Author's Note:

Welcome to my very first fanfiction (or rather my first story in general). This will be a reader insert story and will have a different ending than it did in the show regarding the whole VIRM plot (nearly everything past the Ep 15-16 mark will deviate from the show + no VIRM). I appreciate every comment and criticism you can give me. I'd also like to thank CulpableGlint for the inspiration he gave me for his story (You should check out his stories as well). Now, without further ado, enjoy.

Disclaimer: Darling in the FranXX and its respective characters and elements belong to Trigger and A1 Studios.

XXXXXX

APE Transport Plane en route to Plantation 13

"I wanna take a bath," Zero Two complains. "Not again. Show some self-control," answers Dr. Franxx from the row of seats in front of her.

Zero Two leans over to the right and asks the man that is wearing a breathing apparatus, "Hey, how do I smell?"

"Let him rest," Dr. Franxx replies, "He's drained after the last battle." He then turns his head forward and says, "Sheesh, what a high-maintenance girl."

It was then, that a chuckle could be heard from the opposite end of the front row. It was a girl with long red hair, about the same height as Zero Two. Next to her was a boy of the same height with short white hair that was combed to small spikes on either side. He didn't seem to be paying attention as he was just looking out the window.

"Does Plantation 13 have an ocean?" Zero Two asks. "An ocean?" Nana asks back. "I wanna swim in some clear ocean water," Zero Two responds. "I'm sorry to say there's no ocean there. Won't a shower do?" Nana replies. "I'm in the mood for a swim," Zero Two answers, but the conversation is interrupted as the pilot announces, "We'll arrive at Plantation 13 in 15 minutes."

Dr. Franxx glances at his datapad again, puts it in his pocket and says "If you'll excuse me, I'll check after the last member of our group here in the back," as he grabs his cane and starts walking down the corridor. "I could check on him for you," Nana says. "It's fine," Dr. Franxx simply replies.

XXXXXX

You can see the aftermath of a battle in front of you. Pools of blue liquid decorating the barren landscape, shattered Klaxosaur cores lying around and even more Klaxosaurs destroying what is left of Plantation 74. The four standard-issue Franxx units from your squad were lying around, broken to pieces, crushed or completely annihilated. Your own Franxx is missing half of its body and you can faintly see another Franxx, which looks different than the standard issue unit with its royal blue and silver coloring, carrying your Franxx to safety before you pass out.

The door to your room opens, waking you up in the process and you find yourself back in the small infirmary of an APE Transport Plane. As Dr. Franxx walks through the door you get up and look at him.

"How are you today (Y/N)? I can see that most of your injuries have already healed," the Doctor asks. "Yes, I do feel better," you answer dryly, "Where are we headed?" "To Plantation 13, where we'll be staying for a while," he states while looking at some data on the monitor next to you.

"Does that mean I am being assigned to a new partner?" you ask with a curious tone to which the doctor simply shakes his head.

"Then what's the point? Why am I not being sent back to the Garden? I am a failure, I was supposed to defend Plantation 74, which was destroyed nearly a week ago. To top it all of I am the only survivor of my squad and-" "My boy, you worry too much about the past. What's done is done and nothing will change that. You should focus on what's ahead of you," the doctor interrupts you and starts going toward the door.

"And what is ahead of me doctor?" you ask. "That remains to be seen," he replies, "Oh, and by the way, you'll need to take a couple more tests once we've arrived." With that, he leaves the room.

Great, just great, you think to yourself, more tests.

XXXXXX

As the APE Transport Plane lands, you're the first one to leave and are immediately escorted to the infirmary of the Plantation. Shortly after, the rest exit the plane as well.

"Good grief. A transport plane's seats are too hard for an old man like me," Dr. Franxx complains, "Can't we travel some other way?" "We don't have many options when it comes to transporting cargo that massive," Nana replies to which the doctor merely sighs.

"Anyways, is Hachi well?" he asks as they begin going down the escalator. "He's been asked to speed up the children's training. After all, this will be the first trial run for the unit we're using this time," Nana explains. "I see," he retorts, sounding slightly disinterested.

"May I ask you something, Doctor?" she begins, "Why run that test case here? And with such a makeshift team, no less?" "Something's been bothering me. Although the geezers in APE might not understand it" he answers.

"So, you do have some sort of idea in mind? Oh, and please do attend the startup ritual," she says. "I know. I know," the doctor says while waving dismissively with his hand.

