[Copied City]
"Ya!" 2B stabbed Virtuous Contract into the thick wall. Despite her cut of the edge YoRHa blade she found a hard time pushing half of the sword into the material. Even with her android strength 2B's attempts didn't overcome the density. Pulling it out the hole automatically sealed up. With that she groaned irritably. Losing the sight of the human once was already a heavy detriment to her reputation but having it happen a second time? What twisted karma had befell upon her?
2B hollered Dante's name to no response. Her receptors couldn't hear past the wall.
"What's this place made out of?"
"Analysis: This area is composed of crystalline silicone and carbon. Additional details unknown. Further action to break down the barrier is not recommended."
"What about Dante?"
"Suggestion: Find an alternate route and regroup with the human."
"Easier said than done."
2B gave the wall a glance over. It spanned all the way to the ceiling. Climbing would be pointless. Breaking it down wasn't viable either so she would just be wasting her efforts. At the same time in 2B's line of sight the townhouses pulled apart in an almost pixelated fashion. The elevator straight up vanished. Leaving her with literally no other option to argue.
Remembering that conversation in the elevator the battler had an odd feeling. A feeling Dante could carry out on his own with no trouble. Usually 2B would disregard such thoughts as fantasy. Now she was drifting towards the possibility since he admitted to being the one-man army responsible for the goliath. A guy like him doing a feat like that? It was still a hard concept to grasp even in her experience. Though her rational part, the side she entrusts actually believes what he had to say. She couldn't explain the reason but she does.
2B looked at the wall again and then to the unknown road before her.
New objective: Rendezvous with Dante and find 9S.
"Let's go Pod."
2B jogged in-between the silicone masses. The entire nature of this place brought up many questions. Why would 9S be here? Possibility of desertion came to her but that was promptly squashed since this place was very well hidden. Better yet, how can a scanner be able to construct a room like this all by himself? There's no way 9S could've been behind this. They were practically glued together so 2B would've noticed his absence immediately. Add to the fact his black box was pulsing at a low frequency, call it the critical state of an android. Meaning 9S must've been dragged here against his will and that thought upsets her. Whoever was the mastermind behind all of this, 2B will make sure they'll pay.
"What the…" The YoRHa girl saw signs of color out of this white environment. Androids in green jumpsuits meticulously propped on spires of crosses. Small rods penetrated their foreheads, forcing them to look up perpetually. 2B examined one up close, eyelids closed but his jaw fully slack. He like all the others shared their last moments of activation in shock. A symbol embroidered on his pec. 2B silently came to a conclusion.
"Missing crew of the Army Of Humanity's carrier ship confirmed." 042 stated. "Hypothesis: The enemy has placed them here deliberately."
2B wasn't a stranger to the unusual fixation of nailing androids up in this manner. Simone, that special case of machine madness used her victims as her puppets. Rearranging their core data to become tools of destruction. Meaning it's only right for her to speculate that this was the work of another machine. Another enemy like Simone on a greater scale drew worry.
"Send a report to Command. Tell her I've found the missing androids along with our coordinates."
"Unable to establish connection to the Bunker."
Right, they were deep underground. Like the location of the alien motherships the Bunker's satellite couldn't extend below the planet's crust.
"This Pod unit predicts the outcome of a trap of 99.9% certainty."
2B set her gaze forward the makeshift corridor. It's not like she had the power to turn back. Even so she didn't come all the way down just to turn tail. 9S is here and fortunately he wasn't hung alongside the corpses. It sparked hope within the battler but scared at the same time. The longer she looks for 9S the longer she's out of the loop of his fate, potentially worse than the dead ones.
Resuming her jog the battler didn't break for anymore pit stops. Wanting to be done with this as soon as possible. Cubes of white separated far ahead, slowly unveiling the end of 2B's destination. She was able to make out a spire poking out at a staggering height. Making it the tallest building of the bunch. As she got closer more of the image came into focus. Unlike the townhouses that looked like it was still loading in a digitized format this one appeared nearly complete. Far more detailed in the foundation unlike anything else 2B had seen.
"Analysis: Structure rese-"
"Pod not now." 2B wasn't in the mood to be berated of useless information. Pod did as told but its bulb studied the grand structure in silence.
The dynamic scanner picked up on 9S' signal. 2B looked at Pod who was facing the very structure she in front of her. It beeped louder than usual, meaning the scanner resided inside.
'Hold on a little bit longer 9S.'
Before 2B could set foot in 042 alerted her of a message. Any ire she had was silenced when the messenger turned out to be a familiar party. After a brief back-and-forth between them did the battler step forth to the temple itself.
2B walked up to the door, something that the townhouses didn't have. Opening it up a wave of uncertainty blew out, swaying her hair in the process. She squashed any second thoughts and brought out Contract in response. Without a word she entered the inside, blade resting in a ready position. For a second 2B thought her optics malfunctioned. Stepping in she studied the vast, open hallway. Given how intricate and detailed the outside looked the battler had the impression the inside would correspond in detail. Oh how wrong she was.
The battler moved into a massive corridor that begun to change the further she went. Floor, walls, and ceiling slowly warping into a confusing state of swirls. Stretching ways out of proportion, messing up the natural flow of progress when one perceives in walking through a room. 2B had no clue what to make of it. So far there wasn't any change in the ground's density. And the room didn't try anything to kill her. It was only odd that it was designed into a blending mess of space. Taking a break in her pace the YoRHa woman hopped over to what should be considered the right wall.
"Pod…anything to say?"
"Hypothesis: Enemy has made this hallway to pull intruders into a state of unease. Recommendation: Proceed with caution."
2B did feel weirded out. The machine behind this is more clever than she gave credit. She remembered the weird lifeforms in her previous missions. They had copied the footprints of humanity to a degree, a noticeable change in the enemy as of late. Though never had they managed to reach this type of imitation to the point where they actively construed it. Landing onto what should be the ceiling some colors caught her eye.
A portrait made entirely out of paint. The battler investigated. She stiffened up at the image of 9S as well as herself. The painting matched their appearances to the utmost degree, 9S's green satchel was drawn exactly how he wears it. Her headband is mostly unnoticeable but it was a minor detail that was included nonetheless. The dark yellowish-brown background and the unmistakable depiction of machine spires gave 2B remembrance of the apartment complex. A small gasp left her, it was painted as a perspective. The corners contrasted with the background, painted to the resemblance of long white hair.
