Darling in the Franxx: Alternate Core

Chapter 21: Punishment and confessions in the aftermaths.

Chapter 21, the one before the Assault on the Grand Crevasse occurs. How is everyone in our show dealing or coping with the resulting attack on the Garden and the events that happened because of it? What will be the fate of Naomi and Raven, will both live? And what about Squad 13? What will happen to them with Zero Two gone and their mentors soon to follow? Read to find out!

On with the show!

A few days later, on the Cosmos…

Papa: - How much was the damage? –

Gorilla: - Bastards hit us hard… with their attack on the Garden PLUS their previous attacks against the Eastern Plantations, we have lost approximately a fourth of our total forces, and our capacity to replenish them has been diminished by 15%, they managed to hit some of the labs. –

Lemur: - It would have been a lot worse if it wasn't for the SMC mentors. Their rally and leadership allowed our units to minimize the losses and repel the attackers… -

Gorilla: - I think it is imperative that we formally send an actual diplomatic envoy for them and, in consequence, their army. We could use their help for… -

Marmoset: - It is impossible now; captain Orion alongside Admiral Dassia had declared that after they escorted the 'Cerasus' towards the Garden they would prepare immediately to return towards the SMC jurisdiction. Any more attempts for diplomacy would have to be done by contacting their government body… the one that 'Monkey' himself did. –

Tarsier: - I said it before and I will say it again, we must force them to… -

Vice-chairman: - No, we already discarded the idea because of the costs it would bring, and it will stay that way. Because of the recent losses, we cannot afford a confrontation against them. –

Papa: "At least not without revealing our true plan." – He is right on that statement, the preparations for the attack had been delayed enough as it is. Fortunately, most of our forces are finally in position with the last one's left being the ones stationed on the Garden when the attack happened. We cannot delay this any further or our nemesis will have more than enough time to reinforce her position. –

Everyone nodded in agreement just as Baboon said: - And what about code 002? Is she fit for the battle ahead? –

Papa: - Alpha has reported to me that she seems indifferent lately. Even so, her combat capabilities have been enhanced a lot, thanks to the mentorship she underwent. With her Stamen or not, she will be placed on the frontline. –

Baboon: - And what about our "subjects of interest"? –

Tarsier: - After running the simulations, extracting them is impossible to perform. Not to mention that the possibilities of them surviving without everlasting injuries that would cripple their effectiveness is low, so it is basically a wasted effort. –

Papa: - A shame… under our possession, they would have been key elements for the attack. "And also, the key for some answers… what exactly are you planning to do, your Majesty?"

Undisclosed location beneath the Grand Crevasse…

The familiar figure of the Shepherdess was seen kneeling below another smaller figure that seemed to impose more authority than her and she was angry…

?: - So, defying my orders and risking the future of our race wasn't just enough for you, but to also reveal yourself right at the doorsteps of our enemy AND 'donating' your blood to the 'Lost Raven' and his Dove too?! ARE YOU EVEN AWARE OF THE CONSEQUENCES THIS WOULD CAUSE!? –

The Shepherdess stayed silent for a moment before answering: - No, but it has been done… and I will not excuse myself for my actions. –

?: - Indeed, there will be no excuse… -

The Shepherdess then felt the invisible pressure being applied on her again as it seemed her boss was in deep thinking…

?: - However, … I must admit that upon the feedback that the 'Jury' gave after their trials, it seems that your gamble with this squad seems to have some merit. According to Mistral, she felt a Coral surge from within them. –

It was the Shepherdess turn to be surprised…

Shepherdess: - Wha… what? You mean…? –

?: - It is too early to be sure of it, and even then, it will not make any difference. They're with the enemy and even with the influence of the 'Lost Raven', they haven't deserted and their assault is ready to happen soon… from this point on, I cannot guarantee their survival. –

Shepherdess: *Worried* - But your highness! I'm very sure that if we… -

?: - SILENCE! –

The Shepherdess was forced to shut as she didn't wanted to push her luck…

?: - You don't have the right to make any more comments about it from this point forward! You defied my orders for the sake of a few pilots while endangering the future of my kin! I CONDEMN YOU to be confined on your quarters throughout the rest of the campaign and under no circumstances will you be allowed to leave! You have already risked enough and will leave everything to fate! DISMISSED! –

The Shepherdess bowed as much as her gravid form could and was taken away as the floor below her seemed to move. It was later revealed that she was standing a top of a giant snake-like klaxosaur that had humanoid eyes…

Shepherdess: - I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you both, Argyros. –

Argyros: "I can't blame you for it. In some way, it is recomforting to see how far you would go to protect the child that your SO raised on his grief for you… it assures me that the little ones inside you will have a wonderful mother."

Her unborn gave a little kick in agreement just as she then said: - You know I will do my best for them… is just that… I think they deserve to at least get to know their older brother, right little ones? –

The babies kicked actively as if to agree with their surrogate mother causing her and Argyros to chuckle…

Argyros: - It seems they agree… but doesn't it worry you that because he and his dove are human then they won't…? –

Shepherdess: - Live long enough to embrace it? I'm not against the absolute order which our universe follows… but even so, I believe that they can be… more than just humans… -

Argyros: - Ahhhh, so you were trying to see if he was the 'One' then… -

Shepherdess: *Panics a little* - Wha-what? No! Of course not, I know that the probabili… Umf! –

A sharp kick coming from her little ones made her stop as the giant snake chuckled and soon continued…

Argyros: - My dear, there's no wrong on believing on that famous legend: "Coming from the ashes of civilization, when doves and ravens fall, losing one wing they will learn to fly in the fall. And higher and longer, they will rise through it all…" –

Shepherdess: - It gives me hope at least… -

Argyros: - Hope for what, exactly? –

It seems his question seem to strike something in her as she stayed silent and thinking about it. Hope for what? That the conflict will end soon? Hope that they win the current conflict? That no more sacrifices will be needed? For what, exactly?

