*(Y/N) POV, Plantation 13, 1900 hours (7 PM)*

Since I woke up in the lounge, I knew what would happen today... Hiro's third ride is about to take place, and the operation with Squad 26 will start in one and a half hours. I'm currently in the changing room, standing in my Stamen's suit, waiting for the rest of Squad 13 to get ready. Ryuko met me not so long ago and said she will wait for the girls, and then we would meet up near Heliconia. Five minutes later I see boys entering.

(Y/N): "Took you long enough ladies" I smile "Change, get some warm up, and we're ready to go"

Zorome: "Hey, who're you calling a girl?!" He shouts.

(Y/N): "It's a figure of speech Zorome, a friendly jab towards all of you" I look at my communicator, seeing a message from Ryuko to 'Ready up the boys' "Alright, I will wait for you outside. Girls will meet us near their changing room. We have one hour to get ready, Klaxosaurs are incoming..." I left the room and lean against a wall opposite the door.

'Shit, I and Ryuko had already been through the kissing operation before, but somehow, it makes me nervous..."

(Y/N): "Come on (L/N)... you got this, everything will be alright. Just go and kill the Klaxosaurs..." I look down at my hands, they're shaking "Come on, believe in them, believe in yourself, you've been through worse..." Then, the boys left the changing room, "Everyone's ready?" I ask, and they nod, "Then let's go" We went to meet our partners. We chat in the meanwhile.

Mitsuru: "We can't afford to be optimistic, given the difference in numbers"

Zorome: "Hey, don't go wimping on us now. We've got me, Zorome the Great, on our side"

Futoshi: "Zorome aside, we can count on Strelizia this time" he looks at me "Also, Ryuko and (Y/N) in Heliconia"

(Y/N): "Hey, I told you, we got your back" I smile "Want it or not." Zorome looks at me.

Zorome: "Anyway, we're not letting Squad 26 hog the glory" He then glares at me "I will get more Klaxosaurs than you, (Y/N)."

(Y/N): "Hohoho" I smirk, "Someone wanna bet. In any other situation, I would gladly accept, Zorome. But Heliconia is mainly tasked to guard the pipe. It wouldn't be fair, would it?" Zorome grumps, knowing better not to call me a chicken. I then slowed down to Goro's level and talk to him, "Goro... I know... You know I'm worried about Hiro, Ryuko is too. We will try to keep Strelizia for as long as we can, but... Knowing Zero Two it wouldn't be long" Goro stays quiet as we get near the girls' changing room, Ichigo and Ikuno were first to leave, followed by Kokoro and Ryuko she looks back, seeing our group.

Ryuko: "You guys are finally here" She smiles "Well, come on (Y/N)" She grabs my arm and tries to drag me "We have a job to do" I walk with her, we're near the entrance to Heliconia's bridge when we spotted Goro, walking alone

(Y/N): "Where's our fearless leader?"

Ryuko: "Yeah, where is Strawberry? I need to talk with her about something"

Goro: "Ichigo is... talking with Hiro. Guys, are you sure he'll make it?" He asks concerned, "I tried to talk him out before we went out, but he still wants to" I shake my head.

(Y/N): "Goro, I told you yesterday. It only would postpone the inevitable. But, Hiro is different from Zero's previous Stamens. He... he's kinda like me"

Goro: "Huh?"

Ryuko: "Hiro, like (Y/N), didn't want to tame Zero, they always wanted her to spread her wings, for her to be free. While any other Stamen of Strelizia wanted to tame her. To show that they can ride with 'Partner Killer'" she sighs "She's never been happier than after meeting Hiro"

(Y/N): "Strelizia was smiling too. It was the first time I ever saw her do it from pure happiness. Goro, Hiro will make it. There is no way we will allow him to die." Then Ichigo joins us, her eyes kinda glazy "And here's our leader"

Goro: "How did it go, Ichigo?" She looks at us.

Ichigo: "He sends his regards to all of you" She breathes in and out. Goro went to Delphinium while Ryuko holds Ichigo's shoulder, stopping her "Huh?"

Ryuko: "Why are you doing this to yourself, Ichigo?" Ichigo looks at her, "You think I'm stupid or blind not to see it? You should have told him about your feelings" Ichigo blushes.

(Y/N): "It was echoing, your talk with Hiro I mean. As a sibling..." I shake my head, "It will only be worse for you now."