2B's mind clicked.
"Damn mutant." She hissed.
Reinvigorated 2B traveled the rest of the way down, passing by more portraits of the YoRHa duo at various points in time. Carrying packages for Pascal, in their flight units against the goliath, even them quietly talking to each other knee deep in seawater. The mutant had stalked various points of their missions and she never had a clue. 2B was going to end this madness by the tip of her sword. If she didn't blaze through the rest of the way she would've spotted a particular painting of herself walking in front of two individuals. One unmistakably being 9S happily conversing to the second. Painted in complete black, having an outline of something resembling the something unholy.
The decision to ignore it all and focus solely on traversing the hallway was the right move. 2B had reached the end faster than expected. The room had stopped its warped perception at the very front of the exit. Handlebars rested where they should be. Framed upright like doors should be. Engaging in a sprint 2B humbly broke the hinges. Making a grand entrance with a resounding crash. Piers connected to arcade arches at the sides. Chandeliers looming over the nave of aisles. Leading up to the sanctuary where a flat surface elevated from the ground. Light poured in from the empty windows, shining down onto the sanctuary itself almost intentionally. This room fits the image of the temple's exterior.
Stopping in the lane between numerous rows of seats 2B stood.
"Alert: Detecting enemy signal."
Right on cue the rows began to shake vigorously, as if reacting to her presence. 2B braced herself. An anticlimactic reaction of the seats dissolving into the shapes of cubes did little to calm her. Now giving her space for an inevitable fight the cubes suddenly gained a mind of their own. The blocks rolled for the sanctuary. Amassing a pile that steadily grew and surpassed that of an android. Now clobbered together into a mass it levitated. The cubes shuffling around, changing form into an unrecognizable shape.
"I'm so glad you could join us for this very special occasion 2B."
Upon a wave of his bionic arm the cubes separated revealing Adam. He was just as 2B remembered him. Half-naked, humanoid, and that ego of his present as ever.
"How do you like my-"
Adam couldn't finish his sentence as 2B had already ran up and performed the first strike. The battler holding a prominent sneer on her face as a shield of cubes suddenly rose from the ground. Protecting the mutant from getting impaled. When she drew back did the wall disintegrate.
"Tssk. Tssk. Impatient as ever before 2B." Adam taunted with a wag of his finger.
2B pointed the tip of her blade at Adam while signaling 042 to ready its weapons.
"Where is he?"
"Who?" Adam acted coy. "Oh you mean the hu-"
"Where is 9S?"
"…9S?"
The mutant blinked.
"… We'll get to him shortly." Adam quickly dismisses, taking more interest of their setting. "Look around 2B. Isn't my work beautiful?"
The battler wasn't exactly moved by this. Right now she wanted answers to her own inquiry. Wordlessly she commanded her support unit to attack. Adam merely lifted an arm, forming another barrier from the ground. The power of its mini-gun wasn't enough to break through.
The mutant rested a finger on his nose, shoulders shrugging. "My, you really are set on killing me." He could feel 2B's glare beyond her blindfold.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to engage for a bit."
Holding both hands up fragments of carbonized silicone came from all sides. Amassing a huge block of white. 2B was quick to move on her heels, sliding underneath the gap between the floor and it. The cube crashed into the doorway, plugging the exit of the room. Adam brought his arms up as her blade came flying. Contract's sharp edge brushed against his bare limbs, sparks produced at a massive rate. The mutant closed his eyes and manifesting a hearty scream he pushed back. Returning the weapon back to sender. 042 released tiny ports that surrounded Adam, at once they charged up to form a deadly voltage. Levitating cubes came at his order, forming a ring around him. Every cube was linked to each other and exploded. Doing so created a discharge. Canceling the attack outright.
2B didn't waver, already going back for another assault. Adam merely wagged a finger, beckoning her to come. The battler met him head-on, performing the same maneuver of flipping around and throwing her sword. To say the mutant was confused would be right on, he expected her to come at him with something different. A brief glimpse of disappointment flowed through the mutant. Recalling back to their previous fight he tried to catch her blade using nothing but his hands. At the time he was still learning and only damaged himself from the process. Now the mutant's confident in his reaction times to successfully stop Contract.
"Huh?"
To Adam's surprise Contract drew back right as he was about to stop it. 2B did a quick spin, grasping the weapon's handle as she came down with a diagonal slice. Adam quickly blocked it with his bionic arm. Landing on a knee she launched her blade once again for another lethal rotation. The mutant quickly saw its trajectory aligned to his neck. Adam side-stepped, the brush of Contract cutting a few unfortunate hairs of his. 2B wasn't done, the sword came back, and she made a great leap. Spinning at speeds impossible for the normal person. His own UI detected an increase in speed. She was faster than before. Bringing his arms up once again he made the risky decision to tank it.
The unrelenting 2B tornado made contact. Adam's body while engineered and modified to the standards of YoRHa units found himself getting hurt. Gritting his teeth he continued to endure her deadly force of nature. Even if he had to dig his boots into the ground. The attack didn't wane, in fact he picked up an increase of speed. The samurai blade hit the floor, chipping a noticeable crack into the dense material. Lifting up her head 2B found Adam affected by her doing, stumbling against his legs and falling onto the table at the back of the sanctuary. Blood leaking out his body. Adam placed his hands on the edges. trying to get his balance back in order. The battler led out a "tssk."
"Pod if you will."
"Affirmative."
Adam's right hand did a motion. A shadow eclipsed 2B from both sides.
Chandeliers bounced along the clanging of chains. 2B felt the quaking of the room subside, allowing her to stand up from her crouched position. A contained breath leaving her as she just escaped death. Two cubes far greater in size had manifested from the very walls themselves. In her peripheral she noticed an absence of her support unit. Craning her neck the battler found no signs of her silver-white companion.
"Pod? Where are you?" 2B spoke out, not realizing the claws gripping her shoulders. A second later they let go and the familiar sight of 042 returned.
2B breathed a sigh of relief.
The mass had withered its form down to floor level. Adam stood on other side, the injuries she inflicted prior had healed. His ever present smile amplified 2B's alertness.
