Rapunzel got something out of it. Those golden particles, they were the souls, or at least an equivalent, of those buried here, and they've imparted their residual memories to Rapunzel. As the two decide to go back and destroy the Alva particle generator, Dorothy stops to gather the dog tags. They've neither the time nor resources to move every body, but they can at least take the dog tags to the graveyard near the outpost. Rapunzel thanks Dorothy, to which she thanks her back.

#### Steel That Kills, Steel That Saves

Back at the outpost, a collection robot is attempting to establish a live feed with the Ark. Goddess is overjoyed when the connection succeeds, a man hailing them from the Ark. While Dorothy reports the generator's destruction, the man introduces himself as the director of the Ark sealing project, who is keeping his name secret as part of the security measures. Dorothy has a question for the man; what will await Goddess after the Ark is sealed? The man's promise of a grand reception worthy of the Goddess of Victory serves to mollify her. Rapunzel is concerned with the status of the squad's previous commander, but the man has no idea where that person has gone, and no one around seems to know anything either...

Changing tracks, Dorothy asks for an update on the Ark's situation. The man reports that even with how chaotic and messy the exodus has been, people are still hopeful for a victory against the Raptures and reclaiming the surface. He further assures Goddess that they will have a place of honor back at the Ark when they accomplish the other objectives. The live feed is terminated with Dorothy reporting that she will provide daily updates.

With that matter settled, Scarlet proposes everyone rest, particularly since she will accompany Dorothy tomorrow for eliminating Raptures. The acting leader is confused at Snow White's absence, but becomes exasperated at the gunner continuing to remain on sentry duty. Noting that Snow White wouldn't express her fatigue till she was collapsed on the ground, Dorothy verbally throws her hands in the air, proclaiming Snow White would find *some* way to weasel out of being told to rest. On that note, Dorothy and Scarlet leave to rest.

Later, Rapunzel notices Snow White entering the room, who asks for an update on Dorothy's condition. Rapunzel is confident that whatever was weighing on the acting leader, she's learned to overcome it. Snow White accepts the explanation, and after a moment's silence, bids Rapunzel to rest.

Rapunzel decides to stop by the graveyard before going to bed, only to find Dorothy standing there. 20 wooden stakes have been plunged into the soil, a dog tag hanging off each of them. Rapunzel thanks Dorothy for moving the grave markers here, whilst the acting leader relays her plan to sanctify this place as a resting ground for all the lost souls whose lives ended on the surface. Even if their actual remains cannot be interred here, so long as a trace of their existence can be brought here, this could very well become the holiest land on the surface. Rapunzel voices her agreement to the idea...

Out in the wastes, Dorothy marvels over how Scarlet scythes down Raptures with her blade, the swordswoman bemoaning how short the battle was. The acting leader questions how Scarlet seems stronger than before, to which she admits she is cheating in a fashion, and proceeds to explain.

Scarlet has born witness to the evolution of warfare, both in Nikkes and in Raptures. Nikkes were made to use guns and other ranged weapons, and Raptures evolved to counter ranged Nikkes. Yet because of that, none of them are adapted to a by-and-large melee combatant like Scarlet, and given how she is the *only* surviving Nikke to employ such a tactic, odds are the Raptures just don't see the merit in revamping their collective designs to deal with one swordswoman. In contrast, Scarlet has only become more adept to these Raptures that have neither the tools nor tactics to fight her in melee.

Dorothy comments that perhaps the Raptures are keeping a careful eye on Scarlet, to which the swordswoman laughs off the idea that the Raptures would think one Nikke with a sword could change the tide. Dorothy tries to assure Scarlet that she is valued, but the Nikke in question interjects with a flip in reasoning; if not even the Raptures expect her to be of any significance to the war, then none will see her coming when her blade takes the neck of the Rapture Queen. That is, if no one beats her to the punch. The two briefly share in the anticipation of the Queen's end before Dorothy asks Scarlet what she plans to do once the war is over. Scarlet herself is at peace with the idea of dying as she lived, swinging her blade in warzone after warzone, but Dorothy voices what she and the others have been thinking; that it'd be good to have something else to look forward to. At these words, Scarlet goes silent, then admits there is *one* thing.

