Chapter Twenty: Evacuating the Foundation

''...She was crying, wasn't she?''

In the Park area of the Kukai Foundation, Allen and chaos sat on a bench looking at a water found nearby. The brown haired man remembered back when Shion cried over the death of her fiancee, Kevin. He felt so helpless at that time. And he still felt that way. ''I think that's only the second time I've ever seen her cry,'' he said softly. "No matter what happens, she never shares her pain with anyone… It's times like these when I'm reminded that I'm nothing but a subordinate to her. I… I wish I could take her tears away… Maybe… …someday.''

''You will...Allen, someday,'' chaos told him. He shook his head slowly. ''Easy for you to say. You don't know a thing about us…'' The white-haired boy looked at him, puzzled. Allen looked at him then held up his hands in apology. "Oh…I'm sorry… It's just… I didn't mean to say that…''

"We've only known each other for a short while…but I can see that you have a good heart, Allen,'' he said in his gentle tone of voice.

"You're too nice, chaos…"

"Kindness… At times, it binds us. But still…"

In the Residential Area, Shane laid on the bed of her room, her hands behind her head. Rukia...I know...that she had possessed me and took over while we were in the Encephalon, she thought to herself. But... She held up her hand in front of her face. ''That sword...it'd came out of my hand...right?'' She sat up, scratching her head in confusion. ''But the blade should've cut me!''

It did, but I healed you before anyone could notice.

Wait, huh?! ...Rukia?

Right, the girl's voice echoed in Shane's head. The silver-haired girl knocked on her head a couple of times then stood up, walking to the large mirror by the door. She gasped at the reflection. Rukia stood in the mirror, her arms folded with a smile on her face. ''Hey, Shannie.'' ''Don't call me by that stupid name!'' Her red-haired counterpart pulled her own cheek as Shane did the same.

''OW! W-what the hell?!''

''I'm in your body too, remember, Shannie? So I can control you on how I see fit,'' she said. ''But only if you want me to.'' The white-haired girl nodded as she rubbed her own cheek. ''So...you could possess me if you wanted to?'' Rukia nodded and leaned against the frame of the window. ''Ay-yup. You know...you shouldn't let your mind wander. Some folks could pick up on it...''

''..Gaignun and Jr. ...'' The girl slapped her head which made Rukia reel back, holding her head too. ''Hey!'' Shane flinched, holding up her hands. ''Sorry...but I'm right, yeah?'' The red-head nodded and folded her arms again. ''Yeah, but you best be careful, Shannie. You're gonna play a critical part in this story, too...'' Shane watched her reflection turn back to normal as she touched the mirror.

''...A critical part?''

The next day, Shion walked out of her room and stretched. ''Oooh, I was a little too cold towards Allen earlier. I better apologize to him in person. I wonder where he went?'' She searched for her subordinate everywhere until she found him in the Iron Man Bar at Sector 27. She was surprised to see Shane in the bar who stood by a pillar. She walked over to the girl and saw Allen posing at the standees. ''Shane, why are you here? ...And Allen, what in the world are you doing here?''

He looked at Shion as he blushed, getting out of his pose. ''Oh, Chief! What's the matter? Weren't you resting in your room?'' She nodded some, scratching her cheek lightly. "Yeah, I was going to but…" Shion looked at the silver-haired girl who held a coke in her hand and shrugged. ''I'm just here cheering him on,'' she said.

"Oh, yeah, take a look. What do you think of this pose?! I look pretty cool, don't I? I really hit off with this person! He's teaching me right now,'' Allen said in a enthusiatic voice. He looked at the brown haired woman who glared at him. "...Umm, what's the matter?''

"…Oh no, it's nothing. As long as you're all right. I'm going to go back to the Durandal,'' She said in a strained voice. She turned and walked to the door, waving at him and Shane. "See ya!" The silver-haired girl looked at Allen who was looking at Shion, confused. "What? Chief?! What's the matter? What are you so mad about?!"

''...You're such a dumbass, Ridgley...'' Shane said under her breath and drank her coke.

In the white A.G.W.S. unit, Albedo sat in his pilot's seat holding the body of a subordinate 100-Series Realian, cradling the little girl in his arms. Her eyes were open but she wasn't breathing. He heard the static of the intercom as he glanced at it. "The vermin have eluded the trap,'' Margulis' voice said. "Prepare yourself…'' A low chuckle came from the back of the white-haired man's throat. "So, we'll finally hear it…'' Albedo threw the Realian to the side like a rag doll as he held up his hands, laughing insanely. "The Song! I can't wait…for that wonderful song!" He said, his laughter echoing through the machine. Later, Shane was walking back to the Durandal as she stopped abruptly. Her hands went to her head in a defensive motion and kneeled down.