"You've grown stronger than our last dance. I have to say I'm impressed. YoRHa units are an outstanding work of art." Adam's offhand compliment came out less endearing than intended.
2B already geared for a second go.
"Still have your systems in a jitter? Oh 2B how could I doubt your tenacity." Adam made a quirky gesture with his fingers. "Choosing to ignore me is an option. Know this you'll never find 9S should you insist."
2B lost her sneer. 042 used the dynamic scanner to double check his claim. Catching on quickly Adam addressed it.
"I wouldn't bother doing that. I've rendered his black box signal untraceable the moment you've set foot into my domicile."
So this was a trap. It was to be expected considering the previous factors but his insinuation did spark hope within 2B.
9S is alive.
"I take it your lack of action means you're willing to spare an ear?"
2B glanced at her support unit. The small bulb poking out from the frame twitched back. She remembered something before and as much as she didn't like it heeding the mutant's words would prove a benefit to them. Still holding Contract in her samurai stance 2B turned to her enemy she grunted. Bringing delight for Adam.
"Currently you're inside one of the pinnacle aspects of human society. No matter the civilization, region, or time period each civilization held a temple for a grand purpose. Do you know what that purpose is 2B?"
Pod chimed in, answering on her behalf. "Analysis: A reconstruction of humanity's most valued and pinnacle points of society detected. Humans held congregations within these structures throughout the world for religious worship."
2B snapped her neck at Pod. Religious worship? Now that caught her attention. Worship, that would be openly paying your respects to the ones deemed above you. YoRHa practices that with their salute and mantra. The Army of Humanity having a similar variation but overall gets the same point across. 2B never had the thought if humans did something similar. Should she? The battler couldn't think of anything that was above humanity.
"To answer the inquiry of enemy unit Adam this Pod unit assesses-"
"I want to hear it from her." Adam butted in. Red eyes settled on the battler, his smile now gone. The smug tone as well, he looked at her with a plain face. An expression she could only recall back to when Adam was still primitive. 2B's face was perfectly divided by the thin of her blade.
"…"
On the outside 2B stood rock solid. The silence could interpreted as a silent rebellion to Adam. Yet she's in the process of formulating a response. She had a hard time doing so. Mostly if not all of her thoughts added up to a single conclusion.
"R-religious worship."
That single word moved Adam in a way she didn't expect.
"One of YoRHa's finest…struggling to answer a simple question. Aren't you androids supposed to be more knowledgeable on humans?"
"That's none of your business." 2B diligently barked back, taking the 9S approach to the enemy.
"On the contrary 2B I believe it is. You see I or we machine lifeforms have a keen interest of humanity. They…do things you can't understand so easily. This building along with this entire city's meant to help me better understand humans."
"Query: Why would constructing a human civilization aid in the enemy unit Adam's goals?"
The mutant extended out his bionic arm at the pod. "A good question my dear mechanical enemy.
There's only so much data I can recover from the network. Seeing something from a distance won't necessarily give you the whole picture would it?"
A cube floated to his very hand. The corners chipped off and downsized until it formed a toy-size version of a stubby unit.
"Whenever you come face-to-face with a machine you don't simply watch from afar to see what happens…" Whilst he explained Adam held out his other palm, this time showing a mini-2B made out of carbon silicone. His eyes remained unmoving as he shoved the figurine closer and hit the machine head-on.
"You actively go out of your way to engage, destroy, and eventually…"
2B watched the smaller version of herself holding a machine core after ripping it out.
"…pick them apart to get a better understanding of your enemy."
Adam proceeded to crush both constructs, squeezing them to dust and rubbing his hands clean.
"The more I uncover records the more perplexed I am about the enigma of humanity. Thus it wouldn't sound outrageous if I wanted another person's thoughts on the matter. But your hesitation of humanity's greatest monasteries is quite incredulous 2B. If I didn't know any better I would come to the conclusion you aren't that knowledgeable."
She frowned.
"I only do what the Council orders."
Adam giggled hard at that. "Ah the Council. The last surviving group of humans. Overseeing the planet's quarrel on their desolate spot in the moon. It must be so great to hear from your creators again after years of silence. Kind of coincidental don't you think?"
2B only lifted a brow.
"Why is it they decided to make contact as of recent?"
Pod 042 hovered forward. Mini-turret reloading. "Enemy unit Adam has no authority-"
Immediately slabs of silicone carbon came from all sides. Covering the pod head-to-claw, trapping it in a prison. 2B gasped. She reached out but Adam commanded the cube out of her reach. 2B could visibly be seen getting more cautious, coming back to the state she was initially. Getting ready to attack. So Adam pressed with a question that effectively made her stop before doing any rash actions.
"2B what do you think of Dante?"
She froze.
"How-how do you know his name?"
Adam paused for a second.
"Wouldn't the correct question be where is he?"
"Huh?"
Adam crossed his arms, a savvy look returning. "Surely androids especially YoRHa would sacrifice themselves for the sake of humanity. After separating you from the human I would've expected a different 2B to burst through the doors. One demanding me to reveal the location of your precious creator. Instead you haven't even made a single mention of him. Most unbecoming of an android, a YoRHa android nonetheless."
He raised his arms to the side before he seemingly levitated off from the floor. The upper wall decided to shed off a thin layer of blocks. Revealing a small indent within the room.
A sharp intake of air filled the battler's chest. Her shaky eyes observed the form of 9S, unconscious and bleeding. Arms and legs are sitting on the sharp edges of silicone. Staking him up in a manner more fit for torture. Similar to how the dead androids have been propped up, displayed like some sort of prop but to make things worse he was still alive. Hands twitching as he unconsciously reacted to the continuous pain killing his limbs. There was even one going through his side.
"9S!" 2B yelled at the top of her voice box. Her voice echoing throughout the chamber.
Adam floated near 9S. Grasping his chin with a bionic hand.
"Instead of the human…you called for him? Another android placed at the same level as you. Below that of the human. My, my, 2B your priorities are certainly out of line." Seeing the way Adam handle 9S, moving his head and making him wince painfully. 2B's sneer started to return.
The mutant floated back down to the floor.
