Hello everyone! First off, what did you all think of the the archive raid with Hiro and Zero Two? Pretty good right? That idea came from Spaze, one of my editors. He wrote something up, we went over it and it became a part of the chapter soon after. But now to the reason you're here. It's finally time! We've been working toward this for months and now the rebellion begins.

"Alright," you begin. "Let's go over this one more time to make sure everyone's on the same page." This late in the evening, you all gather in the lounge for one reason: discussing your plan of escape. Tomorrow, in the early morning, you would finally be putting it to use.

The mood in the room is intense, to say the least. Everyone knows that, according to APE, you are committing treason with your actions. However, whatever doubts anyone had about the course soon faded away as you all prepared for the coming escape. Because the idea to leave in the first place had been Ichigo's, and you were to first to support it, the two of you had been chosen to lead the endeavor. Both Ichigo and yourself had spent most of the last two days composing your actual plan of escape, and your excitement at finally coming close to using it was bubbling over inside of you.

"We will begin at 0430 hours," you continue quietly. "At that time, Ichigo, myself, Ikuno, Mitsuru, Miku, Zorome, Zero Two, and Hiro will proceed to the docking bay. After gaining access to the FranXX we will move on to Mistilteinn, where a portion of the dome will be shattered. Inside, Futoshi and Kokoro will be waiting to load our food, water, winter gear, and other supplies into Chlorophytum and Strelitzia."

You pause for a moment to take a breath, but Ichigo picks up immediately where you had left off. "We know that things inside Strelitzia and Chlorophytum might be a little cramped to start, but once we're out of the plantation's range we can stop to redistribute things more evenly among everyone. While this all happens in Mistilteinn, Argentea and Delphinium will raid the plantation's magma fuel reserves."

"Kokoro?" you prompt, looking for her to continue with her part. "Hmm?" she looks up at you with her large, blue eyes. "Once everything is loaded, Hiro and Zero Two will deliver you and Futoshi to Genista. What do you do next?" you ask. "We meet you at the fuel reserves and take what we can carry, right?" she answers. You smile and nod.

This was the fifth time that the plan had been discussed, and some members of the squad were beginning to become bored of going over it multiple times. Others required more exposure to remember it in its entirety. However, Kokoro now seemed to know what she needed to do, so this would likely be the final time it was necessary.

"And from there, we go to that place we found on the map," Zero Two grins widely, her excitement palpable. "Are you going to tell us how to get there at some point?" Zorome asks, obviously directed at you. "You'll know when it's necessary," you answer. "Sorry. For now, it's best that as few of us know as possible. Should something go wrong tomorrow, it could put everyone in danger if APE knew where we were going. I promise we'll tell you as soon as we're clear of the plantation and ready for the journey."

"Any questions?" Ichigo asks. It was more a gesture than anything, as almost every possible question seemed to have been covered in the first four times you went over the plan. This time, however, Miku raises her hand. "What if the plantation activates its defenses and tries to shoot us?" There is silence for several seconds as you try to decide the best method of answering her question. Zero Two, however, beats you to the punch. "Remember what happened when the plantation shot at the Klaxosaur when I came here?" she asks. Miku nods. "What did it do?" Zero Two presses. "It didn't really seem like it did…anything," Miku answers.

Zero Two smiles and nods. "Uh huh, even if they do shoot at us it won't hurt." Understanding dawns on Miku's face following her words. "If a FranXX can fight a Klaxosaur, but the plantation can't hurt one," Ikuno murmurs, "it does stand to reason that it wouldn't hurt the FranXX either." "The FranXX are much faster as well," Hiro chimes in, "so we'll stand a better chance at evading fire altogether." Miku breathes a sigh of relief before nodding.

"Any more questions?" Ichigo asks again.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

An hour or two later, everyone slowly prepares for bed. You follow Hiro to you room, grabbing your toothbrush for what will be the last time you use it here in Mistilteinn, before proceeding to the bathroom. When you return, Hiro is already climbing into bed and Zero Two anxiously awaits her turn beside him. The rule had been set nearly a month and a half ago, after she first began intermittently staying in your room, that she was required to wear a nightgown while she was here. Not for her sake, as she seemed to still not care about being seen without clothes, but for yours so that it wouldn't happen. She was also supposed to tell you when she was going to do it beforehand, but there were still plenty of mornings where you were surprised to see her.

