Miku: Hey, where is it? I don't see it at all.
Ikuno: Did you spot it?
Goro: I definitely did.
They look again for a moment until Futoshi point it out.
Futoshi: I see it! Over there!
Ichigo: Goro was right. That's...
Hiro: Yeah. The Garden.
XXXXXXX
Parasite Development Facility: Garden
Ryusuke: This is the place known as Garden, where we grew up. It's a parasite development facility where hundreds upon hundreds of children live.
Nursery 3: Laboratory
Ryusuke: Then there's this research hub that towers over the garden and looks down upon it. We called it the Lab.
Miku: I saw the Lab every day from afar, but I'd never gone inside before.
Kokoro: Very, very few children actually got to come here, right?
Futoshi: I think Hiro came here a few times.
Hiro: Yeah. I was a designated special research subject back then.
Zorome: Peh. Damn teacher's pet.
Futoshi: And Mitsuru, too, I guess.
Hiro: What? Mitsuru, too?
Mitsuru: Yeah. I was.
Nana: Listen up. The reason we're here is to run tests on you all. I'm sorry to say that this won't be a homecoming. You are hereby restricted from entering the Garden. But, Ryunai can escort you guys there. So, you have to have him with you all.
Ichigo: Tests?
Goro: What tests would need us to come here, of all places?
Hiro: I'm pretty sure we're just tagging along.
Goro and Ichigo: Eh?
Hachi: Code 002, you in particular will undergo thorough testing.
Zero Two: Well, I can't be bothered.
Nana: This is an order. We can't put it off any longer.
Ryusuke: Don't worry, Zero Two. You can be with me in the meantime.
Zero Two: Okay.
Then, they heard someone calling them.
???: Oh, hey! If it isn't Nine Iota.
Zero Two: Him? Why is he here? Oh please, just take your trouble somewhere else, idiot.
She then notice the man approaching them.
Zero Two: Eh? Who's that? I've never seen him before.
???: Relax your emotion a bit, Alpha. I know you're excited to see her. But like they say, you gotta slow down a bit. Isn't it? Nine Lambda.
Hearing that name from a member he knew from a former team he used be in made him feel a bit tensed up. Zero Two notice his face shows hesitation.
Ryusuke: Stop calling me by that name, Tau.
The group then approaches them.
Tau: Fancy running into you guys here. What a coincidence. *stops by* Or not.
Alpha: You guys are here for maintenance, too, right? Or it's just Nine Iota?
Zero Two: What are you doing you here, huh? Picking some dirt up? Y'know, I don't want to find some trouble with you. So, get lost.
Alpha: Glad to see you haven't changed.
Zero Two: Tch.
Kokoro: Who's that?
Miku: Beats me. But he's kinda hot.
Zorome: H-Hey hey, now. He can't be THAT hot, right?
Miku: Looks like someone's jealous~
Zorome: S-Shut up!
Nana: These are the 9's, a special forces unit APE directly controls.
Tau: Pleased to meet you all. I'm Nine Tau, the captain of the 9's.
Alpha: You guys are in the same squad as Iota, right? Please escort her to you-know-where safe and sound.
What Alpha said made their minds clicked.
Ichigo: "You-know-where"?
Tau: Surely you know where all the plantations on this continent are currently headed.
The squad were still confused about the "You-know-where" means.
Nana: I'll fill you in later.
Ichigo: Okay.
Tau: Anyway... I'm relieved to see Lambda and Iota are fitting in with you guys.
Hiro: Lambda and Iota? You mean Ryunai and Zero Two?
Alpha: Ah, it's you. That's right. He and she used to be one of us Nines. But for Captain Tau, he and Lambda were both teammates before us.
Tau: Yes. I used to work with Lambda before he joined your squad many years ago.
Hiro: Now that I think of it, didn't Ryunai mentioned he used to be one of the Nines along with Zero Two during the time we were talking about the FranXXs?
Flashback
Ryusuke: It's the squad I used to join before. Same goes to Zero Two.
End of Flashback
Hiro: Is that... so?
Alpha: I thought Iota would be too much for an ordinary squad to handle, so I was surprised. How did you manage to tame her?
Hiro: "Tame"?
Zero Two: This idiot... he's talking like I'm an animal... I would bash your head right now if you keep saying that.