Sensing her distress, Argyros sighed before saying: - I guess that word can have a vague meaning that always causes those who believe in it to do a retake. There's no wrong on trying to find it, but please do so without the need of risking yourself… -

Before she could answer, the Shepherdess felt Argyros stop and raise the part where she sat and presented her to her room…

Argyros: - I'm afraid that from this point on, hope is all you will be able to do for now. That and attend to the lives growing inside you. I wish I could do more for you. –

Shepherdess: - There's no need Argyros. You both already did more than enough for me. Until next time, my king. –

She walked with some effort off him into the room, the door closing behind her and going dark for a few moments before blue lights shined upon it. That was when she saw that someone else was in there: it was a man whose body was mostly black and mostly covered with advanced robotic parts, the only parts of flesh being the spot where his heart would be and his mouth area.

?: - So? Did it go the way I told you it would? –

Shepherdess: - Shut up Typhoon… -

Typhoon: - So, it did go the way I told you… -

The Shepherdess sighed before she felt her children kick again alongside a rumble coming from her belly…

Typhoon: - When was the last time you ate? –

Shepherdess: - Not throughout the whole meeting… -

Typhoon simply grabbed her gently with surprising strength and set her on one of the dining tables before rushing towards a panel. He then put his hand on it and after being scanned, the wall at his right side opened, revealing supplies. He then took some of them and opened them on a plate, revealing some of the supplies to be orange and liquid…

Typhoon: - It is important to keep up your nutrition needs. No. Skipping. Meals. –

He then 'gently' made her take a seat and presented her the plate. Her hunger won as she used both of her hands to lift the plate and slurp little by little the precious liquid into her mouth. It wasn't long until she finished, releasing the plate into her table and sighing…

Shepherdess: - I miss when I was able to eat solid food… -

Typhoon: - Is the price to pay to ensure the seed remains strong… and after everything you have done, it is something you can afford. –

He then left and stood guard outside of her room's only way out as she sighed and rubbed her belly with one sad thought in her mind…

Shepherdess: "It is a price your old self would have paid without hesitation…"

She then proceeded to eat the rest of her 'dinner' before waddling to sleep…

On the 'Cerasus', departing day…

2 weeks have passed after the bloody mess that was the 'Disavowed' attack at the Garden, and since then no notice has arrived about the fate of Raven and Naomi. To top it all off, the 'Oletros' was now ready to depart for REAL and to the kids of squad 13, this was the epitome of 'can it get worse?'. Two dear friends on the delicate thread between death and life, Zero Two transferring away without their consent and leaving everyone missing her, and NOW their mentors, some of the most important pillars of their lives, were now going away and it was a possibility that this time, it was for good.

Hiro: - Anything else you need help with? –

So, to see Hiro in a cheerful and happy manner despite the gloomy atmosphere that has invaded everyone and after everything was more than enough to let everyone that either he has gone mad, or they themselves were now mad…

Orion: - I already told you there's no need. Just focus on your recovery. –

Hiro: - But I'm feeling good, and the doctor has given me the 'all-clear' already! –

Everyone: "There is simply NO WAY you are 'good' AT ALL!"

Even Orion and Sally were thinking it was bulls*** as both stared at him with flat looks. That's when Orion had an idea…

Orion: - Fine, you want to make yourself useful? Get this luggage to the hangar, I still have something left to check in here and I will need Sally's help… -

Sally: "Huh? But we already…"

Hiro: - Sure! No problem sensei! –

He soon left with his queer enthusiasm, and once everyone else was alone, Orion went towards Ichigo and Goro with Sally following him…

Sally: - Orion, what exactly is your plan now here? –

He didn't respond immediately as he soon grabbed both kids and handed them to Sally as he then ordered: - Take them to the hangar and make sure Hiro doesn't flee the place before I arrive. I'll see you there. –

He then left without giving time for a reply, leaving the 3 confused before deciding to follow his orders. It wasn't long before they arrived at the hangar and saw Hiro calmly stacking up the mentors' luggage on a hovercart unaware of them until they got close to him…

Hiro soon turned to greet them: - Oh hey! It's quite a surprise seeing you here too Ichigo and Goro. Where's Orion? Did something happen? –

Both were nervous to answer before Ichigo calmed and steeled herself for the answer: - No, he told us to come here to help you Hiro. –

Hiro: *Confused* - But I'm already done, and it wasn't that hard to… -

That was when Ichigo snapped: - For F**k's sake Hiro! Not with the luggage but with YOU! –

She stomped towards him, grabbed his shoulders with a strength that surprised him and the other two, and pinned him against the stack of luggage…

Ichigo: - WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?! Ever since you left the hospital you have been acting happy and dandy like nothing was wrong in the world even though A LOT OF AWFUL THINGS HAPPENED RECENTLY! Everyone clearly knows that's not correct at all! You're acting just like on the 'bad week' ages ago! AND I WILL BE DAMNED IF I SEE YOU FALL AGAIN INTO DEPRESSION AFTER ALL THE SH** WE WENT THROUGH TO GET YOU OUT OF IT! SO I ORDER YOU, CODE 016 'HIRO', TO SNAP OUT OF IT! –

Silence reigned in as everyone was too flabbergasted to even say something… until after what feel like an eternity, they heard someone clapping…

Orion: - Bra-vo, at last, you say the harsh reality of the situation for once on his face! –

Ichigo grumbled: - Sensei, I'm not exactly on the mood to feel more guilty… -

Orion: - Don't, you aren't guilty of what you're feeling right now. The only thing you should feel guilty is about not saying it aloud sooner when you had many opportunities… -

Ichigo still grumbled: - Oh, trust me, I tried but this blockhead I had feelings for before is as elusive as Zero Two… -

Orion: - True on that… and don't you dare runaway this time, mister! –

He had caught Hiro red-handed trying to sneak away and stopping him on his tracks. And just to make sure, he then maneuvered around the luggage to block his way out alongside the others.