Ryuko: "Ichigo... I've been through the same stage as you. I was afraid (Y/N) would reject my confession, but he accepted. Sure, Hiro may not, given he's a crush on Zero Two. And as the saying goes... 'There is plenty of fish in the sea'" She looks at where Goro went.

(Y/N): "Well, we should be going. The pipe won't defend itself" I smile, but this time Ichigo stops us.

Ichigo: "Wait! Ryuko! (Y/N)!" we stop, "I have special orders for you two"

(Y/N): "What's it, leader?"

Ichigo: "Please, keep Strelizia off action for as long as you two can. Do whatever you can do to stop her from joining us down there" I nod.

(Y/N): "We will try, Ichigo. But you know Zero long enough to know she will not stay put for too long"

Ryuko: "The first occasion she gets, she will leave her post. Ichigo" Ryuko get to the blue-haired girl and give her a small hug "Be careful, I and (Y/N) don't want to see any of you hurt, Strawberry" they broke the hug, and we went to Heliconia. I activate the systems, putting a monitor with Hiro's stats on my left.

Ryuko: "You got it on, (Y/N)?" I nod, "So, what do you say, a small kiss for good luck?"

(Y/N): "Sure~" Ryuko gets on her tiptoes and I bend down a little. Our lips connect, and we kiss for about ten seconds. After breaking it, Ryuko drags me down for a second one, much more heated than the first, "You're greedy, love. One wasn't enough for you?" I smirk.

Ryuko: "You're mine. I will kiss you as many times as I want" she smiles.

(Y/N): "Hehe. I knew you wouldn't let me pilot with Miku. You would kill me first, and later stab her with a fork" Ryuko blushes.

Ryuko: "Hey, a little teasing of them will be good. It will awaken deeper emotions. You told Ichigo and Goro about love. And she asked me what's 'kiss' is after the mock battles" I shake my head.

(Y/N): "They really are different from other Parasites" I sigh, "It's time Ryuko. Get on your platform" Ryuko gets on her position while I sit on my chair, grabbing the controls and starting the connection. Soon Heliconia stood active with the rest of Squad 13

Heliconia: "Seems like everyone's ready" They nod "Let's go"

Computer: "Open force gate. Open force gate..." Our FranXX are slowly moved by the carts they're standing on, "All FranXX good to go.

*Time skip*

Analyst: "Target Beta alt mode yet unconfirmed. Clear weather. Temperature is 22.6 degrees Celsius" Heliconia and Strelizia are standing on top of the pipe. Their weapons are in their hands, getting ready for the battle. In front of them stands Squad 13, later Squad 29, and finally, opposite of us, running right at us is an army of Klaxosaurs, with giant cube Klaxosaur with horns. "Wind blowing from the northeast at 81 meters per second. Safety systems are all green"

Hachi: "We have updated intel on the Klaxosaurs. Aside from the Conrad-class pack, we've also detected a large, tightly packed unit. It didn't match any ones we have on record, but we've deemed it a Klaxosaur due to its independent movement and code-named it Target Beta" Squad 13 is shocked, seeing the massive block moving towards them.

Futoshi: "It's huge!"

Zorome: "The heck is that thing?"

Argentea: "There are so many of the smaller ones, too"

Hachi: "Since we lack data on it, attacking it would be reckless. As such, prioritize wiping out the Conrad-class pack once you engage. 090 will have the field command"

090: "Understood"

Hachi: "It's time, All FranXX, commence operation. Strelizia and Heliconia, you two stand where you are"

Everyone: "Roger!"

090: "Let's go, Squad 26" Squad 26 begin their show of cooperation. Their main strategy is that four FranXX would use their spears, immobilizing the creature, whereas the fifth would kill it, by jumping onto it and deploying the charge of its spear. I meanwhile check on Hiro

(Y/N): "Pulse normal, yellow blood cell's count slightly higher than his normal," I think "Isn't it supposed to be the other way while riding with Zero? His YBC should be lower."

Heliconia: "When they did an autopsy of 351, he had nearly none in his body. It's weird..." she then hears me snicker, "Huh?

(Y/N): "Thanks to you, they didn't get any of those inside our bodies. You thrashed the whole lab"

Heliconia: "I. Hate. Needles. No way I will allow someone to either stab me or you" I smile, "How about Hiro's temperature?"

(Y/N): "36.7 degree Celsius. Blood pressure 120/60. He's doing fine so far" I looked ahead, seeing four Klaxosaurs get past Squad 26 "Well, let's see how they're gonna do without us" I smile, and Heliconia smirks.

