"Hello Squad 13. I believe it's time we meet. I am Code 011 and we have much to talk about."

"What do you mean?" asks Delphinium.

"Please save your questions. Let's get out of these Franxxs and meet face to face," his face plate had deactivated, and they could see a figure jumping out.

"What do we do Ichigo?" asks Zorome.

"I think we don't have a choice. Let's hear him out. If anything happens get back to your Franxx."

The entirety of Squad 13 shut down their units and begin to approach the new arrival. Back at the plantation Hachi sees that they have all disconnected.

"What are you kids doing?"

"We're investigating something! I'll let you know if anything happens!"

"Fine!" seeing he had no power in the matter. "Let me know if anything goes wrong. Squad 26 can be there in 10 minutes if you need them."

"Rodger."

With that out of the way Ichigo can focus on the parasite in front of her. As they got closer they begin to make Code 011 out. He had sat down on a small rock pile not far from his Franxx, even sitting they could tell he was as tall as Goro. His uniform was jet black with light blue stripes, much like his Franxx. His hair matched his uniform, but what really stood out was his horns. They sat above his eyes and were easily 7 to 8 inches long, and his eyes' irises were red, matching his horns. As they approached Code 011 scrunches his nose like he just smelled one of the most pungent odors he'd ever smelled.

"Hello Squad 13. I'm sure you have many question but first why don't I properly introduce myself. I am Code 011, and this is my Franxx, Drokei."

Having gotten closer to the Franxx they can now make out two large blue horns protruding from the Franxx's head.

"What are you doing here?" asks Ichigo.

He lifts a hand. "Please when you ask a question tell me your code and name."

"I'm Ichigo, Code 015, leader of this squad. Now, what are you doing here?"

"Hello Ichigo. Well I have been watching you for a while, and it's time to make our acquaintance."

"What do you mean you've been watching us?" Code 011 raises an eyebrow. "I'm Code 390. Miku."

"Well. I've been keeping tabs on you ever since your welcoming ceremony. Surely you must know you are a special squad, even before the arrival of Code 002." He points a thumb towards the red suited pistil, who bares her canines at the mention of her code.

"How do you know Zero Two?" asks Hiro.

"Please Code 016. You really don't think I wouldn't know the whereabouts of a fellow hybrid?"

"What?"

"Now onto the reason of our little meeting," he points to Hiro. "You and I need to have a talk."

His partner steps in between her Darling and Code 011. "Anything you say to him can be said to all of us," Zero Two grinds out, murder in her eyes.

"Zero Two. I've been ignoring your hostility since we've met, but you must not really believe I want any harm to come to you or the rest of your squad. Otherwise I wouldn't have interfered back at the mine."

"Wait!" shouts Ichigo, having gotten an answer she had been searching for. "That was you that shot the Klaxasaur."

Code 011's eyes shift to the outburst. "Yes. I couldn't allow one of you to die. You are far too important for our plan."

"Wait! What do you mean your plan?" interjects Ikuno.

"That will be revealed at a later point. For now, I must speak with Code 016, in private."

Zero Two hasn't move from her spot. It takes Hiro to give her a light squeeze on the shoulder to get her to relax.

"Don't worry. I'll be right back. Then I have the best news to tell you," he pushes their foreheads together. They stayed that way for several seconds until Zero Two nods in understand.

"Promise me you'll be right back."

"I promise. I am your Darling after all." That causes a raised eyebrow from Code 011. Hiro turns towards the stranger. "All right. I'll follow you."

Code 011 nods and turns to walk back towards Drokei. Code 011 easily pulls himself up onto the platform. Hiro has a little trouble causing Code 011 to grab his arm and hoist him up. Once they're in the cockpit the hatch closes behind them.

Inside was a strange sight to Hiro. The walls of the cockpit were covered in red crystals the snaked like vines. The pistil's controls were closed over, as if the entirety of it had been ejected. Because of the lack of pistil controls, there was no way Code 011 should have been able to control the mech, but he clearly got it here without them.

