The last machine collided with the cobbled brick of the stadium walls with a satisfying explosion as A2's shin punted it across the arena.
"FINISHED!" The announcer bellowed with gusto as A2 came down from her destructive high. This arena…I never knew there was anything like it. A2 reveled in the ease and accessibility of the machines the establishment offered. At first, she had thought it cringeworthy, the extent to which these seemingly random androids went to in order to build a whole underground hub for machine fighting like some sort of sport, but she quickly found that the means didn't make much of a difference to her when she was tearing through machines, pain and energy flying through her circuits, exacting retribution for the lives lost on account of these invaders. "One less machine is one less machine."
Spurred by her charge's sudden statement, 153 responded. "Query: Has YoRHa Unit A2 has been satisfied by the range of machines provided by the android's underground establishment?"
A2 laughed, almost mockingly as she made her way back to the receptionist's desk. "Not even close." Without waiting for the support unit to respond, she laid her hands on the countertop as the receptionist greeted her with awestruck eyes and a big smile.
"Wow, you've set and broken almost every record in here!" Hands busying with something, she pulled up the menu again as A2 immediately began browsing through the combat options before she lifted her head up, suddenly curious.
"Almost?" She asked, feeling somewhat competitive. There must have been a YoRHa down here. she thought wryly.
"Yeah, there was a YoRHa Scanner and B-Unit down here a week or two ago. I haven't seen them since though. You seen them around up there?"
Without hesitation, A2 told her. "The Scanner and most of YoRHa are gone."
As soon as she said it, all noise in the small cantina suddenly stopped. Even the machines turned their large piercing glares towards her, unafraid of repercussions from their masters. Distraught gaping masks pulled over the face of every android in the room, sheer disbelief on others. A couple of them shakily ran out of the room and piled into the elevator at once, leaving their machines abandoned on the floor as they nervously and impatiently began to make calls. Suddenly the receptionist grabbed her arm and pulled her in close. "I think you should try to keep most of that information from the machines in here. If there was an uprising, I don't think we could keep everything under control." She whispered to her with a slight panic to her voice.
A2 scoffed. "I'm sure I can handle any threat these hunks of trash can dish out. You have nothing to worry about."
The receptionist didn't seem so sure. "You say that, but…"
A2 raised an eyebrow. "But what?"
"Maybe it's better if I just show you. You qualify for the S rank challenge next anyways."
Selecting the highest rank on the list, A2 nodded and made her way down to the fighting grounds. By the time she arrived, the machines were already in place. On the go-ahead from the MC, A2 charged. Fighting tooth and nail, tearing limb from limb, she blew through the hordes… But then she heard it.
"We just want to live!"
Shocked, A2 stuttered for a moment before continuing her assault. Her old comrades' faces flashed through her mind one after the other as the machines kept calling out.
"My daughter! My daughter, you killed her!"
The grip on her weapon grew tighter and the never dulling blade of Cruel Oath swung faster.
"I'm…I'm so scared…"
Suddenly she snapped. A blood curdling cry rang throughout the coliseum as A2 exploded in a torrent of red energy. "You don't have families!" Hurt and incredulous anguish bubbled in A2's stomach as her hardened heart grew harder, her anger and drive grew clearer.
…Do you think this makes you stronger?
"Yes!" A2 began to grin, pain wracking every atom in her frame as time almost began to slow down around her. "The fight, this power, my release, my freedom. Justice! This lust for murder…"
Justice and murder don't sound the same to me.
"I…it's not murder." She screamed out in frustration. It's not murder and you know it isn't!"
The voice responded, sounding slightly annoyed this time. I'm not even the one who said it…
"Stop! Get out of my head! You're making me think this way! Your life is done! Now let me keep living mine!"
It responded with a sense of mirthful humor this time. Trust me. If anyone in this world has reason to be an advocate for free speech, it's me.
Two final bots thudded to the ground in front of her and their killing intent was apparent. B-mode had just run out and in the middle of her internal exchange, she hadn't even thought to gain any distance. A sixth sense led her through the familiar motions of calling out to a quick access bank within 153 and using a Large Recovery.
A2 phased out of harm's way just as a torrent of metal and synthesized wind came barreling towards her. She dodged and phased and dodged again, driving the unbreakable golden heft of her weapon through the core of the caped assailant up to the hilt. Withdrawing at once, she gained a considerable amount of damage as his partner came driving towards her with a mad lunge. Narrowly maneuvering out of what would have been a deadly blow, she turned on her heel and swiveled to face the machine again, surprised when she saw that it had already doubled back again on her. Looking down to her side, she noticed Pod 153 floating almost expectantly, as if expecting the rouge YoRHa to call on her to level out her disadvantageous position.
