Disclaimer:

Gate: Jietai Kano Chi Nite, Kaku Tatakaeri. Is written by Takumi Yanai and is the rightful owner of the material used in this fanfiction story.

NieR: Automata is the property of Square Enix, directed by Yoko Taro, and is the rightful owner of the material used in this fanfiction story.

This fanfiction story is made with no commercial means in mind, or in no way attempting to breach copyright law, or claim I am the owner of the material.

Chapter 4: Nightmare

"Thank you, your holiness" One of the people expressed their gratitude by grabbing 2B's gloved hands and holding them tight. "It's good to see two of Emory's apostles bless our prayers during these hard times." She continued with a croaky, and breathless voice. The woman in question was an elderly one, white hair with a frail skinny body, 2B could almost see her bones. 2B stood still in surprise from the sign of gratitude, the woman just took 2B by the arm and then took her hands and held it.

2B's quite speechless with the situation, and as the Android stood silently, she turned to the remaining refugees around and they all looked at her with similar faces of gratitude, and security. 2B's and Rory's presence has made a huge impact on the morale of the people in this evacuation, and 2B's unsure what to make of it. What she did feel, however, was her insides feeling warm and cozy. Like the warmth of that campfire, the first time 2B experienced night, blanketing her with a reassuring sensation.

2B's lips quivered for a few seconds, but she strengthened her resolve and managed to form a small smile. 2B's glad that her being here uplifted the mood of these humans so much, and she now got to experience first-hand what humans were like. "You are welcome." 2B said simply, and the woman holding her hands got into a deep bow before letting go of the Androids' hands. It's also because she wanted to follow suit with the narrative that she was a new apostle of Emroy, just so she's not too out of place, and kept their secret hidden.

2B turned and walked off while giving them a nod, then continued down the convoy of carriages. They were all now looking at her like she's a beacon of hope, here to save them from calamity. An Android being the Humans' savior, quite the coincidence, she guessed worlds do collide. 2B kept her display of stoicism up and her posture high, and continued with her current desire to learn more about the humans here, and the people.

It's a very long line filled with hundreds of humans, the convoy had begun moving again a few moments ago, and it eased 2B's private investigation, as it meant 2B didn't need to travel down the convoy until the end. The end of the convoy will travel up to the Android, and until then, 2B stood on the side of the road and kept a watchful eye on these Humans. So far, what 2B learned is that the Humans with firearms were the ones from beyond the Gate, while the villagers were true locals.

2B felt a presence running up towards her to her left and turning her head confirmed her instincts. Rory skidded to a stop just to the Android's left, and with a big smile, the apostle giggled while leaning aside on the halberd she carried. "So! How's your investigation going? I hope you learned something useful, and if you did, mind telling me, acquaintance?" Rory teased the Android on her earlier words, calling Rory an acquaintance must've made the apostle a little bit salty.

2B looked down at the ground then turned her head back, staring forwards. She crossed her arms and leaned on one leg, moving her fingers up to her chin, cupping it. "My observations indicate that the ones with vehicles are from the other side of the Gate you told me, and the ones with carriages are locals. Their emotions and behavior displayed quite the amounts of gratitude and relief, while the other-worlders expressed only confusion, but is helpful and virtuous for taking on this escort mission."

Rory giggled while she folded her hands together and leaned her head back on her hands, a relaxed smile on the girl's face. "Told you, the other-worlders are fascinating, definitely better than those imperial fools." Rory spat on the name of 'imperials', and it made 2B look on in confusion. Imperials would mean there's a new faction that Rory just mentioned, and with Rory's one open eye, the apostle knew what 2B was thinking. "In truth, these lands you're on are ruled by The Empire. A Human kingdom that stretched across the continent, and they don't have an official name, calling them The Empire is enough." 2B understood because they didn't want to be recognized as anything else, they are The Empire, the only Empire around.

