"When you pray to us, do not do the opposite. When you pray and ask, do your part and we will do our part." Saint Michael the Archangel.

Chapter 7: Pacification

The English were closing in behind her and her men. They outran their cavalry. "Lower the bridge!" She shouted as loud as her lungs would allow. Time was urgent! The English had lain a perfect ambush.

The bridge didn't budge. "My men will die!" Jeanne shouted again. "You need to lower the bridge!" She looked up to see the men visibly torn apart as English knights had engaged them. A

A cloaked man looked down at her from the gatehouse tower. Her gaze fell back to the battle. Maybe, just maybe, they could manage a breakout. She galloped towards her soldiers, hoping that the bridge would be lowered.

Still nothing. Jeanne and her fifty knights were then ambushed by Burgundian soldiers who rallied out of the hedgerows. Rallying her knights, Jeanne hoisted her banner and fought back, smacking one helmet off. There was no telling if it was a killing blow, but she prayed not.

That was when a pair of hands grabbed and pulled her down from her horse. Hissing and flailing, she was tossed to the ground. Being pinned by four soldiers, one of her knights reached out to her.

His face promptly caved in with a mace, blood smattering her face. "NOOO!" She shouted and struggled, kicking and thrashing, only to receive a boot to the head, sending into a dark void.

Jeanne sat up gasping, her face covered in sweat. Ripping off the blankets and rushing to the bathroom, she turned on the faucet and splashed cold water over her face. The bathroom… a strange but not unpleasant place to conduct cleaning affairs, certainly was a wondrous invention of the future. Emily taught her and showed her how everything worked when it came time.

Waiting for the washbasin to fill with warm water, she splashed her face with the water, easy cleaning away the sweat from her brow.

Looking up from the water, Jeanne got a real good glimpse of herself in the mirror. Sure she looked different, but now… now she could find herself as Jeanne in this physical form.

Jeanne… is everything alright…?

Jeanne stared into her eyes. "Yeah… I'm fine… just fine…"

You had a nightmare, huh…? She practically heard another person yawn.

Jeanne didn't answer. "Were you asleep?" Jeanne asked.

I need to sleep too. Emily yawned, causing Jeanne to do so as well.

Besides the nightmare, Jeanne would have lied; she got one of the best and worst nights of sleep. Being guided by Emily, Jeanne put on a new change of clothes and stepped out. Doing her best not to make a sound, she closed the door behind her.

That was when her nose picked up on the scent of fresh, rich meat being cooked, the most savory of meat being cooked.

Following the scent, she found herself in the area called the kitchen. In the kitchen was Atalanta cooking wearing an apron with her unkempt hair tied in the back. Definitely, a different look for the Huntress that Jeanne had.

"Atalanta?"

The woman turned around. "Oh, Jeanne? Hello." She greeted me with a blank expression.

"You're up early. Did you sleep alright?"

Atalanta shrugged, "Couldn't sleep with the idea of being underground. It's... confining."

Understandable. The fact Atalanta was kind of disturbed by the fact she hadn't seen any sun was a sentiment that Jeanne could understand. "What are you making?"

Atalanta's usually passive and uncaring look instantly faded, "Voleta suggested 'bay-con.'" She pulled out a crisp piece of bacon and took a bite. "By Artemis, this is truly amazing." Her face lit up. Worldlessly, the Huntress offered her some bacon.

Jeanne reached for a strip and took a bite. One thing could be said. Food in the future is much more delightful. It didn't help that the huntress made a massive plate of sausage, eggs, scrapple. "You truly love meat, don't you?" Jeanne asked.

"Comes with being a hunter." Atalanta shrugged, taking another slice. "Besides, never had anything like this before… How can I say no?"

That was a fair point; both of those points were fair, to be honest. "That smells absolutely divine." Both of the heroes turned to see a more upbeat Artoria. "Atalanta, you made this feast?"

She shrugged, "Yeah, though, I should also thank Voleta for showing me; apparently, she's really good with cooking… It just came naturally."

Artoria took her own slice of bacon, taking a big bite out of it. "My goodness… how I wish Camelot had food like this."

She's doing much better, Emily noted with feelings of happiness and gladness compared to last night. It was true; Artoria was like a new person. Much more at ease.

The three of them began to eat, though Jeanne noted that Atalanta was relatively quiet and distant. She listened, providing a yes or a no to simple questions. It wounded Jeanne that she was closed off. Especially considering how she had made all of this food with the intention of sharing.

Only for her to say she was hungry. "So. Atalanta, where do you hail from?" Jeanne asked, hoping to bring the woman in.

"Yes, I'm rather curious about that as well."

