"Hey Ichigo, look at this," you say showing her a piece of paper. The two of you were currently having your morning meeting about squad performance. The sheet shows the kill counts of the past month for each Franxx. Strelitzia leads by a long shot with 102. Terraria is next with 86. Delphinium close behind at 83. Argentea and Genista follow with 70 and 63. Finally at the bottom is Chlorophytum with only 49.
"You guys are getting pretty good," you compliment, "It won't be to long until everyone has numbers like ours." "Yeah, it looks like Goro and I might just beat you next time," Ichigo replies with a smile. She then frowns looking to the bottom of the page. "Chlorophytum is still low."
"We may need to talk with Ikuno and Mitsuru," you suggest. "No, not yet," Ichigo says sharply, "Ikuno is trying her hardest to make things work." You sigh, "I know she is Ichigo, but the numbers don't lie. They've been the lowest by a significant margin for three months strait. I want things to work for them as much as you, maybe they just need some help," you say, though you highly doubt Mitsuru would like anything of the sort.
"They need to figure things out," Ichigo repeats, "Ikuno says she thinks she has almost figured out the problem." "I can tell you the problem Ichigo," you state, "Mitsuru cares about nothing and no one. I don't think he could connect with anyone else in the squad if he had to. The only reason he can with Ikuno is because they've been partners from the beginning."
"Don't say that," Ichigo hisses, "They are our squad mates, we have to support them," "We need to be careful then, you've seen their paracapacity scores, right?" you ask, "They are barely strong enough to keep Chlorophytum running." "That isn't Ikuno's fault," Ichigo defends her. You suddenly realize why Ichigo was so against intervening, she didn't want to upset Ikuno.
You put down the papers and look across the table at Ichigo, "Ichigo, I am not trying to say that Ikuno is doing something wrong. In fact, her scores are more than stable. I've seen how things are between her and Mitsuru also. I know Ikuno wishes he would accept her as his partner but, he has no interest in trying to change." Ichigo looks down at the table, "How about we try talking to Ikuno first?" you ask, "Maybe then we can work something out with her to try and improve things." Ichigo nods, "Alright, we'll talk to her after the mission today," she stands, "But we'd better get dressed, we have to be out there soon."
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"So what exactly is S-Planning anyway?" Zorome asks. "I don't know," Hiro replies, "Maybe they are digging for something?" he suggests. "That's an excavator for sure," you answer, "As to what they are digging for I have no idea." "It's probably not good," Zero Two says, "I'm about to choke on the stench of Klaxosaurs." Now that she mentions it there does seem to be a smell lingering about. It's metallic yet organic, you ask Kyu, but she hasn't noticed it.
The two of you are sitting in Terraria waiting for the next wave of Klaxosaur. They seem to come every several hours, but there are never to many, and they are always identical. As you wait you have the misfortune of hearing Futoshi and Kokoro's conversation in Genista, one of them having left the com unit on broadcast.
"It's amazing to think we've improved so much that they would send us on this special mission," Futoshi says. "It's all thanks to you," Kokoro replies, "You do so much to help me carry the burden." "Of course I do!" Futoshi exclaims, "If anything were to happen to you it would be my responsibility." Good, you think, he is focused on supporting her like we talked about several weeks ago.
"So, uh, Kokoro," Futoshi stutters, you can hear the nervousness in his voice, "Since I am doing my best to be the best partner you could have," he pauses, and you look at Terraria's face on the monitor. She does not look pleased with where this is going. "You know something I don't?" you ask her. "Well, it's just Futoshi can be kind of possessive with Kokoro," she replies, "He likes her in a different way then she likes him, and I am worried about what he will say."
Futoshi finally seems to have decided what he wants to say, but his delivery is terrible. "Kokoro would you promise to be my partner forever?!" he yells. You cover your face with your hand while Terraria groans. "I promise," Kokoro replies quietly. "Really? You mean it?" Futoshi exclaims, "Then I will always protect you Kokoro.
