Hiro awoke as the mid-morning sun blazed through the window. His whole body ached, the pain of the torture that he'd endured still plaguing his body. As he looked around, he noticed that he was in his room. Vaguely he remembered Zero Two carrying him out of Strelizia, Nana bustling around him tending to his wounds. Reaching up, he felt a bandage on his face, and after a moment, he became aware of his other wounds. Slowly he became aware of somebody resting on his arm, and looking over, he saw Zero Two passed out from exhaustion on the side of the bed. The sight of her made him smile. They'd made it. By some miracle, they'd made it. As he lay there, the realization washed over him. The realization that everything he'd feared that he lose was right here. By some miraculous stroke of fortune, he didn't have to lose them. His family was right here.

"Thank you." He whispered, his heart overflowing with gratitude. "Thank you."

He looked at Zero Two, her gorgeous pink hair disheveled after the ordeal it had taken to rescue him. He smiled as he gazed at the love of his life, her belly filled with their precious child.

"Zero Two," He croaked his voice dry and raspy.

Zero Two stirred not quite conscious of where she was, then suddenly, her head shot up and looked around wildly.

"Zero Two." He breathed.

Their eyes locked, and for a second, they just stared at each other.

"Darling!" She cried, awkwardly leaping forward and hugging him.

"Zero Two," He said softly, hugging her.

"I'm so glad you're okay." She sobbed,

He smiled, "It's all thanks to you."

Gently she pulled back wiping her eyes, tears of relief still cascading unbidden down her cheeks.

"You scared the shit out of me." She sobbed.

"I know." He said, giving her a weak smile. "I'm sorry."

"Don't ever do that again!" She said furiously, staring angrily at him.

He smiled. "I'll try."

"No!" She shouted, stamping her foot so hard the floorboards gave a sickening crack. "Promise me you'll never do something like that again!"

He shook his head, reaching out a hand to her. "I'm sorry. I can't and will never promise you that."

"Why!" She demanded the hurt look on her face almost too much to bear.

"Because I will do anything to protect my family." He said, looking her in the eye. "I will give my life for you if I must."

"What about me?" She demanded, "How do you think I'd feel if you'd died!? We promised we'd always be together. We promised that no matter what, we'd always stick by each other."

He smiled, "And for as long as I'm able, I will keep that promise." Painfully he sat up, his wounds screaming at the disturbance he was forcing upon them.

"Darling, no!" She said, rushing forward to stop him.

He sat up and grabbed her hands, looking her in the eye. "For the rest of my life, I wish to remain by your side. But… If there comes a time where I must give my life for yours, then I will do it gladly."

"Don't leave me alone in this world." She said weakly, "I can't lose you."

He smiled, "I don't plan to. Thinking that I'd never get to see you again, was a thousand times more painful than anything Papa did to me." He smiled. "I love you." Then kissing her hand, he said. "And don't you ever forget it."

"I won't," She whispered softly.

He smiled and leaned forward, kissing Zero Two's belly. "Daddy's back," He whispered softly to their baby. "Thanks for taking care of mommy for me."

He was rewarded with a kick, Zero Two's belly bulging slightly as the baby stretched inside her.

He smiled, and hummed softly, gently pressing his face against her swollen belly. Tears sprung unbidden to his eyes, and he pulled her into a hug. "I missed you guys so much." He whispered softly, clutching her to him.

Zero Two gently ran her fingers through his hair, "You were a fool to think that I wasn't going to come to rescue you." She said hoarsely.

"I still think it was too dangerous." He said, his voice muffled by her shirt.

"There's no such thing." She said sincerely, hugging him to her.

He shook his head and looked up at her, "I love you so much."

Gently she bent down and kissed him. "I love you more."

He smiled, "I'll never win with you."

She giggled. "Nope."

For a while, they let each other savior this moment, basking in their love. Finally, they were together again, and in his heart, he vowed to never be separated from her again. He couldn't lose this. If it came down to it, nothing else in the world mattered except them.

After another moment, they separated, his body throbbing at the sudden pain of moving.

"I should probably go let the others know that I'm okay." He said trying to stand,

"I'll go tell them." She said hurriedly.

He shook his head, "No, I need to see them."

She sighed, "Okay."