She'd like to learn how to craft her own liquors, an aspiration that gets an exasperated look from Dorothy. After a back-and-forth needling about someone being a pitiful lush, Scarlet details her memories about that plant that sprouted where she tossed the seeds. The revelation that life could exist and persevere in such a barren wasteland shook her to the core, remembering that even after civilization and society crumbled, the land, the flora, and the fauna went on. Seeing it all filled Scarlet with a desire to create life rather than take it, and thus she decided to become a farmer. She wants to sow life with her own hands, watch it come to fruition with her own eyes...and turn the crops into booze, admitting to Dorothy's postscript. The acting leader agrees with such an ideal, and proposes creating a small garden in the outpost as a start. Scarlet is all too happy to agree.

#### My Friend, and My Friend Alone

The Ark director confirms the destruction of the Rapture groups stalling sealing progress. Due to ongoing issues and the need to destroy the freight elevator, the director reports that the sealing process will be delayed by 3 weeks, and asks Goddess to hold the line until then. He promises to leave some supplies near the elevator to help them in this task. With Dorothy confirming the orders and the oncoming supplies, the director cuts the feed. While Scarlet and Rapunzel celebrate no longer needing to scavenge for supplies, Dorothy is wondering where Snow White is, who it turns out is busy scavenging. Almost on cue, Snow White returns with another deer in tow. Scarlet bemoans how no one among them knows how to skin one, but Snow White simply leaves the task to Dorothy, who takes to the task with aplomb, much to Scarlet and Rapunzel's surprise.

One hour later, Dorothy presents a perfectly skinned deer to Goddess. Scarlet becomes interested in learning such a skill, while Rapunzel finds the process a little nauseating. After a moment's silence, Snow White tasks Scarlet with smoking and preserving the meat, and goes out with Dorothy to destroy the freight elevator.

On the way, Dorothy stops Snow White to thank her for helping with the scavenging efforts, though it would seem the she has foregone sleep to do so. The acting leader becomes concerned, but the gunner insists that she will never lose hold of her humanity. After a moment of staring, Snow White's next question is a shocking one; why does Dorothy keep referring to herself with "us"?

Seeing the acting leader's confusion, Snow White elaborates that the two of them are the only ones here. She further explains that she had Scarlet and Rapunzel watch Dorothy and keep an eye on her behavior. Both of them reported that it was hard to talk with Dorothy, as sometimes it seemed as though the acting leader was talking to a completely different person. Snow White's next question is just as shocking;

"...Is Pinne with you now?"

It turns out this whole time, Dorothy has been seeing a mental projection of Pinne, and every odd moment of Dorothy's speech has been her talking with "Pinne". From the statements about the promise to enter paradise to her comments when she fired into the air to lure Raptures, all of it was her holding a conversation with "Pinne", who generally seems to agree with whatever Dorothy says. Even the time she skinned the deer, "Pinne" was there and walking her through the steps to do so.

After an awkward silence, Snow White tries to remind Dorothy that Pinne died, executed at the acting leader's hands when the latter was corrupted. Dorothy breaks out in a laughing fit over the "joke" told by the stoic Snow White, chatting with "Pinne" about ways to prank her back. Her talk goes as far as to pinky promise on a bet with "Pinne", holding her pinky in midair. Snow White can only whisper Dorothy's name under her breath...

#### Rise and Fall

The others of Goddess convene over their leader's condition, how she uses a delusion of Pinne to cope with ending her friend's life. She's so firmly entrenched in her delusion that she will outright ignore or deny anything about Pinne's death, implicit or explicit. While Scarlet is concerned about Dorothy's stability, Snow White and Rapunzel see no problem with it. This "Pinne" will not act in any way that defies Dorothy's subconscious image and expectations of her friend. If anything, the others intervening, or anything that may cause "Pinne" to disappear could risk shattering Dorothy's mind. To that end, Goddess agrees to act as normal, and not say or do anything that would bring up Pinne's death...