"Good night, Hiro," you say, turning out the light using the switch by the door. "Night (Y/N)," Hiro replies. "Good night, Zero Two," you address his companion. "Nighty night," she chirps warmly. You smile and roll your eyes, before climbing into bed and wait for sleep to take you.

Sadly, tonight it takes much longer than usual for you to pass on from the world of the waking. Your respite is brief as well, ending with you waking up in your still-dark room. You are fairly sure that it isn't time for you to begin the escape yet, considering the reminder on your communicator isn't going off and Hiro and Zero Two are still off in dreamland. Regardless, you roll over to check the hour.

0130. Three hours until we leave Mistilteinn forever. I could lay here trying to imagine what the future holds, and what's going to happen… but I really should just try and get more sleep.

Your attempt at returning to sleep proves to be futile, as you lay in bed for the next fifteen minutes feeling frustrated with yourself instead of tired. Guess I'll go for a walk, then, you tell yourself, climbing out of bed and donning your shoes.

As you make your way down the hall, your shadow, cast from the light of tonight's full moon, dances against the wall behind you. Upon entering the lounge, you find yourself drawn to the large windows covering the north wall. Mistilteinn is bathed in the silver light of the moon, which seems to be cradled by several of the nearby trees, as if they're what holds the luminous orb in the sky. It's beautiful, you frown, knowing this will be the last time you see this picturesque landscape. If only we could've stayed.

In the distance, on the girls' side of the house, you hear a door creak open and then close a moment later. One of them probably just needs to go to the bathroom. Content that you will not be found, you return to gazing out into the moonlit night.

"Couldn't sleep either, huh?" a voice asks. You nearly jump out of your skin in shock at the unexpected newcomer's arrival, bumping into one of the display pedestals beside you. Luckily, you are able to grab hold of the fixture before the multicolored bowl sitting atop it is smashed against the hardwood floor.

When you are sure the pedestal is sturdy once more, you turn to face the speaker. Standing by the doorway in her nightgown, with a hand covering her mouth clearly to hide her laughter, is Ichigo. "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" you hiss, displeasure dripping from your voice. "Knocking?" Ichigo whispers back, but with a mocking tone. She makes sure you notice her glancing around in all directions in mock search. "There aren't any doors in this room." "You could have hit the wall or the doorframe," you offer unhappily.

Ichigo rolls her eyes at walks over to the couch before taking a seat. She pats the space next to her and looks at you expectantly. "I want an apology first," you turn your nose up at her and glance away. "An apology?" Ichigo scoffs, crossing her arms. "Why would I apologize for that? Maybe you shouldn't stand in dark rooms in the middle of the night."

"I don't have to take this," you march over to her. "I am your partner, and as the stamen of Delphinium I demand an apology." One of Ichigo's brows arches and she gives you a look as if to say, 'did you really just do that?' You tap your foot impatiently, "I'm waiting." Ichigo rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "Overruled."

"On whose authority?" you question her. "Mine," Ichigo answers matter-of-factly. "As both squad leader and the one in control of whatever it is we are." You allow yourself to look surprised, but only for a moment. "That's it, I'm going back to bed," you huff, making a show of crossing your arms and turning to leave.

"You could do that," Ichigo smoothly replies. "Or...you could sit down and enjoy the last bit of time we'll be able to spend together in Mistilteinn." She pats the seat on the couch next to her once more, then grabs one of the pillows and curls into a ball around it.

"You are so cruel to me," you say with feigned hurt. "And why do I find that so endearing?" "Maybe it's because you're a masochist," she answers giddily from behind you. You smile. Slowly, you make your way to the couch and sit beside Ichigo. "Okay, okay, you win." "Knew I would," she teases, resting her head against your shoulder.

The two of you sit in silence for a bit, just enjoying the moonlight and each other's company. Finally, one of you speaks. "(Y/N)...what's going to happen tomorrow?" Ichigo asks. You pause for a moment to consider her question. "We're going to leave," you answer. "We're going to find our own place in this world." Ichigo still seems uneasy. "Is leaving the right thing to do, though?" she presses. "We're the reason everyone else is doing it. I was the one to suggest we leave, and you tried to convince everyone after. If something happened to anyone, it's our fault."