So there were gods, magic, human empires with other races. And compiling them all together, 2B understood the premise of this world. But it all didn't make any sense, it's like she was thrown into a world where anything she knew up to this point was at some point irrelevant or not as useful. Advancement in science appeared to be very, very stagnant and magic appeared the be the revered field of study. It's like she was not in a real world, like she's in some fantasy. 2B raised her head again and see that the convoys nearly passed her, so with Rory, they began their walk back to the front of the convoy.

As they walked in silence, Rory spoke up. "So how does it feel to be considered an apostle?" If 2B were, to be honest to Rory, it's a surprise for sure since 2B was just a regular soldier. Commendation and admiration never crossed her mind as something she wanted, especially since she, and everyone else, the Resistance, Army Of Humanity, and YoRHa, were Androids serving a faceless Humanity. "Words travel around fast, I'm sure in just a few weeks everyone in the continent would've heard the rumor of the second apostle of Emroy, Two-Bee~" Rory teased, while 2B cringed inside. She appreciated Rory's effort in giving 2B a background so she wouldn't be suspicious, but without a discussion with the Android, 2B felt like Rory did what she wanted regardless of things.

Rory took 2B's silence as surprise and speechlessness and prompted Rory to giggle and even chuckle as they went on with their walk back to the front of the convoy. "It's a nice name, even though it sounds rigid, I tried making it sound and look natural. Having a number then a letter is rare after all!" Rory justified 2B's new name and status amongst the locals, while the apostles' eye squandered down to 2B's body. "I love your dress by the way~! Reflects you very well, mysterious and shrouded in darkness, but there are some necessary gaps in the impenetrable wall." Rory complimented the Android's uniform, pointing with her finger the holes and motifs made into the design. "Fighting in a dress can be a hassle, I wear them short too!" Rory continued, spinning around to flare up her skirt.

And 2B already noticed, and it would be unnecessary for 2B to tell Rory that it was a cooling module for this unit. Every Type B Number 2 models have these cooling modules in their uniform, as in battle, things could get quite heated and that's in a literal sense of the Androids' body. 2B nodded and thanked Rory for the compliments. "Thank you." And she didn't say anything else. 2B wasn't sure how to respond to compliments, especially her clothing, since it didn't hold anything special to her, but the Android didn't want Rory's compliments to be wasted. "I appreciate it."

Rory giggled, then ran off forward on her own. That's when 2B realized they had reached the front of the convoy and were back to the vehicles of the other-worlder humans. The Apostle wrapped her fingers and hand around the handle of the lead vehicle and pulled it open. Not a second later, the apostle hopped into the vehicle, and a surprised yelp came from within. 2B made her way forward to get a view of what happened, and it seemed Rory took a liking to sit on the commander's lap. 2B silently watched as the two squabbled, with Rory being understood, while the commander sounded like speaking gibberish.

In the end, Rory and the commander made a deal to share the seat, and the door was left open to have the commander lean out the vehicle. Rory took a majority of the seat, which explained the reason for leaning out, but other than that, all parties seemed content in this decision. Rory waved at 2B and gestured for her to come into the vehicles and take a seat as well, at which point 2B gave the apostle a hard and cold shook of her head. It seemed to upset Rory and the girl pouted with her arms crossed yet made no attempts on forcing the Android to enter.

2B concluded the reasoning for it was that she defeated Rory in that duel, therefore the Apostle didn't want to take her chance once again on a much stronger opponent. Her clothes were already tattered, suffered cuts and slices, she didn't want to be walking naked. The soldiers looked at 2B with curious intent and gestured to the back of the vehicle, where all of the children and elderly were. Looks like they invited 2B in as well, but just like Rory, the Android declined and decided to walk along beside the vehicle on foot.

2B witnessed many things during this evacuation, from the persistent helpfulness of the soldiers on the refugees to the cries of human children and their concerned parents. 2B's emotions were a mixed bag as of right now as she looked off into the horizon, a tumbleweed rolling past her vision, as the landscape of an open desert had transitioned in. Humans were so fragile and soft, but their resolve and determination made them persevere even in the direst of situations. The misery and pain can be seen, heard, and smelled. The sight of weakened and exhausted people, the cries and the heavy breathings of children and parents, and the smell of blood, sweat, and tears that had been mixed in by the desert sun.

