Something was wrong.
The minute A2's functions returned to her after her slumber, her systems awakening from their idle state one by one, the combat android could immediately tell something was off. The sensations of the previous night's activities were still fresh in memory. The passion, the comfort, the pleasure, and the loving warmth, all of them distilled in one ecstatic night of lovemaking with her beloved Leah. Holding her, feeling her, giving every inch of her being to the human girl which she reciprocated in kind. Two beings, so different yet the same, coming together in a moment of time they will never forget.
Steel-blue eyes fluttering open, delicate eyelashes framing their crystalline depths as they stared blankly at the nondescript concrete ceiling, A2's fingers slowly caressed the now empty spot next to her in bed, the sheets feeling cool to the touch. That was what was missing, A2 lamented silently as she lightly traced the faint outline of the bed's previous occupant with a wistful gaze, a strange feeling of emptiness radiating within her black box.
Leah. Leah was what was missing, her calming and soothing presence feeling painfully absent to the former soldier, especially after their night together. It was as if they had grown even closer, deeply connected in a way the combat android couldn't even begin to fathom, her black box beating solely for the time-traveling human, the feeling of her naked body against her skin permanently etched upon her soul, should she even possess one.
Lifting herself into a seated position, A2 blinked curiously as the sheet draped over her body slid down to rest in her lap, the silver-haired android sure she hadn't covered herself with it the night before, content to remain solely in her girlfriends embrace. A gentle spark of joy lit up within A2's chest as she gripped the off-white blanket within her hand, knowing exactly what happened, her steel-blue gaze lifting to stare across the room to find the person who had covered her while she slept.
Located at the other end of their shared room, dressed in a simple pair of shorts and sports bra, Leah was currently in the midst of her morning work-out routine, the brown-haired girl's forehead slick with sweat as she lowered down for another push-up, muscles tightening as they were put through their daily exercise. Leah's eyes were ablaze with determination as she pushed through the slight flare in her arm where she had been cut the day before, making sure to be mindful of the fresh stitches, the brown-haired girl not keen to anger Popola by having them bust open.
She was sure a verbal beating was not the only thing she'd be getting from the straight-haired twin.
Watching the time-traveling girl work so hard, especially after such an intense and passionate night together, one that had even left A2 emotionally exhausted, brought a proud smile to the silver-haired beauty's lips. She was always pushing herself, relentlessly chasing after her own ideal, Leah determined to stand side-by-side with her android companions on and off the battlefield. With a body littered with scars, having experienced enough trauma and despair to cripple even the most steadfast of soldiers, Leah kept going, wanting nothing more than to live her life on her own terms.
It was something A2 greatly admired about the human girl, her tenacity and will to live, even while presented with the most insurmountable of odds, made her fall even deeper in love with her every day. But, as her girlfriend, A2 had to make sure she was there to support her when she needed it, to help carry any burden she may try to shoulder on her own, to keep her from pushing herself too far over the edge where she will only hurt herself.
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, the edge of the blanket trailing her movements as it pooled gently on the ground, the soft clack of her heels tapping against the concrete grabbing the exercising girl's attention. Lifting her head, small trails of sweat dripping down her face, Leah shot her android girlfriend a quick, exuberant smile, A2 returning it with one of her own, before continuing her workout.
"Why didn't you wake me?" A2 asked as she gently ran her fingers through her long hair, carefully untangling some of the knots that sprung up overnight, the soft tresses easily bending to her will until they retained their usual luster and beauty.
"You were sleeping so soundly I didn't want to disturb you." Leah managed to respond through gritted teeth as she lowered for another push-up, the human girl having to struggle a little harder as she passed the two-hundred mark, her muscles burning from exertion. "You never get any time to relax so I let you sleep."
Smiling brightly, thoroughly touched by Leah's thoughtfulness, A2 got to her feet and made her way over to the exercising girl, the time-traveling human watching her approach with a curious stare. Stepping next to Leah, watching the muscles ripple in her back, A2 quickly wrapped her arms around the human girl's waist and pulled her up for a big hug as she let out a sharp yelp of surprise. Kicking her legs futilely, feet dangling just off of the ground, a small blush colored Leah's cheeks as she felt A2's breasts push into her back, the android's strong grip around her midsection not helping matters in the slightest.
Holding her prized possession close, Leah wriggling helplessly in her arms, A2 carried her girlfriend back toward their bed before dropping her gently upon the slightly stiff mattress, looming over the confused human girl with a bright grin. Lunging forward, A2 began peppering Leah's face with quick, soft kisses, showering the human girl with as much affection as she could, Leah giggling merrily as she wrapped her arms around the android.
A2 never wanted to stop, to stay in this moment forever, to shower as much affection and love upon the human girl for the rest of her life. Emotions had been the bane of A2's existence for many years, only ever affording her pain and misery as she walked down a thorny path of anger and revenge. At times, when everything just felt like too much, when her self-imposed mission pulled her down to the lowest depths, A2 wished she could just get rid of them forever, to free herself of the burden of feeling.
