You open your eyes to find yourself standing upright in a strange place: a cream-white marble court, within the halls of a magnanimous structure similar to an ancient Greek temple, illuminated by the light of the sun. For eighty long years you have walked the earth, the first twenty of which you served in subjugation under an alien leader, while the last sixty you have spent helping Nana and Hachi, along with your fellow parasites, rebuild the shambles of the barren earth. But you have left Earth by way of your bodily expiration, and goodness knows if you ever go back. Looking around the massive court, you take notice of your surroundings. Along the walls are lush vegetation of infinite variety, some flowering plants with endless colors, others sporting enormous leafy branches of tropical origins. Before you can thoroughly take in this picturesque scene, however, your attention is whisked away by your former partner, code 023, whom you affectionately called "nee-san" for four reasons. First, that was the way a certain prodigy whose code was 016 would probably have named her. (He became known in the Garden as Hiro, and later became the designated partner for the dreaded Partner Killer, code 002.) Second, she was always taller than the rest of your former squad at Plantation 4, prompting you and the rest of Squad 4 to give her that name. Third, she was always known as the most adept fighter and thinker of your high-ranking squad. And, most importantly (much to your constant embarrassment, even after the two of you started a family), Nee-san was a good eight inches taller than you. Even now, in the afterlife, you still find yourself cranking your neck just to look up at her face. "Yonorushi-chan," she sweetly speaks in that familiar, piping voice so unfitting to her great height, "I'm so very glad to see you again, partner of mine." You pull her in to a warm embrace. She, too, is in the form of her younger self, with the adorable dimples on her cheek you had always known her for. But your bliss is interrupted by a certain passerby who happened to notice your exchange with Neesan. He is just your height, with blonde hair, green eyes, and his eternal smug look. "Nice to meet tou once again, code 404," he murmurs. "It has certainly been a while." "ALPHA!" you scream, blinded with shock and balling up your fist for a fight, while breaking away from Neesan's embrace, much to her surprise and displeasure. His smirk only widens. "Now, now, my friend," said Alpha, "quarrels are not for the dead, and especially so in Valhallar, where we are presently conversing." "Eh?" you say. "Where did you say we are?" Alpha chuckles. "I'm afraid you mustn't have been informed about this realm of the afterlife, code 404. You are nowhere to be found on Earth any longer, I can confidently say, as we are in the halls of the dead." You step back in surprise, then scoff at the deceased Nines' leader. "Since when has Nine Alpha been so diplomatic?" Alpha raises an eyebrow as he hears the question, then smiles. "Since Papa turned his back on the Earth."