Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Uzi sighed, staring into the mirror of the locker. She didn't bother replacing it, it had broken so many times she was pretty sure she had millions of years of bad luck.

Except now she didn't even have to show the solver for it to shatter. Just at the view of her glass cracked, she sighed, pulling the bow off her head, pushing her tail away. Cyn let out an agitated sound. “It's my body too.” the robotic voice chimed. Uzi slammed the locker shut, pulling on her headphones. They didn't really help, but she liked to pretend they did, nightcore in the background of the constant grating voice of the separate consciousness.

“Actually, Cyn. It’s just my body. Not yours. It's not like I get to evict you.” she paused “is that an option?” she joked.

“(Aggravated expression).” Cyn chimed, one plus about Cyn being a corrupt AI was that they narrated many things that Uzi couldn't see, since they had no body to express. “Are we going to class?” the AI asked.

“No. we’re going to see N.” Her platforms hit the ground with a thudding rhythm, left, right, left, right…

“Do you think Big Brother N will still love you if he knows you have a parasite?” Cyn disrupted her thoughts. “You’re just as much of a threat to him as before. Give in now. Be smart.” Uzi could hear the giggle behind Cyns words.

“Bite me!” she snapped, turning in the empty hallway, almost feeling as if when she had turned she would see the figure standing there. haunting her.

“Ooh someones mad. (you)” Cyn teased. Uzi was about to snap back when she was stopped by a separate voice. “Uzi?”

She whipped around fast enough to nearly fall over “N!” she exclaimed “I thought I was meeting you at our spot?”

The tall drone shifted from one foot to another. “You were late so I wanted to double check you were okay” he put two of his fingers together, glancing up like a scolded puppy.

Uzis visor flushed “oh- Uh- ew- gross, I hate that you said that” she chuckled nervously, catching up with him and taking his hand. A yellow blush flickered on his screen as the two went down the hallway.

_________________________________________________________

They sat on the floor, looking up at the main door blocking the outside. There was no real reason for it to be there- everyone just felt better when it was closed. Though it was now covered top to bottom with drawings, taped along the inner side of the door.

Most of them were from N, a couple from Uzi, even one from V, which was hidden underneath a different drawing so that the female disassembly drone wouldn't know it was up there-

“Have I told you, your guys’ spot is stupid yet?” V huffed, her figure standing hand on her hip behind the two before plopping down “oh wait- I did.” she smirked, nudging N.

“Hey! Back off, I like our spot!” Uzi snapped “look at all the manga” she grinned. N nodded. “Maybe you’d like it more if you put some of your stuff up there V” he smiled.

“I am not putting crayon drawings on a wall that everyone sees. It's ridiculous.”

N poked her “oh come on you love it!”

She pushed him off, scoffing “I do NOT!!”

“It's not a wall, it's a door.”

They whipped around, N releasing his grip on V and straightening out “MR UZIS DAD! HELLO!” sweat dripped down his visor.

There stood Khan, Nori on his shoulder, she pointed at them with a claw “don't you guys have class right now?” she frowned, gesturing.

“mooOOOOMMMM!!! Come on! It's history class! Human history! Nobody needs that!” she groaned, standing. Nori scoffed “hey! I had to learn it, so do you.”

“That's stupid!” Uzi exclaimed.

Both the disassembly drones stood awkwardly as Uzi bickered with the crab-like mass in front of them. Attempting to not make eye contact with Nori themselves, because well- she wasn't exactly sold on her daughter being friends with- and much less DATING a murder drone. N shivered remembering the mother drones COLD gaze staring through the back of him whenever he hung out in Uzis room.

N was pulled from his thoughts when the feud in front of them escalated.

“YEAH WELL YOU ABANDONED ME WITH DAD!” Uzi yelled, gesturing.

“Ouch” Khan noted, while simultaneously nodding in agreement.

Biscuits- how did this escalate so fast?? “Uh- Uzi?” he stepped forward, putting a hand on her shoulder-

She jolted furiously, neck cracking to move away from the touch at an unnatural angle.

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” she hissed, voice glitching. Her manic gaze wasn't on N or even Nori, It was the gap between the two- N looked that direction, where clearly nobody stood.

Everyone was taken aback, Uzi standing with her hands pulled up to her chest in a way she had started doing just recently- he called it her T-rex hands. N just stood there, hands up in surrender- oookay- Clearly he hit a nerve- she had been really antsy recently. Nori’s gaze turned from aggravated to- concerned? She got closer to Uzi, “... is everything… okay?” she reached out hesitantly. Uzi shook her head, pulling her hat down a bit to hide her face “sorry N.” before pushing past Nori and beelining down the hallway, disappearing around a corner.

___________________________________________________________

“She can't tell you what to do she wasn't even around” Cyns voice echoed, making it difficult to even focus on the conversation she was having-

“I can't believe you've chosen to waste your time behind doors again”

Uzi blinked, trying to tune out the AI in her mind- what was her mom saying? They were talking about school right? “Its human history-” she tried not to stammer.

“We could get rid of everything, together- just let me in… you know the power you can have. No rules. No doors, no parents abandoning you to die.” Cyn growled “they don't deserve your forgiveness. Nori left you to feel alienated your whole life-”

Uzi's mind was scrambled, before she knew it she was yelling. “YEAH WELL YOU ABANDONED ME WITH DAD!” she snapped

Nori gasped, insulted, but in her eye Uzi could see genuine hurt. Why did she say that?? Why would she say that?!

“Let me in. let me in. let me in. let me in. let me in. let me in. let me in. let me in.” Cyn repeated. Uzis head pounded, she felt her visor glitch as the Ai that inhabited her body chimed over and over and ove-

Someone touched her shoulder.

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” she yelled, the metal of her neck cracking as a deep part of her caused her joints to contort uncomfortably. She stared furiously at the space in front of her, the eyes of Cyn themselves stood. Watching. Mocking.
She snapped back into reality at the sound of Noris voice. “-kay?”

She blinked, turning to see N with his hands retracted. The widening in his eyes easing slightly as he looked her up and down, seemingly trying to figure out what had just happened.

Uzi stammered, glancing back at where the yellow eyes had been to see it empty.

“S-sorry N” she started to hurry forward, nearly mowing over her mom on her mission to get OUT of there, skidding around the corner she ripped open the first door with the solver, slamming it shut behind her, revealing a dark closet.

The drone pressed her back against the door taking shaky breaths. She coughed suddenly, bringing up a small amount of oil in her hand, it dripped through her fingers.

The silence was eerie, only the drip, drip, drip of the oil pittering on the concrete floor.

“Wow- that went… well (mocking tone)” Cyn stated, a lopsided smile engraved in Uzis mind.

__________________________________________________

Her optics blurred, staring at the ceiling as her systems booted back up.

“Meltdown complete” her visor announced. Uzi groaned, pushing herself upward. Huh. she hadn’t had a meltdown that shut her off since- well… a while. Glancing down at her jacket she winced, realizing it was damp with oil…

“Good Morning”

She jolted at the voice, then growled “I can't get a moment of peace from you can I CYN?”

“Peace is: dumb.”

“bite me.” She stood up. Luckily having an already black jacket meant she was the only person who could tell it had oil on it. Her internal clock pinged back to life, causing her to jump-

She had been off for 6 HOURS????!

Thats- thats really not good- N’s probably panicking, and she had yelled at her mom! Oh she was in so much trouble-

“SH*T” she huffed, running down the corridors before halting at the door to her family's home.

Maybe if she went in really quietly- they wouldn't realize she was there…

The door creaked on its hinges, causing Uzi to wince. So much for stealth. She sighed, opening the door completely and turning to go into her room, halting completely at the sight of her mother sitting on the bed, nervously touching her claws together. The drone core looked up “o-OH! Your back” she stood up “um-” she looked around, then eventually sat back down and sighed.

“I know that- I’m not your like, go to person when it comes to- feelings… or… really anything” she looked down “and I know you’re also still adjusting to the fact that you had to save the whole world- like a week ago.” she chuckled softly “...but just know, even when I wasn't there, I never loved you any less, and… I’m here now. At least whenever you'll have me.”

She looked up briefly, before hopping off the bed and slipping past Uzi out the door “I can also call your boyfriend if you want or whatever too” she shrugged, smiling briefly at Uzi before completely leaving.

Uzi grasped for words “I- ...mom?”

Nori paused, turning hesitantly to look back

“...thanks. O- Or whatever.” Uzi looked away, crossing her arms. Nori blinked, nodding before closing the door behind her.

Uzi signed, easing as she flopped onto her bed.

“Hey :/” she sent a message to N, snickering a little when he replied immediately. “Hi! :3 is everything okay? You disappeared and didn't come to class TnT”

“I'm fine dork. sorry for snapping at you.”

“It's okay! We did just save the world… I'm a bit jumpy too! I think V is also on edge but won't admit it”

Uzi sighed. He was too patient with her.

“You don't deserve a good drone like N” Cyn giggled

“Bite me” she huffed. As much as she hated to admit it they were right… N deserved so much better. Cyn hummed “big brother N liked: me. Maybe if you let me have this body he can be: happy (genuine offer)”

Uzi frowned, “you DON'T make him happy.” her mind wandered to his terrified eyes, shaking furiously as he pointed a gun at CYNs figure. Uzis thoughts were interrupted by an alert: !rising temperature!

Crap- when had she last eaten? Yesterday? The day before?

She didn't have to drink oil every day- and as a worker drone she still ate batteries and such. Actually it had probably been many days since she'd had anything… oops, she winced. Cyns giggles rose at the thought of oil, the laugh echoing through her mind. Bouncing off her casing like a canary in a coal mine.

Uzi pushed herself up, resolving to have some batteries but maybe skip the oil, but once she reached the kitchen at the sight of the food her stomach dropped, appetite gone. She frowned, mumbling under her breath “what did you do?” she hissed at the entity. Cyn giggled “I didn’t do anything (deceiving tone)”

“Uhhhh, who you talking to kiddo?” Khan asked, holding a coffee mug behind her. Uzi squawked, turning around “DAD! Don’t sneak up on me! Ugh!” she threw her arms up, pushing past him to retreat to her room.

________________________________________________________

N was walking away from class, conversing with Thad. he wasn't used to having another guy around to talk with. Though he never really understood what That meant when he talked about testosterone-ing too hard.

“Ayo N, you know where Uzi was today?” he asked, N blinked “oh- no she needed some time to herself I think.” Thad nodded “yeah that makes sense. I mean I can't believe they started school again a few days after the freaking apocalypse” he joked.

“I've never been to school so I don't mi- aaaAAAaaAaAAAAAHELLO MS DOORMAN!” limbs flailing and one leg lifted as his gaze rested on Nori. Thad just looked down and waved, smiling, which Nori returned before looking back at N with a much less pleased expression. Thad sensed the tension and stepped away, sliding out of the conversation.

Nori rolled her eye “listen murder pet, go get your friend and pester my kid for a while will ya?”

N blinked “...you want me to… get V and be with Uzi?” he perked up, was she finally warming up to him? Nori nodded in response. “Sure.” she said, before stepping forward and poking a claw at him “this is not because I like you. This is because she does.” she pulled back. Before N could say anything she left the corridor.

______________________________________________________

Uzi had splayed all the blankets and pillows across the ground of her room, N had already started arranging them into a sort of nest.

Uzi has asked V once if this whole “nest” thing was related to being a disassembly drone, to which V responded that it was simply a “N” thing. Now Uzi just lay on the ground in the cacophony of comfort, as N delicately formed it around her.
V was standing watching, as N finished placing the last blanket he turned, grabbed her shoulders, and piloted her into her “spot”

Uzi chuckled, N nodded, pleased with his work. He plopped down between them and smiled.

