Delphinium slowly raises her eyes to meet her savior. This mysterious figure clothed in bearskin and wielding an axe engraved with Nordic runes had appeared out of nowhere. They dispatched the FranXX responsible for the puncture wound in her abdomen before offering a hand, saying, "This is no place to die".

What doesn't add up is someone being here to save Delphinium in the first place. There weren't enough rebels left to double up on any of the defensive positions, and every able pilot was in the field already. That meant this newcomer was someone or something else.

"Miku, Zorome," the figure's gauntleted hand brushes against Delphinium's shoulder. "It is unwise to stay here. The third line is crumbling."

As the adrenaline induced by her injury surges through her veins, Miku asks the one question burning in the forefront of her mind. "...Freya?"

"Yes," the FranXX answers, throwing one of Delphinium's arms over her shoulder.

Completely flabbergasted, Zorome is barely audible as he whispers, "How?"

"To keep it brief, I am using a trick devised from VIRM's technique of controlling inactive FranXX. My consciousness has been uploaded into this unit, giving me full control," Freya replies. She begins leading the injured pair toward the relative safety of the final line of defense. "We must hurry."

The sounds of battle accompany their trek. They hear loyalist against rebel, FranXX against FranXX, fighting in a desperate attempt to secure the coastal village. For one side it represents the final obstacle in their path to global domination, and to the other it is a bastion of hope in a sea of darkness.

It isn't long before they arrive at the open park in the center of Haven. Several hundred yards from the forming defense lies the cliff, and below it the crashing waves still churning from the mammoth wave. This is it. There are no further places to retreat, and no more holes to hide in. The rebels would either hold this ground or be crushed against the corner they've backed themselves into.

"How many are left?" Delphinium asks as one of the construction units applies a hasty patch to her wound. She winces as the plate is welded into place. It stings like hell, the body of the FranXX relaying the experience to hers via their connection.

"Huh?" the blue and white mech asks.

Freya had spoken in response but the pain had drawn Miku's attention, resulting in her missing the reply.

"We have only a handful of combatants remaining. Supplementing them with the construction units and myself gives us eighteen."

"How many more of them?" Zorome inquires as Delphinium nods over her shoulder.

Hachi answers from nearby. He and Nana had been standing lookout but have since rejoined the discussion.

"We estimate thirty-five to forty."

"Twice our number and they're all real soldiers," Delphinium says with a hint of dejection in her voice.

The battle-hardened commander pushes herself to her feet and strides toward the defensive line. Thanks to the time the phased retreat had bought, the builders have been able to set up something of a real emplacement. It's a wall of steel sheets set at an inward angle that APE would be forced to scale before reaching the rebels. The only way over is to drop your weapons and crawl, making it a simple but very deadly defense.

As Delphinium surveys the area, a pair of yips emanate from the outskirts of Haven. Moments later, two canine figures come bounding out from the wreckage with a Dauntless heavy mech hot on their heels.

"Argentum! Aurum!" the girls' aunt shouts as a wave of relief washes over her. The two had been missing since the second stage of the battle in the forest, but the return of the Stampede Division's mascots would certainly be good for morale.

Taking turns provoking their pursuer, the hounds manage to lure them into the open and then toward the waiting defenders. So focused on catching the errant mongrels is the Dauntless that they don't realize where they have wandered until it is too late.

Freya hops over the wall and slides down the incline before breaking into a sprint toward the trio. Argentum and Aurum rush past her, giving the impression that they are running to safety, but instead make a wide loop back. As the axe-wielding FranXX clashes with sword and shield, her counterparts' trap is sprung.

Utilizing an overhead cleave, Freya forces the attacker to their knees behind the weight of her blow. Then a flash of quick silver crashes into them from the side, sending them careening in the opposite direction. A golden bolt of lightning pounces on the disoriented FranXX when it comes to a stop, a flurry of fangs and claws. Arms and legs flail and screams peirce the air before all falls still and silent.

Aurum lifts her snout, revealing the drops of orange magma fuel dripping from her maw. She trots over to Freya, who greets her with pets and a "good girl!" before the pair, along with Argentum, make their way to the defensive line.

Delphinium drops to her knees and pulls the pups into a bear hug when they land after jumping the wall.

"I am so glad to see you!" she exclaims, both as their commander and their aunt.