Hiro: - Come on… can we talk about this…? –

Orion: - No, we're talking about this now! Hiro, what Ichigo said is correct! This is NOT normal! If you keep up trying to pent up your real emotions just like before you're just going to make Naomi and Raven's sacrifice in vain! –

Something seemed to trigger inside Hiro at the mention of his friends as his face suddenly went 'dark'…

Hiro: - Oh, so you think I'm making fun of them. That's what you think I have been doing? Even though I have been living as they wished we should?! –

Everyone was confused at that…

Orion: - What do you mean with 'as they wished we should'? –

The question seemed to open the floodgates as Hiro seemed to inherit his father's temper…

Hiro: - YOU THINK I'M INSENSIBLE TO EVERYTHING?! OF COURSE I'M MAD AT WHAT RECENTLY HAPPENED! I'M MAD THAT APE HAS TAKEN AWAY MY MEMORIES CAUSING A LOT OF PAIN TO ME, MY FRIENDS, MY FATHER, AND THE LOVE OF MY LIFE! I'M SEETHING KNOWING THAT THOSE 9'S HAVE HER BACK, AWAY FROM ME AND HER TRUE FRIENDS! AND I'M DEEPLY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE TWO OF MY BEST FRIENDS, THE SAME FRIENDS THAT HAD MADE POSSIBLE THAT ZERO TWO AND I GOT BACK TOGETHER, ARE NOW ON THE THIN ROPE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH BECAUSE OF THOSE EVENTS THAT CAUSED EVERYTHING! *Proceeds to throw one of the heaviest suitcases upwards, making it fly for a few meters before falling down HARD and forcing it open.* -

Orion: "That one was the one full of all the paperwork and it was supposed to weight like a TON… note to self, be careful when he is angry…"

Hiro: - AND YET! *Breathes and sighs deeply* What is the point? I can't exactly do anything now! I can't go to the SMC to check on them, I can't go and reclaim Zero Two from Papa's clutches, and I won't risk everyone with the idea of rebellion. I simply can't do nothing, except what Raven once taught us: live, move on, and just pray for an answer. –

He then sat down, depressed and with his head hidden between his legs as everyone around him stood silent before Orion went towards him and presented him a familiar face…

Orion: - Well, you can do ONE big job that Raven will appreciate in the end and will show you that not everything was in vain. –

Haro: - H.A.R.O. hello! –

The Little one jumped into Hiro's hands…

Hiro: - Haro?! What do you mean? –

Haro: - Hiro, sad! Haro, help! Raven, wants! –

Orion: - Haro's original function was to act as a therapy robot to Raven when he first arrived to RF territory. That's something that remained unchanged on his nucleus code throughout his whole life. Raven soon healed and as such, Haro disconnected, his job finished. But now… he has a new one to fulfill… -

Haro: - Haro. Help. Hiro! –

The robot flew and nested over Hiro's head, and as much as he wanted to take him off, he couldn't bring himself to it…

Hiro: - *Sighs* Alright… I guess… for Raven. –

Orion: - And for your well-being too. And to help you with that… I left Haro with a secret job that you will discover much later once me, and Sally are gone. Do. Not. Skip. –

He then turned towards Ichigo and said: - And to you I leave you the task and responsibility to make sure this blockhead doesn't fall into harmful habits again. Let him train, let him find ways to cope with his grief, and let him work tasks so that he remains useful but make sure he doesn't skip meals, takes good care of himself, and doesn't try to aggressively push his limits. –

Ichigo: - No need to tell me twice sensei. –

Orion: - Good, now that we have this matter solved for now… *goes to pickup the dispersed papers* Mind helping recover what this moron threw away? –

It took them a long time but they managed to finish in time just as the transport Stork arrived alongside the rest of squad 13 to bid their mentors goodbye.

Orion addressed them one last time before boarding: - From this point on, all actions, consequences, and experiences that you will endure in the future will be faced by you and only yourselves. It is often said that the hardest part of a mentor's career is to know not the fate that will await their students and if the lessons and experiences shared on their training will have any effect on it… but I will simply say that your group was well worth every single damn second we invested… so we will be pissed if you end up kicking the bucket soon! –

Sally: - We're sorry we have to leave under the current circumstances after everything that has happened… but it is a big part of the mentoring process: from this point on, you will fly out into the cruel world out there on your own, using only your intellect, courage, skills, and determination to reach whatever objectives you set upon yourselves. Pray for answer kids. Ad Victoriam, In Posterum… -

Squad 13: - Pray for answer... –

Then they all saluted one last time to their mentors who corresponded it as they boarded, and the door closed. Soon enough, the Stork flew away towards the 'Oletros' and once the children returned to the boardhouse, they saw it leave into the nearby mountains until it activated its cloak and disappeared…

Nighttime…

Hiro couldn't get some sleep as the reality of the situation hit him hard after Orion and Ichigo opened his eyes back at the hangar. Right now, he was standing alone in the attic, the room he and Zero Two shared many memories together before she left…

Hiro: "And now I'm cursed to see it empty… just like my memories of her before recovering them… just like my life after I saved her…"

He then felt something wet on his cheeks and when he touched it, he realized it was tears… his tears… he collapsed on the floor…

Hiro: "Why… why must the world be so cruel?! I already lost her once, and after everything we did together to recover ourselves and our happiness… must I lost it all AGAIN?!"

He didn't know how long he sat there unleashing all his bottled grief and anguish, but he could guess it was a long time as he heard someone knocking on the door…

Goro: - Hiro, I know that you're in there! Haro has been thumping against your door stuck in a loop! –

Hiro first wanted to tell him to go away… but then he remembered the promise he had made to Orion and for Raven's sake… so, he manned up and went to open the door. When he did, he was surprised as Haro literally flew up and bumped him in the head!

