I'm feeling the writing mood coming back, yessssss! This chapter was made right after the last one. Doing my best. The story will end soon, in just 2 or 3 chapters, I guess.
Toskie: I figured I could have written Faith Model, but it didn't sound right.
AnimeFan0216: No, sadly. Again, I have emphasized this many, many times, but V6 and Victoria are just...different. V6 doesn't have Victoria's memories. She has Jack's memories of Victoria. By analyzing, calculating based on Victoria's behavior pattern observed in the memories, V6's personality AI is producing an honest to original copy. We know that even our current technologies is capable of predicting human behavior through observation. But in no way is V6 and Victoria the same people. That's the whole crux of V6 as a character.
Death Watcher: You know I had to. It's almost like I had to set up a fail somehow. And I don't think A2 knew the truth about her Black Box. She knew everything but the Black Box. Which is fine, I intend to bury that piece of info down the ground when this is over. It's honestly is messed up.
Guest 1: If you read the weapon story for Faith, you'd know it's a far shot. The story I have in my head around it is complicated, but at one point, the sword belonged to the Empress. Jack has a sword of his own that's not a katana, but it's unlikely he'll ever use it in this fic.
Guest 2(?): This. This is the comment that kept me up at night not because I was angry or anything, but because I can't PM reply to Guest reviews. I thought really hard about it, it's one of the reason Route C was so hard to plan in my head. The thing between Jack and N-1 is simple. It's like a human-like god against an omnipotent god. What's the word...basically, a god with emotions and humanity, and one without. Jack noted this. He can't do everything. There are limits to him. He still a single man, he can't stop tragedies elsewhere that he doesn't know of. N-1 can control an entire network of machines. And I honestly never thought much of N-1. Their whole thing in C and D was to piss you off, they lost to Pod saying "don't attack", basically wasn't actually that threatening. But they broke 9S. Still, if you are looking for an equalizer, here it comes! I'm just going to pit Jack against something else while V6 and A2 get their side.
TheHiddenLettuce: Then chapter 26 hits and...yeah. I'm...sorry. XD
Please fav and follow if you are enjoying the story and wish to see more, and please review! The story is reaching it's conclusion, afterwards I intend to add a few more after story chapters, but with that, let's reach the end!
Enjoy the chapter!
Machine Network Report
Unknown program detected in android unit. Scanning.
No known origin detected.
Opening system interface.
YoRHa
For The Glory Of Mankind.
System Rebooted
Data Overhaul started.
Initializing Program.
Memories status: Deleted.
Loading consciousness data from program.
Anomalous Properties Merged.
Activation Success.
Core temperature: Normal.
All repairs completed.
"Ah...This will do nicely."
ALERT
Hostile intrusion attempt detected.
Immediate disconnection from android unit initiated.
"Ah...it's been so long. The world has gone too long without my light."
Disconnection completed.
End of Report.
"Pod, what's the current status of 9S?"-Jack asked, sitting on the steps leading to the elevator entrance of V6's hideout.
A2 and V6 asked for some time by themselves. Girls talk exist even for androids and machines it seems.
Seems like A2 and V6 has similar enough issues and experience with their current predicament, so letting them talk it out is the best idea.
That leaves him out here, smoking by himself.
"...Unknown. Unit 9S has not returned to the Resistance camp."-Pod 079 supplied
"Is he..."
"Black box signal still active. Destruction of Resource Recovery Unit confirmed."
"..."
Pulling out the hard drive once more, Jack stared into the object, his face uncertain.
What did she mean by he already knew the password?
Did he...really knew White that well?
There's only two tries at this.
What is it about White that would be so obvious...
Wait, it can't be...
At that point, a figure walked into his vision.
Alarms sounded all across Jack's senses.
He stood up immediately, covering himself in a layer of demonic armor.
That did little help.
"White" stabbed him with a dagger.
The dagger went straight through all of his armor, and for the first time in millenniums, the blonde haired man felt this sensation again.
