A/N: This is where some of the biggest changes are taking place in the story. I think everything will become clear as you read.

I own nothing

I had to admit, the Normandy was much larger than what I remembered from the game. The crew deck alone was very big. There was a room for every senior officer. The crew's quarters were bigger. And there were more sleeper pods. It was damn impressive.

I contemplated all of this as I sat in the mess. The food wasn't bad, then again all I could compare it to were the MREs the UNSC gave us.

Without the nano suit on, I had gathered a lot of stares from the crew. Some were curious about my size, muscle mass and red eyes. Others were afraid to be near me like I was a time bomb. However, I had a few of the female crew members starring at me every know and again.

Standing up, I left the mess hall and entered the elevator. Punching the key for the Cargo hold/Engineering deck.

After I told Shepard about everyone's situation, the other's couldn't help but agree that it was a good thing telling her. Price said that it was much better to have Shepard on our side than against us. I couldn't have agreed more.

After a long wait, the elevator opened up to the cargo hold allowing me to step out. Like the rest of the ship it was huge. It could easily fit a Pelican dropship and two Scorpion tanks, and still have enough room for a Warthog or two.

Right now though, there was only the Mako, a few tables set up, and the lockers for the ground team on the far left wall.

Walking around, I saw that everyone seemed to be getting along. Soap was with Ashley going over the weapons that we had avaliable. Emile sat ontop of the crate that Wrex was leaning against , both swaping war stories. And lastly, Kat was over working on the Mako with Garrus, though, they seemed to be arguing about something.

"I told you that my calibrations were accurate!" said Garrus. Kat put a hand on her hip and pointed her cybernetic arm at the Turian. "And I told you, you were off. That kind of mistake could have slown down the main cannon's rotation."

I couldn't help but shake my head. A few days aboard the Normandy and everyone was surprisingly getting along with each other. In some ways anyway.

I turned and walked down into engineering, the real purpose I wanted to come down here. After we left the Citadel I haven't talked with Tali, and I wanted to see how she was doing.

Stepping into the large expanse where the drive core was stored, I saw a handful of peopel operating terminals. I saw Adams on my right and he gave me a nod as I walked toward my objective, whose back was turned to me. "Hay Tali."

She jumped and spun around, "Keelah! You have to stop doing that." she said putting a hand over her chest. I chuckled, "Sorry, was trained to sneak up on people. Hard habbit to break."

After she calmed down a bit we were able to talk. "So, what brings you down here?" she asked. I shrugged, "Thought I'd come see you. We haven't really seen each other since we left the Citadel." Tali tilted her head, "Your right, it's just getting use to everything. And this drive core, I had to figure out all I could about it."

I smiled, "No problem. Been settling in myself. Kinda like the company." Tali giggled, then she started rubbing her hands together, "I never thanked you...for sticking up for me back at the Citadel." I looked at her seriously, "It was nothing Tali. I won't let some bigot try to bring down your good name because they can't see past their own nose."

Tali's eyes crinkled a little, I could tell she was smiling. "Thank you...but I have to ask. Why did you do all of that for me?" I looked at her confused. "Saving me from the Geth. Getting me my new suit. Keeping me from falling into a trap with Fist. Sticking up for me against Udina. No one outside the Flotilla has ever been that...kind. Selfless."

For all intense and purposes, I was trained to crush down my emotions at a moment's notice. But I still couldn't help the small blush that lightly marred my face. "I hate to see people hurt, physically or emotionally. I've...seen a lot of good people die."

Memories of Jorge's sacrifice, Carter's death, and the deaths of the countless Marines who fell in New York and on Reach bombarded my mind. I quickly pushed it away and gave a light smile. "When I saw you in need, I couldn't help but react. Your innocent, selfless. Trying to make the lives of your people better through your right of passage."

With each word I spoke, I could see Tali's body language changing rapidly. And she was wringing her hands together a little more roughly. "I...uh, well...you see...T-Thank you...Xero." she said stumbling over her words.

I looked into her glowing orbs with a seriousness I only used when faced with impossible odds, "I'll always be there, to protect the ones that are closest to me. Now, that includes you. No one, nothing, will ever hurt you as long as I'm alive." Tali seemed to waver on her feet a little.

"I...uh, b-better get back to...work. B-But I am honored, to have someone...like you there for me." I smiled again, "I'll see you around Tali. Don't be a stranger." With that I left engineering so she could work.

