*(Y/N) POV, two days after battle of Gran Crevasse*

After our return to still somehow standing Mistilteinn we started to organize things. Every adult that was living in the City died when that giant hand crushed our plantation, or due to being exposed to outside world. Currently I was checking every FranXX on the outside, searching for any damage. Heliconia was alright, and to my surprise she still had her robe and hood on, same as Strelitzia was still red. I continue my checkup while listing any damage and parts needed to repair it. 

(Y/N): "Conia is alright, as well as Litzia, Delphi got some armor damage, mostly to her head and hat. Tea will need a new servo in her right leg, as well as a new fuel lines to her claws. Geni will need her weapon checkup and Chlori got her's overheated. I hope it's nothing serious" With that I looked up to see burn marks on Chlorophytum's wings and noted "...armor plates and something to help heat dissipation" I noted. With that I walked back to the elevator and went to boarding house. 

(Y/N): "I'm back everyone" Ichigo exited the mess hall.

Ichigo: "(Y/N) is back everyone! So how is it?" with that everyone walked down and get into the lounge

(Y/N): "It's not that bad, Heliconia and Strelitzia are fine. Delphinium have some minor armor damage on her head and hat. Mostly due to you, Ichigo, shoving it inside Strelitzia's jaw"

Ichigo: "I have to do something to get Hiro to Zero Two"

Ryuko: "Good thing it's only minor. How is the rest?"

(Y/N): "I suspect an overheating of both Genista's and Chlorophytum's guns. I will need to seek into it before you use them again"

Mitsuru: "What would happen if we used them right now?"

(Y/N): "Well... It could explode, ripping both Ikuno's and Kokoro's arms due to their connection" Kokoro and Ikuno covered their mouths with their hands 

Futoshi: "No way I'm letting Kokoro use it before that!"

(Y/N): "Easy there Futoshi, I will see to it after Argentea"

Miku: "How is she?"

(Y/N): "I should ask you the same Miku. How is your leg?"

Miku: "It's getting better, but I'm still hobbling"

Zorome: "So, what's wrong with our FranXX?"

(Y/N): "Her right leg will need a new servo in her knee, as well as new fuel lines to her claws. With that said, I need someone to come with me for parts search, any volunteers?" At this Zero Two, Hiro and surprisingly Mitsuru get their hands up

Zero Two: "Brother, did you thought from where to get these parts?"

(Y/N): "We have a lot of standard FranXX lying around. We can get the parts from them"

Hiro: "But what about their pilots?"

(Y/N): "Hiro... that's the worst part... They are mostly dead, but if we find any survivors we will get them here"

Ryuko: "And what if they are not?"

(Y/N): "I will burn their FranXX, together with their bodies..." Everyone was shocked

Ichigo: "(Y/N)! You can't do that!"

Goro: "Can't we give them a proper goodbye?"

Ikuno: "We don't have enough time to bury them all. And from what I read, burning the corpse was a traditional way to bury someone in ancient times"

(Y/N): "That's right. So, you three still want to go?"

They just nodded, then Ichigo spoken out

Ichigo: "If this is the only way to do that I'm going too. And I think we all should go, they were our brothers and sisters in arms, we should honor their memory"

Kokoro: "I think that's a good idea Ichigo" Then she turned to Ikuno "Ikuno, what else did they do in your book?"

Ikuno: "When they burn the bodies, it's usually with their weapon and some flowers as well"

Kokoro: "I will go get some before we go" With that she stood up and went to the green house

(Y/N): "We will still need to get the parts. And if we could we should get the magma energy from them. Me and Ryuko will go with Hiro and Zero Two in our FranXX. The rest will need to either travel in jump seats or on Strelitzia's and Heliconia's hands"

Ryuko: "We should get going" We stood up and walked to the elevator. Soon Kokoro join us, with a bouquet of field flowers. Me and Ryuko get to Heliconia, while Hiro and Zero Two get to Strelitzia. After turning them on, we got our hands to the ground

Heliconia: "Everyone's ready?" they just nodded. Futoshi, Zorome, Miku and Kokoro get on Heliconia's hand. I get it near the cockpit and opened it

(Y/N): "Miku, you should sit down. Your leg is still healing" I helped her inside and soon she got on the jump seat "Okay, we have one more seat" 

Zorome: "I guess I..." I cut him off

(Y/N): "Ladies first" I offered a hand to Kokoro helping her inside "Have a seat Kokoro. You can put the flowers behind my seat, there should be some space"

Kokoro: "Thank you (Y/N). You are too sweet" She said with her typical smile

(Y/N): "No problem" with that I closed Heliconia's face plate, leaving stunned Zorome on her hand. I went back to my seat and activated Heliconia. She looked behind to see if Strelitzia is active.

