White and Red

Oh…

Her mouth was opening and closing as she stared at the screen her eyes wide, unblinking, her mind still processing the… impossibility of what exactly was in front of her. She took a step back to get the full view of the large screen, her arms going limp.

By this point, the headquarters were a pandemonium of noise as the sounds of excited murmuring and whispers of happiness and wonder kept reverberating around the once cold and professional room.

None of that mattered right now though… the world was silent at least to her.

As the screen showed but one image…

A feeling spread around her, something impossible to describe. Relief? Regret? Happiness? It was a myriad, a jumbled mess of emotions that she could never even think to control.

How could she… when something she thought impossible was right in front of her.

Perhaps this was simply hope.

Her eyes gained a new shine as she further got enveloped at the moment.

The gods finally answered her work… after everything she's done…

everything she sacrificed… all the lies and deceptions.

This was hers…

Her eyes widened further as two other beings stepped in front of that perfect picture in her mind. She watched in something akin to horror as they fiddled, going around the man, poking here and there as if checking for injuries.

He tore his eyes away from the screen immediately as their presence surrounded him, his face gaining a soft smile rather than the resolute and distant stare he gave her…

She stepped forward her eyes shadowed behind her disheveled hair, gripping the railing denting it with her fingers as a newer, more understandable emotion came flooding through her.

"Operator." her voice sounded clearly through the room silencing any of the murmuring and useless noise "I want direct communication through that pod." the closest operator took a step back as the authoritative voice rained down on her unable to make herself move... that was until the commander gave her a simple stare "Now!"

She didn't even need to raise her voice as the poor android scrambled towards a nearby computer, fumbling her way through the typing of commands the screen now showing that she was able to talk directly..

White took a deep breath, trying to reign in what was inside her.

Professionalism was a must, this was to be their first true meeting after all.

Her eyes narrowed and her stance changed back to normal, now fully showing off the image of the confident commander of humanity's greatest armada...

She would make sure his eyes didn't move away from her from now on.

(Factory)

He tried to remain resolute, he honestly did, but he couldn't help but feel awkward as the foursome of androids stood there mouths agape… just staring at him. He allowed them a time to compose themselves, but it had already stretched for a few minutes, and yet none of them made any sort of movement.

His eyes roamed the group trying to discern what he should say next to snap them out… what he found instead were reasons to grab his own duo of androids and bolt.

The woman leading the group, 2B, was the more unnerving of the four, there was a quiet desperation behind her gaze almost as if she was pouring all her problems away now that he existed. He had seen that before too many times... he wasn't able to help any of them.

Her companion, on the other hand, seemed to almost tremble in excitement his hands shaking as a wide smile formed, he looked at him as if some lost puppy finally finding a home, he still held the same curiosity of their last discussion though reaching new heights.

The other duo merely watched him with amazement though their eyes dropped to the ground once his settled on them, not quite being able to meet his gaze head-on.

He sighed, knowing that his question would remain unanswered. Even worse was the shine behind their eyes… he already knew of it having seen it at one point behind his two foremost companions, the outright worship still made his skin crawl.

Guess it was too much to ask for an android to have a normal reaction to him.

That's when he felt someone lifting his left arm, soft fingers digging into his exposed skin, taking away his attention, giving him some reprieve from the matters at hand. He chuckled moving his eyes away from the group who had now tilted their head in confusion at the lack of decorum the twins showed towards the human.

"What are you doing Popola?" He questioned softly as her gaze continued, focused on his exposed skin, her eyes narrowed in worry.

She finally looked up "Just checking."

Her sister on the other hand took a bit longer to reach him her arms going around his neck her body leaning on his, an action that had the other group of androids reach for their weapons. His gaze snapped back to them petrifying them in place before they could do anything…

That action worried him somewhat, he didn't think they would be so trigger happy in his presence.

"Are you feeling better Devola?" he muttered he felt her nod on his back relieving him of some added stress.

A sound of electronics reverberated across the room breaking away the small pleasant moment amidst the confusing revelation.

A screen flared up from the pod showcasing the image of a beautiful yet serious woman "(It's with great honor that we finally meet face to face… so to speak.)" her words were carefully said and planned her tone respectful though her appearance told a bit of a different story as her golden hair looked slightly out of place, a few strands here and there sticking out from what he figured was once a perfect style… she was desperately trying to look formal and in control.