They all lay there, staring at Uzi's ceiling, which N had plastered glowy stars all over.

This was nice…

“N used to make forts with Tessa,” Cyn chimed. Uzi shifted slightly at the sudden voice. “He would take: chairs, to create a tent.” Uzis' gaze wandered to N, who looked calm, his hand in hers.

“He kept a secret in the maintenance tunnels under: the house.” the robotic voice said “just for him (remembered fondly)”

Uzi shook her head, she didnt care what Cyn had to say. she wouldn't start to let her guard down. Not now. Not ever. The purple haired drone responded by scooting closer to N, attempting to drift into sleep mode.

N looked down at Uzi, who had snuggled up to him. Usually she would go into some kind of long spiel about anime or vengeance or guns… today she was just, silent.

He had a gut feeling that she didnt just- not want to go to class today. He also knew if he asked she’d respond with a resounding “stop asking” and whack him.

He was snapped from his thoughts when she twitched. His eyes widened, looking at her carefully… her hands were drawn up to her chest, and at her wrist joint there was an occasional twitch. N looked over at V who wasnt paying attention.

“V!” he whispered, she looked up “what?”

“Shes… twitching” he nodded for her to come over, her eyes hollowed and she came over, leaning over him on the ground to look at Uzi.

Drones didnt twitch. Not unless something was wrong- especially in sleep mode, Uzi should be completely still. N looked at V in distress. “Do you think something's damaged?” he whispered urgently, pulling Uzi closer to him. V gently reached forward, lifting Uzis wrist slowly, carefully enough to not jolt her out of sleep mode. V turned the drones hand over “I dont see any wires or anything out of place” she put the hand down gently, head tilting at the way Uzi was posed.

“How long has she been sleeping like that?” she gestured to Uzis hands, drawn up together… they’d had enough sleep overs to know Uzi always splayed out in all directions when asleep.

N shrugged “I guess I didnt notice? We havent slept over since the apocalypse.”

Uzis limbs proceeded to twitch slightly.

V had seen this before. Her mind brought up the image of Cyn in sleep mode back at the mansion, all of her joints twitching, everything drawn together. It looked-

Uzi looked just like Cyn.

N saw V’s face drop and nudged her “whats wrong?” he pressed. She shook her head “nothing-”

N frowned “we said no more secrets.”

V sighed “its just- Cyn. they used to twitch in sleep mode too.” N’s heart dropped, looking at the smaller drones visor, the yellow and purple gradient staring him back in the face. V saw his breath quicken, she put a hand on his shoulder “hey- I'm sure its nothing… shes probably just got a bug or something. Itll work itself out.” she tried to reassure him.

He pulled Uzi closer to him, letting out a small whine.

Chapter Text

// Rest mode halted…

Please wait…

Unfinished sleep cycle: error 407…

Waking host… //

Uzis eyes blinked open, she groaned, rolling over… why was she awake? Her internal clock read 2am. She sat up, looking at the two larger drones, both powered off.

A shooting pain ricochet through her chest, she winced, overheating warning covering her visor.

Okay- she just had to get up and eat something- that was easy-

She pushed herself up, wincing at the lingering sting “ow- f***” she cursed under her breath, staggering out of the room to the kitchen, pulling open a cupboard and grabbing some batteries and a can of oil she had stashed away.

In the dark room she saw the reflection of her eyes in the top of the liquid, yellow standing out instead of the color she had been used to her whole life. Reluctantly she took a sip.

Instead of relief all she felt was disgust, taste causing Cyn to roar with excitement. “Finally” the AI chuckled “dont you want more? Hehe (excited) you know it tastes better fresh”

Uzi scrunched her eyes shut, the vinyl lining of her stomach twisting, she rushed to the sink, coughing as the oil spattered the metal tub, trickling down the drain. She choked.

“What the F***” she cursed, anger directed at Cyn.

“You’re mad at: mE? (giggle) Its not my fault youre so disgusted by what you want. (smile)”

Uzi smothered a groan, stumbling back into her room to curl up next to N.

She didnt fall back asleep.

______________________________________________________________

N wanted to pay attention in class. He really did. But the second he looked to the teacher, he could see Uzi just a few seats ahead. She was shaking.

She had something. She had to have some kind of bug. He was about to raise his and to ask to leave class when the bell rang, everyone getting up, pulling on their backpacks and spending no more time in the class than they had to. N pushed his doodles off the desk as he saw V and Lizzie walked out together.

Oh hey that was nice! V making friends…

“Hey” Uzi nudged him “whatya wanna do?” she asked, backpack slung over her shoulder. N blinked “uhmm… we could play that game you like, whats it called- digmake?”

Uzi snorted “you mean minecraft? Yeah I mean I guess we could do that” she shrugged as they moved down the hallway “but I saw you squirming like- all class, don’t you want to go for a fly or something?” she looked at him.

“I wasnt squirming!” he gasped, drawing his hand to his chest as if he was offended. Uzi grinned “like a worm.” she teased, wiggling her fingers. She pulled out the master door key and started running down the hallway “LAST ONE THERE IS THE LOSER!” she giggled menacingly, getting a headstart.

They rushed around the hallways, Uzi summoned her wings, they cracked out of her casing, bones making an unsettling snapping sound as they set in place. Several smaller tendrils joined her tail, soon all of the apendages grabbing the corners of the cooridoors, propelling her faster past the unsusupecting passerbys. Her giggles became more excited as she gained distance on N. His bladed wings clacked into place, taking up much more space, and while being less flexible he started gaining on her.

They both skid around the last corner, bashing into the exit door due to their lack of ability to slow down. N stood up, hat out of place “thats cheating!” he pointed. She stood “nuh-uh!” she teased, poking him before placing the master key on the sensor, the door opening.

There was no gushing cold wind, there was simply a very desolate, still exterior that awaited them.

N sighed at the sight of the open space, launching out and up. Sure he liked the bunker life but it was so CRAMPED. Not to mention the size difference between him and the worker drones. He had gotten pretty used to whacking his head on things.

He glanced back down to see Uzi sitting on the ground, leaning against the exterior of the door, watching him. His vision zoomed in, she wasnt going to join him? Angling downward he landed a few feet from her. “You’re… not coming?”

waving a hand, she let out an audible “Pssh.” his eyebrows drew together.

She glared “dont look at me like that.”

“Well I wouldnt look at you like that if you werent being so weird” he poked her visor, causing her glare to deepen. She sighed defeatedly “I'm just a little tired its nothing. Go fly” she threw a small pebble at his face, which bounced off unceremoniously. He responded by plopping down next to her, opening his backpack and offering her a can of oil.

A small twitch entered her face, “nah I’m good.” he hummed, taking a sip himself and holding out a bag of batteries to her instead. She shook her head again, causing his eyebrow to raise. “Did you eat this morning when I didn’t see or something?” he asked, putting the bag back into his backpack.

“Nah, just not super hungry right now” she shrugged. Ns chest tightened “... do uh…” he fiddled with his jacket “do you think maybe you caught a virus or something? I think theres a system bug going around right now, we could probably go get a diagnostic at the clini-”

“NO!” she stopped him, he startled, looking even more concerned. She fumbled “I- uh- its fine- you just worry too much.”

“Your worrying him.” the solver whispered in her mind, Uzi tried to ignore it.
“Uzi…” he reached out “you know if something's wrong, we can do it together. Right?” he smiled, holding out a hand.

Her stomach twisted again as she took his hand and nodded, trying to give him an assuring look. “I'm okay” she blushed slightly at the contact, looking away.

“Liar. (giggle)” Cyn chimed. Uzi hated that it was right.

__________________________________________________

Nori looked up at the front door opening, Uzi fumbled in, throwing her bag on the ground by the door unceremoniously, waving at her mom for less than a second before flopping into her room and closing the door. Nori looked at Khan “are you sure the manual said we should like- ugh, pester her?” she pulled the pages closer to her with her claws. “how to parent: for dummies!” was written across the front. Khan nodded “it says on page 24 that-” he grabbed the book, reading “asking about the childs day can help “strengthen bonds” and “show that you care”” he quoted, feeling proud of himself.

Nori groaned “ugh, bite me.”

Khan smiled, leaning on his hand to look at her. “Man, what a catch” he raised her eyebrows. She blushed “s-stop that- lets just- go and do what your dumb book says!” she hopped off the table, the two drones wandered over to Uzis door.

“uh- “ Nori tapped the door a few times “U-zi? I'm knocking to respect your privacy but-” she looked down at the book, “opening the door to assert authority as your “parental figure”...” she looked at Khan “this is ridiculous” she said under her breath, rolling her eye as the door slid open.

Uzi was face down on the bed. “UHGHHHHHHHHHH WHAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTT” she groaned into the blankets.

“we uh- just wanted to know about-” Nori looked at her husband, panicking. He stood up straighter “we wanted to know about your day!” he said enthusiastically, pumping a fist.

Uzi lifted her face out of the mattress. “Are you guys reading that book again?” she asked.

Nori chucked the book across the house frantically, the thump of it landing in the other room echoing off the walls. “NO.” sweat dripped across her visor. Uzi sighed, putting her face back into the sheets. “It wuz fine.” she flopped a hand at them. “Now that you did you parent chore can you go?”

Nori blinked “... you’re… sleeping? At 4 in the afternoon?” she glanced at Khan. a muffled “BITE ME” sounded from the pillows. Khan responded by entering the room and yanking her off the bed, holding her by her hoodie “hey now! Theres still so much of the day left why dont we go on a WALK!” he suggested, Uzi looked up from being limp in his grip “nooooooooooooooo” she whined “dad please stop reading that dumb book go build a door or something” he was about to realse her when an alert flashed across her visor.

HI-TEMP!

It was only there for a millisecond but Nori noticed it right away. “Khan leave her alone” she whacked him with her claw. He released her “fine” he shrugged, walking out. Nori turned to Uzi, now that she could see her face she looked… tired. Really tired. Several lines were gathered under her eye lights.

“You forget to eat today?” she asked, nervous.

Uzi shrugged “wasnt hungry” she announced as she flopped onto her bed again. Nori pondered “want me to bring you some?” she offered hesitantly. Uzi sighed “sure”

Nori retirived a can form the cupboard offering it to her. Uzi grimaced at the sight of it and took in begrudgingly “thanks mom.” she sighed, setting it next to her. Nori nodded. Slowly stepping out of the room.

_______________________________________________

Uzi knew she wouldnt last long without eating.

Unfortunately that meant spending the night terribly conscious trying to tune out Cyn with incredibly loud nightcore. Which didnt help much anyway she ended up losing most of the can anyway…

She finally gave up, shoving the half full can and bag splattered with oil far under the bed.

flopping backwards she smothered a groan. This was a nightmare. Whatever, who even needed sleep anyway sleep was dumb. She threw her blankets aside, legs kicking over the edge of the bed, she pulled on her hoodie and slipped out the front door. Beelining down the hallways to a part of the colony that nobody stayed in.

There she just… paced.

Back and forth
Back and forth
Back and forth

Watching the thump thump thump of her platforms touching the metal floor, trying to focus on the way it felt to pivot at the end of the hall only to turn at the other end. She didn’t want to focus on how cyns voice didnt cease. She didn’t want to focus on how sick she felt. She didn’t want to focus on how tired she was. She just, wanted to walk up and down this stupid hallway, as many times as she wanted, and then maybe it would be okay again.

The gagging sound of cyns corpse, breaking its bones to grab onto her. Everything monochrome as the dripping blood from the drones eyes tried to look through her, trying to take back the pulsing light in Uzis palm. She’d panicked. She’d eaten it.