Later, the director confirms the destruction of the freight elevator and the pickup of the supplies left there. Dorothy is curious about an odd substance included in the supplies, which turns out to be Splendamin, a new superfood the Ark plans to feed its citizenry with. With an advisory to only eat the Splendamin in a moment of dire need, and an agreement to keep in contact daily, the director cuts the feed, and Dorothy orders everyone to survive for another 3 weeks.

Over the next 3 weeks, Goddess keeps on doing as they do in order to survive. The squad hunts another deer, and Rapunzel whines about being unable to carry it, leading "Pinne" to relay instructions via Dorothy. Turns out the priestess didn't want to hold it in such a way that its eyes would stare at her, but it could be argued that having its head hanging right next to hers isn't much better...

Later, the director is walking Dorothy through the steps on cooking Splendamin. Scarlet bemoans how long it's taking to prepare one meal, while a drooling Snow White insists on remaining patient. It turns out the director accidentally gave the instructions for a completely different recipe a few steps back. Dorothy and "Pinne" are about to throw out the resultant "mystery food X", but a still-drooling Snow White asks to "do it" instead. The next few hours are spent with everyone attempting to at least make *something* resembling edible food...

Much later, Scarlet is calling everyone to inspect the garden they've made, where a plant has just sprouted. Dorothy tries to douse the swordswoman's enthusiasm by reminding her it'll be a while before it can become anything resembling liquor ingredients, but the latter is confident that they'll have plenty of time for that. She also takes the time to remind a drooling Snow White that these plants will be for brewing spirits, *not* for eating.

Much much later, Rapunzel is conversing with the fallen in the graveyard. She thanks those who now sleep here for their efforts and sacrifices, which are the only reason why Ark Guardian could see even a glimpse of success. She thanks them one last time, calling them true saviors of humanity...

Finally, the end is in sight, and the director counts down to the final sealing. On the count of three, a thunderous shake signals the Ark's gates sealing forever. With their mission complete, Dorothy asks the director where to go next for their welcome...only for the director to talk about building commemorative statues and historical records of Goddess. It's almost as if he's saying that Goddess will *not* be let into the Ark...

Dorothy asks for the director's name, becoming more demanding with each repeat before she finally gets one; Oswald. Dorothy makes it clear to Oswald that she's going to wring the life out of his friends, family, and of course himself. Unperturbed, Oswald answers Dorothy's questions; the Ark has been sealed permanently, and the majority agreed that Goddess would not be let inside once Ark Guardian was concluded. It would seem that for the march of humanity's progress, even a "Goddess of Victory" will be exploited and cast aside when their usefulness is up. Oswald even proclaims that the Ark is already moving on to the next generation of Nikke production. Dorothy demands Oswald open the doors, even threatening to bust them open, but the director is confident that will not be the case. By his words, Goddess couldn't do that even if they wanted to; they're far too noble for such a thing, and are hardwired to not do that anyway.

Snow White asks a question of her own, whether this was a majority consensus or a decision by an "elite" few. Oswald says it was an agreement by everyone, and Snow White quietly accepts the answer. Dorothy pleads to at least allow "Pinne" into the Ark, but Oswald simply cuts the feed, and any attempts by Dorothy to hail the Ark fail. Dorothy's eyes become hollow as she realizes the Ark has left them all for dead. Snow White suggests everyone sleep on this, but nobody is really in a mood to say anything...

#### Turn Around

Having slept on their recent abandonment, Snow White proposes the squad depart from the outpost, which everyone except Dorothy agrees to. Should Goddess linger here, Raptures would just keep coming to attack them. They'd find the entrances to the Ark, sealed as they are, and work to break them open. It'd be one thing if it were just basic models, but were a Heretic to find this place, the odds of a non-pyrrhic victory would be slim. Dorothy cannot believe what she's hearing, asking the squad if they've gone mad.

The Ark, nay, all of humanity. They *betrayed* Goddess. The squad put *everything* on the line to protect them, even their *lives*, and the Ark repaid that by slamming the door to Paradise in their faces. In response, Snow White asks the acting leader what she wants to do. Dorothy has no response, and the others of Goddess add their two cents to the matter. The Ark is mankind's final refuge. Even if the betrayal burns in their hearts, even if their revenge would be entirely justified...they cannot stage an attack on the Ark.