"Humans, the Gods of Androids. Their image have been replicated down to their very creations. The same way humans interpreted their own higher figures. Worship, contribution, repentance, ascension. In the modern day humans are more like legends of the past. How many times have you thought about humanity before meeting Dante? Countless times I believe but reality could be so different than imagination. For I witnessed humanity for what they truly are." Adam brought his hand out.
"Join me 2B and I can show you humanity through the unfiltered lenses."
What? 2B amidst her rising anger couldn't help but question his implication by that.
"Or you can do the selfish decision to save your precious 9S. What is your choice 2B?"
"2-2B…" The scanner weaseled out. What little energy he had left he spent it squirming. Hazy at his predicament. Aggravating the wounds even more beckoned 9S to air out his voice.
2B didn't like seeing him like that.
She never wants to see him like that.
Blood trickled down 9S' body.
Red droplets falling to the floor.
The scene struck something deep inside of her black box.
2B whipped out Contract viscously.
Rage overtaking her exterior.
"You son of a…I'll kill you…I'LL KILL YOU FOR HURTING MY NINES!"
The decline of the offer is disappointing but Adam won't fret. If 2B wishes to remain naive then so be it.
"COME NOW 2B!"
The battler couldn't be more ready. Adam extended his hands from his chest. Hues of golden light manifested. Filling the room with self-made projectiles. 2B exploded from her stand, leaping into open paths. Sliding to her knees she prepared to strike from below. Adam ended his fire, flipping himself back on the table. Light converged at his back, rays of light spanning out to take the form of arms. 2B threw her blade in response. Bafflement riddled her seeing Contract enter the limb from one side and out the other. The arm moved to smack 2B away. She noticed it on her visor's edge, calculating the next move the YoRHa woman squatted down. Flexing her leg muscles she would propel herself out of the limb's range and to the mutant himself.
"YAH!" Contract came in a fast, looping manner. Cutting Adam in the torso. A twirling 2B regained her blade before coming down in a single-handle helmbreaker. The observant teleported in time and would gleefully land a harsh kick on her shoulder. Forcing the battler to eat the sanctuary's table. Destroying it into pieces. The mutant did a backflip, gaining an altitude that brought him a fair distance away. Rubbing her shoulder 2B stepped off the ruined platform like it was nothing.
Adam enclosed a fist. As 2B neared he made his own dash. A glow highlighted his figure, with his own war cry he unleashed an uppercut brimming in light. The momentum of this attack carried his body upwards, however his target never got touched. Only did he realize the multiple silhouettes blinking out of his surroundings. Multiple streaks of slashes came from all sides. Adam even while holding his arms up couldn't deflect them in time. A massive blade, far bigger than Contract came down on his head. Knocking him down, leaving a small crack on the floor. Rolling out of the way led Adam to escape the wraith of Virtuous Treaty, 2B's heavier blade.
The machine backflipped away as 2B brought Treaty down for a grand slam. Quickly he formed golden arms. Bringing them forward he attempted to squish the YoRHa woman out of commission. 2B escaped by using her sword like a staff. Carrying her overhead and unleashing another strike from above. A clean cut ran down the mutant's upper torso, a line of blood seeping out. The YoRHa woman spun it vertically and galloped. Bringing down her weapon for a third overhead. Adam grasped his bearings in time to block. 2B went at it. Using Treaty as her source of power to break into his guard. With a greater edge she managed to make Adam flinch under her wake. Twirling around to deliver long but forceful strikes would've left anybody into pieces. Her opponent wasn't just anybody but he noticed a vast difference from their first fight.
The impact pushed against him greatly. Adam slid across the floor with a surprised expression. 2B dragged her sword forward, creating sparks and performed an upper carve. Adam blocked the attack by shielding himself behind a wall of cubes. Electricity zapped from impact. The battler flew back as a result. Rolling onto her feet Adam would manifest arms of light and sent a punch. 2B spilt into multiple visages before rushing back into his vicinity. For the mutant he directed his other arm for the incoming battler. The appendage splitting off into smaller variants to make it more difficult for the battler. 2B noticed this and decided to make a daring stunt. Treaty was thrown straight into the appendages. The sword itself being unaffected as it made it through successfully. Adam quickly ducked, narrowly missing his head.
This gave 2B leeway and closed the distance. While he was distracted she attacked by giving him direct kick from her heel. Adam faltered, neck giving way by the stem digging into his cheek. She spun on her knees, Treaty back in hand to slice at his feet. The mutant recovered just in time and backflipped away. Making sure his foot also connected to her face. Angering the battler she chased down the evasive lifeform. Her longsword already swinging out. However in doing so Adam created a translucent barrier. Which exploded immediately akin to a grenade.
"AH!" A good amount of shards had made home into the battler. Hitting the floor with a body full of shards. Quickly she went ahead and fixed herself. Biting down her pain as she dug her fingers inside the damaged areas. Splatters of blood stained the white floor. A tube of staunching gel materialized on hand to which she applied deliberately.
'Just a little longer.'
Adam was impressed by the battler's performance. She's doing far better than their previous battle. Whereas before she needed to rely on her partner to take him on here 2B's able to keep up by herself. She even managed to get a few hits in as well. While not perfect it was indeed a huge leap in her skills. Much like his own adaptability. 2B stood back up, wounds patched and battle drive still going strong.
"Throughout the years humanity has been revered to the point of legend. Yet if there's an aspect of humans you androids avoid touching on it would be violence. Humans are naturally social creatures but that doesn't guarantee they could live in harmony. Simple disagreements amongst the parties could very easily escalate into something more serious."
2B clenched her teeth. Air flooded both sides of the battler as she spun the massive blade. Adam teleported, to bring his glowing fist down into the floor. Her area now glowed a vibrant hot. A geyser of pure energy rose from the ground. The battler activated her counter program, spawning out and between the multiple spots. When it died down she was left in a guarded state. Without warning she slammed the long on Treaty into a set of cubes from behind. Knocking them back to Adam, his half-naked form bended out the way. Explosions of electricity destroying parts of the room.
"Whether it be destruction of property, an argument, or simply to show who's superior. When push comes to shove eventually morals are no longer limited factor. To settle the matter one must fight to get their way. Humans lose their humanity and become pure savages."
