As 2B and 9S watched Robin, Number 21 and White testing out the flight units, as they flew up high, the boy couldn't help but sigh. He truly would have liked to be up there and then seen the world Robin talked so much about.

But he couldn't whine about it, he did tell the human that he wouldn't get in the way of her decision, when she talked to him.

And as if someone sensed that he was thinking about it, A2 approached them.

"Are you sure you don't regret this, 9S?" she looked up at the sky like them.

"I could ask you the same thing." as she had refused to tag along to let Anemone go with Number 21. But he knew she must be hurting more than he was.

After all, love hurts more than curiosity.

Though he knew well how both felt, and how much pain they could cause, for different reasons.

She didn't answer, instead she asked another question.

"You knew, didn't you?"

"About Number 21, yes, I do." he nodded slowly.

Why she'd been chosen.

"Robin has been asking me about her pretty often, what she is like, her personality mostly. So I just guessed she'd be chosen."

Even if her girlfriend didn't say so, it was pretty obvious, but she was in no place to tell anything unless she did, and even so she wouldn't, for respect towards her and Number 21 both.

"She's brave but…"

"She's insecure." 9S finished the sentence for her. "When Robin talked to me, she asked me to try my best not to antagonize her, because she feared she'd feel even more inferior, and I can see where she's coming from."

"She's afraid Number 21 will isolate herself." A2 sighed. "She has a tendency to do that."

"Being a Scanner can be pretty lonely, there's a kind of solitude others can't understand fully, and she already seems pretty solitary by personality, if I know anything from 21O."

"You got it right." A2 nodded. "What Robin intends to do is take her along, hoping that this new experience will allow her to find her own strength."

Number 21 was the only one between them that still had a belief that she wasn't useful enough, even though she didn't need to be, but it was in the core of an android to prove to be capable at their job.

"It's this insecurity of hers that prompted me to stay behind, for her sake I'm giving my place to Anemone, because she can give her a sense of security that I alone will never be able to."

She'd need the help of Number 4 and Number 16 to try and recreate some of this security.

And there wasn't a spot for them.

So she'd stay.

"I don't want to be a reason of grief anymore, I messed up enough when we were deployed, I refuse to hurt her." she shook her head. "Besides, even before we were together, Robin and I would somehow always find one another, and I trust that whatever happens, she'll find her way back to me even this time."

Even for as far away as she would be.

Number 21 had promised to take care of them, and if she said that she would, then she could. Much like when she was so determined to save Lily, and these were the exact words Number 16 had said.

She didn't know about Jackass and White, but Anemone and Robin would protect the group with claws and teeth if necessary.

2B nodded, looking in the distance at the flight units again. "Yeah, they will come back for sure."

Days passed, with each group with their own task, until eventually, the ones chosen for the trip to Robin's blue planet declared that they had settled everything they needed to take along, and felt ready to go the next day.

For how hard it was even for them to have to go, it was necessary for having a hope for a better future.

It was alone and on a roof that Number 2, Number 4 and Number 16 found Number 21, sitting on the edge and looking at the sky.

Silently, the other three sat down at her sides, with Number 4 kneeling behind them and wrapping an arm around the Scanner and the other Attacker.

"How are you feeling?" she leaned her head on her shoulder.

"Nervous, I'll admit." and the redhead assumed it was also pretty obvious.

For as good as she was at hiding feelings she couldn't do that, not this time, she didn't even want to bother hiding.

Anemone was worried, but she promised her she'd come to rest for the night.

It would be stupid not to, because if she didn't sleep enough, and if she was tired, she could potentially mess something up, and with it the responsibility of her lover's life too, because she'd be the one carrying her, while Robin had Jackass, and White would drive the faulty flight unit.

"How's Robin doing?" she asked A2. "Pretty nervous too, but she's already in bed."

She would join her soon though, and hopefully ease her worry with hugs and cuddles until she fell asleep.

"Mostly… well it's a bit dumb…"

"Do tell anyways, Number 21, we're listening." Number 16 leaned on her other shoulder, squeezing her arm gently.

