[Chapter 4: Realization]
"I was just trying to get some fresh air! A2, p-please let me down!" I plead, with my wounds excruciatingly sore from the insane speed. A2 looks down at me angrily as I grasp onto her for dear life.
"I, um… sorry about leaving…" My voice is timid with fear. A2 doesn't bother to reply, an angry look still on her face. Keeping quiet is probably best.
Curious of the duo holding me captive before, I glance over A2's shoulder and…
These two androids have been right on our ass the entire time! Do they want me or A2? How long can A2 keep this up?
"Hey A2, do you by any chance happen to know those two?" I question, while 2B and 9S are sprinting towards us with bloodlust intent.
"Tch." A2 turns to look back and she rolls her eyes as a disgruntled look overtakes her face. Her dashing speed increases. Well, that explains it… Even though they have the same fashion sense, they're probably not good friends…
We speed through ruined buildings, overgrown with tree vines and flora. Each turn we take twists my stomach. That fish is gonna come up any second….
"Ah!" I scream in pain as my cheek scrapes along concrete ground. When will I ever catch a break? The ground seems to love me…
Must get my bearings…it looks like we're inside a ruined skyscraper, empty as ever with broken windows lining the walls. A strong draft blows into my face, drying out my eyes.
Is that…?
"A2, are you alright?" I exclaim.
A2 had hit the ground with me, throwing me forward as we both fell. Sparks pop from her arm and she's struggling to stand up.
"Analysis: YoRHa Type A No.2 has been hacked by YoRHa Type S No.9. Motor functions at eighty percent. Proposal: Replace decision making chip to purge subjugation virus." The pod analyzes A2, while 9S and 2B charge forward with swords drawn.
A2 retaliates, materializing a huge electrical broadsword in her right hand, supported by her shoulder. A smaller electric sword with a black hilt appears in her left hand and accompanies the larger one.
A2 braces herself and the two tailing androids collide their swords. A2 swings her broadsword horizontally through the air. The silver metal makes a solid hit and the sound of screeching metal bounces off stone walls, ringing my ears. 9S and 2B are launched back, hitting the wall behind them. They both give off a loud grunt, signalling their injuries. A2, although deflecting the attack, gets weaker with every movement. She groans in pain and the sparks begin to increase in severity.
"Motor functions at seventy percent," the pod reminds A2.
"Do something, you useless junk!" A2 yells back at the pod.
"Affirmative." The pod unleashes a small Gatling gun through its front side and fires a barrage of bullets at 2B and 9S. The two focus on dodging bullets, but still inch closer to us. We have an opportunity, we can get out of here!
I turn back to A2. "A2, this is our chance!"
"I know that, idiot." A2 frustratingly replies. Both of her swords disappear and reappear, sheathed on her back, contained in small yellow rings. She springs towards me and sweeps me off the ground.
Alright! Looks like we're getting away from these two-
"Wait, where are you going A2?" Oh god, I hate heights! "A- A2 let's just take the stairs, it's safer!"
"This is faster." She replies, determined to get out of conflict.
"I really don't think-"
Oh shit.
"Wahhhhhh!" I'm dead. Welp, it was good to wake up and be alive for a little bit longer, and at least I'll die in the hands of a beautiful woman – or android, I suppose. She still looks pretty anyways, and this is the closest I'll get to being with one.
Every bone in my body is about to shatter. God, I hope it's not too painful.
I close my eyes and wait for the inevitable.
Huh? This is taking longer than I expected…
I open my eyes and see one of A2's arms holding onto the hands of the pod. We glide down and make an audible thud as we land on the soft grass below.
I've never been so glad to be on the ground until now.
Relieved, I let out a huge sigh and-
"Blarghh… ughhh…" My lunch escapes my throat, covering the grass in a small mush, similar to what A2 made for me before.
"So, you did eat it?" A2 wonders.
"No, I didn't…" I reply.
A2 turns towards the pod. "You're not too useless after all." She struggles to voice the compliment, her injuries still obvious. She picks me up with her now free arm and begins to limp at a gruelling pace.
"Motor functions at forty percent," the pod informs A2.
"I know, I know…"
Having lost the androids, we walk for about an hour. A2 carries me to another abandoned building. This time, it's an old corner store. Cracked shelves sit row by row, some containing empty cans. Dented shopping carts lie around, unused for a long time.
A2 gently sets me down behind the counter and dust puffs up from my descent. I cough violently and hear a loud crashing noise.
What was that? No more machines damnit…
I crawl to the corner of the counter in anticipation of my worst fears.
Gotta be careful, can't make any noise…
My head slowly rears itself from around the counter and-
"A2!" I call out. A2 had collapsed, knocking over some shelves. She breathes heavily, lying still on the ground.
"Motor functions at ten percent. Combat functions at zero percent. Language function at ninety percent…" The pod gives the final say to A2's movement and starts to list off other malfunctions.
"A2…" What do I do? I could leave her and try to get away from all of this, but…
"Ke...p…" A2 mumbles something inaudible.
"A2, what is it?! Are you alright!?"
"Keep moving…"
"I can't exactly make much headway in my condition, I-"
"They'll find you," A2 cuts me off. "Don't let them find you, they're traitors. Stay alive. Keep moving. Please." Desperation fills her voice, almost begging me to go. Her sparks haven't stopped and her left leg has begun to shake uncontrollably.
This small feeling welling up inside… Gah, my chest is beginning to tighten, it aches.
I try to protest. "But I'm-"
"Go."
It's no use. She probably knows what's best.
Making my way out from underneath the counter, I start towards the door. My hand slaps the ceramic tile; with each movement, pain continues to surge through my body. I pass A2 and glance at her. She lies still with her eyes closed. And…
Tears.
I- I can't… I have to keep moving just like she said. It's just an android after all, right?
God damnit, so why do I feel this way? This feeling… It's eating away at me. What is this? Why do I feel this way about a machine?
As I'm about to leave the store, I turn to look back at her and find that she's staring straight back at me. Her eyes don't seem fake, there's something there. Emotions. Everything.
"Don't die, idiot." I make out a faint smile on A2's face.
She's not just an android.
I'm coming back for you… If I can't save you, I sure as hell won't let you die here alone.
I turn around and crawl back into the store, A2 looks at me with a distressed expression.
"W-What do you think you're doing?" A2 struggles to ask.
"Staying with you." I crack a smile at A2.
"You idiot, they'll find you and y-you'll be killed…"
"Then let them kill me."
"I can't let you die, especially not by those traitors… they left me alone and… You're the last one, there's still h-hope." A2 stutters her words.
"If I'm not leaving this place with you, I'm dying here with you. I can't make much progress without you anyways…"
"Are you an frhmmm."
"Huh?"
"I can't- I canrrfmm beh."
"Language function at five percent." The pod explains A2's rambles.
"Uhhh fhmmm fahh baoo." A2 tries to scold me even more but fails to get out any clear word.
"A2…"
Looks like she doesn't have a say in what I do and don't do now.
I set myself beside her and lay my head on some rubble. A2 turns her head to look at me. She doesn't bother speaking – well, more like she can't… She stares at me, with a worried look still on her face.
I don't know what to do. All I can do is be here, beside her.
Editing and Polish by: 0erbayunFang
Thank you!
A/N: Kept you waiting huh? Sorry for the long hiatus guys. Motivation issues and work have been getting in the way of my writing. I know this is a short chapter but please enjoy! As always, critique and comments are always appreciated! Also, my previous beta reader, Recycler, had to drop the project due to a heavy workload, a new beta reader is now on the story, 0erbayunFang. Thank you for your work!