3rd Person POV

Back at the house, Squad 13 continues its usual duties while secretly making plans on leaving the plantation. When Zero first announced this, this confused a lot of people.

Flashback

Zorome: Leave the plantation? That's crazy! Why would we do that?

Zero: Because all of you deserve better then the lives we lead.

Futoshi: What is wrong with the life we lead? I think it's great.

Zero: If you knew the real truth then you wouldn't be saying that. So when we are alone, I will start working on some plans. I will call of us together when I have something we need to discuss. Understood?

Squad 13 nods. Zero Two wraps her arms around Zero making the rest of the girls jealous.

Zero Two: Isn't my darling the greatest?

Ichigo: Stop! He isn't only your darling anymore!

Zero Two: Then make a move because I'm not holding back!

End of Flashback

Zero is in his room with Zero Two, Hiro, and Ichigo discussing the plan.

Ichigo: We figured out a lot on how to get out of here but where would we go?

Zero: I know where to go. You'll have to trust me on that one.

Hiro: I still think we need to work on a plan if things go bad.

Zero: I have a plan for that as well.

Ichigo: Do you care to enlighten us?

Zero: You don't need to know it if we don't use it. All of you will make it out of here. I'll make sure that happens.

Zero Two glares at Zero for a second. No one but Hiro catches it. They four go back to planning. Later that day, Nana comes to visit Squad 13.

Nana: Congrats, everyone. You will be awarded medals for your recent victories. Everyone needs to get ready. We leave in a little bit. Zero...?

Zero: Yes?

Nana: He asks for you to come.

Zero: Do I have an option?

Nana: Yes.

Zero: Then tell him that I respectfully decline.

Zorome: Why would you pass up a chance to meet adults and Papa?

Zero: That's none of your business. You want to go and meet adults? Go on ahead. They're not as fascinating as they people claim them to be.

Nana: So you'll stay behind?

Zero Two: I'll stay with him.

Nana: Very well. No messes while we're gone.

Ichigo walks over to Zero.

Ichigo: Why aren't you going?

Zero: I have my reasons, Strawberry. Don't let them bother you.

Ichigo smiles.

Ichigo: Okay.

Zero pats Ichigo's head and she walks away. Squad 13 leaves leaving Zero and Zero Two behind.

Zero Two: Didn't want to go, huh?

Zero: I'm tired of him praising me as if I'm the greatest person in the world. We are different but we shouldn't be treated differently. It's uncomfortable.

Zero Two: This plan of yours is very intricate. Why do you want to get them all out so badly?

Zero: They deserve to get out.

Zero Two: They won't make it. They'll only slow you down. If we left now, no one would find us.

Zero: Easy for you to say. I've been with them longer. Besides, you'll need Hiro. How else do you think we'll get out of here.

Zero Two: I have you. You're all I need.

Zero: The plan won't work if I ride with you.

Zero Two: Why don't we just leave all of them behind? They're deadweight.

Zero: Trust me. I know. But that doesn't mean that I won't try.

Zero Two: You can't save everyone, darling. Save what you can and succeed. If you take too many, then you're bound to fail.

Zero: All of them will get out. I promise that.

Zero Two: What is the plan if things go south?

Zero: You don't need to worry about that, darling. We probably won't even need it.

Zero smiles as he leaves the room. Zero Two smiles but it quickly fades. She looks through the notes that Zero had made. She found a notebook that says "Final Thoughts." She quickly picks it up and hides it. Squad 13 returns from the ceremony.

Zero Two POV

I took the book from my darling. I know that he is hiding something from me and I will find out what it is. I look inside and read his final thoughts. I was enraged at what I saw. What his plan was if things went badly. I showed Ichigo and she had the same reaction. It didn't say where we were going but this was something we had to confront Zero about.

3rd Person POV

Zero Two and Ichigo approach Zero.

Ichigo: We need to talk.

Zero: Privately or out here?

Ichigo: I think everyone should hear this.

Zero just chuckles.

Zero: I knew that you found my notebook. Don't think I didn't notice that it was missing.

Ichigo: Your plan if things go badly sucks. How could you suggest such a thing?

Kokoro: What is the plan?

Zero Two: You want me to tell them or you?

Zero: Go ahead.

Zero Two: If things go badly, Zero plans to stay behind.

Everyone gasps. Silence.

Hiro: Is that true? Why would you do that?

Zero: It's just a precaution.

Ichigo: You said that all of us were going to get out. Why didn't you include yourself?

Zero: You don't understand.

Ichigo: The explain it!

Zero: The odds of pulling this plan off is very much against us. We need to be ready for all scenarios.

Mitsuru: That's fine but why does it have to be you who stays behind?

Zero: It's my plan. We do it my way.

Ichigo: I'm your squad leader. I deny that plan. We all will get out of here. No one stays behind.

Ikuno: If the success of this mission is so slim, then why try at all?

Zero: All of you are my family. I want what's best for all of you. This life isn't it.

Hiro: Still doesn't explain why you're the one to stay behind.

Ichigo: We're not talking about it anymore. No one stays behind. Understood?

Zero is silent.

Ichigo: Is that clear, Absolute Zero?

Zero: Yes.

Zero leaves.

Ichigo: Okay. Let's get back to planning. If anyone had an idea say it out loud. All ideas need to be heard. We are all getting out of here.

Zero goes to his room and locks the door. He sits down and closes his eyes and focuses himself. He then hears a voice in his head.

???: I can feel that you're super tense.

Zero: Strange. You can feel that all the way from over there?

???: I can feel everything that my king feels. It's necessary for his wife to be able to do so. So why are you stressed?

Zero: They found out about my plan if everything fell apart.

???: I told you that they would. Besides, I object to that plan as well. They only survive if you come as well. I don't even want them but you said that you wouldn't come if they couldn't be saved too.

Zero: Thank you for understanding.

???: Not a problem. My children and my people need their king.

Zero opens his eyes and he isn't in his room anymore. Instead, he's in a white space facing a girl who is covered in blue and with a horn on the top of her head.

???: So nice to finally see you, my darling.

Zero: It is...001.