Code 011 leaned back against the stamen chair and looked at his guest expectedly.

"How did you know my code without me telling you?" was the first of Hiro's questions.

"I know all of your squads' codes and names. I just wanted them to think I know less than I do. No doubt everything I said was recorded in some way, and your squad leader with surely be questioned. I expect what I say to you here will stay between us for the time."

After a moment of silence Hiro takes that as a cue to ask another question. "How long have you been alone?"

Code 011 sighs. "It's been close to 5 years now. Although I wouldn't say I'm completely alone. I did make a new ally since then."

"What happened?"

"I'm sure you've never heard of Plantation 47. That was my home, as brief as it was, until its destruction. I lost everything. But I've moved on and found a reason to fight. Have you found your reason yet, Hiro?"

Hiro smiles, his reasons have changed quite a bit in the last 24 hours.

"I used to fight for Papa. To protect the adults."

"But now?"

"Now I fight for Zero Two. I was taken from her, and her from me, and I won't allow it to happen again," determination in the young stamen's eyes.

The veteran looks at him with approval. "So, you remember," his voice had softened. "That's good. I was afraid I'd have to intervene more with that. When did they return?"

"It was during this battle."

"When you fell to the growth! Of course!" he spoke with gusto. "You must be careful where you let this be known."

"What do you mean?" Hiro was quite confused.

"If the doctor knows that after you had died the suppression failed he would, without a doubt, attempt to recreate it."

"Which could hurt or kill young parasites back at the Garden," Hiro had realized the gravity of the situation.

Code 011 nods in understanding. "You must be careful with where you talk to Zero Two. Cameras do not extend out into the forest. That may be the best place for you two to talk. Her room, the attic, also lacks a camera. But be cautious inside the house."

"Got it. How do you know all this?"

"I've had complete access to all of Dr. Franxx's notes and records. That also means his access to Plantation 13's systems."

"So, you really have been watching us."

"Ever since the Garden. When the doctor picked you as his new test group. I also saw your failure with Naomi, as well as her death. I'm sorry." True grief was on Code 011's face, if he could have he would have tried to save her. Although even if he had gotten to her he had no way to treat the injuries she would have had because of being crushed.

Hiro looked down in remorse. "So, she really is dead."

"Dr. Franxx has made no reference that she was even recovered. If she had been he would have made note of it. I'm sorry Hiro."

So, she was dead. It was all his fault, if only she had had a different partner.

"Listen, what matters now is you focus on your current partner. Who I believe it's time to return you too. We both have someone to talk to."

It takes a second for what was said to process in Hiro's head. "Wait! You not coming with us."

"No. I said I needed to introduce myself. I don't want to startle your squad next time, plus I needed to talk to you. But I have someone to meet before I return to Garden with you. The Garden is your next destination. Although I believe you will make a short stop before you get there. I plan on meeting you there. I could use some time by the water."

"Where are we stopping before the Garden?

Code 011 looks back at Hiro, a deviant glint in his eyes. "I don't want to spoil the fun in a surprise. Besides, you'll be told at some point tomorrow. Now before I return you to your squad I need to be sure of one this."

"What is it?"

Code 011 had already begun to approach him. Once he's close he takes a big sniff of Hiro. He immediately turns away from Hiro and begins coughing uncontrollably.

After getting control of himself he speaks. "That's what I thought. Its begun."

"What's begun?!" Hiro had been clearly startled by the display.

"Another thing for another day," he states with another wave of his hand. "Now our time's up. It's time to return you to your other half."

With that the hatch opens and they make their way out. Quickly jumping down, they are met with an impatient Squad 13. Zero Two immediately sprints to Hiro and wraps him in a bear hug.

"I have returned your squad mate to you. Now I really must be going."

"Wait!" cried Ichigo. "You're leaving?"

Code 011 meets her eyes; her green eyes were a stark contrast to his red ones.

