"We really did it."
Miku's voice is filled with a sense of wonder as she and the other onlookers gaze at the wreckage of Cosmos station in its final resting place through the floor-to-ceiling monitor of the command center.
Portions of the station had remained intact upon reentry and the fan-shaped structure is now fragmented across several miles of barren terrain. Larger chunks had collected near one of the island's few remaining rivers, the repugnant water stained a golden hue by the silt and cracked earth flowing around and over it. The dome of Cosmos' central hub had been crushed nearly beyond recognition, having landed face down after bearing the brunt of the impact when the station fell from the heavens.
In spite of the path of carnage left in the wake of the fallen space station, something unexpected makes its presence known on the monitor. APE forces crawl over every nook and cranny of the wreckage, clearly searching for something, while more still are erecting some sort of defenses to surround the debris. Modular parts have allowed them to rapidly assemble a star fort around the remains of their guiding star that grows by the hour.
"What do you think they're doing?" Zorome asks of those assembled.
Ikuno pushes her glasses further up the bridge of her nose, causing a bright reflection to hide her eyes. "They're looking for something, that's for sure."
"They're worried we might try to stop them as well," Mitsuru adds, biting his upper lip while focusing on the ramparts.
Several seconds pass with only the humming of the command center's electronics to break the silence.
With a snort Terra crosses her arms. "It is like humans to cling to false hope, clawing in the dirt like younglings searching for a lost toy. They seek their gods."
"Nothing could have possibly survived that kind of impact," Hiro says with a minute shake of his head. The young man's tone sounds more like he's trying to convince himself than anyone else.
You rub your chin, considering the situation at hand. Believing Hiro is something everyone desperately wants, but life had never been kind enough for any of you to feel comfortable doing so.
In the meantime Freya replies to the young man, saying, "I calculate the odds of survival at less than one percent. No escape pods that were launched survived reentry and the station was never designed to withstand an impact of such magnitude as the rail cannon. However, Cosmos Station was most heavily reinforced at its core and there are gaps in the schematics even I am unable to explain."
"It is unfortunate that the railgun is no longer in our possession," Hachi states matter-of-factly. "Another shot would surely have destroyed all that remains of the station."
From her position across the holotable the reigning Klaxosaur monarch raises an eyebrow. She silently dares him to question her last minute decision to render the railgun inoperable and withdraw alongside the majority of her brethren.
"I mean no disrespect," the man clarifies. "Destroying the railgun was certainly preferable to allowing it to fall into APE's hands once again. A weapon of such magnitude should never have been with them to begin with."
Now placated, Terra returns her attention to the projection.
"One thing is clear. If they think the council is still alive somewhere in that wreckage and are trying to dig them out… we have to put an end to it."
Murmurs of agreement accompany your declaration, though no one is enthused about fighting yet another battle in such a short span of time. The soldiers of the rebellion are weary and exhausted, even with the head having been cut off the snake. Nevertheless, ensuring that the council is dead is a vital step in removing the remaining plantations from their clutches and establishing a new world free from their corruption.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A day later, after the appropriate preparations had been made and goodbyes had been said, the assault force set off. It would take them two days to reach their destination at a brisk march. Time was of the essence, and they managed the journey in just over a day and a half, allowing themselves the leftover time to rest some fifty miles from the crash site.
The midday sun burns brightly overhead as the rebels approach the fallen station, marching brazenly in broad daylight. Their vibrant colors clash with the barren landscape. So too do their battle cries, ringing out into the still air for all to hear. They are coming, and emboldened by their recent victory, they want their adversaries to know of their arrival. Look upon them and see the ragtag group that built itself from nothing, now poised to become the new power in this world, and fear.
Leading the rabble is a FranXX familiar to any who had witnessed previous battles between APE and the rebellion, a scuffed shield maiden of royal blue and gold. While not a part of Squad 13, Valkyra and her pilots were still founding members of the rebellion. The shield maiden had become something of a symbol due to her heroic actions in the past, leading the assault forces on both the Third Garden and VIRM. In addition, it was hard for her not to become a walking legend after surviving an airstrike called in directly on top of herself. There's no better commander for the revolutionary army, and certainly none they would rather follow into even the jaws of hell itself.
At her order the force amasses like they have since their first true test against the Third Garden, positioning themselves to follow behind a phalanx created by the heavier units. Compared to before their formation appears weaker, as though it is being held together by frayed strands falling out of a tighter weave. Still, they march forward as though their shield were as impenetrable as their will is indomitable.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It would be impossible not to see the approaching rebels or the cloud of dust they had kicked up with their march. Soon, alarms blare as the fortress and her defenders springs to life. Papa and the council were alive, they knew it, and those loyal would fight to the bitter end to see them rescued.