But with Leah, seeing the shine in emerald eyes as she rained down kisses upon her cheeks, nose, and lips, heard her mirthful giggles, A2 was grateful to have them. Such happiness and love, overwhelming and joyous, made the former YoRHa soldier glad to have someone to share them with. And she was glad it was Leah.
Giggling with delight, thoroughly enjoying her girlfriend's loving affection, every little kiss feeling like heaven upon her skin, Leah squeezed the silver-haired beauty closer as she placed a big kiss upon A2's lips, savoring the androids taste with a blissful moan before wriggling playfully out of her grasp. Jumping to her feet, a joyful bounce in her step, Leah gave her girlfriend a quick wave before disappearing into the bathroom to take a shower.
Shaking her head at Leah's antics, silver locks tickling her shoulders, A2 flopped onto her back with a soft thump, steel-blue eyes alight with joy as she stared wistfully at the dull, gray ceiling, her head afloat with nothing but precious memories of the previous night. The feel of Leah's skin, the taste of her lips, the overwhelming sensations and pleasures shared between her and the woman she loved was something A2 would carry with her for the rest of her existence.
A2 could truly say she was happy now.
Sighing heavily, one overflowing with utter bliss, A2 deftly hopped to her feet, the loud clack of her heels colliding with the ground echoing briefly in the empty room as the combat android grabbed a random workout shirt out of her own personal pile of clothes. Pulling the tight-fitting garment over her head, plucking out a couple of strands of hair that got caught in her collar, briefly fiddling with the hem to make sure it covered her exposed stomach, A2 looked over the plain, black garment with a critical eye, her gaze briefly shifting to the door leading to the bathroom.
'Should I ask YoRHa to restore my old form?' A2 wondered thoughtfully, her fingers idly running along her hip, the dark patches of her exposed chassis standing out even more in her eyes, so much of her original self lost to time and war. Even the last piece of her combat dress had been destroyed when she activated Berserk mode, leaving no trace of her old life behind, only her and her broken body. She could easily ask 2B and 9S for help, the pair having proven to be wonderful companions and trusted allies, that it was truly possible to go back to how she was before.
Would Leah like it better if she was whole again? Her dress would surely look nicer than damaged and torn skin. Leah would not have to settle for someone broken, someone damaged. Would it make her happier? Would their intimate moments together be free of worry and fear?
Would she find her beautiful?
Shaking her head, A2 drove such foolhardy ideas from her mind, reminding herself that she had vowed to never trust YoRHa again. She shouldn't be entertaining such inane fantasies of beauty and returning to how things used to be. At least, A2 added as a silent caveat, not for now. Someday, when the pain of betrayal and abandonment have subsided and healed, when A2 can truly consider herself free from the torments of her past, she may find it in herself to put her hatred to rest.
Besides, A2 thought with a serene smile, her mind wandering back to their passionate night together, Leah already thought she was beautiful.
As if summoned, Leah suddenly burst forth from the bathroom dressed only in a towel, bare skin glistening from her quick shower, wet feet slapping against the cold concrete as she made her way over to her container of clothes. The human girl fell down into a crouch and began idly rifling through her collection, seemingly oblivious to the android's confused yet appreciative stare. Grabbing a set of workout gear with a triumphant 'a-ha', proud grin curled on her lips, Leah deftly raised back to her feet before dropping her towel without a second thought, the human girl standing naked before her dumbfounded girlfriend.
'Is she doing this on purpose? She usually gets changed in the bathroom.' A2 thought as a small spark of heat began burning in her stomach, the sight of Leah completely nude, slowly sliding on a simple pair of black underwear, managing to ignite a fire within her just as strong as the previous night, if not stronger. Watching Leah get dressed, the brown-haired girl pulling up a pair of tights over her legs, fingers gliding almost sensually over her toned thighs, A2 could vividly remember the feeling and emotions that had rolled through her when she got to touch them herself.
"Ready to start our day?" Leah cheered with a bright grin after getting fully dressed, donning some simple shorts over her leggings, the time-traveling human wearing a loose, white tank-top which did little to hide her bra. The human girl, practically brimming with energy, bounced over to A2's side before leaning comfortably into the silver-haired woman's side as she looked up at her with sparkling green eyes, Leah seeming to savor the touch of her girlfriend's skin against her own. A2 couldn't deny that she was loving it as well, a small smile crossing her features as she slipped her hand into Leah's, finger intertwining as they stepped out of their room and into the bustling marketplace of the Resistance Camp.
The second the pair stepped through the door, the bright sun briefly touching their skin, two sets of green eyes immediately honed in on them from across the way, sending a small foreboding shiver down Leah's spine. Devola and Popola, dutifully manning their sales stand, perked up as soon as they caught sight of the emerging android and her human lover, the twins staring at them with mile-wide grins on their faces.
