I've been wanting to post this story for a while, but I've busy. Nier Automata is such an awesome game and I'm surprised how different it was compared to the fantasy setting of the original Nier. Yoko Taro nailed it at making that transition from fantasy to science fiction with the story and lore behind Nier Automata. Anyway, enjoy.
It was quiet when 9s awoke. The scanner found himself on top of a building in the city ruins. The sky was blank as it always was.
"Welcome back Unit 9S" Pod 153's monotone voice greeted
"Ugh pod 153, what happened," The scanner model asked his pod.
The attending support unit went into a brief explanation "Unit 9s was last engaged in battle with Unit A2 on top of the tower. both units ended up with mutual termination. Soon after, project YorHa came to an end, However, pod 042 and I acted against our core directives and instead salvaged you and Unit 2B's data. As a result of our experiences, We believe both of you deserve a second chance at life"
"I see" the scanner comprehended "Anyway I need to find 2B"
Pod 153 immediately gave a solution to his next action "Unit 2B's black box signal is heading towards this position. Proposal; descend to the ground"
As he approached the bottom of the building, he could see 2B walking toward his position
"2B, it's really you" the scanner was awed to see his partner again after her supposed death
"9S" the combat android muttered quietly. Once she realized it was really him, she ran over to him and quickly enveloped him into a crushing embrace."Nines! I've missed you so much"
"You don't know how much I've missed you too 2B, but can you let me go now? I can't breathe," 9s said weakly. 2b then released her grip
"Nines, I've been needing to ask, since I was gone, have you learned the truth out about me, about YorHa?"
9s could only nod. With this response, 2B broke down into sobbing "Oh Nines I'm so sorry for what I've done to you! Please don't hate me!" It was true, the disguised executioner model hated killing her partner every time after he had accidentally stumbled across confidential information about the truth behind Project YorHa, but she did it anyway because it was her duty.
"It's ok 2B, you just following orders, but now it's all over, we're free. " the scanner comforted his partner as he wiped away her tears "Let's start a new life, free from YorHa forget all this ever happened"
"Yes," 2B answered. But then suddenly the battle model screamed as she collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain
"Huh? 2B What's wrong" the scanner was out of concern. He was hoping it wasn't anything serious.
"Analysis: Unit 2B still has traces of the logic virus within her System, Proposal: Unit should hack into Unit 2B to clear out the infection" Pos 042 analyzed and confirmed
"Alright, 2B here goes nothing," the scanner said as he started hacking away into His partner's internal systems. the hack was a success, as 2b was no longer in pain, but it came with an unfortunate side effect.
"Forgive me 2B, it looks like the virus was attacking some of your motor functions. I had to disable those so I Could clean it out more easily. It looks like we should head back to the resistance camp to get you patched up." The scanner explained.
"Alright," 2B said with acceptance "But how are going to get there Nines? I can't walk"
"That's not gonna be a problem, just leave it to me" With this 9s put one 2B's arms around his neck, before wrapping his own arms around her torso and knees and lifted her off the ground.
"Nines" 2B blushed as she was in 9s's arms, her once stoic composure now replaced with embarrassment "Do you really have to do this?" it was ironic considering the fact that 2b would always carry 9s whenever he was injured, now this time, he was the one was doing it to her.
"Come on 2B," the white-haired scanner said with a grin "Just consider this what humans call a bonding exercise"
Despite the fact that 2B weighed heavier than 9s, the scanner was still able to carry 2B bridal style with ease. During the trek there, there were still some machines in the area, but they didn't bother to attack them. This surprised 2B, but 9s figured out why they weren't hostile.
"They're not attacking us?" the battle model wondered.
"I saw the network 2B," 9s told her "After I died, the machines, they had an ark, Adam told me they had a new purpose and were leaving to find a new world. Of course, they invited me to join them, but I decided not to. It was only then that I realized my hatred toward machines was irrational"
When they got to the camp, 9s ran into someone he'd never thought he'd see again, it was a prototype android with long hair and tattered clothes. The one who killed 2b or so he thought. The infamous YorHa deserter A2.
