All of the 7 sages of APE's high council sit upon their respective seats, discussions in the air. A request call from Plantation 13 popped up in front of the large displays. "Proceed." Papa ordered and the plantation 13 reporter's voice came on the speakers.

"A confirmed appearance of one Mohorovicic klaxosaur at site yesterday. Strelizia intercepted and neutralized it. Fuel stockpile is down to 54 percent at current location. Requesting kissing with Plantation 26." The voice reported. "Authorized." Papa dryly replied. "Roger." The reporter acknowledged. "Kissing will commence in 175 hours."

"We've received word that Strelizia is being held back at Plantation 13." Baboon says. "Another of that girl's whims? Dr. Franxx spoils her too much." Lemur replies, his tone showing annoyance. "However, in this case, if you look at the numbers, It seems to be a rare sample without signs of physical aging." The vice chairman explains. "It's code 016, isn't it?" Trasier wonders.

Gorilla huffed. "Unthinkable, without any established cause, mixing them together will taint her blood." Gorilla reasoned. "She must be recalled at once!", slamming his right hand onto the chair's armrest. "But, we saw how she shone in that battle." Papa states. "Investigating this may prove fruitful to us. Let us wait and see."

"On another hand, how much longer does Dr. Franxx have custody over Code 054?" Baboon questions. "Until he revoked it, we were unable to get rid of code 054. However, the issue has been resolved." Papa assures. "Memory alteration devices had plenty of test subjects to be perfected on."

"Keep a tab on 054's condition. If he doesn't recover within 3 weeks, then we will be forced to use extreme measures."

X----------------------------------X

The chirping of birds woke me up, my left eye opening to meet the outside world. I looked around and realized it wasn't the medical rooms within the plantation. It was most likely the Mistileinn's boarding house.It seems that my medical applications seemed to be all the same. Right arm cast, head bandages and the medical patch planted on my right eye. I looked under the covers to see the same leg cast.

Turning my head to the right, I saw 167, sleeping at the end of bed.

'She worries far too much' "Your sleeping position isn't healthy for your back." I said, waking 167. 167 groaned and opened her eyes "Huh..?" She mumbles. "Welcome back." I said to her. 167 leaped onto me, straddling me with a tight hug. "054, you're awake!" She yelped out in joy. "Ah-" I felt the air crushed out of my lungs as she hugged me.

"167, I need to breathe.." I said through the wheezes. She hugged me for a few more seconds before letting go. "I told you to stay safe!" She says, tears threatening to fall out of her eyes. "My apologies, I didn't expect this to happen." I explained. After a few minutes and a box of tissues later, she finally calmed down. She looked over to you, eye to eye. "So, what happened to me?" I asked.

"Ah-" She stammered. "Well, the doctor said you're steadily recovering, except for your right arm." "How long had I been out to recover this fast? I thought I had around a month beforehand." 167 looks away, her face stammered from fear to sadness. "You've been out for nearly 1 week." She whispers. '1 week? I can't believe I was out for 1 week' I looked down to my right arm, wrapped in a hard cast with a sling.

"How much worse did my right arm get?" I asked. "The doctors found that during the attack 1 week ago, your skin and muscles were crushed as the cast broke." She explains, her eyes full of sadness. I traced my right eye, the patch still present.. "Your eye still doesn't have a high chance of recovery..." She adds. 'How surprising'

"1 week? Why was I out for that long? Also, what happened during that time?" I again questioned. "Well, Nana said you would recover faster if you were in something called an 'induced coma'." 167 Explains. "During the 1 week, I settled in with the parasites of plantation 13. The boy named Hiro gave me a name!" She gleefully said. "So, from now on, call me Hyaku now!"

"Hyaku?" I said, puzzled. "Yea, they said If we were gonna stay, we should have names instead of codes." "By the way, you're getting a name too. Hiro said your name was going to be (Y/N)". Hyaku adds. "(Y/N)? interesting." I commented. "With that, are you feeling any better from before?" She asks.

"Well, after a week, I'm tired." I replied. "Huh?!" Hyaku exclaims, perplexed "You're still tired!?" You gave her a small smile, Hyaku relaxing a bit afterwards. "Well, whenever you're finished being tired, I'll go fetch your lunch." Hyaku exits, fixing her uniform. "Alright, 16- Hyaku.." Hyaku looks at me with an understanding expression.

