Chapter Text
—Du! Roboterkatze! Reise in die Vergangenheit und töte alle Katzen! DAS IST EIN BEFEHL!! —shouts Hitler at their Meowminator.
C-800 nods, nervous but firm, knowing that any sign of weakness would make their head explode into a thousand pieces.
But there was a reason they were one of their best robots; they weren’t designed to have feelings as part of their personality, so they shouldn’t worry.
Their mission was clear: Exterminate all cats!
An easy mission, especially considering they were heading to the past with plenty of firearms; the cats there should be quite weak compared to those still alive in the future.
...
And upon arriving in the past, the massacre began.
Everything they detected as “cat” was completely annihilated without mercy, without feeling, and without remorse.
Why would they feel pity for what they were created for? That would only disappoint even more the one who sent them here!
And when they found out there was a house on the hill that had many cats... they didn’t hesitate and went for it. —Of course, not before entertaining themself a bit with a nice man from a trailer—
What could go wrong? They have many weapons like grenades, and those cats only have weak claws that wouldn’t do anything to their reinforced body.
...
..
.
—Meoow...! —they let out a meow of pain as they are pathetically defeated, then fall onto their back on the ground.
Those cats... even they didn’t know how to explain it.
Somehow they got all those armors and items that don’t even compare to what exists in the future... Somehow they managed to find their weak point and attack them when they were already tired enough! And how did they manage to make them unknowingly step into the range of their own grenade and strip away most of their reinforcement!?
It was a complete humiliation, one they themself admit.
Even those same cats did a small victory dance before leaving along with their owner who was accompanying them.
And once they made sure they were gone, they tried with all their strength to stand up and walk very weakly toward the nearest puddle to see their reflection.
And... wow, they really were in bad shape.
All their “skin” had been torn off and their lenses were broken; now only their robotic body could be seen.
—...Ow... —they let out a soft meow of sadness and shame; they never thought they would fall this low.
If their companions saw them, they wouldn’t stop mocking them.
If Hitler saw them, they wouldn’t hesitate to shoot them in the head to make them explode into a thousand pieces for no longer being useful.
—¿.......? —Right... they’re no longer useful.
They failed their mission.
And they were clearly warned that if they failed, they wouldn’t return.
So technically... they’re trapped here.
But that doesn’t matter much to them anymore.
They’re definitely doomed; even if they returned to the future, the Doktorbots wouldn’t fix them due to rejection.
No one else would accept them.
Could they even live with such humiliation?
...And why are they afraid of humiliation? They’re a robot...
But they decided not to think about it much, so they lay down in a corner and deactivated themself.
After all, in the future, once you become obsolete, you’re discarded instantly.
...
..
.
—¿...Hmm? —they wake up after... who knows how long.
They were surprised, especially because they hadn’t planned to wake up again considering their weak state.
In fact, they weren’t as weak as before; now they could walk normally, though still weak, as if something had helped them but at the same time taken something away...
While they were asleep, did someone loot parts of their body? Or was it from the fight with those cats?
Actually, now that they noticed... their fur had come back!
—¿¡E-Eeeeh!? —that startled them. How is it possible that their fur came back just like that? It must have been someone’s doing.
But... who?
—¡......! —they hear something like liquid metal approaching them, so they immediately turn around. They wanted to pull out one of their weapons, but reality hits them— Eh? C-1000!?
But they calm down when they realize it’s one of their companions.
It was undoubtedly them, even if their current state was... completely liquid, they still kept their characteristic sentinel-on-guard expression.
They and C-1000 weren’t very close; in fact, robots don’t have friends—that was one of the first rules given to them when they were created.
But they knew their true form was like a somewhat large slug, though it was more comfortable for them to be a cat. They never really understood why, but they didn’t ask questions.
And now that they’re... like this, it just makes clear how bad things are.
—...They sent you as my replacement, right?
They move up and down, expressing a yes.
—And I can assume it didn’t go very well... —they lie back on the floor— Ugh... this shouldn’t have ended like this...
Even though C-1000 kept their poker face, they made a slight expression of sadness.
—Now we’re trapped here... and I doubt they’ll let us return to the future.
C-800 was sad— they really were— even though they were created—or at least they believed so—without feelings.
