4 Joys of Fatherhood (Seriously, Kids are ADORABLE!)
"Battle-Type Android—2B, reporting for duty." The blindfolded YoRHa automaton beauty raised her head in a perfunctory salute.
"And her infield partner, Scanner-Type Android—9S, at your command."
With a smile on his face, the girl's-(?) smaller companion followed her motions, only more sloppily.
"9S." 2B evenly said, but her tone was a tidbit chiding.
"What?" 9S said with an impish shrug, but his partner gave the 'isn't the time for games' kind of head shake prompting him to sigh, "Hah… Well, alright."
Ignoring his pout, 2B turned to the screen and nodded her head, "Mam."
On the other side of the holographic screen, Commander White, who didn't seem to mind what was happening cleared her throat and began.
"Sorry for suddenly pulling you out from your reckon mission… On that note, is there any progress from your side?"
2B shook her head. "No Mam."
What the Commander had been talking about had to do an intelligence gathering within the Resistance; a group of unaffiliated automatons who fight alongside YoRHa against the Machine lifeforms.
Basically, they were to act as liaisons with the Resistance while finding out why the previous units still had not contacted back with the base…
Although, as the scene from the desert and that strange Machine lifeform both she and 9S had fought back at the amusement park flashed through her mind, 2B couldn't help but grip her fist in anger.
It wasn't that the predeceasing unit wouldn't reply—it's because they couldn't.
Up till now, 2B still couldn't tell which of the two had gotten them in the first place.
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"... Wh #y, are you fight&$# ?"
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It was a new Machine model—one that looked like an automaton.
Deep within, 2B knew that Jackass had a point. The Machine lifeforms were growing and learning and soon enough, the possibility that they could surpass even Humanity is no longer an illusion.
The existence of Pascal's village was already a big red sign that a great change was coming.
And not for the first time, the thought bloomed within 2B. 'Can we really win this?'
But as soon as it arose, the YoRHa (fake) Battle-Type ruthlessly squashed the thought. She was a tool for humanity and nothing more…
That is all she could ever deserve.
"2B, are you with us?"
White's voice drew back 2B from her swarming thoughts. Straightening herself, 2B nodded in affirmative.
After spending a few moments observing 2B, White said. "At the moment, the intelligence mission is to be put on hold. Our satellites have picked up unusual activities in the northeast of the forest -one that has to do with the Machines. I want you both to go find out what it is."
"Activity?" 9S muttered, turning to 2B. "Could it be something we'd missed?"
Commander White replied, negatively. "No, we reckon it's something else. From the data we had gotten from your last battles, we had surmised that this is something else in play. Something new… In any case, whatever is it that Machines are gathering around for is probably not in our favor. So, 9S, 2B!"
"Mam!"
Both androids snapped to an attention.
"You both are to go on an impromptu investigative mission. Due to uncertainties on its parameters from our side, expect that we'll be getting back to you from time to time… Be careful and stay safe." Commander White added softly at her before snapping to a salute. "Glory to Mankind!"
"Glory to Mankind!"
"Glory to Mankind!"
As the screen went off 9S sighed, stretching his hands.
"Another investigation, huh? And not like we're anywhere done with what we have on our plates."
With a gesture, a screen displaying the topography sprang up as 9S checked the terrain from where they were supposed to investigate.
"Thankfully, it isn't that close to the desert - hate that place. In fact… Hmm," 9S paused for a bit, "It's some miles away from that Pascal Machine's village. Hey 2B, any guesses on what this could mean?"
"I don't, but we can start by asking them first."
9S groaned, "Something mysteriously happens near the camp of what could potentially be our enemies and the first thing you want to go do is ask... Hah, how very straightforward of you, 2B."
Smiling, the Scanner-Type automaton shook his head in acquiescing resignation and hopped off the building.
Watching as 9S left the building, 2B immediately placed her hand against her chest as she couldn't control it any longer.