Gently she slipped, an arm around him, and they slowly made their way to the door.

"I'm sorry to make you have to do this." He said softly, "I should be the one supporting you, not the other way around."

"Don't be silly." She said, opening the door, "I promised I'd be here for you."

"I know." He said as he limped down the hall. "I just wish that things were different."

She shook her head. "Oh, Darling…"

Slowly they descended the stairs and began to walk down the second-floor hallway. Smiling, he noticed Zero Two's slight waddle as she gently guided along. "Your waddle is adorable, by the way." He teased softly.

She blushed scarlet. "I'll drop you," She threaten as they continued on.

He smiled. "Then, you'd have to drag me."

"Hmm." She said, amused, gently tightening her grip on his arm. "It might be faster."

He smiled, "Probably."

Quietly they heard voices from the living room, quiet conversations filled with nervous hope and speculation.

"Did they see me yet?" He asked, and he limped along.

Zero Two nodded, "They were in the hangar when I brought you back, but they haven't seen you since then."

He nodded and chuckled softly. "I must have looked like a complete wreck."

She smiled. "Yeah, you did."

"Everyone shut up!" Ichigo said suddenly, as he and Zero Two quietly began to descend the stairs.

Ichigo tore out into the lobby and stood for a moment, stunned. "Hiro!" She cried, rushing up the stairs.

He smiled, "Hey, everything alright in there."

Before she could answer, the rest of the squad tore out into the lobby, shouting stunned exclamations of their own. He smiled as Zero Two helped him down into the main lobby.

"Hiro, are you okay?" Goro said, concerned.

He grinned. "I'll manage. It was just a few scratches."

"My ass, it was." Zero Two reprimanded, "You looked like Swiss cheese when I found you."

He let out a bark of laughter, wincing as pain stabbed through him. "I never thought I'd be compared to cheese." He said, grinning, "But it works."

The squad gave him worried looks.

He smiled, "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

In the silence, his stomach growled loudly, and he blushed. Thankfully that seemed to break the tension, and everyone let out a relieved sigh. If he was hungry, he was probably healed enough that he'd survive."

"We should all go have breakfast," Ichigo said with a smile.

"You guys haven't eaten yet?" He said curiously.

Now it was their turn to blush.

"To be honest, it has been hard to have an appetite, since…Since you left," Goro said.

"I'll go let Nana know you're up," Miku said, running off.

He smiled, and quietly they all made their way into the dining hall.

"You should have told me you were leaving." Ichigo said to Zero Two, "I would have come with you."

"Yeah." Zorome pipped up. "Why didn't you tell us you were leaving?"

Zero Two blushed, "I was. Afraid that you'd try and stop me. I wasn't willing to risk that."

He gave her a squeeze, and they looked at each other for a moment.

"Well, next time, let me know, okay," Ichigo said, sounding understanding if not slightly hurt.

"I will," Zero Two said, guiding him to a chair. "Hopefully though there won't be a next time."

Ichigo nodded, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Everyone hurriedly began rushing around, setting the tables, serval of the squad members rushing off into the kitchens to find food. Every time he tried to get up and help Zero Two would force him back down. Stubbornly refusing to let him leave his seat. Nana came up serval minutes later.

"How are you feeling, Hiro." She said, concerned.

"Fine enough." He said with a smile, "I think I'm about ready to be up and about."

"Absolutely not." Zero Two said, sternly glaring at him. "Nana, he can barely walk."

Nana grimaced, "Yeah, I thought as much. Hiro, I want to examine you after you finished eating. You need fresh bandages, and that hole in your side, looked pretty bad the last time I saw it."

"I'll be okay." He said weakly.

"No, you won't." Nana said fiercely, "Not with that attitude." Nana turned to Zero Two. "Can you watch over him for me, and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"Don't worry, I was already planning on it." She said, giving his hand a painful squeeze.

He winced, "Okay, I get it. Just let me know what you want me to do."

"Listen to your wife," Nana said, with a sigh. "At least she'll look out for you if you're unwilling to do it yourself."

"I'll make sure he goes too," Ichigo said, giving him a stern look.

A moment later, Kokoro and Goro arrived carrying food, and Nana smiled.

"Well, enjoy your meal," She said, turning to leave.

