A/N: Yes, this is Nu x Tsubaki. Because my ships don't make any sense.

Rated due to the usual language and violence, as well as the possibility of citric situations later. And, obviously, yuri.

Set shortly after Continuum Shift.

Naught but darkness stretched into infinity, suffocating without weight. Despite her incorporeal state, pain stabbed from what would have been her torso. A repetitive beep sounded, muffled as though projecting through a wall, incessant. Shattered memories burned her mind, intensifying this hell. Over and over, they repeated. Agony, a white-haired man, death. Ad infinitum. She tried to focus on his face, but agony blurred it, made it unrecognizable.

And the memory faded, a green taint swallowing it bit by bit. An evil presence lurked in her mind, destroying it. She would be reduced to nothing, mindless. No matter how she struggled, nothing could stop it. And soon, there was no face. No memories. Just a name which brought joy. Ragna. She did not know who he was, or how she was connected to him. That name echoed in her mind as she fought to preserve it. The green miasma would not steal Ragna's name from her.

Nor did it attempt to. With no warning, she felt it depart. A light bloomed in the distance, swelling, consuming the oblivion. The beeps increased in volume as the wall separating her from its source actively crumbled. And a minute later…

Nu-13 opened her eyes. She stood naked in a glass tube, surrounded by blinking machinery. In the darkness, she could make out very little. "Loading...loading...loading…System reboot complete. All systems optimal."

"Ah, very good. The doll's awake!" A man clad in dark attire seated in a chair kicked away from his desk, turning a sliver-eyed smile on her. His arms folded on the back of the chair and he rested his chin atop them. "Gotta say, Relius sure can be quite the genius. Guess he's gotta make up for having the personality of a cardboard box somehow. So…all systems are optimal, then? Nothing's missing?"

"Scanning…no errors detected. All systems operating at maximum efficiency. No protocols absent."

"Ah, good. Would hate to try and install something on you. I mean, hell, you ain't got a disk drive, so I wouldn't know how to do it anyways. I'll make sure Relius installs one next time." Chortling, Hazama rose and slid the chair away. Now came the true test. "Now, number thirteen, tell me; what do you know about Ragna the Bloodedge?"

Nu stiffened at the words, trying to recall what she did know about him. Subconscious programming overrode her, spitting out words she hardly comprehended. "Ragna the Bloodedge. SS-class criminal. Highest bounty on Librarium records. Wanted for terrorism."

"…And nothing else about him?"

"Wields the Azure Grimoire. No further information found. No image on record."

"Ah, very good! Very good indeed." Bouncing on his heels, Hazama sauntered over to the desk to grab a file and look it over. "Well, everything seems to be in order. First, though, we gotta get you ready. We may have made you better, stronger and faster, but dear old Relius insists that a field test is in order. Joining with First Lieutenant Garbage should work. I was hoping to see Yayoi squirm a little more, but…eh. Oh well. She had her chance. Shit needs to get done, you know? So, yeah. Field test, then you get to kill Raggy."

"Kill…Ragna?" Nu shook her head, a burst of consciousness piercing the restraining programming. "But…Nu doesn't want to kill Ragna…"

"Hm?" When Hazama turned back to her, a sliver of yellow blazed in a cracked-open eye. "You mind repeating that, number thirteen? I could have sworn you said that you didn't want to kill Ragna…"

"Nu doesn't want to kill Ragna." Clutching her head, she shuddered as she fought off an internal attempt to control her body. "Nu…likes Ragna…"

"Oh. How cute. So some self-awareness survived. I thought I fixed that." And without warning, a chain shot out to clutch her throat in its snake-like vice. "Now, listen here. You are nothing. You are not Nu. So stop calling yourself that, okay? Your feelings for Ragna don't matter. So stop whining like number twelve, okay? You are the 13th Prime Field device. A living weapon and our newest toy. So shut up with your insipid bullshit. Unless you want me to correct your memories some more. I'd be happy to oblige."

"No...Nu has no..." Wincing from the chain, Nu shook her head. "...I have no objections..."

Hazama sneered at her. "That really wasn't the point."

"Huh? But..."

The chain pulled taut, dragging her towards him. "You are nothing. Just give into your programming and stop existing. Okay?"

"I..."

"Nuh uh~. There is no 'Nu'. At least, there won't be by the time I'm done with you."

"...Please..."

"Heh. Pleading. Never expected to hear that from one of you. Ah well, glitches exist." With a dark chuckle, Hazama drew a knife and spun it between his fingers. "Don't worry, I'll fix you right up..."