Heliconia: "Sis, you ready?" Then Strelitzia get up

Strelitzia: "Yeah big sister, let's go" Heliconia smiled 

Heliconia: "Never in my life I thought I will get to be 'big sister'"

(Y/N): "Life has many surprises..." After our 15 minutes trip we arrived near the battlefield. Before our eyes stood many lifeless standard models. Some of them have their arm or leg ripped of, some don't have head where it should be

Kokoro: "That's horrible..."

Goro: "We were really lucky to not end like this..."

(Y/N): "You wouldn't... you guys are too skilled" I walked to the nearest FranXX. It doesn't have arm and have a hole in it's chest. I walked to it's head and checked crew monitor "'Pistil: Code 990, status: Dead. Stamen: Code 976, status: Dead.' For fuck..."

Ichigo: "What is it (Y/N)?"

(Y/N): "Both dead. And their numbers were high, signalizing a fresh batch from Garden"

Ryuko: "You are saying..."

(Y/N): "They both were transported from the garden to fight here..."

Goro: "Without any training...?"

Zorome: "Papa would never do that!" Mitsuru turned to him

Mitsuru: "You are either stupid or you are an ignorant to not see what's going off"

Zorome: "What?!"

(Y/N): "He didn't care about them. He don't care about any of us. For him we are like tools to achieve his goals"

Futoshi: "You both are questioning Papa... but, if he really doesn't care, why we got this medals... And all this praise?"

Ryuko: "Propaganda... they did it to be sure you won't start asking questions..."

Hiro: "I always asked questions, but they didn't answer them..."

(Y/N): "Because if they do, they risk you all won't fight. You know the truth Hiro" I walked over to next FranXX, only to be met with the same "At least I can get the servo for Argentea and some radiators to both Chlorophytum and Genista from this one" I opened the cockpit and instantly turned around, throwing up. Inside there, on pistil platform is the girl, about 11 with her neck twisted at the weird angle. On the chair I saw a boy with some type of rebar in his skull

Ichigo: "(Y/N)! Are you okay?"

(Y/N): "Don't go here! I'm fine!" Ryuko thankfully stopped them

I walked inside and get the panels out. Under there was what I needed, 2 big radiators used to cool the cockpit. I got my finger and used my fire to cut it out. I throw them outside and later get them on Heliconia's hand. I walked back and started to cut armor fragments. Soon they also landed on Heliconia's hand. I turned around to get the final parts. I got the servo out, and with it also some fuel lines. I walked back to the rest of our squad and put servo on the ground.

Ryuko: "You got everything (Y/N)?"

(Y/N): "Yeah... we can start the ceremony. Hiro, Zero Two, get to Strelitzia. We need to pile up every FranXX here..." They nodded. Soon we started cleaning the battlefield.

Heliconia: "Zero, Hiro, you will take the right, me and (Y/N) will take the left"

Strelitzia: "Okay..."

*timeskip, 1 hour later*

Strelitzia: "That's the last one. We got a full tank now" she threw last FranXX into the pile of 7 robots, the rest were either only skeletal or klaxosaurs left them in pieces.

Heliconia: "Same. We will distribute it equally later" We powered down and walked down to the rest of our friends

(Y/N): "Ichigo, it was the last one. We can start"

Ichigo: "O-Okay. We should pray"

Ryuko: "I just hope not to this asshole Papa... Wait, Ichigo, if we could"

Ichigo: "Sure" Everybody got ready to pray

Ryuko: "Loving Lord, bless them forever in Your eternal peace"

(Y/N): "Let the sounds of strife, the cries of battle, the wounds of war be calmed for all eternity in Your loving and endless grace"

Ryuko: "Let these great warriors find rest at last. Ever reminded that we who are left behind"

(Y/N): "Cherish their spirit, honor their commitment, send them our love, and will never forget the service that they gave"

(Y/N) and Ryuko: "Amen"

Squad 13: "Amen"

(Y/N): "Now, let them go to their eternal peace. Earth to earth... ashes to ashes... dust to dust..." I got my hand on fire "Flamethrower..." I started the fire, and soon it enveloped the whole heap. Kokoro threw the flowers in there and wiped the tear. We stood there, watching FranXX melting, filling the air with metallic smell, thankfully it covered the smell of burning flesh. We stand there, until all is left is ash and liquid metal on the ground.

Ichigo: "We should head back..." Nobody said a word. We just got back to Heliconia and Strelitzia and soon we are all home. Me and Ryuko are in our room. We moved to the room opposite of Zero Two's.

(Y/N): "Thankfully they didn't saw the bodies. It could ruin their psychic health"

Ryuko: "How bad?"

