Darling in the FranXX: The Reaper Squadron
Chapter 25: The VIRM's reckoning and Life Goes On
*Camera pans to show Code 089 in the middle of a white void.*
Code 089: Where the fuck am I now? I just wanted a quiet place to write!
*Wanders off in a random direction mumbling to himself*
Code 089: At this rate this chapter is going to be late.
Time skip: 70 days
Location: Space
Time since departure: 70 days
They had been in space for some time. The warp gate had brought them into a galaxy that was relatively close to the VIRM homeworld but still very far away. Death was tracking the VIRM back to their homeworld by tracing the fumes from their ships. However, since they were unable to travel at lightspeed it was going to take a while to get there.
Reaper and his squad had entered a deep meditation while they were in transit. Their minds were linked together and they temporary existed as a collective consciousness. This was broken at times by VIRM forces who were foolish enough to try to attack them.
"It's odd." Havana said. "We have been in space for a long time, but I have yet to grow hungry or thirsty."
"That's because I'm holding your bodies in stasis. Death said. Because of the skirmishes with the VIRM your bodies have only been physically active for about 5 hours. Being held in shadow stasis keeps your bodies from getting hungry and thirsty, no matter how long you are in that state."
Death then paused.
"There is an approaching fleet of VIRM. Rouse yourselves."
Reaper Alpha woke up and reconnected with their FranXX.
"Ready Black Rose? Here they come again." Reaper said.
"As always, Reaper." She replied as they charged into battle with the VIRM again.
…
Time skip: 2 days
Location: Earth
Time since departure: 72 days
Reaper Beta waited for each day for Reaper Alpha's return but were met with silence. But as they say, life goes on.
"It's getting pretty big." Kokoro said with a hand on her stomach.
Reaper Beta was sitting in their assigned area in the common area of the Birds Nest with Fake Nana discussing Kokoro's baby.
"I'll arrange pregnancy clothes for you." Fake Nana said.
"Please." Mitsuru said.
"Please don't give me any special treatment." Kokoro said.
"I must." Fake Nana said tilting her head. "As the first pregnancy, you will be a pioneer and an example. We should do things right to set a precedent for others."
"Very well" Kokoro said.
…
"Hmph." Zorome grunted as he moved a pile of wood.
Reaper Beta was back in Mistilteinn collecting more dirt for new fields and had uncovered the ruins of the manor. Due to lack of upkeep over the months the manor had collapsed, leaving a pile of stone, and rotting wood.
"I'm amazed that it is still here." Ichigo said.
"Try not to explore any unsafe areas!" Nana called.
She and Hachi had went with Reaper Beta as well as several other parasites with trucks to gather the dirt. Hachi had recovered from the injuries that he had taken from the exploding mothership although he was now missing an eye.
"Wow, the plants that were dying when we originally left have recovered." Futoshi said.
"This soil really is something." Ikuno said.
"Maybe Mistilteinn kept all this safe for us?" Miku asked.
"Yeah."
"This will give us a fresh start, just like Reaper wanted." Goro said.
Zero Two was staring off into space with a sad look on her face.
"They will come back, Zero Two. Reaper has yet to let us down." Hiro said placing a hand on her shoulder.
…
Ichigo placed a box on a desk in the office that Ikuno had commandeered for R&D. This was the fifth box that she had brought to her.
"What's in all these boxes?" she asked, stretching her back.
"These are all of Snake's notes on the rapid ageing that we are experiencing. I'm going to continue his work and try and find a cure." Ikuno said rolling up her sleeves.
…
Zero Two and Hiro were outside staring at the sky. Green was starting to spread out from in front of the Birds Nest where the fields were.
"Do you think that they are still fighting?" Zero Two asked. "It hurts to think that Reaper and his squad are out there, risking their lives while we are here living without them. I wish there was something we could do for them."
"We all feel the same way." Hiro said. "But all we can do is focus on the here and now and send prayers to the Creator for their safe return."
