Chapter 2: A Jian's Past

"Minus… Five…." Zero Two whispered.

"Yeah! You really didn't think I would leave just like that, did you?" asked Hatake sarcastically.

Zero Two rushed forward and slapped him right on the face crying.

"Baka!" she said "How could you be so foolish to do such a thing?! How…. How could you leave me just like that?!"

** Baka translates to idiot in Japanese **

"I told you already, I didn't want to hurt anyone of you…." said Hatake whispering.

"Wait you know him?" asked Hiro "Who is he? What's going on?"

"We have got hell lot of things to catch up, don't we?" asked Hatake, "Let me start by introducing myself again!"

"I'm Hatake… Hatake…. Frank…." Said Hatake in a serious whispering tone.

The words made Hiro's spine shiver all over his body. "Frank? As in Dr. Frank?" he asked.

"That's right I'm…. The son of Dr. Werner Frank or the person you used to call Dr. Franxx" Hatake said.

"So," asked Hiro "That's why you were hesitating so much to talk about your past huh?"

"Yes," said Hatake, "There is a lot to know about me…."

"That's right, but I still don't get it, how did you end up here?" asked Zero two.

"Well, looks like we got a long story to tell then, let's go to my quarters, we will talk there." Said Hatake.

Hiro and Zero Two followed Hatake to a lobby that had a clean look of the rising sun of the morning,

Hiro and Zero Two took their seats as Hatake opened a case revealing a very old dusty can of iron with 'Premium Coffee' written over it.

"You still have that?" asked Zero Two shocked.

"Why wouldn't I? It was a gift after all….." said Hatake as he mixed the coffee into warm water.

"Okay then, let me start from the beginning…" said Hatake with disappointment over his face as he handed the cups of coffee to both of them.

"All this happened a long time ago Hiro even before you, before zero two….. It was 2042, when mom died in the Franxx prototype test, I was special, I was mature and I could learn anything once I was explained about it from the age of 5, dad didn't even know that she was pregnant the night they met or even the fact that I existed while he was running behind his research until that day…."

Burial Grounds

12th July, Friday

A.D. 2042

15:24 P.M

"You hate me, don't you...? Hatake?" asked Werner Franxx looking at grave of the only person in the world that loved him. 'Karina Milsa, 1998-2042', the letters carved in the grave said.

"I don't…" said Hatake whispering, "No matter what I do, I can't do that, because if I do, there will be no one left for me to hate in this world now…."

"I really didn't mean to do it…." Said Werner as a drop of tear rolled down his cheek.

"I don't blame you dad…" said Hatake as he leaned forward to hold his father's hand, "I want to work, work with you and find a way to save humanity….. I don't want any more people shedding tears… Please let me help!" he shouted.

"Okay then, I then take the pledge to teach you the magic of science, let's build the world's most powerful Franxx! Said Werner looking at Hatake's eyes burst into tears of joy.

Franxx Testing Facility

14th February, Monday

A.D. 2055

12:30 P.M.

"We did it!" yelled Werner as for the first time ever, a Franxx started moving. The head of the Franxx open with Hiro smiling from inside made Werner cry.

Scientist's Research Lab Settlement

24th February, Monday

A.D. 2055

20:53 P.M.

"Dad… looks like there is a problem!" said Hatake as he lifted his head from the microscope, "The magma fuel is interrupting with the linking of minds of the pistil and stamen… The Franxx might fail."

"What?! What do we do?" asked Werner.

"We only have one choice… Yellow Cells" said Hatake as he pulled out a small test tube from an old cupboard, "these are specialised cells used to suppress the feeling of a human being, forever! But is that right to do dad? Making someone live without any feelings at all?"

"Science requires sacrifices Hatake…" said Werner looking out of the windows, "We are weaklings who survive and pass on the knowledge they gained to the young ones, after immortality however, we totally lost our reproductive organs, and hence if humanity is not protected, then the annihilation of our species will happen for sure"

The Garden (Children Nurturing Facility)

5th August, Thursday

A.D. 2056

8:27 A.M.