Ichigo stood, "I'll be right back. Zero Two, do you mind if I invite, Alpha and Delta."

Zero Two shook her head. "No."

"Okay, give me a minute."

Zero Two forced him to sit as everyone bustled around, setting the tables. He wanted to help, but Zero Two's firm grip and intimidating glare kept him rooted to his chair. A few minutes later, Ichigo returned, Alpha pushing Delta in a wheelchair as they entered the room. He smiled at them as they took a place at the table. Delta noticing his scarred face, stared at him, stunned.

"Hiro, what happened to you?" She asked, somewhat concerned.

He grinned, "Papa's hospitality."

Delta nodded and glance down at her legs. "I understand what you mean. You're… You're not crippled, right?"

He nodded, "Thankfully."

She smiled. "That's good."

A moment later, Ichigo stood up. "Everyone!" She shouted. "I want to dedicate this meal to our friend's safe return."

He blushed furiously as everyone clapped, Zero Two smiling radiantly at him.

"And to Zero Two, who despite the danger braved death itself to rescue the one she loved."

This time it was her turn to blush, and he added to it with a light kiss on the cheek.

"I'd like to thank Naomi." Zero Two said after a moment. "Without her, my recklessness may have gotten me killed. The assistance of her and the Klaxosaurs is what allowed this to happen. I can't thank them enough."

Everyone clapped, and he let out a whistle which was immediately cut off by a wince of pain.

"Let's eat!" Ichigo shouted, sitting down.

And for the rest of that morning, they all enjoyed each other's company happy to once again be united and, at least for the moment, be out of Papa's shadow.

A few days later, everyone sat in a meeting room, on Plantation 13's command deck. All the occupants of the Plantation and even the holos of Maya and Queen Naomi. Alpha and Delta had even asked to join, the commitment to living a new life, driving them to be at this meeting.

"Thank you all for coming, "Dr. Franxx said, taking his place at the head of the table. "I called this meeting because we must discuss the final stages of this war." Dr. Franxx tapped the holo table, and a map of the Garden and the surrounding terrain appeared. "Papa appears to be drawing all of his remaining forces here. Every plantation is headed straight for the Garden. They'll all be there by the end of the month at the very latest."

"Papa looks like he wants this war to be over." Maya pipped in, "This appears to be where he plans his final showdown."

"Well it's a good plan." Hachi said, "With all his forces here destroying the Garden will not be easy."

"Yes, and unfortunately, we can't stop his forces from gathering there too." Nana said, "The Klaxosaurs are out of position to attack with any effectiveness, and Papa's additional parasites make attacking alone dangerous for even the most powerful Klaxosaurs."

"Many lives are going to be lost here." Naomi said sadly, clutching Numa in her arms.

"I wish it didn't have to be this way." Dr. Franxx said, "But Papa is forcing our hand, and we're running out of time."

Maya nodded, "I'm afraid that the time that Logos and I will remake the world is due very soon. After a hundred years of waiting, its finally time."

"Couldn't you just wait until this is all over?" Ichigo said curiously.

Naomi and Maya shared a glance.

"No, unfortunately, I don't have control of the timing." Maya said, "But recently the signs of it's imitate arrival are upon me. I can only hope that I manage to hold it off long enough for us to accomplish what we must."

"Regardless," Dr. Franxx piped up before any more questions could be asked. "Zero Two, you're now in your third trimester I don't want this extending any longer than it has to."

Zero Two placed a hand on her belly, "I agree, the sooner this is over, the better."

"So how do we defeat Papa?" Ichigo said, sitting up.

"The administrators and I will be working on that until the day of the attack," Dr. Franxx said, "I just wanted to call you all here, so you know what's going on."

"We'd like to help too." Alpha said, butting in. "Whatever your plans are, include us in them."

Dr. Franxx looked at them. "Are you sure, Alpha? You and Delta are still recovering, and this won't be an easy mission."

"We'll manage." Delta said, using her arms to sit up straight. "Papa took my legs and almost took my life. After all, he's put us through I want my revenge."

Alpha nodded, "If not for your assistance Papa's injections would have killed us. We're willing to stand in defense of those who helped us."