"Would you please stop," Argentea whines, "I'm about to be sick over here." "Wait you could hear us this whole time?" Futoshi asks. "Unfortunately," Mitsuru replies. Moments later an alarm sounds ending the embarrassing situation for the time being.
"Seven enemies closing from 9 o'clock," Delphinium states, "All units prepare to intercept." From beside you there is a loud thump and the ground shakes. You look to your left and find Chlorophytum has collapsed to her knees, she pants for a moment before her display winks out. "Chlorophytum is down," you announce, "Terraria will guard her."
"Ikuno, what's the situation?" you ask opening a direct line. "I don't know," she replies, "Mitsuru just collapsed. He's breathing really heavy and sweating pretty hard." "Do what you can," Kyu reassures her, "We will watch your back."
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Following the battle Terraria was relieved of duty and returned to Plantation 13 with Chlorophytum. When you arrived, Mitsuru was taken to the infirmary while Ikuno was interviewed by Nana and Hachi to find out what happened. Later you were told that Mitsuru had come down with child fever and it would likely pass soon, he just needed rest.
"How is Mitsuru?" Ichigo asks as you, Kyu, and Ikuno enter the lounge. "He's asleep right now," Ikuno replies, "Nana and Hachi say he should be alright in a day or so." Everyone breathes a sigh of relief.
"Mitsuru has always been rather frail," Goro says. "That's true," Ichigo replies, "But he's the only one who took the injection and came back." "What injection?" Miku asks. "An elixir injection," Ikuno states coldly looking at the ground. You wince at the mention of those, causing everyone to look at you. "Elixir injections are a nasty thing," you say, "they make you better by increasing your Yellow Blood Cell count, but they take a heavy toll on the body." "How do you know that?" Zorome asks curiously. "I had some," you reply. Everyone gasps.
"You had an elixir injection?" Kokoro asks worriedly. "More than one," you reply, "they hurt like hell, but they work. If you live." "If you live?" Futoshi asks. "Yes," Kyu answers, "Of those who receive elixir injections, only fifteen percent survive."
The squad stares at you once more, some in amazement, others in horror. "Goodness," Kokoro says, "I can't believe how lucky we are that both you and Mitsuru lived."
The next morning you are gathered in the briefing room. When you arrive Mitsuru and Ikuno are already there, and they are wearing their parasite suits. "Good morning," Nana begins, "We've called you here today to discuss something important. We are aware of some minor issues in several of the Franxx and are giving you the opportunity to do a partner shuffle." "Partner shuffle?" Everyone asks. "Yes, but It isn't an order," Nana smiles reassuringly, "We merely wanted to give you all the chance. Take some time and talk it over with your partners."
Everyone breaks into pairs and begins chatting. "What do you make of this?" you ask Kyu. "I don't know," she replies, "Maybe they are trying to make something happen without forcing it." "But who?" you wonder. Kyu rolls her eyes, "You're hopeless, you know that?" she nods to Kokoro and Futoshi.
He appears to be gushing over her once again and she looks mildly uncomfortable to say the least. "Oh," you say suddenly realizing. "I wish there was some way we could help her," Kyu frowns. "You want me to offer?" you ask. "No," she snaps without hesitating, her face red. She glances quickly between you and Kokoro then gathers herself, "I mean no, I don't think you need to do something that drastic." You swear she is jealous of Kokoro just for you saying that.
You are about to call her out on it when your attention is drawn to Hiro and Zero Two. "That sounds like a pain," Zero Two says, her hand covering Hiro's mouth, "We can understand each other just fine piloting Strelitzia," she finishes coldly, walking out. What's the matter with her, you think, she's been acting more distant recently, especially toward Hiro. Now that you think about it her horns seemed to be longer than usual as well.
Your train of thought is interrupted by a yell from below. "Shut up Ikuno," Mitsuru yells, "I told you to drop it." Mitsuru realizes his mistake as everyone's eyes are suddenly on him. He leaves Ikuno and returns to the front of the room waiting for Nana to continue. Everyone else quickly follows, their conversations nearly over anyway.
