"… up."
"..ake up."
"2B wake up 2B."
Consciousness returned to the silver-haired android slowly, as the world around her was little more than a prismatic array of colors that held little distinction. However, after a few moments everything slowly began to fall into proper place, and 2B realized that she was lying down with the worried gazes of the twin red-haired androids-Devola and Popola- hovering over her. 2B attempted to sit-up but lancing pain shot through her system forcing her to grimace.
"Don't push yourself too hard 2B, we just managed to pull you back from the brink. That plunge you took was nasty business, so try to give your body a few minutes to adjust." Devola stated as she pushed the disoriented android back onto the bed.
"In any case, what happened out there, why were so many YoRHa units going berserk?" Devola continued ignoring the admonishing hand of her sister that was placed on her shoulder. Devola watched as 2B slowly cranked her neck around and pushed herself into a sitting position to better see the camp.
"Where is 9S?"
The twin red-haired androids faltered at this and glanced at each other, not knowing what they should under the expectant gaze of the Battle-type model in front of them.
"He's probably out, isn't he? Found something of interest outside that probably going to get him hurt? So please tell me where he is." 2B stated as she started to stand, only to faltered and force the twins to push her back into a sitting position.
"2B… 9S… 9S," Popola glanced to Devola who shrugged helplessly."9S isn't here anymore, his black-box signal has been offline for 2-weeks now. A search party has been organized to search for his remains, but they are having no such luck. I'm sorry 2B, 9S isn't here anymore. He's dead." Popola stated quietly as she placed her hand on the tense android's shoulder.
2B mechanically turned to regard the small, delicate that was placed on her shoulder, before she gazed at the sympathetic face of the android before, without seeing her. Slowly, and with great difficulty, 2B pushed herself into a standing position, supporting herself on the frame of the bed as an intense wave of nausea assaulted her system. She held a hand up to the two red-haired androids, as they cried out in dismay at the silver-haired android. Moments later, 2B righted herself before slowly dragging herself away from the medical area of the Resistance Camp, and the twins.
"2B, you need to stay and get rest to recuperate, we'd only just managed to repair your systems to operational levels. That means you can't overdo it while your nanomachines finish patching up internal damage." Popola stated worriedly as the duo proceeded to try stopping the slow marching android.
"Don't worry, I appreciate the concern but I'm not going to do anything reckless, I just… I just have to take a few moments, so please." The girl uttered with hunched shoulders, as she marched steadily towards the entrance of the camp.
"Just… don't push yourself or do anything reckless and call us if you need some assistance." Popola uttered softly as she watched the small form of the android disappear through the entrance of the camp.
"I understand your feelings, but she needs time it must be hard for her to cope with this. Losing YoRHa and 9S."
"I know, that's why I'm worried what if she does something reckless and ends up in a situation worse than this."
"She's no idiot, we both know this she'll be okay, we just have to have faith in her."
"But.."
"I know, trust me, I know I don't want her to disappear either not so soon after losing everyone else."
"What are we to do then?"
"I don't know. Honestly, I don't know."
2B slowly trudged through the marshy landscape that surrounded the exterior of the camp, skirting the machines that dotted the landscape, ignorant to the massive structure that now dominated the skyscape. No, she knew and was aware of everything around her, but she just couldn't bring herself too care. She needed confirmation. She needed to see with her own eyes. She needed… She needed… She needed to see him with her own eyes. She refused to believe what Devola and Popola had told her, 9S was out there, he was just enthralled by all the new changes that had happened to the city. That was it, 2B believed that, and nothing else.
Slowly, she began to pick up speed, until she was little more than a black blur across the desolation of the city. The first place she needed to go to was the Flooded City, because that was where the duo last had contact with each other. He should be there. The blistering pace she'd set for herself caused her recently reactivated systems to protest to the sudden strain placed on them, but she ignored it, such pain was negligible, she had something more important to worry about, namely her erstwhile partner. A short while later, 2B stumbled out of the destroyed pipeline that led to the Flooded City, stumbling because of the monolithic metal construct that she saw on the horizon. 9S will certainly be in there. He has to be this has his name written all over it. 2B reassured herself as she slowly stepped up towards the entryway, a simple elevator door.
Faintly, 2B noted an ideal buzzing sound over her left shoulder. Whatever it was, it didn't matter she felt no hostile intent, so it wasn't going to be getting in the way of her seeing 9S again. A long while later, after the haze of battle ended, 2B was dejected that she hadn't found 9S, though she was relieved that was the case, because the number of machines that were here would have been to much for him to handle. When they were together again, she was certain he would be spending hours here. Perhaps there are other areas like this. 9S is probably at those if that is the fact. 2B nodded to herself, as she sped off in another direction. Perhaps, he was at the human facility, where he had proposed for them to spend time together outside of missions. He must be imagining what it is that the two of them would be doing when they had free time. 2B reassured herself, albeit hesitantly, because the incessant buzzing over her shoulder kept telling her otherwise.