Nana's FranXX gives a nod of approval as Hachi says, "The twins have always been excellent hunters. But, surviving behind enemy lines without a handler... I am impressed."

"If I may, commander," Freya interjects, "I believe Argentum and Aurum to be capable of independent operation."

Nana sighs in a motherly tone. It is one of disappointment that children as young as Asuna and Asada must take part in war, let alone be treated as the elite weapons they are.

"You did good, girls," Zorome agrees as Argentum nuzzles Delphinium's hand. He then continues speaking, wondering aloud, "But how did you to manage to…"

The young man trails off as something catches his eye. In the distance, a glimmer of metal in the fading sunlight. APE has arrived. The time of the final stand is upon them.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The tentative silence is broken by echo of a marching formation. APE's parasites behave now as they had at the beginning of this skirmish, perfectly in tune with one another. Their strength has always been derived from uniformity and direction, and to abandon it now simply wouldn't do.

Delphinium grips her makeshift staff tightly. Unfortunate as it is, her swords are still lying somewhere behind enemy lines, and so for the time being it would have to suffice. She isn't the only rebel wielding unconventional weaponry though.

Construction FranXX are neither designed nor equipped for combat, but several of their tools double as weapons. Perhaps the most frightening among them are the industrial nail guns whose primary use is for assembling structures. Capable of driving mechanical fasteners through reinforced steel, the improvised weapons pack more than enough punch to bring down any FranXX who strays too close.

"Defensive positions!" Hachi orders as the few rebels that remain man the wall.

Argentum and Aurum growl but remain at their aunt's side. Trained hunters that they are, they are too smart to charge into a full formation without backup. This was a defensive battle, which they are largely unsuited for. The only real option for the canines is to wait for an opportunity to present itself.

They don't have to wait long, as APE's forces charge headlong up the wall. It slows them and allows for the rebels to pick off a few of their attackers, but they eventually make it over the barricade and into melee range. As they drop, a small stream of rebel FranXX rush to engage them.

As the battle rages, the individual who fights with perhaps the greatest ferocity is none other than the rebellion's resident artificial intelligence. Fueled by her desire to protect her friends and her home, the AI willingly takes on any opponent who steps forward to face her.

Currently she finds herself engaged with one of the agile dual wielders in close proximity and a spear maiden at arms' length. With only one weapon herself it is hard for Freya to keep the wolves at bay, but she has an ace up her sleeve.

When the dual wielder feints to the left before darting right, the bear-skinned warrior allows it. This provides a clean shot at her exposed back to the attacker, which they waste no time in capitalizing on. The blades pierce the hide she wears but not as deeply as expected by their wielder.

With the weapons of her opponent lodged neatly in her back and the one who placed them there still firmly grasping their hilts, Freya allows her FranXX to go limp and fall back onto the lighter unit. This comes as a complete surprise as they are trapped underneath her, even as the blades are driven up to the hilt into the AI's body.

This isn't a problem, however. Like VIRM had before her, Freya possesses the unique ability to ignore any damage inflicted upon her FranXX in a way human pilots could not. Directly up to the point of failure, she would feel nothing.

Using her hard-won advantage, Freya is able to quickly dispatch the dazed skirmisher who had evaded her for so long. A quick roll returns her to her feet, followed by a chop embedding the axe hilt-deep in their chest.

Before she can withdraw the weapon her second opponent rejoins the battle, making their presence known by stabbing the AI's left shoulder. Several critical components are severed and immediately all functionality is lost. Freya growls in annoyance as the attacker steps back, wrapping her good hand around the shaft of the spear. She flicks her wrist, snapping the shaft, and tosses the remains to the side.

Fear grips the hearts of the loyalists as the seemingly unkillable FranXX shambles toward them. It reaches behind its back and shudders as one of the shortswords is pulled free. The mere thought of the pain associated with the action makes the pilots feel faint. They remain paralyzed as the giant stands over them, poised to drive the blade into their chest and thus releasing them from their service to APE.

An explosion rings out, its result saving the unfortunate souls. The FranXX that had stood over them slumps to its knees before leaning forward, exposing circuitry and magma fuel through the neck by way of the now missing head.

"Freya!"