"I just… I have never done a mission without you three so…"

She was worried that alone she wouldn't be enough, but it was Robin who had chosen, so she must have seen something in her.

Right?

The human was not the type to joke around, no?

"Aww…" Number 4 cooed. "We'll miss you too."

As she said so, the trio only hugged her tighter, holding her, having her feel their warmth for long.

"I should go back to Anemone now." she too must have been worried.

"Rest easy, both of you." Number 2 said as they watched her leave. "I should do the same."

But Number 4's hand on her arm pulled her back. "I have an idea." she whispered in hers and Number 16's ear.

They both nodded at the Attacker.

"That's a great idea!"

When the next morning came the group found themselves again in the middle of the city, those who stayed bidding their temporary goodbyes to those who had to leave with a lot of hugs.

At least regarding Robin, Number 21 and Anemone.

The Pods too as they saluted 007, their little comrade in arms.

Even Jackass got some, but for White it wasn't the same.

But she assumed she deserved it.

Still much like the others, she got her fair share of good luck wishes, they needed all they could get.

The five of them sat dressed in Resistance clothing, Robin had the idea to use them to look like people who came from far away, and act a bit like castaways, since they did not have a ship.

That would probably be their priority but until they arrived at whatever island was in line with Earth at this moment of the year, there was no way to tell what should be done first. Besides collecting information to know where they were.

That was why the ragged look Resistance androids had was rather perfect.

White even ditched her golden ornament that she always wore on her head, opting for a regular hair tie, and that made her look less imposing than usual.

And much like Jackass and Anemone had their own capes, White had silver one, Robin sported a dark purple one instead.

However…

"I don't seem to have been given a…" Number 21 couldn't finish the sentence about not having her own cape, that one was placed on her shoulders from behind.

When she turned around, she met Number 2's smiling face.

"Now you do."

And the cape she had been given…

Was none other than the black one Number 2 herself wore ever since Anemone gifted it to her.

The Scanner opened her mouth to speak but didn't manage to say anything, as Number 4 quickly walked in front of her, placing another piece of cloth over her head, as she tied it below her chin so it would hide her hair better.

Number 21 noticed it was the piece she had attached on the right shoulder of her uniform.

All she could ask was…

"Why?"

She hated how small and shocked she sounded, but her companions seemed to always find a way to surprise her lately.

"Well you were worried you'd feel too nervous without us, no? So we thought we should remedy that." it was Number 16 who answered her, the person she already had something of.

The dagger that at the moment was stashed away in her inventory.

Best not to show they had weapons, Robin had said.

And thankfully, when Rose's group came back, Devola and Popola had thought, with the aid of White, to implement NFCS systems to the Resistance androids too, at least their group. So they could summon and put away their guns easily, and didn't need to show them or needed to bother carrying them by hand.

"It won't be the same, but you have a piece of us with you, so you won't feel so alone." a little sacrifice compared to what Number 21 had to do on that other planet, Number 4 knew.

That was why she told Number 2 and Number 16.

And they had shared the same feeling.

Besides Number 2, them three had always been together even in that server, so they could very well see where Number 21's worry came from. None of them were truly used to being by themselves.

Much less when something so important was down the line.

Robin had chosen well to take Anemone along, really.

So Number 21 had at least someone she could count on that she knew well, and that loved her to hell and back.

And vice versa.

Number 2 was right, Robin was indeed a smart one, she was quiet in her observations but she watched everything, but only voice her thoughts only when necessary, or with actions.

But she always knew.

Not knowing what to say, Number 21 didn't say anything, afraid that her voice would fail her, so she just wrapped her arms around her three comrades for the umpteenth time.

And none ever felt wrong.

As they parted, Rose approached them next. "Before you leave, I believe there is still something very important Number 21 needs…"

She looked at the Scanner in the eyes.

"Or should I say… Cattleya?"

Was that…

"Is that… my name?" the redhead pointed at herself in disbelief.

She had a name now? And she'd been the first to receive it too? Shouldn't Number 2 have been the first instead of her?

"Well, we can't send you in the middle of humans without you having a proper name, no? Especially when your companions have one already."

