A/N: Sometimes people complained having a hard life but rather doing something about it, they turn to drugs, alcohol or sexual desires, things like this, are not the the answer.

xiodan56 - about the Pactio, it will come.

Jason - it's okay. By the way, I got another surprise for you.

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters appearing in this fic.

-EARTH 228-

Harle Kingdom, Harle Hotel

Walking around the vicinity of the gigantic hotel, we see four individuals consisting of Maka Albarn, Ben Tennyson, another girl and a person who may pass as a girl or boy. Maka is wearing a yellow vest over a white shirt, a checkered skirt, white socks and red sneakers while Ben is wearing his usual attire.

The other girl has a reddish brown hair tied in two low pigtails and had light-brown eyes. She is wearing a dark green uniform jacket over a white shirt, green skirt and black high boots. This is Gertrud Barkhorn or Trudy to her friends.

Next to her was an androgynous person with a thin body. He/she had a short pink hair and lavender eyes, he/she wears a long black-fitting robe that ends at the mid-calf level of his/her legs with white cuffs and a button up collar and a black slipper shoes. This is Crona.

Make spread her arms out, "The Harle Festival is just around the corner everyone! Isn't this so exciting!?" she claimed excitedly.

Ben rolled his eyes, "Yeah... it is exciting... by the way, why do we had to help preparing for the festival? Can't the citizens do that by themselves?" he asked indecorously.

"Don't be lazy Ben!" Gertrud said sternly, "The Headmaster and the King made an agreement in working together to make sure that the festival goes smoothly. That and we need to keep our eyes out for any possible attacks." she stated, "Do you understand?" she asked with a stern voice.

"Yes Mom." Ben grumbled.

"Why do I hear sarcasm in your voice." Gertrud pointed out.

Crona let out a sigh as he/she rubs his/her arms, "Helping the festival? I don't know how to deal with it." he/she said nervously.

Maka turns to Crona with a smile, "Don't worry Crona, the work is not as bad as Ben is thinking." she said making the Omnitrix bearer snort, "Besides... working along with everyone is pretty fun you know." she said.

Crona gave her a small smile, "If you say so, Maka." he/she replied meekly.

The four continues to walk around when Ben saw someone, "Hey! Is that Chizuru and Yoshika?" he asked pointing at Chizuru and Yoshika sitting in one bench along with a young girl, "Renge is with them too." he added.

Maka gasped, "Oh my! They're so cute together!" she said in delight.

"Are they going out?" Crona asked.

Maka shook her head, "Not yet. Oohori and Madoka told us that they're taking things slow, which I believe, was the right move." she replied.

Gertrud frowned, "Mio is not gonna like this." she said.

"Which Mio?" Ben asked, "Naganohara? Akiyama? Sawada?" he counted.

"I'm talking about Major Mio Sakamoto!" Gertrud corrected, "You know that she still hasn't approved Tachibana dating Miyafuji!" she stated.

"I don't think they're dating, I mean, Renge is with them, so it's hardly a date." Maka mentioned.

"Umm... is it me or they do like a family of three." Crona pointed out.

Everyone looks at the trio on the bench, "Woah... can't believe I'm saying this but Crona is right. Chizuru and Yoshika looks like a young couple with Renge as their daughter." Ben said in amusement.

Maka giggled, "I think we should leave them alone." she suggested.

Gertrud nodded, "Right. We got better things to do, so Tachibana is off the hook today." she said.

"Why? You're gonna flake Chizuru to Mio?" Ben asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Tempting but I won't do that. Besides, Yoshika is like a sister to me, and I respect every decision she had." Gertrud replied.

"Sisters? I don't know how to deal with sisters." Crona stated.

Maka deadpanned, "Crona... you don't even had one." she pointed out.

As the four left, we move towards the rooftop of the hotel and we see a strange young man known as the Author sitting on the edge and is in deep thoughts, Neptune then arrived and approaches her Godly boyfriend.

"Author!" Neptune called.