Pain.
Blood poured from his wound, and strength left his body.
Leaning forward, he fell into her grasp.
She held him in, only to wrench that dagger in deeper.
"Long time no see, Jack."
"You..."-Jack growled out, blood coming out from his mouth.
"White" didn't allow him to continue. She roughly removes the ornate knife from his torso, pushing him away.
Without her support, Jack fell on his stomach, his wound drove him in further agony.
"...You're still alive?"-"White" asked, her voice had an echo to it, her tone half confused, and half disgusted. In her hand, the hard drive she gave him.
"You...how..."
"You're one resilient host aren't you."-Her eyes were glowing green. No...her eyes was just that. There's no iris. Her eyes is just a green glow.
"That's because...I'm not a host, you prissy bitch..."
"You still are, for all I care."
"JACK!"-They heard a heart-wrenching scream, as A2 and V6 had head up the elevator.
A2 barely registered a bloody Jack, laying on the ground with a pool a blood around him, reaching up to...White?
"WHITE! I'LL FUCKING TEAR YOUR CORES OUT!"
"A2, wait!"-V6 couldn't stop A2 as she charged forward.
"White" let out a laugh as she blasted the android away with a gust of wind.
A2 barely managed to land on her feet, as a white light entered her vision.
Looking up, she saw...wings.
Angel like white wings coming out of White's back.
"A2, don't attack recklessly!"-V6 came to her side-"She's-"
"Do you really think anything you can do will harm me?"
"She's not White. That's...that's..."
From that white angelic wing, feathers charged with magic shot out, bombarding V6 and A2.
A2 perfectly evaded from the the feather storm, while V6 saw an opening and dashed forward, dodging the feathers that exploded from behind them.
They saw "White" was ready to fire off another volley of those feathers.
Pod Shield programs are near useless against Old World Magic.
What do they do?
"Hahahahaha."-"White" let out a laugh-"You all would make such good hosts. It's a shame this body works out fine."
The feather storm was coming again. This time, "White" fired several volleys into the air, letting them then curved back down to rain on them.
A2 perfectly evaded forward, dodging the first volley, then used Pod to boost thrust her way towards the angel again.
The white haired android let out a cry as she brought down Faith.
All she heard was a clanging noise, as the blade couldn't get through that light golden armor piece.
A shockwave thrust her backwards once more.
"Shit..."
Before "White" could continue with her onslaught, the ground shook, as that dark dragon had landed on top of the shopping mall, flames gathered in it's breath before blasting her and all behind her with a full breath of hellfire.
A2 and V6 could felt the incinerating heat. It's almost equal to that of napalm, enough to melt your skin.
And that's with Pod 042 protecting them with a shield.
But as the flames clear, the angel stood, her wings had protected her from the searing hellfire. Everything around her wasn't so lucky, however. The ground was scorched, the sound of sizzling fire boosted by the gust of wind she made as she flicked her wings out to her usual position once more.
"Tch."-She didn't even looked up at the dragon, but down, at the rising figure.
"You. Absolute. Whore."-Jack had gotten up to his feet, still covering his bleeding wound, but around him, along with his demonic eel like creatures, an array of laser was also there, ready to fire down any attempt of those feather volleys.
"You..."-"White" hissed as she began floating up to the air.-"Undying little cockroach!"
"..."
"I was turning a blind eye towards you because you stayed in your little hole. Now that you are treading about, spreading it's...filth everywhere, seems like I'll have to deal with you once more."
"And here I thought you learned your lesson."-Jack growled.
"White" suddenly closes the gap, their faces inches from each other.
"Persistent little host. If you survived the dagger, it means you are already too powerful a host. The likes of you...must be eradicated from this world!"
"I believed you tried many times, and it always didn't work."-There was a voice from behind them, a deep male voice this time.
The angel turned around to find a black robed man in a ceramic mask had walked up behind her, arms reaching for her neck.