Ikuno had found a book in her office one day on the various gods of the old world. No one had any idea where it had come from. With Reaper and his squad proving such beings existed, they had decided to believe in them as well since they had no one else to send their prayers to.
…
Time skip: 173 days.
Location: Earth
Time since departure: 245 days
Mitsuru was running down the halls of the medical ward. He had received some exciting news.
"There he is!" Goro said.
"Mitsuru, hurry!" Futoshi said beckoning him forward.
Mitsuru skidded into the medical room. "Kokoro!"
Nana, Fake Nana, as well as several female parasites were in the room. Mitsuru could hear a child crying. Mitsuru walked into the room and fell to his knees, eyes wide in shock. Next to Kokoro, who was lying in a bed was a baby. Kokoro had given birth.
Kokoro turned her head to look at her child. "Look, there's your papa." She said to the child.
Mitsuru gently placed his finger within the child's grasp and she held onto it. This caused him to cry tears of joy. This caused the rest of the girls in the room, aside from Nana and Fake Nana, to break out into tears.
Awhile later, Mitsuru exited the room only to be grabbed in a large hug by Futoshi.
"Well done, Mitsuru! Your Papa #1!" he cried.
The others then gave him their congratulations.
…
Sometime later, Hachi had taken a fleet of transport ships off somewhere without telling them. With instructions that Reaper had given him, he was able to free the frozen parasites. Reaper was enraged to learn that APE had sabotaged an Ark for their own purposes and had come to the conclusion that they had damaged the other two, so they could use them if they needed.
When Hachi returned and the transports opened, Reaper Beta's jaw dropped in shock.
"Naomi?!" Miku said before running toward her.
Naomi was a girl of average height. She has short, wavy dark brown hair with dark brown eyes. She was Hiro's first partner before Reaper Alpha arrived, but he couldn't connect with her. They thought she had died during a Klaxosaur attack that destroyed her transport pod that was returning to the Garden.
Miku grabbed the girl in a hug and so did Ichigo and Ikuno.
"You guys…" Naomi said with tears running down her face.
She then caught sight of Hiro. Shaking off the others, she walked over to him. Hiro winced when he saw her missing arm.
"Hiro." She said.
"Naomi." He replied.
She looked over at Zero Two who was clinging to his arm before patting his shoulder.
"It's good to see that you found a reason to live. You needed that more than any piloting could give you."
…
Life continued on. Reaper Beta had finally had their first harvest of the crops they had grown and Futoshi had put all the hard work he had undergone under Havana's tutelage to good use in creating new types of foods for the parasites.
Hachi, Ichigo and Miku had set up a school for the current parasites and had started teaching them about how to think for themselves. Mitsuru and Kokoro were busy taking care of their new child and learning what it was like to be parents. Goro and the guys had taken over Reaper's role of engineering and, using some designs that were in his office, managed to figure out how to set up more solar panels as well as several wind turbines using the materials from the destroyed FranXX. Naomi had taken it upon herself to take care of Ikuno who had gotten weaker over time although she did not let her condition stop her as she could be seen working on a cure late into the night.
…
Goro grunted as he placed the final box onto the rover that he had borrowed. It was loaded down with supplies and provisions.
"Okay, I'm going to explore the world. I want to find useable materials for us in the future. I also want to make my way up to the Garden to check on the children there. If it's safe, I'll try to send you a message to come collect them." Goro said.
"It is going to be a long journey, but we are counting on you." Hachi said.
"Take care." Nana said, and she gave him a hug.
"Are you sure you are ok with this? We will all miss him, but you especially will." Ikuno said.
"I'm sure. This is the path Goro has chosen." Ichigo said.
Goro walked over to her.
"Ok I'm good to go." Goro said.
"Alright. Do your thing." Ichigo said giving him a fist bump.
"I can't let Reaper or Hiro outshine me forever."
"Right. Try to contact us every now and th-" Goro cut her off by kissing her.
