Chapter Text
She awakes.
Light streams through the window, where she was sitting, and she turns her head to look at the azure sky.
[Where] am I?
A2 stands, and she gazes out at the view.
I am alive.
But why, after I sought [Death] for so long?
Her question is met with [Silence].
The dove at her feet pecks at the concrete on the windowsill. A2 turns and kneels down to look at it. She had never seen a bird up close before, much less a bird like this one.
The dove looks at her, its eyes [Inquisitive]. It tilts its head, as if asking a question, and A2 can’t help but smile. She reaches out to touch the dove, but it jumps away, spreading its [Wings] and flying off.
A2 watches it soar, dipping and rising with the wind. As she follows it, her eyes trailed down, and she startles at the sight of [2B] and [9S] lying on a rooftop, side by side. Her gaze also catches the Pods floating near them, watching and waiting.
So they’re [Alive], too.
A2 feels a quiet pang of relief.
She felt that fate had intertwined them. Three androids, each with their own [Purpose], pulled together by a shared pain, a shared desire.
[2B], the one who [Shared] her face. The one built from A2’s data, who was just like her.
When 2B looked into A2’s eyes back at the bridge, when 2B made her final wish...
When A2 looked into 2B’s eyes, A2 saw herself reflected back at her.
The pain of losing those you [Love].
The weight of having walked the world [Alone].
The realization that this is the [End].
In that moment, they were the [Same].
[9S], the one she cared for, despite his [Hatred] of her. His hatred at her for killing 2B, for taking away the only thing he loved.
When 9S looked into A2’s eyes back at the Tower, his sword raised, poised to strike…
When A2 looked into 9S’ eyes, she saw the moment of her own revelation.
The realization that everything they did was [Meaningless].
The realization that all their efforts were [Futile].
The realization that in the end, they never [Mattered].
In that moment, the [Truth] came to light.
A2 watches as 2B and 9S stirred. They awake to their Pods’ intones, and look around in surprise.
Then, they see each other, and they realized what it meant.
She gazes at them as they embraced, holding each other as if they'd never let go.
She listens as three years of repressed emotions finally break free in tears and anguished cries.
She stands in silence, letting everything wash over her.