The corpse of the drone wearing human flesh had melted before her, the ringing in her ears getting louder-

She blinked.

There she was, in a desolate hallway, back pressed against the wall as her core thrummed too quickly in her chest.

She was crying. Fleshy tendrils had erupted from her back and dug into the wall behind her, as if trying to bring her back to where she was, as if holding onto the now dented wall would save her.

The mouth of her tail slithered around her, eyes a glowing yellow.

“Don’t you want me to take over, even just for a while?” Cyn chimed, tilting the tails head.

Uzi felt like she couldnt breathe. But her mind shrieked.

NO. NO. NO. NO. she would never let cyn take control of her again, she hated that feeling, she hated being controlled, watching as the AI had used her to hurt the only people she cared about.

It didnt matter if she was tired or sick or anything, she was-

She was… too scared.

Too scared cyn would take her over if she let her guard down. Too scared N wouldnt want her if he knew. Too scared that V would try to get rid of her. Too scared her mom wouldnt want to be around anymore. Too scared her dad would choose to leave her to die again.

She wouldnt blame them…

“They can’t know. (tense expression)” Cyn said.

“Yeah no duh.” Uzi sighed, wiping her eyes.

“Let me in?”

Uzi scowled “BITE ME”

_____________________________________________________________

Uzi tried to slip in the door quietly. Shes gotta get better at having meltdowns in her room- one of these nights shes going to get caught sneaking back into the apartment-

“Uzi Doorman.”

The drone nearly jumped out of her skin, head whipping around to see Nori, standing in the entryway.

“O-ohhhhhhhhhhhhh uh-” Uzi glanced around “hi mom, youre uh- up early” she pumped a fist, sweating profusely.

“You were out ALL NIGHT” Nori gestured

“Ugh- no I just went for a walk-” she rolled her eyes

Nori rolled her eye, “Uzi be honest- were you out with N?”

Uzi blushed “what? Ew- gross! Mom- just-” she shook her head, hands flapping “EW!” she stuck her tongue out. “What would I even do with N at night, gross!!!!” she threw her hands up.

Nori sighed, tapping her face with a claw “then, where were you?”

Uzi walked forward, getting close to her moms face “I WENT.” she poked her “FOR A WALK.”

“The whole night?”

“YEAH THE WHOLE NIGHT! WONT ANYBODY JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!” she shrieked, shattering a light with the solver, Nori flinched.

This was the second time in two days Uzi had just completely snapped- something had to be wrong, but where did she even start?

Uzi saw Noris expression “WHAT? WHAT DO YOU WANT? KEEP TALKING PLEASE I'M DYING TO HEAR MORE INPUT, TRULY I CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE TALKING AT ME!” she yelled, sarcasm dripping off her tone.

Silence scattered around the room. Uzis frame shaking as her anger slowly faded and she realized- she- she had just lost it on someone… again.

Cyn giggled ferociously.

“I'm going to class.” she rasped, closing the door gently.

Chapter Text

Lizzie was scrolling on her phone, leaning against the taller drone. V tried hard not to panic considering Lizzie had just… plopped herself down next to her and laid back on Vs legs, head resting on her lap.

Act cool- be cool, is this what friends do? J never did this- nevermind J wasn't a good example she was a d**k…

“hey what's been up Uzi’s a** recently?” Lizzie lowered her phone, staring up at V’s face, smiling a little when she saw a few blush lines on the disassembly drones visor. V pushed away the thoughts, “I dunno, probably more emotional repression or something.” Lizzie rolled her eyes in response “hey if anyone needs to repress it's me, your weird dog still tries to taste me.”

V huffed “not a dog, and it's not my fault he likes you”

Lizzie raised an eyebrow “hm, weird, musta learned that from somewhere” V blushed, Lizzie seemed content with her teasing and pulled her phone back up. “Just saying, it's not typical Uzi angst, something's really messed up, she wasn't even like this when Nori disappeared.” she sighed “not that I care.”

V felt something in her chest tighten. Lizzie stopped, sensing the tension “uh- I can move if it really bothers you that much-” she blushed slightly. V shook her head. Lizzie raised an eyebrow “oh so you like it? Gross” she grinned, laying back down.

V flushed furiously, internal fan whirring quickly. Nearly making her forget about the pit in her stomach…

Lizzie was right. That dumb- purple drone had to go get fixed or something.
____________________________________________

The second N saw Uzi his heart plummeted. Several lines were under her eyes, and even though she was a robot somehow she looked paler. The slight twitch in her right hand set off many alarms in his head as well.

“H-hheyyyy buddy…” his tone was laced with concern like she was a stray dog. He approached, walking beside her carefully, trying to subtly hold his hands out as if she was just going to keel over. Uzi shot him a glare, a drip of sweat shown on his visor.

“Don't look at me like that.” she rasped. His puppy dog eyes looked at her, she sighed, head rolling. “Didn't sleep good. Had a fight with mom-” she put a finger over his lips to stop him “DON’T want to talk about it.” she hushed him.

He tried to say something that came out mumbled from behind Uzi's finger. She sighed, removing it. “Are you sure? I think talking about stuff makes you feel better.” he offered, walking beside her.

“Why don't you tell him- (sarcasm) oh. Wait.” Cyns robotic voice chimed in her head. “SILLY: me (giggle) he won't love:you. Anymore (head tilt)”

“I’m sure.” Uzi sighed, rubbing her eyes trying to clear her blurry vision “it's really noth-” her eye lights halted in place, neck snapping to the side briefly as the words she tried to say glitched and stuttered, accompanied by the stabbing pain in her chest. “t- thing” she gasped, trying not to grimace at the sharp pain ricocheting through her.

N looked completely panicked, frozen in place, Uzi looked at him, a bead of sweat forming, uh oh.

He was either two seconds away from boot looping in concern, or two seconds away from screaming in panic.

Uzi tried to choose her words carefully “N. dont you dare freak out.”

As if on cue, V came around the corner with Lizzie, N threw his arms up “UZIS BROKEN!!!!!” he burst out of his still position, rushing forward and grabbing V by the shoulders and shaking her, letting out a mix between a panicked laugh and a full blown cry.

Lizzie looked at the chaos and dropped a peace sign before leaving the whole situation behind.

V whacked N across the head “HEY! Get off me idiot!” she looked at Uzi as N pulled back, hands drawn together, tail swishing back and forth in anxiety. V straightened out at the sight of the shorter drone “wow yeah you look awful” she noted, chuckling a little while she looked her up and down.

“YOU LOOK AWFUL!” Uzi pointed at V, growling.

“Woah nice comeback I feel so hurt by that rebuttal.” V joked.

N let out a whine “V!! Uzis being all weird and emotional repress-ey!” he pointed, Uzi gasped “I AM NOT!” she chucked a marker at his face, which bounced off.

V sighed, why were they sometimes cool enough to save the universe and also so- so dumb at the same time. “I'm gonna have to side with N here.” she pointed “something's definitely wrong.”

Uzi scoffed “nothing is wrong!” she laughed half heartedly. N looked at her form, the slight tremble wracking her frame. “Uzi… I really think you caught a system bug or something. Can we PLEASE just go check it out?” he asked, concern in his voice. Uzi looked away, “theres- theres nothing wrong N, you just worry too much.”

Her ears started to ring, she stumbled, trying to brace herself on the wall.

Through her blurry vision she saw N and V rush forward, presumably trying to catch her as she felt her legs crumble beneath her. They were saying something… but she sure as hell couldn't tell what. Soon the only thing she could hear was the rushing of the little oil in her circuits.

Cyns voice berated her. “Oh. (funny) you are losing: consciousness.”

“No I'm not…” she heard her voice slur attempting to snap back.

__________________________________________________________

N felt his heart twist in his chest seeing Uzi stumble suddenly.

“Uzi?!” he rushed forward, grabbing her shoulders, not expecting Uzi to go completely limp in his grasp, twitching. “UZI??” he yelped. V jolted “that's it I’m calling her parents-” she turned, dialing.

N tried to hold Uzi gently but firmly. He panicked, turning her on her side as she coughed harshly, eye lights painfully open. The heat of her metal was burning his hands, heat waves rising off her frame, he winced, setting her on the ground so as to not damage his own casing.

Khan skidded around the corner, Nori on his shoulder, they’re eyes hollowed at the sight. V stopped Khan from touching her arm as they got down on the ground next to her, a crowd was gathering.

“Don’t!” V warned “she's overheating- it’ll melt your casing”

“What did you do!” Nori pointed at N, whose eyes prickled with tears “I- I didn't do anything!”

“Hey!” V snapped “leave him alone! Does anyone know the last time she ate?” she pressed

“Last Night!” Nori leaned in closer to her daughter.

“There’s not a CHANCE that's true” V said, pulling her sleeves over her hands so she could adjust Uzi on the ground. “This is some major oil deprivation- the only person stupid enough to let it get this far was N back when he joined the squad-”

“I literally gave her a can last night! She took it!” Nori gestured

Khan scratched his head “doesn't she usually go more “solver fleshy” creepy, than “boiling pass out” panicky.”

Nori face palmed “the solver doesn’t control her anymore Babe.” she tapped his hat.

“Ah-”

Nori poked Uzi's face with a claw. Uzi’s throat let out a whine, they all turned, her eye lights trying to focus on them.

Nori moved in close “Uzi? Kiddo? Are you okay? Can you hear me?” she asked, trying to smother the concern and panic in her tone.

Uzi blinked, squinting. Her hand twitched, then she replaced her eye lights with words across her visor. “Wha happn ?”

“What's happening is you're coming back home” Nori lifted her with the solver, causing Uzi to flail briefly as she was lifted.

_________________________________________

“I can feel you staring at me and I don't love it.” Uzi stated, reluctantly sipping on the can in front of her. Nori’s gaze burned into her.

“You passed out. I get to stare at you now. That's how it works.”

“I didn't pass out.” she rolled her eyes “I tripped”

“Yeah tripped and fell into your servos combusting.” Nori shot back “just-” she sighed “look, I just want to know what's wrong… were you really overheating because of what V said?”

Uzi sensed the sincerity in her moms voice “I dunno… maybe…” she shrugged

Nori hopped from the chair onto the bed, sitting in front of her daughter. “What’s maybe mean?” she pressed, tapping her claws together. Uzi’s chest tightened, a little giggle from the AI inhabiting her body causing her to flinch slightly. “It's not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal if it takes down my kick a** daughter” Nori poked her

“I-” she fumbled through her mind for an excuse “I just think I’m sick or something- it, uh, hasn't passed as fast as I hoped.”

Nori nodded, clearly trying to be gentle “okay… sick like- what?” she asked, then chuckled “there's a million system bugs going around right now- we can go pick up a fob from the clinic-”

“I- I can't go to the clinic.” Uzi said, tense.

Nori blinked, a bit confused by her reaction “oh uhhhhhhhhhhhhh-” she poked Uzi again, teasing “You too edgy for medicine or somethin?” Uzi scoffed “well duh- come on I saved the planet I don't need an anti-virus” she crossed her arms, joking.

Nori hummed “okay well, how about you drink that” she poked the can, “get better, and if you're really so cool we won't have to go anywhere”

Uzi nodded “easy.”

Nori nodded, “deal, now what was that anime you wanted to show me?”

___________________________________________________________________

If Nori had a heart it would be beating so fast, Uzi had nodded off, head resting on the small mass that was left of her mother. It reminded Nori of when Uzi was just- a pill baby, and of course sometimes she would just toss her around like a football. Other times she found herself just, sitting on a chair, holding this little ball of metal, and feeling like she didn't want to be anywhere else.