"Hatake wake up!" said Werner excitedly waiting inside the transport ship, "we have to go for inspection of the Children Nurturing Unit!"

"Yeah, sorry I didn't realise when I fell asleep…" replied Hatake yawning.

Two hundred children have been created genetically and injected with yellow cells so far.

Hatake entered the facility. He went with Werner through the doors of the facility, he could see, he could see the sad look upon the face of the children, no feeling, none of them talked to each other, which made Hatake sadder and sadder and finally came to the door of an observation room. Shocked at what he could see through the one way mirror, sobbing he said, "Is that?"

"Zero Two made from the DNA of Kalxosaur princess, magnificent, isn't she?" said Werner standing behind him.

Hatake could see a scientist taking a story book away from her as she struggled to take it back.

"This is wrong dad" he said as he turned is sobbing face towards Werner "We are doing so wrong to these children."

Werner in the most soft of his voice said, "But Hatake, we achieved so much and-"

Before he could end his sentence, Hatake ran out of the door and took away the book from the scientist who was coming out taking it in his hand. He slowly opened the door, he went near to that little red skinned girl afraid of him standing in front of her, he gave the book to her sitting on his knees, as Zero Two admired the book he slowly patted her head sobbing.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here" Hatake said.

Scientist Resting Area

7th November, Thursday

A.D. 2056

12:44 P.M.

"Hatake…." Said Werner as he burst into tears, "You were right…"

Hatake kept his pen on the desk and turned back towards Werner, "What happened?" he asked.

"Papa, he has asked for an experiment…. To create a supreme parasite" said Werner sobbing.

"Very well then" Said Hatake sadly, "Take someone from 'The Garden' then shall we?" he said as he turned back to his table disappointed and picked up his pen to write.

"No my son, no" he said crying, "The sibling cannot be a created parasite, it has to be a naturally born child and since-"

"Dad…"said Hatake interrupting, "I don't have a choice, do I?"

Werner stood still in silence.

"I will do it" Hatake said, "If it is for the survival of humanity….. But before that I will celebrate my 20th birthday tomorrow and you must come too" said Hatake smiling.

Biological Research Centre

8th November, Saturday

A.D. 2046

"Are you ready Hatake?!" asked Werner excitedly.

"I don't care" Hatake said, "I was just a human till now but now I don't know what monster will you turn me into….. However, still I would like to know, what will happen to me after this experiment?"

"Well, there are many changes that will occur but the most important are two of them, first of all cell regeneration, even you are cut deep, your body will regenerate cell at such a pace that it will heal within a matter of seconds, and second is body maintenance, due to your high regenerate capacity… well… um… you will never age, that is you will stay at the age of 20 forever, you will be immortal Hatake! Immortal!" Said Werner are he laughed out of excitement.

"Sir, the experiment is good to go!" said the intercom.

"Well let's do this shall we?" asked Werner as a nurse took Hatake inside the operation room.

He looked straight through the watch glass towards Werner and slow moved his lips uttering words which Werner could clearly interpret.

"I love you dad…." Werner whispered as he read Hatake's lips sending tears down Werner's eyes.

Suddenly Werner's phone rang.

"Hello?" Werner said.

"Werner how is the experiment going?" said the serious voice from the other side.

"Pa… Papa? Are you seriously talking directly to me?" asked Werner shocked.

"Yes, now is the experiment going well?" asked Papa.

"Yes, the experiment looks to be successful…" said Werner.

"Very well then, I need you to create more Franxx for such a people to handle, got it? Hatake will be fighting with squad 15." said Papa.

"Sure, sir." Said Werner

Klaxosaur Territory

10th October Monday

A.D. 2057

15:27 PM

"Come on we can do this Hilia!" said Hatake fighting with a D-class Klaxosaur inside a usual Franxx with Hilia as the pistil.

"Yes let's do this!" said Hilia as they pierced their magma energy powered sword through the energy core of the klaxosaur.

"Well that was a lot of work wasn't it?" asked Hilia.

"Yeah that was." answered Hatake smiling.

Suddenly a very big spike pass inside out through the head of the Franxx slicing right through the pistil, leaving a deep cut on Hatake's arm and waist.