"So It is… commander." his eyes locked unto hers something that seemed appreciated perhaps a touch too much… he tried his best to not make his body instinctively cringe slightly at what he could tell from her hidden emotions.

Her single visible eye widened once she heard him speaking to her. She was better at hiding it than her subordinates for sure… but there was still an unquestionable fixation.

Their staring match took but a moment to finish but it still seemed to be too much for the woman as her gaze dropped slightly instead focusing, much like the twins, towards his now destroyed armor. "(Far be it from me to question you sir, but you should have told us before going into combat for yourself…)"

He raised his hand to stop her incoming rant "Everyone did what they had to do… we won just focus on that."

Her eyes widened as she looked momentarily taken aback by the brusque response "(That's not what I meant…)" she tried to explain fully almost fumbling.

Shirou simply sighed "I understand." he gave her a meaningful look trying to appease her "…but that is the very reason why I didn't reveal what I was before the battle, I knew everyone would be too focused on protecting me to defend the city and its inhabitants."

Her singular visible eye narrowed slightly as her anger instead turned to the other visible redhead still checking the human for any outward injury. "(You two knew…)"

Popola snorted openly mocking her question.

White's anger grew at this "(Don't you know what's at stake he…)"

"I know very well what's at stake here." her thunderous voice flowed through the ruined factory her eyes almost murderous "Don't think that you can judge me while you spend your time up there, I fought for this planet back when humanity was still walking around."

The other four androids took a step back already having witnessed what one of the enraged siblings could do.

White chuckled instead, the sound turning out more venomous than expected "(I know very well what you are, you failu…)"

"ENOUGH!" Shirou yelled out the sound making every android stand upright immediately, he looked at the two as if they were both were simply nothing but petulant girls "We have more important things to worry about." he lout a breath closing his eyes for a second before looking back to the pod "White what is the situation back at the resistance."

The commander who was still recovering from being reprimanded gave a response though her voice sounded rather meek "(There are no more cases of machine attacks, sir. Seems like a full retreat.)" she still looked at the ground being unable to see the disappointment that she would surely face due to her lack of control.

"Sounds about right…" He muttered looking back at the monstrosity of machinery still layed out behind them.

"How are you so sure…" a confused voice rang out making everyone snap their attention to him, 9S on the other hand simply coughed awkwardly as he noticed everyone looking "… I mean ummm, sir." he forced out a chuckle, scratching the back of his head.

"They could've destroyed the resistance at any point and yet they didn't." Shirou sighed scratching the back of his left hand "Either they accomplished what they wanted to do or it was simply a way to tell us that the war is very much still going… I don't know though, It's hard to tell."

Popola looked at him with worry but kept her mouth shut. The machine they had fought said very many things most of them just leading to more questions… but that was something she needed to know from Shirou alone.

The man in question shook his head before sighing "Something to think about in another time, we better leave this place, I want to see the resistance's state for myself."

"(Sir, it would be better if you didn't, we still don't fully know if it's over and the machines could attack again at any moment.") The woman took a deep breath "(It would be better if we simply moved you into Yorha headquarters… you would safe here.)"

Shirou gave her an odd look, almost of acceptance, as he had already prepared for this occasion "I… understand your need to see me safe, I do." he calmly said careful in his words, he met at Popola and then to Devola as they both remained quiet but worried as they always were, this was directed at them as much as it was to Yorha "but there's a need for me here in this war and I'm sorry but... I can't turn back and lock myself in, not when things are like this. I wouldn't be me."

White looked aghast as an odd sort of fear started raging inside her "(We can't allow you to walk around unsafe, we wouldn't be able to live with ourselves if something… happened to you.)" she seemed to have difficulty even speaking on that possibility the words trembling out of her lips.

Shirou sighed, not really having the mental energy to continue arguing "Sorry but the answer is still the same… I can do more here than kept safely away. I'm an asset in this war."

Popola played with her dress her eyes going downward, she was both afraid and happy. Happy that he wasn't leaving them behind even if the more logical side of her knew that he was the safest far away from this planet.

