Author's Note
Okay, it's time to have some Ultraman Orb soundtracks and Darling in the FranXX soundtracks ready for the rest of the chapters. XXXXXXX means that you will have the Ultraman Orb - Orb no Inori (TV Size) playing or the Darling in the FranXX - KISS OF DEATH (TV Size) playing. The lower case xxxxxxx means timeskip. So, don't get confused. When you're done reading, play Ultraman Orb - Shine your Orb (TV Size) or Darling in the FranXX ending themes (TV Size). Now, on to the story!
17 years ago...
Haruno: So, Ryunai.
Ryunai: Yeah?
Haruno: Remember that I said that I don't understand what that 'love' thing you talked about?
Ryunai: Yes?
Haruno: Now, I'm starting to think it means the other person is special to you.
Ryunai: Well, you can put it that way. All this 'love' stuff are not come from me, but come from my parents instead.
Haruno: Your parents thought you that?
Ryunai: Yeah. They said that love has many meanings. So, I think what you said there makes sense.
Haruno: You know, Ryunai. You've always been everyone's hero.
Ryunai: Hey now, where is all of this coming from? I mean, sure I'm Ultraman Orb. But, without you guys fighting on my side, I don't think it's really possible for me to fight that easily.
Haruno: Is that it?
Ryunai: Y-Yeah. I mean, you guys...
Maya: Hey guys! Aren't you guys coming?
Ryunai: We are!
He then turns to Haruno.
Ryunai: Let's go. We don't wanna be late.
Haruno: You got that right.
They then left the forest and went to the boarding house.
XXXXXXX
Futoshi: Guys! They're here!
Everyone then gathers in the entrance hall where they heard Futoshi yelling and stares at the pile of presents in front of them. After a short while, they open their presents. Ikuno got a new stack of books, Kokoro received a makeup kit, Miku tries her perfume, Mitsuru got a rich ballpoint pen, Zorome kicks in with his new ball, Futoshi got more food, Hiro received an illustrated guidebook on birds, Zero Two got a pocket mirror, Goro got new fishing rods and Ichigo got a new stuffed toy.
Goro: You're still asked for that kiddie stuff?
Ichigo: Wh-What does it matter?
Zorome then found a letter from Papa.
Zorome: Okay, listen up! I'm gonna read a message from Papa! Ahem, Er... Boys and girls, your numerous accomplishments represent a ray of hope, a harbinger of peace and a prosperity of mankind. Glory be to you noble parasites, who risk your lives for us. Hear that?! He called us 'a ray of hope'! That makes me wanna do even better!
Most of the squads are amazed. Hiro and Zero Two are not too impressed. Few minutes later, the squad goes back doing their own thing.
Meanwhile
Ryunai went to the Dr. Ozora's lab to meet him.
Dr. Ozora: Oh, Ryunai. What brings you here?
Ryunai: Oh nothing. I was just about to give you this.
Then, Ryunai pulls out a yellow crystal from his pocket.
Dr. Ozora: Wait, that crystal. Where did you get it?
Ryunai: I've been doing some wandering stuff lately.
Dr. Ozora: You've been wandering now?
Ryunai: Yeah. I thought I could a get little of an adventure for myself.
Dr. Ozora: *Chuckles* You're just like your father. Always been curious about the other parts of the world.
Ryunai: Yeah. I remember my first time fishing with him. It was very pleasant. Until that day...
Dr. Ozora: Well! That's enough for the chit chat time. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodbye, Ryunai!
Ryunai: Uhh... Bye?
Then, Dr. Ozora leaves.
The Next Day
As Squad 13 puts on their parasite suits, they then went to the briefing room.
Hachi: We've detected a Gutenberg-class Klaxosaur at a distance of approximately 2,000 from here.
Nana: It's moving slowy, but judging from its course, we can predict that it will make contact with the Plantation. We must avoid a repeat of the previous attack at all costs. Amd since the target is a long way away this time, your units have been loaded with more fuel than usual, so make a note of that.