"! ! !"-She jerked back immediately, before realizing that she's just a tiny distance from Jack's grasp.
And immediately, those creatures of his got a hold of her.
Immediately, A2 was in her vision, Faith stabbing down right through her chest.
From behind, she was stabbed through by the Engine Blade, as V6 thrust her blade forward.
"White" just barely escaped the demons' grasp before the doctor grabbed her by the neck.
"ARGHHHHH! ! ! !"-She let out a scream, as something reacted, causing a shockwave of light that sent everyone flying back.
Quickly regaining her stance again, A2 looked up to see "White" panting, already flying up again, and obviously about to flee.
"Ugh...huff..."-She panted as her expression twisted to that of scorn-"Damn you, accursed doctor...I will see to your disorderly ways once I'm done with that host!"
With a final barrage of feathers, "White" flew away before disappearing.
"You'd think an angel would be at least a little more gentle."-The doctor got to his feet again.-"Hello, Jack."
Jack didn't really had much of an answer.
"...Damn."
And that's the only word he said, as he collapsed once more.
"Jack!"-Both A2 and V6 rushed to his side.
A2, who had no medical training, felt terrifying.
She had no clue on what to do to help him.
All she could do was hold his hand, as V6 and that doctor worked on this wound.
"Why isn't it healing?!"
"...It's a very powerful artifact he was stabbed with. Under normal condition...that would have killed him."-The doctor explained.
"He'll be fine, right?"-A2 asked, almost in tears.
She can't lose him...she can't.
"I don't know."-The robed doctor admitted.
"It's...it's okay! A2...A2!"-V6 snapped her out of her frantic rush-"Is there anyone who has medical knowledge on humans?"
"...Devola and Popola."-The white haired android spoke, her mind still numb.
"Please contact them."-The doctor asked-"Help me bring him inside. He needs proper treatment. He survived the stab, but that doesn't mean he'll live for certain."
As A2 and V6 brought him inside the elevator, A2 was still frantically holding on to Jack's hand.
Please don't die. Please don't die.
"Please...don't go..."-She croaked out.
Through out the entirety of the next 3 days, A2 did not budge for her place at Jack's side.
The doctor complained that it was rather unprofessional, but Devola and Popola had argued that having loved ones near a patient increases their chances of survival.
So there she was, sitting right next to his side, her hands tightly gripping his.
The doctor have closed the wound with the twin's help, and by the second day, the searing burn seems to have...subsided in the wound.
Jack just beat the one object designed to kill him.
Emil estimated he barely just had enough power to overcome that stab.
He's quickly recharging, power was pouring back into him again.
But he's not waking up.
Even though they were reassured that the worst have passed, and he'll likely wake up just as cheeky and powerful as before, both A2 and V6 couldn't help but worry.
The twins too, didn't want to leave, but they were constantly needed at the Resistance Camp.
The looks of longing in Popola's face as she had to go back was more than enough to know they cared just as much.
"He's going to wake up, right?"-V6 asked again.
The robed doctor sighed.
"Look, dear lady, the fact he survived the stab was already out of my knowledge. He should have died the second it so much as pierced his skin. I did what I could based on my knowledge, and it's looking good."
"How did he survived?"
"My guess was that he's indeed as she said it, 'too powerful a host', and perhaps too stubborn to die."
That's not right, the latter half at least, A2 thought. Jack was never the type that badly wants to live. Of course, he's stubborn in how he'll go out, but he's not that type.
But perhaps he truly has become that strong with his powers.
Still, the wait is agonizing.
A2 never thought she'd find a day where she'd feel more pain than that day at Pearl Harbor.
"I'll murder that bitch. I'll tear out her wings and slice her apart..."
"It's not advised, you know. She's technically capable of matching Jack equally, although her current records is saying otherwise."
"This happened before?"
"That she tried to kill him? Multiple. But Jack won, every time."