"(You're far more than that…)" White closed her eyes as a hand rose to nurse her temple, she tried to think of numerous ways to change the human's mind, she couldn't fail now… not when such a life was on the line. If she had to do it forcefully… so be it.

Shirou noticed the change in her eyes as she looked at him in resignation… she wouldn't? Would she?

"(2B..!)"

Shirou rose his hand immediately "STOP!" his eyes narrowed glaring down, the androids halting with his command "… I don't want to have to hurt any of you, but one of mine is injured and can't protect herself… think carefully before you act." he looked at Popola mentioning her to stand back.

"(Then we are at an impasse, your life is far too valuable.)"

Shirou shook his head "Then don't…" he sighed trying to calm himself down "I'm here to work with you… all of you. I can't possibly end this war by myself."

"(Then why not go Yorha, that's exactly what we want as well…)" the woman looked at him with wide eyes ready to tear her hair out as her frustration was barely kept on hold, long since losing her perfect demeanor she tried to uphold at the beginning of the conversation.

"Because I don't trust you to let me leave." he stood his ground, an air of seriousness surrounding him, yet his eyes remained compassionate "I trust you to keep me safe despite my wishes… I'm sorry commander this is my final decision."

White took deep breaths as she patted her clothes trying to remain as calm as she could "(Fine… I will be sending more troupes to the city, and I will personally go down to meet you.)" Her voice once again carried an air of confidence as she looked straight at the human, equally this time.

Shirou nodded grateful "That would be… appreciated."

The commander merely saluted him "(As per your wishes, Sir.)"

Shirou's eyebrow rose at the phrasing, it was a clear message that she would work for his trust "You can call me Shirou or Emiya, whichever you prefer."

The woman nodded looking a bit pleased with that "(2B.)"

"Yes ma'am."

"(You know your mission right?)"

2B looked to her right her eyes settling on the human still embraced by her fellow android, her being filled with a new sense of resolve "Of course."

"(Then make sure you don't fail.)" She gave one last look towards the human, her eyes showing a deep longing "(We'll see each other soon then?)"

He gave her a smile and a nod before she closed the call, her eyes widening at the image of a faint blush forming in her face… before the screen went out.

Shirou let out a breath he was holding as his body almost sagged "That went about as well as I could hope… that woman is something else." he chuckled before he bent slightly holding the back of Devola's knees pushing her up giving her piggyback ride.

The other androids besides Popola looked on aghast, confused and maybe slightly jealous, as one of their own got something that most of them could only ever dream off. Still, the content smile that Devola had told them that she knew exactly the favoritism she was getting.

2B stepped up to Shirou as she was the first to get out of the haze and shock of today's happenings, her attitude as a soldier prevailing above all "Sir!" she stood now in front of him her right fist almost punched into her chest as she gave him a form of salute.

He looked at her oddly for a few seconds before understanding "Permission to talk…"

The woman nodded "As of now I am the leader of the defense squad in your name." she shifted slightly her arm going back down, still standing rigidly looking ahead but not making eye contact "As such I will take the front with 9S while 6B and 2H will remain back. We will move at whichever pace you prefer."

Direct and to the point, almost emotionless, if it weren't for the very well hidden happiness that shined in her eyes when she looked at him he would actually think she was the prototypical robot that humans once imagined… well that and her appearance.

Shirou nodded at her "Sounds good to me." he looked down towards his left "Popola?"

She sighed gifting him with a tired look "Let's get the hell out of this place."

(Yorha)

White leaned into the railing her left hand rubbing her eyes, if a single brief discussion was enough to leave her dead tired mentally she didn't know what will remain of her after their fated meeting face to face.

She let out a shaky breath, forcing herself to calm down her face slightly pinkish still, a hand coming to play with a lock of her hair.

"Commander."

A faint womanly voice called out to her snapping away her thoughts "Yes?" she managed to grunt out, her immediate answer left a lot to be desired as she fumbled slightly trying to keep a composed look.

The operator looked at her oddly but otherwise didn't question her as everyone in the room was still reeling back from today's happenings… even if the commander was the only one talking… she wasn't jealous about that "Here are the papers asked number of casualties, state of the city, best places for an earth base..." she started listing off endlessly much to her commander's chagrin.