Snow White proposes that Goddess instead pursue avenues to defeating the Queen, but Dorothy isn't hearing any of it. To her, Paradise, glory, *everything* they'd been promised is just beneath their feet to claim, and for the others to just shrug and say "oh well" is madness to her. If they are not allowed a place in the Ark, if they are denied their promised reward, then everything they suffered up to now...the struggles, the loss of cherished comrades like Lilith and Red Hood. All of it would be for nothing. Snow White rejects such a notion, claiming the squad saved humanity. Dorothy screeches how such a paltry thing can be solace enough when Snow White shouts that she too is frustrated and betrayed.

Snow White admits she's **furious** at how their efforts were spat on like this. But more than how angry she is, Snow White remembers one thing above all; They are Goddess Squad. The Goddess of Victory. Mankind's final hope. Until the day they finally fall, or see the end of this war, neither she nor anyone else in the squad will forget this fact, and take pride in it. That was what Dorothy had taught them, leading them up to this point.

As these words stun Dorothy, Snow White asks the big question to the acting leader; "Are we the Goddess of Victory?" Seeing her continue to be silent, Snow White repeats her question; "Are we, or are we not, the Goddess of Victory?" Slowly, as if struggling to get the words out, Dorothy answers "yes"...

Tears dribbling down and struggling through sobs, Dorothy shouts her affirmations. All of what was said, every bit of it is true. **They are the Goddess of Victory. They are mankind's final hope**. **They are the Goddess Squad.**

With quivering voices, Rapunzel and Scarlet agree with the sentiment. Those words made sure they'd always remember who they are...

The time finally arrives, and Goddess is preparing to depart from the outpost, having gathered whatever they wish to bring along. The gathered Nikkes look around the outpost in silence before everyone, even "Pinne", agrees to step forth...

Some distance away, Dorothy details the squad's plan to split up and hunt for the Queen. As they discuss methods to keep in contact, they eventually agree to meet at a specific spot once a month to update each other and apprise conditions. Dorothy is first to take off, advising everyone to take their time. Now that they are no longer bound to the Ark, Goddess is free to do as they wish, be it farming, counseling the dead, or brewing up tasty meals, so long as they remember their end goal of defeating the Queen. But what she most direly wants to remind them is to never forget their pride as Goddess.

Having said her piece, Dorothy tries to be the first to go her own way...only to notice "Pinne" is suddenly gone, and she calls towards the guard post. Snow White heads off an attempt by Scarlet to remind their leader of Pinne's fate. Dorothy sighs as she thinks "Pinne" forgot something at the outpost, anf tells the others to head off while she waits. Each offering their well wishes, the others of Goddess depart on the dusty road...and Dorothy heads back to the outpost...

Dorothy tries to convince "Pinne" to leave, but "Pinne" asks if they can't just stay here. The garden they made, the buildings and tools they made and fixed, the graves they dug with their own hands. "Pinne" calls this place a paradise that the squad built together, and pleads for Dorothy to stay here with her. Hearing the heartfelt pleas of her "friend", Dorothy decides there's no harm in remaining here, in their paradise...

#### Paradise Before You

In their self-made paradise, a "duo" wiles their days in bliss. Dorothy and "Pinne" decorate the place, cook up delicious meals, and even take up gardening, though the sprouts they first planted have since wilted. They even visit Lilith's grave and pray for the fallen. "Pinne" asks Dorothy if she remembers the fallen, and if she will remember her when she herself is gone. Dorothy denies such a notion, proclaiming "Pinne" will never leave her.

During one such visit to Lilith, "Pinne" decides to ask about the original leader of Goddess. Dorothy describes as a person unafraid of showing her vulnerable side. Someone who bent with her burdens without breaking. Someone who combined a hardened fist and a gentle hand. Dorothy denies missing Lilith, claiming her former leader had accomplished everything she wanted to, and passed peacefully after it was done. When it came time to inter Lilith, Scarlet carved the sarcophagus from the stone herself, and Dorothy was going to ask she do the...same for...Pinne...