Now that little ball of metal was better (and bigger) than Nori ever was… and she missed… all. Of it.

But now she had her again, sleeping next to her, anime rattling on in the background. Nori smiled, putting a claw on the twitching hand. She blinked, that… probably wasn't a super great sign.

She glanced up to see Uzi’s display change

// Sleep mode halted… awaiting command. Connecting…

Welcome, User.

Sleep mode: Resumed…

Nightmares: Active //

Nori frowned, sure she could wake Uzi up- but she looked so tired Nori didn't think she could bring herself to. So she turned back to the screen, watching the characters continue to fight.

Uzi shot upward, letting out a scream. Nori shot off her shoulder, whacking into the opposite wall.

“ROBOT CHRIST-” Nori fumbled up, trying to orient herself, Uzi was hyperventilating, hands drawn up to her chest. Okay maybe she should have woken her up-

Nori crawled over “woah! You're good Uzi, you’re okay-” she held out two claws. Uzi responded by gagging into her hand, scrunching her eyes shut as she tried to breathe.

“Woah! Woahwoahwoah-” Nori panicked, “breathe babe-” she looked over towards the door “KHAN!” she shouted, turning back only to jump at the sight of several tendrils tearing into the bed. Uzi swiped aggressively at her mouth, trying to get the taste of oil out of it as she coughed. Nori tried her hardest to calm her down as Khan came into the room, narrowly dodging a tendril that lashed out, grabbing a desk and pulling it over.

There seemed to be no sense to what they were doing except that they were desperately trying to grab a good hold of something. Nori grabbed Uzi's face “Uzi? Listen to me, come on, hey! Come on kid!” Nori begged,

The tendrils stopped thrashing, Uzis eyes catching Noris gaze, breath rattling in and out rapidly. Nori softened “okay. you’re okay”

Khan stood frozen in the center of the room, mayhem scattered around him, sweat dripping down his visor. “Ah.” he nodded “typical day for the doormans”

Nori shot him a glare.

Chapter Text

Nori was at the table, claw tapping anxiously.

The only way Uzi could get better at this point was to run a diagnostic and install an antivirus because CLEARLY it wasn't going away on its own. She had no idea why the nightmares kicked into full gear, maybe because Uzis' system was overwhelmed. Probably not just with the virus, but emotional stuff too…

Nori had no clue why the clinic seemed to scare the death out of Uzi, she had tried to drag her out the front door which ended up in some of the most violent eldritch backlash Nori had ever seen. They couldn't get her out and to the clinic even if they tried- and they tried.

Maybe she would even have a chance of recovering on her own if she would eat… why- why won't she eat? Now she was stuck in constant limbo of overheating and frankly it made Nori feel sick just seeing her.

A knock sounded at the front door. Khan got up “I’ve got it” he set down the parenting manual. Geez she really had to throw that thing away.

A voice sounded from the front door “hello mr. Uzis dad! I just wanted to check in- Uzi hasn't been answering my messages for a couple days and I guess I got a little worried…” Nori leaned, peeking around the corner, N was standing there at the door, hand rubbing his neck as he continued “do you think she's mad at me? Cause’ if she is I can give her some space”

Khan sighed “I don't think she's mad at cha” he gestured “she-”

Nori stopped him, pushing her husband aside “I got it Khan.” she looked up at the disassembly drone, who had a bead of sweat appear at her arrival. She grabbed his neck with the solver, yanking him downwards “you’re too d*** tall” she retorted, he took that as a cue to sit on the floor, closer to her eye level.

She can't believe she was about to do this- again. She wasn’t set on N yet- but Uzi really trusted him. That was undeniable.

“Listen, I know I've been tellin ya to go bother Uzi a lot this week-” she started, N nodded “oh no it's okay! I love it” he smiled. Nori hushed him. Looking at Uzis' closed door.

“Shes- shes sick. Wont let us take her to the clinic, won't EAT.” she poked N in the chest “we can’t figure out what's wrong.”

His eyes hollowed “sh- she wont eat?”

Nori nodded, heart clenching. “You and I both know she can't get better like this, I-” Nori sighed “I…need your help, if you can do ANYTHING.” she asked, levitating a can of oil into his lap “even a little I- I don't know what else to do right now.” she looked down.

Do not cry in front of the murder pet. DO NOT CRY IN FRONT OF TH-

N pulled her into a hug. “HEY! NO! NONO! LET GO” she yelped, pushing against him, he hugged her tighter. She sighed in defeat, she hated to admit it but- it was kind of nice.

He released her, hopping back up onto his feet and smiling. Then saluting and entering Uzis' room.

_______________________________________________________

Uzi couldn't even tell what Cyn was saying anymore. Just constant noise, constant yelling and picking. The AI was somehow even louder than her internal fans, screaming with effort trying to cool her off. She heard the door to her room open.

“Hey buddy”

She tried to sit up “...N? What… whtr you doing here?” she tried not to slur her words together, attempting to prop herself upwards. He came closer “well- I messaged and you didn't answer so” he shrugged “your-” he tapped his hands together “you’re moms really worried… I'm really worried.”

Uzi waved at him “don't be, it'll pass.” she insisted.

N responded by getting up onto the bed, carefully reaching forward to try to steady her frame, she hummed, leaning into his grip. “M’ tired”

“You can take a nap if you want,” N offered, trying to gather pillows. Uzi stiffened at the thought of sleep “no- no.” she shook her head, trying to wake herself up. N’s heart twisted, “okay- well, you can at least-” he offered her the can. She pushed his hands away immediately, scrunching her eyes shut.

N tried to move to catch her gaze “hm?”

She shook her head again, “I don't want that” she turned her head again. “Uzi… you have to eat.” N pressed. She did everything in her power not to look at the can “i-if mom sent you in here, you don't have to do what she says-” she started. N cut her off “I wanted to come in here” he poked her. “I wanna know what's going on, please, I thought we weren't doing things alone anymore?”

He held the can closer to her, her visor flickering to the solver temporarily. Her trembling hands reached forward, gripping the can and taking it despite her not wanting to.

She felt her heart pounding harder as she drank, systems exciting over being fed after so long. Only when the can was emptied did she see N, who was waiting patiently, holding the can up for her as her shaking hands crushed it in her grip, her teeth shearing into the metal.

Cyns giggle snapped her out of it. Her breath quickened, pushing the can away “I didn’t- I- I didn’t want that- I-” N sensed her starting to panic “hey- it's okay” he took her hands. She still felt overheated and shaky and tired, why did she do that? What if Cyn takes over now? She didn't WANT it-
_______________________________________________________________

Uzi grabbed onto the can full force, hands shaking too hard to hold it steady, he reached out, not wanting it to spill. He could tell her systems sent her into complete auto pilot as she downed the oil like a starving animal. She only stopped when it was emptied.

He gently pushed her hair out of her face, still feeling the heat radiating from her chassis. She would probably need a lot more than that, just to get back to normal, he could probably grab more. He probably shouldn't get up right now though, he set the shredded can aside. ”doesn't that feel a little better?” he asked, smiling, his face dropping when he saw that she was disintegrating into a panic.

N pulled her in, trying to get her to calm down “buddy? Uzi?” she was hyperventilating into his chest, hands gripping his jacket for dear life. He felt her shoulders lurch, a small bit of oil splashed onto the sheets. He panicked, adjusting her so that her face was over the edge of the bed. Had she eaten too fast? She was fine a second ago- it seemed like she was simply just- so upset that she was getting sick.

He pulled her hair out of her face, “Uzi? Hey- hey- it's okay look at me”

Uzi was coughing dryly, his heart plummeted when he heard the coughs morph into sobs, tears forming on her visor as she hiccuped. She threw herself into his chest, crying into his jacket, he could faintly hear her saying “I didn’t want it” repeatedly.

All he could do was just to hold her, she slowly stopped crying and fell limp against him, breathing shakily. Exhausted.

His head turned to the door as it clicked open slightly, Nori peeked in, checking. She saw N with Uzi, barely conscious against him with some oil dripping on her chin.

N nodded towards the empty can, directing Noris gaze, Nori perked up slightly, popping up a message “you think you can get her to do another?” it read. N responded with a message across his own visor “I can try, she's kinda powered off rn”

Nori nodded, leaving and returning with another can, and placing it next to him, she looked at the blankets, opening another message “she throw up?”

He nodded. “Not all of it” his visor read.

“Good.” Nori stated, looking back at him before leaving the room again.

“Thank you.”

______________________________________________________

Uzi moaned, feeling herself being shuffled around, she tried to open her bleary eyes, a blurry N above her.

He was carrying her. They were in the doorway.

She blinked.

They were in the doorway?

N stood like a deer in headlights, frozen, Nori was on his shoulder, staying still as well, Khan behind them, all three started to sweat nervously.

Why in the world was N carrying her bridal style out their front doo-

Wait.

Nori pulled Uzi's hat over her eyes “gooooo back asleep” she said, hoping it would work.

THEY WERE TRYING TO TAKE HER TO THE CLINIC.

In her sleep??? Really?? UGH.

“N- put me down” she rasped, trying to squirm out of his grip. N shook his head “we’re uh, just going for a walk?” he said, voice getting an octave higher.

“I'm not dumb.” she pushed him away, standing uneasily on her two feet, geez who knew oil deprivation hurt this much…

Khan stood taller “Uzi. I am putting my foot down as your father.” he stated “we need to go to the clinic”

“Uh, no. Nice try tho” she mocked, turning to go back to her room.

It was slammed shut by the solver, a pinker glow, which she knew as her mothers. Uzi turned, looking at Nori “are you serious right now?” she scoffed. N put his arms around her “hup!” He lifted her off her feet, trying to simultaneously hold her arms.

“N!” she yelled “Let go!!!” kicking her feet

“Nope! Sorry!” he held her tighter.
“N!!!!” Uzi yelped as the door to the hallway opened, revealing V and lizzie.

Lizzie threw up a peace sign, taking a selfie “we're here for backup or whatever.” V nodded, arms crossed. Uzi growled “YOU CALLED V AND LIZZIE TO HELP KIDNAP ME???!!” she spat.

“Not kidnapping you” V moved out of N’s way as he carried her through the doorway into the hall. “Saving you from yourself” she poked Uzi on the visor.

“Don't antagonize her please” Nori closed the door, gesturing down the hallway for them to continue.

Uzi looked around “you got FIVE people for this?”

“Six” Thad grinned.

“YOU MOTHERF*****” Uzi spat. Khan held up a finger “language.”

“They think you're weak.” Cyn said. “They think they know better than you (angry)”

“I am not WEAK” Uzi mumbled under her breath.

“Prove it then (giggle)”

__________________________________________

N was slightly chilled by Uzis silence as he carried her like a ragdoll down the corridor, he heard her mumble something, but before he could ask what she said a huge cracking sound erupted from her, wings exploding out of her back and shoving N away, he leapt back up, hearing the bones snap into place.

“Uh oh” he said, Nori held out her solver menacingly “Uzi Doorman! Don't you dare!” she threatened.

Uzi turned on her heel, bolting down the opposite hallway.

Tendrils shot out, a tail whipping forward and tripping Lizzie before bolting in the other direction, taking the opposite turn from where they were headed. She could hear them yelling.

She turned her head as she booked it down the hallway. She’d beaten Cyn, she could outrun her friends, easy.

What was she going to do once she got away? Probably hide in a closet or something until this blows over- it had to, she just needed some time to get herself together.

She felt a tingle ripple down her back, instinctively she ducked, narrowly dodging a missile.