Ichigo: Zero Two is one of us.
Alpha: Wow, she must've taken a real liking to you. Never thought she'd play buddy-buddy with humans.
Ichigo: I see the "special forces" haven't been taught basic etiquette. I fully realize now that I'd much rather fight with Zero Two than you guys.
Zero Two: *blushes*
Tau: Then, what about Lambda?
Ichigo: Ryunai, you meant? He's a good captain. I'd take orders from him rather than you.
Tau: *laughs* I see, I see. You're a bit different from the parasites in other squads, huh? That's the same thing the previous members of your squad said. I'm surprised.
Miku: Previous members? Wait, could it be? The picture I saw in the room?
Alpha: So that's why Iota's with you.
Alpha then approaches Ichigo, grabs her hand and kissed it, which made Ichigo blush as her face turns red.
Ichigo: Wha...
Goro: Hey!
Nana: It's time to go, kids.
The squad then walks away.
Alpha: I've developed an interest in you guys, too. I'd love to be part of your squad sometime.
Ichigo: Sadly, we only have space in the attic. It wouldn't befit elites like you. But if that's okay, you're welcome any time.
Alpha: Hmm... So proud and dignified...
The squad are seen taking the test as seen from outside the laboratory. Hiro finishes his first. So, he waited outside the laboratory.
Flashback
Hiro and Zero Two walks into the library, finding Ryusuke. They then found him sitting on the table. It was dark. However, there is a bit of light that can shine the room but dimly. She then walks over to him.
Hiro: Ryunai?
Ryusuke: Oh, it's you guys.
Zero Two: *sits down* What's wrong?
Hiro: *sits down next to her* Did something happen recently?
...
Zero Two: Look, instead of bearing it all yourself, why not talk to us?
...
Ryusuke: It's... okay... There's nothing you guys have to do about.
They then were confused on why Ryusuke didn't want to talk about it.
End of the Flashback
Goro finished his test, so he went outside the laboratory and sit next to Hiro.
Goro: You're right. They only ran the simplest of test on us.
...
Hiro: I'm thinking of going to the Garden after this.
Goro: What? What are you gonna do there.
Hiro: I want to let Naomi know I found a partner.
As the tests are finished, the squad walks through the hallway of the Garden. While walking, Kokoro accidentally bumps Futoshi.
Kokoro: Ah! Sorry, Futoshi.
Futoshi: *chuckles* It's fine.
They then stop in one of the rooms where the children are in.
Ryusuke: Remember your times in there?
Hiro: Yeah. Occasionally, you always meet me when you had time to. Right, Zero Two?
Zero Two: Yeah, darling.
Flashback
A young Hiro, Zero Two, Goro, Ichigo and Mitsuru were playing with each other most of the time. Then, the little brother's older brother came in.
Ryusuke: Yo, Hiro!
Hiro: Ah! Big brother!
The little brother runs up to him and hugs his legs.
Ryusuke: *chuckles* Miss me? *picks him up*
Hiro: *nods*
Ryusuke: So, how's your friends?
Hiro: They're fine. Let me introduce you to them.
Ryusuke: Okay. *puts him down*
Hiro: *points to Zero Two* This is Zero Two, *points to Goro* Goro, *points to Ichigo* Ichigo, *points to Mitsuru* and Mitsuru.
All of them: Nice to meet you.
Ryusuke: *chuckles* Nice to meet you all too. I'm Code 024, my name's Ryunai. Hiro's older brother.
Ichigo: Ah! You look just like him!
Ryusuke: Yeah, me and Hiro are twins in different age.
They then give an amazed look on their face.
Nana: Ryunai! It's time to go.
Ryusuke: Okay! Be there in a sec! Sorry, gotta go. Got some work to do. You be a good boy there okay, Hiro?
Hiro: Okay!
He then walks away while waving his hand to them as they're waving their hands to him.
Hiro: Bye, big brother!
Zero Two: Bye!
End of the Flashback
Hiro: I missed those times.
Ryusuke: Yeah, me too.
Later
Goro: It hasn't even been six months since we left this place, right? Yet it feels like the distant past.
Hiro sweeps off a bit of the dust on a table. They were then called by Ikuno behind their backs.