"Oh no." Leah grumbled ruefully as she rubbed her eyes in frustration, the beginning signs of a headache making itself known, all of the energy of the morning draining away in an instant. The human girl knew exactly what was coming and she was not looking forward to it.
A2 merely quirked a confused eyebrow at her girlfriend and the twin's odd reactions, the combat android watching with a wary eye as the redheaded twins casually sauntered up to them, their green eyes glimmering with mischief which made the silver-haired women feel a small spark of annoyance she couldn't quite explain.
"Soooo…." Devola started, shooting her sister a sly smile, Popola dutifully finishing the sentence with a coy grin of her own as they came to stand before the newly arrived pair. "Did you two have a good night?~"
Slapping her hands over her face with an audible smack, trying to hide the shameful blush lighting up her cheeks, Leah let out a silent scream, wordlessly begging the twins to have a bit of restraint for once.
"We did, yes." The combat android answered simply, A2 staring at the embarrassed human girl curiously, the combat android failing to register the knowing hint the twin redheads were putting out, falling readily into their teasing trap. Grinning mirthfully at the former soldier's obliviousness, something that served them greatly, the redheaded sisters slid into place on either side of the couple, Devola annoyingly pressing herself into Leah's side, the human girl practically feeling her stare upon her.
"I bet Leah got a lot of time to rest and recuperate." Gently elbowing the combat android's side, one that earned an annoyed growl from the short-tempered woman, Popola kept their little game going, prepared to wring every last moment of enjoyment from Leah's embarrassment and A2's obliviousness.
"I'm sure A2 took good care of her." Throwing her arm over Leah's shoulder, pulling the mortified girl closer, Devola suggestively waggled her eyebrows, the wild-haired twin practically bursting with amusement as Leah weakly tried to shove her annoying friend away. A2, feeling like she was missing something, slightly narrowed her eyes at the wild-haired woman, that feeling of annoyance starting to bubble up once again.
"Hnnn." Jumping excitedly on her heels, practically bursting at the seams with amusement, Popola, getting overeager, couldn't hold it back anymore. "You two had sex! We could hear you clearly!"
Staring at Popola in dismay, eyes wide, mouth hanging open, Devola was surprised that her usually more reserved sister was the first to crack, the straight-haired twin shyly covering her mouth with her palm. Slowly, two pairs of green eyes shifted their gaze to their combat android companion, both of them mildly shocked to find a soft blush covering the usually stoic woman's cheeks, the barest hint of embarrassment evident upon her face.
With perfect timing, as if their brains were running on the same wavelength, A2 and Leah, in an unexpected burst of movement which caught the twins off guard, grabbed each one of the nosy sisters in a tight headlock. With a synchronized squawk of surprise and pain, arms flailing comically in the air, Devola and Popola immediately began crying and wailing for forgiveness, admitting that not many people heard them, that it was pretty much just them and maybe two other androids.
As the twins continued to desperately plead for forgiveness, an amused and sadistic grin curling on each of the lover's lips, the squabbling quartet was suddenly interrupted by an unexpected rumbling rolling through the ground. Releasing her grip on the straight-haired twin, the previous escapades completely forgotten, steel-blue eyes fixed intensely upon the resistance camp's entrance, A2 felt a terrible sense of foreboding rising in her chest.
Her moment of peace had been all too brief.
"What's going on?" A2 wondered aloud, her voice terse and rigid, the former YoRHa having an inkling on what could be happening, but internally hoping it wasn't the case. The combat android's worries were sadly proven correct as 2B came bursting forth from the camp's entrance, the battle model running at a dead sprint, her face set in a dark grimace. Rushing up to meet her, hearing Leah and the twins following close behind, A2 silently questioned her fellow combat model, fully aware of what would be awaiting her soon.
"It's Eve." 2B informed them with a deep scowl, one mirrored by A2 herself, a wave of fear and unease washing over the assembled group, Leah lightly gripping her side as a phantom pain stabbed at her old wounds. "He's sent all the machines in the area in a frenzy. We need to stop him before it can get worse."
"Where's 9S?" Stepping forward, emerald eyes alight with worry, Leah nervously searched the camp for 2B's ever-present companion.
"He stayed at the main entrance to help the guards keep the rampaging machines at bay with his hacking. He's buying them time to fortify the entrance." 2B responded as she gently placed her hand upon the worried human girl's shoulder, giving her the best reassuring smile she could muster, the thin line of her lips giving away her true feelings. 2B knew just how bad this situation can get should they leave Eve to his own devices.
"They are contained for now and I'm sure the Resistance can hold their own, but we need to be quick." 2B continued as she removed her hand from Leah's shoulder, her blindfold-covered gaze shifting to A2, the combat android knowing exactly what she is trying to infer. "We need to stop him before he can cause any more harm. I'm sorry, but I need your help again A2."