Within the outermost ramparts, APE forces rush to arm themselves. Many had been occupied with excavating the wreckage and hurry to their defensive positions while bumping into one another. Spear-wielding FranXX make up the majority of their number, but a splattering of riflemen and several of the Dauntless heavy mechs are interspersed. Cannons line the rapidly constructed bulwark but they are fewer in number than that of a fixed installation. Instead, overlapping fields of fire between the outlying keeps will be expected to make up the firepower.
It isn't long before ranged APE reinforcements find their way onto their ramparts from further within the makeshift fortress. Most duck behind the many shoulder-high walls that litter both the ramparts and ground alike, and are soon joined by their melee-wielding counterparts until the attackers set foot within firing range. These cautious defenders make no move to leave their fortifications. Where once they would've faced the rebellion head on in a show of pride, they now lean on the advantage of their reinforced position instead.
Where APE remains united behind their walls the rebel formation splits in two, once those wielding weapons capable of outranging their opponents reach the limit of their effectiveness. Taking up positions they make ready to fire, but their weapons remain silent as they wait for an unspoken order or signal.
An astute onlooker might surmise that it was in truth the rebel line itself causing them to hold their fire. Their phalanx stops all projectiles from passing through regardless of their point of origin, all the while expending the limited supply of power for the shield in the process.
Approximately half the distance between the rebels and the outermost ramparts have been covered when APE begins to fire. Almost immediately the orange barrier of light shows signs of fatigue, growing dimmer under the sustained fire.
Several paces more sees hairline fractures surface in the energy, which quickly spiderweb through the entirety of the force field. Where the rebels should be panicking they are instead perfectly calm. So high are they from their recent accomplishments that they have been left feeling unstoppable, even in the face of overlapping fields of fire.
"Do not falter!" Valkyra shouts while straining to keep Aegis held aloft to maintain the barrier. "This war ends today! Let every man fight to his last! For our future! For the rebellion!"
When the shield falls, there is a cacophonous roar as the invaders break formation and surge forward. The first volley from the defenders reduces the rushing front line by two thirds. Stepping over their fallen comrades, the rebels push forward unabated with an unnatural vigor.
The torrent of lead continues as the rebels claw their way to the base of the ramparts where they seek what shelter they can. They pause there momentarily as the shields briefly flicker and reignite, protecting them for the time being. They won't last however, both the attackers and defenders know this. Something must be done to change the tide of the battle or the remaining rebels will be cut down in a matter of minutes, and with it, their best chance to end the war.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
High above the battlefield in a series of transports, Strelitzia, Delphinium, and Chlorophytum wait and watch for the right opportunity to present itself. They and their teams were going to crack open APE's defense with an unexpected strike from above, thus paving the way for the rebellion's inevitable victory.
Surveying the ongoing battle, Strelitzia can't help but feel her anticipation building. Zero Two was always like this before a fight. Her predatory nature, the instincts of a huntress, could not be contained. Instead she allowed herself to let go and be immersed in them. The thrill of the hunt was something she lived for just as much as she did her darling Hiro.
Delphinium notices her friend's eagerness to join the fray and gently takes her by the wrist.
"Be careful down there."
Strelitzia's maniacal grin turns into a warm smile.
"You too, Miku," she says earnestly. "And you as well, Zorome." She turns to face Chlorophytum. "Ikuno and Mitsuru as well. I want all of you to come back."
A small flush of color brightens the typically quiet FranXX's visage. Chlorophytum covers her cheek and looks away before returning her eyes to her sisters-in-arms.
"We've all got people counting on us and praying for our safe return, but… it is nice to have someone say it out loud too."
The warriors share an impromptu hug before the seriousness of the situation takes over once more.
"Shouldn't be long now," Delphinium sighs as an explosion rocks the world below.
Hiro keys the comm to get everyone's attention. "We'll take the southern rampart. The fighting should be the heaviest there."
Chlorophytum nods, flexing her hand to ensure she is in perfect sync with the mech. "Once the outer south-east fort has fallen we'll join you. It shouldn't take long, so count on us for support."
"It'll take us even less time to clear the one on the south-west," Zorome proclaims. "Then we'll be ready to kick more ass as a team. Remember to save some for us."
There is a sigh broadcast over the link as Mitsuru says, "Must everything be a competition?"
In truth he is smiling inside Chlorophytum's cockpit, relieved that even now his friends are still able to act like they always have. Zorome's bravado was sometimes over the top, but at least it was consistent and somewhat inspiring, not that he'd ever admit it to him.
