Hello! Chapter 21 is out!

Well, this is it. I will leave my parting comments and plans for future writings after the epilogue is finished.

Things to comment on:

Zabaniya: Ya, I can understand that point of view and agree to some degree with what you are saying.

Mikhail Sharon: Cloning is an entire can of worms that is a really interesting concept, but covering such a concept in the second to last chapter of my writing felt like it would just be shoehorned in, not to mention the ramifications of cloning a human in the world of Nier.

Uemei: My dude, dudette, or whatever you wish to go by, thank you, for all your help and support throughout my writing :). I also do like your idea, perhaps I will add it in.

Locke Lynx: Ya, I tried to avoid shipping, not that great at writing romance imo. Also, thank you!

Shiki no Yamada: Ya, I admit I failed to make Joel a compelling character imo, and that's my bad. I have sent a message to you asking you for advice if you wish to give advice. Thank you.

Final chapter, let's go out with a bang!

—-

I had to admit, it was a strange sight to see machines and androids co-existing, well perhaps the more accurate term would be tolerating each other's presence. Even if I was viewing it through a series of monitors that had been placed around the region after the end of the siege. The desert, forest, ruins, factory…so many different places, and yet a similar scene was playing out in all, albeit with varying degrees of success. Androids and machines meeting each other out in the open for the first time without drawing blood in millennia. It was almost funny in a way. Like watching two shy children meet for the first time. I suppose in some ways that it was. That does not change the reality of the conflict, however. If the facial expressions of the androids were anything to go by, the fear, the anger, the hate, the anxiety, I doubt actual relations between the two groups would bud into something more than a very tense white peace for decades, if not centuries, though who could blame them?

I glanced away from the large screen placed on the ceiling, and around the large circular room. It was a stark white, with the overwhelming smell of cleaning agents filling the air like a thick fog. The ceiling was a mesh of sterilized cabling that snaked across the width of the ceiling, a faint hum emanating from the electricity that ran through the cables. In the areas that were not overrun with cables, large bulbous ultraviolet lights slinked down, bathing the room in its soft purple glow. The walls were bare for the most part, except for the bulky steel panels which would occasionally open, allowing a mechanical limb to emerge and conduct maintenance on wiring and the lighting. A raised platform ran the lengths of the outskirts of the room, its purpose I did not know. Maybe for visitation? Though considering what lay in store for me…I shook my head, slowly sitting up on the exam table and carefully letting my feet touch the cold pearl-colored tiling underneath, taking a deep breath, trying to steel my nerves. Before I probably would have started to gag and tear up from the smell, but now it was a welcome reprieve from the smell and taste of salt.

I looked down at my arms, admiring the healthier tinge of my skin had taken since the beginning of my treatment by the machines. Well, calling it treatment was a bit of a lie, it was just a series of steps to try and maximize the chances of my survival and well-being once I went back under. Hell, I was not going to start complaining, I could think clearer, stand under my weight without strain, and gained a few pounds back. Unfortunately, this was not sustainable and would work for only a short period before the effects of my sickness would come back with a vengeance. I had asked the Red Girls about what series of drugs they pumped me full of to get me to this point, but they had advised me that it was better for my own sake that I did not know.

With a grunt I stood, rolling my shoulders slowly as I did so while I strided over to where I would be entombed. It was a large coffin-like object built into the wall with multiple tubes coming in and out of it. On either side was a heavy metal slab pushed to the side by mechanical mechanisms to ensure that they kept their position. On top of each metal slab was a sheet of glass, probably intended to display data about my health and the function of the cryo pod. The interior was filled with a gel-like substance that outlined a silhouette perfectly trimmed to fit me. The machines had been exact in their measurements even if they had been…touchy in the process.

There was a sudden hiss from the far end of the room which I turned to face. The door opened, and a flood of light briefly shone through, temporarily blinding me. I let out a curse under my breath before trying to rub away the spots that appeared in my vision. It had been some time since I had seen anything else but this room, apparently long enough for my vision to overreact to a new source of light.