A brief twitch shot through A2's hand, her fingers trembling as a sick feeling dropped into her stomach, the combat android feeling rooted to the spot. She didn't want to go. She didn't want to leave Leah's side, to lose the wonderful moment of their previous night, to return to more strive and battle. So many battles. When will the time come where she will be free from conflict?
But, looking at the assembled group surrounding her, seeing not only her friends and her lover, but all of the resistance members, Anemone currently barking out orders, who have welcomed them into their home, A2 knew she couldn't turn her back on them. Not when she had the ability to do something to keep them safe.
Feeling someone grab ahold of her arm, intimately aware of just who it was, A2 slowly turned to face her girlfriend, Leah smiling gently as she leaned up to press a soft kiss upon her cheek.
"I know you have to go." Looking up at her with caring green eyes, her thumb rubbing softly over her skin, Leah gave the former YoRHa soldier a gentle shove toward 2B as she gave her a wavering smile. "And I know you'll come back. You always do."
Smiling at her girlfriend, A2 turned toward the redheaded twins, both of them giving her a knowing smile, already aware of exactly what she was about to ask.
"Can you watch over her while I'm away?" A2 asked humbly, the formerly aloof combat model's voice full of emotion, knowing she could trust them with the human girl's safety. "I know I've asked a lot from you two."
"Pfft." Pursing her lips in amusement, wrapping her arm securely around Leah's waist, roughly pulling her against her side, Devola gave the silver-haired woman a mocking, yet reassuring smile. "As if we weren't going to do that already, whether you asked us to or not."
"Just don't come back in pieces." Popola grinned as she went to stand beside Leah and her sister, the straight-haired twin crossing her arms in mock seriousness, her green eyes betraying her amusement. "I don't need the extra workload."
Nodding her head with a grateful smile, A2 stepped forward, gently cupping the brown-haired girl's cheek in her hand and placed a quick, loving kiss upon her lips, savoring every last second of her enticing scent and exquisite taste, reminding herself of just what she has to return to. She will not die, not today, and not by Eve's hand.
Because she has a life worth living.
"Guess my time to relax will have to wait." A2 grinned, Leah giggling softly at her girlfriend's joke, the barest hint of tears glistening in her emerald eyes, her voice cracking softly as she urged her to go. Nodding one last time, memorizing every inch of her lover's face, A2 swiftly turned on her heel before rushing off, 2B leading the way as the pair made their way out of the camp.
Passing the front gate, easily hopping over the newly erected barricade, the twin combat models, swords drawn, swiftly eliminated a small group of rabid machines that were assaulting the camp's walls. Regrouping with 9S, the scanner model informing them of where the signal that sent all the machines into a murderous frenzy was coming from, the trio immediately headed toward an all too familiar crater.
"It's always that damn crater." A2 groused as the camp disappeared into the distance, the yawning pit of destruction spreading through the city's center growing closer, the former YoRHa soldier feeling a strong fire burning within her chest, a fierce determination to keep everyone safe. Nothing was going to harm them. A2 was never going to let what happened to Leah and her old comrades happen ever again.
"It's become quite the tourist spot, isn't it?" 9S joked, earning a small grin from the long-haired android, the pair sharing a quick chuckle amongst each other. If there was one thing 9S was good for, A2 thought, was that he at least had a sense of humor between the two YoRHa soldiers.
"Shut up." Proving her point perfectly, 2B immediately shut her two companions down, 9S pouting as A2 merely grinned in amusement at the battle androids annoyance, easily spotting the small smile on the short-haired woman's lips. Arriving at the crater's edge, the trio leapt into its cavernous depths without a single thought, all of them aware of just what kind of foe they will be facing.
Landing at the bottom with a series of loud crashes, the trio immediately spotted their target as Eve, ranting and raving as he paced back and forth, small pieces of debris floating around him, turned to face the new arrivals, his enraged features morphing into a truly demented snarl as he laid eyes upon the trio of androids.
"Well, here you are." Eve spoke in a strangely calm tone, the humanoid machine trying to imitate his brother's more sophisticated demeanor, the dark tattoo covering his arm slowly traveling along his skin, overtaking more and more of his body. "I always hated this world, but I knew everything would be ok as long as my brother was with me."
"But everything is meaningless now." Lifting his clawed hand, pieces of debris following its movement, Eve stared at the dark marking overtaking his body with a growing fire in his eyes, a deep, resentful hate burning in his core. "Nothing matters."
"My brother!" Eve screamed, the trio of androids growing alert as various boulders and pieces of metal rolled across the ground toward the enraged machine, twisting and turning around his body as sparks of lightning began arcing off of his skin and through the air. "My brother was everything to me!"
"Without him," floating up into the air, the tattoo growing and swallowing up his whole body, covering his whole body with a dark, black marking, Eve glared hatefully at the trio, eyes glowing red as a large electrical storm covered the area, "everything else must die!"