"That's enough." A new voice sounded, deep and ponderous and welcome against Hazama's jovial sadism. A masked man stepped in, violet cape flowing behind him as he strode up to Nu. "Whether or not the 13th Prime Field Device has retained her original soul is hardly important. Her functionality is all that is necessary. Should...'Nu' rebel, I shall have Konoe see to it that she fulfills her role. She is to be quite the player in this next act."

Growling, Hazama retracted the chain. "Eh. Whatever. Have fun with your new little toy, Relius."

"I believe I shall." As Hazama took his leave, Relius stepped forward, hand on his chin as he scrutinized Nu's body. "You. Step forward."

"...Acknowledged." Succumbing to her robotic state, Nu did as bade. Relius circled her, keen eyes scanning for any mars on her pale body. A wave of discomfort passed over Nu and she shook. In an attempt to spare herself further scrutiny, she said, "The regeneration was 100% successful. No physical flaws, interior or exterior, detected. I request you stop your examination."

"Oh my." Relius chuckled before coming around to her front again. "Indeed, there seem to be no physical flaws. Very well then. Clothe yourself. I shall introduce you to your...partner."

Nu cocked her head, her visible crimson eye blinking with confusion. "...Partner?"

"Indeed. You are assigned to work with a subordinate of mine and Hazama's. Hurry up. I haven't got all day, you know."

"Understood."

As Relius turned and strode out, Nu glanced around the lab. A turquoise bodysuit hung near where she stood. After pulling it on, she stood still a moment before following Relius's path out the door. The masked puppeteer greeted her with a cold glance. "Come with me."

"Affirmative." Nu fell into step behind him, following him through dark, windy halls. Around and around they spiraled, frequent flights of stairs leading up past various chambers. All doors were closed, so Nu could not see anything even if she wanted to. It dawned on her that it was as though they climbed some dark peak.

And as they walked, burgeoning misery wreaked havoc on her mind. Was that man right? Was she nothing but a weapon? Not a person, but an object, a tool to be used by others? The thought pounded inside her head, drilling itself deeper into her mind until she accepted it as fact. And this tower was her own personal crucible, a bastion in which she would be left to wallow in despair until the capacity for anything else faded...wherever this place was. Bleak curiosity descended upon her. "Requesting current location."

"We are outside of the 9th Hierarchical City of Akitsu." Relius paused, pondering how much he should tell her. Certainly nothing of the spire's true purpose. "...A tower, to be exact. Under Librarium control."

"Understood."

Though her curiosity was not yet satisfied, Nu still decided against further inquiry. After several minutes of silence, they came to a halt in front of a door. Relius rapped his gloved knuckles against it, producing metallic echoes. "First Lieutenant Yayoi, open up. It's me."

"Y-yes, colonel." A moment later, the door slid open to reveal a girl; her crimson hair seemed to glow in the dark that permeated the halls. Her eyes glanced once at Nu before returning to her superior. "What do you need of me?"

"Come. I have orders for you and the 13th Prime Field Device." Without waiting for a response, Relius turned and headed further along. "Make haste. Both of you."

"R-right!" Tsubaki stayed at Nu's side, casting the pale girl curious glances. Nu paid her no mind. After a minute of awkward silence, Tsubaki sighed and decided to break the ice. "Well...um...too bad the elevator isn't..."

Nu did not acknowledge her, so Tsubaki gave up her attempts at conversation and followed Relius, silent. At long last, they reached another door. Without a word, Relius took a seat in a plush armchair. "Have a seat."

"Yes, sir." Tsubaki did as bade, her face as stiff as his mask. "What do you need of me, sir?"

"First off, report on the status of your mission."

"Very well. I encountered both Noel Vermillion and Jin Kisaragi in Kagutsuchi. As per my orders, I attempted to terminate them. However, I was unable to do so. I am currently in the dark as to where either of them are." Tsubaki spoke in monotone, betraying none of the mixed emotions that flooded her. The sole indication that anything was out of the ordinary was the tightening of her fist at Noel's name. After a moment, she cleared her throat and went on. "Also...I realize this isn't supposed to be part of the mission report, but Izayoi has begun to take-"

"Izayoi's effect upon you matters little to me. Unless it is on the verge of taking your life, do not prattle to me over it."

Biting her lip, Tsubaki kept her head up even as her eyes tried to turn downcast. "I understand, sir. I will not mention it again unless it's an emergency."