This has been happening ever since that battle in the desert, there was this mysterious reaction (?) she had been experiencing in her chest. 2B wasn't sure if she could call it uncomfortable or not, but she couldn't deny it felt warm... And also very distracting.
2B had already done all the necessary check-ups, but nothing was shown to be wrong with her. Her systems were all green and her body parts showed no signs of overheating, nevertheless, the mysterious reaction remained.
There was also the fact that the mysterious warmth increased as soon as Commander White had charged them with the investigative mission.
Bringing up her screen, 2B stared at the X-marked spot on the screen—a particular undiscernible spot in the forest.
'There it is again.' 2B's hand clenched. 'Just what is in there that is making me feel this, this... Happy?'
Shaking her head, 2B chided herself. 'No emotions... Remember your mission. Glory to Mankind.'
With that, 2B flipped off the ruined building terrace after her partner.
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
Hovering at a height of over 60 ft. above the earth, Bob took in a deep breath as a golden orb the size of a melon manifested on his hand.
'Just like you've always been doing; visualize.'
Although unlike before, this time he wasn't closing his eyes. Even though Bob had the memories of this power's original owner or was it his alternate self (still couldn't get the specifics even now), he was still a greenhorn in quick, efficient usage of his powers…
Destruction was all too easy, but using this power for creation and alteration required more attention and concentration than he would have liked.
"You can do it, Papa!"
"Yeah... Make it snow ice cream, Papa!"
Unknowingly, Bob's lip stretched into a smile as his face took on a determined look.
For those kids' sake, he would have to do something special.
"Alright, let's do this..." The golden orb swirled as it turned into a kaleidoscope of colors. "Imagine the result... No need to make up the process, it's my power. So I say make it snow... Let the ice cream fall!"
The swirling orb now glowing white, vanished in a burst of showery sparkles. Immediately, the sky above changed its perpetual weather. Unlike the clear blue firmament, white-pinkish clouds decorated the horizon. The air gained a sweet mouthwatering scent while the ambient temperature dropped down a notch.
Soon enough, for the first time in more than a thousand years, it began to snow. No, actually, for the first time in a billion years, since the earth had been created, it was snowing... Ice-cream.
Unlike a normal snow, it didn't take time for the land to become coated in the sweet pinkish goodness.
Upon landing, Bob immediately bowled back as he was struck by two human-shaped missiles.
"Come on, you jumpy tykes. How many times must I tell you to stop doing that? It isn't safe, you know." Bob said with resigned mirth.
Considering the fact that even if a mountain was dropped on Bob, he wouldn't flinch or move an inch. The kids trying to do the same would only be like trying to run in headfirst to a wall...
That's gonna hurt more than anything else.
Which is why Bob always had to go with the momentum and fall with the kids, if not the image wouldn't be pretty.
"Alright, listen you two…" Bob's reprimanding tirade began—only for his tone to change as he saw their happy faces.
"Thanks Papa, you're the best." Hansel said with a smile.
"Thank you, Papa," Gretel said with a grin. "This is the best day ever."
"You... You—Alright, alright." Bob sighed, waving them off. "Go have fun or something."
Watching as the kids—his kids (God, sounds like a miracle even saying it) play in the sweet snow, Bob couldn't help but happily nod as once again he was proven that bringing them into his life was possibly the best decision he had ever made.
*—*—*
It has been over two weeks ever since the duo Hansel and Gretel came into his life.
Bob honestly had many visual images of what taking care of children would entail, especially from his workplace both when he had been somebody and nobody. People had painted many images for him to imagine.
Some see their children as gifts and treasures even more than the world itself… Others see their children as nothing more than a convenience at best and an inconvenience at worst.
So having and taking children in a post-apocalyptic world was kind of headache inducing.
Although at this stage, Bob only has one thing to say about those kids.
'They are just too ADORABLE!'