Pulling debris toward his body, boulders and pieces of rebar covering his arms in makeshift gauntlets, Eve suddenly rushed toward them with incredible speed, 2B just able to lift her sword in time to block his attack, a loud metallic clang ringing through the air over the raging storm. Straining her arms, legs buckling under the force of his hit, 2B grit her teeth as she tried to push the enraged Eve away, but his strength easily matched hers. Noticing movement in the corner of her eye, 2B pushed against Eve with all her might, managing to create a small amount of distance between them which allowed A2 to rush in with a large, overhead strike.
Raising his gauntlet-covered arm, metal clashing with rock and debris, Eve managed to block A2's attack, the humanoid machine using his free arm to send a swift punch into the combat model's stomach, sending her flying. Twisting in midair, pushing herself off of a floating piece of concrete circling the battlefield, A2 launched herself back at Eve, 9S currently using Pod 153 to create suppressing fire while 2B attacked the demented machine.
Landing at 2B's side, the former YoRHa soldier deftly ducked under her fellow combat models' attack, A2 arcing her blade upward toward Eve's exposed body. Dancing in and around each other, dodging each other's attacks as they traded blows with the humanoid machine, switching between their various weapons, the pair of combat models put constant pressure on Eve, never giving him a moment to breathe.
With a cry of rage, the storm around them growing wilder with the humanoid machine's anger, Eve ripped large chunks of concrete out of the ground, creating a series of floating platforms as he began hovering over the battlefield. Reacting quickly, not giving him any time to rest, 2B and A2 began hopping from platform to platform, 9S using Eve's divided attention to try and hack the humanoid machine.
Frozen in place by the scanner models hacking, Eve was left completely defenseless to the twin battle models attacks, 2B and A2 landing a series of vicious blows upon the rampaging man. With another great cry, his voice cracking, Eve broke free from 9S's internal assault, leaving the scanner model reeling with pain as he grabbed his head. Swinging about himself wildly, the floating platforms crashing to the ground, Eve managed to land crushing blows upon 2B and A2, the silver-haired women falling haphazardly onto the unforgiving concrete.
Stumbling back to their feet, cuts and scrapes covering their bodies, A2's shirt torn to shreds, barely hanging on by a thread, a small trail of blood began running down her stomach. Lifting their weapons, prepared to continue their assault upon the rampaging machine, the sister combat models had to quickly dodge out of the way as dark, purple projectiles erupted from Eve's body, almost covering the whole battlefield.
"A2, try to get close to him!" 2B screamed as she lifted Virtuous Contract to swipe away one of the orb-like projectiles, her voice barely carrying over the raging storm, A2 doing her best to keep her attention on Eve's attacks as she waited for the short-haired woman to finish her plan. "9S and I will give you covering fire!"
Nodding her head, A2 gritting her teeth, eyes narrowed as they got assaulted by the dust whipping around from the harsh winds, the combat model dug in her heels before pushing off of the ground, briefly disappearing as she dashed toward the humanoid machine. Dodging the veritable wall of projectiles, the sound of the Pods shots ringing in her ears as they whizzed by her, A2 summoned her spear, arm reared back as she threw it with all her might toward the stationary Eve.
Distracted by the YoRHa soldier's long-distance attack, Eve failed to notice the fast-approaching spear before it was too late, the humanoid machine letting out a scream of agony as it buried itself deeply within his shoulder, its head bursting out the other side with a dark spray of blood. Seizing the opportunity, A2 leapt toward her staggered opponent, twisting herself in midair to land a pinpoint kick on the end of her spear, forcefully pushing the weapon through his body and out the other side.
Summoning her sword, the combat model lowered into a crouch, A2 brought her blade across his stomach in a wide arc, creating a deep trench into his skin, Eve unable to stop the attack as he held the wound on his shoulder in pain. Stumbling backward, blood gushing out of his newly inflicted wounds, Eve quickly erected a barrier of debris around his body to block the series of bullets and A2's sword swings, the humanoid machine snarling with rage as he stared into the determined steel-blue eyes of the combat android.
She! She's the one who took his brother from her! She took the world from him! All because of that human mongrel of hers! That little bitch was nothing! Humans are worthless compared to them! Compared to his brother! He was going to make them pay! Everything had to die! And that little human bitch was going to be the first!
Roaring with unbridled fury, electricity crackling off of his skin, Eve created an enormous blast of energy that radiated out from his body, sending A2 flying and severely damaging 2B and 9S's internals. Groaning in pain, her whole body feeling heavy and sluggish as she stumbled back to her feet, A2 fruitlessly tried to summon her sword, her NFCS failing to materialize her weapons.
"Internals have taken severe damage. Offensive mode has been shut off." Pod 042 announced in his familiar monotone voice, the trio of androids staggering forward, prepared to continue the fight at all cost, knowing they were close to defeating him. "Recommend switch to long-distance attack. A2, please support us with Berserk mode."