"You'll get it soon enough." She says. "I don't know about the names, Papa gave us these codes. Why are we replacing them?" You wonder aloud. Hyaku looks at me again, now near the door's entrance. "We aren't replacing them. Think of it as another code for the others." She ended, walking out. "Fine.." I mumbled to myself.

X---------- Timeskip ----------X

Hyaku walked into the mess hall, where everyone else was already eating their lunch. "Hey Hyaku, how's (Y/N)'s condition?" Ichigo asked. "Well, I went to check up on him and he woke up." Hyaku responded. Everyone in the room looked at Hyaku, with surprise written on their faces. "(Y/N)'s awake? Since when?" everyone asked in unison. "Well, I'm not sure, but he was awake when I did arrive." Hyaku replied. Hyaku looked around for Zero Two, but didn't see her.

"Anyways, I'm gonna deliver his lunch to him. I think a real meal will lift his spirits up." Hyaku states "Could we visit him later after lunch?" Goro asked. "I agree!" Zorome tagged in. "The best learn from the best" He also adds. "You can, once he's had his lunch." Hyaku answers. "Alright." Goro says, now regrouping into the table he was seated at. Hyaku walked out of the room with a lunch tray.

"Zorome, why do you want to talk with (Y/N)?" Futoshi asks. "Well, he's the one with the most experience around here. So If I wanna impress the adults and one-up him, I need to know what to do." Zorome lays out. "I have a title to live up to!" "Zorome aside, what about the meeting later today? Hachi said that we have a meeting later before dinner." Futoshi says aloud, earning a grumble from Zorome. "Well, I don't think it will be all that important. However, it might be about either Hiro becoming a parasite or the issue with the new parasites." Goro responses.

The meal continued with conversations until everyone had finished. The clinking of plates and utensils followed as everyone cleans up their food and table. Hyaku enters the lounge, a tray with an empty plate on it. "Hey Hyaku, How was (Y/N)?" Kokoro asks. "He was good, but I'm not sure he's in the mood for a visit." Hyaku replies. He's in the mood? Alright!" Zorome ignores, walking past Hyaku as she protests. The rest of the group followed Zorome.

I sat still in my bed, deep in thought. 'Why am I still being kept here? I've failed papa once. I failed my duties. I failed 167. I failed. I failed. I failed' "What do you mean you failed?" Zorome asked, walking through the door. "Oh, excuse me, I was just daydreaming." I lied, quickly putting on a smile. "Hyaku, I thought I said I didn't want visitors." "They didn't listen.. Sorry." Hyaku answered. I shook my head in disappointment.

Zorome walked over, grabbing my hand. "Hello! I, Zorome the great and this squad's ace, want to speak with you!" Zorome boastfully exclaims. I looked behind the boy, a few members rolled their eyes and sighed. "What do you want to talk about, 'Zorome the great'." I asked.

"I want to know how to defeat the klaxosaurs! You've done it before, haven't you?" Zorome replied. My smile turned into a frown. "I see." I whispered. "To begin, I am the stamen for the Franxx Clyepum. A modified Fraxx that differs from the standard production model." I began.

"Hyaku and I have been piloting for 2 years, however, the majority of the time we weren't engaged in combat. Used for a testbed for new equipment. Our battles were small and few, but a month ago, Papa ordered us into a large-scale combat operation. I thought I could finally prove myself to papa, but.." I trailed off.

"What happened?" Zorome persisted. I squinted my eyes at the memories. "The battle of the Kyo Ridge was intense. There were hundreds, perhaps even thousands of klaxosaurs against us. The fighting lasted for hours, it was brutal with heavy losses. We were able to survive the majority of combat, but near the end, I made a fatal miscalculation."

"I paid the price for my mistake. I assume you can piece it together." I ended, my tone dark and bitter. "I vow never to make the same mistake ever-"

"Stop lying. It wasn't your fault."

Hyaku cut me off, sniffling with tears. "Let's go." She said to everyone. "Who told you that you could boss us-" "Let's. Go. Now." Zorome was shaken to his core by Hyaku's angry and sad tone. I turned my head towards the window. "Please go." I sadly requested. The group followed Hyaku out and towards the lounge.