X Tali's POV X

...Keelah...what's happening to me? I watched Xero leave engineering, my eyes not once leaving his form until he disappeared into the Cargo hold. Even then I starred at where he had been moments ago.

I felt...strange. My heart wouldn't stop racing. I couldn't think straight. And my body felt as though I had been standing too close to a ship's reactor. I was so lost in a haze that I didn't notice Engineer Adams until he put a hand on my shoulder. "Tali? You okay?"

"Uh...y-yes. Just fine." I said getting right back to my terminal. "That Xero, from what I've heard he's one hell of a soldier." said Adams. "He is. I've seen what he can do. It's almost unbelievable." I said focusing on decoding the data before me.

Adam's chuckled, "You know, if I didn't know any better I would say that you two have a thing for each other." My back went redgid and I felt my face heat up. "What! No! I-It's not like that at all! Me and him are just friends!" I exclaimed, feeling my face heat up more at my outburst.

Adam's held up his hands, "Just an observation Tali. I didn't mean to get you riled up." I sighed, "Sorry." He waved it off, "It's fine. But you should think about getting something to eat. You've been down here all day."

"I'll eat after I get this data decoded." I replied. Adam's nodded and went back to what he was doing. I turned back to my terminal. Xero's words echoed through my thoughts. And all I could think about where those ruby orbs of his.

Could it be possible?

X Xero's POV X

I was once gain back in my memories...This time I was on Reach. Me and the surviving members of Noble team were inside the Forerunner structure underground around Dr. Halsey as she furiously typed away at the terminal before her.

"Done." She said walking over to another terminal where she pulled out a glass cylinder with a glowing blue orb inside. "This AI must get off Reach." said the docter. She walked up to me and held it out, "She chose you, Noble Six. Keep her safe." I reached out and took the cylander, my eyes focused on the orb within.

"I will." I said with calm determination. The doctor gave me a sorrowful gaze, I knew full well that Halsey had done all in her power to stop ONI from turning me into a mindless killing machine. "I'm sorry Xero. I wish I could have done more..."

I hooked the protective cell onto my lower back, removed my helmet, and gently embrased her. "It's okay. You did everything you could." I pulled back and smiled at her. "Thank you...mom."

Halsey smiled with tears in her eyes. Jun stayed to protect her, while me Emile and Kat went to get Cortana off of Reach.

X

I was now standing on a barren wasteland that was once beautiful. The Pillar of Autumn had managed to escape the planet while me and the others kept the Covenant off their backs.

My armor was badly damaged. Shields perminently disabled, cracks and torn armor plates hung uselessly off my form. My helmet, cracked and dented, laid at my feet. Blood from my head dripped over my eyes, but I continued to stare into the distance.

My grip on the detatched stationary gun in my hands tightened. I had no idea where Emile and Kat were. But if it meant that I would die ensuring their survival...then so be it.

Through the smoke and dust, the forms of dozens of Elites came forth. Charging with warcrys at my position. I didn't give them a chance.

The chain gun in my hands roared, the heavy slugs tearing through shields, armor and flesh. The Elites started to drop like flys, but the more I killed more came out to fight. But I kept the trigger down until the gun ran empty.

Throwing heavy weapon aside, I drew my sniper rifle and sighted the oncoming tide before firing. Four rounds. Four headshots. I reloaded. Four more head shots. The first Elite made it to my location with a needler raised.

Swinging the rifle like a bat, I smashed the Elite's head in, shattering the rifle and splashing purple blood everywhere.

I drew my DMR, but another Elite sliced it in half with it's energy sword. Throwing the pieces aside, I drew the energy sword I pilfered a while back and parried another blow that was aimed at head. After a brief stand off, we struck, locking swords together and pushing against each other.

"Your end has come Demon!" it roared in my face. I gnashed my teeth, "Not...yet!" I released the hold, ducked under the blade, and slashed my own right through his exposed midsetion.

Standing again, I walked over to the two halves of the Elite and took the other energy sword from his dead grasp. The distant roar told me that more were on the way.

I took a deep breath, I was exhausted, wounded, and to be honest hopeless. The next squad of Elites ran into the clearing, I glared in their direction. "If I'm going to die here...I'm taking you bastards with me!"

Giving a battle cry of my own, I charged with both swords activated. Hacking and slashing my way through the aliens with total abandon. One got a lucky shot off with a needle rifle that pierced my side. I took out the glowing shard and rammed it into his throat just as it exploded.

After the first few minutes swords ran out of juice, I started using them as brass knucks and started punching everything infront of me.