"Arcadia." She added neutrally as she continued to eat rather an impressive plate

That didn't sound too familiar….

"Greece." She added.

Jeanne started to started piece it together. Artemis… she didn't know anything about Christianity… "you're from ancient Greece!" Jeanne pierced together.

"Ancient is a relative term, now, but yes, I am."

Jeanne browed furrowed at the unresponsiveness of her friend. "What was Greece like?" Artoria, with a hopeful tone

Atalanta shrugged with an uninterested look, "Depends. If you were royalty, great. Not royalty.. you were likely to die early and miserable. Lots of orphans just forgotten..."

Jeanne frowned, "That's-"

"Hello everyone," Dr. Anders walked in his pajamas with his white coat, "Breakfast? Who made this?"

"Atalanta," Jeanne said as she took another bite of bacon.

Fixing himself a plate and eating, the doctor's face lit up like a giant, his tired grey eyes blew up, "Atalanta… you are a most excellent cook."

She merely shrugged at the compliment. Seeing the doctor reach for another slice of bacon, the Huntress struck out, grabbing the man by the wrist in an iron vice. "Don't think I have forgotten how you backed me into a corner yesterday." Her voice low and dangerous.

The doctor took another bite of bacon, "Well… we have a lot to go over today, and if you feel up to it, we will get you hooked back into the digital realm.

Everyone looked around and nodded in agreement.

"Alright, let's go over the current state of things."

Watching the footage. Jeanne was absolutely horrified. To think humanity has strayed so far away from God, developing such evil and horrendous weapons… Why… Why would they do this? How could they do this

"You're telling me one of these cones, these… ...bombs… can wipe out a city?" Atalanta asked with a raised eyebrow.

Anders nodded, "Indeed, more than half. Humanity went to war with itself as we faced ecological…"

"Eco-what?" Artoria asked with a confused look.

"Erm… we destroyed nature around us. We fought food, water, and everything else in between."

Atalanta scowled at the doctor, "then maybe humanity deserves this if you destroyed Gaia."

That comment caught Jeanne and Artoria off guard a bit.

"I agree… we did ruin such a beautiful gift to us. That's why my people and I want to learn from our past mistakes. We want to renew the world with the Holy Grail."

"The Grail does exist?!" Artoria practically gasped just as Jeanne was taken aback.

The Huntress shrugged, "I don't understand the importance of a mere cup."

That made a lot of sense since the huntress was from Ancient Greece. "It's the cup that the Lord drank out of during the last supper."

Atalanta didn't seem phased.

"It grants any wish to the holder of the chalice." Artoria offered a more practical explanation.

"So a boon of your God." Atalanta nodded, getting a better grasp.

"But…" Interrupted Dr. Anders, "It's not a grail. It's an ancient device left behind by the Precursors."

Jeanne listened intently. "It's a device that can shape humanity… it has the ability to restore the Earth or… enslave all of us."

Artoria seemed a bit disappointed, "So… it's not the chalice used by our Lord?"

The doctor shook his head, "Sadly no, I am sorry for that, but from our research, it can shape the destiny of humanity."

"So… it is up to the hand of the wielder." Atalanta thought out loud,

"Indeed." Dr. Anders confirmed, "We don't have a full grasp of what the Order intends… but their main mission has been to control humanity and instill structure through force. Them having the grail would effectively be the end of our race."

"How long have they existed?" Artoria asked.

"Records record their existence starting in Ancient Greece."

"I've come across." Atalanta scowled, "They were directly responsible… for my…"

Now that Jeanne thought about it. Did this Order lead to her own death or the fall of Artoria's kingdom? "They have infiltrated everything; Countries, religious institutions, looking to shape human history. They killed those who directly challenged their plans. For example, Jeanne."

The two masters looked at the frowning Maiden. "Jeanne was.."

Jeanne nodded hesitantly. "Burned at the stake…"

Dr. Anders cleared his throat, "Indeed… Well, it was found that Bishop Cauchon was a member of the Order, in league with the Duke of Bedford, the Regent of England and Order's Archon." He smiled, placing a hand, "However, the Church declared the trial invalid, Jeanne was declared a Saint of 1920."

Jeanne blinked, her gaze unfocused… "But… I'm… I was...a… I'm a peasant… I am not holy… I'm no saint… I was… am… was… in Heaven? But… I'm here…?" Her head hurt with all of these things. "I was declared a heretic… I am… a heretic…?"

Jeanne, it's alright. Emily soothed her troubled spirit. You are real; this is real. Yes, you were declared a saint, but you are still you. You're Jeanne d'Arc, the same one that died in France.

"Well… I was hoping you would have seen that as good news."