"So she's a sore loser."
"It happens that Jack is a bit too good with this...gift of his. That's all. This was the first time she got this far."
"...Catching him off guard using White's body..."
"Oh, it's not a new tactic. In fact, I'm surprised she didn't go for you two."
Wait...so this broad has been constantly trying to take control of the people Jack cared for and used them to try and kill him?
"The bitch..."-A2 growled. The pain Jack must've suffered.
"She did talk about a shame that she didn't get the chance to do so. White was apparently the easiest."
"...She learned how to merge with computer circuitry...troubling news."-The doctor seems to have quieted down, in deep thoughts.
If what inside Jack learns to do the same...
Well, at least as long as Jack is around, they don't have to worry.
Now, the guy just needs to wake up so these two autonomous women don't ask him if he's going to be alright every 2 minutes.
Always a charmer, this one.
"Urgh..."
"Jack? Jack?!"
Always on time as well.
Jack woke up and felt like complete crap.
He hasn't felt like this since when...he was still fully human.
Then there's the fact that there's an android weight on his wound and it really still bloody hurts!
"Ow ow ow!"
"Jack...you...fucking asshole!"-A2 really turned to mush at his dazed look.
"Jack..."-V6 too, croaked. She really tried to not be as clingy as A2 is, but she really can't help it as she too, was at his side.
"I'm...still alive..."-Jack breathed out.
"Yes. Seems like your brain function still works well enough. I was getting worried."
"...Hey, Doc."
"It's been awhile, Jack."
"How do you feel? Better?"-V6 asked.
"I'll feel much better if you two aren't pressing my wound please."-Jack grimaced.
Both A2 and V6 let go of Jack hurriedly, A2 muttering something along the lines of an apology.
"..."-Jack stared at A2 and V6 weirdly.
"W-what is it?"-The white haired android tried to sass, but she sputtered and her cheeks was red.
"No...I...I just had a strange dream. That's all."-Jack smiled.
A dream?
Did he...perhaps saw "her"?
Or something else?
Or...
"Did you...had a naughty dream?"
"...No."
The pause was telling.
"Dumbass! Even near death, you're still just a beast through and through!"
"I said no! I didn't dream that!"-Jack defended himself, smiling.-"I saw you two in my dream. Not. Naughty. Kind of...funny actually. Made me almost wake up laughing."
"We were WORRIED about you, you cheeky fuck!"
"I...I know. That...caught me off guard."-Jack was adjusting to reality again, remembering what had happened.
Again with this...
And it's White this time.
She's fitting for the image, he'll give her that.
But that's about it.
"How...how long was I out this time?"
"You were out for 3 days...we almost assumed the worst on the first day too..."-V6 recalled.
Thank god he's still alive...
"...Urgh..."-Jack felt a crazy headache.
Watching A2 frantically switch between trying to ask him things and trying to help him is sort of adorable, but maybe it's something she should try learning more on in the future.
"And...9S? Where is he?"
Both V6 and A2 shook their heads.
"He still hasn't returned. We were busy with you, so it's not like we could go out to search for him either..."
"I...I see..."-Jack didn't like this. 9S was already unstable and broken enough before going and finding those documents.
If he tries something reckless...It's going to end rather badly.
"We have to search for him sooner or later."-Jack tried to get up-"Urgh..."
"Wait, you need to properly heal!"
"It's healing, don't worry."-Jack reassured-"We need to find 9S. Just...give me a moment. It'll heal fine."
"Then I believe my work here is done."-The doctor closed his notebook as he stood up, leaving first.
"Wait, you're not helping us?"-V6 asked.
"It's not my issue, this fighting. I'm a doctor, not a fighter."-He spoke simply as he called the elevator.
"...See you, Doc. And...thanks."-Jack didn't bother holding his old friend back. He's like that anyway.
"You know where to find me. And do try to not tempt fate again, Jack."
"I know."