"Yes. I'll be back though. I just have something to take care of first. I wish you all a good night and a nice vacation."

"What do you mean vacation?" asks Kokoro, but Code 011 had already returned to Drokei and quickly disappeared into the night.

—

Squad 13 makes their way back the hangers. They are greeted with Squad 26, many technicians, Nana and Hachi, as well as Dr. Franxx. As soon as they disconnect they are hurried out and down to the hanger floor.

"Code 015!" shouts Hatchi. "What were you thinking? To shut down and disembark your Franxxs. Against an unknown opponent no less. Come with us."

"Code 016 and Code 002. You both will come with me," states Dr. Franxx, turning around and quickly making his way towards his office.

Once they leave the rest of Squad 13 are left with Nana.

"Both squads report back to your living quarters. Food has been prepared but please eat fast and get to bed. Just because the kissing operation is done doesn't mean there won't be another attack." Nana commands before leaving herself.

—

"Code 015, what were you thinking?" shouts, for the first time, an upset Hachi.

"There wasn't a threat. The scans had picked up a Franxx and he just wanted to talk." Ichigo responds nearly in tears.

"What do you mean a Franxx? We aren't close to any plantations, and Squad 26 had been shut down."

"It wasn't a Franxx from our squads. He said his code was 011."

"Code 011," he had never heard that code before. It didn't matter, a quick glance told him he wouldn't get anything else out of the parasite. "Report to Mistilteinn. Dinner is waiting for you as well as the rest of your squad. We'll talk again tomorrow."

Ichigo doesn't say another word, she just leaves as quickly as she could.

—

"What happened you two?" asks Dr. Franxx.

"The growth is gone, and I survived my third ride. What else?" replies a tired Hiro. They were up far later than anyone had expected.

"That's not what I'm referring to. What happened after the battle? Who did you talk to?" the doctor had begun to get agitated.

Hiro thinks carefully before responding. What was something Ichigo would say that to Hachi that wouldn't give too much information?

"A Franxx got picked up on scans and we went out to meet it. It was only a stamen though. He said his code was 011."

Dr. Franxx's eye lights up at this. "Code 011! He's alive. What did he tell you?"

"Nothing. He just wanted to introduce himself to us. Apparently, he's been watching us. Why us doctor?" asks Hiro, already knowing the answer.

"It must be because of Zero Two. Did he say anything to you, Zero Two?"

Zero Two, who had been quiet this entire time perks up. "I thought I was the only one with horns. Why does he have horns like me?"

"He has horns?!" this was amazing. He could potentially have three hybrids. He just needed to find Code 011. No, Code 011 would find him. "You two should report back to Mistilteinn. You should be well rested for the next few days."

The two parasites are slow to leave, but seeing the doctor shift his attention to the monitor they reluctantly take their leave.

It was true. He had always expected that Code 011 had survived. Now his suspicions were confirmed. He needed to get back to the Garden.

—

"Darling! What's the hurry?" calls Zero Two as she's being all but dragged through the house by Hiro.

"I told you I have something great to tell you, but not here."

It wasn't long before they were both seated on Zero Two's bed, hands intertwined, facing each other as they stare into each other's eyes. Hiro gently connects their foreheads before he speaks.

"I remember."

He said it so softly Zero Two thought she misheard him.

"You what?"

"I remember. I remember everything."

Then she was on him. Lips were connected as the soul mates rekindled their lost love.

After a moment they part.

"Zero Two. We need to be careful. No one can find this out," his face was determined.

"What does it matter?"

"We can't let the doctor know. We can talk here or in the woods, but the rest of the house is bugged."

"Anything Darling, as long as I'm with you." Then they are together again, before long they fall asleep, wrapped in each other's arms.

—

She was late. Yes, it was a far journey from the Grand Crevasse, but she should have been here by now. Given the time Code 011 reflects on how they had first met, and the journey that brought him here.