The gall…
Instead, she exploded in a fit of fury and red tinged exhaust as she fought against gravity, roaring as she drove Cruel Oath's tip forward like a spear, grunting in frustration as it all but bounced off, the machine on one knee, clearly hurt, but still operable. On the offensive this time, she dashed forward, disappearing for the briefest of moments as the machine looked around in a panic before she appeared before him, rage evident on her face and almost molten blade raised over her head like a club as she brought it down on his head. The machine brought the titanium alloy of its spear up as it lowered its gaze towards the ground, bracing for and successfully blocking the first strike, and not seconds later, the second…and the third…and the fourth… A2 turned into an unstoppable force hellbent on its destruction, each slug of Cruel Oath's blade oozing red exhaust from hilt to tip as she slung every way her right hand would allow her to. On the final of countless blows, an upturned swing ripped the spear out of the machine's hands, and in a brief moment of terror and despair, it spoke.
"Plea-"
Its thoughts were callously ended as A2 drove her weapon through its skull and again through its core as its body hit the ground in a pathetic heap.
Tentavely, the voice tried again. Haven't you ever thought that maybe, the world isn't so black and white?
Worn and exhausted, A2 replied aloud, tired eyes locked on the ground as the din of the crowd's praise and the churn of her own anger grew dull and muffled. She chuckled once before the smile fell limply from her face and her cold couth returned it always did. She began bitterly, "…What the fuck do you know? We're not the same."
But now, she is… Before her stood the form of YoRHa Unit No. 9 Type S, not a wound on his body, thick leather-clad hands still jet-black, visor still fit snugly in place. He stepped forward as he began to tried to reach her. You know what she's going through. The pain of losing someone you love. Not even that…of losing everything you've ever known and believed in all at once. No preparation, no failsafe, everything…gone.
"Don't talk about what I've gone through…as if you know me…" Her fists clenched and she began to shake.
A2… He started again, even softer this time. You're right. I don't know you…I know. Not even the records had much on you that actually gave insight into what you were forced to experience. I'm sorry about your friends. I truly am. Even I at least know that pain to an extent, but only you can save 2B at this point. The pain of losing not only your comrades but even your closest friend. Your entire world. That's a rare burden. Are you going to stand by and mindlessly kill machines in the name of "justice" and "revenge" while the same corruption and despair destroyed your comrades, a jolt ran across A2's shoulders as he mentioned them again and she began to shake terribly as she continued to stare, hard at the ground. The same despair that's still consuming you! She began to blink rapidly, body frozen on the spot and lip upturning as her vision got blurry. Consume another person? The first hot tear fell down her dirt stained cheek as she chewed painfully on her lip. Don't let them…those two girls…
When he mentioned them, A2's eyes snapped open wide and she looked up at him.
Taking his visor off and meeting her eyes with his own, brilliantly blue and unyielding, he continued. Don't let them claim another, A2. Don't let them win!
The dam finally broke, and for the first time in two long years, A2 cried freely.
Silently, 9S stood before her, heart wanting to but unable to do anything to comfort her. Even as she stood there, tears streaming down her face and chest jolting with each sharp intake.
She didn't care that audience was still looking. She didn't care that she'd sworn an oath to obliterate every last machine before she died. She didn't care.
Right now, all she wanted to do was cry. The weight, the anguish, the tireless days, the aching bones, the endless solitude, desperate loneliness and most of all, the crushing, ridiculing realization that she may never achieve her goal, never have an impact and nothing she ever did would undo what had been done to them…to her. She had spent so many years just spinning her wheels and running on fumes. It was mentally exhausting. Many days, she struggled to find a reason to even go on. "Machines, machines." That was always what it came down to. That was her drive. That kept her going. No matter how mindless and fruitless it often started seeming, she beat down that feeling without remorse continued to forge down the blood trail. But now…maybe… Maybe she could…just for this one time, give it…a chance.
'Don't let them claim another, A2. Don't let them win!'
One last operation…
"Why me, 9S?" She finally spoke, voice hoarse, almost raspier than it already was. Wiping her eyes and looking up, 9S noticed her expression was almost lighter. Even if for just this moment, she seemed like she had less on her plate. She continued, "The obvious aside…I know not many androids can fight like we do. But was this just desperation?"
Eyes shifting down for a moment, they shifted back up to look at her again. I won't lie. That was a last ditch move…I hadn't thought it through much. But A2, what doesn't change is the fact that you her last hope. You know the pain she has now, know it better than anyone.
Sensing an opening for a smartass jab, she asked him with mock interest, "Even better than you?" Maybe it was a side effect of his data in that sword, but she found that she couldn't resist teasing him when the opportunity presented itself. "I've got a good bit of your memories now. In fact it says here you never cared about her at all."
His visage faltered and she heard his cadence shift dangerously. A2…
She ignored it, though. A2 couldn't lie, his voice was very soothing and he was a good guy, but she wasn't going to make this that easy for him. The way he spoke as if he had authority over her was starting to get on her nerves. It reminded her of the Commander.
"I have some of your feelings now too. If you're not careful, I might steal her away from you. Not that you're…around to protect her anyways."
A biting retort started to formulate on his tongue, but it died on his lips. 9S closed his eyes, sighing as he realized what she was doing. Distracting herself from the weight of the moment with quips and backhanded comments. He decided to humor her. Somehow I don't think I have to worry about that. He said with a knowing tone.
"Oh really? I know about 6O. Maybe she rubbed off on her a bit…or a lot?"
