I own nothing. Enjoy!

Area-13: Secretly Telling Secrets

Ashe couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her mother, someone she thought she knew everything about, was a Chosen. The woman gave her a small smile as she gripped her still bleeding side. The girl then took a step back, a multitude of emotions were swimming in the girl's head. She chuckled, as she felt excited over the fact that her Mother was a Chosen like her.

Yet, she couldn't fight the nagging feeling that she had been betrayed.

"Mom, you...you're a Chosen?"

"Yes honey, I am. One of the first actually."

Wait, does that mean you're a bad guy?

Prairie shook her head as she stood, wiping the blood from her lips. She didn't want to be having this conversation, but she really had no choice. Taking a deep breath to prepare herself, she began speaking.

"Honey, Model A, I am one of the Chosen that saved the world all those years ago. If Aile heard you call me a villain, she might have been torn. Not knowing who to comfort."

"Wait, Mom knows about this?"

"Of course, she is a Chosen also. Omega was her Livemetal before he got his body back."

Ashe took a step back, trying to quickly process the information she had been given. Both of her parents, had been lying to her. No matter the reason, they out right had lied to her. The people she had been told had fought in the Siege of Omega City, were her parents.

She did feel proud that her parents were heroes, but she still frowned. Another question surfaced, and she spoke it before she could stop herself.

"If you two were Chosen this entire time, why not tell me? Why didn't you tell me that you saved so many people? Why did you react so negatively to me wanting to be a hero too?"

"Ashe, Harpuia and I believed that you wouldn't need to know. We were in a time of peace, what would be the point in reliving past traumas? I didn't want you to join the Hunters because I was worried. Aile was all for it, that is why she left her card out in the open, I just didn't want you to do anything dangerous."

Prairie lowered her gaze, biting her lip as she tried to think of how to proceed. Ashe stayed silent as her mother contemplated how to proceed. Prairie then took another breath as she looked up to Ashe.

"You don't know how many times I worried about Aile when she was fighting. Every time I gave her a mission, I worried if I was sending her to her death. I became so worried that Aile had to comfort me, she had to hold me and promise me she was still okay. The girl that couldn't understand most of the basic emotions had to console me."

Ashe winced when she saw tears form in the corners of her mother's eyes. Prairie held her determined expression, but even Ashe could see it was about to falter.

"So, when you told me that you wanted to be a Hunter, I did feel happy for you, but I was also worried. What would have happened if you did become a Hunter, and something bad happened to you? I don't even want to think how badly it would have hurt Aile."

Prairie then lowered her arm as her armor materialized in a flash. She raised her arm as her X-Buster materialized. She grimaced and turned a glare slowly at the W Core that hung above them.

"So, I went along with Harpuia's lie, even though you deserved the truth at some point."

The Buster began to charge, the barrel glowing red as the energy quickly reached maximum.

"All to keep you safe. That includes destroying these abominations!"

Prairie let loose with her shot, the spiralling blue and red flew towards the W Core. The shot impacted and the room filled with a bright light. Ashe covered her eyes as the Core was vaporized. When everything settled Ashe blinked several time to clear her vison. Prairie just sighed as she deactivated her armor.

"If you wish to think ill of me, I don't mind. I shouldn't have deceived you."

Ashe just stood there, she looked up towards what remained of the W Core and whistled. The only thing that was left was the parts that connected to the cables in the ceiling. She then turned to Prairie as the woman gave her a sad smile.

Taking a step forward Ashe hurried to her mother and wrapped her arms around her. Prairie looked down to her daughter as the girl smiled.

"I wouldn't think about you like that mom. Even if you lied, and it hurt, I can see why you did."

Prairie smiled as she patted her daughter's head. Ashe then stepped back, a familiar look gracing her features, Prairie felt some nostalgia at it.

"Let's go, my friends need me above ground. And there is someone I want you to meet."

Area-02: Hunter's Camp

Atlas pulled her arm out of the back of a Spider Mechaniloid, green fluid coated her arm as the machine exploded. Turning around she began observing her surroundings. She was starting to think that Ashe completed her task.