"So then," Nana says, "Is there anyone who would like to try riding with a different partner?" "I'd like to try a pistil to pistil connection," Ikuno announces, "I want to try it as a back up for emergencies when we don't have enough stamen." You've never heard of this and are interested to see if it could really work.
Nana looks at Hachi who nods, "Alright, who will be your partner?" Ikuno turns to Ichigo, "Ichigo would you help me?" she asks. "What?!" Ichigo exclaims. "Pretty please," Ikuno begs. "Sure, I guess," Ichigo replies shyly.
"Anyone else?" Nana asks. The room is silent for several seconds, most of you take this to mean that the briefing is over. "Yes, Kokoro?" Nana says looking to the blonde girl whose hand is raised, though she looks at the floor.
"I'd like to try riding with Mitsuru," she answers looking at him. Nearly everyone gasps. No, no, no, Kokoro what are you doing, you scream internally, not him, anyone but him. Mitsuru seems just as surprised as you but quickly hides it behind his usual mask.
"But, But, Kokoro," Futoshi stutters, already on the brink of tears, "What about our promise?" "I'm sorry Futoshi," she replies turning away. Futoshi feints, nearly hitting the ground before you and Hiro catch him.
"Then it's settled," Hachi states, "Those of you attempting the shuffle report to the docking bay."
You remain in the briefing room with the others as they exit along with Nana and Hachi. You quickly approach the console once the door closes. "What are you doing?" Goro asks. "Pulling up the connections," you reply, "Don't tell me you aren't curious. Ichigo is going."
About fifteen minutes later the pairs arrive in the docking bay and enter the Franxx. Ichigo and Ikuno, who is now wearing a stamen's suit, in Delphinium and Mitsuru and Kokoro in Genista. "Commence connection," Hachi orders.
You watch as the bars below each Franxx signifying the pilot's connections begin to fill. Ichigo and Kokoro's both jump to their normal levels quickly. Mitsuru's connection slowly climbs to slightly above his average while Ikuno's doesn't even register. Watching for several minutes the connections stay relatively stable. "That's enough," Hachi orders ending the trial.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
You and the other boys minus Mitsuru are gathered back in Zorome's room. Futoshi clings desperately to a pillow sobbing. "Why?" he sobs, "Did I do something wrong? I tried my hardest for Kokoro." You hate seeing Futoshi like this, I know he may have come on strong and that he had feelings for Kokoro, you think, But I didn't know things would be this bad.
"Maybe it's because you got on her nerves?" Zorome says nonchalantly, "Maybe you just need to lose some weight." "Regardless," Goro solemnly adds, "I wonder what Kokoro was thinking." "She's such a nice person," Hiro states, "Maybe she just felt bad for Mitsuru." "Especially since he's always so miserable," Zorome adds. Futoshi springs from the bed grabbing Zorome by the collar, "I'm clearly the most miserable one here!" he screams.
Just then the door opens revealing Mitsuru. Futoshi freezes, Mitsuru turns beginning to close the door. "Hold it," Futoshi yells, "Do you think I'm pathetic?" Mitsuru huffs, "What does it matter? It's not like our partners really mean anything."
Futoshi releases Zorome and charges Mitsuru screaming, "How could you possibly know how I feel?" Mitsuru steps to the side allowing Futoshi to run into the wall. The boy crumbles into a sobbing heap on the floor. "You're nothing but a nuisance," Mitsuru spits walking away.
"Mitsuru," Hiro says grabbing him by the arm, "Try to understand where he is coming from." "What gives you the right to say that?" Mitsuru hisses. "Mitsuru you're being an ass for no reason," you state, deciding to finally become involved. "What would you know about my reasons?" he asks, "What have you ever lost? Have you ever been betrayed by the one closest to you?" he turns away and continues walking, "You're nothing but a failure who couldn't protect his friends, or his plantation."
At that very moment you snap. "How dare you!" you bellow charging after him. You chase him into the lounge where the girls are sitting. He must have thought you'd calm down seeing them, or at least wouldn't try anything, he was wrong.