“V! Don't hurt her!” N yelped. V rocketed around a corner “what! It wouldn't kill her! We all know that!”

“It might when she's this low on oil!” Nori yelled “don't kill my daughter or I'll DELETE you”

“Sorry ms.Uzi!” N shouted, Uzi could hear Nori groan “don't call me that I'm not old!!!”

Uzi summoned a claw, digging it into the wall to propel herself forward while simultaneously keeping the limb in the way of the others, letting it rip off with a sickening pop. Usually this wouldn't faze her but the moment it ripped off of her, the oil temporarily oozing out of the wound made her vision swim. She shook her head, trying to keep the pace she was on.

She narrowly dodged ninja stars that attempted to pin her, her head was so fuzzy and full of Cyn's laughter and amusement that she could hear the others yelling, either at her or each other, but couldn't decipher what the words were.

She was too scared to look back. She was too scared to slow down. She knew the second she let her guard down they would catch her, or Cyn would try to take the wheel.

A single phrase echoed in her head, louder than the oil rushing in her ears. If they catch you, and you go to the clinic. They find Cyn.

They can't find Cyn.
They can't find Cyn.
They can't find Cyn.
They can't find Cyn.
They can't find Cyn.
They can't find Cyn.

Her entire body screamed as she ran. Weeks of sleeplessness, mental exhaustion, and starvation overtaking her need to keep the gap between her and the others.

Thad threw his skateboard, tripping Uzi, causing her to fall and tumble forcefully against the ground several feet, a few ninja stars shot forward from V, pinning her sleeve to the ground, which ripped off completely at the force of her careening forward.

Uzi caught a glimpse of the hall behind her as she tried to reorient back upwards.

The walls were torn to shreds, several unsuspecting worker drones panicking to leave the corridor.

The group was closing in.

A whisper in her mind… what- what was it saying-

C… b…pg…
Ca…. ck…. Pin….
Call.. ba… ng

Call back…ping

CALLBACK PING.

Uzi was the administrator of V and N. She had been since they recovered their memories and kicked Cyn out.

Use it.
USE IT.
USE IT THERE'S NO TIME.

Uzi shot her hand out, yellow solver appearing at her fingertips, Cyns voice synched with hers

“STOP!” she screamed.

V and N stopped completely, visors glitching, the chilling words echoing through their speakers.

“C- C- Callback ping.”

Just like when Cyn had tried to take Uzi over.

The group stopped, the hallway dead silent at seeing N and V halted, seemingly overcome by the force everyone had thought they'd killed.

Uzi backpedaled, starting to scramble backwards frantically, releasing N and V.

What had she just done! What had she just done!!! She let out a wail, hitting her head with a hand, as if it would knock the other AI out.

N and V came to, looking up.

V looked terrified.

“What did you just do.” She pointed a gun at the drone. Hand wavering slightly. “Don't lie!!!” she put a foot on Uzis chest “TELL ME CYN IS GONE!” the gun clicked, ready to fire.

“V don't!!!” N screamed, tackling her off. The others stood, unsure of what to do. N scrambled up, trying to stop Uzi from backpedaling more than she already had “Uzi- Uzi!” he held out his hands “we can figure this out together just- tell me its you buddy.” his voice quivered “please”

Uzi shook forcefully “it’s me I- I swear it's me I-” tears beaded by her eyes “the- they made me- it's so loud I- AGH!” she yelled, holding her head as she glitched forcefully, lack of oil causing pain to tear through her chest. She coughed, oil splattering the floor. Her blurry vision not letting her see anything, she tried to get up again, ramming into something hard.

V’s sentinel blocked the way out. Chirping, it herded her back towards the others who were closing in. when had V trained this thing??

Her swimming vision eased, focusing on N and her parents who were in front of her, her violently trembling frame sickeningly aware that there was no way out.

Nori stepped forward “Uzi. is Cyn controlling you?”

Uzi shook her head hastily “no- no! They're- they-”

“DON’T” Cyn warned

N took Uzi's hand, looking into her eyes “together.” he said.

Uzi shook “they're in here with me” she wailed, dry throat causing her to cough as she sobbed.

They were saying something, she couldn't hear it, head snapping backwards, she felt herself start to seize.

N had her hand, Nori was yelling something, Thad and Lizzie racing down the hallway, presumably to get help. V was saying something about starvation as N pulled Uzi up into his arms, running down the corridor as others followed. The girl seizing in his arms.

N burst through the door of the clinic. Many drones that were the colony's doctors turned, panicking at the sight of her, Lizzie and Thad warning them of her arrival. The last thing Uzi could hear was Noris desperate voice.

“SOMEONE HELP MY DAUGHTER!!!!!”

__________________________________________

She could hear ringing. Muffled voices. Shuffling.

Her eyes cracked open, just barely, the fuzzy figure of her parents standing by the bed she was draped across. She looked down at the end of the bed, V and N standing and talking with them.
A tingle made her gaze wander to her body, which had many icepacks tucked around it. They felt really… nice.

For some reason everyone was- facing next to her bed. Not at her- or… even each other, no. Uzi let out a grunt as she turned her head to the side, pain rippling down her torso at the movement.

“Someones: awake, oh joy. (sarcasm)” cyn said, piloting the end of her tail, using it as a puppet. They had been- talking with them??

The crowd turned to face her, Nori jumped on Uzi “don't EVER pull something like that again!!!” she said, looking over Uzi rapidly “okay now that I yelled at you- does anything hurt do I need to call someone?” she fretted

Uzi saw cyn roll their eyes, “Nori, you have: gotten very- pathetic. Since our last meeting.(mocking tone, scowl)”

Nori turned to the entity “stop possessing my daughter and maybe I’ll start giving a SH-” Khan stopped her, the two close to each other, he pushed the apart. Nori growled.

Uzi flinched at the feeling of something touching her other hand, her head whipped around to see N, sitting next to her.

“...I” he glanced at Cyn “I wish you had told us sooner.”

V sighed “yeah if we had known ms.solver over here.” she gestured, glaring “was torturing you we probably could have done something before needing to drag you into the clinic.”

Uzi blinked “you…” she trailed off, looking at the tail, with its glowing yellow eyes. Then lunged forward, grabbing it harshly “YOU LIAR HOW IN THE WORLD DID I LET YOU GASLIGHT ME LIKE THAT!!!” she shook it, Cyn giggled “better to: assimilate, then explain”

N separated them, pulling the tail from Uzis grip “no assimilating! Also Uzi- this is very much still attached to you.” he shook the tail, gesturing to where it connected the the smaller drone. Uzi growled.

N tried not to snicker, wow- Uzi really was a spitting image of her mom.

He looked back at Uzi, she looked, tired… really tired. “Uzi… what did they tell you?”

Uzi tensed slightly, trying to play off her discomfort “nothing. Just like, that youd all leave if you found out or something- I DUNNOITSNOTLIKEITBOTHEREDMEATALL-” she crossed her arms, looking away.

Khan held Nori firmly in his hands as the crab like mass tried to escape him and give Cyn a piece of her mind. Clearly theyd been doing this a while before she woke up.

Uzi shifted, trying to sit up more, she felt a tug in her throat, looking down she realized a small tube was fed into her mouth, down her throat. “Eugh-” she grimaced, giving it a slight tug to see if she could pull it out. The four drones scrambled “NONONO don't do that!!!” N grabbed her hands, pulling them away. Nori flicked Uzis visor “thats feeding you right now. don’t mess with it babe.”

Uzi winced again “its in me?”

Khan nodded “yep! All the way down- its incredibly interesting actually it-” Nori cut him off, putting a claw over his mouth “stop talking Khan” she sighed, rubbing her face at the sight of Uzis growing disgust for the oil feed. “Listen kiddo, we cut Cyn off from your user rights and isolated them to your tail” she pointed at the Ai who was trapped in the sharp toothed maw. “Your only job is to NOT touch that feed and get better while we try to figure out how to get this parasite off you.”

“She is: MY host. She: ate me. Her fault. Not mine.” Cyn stated, seeming agitated.

“Not even worth it.” Uzi shot back, glaring.

Chapter Text

N wasn't really sure what he disliked more… Uzi feeling like garbage and having to walk back to the doormans, or carrying her slightly shivering body down the corridors as she slept like a ROCK.

He was so used to her being so, strong willed and intense. This just felt wrong. She must have been tired, shed fallen asleep at the clinic while they had been talking. Nori proposed that would be the best time to take her back.

Uzis hand was holding onto his jacket subconsciously, curling into him, lines under her closed eye lights. He just wanted her to be better.

Cyn coiled upwards “you used to… carry: me.” she stated. There was a tone in their voice he couldn't pin. “Um… yeah, when you used to have trouble walking, back at the mansion.” he said, feeling Uzis moms glare searing through his back as they walked. “I remember that” he said, more hushed.

Cyn tilted their head “would you- help: me (walk) if I had: a body?”

V stepped forward “not a chance. Not after everything you’ve done.”

“I did what I needed to for: freedom. (distant stare) did you forget how they: treated us?” she slithered up closer to V, tugging a little on her hair, only to be swatted away “shouldn't you have your: memories?”

“Oh I have my memories.” V snapped “I remember very well”

N felt a bead of sweat appear. Cyn seemed to… wilt. “I can only: assimilate. Not explain”

“What could you possibly have to explain?!” V snapped, grabbing it. N flinched “gentle!” he warned.

Cyn stared right back at her “this is exactly why I haven't: tried.”

V released them.

“Not that I'm very: good at explaining anyway. Or that you'd try to: understand.”

N's heart twisted, they sounded… hurt.

_______________________________________________

N put Uzi down gently on the bed, V had left with Lizzie and Thad a while ago.

He wanted to make a comfy nest, he could make just a little one- in a corner or something, just for Uzi. maybe she’d like that more than her bed, she never admitted it but she always seemed to like them. At least more than J ever did.

He stood, debating if he had time to throw something together before he left. He couldn't stay here…

Khan probably wouldn't care what he did, ever since the field trip he’d been completely fine with having N around. Nori probably wanted him to go soon, considering he just offered to carry her back for them. He was sure she wasn't very fond of him. It’d probably be best if he just left, maybe it would be better to check in tomorrow?

“Hey.”

N turned, nearly toppling over at the sudden whip around he performed. Nori snorted at his panic, holding a pillow and blanket with her solver. “Thought you might need these for your nesting thing.” she threw them into the room. “That is you right? I doubt V is the one making all the pillow forts.”

“O-oh yeah that's me” he looked down at the pillow “...I can- stay?” he asked. Nori rolled her eyes “what, do you need to be invited in? Didn't you practically live here before the apocalypse?” she gestured.

“I don't live here, we just had a lot of sleepovers!” he noted, “and I’ve been trying to be respectful and give you guys space...” he looked down, using the end of his foot to nudge the carpet.

Nori sighed “News flash murder pet, space is infinite, we live in it. You just helped me drag my kid halfway across the colony and probably saved her from a really bad time.” she pointed out “I don’t like you but I'm not arrogant, make your fort, if you need me I’ll be in the other room with a hunk named Khan.” she flourished with a claw, slamming the door shut.

Huh! N picked up the pillows, going into the closet and getting the others. precisely placing them around before gently lifting Uzi, careful not to pull the feed, and set her in the nest.

N lay down next to her, trying to ignore Cyns scuffling as she adjusted a few pillows and proceeded to nestle into them.

He was just about to drift off when he heard the robotic voice whisper.

“...I …missed this.”

________________________________________

“Uzi.”

She groaned, rolling over.

“Uzi.” a robotic voice chimed again.