"All that aside," he says as he turns around, "I see that our problem child has already gone missing." Suddenly everyone else with them realizes that Zero Two is missing and starts looking around. "But she was just here?!" Nana says in utter disbelief.

"Over there," Dr. Franxx says as he points with his cane to the right just as Zero Two walks through one of the gates, throwing away her cap with a devious smile on her face. "Damn it! She's running off again. After her!" Code 081 says as he and the rest of the group except the Doctor and two other people go after her.

As Dr. Franxx reaches the bottom of the escalator with his two companions, he turns to the white-haired boy and red-haired girl.

"Ryoken, Misaki. You know your mission", he begins "Here are two S-Class IDs for the two of you. In addition, Nana and Hachi have both been informed that you have a special assignment regarding Code 023, but nothing more. Should you have any news for me or should you be in need of something, you know how to contact me." With that, he leaves them there.

"Well then," Misaki says to Ryoken, "Let's get started shall we?" "You don't need to tell me twice," he says as he gives her a smile.

XXXXXX

Squad 13 Boarding House – Lounge

"Partner Killer?" Futoshi asks. "Apparently, the girl has horns and fangs, and any parasite that rides with her will have his blood sucked and die after the third time, without fail," Zorome explains.

"Yikes. I don't wanna ride with her," Futoshi comments while taking another bite out of his food. "Surely that's just a rumor," Miku adds. "It's true! Someone actually overheard security talking about it!" Zorome retorts.

"What do you think Hiro?" Ichigo asks him. "I think it's unfair to judge someone based on what other people say," he answers to which Goro and Naomi approvingly nod. "Oh well, guess we'll just have to wait and see," Mitsuru comments.

"So, about the ceremony tomorrow..." Zorome begins as Mitsuru, Miku, Ikuno and Naomi sigh and almost say in unison "Here we go again..."

XXXXXX

Plantation 13 – Infirmary

"And we're finished," the nurse tells you as you regain consciousness. "That was all?" you ask with a curious tone. "Yes, but you should rest here until the sedative wears off," she answers as she notes something down and leaves the room.

Normally these tests take at least an hour or two, with me being unconscious most of the time for whatever reason, but this is a welcome change for once, you think to yourself as you get up, still a little dazed though. If I'm staying here I might as well go to the birdcage, I'd rather be there than in some infirmary, you contemplate while walking to the next elevator.

As the elevator arrives and you get in, you start reminiscing about the events of last week. Ever since you lost your squad at Plantation 74, you feel like the last part of you died on that day as well. It's as if your heart stopped beating and nothing really mattered anymore.

Sure, Squad 74 was at first a bunch of parasites devoid of any personality due to the indoctrination, but in the few months you spent with them together they were becoming like a family to you. Though you cannot shake the feeling that you have experienced all of this before for some reason.

Your line of thought is interrupted as the elevator opens and you arrive at the birdcage. You step outside and take a deep breath as you start to wander aimlessly into the vast forest in front of you.

XXXXXX

Ryoken and Misaki are quietly walking down the corridors toward the infirmary.

"You're a little quiet, is everything alright?" Misaki says with a concerned look on her face. "I'm just a little nervous that's all, why aren't you?" he asks back. "I'm just good at hiding it," she retorts with a devious grin on her face to which he just chuckles.

Misaki knew she had to cheer him up a little after what they've been through, despite the fact that she herself was broken on the inside.

"Look," Misaki says, "I think you worry too much, I'm sure that in time, we'll get him back to his old self. I'm sure of it." "You're right," he replies as both of them stop in front of a door. "I think this is it," he adds as he opens the door, only to find the empty room that you left a while ago.

They both look at each other with a look of confusion.

"He should be here...", Misaki says with a concerned tone. "Either we are in the wrong room or he ran off," Ryoken comments as he looks at his communicator, "And we are definitely in the right room." "Where could he have gone though?" she asks. "The only place I could think of is the birdcage," he states.

The two of them make their way to the elevator and wait for it to arrive, then get in after a short time.

As the elevator ascends to the birdcage, Misaki breaks the silence once more "What do you think about that girl, Zero Two?" "Who?" Ryoken responds.

"The one with the horns that was with us on the plane, or were you too busy staring out the window the entire time?" she explains with a playful tone. "She is annoying and a Klaxosaur from what I know. The less I have to deal with those monsters the better," he elaborates. "Maybe we just need to get to know her a bit better, besides she is only half Klaxo from what I heard," she elaborates.