Hiro: - Ow! Haro! –

The little pet drone then simply flew away from him while beeping aggressively…

Hiro: - What's got into it?! –

Goro: - We don't know, it woke us up like a freaking alarm clock and has been acting like this ever since! Something about a 'gift'! –

Hiro: - And you haven't thought about catching it and turning it off? –

Goro: - We don't know how! –

Hiro simply groaned as they then both dashed towards Haro whose beeping was loud enough to wake everyone else up and they were all now reunited on the lobby with grumpy looks as Haro continued flying above them…

Zorome: - What the hell is wrong with it?! Is not letting us sleep! –

Hiro: - I don't know, maybe a virus or a glitch or something?! –

Haro: - Gift! Follow! Gift! Follow! –

Before Hiro could try to stop it, Haro flew out of the board house through one of the windows left open for Kokoro's plants…

Ichigo: - Whatever the case, we can't let it wander around like this, let's get it before it causes more trouble with whatever virus or glitch it has! –

They hurriedly got some slippers on before pursuing the drone who seemed to be headed for the hangar…

Mitsuru: - Where is it even going? It's taking us towards the elevator! –

Then he was surprised when it deviated from that route and went towards different corridors that looked more run down as they went further and further… and they also noted that there were traces of such corridors being explored before…

Ichigo: "What exactly does this mean? Why haven't we seen these parts of the plantation before?"

It wasn't long before they saw Haro finally stop at what looked like a dead end, and Hiro, believing the coast was clear, sneakily approached it from behind…

Hiro: "Alright you little drone, let's just get you back and see if Titus can fix you up before you…"

He then was surprised when Haro scanned a specific part of the wall which then caused a pin-pad to appear, he then extended one of its mechanical arms to type in certain numbers which then caused the pin-pad to glow green and reveal a hidden passage with stairs that led down. Haro instantly flew down and as everyone peeked, they saw it was a LOT of stairs…

Zorome: - Weeeeell… I think is fair to say that this is as far as we go… -

Miku: - Don't tell me you're giving up just because of some stairs… -

Zorome: - Is not about that! Is just… after everything we learned about the truth… this clearly is an invitation for more trouble. –

Everyone understood what he meant; APE was willing to kill Raven because of his involvement with Hiro's adventure despite being minimal. What kind of trouble they would all get into if they ventured down? Even so, Hiro felt a familiar call that he hadn't experienced in years: the call that allowed him to meet Zero Two in the first place. He made his choice…

Hiro: - Then if you wish to you can return to the board house. I'm going down there. –

Everyone: - What?! –

Titus: - But Hiro! This could…! –

Hiro: - I know, but I already have experience around it and what I experienced after them… it allowed me to go through everything we have seen and lived. The SMC, Avalon, Raven, our mentors… it was all thanks to me taking a big risk back then… and I have feeling that if I do it again… then I will return to her. –

Everyone seemed to reflect on what this meant for Hiro and after much thinking, Ichigo spoke first…

Ichigo: - You know something? You're right. It was thanks to that risky adventure of yours that everything snowballed into the whole craziness we went through this last year… if you feel this will give you another chance to reunite with Zero Two then I simply have one condition: we're going into this together, understood? –

Hiro was surprised at this and a little worried: - But Ichigo! This will be something that… -

Goro: - Oh cut the crap of it being too dangerous for us Hiro! We have already seen the whole thing, as sensei put it, with 'eyes unclouded by judgement'! Everyone here is now aware of how deep in trouble we're going to be and not simply because we're going somewhere we're not supposed to. –

Zorome: - Well… to be sincere I still don't understand it that good… -

Mitsuru: - Is to be expected, you're the most fanatical for APE out of all of us. –

Zorome: - Hey don't tell it like is a bad thing! I have done a lot to learn! –

Miku: - He is right on that. I had never seen him gloat about how much he wants to be an adult now… -

Zorome: - Because me and Raven learned it would suck, ok?! I think I will exploit being a kid a little longer! –

Titus: - Look, the point we're trying to say Hiro, is that this time you're not breaking the rules alone. Just as sensei said: "If one goes into trouble, we ALL go into trouble." –

Everyone nodded at his statement and Hiro once again had tears sneaking out of his eyes…

Hiro: - Guys… I… I don't have words… -

Ichigo: - Just make sure you get Zero Two back at all costs: your girlfriend is your happiness and so are you to her. We want you happy after everything that happened, alright? –

Hiro would have hugged them right there if it wasn't because of a loud noise coming from the bottom of the passage…

Ichigo: - Of course, let's see first what in bloody hell is our glitchy robot pet doing… so, anyone ready to test our physical limits? –

Many, MANY stairs later…

Futoshi: - Finally! Land ho! –

The 'big boned' of the group collapsed on the floor alongside everyone else as they had ended the arduous descent over the perilous vertical stairs…

Titus: - Next time… let's use… gloves and slide… -

Mitsuru: - Where… are we… anyways? –

Looking around as they rested, they saw the area was dimly lit, and looked all dusty and deserted.

Ikuno: - I think I know… I remember watching with sensei Sally some blueprints about our Plantations, considering they're all the same. And I think this is one of the evacuation passages… -

Goro: - Wait… hold on… evacuation passages? They did design such? –

Ikuno: - Sensei said that it was more of a 'PR stunt' rather than genuine intentions… apparently, APE put those to 'appease' the people when they proposed the project 100 years ago… -

Titus: - I will look at those blueprints when we return… and I assume this passage leads to the outside? –

Ikuno: - In theory, but so far no one has used them and only the Plantation Commander has the codes to deactivate the external lock to the outside to avoid desertion. –

Zorome: - Then why did Haro led us here in the first place then?! –

The answer came as the robot flew into view and making stunts to call their attention…

Hiro: - I guess it wants us to follow it… let's go. –

Everyone soon stood up and walked towards the robot who turned around and went flying ahead through a large gap of the passage until turning left and scanning another pin-pad. Eventually, it soon unlocked it and another door opened…

Mitsuru: - Well, at least that tells us that he is taking us to somewhere inside the Plantation. –

Following the robot, the group soon walked through another passage that was as long as the segment of the stairs…

Futoshi: - I'm not up for another endurance test after those stairs! How much longer?! –

Pari: - There, there Futoshi, keep going, we're doing this for Hiro. –

Ikuno: - Now that I think of it… this part is familiar to me in the blueprints… I think we are… -

That was when Haro touched a button and opened a door that led towards a big room, and everyone entered. The room wasn't well lit, and everyone walked slowly being careful of their steps.