Her voice snaps him out of his thoughts before turning around to his girlfriend, "Oh... hello Neptune." he greeted.

"Something on your mind?" Neptune asked in worry. She noticed that in the past days, the Author was always in deep thoughts, at first she thought it was just him thinking another prank but he has been doing this a lot lately which really got her worry.

The Author sighed, "Yeah... there is something I wanna do and I'm contemplating if I should do it or not." he answered.

Neptune then sat right next to him, "Well... I had no idea what's bothering you but whatever you're thinking is, I think you should do it. You live by your own rules after all, so why not do it." she stated nonchalantly

The Author grinned before grabbing Neptune in a headlock, "Ah! Neptune! You really know me so well! I'm glad to have you as a girlfriend!" he said giving Neptune a noogie.

"Hey! Stop that! You can't do this to the main character and girlfriend!" Neptune chuckled squirming out from his grasps, she then gave him a playful punch, "So... what is this, you wanna do?" she asked curiously.

The Author grinned again, "You wanna know? Better come with me." he suggested.

-BREAK-

-ZeroTopia-

AWA Academy

Back in ZeroTopia, we go inside the currently empty academy. In the Dimensional Gateway Lobby, one portal activated and came out the Author and Neptune.

"Author... what are we doing back in school?'' Neptune asked in confusion as the Author walks towards to one corner.

The Author grinned, "You'll see." he replied pushing a button, then a hatch opened at the corner revealing a blue sports car, "Voila! The Space Car 3000!" he introduced proudly.

"Space car? It looks an ordinary sports car to me." Neptune snarked.

The Author laughed at her comment, "You're right! But believe it or not, this is actually a Space Car which enables us to travel in space." he explained.

Neptune was surprised, "Really? This car can travel in space! Awesome!" she cheered, then she realized something, "Wait! Is this what you wanna do? Travel in space! For what for?" she asked sliding her hands on the roof of the car.

The Author smiled, "To rescue someone." he replied pushing another button as another portal opens which blows out a large gust of wind, suddenly a piece of paper then flew inside the portal, as Neptune recognized the paper as a photo.

"Uhh... Author." Neptune called, "A photo just flew in the portal." she stated.

"What about it?" the Author asked working on a computer.

"Well... aren't you going to get it back?" Neptune asked back.

"I'm too busy working right now to bother about that, plus, if it's a photo then I can just print another one." the Author said back.

"I see..." Neptune said looking back at the open portal, "I wonder which world that photo would end up with." she thought.

In another world written by another author, we go to a world called Remnant. We then go to a huge academy called Beacon, going to one of it's room, where we see an alternate Yuri Nakamura sitting on her bed, tinkering her gun. Unbeknownst to her, a small portal appeared above her, dropping the photo before quickly vanishing, the photo then landed on her head much to her surprise.

"What's this?" Yuri asked taking the photo off her head, "A photo." she said.

She looks at it and gasped in shock, it was a photo of a group of teens whom appears to celebrating but what shock her the most is that Mato, Asuna, Neptune, Naruto and Levi is among them. In the picture, Mato(in her normal form), Asuna and Neptune are wearing a basketball attire holding up a Golden Trophy and behind them was an older Naruto standing besides Orochimaru, a nerdy looking guy (Lester the Unlikely) had his arms wrapped around the shoulder of an unamused Levi, a blonde young man (Chizuru) and a girl in uniform (Nanoha).

"W-what is this?" Yuri asked in confusion.

Back in ZeroTopia, the Author finished working on the computer, "Okay! I'm done setting up the coordinates to where we are going, all we need to do is to go there." he announced.

The two enters the car with the Author on the driver's seat and Neptune on the passengers seat.

"So who are we rescuing?" Neptune asked strapping her seatbelt.

The Author stares at a portal, "A girl who survived a certain disaster." he answered back and with that, he started the car and drives through the portal, closing in an instant as they do.

-BREAK-

Somewhere, in the deep, vast space, a lone spacecraft is seen wandering alone in the cold, eerie space with no possible contact. You can totally feel the loneliness from the sheer premise... and it was ruined thanks to an arrival of a sports car via portal.