Dr. Franxx nodded. "Very well. We'll see about getting your FRANXX repaired."

He turned to Maya and Naomi. "We'll need to coordinate with you where we want to assemble our forces, it's best if we all attack together."

Maya nodded. "Very well. I still need to gather the Klaxosaurs first, but we'll be there by the time of the assault."

Dr. Franxx nodded. "Good. Now I'd like to hear your suggestions regarding how we should attack the Garden. The more minds we have on this the better."

He and Zero Two stood on Strelizia's faceplate, looking out at the setting sun. Gently he wrapped his hands around Zero Two's swollen belly, his eight-month pregnant wife, nearing the final stage of her pregnancy. Far off in the distance, he saw the faint silhouette of the Garden. For the past month, the squad had been training hard for what was about to come. The battle for their survival was only a few days away, and all that was left was to wait for the final armada of Klaxosaurs. As he stood there feeling their baby's kicks inside his wife, his throat tightened painfully. This battle was so close. So close to finally being over. And yet, a part of him wished it would never come. He didn't want to but his family in that kind of danger, but this would never be over if he didn't.

Zero Two sighed and leaned against him, "You think we have a chance at winning?" She yawned the mock duels that the squad had been doing all day draining her more than usual.

"We'd better." He said, kissing the top of her head.

She chuckled, "Yeah your right Papa doesn't stand a chance against us. Right, Hiro?" She said, staring down at her belly.

He smiled, "When our baby is born a girl, you have no idea how much I'm going to tease you."

She sniffed, "We'll see. I guess we'll find out who's right in another month."

"Yeah, I guess we will." Then after a pause, he added. "Is Dr. Franxx still trying to convince you to deliver in the med bay?"

"Ha! He'll be doing that until the moment the baby slides out of me."

He chuckled, "Well I'll do my best to help you deliver. There's only so much I can learn through reading books."

She grinned. "Well, by the time we're old and grey, you'll get plenty of practice."

He blushed, "The first one is not even born, and you want another one?"

She smiled, "I want a big happy family. We'll need more than one for that."

He gave her a little squeeze. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

For a moment, they stood there, just taking a quiet moment to be a family. After a few moments though, a beep from his commutator told him that it was time for dinner and that they needed to be heading back.

Gently he kissed her and helped her back into the cockpit. Together they piloted Strelizia down from the small hill that they'd perched on. Quietly they parked their FRANXX and alone gently slipped into the boy's locker room, undressing and sharing a tender shower.

"Only a few more days." Zero Two said quietly, toweling herself off. "Just a few more days, and this is all over."

He smiled and helped her get dressed. Yawning, they returned to Mistilteinn, ready for a quiet evening. Convinced that, at least for a few more days, they could relish the time they had left. Hoping that the moment of truth could be postponed. Just a little while longer.

Naomi sat in the throne room, smiling as Numa crawled around happily on the floor. Logos and Maya were also watching, quietly reminiscing about times long past. Naomi yawned and removed her crown, laying back on the floor. Quietly she let her mind wander. Her thought drifted to the coming battle the fight for survival that the Klaxosaurs were soon to undergo. Right now was a truly desperate time for her people, and the reality hit her really for the first time. This was an all or nothing battle. If they failed here, all of them were dead. She realized that she needed to be there for her people. She needed to be at this battle. To give them hope and support. To show that she had faith in them, and would place her life and the life of her children in their hands.

Quietly she sat up determined.

Logos and Maya sensing something stopped their quiet conversation and looked at her. She turned to them, gently steeling herself.

"You're not going to like this." She said determinedly. "But, I want to fight in the battle."

Stunned silence froze everything around her, the only sound was Numa's gentle shuffling as she crawled around on the floor.

"Absolutely not," Maya said, recovering. "You are not going anywhere near that battle."

Naomi reached down and put on her crown. "Yes, I am. My people need me now more than ever. I have to do this. I have to be there."

"The Klaxosaur know what's at stake." Maya said, standing up, "You don't need to put yourself in danger."

She, too, stood defiant, ready to defend her belief. "My people are ready to give their lives for me and my children. They need to see me, and know that I'm with them to the end."

Suddenly the illusion that hid the life-force inside Maya's belly flickered, and for a moment, the golden light blazed out brighter than she'd ever seen it before. Logos's eyes widened, and he sat up, staring intently at his wife.