White looked down at the stack of papers already feeling a headache "Send them to my room, please… I need to contact the moon base personally due to this matter."

The operator nodded, saluting "Of course ma'am… Glory to mankind!"

White did the same gesture though now with far more gusto.

The operator walked off as the commander decided to look around the room as if to feel the energy within these walls. How many times had she sputtered that lie? How many times did she have to look in the eye of each and every one of her soldiers telling them to fight for something nonexistent? She couldn't possibly know, but now… now even if only one, they were truly fighting for their creators once more.

It wasn't a lie.

Patting down her skirt and fixing her white blouse she walked towards the elevator with a new sense of purpose looking around at her busy underlings, it had been a long time since she had seen such a lack of professionalism in the room as the androids ran around like headless chickens checking each other's computers and notes.

Still, though all this work was made with a smile.

She had never seen this place so… alive.

Giving them one last look she stepped out of the room, Yorha would continue to work to make the area safer as she stepped into a new objective.

Knowing who exactly Emiya Shirou was.

(Factory)

"So is it true that humans are group-oriented… does that mean you actively try to find other humans to 'group' up?" A rather peppy voice said as he stood side by side with the other taller male, reading out of a notebook of sorts.

"...I guess?" Shirou looked at him strangely, the words coming out quieter than he hoped "Most of the time we are put into groups by chance… whether it be familial, friendly, or merely for work." he pushed Devola up a bit as she muttered lightly in her sleep.

It had come as a surprise when the young-looking male approached him so readily and without any pretense just started asking him random questions that he rapidly had to answer or get overwhelmed by the storm of energy that the white-haired boy seemed to be.

He couldn't quite tell if this was worse or better than his counterparts, looking back though at the other two androids walking behind them as they still shyly looked at the ground when his own gaze passed through them… perhaps it was.

"...Huh." 9S let out a questioning as if the pieces of a puzzle didn't quite fit together "What if a human can't find anyone to 'group' up… What if they remain alone?"

Shirou's eyes narrowed his lips moving into a frown "A lot of the times it has dire consequences on their mental health… some people though say they prefer the isolation." his tone changed slightly as he went on sounding more rigid almost melancholic "...others choose isolation not wanting those close to him to follow in his footsteps."

Popola, who was lagging a bit behind from the conversing duo, clenched her hand at hearing this now almost glaring at the human.

9S on the other hand tilted his head slightly not really understanding the undertones, he opened his mouth once more to start questioning again before being interrupted.

"9S stop playing around and get a move on." her voice thundered through the metal walls as 9S winced before rapidly moving back to his partner with Popola now taking his place side by side with Shirou.

"Are you okay?" she muttered quietly still looking ahead.

"Yeah… I'm fine just a bit tired."

Her head moved slightly as to look behind her "They keep looking at you."

He grunted his displeasure "I noticed."

The duo walked down together through the remains of the factory their arms almost touching.

"We need to talk… alone." Popola said her hands clenching.

He looked down at her his gaze questioning "Is there a problem?"

"Maybe." Popola's eyes met his showcasing her worry "That thing… the machine it knew about you. No more than that it knew things about you that you never told us."

"It's one thing after the other." He sighed the sound revealing how tired he was "We'll talk about this once we get to the resistance base."

Popola gripped her left arm "Alright." she despondently aid.

"It'll be okay Popola, trust me." he gave her a smile something that she tried her best to return.

(Yorha)

White looked around with a slight grimace.

She really did need to clean her room…

Books and clothes were thrown halfheartedly into the closet sticking out here and there not even going into the correct places and those were the lucky ones, as some of them were simply thrown into the ground never to be used again, her bed had yet to have been made and the last time she had done so was three days ago.

She sighed a hand passing through her golden hair, letting it flow down instead of the ponytail she usually wears to maintain her image, framing her face nicely even as she rubbed her left eye in slight tiredness.

She plopped down into her bed sitting on the edge merely thinking of today's happenings allowing herself to fully understand what had happened and let the moment settle in.

She grabbed one of the pillows hugging it tightly to her chest.

A human...

...alive.

An actual breathing, walking miracle just dropped in, out of nowhere… and she had let him go out to fight against unstoppable machinery.

