The crash happened fast. Tires screamed. Metal twisted. Glass shattered. Then everything went black.
When awareness returned, the world was white and sterile. He lay on a smooth table in a room without shadows. No restraints held him down. No machines beeped. Only the soft rush of filtered air and the faint metallic taste on his tongue.
He sat up. The black tactical suit fit perfectly over a body that felt rebuilt. Six foot three inches tall. Broad shoulders. Thick arms. Black hair falling across his forehead. When he looked at his own hands the veins stood out like warm cables under the skin. He clenched a fist and felt strength ripple through every muscle in a way his old body never had.
He remembered his previous life. He remembered the anime. Plantations. Parasites. Franxx. Klaxosaurs. And the girl with red horns.
A wall panel opened without noise. Dr. Franxx entered alone. The old scientist leaned on his cane. His mechanical eye clicked and focused.
"You woke up quickly" Franxx said. "Code 000. We have decided to call you Null."
The man stood. The ceiling seemed lower around him. "Null works."
Franxx circled him slowly while the eye scanned. "You appeared in our system without warning. No birth record. No childhood data. Full adult memory intact. Your blood is the real mystery. We took samples while you were unconscious. There is an unknown substance in your plasma. It generates sustained energy like controlled nuclear fission at the cellular level. Your muscles use it. Your nerves use it. Your healing rate is accelerated because of it. We do not know what it is or where it came from. We have never seen anything like this substance."
Null flexed his fingers again. Heat moved under his skin like a quiet current. "So I'm powered by mystery fuel."
"Exactly" Franxx replied. "The energy is stable right now. But we have no idea what triggers a change. Restraining you might cause a reaction. Threatening you might cause a reaction. So we choose the opposite path. You will live with Squad 13 in Mistilteinn. You have full freedom inside the habitat. Walk where you want. Train if you want. Talk to whoever you want. We will monitor your blood signature and energy output of course. But no guards. No restrictions. We want to see what happens when a variable like you is left alone in the system."
Null met the old man's gaze. "You're curious more than scared."
"Curiosity is my profession" Franxx said with a small smile. "Code 002 arrives today. She has never found a partner who survives more than a few sorties. Your blood might change that. Or it might not. Either result gives us new information."
Null nodded once. "Then show me the way."
Franxx gestured toward the open corridor. "Mistilteinn awaits."
The walk took several minutes. Soft blue lights guided the path. The air grew warmer as they neared the habitat. When the final door opened sunlight poured in from the artificial sky. Synthetic grass stretched under carefully shaped trees. White buildings rose in gentle curves. The massive dome enclosed everything like a perfect cage.
Ten teenagers looked up from their places in the common area.
Ichigo rose from a couch. Her posture was straight and alert. "A new parasite? No one told us about a transfer."
Null stepped fully into the light. The black suit stood out sharply against their white and red uniforms. He scanned the group with calm amber eyes.
"Code 000" he said. "Null."
Zorome laughed once. "Zero zero zero? That's not a real code. You're making it up."
Mitsuru pushed his glasses up. "Another outsider. Just what we needed right now."
Kokoro tilted her head. "He's really tall."
Futoshi whispered something to her. Ikuno watched from the back without speaking.
Hiro sat by himself near a wide window. His knees were pulled up. Yesterday's failed test with Naomi still sat heavy in his chest. He had been the special one once. The prodigy who could connect with anyone. Now he was just another failed parasite. When he looked up at Null something twisted inside him. The new arrival stood like the world made sense to him. No hesitation. No doubt. Hiro's own hands felt weak in comparison. He envied the ease. He envied the quiet strength. He looked away before anyone noticed.
Null's gaze found Hiro for a moment. He gave a small nod. Nothing more.
The intercom chimed.
"All parasites of Squad 13 report to Hangar 3 for orientation. Code 002 has arrived and will participate in initial assessments. Code 000 proceed to Hangar 3 when ready."
Zorome muttered "The partner killer on the same day as the mystery guy. This should be fun."
Ichigo gave him a sharp look. "Be quiet."
Null turned toward the exit. "I'll go now."
Ichigo called after him "You're not in uniform."
He glanced back. "I'm not a parasite."