Zorome: - The hangar? Why would it… HOLY SH** WHAT IS THAT?! –

Everyone suddenly saw him looking at a pair of lights and froze for a moment in fear, only for Haro to then activate a switch which soon activated the lights… and the fear gave way to amazement as they saw that the lights were LEDs connected to…

Everyone: - WHAT MECH IS THAT?! –

The mech in question looked antique considering that it had freaking tank caterpillar TRACKS instead of legs and looked like a literal oversized tank on its upper torso. However, the various armaments in its 'hands', top structure and its back tracks indicated that this thing was designed to carry LOTS of firepower… Titus was salivating on the model…

Titus: - Duuuuuuuuuuude… that thing is PACKING firepower! Bro, I wish ours could carry that much too! –

Ikuno: - It does look like it would be slower than our Franxx's. This much weaponry should make it heavy… -

Orion: /Yet you would be surprised how fast this thing can go!/

Everyone was surprised and look around everywhere as they recognized their sensei's voice!

Haro: /Over here dummies…/

That's when everyone looked at Haro who was now on the ground with both eyes acting as the projector of a hologram of Orion.

Orion: /This is a pre-recorded message that also has 'AI-contextuality programming' for a better interaction. Let's cut to the chase… the mecha you're all seeing right now is the RTX-440 'Assault Guntank', one of the first 'impromptu' models proposed when the SMC was 'lacking' some proper NEXT designs. This unit is classified as a 'Mobile Suit', units that are more powerful than Armored Cores but still less powerful than NEXTs. However, they combine the best of two worlds, that being the superior parameters of the NEXTs, alongside the cheap and easily mass production capabilities of the normal although coming at the cost of customization. This is my gift to you Hiro./

Everyone was surprised at this and Hiro seemed to be shocked as he stuttered: - Wa-wa-wa-what?! Are you serious?! –

Orion: /Damn right I am… listen kid, you really need an outlet for the whole whirlwind of emotions you're going to go through for as long as it takes your group to reach your next ZO. As such, I'm giving you a new task on which you can focus and form a new resolve on the way./

Everyone reflected upon what was being said as he resumed: /This MS also has high sentimental value to me: it was the first mech me and Sally used when we applied in the academy. The model is discontinued and lots of people in the Districts would gladly take the opportunity to buy it if they could. Let this be my final lesson to you: when the opportunity arises, don't hesitate to take it. Haro has all the manuals, blueprints, and tutorials to maintain the MS alongside the codes to access the evacuation hangar which has been left abandoned so no need to worry about APE personnel stumbling on the place. Captain Ichigo, make sure he doesn't skip his meals, doesn't force his body to the limits during training and to keep him close to you. Pray for Answer kids. Ad Victoriam Im Posterum./

The children all saluted in instinct, one of the good habits they took from him with some of them having tears on their eyes. Eventually, Titus was the first to spoke…

Titus: - Hiro, I know he left the task to you, but please, PLEASE let me help you on this! –

Hiro chuckled alongside the rest and said: - Sure, after all, this is something I can't tackle alone… and not just the maintenance. –

Everyone soon got what he meant, then Mitsuru went towards him and, to the surprise of everyone, gave him a hug: - Just make sure that when the opportunity arrives you don't waste it. Make sure you never let her go, ok? –

Hiro answered by patting him and saying: - I'll be dead before I let that happen. –

Everyone chuckled at the joke but then they saw Hiro's face became a little grim and soon got worried…

Goro: - Now what's bothering you? Is it Raven and Naomi's fate? –

Hiro: - Not exactly… I still have hope those two will make it through even if we don't meet them again… but there's another person that we still must discuss about: my father. –

Everyone went silent as they remembered that their current situation was caused by his most recent actions.

Hiro: - It's fair that you all consider him the culprit of the aftermath of the battle of the Garden… but you already know his story. He was DESPERATE to reunite with me. –

Goro: - He could have chosen a better method… anyways, what's your point Hiro? –

Hiro: - Next time we encounter him… don't go hostile on him. I MUST talk with him first. You know how hard it was when me and Zero Two got split up ONCE… think about how hard it was for him to being separated from his own 'darling' and me, the product of their love… -

Everyone felt their hearts wrench at the thought… eventually they all sighed.

Zorome: - Fine… but that doesn't mean we're beating him up first for what he did to Raven and Naomi! –

Hiro: - Fine by me… -

Miku: - You know, what do you think happened to him? He ordered the attack off; do you think he is in trouble with the 'Disavowed'? –

Hiro: - I hope not, otherwise it may be a long time before I see him again… -

Unknown location on 'Disavowed' territory at the same time…

Kampfer was seen duelin against the Tri-Stars, the latter apparently invigorated fighting against the former. Right now, they were in another unmarked place of the desert with their ship 'Hermes' hovering nearby with some Zaku's observing nearby. And while all of this happened, the Red Comet was inside on the bridge communicating with Kassandra…

Kassandra: /It was to be expected… Alex was never known to be the patient type on these situations. Did you still accomplish the primary objective? /

Char: - Affirmative, we destroyed at least 15 Plantations and their ability to replenish their forces by at least 20% after the hits on the lab. –

Kassandra: - Excellent, it will be more than enough to leave them 'crippled' enough that they will have no choice but to accept some 'unexpected' support once their siege for the Grand Crevasse ends. Stage 2 seems to be on smooth sailing for now. –

Char: - Yet it came at a big cost… -

Kassandra: /Right… the 'Lost Raven' and his dove… of all the things that he could have done, this one is a new low… how's he holding up? /