"Nothing will be our fault," you reassure her while taking hold of her hand. "Everyone is coming with us of their own free will. They know the risks involved with this. And even with them, I'd still say we have a better chance at living on our own than remaining with APE, waiting until the day that there are too many Klaxosaurs for us to fight or there are some resources that outweigh our usefulness."

"You're right," Ichigo murmurs quietly. You check your communicator with you free hand, 0230. "Won't be long now," you announce. "We should try to go back to bed and get a little bit of sleep." Rather than standing up, Ichigo squirms further into the crook of your arm and lays her head on your chest. "Comfortable?" you ask with a hint of sarcasm. Ichigo yawns and closes her eyes. "Ahhhhh…I am now."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Your head aches as you are assaulted by the loud buzzing of your communicator. "Sooo looooud," Ichigo mumbles quietly while sluggishly rubbing her eyes. "Yeah," you agree, sitting up. "Still dark. Why is it…" you trail off, remembering what today is. The alarm. The time. Today is the day we escape.

You silence the alarm and prepare to stand, also glancing at the time. 0300. However, before you are able, Ichigo lays against you and closes her eyes once more. "Ichigo, we need to get moving," you gently shake her. She shakes her head slightly and grips onto you tighter. "Nngh...warm here..." she murmurs. "Ichigo," you whisper, drawing close enough for your breath to tickle her ear. You trail a finger up her arm, from her wrist to her shoulder, before shouting, "Get. Up!"

Ichigo jumps in fright and nearly falls off the couch. "That was mean!" she shouts, her face a mix of anger and surprise. "Well, maybe you should get off when I tell you to," you counter with a smirk. "I wasn't on you!" Ichigo replies as her face becomes flushed with color. "You were, but that isn't important," you stand and stretch. "This is going to be your last chance for a hot shower in who knows how long, so if I were you, I'd take it. I think several of the girls are already down there."

Ichigo reluctantly nods and rushes out of the room. You also make your exit and proceed down the hall to your bedroom, which should still contain Hiro and Zero Two. The hall is dark, but a light peeks from underneath the door, signaling that at the very least one of them is awake.

Turning the handle, you find Hiro mulling over a packed bag in front of him. "Hey (Y/N)," he greets you. "You must have gotten up early. Zero Two and I didn't even see you leave." "Yeah," you lie, before changing the subject. "Got everything?"

"I think so," he answers. "Well if you don't, we aren't coming back," you chuckle. "Yeah, I know," Hiro smiles back. "Are you ready for this?" he asks. "Never been more ready in my life," you say, pulling off the shirt you had slept in and folding it. Reaching under the bed, you pull out a suitcase identical to Hiro's and unclasp the latch holding it closed. Your shirt, along with the shorts you had been wearing, are placed within. Opening the dresser drawer reveals a sight that wouldn't occur any other day: only a single uniform resting inside. Usually it would be full to the brim with spares, but they had already been packed away into your suitcase the night previous.

"Done," Hiro announces along with a satisfying click from his suitcase. You finish dressing and grab your bag as well, before following him out the door.

The two of you make your way down the house's grand staircase for the final time to its atrium. Mitsuru waits there with a bag resting on either side of him. The sound of running water emanates from the showers and it's even accompanied by a voice raised in song, though you aren't sure who it belongs to. Next to the door are four more suitcases, each with one of the girl's codes printed on the outside. They had been told last night to pack everything they needed but a change of clothes for the morning, and to leave the bags outside the door to the baths. Each of the boys was responsible for his partner's bag and well as his own, and this gave them the chance to have one last good shower before you set off into the unknown, where you were positive they wouldn't be found.

Mitsuru greets you and Hiro after you have retrieved the bags belonging to Ichigo and Zero Two. The three of you then exit the house and walk through the moonlit forest to the location on Mistilteinn's northern end where the supplies for your journey had been stashed. After the bags are hidden away, you return to the mansion where your partners are putting the finishing touches on their appearance.

You check your communicator, 0345.