For about the next hour or so, A2 and V6 switched between taking care of Jack, and getting ready to work once again.
Both of them would rather Jack be fully rested for another day, but it's true that 9S' situation is getting serious, if not critical.
Jack has been rapidly healing, however while the wound has closed into a scar, apparently it's still in searing pain, like it's burning. The pain has slowly and slowly fade, and Jack said he'll be fine with it, as his pain endurance has always been high, but it's still worrying.
They have already activated two of of three subsystem. They just need the final one and the Tower will open.
Then there's the issue of that angelic being that has somehow taken over White's body and is trying to kill Jack.
"Will she attack again soon?"
"...She's at the top of the Tower. I...can feel it."
"So after all that talk, she's actually going to wait for you to come to her?"-A2 growled. She really hate this bitch.
Double points for having White's face as well.
"Well, if I don't come, eventually she'll come down. She's not something I can exactly ignore. But we need to get in there anyway. Save us both the trouble, it seems."-She has White's hard drive. He wants it back. He needs it back. He knew the password. And it's very much like her to be around such a light-filled place.
"Pod, give me a rough location of 9S' black box signal."
"..."
"Pod?"
"Due to the Bunker's destruction, this Pod could not accurately triangulate Unit 9S' current location. Accessing Tactical Support Pod's network."
"...Can you find his Pod then?"
"...Analysis: Unit 9S has probably ordered Pod 153 to cut data sharing and communication. No connection available."
"Really...What's going on, Nines..."-Jack can conjure a guess, but he's not liking it.
"Alert: Communication received."-Pod 042 spoke over.
"A2! Jack! The village...the village is-!"
"Pascal? Pascal?!"-A2 responded.
"The villagers are...oh no!"-The communication abruptly ended there.
"Pascal? Shit..."-Jack got to his feet.
"Hypothesis: The valuable information and material trading source known as Pascal has ran into difficulties."
"Yeah no shit!"-A2 snapped at Pod 042.
Well...they have to help Pascal now.
"...Pod. Continue to try and locate 9S. For now, we have to help Pascal."
"Jack, I know I'm being overly concerned, but..."-V6 spoke-"Are you sure you can fight again?"
To respond, 4 demonic creatures appeared, growling threateningly at her.
"I...probably won't be able to move as quickly as A2 on full sprint, but I'll keep up."
"...Alright. Just...don't overdo things, okay?"
"Since when did I ever?"-Jack smiled tiredly.
Picking up the chipped Type 40 sword, Jack followed A2 and V6 out once more.
There really is little time left...
Arriving at Pascal's village, the group was met with a shocking sight.
The village was burning. Everything's on fire...
And...machines are...eating each other?
"What the hell is...going on?"-A2 drew her Faith sword.
"...I...I think they were infected with a virus as well..."-V6 looked around, finding their red eyes and half torn faces.
"Why Pascal?! Why them?"
"A2!"-Pascal appeared as they were crossing the bridge.
"Pascal! What happened?"
"I...I don't know. Some of the villagers suddenly went mad. They started attack their friends and family!"
"..."-V6 made sure to check that little stubby's consciousness. There was nothing wrong with that machine...
"What about the others?"-Jack asked, his voice hoarse from the pain still not completely passed yet.
"I...I managed to get the children to safety, but the rest are..."
"You need to get out of here before you're next. We'll handle what to do with these things!"-A2 stepped forward.
"But..."
"These things can't do so much as touch me, go!"
"A-alright! Please help them, A2, Jack!"-Pascal begged before flying off.
"...There you have it. Go get em, A2."
"Don't tell me what to do, dummy!"-A2 was already dashing forward.
The infected hostile machine villagers were cleared out in no time. But...the damage has already been done.
There were no survivors left.
The sisters machine with the pink and blue bow tie. Jean Paul. The big Goliath that swore to defend his loved ones. The family machines.
They're all gone.