Delphinium cries out as the body of her friend falls to the ground, kicking up a small cloud of dust in her wake. The offender, a FranXX toting a missile launcher, stands from their kneeling position and begins reloading as though nothing had occurred. To them it was just another rebel they'd killed, a notch to be added to their belt.

To the leader of the resistance it is a much greater blow. Freya was a friend, a comrade, an invaluable member of the rebellion who had stood by them until the end. Losing her was just as painful as losing a person, because to those fighting against APE, that's what she was.

The magna fuel coursing through Delphinium's synthetic veins boils so hot it nearly vaporizes. Rage burns in her heart but her discipline hones it to a razor's edge, not allowing it to overtake her and instead focusing it into a weapon.

First to suffer her wrath is her current sparring partner. Quickly the loyalist finds themselves overwhelmed by the flurry of blows thrown their way, backing up until they stumble over their own feet. Delphinium capitalizes and sweeps their legs with her staff, bringing her opponent to the ground.

Unfortunately it is now that her improvised weapon fails, cracking in half at the center. Delphinium doesn't stop for a moment and instead turns this development to her advantage, using the jagged edge of the piece held in her left hand to pierce the heart of the FranXX.

Hearing a noise behind her, the blue and white warrior flips the remnant in her right hand to place the sharp end facing out while simultaneously pivoting on her right heel. The spear-wielding FranXX behind her is caught completely off guard by this and attempts to dodge, but it is too late. Vibrant orange blood gushes from the mortally wounded unit as Delphinium drives the spike into her exposed neck.

A third and final enemy initiates contact with Delphinium but finds more success than either of her compatriots had. Firing the missile launcher it had used to end Freya's existence, the loyalist seeks to bring about the same fate for Miku and Zorome. Announcing its presence with a puff of smoke, the warhead streaks toward the unsuspecting pair.

Via happenstance, or perhaps sheer luck, a wave of exhaustion passes over the rebel leader as her rage subsides and she drops to a knee to momentarily catch her breath. The missile passes over her as a result and detonates in the structure behind her. While her life may have been saved, she is still buried beneath the rubble as the loyalist advances toward her, their last rocket spent.

Delphinium struggles beneath the reinforced concrete and steel beams pinning her to the ground, but it is no use. She is unable to free herself. Only her head and right arm are unpinned from the crushing weight of her prison.

The rocketeer pulls a dagger from their belt as the distance separating them from their quarry grows dangerously thin.

With no other rebels in sight, Delphinium has no one to call on for help. At this stage of the fighting everyone would be in the same situation she is, isolated and alone. All she can do is continue to struggle against the rock that binds her, but that still fails.

Miku's mind races through ways that she and Zorome might be able to escape this situation, but nothing comes to her. They could surrender, but it's unlikely APE had given an order not to execute the wounded. The opposite was likely true given their track record.

Then, something catches her eye. Laying nearby is the body of a construction FranXX, and beside them, just out of reach, is their nail gun.

Delphinium grabs at the tool, her fingers brushing against it enough that it turns ever so slightly. In her peripheral vision the armored heel of the rocketeer crushes a piece of stone. They are no more than three paces from her now.

As her desperation grows the rebel leader wills her fingers to grow longer. Again she touches the implement, this time succeeding in turning it but not gaining hold.

Delphinium's vision is filled by the loyalist now crouching over her. They lift her head by the crown of her helmet, forcing her to look them in the eye. The dagger is placed against her throat.

"For Papa," they whisper.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

The loyalist falls back, clutching at their hand and side. Nails have sprouted from the wounds and continue to as Delphinium pulls the trigger on the gun. Only when it repetitively clicks does she stop jamming the firing mechanism.

"Miku," Zorome's voice brings her back as she drop the nail gun. "They're gone."

"We have to get out of here," she tells her partner, beginning the struggle anew. "The others still need our help."

After thirty seconds of coordinated effort the rubble begins to shift. However, Delphinium feels the ground beneath her trembling and senses that it is what's truly freeing her, rather than her own efforts. Nevertheless, she continues her attempt to liberate herself to no avail.

The rumbling grows stronger, and for the umpteenth time today Delphinium is filled with dread over what new challenge APE is throwing at them. What bursts forth from the ground is the last thing she expected, a large mammal with two equally massive clawed hands and a snout but no eyes.