I took out my knife and drove it into an Elite's back, spun him around grabbing his plasma rifle in my hand, and fired on the others using the Elite as a shield.

Their numbers were dwindaling, but more started to join in the fray. I dropped the now dead Elite ready for more; but I didn't see the dying Elite on the ground prime two plasma grenades until it was too late.

The explosion sent me and all other standing Covenant flying. My back slammed painfully into the side of a crumbling bunker, sliding to the ground coughing up blood. I couldn't move, my vision was fading in and out. But I was able to make out the squad of Elites that was approaching my downed form.

To my left, I saw a dead Marine. I reached over and pulled the pistol from his holster and pulled the slide back.

The Zelot that was leading the squad paused, then chuckled. "Your death, is at hand demon." he said activating his energy sword. I aimed the pistol at him, "I beg...to differ..." I lowered my aim and shot the frag grenade that was at his feet. The explosion dropped his shield and sent bloody body parts in every direction.

The rest of the squad roared and charged, weapons ready. I lowered the pistol, I had nothing left...this was it...

"Remember kid. Spartans never die, they're just missing in action." Jorge's words echoed through my head, and I couldn't help but smirk.

Before the Elites made it to me, they were suddently blown apart by a rocket. A second one followed the first finishing off the rest. "SIX!" Through my darkening vision I saw Kat drop down next to me. Emile on my other side reloading a missle launcher.

"He's bad Kat, we gotta get him out of here." said Emile. Kat injected biofoam into my wounds to stop the bleeding. But all I felt was numbness. "Come on Six, we're getting out of here." she said helping me to my feet and slinging an arm over her shoulder.

Then it happened. a bright light suddently started to surround us. "What the hell is this!" Emile yelled drawing his shotgun and aiming in every direction. I raised my head, and saw the woman. She walked right past Emile and Kat as though they weren't there, and neither one of them saw her.

She walked up to me with a gentle smile, "This is not your end. You are needed elsewhere." she rested her palm on my forehead and everything flashed.

X

I opened my eyes and starred at the ceiling above me. It was her. She was the one that teleported me, Emile and Kat into the Crysis universe. And I could bet anything that she sent us to this one as well. The question was how, and why?

Sitting up in my bed I started to think more about it. She said that I had to find the 'others', were there more people like me in this dimension? Or were there other game characters that needed to be found?

'Attention, we are on approach to Therum. I need Wrex, Kat, Ashley and Xero to report to the cargo hold.' said Shepard over the intercom. I stood up and walked over to the nano suit, it was game time.

X

The cargo hold was bustling with activity. Everyone was getting into their armor and getting ready for the mission. I was already suited up in the nano suit as I gathered my weapons.

"Xero, can I speak to you." said Shepard after she snapped the last piece of armor into place. After all my weapons were in place we stepped away from the others. "What's gonna greet us on the ground?" "Geth. Armatures on the drive. Checkpoint heavily guarded with turrets. After we bail from the Mako we get ambushed by and Armature, Troops, and Ghosts before reaching the mine."

Shepard nodded and we turned back to everyone. "We're dropping in the Mako. So everybody mount up." The five of us easily fit inside the armored vehicle. Shepard grabbed the driver's seat. Ashley in the passangers next to her. Kat took the turret. And me and Wrex sat in the troop compartment.

"Dropin you guys in. Get ready." said Joker.

I felt the hatch open below us, then the feel of zero-g as the Mako plumeted toward the planet. Since I was use to Helljumper drop pods, and crashing dropships, it didn't shake me or Kat at all. Wrex looked bored. Ashley looked like she was going to lose her lunch. And Shepard had a wide grin on her face.

"Brace yourselves!" she yelled into the back. The thrusters kicked on and the small tank hit the ground jostling us around a little. "We made it." Shepard said with a light chuckle. "Thank god..." said Ashley looking a little pale.

I sat back and tuned everything out around me. I knew what to expect from here until we get out of the Mako, so for the time being I was going to run some diagnostics. It was a good thing I was able to link Prophet to the Normandy's systems and remotely download the maping data.

"Prophet, give me a rundown of the battle field around us." My visor changed from seeing the inside of the Mako to a large map of the area showing a small white triangle moving along the low roads. "Environment contains heavy magma streams. Cliffs around them unstable."

I looked through the map briefly, then settled on the area where the Geth blockaid was located. "Tactical options on Geth blockaid." The map zoomed in on the checkpoint. "Two options for infiltration. Turrets mounted on outer walls provide high explosive defense. Direct assault may result in heavy damage and casualties. Best course of action...take road branching off from the main circut."

