Code 011 | Darling in the Franxx

Her Nature

Akio POV

The day started off rather calmly, and Emica was finally able to meet the others. Though she practically hid behind me the entire time. Though later that day we were all called to meet up. 

"We received orders from HQ." Everyone seemed a bit on edge except for me and Emica. 'I guess this counts as their first mission...I wonder how they'll do...' 

"You'll be facing a Conrad-Class Klaxosour, it's just a little bit smaller than a FRANXX. Klaxosours are attracted to magma energy reactions. Lately, they've been showing up in the level eight mine skirt wreaking all kinds of havoc there. Even the automatic systems can't keep up with it." 

Hachi paused for a moment then Nana spoke up. "We should mention that Sterlitiza won't be a part of this mission." I noticed Hiro had gotten a bit surprised and nervous when he heard that. "After all, you parasites are going to have to defend plantation 13 by yourselves eventually." She had paused for a moment before continuing. "If you can't eliminate this Klaxosour...there's no way you can handle any in the future. So just focus on the task at hand."

"Ichiro and Goro will have command in the field." After that, she turned to me. "Krytonia will be on stand-by above ground in case you know what happens." 

"Right." Me and Emica understood what she wanted us there for but the others were curious. Though Kokoro was the one who spoke up. "Wait..in case what happens? Is something bad going to happen...?" I can tell that she's starting to get worried about what Nana meant.

"Nothing bad is going to happen it's just a precaution in case something unexpected happens." When she said that she looked over at Hiro. "That's it. All hands prepare to board."

When we arrived at the site I could tell that they weren't expecting it to be this big. 

"Guess this is where we part ways, good luck down there." While Emica wished the other good luck I was lost in thought. 'Zero Two wouldn't just sit and wait...she'll try to force her way out here. If that happens, will she bring-'

 "Akio? Are you ok? You haven't said a word since we arrived." I had snapped out of it when I heard Emica talking to me and saw Krytonia's face appear on a screen next to me. "Yeah I'm fine...but we should probably power down so we don't waste energy." She nodded in agreement before disconnecting and sitting up.

Me and Emica were chatting for at least a few minutes before we got a call. "Krytonia are you there?" "Yeah, we're here, what's going on." There was a short pause before Ichigo replied. "Argentea is down. Requesting backup." 

"We're on-" 

"No. Stay where you are."

Before me and Emica are able to reconnect Nana cut us off. "Krytonia is there for a specific emergency, we can't afford it not being there." After that there was a discussion about what would happen, there was only one other option.

"Sterlitiza is on its way. Krytonia be ready in case you're needed. Can the rest of you hold out until it arrives?" The others seemed really happy that Serlitiza was coming, I couldn't help but worry though. I had contacted Hachi so the others couldn't hear. "Hachi, Nana, who's Syerlitizas Stamen?" It was silent before Nana answered my question. "Code 326 is piloting with Zero-Two." After that, she cut off the connection before I could answer.

"Akio?" I looked in front of me and saw Emica looking at me, she seemed concerned. "Is that boy going to be ok?" I had the urge to tell her that Mitsuru was going to be fine, but considering what we've been through, I can't bring myself to lie to her when it comes to things like this. "I'm not sure. It all depends on Zero-Two." Once I finished talking we both reconnected, as if on cue Sterlitiza jumped into the mine.

'Good luck Mitsuru...you're gonna need it.' Normally I wouldn't care about her patterns, most of them treat her like an object. But since Mitsuru was a kid I couldn't help but worry.

It started out smoothly so I was starting to ease up, I thought he was actually gonna pull it off. But that hope was shattered. He kept rambling on about how they were the perfect pair.

'He's getting full of himself...if this continues...' 

"Akio..." I looked to my right and saw Krytonis on the screen. I simply hung my head down and I could tell Emica got the hint. It wasn't long after that I was sure of what was gonna happen. 

"Really? You mean that?" 

'Don't tell me...' 

"Then...I guess I can try going all out for a bit." 

Nana and Hachi tried to get her to retreat, but she had her mind dead set on this. She was gonna give this battle her all, even though I knew she was aware it wasn't necessary. "Krytonia, prepare to recover Sterlitiza and its Stamen at once. On the double." 

"Rodger." Me and Emica took the initiative, we reconnected and jumped down to recover Sterlitiza. On our way up we had Sterlitiza's arm over Krytonia's shoulder. 'The others are gonna freak out when they see him.'

When I opened the cockpit of the FRANXX I saw Zero Two and Mitsuru, she looked like nothing was wrong and Mitsuru was bleeding, I went up to him and checked his pulse. Of course, he was alive, he will make a full recovery from his injuries since it was his first time. Though I'm not sure about his mental state. 'I guess all we can do now is wait...'