"Woah! So this is space... is a lot creepier than I expected." Neptune said looking through the window.

The Author undid his seatbelt as his eyes are set at the spacecraft in front of them, "That's our objective." he announced pointing at the large black thing in front.

"That? Is that a satellite or something else?" Neptune asked in confusion.

"It's a spacecraft and inside is the person that we'll be rescuing." the Author answered as he was about to open the door.

"Wait! Don't we need helmets for-" Neptune says something but it was too late, Author already opens the door, "Aaaakk! Eeeekk! Ngok! Ngok! Ngok!" she made some choking sound as she grabs her neck, then she realized something, "Wait a second! I can't breathe?" she asked in confusion.

The Author stares at her with a blank look, "We're Gods Neptune, of course we can breathe, even in space." he replied as he got out of the car.

"Oh! Right." Neptune said sheepishly before following him out of the car.

The two then floated their way towards the lone spacecraft as Neptune takes a peak inside, "Woah! There's a girl inside! And has some chords around her body... that's an ugly sight." she commented with a slight shiver.

The Author checks on the spacecraft, "It's still operational but I gotta feeling that it would only last for a few more years. Whoever created is a genius but he forgot that every inventions has it's limits." he said before floating at the back of the car, he then opens the back of the trunk and pulls a long chord with a grappling hook at the end.

Neptune snickered, "So the space car extends as a tow truck." she joked.

The Author chuckled, "Nice one! But things like this comes in handy." he said attaching the hook at the spacecraft.

"Good point." Neptune said.

"There! All set!" the Author said as he takes a look inside the spacecraft, "Don't worry... you won't be alone anymore." he said before he and Neptune went back inside the car, "Okay! Rescue Operation Complete!" he declared.

"Off back to ZeroTopia!" Neptune cheered as a blue portal appeared in front of them, the car then went through it along with the spacecraft which closed in an instant.

-BREAK-

-ZeroTopia-

AWA Academy

Back in the lobby area inside the academy, the Author and Neptune placed the spacecraft in one corner.

"So what are we gonna do now?" Neptune asked.

"Open the hatch what else." the Author replied as he pressed a button, quickly opening it's hatch revealing the person inside.

It was a girl, around 17, and has a long brown hair and is completely nude, it would have been a great sight if it weren't for those chords attached from her back.

"Eep! Don't look Sheogorath!" Neptune shrieked in panic as she tries to cover his eyes.

The Author rolls his eyes and approaches the sleeping beauty and placed a hand on her head, he then began to read her memories getting information.

The Author hummed, "I see. Her name is Rin, she's seventeen years old who lives alone inside a futuristic simulation." he said.

"Futu- what?" Neptune asked in confusion.

"She maintains control of the simulation and the virtual world around her through a tablet on which she can draw scenes that the world around her will then create 3 dimensional environment." the Author explained.

"Woah... that's cool!" Neptune said in awe.

The Author's face then become solemn, "She continues on like this for several years, living a peaceful yet lonely life. But of all of a sudden, she began to experience scenes before her that she hasn't created. As an invisible observer, Rin witness her life as a 7-year old child living in Tokyo. Through a series of newsreels and images, it is learned at this time a moon-sized planetary object is on a collision course with Earth. Rin's father, Shigeru, dedicates a large portion of his time for the happiness of his daughter, but in the meantime builds a single-passenger spacecraft with life support for Rin to escape. He also successfully wipes out every memory of him or Earth from her mind, instead programming these and a letter from him to come to her later in life in hopes that she would better understand the circumstance once she matured. Just before the planet makes contact, he connects her to the stimulation and launches the ship carrying her into space, where she has been in the past ten years." he explained.

Neptune was crying along with a snot running down on her nose, "T-That was s-sad..." she sobbed.

"Wipe that snot out of your nose. Anyway, our next step is greeting her in this virtual world." the Author said as he grabs two cybernetic helmets, "Put this on." he instructed.