The door to the baths opens and the girls make their way out. Kokoro still has her hair wrapped in a towel while Miku, Ikuno, and Zero Two each have theirs done in their signature style. Of course, they're still noticeably damp. However Ichigo, thanks to her short hair, seems to have been able to dry off completely.

"Everyone ready?" you ask the assembled group. No one says a word, but most nod. Their silence to you is telling. Everyone understands the gravity of what you're about to do. Not wanting them to dwell on it too much, you gesture for them to follow you and exit the house, leaving Kokoro and Futoshi to find their own way to the supplies after she has several more minutes to dry her hair.

The group remains silent as you lead them to Mistilteinn's elevator. While walking, Ichigo slides her hand into yours and you gladly accept the feeling of reassurance that comes with it. You glance to the side and meet her eyes, a smile breaking out on your face as you look at her. She does the same and squeezes your hand in return. Ding, the doors to the elevator slide open. Everyone files in, with Zero Two being the last. She presses 'G3', signifying the third story of the plantation's lowest level, the same floor that houses the briefing room and parasite dressing rooms.

A short ride later, the doors slide open once again and everyone quickly exits. You walk with a brisk pace toward the dressing rooms, which by now even you know the route by heart. Silently, the group splits into pistils and stamen at the dressing rooms and you quickly change into your parasite suites. Securing spares of those hadn't been easy. For the stamens it wasn't terrible, you simply needed another undersuit and the interface vest that was worn over it.

The pistils' suits proved to be more of a challenge. Considering that the headdress the girls wore was a separate part of their suit, you had needed to find where they were stored, steal five, and return to Mistilteinn without being caught. That particular excursion had almost gone terribly wrong if it hadn't been for Miku's quick thinking. The redhead had used her knowledge of the adults being uncomfortable with children to her advantage, and pretended to be suffering from the cramps associated with a woman's monthly cycle. The guards in question, both male, had fled as quickly as they could from the girl, providing time needed to escape with the headdresses unseen.

Exiting the dressing room, you check your communicator, 0415.

The girls file out within several minutes of the last boy and together, everyone makes the final leg of your journey.

The docking bay is dimly lit when you arrive, and only one row of the five lights is left on. Fortunately for you it is those that hang above the FranXX, giving you all the light you need to find you way to the units. You only pause briefly at the door to ensure no guards are present and for Zero Two to wave her S-Class ID.

The FranXX stand lifeless in their mounts, but you know it won't remain that way for long. Walking across the catwalk, your group slowly shrinks. First, Zorome and Miku veer off to enter Argentea. Then, Mitsuru and Ikuno stop as you pass Chlorophytum. Genista remains still for the time being, her pilots waiting for you in Mistilteinn.

Finally, Ichigo stops you in front of Delphinium. Hiro pats you on the shoulder and Zero Two gives a confident smile as they continue to Strelitzia at the end of the dock. You give Ichigo's left hand a squeeze while her right fiddles with the controls. A moment later, Delphinium's faceplate shifts and slowly begins to recede.

You guide Ichigo across the elevated walkway and into your new home for the time being. She pauses for a moment next to her platform. "Are we really doing this?" she asks, a mixture of fear and anticipation in her eyes. She knows as well as you that, after this, there will be no coming back.

You brush a stray lock of her beautiful blue hair out of her face and cup her cheek. "We are. You and I together, no matter what." Ichigo nods before closing her eyes and standing on the tips of her toes. You meet her halfway and share a quick kiss.

As always it ends too soon, but time is of the essence. Ichigo takes her place on the platform while you seat yourself in your chair. A display comes up on the right, showing the diagnostics data on the FranXX. "We're in the green, Ichigo," you state, pleased. "Then let's not waste time," she says as the headdress clicks into position and flares to life. "Come to me."

You take a deep breath and glance at the clock in the upper right corner of the diagnostic screen, 0429. Huh. A minute to spare. You exhale, simultaneously pulling both triggers, and your world fades to black.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Delphinium's eyes flick open and immediately survey her surroundings. It's still the same docking bay she had awoken in countless times, but today would be the last. "How is everything?" she asks. "Still green across the board," you reply. "Give me a second and I'll see what I can do about the docking clamps."