The black and blue creature pulls itself out of the hole and sniffs the air, looking for something. Turning to look directly at Delphinium, it lumbers over as the FranXX prepares to throw the nail gun at it in self defense. Rather than securing the kill on the trapped rebel, the creature begins digging her out.

"Are you… helping us?" Zorome asks.

The animal snorts and continues working.

Realization dawns on Miku. "You're a Klaxosaur… but that means...! Zorome! We're saved!"

"Huh?" the young man questions. How a singular Klaxosaur could turn the tide of this losing battle he doesn't understand.

"They know we're here!" Miku cheers as Delphinium pulls her right leg free of the debris. She then crawls the rest of the way out and clamors to her feet before rushing to the cliffside. "They sent help! Look!"

All around Haven, Klaxosaurs have begun pouring in from the forest, beneath the earth, or out of the waves. The last of APE's assault force is now locked in combat with a superior foe that they cannot hope to win against, and in minutes the battle will be over.

Haven will live to fight another day, and it is all thanks to her brave defenders who were willing to sacrifice everything to protect their home.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"They yet live," Terra speaks softly as she opens her eyes, pulling back from the minds of her Klaxosaurs.

Relief washes over you like the waves at high tide. "Who? How many? Are Asuna and Asada safe?"

The monarch slowly shakes her head. "I know not. I do not see through the eyes of my brethren, only sense their thoughts. Only I would be able to discern who among your friends remain. But they do remain, and hope lives."

You cover your mouth as another series of violet coughs overtakes you. In the hour you had waited for news, they'd become worse as time progressed. At first it was a simple dry heave, but not long after streaks of crimson had appeared. This time your palm is coated with blood.

Terra rushes to you as you slump against the command console.

"Your condition deteriorates. Medical intervention is necessary to avoid permanent damage."

This was far from the worst pain you'd endured. Physically having most of your upper body bruised and broken in the Klaxosaur nest was still the most painful, and nothing would ever top the emotional pain of losing Ichigo. However, you do know enough to admit that coughing up blood usually meant internal bleeding, which could be fatal if left unchecked. Dying wasn't a part of the plan, not yet. The promise you made to Ichigo and your daughters was still unfulfilled.

"You will return to your city by conventional means," Terra states, leaving no room for negotiation in her tone. She positions herself beneath your arm, wrapping the tentacles on her right side around your back for added support.

"I knew that allowing a human to operate the machine alongside me would present challenges. You have done well to persevere as you have, but we cannot waste precious time in transit any longer. I will move the machine and you will join me only for combat."

You try to contradict her but Terra is having none of it.

"How will you honor the life of your mate if you perish now? Will your offspring be able to survive without you? Do not be stubborn, it will kill you."

Terra's outburst is surprising. Not because she is upset, but why exactly she is upset. You'd expect her to be worried about losing the tool helping to exact her revenge, not about your well-being. Deep down, you were more than that to her. Her words show at least a semblance of concern for you and your family.

"You'd look after them for me, wouldn't you?"

A flush of color marrs the visage of the Klaxosaur Princess. She casts her eyes to the ground in the opposite direction. Softly, she whispers, "There are others better suited... but I would assist them if need be."

After another coughing fit and a heartfelt "thank you," the two of your arrive at the infirmary.

"He is bleeding internally," Terra tells the attendant as she ushers you to a nearby bed. "Stabilize his condition, then move him to Haven for recovery."

Before she turns to leave, your companion says, "I will ensure this facility remains in our hands until the time is right. Recover quickly so that we may bring a swift end to this war. Our peoples will have their justice."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Coffee. Miku is actually quite fond of the caffeinated drink, but the swill in her cup hardly qualifies. For one thing it was cold, which removed one of the best parts of the beverage in the first place. Second, it had been made without a filter and there were no additives. Straight, cold black coffee. She may as well be drinking the liquid component of mud.

The sandwich sitting on her plate is no more appetizing, ham and cheese between two slices of whole wheat bread. Perhaps she would have been happier if she'd kept the cookie that came with the meal, but when Asuna had asked for it there was no way her aunt could say no.

Miku isn't the only one eating poorly. Everyone in the park is forced to partake of a cold meal. Not the greatest for morale after a hard-fought victory, but there was something to be said for being able to have the meal at all.

