The pain was almost unbearable. It was more than enough to wake him. Pulling his shirt away reveals the cause of his torture. A blue growth, pulsating, positioned over his heart, veins led out from the tumor that eventually disappeared under his skin. He doesn't know how long he stood there, staring at the new addition on his chest. Hiro eventually got his breathing under control and decides that he needed to get back to sleep. Plus, it wouldn't be good if Goro woke up without him there two nights in a row. Gathering as much strength as he can he makes his way back to his shared room.
—
She had found him. Even without his memories he still wanted her, wanted to be with her. Only one more ride to go and then APE would never try to take them apart. They could be together and then they'd get him his memories and then they'd get married and no more fighting. They would go somewhere that the Klaxasaurs aren't and live happily ever after.
Zero Two was so lost in her thoughts that it took the third shout to get her attention. She never even realized she had wandered into the hanger, with a sweet sticking out of her mouth.
Turning around she is greeted by the annoyed face of the leader for Squad 13 and her partner.
"What do you want?" Zero Two asks, not liking the look the small pistil has on her face.
"Why'd it have to be Hiro?"
"Hiro? You mean my Darling?"
"There you go calling him that again."
"What else would I call him?" Now she was getting mad at these questions and the determination of this leader. Something else was going on.
"Listen. I appreciate what you've done for Hiro. He's been, cheerful, since you've arrived. But you're not part of our squad, that means you'll leave one day and I don't want you getting Hiro's hopes up."
Leave? Why would she ever leave Darling. Nonono this won't do. Other motives. Why was this bitch trying to break them apart?
"Oh, and what are you to my Darling?" her eyes narrowing slightly.
"I'm the leader of this Squad. It's my job to protect my squad."
Hmm. Something's still off. She was hiding something.
Getting close Zero Two takes a quick sniff, before leaning in for a quick lick along Ichigo's jawline. A shocked gasp was her response. Leaning back Zero Two takes in the new taste.
"Interesting," she couldn't quite make out what it was. "Well goodbye now."
She turns offering a quick wave over her should. The stamen behind her puts a hand on his partner's head, which she quickly knocks away.
—
Hiro had to find Dr. Franxx. He'd know what this was. Even if the doctor lied to him before, he was the only hope Hiro had. He couldn't tell Zero Two. No, that would be too much for her. He had to figure this out.
Walking up to the office he had visited just the night before, he sees the door is already open, just like before.
"Uh, Dr. Franxx?
"Yes, what is it Code 016?"
Entering slowly the old man was sitting at his desk, it appeared he was in the middle of something. Whatever it was, it wasn't as important as the stamen that just walked through his door.
"I need to ask you something."
"Yes, go ahead."
Hiro carefully closes the door behind him. "I need to know what this is," he states pulling his uniform down to reveal the pulsating tumor over his heart. The doctor's remaining eye goes wide as he quickly gets to his feet.
"Follow me, and don't let anyone see that," he says as he makes his way out the door. Following behind him is a now panicked Hiro.
After a short walk past the medical wing Hiro is led into a room he didn't know existed. It was a lab of some sorts.
"Sit," said the doctor, motioning to the table stationed in the middle of the room.
Doing so Dr. Franxx quickly gets to work studying the new addition to Hiro's autonomy.
—
"Zero Two will remain in Mistilteinn until after the next operation, after which new orders will be given," states the emotionless face of their commander Hatchi.
"What operation?" asks the curious squad leader.
"You and the rest of your squad will get a debriefing later today. What matters now is that you help get Zero Two settled in and make her feel welcomed. Understood?"
"Yes sir," replies Ichigo, disappointment over her question being thrown aside evident on her face.
Seeing this Hatchi lets out a small sigh. "You will be participating in a joint operation with Squad 26. After the loss of the mine you fought in we need a resupply of magma energy. Plantation 26 is the closest source. Now please keep this information to yourself until after the debriefing."
"Got it."