The lounge's atmosphere was tense as everyone settled in. Hyaku being comforted by Kokoro "Is everyone going to remain quiet on this?" Ikuno dryly says, catching everyone's attention. "What do you mean?" Goro questions. "(Y/N) isn't telling us something." She explains. The room turns to silence again. "Honestly, It's very simple. He's just Hiro. Don't get your hopes high with him either." Mitsuru coldly exclaimed. Hiro looks at Mitsuru, insulted. "You don't know anything about him and his history" Hiro retorted.

"I don't care what you think of me until I prove myself." "Question the truthfulness of that, but from that small conversation told me something. It's proven to me he's just a misguided fool-" Mitsuru stopped after being slapped. Hyaku's handprint was on his face, her hand shaking in rage. "That boy saved my life and you spit on him behind his back?" She says, her tone mixed with bitterness and rage. "Fuck. You." She stormed out of the lounge.

"Mitsuru, I know you're sulker, but that wasn't necessary." Zorome remarked, his eyes rolling. Mitsuru walks out, his eyes monotone. "I never thought Hyaku would really do that." Kokoro remarked. "Hyaku is nice, but I guess Mitsuru ticked something off in her." Goro adds. "The question still remains, what happened to them for them to end up like this?" Ikuno continued, putting down her book.

"I don't think it's the best time to ask, but we'll figure this out soon." Hiro says. "Alright." Ichigo replies, a smile forming on her face. "Anyways, we should wrap things up. We have a meeting in a few hours." Goro says.

X----------------------------------X

"Hey, (Y/N), I'm coming in." Hyaku announced before entering the room. I looked towards Hyaku as she walked in. "Hello." I greeted. "There's going to be a meeting soon before dinner. Hachi asked you to attend." Hyaku informed. "I see, I wouldn't want to miss a meeting." I replied. "Alright then. I was just here to tell you that. I need some time.. alone." "Time alone?" I asked.

Hyaku stopped at the door. "Don't worry about it." She sadly says. "It wasn't your fault." She walks out. I felt confused. 'What is she talking about?' I looked at the empty door frame, confused. "Some air would be nice." I commented to myself. I pushed the covers and sat at the edge of the bed. I scanned around for my crutches, but none were present.

"Then I assume I should be able to walk." I took a step and the pain was minimal. Then I took another, the pain was the same. I sat up and stood and began walking around. "It feels like there's something stuck in my foot." I headed towards the window to open it, the outside air rushing into the room.

I rested on the edge of the window, taking in the view. "How is dear Shi doing?" Zero asked, standing at the door frame. Zero walked towards me, a devilish smile plastered on her face. "Seeing that you are walking around, you should be back into the fight in no time!" Zero Two cheered.

"It was so much more fun with you and 167 alongside me." "167 has requested to be called Hyaku." I corrected. Zero Two blinked at me for a second. "Well, just for her then, I'll call her Hyaku instead of 167 then."

"I would imagine Hyaku would appreciate it, but It still feels odd to me." I said. "We parasites never have names, so it's something rare to see here." Zero Two remarked. "We will all die sooner or later, so why have names when we will never be remembered." Zero Two solemnly says.

"I understand. However, Hyaku wants to pursue these ideas." I said back. "I won't stop her and I believe it will help us fit into our peers." "We might not be staying here." Zero Two said. "It's a possibility regardless." I retorted.

"Well, all serious and boring stuff aside, I found my darling! The one from the garden." Zero Two said, her smile growing larger. "So you've told me." I responded. "You don't understand how happy I am that I've found him." Zero Two squeals. The pink-haired girl embraced me. "May I ask who exactly he is?" I asked, embracing her back.

"It's the boy named Hiro. The same one during the start up ritual." "Are you talking about me?" Hiro asked, his voice echoing from the hallway. "Come in, Darling!" Zero Two shouted back, footsteps following. Hiro walked into the room. "Yes Zero Two?" Hiro asked. "Hello, Darling!" Zero Two Chripped.

"Zero Two? Are you in here already?" Hiro asks. "I thought we'd visit (Y/N) together" "I got bored of waiting, so I visited Shi early." She answered childishly. "Shi?" Hiro questions. "It's the last digit in his code." Zero Two explained.