However, past that misery and pain, there was hope. And that hope was given to the refugees by the soldiers, and the reason for their help in the first place was because they didn't deserve this happening to them. 2B was touched, perhaps even moved as she clasped her hands together and pressed them against her chest, keeping her beating heart from jumping out, and the warm fuzzy sensation within her stomach. It was all so sweet and genuine, the need and desire to save these people were painted in the faces of the soldiers, and the need and desire to thank them were painted on the refugees' faces.

Maybe they'll save her as well, save her from the cycle, save her from the pain she had suffered in her time as a YoRHa unit. Life was different now, in a different world without YoRHa, without the Machines, without 9S… 2B would need time to move on from them all, but she hoped that these soldiers would give her the incentive and motivation to do so. While she had placed on the podium of purpose to be to protect these Humans, 2B more so hoped that the humans would tell her what her purpose would be. For once in her life, she felt the need to be vulnerable, approachable, so she may be able to embrace these humans and be given a purpose.

And what would be so bad about a girl opening herself up to find meaning? 2B might not even have to fight anymore, she didn't even have to still be a soldier. 'Once we eradicate the machine lifeforms, us soldiers won't have anything else to do. We'll enter a new age of peace.' The memory of the time 9S and 2B went into the commercial facility together resurfaced, and 2B stopped dead in her tracks. Just remembering his voice and his words made 2B stop, and stand still like a rock. 'And when that happens, we should go shopping together!' 2B gritted her teeth and tilt her head down, facing the ground. "Oh, Nines… We won't be able to shop together…" 2B whispered.

It came out of the blue.

No warning was given.

It struck without mercy.

And its fire consumed all who got caught in its' sights.

It came as a massive surprise and shock to everyone, even to 2B. The flame dragon, for all of its size and weight, had appeared out of nowhere and had begun its attack on the fleeing convoy. Without any hesitation, 2B sprung into action and broke into a sprint down to the back of the convoy, where the flame dragon had decided its point of attack. Its roar and flaming breath consumed wood and flesh, the screams of the refugees reached 2B's ears, and she couldn't help but be disturbed by the sound.

2B grits her teeth, and she arrived in a flash, taking a family into her arms and leaving the site just as fast. 2B settled them back on the ground, as behind where the family once stood in shock and fear, the flame dragon's flame strafed the area with its overwhelming heat. Not wasting a second later, the Android came to the aid of more humans in the flame dragon's sights. 2B didn't have enough time to look at their expressions, but all she shouted each time she saved a human, were for them to run.

2B raised back to her feet and turned around to face the flying dragon, as the embers and fire rages on around her. It's true then, it is on par with a Goliath-Class machine, it'll be 2B's pleasure to slay it with ruthless impunity.

2B summoned Virtuous Contract into her hand and broke into another sprint, dust, and dirt kicked up behind where she stood, and she sprinted full-speed towards the flame dragon. 2B didn't intend to go in and fight blind, she had formed a strategy that she hoped would bring a swift end to the dragon. It's still flesh and bones, so it should be easy enough to defeat it. Without a pod, she wouldn't be able to dish out continuous ranged damage, she would need to keep it grounded.

And what better way to keep a winged creature grounded other than to cut its' wings off, and that's what 2B intended to do.

Coming upon close towards the dragon, it had realized 2B's threat and opens its' jaws to fire down its breath. 2B pressed on unfettered to close the gap, and as it breathed its deadly breath, 2B dashed to her right and backflipped out of the death zone. The sensation of heat touch the android's skin, and once more she felt the sensation of battle, the euphoria and thrill of dancing with death.

With its breath attack dodged, the dragon flew down closer to the ground and slammed its left hand into the ground where 2B was. In another excellent display of agility and dexterity, 2B rolled back out of the attack. This was the dragon's mistake, and it had acted to 2B's wishes, animals were much easier to handle than machines as they relied on instinct over actual tactics and skill.