Delphinium waits patiently for thirty seconds, but as the time ticks by her anxiety begins to build. "(Y/N)?" You don't say anything for a few seconds before slamming the flat of your fist into the wall of the cockpit in frustration. "Damn it," you curse. "The system keeps asking for administrator approval." "Don't worry," a devious smile snakes across the FranXX's faceplate, "I can handle it."

Trusting Ichigo, you allow her to take the lead. You can feel Delphinium's synthetic muscles tense through your connection as she gets ready to enact whatever she has planned. A low groan becomes apparent as well, clearly emanating from somewhere outside the cockpit.

Crash! You lurch forward on your seat as Delphinium stumbles forward a little. This is followed by two more clanking sounds as the restraints that had held her wrists in place clatter to the floor. "We're free," the image of Delphinium announces triumphantly.

"Opening the door," you announce. Several seconds tick by after you send the command, but nothing changes. The large steel door remains both motionless and in your way. "Never mind," you voice your annoyance, and slump backwards into your chair. "I've got it," Delphinium announces.

The blue and white FranXX marches up to the door and sizes it up. Adopting a fighting stance with her left foot forward, she tenses up before driving her right leg into the door. The door is sent flying off its hinges by the kick, bolstered by the thruster in Delphinium's heel, and lands with a loud clang.

"Well," you say in a deadpan voice, "we're criminals." Delphinium chuckles as Strelitzia, Argentea, and Chlorophytum join her outside the plantation. The sun has yet to appear on the horizon, but already you have accomplished something big today.

"Strelitzia, Chlorophytum, get to Mistilteinn," Delphinium orders. "Hang on!" Strelitzia yells with a grin. "What are you talking ab-" Chlorophytum is unable to finish her question as Strelitzia wraps her arms around the other FranXX from behind and ignites her jets. The pair quickly gain altitude before Strelitzia drops a shouting Chlorophytum into Mistilteinn. The sound of the glass dome shattering is audible even to you on the ground below.

You chuckle to yourself and shake your head while you give the order for Argentea to follow you. Zorome and Miku do as instructed as you begin to run, and within thirty seconds you have completed half a lap of the plantation.

"The reserves are on the other side of this wall," you announce, coming to a stop. "We'll cut, then you use your claws to grab the pieces and make sure nothing falls inside," Delphinium orders. "We can't afford to waste a drop of magma fuel."

Reaching to the small of her back where both swords are sheathed, Delphinium takes one in each hand. In a single fluid motion, she draws them both and carves a large X pattern in the plantation's side. When the swords have reached the uppermost point of the X, she twists her wrists and drags them to meet in the middle before continuing with each to the starting point of the other, making a upside down triangle. The X-inscribed square is almost finished, and Delphinium pulls each down with all her might, falling to her knees in the process and only stopping when the hilt of each sword rests in the dirt.

On cue, Argentea drives her right claw into the uppermost of the four triangles and pulls it free. She follows this up by skewering the left and right triangles on each of her gauntleted fists. Finally, she kicks down the lowest triangle, leaving you with unimpeded access to the plantation's magma fuel reserves.

0447.

"Alright, let's go," you order, directing Delphinium into the reserve. Upon entering she falls to a knee and you cut your connection. By the time your vision returns, Ichigo is already standing and the cockpit's door is beginning to swing open. Alarms are now ringing out from outside Delphinium and red light fills the room, pouring from various spinning fixtures.

"I'll take the left, you take the right!" Ichigo shouts as she climbs off Delphinium's hand. "Got it!" you yell back, as you both clamber down to the ground. "Remember, we want to disconnect the tanks, not vent them!" "I know! I only said it wrong one time!" is the last thing you hear from Ichigo before Argentea's footfalls drown out the rest.

You rush to the first tank's console and begin to rapidly access its many screens, looking for the right button. Pressure, flow rate, capacity… wait, flow rate. You return to the flow rate screen and see in the lower left corner a button reading 'emergency shutoff'. You hit it and a moment later a large metallic clang emanates from the pipes connected to the massive container. "'Tea, over here!" you shout and give a wave of your arm.