Her eyes unfocused slightly as they grew misty.

What had she done? Only now did it truly hit her, the fact that she didn't know what he was didn't matter she still let it happen regardless.

He could've been hurt.

He could've…

She shook her head fiercely trying to reign in those thoughts, her face now almost obscured by her hair… if any android was to pass by she would be unrecognizable.

"Pod." she said her voice coming out shaky…

"Yes ma'am."

"I need full control of the army of humanity's database of information."

The little machine was quiet for a few seconds "Username."

"Zinnia."

"Password."

"11928."

"Permission granted." the pod enlarged its screen now showing new imagery.

She sat up the pillow now forgotten "I want you to search anything you have on Shirou Emiya."

The pod beeped before scrolling through mountains of text, searching for anything with the name. She awaited with bated breath watching the Pod closely until something finally clicked.

A single page appeared before her with a familiar image to go along with it.

Emiya Shirou

Occupation: Military part of the coalition of countries against the legion, holding the rank of Captain of the Crusaders (Former).

Age: 64 years old (as of 2052)

Codename: Project Zero

Record: [REDACTED]

Sixty… four? That couldn't possibly be, right? He looked no older than his mid-twenties. Her eyes widened further as she saw the date "Two thousand and fifty-two. How has he been alive for more than ten thousand years." She looked back up at the page reading the rest carefully, even though there wasn't much to read on "Is that all the information we have?"

"My apologies commander it seems everything known about Emiya Shirou has been redacted."

Her eyes narrowed looking incredulously at the pod "But why?"

"Unknown." the pod left the page open regardless of its content "Any other searches Commander?"

She bit her nails trying to think of something "Show me what you got on these crusaders." perhaps if they searched for everything surrounding him they would get more information on the man itself.

The Pod lit up once more several pages now coming forth instead of just one, just images this time no actual info to be had.

There were thirteen distinct groups in total all of them showcasing different people… all but one. Her human of the present.

She sat back her head hitting the cold wall "So he was a soldier back then in the war against the legion."

The more she thought about it the more she obsessed she got… she had to know "What can you tell me about Project Zero?" she tried to think of different ways to find out more other than asking the man himself...

The Pod searched carefully though stopping soon after "My apologies Commander, there is no information to be found."

Her eyes narrowed once more this time in anger "What do you mean..?" she let out a frustrated sight almost letting out her anger at the poor pod.

"Any information having to do with Project Zero has been deleted as well." the pod said rather calmly "Is there anything else I can be of service ma'am."

She shook her head while looking at the ground despondently "Turn off pod."

Her bed shook as she fell down unto it turning over to look at the white ceiling. The pieces were there but so many were missing that there was no way she could fully complete the puzzle.

One thing was for sure someone tried to remove him from history or at least anything detailing of what happened after the war.

Her eyes narrowed, her focus regained.

The mission remained the same… nothing was easy to her, this was no different.

She would know who exactly Shirou was.

(City grounds)

The city, if what was left of it could be called as such, resembled more of a glass crater than anything else. Very few of the buildings remained standing and those that did looked about ready to fall off.

It had been a wide-scale battle… but still the irreparable damage was something to behold.

"Is THAT where you fought?" Popola exclaimed while pointing in a general direction.

Shirou looked at it for the first time since the battle, smoke still billowing out "It exploded." he shook his shoulders waking up Devola.

"Hmmm." she groaned out while rubbing her eye "Damn, the ravine is bigger now huh."

"You got caught in an explosion?" 9S questioned his eyes curious under his visor.

His question while innocent had the unneeded effect of making every android in the vicinity now looking at him with worry.

"I'm clearly fine." he murmured pushing Devola up a bit making her eep slightly "You don't have to look at me like that."

"How though?" 9S pressured his voice sounding less so concerned but more curious… again much to his detriment.

"I… wasn't really caught by the blast." Shirou said awkwardly, he was feeling the pressure now as even the twins were staring at him.

"Your armor says otherwise." the authoritative voice of 2B rang out clearly, her arms crossed he could almost see her feet tapping waiting for an answer.

"It's really good armor?" His answer sounded more like a question than anything else as the clearly worried group of androids looked at the human being looking about ready to put him in a bag and never let him out. He took a deep breath before answering this time "Look I'm clearly okay, other than you know... being a bit tired."