Mentally stumbling, Dorothy whips around to see "Pinne" is gone, and she is alone with Lilith's grave. Realizing it was all a waking dream, Dorothy thanks her departed friend, for lingering with her long enough to hold her heart together. Eyes tearing up, Dorothy thanks her friend...and bids her goodbye...

It's been 3 days since Dorothy came to terms with Pinne's death, but she still cannot leave the outpost. Every time she tried, she came to a stop at the gates, and turned back. Bereft of the paradise she was promised, Dorothy found solace in the one she made with her comrades, and is ever so loath to leave it. Everything she built and maintained here was a move to further bind her to this place, and it's working all too well...

Another 10 days pass, and Dorothy is no closer to leaving. As she turns back towards her sanctuary, she hears Pinne's voice urging her to step out. Finally working up the motivation, Dorothy steps beyond the bounds of the outpost, into the world outside the walls.

For what feels like ages, Dorothy wanders on. Unlike her comrades, who each found a purpose, the acting leader of Goddess can find no other reason to persist. She has no intention of counseling the dead. She does not want to cultivate a crop field or any sort of life. She doesn't even want to carve out evil by the roots. All she wanted was to find paradise, but one has closed its door to her, and the other is one she cannot allow herself to linger in. She'd been a beacon of hope, both for humanity and her squad, but she herself had nothing to drive her forward.

Stopping her meandering, Dorothy looks at the vast open space. All this space, all this beauty, and there is no place for her among it all. No home, no place of belonging, no paradise. Finally, her eyes stop on a signpost. Almost as if mocking her, the sign welcomes the reader to the Ark, "humanity's last paradise"...

Feeling nauseated, Dorothy whips around and gazes upon the flowers and butterflies nearby. She looks up to see the clear blue sky, sunlit and dotted with clouds. The weather is great, perfect even...

It all poses the last straw for Dorothy, and she cackles with a twisted smile. Humanity's last paradise? Welcoming her? What a pile of crock and lies. Biting her lips, Dorothy decries the Ark's people as liars, take a few deep breaths...and apologizes to her comrades. She cannot find the will to keep on like this...

Glaring at the sign, Dorothy makes a resolution, her eyes fiery but bereft of their old light. The Ark was a paradise made by Goddess' efforts and sacrifices. It *belongs* to them. They *deserve* a place there, and whatever it takes, she *will* reclaim what is rightfully *theirs*...

#### Hard Mode Epilogue - Crossing the Rubicon

A mass-produced Nikke is just barely rescued from a Lord-class Rapture by Dorothy. While the MP Nikke's status as her squad's sole survivor brings uncomfortable parallels for Dorothy, the Nikke in question is starstruck. It would seem Dorothy is making a name for herself as a wandering Pilgrim who rescues Nikkes in trouble. Making small talk, Dorothy asks the MP Nikke about what the Ark is like these days. The MP Nikke is more than happy to oblige her savior...

The MP Nikke reveals that the Central Government is secretly developing a countermeasure against the Ark's own supervisory AI, believing it to be a potential threat. Though the Nikke knows that the CG is gathering the Ark's "brightest minds" to accomplish such a task, she has no actual names of the individuals involved. Dorothy provides the Nikke with her contact information, and asks her to update her if she finds anything. The MP Nikke is overjoyed that she can keep in touch with a Pilgrim, particularly a member of Goddess, as the legendary squad's valorous tales were a source of joy to her. Dorothy is flattered to hear as such.

Alone, Dorothy ponders the information she's acquired. She wonders if there's a way to force those "brightest minds" to come to the surface. Suddenly, Snow White appears and beckons Dorothy. The ex-leader of Goddess is surprised to see her former subordinate again, given how 50 years have passed since Ark Guardian. Snow White has been searching for her former leader, but the reunion isn't a happy one...

Over the past 50 years, not once has Dorothy convened with her former squad for the monthly meetings they agreed on. The Nikke in question tries to deflect, but Snow White presses further. She and the other ex-Goddesses have also kept abreast of news regarding the Ark, and they *know* that a Pilgrim has been on the prowl for any information on the Ark. Snow White asks Dorothy what she's planning, to which Dorothy responds she is going to "take it back."