He revealed it too soon. You weren't really ready for that.

How could I ever be ready for that… I was declared a saint. But me being back here… am I saint? Nononono. I shouldn't focus on that. My greatest sin was pride. I… I'm no saint. I'm a heretic. The Church announced it.

If it helps, your brother, Pierre d'Arc, helped to clear your charges. He was essential in the court case.

There was something poetic, knowing that her brother defended her, and now, he was even helping her through Emily. It made her heartache.

"It… it is good news.." Jeanne offered a smile.

I'll help you to find some sources so you can learn about your family.

The idea that she could read about her descendants was enough to cheer her up. Let alone read those sources.

"So this order was behind my death…?" Jeanne murmured. "It made sense since they arrested the Papal Legate and prevented him from testifying to the Pope until after the execution."

"What?" Dr. Anders shot her inquisitive look.

"The day after my first hearing… one of my jailors was a little too drunk… He was boasting how he arrested a cardinal. Granted… the Cardinal was very old and would not have put up much of a fight." Jeanne explained.

"So let… me piece things together." Atalanta interrupted, "a group of tyrants seek the same holy grail, as we do, to dominate all of humanity. We want the grail to free humanity?"

"Correct." Dr. Anders chuckled, "we believe we can actually restore the Earth's natural resources."

"Hmmm." Artoria rubbed her chin in thought, "we are very much at a disadvantage, aren't we?"

"I'm keeping the Order from locating our base and sending pacification squads."

Well, that sounded bad, Jeanne thought to herself. A sense of profound dread filled her heart at those two words. "Pacification... Squad..." She whispered. Even hearing her muttering those words sent a frigid and deadly chill down her spine. 'Emily...?'

No response.

"I'd like to see them try." Atalanta interrupted with a confident smirk.

"That being said, I believe it would be wise to instruct you in our more modern weaponry."

Jeanne winced at the thought as her shoulder ached, "Emily was wounded by one of them… wasn't she?"

The doctor raised an eyebrow, "Why yes, she was… I'm surprised you had to ask though, her memories should have been fully available to you unless it takes time for the master as well…. Hmmm…. This is interesting."

Unless…

'Emily… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to intrude on a personal matter.' A deep pang of guilt-filled Jeanne's heart.

There was only silence which made Jeanne feel even more regret.

"One of our bases got raided… we lost a lot of people, including Emily's sister." Dr. Ander's voice fell to a whisper. "It was a bloodbath."

'Emily… I am so sorry.'

"I will prevent that from happening. I make this vow." Artoria balled her hand into a fist. The determination in the King's voice would have been enough to send any foe scurrying away.

"Huh, maybe we should at least introduce you to our weapons."

It hadn't taken the three of them to get acquainted with how these new weapons… or, as they said, 'guns' operated. It was almost like a high-powered crossbow… kind of, but not really, at all. After being shown how they work, breaking them down to clean, and reassembling them a few times, Artoria felt comfortable with these new weapons. Of course, she would continue to drill with them to develop that muscle memory. It stuck with them. It must also have helped that their masters had considerable experience with the small version of these… 'guns.' However, it was clear that Jeanne was definitely struggling the most out of all of them.

Artoria kept to her thoughts as she picked up a 'rifle.' Her friend, Jeanne, was not doing well after the raid story. It must have affected Emily, causing a chain reaction for the Maiden.

'That is their business to figure out.' Ava spoke up.

Artoria nodded as she slammed the clip into the rifle and pulled back the receiver. "I will put an end to this."

She raised the rifle and put three rounds downrange in quick succession. Though she didn't have a kingdom to give her life. She was tasked with restoring humanity, and by extension, her own people from these mad people.

Three more rounds downrange.

No one else dies.

Three more rounds.

Her kingdom died because of her negligence as a ruler. Uncaring and inhuman, willing to sacrifice anything and everything for the greater good.

She gritted her teeth as she held down the trigger.

Not any more.

Peeking up, she saw her handiwork. Her rounds hit the target, but she could barely understand how these weapons replaced swords, but she didn't want to test the power behind these firearms.

Whatever weapon she had, she would use to defeat the enemy—no more blood.

Artoria pulled out the clip and looked down to see Atalanta shooting a much larger rifle which boomed downrange, shaking the ground slightly. The green-haired huntress looked up with a genuine smile. "This is rather useful."

Maybe hunters had a better appreciation for ranged combat.

Artoria frowned at the lack of progress with her other comrade. Jeanne held up what was called a submachine gun and shot, but she lacked concentration. She looked timid. Afraid. That wasn't the Jeanne d'Arc that Artoria met a day earlier.