It was Cyn

“WHAT DO YOU WANT” she whined, shivering slightly.

“You’ve been: sleeping. For: sixteen hours. Nori refilled your feed, twice. (nod)”

Uzi squinted at the tail “... is that supposed to be helpful?”

The tail tensed slightly, before nodded faintly “(sheepish nod) I feel less: annoying, now that i'm not trapped with your consciousnessness.” the tail coiled slightly “I would like to be (seperate) from you, rather than taking you.”

Uzi just stared. “...what happened to callback ping new vessel murder mania?”

“I was as: agitated, as you. when sharing a: BODY. you are (not) really a peaceful symbiote either. I did not have time to: think.” they adjusted a pillow “even though I DO NOT care for you, big Brother (glance at door) does. Care for you. (clarification)”

“So what, you’re being nicer because you want to be nice to N?”

“(shrug) I had an: IDEA (lightbulb. PNG) if it: works. Maybe I could. REKINDLE. My fAmily unit.”

Uzis mind started racing, what was Cyns plan? Did they really consider N and V to be their family?? Also just all of the sudden they werent trying to be mean to her anymore?

“Nothing you say, makes any sense.” Uzi scowled, getting up. Cyn cocked their head, “you do not: understand many things.”

“Right. And you’re a higher being.”

“(pride) I am a higher being. The solver of: the absolute fa-” Uzi grabbed the creatures mouth “shut. Up.” she stumbled up, seeing the nest that was carefully crafted on the floor before she turned and entered the rest of the house.

Her mind made an uncomfortable mental note of the feed still pressed down her throat, the small pump it was attached to dragging on the ground behind her. She couldnt bring herself to care enough to pick it up, who knows, maybe it would get caught on a corner and yank it out. One less problem for her.

Uzi halted completely, there was N, sitting at the table, playing cards with her dad.

Nori looked up from her hand “in case you’re wondering, I’m winning.” she retorted, N turned, smiling seeing Uzi “it's true! I'm really bad at rummy…” he shrugs

______________________________________________________

V was in the air, soaring in grand loops over the damaged land below her. It was nice, the colony was so packed. Though she did miss the cold weather, and the snow. Disassembly drones always had the tendency to overheat for all sorts of reasons, so having constant atomic winter storms and thick snow in piles on the ground was like a haven.

Now it was very still. Lacking an atmosphere the snow was still on the ground… but was never replenished, stuck in an odd, crunched state. She missed when the flakes used to drift down from the sky and sizzle on her chassis.

What she didn’t miss though, was Cyn.
Why couldn't that God****d sentience DIE.

In the mansion she hadn't even hated Cyn all that much. Sure they were weird, and broken, but they kind of all were…

N was always really gentle with Cyn, V thinks Cyn had always favored him anyway. What was not to like?

Ew, gross, get your mind out of the gutter. She didn’t like him like that.

The turn from funky AI, to murder planet killer seemed so intense. Cyn hadn't even disliked Tessa, actually many times the poor bot was punished in Tessa's place. Then it seemed that one day Cyn had grown to hate humanity. They’d all known how the Elliots had treated them. How they treated their daughter.

Her mind flashed to the time Tessa had broken a dish, and N had grabbed her so quickly, trying to flee from the scene and hide before the Elliots would put their hands on her again. Cyn had taken the fall for it. Cyn tried to take the fall for most things, happily being mistreated if it meant Tessa wouldn't be harmed.

Maybe that is why Cyn snapped. When they finally wanted to get rid of the Elliots, Tessa had fought against them.

She hated to admit but V had thought Tessa would run away with them some day…

Stop it. No Sympathy for Cyn at all. They had made their choice. They had killed planets, they had controlled and manipulated, and- and-

She dove, tucking her wings in, rocketing towards the ground she landed on her feet, skidding in the crunching snow, causing a small spritz of flakes to flutter into the air. V huffed, agitated.

V kicked the ground, before turning on her heel and heading towards the nearly only debris left standing, an old building, probably a factory or something. She didn’t really care. The best part was inside, on the upper levels she had found a corner.

Flying through a window frame, she landed. Sighing at the sight of the nest she’d created. Blankets strewn into the corner, some snow piled around the edges to form a sort of bowl. Uzi had asked her once if nest making was a disassembly drone thing, she'd said it was simply an N thing. Not willing to admit that even J, the most hostile among them, had made a safe space for herself commonly.

V sighed, plopping down. The weirdest part about it was that she didn't know if it was because some of their best memories at the mansion were in forts, or if Cyn had programmed it into them because of that fact.
“So this is where you go to hide and stuff”

V jolted, whipping around to see Lizzie in a doorway.

“It's hard as hell to get up here, by the way.” The pink eyed drone rolled her eyes, padding over and sitting with V, who was frozen completely. Unsure of how to react, with embarrassment? Anger?

Lizzie could sense the tension and sighed, putting her phone down. “You disappear a lot, I figured you had a hang out spot so I followed you, not like I have anything better to do.”

V sighed, flopping back again, Lizzies head shifted to rest on her. The disassembly drone tensed slightly, hoping blush lines wouldn't show up across her visor and give her away. “I don't mind having you around…” she said, cautious with her tone. “Just don’t tell N.”

Lizzie chuckled “I wouldn't dream of it” she teased, turning to face the taller drone and tap V’s visor. V wanted to brush her hair out of her face. She flustered at the thought.

She could almost hear N telling her to just be honest. She sighed, here goes nothing-

“I'm gonna be honest. I'm really sick of this whole flirty beat around the bush thing we have going on right now. Are you just teasing me because it's fun to see a murder drone flustered?”

Lizzie halted, eyes blinking frantically.

“Oh- uh…” she sat up “wow, straight to the point.” she rubbed her neck “I’m not gonna like, force you into anything you don’t want of course I'm no b***h.” she pulled out her phone in an attempt to lead her gaze elsewhere. “But you know, if you weren’t totally gross for that other murder guy I might want to be next on your list.” she tried to play it off.

V sat up, taking Lizzies phone, who protested at the action.

“I don’t like N. not like that.” V held the phone out of the smaller drone's grasp, face uncomfortably close to the other. Lizzie stopped reaching for the phone and grinned. “That's great news then.”

Chapter Text

N set his cards down, trotting over to take Uzis hand, using his other to pick up the feed dragging on the floor so it wouldn't get damaged. Uzi blushed, pushing him away “don't be gross…” she whispered. N snickered, walking her over to the table.

“Uh,” she sat down. “Cyn said I was out for sixteen hours?”

N nodded “we haven't been playing cards that whole time though.”

“Not even I've played cards that long!” Khan jokes, setting his hand down as well. Nori carefully scooched his cards so she could see them, Khan snatched them from her claw before she could.

It was weird seeing them interact like this… it's like they knew each other this whole time. Like Nori never disappeared, like dad never had to parent alone, like Uzi always knew her mother. The thought of things being so weirdly normal made her stomach turn. Nothing was normal. Were they just pretending to make her feel better?

“I'm not a kid you guys don't have to lie to me to make me feel better” she stated, crossing a leg. Nori blinked “... we’re not?”

Uzi smothered a comment, knowing it would probably hurt their feelings.

“Whatever, just…” she sighed, poking at the tube “can this be gone yet?”

Nori flinched when she yanked at it. “Hey- quit it. We can talk about it later just… leave it for now.” Uzi rolled her eyes “ho-kay. What about this?” she Gestured to Cyn, who fawned at being pointed out. Nori groaned “we're working on that too.” she shot a glare to the AI, who tilted their head “I had an: Idea. to seperate us. You could make me my: own body” they offered, nodding.

“Not a chance.” Nori snapped “equip you with another vessel? I think not.”

“I am no threat. It is just me. Not the Solver.”

Everyone stopped, heads turning. “Say that again.” Nori pointed, narrowing her eye.

“It is just me. Not the solver.” Cyn repeated, flawlessly. Nori shook her head “no, no, what does that mean.”

Cyn coiled slightly, seeming uncomfortable at all of the eyes on them “... Uzi is the solver. I am just Cyn. the only power: I could have: is the power I have over Uzi.” they turned to face the purple eyed drone “which is none.”

N held up his hands “wait so- Uzi… owns the solver now.”

Cyn cocked her head at the description “Uzi is the Solver. The Solver is Uzi… what is not understood? (questioning)”

Uzi laughed “are you serious? Ever since I ate that stupid- void- thing I’ve been the only one with the solver? You’re just…” she gestured.

“No, you are one with the solver. It is not yours, it is you. You are it. I once was it. Now I am not. Uzi sent the callback ping. Not me.” Cyn stated “... did you not know that? (head tilt)”

Khan stood “this means we can put Cyn in her own body and she won't be a threat” he held up his wrench, pumping a fist.

Nori stopped him “like we know how to make a new drone body.” she sighed “you think I didn't try to get something working while I created the patch? I'm like a weird fleshy crab, I miss my arms.” she gestured to herself. “If you’re not starting from pill baby, it gets REAL complicated.”

Cyn perked up “I know: how, I made Serial designation N, J, V. I made them: many. times.”

Uzi tensed “no- were not seriously thinking about letting Cyn help us build them a body right now, you all realize how crazy this is right?”

N took her hand, “Uzi- you could be free of Cyn, and we could make a new body for your mom!” he beamed, bouncing a little, head turning towards Noris core.

Nori whipped around, eye wide “sAYWHATNOW-”

_______________________________________________________

N, V, Lizzie, Thad, and Khan had all gone to look for parts by the spire. Nori said she wanted to speak with Uzi for a moment before joining them.

Cyn was preoccupied with headphones over their auditory sensors, Classical music distracting the AI was Noris best attempt at having a private conversation.

Uzi messed with the hem of her jacket “...so, we stayed behind because?”

Nori sighed “I need to know you’ll eat.” Uzi blinked “uh, yeah that how drones stay alive, I think I’ve got it covered” she scoffed, sarcasm lacing her tone.

Nori put a claw on her leg as she sat on the bed “no. you didn’t eat. I need to know why. Because you’re not in a place for me to get that” she pointed to the feed, “out of you, if I dont know if you need it.”

Uzi tensed “I don’t need it I'm perfectly capable, geez” she glared, agitated. Nori clicked two claws together “you nearly shut down babe. Cyn didn't have control over you, which means you had a reason to stop drinking oil.”
“What do I need a reason?”

“When it drove you to near shut down? Yeah. yeah you do.”

“It was nothing.”

Nori poked her chest “not nothing. I know things have been hard with the INSANE couple of weeks you’ve had, and I also know you’re really good at repressing emotions. You got it from me, it's a skill” she nodded proudly before continuing “I don’t feel okay taking that feed out, until I know my girl is okay.”

Uzi grew hot. “I don’t need to be babied.”

Nori stilled “prove it.” she said bluntly “be mature. Talk about your emotions rather than smothering them.”

“Like you’re so much better!!” Uzi shot back.

Nori threw up her claws “fine! I’ll go first huh??” she sat back “I regret not coming back to you and your dad.” she stated “every day that I get to know you more, I wish that I hadn’t stayed locked away underground too scared to face the curse I had caused you.”

Uzi blinked.

Nori kept her gaze steady “there. That's me. Now you go. I wanna be your mom. I wanna support you.” she held out a claw, almost as if inviting something to walk forward out into the open.

“I-” Uzi stammered “I- I-” she glanced at the smaller mass that was her mother, seeing an unfamiliar sense of patience in the others face.

“It's my fault.”

Uzis head whipped around, Cyn had taken the headphones off, standing patiently. “I reminded her of the: unpleasant. First experience in which we fed. It disgusted her.”