But that wasn't it.

"Besides, you've all been waiting long enough for a promise I haven't kept, and I thought this would be the perfect occasion to do just that."

And she meant that not only the Scanner would be graced with her own name, but all of them.

It would be unfair otherwise, and Number 21, or rather, Cattleya would never accept that.

"You're giving it to us too? Right now?" Number 4 asked with a beaming smile.

She had always been the one that had been the most excited about the whole name thing, and the one who begged Number 2 into accepting.

So she couldn't wait to hear what her own would be.

Cattleya for Number 21 already sounded so nice, it fit her like a glove.

Rose nodded. "Of course, Amaryllis."

The young Attacker smiled brighter than ever, she was bouncing in place for how happy she was.

"It means pride and determination, and you have both of these qualities." then she addressed Cattleya again. "While I've given you yours because of how loving and caring you are, towards those around you."

"Each flower has a meaning, and I wanted this meaning to fit what defines any of you best." None of them were chosen and assigned randomly.

In so many years of existence though one could pick up any kind of knowledge, including the meaning of flowers. Even back then when she gave each name to her fellow Resistance comrades they had been carefully thought out.

Anemone was testament of her ability to anticipate things, she unfortunately was the one that noticed logic viruses the easiest before any really evident sign, and also it was a symbol of protection against evil.

Even having to finish off comrades gone berserk in a way was protecting them from becoming total shells of themselves.

Dahlia was a symbol of commitment to a cause, in this case her cause as she was always the first to step in, inner strength and also kindness.

Because there was a kind soul behind that rough attitude of hers.

She too loved her comrades deeply.

Lily's flower meant devotion, as a lover model she was always there for them, as they were for her, and in a way, even rebirth applied, given how she'd been saved from their Scanner friend, and effectively been given another chance to live.

And now another.

Gerbera's one meant cheerfulness and loyal love, and matter of fact she had always been one of the most happy go lucky people they ever met, and loyal to her comrades.

Her expertise in maintenance itself was a testament of love in its own way.

All those many times she repaired all of them…

Countless.

And each of them was just as precious as the rest.

Daisy and Margaret shared the meaning of their names, because they had two instances of the name of the same flower, they meant innocence and protection.

In fact both of them were kind of naive at times, but also equally willing to be a grounding presence for someone else, Daisy was for Lily as much as Margaret was for Dahlia, in a way, they were there to protect them from themselves too.

One from her fears, and the other from her excessive aggressiveness.

And Rose's own one…

Was because of her courage, or so her comrades had said back then.

Yes, she hadn't been the one to choose her own name. She'd been given it for her bravery to take everything in her hands, and desert the army.

Taking all of their lives away from whatever the army of humanity wanted from them.

And for not letting them use their lives the way they wanted.

Like mere puppets.

Someone else shared part of that same kind of courage here, as her eyes met with Number 2's.

"Number 2, as a symbol of trust, and the friendship you have shown towards us, your name shall be Freesia."

Rose had thought, given what she'd been through, and how she'd changed, if she should have chosen a different name from the one she originally meant to give her. But it had been that voice full of hope and will to have faith in them that had been the beginning of this whole friendship.

So no, she didn't change her mind about it.

Freesia was just perfect.

"Thank you." and from the way she smiled, she could just see the old Number 2 shine through.

Only one left that had been waiting as long as the other three.

"For how aggressive and always ready to fight you've shown to be, Number 16, your name will be Lycoris. It's a symbol of death and goodbyes."

Also known as spider lily.

Quite the peculiar looking flower too.

And the red color of its petals was just perfect, red like the blood of the people the Gunner killed.

The raven scratched the back of her head. "You know me well huh?"

Still she was grinning, happy to have finally received her own name. She'd been pretty eager and hopeful too back then, when Number 2, Freesia, had told them about the promise.

Finally it was complete.

Or at least partially.

"I had decided your names long ago, I'd think about them whenever I could, and I'm so very happy to be able to finally have given them to you four."

However.

"But there is now another group waiting, isn't it?" she motioned to the other four YoRHa present. She had extended the promise to them too after all.