Hansel, who Bob would later discover as the elder of the twins had a mature demure that smoothly mixed in with a precious childishness that could only be described as too sweet.
Hardworking and dutiful, Hansel carried himself like someone who had spent his entire life taking care of people or someone (his sister, that is). While Bob had informed Hansel that there was no need to help him with the farm, Hansel remained stalwart for the reason that he was just doing the best he could.
'Seriously, A. Boy, A!'
Gretel... If there was one word Bob could describe her with, it would be 'Light'. Gretel was the light that lit out the farm. Her bubbly outlook as well as her cheerful demeanor made every day seem like a new day.
In fact, Bob had this inkling suspicion that if there was no Gretel, then Hansel might not even be like this.
'So she's an EX! SSR tier!'
The quiet retreat Bob had planned for was crushed by the arrival of twins like a meteorite, but the Solar Powered being just couldn't bring himself to care.
The days spent milking cows with them, brushing the horses' mane, rigging the farm with a tractor... Saying a short prayer before eating, reading bedtime stories for them to go sleep...
Just saying those words, 'I love you, Papa.' Had brought Bob close to tears many times than he could bother counting.
It had only been two weeks since Bob had found Hansel and Gretel inside that hidden room in the depilated building in the woods. But Bob had never and would never regret meeting them.
*—*—*
"Hey, Papa look at this!"
Bob sat up from his lain position to see Gretel twirl with a flourish. "A snowman!"
Smiling, Bob got up on his feet and walked towards his kids, ruffling Gretel's hair, he said. "It's a thing of beauty, so who's responsible for this artistic work."
"Hehe..." Gretel pulled her brother and flashed a peace sign. "Do you even have to ask?"
"Yeah, I suppose I don't."
Ruffling Hansel—whose face seemed to have gained color at the cheeks, Bob said, "Good job with the snowman, Hansel."
"Well, it is my duty as her brother, Papa... And stop treating me like a kid!" Hansel cried—but still made no sign of disengaging himself from Bob's hold.
Bob let out a small huff. 'Really, what a kid.'
Pulling his hand from his son, Bob pointed a hand at the distance, with eyes gaining a yellow hue. Bob willed and reality once again obeyed.
An enormous amount of snow gathered and swirled like a cyclone, and when it died down—a castle made of ice-cream remained.
"A gift for the ones who had constructed such an arty work," Bob said.
Trumpets rang out as pinkish-ice statues were created and given life. A carriage similar to Bob's faint image of Cinderella manifested and he genuflected to his kids.
"Hop on board, Prince Hansel and Princess Gretel... Your castle awaits."
"Whoa..." Starry-eyed, Gretel jumped and hugged Bob as tight as she could. "Thank you, thank you, thank you... Love you, Papa."
'Just hearing that makes it worthwhile.' Bob thought, rubbing the back of his daughter head.
Bob nodded at Hansel, who beamed and pulled his sister into the carriage racing off to their castle.
Sighing, Bob checked his watch and upon seeing that there was still time manifested a relaxation sofa. With a beer in one hand and a book in the other, the solar-powered being slouched back and enjoyed the pink landscape.
Everything was right and golden.
ᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥᴥ
In a dimension farther and nearer from the post-apocalyptic planet, an observer witnesses the birth of a new story.
The YoRHa androids, 2B and 9S, receiving a mission from Commander White. 2B, designed for battle, struggles with emerging emotions, including a mysterious warmth in her metaphorical heart.
Simultaneously, the observer witnesses Bob, a solar-powered being with reality-warping abilities, enjoying peaceful moments with his newfound family – the adorable duo, Hansel and Gretel.
Bob's god-like powers create a heartwarming scene, such as an ice-cream castle, showcasing the bond between them.
Amid chaos, these moments of familial bliss become beacons of hope in a post-apocalyptic world.
The observer, with its cosmic perspective, recognizes the interconnected destinies and diverse narratives that unfold in this complex and ever-evolving tapestry of life.