The reactions of Reaper Beta were hilarious. Miku and Zorome had recoiled in shock and adopted identical poses with their eyes wide. Ikuno had crossed her arms and seemed to be glaring at Goro. Futoshi looked like he was about to punch Goro for daring to do such a thing. Naomi was just confused. Hiro and Zero Two however, just smiled, happy another couple had formed.
Once Goro had drawn away, Ichigo's face had turned beet red.
"H-H-Hey!" she stuttered.
"Ok you guys, take care. And I will go find that thing you asked for, Ikuno." Goro said.
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks." She said she then shooed him away.
"Later!" Goro said running towards a transport. Nana and Hachi were going to fly him out to unexplored territory and deposit him and his rover there.
"Goro sure has changed, huh." Ikuno said.
And time continued to pass.
…
Time skip: 485 days
Location: Space
Time since departure: 730 days (2 years)
Reaper collapsed the link he held to Zero Two's mind. He had used it to see how the others were doing while they were gone.
It seems Kokoro's child was birthed without issue. Havana said.
Life seems to be progressing along without us. I'm glad that they found my designs, I was worried that they wouldn't have enough power as more and more parasites showed up. Reaper said.
Did you see Zorome and Miku's face when Goro kissed Ichigo? That was priceless! Cypress laughed.
Hey Snake, it looks like Ikuno might have found something that you missed, how does that make you feel?Crow ribbed.
It doesn't bother me at all. That was why I gave her that research, if anyone was going to find a cure while we were gone, it would be her. Snake said, not rising to the bait.
I wish that we could contact them and tell them that we are alright, that way they aren't so worried about us. Owl said.
Reaper has already tried that, love. We are too far away for him to speak with her, dear. James said.
Alright, that's it. When we get back, we are getting the two of you married. Raven said causing the two to sputter.
Were here. Death said causing Reaper Alpha to wake up.
In front of them, the space around their home planet was dyed purple. They could see thousands and thousands of ships awaiting them in orbit.
"You feeble lifeforms, bound to your flesh…" A VIRM said.
As the VIRM spoke several others appeared around their FranXX. Death lifted his scythe.
"Heed our voice…"
The VIRM was abruptly cut off as Death killed them but another took its place.
"You are in our territory. You stand no chance here." Death killed that one too, but it was replaced yet again by another.
"Feeble ones, let us deliver you from your suffering."
"Kill them." Death said, and the battle began.
Reaper Alpha went on the offensive and began to annihilate any VIRM ship that crossed their path but even they couldn't compare to Death. Death was at his full power, so he was sending waves and waves of shadow with every swing of his scythe destroying thousands of ships at a time. Any ship that got within 10 miles of him were obliterated by the rampant shadow energy that surrounded him. But no matter how many they destroyed more always came to take their place. It quickly felt like a hopeless battle. The VIRM then began to speak.
"Why do you continue to fight, Reaper? Haven't you suffered enough with the loss of your wife, Havana and the years of carnage that followed? Do you not wish to rest?"
"Stay out of my goddamn mind!" Reaper roared.
"Havana, haven't you gone through enough pain at your first death? Do you not long for a break after fighting and planning for over a hundred years?"
A break from all the warfare did sound nice. She was tired of fighting but did not want to leave Reaper.
"James, do you not wish to have that nice wedding with Owl that you so desperately crave? To not have to constantly postpone your vows that you have worked for years on? Owl, you were recently reunited with the love of your life, do you not wish to spend time with him without interruption?"
The two looked at each other, that did sound nice.
"Crow and Raven, you have been in a on and off relationship for years. Constantly postponing making it official because you never had time. Do you not wish for this war to end and have the time to just enjoy being with each other? We can give you that.
The two thought of all the times that they had planned to make it official that they were a thing, but something always got in the way, whether it be a mission or command orders to move.
"Snake, you have someone waiting for you back on earth. Don't you want to show them that you care for them? To reveal to them that you had admired them from afar the entire time? Give in and we can do that for you.
Snake thought of Ikuno. It was no secret to him that he was in love with the girl but couldn't bring himself to admit it to her because she so fixated on Ichigo.
