Recently got into DitF for myself, Zero Two and Hiro have blown me away with how cute and wholesome they are. There are very few pairings in anime that truly give that soul mate vibe to me and this couple absolutely kill me with how adorable they are.
However I can't help but be disappointed that so many people started their own stories only to quit a couple chapters in. On the one hand I can understand, the ending of the anime probably killed their love and creativity for them, but at the same time I want to encourage people to try again and finish.
The manga did end with a happy ending though, so I would hope that they could use that to inspire some love for the series to come back like I have. Basically I'm saying please help me add more fics to this fandom, haha.
Without anymore delay, please enjoy.
Flight of the Jian
Chapter 1
The Garden Where It All Began
December 13 - 2131
Entering the lab Doctor Franxx felt almost eager as he approached the examination table containing an intriguing specimen. Lifting up his medical chart, he briefly went over the details on it.
According to his physical checkup he appeared fine apart from a slight abrasion to his temple on the right side as well as a familiar looking bite mark on his right hand. A good sign, considering they were out in freezing cold temperatures for quite a while.
"Code 016..."
Interesting, when he'd been informed that a child from the Garden had broken the window in Code 002's room and stolen her, he wasn't sure what to expect. Seeing a child with this low of a code number was definitely a surprise, but then again perhaps it shouldn't be, considering just how special this particular number was.
He'd seen 016's scores in the light aptitude testing and the normal physicals, he showed incredible promise in his future as a Parasite. It was part of the reason he'd held off on his Yellow Blood Cell injections, he wanted to see if that potential would grow or diminish with the presence of his emotions.
It would appear that it might have backfired slightly on him, as the reports he'd gotten from the soldiers stated he was very resistant and protective as they cornered them. Even going so far as to attempt to attack the guards, only to be subdued for his efforts.
All that to stay with Code 002... intriguing.
"Start an internal scan, let's make sure his vitals are normal." The assistant nodded and typed a few keystrokes into the computer. Some machinery whirred to life, and a mechanical arm positioned itself above the child on the cushioned table, before slowly running down the length of his body.
The scan went over the unconscious boy effortlessly, merely appearing like a bright long flashlight being dragged over his body, painless and simple. The computer took in an x-ray scan as it went, as well as measuring his vitals and internals. After it had passed over his arms Franxx took a syringe and prodded his arm for the vein he needed to take a blood sample.
When he'd finished he handed it off to his assistant to input the sample into the database, as was standard procedure. When all was finished, the computer began to load the results as it processed everything being fed into it.
Doctor Franxx was prepared to just simply look at the results and deem him healthy enough for the guards to take him back to the Nursery, but something gave immediate pause to that plan.
To Werner's fascination the computer started running a mass series of equations and percentages one after the other, the screen filling with many lines of text that would overwhelm an average scientist.
But not Werner Franxx, oh no. This excited him, called out to him. He tapped a few keys to allow a visual explanation of some of these texts.
Suddenly an outline of Code 016's body appeared on screen, highlighted completely in red colors except for a small portion in his internal system that appeared blue.
The computer then began to forward the date and 016's body began to grow in size, signifying his growth throughout time. As it grew in size the computer began to hypothesize with the data it had collected, and his highlights began to transform from red to blue, first internally and then steadily more externally.
By the time the clock had stopped a full ten years in time, the silhouette of a young man was now displaying completely blue highlights, and was then brought side by side for comparison to his younger self.
The child's biology was changing right before his eyes, but why? Scrolling through the paragraphs of text Dr. Franxx suddenly paused as he saw a peculiar little detail in the data. To anyone else it might've been lost in the sea of words, but to him, it was almost like it was highlighted.
/ Klaxian DNA Successfully Bonded To Human DNA
Klaxian! So that was what he was witnessing... the boy was slowly transforming into a hybrid! Amazing, but how?
Well, that much is obvious. It must've been Code 002... somehow he took a sample of her blood into his system. Did he ingest it? Did some of her blood get exposed to the open wound on him when the soldiers took them? No, she hadn't been injured, that can't be it.