"How dare you!" you repeat, "You think you are the only one who has ever lost something?" you goad him, "You think you are the only one who has ever been betrayed?" By this point everyone in the house is watching you explode in spectacular fashion. You lunge at Mitsuru but are held back by Hiro and Goro grabbing your shoulders. You stop trying to hold yourself up, leaving Hiro and Goro to suspend you.
"What have I ever lost?" you scream, "I've lost everything, my home and my family." "I told them we'd come back," you yell fighting back tears, "every last one of us. I lied to my squad saying everything would be ok." The girls in the room look on in various states of shock and sorrow. Kyu's head is buried in Kokoro's chest and she sobs loudly. "We're all that's left," you scream, broken.
You can no longer fight back the tears as they stream down your face. Hiro and Goro release you allowing you to stand. "I failed them," you sob, "I failed them, and I have to live with that every day." "I still see them every day, in all of you."
You point toward the mirror hung in the lounge, "Sakura, checking her hair in the mirror before every mission, because if it was perfect, then everything else would be too."
"Sammi," you continue, "Sitting in the study reading, he's read every damn book in that room three times. He can recite them word for word, page by page, he remembers every detail."
"Hitomi," you point out the window toward the greenhouse, "in the garden taking care of the flowers. She knows everything about them, name, colors, type, hot or cold, wet or dry," you pause, "She helped me pick the first one I ever gave Kyu, you know that? A lilac, because they smell pretty."
You turn to face Mitsuru again, who is standing in complete shock. "I still see them, all of them, every day. They still haunt me. They were my family," you croak, "I loved them. And now they are gone."
You stand strait, your anger returning, "What have I lost, Mitsuru?" you spit, "I've lost more than you can possibly imagine. And what have you lost? Nothing, because you can only lose something when you care about it more than yourself. You've never dared to love anything other than yourself, because you're a coward."
Your legs give out beneath you, leaving you on your knees before Mitsuru, looking up. There is the sharp sound of heels clicking on wood and a flash of pink enters your vision. Zero Two draws back and slaps Mitsuru at full strength. Mitsuru reels, falling into the wall but no one rushes to him. "Are you pleased with yourself?" she asks coldly.
Zero Two returns to you, getting down on her knees beside you. She pulls you into a hug, letting you sob on her shoulder. She holds you, stroking your hair and whispering softly to you, "It's alright Friend."
Eventually you fall asleep on her shoulder, exhausted by your outburst. Zero Two doesn't move, remaining with you throughout the night as you sleep. Occasionally one of the other members of Squad 13 checks on you but they find her still there. Kokoro and Miku had taken Kyu back with them and the three slept side by side that night, Kyu holding tightly to Kokoro.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
You wake up the next morning to find yourself in the lounge. While you try to figure out how you got there a strand of pink hair catches your eye. Following it you suddenly realize that you are still being held by Zero Two, your head resting on her shoulder.
You attempt to slowly untangle yourself from her, but as you do she stirs. Her eyes open, the cyan orbs staring into your own. "You stayed all night," you whisper, "Why?" "You needed me," she says softly.
She pulls you into a hug once more before standing. "Zero Two," you say, "I saw what happened with Hiro yesterday. What's wrong?" "It's nothing," she replies. "Don't do this," you beg, "Don't shut me out, you know I am here for you no matter what, that I've always got your back."
Zero Two stops, "I keep trying and he doesn't get it," she says tears filling her eyes, "He can't remember me. What if he isn't my Darling?"
Now it is your turn to comfort her, "Don't say that," you reply, "One way or another we will get his memory back, I promise."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Close to an hour later after a nearly silent breakfast Squad 13 heads to the docking bay to leave for the S-Planning site. Kyu walks beside you, silently holding your hand. When the two of you reach Terraria, you stand before her for a minute trying to think of what to say. "Kyu, I'm sorry," you begin, hanging your head, "I shouldn't have acted so poorly. I lost control. I hope you'll forgive me for how much I embarrassed you."