Neptune grabs a helmet and looks at it, "This helmet will take us in the virtual world? Dude! It looks like a simple football helmet with plugs attached on it." she stated indecorously.

"Just put it on." the Author said putting on the helmet.

-BREAK-

-Virtual World-

Inside the virtual world, we go inside a squared bedroom decorated with numerous colorful pillows both large and small, stuff animals scattered around the floor, a dresser, clothes hanging on the wall, in the corner we see a large pink bed right next to a large window draped with white curtain. On the bed, we see a young girl with long red hair sleeping but slowly waking up. This is Rin.

(Play Shelter by Peter Robinson and Madeon)

I slowly open my red eyes and I found myself back in my bedroom. The same bedroom I see every time I woke up. I sighed, it's a been a couple of days since I recovered all of my memories of who I was and what I was and it also been a couple of days since I received the message send by my father.

Even those memories makes me sad. I've got to go forward, believing in the future. Even when I realized my loneliness and I'm about to lose hope, those memories makes me stronger.

I'm not alone, because of you... Thank you.

I quickly got up from my bed and changed my clothes. I'm now wearing a pink dress underneath a white overcoat. After finishing tying my bow, I flopped back on my bed and pull out a tablet under a pink pillow, I look at the screen and read that I no messages, I sighed but smiled nonetheless.

Like I said, I'm not alone and despite that nothing will change as everything goes on, I know I'm not alone, never once, never will.

I then pressed a button and a holographic pen virtualizes, I began to think what should I draw today. As I made up my mind and began to draw, the wall began to disappear into pixels getting replaced by glass with black borders as the scenery outside began to change. After finishing my drawing, I stood up and went out the door.

The moment I stepped out, I was greeted by a beautiful scenery, well, it is my creation that I drawn very good. It was simple landscape, with green grass and vast mountains, a beautiful lake is seen nearby, everything was so peaceful especially that everything is under the vast blue skies with clouds in different shapes and sizes floating by.

I took a deep breath and began to walk around, checking the flowers lingering around the grass. I would then go to the lake looking at my reflection from the clear water, I would dip my feet and would create a few splash.

Later, I began approaching a green hill with a big tree on top, I even added a swing tied in one branch. The swing reminded of the times I had with my father, it was great memory but sad at the same time, but no matter, as long as I can move forward, I know that I'm not lonely... I'm not alone...

I stopped walking when I saw something that shock me to the core. There are two humans standing under tree.

I'm... really not alone...

The first person was a male kinda like father and the second one was a small girl with purple hair. But this is impossible? I don't remember drawing any them... or did I? Anyway, I'm still in shock, this is the first time in many years that I saw a human other than myself... just... just what's goin on?

Then all of a sudden, the two mysterious individuals turns their attention to me, the small girl waves her hands at me and was calling me out. I want to reply back but I'm still in shock, I don't know what to do? Should I greet them? Should I talk to them? Should I leave them alone? I don't know, I'm scared to do anything.

The girl seems nice and cheerful while the male seems laid back with a small smile on his face. I was thinking so much, that I didn't noticed that they're already in front of me, despite the shock I kept myself composed, the first thing I did was reach out my hand and began to poking the male's face, I was taken back, he's cheeks was soft and smooth, he only responded with a smile. Next I turn my attention to the small girl and poke her but due to the panic that is slowly building inside of me, I accidentally poke her eyes.

"YEEEOOOWWW!" the girl shrieked in pain, "My eyes!" she screamed rubbing her eyes, this caused the male next to her to burst out laughing.

I was taken a back by her shout and that's when I finally realized it, this two are living beings and not part of any if my creations.

"Hey!? What's the big idea poking me in the eye!?" the girl demanded though she's facing another direction, granted her eyes were close, but still.

Then male looks at me making me nervous, he gave me a smile, "Don't worry. We're not here to hurt you... we just came here to help you." he stated.