Snow White almost immediately knows Dorothy is referring to "reclaiming" the Ark. The once-leader assures that she isn't planning on busting open the gates guns blazing, but her plan to make the people of the Ark come to her doesn't sound any better. As for her reasons, she's quite willing to disclose them; the Ark was a paradise only made possible Goddess' efforts and sacrifice. But when the time came for the squad to receive their due reward, humanity turned their backs and slammed the door shut. The idea of making those betrayers grovel before her for forgiveness brings a delighted sneer to her face as she details how she needs information to make her plan a success, even if she has to exploit the Ark's own people to do it. Or rather, in her opinion, make use of something that *always* belonged to them, both the colony and its people.

Snow White comments on how much her former leader has changed, while said ex-leader barks back that she's still a stick in the mud. But try as she might, it's all too visible to Dorothy. Snow White is struggling to persist in wandering the surface for the Queen, to uphold her duty to humanity. In response, Snow White reaffirms what Dorothy had taught her, to keep hold of her pride, yet the once-leader of Goddess has long since tired of such words. Seeing how obstinate Dorothy is about her revenge, Snow White simply declares she's leaving. Before she does, however, Dorothy has one last question for her.

Last Dorothy had heard, Snow White and the others formed a new squad, and stopped calling themselves "Goddess", and wants to know why. Snow White's answer is simple, yet gives the once-leader pause;

"Without you, we're not the Goddess Squad."

While Dorothy is still parsing these words, Snow White promises that she and the others will wait for their leader to wake up and return to them. Only then will they become Goddess of Victory once more. Her piece said, Snow White vanishes into the wilds.

Alone in the meadows, Dorothy whispers under her breath, pleading Snow White not to wait for her. She's come too far, done too much, to turn back now...

## Gameplay

Event Tickets (Memory Shards) are spent to play stages and earn Event Currency (Engraved Memories) which are exchanged in the shop for rewards. Memory Shards regenerate to a maximum of 5 per day, and additional Memory Shards can be purchased in the shop for Gems.

After a repeatable battle has been cleared at least once, Quick Battle will be unlocked for that stage. Quick Battle will automatically consume tickets to grant rewards based on the stage cleared.

### Event Map

Over Zone will feature an exclusive map to navigate and collect Lost Relics. Some will be Engraved Memories, some are Gems, some are even music tracks that play in the event. New Lost Relics will spawn every day, but will not override previous ones.

### Event Missions

As with previous events with maps, Over Zone features its own daily mission system, with its own reward track. Completing daily missions will earn points towards rewards like Engraved Memories.

Challenge Missions are one-time missions offering greater rewards. A copy of Rei can be earned from clearing Story II 1-12. Clearing 24 total missions will earn the CG "Goddess Squad Ready" to decorate the Lobby.

### Story I

The first sets of missions and story segments will be available to play once maintenance ends

### Story II

Story II will be unlocked at 5:00:00 May 4, 2023 (UTC+9) once Story I has been cleared.

Hard Mode will unlock 7 days later after Story II 1-12 is cleared.

### Challenge Stage

High-difficulty boss stages that will be available to play as soon as maintenance ends. Battle against Storm Bringer at increasingly higher levels and win Credits and Battle Data.

Challenge Chips are consumed to play Challenge stages, and will regenerate at a rate of 1 per day, to a maximum of 3.

### White Memory Mini-game

A side game starring Snow White, unlocked after stage 1-5 is cleared. It takes the style of a text-based choose-your-own-adventure game with multiple choices and endings. There will be 21 possible endings to collect.

Memory Discs are consumed in order to log new endings while playing White Memory, and regenerate to a maximum of 1 per day. Memory Discs will NOT be consumed when achieving an ending that has already been recorded.

### Countdown: Close Daily Login Event

An event-exclusive login event accessible from the map. Login for 14 days to get various rewards, including Recruitment Vouchers and a copy of SSR Nikke Rei

### Wonderland Pass

An event-exclusive Mission Pass. Purchasing the premium track offers additional rewards like Special Recruitment Vouchers and a costume for Alice.