"Hilia….." He whispered, "Why?"

He looked to see what had killed her in anger, there was it, an S-class super Klaxosaur. Before Hatake could react, another spike like arm of it smashed right on the Head of the Franxx, be-heading it and throwing the head far into the battle base.

"Hilia!" he shouted as tears went down his eyes.

"No, I must get a revenge! I will kill it!" he said as he walked towards the Franxx battle station.

"Who is that?" he said as he approached the battle station with a girl desperately looking at a Franxx,

A girl with red colour horns, looking so beautiful in her way, in her eyes he could see that thirst, that passion to ride and kill…

"Come on!" Hatake said as he held her hand pulling her towards the Franxx.

"Wait! She said, you will die if you ride with me…. Do you really want to die?" she asked.

"Die huh?" he said laughing, "I don't know what it feels like, to finally leave this world and go into another, maybe you will help me then?"

She was rendered speechless, Hatake pulled her into the Franxx.

"Wow, this Franxx, it really has quite a nice design" he said.

"It has to," the girl said, "After all its unique, I'm unique, this Franxx is… Strelizia and I'm…. Zero Two!" she shouted.

"So you are ok…." Said Hatake smiling.

"What do you mean?" Zero Two asked.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing… Anyways, I'm Hatake, code Minus Five… let's do this!" he said.

"A minus? Is that even possible?" thought Zero Two

Both of them flew into the battleground like a butterfly happy about the coming of spring. However, as soon as they entered, through the dusty wind came the S-class super Klaxosaur piercing through the stomach of Strelizia.

"Damn it!" Zero Two said, "We need more power to act swiftly…. I can go all out, but can you handle it?" she asked

"Hmm… well then I will too go all out this time..." Hatake said with a grin on his face.

He turned the badge on his left chest and pressed on it, as soon as he did, the two metal plates fell from his shoulders, revealing two crimson coloured red glowing horns with blue light coming out of his eye balls.

"Do you trust me Zero Two?" Hatake asked.

"Yes!" Zero Two shouted.

"Then let's kill this monster!" said Hatake grabbing on to the handles on Zero Two's back.

"This power…" Zero Two thought, "It's just the same as me, I'm taking power from him but at the same time he is also taking the same amount of power from me."

The Franxx could be seen back on its feet ready to battle again, the S-class Klaxosaur appeared right in front of him, but this time the Franxx moved at lightning speed splashing through the armour of the Klaxosaur everywhere, even though the Klaxosaur was dead, Hatake wouldn't stop! He kept slicing and smashing through the dead body.

"Die monster die!" he said laughing evilly.

"Hatake stop!" Zero two said.

"No, I must kill him" he said with a face on which an absolute desire to kill could be seen.

Zero Two got up from her seat holding him from the back, "Stop, please stop!" she cried.

Seeing the tears on her face, he stopped, "Zero Two…" he said, "Do I look like a monster to you?" he asked as he blacked out….

Parasite Special Lab

Plantation 26

11th October Tuesday

A.D. 2057

13:26 P.M.

"I must go…." Hatake said lying on the lab's bed, "A monster like me can never protect humanity…"

"Why?" said a voice from the side, "Why do you think you are a monster… Hatake?"

Hatake turned his head to see the person's face, it was her, Zero Two.

"It's my life…" Hatake said, "Why do you care about that-"

"Because I'm alone without you, BAKA!" shouted Zero Two as she burst into tears, "Since the time I rode with you, I don't know why but I just want to keep riding with you in Strelizia, I don't know what this feeling is, I just…. Want to stay with you" she said sobbing.

"Remember this felling Zero Two," Hatake said holding Zero Two's hand, "This is called love…."

A soft knock was heard on the door…

"Enter!" said Hatake, the door opened, and Werner came in.

"Zero Two" Werner said looking at her, "Please go back to our designated team, they are worried about you."

Zero Two put a steel can on the seat and left in silence.

"How are you feeling Hatake?" asked Werner.

"You can still say that after turning me into this monster?" said Hatake crying.