3 and a Half Years prior

Why had he not been allowed to die? He was forced to watch his family die and at the cost of his humanity. He knew he was no longer human, but what was he?

He nears the structure it was his job to one day crack. How long ago that was. Now he was a forgotten child, alone, just as before. At least he could look at the Grand Crevasse with his own eyes, maybe he'd find some peace.

As he nears the Grand Crevasse he is astonished at its sheer size. It doesn't take long for its inhabitants to find the trespasser. In front of him two serpents break through the ground in front of him. They were different from the worm classes he'd seen before, these resembled snakes more than worms. What they were didn't matter, he would finally be freed from his torturous existent.

The first serpent grabbed the torso of his Franxx, which was in stampede mode, forcing it to the ground. The other snake prepared to smash through the cockpit. Code 011 shuts down his connection, closes his eyes, and waits for the final blow. But it never came. He was left there, eyes closed until he heard the hatch open.

Opening his eyes, he is astonished at what was before him. She was roughly the same height as his former partner. Her skin was blue and hair white, she had what looked like tentacles that appeared to originate from her back. She also had two large horns protruding from her head, one out the front and one out the back.

She stared back with as much curiosity as Code 011. Who was this child before her?

"Who are you?' a voice in his head asks. It had to be from her, but her mouth didn't move.

"I'm Code 011, and who are you?"

"They really don't teach you children anything. I am the Klaxasaur Princess, or so that's the name your leader would call me," the distaste clear.

"What would you rather be called?"

"Hm, no one's ever asked me that before. I have taken a liking to Annecild, or just Anne. Now, what are you doing here?"

"I came to die," he stated with no emotion behind the words.

This seems to catch the princess off guard. "Why do you wish to die?"

"I have nothing to live for. I'm as good as dead."

Maybe he would be the one. Maybe this parasite could understand her, understand her purpose.

"If you wish to die, could I show you something first."

Seeing no reason to not Code 011 nods his head. The princess approaches and lowers her single horn in between his two. The area is illuminated in a light glow as their horns let out a dim hue.

Opening his eyes Code 011 finds himself floating above a city. In his years of traveling he's never seen something this size. The city was massive, reached to the horizon in every direction, several buildings appeared to be hundreds of stories tall. Everything was illuminated, and he could see figures on the streets below. It was, peaceful, something Code 011 has never known.

"This was our home. We had created a self-sufficient society. We relied on the Earth for the ground beneath our feet, but that was all. We left no harm on the soil we walked. It was like this for a millennium." The sadness clear in her voice.

Code 011 turns and faces Anne, who was floating beside him. "What happened?"

She turns to face him. "We killed it."

A large flash appears on the horizon and the city below him is destroyed in the blast wave. Everything was burning. He could make out families in the windows of the nearest building, fear was evident on their faces, as the building around them collapsed. He could see the parents clinging to their children as they fell into ruins.

After the air went still, and fires began to spread, she continued. "We had been blind to the dangers left in the world, ourselves. We had reached the pinnacle of society, far superior than humans could ever get to. But, some weren't satisfied. They wanted control. They wanted us to go farther, to touch what laid beyond. We had spent our history focused on Earth, but some wanted to leave. Their group was a small minority, but over several thousand years they had gotten control of old munition stockpiles, having been long forgotten. They wanted to be heard, so they detonated several thermonuclear devices around the world."

A smaller blast occurs, much closer this time. The goal of it was clearly not to do more damage to the buildings, but to get anyone who had survived the initial blast.

"You see, our world looked much different than it does now. The land was split into two continents, we are above the larger of the two. This continent wanted to stay on the Earth. The other wanted to travel through space and see what the galaxy had to offer. Due to the small size of their continent they never had the raw resources to reach their dream. They couldn't get help from their neighbors, so they took matters into their own hands. These strikes forced both sides to bring out old defensive units, what you call Klaxosaurs, to fight."

"Who won?"

The tears had begun to fall from her eyes. She stared into the flames that had been her home.