090: "How many did we let through?" he looks back, "Three? No, four! Take care of them, Squad 13. But be careful not to stray too far ahead. If you move around. If you move around haphazardly, you could affect our coordination, as well" I kinda growl.

(Y/N): "Well... he'll see they're not to look down at. Zorome must be boiling right now" Speaking about him, what 090 was telling them was not liked by the blonde pilot.

Zorome: "If you think we're a hindrance, come out and say it! Damn it..."

Goro: "I never thought we'd be seen as such a big liability"

Mitsuru: "It's truth. We're still green as hell. Squad 26 has to carry us in their arms, piggyback, you name it" Then, Heliconia radioed them.

Heliconia: "Guys, stop getting yourselves down! It will be fine" I join her.

(Y/N): "You're green, but we have a lot to teach you. Heads up, they're incoming" We ended our transmission. I look at Strelizia, "Zero, you're okay? How's Hiro?"

Strelizia: "He's fine. I'm just getting bored" she sighs.

Heliconia: "I'm too, Zero. But we have our objective right here. We must guard this pipe"

I look at the battlefield... and facepalm. First, Genista misses all her shots and gets tacked by one Conrad. Then later, Either Mitsuru or Zorome miscalculated, resulting in Argentea and Chlorophytum colliding. Kokoro gets attacked by two Klaxosaurs, with a third jumping up to finish the job. It, however, was cut down by Delphinium, who gets back and cut down the two remaining.

(Y/N): "We still have a lot of work to do with them... but Goro and Ichigo are good for now"

Heliconia: "Well, they got their double digits from something" she smiles, and we look to our left, seeing Zero on Lizia's faceplate, looking down

Zero Two: "They are barely hanging in there. Man, I'm starting to get the itch. I wanna join the fight already" She looks back at Hiro while I and Ryuko talk to each other.

(Y/N): "You think she..."

Heliconia: "You may want to look to your left" I did, and only see an afterglow of Strelizia's boosters

(Y/N): "Dammit... Let's go, Ryuko" Heliconia got her boosters on and we follow Strelizia. Argentea sees us.

Argentea: "Strelizia and Heliconia are here!"

Heliconia: "Scissor Scythe, Execution mode"

(Y/N): "Blazing Sun" with our scythe in lance mode, setting it ablaze, Heliconia rushes to Strelizia, burning and stabbing a lot of Klaxosaurs. With a press of a button, she burns the cores, as rain falls down in the area.

Heliconia: "Where's she?" We look around, spotting Strelizia with a Klaxosaur on her lance. We rush to her "Zero Two, what did we tell you" I look at the monitor on my left, seeing Hiro's pulse skyrocketing. Just to confirm it, Strelizia's face flickers with 'X's

'Shit, at this rate he'll die from a heart attack'

Strelizia: "That's all you got, Darling?" she kinda sizes up, but then her movements are smooth again. She stabs a nearby Klaxosaur, while Heliconia cuts the other in half, "I knew you will join the fun too, friends. Another bet?" she smiles.

(Y/N): "Don't you ignore questions, Zero. Get back to the pipe" We didn't notice a third Klaxosaur, as it creeps behind Heliconia. Thankfully, Delphinium jumps up and kills it with her swords. Three FranXX get back-to-back.

Delphinium: "Get back, Strelizia!"

Hiro: "It's fine, We can still go"

Delphinium: "Shut up and get back to your post!"

Strelizia: "What about them?!" she points at us

Heliconia: "We're allowed if things got too heated! Get back Lizia"

Delphinium: "I will not repeat myself. Get back" Lizia scoffs.

Strelizia: "So bossy" she gets back while Heliconia looks at Delphinium

Heliconia: "How's the situation, Ichigo?"

Delphinium: "Genista had some problems. I asked Mitsuru and Ikuno to back her up." I looked at their position, seeing a Klaxosaur sneaking up to attack Chlorophytum

(Y/N): "Ryuko, on our right!" Heliconia quickly grabbed her scythe and throw it at the Klaxosaur behind Chlorophytum. Then she rushed to help them with the current one. After retrieving her weapon, she twirls around, stabbing the creature in the side and finally killing it by releasing a charge as it explodes in blue mist. She then looks at the white and purple FranXX

Heliconia: "You two are alright, Ikuno? Mitsuru?" Chlorophytum nods and we regroup with Squad 13. Hachi meanwhile informed us that Target Beta has breached a second line of defense.