### Archive Rerun

Unlocking Over Zone via the Archives systems allows the player to access Parts I and II of the story, as well as the event map and the White Memory mini-game. All soundtrack rewards from finding Lost Relics are instead available as rewards for clearing specific stages. Play limits based on event tickets no longer apply, but players cannot accrue event currency, access the Over Zone login event, use the shop, or play Challenge Mode. The event daily mission system and the Wonderland Pass are not in the Archives version of Over Zone.

Note that the inaccessibility of the login event and the challenge missions means that there is no way to acquire Rei or her duplicates in the Archives.

## List of Bonus Nikkes

Complete event stages using the following Nikkes for a chance to get 50 extra Engraved Memories upon stage clear. Total bonus caps at 100%.

## Version Updates

### Free SSR Nikke: Rei

One copy of the SRR Nikke Rei will be given to all players who log in after the maintenance ends, plus 10 Special Recruitment Vouchers

### Recruit

#### Dorothy Special Recruit

SSR Nikke Dorothy will be added to the Special Recruit on a rate-up banner. Her Molds will also be available for purchase in the Mileage Shop.

After the rate-up ends, Dorothy will be added to the Standard Recruitment pool in the next version update.

#### Dorothy Special Recruit Campaign: Free Daily Draw

Every day, players will be given one free draw of the Dorothy Special Recruitment banner, up to a maximum of 11 draws. These draws **DO NOT** stack, either use it on the day it's issued or lose it. While this draw does count for missions, it will **NOT** provide a Gold Mileage Ticket

#### Standard Recruit update

SSR Nikkes Sakura and D will be added to the Standard and Mold Recruit pool

### Costumes Update

#### Toxic Bunny

The "Toxic Bunny" costume for Viper will be available as a premium reward for the May Mission Pass, which begins 00:00:00 May 1, 2023 (UTC+9)

#### Sweet Home

The "Sweet Home" costume for Alice will be available as a premium reward from the Wonderland Pass, which begins after maintenance

### Campaign Update: Chapter 21/22

Chapter 21 and 22 of the main campaign and associated story cutscenes will be added to the game after maintenance ends.

### Lost Sector Update

Sections 14, 15, EX-04, and EX-05 will be added to the Lost Sector.

### New Gameplay Mode: Solo Raid

Duration: 12:00:00 May 11, 2023 to 4:59:59 May 18, 2023 (UTC+9)

A new game mode slated for a May premiere featuring a new boss Rapture Mother Whale. Rewards for participation include Harmony Cube materials and Gems

### Outpost Theme Event

The Outpost will undergo a stylistic change to celebrate the half-anniversary of the game. Fireworks display can be seen.

## Trivia

* As a prequel event set before even Chapter 0, this is the first event to not feature the protagonist in any way, shape, or form.
* Progressing throughout the Story of Over Zone will cause changes in the event menu:
	+ All the mass-produced Nikkes will slowly disappear one by one in the event map as the player progress through the story with Pinne being the last one to perish.
		- Progressing through Story II causes Pinne to reappear, however this is merely due to Dorothy's hallucination. She will disappear again after Story II 1-12 is cleared.
	+ The seed Scarlet threw can be seen at the west side of the map as a sapling, at the same spot where both Scarlet and Snow White can be seen at some point. It will eventually wither and turn brown as the story progresses.
	+ The interactive button which plays an animated cutscene of Snow White destroying all the incoming Raptures at the gate in the east side of the map disappears.
	+ The Commercial Master at the northwest part of the map will at first play propaganda messages from the Ark and advisories to any survivors on the surface. Going into Story II, it will play despairing messages of survivors before their demise, finally falling silent at the end.
	+ The BGM of the event will be replaced with "Satellites" after completing Stage 10 of Story II.
* Over Zone is the first event to feature voiced dialogues, followed by Sea, You, Again and Red Ash.

## References

Notes

References
1. ↑ https://twitter.com/NIKKE\_en/status/1704456215001170047