"You could have warned me first for god's sake. It would have taken only a few minutes". I pointedly said, looking at the twins who were making their way towards me, taking the small staircase down to the base level of the room. Both seemed to be in better spirits since the discovery that I could be kept alive. However, how to do so had been controversial once announced to others who knew me personally. For as far as some of them were concerned, I would be in that damned pod for the rest of time itself.

"Aww, where would be the fun in that? Besides, you look like some sort of mole man with the way you reacted to a little light". Devola teased as she and Devola crossed the distance of the room. "I have to agree with Popola. Though, there is an actual reason for us to be visiting", Popola added as she delicately placed a hand on my shoulder. "How are you holding up?".

I gave a small snort "Please, I have done this before, and this time I know the consequences". A sad look took hold of the twins. "Joel, please, that doesn't make it any better does it?". I felt whatever humor I had within me drift away as Devola spoke, with a heavy heart, I made my way back over to the examination table before hoisting myself up and dangling my feet over the side. "No, not really. I'm going to end up the same way I started, back on ice. The world is going to keep going on without me. Everyone is going to move on, hell even with me being the last of my kind, time will see me being forgotten sooner or later. By some miracle if I do wake up again, everything is going to be so utterly different that it's going to be like an entirely new world all over gone." A chuckle escaped my lips as I tried to stifle my emotions "It's ironic, all my actions lead back to where I started. I can't tell if there is a reason for it or the universe just really hates me."

I felt two pairs of arms embrace me and I readily accepted it. It must have been for only a few minutes, but I had to admit, it was the best I had felt in a long time. "You won't be alone", Popola said, breaking the silence. I tilted my up slightly. "I and Devola will be looking after you while you are frozen, along with the network". My eyes widened, "Are you sure about that? You understand what this means right? You will be stuck here with me." I said, stumbling over my words, conflicted on the subject. The twins gave me small grins before taking a step back. "Joel, we have been alive for millennia, the world in many ways is…old to us, it doesn't have the same luster it used to, '' Devola admitted. After some deliberation, I nodded. "Ok, I understand. Do the others know about this?", The twins dipped their heads. "A2 had originally volunteered to watch over you, but Anemone and White intervened and vetoed her. We haven't seen her since''.

A soft sigh escaped my lips "I'll talk to her about it when I get the chance", I said while lying down, preparing myself to take one of the last examinations before my entombment.

—-

I snapped my fingers, quietly humming to myself as I looked at the pod in which I would be housed. The tune had little rhyme or rhythm to it but it sounded nice to me. I took a step forward, drumming my fingers along the side of the pod to give a sense of a beat. A small grin tugged at my lips; maybe I should have majored in music when I had the chance. Maybe I could have been a drummer, or a trumpeter, perhaps even a pianist. So much that I could have been. Too late now though.

The telltale hiss of the doors at the far end of the room rang in my ears. So, it was finally time. Glancing back, I saw all those who had played a major part in my journey from my awakening in this strange new world. The twins, Anemone, White, Pascal, and trailing behind them all…A2. Without a word being uttered, they approached, varying emotions on their face. I stiffened my resolve as I looked at them, this was the last time I would probably see them and them, the last of me. I don't want it to be of me being a disheveled wreck. They stopped some distance away from me. I could not help but shift from foot to foot with uncertainty. Then, the silence was broken as Anemone stepped forward while speaking loudly.

"Well, I suppose this is where it ends?" She mused, stopping a few short feet in front of me, and placing her hands on her hips. Her face was filled with a tired and somewhat saddened expression.

"I suppose so…" I said, shrugging, as I awkwardly scratched the back of my head. Whatever great speeches I had planned in my head evaporated quickly. Anemone rolled her eyes in response.

"...We have our misgivings, but you have always tried to help me and my people, Joel. For that I am grateful. If we meet again, hopefully, it won't be under such dire circumstances". A small bit of pride swelled inside of me at the compliment, as she extended her hand towards me.

"Good Luck, Joel", she muttered. I grasped her hand.

"You too, Anemone''. With that, Anemone gave a miniscule smile, before turning and somberly walking away, past the group and towards the exit. With her retreat, White came forward, stiffly and sharply walking towards me, her heels echoing around the room with each step before coming to a stop a fair distance away from me. Her face was an unreadable mask, though her eyes were filled with somber acceptance.