Later
Squad 13 make its way to the last known location where the klaxosaur was. But, due to the thunderstorm, it was not easy to spot it.
Hiro: Thundercloud, right ahead.
Moments later, they notice several black and blue strands that are being dragged behind something near the ground. A short while, the Klaxosaur begins to emerge out of the dark cloud. The beast appears to be very large and bulbous, as its appearance resembles a jellyfish.
Hachi: Target sighted.
Ryunai: All units, prepare for combat.
Zorome: Roger that! Argentea going in!
Mitsuru: Wait, Zorome. Don't just rus-
Mitsuru tries to stop him but fails to. As Argentea charges at the Klaxosaur and dodges its attacks, Hiro notice in the clouds above him something stirring.
Hiro: Guys! Watch out!
Hiro shouts just as the lightning comes down. Luckily, everyone dodged it. As Argentea flies to the Klaxosaur, she was caught by its tentacles from above it. Argentea manages to break free from it. Zorome then noticed the core.
Zorome: Wait, there's the core!
Argentea then went after the core. However, Argentea becomes stuck in the Klaxosaur's membrane which start to envelop her after making physical contact to it. Then, Delphinium rushes in and collides with Argentea, freeing her but gets stuck in her place in the process.
Ryunai: Ichigo! Goro!
Goro: Everyone, get away!
Then, Ryunai rushes out of the control room where Hachi begins being suspicious about him. He then went to the restroom and pulls out the Orb Ring.
Ryunai: *Pulls out Ultraman's Fusion Card* Ultraman-san!
Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman!
Ultraman: SHAU!
Ryunai: *Pulls out Ultraman Tiga's Fusion Card* Tiga-san!
Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman Tiga!
Tiga: TAEH!
Ryunai: I'm borrowing the power of your lights! *Presses button*
Orb Ring: Fusion Up!
Light then begins to emit from the two Ultras and merges with Orb.
Orb Ring: Ultraman Orb Specium Zeperion!
Then, the rising scene is perform. Orb then appears from the sky and charges towards Delphinium. He then collides with Delphinium, freeing her but is also gets stuck in her place in the process. Strelizia manages to catch Delphinium afterwards.
Delphinium: Orb!
The Klaxosaur then charges an attack as it emits an electric surge around its body.
Orb: Everyone, get away! Now!
Then, a radiant flash of light appears as the Klaxosaur emits a massive explosion, knocking everyone out.
xxxxxxx
Warning: FranXX compromised. All systems are at 20% at volume.
Then, Hiro regains consciousness.
Hiro: What... happened?
Goro: Is everyone okay? I repeat, is everyone okay?
Hiro: Yeah. I guess.
Mitsuru: That was one heck of an explosion.
Zorome: Yeah, it's like we've gone heck of a ride.
Argentea: My head hurts!
Delphinium: Wait, what happened to Orb?
Goro: Looks like he's stuck inside that Klaxosaur, unharmed. But, he doesn't look like he's awake.
Delphinium: Alright, let's get him out of there, now.
Hachi: Negative. Return to base, immediately.
Futoshi: What?!
Zorome: You can't be serious!
Hiro: We can't just leave Orb behind!
Hachi: That's an order!
Hiro: But...
Goro: Hiro, we can save Orb later once we head back to base. I promise.
Hiro: O-Okay.
Later
Everyone went to the infirmary room to treat the injuries they had. After that, they went to the briefing room where Nana and Hachi are at.
Hachi: Analysis of the samples stuck on your units showed that it's a Klaxosaur that vaporizes its bodily fluids to expand and explode.
Kokoro: You mean Orb's stuck in its fuel right now?
Nana: Relax. Fortunately, the part that Orb jumped into has been confirmed to be harmless to anyone.
Zorome: Then I guess we rescue Orb first! I owe him one, after all.
Hachi: Our top priority is preventing the target from making contact with the Plantation. Estimated time of contact is approximately one hour from now. We'll set up a last line of defense and eliminate the Klaxosaur before it crosses that line.
Futoshi: What if we can't eliminate it by then?