Delphinium: "How exactly is it going to attack? It doesn't have any limbs"

(Y/N): "It has its mass, Ichigo. As well as horns" I look at the cube "We don't know if it has a second stage too"

Squad 26 meanwhile shoots their lances around Target Beta. They wrap around its body, and then they electrocute it. The giant stops moving.

090: "Good, it's working. Now!" They all press the buttons on their weapons, electrocuting the Klaxosaur for the second time. I notice something.

(Y/N): "Shit... It has the second stage..."

Delphinium: "What?" Heliconia looks at her.

Heliconia: "It's transfor-" She was cut off by a loud shriek. We all cover our ears.

(Y/N): "Fucking hell! What's this?!"

Goro: "What is that noise?"

Mitsuru: "A shriek?"

Heliconia: "Guys... look..." they look as the Klaxosaur transforms into a giant humanoid with horns

(Y/N): "A Gutenberg class..." I was speechless seeing the giant "Zorome... you wanted action, so now you have it. This is the second-strongest class of a Klaxosaur" Squad 26 tries again to stop it, but the giant swipes them around. "Squad 26, fall back!"

090: "Everyone, listen to 004! Fall back!" He tries to get away, but his FranXX can't move. Seeing he's in danger, Heliconia looks to Argentea

Heliconia: "Tea, with me!" she activates her boosters, and gets 090 out of the danger. Tea meanwhile swipes 2 more FranXX of Squad 26, who also run out of fuel.

(Y/N): "For fuck's sake, 090! Check your fuel levels!" We lie him down and turn around, "Tea! You got them?!" Tea gets near us and lies the two other mechs near 090

Argentea: "Yup!"

Zorome: "You owe me one, okay?" Argentea goes back to our Squad. Heliconia wants to do the same, but 090 stops us.

090: "Thank you..." Heliconia just nodded and zoomed back to the rest. Squad 13 is nearby the Klaxosaur, as we try to come up with a plan.

Hachi: "All Squad 26 units fall back. Squad 13 will deal with the Gutenberg class"

Chlorophytum: "Easier said than done"

Genista: "How are we supposed to stop something so massive?"

(Y/N): "Big or small, it's still a Klaxosaur"

Heliconia: "We just need to find its core and destroy it"

Mitsuru: "We must do that before it'll breach the wall"

Zorome: "But how are we gonna get to the core?"

Futoshi: "We can do this if we link with Strelizia"

Delphinium: "Heliconia can kill it too!"

Heliconia: "Our scythe won't get as deep as Strelizia's lance. Ichigo, we need Lizia to kill it!" she opened up our private link, "Can Hiro do it?" I look at his stats.

(Y/N): "Pulse 129, temperature 36.8 degree Celsius. He's in a normal state. We can start"

Heliconia: "Roger!"

Argentea: "So that's our only choice"

Zorome: "It doesn't matter how we do it. We gotta show them that our squad can handle things ourselves!"

Hiro: "Got it. You can count on me"

Delphinium: "Wait. Stay where you are, Strelizia" we all look at her.

Zorome: "Huh?"

Futoshi: "We can't do it without them!"

Chlorophytum: "Do you have a plan in mind, Ichigo?"

(Y/N): "Trust your leader, guys. We need to tire this thing up before Strelizia can get the final hit, right, Ichigo?"

Delphinium: "That's right! We'll have Strelizia land the finishing blow"

Zorome: "This is no time to hold anything back!"

Goro: "Calm down, Zorome. As Ryuko said, only Strelizia's spear can reach that massive thing's core. We have to create the opening for her. That's what you two meant, Ichigo? (Y/N)?"

(Y/N): "Yup. We tire this thing and Lizia gets the core"

Delphinium: "Oh, y-yeah"

Goro: "Let's show them what we're made of" All FranXX gets in position

Zorome: "O-Okay, that makes sense" I radioed Strelizia

(Y/N): "Hiro, you heard that. You better finish it off!"

Hiro: "Got it!" Ichigo got the orders.

Delphinium: "Argentea with us and to the right. Heliconia, Genista, and Chlorophytum, to the left. Squad 13, move out!" we moved as ordered, but Delphi radioed me to her and Goro "Thanks Goro. You too (Y/N)"

Goro: "Just focus on the task on hand"

(Y/N): "Be careful, all of you..." I ended the transmission and soon Heliconia got her boosters as she stabs her scythe on one leg of the Klaxosaur "Squad 13, focus on the knees!"