Ikuno: Come with me.
Meanwhile
They all look in a shock when they look into a room. They can see children with emotionless expressions on their face at a small table for each, typing something on the console in front of them with helmets that has cables attached to it that are connected to the collars they're wearing. Then, there's another room shows children who are being given the booster injections that are not normally given at this age.
Zorome: I-Is that how we used to be?
Futoshi: I-I don't think so.
Ryusuke: No, that's not how you guys used to be. This is new.
They then saw one of those injections in a cart that is currently being pushed by a caretaker.
Goro: That was the same type of injection as the ones we were administered.
Kokoro: They're starting to give parasite injections to kids so young?
???: Indeed.
Everyone turns around looking at another caretaker that had just walked out of the room.
???: We've started injecting more concentrated doses of yellow blood cells than before. The klaxosaurs have grown more active and powerful lately, you know? So the system's being retooled to produce more capable and obedient parasites. Also... You all are members of Squad 13, right?
Ryusuke: Yes.
???: Please keep up the good work. I can hardly imagine how Ultraman Orb works with you guys.
Ryusuke: We'll do.
Hiro: Um, has a girl from Plantation 13 named Naomi- Code 703 been back here?
???: Code 703? No. Once a parasite leaves this place, they never return.
Following that, they left the Garden.
Ikuno: I had a feeling that'd be the case.
Miku: Where'd Naomi go, then?
Hiro: Thinking back, that's how it always was. In this facility, several children who lived with us vanished one day. We asked the adults about it, but they wouldn't tell us a thing. So I eventually came to realize... that none of us would ever become adults.
Hiro and Zero Two begin walking through the snowy forest for about twenty minutes, looking around their surroundings until they reach to a tree they remember. The tree they used to hang out at.
Hiro: Remember when we came here and almost got caught?
Zero Two: Yes. It was sweet memories.
Meanwhile
Goro: Why'd Hiro and Zero Two ask us to head back before them? Where are they going this time?
Ichigo: Beats me.
The walk was very silent after that, until Kokoro speaks up.
Kokoro: Where do you think we came from?
Everyone then stopped walking.
Zorome: Huh?
Miku: Where'd that come from? Papa and the rest made us, obviously.
Kokoro: Is that really true?
Zorome: You're being kinda weird, Kokoro.
Nana: Guys!
Ryusuke: Oh, it's Nana.
Later
Nana: Where are Code 016 and Code 002?
Ryusuke: Well, Hiro and Zero Two are currently going somewhere right.
Nana: Eh? Going somewhere? If they're not going back right now, they'll be in trouble.
Ryusuke: Don't worry. They're smart. They've avoided trouble many times before. They'll be back, I'm sure.
Nana: Well... okay. I believe you.
Ryusuke: Good. We'll be waiting for them at the gate.
Nana: Alright.
With almost everyone walking out while Ryusuke is behind the group, Tau approaches and leaning against the railing next to them.
Tau: You know, Lambda. It's been a long time since we've met each other. Why not joining back the team?
Ryusuke: Go mess with someone else.
Tau: How cold. We're leaving soon, so what's a little chat going to hurt? I hear your squad is a test team formed by Dr. Franxx. Is that why you're given so much more freedom than the other squads? What kind of tests are you running? I'd love to hear the details.
Ryusuke: That's none of your business. Now get lost.
Tau: My my, you're getting colder than ever. No wonder she died.
Hearing those words about his past lover made Ryusuke's mind clicked and become angry as he turns to Tau and grabs his shirt.
Ryusuke: If you're looking for trouble, don't go after me. Don't even mention her. You understand?
Tau: My my, look who's the hot head now.
Then, Hiro and Zero Two approaches them from behind Ryusuke.
Zero Two: Ryunai!
Hiro: Ryunai!
Tau: Oh, look who's here. You better let go of me, Lambda. Otherwise, there'll be trouble.
Tau smirks in front of him, making Ryusuke hesitate for a moment until he let go of Tau's shirt. He then turns around and walks away. Hiro and Zero Two then looks at Tau who is walking away.
Zero Two: Who is he?
Five klaxosaurs were detected near the Garden, which made Nana and Hachi somehow confused.
Hachi: Five Moho-class klaxosaurs. They aren't much of a threat, but...