The conversation trails off as the elevator arrives at the birdcage. "I doubt that he went to the boarding house. He tends to isolate himself from others from what I've read in his dossier, so the forest is our best option," Ryoken states to which Misaki nods in agreement.

XXXXXX

You enjoy this quiet walk through the forest of Mistilteinn, there was just something soothing about the atmosphere of this place. Though the doctor's words were still lingering in your mind.

What is ahead of me? The only thing I am good for is piloting a Franxx, but even that is impossible without a partner. I am alone once more, just like it has been in the Garden...

After a short while, you reach a lake and stop for a moment to take in the view, when you notice a pile of clothes on a bent tree near the shore of the lake. You walk towards them to take a look.

This is not an ordinary parasite uniform. It is similar to the uniform that the Nines wear. Special Forces maybe? Who left them here though?

Suddenly, you hear a sound coming from the lake. You turn around to see the silhouette of a girl swimming in it naked by the looks of it. You watch her for a few more seconds before she disappears under the surface.

Perhaps I should leave her be, you ponder but after nearly a minute has passed and still no sign of the girl resurfacing you begin to worry.

Is she drowning? I've got to help her.

Without hesitation, you start running into the lake, but you didn't get very far when the girl suddenly bursts out of the water in front of you with a fish in her mouth.

It was like I'd been put under a spell as time stopped moving for what felt like an eternity. Her two alluring horns, those cyan colored eyes, and her light pink hair. The fact that she was standing naked in front of me wasn't helping either. I was completely transfixed, unable to look away or move.

She spits out the fish and goes closer to you and leans forward to get a closer look. It was then that your higher brain functions started working again and you managed to speak.

"S-Sorry," you say as you turn your head in shame. "Oh, and here I thought you were dead," she responds while walking towards the shore.

"A-Are you a parasite?" you ask as you start to regain your composure, "Why were you bathing here?" Licking her hand, she replied "It's so weird. I heard ocean water was salty." "Uhm, this isn't an ocean," you say in a tone of confusion. "I know that much. But it's the most ocean-like place I know," she comments while cupping her chin with her forefinger and thumb.

"Aren't you gonna swim?" she asks. "Huh? Me? Nah, I'm good," you reply while walking towards the shore as well. "Really? But it feels so good. You were staring so hard, I thought you wanted to swim, too." "Well, that's because I thought you were drowning, so I jumped in to save you and... eh... Sorry, but could you put your clothes back on?" you say meekly.

She thinks for a moment before bringing her fist down the palm of her other hand as she triumphantly declares while pointing at you, "Oh, I get it! You're a pervert!"

"What?! Where'd that come from?" you ask in a shocked tone to which she simply points towards her pile of clothes you rummaged through a minute ago to identify the uniform. Your face turns to a shade of red as you try to come up with anything to defend yourself, "I-It's not what it looks like!" while turning your head in shame.

To your surprise, she starts laughing, "Your face looks hilarious!" as she calms down and adds, "But you jumped in to save me, huh? I appreciate that. Thank you," while giving you a sweet smile.

As she puts on her uniform again while you look towards the lake, she asks, "That uniform... are you a parasite, too?" "I was, though I am not sure right now," you respond. "So you don't pilot?" she inquires. "Not anymore, I don't even have a partner and honestly, I don't even know why I am here. I feel like I don't belong anywhere..." you reply melancholically.

"Huh. So you're just like me," she states.

That piqued your interest and you turn to face her. "I'm always alone, too, thanks to these horns," she remarks as she puts on a headband that clicks once it's around her horns.

"If you don't belong here, just build a place where you do. If you don't have a partner, just find another one. And if you can't..." she raises her hands like claws and grabs you by the shoulders, "Take one by force!" she exclaims as she leans forward to lick your cheek, which took you by surprise as you fall backward with her landing on top of you, her arms on either side of your head.

"Wow, your taste makes my heart race. It bites and lingers... The taste of danger," she says in a playful tone. "W-What are you do-" "Would you have preferred a kiss?" she interrupts you mid-sentence.

"A kiss?" you ask in confusion. "Oh right, you guys don't know, huh? It's a very special thing," she whispers in your ear before getting up "I think I've taken a liking to you. Won't you be my Darling?"