"Now where do you intend for Zero Two to stay. All the girl's rooms are to capacity. You will have to decide where she will sleep."
Thinking for a second Ichigo got an idea. "The attic! All it needs is a bed and a dresser and it will be suitable."
"A key will be made by lunch and Nana will get it to you there," states Hatchi with a nod of his head.
"May I make a special request Hatchi?"
"What is it?"
"I'd like to have 2 keys made for the attic door."
"And your purpose Code 015?"
"All of our rooms have multiple sets. Since Zero Two doesn't have a roommate I'd like to have the second key. In case something would happen to her or her key, just for emergencies."
Hatchi nods his head before responding, "that sounds reasonable. Nana will give you both keys at lunch."
With a nod Ichigo leaves. She had someone to find.
—
Where was her Darling? He had disappeared after breakfast. Zero Two had spent the first hour without him wandering, but by the third she had gotten worried. Now it was lunch and he still hadn't returned. Finishing her lunch before anyone had sat down she quickly makes her way out. Passing Ichigo and Nana outside the dining room.
Where could he be? That was the question racing through Zero Two's head as she scours the woods. She checked the lake they first met. She checked the paths running around the lake. She even ran the entire circumference of the glass dome. Darling was nowhere to be found.
She took the defeated hike back to the house. Maybe her Darling had left her. No, he promised. He would never leave her. Not again.
Arriving back at Mistilteinn she finds the house quiet and empty. She hadn't been gone that long, had she?
The door that she had just entered opened behind her. Instead of Darling she's greeted by Nana.
"Zero Two! Where have you been? You're late for the debriefing. Follow me!" anger clear in her voice.
"But, but, what about Darling?" asks a quivering Zero Two.
A low sigh is Nana's first reaction, "he is already there. He's waiting for you. Now let's go," continued the impatient caretaker.
He was waiting?! He hadn't left her! He was waiting, for her!
With a new sense of purpose Zero Two bounces out the door behind Nana.
—
Plantation 13 and Plantation 26 would be taking part in a kissing procedure?
Reading over the orders before they would be told to the squads Code 011 shakes his head. They would really attempt this with such an inexperienced squad? They must not care much for either squad's wellbeing. Yes Squad 26 was nearing the end of their service and were due for replacements, but they were more than deserving to move on to becoming commanders at other plantations. Their service records indicated as much. They didn't deserve to go out in combat. They should be rewarded for their service, not be thrown away so the doctor could see his test squad in full action.
Thinking back Code 011 remembers how the old edition of Squad 13 perished, due to his Klaxo-Genes he remembers every detail of it.
—
One and a half years prior.
This would be the home of Dr. Franxx's test group. Leaning back, he observes them, they're fighting a small group of Moho Class Klaxasaurs that got too close to the plantation. They fought well, using teamwork to create openings for each other. But what was to happen to them? They were still far too young of a squad for promotions. Maybe they would be moved to a plantation closer to the front. These were the thoughts running through Code 011's head as he watches them dispose of the last of the Klaxasaurs and head back to recharge.
Whatever their fates were he had nothing better to do than watch, and listen, as they make fun of the Klaxasaurs they had killed. As a rage begins to boil in his chest.
The next week involved no Klaxasaur activity. The plantation was moving though, it had almost reached an area denser with Klaxasaur movement. Also, it was the final home of a destroyed husk of a long dead plantation, Plantation 47, his old home. Knowing the area around the plantation well he knew that there were several Worm Class and several dozen Conrad Class Klaxasaurs that had taken up residence in the surrounding area.
Watching as they deployed he makes note that the plantation was quite a distance away from the proposed battle, if something were to happen on the battlefield it would take some time for help to arrive. Maybe that was the plan. Squad 13 was to clear out the Klaxasaurs, so salvage teams could scrap the dead plantation.