APE had been routed and there were no signs of another attack, but everyone is still on high alert anyways. Several FranXX stand guard beside the Klaxosaurs who had yet to retreat. They had appeared out of nowhere in the final hour and tipped the balance of power back into the rebellion's favor. Without them, surely Haven would have been lost.

Ultimately, more damage was done to the coastal village by the tsunami itself as opposed to their attackers. Several buildings had of course been lost during the fighting, but those on the outskirts of town were still either abandoned or in the process of being renovated for the most part. The majority of the surviving FranXX are those modified for construction, so the rebuilding will be able to begin soon.

What hurt the most structure-wise was the loss of communications. The radio tower gifted by Dr. Franxx that stood tall over the fledgeling city had been washed away by the tides. The crumpled metal remains, spun in a helical arrangement, serve as a reminder that they are on their own for the time being.

Terra had most certainly sent the Klaxosaurs, which meant that the attack on the railgun had been successful. Soon the victors would return home, but it would be a very different home in need of more than polish to get things back to how they were.

After finishing her lunch Miku heads for the manor on the hill. Due to its location, the structure had suffered only minor damage from the rogue wave and was one of the first to have power restored.

As the young woman enters the elevator leading into Haven's underground she passes Kana, who nods in her direction before continuing toward whatever work she was busying herself with. More than likely it was helping to tend to the wounded. There had been a great number of them before the battle, mostly parasites. Unfortunately, there are far fewer now. Their sacrifices had been necessary to defend Haven and the innocents within, but sending the injured or crippled into battle… to die… will be something that Miku will have to live with for the rest of her life.

"Commander, ma'am!" a parasite says with a crisp salute as she walks by on her way to the command center. Not really knowing how to reply, Miku gives an awkward smile and hurries past.

The void of command was still being filled by the spunky redhead, even more so after she had led the defense. However, it doesn't make it less strange for her to have others pointing and whispering like she was important. Someone had to do the job, and she stepped up just like Ichigo and her "elder brother" had in the past. She would certainly be glad to return the title to him at the earliest possible convenience.

Inside the command center is as busy as always, but not with the typical mundane tasks. Most stations are being worked on by technicians to fix short circuits or restore communication to the mainframe. The sensors and radar that served as Haven's eyes and ears may be nonfunctional at the moment, but without the CIC in working order they would be worthless anyway.

"Madam commander, welcome back," a synthetic voice greets her.

Miku gasps. She'd watched the owner of that voice perish a few short hours ago. There is no way she could have survived something like that.

"You look as though you've seen a ghost," Freya repeats.

Miku stumbles over her words, failing to make a coherent thought. "But you…"

"Died?" the program asks. There is a soft chuckle. "I am deeply touched that you were so concerned for my well-being, Miku, but rest assured that I am quite alright."

"Tell her how," Zorome says, his eyes not leaving the holotable's display.

A small golden figure appears on the table. It isn't close to the size of Freya's normal avatar, which stands at the same height as a person, but seeing the familiar face is still comforting.

"When I told you that I had uploaded myself into the FranXX, I omitted the details for the sake of brevity. The 'self' I uploaded was a copy. I created a combat algorithm after studying what remained of VIRM, and that was what occupied the unit fighting alongside you. Please accept my apologies for any worry the destruction of that copy may have caused you."

Miku looks down at the figure and smiles. "I'm just glad you're alright. And it's 'acting commander.' I'm giving it up as soon as things are back to normal."

"You might have some trouble with that," her partner snorts.

Ignoring Zorome's comment, the acting commander returns to the task at hand. "Freya, what's the status of Haven?"

The holotable shifts to show an overlay of the city, with the underground base hidden beneath. Most of it is bathed in red or yellow indicating states of damage, but the manor itself is still a vibrant green.

"Life support systems are currently at 22%. Damage sustained by the hospital was minimal but the lack of available power is the bottleneck. Power generation and supply is suffering greatly. Three hundred solar panels were damaged and our network of tidal generators is completely offline after the tsunami."

Freya pauses before dejectedly placing her palm against her forehead.

"That was the good news. The bad news is our communications to the outside world are entirely severed, and my eyes and ears around Haven have been cut off. We are still alone. If our Klaxosaur guests are anything to go by, though, we won't be for long."

Miku sighs, surveying the sorry state of her home.

"Well," she says, flashing her indomitable smile that shows she's never out, "I guess we've got our work cut out for us before they arrive."