2B hopped forward with all of her strength and front-flipped, landing onto the back of the Flame Dragon's hand. 2B raised her blade up, pointed down at the dragon's scales, and struck. Metal meet scales, easily punctured through like knife and butter, then into flesh and bone. The dragon roared out in pain and it raised itself from the ground, powerful wind produced by the flapping of its mighty wings.

The dragon raised its left arm up high above its head as it cried out in pain, however, 2B is not phased and with her landing spot identified, 2B jumped. An organic slick can be heard as Virtuous Contract was pulled out of the Dragon's hand, and 2B flew in the air. 2B landed roughly on the dragon's shoulder, the impact denting its scales and caused to be to grunt out.

But there was no time to sit back, this dragon was a great threat to the safety of the humans. The humans 2B swore to herself to protect, and now 2B raised back to both of her feet. The Dragon was not happy with what 2B did, yet it didn't know where she went. Well, with what 2B did next it will know exactly where she was. 2B hopped off the Dragon's shoulder to his back-side, she plunged Virtuous Contract to slow her descent down the torso of the beast, with her sights aimed at the wings.

2B's descent caused a massive deep gash into the Dragon's left-back, and through it, the Dragon let out another roar of extreme pain. The Dragon flapped its wings and moved erratically, but with cause. It aimed to throw 2B off its back as it knew that it would not be able to reach her. Seconds passed and with each second 2B came closer and closer to her objective, its' wings. The gash continued to expand and 2B's relentless assault put the Dragon into a panic.

It must've realized what 2B was after, and it moved into a head-first dive into the ground. It crashed belly-first onto the Earth and while it injured it, it was successful in warding of 2B's attack, and threw her off and sent her flying up and away. While the beast attempted to recover, its eyes and face have begun to be peppered by small-arms fire from the other-worldly soldiers and caused it a mild annoyance and a haze that managed to keep it still for the next few moments.

2B was not done, however, and with Virtuous Contract held tight in her hand, her descent from the sky got her close enough to the beast's wide wings. Blade cut through the membrane as 2B used the beast once again, to break her fall. The beast roared out once again, as its precious wings were being torn and damaged apart. With the deep gash in its back and the ensued slicing of its wing, it wanted to retreat, to run away, and to live another day.

It rose back up to its feet, but 2B was hot in pursuit and her aim was the base of the wings. If she could cut them both off with clean slices, it would be the end for the creature. But it was a powerful beast with a powerful body, so 2B used the power of gravity to help her. She took out her blade and begin falling with rapidly increasing speed.

2B raised her blade to the side and above her left shoulder, the rapidly approaching joint of the Flame Dragon enticed the Android. 2B was sure it's the end for the creature, with at least one of its wings cut off, it wouldn't be able to flee, and she could deal the final blow.

Kaboom

A huge fireball exploded on the flame dragon, and it let out an ear-deafening roar that signaled the level of destruction that had occurred. 2B was blown away by the explosion, and sent flying again into the air, away from the flame dragon. 2B wondered what had happened, was it the work of the soldiers? If so, then they had just ruined her plan to kill the beast.

The fireball dissipated and the smoke cleared, the severed arm of the flame dragon fell and landed on the ground, causing a massive shake. The Flame Dragon realized that it's been defeated, and flapped its wings as it raised from the ground again. It went on a hasty retreat, over to the horizon and probably to where its lair is. 2B had failed to kill it, while it was not entirely her fault, she felt like she could've done her plan more efficiently.

Now she descended from the sky, Virtuous Contract lost, and about to strike the ground with unrelenting force. Well, she tried, she hoped her pod was here to help her. 2B impacted the ground and sent up dirt, grass, and ground up in an explosion, and she created a crater. She felt her body protest as a result, and her servos stopped responding. Half-awake, 2B felt like she's losing herself. Like that moment when she was slain by A2, so that was it, her purpose was to protect the humans from the flame dragon.

Well, what a heroic end, unlike her first death. 2B closed her eyes and accepted death, again.