Werner said disappointed, "I know you must-"

"No," Hatake said, "I already told you, no matter what, I can't hate you!"

"Very well, you will hate me after this maybe then…." Said Werner with tears in his eyes, "Papa and all have seen what destruction you have caused and… well… they have asked you to…"

"Move out of the plantation and disconnect from any means of communication with humans…. I already read the holographic notice you have on your hand" said Hatake.

"I see, can you walk right now Hatake?" Werner asked.

"In such a hurry to throw me out huh?" Hatake asked.

"Just come with me," Werner said as he walked out of the door, "I have something to show you."

Hatake got up and changed into his regular clothes, and picked up the can on the seat, a small note on it said, "This is the thing that I enjoy the most when I'm sad, keep it as a souvenir…" 'Premium Coffee' said the can.

Hatake followed Werner in silence to a secret hangar, outside the plantation. There Werner pushed a button revealing a lift, both of them sat in it, as it went down Hatake could feel the flow of magma energy around him inside the soil. They finally ended up in front of something that got his eyes struck!

"Meet the biggest achievement of my life Hatake! The ultimate Franxx, Meteorix! The only Franxx that can function without a Pistil!" exclaimed Werner, "I know there is nothing there that can forgive me for what I have done to you, but you can't hate me right?" asked Werner sobbing, "Then take her, take her with you and fly till she finally breaks down!"

"I love you dad, I really do…" Said Hatake smiling with tears.

"Do you know Hatake why we gave you a Japanese name instead of a western one? It's is because your mother really loved Japan…. We even had a fight upon that and yet she won… Damn, I don't even know why I'm even tell you this, all I know is that, you must know…." Said Werner sobbing.

"Anyways," Hatake said sadly, "I will take my leave then…"

He went inside Meteorix, still looking at his father, sobbing as the head of the Franxx closed. The boosters powered up, Werner opened up the top gate above Meteorix for its flight and then finally went Meteorix up in the air, shining prepared for a thousand battles.

The Lifeless plains

Somewhere on Earth

10th October Monday

A.D. 2057

11:26 A.M.

"WARNING: Power Reserves less than 5% left!" said the computer.

"Damn it!" Hatake shouted. Meteorix slowed down and finally fell on the ground, Hatake residing inside it lied down there, thinking.

"Why? Why does it have to be this way? Why can't I ever find happiness?"

Suddenly, big footsteps could be heard, Hatake looked outside to see what's happening.

"A Klaxosaur?" he thought, "Looks like I can finally die, finally piece…." He said as be blacked out.

"Where am I?" he thought as he opened his eyes, in front he could see, he could see her, the Klaxosaur princess, sitting on her throne with that royal glare on her face.

"Puny human, what were you thinking going all alone yourself?" she said laughing.

"The Klaxosaur princess…" he said getting back up on his feet holding his right arm, "The person who took my father's hand, what do you want from me now?" he said laughing.

"What do I want?" she said "Don't you fear me? I can kill you at this instant if I want to!"

"Hmm… really, then tell me, tell me what it tastes like? What does death taste like?" asked Hatake.

Shocked at Hatake's "What are you?" She asked, "So fearless that you don't even care about dying?"

"Well," he said with a grin on his face, "you see, I only live to serve…. Serve humanity, however, my own people have abandoned me, all I have left is to… Die…. I have no reason to live"

"Die huh? Tell me then, if I give you a reason to live, will you live or me?" she asked.

"And what is that for? To fight against humanity? My own people?!" He asked angrily.

"You humans," she said as she got up her throne, walking towards Hatake, "never understood, we are not your true enemies, we never were!"

Before Hatake could say anything, she leaned forward and their foreheads touch, inside her mind Hatake could see, he could see the memories, the happiness of the Klaxosaurs, such peace, VIRM, the Fights, the sacrifices, all their revolts. He swapped out of the flashback angrily, "I will…. KILL THEM!" he shouted, "I will kill Papa right away!"