Hachi: In that case, the Plantation will open fire as well. To protect itself, the target will use its internal fuel and explode several times. As long as we launch enough strikes, there's a chance one of them will finish it off.
Everyone became dumbstruck before Hiro steps foward.
Hiro: Are you saying you'll leave Orb to die?!
Nana: In the worst case scenario, yes.
Everyone became silent after that until Hiro speaks up.
Hiro: What's the status on Orb?
Hachi: According to the info we've aquired just now, Orb's energy has been depleted completely. Our guess is that Orb uses all of his available energy to protect himself. Which is why he looks unharmed after the explosion.
Zero Two: That means that we have to find a way to restore his energy in order to save him.
Hiro: But how?
Dr. Franxx: We know how.
The squad were surprised by Dr. Franxx's and Dr. Ozora's sudden appearance.
Hiro: Dr. Franxx?! And... Dr. Ozora?
Dr. Franxx: We know how to save Orb.
Hiro: Really? How?
Dr. Ozora: Because we got this.
Dr. Ozora then pulls out a glowing blue orb from the container he just brought.
Goro: What's that?
Dr. Ozora: This is an energy orb. With this, Orb's energy can be restored.
Ichigo: But, how do we use it?
Dr. Franxx: By putting it into the Queen Pike's energy loader.
Hiro: Wait, Strelizia has an energy attack?
Dr. Franxx: Yes. I designed the Queen Pike to not only have a melee mode to release magma energy when pressing the trigger, but to also have a beam mode to release a beam of energy once you use the switch.
Hiro: Then in that case, let's save Orb!
Ichigo: But, how do you guys are gonna get in the Klaxosaur without harm?
Zero Two: There was one spot. An exhaust hole of sorts, on top of the Klaxosaur. Someone could probably get in there if they tried.
Hiro: Then, we'll do it.
Goro: Alright! Let's go then!
xxxxxxx
Ryunai wakes up and finds himself surrounded by darkness.
Ryunai: Where am I?
Then, the place slowly brightens up and reveals a place that he's familiar with.
Ryunai: Wait, I know this place.
He then looks at the right side where there are 3 standard FranXX and one unique-looking FranXX that looks similar to Strelizia with 1 standard FranXX being stuck under a giant concrete.
Kazuto: Haruno! Maya! Are you guys okay?
Haruno: Yeah, we're okay. Just a little stuck here.
Standard FranXX [Mizuki: Don't worry, we're gonna get you out of there!
Commander: Negative. Return to base, immediately.
Kazama: What?!
Standard FranXX [Sara: Why?
Kazuto: But, commander! We can't just leave them behind!
Commander: That's an order!
Kazuto got irritated for a moment until Ryunai, from the past, have his FranXX step forward.
Ryunai: We will save them.
Kazuto: Ryunai...
Ryunai: Valaxius is capable of destroying a giant concrete with the Valaxium Buster.
Valaxius: We will make sure to only aim at the giant concrete and not along with Haruno and Maya.
Everybody went silent for a moment until Kazuto speaks up.
Kazuto: Okay, Valaxius. We trust you to save Haruno and Maya. Everybody! Let's back up so Valaxius can get a shot!
They then back up to give Valaxius some space to shoot at the giant concrete.
Ryunai: I remember the time that I saved them because all of us didn't want to leave each other behind.
Meanwhile
Strelizia, Delphinium and Argentea make their way to the Klaxosaur.
Hachi: Genista and Chlorophytum are standing by as the last line of defense. If it looks like the target will cross it... they are to open fire.
Hiro: I understand.
Delphinium: To get to Orb, you'll have to cross an area of highly-
Strelizia: I know.
Delphinium: Oh. Okay.
Argentea speeds ahead of Strelizia and Delphinium and turning to face both of them. Both Strelizia and Delphinium jumps onto her hand and she heaves them into the air as they activate their thrusters to reach the exhaust port. Delphinium opens up the exhaust port a little bigger for Strelizia to get in.
Delphinium: It's up to you now, Strelizia.
Goro: Get Orb for us.
Strelizia: Okay!
Hiro: Roger!