Watching them fight was a little treat to Code 011. They were well organized and in sync with each other. If they had to they probably could pilot with anyone else in the squad without any negative symptoms, something very few squads could claim. Listening to their comms all Code 011 hears is constant communication, what to do, where to move, callouts for enemies. They were making headway against the Conrad Class Klaxasaurs but were stuck on how to deal with the two Worm Class Klaxasaurs.
Then one of them made a fatal mistake.
Over the comms something is said, but this time it's not a callout, or an order.
"We can do this; this plantation's old squad may have been failures but we're better than them."
That was enough for Code 011, his eyes and horns were glowing. They could insult Klaxasaurs, who had long lost the ability to talk back, but to insult his squad. His family! That was too far.
Positioning Drokei into a crouch he raises his tail above the unit's head, he unleashed a blast of energy from the tail, something he had learned to do the year prior, and it hit its target with devastating effects.
Even from this distance the blast reached them within 10 seconds. It hit directly on the cockpit of the Franxx that had insulted his family, blasting right through it. A scream fills the comms as the panicked parasites had just unexpectedly lost their leader. It gave the Klaxasaurs ample opportunity to get close, which they took full advantage of, quickly ripping the remaining 4 units to pieces. Their dying shrieks filled his ears, as his eyes glowed bloody red.
—
Present Day
Code 011 shuts his eyes. He didn't regret it, but he'd fallen into the doctor's trap. Due to the death of an entire squad Dr. Franxx was able to accelerate the development of his test group, almost unimpeded by the council. No doubt it also confirmed that he was alive and watching. Though the doctor had made no attempt to contact or track him down.
—
Squad 13 and Squad 26 were both seated at their respective sides, listening to the battle plans. The two plantations would commence a kissing operation to share the magma reserves of Plantation 26 with the drained storage of Plantation 13. The procedure would begin in 12 hours and counting. Based on pass operations a battle would commence roughly 24 hours after the initial procedures begin.
"While the kissing maneuver hasn't been completed we can estimate you will be facing roughly 100 Conrad class Klaxasaurs with the possibility of moho classes being involved," stated the commander of Plantation 13, Hatchi, he would be taking command of the operation due to his superior experience. Normally the commander from Plantation 26 would also be present but due to the distance Plantation 26 was traveling he stayed behind to oversee the journey while his squad went ahead for the briefing. "Due to this level of unpredictability Squad 26 will be the front line with Squad 13 acting as vanguard."
"Wait why are we in the back?" asks an anxious Zorome.
"We have experience with this type of operations. Your movement could disrupt our coordination," replies Code 090, the squad leader for Squad 26.
"Did he just call us dead weight?" asks Miku, clearly annoyed.
"This is not up for discussion," states a slightly frustrated Hatchi.
It was at that moment the door slid open revealing Nana followed closely by Hiro and Zero Two, hands intertwined.
"Sorry we're late. I had to find our missing parasite."
As soon as Zero Two walks through the door all parasites from Squad 26 begin to panic, this action causes confusion through Squad 13 due to the expected emotional response.
Code 090 jumps to his feet, "I'm sorry but Squad 26 will not be participating in the battle if she's involved," pointing a finger at the newly arrived pistil.
"This is not up for debate. The plans are final."
"But, that girl has no regard for others! I'm sure you know what I'm referring to Zero Two!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," was her reply as Zero Two tries to hide behind her stamen.
"I'm talking about the joint operation 2 years. Your reckless fighting left us isolated on the battlefield. And I, I lost MY PARTNER!" The outburst seemed to have left the stamen exhausted as he doubles over after his rant.
"Hmm, doesn't ring a bell. Weeklings die all the time. Big deal."
This struck another nerve with Code 090 as he makes his way towards Zero Two. He reaches out a hand as if he expects to grab her, make her understand what she had done.
His hand is met by another. Hiro had grabbed his wrist.
Code 090 stops, looking into Hiro's eyes.
"I'm Strelitzia's stamen," he steals a look back at Zero Two, "I'll keep her under control."