"Darling? You mean partner?" you ask in a hopeful tone. "I can tell you're not like the other parasites and you weren't frightened by my horns," she says while she holds out her hand.

As you reach for it, a sudden rustling from the trees behind her could be heard. "Too bad. Time's up," she says in a cold tone.

"We've been looking for you. Why do you keep running off alone?" 081 says, clearly annoyed.

"It's not like there's anything else to do until tomorrow's welcoming ceremony," she retorts. "Well, as your partner, I'm the one who suffers for it," he states as he puts her cap on her head. "Partner?" you whisper to yourself. 081 then turns towards you, "Are you a parasite cadet? You're welcoming ceremony's tomorrow, right? Sorry, she bothered you."

Seriously? Doesn't he recognize me? We were on the same plane. Though on second thought, when I entered the plane he was the only person there and was already asleep too.

As the Plantation's security forces put a coat around her, 081 speaks up once more before he leaves, "Let me give you some advice. Stay far away from her. She's not the kind of pistil that just anyone can handle."

"Wait, what's your name," you shout instinctively after the girl. "Name? Do we parasites even have names? But, well, my code is 002. Everyone calls me Zero Two," she says as she stops for a moment before leaving with the others.

Huh, Zero Two? Why do I have this strange feeling that I should know her?

You stand alone at the lake with your own thoughts before a voice calls out to you, "(Y/N)! There you are. We've been looking for you." You turn around to see a boy with blue eyes and white hair that is combed to small spikes on either side of his head, next to him is a girl with long red hair and emerald green eyes.

"I'm sorry, but do I know you?" you ask with a confused look. "Oh, where are my manners," the boy replies. "I am Ryoken and this is Misaki. We haven't officially met, but we were on the transport plane with you that arrived here today. Since the three of us are assigned to this Plantation now, we thought we should pick you up before we get to know the rest of the parasites here," he explains with a sincere smile on his face.

Ryoken and Misaki... why are those names sounding so familiar to me? Am I going crazy?

"I see, nice to meet you two," you reply while holding out your hand, which Ryoken shakes. "Come, the boarding house is that way," Misaki adds. You and Ryoken follow her. "I also got a message from Nana that she told the squad leader of Squad 13 about our arrival, so she'll show us around. Our baggage from the plane should also be delivered there within the hour," she declares.

There is an awkward silence for a bit as you continue through the forest. You decide to break the ice.

"So, if you were on that transport with me, does one of the two Franxx it carried belong to you then?" you ask. Ryoken nods and says "Yep, the one with the royal blue and silver coloring. Her name is Valkyrie."

"So, you were the ones who carried me to safety back at Plantation 74?" "Yes... We're sorry for your loss (Y/N)," Misaki answers in a sad tone that is followed by another moment of silence. "Thank you," you say meekly. "Don't mention it," Ryoken says as he puts a hand on your shoulder, "You would have done the same if the roles were reversed."

After a short while, you arrive at the boarding house and someone is already waiting at the entrance by the looks of it. As the three of you reach the entrance, a girl with blue hair that is covering one of her eyes approaches you.

"Hello!" she greets you with a smile on her face, "I'm Code 015, but you can call me Ichigo. I'm the leader of Squad 13." "I'm Code 043, but please call me Ryoken," he says. "I'm Code 099, but I prefer Misaki," she says with a smile. "I'm Code 023, (Y/N). Nice to meet you," you add.

Ichigo gestures inside, "The others are waiting in the lounge, follow me." The three of you follow Ichigo inside to the lounge. Upon entering, you see 9 other parasites, all scattered in the room. "Everyone," Ichigo announces to get everyone's attention, "This is (Y/N), Ryoken and Misaki. They are assigned to this Plantation and will be staying with us."

"(Y/N)?" you hear from one of the boys on the other side of the room, "Is that really you?" As you turn to the direction of where the voice is coming from, you see a boy with average height, black hair and blue eyes. You recognize him though, it's Code 016 or better known as Hiro.

I remember him from the Garden. He was probably the only one who would talk to me, the other children shunned me. My memory about that time is so hazy though that I don't remember much. I only met Hiro briefly before I was transferred to an isolated area in the Lab due to erratic seizures that I was having at the time.

"Hiro?" you say with a surprised voice as he walks over to you and holds out his hand, which you shake without hesitation. "I thought they had taken you too," he says, "Good to see I was wrong." "It's good to see you again pal," you reply with a smile.