(Y/N): "Pistil with twisted neck and stamen with rebar in his skull..." she covered her mouth, horrified

Ryuko: "Oh my... I was right to stop them..."

(Y/N): "They looked like 11-12 years old, just to make things worse..."

Ryuko: "How are you taking it?"

(Y/N): "I threw up... I still want to threw up. I think I need to do something to keep my mind busy. I will be back before night" I stood up and walked out the room

*timeskip, time: 1AM*

(Y/N): "Come on, where the fuck did I put my spanners" I asked angrily while searching whole Heliconia's compartment. "Oh here. Now, to give Argentea her new servo" I jumped down and walked over to Argentea. I pressed Neko's sleeve and transformed her into flying config. I flew up Agrentea's knee and unscrew the panel. After fidgeting for a while I finally get it out

Neko: "(Y/N), you know Ryuko will be angry at you?"

(Y/N): "Yeah, but it's the last thing I need to do..." I was cut of by a scream from elevator

Ryuko: "(Y/N)!"

(Y/N): "Shit..."

Ryuko: "I know you are here! You were suppose to be back in our room before night!"

(Y/N): "I know! But I now only have to get Argentea's servo connected! Give me a five minutes!"

Ryuko: "Five minutes! After that you will sleep outside!"

(Y/N): "Okay love!" I connected the servo and closed the panel "Done!" I flew down and powered Neko down

Ryuko: "That fast?"

(Y/N): "It would be faster if you didn't interrupted me. Now, let's get some sleep" We walked back hand in hand. Soon we were in our room. I took a glimpse of Zero's room to see her and Hiro hugging. We entered ours and soon cuddle to sleep

(Y/N): "Goodnight Blueberry, I love you" I kissed her forehead

Ryuko: "Goodnight my Reaper, I love you too" 

*one month later*

During the month a lot of things changed. Next day after I repaired our FranXX we received a note alongside a lot of crates. Upon opening them we saw rations of food, washing supplies and other necessary things to live. In the note we got orders that Squad 13 needs to remain in Mistilteinn until we get called to our next mission. It also informed us that food will be delivered here once a week. 

Not only our food was limited. Electricity was another problem. We decided that during the day we won't use any light, and during the night we will mostly use candles. Light was only turned on in the lounge. Another problem was with water, we used lake and the river to get it.

I woke up and looked around, only to see Ryuko is gone. I got up and went to the bathroom. Upon returning I heard the talk from Zero's room

Ryuko: "One more thing and.... done. You like it Zero?"

Zero Two: "They look so nice, thank you Ryuko"

Ryuko: "No problem. I should get back to mine and (Y/N)'s room. He will be worried..." I cut her of by entering

(Y/N): "Morning girls. What are you doing?"

Ryuko: "Morning love" She went to me and kissed my cheek "Zero asked me to help her file her horns"

Zero Two: "What do you thing (Y/N)?"

(Y/N): "Cute. You ready to do our jobs?"

Zero Two: "Yeah, I got the messenger job this week, what about you two?"

Ryuko: "I'm doing the laundry with Kokoro and Miku"

(Y/N): "Me, Hiro and Mitsuru are checking on water sources. Last time we checked the river was still usable as our water source but it could change soon, with all this garbage in it"

*timeskip, river of Mistilteinn*

Mitsuru: "The water's starting to go foul here, too"

Hiro: "Yeah"

(Y/N): "If this keeps up, we will be left with no water..."

Hiro: "But it might be drinkable if we filter it"

(Y/N): "We need to think about it. I could use some pipes and cloth to create some makeshift filter"

Mitsuru: "That said, there's no telling how long we can keep this up. The water supply to this area could stop at any time"

(Y/N): "Given that Plantation's pipe system is damaged..."

Hiro: "Yeah, you two are right" Mitsuru looked at Hiro and then back at the river. We then hear banging from behind. We turned around to see Zero behind the tree

Zero Two: "Found you. Time for breakfast, you three"

*timeskip, mess hall*

After our return, Ichigo started giving out rations. Hiro And Zero were filling cups with water. Then Ikuno entered the room and walked to Ichigo

Ikuno: "Sorry. I'll help"

Ichigo: "Nah, it's fine. Anyway, has your fever gone down?"

Ikuno: "I'm used to it now" Then Zero Two walked over to her and checked her temperature with her forehead

Zero Two: "36.7 degrees... Normal body temperature"

Ryuko: "Seems like your fever is gone Ikuno"

Zero Two: "Don't push yourself, okay?"

Ikuno: "G-Got it. Thanks"

We all sat down and they started their pray, while me, Zero Two and Ryuko just dig in

Zero Two: "Morning laundry: okay, Carrying the rations: okay, Thirty minutes for breakfast. After that..."