He typed a few keystrokes into the computer, setting the current data aside for later. On the screen two different DNA strands, one red and one blue, were placed side by side. Werner hit another couple keys and the computer began to overlap the two strands together.
/ Initiating Analysis
/ DNA Compatibility To Subject 002 - Running
... ... ...
/ Subject 016 Compatibility - 100%
His one biological eye widened. "100%...?! Incredible, inconceivable! If this is true..."
An almost giddy feeling overcame the old man as he ran through one after another possible way to take advantage of this sudden development. If the boy's DNA was changing to make him into something like his most greatest accomplishment there was no telling what they could accomplish together if the computer was correct.
Now, how to proceed?
He debated his next course of action very carefully, as any actions following this decision would very well effect the lives of more than just his two test subjects. Possibly the entirety of what's left of Humanity...
If he sent the boy back to the Garden to be left to grow up separate from Code 002, his body could potentially reject the Klaxian aspects into dormancy as he grew with no further influence from himself or 002. It would be intriguing to see his potential as a pilot after going through training with the contained Klaxo DNA within him, yes a very tempting experiment indeed.
However...
He'd be a fool if he didn't keep the boy under his wing like Code 002, as he'd potentially have not one, but two hybrids that could serve his purposes twice more efficiently than if he just had the one!
100% compatibility... it was still hard to believe he was seeing that number. He never imagined something so perfect could walk right into his hands...
To further encourage his thought process, Code 002 had already shown signs of increased mental development from the boy's guidance, learning to understand enough to attempt communication in just a matter of hours. This was far more than she'd been able to accomplish in years of his time attempting to tame her enough to be obedient.
If he allowed the two to continue to interact in a controlled environment, she would no doubt progress leaps and bounds towards normal intelligence of a child her age.
Essentially, Code 016 would be helping in doing a massive amount of the work for him, so long as he could get the boy's cooperation to a degree. Not to mention, in time if the two were successful in piloting together as they got older... the possibilities!
Yes, keeping them together could prove far more useful...
"Dr. Franxx, the soldiers are ready to return Code 016 to the Garden whenever you wish." His assistant reported as he stepped up to the doctor's side. Several APE guards standing idly a ways behind.
"Cancel it."
"Sir?" The assistant said with confusion before he could stop himself. The guards themselves glanced at each other from hearing this. The doctor didn't turn away from his work as he repeated his command.
"Cancel the order, you guards are dismissed." The men hesitated briefly, but eventually turned and made their way out of the lab. When they had been gone long enough the doctor turned towards the only other conscious occupant in the room.
"I want you to remove Code 016's files from the main Garden database and enter them into my personal one alongside 002's. All of them."
"Sir, forgive me but... isn't this going against Papa? Code 016 is one of his most prodigious stamen in training, his stats are far too promising for Papa to allow you to remove him from the program without permission. He's too valuable!"
A fair point, one that Werner had indeed considered. It was simply a risk he was willing to take, especially once he shared his discoveries with Papa.
"You don't need to worry about that. With the new developments that have occurred, I'm sure Papa will accept my spur of the moment decision this one time. Now, after you transfer the files, I want you to bring them into the infirmary. I've collected enough data for today."
The assistant frowned, appearing very unsure, but nodded their affirmation to their orders nonetheless.
As he was left alone, Werner Franxx looked down at the boy on the examination table, who lay blissfully unaware of the incredible potential he held.
"I have high expectations for the both of you..."
Hiro was made first aware of a slight pounding sensation in the side of his head when he began to awaken. It hurt a bit at first but then began to dull into a light throbbing that eventually faded into a minor headache. It was quite unpleasant.
The second thing he noticed was that he didn't feel cold, he felt like he was in a neutral tempered environment, like the Nursery in Garden.
But if he was back there, then...
Zero Two! Where is she?!
Forcing his eyes open, he had to immediately close them as the fluorescent lighting above made his eyes hurt, he quickly brought a hand up to his eyes to cover them as he struggled to sit up.