Char: - Doing the 'Silent Line' treatment. It seems he wants to be punished as much as possible for any redemption. And the Tri-Stars decided to use that to vent their frustration on him for interrupting their duel against the lapdogs. –

Kassandra: /Ah right, you were about to tell me how it went? /

Char: - They got easily smoked that even I don't know if my students got that strong or their enemies were simply too weak. Anyways, they would have 'punished' them more if it wasn't for Alexander personally calling them back… -

Kassandra laughed at that: /Hah! Serves them right for once! This will show those 'Sages' that their golden children are not so golden now. /

Char: - I think it will later backfire, Alexander's interference basically allowed them to survive, and it would be foolish to think they will not use this chance to get an 'upgrade' for themselves… -

Kassandra: /Sighs On the plus side, at least HIM will also have a chance to set them straight… /

Char: - Speaking of him… are you SURE that he was made aware of this? –

Kassandra: /Big sigh Him being aware of the purge? He got mad but was aware this was going to happen sooner or later. About us detouring to the Garden? Well, so far, he hasn't… /

She was interrupted as the screen suddenly announced a new 'caller' trying to contact their channel…

Char: - Speak of the Devil and he will come… -

Kassandra: /Well, I guess it's time we face the music… /

Char: - More like I'm being dragged down for it… -

Kassandra: /Shut up… /

She was seen typing and eventually the 'caller' icon was soon linked… the icon had the symbol a white hat with red stripes…

?: /So, it seems one of your 'field trips' went towards a place I SPECIFICALLY told you to NOT go… /

That was Char's cue to throw Kassandra under the bus as he disconnected…

Char: - Well, she is going to be busy for a while after this. Let's hope Armstrong can intervene for her. Now *looks outside to see the duel over, somehow Kampfer besting the Tri-Stars again although heavily damaged*… what can we do to open a new window now? Oh, and make sure this dumbass doesn't die before it… just like we hope the 'Lost Raven' and his dove make it through this… –

Unknown place…

Darkness, silence, and the sensation of falling was all she knew around her…

For how long has she been trapped in such void? What has been happening around her during this whole time?

Was she aware of who she was? What she was? If she even was?

She could feel 'anchors' on her, invisible yet firm, keeping her in the place… what place? What or why was she kept in here?

She felt something soft at her side, and looked to her arm… white feathers surrounded her, and one of them landed into her open hand… it then transformed into a one-winged dove that woke up and started looking around for something… that was when she felt another 'tug' seemingly moving her towards a bright spot among the void…

"What is this?" She thought.

The closer she got towards it, the more she could see a figure forming until it took the form of a one-winged raven, desperately trying to flap and fly. The dove in her hand seemed to react to it as it started flapping desperately towards the raven. The tug became stronger but also painful as she got closer. She then heard a voice as her hand was next to the raven and the dove landed alongside it…

"The greatest of changes can happen by the gentlest of touches, sometimes even the touch of an important paper: it will trigger the change needed to allow the one-winged birds to fly again…"

The pain at this point was unbearable and before she lost her consciousness, she saw the silhouette of the raven and the dove 'fusing' together and becoming a new familiar bird…

And that was when she woke up…

GAAAASP!

With a heavy gasp and extreme pain on the head… Naomi woke up from her coma. As she regained her senses, she saw the familiar sight of being in a hospital bed. What she didn't expect was to have a respirator connected to her mouth alongside a lot of IV equipment hooked to her. She just knew that meant…

Naomi: "Crap… we fucked up hard, didn't we?"

Worry covered her for her friends as the few fragmented memories of what happened reformed themselves slowly and tortured her soul at the consequences she knew they would brought…

Naomi: "FFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK! FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK!"

Her mental stress was enough to set off the alarms of the equipment she was hooked to and some instant pings of pain on her made her calm down…

Naomi: "Owowowowow! Ow! Ow… sighs ok, calm down… calm down… there's no use… doing anything… and risking… dying in here… breathes deeply…"

She could somehow sense the incoming steps as the door to her room opened and this time it was a female nurse that entered. Naomi's adrenaline rush ended there and soon exhaustion hit her heavily which made everything blurry. She was strong enough to recognize her captains before sleep took over her again…

Some hours later…

It didn't take long for her to awake again thanks to the efforts of the medical personnel to reanimate her, and after a lengthy checkup and rest, Sally and Orion were finally given permission to visit her.

Both looked tired and stressed, clearly a result of trying to sort out the mess caused by having two pilots under their command heavily injured and on a coma. Even so, their mood improved once they saw her stable and conscious… which was soured soon enough as they know that they needed to update her about the world…

Naomi: - How long… was I out? –

Sally: - Almost for 4 whole weeks. A lot has changed on that. First, we're back at the Avalon District, regrouping our forces for another big operation. Second, all your friends are safe and sound back at the 'Cerasus'. Unfortunately, Zero Two transferred out of the squad and is back to the 9's. –

Naomi groaned: "I knew our actions would cause her to isolate herself again… dammit." – And what about Hiro? –

Orion: - He will be alright, if the kids learnt something is to not disappoint me. I also left him a gift so that he can remain useful. –

Naomi sighed at this and then made the big one…

Naomi: - And Raven? Is he alright? –

Orion and Sally's gazes darkened as the latter delivered the verdict: - Not in a much better state than you, I'm afraid. He is still in a coma and his body is suffering from periodic attacks that thankfully had been decreasing lately. But the doctors fear that if this continues, he will soon suffer irreversible damage. –

Naomi's gut dropped, she knew this was going to happen, she expected this to happen… but to suddenly realize it was happening…

Naomi: - I… I have to… I have to see him! I have to…! –

She tried standing up again but her body alongside her captains strongly protested her. She was forced back down on the bed.