"Commander White," I said politely, nodding my head. She gave a nod of her head before saluting.

"Sir…despite everything that I have done to you, intentionally or otherwise…I want to thank you." I blinked, surprised and confused.

"I have done many things that I regret, many things that haunt me, I perpetuated a lie that caused pain to so many and killed many others. Thank you, for allowing me to escape that cycle", she said softly, barely audible over the hum of the room's machinery.

"I only did what I thought was right, and even then I doubt much of it was" I replied and returned the salute. With that, she lowered her arm, sharply turned, and left.

With thunderous steps, Pascal's towering frame came over before slowly coming to a halt only a foot away from me.

"Joel…" Pascal said sadly, their bright green eyes staring down at me. I smirked.

"Hey, long time no see, eh?" I said cheerfully, trying to brighten the machine's dull spirit for both our sakes.

"Yes…yes, it has been some time" He replied, tilting their head at my strange attitude, as I continued with my shit-eating grin.

"Make sure you take good care of those villagers and tell them that I love 'em", I requested. They nodded their heads.

"I'll make sure of it", Pascal promised, before slowly turning, to take their leave, but I grabbed their arm, his giant frame halting.

"One last thing, Pascal…thank you for taking care of me," I said, speaking from the bottom of my heart.

"Of course, it was the right thing to do" The kind machine replied, before taking their leave. I felt my grin fall as he left, turning towards the final person who still wished to make their goodbyes.

"...A2-ugh!" My speech was cut off as she rammed into me, holding onto me tightly. I felt my ribs groan under the strength of her monstrous bear hug.

"Ribsribsribsribs! A2!" I gasped out. She blinked, quickly releasing her grip on me, her eyes a mixture of fury and sadness.

"It's… it's not fair! How could you let the twins watch over you but not me? You were informed about what White and Anemone did" She hissed out. I looked past her and at the twins, their faces mute of expression.

"A2, there is still so much you can do…you can live for something besides this damned war, hell, you can be whatever you wish to be now!" I pleaded back at her, trying desperately to calm her down.

"I was fine with who I was, you, me, and 076, we were-we-tsk…That was my life, that was the first time in so long I felt like I was someone again, not just a weapon against machines. Now this?! How dare you tell me that I can live now? Like I was not before?!" She yelled, pointing at me. Silence reigned throughout the hall before I spoke.

"What would you have me do then? Confine you to watching over me for what may be the rest of time? A2, I am not doing this to hurt you. I am not going to… abandon you. This is the only way…" I muttered before continuing.

"I'm sure you could convince the twins and the machine network to allow you to visit…I just want you to live for yourself and not someone else. I want you to find something…more". Her lip trembled as I finished my remark, and the fire in her eyes vanished into pools of despair before she approached again, wrapping me in a softer hug, which I returned in kind.

"... I'm going to miss you" She whispered.

"...and I'm going to miss you too" I whispered back, holding her in an embrace for a while, before pulling away.

"...It's time. A2, do you want to stay for what happens next?" Her face contorted, an internal struggle taking place, until after some hesitation, she nodded.

"Good" I turned, nodding towards the twins, who began to follow me as I made my way towards the pod.

"N2, is everything in order?" I called out, my voice resounding throughout the room. A sudden groan filled the air before a disembodied voice spoke.

"Affirmative", I rolled my shoulders and gave a brief hum in response, before stopping just at the entrance of the pod. With one last sigh, I turned, backing myself into the space made for me. I gave the brightest grin I could to the twins and A2, who gave their own forced grins. With a great hiss, the pod's doors began to close, my eyes following suit.

"Initiating procedure in 5…" I took a deep breath, trying to take comfort in the hum of the machine.

"...4" Maybe I should have done things differently?

"...3" I should have revealed myself sooner perhaps?

"...2" No, I did what I thought was right.

"...1" In the end, everyone has hope for a future because of what I did.

"...0" I steeled myself, this is iit.