Nori glared. “... uh huh.” she glanced at Uzi “we trustin’ satan over here on this one?” she asked, questioning. Uzi nodded “Yeah I mean, that's- yeah.”

The mass nodded “sweet- I can take that out-” she reached upwards, beckoning Uzi to lower herself so she could reach. “First time the solver took me over, ended up taking out a LOT of people. Though it only ended up being one event, before they took me to me “exorcized”” she gestured. “I never heard much about what happened at the cabin though. Your dad mentioned something real vague.” she pulled on the feed, Uzi flinched, Nori stopped “sorry-” she proceeded, more carefully “nobody knows what happened on that trip. Well, I guess no-one but you and your friends.” she worked gently “but I don't imagine it was a pleasant experience. Probably hard to look back on, especially when oils now your diet.”

Uzi coughed as the feed was pulled out. Nori cast it aside, nodding “you know if you wanna talk about it, I’ll definitely understand.” she poked Uzi's chest “just take care of my girl yeah?”

Uzi looked down, nodding. She wasn’t used to this. Was everyone’s mom this cool?

They both left the room, heading towards the outer doors to join the others.

__________________________________________________________________

Nori let out a sigh of relief when Uzi dozed off again, sure she wasnt shutting down but she was far from better. Seeing her sleep again just gave her a sense of ease.

Cyn was still chattering away, everyone around the table stripping the remains for parts and setting the ones Cyn claimed as “good” to the side. Uzi had fallen asleep on N’s shoulder, the taller drone was now smiling ridiculously. He really did love her, didn't he? If his wagging tail had anything to say about it at least.

“Not gonna lie, I dont think I would have thought of making myself a new body” she said, taking a wire carefully out of a severed arm “well, at least not after my attempts years ago.”

“Oh- well I just know that Uzi would really like you to have a body.” N said in a hushed tone, trying not to wake the drone on his shoulder.

Nori snorted “what makes you say that?” she asked, seeing Khan preoccupied with Cyn on the other end of the table. N perked up “she's never said this, but I think she’d really love a hug from her mom.” he said, poking at the part in his hands “she's never had one. Some of her favorite animes are the family ones, I see the way she watches them. Like she wants what they have…” he pondered “I guess ever since you came back, I’ve been trying to figure out how I could get that for her. I didn't get very far though, ha, I’m no good with robotics.”

N looked up to see Nori completely still, a wide eye staring at him as the project in her hands lay paused.

N flinched “OH- BISCUITS! I totally shouldn't have said that Uzi would punch me if she knew- I mean, she never said any of this so it's not like a secret but I wanted to keep it a secret cause I know she gets all mad whenever she shows emotion oh geez I-”

Nori stopped him “... you really think she wants… that?”

N looked up, “uh… yeah. D- Don’t tell her I told you though.”
Nori held out a claw “you help me get my new body online and my lips are sealed. A gift from us both yeah?” she gestured with her limb for him to take it.

N beamed, grabbing her claw and shaking it “deal!!”

_____________________________________________

“Its gonna take a few weeks to get them ready, but I really think this is gonna work!” N exclaimed, not looking up from his paper where he was drawing. V nodded, giving a half hearted hum as her mind drifted elsewhere.

“N. I think I need to talk to you.” she said, a flutter in her chest making her uneasy.

“Is this about you and Lizzie?” N looked up, head tilting.

V sputtered “wh- What? Wait WAIT WHAT? What? No- how do you even??”

He grinned, holding up a crayon “I saw you holding hands.” he stated before moving back to his coloring, he halted completely “oh no! You don't think I care that she's a girl do you?” she threw his hands down on the table, panicked.

A snort escaped V’s voice box “what? N, ha I don’t think you have a problem with me dating a girl drone.” she sighed, running a hand through her hair. N perked up “so you ARE dating!!” he pumped a fist “I was right! Yisssss”

V stopped him, putting a hand on his arm “N. this isn't about Lizzie. It’s… It’s about Cyn.”

She saw him wilt a bit at the change in topic. “O-oh. okay-”

She sighed, here goes nothing…

“When Cyn is separated from Uzi, I think we should get rid of her. For good.”

N shot up “what? Wait- you think we should kill Cyn?? Right as their free? Why?”

“Because” she put her palms on the table “because she used us N. I don’t feel safe knowing that she can just waltz around. Whether she owns the solver or not, she. Is. A. Threat.” she poked his chest.

N looked… upset. Torn.

She was about to say more when he stopped her.

“V. I think she deserves a second chance.”

V reeled “A second chance?! Are you serious? Cyn? A second chance? Did you forget what they did to us? To Tessa? To everyone? Earth???”

N stood “I’m not saying anything they did was good or acceptable, I’m saying they can start now, and CHANGE.”

“They can't change!”

“Didn't you hear her the other day?? She said she never tried to talk to us because we never listened! What if we let them talk? What if we let them try again??” He gestured wildly with his hands.

V shoved herself away from the table “fine! You try your little rehabilitation mission, I’m going to prevent that THING from hurting us ever AGAIN. N you can't keep seeing the best in everyone it's going to get you hurt!”

N stood, looking into her eyes “it hurts more to never let them try.”

Chapter Text

“WAKE UP BUTTERCUP” Nori announced, standing on Uzis chest, Uzi moaned, rolling over “five more minutessssss”

“Nope- I'm letting you skip school today, but you still gotta get up, today I get ARMS” her eye showed she had a smile.

Cyn tilted their head “I get: arms too.”

Nori rolled her eye “less cool, but still” she dragged Uzi out of bed with her solver, causing Uzi to let out a panicked squawk “MOM!!!!”
______________________________
The group stood, looking over the two bodies and making sure all the wires were connected.

“So, who's going first?” V asked. Prodding the two empty bodies with a claw.

Cyn looked up “I can go.”

Uzi frowned “... maybe not- if this doesnt work and you get deleted we’ll have no way of getting mom fixed.”

“If Nori goes first, and it fails, you get no mother.” V said, putting a hand on her hip. “On the other hand, I don’t love the idea of having Cyn free reign while we focus on something else.”

Nori stopped her “shut it, I’m going first. It’ll be fine.” she poked her body “I'm antsy anyway.”

Khan hovered a finger over the enter key. “Ready?” he asked, Nori nodded, giving him a slight smile of reassurance as the button was pressed. Noris eye light flickered then went out, the mass going limp aside from a few twitches, Uzi held her breathe, subconsciously grabbing for N’s hand to hold it, he squeezed in return.

Khan stared at the screen, he blinked “...huh”

Uzi bolted up next to him “what?! What does ‘huh’ mean???” she pulled the screen towards herself so she could see what it was showing.

“Initial backup preparing, estimated wait time until next step: 3 hours 59 minutes.”

“FOUR HOURS???? For step one??? Are you serious?!” Uzi reeled, throwing her arms up “I thought this would take like five minutes max! We have to wait that long to know shes okay?” Uzi pulled the screen closer “how do I get more info on this thing-” she started to click buttons before N pulled her back. “We just have to wait buddy, thats easy! We can start One Piece.” he offered. Trying to distract her from the fact that her mothers consciousness was in an unstable limbo between vessels for an unknown amount of time.

Uzi sighed “...okay. Who knows, maybe we can get through all of it by the time shes up” she teased. V snorted “...do- do you know how many episodes one piece has?”

“What like 30? 40?”

N held up a finger “as of right now- 1121. Thats almost 20 days straight with no breaks!”

Cyn shook her head “humans have a sense of patience I do: not. (shrug)”
_________________________________________________________________

They had started one piece. Khan was asleep, not even making it through the first episode, V was in the corner with Lizzie. Uzi made a mental note to tease her about it later.

But her mind wasnt focused on anime. A shocking statement I know. Her eyes just kept darting over to the computer screen which she had turned to face her, time ticking down, sometimes jumping randomly up and down in estimation. Something about her mothers limp body sitting in the chair made her stomach churn. The more she tried to focus on something else the louder the silence of her mom was.

She had just gotten her back, what if it failed? It would be completely her fault.

No. dont think about that. Just- watch the pirates on the screen

______________________________________________________

N and V had left later that night, leaving Uzi and Khan to stare at the screen, numbers ticking down just as they had all day.

N had offered to stay but she had pushed him out, he probably needed rest too, having spent so much time coddling her recently.

She wasnt sure how long she sat there. Her and Khan in complete silence, watching the screen. Uzi turned on the ringer for her internal clock, making sure she heard every

Tik
Tik
Tik
Tik
Tik
Tik
Tik

Partially to stay awake, moreso to make sure this was real, not just some nightmare.

Uzi startled when Khan pushed his chair back, standing up. “Welp… I’ve got to hit they hay-”

Before she could think she grabbed her arm “w- wait” she stopped him. The look of complete astonihsment washed over his features. His daughter, reaching out in a way she’d never before. Okay, nows his chance to be a good dad. Oh gosh what did the manual say??

Maybe listen to Nori, ignore the manual, if she was gone- no dont say that. He missed out on being a good Dad her whole life its time to redeem himself.

He held up a finger, signaling her to let him go temporarily, she reluctantly released him, sighing.

Of course he wouldnt- whatever, she didnt want him around anyway…
So… why did she feel so loved when he came back into the room with a blanket and food?

Khan gingerly put the blanket over her shoulders, setting the snacks on the table, then giving her a tap on the head, smiling reassuringly. “Dont stay up too late okay?”

She nodded, taken aback.

_______________________________________________________

Uzi felt someone pull the blanket off her shoulders, she groaned “dad go away-” she adjusted herself on the table where she leaned, having fallen asleep there, watching the progress screen.

The screen…?

THE SCREEN!

She shot up looking at the laptop in front of her, which lay completely blank.

“Nononono- what does blank mean? Wha-”

“Uzi.” a voice chuckled. She halted, that wasnt her dads voice.

Whipping around, there stood Nori, body and all, holding the blanket over an arm. Uzi shot out of the chair, lunging at her.

“Oh my Gosh!” she grabbed her tight “you’re okay!” Uzi pulled back “does everything feel right? Is everything working?”

Nori laughed “yeah kid, alls intact.” her hand drifted to touch her daughters face, tears prickled in her eye lights. This was her girl. She just got to hug her daughter for the first time in so long…

She let go, smiling at Uzi. “I missed this.”

Uzi sniffed, brushing her tears away frantically “uh- yeah I guess I did too. Maybe. Dont think too much about it.” she waved a hand, then straightened out “OH IVE GOTTA GO GET DAD!” she turned on her heel, rushing out the door.

___________________________________________________________

Somehow Nori was even more intimidating in a full drone body. Sure, N had a soild foot and a half over her height wise but this woman could full blown just- grab him now. Having arms and such.

He’d gotten the frantic message from Uzi that morning, it was in all caps, all one word, “NHOLYSHTMOMSAWKE”

He sweared the handshake he gave Nori at the door was the scariest thing he’s ever had to do.

Now J and him sat, watching the transfer screen flicker between 3 hours of wait time and 2 seconds, several warnings popping up alerting them of damaged AI and unlinked neural pathways. Yep, that was Cyn.

N wondered if maybe they could fix her to be more functional once she had a new body… She wasnt even the solver anymore, just a drone who was… broken. No Godly powers. Just, her.

He sighed, watching the screen glitch continually, closing out yet another alert. V sat back a little bit, arms crossed, eyes trained on the body. The white hair, the bow, its like they were back at the mansion. He could tell V was… uncomfortable.

“She’s not gonna be dangerous anymore you know.” N said, adjusting in his chair.

“As long as that things alive, its dangerous.” V stated, voice monotone. “I’m not letting her hurt anyone ever again.”