"..."-Jack slowly got up from his crouching position in front of the sister machines, clutching his torso in stabbing pain.
Damn...
Pascal had communicated again.
He and the children have fled to the now abandoned factory. They're safe, at the very least...
But, that left him with the tough job.
"I'm...sorry. There was nobody left to save there by the time we got there."-A2 decided to speak.
You can hear the empathy in A2's voice. She too, really cared.
"Oh...no..."-You could hear the heartbreak and despair in Pascal's voice.
"..."
"At...at least...the children are safe..."
"We're coming to you now, Pascal. Just hang on, alright?"-The blonde haired man spoke.
"O-okay. Thank you, Jack. If it weren't for you, A2 and V6..."
"..."-Jack has a lot to say, but it's not the time right now.
They have to check on them first.
With hurried steps, Jack, A2 and V6 made it across the City Ruin to the entrance of the factory.
Inside, they were greeted with the sight of weary children machines and Pascal.
While V6 went around making sure the children were okay, Jack and A2 talked things over with Pascal.
"Is this place safe now?"
"Yes...after you two took care of those cultist machines, this place is rather safe now. For the time being at least. We've been using this place as a storage area."
"Query"-Pod 042 asked-"We understand that machine lifeforms can regenerate so long as they have the required materials, correct?"
"Yes, but unfortunately, we cannot regenerate our cores. Cores contain data which form our consciousness. If it's destroyed..."
"Then that machine as an individual cease to exist..."-Jack finished. He understood that much.
"Yes...and all the villagers had their cores destroyed...Oh..."
"Jack, A2. I did a full check, the children are okay. The are frightened, but they aren't infected."
She still can't find the little stubby she sent to Pascal.
Maybe it got lost. Maybe it...
"Pascal...did you...received and new children machine just now?"
"Uhm...no. There was no one new lately. We were expecting disconnected machines after the huge battle, but so far...no."
"...I see. So, what do you plan on doing?"
"Alert: Cross-regional Pod network restored. Data sharing possible. Compiling data for tactical support."
"..."
"Proposal: Jack should see to Pascal and the village machine's safety immediately. Cross-regional data reports that a large number of machine lifeform is amassing around these ruins."
"What?"-A2 spoke, just as a group of machines swarmed into the room.
To their luck, Jack quickly dispatched the intruders with a barrage of laser programs.
He's still a terrifying walking offensive fortress, even if he's wounded like this.
"Additional enemies approaching."-Pod 042 alerted.
"We have to defend!"-V6 headed out first.
"Please, let me help too!"-Pascal suddenly spoke-"I must...I must defend the children!"
"...Fine. Just stay back, alright?"
Coming outside, the group was met with a wave of rampaging machine coming towards them.
"Go, I'll cover you two!"-Jack had procured more of those balls of light that would soon become lasers.
He noticed Pascal's eyes have turned red. It was slightly alarming, but he quickly realized that only means Pascal have resolved to violence.
There's no talking with these rampaging machines. No amount of begging, no amount of reason.
They must be put down.
Pascal fired off a barrage of projectiles at the group of machines, staggering them as A2 and V6 cleaved through wave after wave of these rampaging machines.
"They...just keep coming!"-A2 pushed away the twin axed small biped, as a laser from Jack covered her back, punching a hole through the medium axed biped.
The ground trembled as a Goliath Tank was dropped down.
"I...I have an idea! Wait for me just a bit!"-Pascal flew off into the air-"Please hold them off for a moment!"
"Not a problem."-Jack felt his wound burned, a paralyzing pain taking over him, but he summoned his trademark demonic tentacles and eels, tearing apart another wave of machines.
V6 has hacked in to the Goliath tank and used it's laser cannon to wipe off another group of approaching machines
Just...how much are they going to spend to try and kill a pacifist like Pascal?!
Looking to the sky, they got their answers.
It's like a whole fleet just arrived. Goliaths Tanks are being carried over, there are Goliath Flyers, Biped, everything. They dotted the sky.