Most of the Mavericks began to fall, the orange spikes fading from their frames, and allowed the Hunters an easier time. The remaining group of Hunters that could still stand were surrounding what remained of the Galleons. They opened fire and shredded the group.

Deactivating her armor Atlas allowed herself a sigh. She didn't know how long she and the Hunters had been fighting, but she was glad it was over. She stretched, trying to relax her muscles, she then heard a chuckle behind her, she turned to see Nicol. The man looked worse than he did before, but he was laughing.

"Well, that was difficult, but we managed."

"Yes, but you look like you're about to keel over."

The man just laughed, this caused Atlas to smile. The man looked like he had been chewed and yet he still retained his sense of humor. She was about to make a joke, but a look from Nicol silenced her. The man's gaze shifted to behind her, quickly reacting she spun around to see a Dogu Giant. It punched her and sent her flying.

Atlas hit a wall and almost broke through it, she coughed up blood as her organs felt like pancakes. The Giant rushed towards the dazed girl, it rose its arms once more, attempting to finish her off. Atlas looked up at the Mechaniloid and growled, almost daring it to strike.

The Giant began to drop its arms, but they then exploded. The Giant recoiled as Atlas raised an eyebrow, the Giant's armor then began breaking open. A green blur landed before Atlas, her eyes widened when she realized it was Harpuia.

The Guardian crossed his rapiers and unleashed a bolt of lightning that shot straight through the Giant's body. The Mechaniloid groaned and then collapsed, its body detonating soon after. Harpuia then sheathed his weapons and turned to the girl.

"It is a good thing I found you. I have been having the worst time talking with people today."

Atlas pulled herself out of the wall and groaned, the sight of the Guardian was a relief, but his tone made her wary. Dusting herself off Atlas looked to the Repliroid and motioned for him to start talking. The Repliroid turned and looked at the carnage before uttering a word.

"Is Ashe here?"

"Yes," Atlas stated cautiously; "she went towards the W Core signal a while ago. She probably destroyed it."

Harpuia cursed under his breath, turning with cold eyes he gave her a glare.

"I specifically ordered people not to destroy that core. We needed it to track the location of Vile's base."

"You do know that I am an Artificial Chosen with knowledge of Vile's plans. Why have you not thought of asking me where it is?"

Harpuia winced, it seemed as if the man hadn't actually thought of it. He opened his mouth, but he stopped himself several times. Shaking his head his frown returned.

"I have been informed that the base that Vile is currently in is not the one you would have known of. In fact, knowing my luck, it's probably on the bottom of the-GYAH!"

Harpuia didn't get to finish his thought as he was suddenly blasted to the side by a large spiralling plasma shot. He hit a wall and fell through it as the shot exploded. Atlas quickly spun around, her eyes widening at the sight of a Chosen covered in cobalt armor.

The Chosen lowered her smoking Buster as her armor vanished. Atlas already knew who this woman was, Commander Prairie Phare. The most frightening soldier in the Guardians. Atlas gulped at the woman's glare, however one look could tell that it wasn't directed at her.

Atlas was also surprised when Ashe popped out from behind the woman. The girl skipped towards Atlas and grabbed her hands. The smile was infectious, as Atlas soon found herself returning it.

"Hey sweetie, I finished my mission. How about you?"

"Oh, there was a few complications, but we managed."

Ashe nodded as Prairie walked closer, the woman putting a hand on her shoulder.

"So, Ashe, who is this adorable girl?"

Atlas felt her cheeks warm as Ashe giggled. Never once had she been called cute, well, by anyone other than Thetis. Ashe then spun around so her arm was around Atlas's shoulder. Atlas was feeling kind of bashful.

"Oh Mom, this is Atlas Feu. She is my girlfriend."

Mom? Prairie was Ashe's mother? Atlas felt slightly intimidated at that, but she remained silent. Her blush was the only thing betraying her thoughts. Prairie took a step back and raised an eyebrow.

"You and her? Alright. Have you two kissed yet?"

"Yep, some times I can't even keep her off of me!"

Atlas sputtered as her face went red, what was Ashe trying to do?! It honestly scared her how much the girl was managing to embarrass a soldier. Prairie just nodded as she crossed her arms.

"So, my daughter has started dating, and managed to get to the kissing part of the relationship? Now why was I never told about this?"