Code 090 hesitates as he was not expecting someone to stand up for Zero Two, this hesitation was not taken well by Hiro. Before he can come up with a proper response a crack is heard in the room. Hiro had squeezed the poor stamen's wrist, leaving it broken.
Code 090 lets out a light scream as pain shoots up his arm. He looks into the eyes of his captor and is met with eyes filled with pure hate.
"I told you. I'm Strelitzia's stamen," Hiro grounds out harshly, he gives the broken wrist another squeeze before continuing. "Now if you want to keep your arm. I suggest you go back to your seat."
Hiro lets go of Code 090's wrist as fast as he had grabbed it. Code 090 brings his wounded appendage to his chest and quickly makes his way out the door, followed closely behind by Nana and a pistil from his squad, most likely his partner. Hiro's eyes also follow the retreat, eyes glowing with a light blue hue, to dim to be seen by anyone else.
"Code 016 and Code 002, please take your seats," says Hatchi trying to regain order.
Hiro returns his hand to Zero Two's and makes his way to join his friends. Everyone's eyes are on the pair.
Once they reach their seats Zero Two promptly puts her head onto her Darling's shoulder and gets comfortable. This shouldn't take much longer.
—
All members of Squad 13, except a certain two, were present. Ichigo had called a house meeting to discuss the next 24 hours.
"Zero Two will be staying with us until the kissing procedure is over. I want us all to make her feel at home."
"Wait Ichigo, where will she be staying? All our rooms are full," asks the timid Kokoro.
"She will be staying in the attic. Goro and I already prepared it for her," Ichigo states looking at Goro. Goro gives a quick confirmation nod.
"What will happen to her after the kissing procedure? Will she leave? And will Hiro go with her?" chimes Ikuno.
"I don't know what will happen after the operation. Or what will happen to Hiro."
The quiet Mitsuru steps into the light. He had been standing at the window, listening but not participating.
"This would be the last ride for poor Hiro. The odds of him surviving are quite low. Maybe this is how it's meant to be. He can die doing what he never could with Naomi. Besides he was the best of us back in the garden. We had all thought he would be the one leading us, but oh, how the mighty have fallen."
Everyone reacted differently: Goro, Futoshi, Ikuno, and Ichigo all narrowed their eyes at the comments while Zorome, Kokoro, and Miku all found their eyes looking anywhere but Mitsuru.
"That's enough Mitsuru," grinded Ichigo, face hardened in disgust. "Hiro won't die."
"Yeah he's been in the best shape since his first ride. Maybe he'll beat the curse," states a hopeful Futoshi.
"Ha, really? And what makes you think he's special? Why would he be immune to her? That outburst at the debriefing, maybe his mind is going first."
"Mitsuru! I said that was enough!"
He looked at the small pistil and the look in her eyes were enough to get him to walk back to his spot by the window, head held high.
"Now dinner will be shortly. Since the maneuver will be finished at some point later this evening I suggest we all get to bed early, this battle should be late tomorrow night. So, get plenty of sleep."
With that the meeting disbursed and everyone left to prepare themselves for the upcoming battle.
—
"What was that Darling?"
Hiro and Zero Two were sitting under one of the large trees located in the forest surrounding Mistilteinn. Her head was resting on his shoulder, something she had really started to enjoy.
"What was that back there? I've never seen you do anything like that before. Even back," she stops herself before continuing the thought.
Hiro sighs before responding. "Promise you won't freak if I tell you."
"Why would I freak?"
"Just promise me."
"Of course, anything for you Darling." Thank God that the pain surrounding that word had stopped, or he just got good at hiding it.
"Alright." Hiro pulls his uniform down revealing the tumor, her eyes go wide.
"What have I done?" tears beginning to form in Zero Two's eyes.
Hiro pulls her into a bear hug, grimacing slightly at the hard contact on the growth, but he doesn't let go.
"It's okay. You didn't do anything the doctor told me what it was," he pulls back flashing a grin at her, the smile she loved so much. "This isn't your fault."
"What do you mean, of course this is my fault," Zero Two gets out between the tears.