"They...are still coming?!"-A2 panted as she flicked Faith tiredly, straightening her stance once more.
As the first wave of tanks landed, V6 used her subjugated tank for cover, but it's a clear numbers game. Her tank was destroyed, but not after destroying one on the other side.
"Enough already!"-Jack growled, his wound burning as he summoned that dragon once more.
With a full breath of hellfire, the dragon scorched the Goliath Tanks, before squashing them under it's claw.
Collapsing to his knees, Jack was forced to use his sword for support.
That dagger really doesn't like what he has...
At least, it'll heal. As long as he can endure that stabbing, numbing pain for now, he still have access to all of his abilities.
The next wave was coming.
"Fear not, Jack! I can handle this!"-Pascal yelled, as he had risen up an Engels.
As he controlled the Engel to step forward, Pascal burned with willpower.
He has to stop them. He has to protect the children. He himself, must protect them.
There was a big shook, as the dragon had clambered on top of his Engels. It was going to help him.
"I'll kill you...I'll kill you all! To protect the children! I'll destroy you all!"-Pascal used the Engels saw blade arms to swipe away the on coming fleet of machines.
With another fiery breath from the dragon perched on the Goliath's shoulder, another big chunk of the machine fleet went down.
Pascal let his Engels fired off a laser beam that wiped out the rest.
There was only 2 seconds of reprieve, before another Engels rose from the depth of the sea.
A giant robot battle. Now this is something Jack didn't think he'd see any time soon.
The fight lasted long, but rather tedious. Both of the Engels fought rather slowly, but eventually, thanks to Jack's dragon helping out, Pascal overwhelmed the other Engels, uppercutting it into the ocean once more to explode, sending shockwave across the sea surface.
"Hmm..."-V6 observed. She should have attempted that. Then again, she didn't really knew there was an Engels below the sea there.
As Pascal stopped controlling the Engels unit, he flew back down to meet up with Jack, V6 and A2 once more.
"Well done, Pascal...You...did pretty well there."-Jack panted, clutching his torso in pain.
"Jack...are you okay?"-Pascal was obviously concerned, as both A2 and V6 also came to his side.
"I'm...fine. This is just a little bit of a wound. I'll be alright. Let's...check on the kids."
"Y-yes! I worry for the children!"-Pascal nodded as he ran in first.
As A2 and V6 was making sure Jack is still okay, they heard the pained wail from inside the factory.
"No...Oh no! How could this...how could this happen?!"-Pascal knelt on the ground, in absolute despair at all the dead machines littering the room.
"...What..."-Following inside, Jack too was shocked.
V6 had a hand over her mouth as she too, was devastated.
"Their own cores...?"-A2 spoke in shock. The way their hands were, the blade that pierced them.
"They...killed themselves..."-Jack too, realized it.-"How? Why?"
"...I...It's all my fault..."-Pascal spoke.
"What? What did you do that caused them to do this?"
"Fear...I taught them...what fear was."
"Fear..."-Both A2 and V6 turned to Jack.
"I taught them fear so they wouldn't run head first into danger...but instead..."
"Fear overwhelmed them. It caused them...to take their own lives."-V6 finished.
"If I had known, I'd never had..."
Jack was deftly silent.
Fear...did this...
A2 came to Jack's side.
She now understood why Jack tried to avoid children.
They were...easily influenced, as he said it himself.
"Did..."
"..."
"Did I caused this?"-He murmured softly.
"No. No, Jack! You were trying to save them! It wasn't your fault!"
"But...I..."
"It's not your doing, Jack."-V6 too, comforted-"They knew you were trying to help them. It wasn't you."-At least, not him in particular.
"..."
"V6."-Pascal raised his voice, his tone devoid of any cheerfulness or joy.-"Can you...do something for me?"
"What...what is it?"
