01x12 - The Garden Where It All Began

[bunniefuu]

Where was I born?

It doesn't matter to me.

I'd rather live each fleeting moment

to its fullest.

So like, where is it? I don't see a thing.

You're sure you saw it?

Without a doubt.

For that's what makes me human.

So much for there being picture books.

Even Zero Two must feel the same.

At least, so I thought.

I see it! Right there!

There's no mistaking it. That's

Yes. The Garden.

PARASITE NURSERY FACILITY: THE GARDEN

The place we were raised,

also known as the Garden.

A Parasite nursery facility

that's home to several hundred Children.

Looming over it is this laboratory.

NURSERY LAB NO. 3

We called it the Lab.

I've seen it from afar,

but never been inside before.

That goes for most Children, doesn't it?

Hiro has been a few times, right?

Back then,

I was a special research subject.

Researchers' pet.

Mitsuru is the only other person I know.

He was here too?

Listen up now.

We're here today so you can be examined.

This is not a homecoming, I'm afraid.

As such,

you are not permitted to visit the Garden.

An examination?

What sort would require

such deluxe facilities?

I suspect we're the afterthought.

Code 002,

you will receive special attention.

How about no?

This is an order.

We cannot put it off any longer.

Oh, my.

If it isn't 9 Iota.

What are the chances of meeting you here?

Pretty high, I suppose.

You're also here for maintenance, yes?

Charming, as always.

Who's that?

I don't know.

But he's cute!

These are the 9's.

APE's special guard force.

Pleased to meet you.

APE SPECIAL GUARD FORCE: 9'S

You must be members of Iota's unit.

We appreciate you escorting her

to the Yonder Land.

The Yonder Land?

Surely you know where all the Plantations

of this land are heading.

We will explain later.

All right.

I must say

It's a relief to know

how well Iota is getting along with you.

Iota? You mean Zero Two?

Hey. So we meet again.

And yes. She was a member of us, 9's.

Is that so?

I was sure she would be too much

for a normal unit to handle.

Imagine my surprise.

How did you manage to tame her?

Tame?

Zero Two is our teammate.

She's certainly obsessed.

Even playing at being teammates

with humans.

Apparently, nobody on the guard force

learned any manners.

Clearly, we're lucky that

Zero Two is the one who battles with us.

I get it.

Seems you're a bit different

from other units' Parasites.

Now I understand why Iota is with you.

-What?

-Hey!

Come along now. We should be going.

You've piqued my interest as well.

Maybe we can pay your unit

a visit sometime.

I'm afraid all you elites

would have to sleep in an attic room.

If you're fine with that, then feel free.

The very image of courtesy.

Zero Two, has something happened recently?

Please don't bottle it up.

Tell me. We're partners.

Kiss me.

What?

Do it.

-Zero Two--

-I changed my mind.

All done.

You were right.

It was just a basic examination.

I said, don't touch me!

Stay away!

I think I'll drop by the Garden

after this.

But we aren't allowed there.

I want to let Naomi know

I found a partner.

Why, you

Don't give us more trouble

than you already have.

The rest of you didn't have to come.

Sorry, Futoshi.

We're not letting you sneak off

while we miss out.

Exactly.

And it's too late to turn back now.

Ichigo, have you read this?

Yes, but I totally didn't get it.

Me too.

But it talks about a sacred tree.

A sacred tree?

It says it means mistletoe.

There's supposed to be some

growing in the Garden.

I'd sure like to see it someday.

It's been less than half a year

since we left here.

But it feels like ages ago.

You should see this.

Was it like this for us?

Pretty sure not.

Isn't that the same type of injection

they use on us?

Parasite-grade injections,

from such a young age?

Yes.

We've begun delivering more concentrated

doses of yellow blood cells than before.

Klaxosaur activity

has been increasing lately.

Our operations are being adjusted

to facilitate the development

of more capable and obedient Parasites.

Further, I believe

you are the 13th Unit Parasites?

You aren't supposed to be here.

Has a girl from 13th Plantation

called Naomi

Has Code 703 returned here?

Code 703?

No.

This is not a place Parasites return to

once they leave.

I had a feeling that was the case.

-So where did Naomi go then?

-Man, they still kicked us out.

Looking back, it's always been that way.

Children who lived with us at

this facility would regularly disappear.

The Adults never gave a word

of explanation when we asked,

which eventually led me to think

that most likely,

none of us would ever become Adults.

Mistletoe.

So it was this place.

I've been here before.

"Go ahead without me," says Hiro.

Where is he off to this time?

I don't know.