"No one."

The scene around them changes. They are suddenly in a large hanger. Around them were Klaxosaurs of every size, from the small Conrad class to the large Gutenbergs. Every Klaxasaur had a ramp leading into it, on the platforms below stood a man and female pair, the pilots.

"In an instant a once peaceful race was thrown back into the fray of war. The instigators had taken to calling themselves 'The Resistant.' Their numbers were far lower than their enemy but using suicide tactics and guerrilla warfare the numbers had evened. After a hundred years of warfare, the reasoning of the war had been lost. The world above had been destroyed and we had been forced underground. Peace came swiftly after, but not before the hundred years of conflict had killed our home. With no way to leave we were forced to come to a decision. We had destroyed the Earth, and it was our job to fix it. The weaker ones fused with the Earth, they became what your leaders call magma energy, and began to give it life again. The stronger ones fused with their machines, they became the Klaxosaurs. We promised it was our duty to give the Earth a second chance and become its protectors. It took a while, but after millions of years the Earth healed."

The scene shifted again. Now they were above a waste land, much like the world in its current state, but it was changing. Trees were beginning to grow, and critters began to scurry across the forest floor.

"The Earth took on many new creatures. It had several extinction events, asteroids, volcanoes, and earthquakes. But it always recovered."

The speed of which time progressed increased. He saw animals and civilizations grow, and subsequently die before him.

"But then the humans came. They wanted more, and began harvesting the life of the Earth, my siblings, the magma energy. Such an insult was unacceptable. The Klaxosaurs that had been dormant awoke, to protect the Earth. But the humans wouldn't stop. They destroyed the Earth and I couldn't stop them."

Looking towards her, Code 011 sees her staring at the scene before them, as the Earth reverted to its destroyed state, this time at the hands of humanity. The tears flowing down her smooth face.

"Why are you showing me this? Who really are you?"

She looked towards him, "I was one of the last children born before hope for our species was lost. Our leaders knew someone had to control the Klaxosaurs should a threat to our Earth arose. I was picked to be that leader, to be the last klaxo-sapien. I have been dormant, with the help of the magma energy I didn't age, frozen in time. But, I saw everything. I saw the Earth grow and be set back a peg only to rise again. I saw humanity destroy everything I had grown to love by their hands."

Code 011 had one more question. "What am I?"

She replied in a monotone voice. "You are a hybrid. Neither human or klaxo-sapien but a mix. Although, I believe you resemble me more than you do humans."

So, he was a hybrid. This is what the doctor bred him to be. To fight, to kill her.

"I have showed you my story. Now, it's time for you to show me yours Code 011."

The scene shifted again, but instead of it being solid it was blurry. He could make out small parts of his early life. Nothing was solid. He saw the Garden. He saw the room where he was held, separate from the other children. He had been taken from them early on. He remembers small bits of the others, but they were just voices with no face.

Anne was watching this alongside him. Both intrigued by how he had been raised and insulted that this was how they trained their soldiers.

The images begin to get clearer. Him getting his first injections, the yellow blood cells and a blue one, that's name was never told to him. Next was his two years of travel with Dr. Franxx until he was placed with Squad 47. The time with Squad 47 had been brief, but he saw how they had grown to him, especially Fujii, his partner. The loss of her old partner, and his sacrifice to save her had bonded them was playing before them.

Time began to slow as he sees his Franxx, along with the rest of the squad head out to defend their plantation for the last time. The image rips apart as he sees the first Franxx get destroyed.

When he opens his eyes, he's sitting on the edge of the platform, looking down he sees he's plenty high enough.

"I'm sorry to make you watch that." The voice causes him to look up, and stare back into her blue eyes. "It took me a long time to move past the death of my species. Your loss is still fresh."

Looking into her eyes Code 011 feels something brewing inside him. If she could still fight, move forward with courage, maybe he could too. She had been through so much and yet here she was, reliving it with him. He could help her, she was so strong, maybe she could help him. Not quite understanding the word for it Code 011 realized he wanted to be with her, protect her.