"Oh." Hiro replied. "So, (Y/N), are you feeling better than before?" "It does seem that my condition has improved." I answered. "That's great to hear Shi!" Zero Two remarked, hopping on the edge of the bed. "Let's get going then!" Zero Two loudly declared. "To where exactly?" I asked.

"We are going somewhere relaxing!" She answered, dragging me out. "But I'm still assigned to this medical wing-" "No buts! You are going to properly relax!" She interrupted me. I had no choice but to comply. 'These are Dr. Franxx's instructions for me.'

X---------- Timeskip ----------X

Hiro didn't follow Zero Two, who continued to drag me to the lakes where she swam in before. "Doesn't this just remind you of the older times we had together?" Zero Two laid in the grass. "I remember lying in the snow in the garden." I said, sitting on a nearby rock. Zero Two perked up. "We did?" She questioned. 

"That's what I remember." I awkwardly replied. "It's hard to remember nowadays." I reasoned with myself. 'It's all so vague'. "Ehh?." Zero Two responded. "It doesn't matter right now, it just feels nice to relax. I wish there was rain though."

"Rain? Why is that?" I asked. "I just want to know what it feels like." Zero Two responded. "It's not like a shower. It's more relaxing and calming." She adds. "I can understand." I replied. My communicator rang with a message. It was from Hyaku."It appears I must depart." I said sadly. "It feels that we never get enough time together." Zero Two whined.

"I'm sure we'll have more free time like this. You will be attending the meeting, correct?" I asked. "Yeah, but I'm gonna stay here a bit longer." Zero Two responded. I nodded and began to walk back to the boarding house. I ended up behind it, seeing a scene unfold.

"That's perfect for you, a wuss who just hitched a ride with a girl!" Zorome ended, laughing. "What? You wanna go?" I heard Zorome challenge whoever was in front of him. "Zero Two said I.. did.. Pilot." Hiro retort back. 'what's happening?' "The real thing isn't like the training units you keep using!" Zorome spat back. "Once I get another chance, I'll teach you who's the best pilot!" Hiro yelled back.

I got to a clearing to see the two boy's heads connecting in a very aggressive manner. "Challenge accepted!" Zorome yelled back, grabbing Hiro. Thus, the fight began. "Hey, what are you doing?" Ichigo loudly questioned, running towards Hiro while Goro trailed behind her. "Come on! Stop!" Goro follows. I stood still to watch as I was currently helpless to do much.

Ichigo pushed Hiro away while the boy was containing himself from his rage. Zorome was outright resisting Goro. "Don't get in the way!" Zorome shouts. "Enough!" Goro shouted. "Damn you! You're nothing but a loser!" Zorome shouted at Hiro. "Calm down, will you?" Goro yelled but Zorome didn't relent.

I walked up to Zorome with a calm expression. "Zorome, you can prove yourself later. Blind rage gets you killed on the battlefield." I said. The light brown hair boy looks at me, stopping his pursuit of Hiro "(Y/N)? What are you doing here?" Zorome spat, his tone full of annoyance. "Rage is an obstacle to logical reason, thus is rarely an asset." I explained.

Zorome takes up a more boastful stance. "Fine, keep talking about all of this fancy shit when we are in a fight." "Noted." I said, dismissing him. I followed the group as they began heading towards the meeting.

X---------- Timeskip ----------X

"Parasites." Hachi announces. The monitor displays information of several materials. "We have brought you here to begin mock battles. This will include Code 016." The room stayed silent. "A mock battle with me in a franxx?" Hiro questions. "That's right." Nana confirms.

"Depending on the results, we will consider promoting you to parasite." Hachi says. Hiro gasped in surprise as Goro whispered something to him. "Pick your partner, code 016." Hachi ordered. "I'll do it." Zero Two said.I turned my head to look at her. "Wait, really Zero Two?" Hiro said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "I mean, you are my darling." She purrs, resting her head on her hand.

"One moment." Ichigo says, raising her hand. "Let me be his partner."

'your already assigned one'

"She doesn't belong in our squad. Also, if you're only measuring Hiro's aptitude score, it should work with me as his partner." Ichigo explained further. "Why should it be you then? You already have Goro as a partner and you want to ride with Hiro?" Mitsuru shot at them. "Alright, Pipe down." Nana orders. Goro offered Ichigo an awkward smile.