"Don't," Kyu says stopping you, she places a hand on your cheek forcing you to look at her. Her seafoam eyes glisten as she speaks, "I miss them just as much as you do. I would give anything to have them back, but we can't. We have a new home, a new family now, we just have to be stronger for them. I know that wherever Sam, Hit, and Sakura are, they are smiling and so are the others. They'd want us to move on and be happy. So from now on we tell each other everything, we lean on each other, and we make it through this."
You stare dumbfounded at the girl below you. "Wipe that stupid look off your face and kiss me already," she orders. You slowly move down to her level, brushing a tear from her cheek with your hand. You then gently place your lips against hers, drinking in the warm sensation that accompanies it.
After an amount of time unknown to you, you break the kiss. "Alright," you say taking Kyu's hand and walking into Terraria, "Together."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"We are detecting a Gutenberg-Class Klaxosaur," Hachi says over the coms. "Set up a defensive perimeter 500 meters from the S-Planning site and neutralize the target. Genista and Chlorophytum provide long range support."
You see the large creature lumbering toward you. It resembles a whale if they had legs instead of fins. It also looks like a much larger version of the Conrad-Class that had been attacking the site for several days.
"That thing is huge," Argentea says worriedly. "And ugly," Zorome adds. "Finally, one worth killing!" Strelitzia exclaims charging toward the beast. She cuts a wide swath from it's right front leg up it's back, but the creature is unfazed, it's body already regenerating.
"No good," Hiro announces, "Core's to deep inside." "Sounds like fun!" Strelitzia yells trying to drive her lance into the cut she had previously created. You notice that her voice is much different than usual. Instead of confidence, there is arrogance and malice. "Zero Two wait!" Hiro begs as Strelitzia is swallowed by the Klaxosaur's reforming body. Delphinium and Argentea quickly jet up to it's back, cutting Strelitzia free and jumping back to earth.
"You ok?" Delphinium asks. "Mind your own business," Strelitzia huffs sprinting after the Klaxosaur. Somethings not right, you think, she's losing control again. As she does the pieces of the Klaxosaur Delphinium had cut begin to change shape. They morph into the Conrad-Class you had seen the past several days and charge at the facility.
"It's a collective mass," Goro realizes as you try to strike at its legs. Delphinium and Argentea barely manage to dodge its hind leg as it comes down while Terraria ducks under its front.
"You damn monster!" Strelitzia screams charging it once more. She doesn't notice but on her current path the Klaxosaur will step right on her. "Zero Two stop," you yell but it is too late, the creature's leg is already on the way down. Suddenly Strelitzia breaks right, saving her. "Don't hold me back Darling," Strelitzia shrieks, almost sounding in pain. She shudders, and X's momentarily appear on her face, she's trying to resist his control.
The four melee Franxx regroup backpedaling toward Genista and Chlorophytum. "Ichigo, plan?" you ask. "Yeah we'll never get anywhere like this," Hiro agrees. "We need to shoot it," Genista says, surprising everyone. "I can separate it with a shot from close range." "Too risky for you right now," Delphinium says denying the request. "All our lives are at risk right now," Genista counters. "It's the best chance we've got," you declare, "Strelitzia, Argentea, with me, we're clearing a path."
The three of you charge forward cutting through the Conrad-class that had been released by the collective. Genista follows behind but has she approaches she falters, firing her first shot wide. "Mitsuru there's no need to rush," Genista assures him. "I know what I'm doing," he yells back, blindly charging the creature.
Genista charges strait into one of the Klaxosaur's legs which sends her tumbling back. She lands in a heap, unmoving. The Klaxosaur continues to lumber forward, Genista clearly in its path.
As it draws closer Genista continues to lay on the ground. Realizing what will happen if you don't intervene Terraria takes off toward her. The Klaxosaur comes within 100 feet of Genista, it's clear that she will be crushed by the weight of the massive creature, but she still remains stationary.