"Zero Two!" Hiro called as he peered through the gaps in his fingers until his eyes stopped getting minor flashes and readjusted. He felt the bed he was laying on shift on the other side, and heard the blankets rustle as someone moved about. Looking to his left he was relieved beyond words to be able to make out a red-skinned girl sitting at his side.
Rubbing his closed eyes gently to soothe them a little more, he finished sitting up and turned to face her. Lowering his hand and opening his eyes, he found he could see a lot more clearly now, and his immediate focus was on her.
"Da!" Zero Two cried, her face a mix of relief and anxiety as she reached out and pawed at his chest, appearing as if she was looking for anymore injuries. He could feel a bandage wrapped around his head, and briefly touching it brought the painful reminder of the smack he'd taken to the head when they were taken.
"I'm alright, Zero Two, really. A little headache, but other than that I'm just fine. What about you, did they hurt you?" He asked even as his eyes were already checking for himself.
The red girl sniffled before shifting closer to him and nuzzling into his shoulder, her horns barely missing his cheek. Hiro chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her, he'd have to be mindful of those until he could get her to learn how to be careful with them herself.
Of course it's no surprise Zero Two wouldn't think about them, she'd never been close enough to someone like this to know or care. Hiro was probably the only person she'd ever been held by like this. Softly, tenderly.
"I'm so relieved that you're still with me." He murmured to her. "I was so scared that you were going to be taken away..."
Zero Two's hands gripped at his shirt tightly, telling him in her own way she'd had the exact same fear. Tears gathered in her eyes as she whimpered. "Da..."
"Shh, don't worry. I haven't given up fighting for you, I may not be stronger than the adults... but I won't just let them take you from me without trying. I have a promise to keep. To be your Darling, remember?" He asked as he smiled softly at her.
At the sound of the sacred word, Zero Two blushed and her whole face lit up with her smile, the sight of her making Hiro's heart beat a little faster. She was so adorable, he couldn't get enough.
Looking around the room he found he didn't recognize this infirmary, so he couldn't know for sure if they were back in Garden or not. While he was happy he hadn't been separated from Zero Two, he had to wonder what was going to happen to them now. The adults would eventually come, and Hiro had to think quickly as to what he could do when they did.
They wouldn't simply let him stay with her if he asked nicely, he knew for a fact that wasn't going to happen. At the same time, trying to resist and flee hadn't been a real winner of a plan, either.
Hiro frowned as he held Zero Two a little tighter, the heavy cloud of fear and doubt beginning to encompass him slowly as the minutes passed.
What could he do to keep her with him...?
A short time later the door suddenly opened and revealed an elderly bio-mechanical man with a cane, his lab coat flowing around his legs as he strode in with all the confidence a man in his position could have. Which was a lot, given who he was. Hiro had remembered seeing him briefly during some of his checkups, he'd never been fond of him, he gave off a strange vibe that didn't sit well with the nine-year old.
He walked just inside the room, the door sliding shut behind him immediately afterwards, giving no chance to leave past him should they try.
In reaction, Zero Two scrambled behind Hiro's back, her little fists gripping desperately at his shirt as she tried to shield herself away from the man's sight. Clearly, she knew who he was and did not like him either.
"So you're the troublemaker who tried to escape with my prized possession." The old man said with something akin to amusement, though his expression didn't appear all that amused with half of it being metal.
Hiro scowled at the term he used to describe Zero Two, as if she were an object. Before he could voice his displeasure, though, the doctor continued.
"I'm not entirely sure what you were planning to do to get out of here with her, but I must say I do admire your tenacity. However, the Garden is impossible to escape from without my knowing, you wouldn't have made it far before we recollected her. Possibly even in your sleep so you'd be taken unaware and without struggle, by the time you awoke you would have been back in the Nursery, and Code 002 would be in a windowless cell."
His heartbeat steadily rose faster the more he listened, his head bowing in shame at the full realization that he never stood a chance of keeping his promise to Zero Two... He had been doomed to fail the moment he broke her out, it was foolish to think a kid like him could outsmart the adults.