The environment broke off. Cubes of many surrounded the battler. 2B huffed. As they all came in to destroy her she twirled the huge blade around herself. Voltage from the deflected cubes strayed off into many. Causing more cubes to go off. Smoke birthed in the air, masking 2B from clear view. Adam watched her shadow perform a series of flips and twirls as he kept sending in more cubes. Tall slabs of silicone neared from the sides. Adam brought his hands together, causing them to make a crush. However 2B gathered the remaining smaller cubes and chucked them to either side. Blasting off holes big enough for her to slip through. She escaped while the slabs crumbled upon impact.
"Before us, before the aliens, before androids humanity's greatest enemy were themselves."
Adam produced more volleys of light. 2B dashed, skipping off to safe spaces. She reached the halfway point when the mutant charged up a heavy blast. A huge glowing orb stronger and more volatile than the rest raced down to meet 2B. Gritting her she decided to take it head on. Unleashing the brunt of Treaty straight into it. She felt a considerable amount of voltage touching her arm but she powered through and finished her swing. A risky decision that paid off exponentially. Her longsword separated managed to cut the orb in two. Flying past 2B and causing a grand explosion behind her. Light highlighted her figure and prepared to close the distance with Adam who now started to manifest his own glow.
"Even we are enacting the same common practices from thousands of years ago. Cutting each other down, uncaring for the well-being of their opponents. So cruel…so…barbaric…so…inhumane."
Adam's illuminating body maneuvered in between 2B's attacks. Sending out punches to which she had invaded. When that didn't work he attempted doing a couple of spinning kicks to catch her off guard. 2B used her agility and acrobatics in avoiding the mutant's melee attacks. Using the long reach of her blade to offset any potential setups the mutant might've dished out. Their speed was above what any normal human could comprehend. The combatants traveled to various points in the room whilst exchanging blows.
"Not a fitting description of the precious humans androids are lead to believe. Thus I've spent time seeking out the answers. And I couldn't be more surprised at what I'm currently witnessing. So 2B I'll ask you this again. What do you think of Dante?"
"SHUT UP!"
Pupils dilated for Adam. Treaty having plunged deep past the shoulder blade. Making a very ugly picture of a humanoid sustaining a fatal, bloody injury. His bionic hand being the only thing to keep it from driving further. Even an injury as fatal as this did little to curve Adam's mood.
"A touchy subject?"
2B seethed further driving her muscles to push her blade deeper.
"You don't know anything…"
Adam's grin grew wide. "That's very funny. Have I offended you?"
"Shut up! Why won't you die?"
"Death? The concept of death that applies to all living things. That doesn't apply to machine lifeforms. As long as I'm connected to the network we can do this forever." All of a sudden Adam began to push Treaty out against 2B's efforts, letting the deep carve seal itself up. That along with all the injuries Adam sustained had healed. Now the battler struggled to get Treaty out of his hand. Things were looking bad for 2B, the mutant had a seemingly unlimited amount of energy. Androids couldn't fight non-stop, they weren't machines.
"Did you truly think you could put me out of commission like this?" Adam quickly grabbed 2B by the neck.
Letting go of her sword she tried to break free from the increasing pressure. Punching, kicking, anything she can do to break his concentration. Adam remained unaffected.
"Foolishness, 2B foolishness."
"I…was only…buying…enough time." 2B gasped feeling the strain on her throat lessen. Enough for her to breathe in. Adam who was in the process of questioning that peculiar statement widened his eyes. His yellow light flickered around his body before ultimately dying out.
"Someone's intervening with my systems."
The mutant checked his connection. Channeling his signal into frequencies large enough to reach the machine network. His lips parted. Adam struggled to bypass the barrier that now encompassed the city. Leaving his AI effectively trapped here.
"Who's…WHO'S THERE?"
Still holding a struggling battler in his grasp he moved her out of his sight. Scanning the vast room for the potential culprit.
A beam hit Adam head on. Dropping 2B to the floor and sending him to his knees.
Pod 042 had broken free of its prison as it floated to the recovering 2B. A small shadow came from the shadows, revealing it to be the black and red companion of 9S.
"About…time."
2B rubbed her throat. The pain of Adam's grip still lingered but other than that she should be fine.
Adam who was feeling a massive drop in his own power lifted his head upwards to 153.
"Report: Hacking the city's mainframe consumes a lot of power within a single pod's systems. A slow and deliberate process without additional support would've led to 76% failure. Combined efforts of this Pod unit and 042 were deemed necessary." 153 explained.
2B had picked herself up. Any irritation she may have felt drifted away. She had the upper hand now.
"I'm glad 042 reactivated you thanks."
"Likewise."
"Your compliments are appreciated."
A recovering Adam heard them. Struggling to his feet he spoke up. "So while I was distracted with 2B you had my connection to the outside severed? Interesting."
At once both bulbs on the support units shined with light.
"Control percentage: 100%"
"Control percentage: 100%"
2B looked around her. Their control over the city came into play with a massive color change. Like a tsunami the interior of the temple got washed in a charcoal black. Coloring past her location and spanning across the city.
Adam closed his eyes, not in worry nor fear. He was a machine lifeform who tasked himself in solving the riddle of humanity. Whatever lied at the very end of his project was for him to experience. As he saw 2B pick up her sword he felt the connection to this vessel dying by the second. What he did next Adam would like to label it as a compliment for besting him in battle.
"I have no objections for death but not like this."
In his last remaining seconds he grabbed 2B by the hair. Even as the pods prepared to shoot him into oblivion Adam did not stop. He fully turned around, using 2B's body to stop any potential fire.
"2B! I GRANT YOU MY RESPECTS! NOW WITNESS THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE!"
Adam shouted as he violently chucked the battler out the window. The glass panels shattered into a million shards, 2B screamed as she soared into the sky. He smiled as the pods unleashed their fire, tearing him apart until he was nothing but a pile of silicone carbon. Her worldview spun uncontrollably, unable to get a grasp of her own trajectory. Dazed by the spinning view of the city she had no clue to where she'll fall. The wall separating the city had fell when the pods took control. The battler reached the other side, descending to an arena of some sort. 2B could feel the screaming winds hitting her ears. She couldn't do nothing about it. Walls of the colosseum fell through her vision. Closing her eyes 2B prepared for an early death.
Or at least it should've went that way.
It happened so fast.
Someone interrupted her flight.