As the Klaxosaur lifts its foot and begins to come down, Kokoro's scream can be heard in the coms. "Kokoro!" Futoshi and Terraria yell. Seconds before Genista is crushed Chlorophytum appears below the Klaxosaur. She stops the foot from crushing them but is clearly struggling. Terraria slides in beside her discarding her axe and using both hands to hold back the creature. "Are you alright?" Chlorophytum yells. "We are thanks to you, Ikuno and Futoshi."
Just then Argentea and Delphinium cut the tendons in the creature's back legs causing it to fall to it's knees. Terraria grunts in pain trying to keep the added weight from crushing the group. "Guys not helping," you yell at Delphinium.
The Klaxosaur lets out a loud groan then lifts its other leg toward the S-Planning facility. To your amazement it begins to reform, growing toward the facility while roots shoot down to stabilize it. "New plan," Delphinium announces, "Strelitzia, Argentea and I will stop it. Terraria, Chlorophytum, keep Genista safe." "I will do anything to protect Kokoro," Futoshi bellows as beside you Chlorophytum activates her guns firing into the Klaxosaur's foot.
"God damn it Mitsuru, get it together," you yell as Terraria struggles under the added weight Chlorophytum just dropped. Suddenly Genista begins to move, but you immediately know it isn't good. She realigns herself, now on her hands and knees. She shudders violently as the Franxx begins to transition into stampede mode, while Kokoro's cries of agony can be heard within.
Genista's hat opens revealing two rows of sharp teeth and she roars. "Kokoro no!" Terraria shrieks as she completes her transformation. "Mitsuru!" you roar, I will kill him myself if anything happens to her. But just as suddenly as it starts, it stops. Genista reverting to her normal self and falling back to the ground.
Thirty seconds pass as Genista lays there. During that time Terraria and Chlorophytum are forced to their knees, barely holding the weight of the Klaxosaur at bay. "Hey guys sorry we're late," a voice says from behind you. "Kokoro!" Futoshi exclaims directing Chlorophytum into a backflipping kick. This throws the creature off-balance enough that when Terraria fires her boosters a moment later the Klaxosaur can be pushed back.
Genista wastes no time rocketing toward the beast's chest and embedding her cannon's barrel in its stomach. She fires separating the mass and revealing the core. Strelitzia swoops in impaling it on her lance.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Back at the plantation as everyone disembarks from the Franxx Mitsuru and Futoshi have an altercation. It ends with Futoshi turning into a sobbing mess after punching Mitsuru. You fully intend to speak with him as well, to apologize, but decide you'd rather forgo the audience.
Late that evening Mitsuru walks into the lounge where you had been waiting. He sees you and begins to walk out. "Mitsuru wait," you say calmly, drawing his attention. You walk toward him offering your hand, "I wanted to apologize, what I said was cruel. I wasn't in the right frame of mind but that doesn't excuse it." Mitsuru looks shocked, but he shakes your hand. "You aren't the only one. I intentionally assaulted you. For that I apologize."
"Good," you smile, "I look forward to turning over a new leaf with you. Maybe not as friends but we can at least be civil." "I agree," Mitsuru replies, turning to leave. You allow him to take a step before speaking, "Oh, and Mitsuru," you say causing him to look back at you.
You spring into action, moving faster than any human should be able to. You grab Mitsuru by the collar forcing him against the wall. You hold him six inches from the ground, his feet dangling just above the wood floor. Mitsuru struggles at first, trying to gain his footing, but he quickly realizes you not only can out maneuver him, but you are many times stronger, holding him there with just your right hand. He breaks into a cold sweat and starts to breathe heavily.
You move closer, coming face to face with the brown-haired boy. "If you ever put Kokoro's life in danger again," you say with deadly intent, "You won't answer to Nana or Hachi, or Papa or Futoshi. You'll answer to me," you growl, "Got it?" Mitsuru gulps but remains silent, his eyes betraying his fear. "Good," you say dropping him. He falls in a heap on the floor coughing, "Have a pleasant night," you finish walking out.