Heliconia looked down to see Genista slipping down. We flew next to her and grabbed one of her arms while Chlorophytum grab the other one. We help her up.

Chlorophytum: "We must set things up for Strelizia, no matter what"

Mitsuru: "I know, I know!" I checked Hiro's stats, and his body temperature rising.

'38 degree. We need to hurry up and kill it'.

All FranXX focused on the joints of the Klaxsosaur. Slashing and firing at them, we wait as the giant on clay legs fell down. Finally, after the last slash of Heliconia's scythe, it started tilting forward. Gutenberg gets down on its knees and falls back, nearly lying on its back.

Delphinium: "Hiro!"

Heliconia: "Zero Two!"

(Y/N)/Goro: "NOW!" I look up, and I saw a small orange light in the sky. Lizia quickly rocketed downwards, spear first, as she gained momentum to get to the core.

Hiro: "I'm gonna finish this in one blow!" Lizia's spear connects with Gutenberg's chest. It cracks as Queen Pike gets deeper and deeper, "Get in there!" Lizia finally gets enough and detonates her charge, making Klaxosaur jump from the ground and all our FranXX be thrown away. Heliconia regains her footing, and slides to a stop, only to witness a giant fist emerging from the Gutenberg and punching Strelizia across the sky.

Heliconia: "Zero Two! Hiro!" Strelizia skips a little from the ground as we regroup with Squad 13

(Y/N): "Something is not right" I check Hiro's stats... and my eyes widen in horror, "No... No, no, no, no, NO!"

Delphinium: "Hiro!" Klaxosaur then stands up and transforms into a giant pneumatic hummer. Lizia stands up, holding her lance to help her stand, and I notice a lot of 'X's on her face.

Heliconia: "(Y/N)! Status report!" I get my head down, (Y/N)! What's wrong with Strelizia?! Answer me!" I look her in the eyes.

(Y/N): "Ryuko... this is the end... we ran out of time..." I show her Hiro's stats as to where the pulse should be, there is a flat line"

Heliconia: "Fucking BULLSHIT!!! I told her to go easy on him!!! Fuck, fuck, FUCK!!!" she holds her head

Delphinium: "Run! Hiro!" Then at the end of the Klaxosaur, four engines turn on, and it slams the hammer part right into Strelizia. She flies across the field, finally getting stuck in the pipe. Lizia deactivates and soon transforms into a metal lion. Stampede mode.

Gutenberg walks forward and stops before the pipe

Heliconia: "No! Zero Two, get out of there!" she shouts, but before Lizia can get out, Klaxosaur slams its hammer again.

Goro: "Hiro! Zero Two! Come in!"

(Y/N): "Goro..." I didn't want to bring the bad news... but someone has to tell them.

Goro: "Shut up! They are alive! Hey Hiro!" Then Heliconia gets near Delphinium. The white and blue FranXX gets on her knees with a horrified look on her face.

Heliconia: "Ichigo! Please remain calm, we don't know if Hiro really..." Delphinium deactivates "No... Please let it be some stupid-" she was cut off by Ichigo on the radio.

Ichigo: "Hiro... Hiro's dead!" Heliconia deactivates and Ryuko stands up.

(Y/N): "Ryuko?" The raven-haired girl walks to me and turns off the radio from the cockpits.

Ryuko: "I'm sorry... but I can't... It was hard for me to listen to Ichigo cries"

(Y/N): "Poor girl" I looked at her "Ryuko... you're crying too" Ryuko gets her hand to her eyes and see a small trail on it

Ryuko: "Huh? I guess so" I hug her "Thanks"

(Y/N): "It's hard to lose someone. Come on, it's still alive. We still have hope" I smile. Ryuko nodded and we activate Heliconia again.

Zorome: "Hey Hiro! What're you doing?!"

Genista: "We must save them quickly!"

Heliconia: "Squad 13 near us! We can still save them and keep the pipe safe! There is still hope! Tea, you're going with me." The pink FranXX nods "Chlori, Geni" the two FranXX with ranged weapons look at Heliconia "You focus your shots at its right leg while I and Tea will cut its left off. Keep watching Delphinium. Ichigo needs to calm down" They nod "Squad 13, move out!" She rockets towards Klaxosaur's right leg while I smile at her.

(Y/N): "I'm proud of you, Ryuko. Getting some strategy given in Honno you mostly slashed blindly, without any plan"

Heliconia: "Being together with you and playing a strategy game does that to you. Remember, I beat you once at that game" she smirks

(Y/N): "Only because you got nukes before me" I smile Heliconia meanwhile attaches herself to the leg and starts slashing at it. She from one side, Tea from the other. Trying to throw it off balance and make it fall to the side. Then I heard something.