Rough hands grabbed her before the inevitable impact. 2B felt her savior skidding to a stop before placing her down safely. So abrupt was the experience that she collapsed on her stomach. After reassessing her modules in working condition did 2B open her eyes, laying her sights to a parallel figure on their knees.
The YoRHa woman took it all in.
A breath was taken subconsciously.
Her jaw lowered, mesmerized by the otherworldly aura they were exuding.
Golden wings sprouted from their backs that reminded her of feathery doves. 2B drank in the magnificent light coming from them. She didn't know if such a thing was possible but that didn't matter to her. The brightness radiated a purity that could rival stars. Showering down their shoulders did she make out luscious hair dipped in a platinum sheen. Adding an exotic factor to their image. The longer she stared the more she felt her black box responding in a stronger frequency. Captivating her to no end. Sparkles danced off them, further driving this new emotion within her. Without a single word spoken 2B felt as if she was in the presence of a figure that transcended the physical realm. Far beyond the machine war, YoRHa, the world itself.
In the back of her mind Adam's words hearkened back.
2B lifted a shaky hand out to them.
Is this the guiding light of humanity?
"D…Dan…"
In her elation the battler's visor zoomed in. 2B went silent upon the sight of blood dripping down the bare chest. Their own life source tainting their magnificent glory. Her black box sent a signal to enact. To help. To serve. 2B was just about ready to do so. Anything within her power to make sure they survived. Then the person lifted their head, revealing a set of crimson pupils. Motor functions ceased on sight. Crippling uncertainty invading the circuit boards controlling 2B's line of thought. No longer did she hold her previous admiration for the individual. The wings, light, the whole style didn't make sense to her anymore. For 2B recognized Adam.
"Ah…2B…"
2B couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Wasn't she just fighting Adam a couple seconds ago?
How was he here?
Why did he look like that?
Most importantly who did that to him?
2B wasn't prepared for it. Peering down laid a silhouette overshadowing her lying form. Large, meaty looking wings completely contrasting Adam's more feathery, electric ones. Joints have taken the form of spikes, jutting out the elbows, shoulders, and chin. A head that lacked anything human invoked a yellow completely unnatural to the degree of the machine. 2B felt a burning inferno grilling her back. The thing behind her didn't match to any corresponding animal on the planet. No this couldn't be an animal. NOTHING in this world should be capable of giving birth to…her black box was pulsing.
It was pulsing hard, relaying a whole wave of signals. Get up, run, don't engage. Get to safety. Alert the Commander. Alert everyone of this danger but she couldn't. 2B couldn't move underneath its stare. The cold of the floor didn't register. The questionable form of Adam had left her mind. She felt naked, weak, and alone. Nothing in her mind was enough to break out of this dormant state of dread. Petrified in fear 2B laid still, fearing the slightest movement would be enough to trigger it to attack. A second later the shadow belonging to the stuff of nightmares was no more as a bright red light engulfed it whole.
…There she is…
Bright
Red
Light
Dante looked at Adam. Without taking his eyes off him the devil hunter walked around 2B. Hand gripped to his sword.
"My connection to the network has been severed. Which means death is now a possibility." Adam grimly smiled. "Indeed your true form is everything I could ever imagine. I accept my fate. Thank you Dante." Weakly the mutant raised his arms up in surrender, fully embracing the aspect of death. To which Dante humbly offered.
"Brother…"
Adam opened his eyes.
There he saw Eve. Standing in front of him, the simple-minded mutant being happy to see him like always. The beaten lifeform didn't understand why he was here. Nothing in the preparations had Eve getting directly involved in his own endeavors. Adam wanted to tell him to move aside only to hitch at his throat. Red oil dribbled out his smile, Eve lost his strength. The sword poking out the simpleton's chest would be released. He fell forward, eyes growing faint. A fatal chest wound spraying over his face.
Adam's world shattered.
A huge block of silicone carbon to crash into the ground. Cutting off the mutants from the devil hunter. He didn't expect the other guy to suddenly pop out of the blue. Well it's his fault for jumping in at last second. Sheathing the Rebellion he looked up at the ceiling. The once perfect expanse of infinite void now disassembling in a rather disastrous fashion. More chunks of the room began to fall. He's guessing since the whole place switched color pallets that 2B must've been responsible. Well that guy isn't coming out again from the looks of it, guess his job's done here. Turning around he saw a frozen 2B. She hasn't moved at all. Crouching down he snapped his fingers.
"Yo Earth to 2B?"
He watched the battler lag behind in response. Almost like her computer brain needed to time to actually reset itself. 2B stared forward until eventually her visor reached his face. Quickly her mouth zipped shut. Her concealed eyes widening at Dante's familiar mug.
"Retrieval of unit 9S completed." 042's monotone voice came from above. Breaking eye contact 2B looked upwards to the pods floating down at a steady pace. For they were holding the unconscious 9S by the shoulders.
2B got to her feet before she knew it. The battler didn't even wait for the pods to transfer him. She wrapped an arm around his injured shoulder and the other under the knees. There 2B would lift 9S fully in her possession, finally rewarding the battler with completion of her mission. Cradling the YoRHa boy into a tight princess carry 9S struggled to keep his neck up.
"2-2B…" He whispered weakly before ultimately falling into rest mode. 2B shifted her grip so the scanner could rest more comfortably on her shoulder. Injured but alive. The battler couldn't be more happier to finally have him at her side once again.
"Let's go home."
"Looks like my work here is done." The voice of Dante jostled 2B's bubble. Black box producing another round of spiking. The battler felt that terrifying dread coming back. His figure moved in her direction. She didn't realize the defensive stance her body took. Yet, it felt appropriate for what she saw. Dante conveyed no reaction at this and chose to get closer.
2B tensed up.
Unsure of what to actually do next.
Dante acted like nothing had happened.
Passing by the frightened battler and going for the elevator.
The buildings have started to lose form. As well as parts of the artificial sky collapsing. Adam's city was falling apart before her very eyes. Silicone debris collected around her but her mind failed to register everything. 042 and 153 beckoned her to move but their voices too fell on deaf ears. The support units shared a collective agreement and shoved the battler out of her state. Instantly getting the message 2B turned her back on the falling city. Taking a step, and a step, and a step…
…and entered the elevator.
Where the monster awaited.