A dream? Or was she back in that state of limbo, darkness was surrounding her once again. But this time, she felt like she was standing. She tried to move her legs and they did, and when placed back, she felt solid ground beneath. Where was 2B now? It didn't feel like she was back in the realm of the dead since when she was there, she felt like she was in a pool of water, submerged in an endless void.

All of a sudden, the world turned bright, and 2B recoiled back, shielding her eyes from the instantaneous change in the environment around her. 2B dared not to open her eyes back up, however, the relaxing sounds of running water reached her ears. It sounded like a stream, no, a waterfall but it sounded small. She felt the light touching her, but it didn't feel like the rays of sunlight she was used to, it felt artificial.

Curiosity got the better of her, and 2B lowered her arm and stood tall, but still, she didn't open her eyes. She wanted to listen in more, in case there was danger. 2B felt peaceful for some reason, was this place purgatory? Maybe android heaven? She didn't know and she wasn't sure whether opening her eyes would cause it to disappear. 2B swallowed a growing lump in her throat, and slow, she opened her eyes.

The scene that she stood in was similar to the commercial district back on Earth, her world. All painted in bone-white pure color, escalators that had once fallen out of disrepair and destroyed now run flawlessly. Pillars that had crumbled now stood, and rose into the sky endlessly. She was surrounded by imitations of old human shops, where they could buy products and commodities. This was strange and now felt unnerving.

In the middle of this courtyard, was a fountain, and the source of the sound of running water. Water flowed out of the tips of holes in this fountain and fell into a bowl of it beneath. This reminded 2B greatly of 9S's wish of wanting to shop together when the war came to an end, when peace reigned throughout the land, and when soldiers were no longer needed.

"2B." A soft voice came from behind her. No, it cannot be, was 2B's thoughts when hearing the voice. She turned around, and there he stood. He wasn't there before, but yet there he was. 9S, he still wore his YoRHa uniform, but without his visor. His beautiful light blue eyes shone in a reassuring reflection of 2B, he had a sweet and innocent smile on his face, while his hands were clasped together in front of himself. "I was waiting for you."

2B stood speechless, shocked by the scene that unfolded in front of her. She didn't know what to say or what to do, but it appeared she didn't need to. 9S took one step forward, and another, and slowly he closed the gap between the two androids. 9S's hands reached out, and his warm hands folded around 2B's. He had a massive blush on his face, but it was not one of perversion, it was one from extreme happiness. All of a sudden, 9S embraced 2B in a soft and passionate hug.

"Let's get you a T-Shirt."

2B slowly opened her eyes then twitched her head, and two faces came into view, beside the clear blue skies and white clouds above. To her right was Rory, and to her left was a woman that wore the Human's soldier uniform. Rory spoke since she was the only one 2B could understand at the moment. "You're awake! That was an amazing display, I was highly impressed!" Rory said in her usual happy, and excited tone, a wide smile, and a giggle came afterward.

2B, still hazed, moved on from Rory and focused her attention on the human woman. There was nothing out of the ordinary, but the human appeared to be surprised by something, she had her eyes opened wide. 2B lowered her gaze down and saw a stretcher on the ground, and bandages in the hands of the human woman. She must've been the equivalent of a Healer-Type Android then, treating injuries and conducting repairs, while curing illnesses.

2B pushed herself up to sit, however, the hands of the Human softly touched 2B's back and stomach. The healer appeared concerned, probably due to the fall she had taken. It puzzled 2B now as well, how did she survive that? 2B sat up, supported by the hands of the helpful human healer, and conducted system diagnostics and history logs. It read her systems as all green, and no damage was perceived from the diagnostics.

2B then went ahead to check the history logs, to see what had happened in her system while she was unconscious. It said she had suffered critical blunt trauma, that must've her meteoric crash into the ground. But several seconds later, her auto-heal chip conducted necessary repairs to her hardware and even software. So that commercial facility, with 9S, was all a dream?