"Think of your children," Maya said furiously, not even noticing what had just happened. "One stray bullet is all it'll take to end it all."

"Zero Two returned the armor that you lent her." She counted, "It can protect me. Besides, if we fail, we're all dead anyway."

"That's not the point," Maya retorted. "The armor won't cover Numa at all. You want to put her in that kind of danger?"

She gulped but held her ground. "I'm sure we can figure something out."

"You don't even need to be there in the first place!" Maya shouted.

Again the illusion surrounding her belly flickered, and this time part of it didn't come back into place.

"Yes, I do!" She said, now shouting herself. "My people need me!"

"Maya, you need to calm down for a moment." Logos said suddenly.

"No, I will not calm down!"

Suddenly the illusion that concealed Maya's belly broke, and golden light flashed blindingly around the room, blinding her momentarily. The next moment Maya let out a cry of pain and groaning, clutched her swollen belly. Suddenly she saw golden droplets leak out of Maya. As soon as they hit the ground, grass and flowers appeared the pure concentration of life energy causing new life to bloom even on the floor's rocky surface. Naomi stared stunned as the energy inside Maya swirled violently, the room sparkling with golden light. The energy seemed to be restless, trying to be free. The energy danced around in Maya's belly. One second a baby, another a cluster of flowers. It never stayed still, endlessly changing.

"Easy, easy," Maya said her horns glowing as she tried to reason with the energy inside her. "It's not quite time yet. Please. I promise you can be born soon; just give me a little time."

The energy seemed to slow, the violent swirling and changing forms from before slowing as it momentarily settled down.

"We don't have much time, Maya." Logos said, slithering up to her. Gently he wrapped himself around his wife. "You won't be able to contain it for much longer."

Maya nodded, gulping as she recovered from the shock of going into labor. Maya looked up at her, concern written all over her face. "Tell them that it's time. I can't hold this off much longer."

"Of course. However, I'm going to be joining them." She said defiantly, looking Maya in the eye. "I will fight with my people."

Maya looked helplessly at her husband.

Logos sighed. "I'll find something for Numa. Kiyomi will keep her safe even in the case of any danger." Logos slithered, off leaving her and Maya on the steps of the throne.

"I still wish you wouldn't go", Maya said, sitting down, worry coloring every line of her face.

Quietly she walked up to Maya and sat down next to her. "I know… Still, I will fight for the future of this world. What kind of queen am I if I don't stand with my people at a moment like this?"

"What of your children," Maya questioned, shifting roughly on the cold steps. "You could die out there."

She nodded as gazed at Numa, sitting peacefully on the floor. "I know. But, if we lose this… We're all dead anyway. So the least I can do is offer my people my support, because if they're willing to fight and die for me. Then I won't belittle their sacrifice by hiding. The fate of this world rests upon this moment, and I will not raise my children in a world doomed to die."

Maya sighed, in unhappy acceptance. "Just… Just promise me you'll stay safe."

She smiled. "I will. I promise."

Papa stood in Apus's cockpit, looking out over the battlefield. Far off on the horizon, he saw the glowing blue mass of the Klaxosaurs and the light of Plantation 13. Behind them, the blazing red glow of the rising sun painted the sky scarlet. He smiled. Perhaps he'd dub this day "The Red Dawn." The day that his victory was finally assured and that the new world was ready to come into being. He smiled, nervous euphoria coursing through him as he stared out at the battlefield. As the sun began to rise higher into the sky, he smiled, the light sparkling off the thousands of FRANXX below him, all ready to fight for humanity. He smiled. It seemed that even Earth was setting the stage for his victory.

"It's a sign." He said confidently. "Today is the day of my victory." He grinned, unable to contain his excitement. He stared out at his enemies, the ones who'd plagued him for so long. "This is your final hour!" He shouted, "Enjoy it while you can! Because this is my day! This is the day you die!"

Author's Note: Thank you for reading Chapter 30 of The Jian Bird

Sorry for the delay, things have just been hectic. I am already working on the next one and I'll try to have it out as soon as I can.

Stay tuned for Chapter 31 of The Jian Bird: The Red Dawn