''What the...why can I...hear singing?'' She asked herself in a strained voice. Shane! She looked up to hear Rukia's voice. That song...get back to the Durandal at once! The silver-haired girl nodded, running to the elevator doors. In Gaignun's office, Jr. looked up at the ceiling. He had a look of both confusion and fear. "Hey, Gaignun… That's…" The dark-haired man gritted his teeth, looking at the ceiling too. "It can't be… The Song of Nephilim…?" Back in the Elsa, chaos stood up from his chair on the bridge.

"No!" He said, slamming his hands on the console. Captain Matthews looked at him in confusion. "chaos…?"

"That Song. They mustn't allow it to play…" Outside the Foundation, the Federation ships were being destroyed one by one.

On the bridge of the Durandal, warning alarms were going off. "Large-scale gate-out. Repeat, large-scale gate-out. The U.M.N. geodesic structure is being forcibly replaced!!'' a 100-Series cried out.

"The Gnosis…?!"

"Jr., the Federation ships…!" On the many monitors, gnosis--big and small--appeared and attacked the Federation ships along with the A.G.W.S units that tried to stop them. "The Gnosis are closing in! Four minutes to contact with the Foundation!" Shelley turned to the 100-Series that were typing away at their consoles, pointing at the outside. "The civilians! Start evacuating them immediately!" She ordered. She then turned to Jr. "If all else fails, we may have to abandon the Foundation. Is that acceptable?" The red-haired boy nodded. "I'll leave it to you. Evacuate all civilians into the Durandal!" He told her.

"Acknowledged. I'll make the announcement." Shelley sat down at her console and ordered the citizens to evacuate to the Durandal quickly. Shane ran onto the bridge, falling to the ground as MOMO turned to look at her. ''Shane, are you okay?'' She waved her hand at the pink-haired Realian, standing up. She looked up at the screen as she walked over to the group. ''That's a lot of Gnosis...''

"Where's KOS-MOS?!" Shion cried out, looking around. "If we activate the Hilbert Effect, it could buy us some time for the evacuation!" Just then, the blue-haired android walked onto the bridge. "Shion, did you call for me?" She asked as she looked at the woman. "KOS-MOS, are you ready?"

"Yes. I am ready." On the monitors, the gnosis suddenly appeared in the Kukai Foundation. "Reports of Gnosis sighted in colony precinct 32! They've also penetrated precincts 18 and 27!'' A 100-Series cried out. "What!?"

"The Hilbert Effect!" Shion ordered to KOS-MOS as the android complied. "Affirmative. Activating Hilbert Effect." The scope from KOS-MOS' headgear fell over her red eyes, the rainbow wave spreading out over the entire area. Shion let out a sigh of relief. "This should keep them from materializing inside the colony,'' she told everyone. chaos nodded. "In any case, we have to hurry up and get everyone onboard. If we don't do something, the Gnosis are going to take over the entire Metropolis.'' MOMO raised her hand in response. "I'll help with the evacuation!" "I'll go as well,'' Ziggy said. ''Same here,'' Shane replied as she folded her arms. The brown haired woman looked to KOS-MOS with a look of concern. She remembered the illusion of when she had destroyed Miltia. "KOS-MOS… We're counting on you,'' she told her.

KOS-MOS nodded. "I am happy to be of service." Shion smiled some.

"Good."

Outside in outer space, the remaining A.G.W.S units were fighting against the onslaught of Gnosis that appeared. Suddenly, a big white A.G.W.S. appeared as the other machines tried to fire at it only to be shot down in response. The white A.G.W.S unit also shot down a bunch of Gnosis instantly, just as it did the other A.G.W.S units.

"Weak! They're all so weak!!" Albedo said, laughing maniacally as the war outside continued. At the Kukai Foundation's Launch Pad, MOMO helped the injured while Shane and Shion stood at the shuttle rushing everyone to get inside. Shion looked at the Realian with worry. "MOMO! Hurry and get in!" She looked back at her. "I'm okay! I've got to help treat these injured people,'' MOMO said as she looked at a man's wound. "This person's bleeding heavily…" Shane turned to the brown haired woman then patted her shoulder. ''You go on ahead, alright? I'll protect MOMO.''

Shion nodded as she climbed in the shuttle. "All right! We'll come back for you two soon!" She yelled, the door closing shut and flying to the safe point. The silver-haired girl walked over to MOMO and knelt down beside her. ''Anything I can do to help?'' The pink-haired girl looked to Shane and nodded. ''Yes, you can. Help me treat his wound.'' As the two treated the injured, a shadow slowly walked up behind them. "You'll be okay. I'll close the wound now with some nanospray." Shane lifted her head and looked back behind her, her world turning black.

Chapter Twenty: End (Nothing to say. R&R.)