"I...I can not live with this heartbreak inside of me."-He stated-"Please...delete my memories. Or...if not...I want you...to kill me."
There's no point in living on.
Pascal had failed. His village is gone. Everyone...is gone.
"..."
It was a request that any could understand.
It's a heavy request to ask of someone, but it was an understandable request.
"Pascal..."-V6 breathes out.
"Please, I could not...take this anymore..."
Unexpectedly, Jack let out a pain huff as he gritted his teeth, and drew his sword.
"Death for you it is."-He was angry and livid. He had a murderous look in his eyes as he stepped forward.
"Jack, wait!"-V6 stopped him.
A2 as well, tried to calm him down.
"Why...why did you stop him?"-Pascal was confused.
"I'm sick...and tired of these wishy washy attitude you machines have."-Jack growled out.-"You all want to be humans, prancing around with ideas of peace and desire, for consciousness and emotions, but at soon as you encounter the pain, the heartbreak of a human, you all drew back to your shell of convenience."
"Jack..."-V6 wanted to stop him, but she can't.
"You want to be humans so badly? Want to know why humans became great? I'll tell you! They didn't have the options you had! To just delete your memories, your experiences! They couldn't do it. No matter the hardship, the despair, they couldn't forget. They couldn't let go. Even if they wanted to, they can't!"
"..."
"But...they had to live. They have to continue their existence even with those pains. It was either that, or suicide. And their painful memories, their tragedy, became their motivation. Their purpose. Their lesson. You honestly believed you can just beg for help and help will come? You think good people will always be there to help you?"
"..."
"Even they fail sometimes, even they can't be there sometimes. Then what are you going to do? Lay down and die? Give up and just wallow in your ideology of peace?"
When they talked before, Jack already told Pascal.
Peace is nothing if you can't defend it. If you have no power, no strength. You can't defend anything. Not peace, not even yourself.
"So...what do I do with this pain?"
"Let it remind you. Let it be a lesson to you. I'm done with the half-assed ways you machines seek to be humans. Live with your choice. Live with your sorrow. Continue on. Learn from your damn mistakes instead of just repeating through a damn cycle! For all that processing power, you couldn't figure that out?!"
"..."
"If we delete your memories now, you'll just...continue down the same damn path, making the same mistake."
Like 9S.
Just like 9S.
Pascal eyes that were down-casted, looked up to see Jack.
He really was angry.
Pascal understood his anger. Because Jack was right.
If he gives up here, then his efforts to be more human, to have conscience, the attempt would be laughable, if not an insult to the suffering, pain and lesson humanity bitterly learned.
He can't cherry pick which part of humanity he wants.
Pascal...has to live with this. Has to try again.
Jack was right. Peace without power to defend themselves is nothing more than waiting for someone to come and rob them of that freedom and peace.
Pascal lost everything because he stuck to this ideology to the end.
He has to learn.
He'll rebuild the village. He'll make sure...
That all the philosophy books be borrowed and found and searched for...
Doesn't end up just fancy reading.
"I'm...deeply sorry for offending you, Jack."-Pascal nodded, his mechanical hand clenched into a fist-"You are right. I...I can't stop here. This pain. This...despair...it is a part of humanity too...of emotions. I...I need to learn about it. I understand that now."
"...Tch."-Jack clicked his tongue as he looked away-"Do what you want. Let's go, A2, V6. We still have our own business."
As they exited the factory, Pod 079 spoke.
"Alert: Data obtained from cross-regional Pod network. YoRHa Unit 9S located."
"9S? You found him?"
"Alert: Incoming transmission."
"Jack! Jack!"-It was Devola and Popola-"Please, you must hurry!"
"What's wrong now? We just heard that 9S is spotted."
"Yes, we just met him. He's in a terrible state, physically and mentally."
"Where is he? I need to talk to him."
"He's...he's trying to unlock the Tower entrance by himself! He's activating the sub-units!"
Oh no...
There really is no break from all of this mess.