Prairie then dropped her arms and she walked past the two. Ashe chuckled when she saw Prairie's armor materialize. Atlas just watched as the woman neared the downed Harpuia. The Repliroid actually managed to sit up, gripping the smoking hole in his chest. He looked up and paled at the sight of an angry Prairie.

"Hello Harpuia. I just heard that you've been keeping secrets from me again."

The Repliroid gulped as he slowly stood, he put his hands up defensively, he then started talking quickly.

"Okay, now Prairie, I know I may have withheld information from you, but it was information that I found insignificant."

"Harpuia, I missed my daughter falling in love, all because you thought it wasn't important? Do you know who I am?"

Atlas didn't get to see what happened next as Ashe pulled her away. The girl's eyes widened however when she heard an explosion and Harpuia cursing.

"Is your mother always like that?"

"Only when she misses something important. You should have seen it when Harpuia gave her a mission on my fifth birthday. He didn't walk right for weeks."

Atlas cringed when she heard metal bending. She was going to have to get used to the fact that her girlfriend's mother was one of the people feared by Vile. It was also somewhat exciting. Her thoughts were then pulled towards Ashe as the girl tugged on her arm.

"Come on, we should probably check on Thetis."

Nodding the two girls hurried in the direction of Thetis's quarters, but one line from Prairie made Atlas shiver.

"And this is for having me fight my daughter!"

"Oh in the name of Croirie, that doesn't bend that way!"

Thetis looked up to the door as it slid open. She smiled when she saw Atlas walk in, followed by Ashe. Her smile faltered somewhat, but she kept it as best she could. The two walked up to her and Atlas quickly fell to her side.

"Thetis? Are you hurt?"

"No worries my darling they didn't even come here. Oddly enough I was left alone in all of the conflict."

Atlas smiled as she let out a relieved sigh. This also caused Thetis to smile, as Atlas was still concerned for her. She then felt a tap at her shoulder and she turned to see Ashe looking down at her.

"Yes?"

"Oh, nothing really, I just thought of two things. This."

Without warning Ashe suddenly dropped to her knees and pulled Thetis into a kiss. The blue haired girl's eyes widened, Atlas simply rolled hers with a sigh. The kiss only lasted a few seconds, but when Ashe pulled away she was smiling. Thetis just stared at her with a mixture of several emotions.

"What was that for?"

"Oh, just wanted to see something. Nothing meant by it if you so wish. But, now that I have your attention, could I ask a favor?"

"What kind of favor?"

Ashe stood and placed her hands on her hips, a determined smile taking up her face.

"Well, I was thinking, since the W Core here became active, that would mean that that Vile was trying to destroy this place. I need your help in locating her base so I can pay her back."

Thetis just stared at the girl for several moments before she started chuckling. Ashe raised an eyebrow, but she couldn't ask her question before Thetis spoke.

"This was not an attack set up by my mistress. I do not think she would have been aware of this W Core, as I didn't know of it. However, I can still help you with your second goal, even if it is now pointless."

Thetis reached into her pocket and pulled out a cyan card key that had a stylized L emblazoned on the front. She handed it to Atlas with a smile.

"This Card Key should be able to open up the computers in the Primordial Lab. Atlas take this girl there and get the information."

Atlas nodded, she then turned to Ashe as the girl smiled. Ashe then quickly pulled Thetis into a hug and dashed out of the door while shouting 'thank you'. Thetis sighed as she shook her head, she felt drained. The girl then turned to Atlas before she could leave.

"Atlas, before you go, could you answer one question?"

"What?"

"Why did she kiss me?"

"Um, well, to be honest. She was probably thinking about what kissing you must be like. As you always kissed me."

"So, she's jealous?"

"No, just curious really."

With that Atlas left, leaving a confused Thetis.

Another chapter complete. I hope you enjoyed!

If this seemed short, it is the second half of the last chapter. So a cool down if you will.

Changing up intended boss order. So no twin phantoms for now.

Prairie is the kind of mother who wants to know everything about her daughter. And Ashe is the kind of person who will understand something if you just tell her.

Ashe's arm is still broken, this might get crazy.

Again, I hope you enjoyed.

Have a nice day!