"Well I'll take that bet," Strelitzia announces, hitting the door release with her free hand.
A rush of wind cuts through the still air of the cargo hold. Nearby, the two remaining transports open their cargo bay doors as well and the FranXX inside prepare for their drop insertion.
"Race you to the bottom?" Delphinium asks with a cheeky half smile and sidelong glance at her red and yellow counterpart.
Strelitzia places her back to the open door and beams. "Here we go everyone! Try to keep up!"
With that she backflips over the edge. On her way down she executes a series of acrobatic twists and turns to avoid the incoming flak fired by APE's limited anti-air network, while simultaneously clearing the way for her compatriots.
Delphinium and Chlorophytum are right behind her, with Miku and Zorome still attempting to finish their transformation into Heirax while plummeting toward the rapidly approaching earth below. The pair had only used the transformation once before, needing its combat advantage to get them out of a close call.
"Uh, Miku..." the FranXX's pilot calls out to his partner.
"I'm working on it!" she yells back.
A modicum of concern begins to form in Zorome's mind as the ground hurtles toward him and his mortality begins to register.
"The ground is getting closer, Miku!"
"I said I'm working on it!" his partner's annoyance and adrenaline evident in both her voice and the connection they share through Delphinium.
It seems as though they've already passed the point of no return when Zorome cries out for the last time, "Miku!"
Zorome's HUD lights up with new readouts of thrusters already burning hot, and suddenly he's tossed about in his harness as Delphinium begins to rapidly decelerate.
"Got it!" Delphinium declares triumphantly. If FranXX could sweat, Delphinium was certain she'd be doing it plenty right about now. Her body in the cockpit had to be drenched after the exertion just to bring Heirax online.
"Hang on!" her pilot shouts as he directs them toward their final destination.
While able to slow themselves to less than terminal velocity, Delphinium and her pilot are not successful in making a perfect landing. Instead they look more like a lame duck twirling about before ultimately crashing into some unfortunate loyalist rifleman to break their fall.
Their arrival, both in form and function, completely catches those stationed on the outer defensed off guard. The members of their team land much more gracefully several seconds later, before taking the fight to their loyalist opponents. Delphinium is left to first claw her way back to her feet and reorient herself before joining the fray.
Vastly outnumbered by the loyalists, the insertion teams must use their element of surprise to carve themselves a hole on the ramparts before APE can get their bearings. Delphinium's team of four has already made quick work of several stunned FranXX, and the one she had landed on is permanently out of commission as well. However, that still leaves nearly fifteen on this platform alone.
A Dauntless and two riflemen step up as the team leader's opponents. The heavy mech leads with a sweeping shield bash, requiring both of Delphinium's blades to parry before coming back with their short sword for a swipe in the opposite direction that narrowly misses.
In the meantime, one rifleman works feverishly to reload after expending all of their ammunition on the approaching rebels and their shield wall. One of her compatriots drops to a knee to line up a shot at her opponent's exposed flank.
An alarm blares in the cockpit and Zorome swiftly guides Delphinium into a backflip after deflecting another thrust by the Dauntless. With her sparring partner nowhere to be found they stumble forward, only for Delphinium to land behind them and trap them in a chokehold. The unfortunate unit then finds itself subject to unfriendly fire as the rifleman Delphinium's systems had warned her of fires, cutting short the life of the shield bearer.
Shock and horror cross the face of the FranXX as they realize what they've done to their comrade, leaving them open to Delphinium's reprisal. Their anguish is abated by the sword driven through their chest, bringing a quick end to the loyalist.
Having finally managed to reload, the remaining rifleman fires two shots in quick succession that both fail to find their mark on the rapidly approaching Delphinium. In a flash the blue and white warrior leaps into the air and dropkicks the marksman over the rail, directly into the rebel horde below. They are immediately swallowed whole, not even being given the time to scream before disappearing within the mob.
Stopping for a moment to catch her breath, Delphinium spies Chlorophytum fighting on the nearby platform. She is presently engaged with a Dauntless of her own as well as two FranXX equipped with polearms.
Chlorophytum moves with such precision and grace that she almost appears to be dancing with her opponents rather than fighting them. A pirouette transitions into an upward slash from her bladed feet, deftly cutting through the hilt of the weapon wielded by one loyalist before she leaps into the air and activates her Razor Wings.
The highly polished shield of the Dauntless deflects the laser bursts, but this had been accounted for by the calculating pilots of the rebellion. Each of the shots is reflected toward another member of the defense, turning a defensive play by the heavy mech into a brilliant tactic to even the odds for Chlorophytum.