They then went into the exhaust port.
Hiro: No matter what, I will save Orb! Because I'll never forget for what he did for me back in the day!
Flashback
A klaxosaur appears at the garden of the children in an unexpected time.
Caretaker: Children! Go through this way! Hurry!
Every of the children evacuated the area as soon as possible. The young Hiro trip and fell on the ground. As the boy tries to get up from his feet, the klaxosaur already went after him.
Caretaker: Code 016!
As the klaxosaur almost attacks the young Hiro, a giant of light appears from the sky and punches the klaxosaur away from the boy. The young Hiro then looks up to the giant as the giant looks back at him.
End of the flashback
Hiro: Since Orb saved me, it's time for me to save him now!
Strelizia then bypass the highly pressurised vapor fuel area and then went straight to Orb. Few minutes pass as the klaxosaur comes closer and closer to the last line of defense.
Chlorophytum: There'll be trouble if it crosses this line!
Genista: Don't worry, we all believe in Hiro and Zero Two will save Orb before the klaxosaur crosses this line.
Delphinium: She's right. Don't lose hope. Come on, Strelizia. You can do it.
After minutes of swimming in the klaxosaur, Strelizia finally found Orb.
Strelizia: There he is. You ready, darling?
Hiro: Yeah. I am. Let's do it.
Strelizia gets into a position to fire the energy beam to Orb's color timer. As Strelizia lock on to Orb's color timer, Hiro begins remembering the time he and Orb fought with each other before firing.
Hiro: Get up, Ultraman!
Strelizia then presses the trigger which fires the energy beam toward the color timer. As it finishes, Orb is seen regaining the energy as the energy can be seen flowing through his body towards the color timer. His color timer, eyes and forehead crystal then lit up.
Strelizia: Orb!
Hiro: You're back! We're here to get you out of here. Let's go!
Orb: Guys...
Strelizia: What is it, Orb?
Orb: You guys need to get out of here. I'm gonna take care of things a little bit.
Hiro: Why?
Orb: Because, I'm gonna eliminate the klaxosaur.
Hiro: But...
Orb: Look, I promise I'll be back after this. Okay?
Hiro: Promise me.
Orb: I promise. Now, get out of here!
Strelizia: Okay!
Strelizia then flies out of the top of the klaxosaur.
Argentea: She's out!
Zorome: But, where's Orb?
Hiro: Everyone! Get clear!
Delphinium: Why?
Strelizia: Orb's gonna eliminate the klaxosaur! Get clear, now!
Meanwhile
Orb begins to change form as Ryunai pulls out the Orb Ring.
Ryunai: *Pulls out Taro's Fusion Card* Taro-san!
Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman Taro!
Taro: HWAH!
Ryunai: *Pulls out Mebius' Fusion Card* Mebius-san!
Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman Mebius!
Mebius: SIAA!
Ryunai: Help me bring the heat! *Presses button
Orb Ring: Fusion Up!
Light begins to emit from the two Ultra's and merges with Orb.
Orb Ring: Ultraman Orb Burnmite!
Then, the rising scene is perform.
Ryunai: Even thought that barrier is hard, it's still no match for the Stobium Dynamite.
Orb then charges up the Stobium Dynamite by closing his arms to his head and open it up, unleashing flames from his body and went towards the core. Upon physical contact, Orb destroys the barrier along with the core where a blinding flash follows within the klaxosaur's body before bursting into flames as it explodes, which knocks out most of the squads. Moments later, Hiro regains consciousness and look around if Orb survived the explosion. Before Hiro lost faith, small lights begin gathering and combine into a physical body, revealing Orb.
Hiro: Orb! You're alive!
Orb: Yes, thanks to you guys.
The rest of the squad then gathers around Orb.
Goro: Orb, you made it!
Delphinium: We're glad you came back alive.
Zorome: You know, Orb? I owe you one for that time you saved me.
Argentea: Yeah, me too!
Genista: I'm glad you survived!
Strelizia then places her hand onto Orb's shoulder.
Strelizia: Welcome back.
Orb then nodded.