"And the mine we're heading to?" The map zoomed in and showed a three dimensional blueprint of the mine Liara was in. "Mine shaft is unstable from digging up ruins. Addition to the rising magma levels under the surface further weakens the mine. Suggest immediate extraction of Dr. T'Soni."

While this was going on. Shepard had been battling her way through the rough turain, Kat firing off accurate shots with the cannon putting the Geth opposition with little difficulty.

I deactivated my visor and saw we were approaching the checkpoint. "Shepard, there's an off shoot from the main road. Take that." Ashley looked back at me, "Why?" "From what I can see from the map of the area, the Geth should have the front heavily fortified. If we go in from the side they wouldn't be expecting a sneek attack." I replied.

"Sounds good to me." Shepard cranked the wheel turning down the small road. "Turrets up high!" Kat swiveled the cannon and blasted them off their perches. "Eliminated." she replied. The Mako pulled closer to the side enterance to the checkpoint when I had Shepard stop.

"Why here?" she asked as I stood up. "There should be resistance inside the blockade. So I think we should split up. Me, Wrex and Kat will go in and take some of the Geth out using stealth, then have you guys come in with the heavy firepower."

Everyone glanced at each other. "Alright, but if you become overwhelmed radio us and we'll back you up." said Shepard. I popped the hatch and me, Kat and Wrex jumped out onto the ground. "Stealth? I'm a Krogan. We don't do stealth." grunted Wrex. "Just bare with us big guy. There'll be plenty of things to kill regardless." I said as we started moving ahead.

When we reached the opening, I scanned the area before us. "Lets see...we got four snipers along the walls. Three with rockets on the ground. Four troopers. And a Juggernaut." I said highlighting each of the Geth. "What's the plan?" asked Kat.

I looked through enhansed vision. I saw a bunch of explosive barrels by the Juggernaut and two of the Troopers. "There are some explosive barrels down there. The only problem that I see are the snipers." I looked over at a large crate that was a little ways away. "Alright, I got it.

I looked to Wrex and Kat, "I want you guys to get into position behind that crate. I'll get ontop and use my cloak to take down the snipers. After you hear me fire the first shot, Wrex, shoot the barrels close to the Juggernaut."

I turned to Kat. "Kat, there's a terminal inside that small bunker over there." I said pointing at the door opposite of the main enterance. "Inside there are the controls for the gates. You think you can hack them and get the door open?"

Kat tilted her head, and I knew she was giving me a 'are you fucking stupid?' look. "Got it. When do you want me to move into position?" "After Wrex blows up the Juggernaut. That way all the Geth are disoriented you can make it there without difficulty. She nodded. "Okay, let's get this started."

"Cloak Engaged." Wrex's eyes widened as I vanished into nothing but a shimmer in the air. "Let's go." I moved down the slope and jumped onto the top of the crate. Down below, Wrex and Kat drew their weapons and readied themselves.

Taking out my sniper rifle. I laid in a prone position and aimed for the first Geth sniper. Crack! The Geth fell with it's optic blown out. The other Geth heard the shot and were on guard. A moment later, another round was heard and the barrels on the other side of the area exploded taking the Juggernaut and the Troopers with it.

I fired again taking down another sniper. Chambering another round I shot the next one. "Kat, did you make it to the gate terminal?" I heard a burst of gunfire from the direction she went before I saw a green light wink on my HUD.

When the last Geth fell I radioed Shepard, "Commander, It's all clear." My cloak deactivated and I jumped down from the crate. "Effective plan." said Wrex. "What would you have done?" I asked. The Krogan warlord shrugged, "Probably charged in blowing up everything in the way." I shook my head just as the Mako approached us.

X

The rest of the trip was uneventful. Taking out the Armatures that waited for us. But with me sending hints to Shepard where and when they would be there. We reached the small passage where we had to get out.

"Looks like we're hoofin it." said Ashley when she hopped out. "Commander, I'm picking up some weird biological readings half a click from your location." said Joker. "What do you mean? Is it some kind of indiginous lifeform?" asked Shepard. "Not sure Shepard. You better keep your eyes open just in case."

I looked at Kat who looked back, something didn't feel right about that. Regardless, we started our trek up the path weapons drawn. "Xero, any idea what that was about?" Shepard asked through a private comm. "Not a clue. Like I said before, the timelines changing because of our presence. So who knows what could happen." I said back.