"Wait!" she exclaimed, "It's never good to attack from the front, even a bigger threat is coming… About three waves of VIRM fleet is coming to invade earth, and that's why I need you, you must go to Prismertine a planet about 40,000 light years far away from here… That's the place where we are constantly trying to keep alive the Klaxosaurs, it is the base of the main army who has kept fighting against the VIRM fleet due to which they have not reached here, however, even the defence line has gotten weaker, it needs to be refilled, and that is the time when the first wave of VIRM fleet will cross the defence line heading straight towards earth…"

"I see, so we are doomed anyways!" Hatake said disappointed.

"No," she said, "I can… Actually I promise to still stop the first wave of the fleet with the great weapon that we have buried here, but you must promise as well that-"

"I swear to protect the people of Prismertine and earth, I shall kill every little of the VIRM fleet!" shouted Hatake with a smile, "But how do you expect me to fight with only my body?" he asked.

"Who said that?" She said pointing behind Hatake. He turned behind to see what is there, shocked at the sight, he could see, he could see Meteorix in and absolute new form with that blue tinted sword he could not take his eyes off.

"I saw how you used Meteorix before" she said, "With that tremendous amount of power, a man made Franxx would have never been able to kill even a single VIRM unit, that's why we slightly upgraded it with weapons powerful enough to slay down S-class VIRM units and also… there is a special place for a female or as you all call it, a pistil to connect if you ever find someone of the same power as yours..."

"Sugoi!" said Hatake, "But, how do I reach there? To Prismertine" he asked.

** 'Sugoi' in Japanese translates to 'Amazing' in English**

"Like I said," she said "we added a lot of upgrades, including a form transition-"

"Don't tell me!" said Hatake interrupting.

"Right," she said, "You don't need a space ship, your Franxx is a space ship itself!"

"Thank you," Hatake said with a smile, "I cannot ask for anything more…"

"By the way…" She said, "You are the son of that scientist you said right?"

"Yes!" He replied curiously.

"I heard born humans have names… What is yours?" she asked whispering.

"Hatake, Hatake Frank" he replied as he got into the Franxx, the boosters powered up and the Franxx turned itself into a space ship, Hatake left in hyper speed, to a place unknown to mankind, a place where he thought he would finally find peace...

"And that's how I ended up here!" said Hatake taking the last sip of his coffee, getting of his chair.

"You suffered a lot, huh?" asked Hiro.

"Yeah, but I will suffer even more if it's to save humanity!" said Hatake cheering himself up, "Now let me tell you something about this planet, Prismertine, we are on at this moment, well you see a message came in from the princess with Meteorix and me stating that I must take control over the Klaxosaurs and that the use of magma energy be banned, hence we needed an alternate source of energy for our requirements, fortunately, VIRM flow energy that is found on the remains of VIRM units was found to be even more efficient than magma energy, and since that day we try to kill VIRM unit while still most of their pieces intact so-"

"AHHH!" shouted Hiro.

"Darling!" Zero Two shouted.

"What's happening?" asked Hatake curiously.

"I don't know, my forehead" Hiro replied massaging his head.

"Well that must be because of your body, you see the memories in your mind will take a little time to settle down so you might feel pain in your head every now and then, resting should fix that" Hatake said, "Zero Two please take him to the resting area…"

"Sure!" said Zero Two as she walked outside the door with Hiro.

"We must prepare for a great war I guess" thought Hatake, "Anyways let's get some sleep" he said yawning, "But first let's check out on Zero Two and Hiro, see if they settled down properly…"

Noise of glass breaking could be heard inside as Hatake passed from the front of the resting room of Hiro, "What's that noise?" he thought.

"No! wait Hiro!" Zero Two shouted from inside.

Hatake forced opened the door, inside he could see Zero Two fainted, lying against the wall and then he could see it, he could see Hiro with those glowing blue coloured horns growing out of his head with his eyes emitting deep blue colour out. Hiro rushed towards him in attack, Hatake dodged it and before anything could happen, he pressed near Hiro's shoulder making him lose consciousness.

Zero Two woke up, she could see Hatake giving an injection to Hiro.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Before that…" Hatake said, "tell me, he has ingested your blood, hasn't he?"