Where do you think we came from?

What?

Everyone knows that.

Papa and the Adults made us.

Do we know that for sure?

Kokoro, you're acting funny.

There you are!

I've never seen Children disobey orders

and get scolded for it before.

You really are a fascinating lot.

You can take your quips somewhere else.

How standoffish.

We're about to be deployed.

Can't you humor me a bit?

I hear that you're a test team.

The Doctor's pet project.

That must be why, unlike other units,

you're allowed such freedom.

But what are you supposed to be testing?

I'd love to know more.

Nobody but Code 016 has ridden

more than thrice as Iota's partner.

Perhaps that's part of the test.

What are you trying to say?

Finally, you look at me.

I'll let you in on a little secret.

About what Code 002 really is.

What?

She's a creature fundamentally

incompatible with the rest of you.

Blending in only by virtue

of the human skin she wears.

Five Moho-classes.

Barely a threat.

The issue is why they even showed up here.

There are no records of Klaxosaurs

ever appearing in this vicinity.

Could they be onto our plan?

All FRANXX, prepare to deploy.

Sorry! I'm here.

Zero Two?

Your horns

Don't stare.

Sorry.

Darling.

Let's go k*ll more Klaxosaurs today.

Zero Two!

Strelizia!

Stick to the plan!

Don't keep barging at them head-on!

Stop nagging!

Who cares, as long as I k*ll them all?

Hiro! At your four o'clock!

There!

Pay attention to our surroundings!

You pest!

You're overly fixating on each enemy.

We need to fight as a team.

They're quick!

Strelizia! More coming your way!

I'll crush you all together!

Listen to me!

Zero Two!

Damn it!

Why?

How come

even you are holding me back, darling?

Go!

I think we got them.

Monster.

Filthy. Vile.

Zero Two!

-That's enough! It's finished already!

-Vile!

I'll k*ll you all

and become human!

Out of fuel.

Was all that necessary?

She's scaring me.

Zero Two.

You're tearing your nails off!

Your fingers are all torn up!

Let go.

A little more.

What?

I'm running out of time.

I have to k*ll more.

More Klaxosaurs. Even more.

I want to be human already.

You said that during the battle.

What do you mean?

I want to be human.

To be human

Snap out of it, Zero Two!

I don't know why you're so obsessed with

being human, but you are who you are!

No matter where you were born!

No matter if you have horns or fangs!

Shut up! Enough!

I was captivated by you as you were!

Whether you're human or not

doesn't matter!

This whole time, I've been wondering

what it is I feel for you.

But seeing Goro and Futoshi,

I've realized.

This feeling is like no other.

I love you, Zero Two!

I love you just the way you are!

Love?

Is this a joke?

What are you

This is what you mean.

Isn't it? Here.

I'll teach you more than just kissing.

No, I

No! You don't understand, Zero Two!

That's not what I meant!

I

This is such a drag.

Just give me everything already.

This is not enough.

I need you to k*ll more monsters

and make me a human!

You're my fodder after all!

Fodder?

Based on detailed analysis,

Code 002's saurification has accelerated

after partnering with him.

Code 016's saurification

is also approaching critical.

Soon enough, we can expect visible changes

at the genetic level.

Resulting in something

that can no longer be called human?

Zero Two? I need to talk

Don't show me

Don't show me myself!

What are you

Why do you think Iota

is called a Partner k*ller?

She casts a curse.

A life-stealing curse.

It's that power which she uses

to pilot a FRANXX.

She's the key to saving the world,

you see.

The key to saving the world?

She's burned through 100 Stamens

that I know of alone.

Code 016 is a rare case.

Perhaps it's his special ability.

Nevertheless, if he keeps riding

he'll be cursed

into becoming a monster like her.

She must believe that the more Klaxosaurs

she kills, the more human she'll become.

Hiro!

Strelizia!

Out of my way!

More. I need to k*ll more!

Then I'll become human!

No, Zero Two!

That couldn't possibly make you human!

What has driven you to this?

Don't bind me! Don't you try and bind me!

-Behave like the fodder you are,

-Damn it! Zero Two,

-and let me devour you!

-look at me!

Don't!

Zero Two

Give me every last bit of your life.

I'm going to become human

so I can see my old darling again.

Darling?

Para-capacity

is over the limit and rising.

Oh, no.

The saurification is beginning!

What's happening?

Someone's mind is flowing into my own.

When was this?

I've seen this before.

Joined hands.

Eyes that despised the world.

A girl with red skin and blue blood.

Oh, I remember.

She's

That's right.

I'm a monster.