"As Ichigo said, Zero Two, you are not a part of squad 13." Nana states. "HQ has not authorized the usage of Strelizia, so it has to be someone from his squad will have to help him in his test." "Boring." Zero Two whined. Zero Two stood up and walked over to Ichigo. "Fine then, my Injuries haven't finished healing anyway." She reasons while walking over to Ichigo.

Zero Two stopped inches from her face. "I'll let you borrow him for just this once, better make the most of it." she whispered, smugly smiling afterwards before exiting the meeting room. "It is settled then. Hiro and Ichigo will pilot Delphinium. All match partners have been chosen beforehand." Hachi announces. "Argentea will face Delphinium and Chlorophytum will face Genista." Nana adds. "Hey, wait a minute, why aren't they taking part in the mock battles?" Zorome questioned as he pointed at Hyaku and I.

I looked at him with a blank stare, Hyaku sharing the same look. "Code 054's injuries require 2 more weeks before he is fully recovered. 5 Days at the minimum." Nana Informs. "Tch, really?" Zorome replied, annoyed. "We can spar once I've recovered, Zorome." I said to Zorome. He nodded vigorously, awkwardly laughing. "Of course! Take your time! Not too much though."

"What are you doing? He's more experienced than us!" Miku whispered to Zorome, clearly opposed to the idea. "Hey, if we spar with them, we will get the most experience out of them than any klaxosaur." Zorome replied back.. "It's also gonna be a real challenge." Zorome replied to his partner. "Fine." Miku accepted. "A later date can be established for you two to fight in a mock battle, however, you will fight your selected partner tomorrow at 21:00." Hachi dryly announced.

X---------- Timeskip ----------X

Once the meeting was over and everyone was dismissed, Nana asked Hyaku and I to stay after the meeting. "I've asked you two to stay here for a briefing on what you will expect here at Plantation 13." Nana started. "Dr. Franxx has allowed you two to stay here for the time being. That said, you will be a part of squad 13 during that time." 'Is that so?'

"HQ has authorized Clyepum to be used during operations, however, 056's condition isn't stable for piloting. This is a problem. Due to the inexperience and state of squad 13, you two will be required to monitor squad 13 closely and support them whenever they require." Hachi explained. Hachi then looks at me. "I understand if you reject this plan as this is up to you, We want you to be ready to deploy with them at your earliest of 5 days." Hachi asked.

"Wait a minute here, don't I get a say in this?" Hyaku asked, raising her voice. "(Y/N) isn't in any condition to pilot, even in 5 days!" "(Y/N)?" Nana asked. "Hyaku." I started, grabbing her attention. "This is my decision and I agree with Hachi's reasoning." 'I can't fail papa again.' "I will be available to deploy within 5 days." "(Y/N)! Don't, please."

I went into deep consideration. "I understand your concern for me, but this is for the greater good." I answered her. Hyaku stared at me with worried eyes. "167, this is his decision. Don't worry, there will most likely be little action within 2 weeks and you guys are assigned to monitoring them for now." Nana said. Hyaku stormed out of the meeting room. "You are dismissed." I nodded and followed Hyaku.

I heard distant footsteps near the Mistileinn's elevator. "(Y/N), I hope you made the correct decision." Hyaku quietly says in front of the elevator. "These parasites require a pair who has more experience to guide them. Most new squads are deployed around a week or 2 after they are officially considered parasites." I reasoned with the light ginger, but she didn't seem to take any of it.

"I hope you're wrong about this. Take care of yourself this once. Always continuing to take care about everything else but yourself." She replied, her tone bitter. She didn't seem like she didn't want to continue the conversation, so I dropped any attempt to respond. The rest of the walk back was in silence.

Members of squad 13 peeked their head out around the corner, eavesdropping on the conversation.

Chapter 2, Check! Chapter 3, eh, needs some work. If these look poorly edited or has horrible grammar, it's my fault. English isn't my 1st language so I'm trying my best! If you have any suggestions on how I can improve, please do not hesitate to comment it! If you have some ideas you would like to share, again, do not hesitate to comment it!

Chapter 3 will take a bit more time because I won't have as much time now with school about to start, but don't worry! It might be online so it won't be too much time off. See you lovely flowers until then!