His words finally made everyone focus on something else, it was a good thing that he could use their goal to keep him safe for his own.

Well… not everyone was convinced however, as he felt the glare of the twins on the back of his head, he sighed "I'll tell you everything don't worry."

Popola walked off stomping angrily onto the ground while doing so, Devola on the other hand simply refused to look back at him when he tried to do so. They only really got like this over something to do with him, that's the only thing that could get them mad.

He huffed and started walking with the group once more, soon enough they would reach the resistance and this day would finally be over.

(Yorha base)

She wanted to call 2b, She wanted to call 2B, She wanted to call 2B…

"Eeeeeeeeh…." her voice rang out almost inaudible after hitting such high notes.

6O almost shook in excitement as she fiddled with the button in preparation to call her android on the ground, there was only one thing truly stopping her... she was scared to make a fool out of herself, she had the tendency to be a blabbermouth at the best of times. What if she started talking nonstop about nothing?

What if she annoyed him?

What if the human hated her?

Those thoughts brought her mood down severely as her worries started festering… only to once again rapidly turn into excitement. That fluctuating mood had been the new norm for one 6O for the past few hours. She would've gotten a few weird looks if it weren't for the fact that everyone else was running abuzz as well.

That was until a stack of papers was unceremoniously dropped on her desk.

21O looked down her judgingly… or at least that's what 6O thought "We're a part of the mission of defense towards the human… you should do your work before anything else, after all, it falls on us to keep this mission a priority above anything else. Contact the resistance leader of the area, make them aware of what they'll house."

"Oh…" 6O pushed her fingers into each other in a shy manner at being called out "Right, of course… I'll do it right away."

21O nodded emotionlessly turning around and walking back to her desk, that was until the quiet embarrassed voice of her coworker stopped her.

"Wha… what exactly should I say thought."

She didn't even bother looking back at her, probably better this way she was scary enough through voice alone "Simply what is should be enough."

6O watched her walk away with a dismayed look "Right… of course as if that actually helps." she sighed before clicking away at her screen trying to conjure up any sort of courage for the immediate call.

Seems her fated meeting with a human wouldn't happen quite today yet.

(City ruins)

Their long walk was done in silence as the various members stewed in their own thoughts, either from him or the general state of their surroundings. This was probably a path they had taken many times and it would take some time getting used to it, the grafted monstrosity of machine now melted into the ground made that reality clearly visible.

Regardless though they made their way to the resistance base quickly and without interruptions other than passing through the countless of machine bodies that littered the floor.

He didn't remember killing that many of them… A2 went on a rampage it seems.

"So you've finally returned." a soft voice, almost amused, rang out grabbing the attention of the group though the woman in question was fully focused on him "I would say thank you but even that doesn't seem quite appropriate." she looked at him in wonder though without the obsession he had seen in her Yorha counterparts.

"We have a wounded do you have a place we can stick around." Shirou asked calmly trying to not be forceful, he understood his words carried weight and he didn't want someone who needed space to be left out.

Anemone sighed "We have little room to spare... there's quite a lot of wounded in need of fixing, actually..." the woman looked awkwardly at Popola "We could use your help."

"I need to fix my sister first, she takes priority." she crossed her arms looking at the resistance leader defiantly.

Anemone simply nodded "Fair enough and I'm guessing you'll want to be with him?"

With that Popola's eyes softened "Please."

"There's a small building near the entrance on the right… you should be left alone while there." She looked left to right pointedly at the twins rather than the human "I only ask that once you're done you help us."

Popola shrugged "As long as they don't talk much."

She pushed her arms up as if presenting something "Why do you think I came here alone." she sighed her displeasure fully revealed "I'll be with you while you do your work…" her head moved to the left, now addressing Shirou once more as he stood quietly letting Popola make her own choices "By this point, most people know what you are honestly speaking I don't really know what the reaction will be, so you better be prepared."

Shirou simply nodded already mentally prepared, 2B on the other hand put herself in front of the resistance leader.

"Make sure they know we won't let anyone near his vicinity, we are prepared to do the utmost to guard him." 2B's discourse left no room for arguments as she stood tall, her group already positioning themselves in formation around him.