Sally: - Calm down! Calm down! Breaking over it won't help you recover any faster! –

Naomi: - You don't understand! I have to… I must be with him! I have to be there with him! I LOVE HIM! I love him! I… I… -

The floodgates were opened, and she started crying, wailing into Sally's torso as the green haired captain also teared up a little…

Sally: - I'm sorry… I really am… but there's nothing we can do… -

Orion: - Except pray… -

They stayed there consoling Naomi for a while until it was time for her routine to resume, hoping that she soon would heal enough to visit Raven before it was too late…

Days pass by…

By the time Naomi was considered healthy enough to visit, Raven had been in a coma for almost 2 months. The seizures had ceased but there were still no signs of any recovery for him. Naomi had been visiting him for the past 2 weeks without skipping, even at the protest of the medics in charge of her and her captains. Surprisingly, she had felt… different ever since she had woken up. Somehow, she felt that all her senses were now enhanced; she accidentally managed to hear the doctors and her captains on how surprised they were all at her fast recovery; she could also see clearer in the dark whenever insomnia hit her; her taste buds were different too which was also a shame because, while she could taste better the food they gave her, she could also verify that hospital food sucked. Her sense of smell also seemed more sensible now and sometimes she had to force the bile threatening to escape her throat because of how the bathroom relatively reeked after using it.

Even so, she ignored such changes as she focused on Raven, the only love of her life still showing no signs of recovery…

Naomi: - Please Raven… please… hear my voice and come back to me… to us… to our friends in the SMC… and of the Garden… to Hiro, to Zero Two… they both need us… please… so… *sobs* please… -

It was useless, Raven wasn't reacting at all to her calls. Just another failed attempt, like the rest of them… the tears went up into her eyes as her fears of being alone again grew only more and more…

Orion: - Naomi? Can we talk? –

She turned to see her captain entering with a familiar box…

Naomi: *sniff* - What now Orion? –

Orion: - Hey… how have you been doing physically? Because I know the other field is still bad… -

Naomi chuckled at little at his lighthearted joke before answering…

Naomi: - I have been responsible with my health, thank you… but I wish it was the same for him… -

Orion: - I know… I was raised alongside him… me and Sally formed a brotherhood with him, we all had great adventures and faced so much adversity together. He was even my best man when she and I got married, for fuck's sake! The man went through hardships harder than mine… and now, I'm condemned alongside you to see him like this… never knowing if this will be the last time we will see him… -

Both had tears on their eyes at this point and stood in silence before Orion continued…

Orion: - *sighs* Anyways, I came here to give you 2 big things. One is an important Major Order from Command. *Shows to her the papers of the Major Order.* It's time, operation 'Cinder' has officially started, the Task Force assigned for this will be composed mainly of the forces stationed in Avalon… that includes us… -

Operation 'Cinder', the operation in which the SMC will FINALLY bring war to their main enemy and hopefully knock them out in one fell swoop. The moment Raven had been waiting for a long time since the 'Alamo Incident' and soon roped Naomi into it, herself wishing for it to happen too as she learned more of the truth… and now most likely cursed to miss it…

Naomi: - The one thing he waited for so long and he won't be there to participate, let alone witness it… -

Orion: - Which brings me to the second big thing… after speaking with the doctors, we have decided that if Raven doesn't wake up by tomorrow, he will be sent to the general hospital at Avalon… and possibly will be retired from service. –

Naomi: - You… you're finishing his career? After everything he has done for everyone… it just ends like this? –

Orion: - Is either his career that gets finished… or his life. Naomi, this was NOT easy for me, and I know for a fact it won't be for you nor him… but at this point, he doesn't have much of a choice. Now remember, I said until tomorrow and I'm a man of my word. He wakes up today, he stays. Pray for answer Naomi, at least you both don't have to deal with the paperwork. –

Naomi didn't chuckle at his joke as she went back to staring at Raven, Orion taking it as his hint to leave and not to soon as Naomi soon broke…

Naomi: - Look at you, everyone told you to be careful; to give some space and instead, you did the opposite! Why, WHY?! I told you this would hurt everyone more than it would hurt you! But NO! YOU SIMPLY DECIDED TO THROW YOURSELF AWAY! –

She was beyond angry at this point… but even then, she couldn't bring herself to hate him… so she simply sobbed her pain into him…

Naomi: - I don't know what to do… I don't know… I don't know… -

She then let her hands fall over her lap which is when she felt something with a different texture. As she looked down while clearing the blur left by her tears, she saw it was a sealed letter, one she recognized from long ago…

Naomi: "Zorran's letter to Raven? How did it get here?"

She grabbed it and thought about returning it… yet as she looked at it in many ways, she then remembered the voices that she last heard from the void…

?: "The greatest of changes can happen by the gentlest of touches, sometimes even the touch of an important paper…"

She then knew what to do, resolve forming on her…

Naomi: - Raven, right here, right now I'm carrying the letter of Zorran, your father figure and mentor. After all the selfish acts you committed, even if it was for a good cause, it's time I do one like you: I'm going to open this letter and read it aloud for you to give you the final closure on him. I don't know if this will be enough to make you wake up only to say that you hate me for doing something very selfish… but consider this as rightful payback from everything you did that made me more than one time hate you… and yet, I still and will continue to love you… -

She soon opened the envelope and started to read, unaware of an aura emanating from her and surrounding her and Raven, something she felt like a second nature to her…

"Dear Raven:

If you're reading this letter, it means the inevitable has happened and Death has finally claimed me from the living. There's no sugarcoating this: death is as natural as breathing. It may look unfair, unwanted, undeserved for many… but it is an absolute rule of the universe. Everything that exists out there will cease to be one day and there's not much that can be done when such moment comes.