Time to deliver.

"These four new names have been chosen with the aid of someone else, right, Nico Robin?"

The human nodded. "I needed someone that knew you four better than me."

To whom she could ask feedback, this also meant that she already knew the first four names she said just now too, and confirmed to her that her choices were just on point.

"However I will give you only two of them, the remaining two were a choice that I left to Robin."

One of them in particular.

That she was in any way the one suited to say.

"6O, your name was by far the easiest one to give. From now on you shall be called Sunny, which is short for Sunflower, because of your positivity and because your smile is as bright as the sun."

Also because it meant admiration.

The same admiration the Operator held for those around her with no jealousy for anyone.

And just to prove them right, the girl just gave them one of those signature smiles of hers. In this her and Number 4, Amaryllis, were very similar.

Oddly enough, because they didn't share their personality number.

But it didn't matter anyway.

"2B, yours was a little more difficult, but I've been told you are a person who always held hope for the future to change, so we decided to give you a name similar to the most peculiar flower that grows in this world, Luna. Short for Lunar Tears, a symbol of hope in a world that dies."

This world.

And it referred to the promise that she and 9S shared, to always meet again despite their cycle of life and death, until one day there would no longer be any need for it.

And they could be free.

That day had arrived months ago.

Her hopes had been fulfilled.

Also well, 6O, Sunny, had her wear a Lunar Tear before, and she had loved it.

Safe to say it was her favorite flower.

But now, it was time to let Robin speak, and give out the last two words, and Rose knew that she wanted to keep the most special one for last.

"9S, the name I want to give you, belonged to a man that has been a guide and has raised me when I was young. He was the professor that taught me how to be an archeologist, he was smart, as you are, and for this reason, you share the similarity of having been killed for having been put down for knowing too much, however, you know as much as me that a Clover means good luck as well."

He nodded, meeting eyes with 2B, no, Luna. "I can consider myself pretty damn lucky, yes."

Because he had her.

Also an old human saying would say he was blessed between women.

Even though he only ever had eyes for one.

And always will.

Still, they were his friends now.

And now, the very last one.

"21O, for me you have always been the person I could count on, when I got here, that has been at my side and guided me in this world, just like the mother I wish I hadn't lost so early in my childhood, for this reason, I would really love if you were to accept my own mother's name, Olvia."

She truly hoped she would accept it.

Because she really wanted her to have it.

"I don't… I don't feel worthy of it." the blonde shook her head. "You already had a mother, for me, having her name would mean disrespecting her."

At 21O's response, Robin pretty much pleaded to her to accept it.

"Please…"

When she didn't reply, she pleaded again.

"She'd be happy to know I have you now, please 21O…"

The Operator could feel all the eyes on her, but she was determined to stand her ground, despite their eyes begging her the same way Robin was doing.

"I have an idea, it doesn't have to be the exact same one, it would be fine if we added a letter, right? So it won't be hers, but similar enough." Rose offered, since none of them seemed willing to yield.

But she could see both points.

Robin nodded eagerly, still pleading.

"Olivia, would that be okay? It's just one more letter, and takes after the flower theme still." or plant rather, but good enough, Rose thought.

"Please…"

21O gave a heavy sigh. "There's no way for me to convince any of you, right?"

"It's perfect for you though." 6O laid a hand on 21O's arm and Robin agreed on it too.

Feeling overwhelmed from the amount of pleading, finally, she yielded.

"All right, Olivia it is."

Robin couldn't help but wrap her arms around her as she finally accepted her name.

Now, they only had to get used to calling each other with these new names, and to hear them being said by other people too.

Just when this was such a moment of happiness, now the weight of the realization that part of them had to separate for a while crushed them.

Still, Robin and the others took courage, and turned away, towards their flight units.

"I know it's useless to say it, but, good or bad news, come back alive, all of you." Rose called out as they got settled in the units and the capsules respectively.

None of them said anything, but they did turn around, saluting them.

Surrounded from a chorus of good luck cries and goodbyes, the flight units took off up in the sky.

Towards a new adventure.