"You guys really don't ha…" a hand was placed in front of his mouth stopping him from continuing as Devola was very much in favor of this, he could feel her disapproving eyes staring at him.

The group of Yorha units placed themselves in formation standing at his two extremes making a sort of square around him where he stood in the middle with Popola alongside him. He would state he could take care of himself but they probably wouldn't care and ignore him, so he kept his mouth shut and let them do as they wished.

This would probably keep other androids away so they could focus on what was important anyhow.

Anemore chuckled slightly "White always has to have some sort of control, huh." she shook her head "Do as you wish just don't try to be physical about it."

"What's the general feeling around the camp?" Shirou asked despite the commotion around him, his thoughts still on those that needed help.

Her downcast eyes told him enough "We lost some good people and there's a few that need a lot… of fixing." she took a moment to breathe "There's a lot of fear of something like this happening again at any moment."

"We'll be prepared next time."

She gave him a questioning look "We..? You're not seriously going to try…"

He grunted when someone elbowed his stomach, it probably wasn't the best thing to say.

"We all have a role to play in this war." Shirou said being mindful of the looks given to him. "We'll talk about this once White comes."

Her eyes narrowed before shrugging, she had a litany of other problems to deal with already "Alright." she moved her hand directing them to follow her "I'll show you where it is."

Before they could move though Devola let go of his neck and slithered out of his hold, he looked back at her questioningly.

"It's better if they don't see me like that." she moved to her sister limping slightly.

"Are you sure?" his concern was palpable, as he watched her lean into Popola to help her walk.

She merely nodded while trying to give him her best smile, which only furthered his worry as he noticed the pain she was in.

"Alright." he still kept glancing at her ready to move in, in case she needed help.

It was the first time he had gotten a good look of the base itself he had seen it from a distance of course but only that. Honestly speaking it left a lot to be desired, it was defensible but it left a lot of openings namely from the sky, it was fortunate that the goliaths never bothered to attack a single swipe would have completely destroyed the resistance in the city as only one of the towering buildings would need to fall to completely ruin it.

Still, though that wasn't exactly the biggest problem right now.

It was utter pandemonium, the beds were full of people some of them with crushed limbs and others still branded with machine weapons on their skin. To his left, he could see the dead or what was left of them as most of them were barely recognized as the human-like appearance they had as if stomped into the ground.

Everything stopped once they noticed who it was that walked in…

They openly stared at him some of them even dropping whatever it was in their hands, much to the detriment of whoever was waiting for help, almost ignoring the pained moans of their compatriots to simply look at him in disbelief.

"The hell are you gawking at." Anemone yelled out her voice snapping everyone from their daze "Get back to work… he'll be here after you're done too."

The woman pointed towards the small building on the right with a metal door flanked by supplies. "You'll have some privacy there, get some rest, and thank you." Anemone gave him a smile trying to convey her appreciation "If you hadn't come at that time we would've gotten overrun."

"No need, I only did as I wanted."

She chuckled at his answer "I didn't think you two would have so much in common, she said the same exact thing."

Shirou's eyes widened understanding who she was talking about "Was she alright."

"She was fine." her voice gained a softer tinge as she reminisced "It was good to talk to her again thank you for that as well." she started walking away from the group "Take all the time you need there, rest up… trust me you'll need all the energy you can get to deal with White."

"Shall we?" he motioned to the twins to follow him, now noticing the glares from the resistance members directed towards them, it would probably become a problem in the future. Still, though they seemed unperturbed merely opening the metal door going inside.

Before following them he looked towards the small Yorha group "Thank you for taking us here, go rest as well you four had a difficult day too."

2B waited for him to finish before talking "If it's all the same to you, sir, we'd rather stand guard." her voice firm telling him quite clearly that she wouldn't budge on this.

He sighed "Do as you wish then." he said as he opened the door not looking back at them this time.

He closed the door behind him with a dull thud while scanning the room quickly.

It wasn't much a small table on the side with a wooden chair, the bed that was appropriated by Devola, as Popola finicked around doing things he wouldn't even be able to try to understand, was also rather spartan merely a cushion, it would do though. He had been in far worse places.