Needless to say that the rest of the people in the room all wear various degrees of confusion on their faces. "You know each other?" Ichigo asks. Hiro nods and turns to her and the tall boy with the glasses next to her, "I met him back at the Garden the day before he disappeared."

He then turns back to you, "What happened to you anyway?" You hesitate for a moment to answer because it brings back some memories you'd rather forget. Ryoken notices this and cuts in before you answer, "I think this is something he'd rather not discuss right now. I hope you understand." The others simply nod in agreement.

"Well then, we still don't have your names," Misaki says in a cheerful tone to lighten the mood a bit. "Well, you already know my name," Hiro says. "I am Code 703, but I go by Naomi," the girl with the wavy dark brown hair replies, "and I pilot Gladiolus with Hiro."

The boy with light brown hair stands up from the couch and builds himself up before speaking, "I am Zorome the Great, Code 666. The best pilot you'll ever meet," you notice that several people start rolling their eyes at that statement. "He couldn't do anything without me," the redhead with the twin-tails interjects, "I'm Miku, 390, the pistil of Argentea."

One of the boys takes a bite out of his food, then says, "I'm Futoshi, Code 214 and this is my lovely partner Kokoro with whom I pilot Genista," as he points towards the ashen-blonde haired girl, which makes her blush.

"I am Goro, Code 056 and I pilot Delphinium with Ichigo," the tall boy with the glasses states.

Lastly, the purple haired girl that was reading a book until now looks up and says, "I'm Ikuno, Code 196 and I'm piloting Chlorophytum with Mitsuru," hinting to the boy with the slicked back olive-brown hair who is standing a little away from the group, looking utterly uninterested in this whole conversation.

"Well then, if there's nothing else, we should-" Ichigo begins, but is interrupted by Zorome, "Hold on, I have questions! Where did you come from and where is (Y/N)'s partner?" "Well, we are a part of Dr. Franxx's group, so we traveled to many Plantations. We eh...", Ryoken stops for a moment before glancing at you, "stopped at Plantation 39 before we came here."

He didn't want to mention Plantation 74's destruction before we headed to Plantation 39 for my sake.

"I don't have a partner," you say in a defeated tone, "I am the only survivor of my squad from Plantation 74."

The room falls silent for a moment. "Sorry to hear that," Hiro says. "Yeah, I didn't mean to pry," Zorome adds.

"Well, it's getting late and the startup ritual is tomorrow, so I think we should get enough rest. Goro, please show (Y/N) and Ryoken their room. Misaki, I'll show you yours," Ichigo says with a somewhat cheerful tone to lighten the mood.

Way to kill the mood, you think to yourself as you follow Goro and Ryoken upstairs. "You'll be staying with Hiro and me," Goro says as he opens one of the doors to a room. There are 2 bunk beds in the room, the room itself is a little messy with pieces of clothing scattered at some places.

"If we'd been notified earlier, we would have cleaned this up," Goro says putting a hand behind his head. "That's alright. I can help you with that," Ryoken says to him. There are two bunk beds in the room, you take the one on the left above Hiro and Ryoken takes the one on the right above Goro.

"Also, the bathroom is down the hall and if you need help with something, just ask," he adds as he cleans up some of the scattered clothes while you and Ryoken put your belongings, that have been delivered earlier, in the empty dressers.

After that, the four of you climb into your respective beds and fall asleep.

XXXXXX

The next day

You awaken to the warm glow of the sunlight shining through the window, illuminating the room. You climb down to notice that Hiro and Goro are already gone while Ryoken just finished getting dressed. "Good morning," he says, "breakfast should be ready now, so get dressed and let's head downstairs." You get dressed and head with him down to the dining hall.

As you arrive, you can already see most of Squad 13 sitting at their respective tables. Ichigo and Misaki arrive shortly after you. After everyone has taken a seat, you begin your prayer for Papa in unison, though you notice that Ryoken, who is sitting next to you, doesn't seem to be enthused about it.

Other than that, breakfast passed uneventfully. With the exception of Zorome raving about the startup ritual today.

After that, most of the Squad is getting ready for the ritual, which will begin in an hour, with only a few left chattering in the entrance hall, but even they go upstairs to get dressed after a while.

Meanwhile, you're sitting in the lounge on your own, still pondering about what your purpose here is and about your encounter with Zero Two yesterday.