"Cypress, you have used your strength to hide the fact that you like other women. Everyone around you has found someone to love except you, wouldn't you like to find that someone? We have found them, they are waiting for you. give in, and we will give them to you."
"You all fight for the being that you call Death. Do you all not get tired of doing as he says? Being forced to follow his orders instead of doing what you want? Abandon this foolish man and join us and we will grant you that freedom that you so crave."
After hearing all that, Reaper's mind became indecisive and scattered. Subconsciously, Reaper reached out for the one person that could help make up his mind, Zero Two.
…
Location: Earth
Zero Two was enjoying a nice day outside with Hiro. They had, had another successful harvest and Goro was slated to return soon. She was just about to ask her Darling what he wanted to do for their wedding when her mind was bombarded with someone else's thoughts, causing her to stagger.
"Zero Two? What wrong?" Hiro asked.
Zero Two didn't respond as all she could hear was Reaper's thoughts.
What should I do?
Rest sounds nice.
They are doing fine on earth, they don't need us.
We've driven the VIRM far enough back where they won't bother them for a long time.
There is no place for us there.
Spending time with Havana sounds nice.
Should I give up?
Zero Two heard these thoughts and a multitude of more, all overlapping until it made a continuous stream of noise.
"Zero Two?" Hiro asked again.
Zero Two had to sit down. "Reaper." She said.
"What?"
"Something is wrong with Reaper. He has become indecisive and is bombarding me with his thoughts and seems to be asking me what to do."
"Let me see."
Zero Two grabbed his hand and Hiro heard what she was hearing.
"Let me go get Gaia. She might know something more about what is happening."
…
Zero Two was sitting on the ground, holding her head while Gaia was reading her mind.
"It's the VIRM." Gaia said. "They have planted the seeds of doubt into his and his group's minds. He has linked your mind to his and is begging you for answers. He has linked the other's minds as well, you just can't hear them."
"What do we do?" Hiro asked.
"Gather your friends. We need to cast aside their doubts and give them a reason to fight."
As Hiro ran off to gather the others, Gaia held Zero Two's hand and went for the aggressive approach.
"Reaper, what bullshit are you spouting? Was it not you who told me that I should experience the finer things in life? Daughter, have you not reconnected with your love and have many happy memories with him? Have you not told me over and over again that you would not give up until he was safe from harm? What are you doing now then? My son, you have described the wedding that you wanted to me so many times that I could recite it word for word, the VIRM will not allow you to have such a wedding, they do not believe in love. Quit acting pathetic and get your act together, the both of you!"
As Gaia finished, she heard the rest of Reaper Beta approaching. She turned toward them.
"What is going on?" Ichigo asked.
"The VIRM are trying to convince Reaper and his group to give in. Reaper has reached out to Zero Two and is asking her what to do. We need to convince them that they cannot give up. Each of you, link up with each other and give them a reason to live."
They held hands and were each bombarded with the thoughts of Reaper Alpha. After sorting their thoughts, they each started giving reasons to Reaper and the others. Counter arguments, words of encouragement, progress updates, a reason to live. As the day passed, more parasites joined in, each providing them with a reason to keep fighting. Eventually Goro arrived and he along with Nana and Hachi joined the ever-expanding group.
"We are doing our best here on earth! Don't give up now!" Ichigo shouted.
But you don't need us.
"We haven't forgotten about you guys, you hear me? Not a day goes by that we don't think of you!" Goro said.
Why do you care so much?
"Earth isn't complete without you guys! We gained loads of new friends, too!" Futoshi said.
We're your friends? But we are monsters. Killers.
"I'll never let you guys outshine me! You guys showed us how to pick our own path in life!" Zorome said.
"That's right! We promise that we'll all find our happiness, but we need you guys here!" Miku said.
We did that?
"I don't have much time left, Snake. I would appreciate being able to see you before I go." Ikuno said.
What are you talking about Ikuno? You not going anywhere.
"Reaper! We've given our child a name! its Ai, the word for love! It's the one that they never taught us, but you did!" Mitsuru said.
We did, didn't we.
