WARNING!: The following is a fanfiction based on the Nikke: Goddess Of Victory universe; as such I do not own these characters & this is not an official story. This part is SFW.

Caught In Another World: A Nikke Parallel Universe Story

Halo Eleven: The Deliberation

I.

During their next monthly meeting, the three Pilgrims composing the Pioneer squad found themselves sitting around a small campfire, chewing away upon some deer jerky Snow White brought along with her. As they chatted into the night, the taciturn gunslinger blurted out a sentence that made Rapunzel blush uncontrollably.

"You seem different somehow, Rapunzel. You keep smiling and staring off into space. What's gotten into you?"

"!!... Well, I... I met someone while I was visiting Believer, and... he and I had a wonderful time together."

"A wonderful time? That sounds great. What did you guys do?"

"U-uhm, well, we, ah... we wrestled."

"You... wrestled? Does that mean what I think it means?"

"W-well, what do you think it means?"

"Methinks Rapunzel hath been clapping cheeks," Scarlet chimed in with a smirk.

"Scarlet! How vulgar!"

"What does that mean?!" Snow White asked, throwing her hands into the air exasperatedly.

"It means she hath taken on a lover."

"Seriously? Is that true, Rapunzel?"

"Y-yes, it's true."

"But... why?"

"Because... I was lonely, and... Believer doesn't see me that way... and when the opportunity arose, I just couldn't resist..."

"I thought you said before that stuff was sinful?"

"I'm not so sure of that after all..."

"It seems Red Hood awakened something in thee all those years ago," Scarlet mused.

"You're not going to see him again, right?"

"Well... Believer relayed me a message the other day saying there are supplies available for pickup inside the Pilgrim Tower. He says they're for me. I'm certain they're really from him."

"So this guy you met has the ability to give you supplies on the down low? Is he some high-ranking official or something?"

"Y-yes, as a matter of fact. I think Believer reports to him, actually. That's why he's the one who messaged me."

"Hmm... I don't like it. Something doesn't smell right. Why would some government brass be interested in a Pilgrim other than to gain something from us?"

"Upon this I agree with Snow White," Scarlett added, "this man is practically a stranger, and may have nefarious reasons for gaining your trust."

But he's not a stranger, he was our Goddess squad Commander!, Rapunzel thought sadly. Oh how I wish I could tell you... but what would you think of me, knowing how much he once loved Liliweiss? And what would you think of him, working for a government that left us upon the surface to fend for ourselves?

"That is certainly possible, although I do not think it's the case here. It's not like he's asking me to meet him inside the Ark. We've been to the Pilgrim Tower before, and nothing bad happened from it. I do not think Believer would summon me there if doing so would put me in harm's way."

"T'would seem thy heart is set upon this journey. Very well then, I shall accompany you."

"I'll go too. I want to see if this is real or not. But it's getting late now. We should camp here and set out first thing in the morning."

"O-oh, alright then. I'm going to go pray. Goodnight, dear sisters."

II.

It took over half a day for the Pioneer squad to reach their destination. Upon entering the empty Tower, it did not take the three Pilgrims long to find a large crate they had never seen there before. After opening it, they marveled at the panoply of items inside.

"Canned food GALORE, Splendamin products, bottled water, repair kits, walkie-talkies, rope, flares, emergency blankets... this is a goldmine," Snow White rattled off as she sifted through the contents, a hint of drool glistening on the corner of her mouth.

"Pray tell, what is that?" Scarlet asked curiously, pointing to a mysterious package separate from the rest of the array.

"... It's addressed to you, Rapunzel." Snow White lifted the parcel from the crate and set it before the ecstatic priestess. "What are you staring at it for? Go ahead, open it."

"Oh, what could it be?" Rapunzel mused eagerly as she carefully opened the box. All three Pilgrims gasped upon seeing its wondrous contents.

"Is that... a dress?" Snow White questioned in amazement.

Rapunzel was utterly speechless with joy as she held up the glittering gown before her eyes. "Quickly now, hold it up against yourself, like so," Scarlet urged her as she helped hold the garment against her body. "Why, it looks like a perfect fit! What a most magnificent adornment thine lover hath proffered!"

Snow White held up a pair of shimmering high heels she had pulled from the box. "These came with it. They match the dress."

"Oh, they're so beautiful!!" Rapunzel squealed with delight. "They look as if they're made of glass! I wonder if a Nikke could even wear such a thing?"

"They most assuredly are not made from glass, then, if they are made for Nikkes," stated Scarlet.

"This is definitely made from glass, though," Snow White said as she pulled a small fancy bottle from the package. "It's perfume."

After giving the air a good spray, all three Nikkes leaned in to smell it, and all three let out a sigh of deep contentment after doing so.

"What a delectable aroma!" Scarlet breathed happily.

"It smells like a field of flowers," Snow White added, "I've heard about perfume before but I've never smelled anything like this. This is amazing."

"Do not mind me..." Scarlet crooned as she sprayed some perfume upon her wrists and dabbed them together.

"Scarlet, that belongs to Rapunzel. We shouldn't be using it."

"Oh it's alright, Snow White. I don't mind sharing it with you both."

While her comrades were busily inspecting the beautiful gifts, Rapunzel's eye drew towards an envelope sitting at the bottom of the parcel with her name written upon it in red calligraphy. Her heart seemed ready to leap from her chest as she cheerfully opened it to find that it contained a hand-written letter addressed affectionately to her:

Dearest Rapunzel,
I wish you well, and I hope you enjoy these gifts. Please wear them when you visit the Goddess Of Victory statue in the Outpost at midnight on the next full moon. I will meet you then and there.
Sincerely, A.

"My, my!" Scarlet quipped as she read the message over Rapunzel's shoulder along with Snow White. "Perhaps there is not so much for us to worry about as we initially believed."

"I'm still not so sure about that," Snow White murmured with a slight frown, "The Outpost seems like paradise to us because it lies beyond the Central Government's radar, but that could mean he may try some funny business. I'd rather one of us accompany you to your rendezvous as a bodyguard, just to be on the safe side."

"Oh thank you, but that won't be necessary, Snow. I'll be fine."

"You're going, aren't you?"

"Yes of course!"

"Then it's settled. I'll accompany you from the shadows. You won't even know I'm there."

Before she could hear Rapunzel groan in response, Snow White began gathering canned food into her arms. "Come on, I know we're all starving, so let's make some of this food. We can camp outside the Tower entrance tonight."