Your line of thought is interrupted though as you notice that Misaki entered the lounge and sat next to you without you noticing. "Listen (Y/N)," she starts, "If you don't want to attend the startup ritual today that's fine. You just need some time to get over what happened at Plantation 74 and if you need someone to talk to, Ryoken and I are there for you." "Thanks, Misaki," you reply. She smiles at you one more time before heading back to the hall to meet up with the rest.

After the rest leaves, you are once again left alone with your thoughts.

"Focus on what's ahead of you." You sigh. Maybe he is right. There's no point in just sitting around doing nothing. You think to yourself before getting up and heading for the elevator.

XXXXXX

Plantation 13 – Platform outside

Squad 13 stands in a line as the massive gate opens to reveal a massive amphitheater with thousands of adults gathered there. In the middle is a podium at which a holographic projection of Papa is located with the Vice Chairman behind him and the rest of the APE Council to his left and right.

"You know, I never thought I'd be wearing one of these again," Ryoken whispers to Misaki. "Same here," she responds. "Look, the doctor looks like he is going to fall asleep any second now," she adds while giggling a little. Ryoken just chuckles to that.

"My children," Papa begins his speech, "you have had the good fortune to be chosen as parasites. Your great predecessors defended our cities and our people, and they splendidly took flight as our representatives. Turn your life into a blaze of glory and shed every last drop of blood you have. I pray that you will become a shining ray of hope for humanity."

XXXXXX

Plantation 13 – Walkway near the outside platform of the startup ritual

"We will hereby begin the startup ritual. With this, you kids will finally become parasites," Papa says as you stand on the walkway above the hangar where Squad 13's Franxx are going to walk out of soon. Just as the hangar doors below you are opening, you notice the very earth below the Plantation trembling for a moment and the hangar doors stop halfway.

"This is bad. The fog is rolling in," Dr. Franxx says.

After a moment of silence, there is another tremble, this time stronger. Suddenly, a Klaxosaur emerges from the ground off to the far right of the hangar and starts charging at the Plantation.

"All hands, battle stations! Ready intercepting fire!" you hear one of the soldiers near the hangar yell. In an instant, the Plantation's defensive system springs to life and open fire on the Klaxosaur. Though the cannons manage to hit its legs, slowing its charge down a bit, it collides with the wall of the Plantation nonetheless, swinging its tail and taking out the cannons in the process.

The Klaxosaur doesn't take long to recover and starts running towards the hangar doors. You get back and start running along the walkway since the Klaxosaur is running so close to the Plantation that it is taking out the walkway you are standing on its way.

Though you run as fast as you can, you are unable to outrun the Klaxosaur and just as the walkway underneath your feet is about to be destroyed, you see something appearing behind it. It looks like a massive lion with white and red coloring, its eyes glowing in a magma red. "What is that?" you utter as it pushes the Klaxosaur a little to the side, saving you in the process.

"Run away! Take shelter!" one of the security personnel on the ritual platform screams. "A moho-class, huh? It's big, strong and has a fine look," Dr. Franxx remarks, completely unfazed by the fact that the Klaxosaur is heading straight for them. "This is no time for casual commentary! Prepare to evacuate!" Nana scolds him, "Hurry up and retrieve the parasites!" she orders to the security personnel.

"Warning: Garage 2 damaged. Unfit for housing Delphinium," a mechanical voice says through the speakers. The Klaxosaur had stuck its head through the door and was charging a shot meant for Delphinium. Just before it was about to fire, the Klaxosaur is suddenly pulled back and sent flying backward. The massive mechanical lion on its back, sinking its teeth into the Klaxosaur and ripping pieces out of it.

"A stampede, now?" Nana says in shock.

"What an ugly sight. Did she devour her stamen again?" Papa scoffs. "It's hard to tell which is the real monster here," the Vice Chairman comments.

The Klaxosaur lets out a roar as its tail begins to reshape to a cone and starts rotating. The mechanical lion gets off of it and takes a position between it and the Plantation. The Klaxosaur then fires a massive blast, which the lion tries to deflect with its tail. There is a massive light created by the impact and you can barely see what's happening there. After the light fades, the blast dispersed around the Plantation and both the lion and Klaxosaur are sent flying backward.

It took you only a moment to realize that the lion is going to crash right where you are standing, so you run to the side and barely manage to dodge it.