Now you maybe wondering why I am writing this. Is simple, I know my loss will be a great pain for you, and much more for me in the afterlife but I want you to get over it, live free from the guilt and sorrow that was brought because the only thing I want from you is to fly higher than me. I raised you like my son; I was one of your greatest pillars throughout the most innocent years of your life and you were mine during my darkest ones. Ever since that day I rescued you, you gave me a new reason to keep on living after the loss of my fiancé Yukino. I once told you that she died on one of the many tests of the prototype of what would become 'White Glint', the NEXT you always loved to see soar and that hopefully now belongs to you. Even in the darkest moments of our bond between father and son, I always had the heart to forgive you for all those mistakes and insults you would do and throw, including the last one we had on my office in the 'Alamo'. Before the shitshow begins, I want to confess something big, something that I hope you're willing to forgive me for, just like I did for you…

Raven, I lied about Yukino's death. She didn't die in a test drive of the Aaliyah, but on a shadow operation we made against the same Garden you originate from. You will see, we had spies on that place for quite some time and we soon got notified that APE was developing a 'special' subject that they hoped would finish the war as it was under the supervision of doctor Franxx, the creator of the FRANXX battle mechs. The SMC feared that if left unsupervised, their new subject would be turned into a weapon against the RF, so they assigned a squad of spies to keep an eye. Me and Yukino were on that group.

Raven, what we saw about the so call 'subject' wasn't what we expected… it was a little girl that had pink hair and red skin, a hybrid between a human and a klaxosaur. It soon became clear to us what APE was planning and High Command wondered if we were to execute the subject. Even so, we refused to kill the girl, for we have seen how she was treated and experimented upon. She was just an innocent girl whose blood and nature made her to be treated like a monster, she endured lots of pain and torture in the form of 'testing' and I'm ashamed of saying that we had a part on it for the sake of keeping appearances. In the end however, it made us come up with a risky plan: kidnap the girl and raise her on the SMC where she could heal from the scars left on her and let her be the human girl she needed to be.

Unfortunately, it didn't go well. We were on the last stretch to escape but an anti-materiel bullet manages to hit Yukino on her helmet. She survived but the force made her drop into the ground and release the girl alongside another kid we rescued… and when she tried standing back up, she was hit on the chest by another bullet, penetrating one of the lungs. At this point, I was desperate and decided to leave the two kids behind while trying to save her… and to my surprise, it seems the girl wanted her to be saved too, as the two suddenly appeared in front of us, stopping the shooting and giving me time to board up the 'Aaliyah' as they bolted away and forced our chasers to separate. Unfortunately, Yukino would die of her wound hours later…

Ever since then I had been crippled by remorse, not only for Yukino but also for the two kids that helped me continue living. At first, I considered it a curse, as I didn't saw any point of trying… but then I met you and had to raise you, and that curse turned partially into a blessing. I once had pictured myself as a father but alongside Yukino and in a world were our struggles and sacrifices had finally flourished. Your arrival changed that, and in a good way. You helped step up again, your dreams and hopes becoming mine and my resolve to improve the world returning in consequence. One thing that never stopped guilting me is knowing that the girl who endured so much suffering and abuse was still trapped in there while I was given a chance to rebuild my life. As such, I want to leave one final request to you if you're up to it… consider my final test about the path of an old raven…

Ever since we spied on that girl, me and Yukino had taken note of her likes and hobbies whenever she wasn't being forced into tests. One thing she loves the most about is a book called 'The Prince and the Beast', your favorite story. However, the most popular version of it has a sad ending as the original author of that book was hit by tragedy as he wrote it. I used to know the man however, and he had made a draft with a MUCH happier ending as a special gift to the person he lost on that tragedy: his daughter. He tried to burn it into oblivion, but I managed to convince him to let me keep it, telling him that his daughter would have wanted for another lucky child to have this story which would give them hope. Ever since the failed rescue attempt, I had been doing my best to finish this original draft and keeping the drawings as loyal as that of the originals and I just finished it when I rescued you. Needless to say, the fact that this is your favorite story means I did a damn good job at recreating it. If you ever cross paths with the girl, no matter how impossible the task looks, I want you to gift her our version to her… a last parting gift from me to ask for her forgiveness.

Raven, this task seems to be an impossible one, heck even as I write this I'm thinking that the stress of the situation we're about to be in has finally broke me and made me mad… but after hearing your discussion with me about how far you're willing to go to just see your friends from the Garden one more time, it revealed me something about you… you're destined to be something greater than me… so fly little Raven, fly higher than I ever did…

Zorran Richtofen, your father.

P.D: I will always love you, no matter how much you hate me after this…"

By the time she was done reading, Naomi was in tears again… this time feeling so much pity, admiration, and respect for the man that had raised her boyfriend long time ago… even as they spied Zero Two… they already had been willing to go into great risks just to save her…

Naomi: - Dammit… dammit… Raven, what flaw could your father had to make him unlikeable after reading this? –

Raven: *weakly* - He… was… a little… alcoholic… -

Naomi's shock was so great she literally felt her heart skip a beat as she dropped the letter into the ground and turned to see Raven looking at him, tears on his eyes too but smiling… her shock gave way to relief which then unleashed a dam of emotions alongside with it…

Naomi: - Raven… Raven! RAVEN! –

She lunged at him softly, Raven too weak to respond and just enjoying the smell of her essence… how much he missed it while he was in the void in his coma… both then simply cried into each other at least until the doctors arrived to check…

Unknown place…

?: "The Raven and the Dove have survived but now that they both only have one wing… will they ever fly again?"

?: "Let them be… they will soon find flight… on borrowed wings."

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand DONE! FINALLY! Jesus Christ this one was the most procrastinated chapter so far! First I landed a job, then I got into a big rp rush with some friends AND THEN I got distracted by falling into the rabbit hole that is the Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss fandom! But at last, it is done!

Raven and Naomi are still alive, but will they ever fly again on White Glint now that they're crippled? And it seems squad 13 is on the road to proper recovery before the big battle at the Grand Crevasse! Will Hiro dominate the arts of the Assault Guntank and find a way to return to Zero Two? And what will happen in the future between the SMC and APE now that Operation: 'Cinder' is active? Until next time!

...

...

...

...

...

... pray... for answer...

... The trials had been answered...

... a lost raven shares his burden...

... and the dove shares her wings...

... and both fall to protect the nest...

… and lose a wing each…

… but on the fall they lean on each other…