'Beep'

One beep, but then... another one

'Beep'

And another one, this time with more frequency, it started to sound like a beat... heartbeat

'Beep. Beep. Beep'.

I get shocked... just to confirm my suspicions, I look to my right. Once flat line signaling, Hiro's heartbeat now shows his heart working. I smirk, being happy beyond everything.

(Y/N): "Hiro, you son of a bitch. You did it, man" I start laughing "Hahaha!

Heliconia: "What's funny?!" She looked at me, and I laugh not because I thought something was funny, I laugh from happiness.

(Y/N): "Ryuko! Hiro! He's alive!" Heliconia's eyes widen. She gets Hiro's stats and gets even more shocked seeing his pulse. Some pixel tears get from her eyes.

Heliconia: "Hiro... (Y/N), you know what that means?"

(Y/N): "Hiro is a dead man walking? Or the other thing" I smile.

Heliconia: "The other thing *sniff* Oh my fucking God, I'm crying well too much today" She chuckles

(Y/N): "Well, let's help Lizia!" We slash one last time before a bright light comes from Strelizia. The white and red FranXX transforms to her humanoid look, she's angrier than ever.

Heliconia: "Hahaha! And now we won! "

Argentea: "Hiro?"

Zorome: "Hey Hiro, it's you, right?!"

(Y/N): "It's them Zorome! Haha! They are angry for sure" I smile, "Let's not keep them waiting!" Heliconia and Argentea finished cutting the giant's leg. It went to hammer the pipe once again, only for this part of its body to start breaking and twisting to the left. Soon, Lizia flipped it on its back, blowing up dust and smoke around herself. When it came down, we see Strelizia, sitting on her knees. We walk to Squad 13 and just drink the shocked looks on their FranXX's faces, "We told you all he's strong, right Goro?" I smirk and Heliconia looks at active Delphinium.

Heliconia: "Just when you got back, Ichigo?" But she gets ignored. We decided to address Lizia

Heliconia/(Y/N): "Hiro! Zero Two!" Lizia looked at us and nodded, making me smile.

Goro: "Hiro... He's still alive!"

Delphinium: "Hiro..."

(Y/N): "Nana, Hachi, you see it too, right?! Hiro is back!" I radioed the commanding center.

Nana: "We see it (Y/N)... but I can't believe it... Hiro's vitals are back to normal"

Hachi: "What is going on?" Just then we heard a semi-robotic voice.

???: "Oh?" I recognize it instantly and smirk.

Nana: "Doctor?"

(Y/N): "Hey, old man. You liked the show?"

Dr. FranXX: "Oh, (Y/N), you know I would never let pass the occasion to watch the new Klaxosaur type" he smiles and chuckles "Seeing you and Ryuko working with your new squad makes me proud too"

(Y/N): "Thanks, Doc. And I suggest you change hobbies, it bit off your arm once, you know" I end the call with Plantation 13, and I turn to the Klaxosaur, It starts to regenerate and change forms again.

Chlorophytum: "It's changing forms again!"

(Y/N): "It's trying to regenerate. We need to stop it now!" Meanwhile, Ichigo still does not believe Hiro is back with us

Delphinium: "Hiro... He's really alive..." Heliconia walked to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

Heliconia: "He is, Ichigo. Believe that" Rest of Squad 13 move to stop Gutenberg from regenerating "Let's move, Strawberry" she smiles and rockets away.

Delphinium: "Huh? Yeah, right" she rockets after us, and soon we catch up with the rest of Squad 13

Chlorophytum: "This is our chance!"

Futoshi: "It's our turn now!"

Zorome: "Let's help them out!"

Goro: "Create another opening for Strelizia!"

Delphinium: "Yeah!"

(Y/N): "On it! Execution mode!"

Heliconia extends her weapon to a lance and stuck it between two parts of the Klaxosaur, not letting them connect. Genista uses her weapon to jam it, Chlorophytum holds it with her legs, while Delphinium lifts one part up. Soon we created a straight road to the core.

(Y/N): "Ichigo! I see the core!"

Delphinium: "HIRO!!! ZERO TWO!!!"

Heliconia: "GO FOR THE KILL!!!"

Strelizia: "Let's fly!"

Hiro: "Yeah!"