And yet... Hiro couldn't bring himself to care or believe that... He still would've tried even if he'd been aware of how useless it was. Being with Zero Two was worth anything!
But now what was going to happen to them? This man was clearly here with an agenda, and Hiro felt a cold sweat break across his body as the fear of the unknown from earlier came crushing down on them both. Zero Two trembled at his back, clearly sensing his rising tension and not liking it.
"I can see you're upset at the facts I've just stated to you. Understandable, I suppose. Code 002 is a remarkable creature, I can't blame you for seeing something that made you want to steal her."
The boy didn't respond, keeping Zero Two hidden behind him the best he could while he considered what he'd do if they tried to take her away. Oddly, it was just the old man here by himself, maybe if the two of them overpowered him they could make another run for it?
No, that wouldn't work... think fast, Hiro, think!
"Do you want to stay together with her?"
Hiro froze, his face deflating into a stunned expression as he took in what the doctor just asked him. That hadn't been what he expected to hear at all...
"I see I've got your full attention now." The doctor said, stepping further into the room and closer to the children, who shuffled back in response until they were against the wall.
"Understand first that under normal circumstances, by now you both would have had your memories of your time together warped to where you wouldn't have access to them, forgetting you ever met to begin with. You would have been collected and returned to the Nursery where you belong, and ideally you would never see Code 002 again."
"No!" Hiro cried out before he could stop himself, his hand reaching back to fist at Zero Two's raggedy black cloak. One of her small hands came off his back to grab at it, offering him comfort as they laced their fingers together.
"Da..." She murmured quietly into his tense back.
To forget Zero Two... Forget her and the precious time they spent together, no matter how short... It would've been nothing short of the cruelest thing the adults had done to him, regardless of anything they did going forward. It brought tears to his eyes just thinking about it and made him grip her hand tighter.
"Fascinating..." The doctor murmured to himself as he watched the two, the emotional bond between them quite an interesting thing to witness. He had never seen the red-skinned girl appear so docile and tame, not even when left alone with her precious picture book.
Yes, it seems the computer was not malfunctioning at all, their compatibility was truly a sight to behold. Now if he could just see them in a FranXX together...
Time to set the bait.
"I'm not going to beat around the bush for you, even if you're a child. You have interfered in something you weren't meant to."
Hiro tensed up, sensing a punishment for his actions coming. He'd never regret what he'd done, but he still feared that Zero Two would suffer for everything more than he would.
"By intermingling with Code 002 you have thrown a metaphorical wrench in the workings of my experiments, so to speak. Your interactions have changed her in ways that are irreversible and she has done the same to you in vice versa. Tell me... did you by chance come into contact with her blood at any time?"
At the question, Hiro was instantly remembering to their time under the tree, when he'd licked her wound to try and make it better. It had been an odd taste in his mouth, but other than that he didn't feel it was that big of a deal. Why was he asking?
No matter how odd, he still couldn't risk not being honest, it could result in him being taken away from her!
"I... She cut her knee in the forest... I was just trying to keep the wound clean. I licked it to try and help, it tasted a little off... not like normal blood."
So he ingested her blood willingly... I see.
"Well now it would appear you've caused a complete mutation of your very DNA, one that makes you closer to 002 than it does a human, I hope you know. It's unknown how much it'll effect your growth going forward, but it's undeniable that based on your environment and influence this new part of you could grow in strength or be suppressed into dormancy."
Hiro was having a hard time following. "I don't understand..."
"To put it simply; your body is slowly transforming into something similar to Code 002. On a molecular level right now, at least."
The boy's eyes widened, that he understood. He looked down at himself, as if trying to find any changes that might've occurred to his body. His other hand came up to his chest, placing it over his pounding heart.
"I'll be... like her...?"
"Not entirely, your Human DNA is still too potent for the foreign DNA to overtake it. If the computer and my hypothesis are correct you would probably experience minor changes such as faster reflexes and enhanced physical strength, possibly a couple changes in your appearance. It's too soon to say for sure without further extensive research and tests, but that's where my current predicament lies... what to do with you going forward."