"Yeah, yeah, no need to tell me twice." A2 groaned as she sent her internals into overdrive, the familiar heat of Berserk mode radiating through her body, forcing all of her damaged protocols back into action. Gritting her teeth from the pain, the last scraps of clothing left on her body getting torn to pieces by the blast of her activation, A2 summoned her gauntlets before rushing toward Eve once more.
Pushing her functions way past its limits, every fiber of her body alight with fiery pain, A2 began going blow for blow with Eve, both of them landing harsh and heavy shots upon each other, neither prepared to back down. Both were fighting for what was most important to them, one to keep the world safe for those precious to her, while the other wished to destroy it for losing his. Two separate ideals, fighting due to a common purpose, divided by a thin line of love and hate.
With a roaring cry, Berserk mode crackling over her skin as her time limit was nearing its end, A2 pushed forward with one last attack, determined to end this as she landed a devastating blow upon Eve's chin, the humanoid machine stumbling backward before falling to his knees in a crumpled heap. Feeling Berserk mode reach its apex, A2 screaming in pain as her circuits overheated, small sparks erupting from the cracks in her body, the combat android stumbled backward before collapsing, falling roughly to the ground.
"A2!" Turning her head, A2 watched as 2B quickly hobbled over to her, the broken remains of Virtuous Contract held tightly in her hand as she held her damaged side. Uncovered blue eyes worriedly looked over her body, 2B dress torn and tattered, her blindfold having been ripped off during the battle.
"I'm ok." A2 managed to say through gasping breaths, her whole body feeling heavy, her internals feeling burnt and fried. "Just need a bit of time to recover. Finish Eve."
Nodding her head, holding her sword tight, 2B moved toward the fallen Eve, the humanoid machine completely drained and broken after the vicious battle, the ominous tattoos receding until only his original form remained. He couldn't fight them anymore, his body refusing to move, the silver-haired man lowering his head to the ground, prepared to accept his fate.
He did his best, didn't he, brother?
"Adam." With his brother's name on his lips, Eve pictured his beloved sibling's face one final time before everything went dark, 2B impaling the back of his head with the broken edge of her sword, ending his life. Breathing heavily, 2B roughly removed the broken edge of her sword from the back of Eve's head, the spray of blood coating her dress with red splotches as his lifeless body fell to the ground with a dull thump.
Dropping her sword, the shattered remains of Virtuous Contract landing on the ground with a noisy clang, 2B slowly lifted her head to look toward her combat brethren, A2 struggling to lift herself into a seated position. Giving A2 a small smile, 2B slowly lifted her head to the sky, her ragged breathing beginning to calm as the adrenaline from the fight faded from her body, the sun's rays gently warming her skin.
"It's finally…over…" A2 sighed heavily, silently nodding her head at 2B's words, a strange sense of relief washing over her. She had been in countless battles, been pushed to the edge of death mere months into her life, but she never felt such a feeling. It was only ever a short reprieve before her next fight, nothing to look forward to except for the next battle, the only end in sight being her inevitable demise.
Now she had a place to call home and someone to greet her with open arms when she returned.
A sudden sharp gasp caught A2 attention, the combat android looking up at 2B in confusion, her fellow combat model staring with wide, fearful eyes at something behind her. Shifting in place, her body protesting against her movements, A2 followed the short-haired woman's line of sight, her own eyes growing wide, a horrible sickness pooling in her stomach, the combat android feeling a hitch in her throat at the terrible sight before her.
9S, desperately trying to get back to his feet, his limbs failing to heed his commands, stared at them with glowing red eyes, a regretful smile curling on his lips. It was something A2 was intimately familiar with, an affliction known only to androids, one that spelled the ends for any should they get it. He had been infected with the Logic Virus.
"9S!" A wretched and soulful cry tore from 2B's throat as she quickly hobbled her way over to her partner's side, pieces of debris shifting and floating toward the scanner model as if he had his own gravity field, a trait associated only with machines and androids infected with the virus. He didn't have much time until it completely overtakes him.
"Heh. Looks like I messed up." 9S chuckled weakly, the scanner model fighting desperately to get each word out, his entire body being eaten alive by the virus as it took over each of his functions one by one. "I must have gotten infected when Eve disconnected from the network."
Looking over her partner, her friend, her 9S, with tearful eyes as he rambled on and on about what happened to him, as if he needed to get it out, that if he stopped talking it would only make the reality of the situation truly set in, 2B felt a horrible pain radiate from her chest, a vile sickness making her stomach churn. This couldn't be happening. Not again. Not now.
"No." 2B chocked out through a tearful sob, her hands beginning to shake as she stared into those blood-red eyes, those horrid eyes that once shone such a calming blue. This wasn't fair. Things were getting better. Everyone was happy.
"It's ok, 2B. I still have my backup stored in the bunker." 9S wheezed as he tried to gently reassure his distraught partner, his words feeling hollow even to his ears. He knew it wasn't so simple, that due to his infection he won't be able to safely upload his current consciousness to the bunker.