Strelizia: "With our wings!" She activated her boosters and flew inside. She flew right past Heliconia

Hiro: "With our wings!"

With a battle cry, Strelizia soon crushed the core. The Klaxosaur gets in the air, as some yellow light comes from the core... I swear, it was looking like... wings.

Heliconia: "You saw it too, (Y/N)...?"

(Y/N): "Yeah... cool..."

Soon the Klaxosaur exploded into a blue mist, and we all land safely on the ground. I noticed the horizon, a rising sun present. We've been fighting all night, but no Klaxosaurs are visible.

(Y/N): "Hachi, this is Code 004. No Klaxosaurs in the perimeter. We won" I radioed the commander

Squad 13 deactivates their FranXX, while Heliconia waits for Strelizia's faceplate to open.

(Y/N): "I'm now certain... Hiro is the one..." I smile at the mech on my right.

Heliconia: "Let's welcome him... to our little crazy family" She smiles

(Y/N): "You think Zero is ready to inform her about what we talked about?" Heliconia smirks.

Heliconia: "Only one way to find out"

(Y/N): "Soon... you will know soon... little cousin" I smile and then Sterlizia emits a hiss.

Conia looks at her with her, a smile. At the entrance to the cockpit, there are our two lovebirds, leaning against each other, smiling. Squad 13 looks at them, some shocked, some very happy that they're alright. I and Conia just smile like two big doofuses. Black and red FranXX gets near Team Strelizia and offers them a hand to get them down. Smiling, the duo gets on it, and we safely put them on the ground. Not soon after, Squad 13 surrounds Hiro, while we disconnect from Heliconia and jump down to join them.

Zorome: "You idiot. You know how worried we were!" He holds Hiro in a headlock. I meanwhile get Hiro from the other side and give him a rather strong punch to the shoulder.

(Y/N): "If you pull off that being dead trick one more time, I will revive you, just to kill you again" I laughed "Good to have you back, Hiro" I smile and offer him a fist bump. Then I looked at Ichigo and make her some space "He's all yours, Ichigo" I smile, stepping to the side.

She looked at Hiro, her eyes getting glazy. Soon I think all the built emotions are too much for her as she pouts and runs to Hiro to cry on his chest. He smiled at the blue-haired girl and petted her head. I and Ryuko walk away and turn to Squad 26. I and Ryuko turn to 090

090: "You know, when I heard we were gonna deal with a fresh squad, I thought it would be worse. It's like you said Code 004, you should not underestimate anyone. We learned our lesson"

(Y/N): "I'm glad, 090... Listen... about those threats yesterday... We got kinda angry and said too much"

090: "Oh, no, no, no. It was my fault too. I was acting like an asshole back there" he offers me a handshake, "Let's put it behind us, we Parasites need to stick together. I will be waiting to work more with you and Squad 13 in the future" I shake his hand.

(Y/N): "We too, 090. We too" I looked back, two Squads now were chatting and having fun. Then I noticed something in a distance... A white and blue FranXX, with long black plates looking like hair, was looking from the distance. It seems it noticed I was looking at it and rocketed away in an unknown direction.

'Wait... that FranXX... it looks like...'

*3rd POV*

???: "I told you it was a bad idea, my love! Ryuko and (Y/N) are fine. And Doctor told us not to approach them"

???: "And I told you, I just wanted to check on them from distance. I'm her older sister, I need to see if Doctor wasn't lying to us"

???: "Satsuki, FFS. We didn't get permission to even be in White Rose. We pilot for two weeks and just three days ago we got our score to 90. In a simulator"

White Rose, similar to Heliconia looks like her Pistil. Her color schematic is mainly white and blue. On her head are two horns, coming from the side. Her metal-like hair reaches to mid of her back. She also has black bangs covering her forehead, with two long strands of metal hair on both sides of her head. She is mainly white, with blue stripes all across her body. She has blue eyes. Her weapon, a black magma energy infused sword, sits in a sheath and is in FranXX's left hand.

White Rose: "We'll be fine, Koruno. Doctor won't know. I can't wait for them to see what New Honno gonna be looking like" she smiles.

Koruno: "We'll need to keep quiet, they're going to have vacations next week at the place. Ira and Sanageyama are cleaning the beach" he smiles to his partner "Let's go back and help them" With that, the white and blue FranXX flew away.

*(Y/N) POV*

'I swear... if it is who I think it is, I will punch someone. Sats and Koru are back'.

Ryuko: "What're you looking for?" I look at her.