…

…

…

"Procedure underway…"

—-

The final decree

To those who read this, I wish you to know that these actions I have ordered are not out of a sense of malice, favoritism, or trip of power, but instead actions that I believe to be necessary. This conflict which has taken so much from both sides of this horrible war, must end for the sake of the future. Perhaps you will disagree with this, and for that, I cannot blame you. Yet, I beg of you, not as your creator nor god, but as a man, to at least try for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice up until this point. For all purposes, this is to be considered my final wish, and your interpretation of it is your own.

The immediate end to the machine-android conflict: It is a necessity for the further evolution of both peoples for the conflict to end. Without it, what I can see is a never-ending war of suffering, pain, and loss. As for the planet itself, I fear what little of its ecological systems will collapse, leaving for all intents and purposes, a tomb world. Please, I beg of you, do not let this beautiful planet become a tomb for both creator and creation.

The establishment of diplomatic relations with the Machine Network and independent machine factions: If this war is to stay dead and buried, I beseech you to try and be diplomatic with your once enemies. If not for morality, but for practicality, it is better to have uneasy peace than war. I leave the specific views and policies up to your interpretation.

The adoption of android kind: With what power is invested in me at this point, I name all androids the children of humanity, and grant them due inheritance. The planet, its resources, history, all are to be yours. You have fought and bled for this world and my people, it is only right that your labors be duly awarded. However, I must stress that do not use this birthright as justification to put machines to the sword, nor treat them unfairly, they are to be your equals, not your lessers.

The repairment of Earth and its ecosystems, infrastructure, and history: I ask you to repair this great planet of ours, it is the cradle of our peoples and has shaped us profoundly, it should not be left in the broken and shattered state it is. There is so much beauty, passion, and power inherent to this great world of ours, do not let it flicker out. Perhaps, if you do heed this advice, you will come to see why humanity throughout our history saw it as a sacred realm.

Hope: For any of the statements given above to come to fruition, I ask something of you that you shall have all right to refuse. Hope. Such a fickle thing it is, but so powerful at the same time. This very simple word has brought much to the world and taken just as much and its wake. I ask of you, from the bottom of my soul, to try and give peace a chance, for all parties' sakes. Do not let the legacies of your creators define you, go out and forge your destiny and future. Do not be machines, but your creators. Do not be automatons, but your masters. Good luck, and know that despite everything, humanity is proud of you.

—-

Annnd done! Wow, sorry for taking such a long time to post such a short chapter, life came in like a fucking wrecking ball. Sorry if this is short, I am loaded with classes and courses right now in school.

Closing thoughts: In all honesty, I have mixed feelings about this story. I feel like there are a lot of interesting concepts put forward, but their execution was mediocre at best. Perhaps, I should have put more time into relationships, made Joel more rounded in his character, and improved my grammar. There are so many things I regret…However, I am proud of the fact that I managed to not only write, but post this story as well, and that people enjoyed it. You know, the funny thing is, this story was never planned out, it started as just a simple thought of posting a chapter, and building a story from there with no goal in mind. A horrible system I know, but it has taught me a lot of what I value as a writer. Anyway, I just want to thank you all for enjoying, or not enjoying my story, perhaps I will see you in some other stories of mine, maybe not. Have a good day everybody, and just know that you're fucking awesome.

Future plans:

30k primarch fic: May put this one on hold, I do have a character archetype and legion in mind, however, I feel that I have to finish reading the vast majority of the Horus heresy books before I can truly begin to work on such a vast fanfic.

Transformers: I may tackle this one first, as one, I grew up on this show, and two, giant robots are fucking cool. The main plot I believe I will go for is that of a decepticon sparked during the war, who grows up, and climbs the ranks as he deals with the horrors of war. The vast majority of the fanfic would probably take place on Cybertron as I try to flush out and pull together details of the planets across different universes, interpretations, and such. While also trying to take a deep dive into cybertronian culture, or what little is hinted about it. As for which continuity it's taking place in, I honestly may mix and match parts I like from each until I have a cohesive universe. If anyone can give links to Transformers jargon, sayings, or language, let me know, and if someone wants to review it before I post, I would not mind doing that.