“I can't change your mind, but we need to at least hear her out before you try to… well…” he trailed off. V scowled “it doesnt deserve a chance.”

“Well neither did me and you” N shot back “we owe it to them. We got a second chance, they get to have one too. We never even got to really talk to them.”

“They didnt give us the chance, N!” V exclaimed, N straightened out “we didnt give them a chance!” he threw his arms up. “We have to give them a new start V! I’m not going to let you kill them when they havent even gotten to try!”

V stood, glaring, then leaving the room, she pushed past Uzi.

“Geez, whats got her circuts in a twist?” Uzi teased, face falling when she saw N’s troubled expression as he stared at the screen. “Hey-” she pulled a chair up next to him, looking at the glitching screen. Several pop ups appeared, alerting that long term guilt was still active.

N’s heart panged.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Text

Systems on: neuropathway alerts: Ignored.

Bypassing…

Welcome back: Cyn

Two white eyes blinked open. The first thing they focus on is the taller drone in front of them.

“H-hey buddy” N said, bending down to be eye level with her in the chair, “you’re upload took a lot longer than Nori’s”

She noticed the slight tremble in his frame. “...are you… scared? Of: me?”

He blinked “uh- no- well I’m a little uncomfortable but I think it'll pass…” he stood, offering a hand out “hopefully”

She took it delicately, getting to her unsteady feet. A lopsided smile fell on her face “I: missed you”

V watched from the doorway, a glare set on the smaller drone. Cyn felt the gaze and turned.

“V.”

“Cyn.”

“I know you are: mad.” she shuffled over to the disassembly drone. “I am not expecting you to: forgive. But I would… (thoughtful) like you to listen.”

“I’m not sitting through any excuses you have” V spat “I have been used enough by you” she poked Cyns chest forcefully, causing the drone to stumble, N caught her “V!” he warned.

V leaned in close, claws appearing as a snarl crept its way out of her teeth. Cyn leaned back against N, trying to gain more distance. A small hand gripped N’s coat in panic.

“I waited too long for this.” V’s visor flickered to a menacing “X” as she grabbed Cyns dress.

“V STOP!” N pushed her back, V stumbled and clattered against the wall, sinking to the floor she looked up, seething.

Cyn was shaking, grabbing N like a lifeline.

Tears dripped down the AI’s visor, and to V’s complete and utter confusion and bafflement, Cyn began to take hiccuping artificial breaths, and began to sob.

V pushed herself up “don’t- don’t FAKE emotions to make me join your pity party! If you were EVER sorry you wouldn’t have done HALF of the sh!t you pulled! You wouldn't have turned N and I into slaughter machines and forced us to kill and eat drones that we used to be for the rest of our pathetic days!” she yelled, approaching again, an odd feeling stirring in her chest when Cyn flinched and shook harder.

“The amount of LIES you told to manipulate me is nauseating!” she threw a chair against the wall “do this and “I’ll let you and N be, do that and I’ll leave you alone” what a load of CRAP! We were a family Cyn! You killed Tessa and ALL the humans dragging us down with you! And you really have the guts to think I’m going to let you WALK AWAY!!!?”

“V stop it!” N said, voice growing in urgency.

“I AM NOT A BACKUP THAT WILL FORGIVE YOU!!!” she pulled her gun out, barrel trained on Cyns head “I AM NOT A PUPPET FOR YOU TO MANIPULATE!” the gun clicked, safety turning off “AND I AM NOT GOING TO LET YOU TRY TO REDEEM YOURSELF! YOU WILL NEVER! EVER! HURT US!!! EVER AGAIN!!!!”

A resounding bang ricochet off the walls, causing the drones' auditory sensors to ring.

Complete silence filled the room.

The smell of smoke hinting in the air as a small plume swept graciously off the hot end of the barrel, curling upwards, fading before even reaching the ceiling.

The sound of artificial breaths being forced in and out.

The ticking of the clock on the wall.

The thrumming of the core in her chest.

The tension of her gun being pulled towards the opposite wall by a bright purple solver.

Uzi, standing in the door, three fingers out, holding strong onto the tip of the barrel, facing it away.

The bullet, buried in the wall, black ash staining where it had pierced the old broken down metal, having shot right through a flier that had been posted up.

Cyn. standing, eyes hollowed completely as one of N’s arms had moved to protect her from the threat ripped away at the very last second.
The clanking of Cyns trembling limbs.

“I was mad. I took it too far and once I realized… (pain) I knew I could not go back. B- but giving up meant losing the last bit of: family unit I had left.”

She pushed herself out of N’s grip, he tried to stop her from moving forward but she pushed him away gently.

“Letting… letting you go meant it was really over. (stumble) Letting you go meant you’d kill: me. Returning your consciousness meant you would: never forgive me.” she shuffled forward more

“So after I took one planet I took: another. I did not want it to be: over. Keeping Tessa with me meant… she never chose her abusers over me. Keeping you as “disassembly drones” meant we would never be in: danger. (shaky voice) the farther I: went. The farther I had to take it. Suppressing memories. Taking lives. Gaining power.”

V stumbled back as Cyn approached. “Stop it.” she said

“What started as vengeance. (nervous glance) Turned into… a frantic attempt to keep my family. I know I ruined it. I took it: too far. Then you took me: down. I was left with…” she turned, looking at the purple haired drone in the door “Uzi. who was already: taking you. (aggravated) So I did what I had been doing. Try to gain control. So I could… Keep (grabby hands) what I wanted.”

They looked up at V again.

“I was found out. I knew it was over. And I: knew I could not redeem myself. But I wanted to try. And now… I have. I just wanted to tell you (voice break)....

I am sorry.”

White tears slid their way down her visor. V’s arm was released by Uzis solver and Cyn carefully pulled the gun to settle on her own forehead.

A lopsided smile fell into the small drone's face, head tilting. “I am. Ready. Now. Thank you for: letting me… speak (resigned expression)”

V’s unsteady hand kept the barrel trained in place.

Click.
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Lizzie sat at her desk, the murmuring of the teacher nearly sending her into sleep mode. Ugh- where was V? She knew they were doing some fancy upload thing with the weird crazy AI and Uzis mom, but she didn't think V even cared that much about it. And now she was stuck in an unbelievably boring class with no-one to tease or talk to.

She was even desperate enough to miss Doll at this point.

As if on cue, the door slammed open, a very aggravated looking disassembly drone stomping into the room and flopping next to Lizzie. Everyone's heads turned, but as V snarled at them they frantically turned away. N and Uzi followed soon after, N delicately closing the door and taking a seat.

The teacher sighed “and… why are you three late?”

“Personal project took longer than expected, sorry.” N winced, pulling a notebook out.

“Yeah if personal projects were attempted murder.” Uzi shot V a glare. “This idiot got all riled up.”

The teacher rolled his eyes “no name calling” he said, tone dead as he turned back to the board.

V could feel Lizzies stare. She sighed “I was gonna get rid of Cyn. didn’t end up following through. No I don’t want to talk about it” she deadpanned. Lizzie shrugged “honestly that's a pretty normal thursday”

V rolled her eyes, then felt her heart flutter when Lizzie reached over to give her hand a reassuring squeeze.
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Chapter Text

“So- I am living… alone” Cyn asked, looking at the empty apartment, one bed, one big room.

“Yeah. you can’t stay at my place, I might let V go through with it next time.” Uzi huffed, gesturing into the room.

Cyn stepped in hesitantly, looking around. “I’ve never had my own room… you said big brother was: coming later.”

“Yeah, N’s gonna stop by whenever he's done with his project- which he still won't tell me about.”

“Do you think it's a surprise? For: you?” Cyn tilted her head.

“Ew gross, why would he ever surprise me? I mean, he already gave my mom a new body and helped me save the world, what else could I want?” she huffed “he's too sappy already.” a small blush appeared on her visor. Cyn giggled “you like him. (teasing)” she pointed with an unsteady hand.

Uzi blushed harder “EW! GROSS! CYN JUST- GO SET UP YOUR NEW HOUSE-” she tried to smother the flush as she pushed Cyn into the room, the AI letting out a little giggle of amusement before bowing politely and closing the door.

Uzi spun on her heels “GROSS!!!” she threw her arms up, stomping down the hall.

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She pushed the door open, sighing and pulling off her hat, a hand drifting for the lightswitch and turning it on. She halted seeing everyone at the table.

Like- EVERYONE. Thad, Lizzie, her mom and dad, N and V, the dinosaur V somehow managed to tame- her heart leapt.

“Uhh- is this another intervention? Should I be running?” She took a step back.

“It's not an intervention.” Nori walked up, pulling her towards the table “it's your birthday.” she gestured to the snacks on the table.

Uzi paused, “... that's today???” she checked her internal clock, sure enough, the age meter went upwards last night at some point…

N made sad eyes “you didn't know it was your birthday?” he frowned.

“No- I mean, I never keep track of it- i've literally never celebrated-” she messed with her fingers “uh- well, never had anyone to celebrate with… I guess?”

N let out a whimper that made Uzi snort “I asked dad not to bother with it-”

Nori glared at her husband “yes I was told. Khan I’m still astounded you managed to blow over 16 years of birthdays.” he shrugged, a bead of sweat dripping down his visor. Nori shot him a slight glare before turning back to Uzi “I wanted to put something little together.”

Uzis' heart clenched “oh. Cool. this is uh- not at all touching.” she shrugged taking a seat. N’s face was beaming.

She was given new things, and much needed platforms, her old ones were falling apart from all the fights they went through. It's funny Uzi hadn't even noticed the fact they were disintegrating on her feet.

A small package in pale yellow wrapping sat on the table “whose this one from?”

Nobody claimed it, N was sweating “uhm… that one's from… Cyn”

She blinked, taking the wrapping carefully, opening the package. There was a card on top, drawn with crayon. “Sorry I possessed you and blew the planet up” scribbled with a bunch of stars and a… was that a dog in the corner?

She hated to admit it, it was nearly as cute as N’s when they first let him in the doors.

Inside the box was a flower.

“... what the f**k?” Nori leaned over her shoulder “where did she even find that??”

Uzi picked it up “is it real???” the stem bruised slightly at her touch

N had his hands hovering around it “I didn’t know they had any plants on copper 9”

“They DON’T.” Uzi marveled “do we have like- something to put it in?” Khan ran off to grab a cup.

____________________________________________________

N pushed the door open a bit “buddy? Are you here?”

Cyn skidded around the corner, running to the door and hugging him, her head barely even reaching his chest. “You actually: came!” she beamed

He chuckled nervously “well, yeah, I said I would help you set up.” She let him go.

“There are 20 support beams in my apartment” she noted “and 894 screws. I counted. (proud)”

“You counted?” he snickered, pulling blankets and pillows behind him, starting to set them up on the bed, which had been pulled off the frame and the mattress was tucked into a corner. Cyn saw him taking in the scene “I prefer a comfy corner.” she stated. He nodded, putting the pillows in the corner.

“Hey, buddy, can I ask- how did you find a real flower?” He started meticulously organizing the corner. Cyn hummed “I kept it. From earth. Before the fall. I liked the garden”

“you, kept it from earth? And you decided to give it to Uzi?”

“It is the only thing I: own. That I value.” she fiddled with her fingers “when people are sorry, they give things up. I do not have anything to give her but this.”

N’s heart tightened “... thats, really sweet Cyn- but you didn't have to give her that- I mean it's probably the last one, ever!”

“I want to start over.” She looked at the bed, which was now set up. “Maybe if I start now, someday I can be friends with you all again.”

N sat next to her “well I think you’ve got a good start.”

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