(Y/N): "I think I saw White Rose looking at us" I smile, making Ryuko shocked

Ryuko: "What?! Sis and Koru are actually piloting?!" I nod.

(Y/N): "Well, maybe you know someone else with her hair and the love for pure white and blue?" I smirk "It will be a matter of time before 'Squad 36' will be back" I wink.

Ryuko: "Listen, we better let them know about our cover, so they will play along" I nod. We then split up. Ryuko went to the girls talking, and I went to Hiro, who was alone, somehow without Ichigo. I put a hand on his shoulder.

(Y/N): "Hey, look who it is! Strelizia's Stamen!" I ruffle his hair, "Congratulations, Hiro! You just broke the curse! Partner Killer is no more" I look at Zero, and then back at him "Now, it's just Zero Two. How're you feeling?" I patted his back.

Hiro: "I'm feeling happy, very happy (Y/N). Thank you for supporting me. Since you two moved here, you and Ryuko knew I can do it" I smile.

(Y/N): "No problem. And what about?" I poke his chest, "Gone?"

Hiro: "Yeah, it's gone. I feel like I was born again" I chuckle.

(Y/N): "But if you're lying..."

Hiro: "I do not! It's really not there"

(Y/N): "Well, thanks for taking care of Zero Two. It's good to see her safe and sound"

Hiro: "That's what friends are for" I and Hiro shake hands. Then, Ryuko went to us, in a rather giddy mood

Ryuko: "You two are having fun?" she asks

'Just what're you planning this time, Ryu Ryu'

(Y/N): "We are, Blueberry. You?"

Ryuko: "Oh, I'm having so much fun, honey" she smiles, gets on her tiptoes, and pecks my lips "And now it's even more fun~" she teases me

(Y/N): "Ryuko, not in public" I scold her. Hiro meanwhile looks at us, shocked at my and Ryuko's act of affection.

Ryuko: "What? Can't I just come to you and kiss you?" she giggles, and we finally look at Hiro "Hiro, everything good?"

Hiro: "You two know what a kiss is?" I and Ryuko nod.

Ryuko: "Yeah"

(Y/N): "Certainly" Hiro sighs and smiles

Hiro: "Good to know I'm not the only one" I chuckle

(Y/N): "Believe me, there is much more than a kiss a girl and a boy can do together~"

Hiro: "Huh? Much more?" I decided not to tell him.

Ryuko: "Sorry, Hiro. Another time when all your squad is older" She smiles, and we went to check on Zero "Hey Ichigo! Hiro is here!"

Ichigo rushes to Hiro and hugs him, afraid if she lets go, he'll disappear

Ichigo: "Thanks Ryuko!" we laugh a little as Hiro was shouting at us

Hiro: "Guys! Don't leave me like that! Ouch, Ichigo, you're hugging me too hard!"

We get near our pink-haired friend. She was looking up at Strelizia in thought.

Zero Two: "I have to kill more and more Klaxosaurs" I and Ryuko put our hands on each of her shoulders

Ryuko: "And you have us to help you"

(Y/N): "Let it come hell, heaven, or high water, Zero" I smiled at the girl. She turned around, offering us a smile of her own.

Zero Two: "You two really are the best friends I could've got" we look back at Strelizia, with Heliconia standing not so far from her. I notice a certain ship, with some certain FranXXs on it.

(Y/N): "Great... Alpha and his lackeys are here" Ryuko sighs and groans.

Ryuko: "For fuck's... All we needed is him running his mouth...."

*3rd POV, Nines ship*

Alpha: "Well, well. You three are certainly hitting it off, Iota, Psi, and Omega" he looks down at Strelizia and Heliconia

A/N: "Shorter than I wanted it to be, but I guess this is fine. Well, to sum things up. The curse is no more, Ichigo got sibling zoned, Goro is the best boy and Alpha will get punched and slapped just for saying too much. The next one is the beach EP, and you know what that means...

Bikini Ryuko time ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Feel free to vote and comment. Stay safe

Punkie out and over!

Sneak Peak:

Ryuko: "(Y/N), is that what I think it is?" I smile all over, looking at the abandoned shop

(Y/N): "It is" I smile "Loot anything you can carry. We need to get a look at it when we get back "I open one case and smile "Jackpot!"

Kill la Kill belongs to Studio Trigger

Darling in the FranXX belongs to Studio Trigger, A1 Studios, and CloverWorks

OC's belongs to me

(Y/N) belongs to you (and Ryuko) <3