"Stop that! Dr. Franxx told me it was just a side effect from piloting in Strelitzia. My body is just adapting to piloting in the custom Franxx."
"What's happening to you?"
"Some side effects of the growth are increased strength, heightened senses, and possible emotional outbursts."
"Like what you did?"
"Yes. But it's not your fault, it should be gone after the next ride. We have some time until dinner we can just sit here until then."
"I'd like that a lot."
Zero Two wipes away the remains of her tears as she gets comfortable on Hiro's shoulder, again.
—
"Hey Zero Two."
Hands intertwined with her other half, she looks back and sees Ichigo was the owner of the voice.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Could you follow me? I have something for you."
Zero Two looks at Hiro, eyes questioning.
"Ha, go ahead. I'll see you in the morning."
"You sure Darling?"
"Yes," he responds with a smile. "We have all day tomorrow."
"Alright. Goodnight Darling."
"Goodnight Zero Two."
Hiro turns to walk to his room and try to get some rest.
"Zero Two. Follow me."
Climbing up two flights of stairs they come to a closed door.
"This is where you'll be staying the night Zero Two," Ichigo moves to unlock the door. Inside is a single bed and dresser, the ceiling comes to a point above their heads, a single window allows the setting sun to shine its light into the room, leaving everything in light red hue. "Here's your key. I will have the other copy, if something happens to yours come find me and I'll give you mine." She sets the key down on the singular piece of furniture, besides the bed, in the room.
"I'd much rather be staying with my Darling."
"I'm sure you would, but we have rules. And while you're staying here you will follow them."
"What will happen to me after tomorrow?" a look of concern on the horned girl's face.
"I don't know. I haven't been told anything. Goodnight Zero Two. I'll see you at breakfast."
With that she backs her way out of the room. She needed to get sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
—
How could Mitsuru be so cruel? Yes, Goro had been thinking the same thing, but he wouldn't blurt it out in such a harsh way. This would be Hiro's third ride with Zero Two, but he didn't seem to be in any poor health. If anything, he was more alive than he had been in a long time.
Opening the door to his shared room Goro is greeted by a sight that makes him eat his thoughts. On the ground between the beds was Hiro. He was in a cold sweat and seemed to be barely conscious. Running to his friend Goro puts his hand on Hiro's chest. Feeling something Goro goes to unzip the uniform.
"Hiro! Are you," seeing the growth takes the words right out of his chest. "What is this?"
"It's nothing," replies Hiro. "Just a little side effect of riding in Strelitzia."
"Little? You look like death. Don't tell me you plan on riding with her again."
"Of course, I'm going to ride with her again."
"Why? You'll die. Mitsuru had mentioned you could die and now I'm starting to think he's right."
"It doesn't matter what happens. I'm riding with her."
"And if you die. What then?"
"Then I wasn't good enough for her. But I am not letting her fight on her own. Not again, not ever."
"What is your obsession with this girl?"
"I don't know. Something was stolen from me and she knows how to get it. She's the only one that can."
"And what? You're just gonna hide this from everyone?"
"Yes."
"From Ichigo?"
"Yes."
"And what you expect me to stay quiet?"
Hiro had started to climb into bed, "yes. Now goodnight Goro. We wouldn't want to be tired for tomorrow night."
"But, Hiro." Hiro had already crawled under covers and was making a show of getting to sleep. It was enough to end any conversations until the next morning, though several times during the night Goro would wake to Hiro's struggling breathe.
—
The boy had begun to exhibit late stage saurification. The blood Code 016 ingested should be countering this. He had to live, if the boy died it would ruin everything he had ever worked for, it would have all been in vain.
Dr. Franxx wiped his forehead with his surviving arm. This was all so very stressful. He was far too old for this shit. If only the previous version had survived, or he hadn't taken as long for visible symptoms to show, if Code 011 was even alive. He had his suspicions but Dr. Franxx hasn't been able to confirm anything. There was a chance he had survived, but it was hard to do any type of reconnaissance without the council finding out.