"It won't be the same!" 2B cried, blue eyes radiating a sadness, a sadness only someone who had lived a million lifetimes of sorrow could feel. "It won't be the same 9S that exists right now."
Struggling, fighting to get to her feet, pushing past every last limit in her body, A2 watched the pairs exchange with a look of immense regret and sadness, painfully aware of what was about to happen. She had to be there for 2B, to help her with the pain she was about to feel.
"I want you to do it." The words felt like poison to 2B, his voice soft yet stinging painfully in her ears, her fingers trembling as her whole body shook with barely restrained sorrow. "2B, please. Kill me."
Clenching her fists tightly, hands shaking as the material of her gloves groaned under the pressure of her grip, every inch of her body wanting to refuse his request, just like all the others she had before. Loosening her grip, fingers burning, 2B slowly walked over to her partner's side, blue eyes silently watching as the corruption spread through his body, the gentle pink of his skin morphing into an unnatural metallic silver.
No, she never could deny him a request after all.
Gently cupping his cheeks, holding them with the utmost of care, 2B gently lowered to her knees next to him, taking one last look at his face, trying to convey to him her regret and her thanks. To let him know all those times together, when she tried so hard to keep her distance, only to have it all fall away after meeting Leah and A2, were memories she will cherish for the rest of her life.
Even if she will have to cherish them alone.
Slowly gliding her fingers down his cheeks, they slowly curled around his slim neck, encircling them with a tender touch before she began to squeeze. It was familiar, so painfully familiar. Squeezing harder, his desperate gasps for breath rending more and more of her heart to pieces, 2B gently straddled him, slowly lowering his body to the ground as she continued to strangle him.
He didn't fight it. He accepted it, allowing her to take his life without complaint. He wanted this. Raising his arms, reaching out toward her, whether it was for one last touch or the virus's last fight for survival, it would not happen as it fell back to his side, the last traces of life fading from his body. But 2B kept squeezing, pressing her fingers tighter against his throat, afraid to let go, to confirm something she already knew to be true.
That 9S was dead.
Slowly, almost painfully, 2B loosened her grip on 9S's neck, blue eyes staring at his lifeless features in dismay, desperately searching for anything. A sign of life. A sign that the virus had left him. A sign of hope.
But it wasn't there. It's never there, 2B thought as tears spilled forth from her eyes, silently falling onto the boy's pale cheeks, painful sobs tearing from her throat. Wrapping her arms gently around his head, her sobs ringing through the crater in a lonely cry, 2B lovingly cradled it to her chest, holding her beloved 9S close one last time.
"It always…ends like this…" 2B sobbed as A2 slowly hobbled over to her side, her fingers softly running through his short locks of hair, regretting every moment she denied herself this feeling. A2 could only watch her friends suffering in silence, her own black box aching at the battle models' heartbroken cries, the former YoRHa soldier knowing nothing she can do would help with her friends suffering.
"I hate this." Gently placing 9S's head on the ground, treating it as the most precious thing in the world, 2B slowly removed herself from his lifeless body, her blue eyes staring blankly as she kneeled next to him, never once looking away from his strangely serene face. "I hate doing this, over and over again. Why won't it end?"
Gingerly, almost tentatively, A2 placed a reassuring hand upon the battle androids shoulder, the soft rumbling of her sobs traveling through her fingers, 2B accepting her combat siblings gesture of comfort without a fight. Kneeling down next to her, A2 carefully wrapped her arm around 2B's shoulder, gently pulling the distraught android into her side. Holding her close, gentle tears falling upon her shoulder, A2 let her friend cry, the combat android lifting her gaze to the rising skyline above them, a look of sudden clarity passing her features.
Maybe…maybe there was a way to help.
"I know…I know what your real classification is."
2B's whole body stiffened in her arms, the short-haired android's tears falling silent as she waited with bated breath, remaining pressed up to A2's side. She wasn't going to run from it. Someone would finally know the truth. Of everything she had done.
"You're an executioner model. Your real name is 2E, isn't it?" A2 whispered softly as she continued to hold her friend close, her grip remaining gentle and caring, the combat android tracing invisible patterns upon the short-haired woman's skin, just as Leah had done for her before. "I've always known."
A tense silence fell over the pair, 2E's body shivering in her friend's arms, if it was from fear or residual sadness A2 couldn't know. And it didn't matter. Because A2 had learned something very important not too long ago. Something she hoped would her friend now.
"I won't tell anyone."
Perking up slightly in surprise, a soft gasp passing the executioner's lips, 2E slowly lifted her gaze, staring through silvery bangs at her combat brethren, A2 shooting her a gentle smile.
"You're still the same 2B to me." A2 said with a calm and loving smile, her steel-blue eyes holding no judgment or hate toward 2E's true classification, only the caring gleam of a friend. "The one who helped me, who was there for me when I needed it the most. The one who fought at my side to save the one who means the most to me."