Confused, hazed, and her entire body sore, 2B moved her body to stand up. However she was stopped by the hands and arms of the human healer, and while Rory and 2B stared at the woman, she spoke in broken falmartian. "No, broken bones, possible." It humbled 2B, going to the length of speaking a language you did not yet master, risked embarrassment, to potentially save someone's life. 2B also judged that from the woman's sentence, she hasn't noticed that 2B was an android. Or maybe she bought into the narrative that 2B was an apostle of a Falmart god.

Nevertheless, without saying anything, 2B pulled her body out of the grip of the human healer and stood up. 2B looked around, and the scene she woke up to was familiar. In the crater, with the giant arm of the flame dragon laying on the grass a few distances away. Looks like 2B hadn't passed out for hours like her previous encounter with passing out, so that was good. There were so many more questions she wanted answers to, the dream, the mysterious language module, hell, she was interested in learning more about this world, and the one beyond the gate now that she knew humans existed on the planet.

And for the first time, 2B was glad to be alive.

2B followed through with what Rory told her was a funeral. The soldiers took the deceased refugees in the battle and buried them as a sign of respect. It didn't bother the Android, however, witnessing it from afar was a sight to behold. She never experienced a funeral, a soldier and an android like her didn't need to do so. When killed in battle, her data module could be uploaded to the Bunker by 9S, and she was placed in a new body. If she was destroyed fully with no backup, then she would've started fresh with a fresh empty mind.

2B also never thought of burying or giving a funeral to the enemies she was slaying. They were the enemy after all, and it would be redundant and stupid to pay respects to a horrendous enemy that driven off humans to the moon. But the display of compassion and empathy by the other-worldly soldiers shone through, and while it was a mass grave, it was still better than letting corpses lay on the road. Rotting beneath both the sunlight and moonlight, while crows chew away at the flesh.

The funeral went on until it became nighttime, and while the other-worldly soldiers prepared for departure, alongside the human villagers, 2B sat alone on the grass and gazed at the stars above. Her second time experiencing night, and it was still a beautiful thing to the Android. It was… best described to be magical, with how pretty the contrast of the colorful stars was with the black background, they really sparkled. 2B wondered which world was Earth at, at which star, which way in the black endless void that was space.

2B's stargazing was interrupted when her ears picked up something interesting, and she turned her head to look towards the road. It appeared the refugees now went on their own to cover the rest of their journey, the flame dragon defeated, they were now sure they could travel alone. However, some of the villagers waved at 2B and gestured her to urgently come over. Casualties were kept to a minimum thanks to 2B's initial saving of the people, however, it was inevitable that there would be deaths.

What came after surprised her, she was bombarded by so many thanks and signs of gratitude. Many cried while holding 2B's hands, thanking the supposed apostle of Emroy for saving them, and keeping the dragon occupied for the 'Men-in-green' to fire the 'Rod Of Steel'. She had gotten a wide array of gifts, from decorative ornaments to food that was useless to her, and 2B thanked them all. She wasn't sure how to react, but with this amount of thanks thrown her way. She was bound to say something to the horde.

So 2B said thanks to them all, her hands and arms full of the gifts she received, it was not much, but the sentiment was there. Even in their lowest points, they managed to thank profusely the one who had 'saved' them. 2B was touched deeply, and she compared it to her time back in her world. Regardless, 2B smiled, her cheeks were flushed, and her heart pounded away into the night.

The refugees left widowed old humans and orphaned children claimed that they would not be able to support them, and it would've been harder for them to bring them along. It was the responsibility given to the otherworldly soldiers, so 2B didn't mind. 2B moved her gaze towards Rory after handing out the gifts she received to the children, and Rory sat with her hands on her cheek and a big smile on her face. 2B judged from the fact that Rory was sitting in one of the vehicles, she was going with the soldiers to wherever they were going back to.

2B decided to follow.

Thank you for reading until the end of another chapter. I had a burst of energy and decided to make the next chapter faster! I appreciate the kind words so far, and I always take in the suggestions and criticism I receive. Until the next chapter!