"Good." Relius turned and grabbed a stack of papers. After rifling through them for an instant, he found what he sought. Two files in neat folds. Handing one to each of the girls, he skewered Tsubaki with a stare. "Now listen. Your orders have been modified. In addition to your pursuit of Vermillion and Kisaragi, you are to monitor the 13th Prime Field Device."

Relius indicated Nu with a dismissive wave. "Specifically, monitor her mental state and combat ability. Keep records. Every three hours should suffice. Should you note anything out of the ordinary, record it immediately. Are your orders clear, First Lieutenant?"

Tsubaki nodded, firm and resolute. "Yes, sir."

"As for you..." Relius turned to Nu, who did not so much as blink. "You are to join First Lieutenant Yayoi's mission. Terminate the traitors Noel Vermillion and Jin Kisaragi. Furthermore, you will ensure that First Lieutenant Yayoi remains loyal to the Librarium. Should she falter in her mission and turn to her target's side, kill her. Understood?"

Nu cast a glance at Tsubaki's face, pale but carved in conviction. "Affirmative."

"Excellent. Noel Vermillion has been spotted in Akitsu. She is currently accompanied by two members of Sector Seven, including the Red Devil. It is advised that you wait until she is separate from them before engaging. Jin Kisaragi's whereabouts are unknown. However, reports indicate that Jubei of the Six Heroes is with him. To attack him would be foolhardy, to say the least. Thus, Vermillion will be your first target." Relius rose and strode past them to the door. His dismissive wave served as a silent message that the meeting was already over. "You leave for Akitsu via airship at 0800 hours tomorrow. You have one week for this mission. At that time, you will report back to me and the 13th Prime Field Device will be reassigned.

The door shut, sealing the two girls alone together, lost in thought. With a quick jerk of her head, Tsubaki looked over at Nu and gave her an awkward smile. "So, first mission?"

"Affirmative."

There was no warmth to Nu's word, no movement to acknowledge Tsubaki. The response was robotic to a terrifying degree. Although she felt as though she had been blasted by an icy wind, Tsubaki decided to press further. "Um...what should I call you, anyways? Colonel Clover didn't give me your name or anything..."

"I am the 13th Prime Field Device."

Tsubaki blinked, the chill of her answer raising goosebumps on her arms. "Well, um...is there something simpler I can call you by? I mean, calling you the thirteenth seems really...well, it makes it seem like you're just an object, not a person."

"Nu isn't a..." A moment later, Nu caught herself. Her eye widened for a moment, but other than that, she showed no reaction to her slip. Her lips pursed as Hazama's words ran through her mind. "...I'm just a weapon. Not a person."

"...That's not true... Oh, my apologies. I'm Tsubaki Yayoi. And you called yourself...Nu?" Remembering her manners, Tsubaki extended a hand toward Nu. Another arctic stare later, she retracted it, shivering.

"...Nu shouldn't call herself that." The stark edge of her voice melting, Nu looked down at the cold concrete beneath her bare feet. "He will get mad. And then he'll remove Nu's memories of Ragna..."

"He?" Tsubaki shifted closer to Nu, concerned. She made a point to disregard the mention of Ragna. "Who do you mean?"

"...Nu doesn't know his name. He was there when Nu woke up. Nu..." Heaving a sigh, Nu concentrated on examining the web of cracks in the floor. The mere thought of Hazama left her unable to speak."

"What was he like?"

"...He had green hair. And yellow eyes. That's..."

"Captain Hazama?" With a quiver, Tsubaki said, "I see. And he's been telling you that stuff? That you're not a person, or that you don't have a name?"

Nodding, Nu felt tears bite at her eyes. "...Nu doesn't want to talk about this anymore."

"...Alright. I'm sorry." Standing up, Tsubaki again extended her hand. "Still, if you ever need somebody to talk to—about anything, really—I'm right here."

Rather than take the offered hand, Nu blinked her lone eye up at Tsubaki. "...Why is Tsubaki being so nice to Nu?"

"Hm? Why wouldn't I? I mean, we're going to be partners here, right?" Tsubaki smiled down at her, warm and comforting. She had no idea what Nu had been through, but if her attitude was any indication, she wanted to help this poor girl.

"...Thanks, Tsubaki." Nu looked down and smiled before accepting her hand. Once on her feet, she felt her stomach growl. "Um...what time is it?"

After stopping to think for a moment, Tsubaki gestured for Nu to follow her. "Late afternoon, I think. Here, how about I show you around and then we can grab some dinner?"

"...Okay." Her head hung low, but a smile survived on Nu's lips. Not everything here cut, it seemed.