Nana: The question is why they showed up here, huh? No klaxosaurs have ever been sighted in this area before. Did they notice what we're up to?
Ryusuke: I guess he did notice what we're up to.
All FranXX, prepare to sortie.
Hiro runs to Zero Two, who is standing at Strelizia's cockpit entrance.
Hiro: Sorry to keep you waiting.
He then stops by, noticing her spacing out as she gives off a stare to nothing but Strelizia.
Hiro: You okay?
Zero Two: Oh! Darling! You're here. I'm fine.
Hiro: Oh... well. Let's go, then.
He then grabs her hand.
Zero Two: Darling.
Hiro: Yes?
Zero Two: I have a bad feeling of this.
Hiro: What is it?
Zero Two: It's about Orb. I'm worried about him.
Hiro: Oh yeah. Now that you mentioned it, I'm also worried about him.
Zero Two: Do you think he's okay?
Hiro: I... don't think so.
Later
The squad speeds towards the outskirts of the Garden. Meanwhile in the control room, Ryusuke leaves the room, leaving Nana and Hachi on the watch. He then goes in the restroom and pulls out the Orb Ring.
Ryusuke: *Pulls out Jack's Fusion Card* Jack-san!
Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman Jack!
Jack: HUEAH!
Ryusuke: *Pulls out Ultraman Zero's Fusion Card* Zero-san!
Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman Zero!
Zero: HYYYAAH!
Ryusuke: Give me something with an edge! *Presses button*
Orb Ring: Fusion Up!
Light then begins to emit from the two Ultras and merges with Orb.
Orb Ring: Ultraman Orb Hurricane Slash!
Then, the rising scene is performed. Orb appears from the sky and dashes towards the klaxosaurs.
Nana: Orb?
Hachi: Why is he here?
Orb immediately summons the Orb Slugger Lance and lands right in front of one of the klaxosaurs and drives his lance into it, killing it as it exploded in blue liquid. However, another one came through and attacks his side, making him tumble backwards.
Delphinium: Orb!
The squad then enters the fray.
Hiro: Orb, slow down! You're being too direct!
Orb chases the klaxosaur in front of him. Hiro then saw a klaxosaur is about to ram towards Orb, who is only focusing on the klaxosaur in front of him.
Hiro: Orb, four o'clock!
Orb then notice and dodges its attack.
Hiro: Pay more attention to your surroundings!
Orb: S-Sorry...
Hiro: It's alright.
Then, more of the same type of klaxosaurs appears out of nowhere.
Nana: What?!
Hachi: Five more Moho-class klaxosaurs? Where did they came from?
Out of the distance, the humanoid klaxosaur can be seen standing on a branch of a tree.
???: *chuckles* This will be fun.
The three group klaxosaurs distracts the squad while the new five group run towards Orb.
Goro: They're fast!
Zorome: Way too fast to be exact!
Orb tries to dodge their attacks, however there's too much enemies for him to fight as the klaxosaurs dominates Hurricane Slash's speeding defense as they attack him in all directions, causing the ultra to fall on one of his knees. The klaxosaurs then continuously attacks him by kicking him.
Hiro: Orb!
Goro: This is bad, he's surrounded!
The squad tries to help him, but the three klaxosaurs prevents that as they keep attacking one of them due to their speed.
???: *laughs* How's that feel, Ryusuke? Getting beaten up like that like a person who is weak and can't defend for himself. Now you know you had no choice.
The klaxosaurs then kept continuing their merciless attacks on the ultra.
Nana: Orb!
Ryusuke: I can't... I can't do this... I have to do this!
Ryusuke then pulls out the Orb Ring.
Ryusuke: *Pulls out Zoffy's Fusion Card* Zoffy-san!
Orb Ring: *Scans card* Zoffy!
Zoffy: HUEA!
Ryusuke: *Pulls out Ultraman Belial's Fusion Card* Belial-san!
Orb Ring: *Scans card* Ultraman Belial!
Belial: HAUEA!
Ryusuke: I'm borrowing the power of darkness and light! *Presses button*
Orb Ring: Fusion Up!
Light then begins to emit from the two Ultras and merges with Orb.
Orb Ring: Ultraman Orb Thunder Breastar!