He went towards the table grasping his armor starting to take it off, all the while Popola waited for the best moment to start… or rather she waited until she had enough courage.

By the time she had done so, he had already taken it off and was inspecting the armor carefully. She had seen him naked from the waist before but it always left her wondering… for a man with such a storied history his skin was rather unmarked by battle scars.

She shook her head now wasn't the time to think of such things "Shirou the machine knew about you."

He didn't bother to turn around "What did it say?"

"It was them that found you, that left you in this city."

The man let the armor fall from his fingers as he placed his hands on the table "I had some theories but…" his hand moved through his hair "Anything else?"

"It called you something." Popola started her fingers interlacing with her own showing how nervous she was.

"'Loved by the Beast.'" It was Devola this time around that finished it, getting tired of her sister playing around the subject "It called you that, the hell is a beast."

Shirou's head snapped up at those words finally turning around his eyes wide "It said that, those exact words."

"Yeah." Popola said her eyes narrowed at him "You know what it meant don't you."

This gave him a momentary pause almost seemingly taken aback before he turned around once again "It's what red eyes used to call me."

"Red eyes? The leader of the legion?" Devola questioned more out of surprise than anything else.

"Yeah." There was an audible gulp as he answered "He had a different name for the giant than we did." he chuckled anger rolling clearly out of him as his muscles bulged as he gripped the edge of the table tightly "The Queen Beast he called her."

Popola's eyes widened "So that machine meant…"

"Devola!" he exclaimed his voice stopping the duo on their tracks, he didn't sound angry nor did he shout but… the way he said her name made them quiver with slight fear "Do you remember that conversation we had in front of the ocean."

Devola took a bit of time to answer the words coming stuttering out of her mouth "Y-yeah, I mean…" she coughed slightly "You told me that you were there that day of the battle, that you saw it and…" her eyes widened "...you have white chlorination syndrome."

Popola's own eyes widened in horror. "Shirou… no."

"I don't." he sighed rolling his neck "WCS is a symptom, not the cause, what I have and what you two have is called maso… though from different sources."

"We have it too?" Devola stared at her own hands "Was that what I used."

"I think it's better if I just showed you." he said as he extended his left arm showcasing the back of his hand.

They looked at it for a few moments not seeing anything, that's when they felt it…

A pulse of power not something seen but it still gripped their cores with fear. Slowly, almost shimmering into existence, an image of a white flower appeared in his hand… it was almost like a tattoo but it seemed alive somehow as it fluttered through nonexistent wind. Black-like roots appeared soon after flowing out of the flower moving slowly up his arm.

The only sound that could be heard was their heavy breathing, they couldn't think, they couldn't even begin to understand what was happening in front of them.

"Pretty isn't it, this is what I discovered after surviving that night." he turned around finally hearing a gasp from both of them. "The night I was saved for a second time."

Their hands went up to their mouths as a sob was almost let out.

"I think it's time I told you my connection to that thing."

At this point, the roots had reached his face until they stopped on his left eye, surrounding it.

It no longer was the calming amber that they loved, but blood red with sadness.

"I hope you don't think of me differently afterwards."

Welp hey everyone, it's been like what 2 months? Yeaaaah didn't think it would take so long honestly had a few problems irl. First got into a car accident some douchebag didn't stop at a stop sign had to swerve to not hit, then got covid theeeen the guy who was supposed to fix my car got covid yeah fun times. Anyway doesn't matter right, the chapter is here.

I really want to thank the overwhelming activity on the latest chapter though i didn't really think it would've gotten a positive response it had.

Now this one i kinda feel like it'll have contentious parts... namely Shirou's backstory. He was intrinsically changed by what happened that day just like every other human in that story but even more so for reasons to be further explored in the future.

I hope people understand that this is still Shirou but one that has been marked by what happened in nier.

Now the beast comment... well i kinda had to, I found it funny that both of these stories used the term beast for similar types of entities that i just had to use the term.

As the story goes further in i start to question for who i'm writing this for? Because i kinda enjoy weird ideas in crossovers but i don't know if people want that in my fanfics. It's very curious this story is pretty much a trial by fire for me of what works and what doesn't.

Thanks to Ivan Tridelan for helping me out.