Give it some time. Ava cautioned.

'I just hate to see one of my comrades…. No friends… so defeated.

"Guys, prepare to suit up! The English are marching on Orleans. They should be there within a minimum of three hours!"

Well. Artoria exhaled slowly. The least she could do is teach her people what it means to have real honor and quell this greedy conquest.

Atalanta unclasped her helmet and set it aside, her hair becoming the mange that they all know. It looked like Atalanta was eager to get into the fray of combat.

Jeanne though... she didn't look like she had the heart for it. Artoria trusted Jeanne, though. When it came to combat situations, the three were warriors. They needed to put aside their inner turmoil.

Artoria was determined not to allow humanity to fall like her kingdom.

Jeanne was snapped out of her thoughts with the announcement. She placed the gun down and took off her strange orange-tinted firearm glasses.

'Emily… I'm sorry.'

Still nothing. In her mind, she could sense, but it was like she was unconscious. It greatly troubled the maiden as she walked down the hallway to the science wing.

The images continued to roll in her mind. Dozens of soldiers, including Emily, were posted up in a barricade.

The giant metal gaze was glowing red until it was blown open with a whirlwind of heated air. Dozens of red lines of light filled the room.

Then the gunfire. The deafening gunfire.

Bullets zinged around Emily as she returned in kind. But it was a losing match. The soldiers that poured through the doorway jumped over the barricade, shooting their guns.

Emily turned to see one of them. They were clad in all black, and their eyes lit up with an unnatural green just like the abnormal red beams of light.

Emily made it back to the fallback position, feeling the weight of the gear.

"We all got separated."

Jeanne saw her. She was older and had the same complexion as her and Jeanne. However, her hair was much shorter by nature, military regulation. Much more proper and strict in how she held herself.

"You need to get out of here," Katherine ordered as she peeked over the barricade.

Just like Emily, she refused. "I'm not leaving!"

Gunfire filled the room. To which Katherine pulled a pin on a strange rock-like object and threw it down the hall. A few minutes later, it was consumed with light and men crying out in agony.

"You. You are important. Your DNA is a near-perfect match. And we need her to fight." Her sister warned. Jeanne could already guess the 'her' that she was referring to was Jeanne.

"If you die… we all lose. I'm expendable."

Jeanne froze, her stomach revolting at someone claiming that. No one was expendable in any situation at any time. No one. Here her master's sister claimed to be. No one was expendable. Jeanne, or better yet, Emily, was about to stand up when Katherine pulled her down.

That was all that was needed.

She stood up, and one single gunshot filled the hall. Katherine fell to the ground, clutching her chest.

"NONONONONONO."

She was dead the moment she hit the ground. The soldier who took the shot moved up and shot Emily in the shoulder.

That was when Voleta stormed in with smg and dropped a few rounds into him. Dr. Anders worked to stabilize Emily and took her away. The last thing Emily remembered seeing was her sister's body being left behind.

Deafening gunfire.

Her ears were filled with an incessant ringing sound.

The maiden stumbled through the hall as lights and images blended together, mixing memory with life. Closing her eyes, she did her best to center herself. "Lord be with me." She chanted, trying to settle the images.

"Lord be with me."

The cries of dying filled her ears.

"Lord be with me."

Gunshots filled the air.

"Lord be with me."

Metal rang with metal.

"Lord be with me."

I'm alright. I'm alright. I'm alright. A familiar responded back with its own chant.

Amethyst eyes opened. 'Emily?'

Yeah… I'm back… Jeanne could see herself, or rather, Emily panting, practically leaning up against a wall with one arm.

Hello, Jeanne, she gasped for air.

'Where on Earth were you.' Jeanne felt herself getting frustrated.

I'm sorry…. I just kind of shut down with some of those memories. Emily tried to laugh as she held herself up.

It took every bit of strength for Jeanne not to rush out to Emily's mental persona. 'Are you alright?'

I'm fine.

'Don't you dare lie to me.' Jeanne gritted her teeth. 'You are not… fine.'

Emily slumped down against the wall. Amethyst eyes looking at her, After that ordeal… I think… I might be desyncing.

"What does that mean…?" Jeanne stammered.

If I keep using my energy… I'll think myself to death. I guess the good news for you is that there will only be one in here.

"Then let me handle things."

You don't know what you are asking.

Jeanne slammed her fist into the wall."I don't care. I'm not going to lose anyone on account of me."

Emily sighed but finally relented. You are stubborn, just like all the stories.. alright, I… will rest for a little.

The feeling of Emily's exhaustion slowly faded away. For some reason, Jeanne felt much of her energy return. It started to click for Jeanne as she realized one thing… Emily's sister, Katherine, gave her life to protect her.