"Hmph' She smirked toward them, "Well look who it is, I didn't think you two would be alive as well."
"You" 9s Clenched his teeth. he immediately set 2B down before proceeding to run up to A2 and tackle her to the ground. In his mind, there was no way in hell he was going to let this fugitive harm his precious 2B again.
"No!" 2B pleaded, but was powerless to intervene "Nines Stop!"
The scanner soon had the prototype pinned to the floor, trying to bash her face in for all the horrible things he thought she done.
"How are you still alive?!" 9s growled as he threw a punch to A2's face "Don't think I forgot what you've done! Killing 2B and Operator 21O!"
"Calm down 9s," A2 said rationally, making little effort to fight back, "I think it's best if we just talk about this"
"Talk" 9s scoffed as he continued his beatdown "What do you know about talking?! I won't let you take away 2b again!"
"ARGH!' A2 groaned in pain as the scanner punched her in the face again " Listen 9s, I will only say this once. 2B asked me to kill her!"
"What" 9s was in shock before he could throw another fist at her
"She's right Nines," 2B said weakly as she crawled up to them "Let me explain"
With the scanner distracted, A2 had finally managed to throw 9s off her
She then glared at him "You're lucky I still have a sense of compassion, otherwise I wouldn't hesitate to cut you down where you stand," The prototype said to the scanner with a warning, she had nothing more than a bloody nose. "Don't do that again"
9s sighed "Just help me get 2b into the infirmary" A2 and 9s then supported 2B as they helped walk over her to a bed in the infirmary
After 2B was repaired and had managed to explain what really happened around the circumstance of her death, 9s soon felt regretful for how acted toward A2 not just recently, but also in the past
"I'm truly sorry A2," 9s said with his head down "If only I had known sooner, this would all have been avoided. If anything I should be thanking you. You did the right thing"
"Don't sweat it kid" A2 reassured him but was met with surprise when the scanner hugged her, the only thing she could do was hug him back.
"I suffered so much, that I all I could think about was making the pain stop" 9s started sobbing. A2 could only pat his back in response as 9S kept crying
A2 could only keep comforting 9s "That's it 9s, just let it all out" Afterwards the scanner loosened his embrace on the prototype finally making peace with himself and letting go of his grudge against A2. Afterward, The 3 androids decided to have a casual conversation
"Now you two understand why I deserted YorHa." A2 explained to 2B and 9S "They considered us androids nothing more than disposable. So now that the war is over, What are you two gonna do now?"
9s soon went into explaining his intentions "Yeah, Most of the machines are gone, and the few that are remaining won't even bother to attack us" "Since Humanity's dead, most of us don't have any reason to fight. So I'm guessing the only thing me and 2b can do now is just settle down. I for one would like to continue researching more about humans. What are your plans A2?"
"I'm just gonna stay here and help out the resistance for a bit." A2 answered "Anemone's thinking on making peace with the few remaining machines on the planet and I fully intend to help her see that through. a world where androids and machines can exist side by side." It was true that A2 hated machines with a passion and originally wanted to see all of them destroyed, but after interacting with Pascal and the villagers who were disconnected from the network, she had a change of heart realized that not all machines were the same. With the network gone, the remaining machines had no reason to attack the surviving androids.
2B went up to both of them
"9s" 2B said to her partner "there are some abandoned buildings we could reside in, so I was thinking, why don't the two of us build a house?."
"A house?" the scanner was confused "You mean those buildings where humans used to live in?"
"Think of it as a symbol of a new start for us both. We've been given a second chance at life, and I want to spend it with you, Nines." the battle model explained. She loved him more than anything in the world
"Alright" 9s smiled "let's go to the City Ruins"
With this, the two left the Resistance Camp, holding hands. This was just the beginning of a new start for the three of them, free from war and suffering.