[Amusement Park]
Chunks of debris were thrown out of the way. Gloved hands went in to grab another piece of wall. 8's attitude remained calm but didn't falter in her search as she kept on shrinking her pile piece by piece. The dust had now settled allowing more of her squad mates to be seen as they too dug away at their own piles.
22 had done her search in a rather quick fashion. Instead of plucking the crumbles of the theater away delicately she decided to sweep away the mess of concrete without a care. Removing the clutter faster than the others. Risky for survivors perhaps but efficient certainly. If time was against the clock than 22 wasn't gonna entertain father time by being careful. Finding Number 1's comrade faster was better in her opinion. After eradicating the pile of debris on her end she found no traces of an android.
"ALL CLEAR ON THIS SIDE!"
8 took a more procedural approach to the clutter. Grabbing a couple of pieces at the same time and chucking in a rotation where her hands would be grabbing onto more debris in a timely manner. The pieces at which the theater laid in weren't too big so using a hand for each would prove efficient. Hearing 22's remark only made her more determined in finding Number 1's comrade. Unluckily for her she soon chucked away the last of her pile. The only thing of note on her end was the torn pieces of confetti and paper mâché.
"SAME HERE!"
Deeper into the theatre 64 patted her hands clean of dust. She had just done digging up her pile. Her search yielded the same result. The bruntette quickly looked over the piles to find any more clues.
"Hmm…I'm not seeing anything. Maybe I should join back the others and-WOAH!"
64 jumped back. A piece of flying debris soaring past her field of vision. Turning to look at the origin of the object she found the person responsible for throwing it to be non-other than A2. She was fast, hair spiraling wildly from her movements. Hurling outright huge pieces of debris out of her way. Uncaring where it would land. Grabbing a large heap of rubble she gave a viscous cry before spinning around and releasing it. 64 cartwheeled out of the way to avoid it. This however had gone unnoticed by the ruffian as she went back into her search.
"I take it you haven't found him." 8 assessed as she and 22 joined 64. The brunette sadly shook her head as they watched Number 1 dig her way into the rubble without rest. A gasp could be heard and the ruffian dug her arm deep within a pile before tugging at her catch with absolute determination.
"I think she found him." 64 remarked and the trio went to gather around A2. All of them reaching in to eliminate the clutter and allow the ruffian to bring her catch into light.
Only to pull out a machine head with a goofy-looking wig on.
"DAMMIT!" A2 threw the false sense of hope away before getting up. She rushed over to another pile.
"I've already checked that one." 22 reported. The ruffian clenched her teeth and ventured to the next one.
"Nothing there too." 8 added. She cursed as she eyed another pile.
"No good either." 64 piled on.
"FUCK!" A2 screamed before falling to her knees. The sounds of footsteps carried over, the brunette having kneeled down as she gave comforting pats.
"I'm sorry Number 1."
"No…"
The ground underneath her fell victim to her fists.
"NO! NO! NO!"
64 grew in sympathy. She and her friends knew what it was like to lose their friends. Each went down in their own depressive fate but one of the worst ways to go is without warning.
"You can still come with us. That way you won't have to be alone again." 64 brought up the offer again. Hoping she would take it for her own good. Being alone is already enough but being a fugitive won't make things any easier. 22 and 8 are very understanding. Surely they'll have no problem taking another member for their group.
A2 wouldn't stop facing the ground. Nothing of what the deserter said made any positive impact. Signals derived from her black box putting the attacker to an abysmal state. She didn't know how to comprehend the massive guilt-trip she was experiencing. Not too long ago everything was starting to shape-up for the better. It wasn't perfect but it was looking like things were going in the right direction. Now it's gone and she couldn't help but blame herself for this disaster. If it wasn't for 64, A2 would've collapsed.
"You don't understand…" Her voice was quiet. Quiet enough to only let 64 to pick up. While the brunette titled her head in confusion 8 and 22 noticed something offside.
The pair approached the crumbled remains of the stage. Lights along with the stage beams had crumbled and given in to the collapse. They haven't searched this part simply because all they saw was the remains of a huge paper mache structure. Thinking nothing of it initially they turned away until now.
"You see that?" 8 questioned.
A sparkle of blue shined within a small expanse of the redhead's view. "Yuh-huh." Using their blades to hack away at the debris 22 and 8 were able to make out the hunched over form of a male android. He looked like he just got put through the wringer if the state of his clothes were anything to go by. The source of the glint lied within the blue gemstone in his hand.
The YoRHa deserters gave the other an accomplished smirk. They found Number 1's missing friend. Not something you really see after the destruction of an entire building. A lucky guy he is. 8 was the first to bring herself down to his level, taking a firm hold of his shoulders to prevent a fall. He didn't react. Signs showed he was coming to terms with his close embrace of death.
"Hello? Can you hear us?"
It took a moment but he wiped his face before gazing up at the newcomer. Weird. This guy had a strange hue of pink in his eyes that quickly went away. She never seen eyes change like that. What's also weird is the aura of superiority that took hold of 8. The white-haired deserter subsided the strangeness and proceeded to state her intentions.
"We're here to help on the behalf of Number 1."
The man blinked at the information before taking a moment to view his surroundings. During this 22 would notify her companions.
"Human…"
64 blinked, at first choosing not believing what came out of Number 1's mouth. However judging by her demeanor and the fact her audio processors were at 100% meant that she was telling the truth. For a moment 64's schematics buffered. UI not registering any of her surroundings. The brunette felt an unsettling sizzle in her stomach area. This entire time a human was here? She needed a second to register this detrimental information.
"NUMBER 1 WE FOUND HIM!"
Dread flooded the systems of 64.
On the contrary hope sparked back into A2.
The brunette hesitated to look over. Eyes filled with unholy realization upon the sight of the tattered human being. Once her visor-covered orbs caught his 64 knew she had to speak up. Her words echoed across the area with a force more powerful than an EMP attack. Hitting 22 and 8's audio processors with the revelation of profound consequences.
"Did she just say…" 22 uttered. Head whipping back to the hunched over man in disbelief.
"By the look of Number 1…" Seeing the expression of the ruffian recognizing her companion in gratified relief, the white-haired woman shakily turned her head. The man's orbs had turned an icy cold as they settled onto hers. Slowly he rose to his feet. Now casting a gaze of superiority that she along with the redhead had found themselves submitting to.