Then, the rising scene is performed. An energy shockwave was then emitted on Orb's body, causing the klaxosaurs around him to be sent flying backwards. Orb then open up his hands, making cracking noises. The red markings on his body the. glows brightly. He stands up and let out a terrifying roar. He then chases down a klaxosaur in front of him, which is running away. Orb jumps high up the sky and lands on the klaxosaur, killing it as he crushes it and explodes in blue liquid. Another two klaxosaurs run pass from behind him. Orb runs, jumps and smashes the ground, causing him to summon a series of ground pillars before a larger one appears and launches the two klaxosaurs into the air. He then fires energy slicers out of both of his hands to cut the two beasts in half, killing them. One of the remaining ones charges at Orb, only to miss and gets its leg grabbed and was tossed to the other one. Orb uses the Zedcium Light Ring and throws it to them, slicing them apart and kills them as they exploded in blue liquid. The three klaxosaurs that were distracting Squad 13 begins running away.
Delphinium: Don't let them get away!
Strelizia dashes and launches her spear which did managed to hit one of them and kills it. The other two are still on the run. The squad tries to chase them down. However, Orb outruns them and jumps ahead of the two beasts. He then charges his hands with dark energy and claps them, creating a shockwave that knocks out the two running klaxosaurs. Orb runs to them and grabs one of the klaxosaurs and punches it through its hide where he grabs the core and crushes, with its body exploded. He then grabs the other one and tears the beast apart, causing it's core to fly out. He then stomps on the core, crushing it. He then let out a loud roar at the end.
Zorome: Woah...
Argentea: That's scary.
Hiro: I... guess that's the last of them.
Orb then continues to kick on the remains of the klaxosaur over and over again, while saying,
Orb: Take this! Damn you monsters! Damn you!
Delphinium: Orb, that's enough! They're already dead!
He doesn't seem to hear her saying and still continues to hit them.
Orb: I'm going to kill you all... all of you... all of you!
He then continues it but kicking the remains even harder.
Ichigo: Orb... Orb!
Delphinium then places her hand on his shoulder. Orb looks back and flinches her hand off.
Orb: Don't touch me!
Delphinium: Orb, just stop it. It's done.
He didn't listen to her and keeps on kicking the remains.
Delphinium: Orb, stop it. Stop!
She then held on him to stop him from continuing it.
Orb: Get... off me! Let go!
Orb struggles until he breaks off her from her arms and punches her chest, knocking her back miles away.
Hiro: Ichigo! Goro!
They then went to Delphinium.
Kokoro: Ichigo, are you okay?
Goro: Ichigo!
Delphinium: Y-Yeah... kind of...
Zorome: What are you even doing, Orb?!
Argentea and Chlorophytum dashes to Orb, who is continuing an assault on the remains, and restrains his arms.
Orb: I said... let... go!
Orb flinches Argentea off and grabs Chlorophytum and tosses her to Argentea. Strelizia then restrains both of his arms to his body.
Strelizia: Orb, stop! You gotta stop! You gotta...
Orb: For the last time, let... go!
Orb breaks free from her arms and grabs her neck and held her down on the ground, trying to choke her.
Strelizia: O-Orb...
Hiro: Orb! Stop!
Then, the cockpit suddenly goes dark as Strelizia is deactivated.
Hiro: Eh?
Then, out of the black screen, a red shimmering spectral figure that looks like his older brother but with sharp nails and red glowing eyes emerges.
Zero Two: W-What...
As Zero Two's is released from the platform, the figure then grabs Hiro and Zero Two by their necks and puts them in a stranglehold.
Ryusuke (Red Figure): Give me all of your lives, so I can meet my lover again.
Zero Two: Lo... ver?
Hachi: That's odd. The para-capacity has crossed critical point and is still rising.
Nana: This is bad. The saurification will begin!
Suddenly, their visions goes dark, followed by a vortex of green shimmering dots. Images begins flashing before them.
Zero Two: What's going on?
Hiro: Someone's thoughts are flowing into our minds.
Zero Two: When was it? I've seen this before. Wait, the dreams. It's them!
Ryusuke (Red Figure): That's right. I am... the giant of light.
Author's Note
Yes! Now we're moving on to episode 13 of Darling in the FranXX. Hope you guys like my fanfic!