Are we talking about the same girl here? YoRHa No.2 Type B? About ye high with heels? Cute black headband, perfectly kempt bob, glossy lips, warm skin every it's supposed to be, picture of beauty, actual body worth looking at? Looks like you only not on a discount at a garage sale?
For some reason, that one hit a nerve. She sighed in frustration as her eyebrow twitched slightly. "The things I'd do to you right now if I could touch you."
So you don't roll that way.
"Big bad scanner can't take a joke?" A2 bit back, and she actually felt herself begin to crack a smile. She felt feelings coming back now that she hadn't felt since…
Well I had no way of knowing. For all I knew you really were trying to copy every aspect of me, not just the hair.
"Well your widow didn't really give me a choice in the matter. It was my hair or my head."
9S' smile fell at that. And upon seeing it, A2's did too. The mood was suddenly lost and the two stared at the ground as silence overtook them. A2…
"Hm." She regarded his call, knowing full well what he was saying. Waving her hand in the air as her spunk returned, she waved him off. "Yeah, yeah."
Everyone's counting on you. 2B's counting on you. Do this for her, for the world. Or at least for yourself. Please? As he faded away, he gave one last smile and raised a mock salute. Glory to Mankind.
Raising her middle finger to him as he disappeared with a shit eating grin, she smirked. "Go fuck yourself."
And suddenly she was alone. Only surrounded by Pod 153, who had been suspiciously quiet this whole time even after the reappearance of her master, a stone arena and an audience looking slightly confused, but no less enthused than they had been when she first killed the machine that lay at her feet, eyes just now dimming and twitching subsiding before exploding moments later.
One last operation.
"I'm the only one, huh?" Looking up and examining the illustrious sheen as the slight light from the stadium reflected off of her golden blade held high, held comfortably in her grip, she made up her mind. Alright. "YoRHa Unit No.9 Type S? YoRHa Unit Type A No.2 formally accepts your request."
From the stands, wrapped in a hood and wearing conspicuous goggles, Jackass observed in awe as the battle officially came to a close. "Damn, A2. She really is all I expected her to be." Returning to the lobby, she took the elevator back to the surface and bade farewell to the bouncer. Rounding the corner past the leaning skyscraper, she made the call to 2B.
In the background, she could here what must have been the twins making repairs. Good on them. She'd have to tell them to get ready to tend to another YoRHa for when A2 got back.
"Jackass!" 2B clearly hadn't removed her visor, but the surprise and anticipation was still evident on her face. "Did…did you find her?"
"You'll be pleased to know that I did. Keep this quiet as I don't think Anemone would take very well to people wasting their time playing with machines for sport, but I found a secret underground machine fighting arena. A2 was down there really going to town."
"A-ah… I see." 2B responded rigidly.
Jackass thought she saw a flash of irritation run through 2B's features and she brought it up. "You okay? You look kinda pissed…"
"Not to worry Jackass. It's just that 9S and I actually know that place. We've…spent our fare share of time there you could say. I wouldn't want Anemone to know. Could make things awkward…" 2B trailed off slightly as she though about the outfit they had won for their efforts. She only wore it the one time and he hadn't been too heavy handed at all, but 9S seemed to…like it...to say the least. Now she didn't even have reason to wear it… And she's down there just having a blast, destroying things, because that's all she knows how to do. Is destroy. 2B's thoughts got increasingly agitated and her lips began to twitch before she remembered she was in a call. "Is she still there?"
Jackass' face was dubious and filled with concern. "…Yeah…" Maybe to an average person, 2B's lie would have gone unnoticed, but Jackass was an analyst by trade and 2B was straying a bit from her usual cold professionalism ever so slightly. "2B-"
"Are you almost finished?" The YoRHa turned to the twins, tone overtly impatient.
Devola responded dryly, throwing in a yawn for good measure. "Yeah just give us a sec."
"Hurry up." 2B quickly ground out the words with malice and Popola jumped with a short whimper in response.
In defense of her sister, Devola stood her own, shaky ground against the assassin. "Hey what's your problem, 2B?! We're trying to help you."
Ignorant of the stunned look on Jackass' face, 2B stood up. As she made her way towards the doorway, she brushed them off. "We're done here."
Popola tried to appeal to android's retreating back. "Wait 2B! We haven't finished all viral checks! You could still be infected!"
"That's fine. I think we would know by now." She responded without looking as she tested out her combat system, summoning her sword to her hand.
Finally, Jackass tried to intervene. "2B, I think you might be a little tired…" She waited for a response, testing the waters before jumping to her next point. "Maybe we should let Anemone kno-" She stopped abruptly as she saw 2B tense up, so she added quickly. "I mean after all, she's kind of like the Commander at this point, right? She's kind of a stand in given all that's happened."
"No." 2B replied plainly. "Technically I should outrank all of you. Besides, she'd be upset if she knew about the fighting ring."
"2B this isn't about that and you kno-"
"Just…shut up, Jackass." 2B's tone was final and the room went dead silent.
"But just remember!" 2B smiled with an overly compensated tone of sweetness and the reaction of Jackass' face was one that was clearly unnerved. Even behind her, Devola and Popola nervously exchanged glances with each other as they looked over the results of their final check on 2B's circuits. "Don't tell Anemone!"