While she had been observing her sister-in-arms, rebels had begun to scale the walls of Delphinium's rampart. Now it is APE who finds themselves outnumbered. Quickly becoming overrun, the defenders attempt to pull back into the fortress itself over the bridges of reinforced concrete. Many are cut off from escaping, but the few that succeed scamper across to the relative safety offered by the steel walls.
Rebel forces waste no time in giving chase, leading a charge over the bridges by those carrying shields or those who had looted them from the defeated loyalists.
On the ground Valkyra continues to drive her forces toward the main fortress, but one large obstacle remains in their path. A river, deep enough that it would require FranXX to wade across with the current up to their hips. This would mean certain death for any who attempted to traverse the waters, as they would be cut down by the hail of gunfire from the battlements above. Her only hope would be that enough attention would be drawn away by the fighting on the outer platforms and on the connecting bridges in order for the assault to reach the other side.
Strelitzia had taken the largest of the three insertion teams directly onto said battlements to sow havoc, but even with twelve members they are still so greatly outnumbered that they are barely holding their own. Only the world's most powerful FranXX is immune to the effects of the situation. Her bloodlust has taken over and adrenaline floods her veins, making her practically impervious to pain or panic.
Delphinium can see Strelitzia clearing a swath through the ranks while she herself is a part of the thundering herd charging across the bridge.
Across the battlefield, Chlorophytum and her accompanying rebel forces rush forth across the narrow span. The structure trembles beneath the weight of so many FranXX, but it's not the stress which causes it to give way. Spurts of flame appear on the supporting columns, and with an earth-shattering roar they collapse.
Before she has time to cry out for her friend, a wave of heat washes over the edges of the bridge Delphinium finds herself on. For an instant time seems to stand still. A small crack begins to form at the central span but it quickly arcs out to the rails, racing outward at an alarming pace.
"Fall back!" is all she can yell as a series of cracks propagate beneath her, and then the surface of the bridge disintegrates.
Now in free fall and with no time to activate Hierax, Delphinium flails helplessly until something hard strikes her back. However, it was not the ground that broke her fall but the surface of the river near the fortress' base. The impact knocks the wind out of the blue and white mech and she is enveloped by the waves.
Darkness overtakes the rebel pilots' vision as they sink further into the watery grave of their allies. When she is finally able to regain control Delphinium has already sunken to the riverbed, and she is far from the only one. At least twenty other FranXX are in various stages of struggling to reach the surface. Some are successful, only to be cut down by fire from the ramparts resulting in their corpses slowly returning to the soft loam.
A shadow passes overhead and Delphinium turns to look, only to be struck by a large chunk of debris from the collapsing bridge. Striking near the nape of her neck and rolling lower still, the reinforced concrete slab pins her to the earth.
Held face down, there is little Delphinium can do to free herself from the rubble trapping her. There is no immediate cause for concern of suffocation, but any more rubble and she'll be crushed. Debris continues to rain down around the captive FranXX, seemingly getting closer and closer as more and more of the bridge's structure gives way.
Out of the darkness of the river comes a shining ray of hope. Rather, a glimmering figure of fluorescent blue walking along the riverbed. Miku and Zorome had heard the legends of King Arthur and Camelot from stories in the Garden, but never had they expected to actually come face-to-face with the Lady of the Lake.
The figure becomes clearer as they grow closer, resembling less an Arthurian legend and more of a Norse one. With the runes etched into her armor illuminating the dark space, Valkyra has arrived to save her ally. Using the enhanced strength of her Einherjar Drive, the shield maiden rolls the slab of concrete pinning Delphinium to the riverbed and pulls her to her feet. Still leading her by the hand, Valkyra trudges forward up the bank and out into the sunlight.
The pair wade out of the shallows and press themselves against the base of the fortifications to hide from those above.
Before she has time to thank her savior, Valkyra takes a deep breath and prepares to reenter the churning waves.
"Where are you going?" Delphinium yells, pulling her back into safety.
Valkyra's gaze remains fixed on the river, "We're going back for the others."
"What do you…" Delphinium's question remains unfinished as she realizes that the collection of rebel FranXX tucked into the niche she currently occupies must have all come from the river. Valkyra has been wading in under the threat of enemy fire and falling debris to save everyone she can.
"What do we do now?" Zorome shouts.
A long and low howl cuts through the noise of the battlefield. It is not a direct answer to the young man's question, but it is still of great importance nonetheless.
On the northern side of the facility APE's forces have been thinned, repositioned to assist in repelling the rebel assault. Those that remain shiver in fear at the sight beholden to them. Three enormous wolves, with shaggy manes and sharp teeth, howl at the moonless sky.
The Klaxosaurs have arrived.