We reached a large opening and were attacked by Geth. I used my sniper rifle to deal with the Geth snipers on the ridge while Wrex and Shepard used their biotics to take out the ones on the ground.

When we reached the abandoned structure before the mineshaft. Geth started to come at us in groups. "Damn! Wasn't expecting this many!" I shouted gunning down several with my assault rifle. Kat and Ashley where using their combined firepower to keep the Geth back while Wrex fired a singularity that send three Geth flying in different directions.

Shepard saw something above our cover and tossed a grenade upward. When it detonated two Ghost Geth fell dead to the ground. "Their in cover!" shouted Ashley. I stood up and took out my shotgun. "Maximum Armor." I ran forward, my enhanced speed reaching the hidden Geth in moments.

Before they had a chance to shoot, I blew them into scrap with close up blasts. I felt a few rounds bounce of my back and saw a Geth sniper shooting at me from the landing above. I drew my pistol with my avaliable hand and shot it three times through the chest.

Movement behind me. I aimed my shotgun one handed and fired, the Ghost that was trying to sneak up on me was blown to pieces.

"Xero incoming!" shouted Shepard. A Geth dropship flew in and dropped it's payload, the Armature unfolded itself and fired a blast that hit me dead on and sent me crashing into the dirt where the others had taken cover. "You good?" asked Kat. "Yeah, thank god for the armor feature." I said getting up.

The Large Geth kept us pinned down, and it's barriers made it hard to cause any kind of damage. "Can't you do that cloaking thing again?" asked Ashley. "Energy's gotta replenish." I said tossing a grenade at the Armature. Our cover was starting to crumble. And I could see that Shepard was about to call for a fall back.

Suddently...something crashed into the Armature from behind. Shaking a little, the large Geth started turning around only to have a large crate ctash into it again making it shudder in place.

A form jumped from the ground and landed ontop of the Armature. "Nanovision Engaged." Through the heat sensitive sighting, I saw a human shape glowing like the sun. It drew a large blade like weapon and plunging it into the base of the Geth's neck.

The Geth shook violently before it's head was sliced clean from it's body collapsing onto the ground in a heap. "What the hell was that?" asked Ashley.

The figure jumped from ontop of the downed Geth, three other forms joined them as they all started to make their way to us. Through the dust, I saw who it was...and I couldn't believe it.

Infront of us stood the imposing form of James Heller. His arm in it's massive blade form ready to strike us down in a moment's notice. Next to him stood Dana Mercer, Jame's daughter Amaya and a freed Liara T'Soni. "You guys with those fucking machines?" asked Heller as his blade sliced a large cut into the ground.

Shepard stepped forward, "No, we came here to rescue Dr. T'Soni from the Geth. But I see that she's in good hands." Liara smiled, "Yes. Had it not been for James and the others I would have been captured by the Geth." Shepard smirked, "I'm Commander Shepard, Council Spectre."

Liara smiled back, "Liara T'Soni." Heller's arm shifted back to normal in a flurry of red tendrils making the squad cring slightly, "James Heller. This is Dana Mercer and My daughter Amaya." Shepard nodded to them, "If it is alright with the lot of you, perhaps we can discuss what happened here back on my ship?" Liara nodded, Heller just shrugged.

Everyone started to head back to the Mako. But I stayed behind, Heller, Dana and his daughter did to. For a while me and Heller just starred at each other, it almost felt like we were both here for a reason.

"She told me to find you." he said suddently. I removed my helmet and looked at him confused. "The woman who brought uso this place. She said to seek you out. Said something about stopping some kind of catastrophy." said Dana.

Realization hit me. She had said I was to seek out the others. And James and the others had to have been them! "Names Xero, and trust me, she's been leading me around by the nose too." Heller chuckled, "No shit?" I nodded, "Yeah, but to tell you the truth I'll have to explain back on the ship. Me and a few others are in the same boat as you."

I looked down at Amaya who was clinging to her father's leg. Kneeling down I smiled at her, "It's okay. The people there are nice, you can trust them." The little girl loosened her grip on her father's pants and gave a shy smile.

The second Prototype raised an eyebrow before shaking his head. "And I thought waking up and saving a fucking blue woman from cycloptic robots was strange." I chuckled as we started after the others. "Trust me Heller. In this universe, the word strange losses much of it's meaning."

A/N: How's that for a twist? I figured having Heller and Dana on the crew would make things a little more interesting, and having Amaya on the ship would bring a little bit of a family type setting every now and then. Update coming soon guys.