Hiro's shoulders were practically above his ears with how tense he felt now, he was already reeling from the news that his body was changing because of Zero Two's blood. His heart was thumping wildly and his breathing came out in soft pants. The doctor ignored his dramatics and continued on.
"As I've said, it's very possible that without further stimulation, the mutation will simply become a recessive part of you. If you wish to go back to the other children and be among them again, these changes will most likely never get the chance to develop. You will remain Human, essentially." He paused, letting that sink in for a few moments.
"If you stay with 002, however, you will not only change physically but possibly fundamentally as well. You will not be who you are anymore. The choice is ultimately up to you."
Franxx had no real intention of leaving the choice up to the boy, his path was already chosen, but it would likely prove more beneficial if he let him believe he had.
Under pose of threat alone would only make 016 and subsequently 002 grow more rebellious and deny him the chance to achieve the best results he desired. Under the belief that the choice was by his own free will, however, will hopefully eliminate a great deal of insubordination going forward. Perhaps even start a chain of trust.
Hiro stared at the floor in front of him for a minute, trying to wrap his head around everything. This wasn't at all what he had expected to happen when he woke up earlier, in a matter of minutes this one adult had managed to upend his entire world, leaving him with possibly the hardest choice he's had to make in his life.
"If I... If I do what you want... I can stay with her?"
Hook... Line...
"You and 002 will be subjected to special tasks and experimentation under my direct supervision. You both will grow to be at my beck and call to do whatever I order you to, and so long as you achieve the goals I set out for you I will allow you freedoms within reason. But I'm sure simply being with her would be enough for you... would it not?"
So he was basically being told he'd either go back to Garden to be a stamen like he was meant to be, or stay under this man's thumb and be whatever he wanted him to be whenever he needed him... like a slave?
"Well... what is it going to be?"
Hiro shifted uncomfortably as he internally debated with himself about which of the two choices was best for him. The smiling faces of his friends from the Nursery flashed through his mind as he considered...
Futoshi, Ikuno, Zorome.
Kokoro, Miku, Naomi.
Goro, Ichigo, Mitsuru.
But then Hiro felt movement at his back, and instantly he looked over his shoulder to see two watery teal-green eyes staring up at him. The little girl's expression was lost and extremely anxious as she didn't quite understand what was happening but somehow knew that something major was about to occur to them.
Her face was the definition of frightened as she seemed to be expecting him to be taken from her any second now.
That look into her eyes was what made his choice for him, it seemed so obvious now he scolded himself for even debating it. Hiro had been perfectly fine with leaving everything and everyone behind mere hours ago, just to be with this sweet girl, nothing had changed now except he had a choice.
Hiro would never let her go through all of what she had alone again, not if he had any say in it. At least this way, he could stay with her and protect her without having to fend for the both of them in the cold wilderness.
And if by some manner of fate he was meant to change into something else in the process... well, he'd learn to accept that when the time came.
I'm sorry, guys... but I need her.
"I want to stay with Zero Two... I want to be with her forever." Hiro said, squeezing Zero Two's hand as he spoke the words directly to her. Zero Two's face lit up some as she seemed to understand two main parts of his statement; her name and 'forever'.
Sinker...
Werner Franxx grinned, the best he could with his metal jaw allowing, hearing the exact answer he wanted.
"Excellent. Starting tomorrow you will begin tests with myself and my crew. I want to monitor your status every day until further notice to see if any new changes have occurred. We're going to see just how far your potential goes, Code 016, so I suggest you rest up."
He turned and began making his way to the exit, pausing at the door before leaving.
"Oh, and I'd be more than appreciative if you kept encouraging 002 to speak properly. It would be so refreshing to have her respond to something other than brute force from those ingrates." With that, the enigmatic man stepped outside the room and turned to give them one final glance.
Now all he had to do was deal with Papa and the council about removing 016 from the Parasite Program until further notice. Not looking forward to that discussion...