Argentea, who had been kneeling near the hole in the wall, joins you beside the tank. Standing next to an active FraXX does an excellent job of putting into perspective how huge the units really are, as Argentea gets on her hands and knees and still isn't close to being face to face with you like she clearly intended.

"When I move, cut the lines," you yell, "then take it outside!" "Got it!" she gives you a thumbs up. You back away, and in one swipe she cleanly cuts the tank free from the wall. She then snakes her fingers underneath it and pulls the metal sphere from its brackets in the floor.

The pink and white FranXX disappears into the darkness beyond only to return a moment later, this time moving to the left where Ichigo likely is waiting. You proceed to the second tank in your row and activate its emergency shutoff in the same fashion with no issue.

Moving to the final tank however, you find that the console has been locked. "Damn it," you curse, looking around for another tank that might still be accessible. Sadly, all of them in your immediate area seem to be sealed. "Now what?!" you yell in frustration.

You are just about to leave it and run back to Delphinium when something catches your eye. As the flashing lights strobe back to the pipes connecting the final tank to the others, you see a metal disc affixed to them. A manual shutoff valve!

You sprint to the valve and grip it with both hands. You pull on its top but it doesn't budge. Climbing on to the pipe to get better leverage, you try again but fail just the same. "Why won't you just move, damn it!"

You are well and truly about to give up until a streak of blue enters your vision. Ichigo jumps onto the pipe standing opposite you and grabs the valve. "Together," she pants. You nod and the two of you begin to pull on the disc. You both pour everything you have into moving the valve, and finally you feel the slightest bit of give. Then as if by magic, clang, the valve shuts.

The resulting force of the still-flowing fuel being violently shunted causes the entire assembly to shake, throwing both yourself and Ichigo to the floor. At the same time, the door located only a hundred feet away opens. Seven APE soldiers run in and look directly at you. "There!" they shout, raising their weapons and opening fire on the two of you.

Bang!

Before the bullets reach you, a massive metal fist slams into the ground in front of you. Looking up you find the large violet eyes of Genista. "We made it!" she beams towards you. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you two," you smile. "Genista, grab this one," Ichigo points to the tank the two of you had just been thrown from.

"Got it!" Futoshi shouts. While you grab Ichigo by the wrist and begin to run toward Delphinium, Genista pulls the last of the fuel containers from its housing. The soldiers, in either awe or bewilderment, stop firing and watch the gentle giant walk out of the gaping hole in the side of the plantation while saying, "Sorry!"

You rush up Delphinium's outstretched arm and dive headlong into her cockpit. Ichigo isn't far behind you as the door swings shut. Each of you scrambles into your positions and initiate your connection in what could be the shortest amount of time in the history of FranXX piloting.

Delphinium's eyes fly open once more as she jumps to her feet and out of the plantation. Genista and Argentea are waiting outside, holding one of the fuel containers under each arm. Two more rest beside the plantation, which you promptly scoop up and turn towards the other waiting FranXX ahead of you. "Come on, guys!" you yell as you reach them, and the group begins to run from the place you loved to call your home.

The sound of the plantation's many hatches opening becomes unmistakably clear and your radio crackles to life. "Children, stop this instant and return to the plantation," Hachi orders. His voice has a hard edge, just as you'd expect. "We understand you are upset," Nana almost sounds as if she is begging. "But this is not the way to make your feelings known. Come back, talk to me, and we can work through this."

"I'm sorry, Nana," Ichigo whispers. "Ichigo!" the caretaker calls. "Ichigo! Ichi-" you cut the comm channel. You feel somewhat saddened to be leaving the plantation, and for being rude to Nana the final time you will ever hear from her, but this was necessary. Likewise, you can tell Ichigo feels the same by glancing at the ever-present image of Delphinium's face on your screen. Small X's fall from her eyes, tears.

The moment doesn't last long however, as an explosion rocks the earth underneath you. "They're shooting at us!" Zorome shouts. "Just keep running!" Hiro orders as Strelitzia and Chlorophytum come out of a controlled glide above you. They fall in line with the remaining members of the former APE General Military's Plantation Defense Corp., Squad 13.

And with your backs to the plantation you make your escape… toward the rising sun floating in the distance. The dawn of a new day.