"That was close," you mumble to yourself as a body covered in blood suddenly hits the ground next to you. Without hesitating, you rush towards it, "Hey! Are you alright?" you ask as you check for a pulse. You recognize him, it was Code 081 you met the other day. No pulse, you realize.

"Forget about him. He's done for," a voice above you says.

You look up to see where the voice was coming from. It was Zero Two, leaning exhausted in the doorway of the cockpit, half her face covered in blood.

"What are you doing here?" you ask. "What, you ask? I'm going monster hunting, of course," she answers. "You're going to pilot this alone?" you respond with concern. "I gotta go," she says. "Hold on! You can't, you're hurt!" you state as you leap forward to grab her arm. "Out of my way," she barks as she frees her arm from your grip.

"This is insane. Besides, you're by yourself now. You can't do this alone!" you shout. "I'm always alone. That's how it's always been. I'm used to it," she says coldly. "But you'll die", you speak up. "I'm not afraid of death. That thing is going to start moving again eventually. And when it does, everyone here is gonna die either way. I'm not afraid of death. I have a job to do. So, I'm going," she states as she starts to move back into the cockpit.

Those words struck you to your core. No, this is just like Plantation 74. I won't let her walk to her demise. I'll be damned if I would let that happen.

"Oh no, you don't. Not alone! I'll come with you!" you state. She suddenly stops and turns around again to face you, "Oh? Are you prepared to die?" "I don't know. Right now, I don't even know where I belong or what my purpose here is. That's no different from being dead. So please, take me with you," you say as a tear forms in your eye.

"Huh... You really are just like me. You and I are very similar. It's been a long time since I last saw a human cry. I like the look in your eyes. It makes my heart race," she tells you as she wipes the tear from your eye. "Now come to me," she adds as she holds out her hand, which you take without hesitation. In an instant, she pulls you into the cockpit and says, "Let me get a taste of you. You are now... my Darling!" She pulls you closer to her and kisses you.

The Klaxosaur has recovered from the blast and begins to move again, going straight for where the mechanical lion landed. "It's moving again!" Zorome remarks. The Klaxosaur drives its head right into the Plantation and the lion is out of sight now.

"W-Was it eaten?" Goro asks in shock. "No. That's..." Dr. Franxx begins as a ray of light emerges and the lion transforms into a humanoid form, throwing the Klaxosaur away.

"When the negative and positive- male and female factors combine, and their hearts become one, the iron maiden will reveal her true form," he explains as Strelizia's faceplate sparks to life. "Now this is a Franxx! How truly beautiful! You're the best, Strelizia!" Dr. Franxx raves. "But who's piloting it?" Nana asks. "Please don't be (Y/N)," Ryoken mumbles to himself.

The Klaxosaur charges its cone-shaped tail once more and prepares to fire another shot, but Strelizia hurls her lance into its mouth, then activates her boosters to close the gap between them and ramming the lance further into it.

"Game over!" she exclaims as the Klaxosaur explodes into a massive blue mist with its core impaled on Strelizia's lance.

I don't know why, but the warm touch of her lips awakened something inside me. I felt strange, but not in a bad way. It's as if my heart started beating again. Other than that, I saw images I can't make sense of flashing in my mind for a split second. It's a bit of a blur. I'm not quite sure what just happened in the cockpit.

As Strelizia deactivates and her faceplate opens, you lean on Zero Two as the two of you walk out of the cockpit and look down at the others. Zero Two lowered you gently to the floor and you sat down, still a little dazed from a headache you just got.

"(Y/N)?!" Hiro says in surprise as you and Zero Two come into view. "What's he doing there?" Zorome asks. "Wait there's someone else," Goro adds, "Are those..." "Horns?" Miku gasps. "You mean that pistil is the one?" Futoshi asks. "The Partner Killer," Ichigo exclaims.

"Let me introduce you. This is Code number 002, a pistil with the special forces unit APE directly controls. She's a girl that carries Klaxosaur blood," Nana explains to the rest.

"Found you, Darling," Zero Two mumbles under her breath.

"This just got a lot more difficult," Misaki says to Ryoken, but he didn't seem to have heard her. There is a serious look in his eyes as he says to himself, "I promise you, I won't let you become her next victim, old friend." Misaki grabs his hand and squeezes it when she heard that. "Don't worry, we'll make him remember," she says.