Code 011 stands, leaning towards the one who gave him a reason to fight, he connects their lips. She's shocked by the action but doesn't break contact.

When Code 011 pulls back he speaks, "I'll fight with you till the end. You're not alone anymore."

Her eyes widen. "What do you mean?"

"I will do everything in my power to end this war, no matter the cost."

Present Day

Code 011 smiled at the memory. That was when he realized, when he was sitting on the edge of the platform with her head on his shoulder, that there were reasons to fight. He could be the one to bring her peace.

The ground in front of him cracks as the two serpents, Kaa on his right and Nagini on the left, break through the Earth. Out of the hole rises Code 011's world. Standing he stares into her lovely blue eyes.

"It's time. They're ready."

—

What was she to do? She was the squad leader. She froze on the battlefield. If it hadn't been for Hiro they all would have died. Why was this happening to her? Why did she feel lost?

The door to the house opens quietly as Hiro and Zero Two quickly make their way up towards the attic. No doubt she should stop them, but she was too tired. She could catch them in the morning, there were rules they had to follow.

Ichigo started to make her way towards her shared room, stumbling up the stairs before arriving at her bed and collapsing into it. Asleep before she hit the pillow.

—

The pain was absolute. Everything she is was burning. It feels as if she had been dipped into a furnace and was pulled out before she could die. She tried with everything to remember who she was and how she got here. The last thing she remembers is a rumbling and it felt like the ground had been taken out from under her.

What had happened before that?

She had said goodbye to someone. Who was it?

She searches for a name. Name! It had been Hiro! The one that gave her name. What was her name?

The pain begins to subside slightly. It was enough that she could open her eyes, but all that was there was a light above her. She prayed for it to be over, but she wasn't done yet.

If she had been able to move she would have seen a mangled form that had once been her body. Both legs were gone below the knees, her right arm had been torn to bits with the muscles showing due to the lack of skin, the left arm was another story. It had been ripped off at the shoulder, all that was left was strips of flesh and muscle. Her torso had been beaten, all but three of her ribs were shattered and a lung was penetrated and had collapsed, she also was in late-stage organ failure as her body began to shut down. She had deep lacerations across her face, the deepest of which started under her left eye and went diagonally over her right eye ending just below her hairline.

She begins to hear something, over the beeping of the machines struggling to keep her alive was a voice.

"I see your awake Naomi." Naomi! That was her name! "You seem to be in quite a critical state," the voice continued. "You see, you will die. Your body is beginning to shut down. Now, I can save you. Just say the word and my assistants will begin. Or, we can let you die."

Naomi tried to speak but no sound would come from her mouth. She decided to give her head a slight nod, whether that was to say save her, or let her die, was irrelevant if it meant the pain would stop.

"You heard her folks! Get to work!"

A drug was administered into her bloodstream and the world began to go dark. The origin of the voice began to make his way out of the room.

"Doctor!" one of the assistants call out.

"What is it?"

"Why even have us wake her? Why not just have us start immediately after she got here?"

The man answers with a laugh. "When you get as old as me you'll understand."

The assistant nodded slightly before turning back to one of the biggest operations he would ever be a part of. They had a lot of work to do to bring this parasite back.

—

A/N

I apologize if anything from Code 011's memories was confusing, it was a difficult part to write and try to make clear. Now I know in chapter 2 Ichigo said Naomi had survived but now Code 011's saying she's dead. Which is clearly not the case. Let me explain, the parasites were told she survived because if they thought she was dead they might react negatively and it could interfere with the doctor's experiment. Dr. Franxx makes no reference to her so that anyone reading his reports wouldn't know she was alive, importantly the council. Code 011 doesn't know that so to him she's dead because he's reading those same reports and notes.
Thanks for reading and let me know what you think. How are you liking the story so far? Is there anything you would do differently, or think so be explained more?