Even though the future wasn’t a nice place either, with dictatorship and constant monitoring of robots like “humans”... it was still their home.
—¿.......? —they notice C-1000 move closer and rest on their paw, as if it were their way of “hugging” now that they were like this— ...But at least I have you.
A slight smile appeared on their face, but they quickly removed it.
—Alright. —they stood up and C-1000 moved aside— You can’t stay like this; why don’t you transform back into some form you like?
—........... —they look away, as if they didn’t feel like doing it.
—Eh...? Why don’t you want to?
They move side to side, expressing a “no,” but more forcefully.
Can’t they, or do they simply not want to?
And if they don’t want to... why? Do they feel insecure?
—...Hey... you didn’t use your own material to fix me, did you?
—¡.......! —that startled them, making it clear they hit the mark.
—Wait, you really did!? Ooh, you didn’t have to...! I already failed my mission! You should’ve left me like that... especially since you’re superior to me—it’s in our names.
They shake side to side strongly as a “no.”
—...Or did you not want to be alone?
Now they affirm it.
Having a conversation with someone who doesn’t speak is difficult, but they do what they can—and that matters.
—...Thank you.
—¡.......! —they’re surprised by the gratitude.
—You saved me. Saying “thank you” is a gesture of gratitude to someone who helped you, right?
It’s not like that word is used much in the future anyway.
—........... —they slump more onto the floor and close their eyes. Were they... embarrassed?
—...Hmm... —they look around for a moment.
They see a bucket and go toward it, then grab it and approach C-1000.
—¿........? —when they open their eyes and see the bucket, they look confused.
—At least get in there; you can’t just move around on the ground like that, who knows what toxic things there are...
They still remember that when they fought those cats, one had a toxic bucket and kept throwing it at them every time it attacked... that probably contributed to their “skin” dissolving.
—.......... —they think for a moment and finally decide to enter the bucket.
It was small, but they managed to fit in, with even some space left.
A kind of mad scientist had already taken part of their metal when they lost to the cats from the house on the hill, and then they themself decided to donate more to C-800 as soon as they found them.
They were quite weakened, but at least not alone.
—Wow... are you really willing to go this far just to avoid transforming back? Seriously, are you okay?
No response.
But at least they decide to shape a pair of cat ears sticking out of the bucket.
—...Something is something, I guess. —they try with all the circuits of their motherboard not to say that they look cute— We have no choice but to stay here, coexist and... abandon our former life...
A grimace of displeasure appears on C-1000.
—Yeah... I know... it’s not fair... but there’s no other way... Hmm, now that I remember, there’s a nice human who lives in a trailer.
—¡.......! —C-1000 is startled.
—You know them? They were quite kind to me when I first came here; I wanted to annihilate all their kittens, but they showed up with a radio along with their spouse and...
Mentioning that they danced all night with them while having a great time made them quite embarrassed.
They couldn’t show “weakness” to literally their superior—even if now they’re just a liquid puddle.
—...The point is, I think they could help us. Maybe we could stay there and—
C-1000 shakes the bucket strongly.
—Uh... is that affirmative or negative?
Again, they shake the bucket strongly.
—I’ll take it as negative... but why? Did they do something to you?
Now that they think about it... how long were they deactivated?
Do humans change personality in such a short time?
—......... —they stay still but thoughtful, as if they don’t know how to express their answer.
—...Or did you do something to them?
—......... —they move the bucket slightly, like a “more or less.”
—Right...
Memories come to C-800 of when they were being trained; C-1000 was undoubtedly the most lethal, using their own needle formed from their body to pierce rows of three dummies.
And not to mention when they gain the abilities of whoever they replicate...
But there was a time they caught them replicating an Ubergato, not with bad intentions—at least at first, later they killed it mercilessly—but they were copying exactly all the movements it made, confusing the Ubergato and... entertaining C-1000?
From that moment, they began to think it was just their way of “eliminating.”
But thinking about it... maybe it was their only moment of fun.
—Alright... if you don’t want to go there, then let’s find another place to stay.
—¿........? —they look at them, somewhat confused.
—Pff... I’m not going to abandon you; it’s you and me in this.
—......... —again, they try to hide their embarrassment.
...
The two had been wandering the alley for quite... some time.
Now that C-800 had no weapons and C-1000 refused to replicate anything, it left them at a disadvantage.
