Darling in the FranXX: Insurrection

Chapter 22- Overwhelmed

The two remaining FranXX attached to the S-Planning site finally make it to the top of the hill that serves as their lookout over the facility. While Strelitzia and Delphinium were distracted and fighting with their comrades, they had been ordered to quickly return to the site and request reinforcements. However, what they find is hardly comforting.

The excavator at the site's center has collapsed into itself and the communications dish has been melted into slag. Shortly after, a pink and a purple FranXX step into view, identifying themselves as the culprits. Both are easily recognizable as members of Squad 13, and neither has noticed either of the two atop the lookout. Instead, they seem focused on their task of ransacking the facility.

With the element of surprise on their side, the FranXX descend into the valley toward the unsuspecting raiders.

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Now down two FranXX, the defense squad finds themselves in a predicament. The advantage of numbers they had once possessed has now been almost completely nullified by their opponents, and the tag team of Delphinium and Strelitzia is proving to be incredibly dangerous to go up against. Still, they continue to fight with every ounce of strength they can find in order to protect the S-Planning facility.

Strelitzia ducks under a spear from the defense squad and completes her evasion with a twist into a backflip, placing her squarely behind the attacker. With a snarl she jabs her own weapon forward, piercing clean through the chest plate of the opposing FranXX. The doomed unit lets out a cry, clutching desperately at the wound as her precious magma lifeblood gushes out.

"Nice save," you thank Hiro and Zero Two as Strelitzia joins Delphinium beside one of the other downed enemies, the headless FranXX. "Don't mention it," Hiro replies, "but since when can you two do that?"

"About ten seconds ago," you answer, still in a state of partial disbelief. You had no idea Delphinium was even capable of something like this. Constantly floating just off the ground with her new and sleeker thrusters was one thing, but the crazy aerial move you'd just executed was something that Delphinium should never have been able to physically pull off. "Do either of you know what's going on?" Delphinium asks, finally taking a moment to look over her new form herself.

Before either Hiro or Zero Two can answer, there is a piercing scream over the comms that undoubtedly belongs to Miku. What the hell? I told everyone not to use the comms! The initial confusion is followed by a wave of realization: there are only three inactive FranXX laying around you.

Strelitzia makes this connection as well and both FranXX rocket toward the S-Planning site.

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Ten minutes earlier

So far so good, Argentea tells herself. In the distance, the S-Planning site's defense squad marches over the hill after Delphinium, just as planned. "Good luck guys," Zorome whispers. "Be careful."

"Stand back," Chlorophytum announces. Argentea steps aside as the purple mech places her right arm over her chest before thrusting it back to her side. Her wing slides down into place with a satisfying click and the tips of the fins begin to glow.

Chlorophytum extends her arm and lifts it to be level with her faceplate. She uses her left to brace her other arm and her visor springs to life. "Mitsuru," she prompts quietly. "I've got it," he answers. "Target distance, 880 meters. Wind speed, negligible."

"Firing." Four lances of light spring from Chlorophytum and strike her chosen target instantaneously: the site's communications array. The building and the tower beside it are reduced to scrap by the superheated beams. Mitsuru releases a short breath, clearly satisfied with their work. "That should keep them quiet."