Hiro watched the tall figure walk away. That quiet twist in his chest stayed. Null moved like he belonged here already. Like nothing could surprise him. Hiro pressed his forehead against the cool glass and tried not to think about how small he felt.
~~~
Hangar 3
The bay was wide and echoing. Strelizia stood in the center. Red armor gleamed under bright lights. Technicians moved around it checking connections and screens.
Zero Two leaned against one of the Franxx's thick legs. Her red plugsuit hugged her frame. Pink hair fell loose over her shoulders.
Crimson horns caught every light. A lollipop stick moved between her lips. When Null entered her cyan eyes snapped to him.
She pushed away from Strelizia and walked forward slowly. Her steps were light and deliberate.
Null stopped in the open space between them.
She circled him once. Head tilted. Eyes bright with interest. Then she stopped right in front of him. Close enough to feel the warmth coming off her.
"You're big" she said. Her voice was playful but sharp underneath. "And you don't smell like fear. You smell like something hot. Like fire inside a box."
Null looked down at her. "Null. Code 000."
Zero Two pulled the lollipop out and grinned. Fangs flashed. "Zero zero zero. Lower than me. I like that." She stepped even closer.
She rose on her toes to study his face. "Boys usually shake when they see me. Or they beg. You just look forward. Why?"
"I have no reason to shake" he answered.
She laughed. The sound was bright and surprised. It echoed in the big space. Then she reached up. Fingers brushed his jaw. Traced the edge of his black hair. Warm skin against warm skin.
"You feel strong" she murmured. "Like you won't snap if I push."
Null let the touch linger. Then he caught her wrist gently. "I don't snap easy."
Zero Two's smile grew wider. She leaned in. Pressed her forehead lightly against his chest. Listened.
"Your heart is calm" she said. "But something under it is loud. Like a storm in a bottle."
From the observation deck Franxx watched the screens. Null's energy signature climbed steadily. Not wild. Not dangerous. Just higher. Stronger. Controlled.
"Remarkable" the old man whispered. "The unknown fuel responds to her. Beautiful."
Down below Zero Two looked up again. Cyan eyes met amber.
"Franxx says your blood is special" she said.
"He thinks it might let you ride with me and live. I think he's right. But I want to test it myself."
Null's voice stayed low. "Then let's test it."
She grinned wider. "I like you already darling."
The hangar door opened. Squad 13 filed in. Ichigo led. Hiro trailed at the back still quiet.
They stopped when they saw Zero Two standing so close to Null. Her hand on his chest. His fingers around her wrist.
Zorome whispered "Already?"
Ichigo kept her voice even. "Code 002. We're here for the briefing."
Zero Two didn't step away. She turned her head. Pink hair slid over her shoulder. She gave the squad a lazy smile.
"Hello kids. Be nice to my new darling okay?"
Hiro stood at the edge of the group. He watched the way she leaned into Null. The way Null stood calm and steady. That quiet envy came back stronger. Not because of the girl. Because Null looked like he fit in this world without trying. Hiro had spent years trying to fit. Yesterday he failed. Today this stranger arrived and the partner killer was already smiling at him.
Hiro looked at his own hands. They felt empty.
Null glanced over. Met Hiro's eyes for a second. Gave another small nod. No gloating. Just recognition.
Zero Two noticed. She spoke softly to Null. "He's staring. Jealous?"
Null shook his head. "He's lost right now. There's a difference."
She studied Null a moment longer. Then she laughed quietly. "You're different. I think I'll keep you."
Technicians called everyone to positions. The first compatibility checks would start soon.
Zero Two finally stepped back. But she kept one finger hooked in Null's sleeve. Not ready to let go completely.
Franxx's voice came over the speakers.
"Code 000 and Code 002 will begin preliminary synchronization in thirty minutes. Squad 13 observe from the gallery. This will be educational."
Null looked down at Zero Two. She looked up at him.
The furnace in his blood stirred. Not angry. Not afraid. Just awake. Ready.
"Ready?" he asked.
Zero Two's grin was pure promise. "Always darling."
Deep in his veins the unknown fuel burned brighter. Waiting for the moment it would finally meet her fire.
~~~
Tell me what you think, not entirely sure where this'll go so don't expect anything great but I'll be sure to make it seem somewhat interesting as well as write an alternative ending if I continue to that point.