But at least C-800 still had some of their strength, though not like before...
But at least it was “something.”
—I need your fur, your paws, and your motorcycle! —demands C-800.
—...Pff... Hahaha! —laughs mockingly an energetic jester cat— Weren’t you the one they mentioned on the radio a couple weeks ago? Hahaha no waaaay! I thought you’d look more EPIC, my friend! Even that mustache guy who came recently had more aura, eh... just sa—
C-800 grabs their hat before they can finish and hits Arthur hard a couple of times.
—Ow ow ow! —they fall to the ground, hurt— I-I’m sorry, man! It was just a joke...!
—I repeat: I need your fur, your paws, and your motorcycle.
—I-I’m a cat! How would I have a motorcycle!? I may be a jester, but not even my random spells would help me get that!
—.......... —C-800 and C-1000 look at each other, thinking what to do.
—Then everything you have.
—Whaaaat!? Meow, meow, meow...!
They flee in terror.
—...This isn’t working... —says C-800, somewhat disappointed— I only managed to get a bear trap as a weapon...
—.......... —no reaction, showing C-1000 also had no idea what to do.
—...Looks like we have no choice but to live on the street, at least for now.
The stray cats had already set their eyes on them while they walked through the alley.
Mostly because they recognized them immediately for killing their friends or trying to kill them, so they inevitably had a bad reputation.
The only one who didn’t completely despise them was a tank-class cat taking care of their kittens; they didn’t bother them, nor did they bother them.
But the others... if they roam more, they’ll likely want to fight.
Not a problem for them alone, but if attacked by many or if they meet those cats from the house on the hill again... it would only weaken them more, and they don’t want C-1000 to use more of themself to repair them.
—One option is to leave the alley. —says C-800 while sitting against a wall— I saw there’s a desert not far from here, and it seems there are cats there too... do you think we’d fit in?
—.......... —C-1000 moves their ears side to side, meaning “maybe.”
—Still... I’m not sure... maybe they’re more territorial there... and the heat would probably wear both of us down more.
—.......... —they sink deeper into the bucket.
—...Now that I think about it, every option besides the alley is worse... Ow... we don’t fit anywhere...
Is their new fate really to be stray cats? What a humiliation... besides their previous failure.
And without realizing it, it was already getting dark.
At this hour, cats and other creatures in the alley hide to rest.
But they are robots. Robots don’t sleep.
In the future, they would stand guard at this hour, but now... what can they do?
—...Are we supposed to rest?
—¿.........? —C-1000 looks confused.
—If you don’t know, then neither do I...
They grab the bucket and start wandering.
They stop when they see a perfect corner behind a house to rest.
It seemed strange to C-800. Why hadn’t any stray cat taken that spot?
But they don’t think much of it and lie down, placing the bucket beside them.
—Let’s hope nothing happens to us... —they manually deactivate, like “sleeping,” hoping to wake up at sunrise.
—......... —but C-1000 doesn’t.
Even if they don’t feel safe using their cat form yet, they’re ready to counterattack if anyone approaches with bad intentions.
They spent weeks alone and know how dangerous—and boring and sad—the alley is...
Finding C-800 again gave them back the will to keep living.
...
..
.
—¡........! —C-1000 approaches their leader as soon as they notice they arrived at Bonanza County, happy because this might mean returning to the future.
—Hä? Ach, du bist es. —Hitler notices them— Ich dachte, du wärst tot, du nutzloses Stück Metall!
—¿........? —they look confused.
—Du hast die einzige mission, die ich dir gegeben habe, verpatzt! Genau wie die andere! Wie soll ich das denn hinnehmen?! Und sieh dich an! Du bist komplett flüssig! Wenn du glaubst, ich schicke dich zurück in die Zukunft, dann irrst du dich gewaltig!
They look at them for a few seconds in shock and confusion, but quickly realize it’s best to leave before they destroy them even more.
—Diese dummen, nutzlosen roboter... sie bekommen nur eine mission und versagen! Wenn diese roboter, die ich gerade baue, es nicht schaffen, diese Katzen auf dem Hügel zu vernichten, schwöre ich, ich nehme meine Pistole und schieße mir in den Kopf!
And that’s when C-1000 realized that no one would support them in the future anymore.
And they felt very alone.