As the door shut behind the man who held their fates in his hands, the two children relaxed a little, the threat of being separated gone for now. Zero Two slowly came around to Hiro's side, looking from the closed door to Hiro, their hands still clasped together.
"Da..."
"It'll be okay, Zero Two." Hiro promised, his other hand reaching up and petting her hair gently. "As long as we do what he says we'll stay together. I'll do whatever it takes to stay with you, I swear."
Zero Two didn't quite fully understand all of what he said, but the soothing tone in which he spoke helped alleviate any fears she had of him leaving her. At least for now. Hugging his arm that held her hand with her other free one, the horned girl felt a little more brave about facing whatever it was that lay ahead of them.
The two children were unsure and a little scared of what the future - of what the adults who controlled said future - held in store for them, but all they could take comfort in was that they would be much stronger now when dealing with it.
Because they had each other.
Back in the Garden's Nursery the children of Hiro's circle were enjoying a pleasant game of catch together, tossing a ball back and forth and giving a point to anyone who missed their catch. Code 056, also known as Goro, was the latest one to drop the ball, literally, and it rolled away from the group forcing him to go after it.
Everyone else was so much better at the game, especially Hiro who was the one who usually won, as he always had the least points. Goro always tried to chalk up the reason he got the most was because of his poor eyesight. Hopefully in time he'd get better.
For now, though, he was starting to grow worried, usually Hiro had come back from his testing by now. It especially concerned him because Hiro had been noticeably distracted the last few days, often staring off into space as if deep in thought about something.
As he bent to pick up the ball, the blonde noticed a caretaker coming in to deliver their evening meals, but Hiro wasn't with them either. Where was he...?
Other children noticed it was time for their meals and went to line up to wait, but a couple of his friends stepped forward, Ichigo and Mitsuru.
"Where's Hi- Umm, where's 016?" Ichigo asked her, her words half muffled by the plush rabbit she held.
"Code 016 will no longer be here in the Nursery with you, that's all you need to know."
The world suddenly felt like it had shifted, and nothing felt like it would ever be the same again...
"Hiro's... gone...?" Mitsuru whispered in disbelief. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked down at his hand, at the pinky he'd used to make his promise to him. A promise that would never be fulfilled now...
Ichigo felt the air in her suddenly leave her, making her breathless and light-headed in the same instant. She slowly sank to her knees, her arms clutching her rabbit close to her chest even though it further restricted her air intake.
Goro called her name, but she couldn't hear him, barely felt as he knelt beside her and tried to comfort her by rubbing up and down her arms.
Within the last week they'd lost Code 367, Code 494, and now Code 016... Hiro...
But why? It didn't make any sense! The boy who gave them names couldn't have just been taken for no reason! Especially not with how special they'd treated him given his low number!
Goro looked towards the adult again and begged in Ichigo's stead. "Please, just tell us... Why him? He never did anything wrong!"
The adult looked irritated at the dramatics the children were giving her, and spoke with a harsh tone in response to his question.
"Papa has decided on a new course for him, and you need to stop questioning Papa's wisdom." And with that, she moved on and continued to dish out their dinners, leaving them to their little pity fest.
Many children took his leaving hard, especially the ones close to him, as they had all looked up to him and looked to him for kindness when others had brushed them off. But for some children it was a harsh realization that no matter how low your code was or how special the adults built you up to be, you could end up gone one day, too.
Goro and Ichigo would continue to ask about Hiro several times in the weeks to come after his removal, hoping they'd get some word on where he'd gone. All they wanted was to make sure he was okay... but were never told anything other than the same single maddening reply.
"It's none of your concern, his fate is sealed."
And that's chapter 1 of this extremely long story I've committed myself to. I've always thought they were just adorable as children, and their story of how they met is just sweet.
Personally in this different reality I feel that with the difference in circumstances in their upbringing they would take on some slight differences in their personality. I will try to not stray too far from canon with any out of character-type changes but I'm hoping people like it as much as I do.
Hope to see you again in the next chapter.