Maybe someday he could be forgiven for his sins, but for now he was stuck. This had to be it. The kids needed to be ready.
—
The next day moved quick. Breakfast had been quiet, it was missing 2 parasites who had woken up long before anyone else. The pair wouldn't be seen until right before deployment. After breakfast most of the squad went to the hanger to check on their Franxx.
Arriving they see the entirety of Squad 26 observing Squad 13's custom Franxx.
"Hey," calls out an uncertain Goro. "What are you guys still doing here?"
"We were just observing your Franxx," replied the wounded squad leader. "We've only ever seen custom Franxx once before, and that was the 9's."
"The 9's?"
"You haven't heard of them? Interesting, since you have a form one with you."
"You mean Zero Two?"
Code 090's look was telling.
"Oh, sorry for what Hiro did."
Code 090 looks long and hard at the other squad. "Why would you be sorry? It was Code 016's fault. It seems I'll still be able to pilot in the upcoming mission."
Zorome quickly jumps to the front of the crowd. "Have anyone one from your squad ever became adults?"
Code 090 gives a long stare at the stamen before one from his squad whispers something quietly into his leader's ear.
"No. No one from our squad has ever become adults."
"Oh," disappointment clear on his face.
"Now. We really must be getting back to our plantation. The battle will start right before sundown, so we only have 6 hours until contact. We'll see you on the battlefield."
With that the entirety of Squad 26 turns and leaves the hanger.
—
The rest of the day moved quickly. Before long everyone was in position ready to take on the Klaxasaurs. Squad 26 was ahead with Squad 13 as backup, Strelitzia station on top of the transfer tube.
"Our estimations were off. There is well over 100 Conrad Class Klaxasaurs. There is also a collected mass that we have code named, Target Beta. To attack Target Beta without any information would be foolish. Take on the Conrad Classes first. Code 090 will have field command."
"Yes sir."
"I can't believe we're the back," states a disgruntled Zorome.
"What do you mean? We're green as hell. Squad 26 has to carry us on their backs," replies Mitsuru.
"What does that mean?"
"Exactly what I said," an annoyed Mitsuru responds.
"Stop it! We are the final line. We can't let any pass us," says Ichigo. "Here they come!"
In front of them Squad 26 had begun to engage the enemy. They surrounded several Klaxasaurs and using their harpoons would immobilize them.
"Wow they have some coordination," states a clearly impressed Goro.
"Squad 13! 4 made it past, they're all yours."
"You heard him. Let's go!"
After several tries it becomes clear that Genista's and Chlorophytum's cannons would do little in such an open space. Chasing, Argentia gets fooled by the maneuverability of their adversary and slams head on with Chlorophytum.
"Hey what are you doing?"
"I put too much into it, OKAY!"
At this point several more Klaxasaurs make it pass the front. Squad 13 is slowly being pushed back.
"Darling. Looks like your squad is in trouble."
"They're being pushed back?"
Zero Two stands up and stretches. "More like they're barely holding on. Now, if anything happens to you let me know. Okay?" She looks deep into Hiro's eyes.
"Of course, let's go."
Will I tire of slaying endless beast that hunt them?
Strelitzia uses her thrusters and immediately is in the middle of the fray. Firing her lance, she impales a dozen Klaxasaurs.
Will the killing rid me of these horn that disgust them?
She rises high into the air and forces her way through the Conrad Classes. She moves through the air like no beast that size should.
Little demon in the woods all alone.
Strelitzia impales another Klaxasaur before throwing it into a group, killing them all.
You were there
The Klaxasaurs begin firing beams of energy at the new threat, all which Strelitzia easily deflect before throwing her lance again slicing through several dozen beasts.
Now I remember! Yes! You were there!
"What are you doing? Your orders were to remain on standby!"
Zero Two didn't even bother responding to her "leader" so Hiro did for them.
"Don't worry! I'm just helping my squad!"