And it stung. It was another case of someone dying on behalf of her. It made her sick. War is such a brutal affair, but what is worse is someone dying on your behalf. The stories of knights don't go over that.

"Jeanne."

She looked up to see the King waiting. "We need to go."

Jeanne nodded and picked up her pace, catching up with Artoria.

In the science lab, a light projection of Orleans over a table which Atalanta couldn't help but run her hand through with some amazement. A world made of light. A 'holo' display. To be honest, it was kind of amusing to the Huntress. She just got a building in half for it, only it to reappear through her and around her hand.

"So we have three enemy armies that want to take the artifact and find a piece of this map, huh?" Atalanta said as she continued to wave her hand through the display.

Dr. Anders nodded. "I doubt the city will be able to hold on for long. Time is of the essence. The English army is about the triple of what it was at the first battle. You guys need to insert yourselves into the city, find the city, and pull out a safe distance to delink from the world."

"No. I won't allow my city to fall." Jeanne protested as she walked in, heavy and confident footsteps cutting through the room, "They will meet their defeat again."

"That wouldn't be wise…. We can't afford to give our position away…" Dr. Anders murmured to himself.

Giving positions away be damned. Whether they are or aren't real people, Jeanne didn't care; it was her city. She was tasked with saving the city. It was a mission she held close to her heart, in life and death… apparently.

"We will defend the city." Artoria resolved. " we will be able to gather information on our enemies."

"But…"

"I'm in." Atalanta nodded, still fascinated by the light.

"There is something I want to ask, Doctor." Jeanne walked around the table. "What exactly does it mean if one of us or our masters will desync?"

"Essentially, your neurons get overloaded to the point you think yourself to death. In your current state, it is still a high risk for both you and your master. However, your bodies will be able to create more neurons as time goes on to prevent that from happening."

"I didn't understand any of that." Atalanta poked her head up.

"You or your mastermind will die from overthinking."

Jeanne sighed, still feeling uneasy about this.

"Why?" Dr. Anders raised an eyebrow.

"I was just curious." Jeanne deflected the question, "Are we ready?"

Jeanne nodded. Thus the three made their preparations toward their perspective tables. They can do this. No, they will do this. Jeanne felt confident, her allies were strong and confident, and sometimes that's all you need, right?

She placed her helmet as she laid down. Feeling a sharp stinging jab in the back of her neck, her vision started to become hazy as she closed her eyes to the darkness.

Hello everyone!

Thank you for joining me as always! So I want to say I'm really excited about the upcoming chapters!

Also, I have a random fun fact. I love history xD, I am what you would call a history (I have two degrees in history, but my concentration was in Antebellum America and American Civil War history, but I dabbled in European history too.)

Why do I bring this up? Well, Fate brings up a lot of history… but with creative liberties xD. That being said, I purchased some books on Joan of Arc… and two books I'm looking to incorporate some elements into this arc of the story, her trials.

I acquired two primary sources (translated into English), that of her first trial manuscript held by the English. The second being her retrial I think 3-7 years after her death. I'd need to look into it.

Also, Jeanne holds a special place in my heart, because I'm Catholic, and I consider her to be one of my patron Saints. So shout out to the real Jeanne d'Arc. You rock! xD But for real, I can't wait to read them!

Alright enough my ramblings.

So this chapter, I wanted to do snippets of Jeanne's memory and Emily's past. I wanted to keep them short and to the point…. As crappy as it sounds, almost like PTSD, but don't worry, we'll in-depth scenes of what all happened. Let me know what you think!

Reviews:

Dan- Hello mate! Good to hear from ya. I appreciate your kind words! I hope to portrayal a more human element to the Heroes. I wanted to give them the aspect that a knight… or a king in history, might be noble, they also had to be warriors to the core, and it's important to capture the human element of that, which is fitting because, in this story, they are very much human in this world.

I can definitely see where you are coming from with the pacing. I agree, and I might have to go through some of them. I'm hoping to… even it out and make it a bit more natural with the next coming chapters. As for Atalanta… she's hard to write lol. I guess in my mind, while she would be open, it wouldn't on a deep level, ya know? Much more 'eh, whatever.' attitude, I got from her. The problem is portraying that, but seriously thanks for bringing that to my attention. I love reviews like that. Super insightful and helpful. Thank you!

Alrighty...

As always, if you liked the chapter, leave fav, follow, and/or review, it means the world! Got ideas, theories, suggestions, reactions, I love to hear any and all.

I will see you next chapter,

Until next time, I am and will always be your most humble and obedient of servants,

Sauron