Miku: "You're awfully meticulous. Nobody's going to complain if you go a bit off-schedule"

Zero Two: "That won't do. We all agreed to these rules! We're the only ones here, so we gotta obey them"

Miku: "Wow, look who's turned over a new leaf"

Ikuno: "What happened to your wild side?"

Zero Two: "Exactly. That's why I wanna do things right"

Miku: "Oh, really now?"

Zero Two: "Really"

Ryuko: "Seems like Zero is back to her happy self"

(Y/N): "She is at peace now, she have her friends and most importantly, she finally have her Darling"

Ryuko: "All we need to give them now..."

(Y/N): "Is their freedom" I felt a small vibrations in my pocket. I got my communicator out to see a message from Nana. I whispered to Ryuko "We need to go" she nodded

Ryuko: "Ok. I'm full, thanks for the meal" She stood up

Ichigo: "Where are you going Ryuko?"

Ryuko: "Me and (Y/N) need to check one thing. We will be back soon"

(Y/N): "Yeah, that" We exited the room and went on our way to elevator. Soon we arrive in the room Nana and Hachi are staying

Ryuko: "Good morning Nana, Good morning Hachi"

Nana: "Good morning you two. How are things up there?"

(Y/N): "We have a system to organize things. One week we do one thing like laundry, second week we do maintenance of the house"

Ryuko: "They are learning to take care of themselves"

Then Dr.FranXX called, Nana swiped and soon on the screen is a video of my uncle

Dr.FranXX: "How is they training?"

(Y/N): "Wow, not even a single good morning. Grandma Yoshino would be mad..."

Dr.FranXX: "Don't bring her into this (Y/N). We are at crucial point. Children saw what happen month ago"

(Y/N): "Not only this. When I went on my search for parts we spotted a FranXX... Uncle, codes 990 and 976, how old they were?"

Dr.FranXX: "Were? Last time I checked... Don't tell me..."

(Y/N): "I saw their FranXX, it had a giant hole in it's chest and was missing limbs. How. Old. They. Were" In the answer uncle just punched his desk

Dr.FranXX: "Bastards! They were sending 11 years old to the battlefield!" Nana seemed shocked at this, she was at the verge of tears

Nana: "(Y/N)... Were they any other...?"

(Y/N): "Nana... I'm sorry..." she just started crying. Hachi went to comfort her

Dr.FranXX: "I knew those geezers are insane, but to send untrained children! And to make things worse there are many more like them"

Ryuko: "So, stage 2?"

Dr.FranXX: "After their survival training is done, move immediately to it. Nana, did you told them where to go?" Nana wiped some tears

Nana: "*sniff* (Y/N), Ryuko, when we escape, we will be going to that city you saw during your vacation"

(Y/N): "If things weren't so dark right now, I would be jumping"

Hachi: "Doctor. How are things there?"

Dr.FranXX: "Base of operation is done, as well as living quarters and hangar for FranXX"

(Y/N): "And how about our friends?"

Ryuko: "Yeah, Mako and the rest?"

Dr.FranXX: "It will be a surprise for you two when we arrive there" he smiled "Nana, Hachi, you haven't made contact with them, except (Y/N) and Ryuko. I hope?"

Hachi: "That's right"

Dr.FranXX: "Good. If you two intervene with the children, this whole operation will be ruined"

Nana: "Doctor, I still don't understand. Why we can't be with them? They went to hell and came back alive.  They need us more than ever. Even if we are to keep the training going, we should at least..." Uncle cut her off

Dr.FranXX: "Always so inflexible. They have (Y/N) and Ryuko up with them. They will be fine. Keep this thing going, you four" and then he hung up

Nana: "Wait, doctor! Good grief, he should at least let us speak with them"

(Y/N): "Nana, they need to learn if they want to survive there. And don't worry, we will look over them"

Ryuko: "Just make sure we will get those rations, they are our main food source"

Hachi: "We will. You two are to return to Mistilteinn. Remember to stay quiet about us"

(Y/N): "Will do"

We exited the room and get back to boarding house. Mitsuru saw me and walked over to me

Mitsuru: "(Y/N), good to see you. I was thinking about your idea with the filter"

(Y/N): "And?"

Mitsuru: "After breakfast I tried to make a prototype"

(Y/N): "Let me have a look" he gave it to me "What did you used inside?" I looked up to see he had a haircut "Nice hairstyle man, who did it?" He blushed and turned away from me

Mitsuru: "Kokoro did... I asked her to do so"

(Y/N): "Heh, maybe I should ask her too. My hair is getting too