"Mr. Human Sir…" 22 uttered out. The outgoing and short-tempered redhead was now on her knees, struggling to complete keep cool. 8 didn't blame her in the slightest. They were deserters afterall, betraying YoRHa in part separated their loyalty in the eyes of the Council. Judging by his intimidating stature that unfortunately looked to be the direction this was heading.
8 from her kneeling position tried to speak on the behalf of everyone. Turning this around in hopes of reprimanding them with the least amount of punishment. "…terribly sorry Human-Sir!" She quickly corrected herself. "My colleagues and I are only aiding in your rescue at the discretion of Number 1. I'm YoRHa unit Number 8 Type B captain of…former captain of YoRHa squadron Foxtrot 12."
The human shuffled his gaze off her. 8 glanced at 22. The redhead sharing a look of concern. Their futures they worked so hard to reach now laid in the hands of someone else. Right back to where they started. 8's black box pulsed violently. Humans were a strange enigma to androids with how little information they have. 8 however would like to think on the bright side. Thinking logically the human may want to hear their side of the story to better understand their desertion. While a stretch 8 believed that-
Something happened.
8 was confused. Everyone was staring at her. She didn't say anything wrong on her part. She never realized how fast her death had been. Not even her UI alerted her as everything suddenly turned off. 22, 64, and A2 watched in horror as 8's decapitated head slid off the neck and onto her lap. Coloring her battle suit in crimson liquids.
22 choked on bile witnessing the death of her friend in the span of a second. Blood sprayed from the open neck as the body toppled over. The same red staining the broadsword within the human's grip. Her terrified eyes trembled upon his merciless ones. A heavy gulp did little to help the sheer amount of despair 22 was experiencing. For a girl often called the hothead of the group the redhead never felt more cold.
"Sir! I apologize on 8's behalf. Please understand our deep regrets for abandoning YoRHa. We in no way shape or form intended to betray humanity-"
22 never got to finish her plea. She couldn't feel anything below her neck anymore. Her vision rolled backwards as she saw a horrified 64. The last thought dedicated to why Number 1 did them so dirty.
'22…'
'8…'
A sickening feel poked 64's throat. Tears ran down the confides of her visor. 22 and 8 had been snuffed out in the blink of an eye. Gone just like that. Than that same human appeared in front of her in a blur. Frightening the brunette to the point she collapsed on her back. 64 untied the folds of her blindfold, revealing the blotchy tears. Not forgetting to throw away her weapons in the process to show ultimate surrender.
He didn't look appeased.
64 took a breathe. Even when she didn't require it the simple action relaxed her. She took this last moment to remember all the good times she had with her friends however short they were. For any attempts for mercy was futile. Androids were always meant to serve mankind. This was simply nothing other than mere punishment for their abandonment.
So why did Number 1 look so surprised?
"I accept my punishment. Do what you must-"
64 died swiftly as the rest. Head sent spiraling into the rubble and body falling just as lifelessly. Vergil brought up a hand to his face, making sure he rid any evidence of tears from his eyes. Gaining back his normal composure the darkslayer would face the android they referred to as Number 1.
"A2 or Number 1? Which one is it?"
A2 mindlessly stared at the fallen brunette with a face more hollow than an empty jar.
"A2…You didn't need to kill them." She spoke more-so to herself but since she didn't try to hide it he heard nonetheless. He gestured to the headless bodies.
"I'm sorry. Does this trouble you?" Vergil's response came off so condescending. A2 gritted her teeth. Normally she wouldn't defend YoRHa but these units were different. They could've killed her when they had the chance but they chose not to. YoRHa deserters…She thought she was the only one. While their motivations regarding humanity was never explicitly stated A2 commended them for refusing to remain under that bitch's heel.
"After the building collapsed I feared for the worst! They were just helping me to find you!" She argued back. While not overtly shouting it was clear she did have a bite.
Vergil than did a spin of his coat. Walking towards her with scorn. "My last orders were to be on guard until I return. Never did I mention a need for rescue." His eyebrows curled harder around his eyes. "In any case I'm relying on you to act alone. Instead you resorted to compromising with others behind my back."
The ruffian took that last part hard. Accusing her of compromising was never on her agenda. Brewing a newfound fury to ignite a response. "They weren't out to get you. They were only trying to return a favor. The fucking building fell! You could've died! Sorry for actually being considerate for your well-being but it's written in my code! I'M ONLY TRYING TO HELP! WHY CAN'T YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND THAT?"
A2 didn't even process his movements. It's like he disappeared from reality faster than a snap of the finger. She dared not to move an inch. Vergil's gaze never felt more colder, more haunting, more threatening. Her black box boomed, sending a wave akin to fear over her systems. That rebel within her effectively shrunk into the deepest pit of her programming, not even her rage could keep it burning. A2 never had the intention of fighting this man after her own beatdown. This same human swiftly took down 3 YoRHa elites in less than half a minute. Without even bothering to engage in swordplay. There's nothing the ruffian could do other than bite down on her own tongue.
"You'll only act on my orders. Plain and simple. An android has no place to argue over my well-being. How insulting to suggest anything on this planet could pose a threat to the Son of Sparda. Everything that stands in my way will be put down by my own hands. If you lack the basic comprehension in the same way you lack decency than perhaps you're not cut out for this."
By that insinuation A2's thoughts came to the absolute worst. She regretted ever opening her mouth in the first place. Fright would prevent her from noticing Vergil eyeing the blue gemstone in his hand. He sheathed his blade, letting the ruffian bask in much needed relief. Vergil averted his eyes forward, his steady footsteps nearing and ultimately passing her by.
"This is your first and final warning."
The attacker could only shudder in the phantom cold. His footsteps grew fainter and fainter. He wasn't gonna stop and at this point she's come to expect that. Swallowing down a load of bile A2 got her bearings together the best she could. The attacker just wanted to sit down and contemplate but she knew better than to keep him waiting. As she turned around to catch up A2 caught view of 64's weapons. Despite what happened nothing changed the fact that she needed new weaponry. 64 didn't need it anymore and quickly added them to her inventory. A2 left the area jittery but composed enough to push on.
Static flickered before lights of a damaged machine head went to black.
Yup. I just went there.
