Code 000: The FranXX of Black and White

August 2nd Part One

Chapter 1 Code:000

It's been months after the Underworld incident. Kirito has mostly recovered from his brain damage and the production of the Soul Translator resumed again, under Kikuoka's group.

The young couple entered the quiet cafe and seated in one of the booths, anticipating Kikuoka's arrival. Asuna constantly checked her phone, looking at Kazuto's heart rate. Trying to calm herself from distress, "Are you sure testing a new game is ok in your condition?" The raven haired teen was hesitant to respond, he was still unsure of his health, some memories are still vague to him.

He lifted his hand to move strands of her chestnut hair to face her hazel eyes, "I'm testing it in the STL, nothing will hurt me. Besides it kept me alive after the encounter with Laughing Coffin." He moved his hand down to hers, bringing it closer to admire the ring upon her finger, "It's even better now that you're always gonna be with me."

A pink tinge appears on her face with a smile, "I'll always be your partner, till death will do us part." she gave him a little peck on the cheek.

Shortly after, a door swung open and shut. A familiar man in a gray suit with a stern look approached the two, holding a thin leather bag in his right hand. Asuna was slightly alarmed unlike Kazuto who stayed serene. Kikuoka fixed his glasses and turned his attention towards the two, "Good Morning Kirito-san, Asuna-san. Both of you know why you're here right?"

"To know more about this new system that we're beta testing." said Kazuto, both thrilled to know but perplexed at the same time.

Kikuoka opened his bag brought out a laptop, revealing slides of the world inside, "This program is called Code 000. Unlike the Underworld, it's set in the future where Earth is now a wasteland. Humanity discovered a magma energy that provoked these atrocious beings called Klaxosaurs." On the screen was designs of black and blue creatures in various shapes and sizes, but looked massive and destructive. "These monsters are attracted by the magma, but you two, along with many other pairs will be piloting a robot that's called a FranXX which functions mainly on the compatibility levels between a male and a female." On the screen was the structure of the FranXX, the exterior looked like female robot with a magma powered lance. "This is the reason why I wanted Asuna-san to join you."

Asuna tilts her head, looking closely at the cockpit, "Why is there only one seat in the entire body? Where does the other partner go?"

Kikuoka looked at his watch, "Well sadly, we cannot finish this conversation. A helicopter is waiting to transport us back to the Ocean Turtle. Someone in the system will explain the rest, but now we should go." He packed up his stuff, "Follow me." He stood up and left the cafe, with Asuna and Kazuto trailing behind.

Over the Ocean Turtle

The helicopter hovered near the Ocean Turtle, Kazuto peeked out the tinted window, "So that's how the base looks like..." The exterior was of a four sided pyramid, about a 25-story building, covered with a layer of black, hexagonal solar panels that looked like a shell. The helicopter started to descend onto a green landing pad, near the roof of the facility. Kikuoka left the chopper immediately after the helicopter landed, he then opened the back door as we unbuckled our seat belts. "Higa-san and Rinko-san are waiting for us in the main shaft. Let's go."

They proceeded to follow him down the hallways, Kazuto spotted multiple cameras through the corridors. Asuna noticed his observation, "When I first went down this hall, they thought I was Rinko-san's assistant, Mayuri Reynolds. Even the camera couldn't see through my disguise, which was only a wig with sunglasses." The two chuckled at the system security.

Eventually they stopped in front of a metal double door, "And we're here" Kikuoka entered a code in a panel near the door and faced a camera, soon after the door slid open. Inside was the main control room, Higa was lounging around in his chair probably napping while Rinko looked through the world on the screen at the opposite side of the room. Kazuto stared at the screen, speculating on a dome on the screen. There were people living inside the dome. Oddly they were all adults, not even one child was roaming around.