Come with me now and ride on my Darling!
"You can't do whatever the hell you want." It was pointless, the connection had already been terminated.
"What do we do?" asks another member of his squad.
"Just ignore them. Let's take these down!"
Here comes the sun! It won't shine on us forever!
All Franxx in his squad reload their spears and wrap up several of the Klaxasaurs. Firing energy down their spears they eliminate the creatures in a geyser of blue.
"That was cool," says a clearly impressed Futoshi.
"They have some teamwork," chimes Goro.
Across the battlefield a Klaxasaur landed on the outstretched lance of Strelitzia. Zero Two feels her joints struggle to move.
"Darling are you okay?"
Inside the cockpit Hiro was struggling to stay awake. The blue veins had spread outwards from the growth.
"Yeah. I'm fine," a struggling Hiro gets out.
At that moment Delphinium lands beside the struggling Franxx. "Strelitzia return to your post!"
"Gladly," replies Zero Two as she makes her way to return to the transfer tube, she wouldn't make it.
"Target Beta has broken the line," Hatchi says from the command room.
"Squad 26! We're attacking Target Beta!"
Shooting their harpoons, they latch around the unknown creature. Firing their energy as one Target Beta lets out a shriek. It was so loud the adults inside the plantations made note of it.
"It's beginning to change!"
Target Beta had begun to expand. It quickly finished its transformation and showed its true form.
"A Gutenberg Class!"
"This is bad!"
"Hurry! Squad 26, let's try again!"
This time their harpoons did even less than the first time. The Klaxasaur lifts its arm and flings several of the Franxxs several hundred yards away.
"Squad 26 retreat! Your reserves are too low! Squad 13 will handle the Gutenberg."
"Alright. What's the plan Ichigo?" asks a concerned Zorome.
"We save Strelitzia for the final blow!"
"Her spear is the only thing that can pierce that thing!" continues Goro, as he knew exactly what his partner would say.
"You hear that Hiro? We need you to kill that thing!" shouts Ichigo.
"Roger!"
"How do we do that?" asks Argentia.
"Yeah. That's easier said than done," says Futoshi.
"Follow our lead!" following that Delphinium jumps onto the beast's legs and begins to climb up the legs, shortly behind her was the rest of her squad. They quickly get to where the Klaxasaurs 'knees' were. Firing what they could they force the Gutenberg to its knees. "Hiro! Now!"
High above Strelitzia allows herself to fall into free dive, letting gravity accelerate them. The spear hits the Klaxasaur full force.
"This is the final strike!" Hiro shouts as his veins turn blue. "Get in there!" He falls from the controls.
The Klaxasaur wouldn't fall that easily. A piece of its back rises and strikes the intruder, shooting it towards the plantations. Zero Two couldn't control her Franxx, her stamen had expired.
"Hiro! Run away!"
It was too late. The Klaxasaur had reached them and punched the ground in front of the incapacitated Franxx, she landed on the transfer tube. Alone again.
—
No! This was unacceptable! They could not die. He needed them alive. Losing one would be a catastrophe but both was unacceptable. Code 011 took off towards the destruction. He knew though, even with the speed of Drokei he wouldn't make it in time.
—
Where was he? It appeared to be the platform he had seen Naomi away, but it was too quiet. Almost as if the air wasn't moving, like it was waiting for him. Hiro gets the impression he should enter the open transport, but he can't make himself do it. Between him and the door a black shroud appears. She, he knew it was a woman, reaches her arm out, as if saying to take her hand. Not knowing what to do Hiro reaches out and grasps firmly her hand.
He wasn't on the platform anymore. He was at the garden, although he wasn't inside its walls. He was standing in the white woods surrounding it. The shroud points towards a large tree in front of them. At the base of the tree were two small figures, he knew one was him, and the other. . .
"Zero Two?"
They were reading a book. Without seeing the pages, he remembers it, The Beast and the Prince.
