Chapter 5: Return to the Foundation
The battlefield lay in ruins, the scent of scorched earth still lingering in the air. Shards of the defeated Klaxosaur faded into soft blue light, slowly drifting into the sky like forgotten souls.
Inside Strelizia, Hiro and Zero Two remained still, catching their breath. Their bodies were weak, but their hearts… were full.
"We did it," Hiro said softly, voice laced with exhaustion.
Zero Two looked over with a tired smile. "We always do, don't we… darling?"
Their hands found each other instinctively — a promise reignited after lifetimes apart.
The recovery teams from the Foundation arrived swiftly, lifting the damaged FranXX units one by one. Medical drones floated in, scanning injuries and administering emergency treatments. The battle had taken its toll on everyone — Goro had a cracked rib, Miku's arm was dislocated, and even Zorome had gone quiet, for once.
But despite the bruises and the blood, there was no mistaking it: they had won.
As Strelizia touched down near the Foundation's hangar, the doors slid open and the pilots were rushed out. Applause erupted from the staff, scientists, and engineers watching them return. Though battered and broken, the Parasites had stood their ground — and more importantly, Hiro and Zero Two had rediscovered their lost bond.
The medical staff tried to separate them for treatment, but Hiro and Zero Two refused to let go of each other.
"I'm not leaving her side," Hiro said.
"Touch my darling and you lose your hand," Zero Two growled playfully, baring her teeth at a confused medic.
Eventually, they were placed side by side in the same recovery pod.
As the lights dimmed and the medical machines hummed quietly, Hiro looked at her and said, "It's strange. We were strangers a few days ago… and now, it's like I've known you forever."
Zero Two gazed at the ceiling, then turned toward him with a smirk. "That's because you have. You just forgot."
He chuckled. "I'm glad you kissed me."
"Of course you are."
The next day, the team was called into the command chamber. Instructor Hachi stood by the large holographic map, flanked by scientists and two high-ranking officers from the Foundation.
"You've all done exceptionally," Hachi began. "Your victory over the mutated Klaxosaur saved countless lives."
"But that was not just any mutation," the elder scientist cut in. "That creature was formed using a fragment of something far more dangerous."
Everyone straightened.
The hologram shifted to reveal a silhouette — humanoid, towering, with glowing blue markings and wings of crystallized energy.
"We believe this mutation was an extension… of her."
The screen zoomed in on the figure's face.
Long horns. Glowing eyes. A cold, otherworldly beauty.
Code 000. The Princess of the Klaxosaurs.
A chill spread through the room.
"She was once the ruler of the entire Klaxosaur species — older than the Earth's crust. She vanished after the VIRM war, presumed destroyed in the final cataclysm."
"But this data shows fragments of her DNA are still alive," Hachi added. "And someone — or something — is trying to bring her back."
Retina scans flickered to life, showing traces of a signal pulsing deep underground — below a mountainous region far beyond the Foundation's current patrol borders.
"You're saying… she's returning?" Ichigo asked.
"She might already be awake," said the elder scientist grimly. "And what you fought… was just the beginning."
The room fell silent.
Hiro clenched his fists. "Then we have to stop her."
Zero Two cracked her neck, eyes glowing. "Let's go crush a princess."
The higher-ups exchanged looks.
"We need to prepare," said Hachi. "You'll rest for now, but your team — Squad 13 — will be deployed to scout the signal zone in 72 hours. The fate of humanity may depend on what you find."
As the team left the chamber, the weight of the mission settled heavily on their shoulders.
Later that night, in the dormitory common room, Hiro sat with Goro and Ichigo while Miku and Kokoro treated each other's wounds. Futoshi handed out snacks, even if his hand was still bandaged.
Everything felt just like before — like the time before their sacrifice… before the stars.
Hiro stood and walked to the balcony.
Zero Two was already there, leaning on the railing, gazing at the moon.
Without saying a word, he stood beside her.
After a moment, she asked, "Do you think… we'll survive this time?"
Hiro smiled gently. "We always do."
She glanced at him, those fierce eyes softening. "You remember everything now, right?"
He nodded.
Her voice trembled just a little. "Then promise me, one more time… if we get separated—"
"I'll find you," he said, interrupting her gently. "No matter what."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Good."
And beneath the stars that had once watched them fade away, they stood quietly — together again, ready to face whatever came next.