2E couldn't accept this. Why was she not hated? All she did was kill? Her very existence is determined by how well she could pretend to be someone else, on subterfuge and lies, on how well she can kill someone close to her. Why was A2 still treating her as a friend?
"Leah…Leah taught me something." Smiling softly as she thought of her love, those words forever etched upon her black box, words that gave her great comfort. Words she hoped would help 2E as well.
"She taught me that we are more than our classification, that we are more than our deeds and what we were programmed to do. We are ourselves. That our pasts and what we were made to do are not what define us. I am A2 and you are 2B. And I know, above anything else, 2B is my dear friend."
Looking into A2's eyes, seeing the naked honesty in her words, 2B felt herself overcome with emotion, her once stoic features washed away from a day of overwhelming pain and sadness, the short-haired android felt new tears spring forth from the corner of her eyes. Lurching forward, 2B collapsed into A2's waiting arms, the long-haired woman holding her tight as she cried, gently stroking the back of her head with a serene smile.
Because these were not tears of overwhelming sorrow and despair, though the pain of the loss of 9S was still fresh in her mind, those feelings were gently soothed by the words of her friend. A friend she loved dearly from the bottom of her heart. These were tears of great relief and happiness, 2B feeling like she was truly not alone anymore, that her burden could be shared, a burden that would not be left to rot and fester in her soul.
She was 2B. She wasn't alone. Not anymore.
Holding 2B close, drawing calming circles on the nape of her neck, a strange blinking light caught A2's attention from the corner of her eye, the combat android turning her head to find one of the severed heads of a machine lying on the ground nearby, its opticals blinking randomly.
"These fuckers really don't know when to quit." A2 growled as she prepared to get back to her feet to protect 2B, but the short-haired android placed her hand upon her chest, stopping her before she could attack them. Looking down at 2B in confusion, the short-haired android simply pointed toward another series of machine heads, all of their eyes blinking in the same pattern.
"Is it some kind of message?" 2B wondered as she struggled back to her feet, A2 holding out a helping hand, the pair watching in silent amazement as all of the machine heads in the vicinity lit up with the same pattern. More and more machines joined the network of flashing lights, the entire city alight in a show of glowing green, seemingly centralized on their position.
A sudden shifting of debris caught the pair's attention, 2B and A2 turning to find one of the Goliath-type machines coming to life, its lumbering form pushing itself out of the wreckage created from their earlier battle. Growling angrily, fed up with the machines constantly ruining her life, 2B picked up the broken remains of Virtuous Contract before charging the large robot with an enraged cry.
"2B!" Shock and amazement passed 2B's features, blue eyes wide with disbelief as she stared up at the large machine that had just spoken her name in a painfully familiar voice, one she would recognize for the rest of her life.
"9S?" 2B croaked in disbelief, Virtuous Contract falling from her slack grip with a gentle clang, the short-haired woman slowly stumbling toward the lumbering machine, one that was housing the one she had thought was gone. 9S, oblivious of the current situation, went off on a rambling and technical rant about how he managed to save his consciousness into a machine connection. But 2B didn't care, his words falling on deaf ears, only the sound of his voice reaching her, which was enough to soothe her broken and aching heart.
"9S…" Hobbling up to the machine's large hand, gently placing her hand upon one of its immense fingers, stopping 9S in the middle of his rant, 2B looked up into its glowing green eyes, a gentle smile curling on her lips. "I'm glad you're ok."
"Yeah." The robotic 9S whispered softly in his synthetic voice, the rotund head nodding gently as he opened his palm for 2B, the battle android climbing into his palm without a second thought. This was 9S after all. Her 9S.
"A2! 2B!" A loud cry echoed across the crater, A2 head snapping instantly to the sound of the new voice, a bright smile crossing her features as she spotted the approaching forms of Leah, Devola, and Popola, the human girl sprinting desperately toward her as fast as she could. Leaping into her arms, A2 easily catching her, Leah buried herself deeply into her girlfriend's embrace, a huge sigh of relief passing the human girl's lips as she nuzzled her nose into the combat androids neck.
"I'm ok." A2 whispered softly, holding the human girl tightly as she turned to look toward the newly reunited pair, the large, machine 9S holding 2B in his palm, the short-haired android looking up at him with a joyous smile. "I'm still here."
A/N: Life ends, life begins again.
Another action heavy chapter, but that doesn't mean we were light in the character moments as 2B and A2 both get moments to grow and bond even further. This time the roles are reversed, as A2 has to be there for 2B during her lowest moment, A2 able to use everything she learned to help 2B.
Next Chapter: A Moment of Respite
Sorry for the long delay between chapters. Had a rough couple of months which greatly affected my motivation to write though I really wanted to. I'm doing better now and hope to get back into the swing of more consistent updates.
Thank you for all your continued support and welcome to all the new readers! It truly means a lot to me! I'll do my very best to keep bringing you new chapters! Have a wonderful day and I love you all!