He remembers! He remembers everything! The first time he saw her, struggling against the caretakers, book in hand. Watching her fight to get her only worldly possession from the outstretched arms of a white clothed woman. Watching her tortures, the ones he couldn't save her from, because he was just a child, who didn't have the power to save anyone, not even himself. He felt it again; the holes, the electricity, the pain, the fear.
He had promised her he'd be with her forever.
The guards arrived, he saw his younger self throw his body towards the guard, only to be bashed with the butt of a rifle. Then it froze, he saw her, fighting to get to him. Even without movement he could tell she was calling for him.
Hiro looks towards the figure that brought him here, tears in his eyes. "Why? Why show me this in death? Just so I know I'll leave her again. How can you be this cruel?"
The figure shakes its head, and a voice appears in his head, it was caring, like a mother. "You are not done yet. You will have a second chance. You will see the world, with her." The figure points towards his soul mate, "your story begins now."
The world went white. He was back in the cockpit. His body had fallen to the floor, he knew he was dead, his heart wasn't beating. He sees his Zero Two, fighting. He couldn't let her down, not now, not after remembering.
The veins begin to pull back, the tumor that had been with him begins to absorb into him. He feels his breath return and his heart starts anew.
He wraps his arms around Zero Two.
"Darling."
"I'm here. I won't leave you ever again. Let's get out of here. I need to tell you something." The biggest smile was stuck on Hiro's face.
Reconnecting lets out a flash of light as Strelitzia comes back online.
Firing thrusters Strelitzia forces the Gutenberg back, turning the lance the Klaxasaur is forced from its feet. The Klaxasaur is knocked back and lands in between its two forms. This strapped Squad 13 out of their haze.
"Come on Squad 13. Let's go!" commands Ichigo.
"We need to create another opening for Strelitzia!" shouts Goro.
Wedging their units, the Gutenberg they prevent it from reforming.
"HIRO! We need you!"
"Let's go! With the wings I share with you!"
"With the wings I share with you!"
Flying down they pierce the core. The Klaxasaur rises in the air. Out sprouts two wings from each side. The wings collapse inwards before an explosion of blue shoots out in all directions, leaving all below covered in fine layer of blue.
—
They had all gotten out to celebrate their victory. Ichigo and Kokoro couldn't be pried off Hiro, having have nearly lost a brother.
"Squad 13 report in."
Ichigo releases Hiro and pulls out her communicator. "What is it Hatchi?"
"Scans are picking up a single unit approaching. Squad 26 has already shut down and will not be able to refuel in time. We cannot identify its size. Prepare to intercept."
"Yes sir!" looking at her family she gives the order. "Everyone get back to your Franxx. We have company."
By the time they had sortied the creature was in view.
"Continue with caution Squad 13. Scans indicate that is not any Klaxasaur we've ever seen."
The squad moved to intercept, with Strelitzia leading the way. Hiro is the first to see something was off. Even with just the light of the moon and the lights from the plantations he can tell that it's not a Klaxasaur.
"Wait! That's a Franxx!" shouts Hiro, stopping Strelitzia.
He was right. The Franxx resembled Strelitzia in her stampede mode, though the colors were wrong. The unit was jet black, it was almost impossible to see it in the darkness, the blue streaks glinted the light from the plantations with every step, the eyes glowed in the night, shining with pure magma energy.
"What is that?" asks the confused Zorome.
A voice is heard over their comms. "Hello Squad 13. I believe it's time we meet. I am Code 011 and we have much to talk about."
—
A/N
Yes, Code 011 is directly responsible for the death of the old Squad 13. This is the end of the first story arc, the story of Hiro's 3 rides. Next chapter will have the introduction of Code 011 with Squad 13, continuing the ending of this chapter. Next chapter will fulling introduce a newish character and reintroduce another.
Please tell me what you think. I apologize for this taking a little longer than I wanted. Also at some point I'll upload this to Wattpad as well and keep that updated too, it'll just be another place to find this. Don't expect that to happen until next chapter, it won't change anything here.