Help me? Help me with what? Then all of a sudden, the male placed his hands on my head and suddenly everything went black, but the darkness only lasted in a minute, the next thing I did was slowly opening my eyes and I found myself in a different place, the male and girl I saw before was there too, looking at me with big smiles on their faces.

"Welcome back to the real world, Rin." the male greeted.

Later, the two persons introduced themselves as the Author and Neptune which is kinda unique along with the revelation that they're God's, I couldn't believe it at first until they demonstrated their powers much to my shock. The Author then told me that we're currently in a world called ZeroTopia, a world where once deceased people gets a chance to live a second life, I panic at first but Neptune reassured that I'm not dead only in a coma. We then take a walk around the gigantic facility that the Author called an Academy. I noticed that everything is quiet and no sign of other people, Neptune explained that everyone are currently in another world right now. Another world? The Author then began to explain the existence of different worlds and dimensions, he then revealed that he's the founder of an organization that protects other worlds from certain invaders.

He did apologize to me that he couldn't save my own world, he told me that my world is already gone right before the organization was created. It was sad hearing that but I can't blame him, he has no control of everything back then.

The next thing I noticed that I retain my red hair and eyes along with my ability to draw something to life from my tablet. The Author explained that the moment I stepped into ZeroTopia my abilities and appearance became permanent.

Everything right now feels surreal to me, I was wondering if I'm dreaming or am I still back in the virtual world but those thoughts disappeared when the Author and Neptune pulls me into a hug, I could feel it, the warmth of their embrace, if feels good, just like my father's. The next thing the Author said truly puts me in ease.

I'm not alone anymore.

I can only cry in happiness

-BREAK

-EARTH 228-

Harle Kingdom, Harle Hotel

Later, the Author and Neptune brought Rin along back in the Harle Kingdom. Rin is currently wearing her usual attire but she is wearing a sunhat along with a bag carrying her tablet. The redhead walks forward looking around the place in awe, never once in her life that she could go into another world that she didn't created, she can only marvel at the sight.

The Author and Neptune follows from behind, "She seems to be having fun." the latter commented.

The Author nodded, "Neptune, I'll leave her to you and make sure she gets properly introduced to everyone. As of today, we'll be acting as her parents, we will give her the exact amount of love and happiness that her father gave her before, we're going to continue what he started." he stated with smile.

Neptune blushed upon hearing the parent part but smiled nonetheless, "Sure. I can do that." she replied wrapping her arms around his right arm.

Rin looks back at them and gave them the brightest smile she had.

Meanwhile, Lelouch is seen talking on his phone in the dining area when he saw the Author, Neptune and Rin passes by the window, he then smiled, "Yes. Everything is doing good here my friend. By the way, it seems the two Gods had done something unpredictable... yes.. they successfully rescued her, aren't you going to meet her?" he asked.

"Not yet. I'm taking my time to do that." a voice answered from the other line.

"I see. I understand, we'll I see you around... Shigeru." Lelouch said revealing the caller's identity.

A/N: Ever since I read Jason2108's Shelter fic, I was inspired to write one myself however it took me a while before I came up with this. It's not a great as Jason's but I still hope you all like it. Shelter, is by far, an all time favorite of mine, the song being my ringtone is proof of that. I had a hard time writing in Rin's perspective but I managed to pull through.

This are the characters debuted in this chapter:

Gertrud Barkhorn from Strike Witches

Crona from Soul Eater

Rin from Shelter

Strangers in Remnant settings belongs to Jason2108

-OMAKE-

Currently in the dining area, we see Kazuto Kirigaya having lunch with Tatsumi while Asuna Yuuki is looking to her reflection, checking her figure at the glass window.

"Kirito... have I gotten a little fat?" Asuna asked not looking away from her reflection.

Both Kazuto and Tatsumi made a spits take upon hearing her question. The trio stayed in awkward silence until Kirito spoke.

"The most dangerous question that I'm afraid of answering." Kirito said with Tatsumi nodding in agreement, Asuna stares at them with a raised eyebrow.

And that's that. Next chapter is the start of the Harle Festival.

Until then Paalam!