The android sped her way towards the human facility that the duo had passed through before… before. She shook her head viciously as the blistering pace she'd set for herself came to a stumbling halt, lest she throw herself off the edge of the gorge. She couldn't do that, 9S would become worried if 2B were to become that injured. No, what had halted her approach was the fact that the bridge that connected the facility with the rest of the city was not there anymore. Almost like it had snapped when she madly dashed towards A2, and 9S'…9S'.
No, 9S has to be on the other side, there is a simple explanation for the bridge missing there has to be. Maybe the answers to her questions are on the other side. Turning, 2B dashed towards the nearest teleporter, and travelled to the teleporter that was set-up just on the far-side of the facility. Once she stepped out, 2B began to slowly make her way through the unnerving silence of the facility-completely devoid of life-Machine, 9S or otherwise. How odd, 9S should be here now, perhaps he's in Emil's secret place. 2B nodded to herself, subtly becoming annoyed at the buzzing that had been following her the entire time, perhaps she should just get rid of it. It's not like it was necessary in her quest to find 9S, and reprimand him for his inattentiveness. Yes, that's what she will do. She gripped Virtuous Contact's hilt that hovered in the magnetic holsters over her right shoulder before swiftly turning and slashing at the whit machine that hovered over her left shoulder. This machine looked eerily similar to her Pod-Support Unit. What was there name again? 153? 037? 042? It doesn't matter, they were partially to blame for 9S' disappearance. Just as she was.
2B shook her head before walking out of the facility on the side closest to the city. Where 9S' final moments were, and she was helpless to do anything. No, 9S is out there she has to believe that, or else her poor psychological state would take a blow she can't afford, as it would compromise her mission. Her mission, 9S has already been eliminated permanently, she shook her head again at that as she slowly made her way towards a rocky outcropping overlooking the abyssal maw of the gorge that separates the city from the rest of the world.
How strange, the air had the slightest tinge of iron almost like blood- 9S' blood- she shook her head to clear any errant thought, as no-one from YoRHa, or the Resistance had their life taken from them here. No, Command's order was sent, and she had run 9S through from behind while he was admiring the sprawling cityscape. She didn't know which time that was, or if it even happened, because 9S is still alive, and well just hiding from her now, and she was starting to become irritated. He should know that she doesn't like to become irritated, especially from his actions.
2B passed through the area slowly as she came to a halt beside an impressively dark stain on the otherwise spotless rocky outcropping. 9S liked this spot, as it gave him an amazing view of the roaring river that flowing at the bottom of the gorge.
2B stumbled to a halt and braced herself with the ragged ropes of the wooden bridge-lest she collapse from the shock of what she is seeing. 9S was on his knees with Cruel Oath jutting out from his chest. 2B stood over him with her hand clenched around the blades hilt. No, not 2B, her predecessor the rogue Unit A2. How many times had she been in this situation? How many times must 9S lose his life due to her shortcomings? How many times must she suffer like this? How many? How many? HoW ManY? hOw MaNY? HOW MANY!?
2B stumbled back, and fell on her butt as she scrambled to back away from 9S' final resting place. No no no no no no no NO! He wasn't dead, she refused to believe that, even if she committed untold atrocities to her… her… he would always come back. He was always by her side when she needed him. So wHy wASn'T hE hErE Now!?
"9S"
"9S"
"9S"
"9S 9S 9S 9S!"
She mumbled quietly as she dragged herself on stumbling hands and knees towards the large rust-colored stain that mark where 9S' life was forfeit for a final time. Maybe just maybe, this was all a horrible nightmare. The ones where something horrible has to happen for her to be jolted awake, yeah it has to be like that. It just has to be, 9S wouldn't leave her in any other way. Especially not because of her actions, she would never do AnYthIng to hUrT 9s NeVEr. Maye she could wake up back at their little room in the Resistance Camp if she were to throw herself from this cliff to stop this nightmare.
Yes, that is what she will do and then the two of them will be able to partner back with each other again. Slowly, 2B staggered to her feet as she dragged her body towards the very edge. Slowly, ever so slowly, 2B's foot slid off the edge until only a pointed heel kept her from seeing her… her… partner? Victim? Light? It doesn't matter because with actions such as this she will be able to see him again and all will be well.
Hours later, a desperate and worried Devola and Popola stumbled across the shredded remains of Pod 042.
No editing has been done for this One-Shot, it was written solely to get back into the swing of writing. Much love to anyone that reads it.
Exagerate.