"Ai keeps asking where you are. She would like to meet her aunts and uncles, so don't give up yet!" Kokoro said.
Who said we were giving up?
"The children need you, Reaper, I need you. I can only teach them so much, even I need a hand from time to time." Hachi said.
You need us?
"Zero Two has been worried about you guys. Aside from myself, you are the only ones she trusted." Hiro said.
We were?
"Reaper, remember what you promised me. I am waiting for you to return so I can have my wedding with you there." Zero Two said.
I've never broken a promise.
"I gave you an order, damn it! I told you to come back! You have yet to disobey an order so don't you dare start now!" Nana shouted.
Yes ma'am!
...
Location: Space
"That's right, the children need you. They have gone through so much with you. You have helped them grow and realize that there is more to the world than the domes they lived in. You helped them think outside the box and realize that there is a future where war doesn't exist. Will you leave them to wallow in despair at your deaths?" Death asked.
"No." Reaper growled. "We have gone through too much hell for us to give up now!"
Reaper Alpha then rocketed forward with Death. Intent on destroying the planet once and for all.
"We went through 11 years of war!" Owl shouted.
"Lost thousands of comrades!" Crow said.
"losing two family members!" Snake said.
"Being frozen for 86 years!" Raven said.
"Slaughtering millions of Klaxosaurs!" Cypress said.
"Fighting for what was ours!" Havana said.
"And rekindling lost love!" James said.
"To surrender to you assholes!" they shouted.
Death tore a hole through the oncoming wave of VIRM that were trying in vain to stop them. A line of shadow connected them and they each began charging their respective element. When they were fully charged they fired.
"DIVINE JUDGEMENT!"
Their powers collected at a singular point, including Death's, causing a beam of pure divine energy, the size of the planet, to go tearing through space. The beam struck and obliterated the VIRM homeworld, but they weren't expecting the backlash.
The VIRM, over the course of their long lifetimes had collected the souls of trillions of worlds and kept them on their planet. When the beam struck, all those souls exploded outward, creating a supernova. Reaper Alpha was sent shooting off into space in the direction of earth as white light flooded the area. Death used most of his energy keeping Reaper Alpha alive during the blast and was forced to retreat to the Shadow Realm, unable to collect the wayward souls. With the planet collapsing, the various souls fled back to their respective worlds. All the VIRM were killed. As the last one was obliterated from existence it spoke.
"All of you so-called souls…are you going back to being caged in your bodies? You willingly chose to be shackled by pain and sorrow? We are the VIRM! We…will…ARGH!"
Black Rose, Lotus, Digitalis, and Narcissus curled in on themselves, determined to protect their pilots and shut down. Wherever they ended up, they would protect their pilots until the end.
…
Location: Earth
White light ripped through the sky blinding those below.
"It's over, huh?" Goro said.
"Did they make it?" Ikuno asked.
"I'm sure they did." Miku said.
"It's thanks to them that this planet can start from square one again." Kokoro said.
"You guys had better not have died." Ichigo said.
…
The light shown on earth for three days. On the fourth day Reaper Beta saw the Klaxosaur ships return to earth and become one with it once more. Returning the earth to its natural state, with grass and animals beginning to spread like wildfire. One week after the light faded, searching Reaper's room, Zero Two found a device that, when activated, allowed her to access his shadow storage. In once section of it there was a massive seed vault. Apparently, when Reaper heard about the desertification process, he had taken it upon himself to collect seeds from every plant in the world for safe keeping. They were each labeled in his neat handwriting as to what they were, so Zero Two brought all of the edible plant seeds to Zorome for him to plant, keeping one of each type still in the shadow storage just in case.
Two weeks after the light faded Zero Two awoke to a knocking on her door. Her Darling was still out cold beside her, so it wasn't him. Opening the door, Zero Two saw that there was no one there. Looking down there were four potted plants at her feet. A black rose, a lotus, a foxglove, and a daffodil. Attached to the black rose was a note. Opening it, it read thus,
Take care of them, and they will take care of you.
-C