Chapter 11: Let's Explore!
"Alright!" said the human nurse as she took the stethoscope off her ears, "Everyone looks fit!"
"So," said Hiro as he got up, "what are we all being checked up for?" he asked.
"Nothing important," said Orion, "we just wanted to make sure that everyone is fit before we put you all under the training schedule!"
"Training schedule?" asked Miku.
"Yeah!" said Elise, "You all have been away from Franxxs so long, obviously your synchronization must have become weak, so we will train you all so that you all can get that same synchronization rates back!"
"I see…" said Zero Two with an exhausted face, "This better not be the same as the plantation's training!"
"It won't be," said Orion, "it's just running and other physical exercises after all!"
"But where are Hatake and Seraphime?" asked Goro.
"They are being analyzed separately," said Orion, "they are the king and queen after all. So, they are being checked up by the best Klaxo sapien doctors they have."
"Lucky them…" said Mitsuru.
"Amazing…" said the Klaxo doctor as he looked at the screen, while Hatake lied on a bed equipped with scanners, "Your majesty, your body's regeneration rates are just too extraordinary!"
"Yeah," said Hatake, "can I get up now?" he asked.
"S-Sure!" said the doctor as Hatake got up and put up his coat back on.
"And also, please…" said Hatake as he got up, "Don't address me as 'Your Majesty'… It's kind of embarrassing, me enjoying the privilege of being a king and treated specially while everyone else is just treated normally…"
"Kind as you should be…" said the doctor.
"Hey…" said Seraphime as a nurse helped her get into her clothes.
"W-What is it?" said the nurse in nervousness, "did I do something wrong?! I'm extremely sorry!" she said as she bowed in front of her.
"No," said Seraphime with an embarrassed voice, "you said you are married to a human right?" she asked.
"Y-Yes…" replied the nurse.
"Then," said Seraphime, "can you tell me what do you gift to a person that you love the most?"
"I see…" said the nurse with a smile, "If you ask me, your majesty… I normally would give a thing that the person held most dear to him but for some reason, he lost it…"
"Something he has lost…" said Seraphime, "I see… Anyways," she said looking at her with a smile, "thank you for your advice!"
"So," said Hiro as everyone gathered together outside the medical building, "What do we do now?"
"This place is the mix of human and Klaxo life," said Orion, "why don't you all go and explore!"
"Explore?" whispered Ichigo.
"Yes, mama!" said Nozumo as she held Ichigo's skirt, "I want to play!"
"Sure!" she said patting Nozumo's head.
"Alright!" said Orion, "You all visit the park then! I have got some work, and remember the Klaxo sapiens are called Klapiens here, for simplicity's sake that is."
"I see," said Goro.
"Oh," said Orion, "and don't forget about tonight's welcome party! It will be held at the main building!"
"Alright," said Zero Two as she grabbed Hiro hand as ran away with her, "See you all later then!"
"Zero Two!" said Hiro, "Wait!" he said as they disappeared.
"Never leaves the chance, does she?" asked Naomi.
"How cute!" said Miku looking at Zorome.
"Before you say anything!" said Zorome, "Let me make this clear, I'm not going to do something like that!"
"Aw…" said Miku, "You broke my heart, alright then let's meet later!" she said as she took away Zorome holding one of his ears.
"Later it is then!" said Goro and Ichigo went towards the park with their children.
"I'm feeling hungry," said Futoshi, "Let's go eat first!" said Futoshi. Their kids agreed on the point.
"You just had breakfast!" said Kofuku as they all went away.
"Hey Orion," said Hatake, "can I ask you for a favor?" he asked.
"What can I do for a king?" asked Orion sarcastically.
"I want to say something to the Klaxo- Sorry I mean the Klapiens…" said Hatake in a serious tone, "ASAP."
"Sure," said Orion, "Today evening, just before the party will be good, I guess?"
"Sure," said Hatake, "that would be perfect!"
"What do you want to tell them?" asked Seraphime confused.
"Things…" replied Hatake.
"So," said Orion, "why don't you two roam around a bit too? Everyone will be happy to see the king and queen walking together?" asked Orion as he signaled Hatake to say yes.
"Maybe," said Hatake, "I guess so…"
"That's it!" said Orion "go on then!" he said as he pushed both of them together towards the exit.
"Hey!" said Hatake.
"Thank me later!" said Orion, "I owe one for your first date!" he shouted.
"Oh, come on!" said Hatake, "Shut up already!"
"What's a date?" asked Seraphime confused.
"N-Nothing!" said Hatake with a red face as they walked away.
"Those Franxxs were seriously different!" said Titus as he entered, "I mean seriously!"
"Orion!" said Elise standing next to him as she whispered something into his ear looking at Ikuno who was in her wheelchair looking down with sadness.
"Titus!" said Orion, "You are free of work aren't you?" he asked.
"Well," said Titus, "I was here because you called me for some work…."
"Work?" asked Orion, "I don't remember…" he said as he tore Titus's work allotment paper into pieces, "So, therefore you are free right?" he asked.
"Yeah, I think so..." replied Titus.
"Then why don't you take Ikuno and show her around the capital?" he asked.
"Wait, what?" said Ikuno shocked as Titus held her wheelchair and dragged it with him towards the exit.
"It's general's orders!" he said, "And gosh, change that sad face of yours!" he said as they went away.
"I hope that they will be alright all along…" said Elise worried.
"What is there to worry about?" asked Orion.
"Nothing…" said Elise with a smile.
"Alright then you guys do your work," said Naomi as she got up, "I will be in my allotted room-"
"Where do you think you are going?" asked Nana as she grabbed her by her sweater's collar, "You are coming with me and Hachi, let's see the place together!"
"No thanks!" she Naomi as she tried to get out of Nana's grasp.
"I wasn't asking!" she said as she and Hachi went away as Naomi was dragged by Nana.
"So, where do we go, darling?" asked Zero Two as they walked through the open streets with the sun shining bright as they walked hand by hand looking at the wonderful city that lied in front of them. While the plantations had a cold and in some way a dead environment with its people following repeated routines and not showing any emotions, this one was the opposite of it; wherever they went, they could see many people, both Klapien and human alike, talking, laughing and doing so many activities that brought the city to life. It was a happy scenery that both have been desiring for a long time.
"I don't know, where should we go?" asked Hiro.
"If you ask me…" said Zero Two looking around, "How about that place!" she said pointing towards a building.
"I want to get there fast mom, hurry up!" said a Klapien child in excitement as she walked with her Klaxpien parents.
"Sure, don't get that excited!" said the Klapien mother with a smile looking at her child.
"Um, excuse me…" said Hiro as he approached them, "Could you please tell me what that building is for?"
"Of course!" replied the Klapien mother, "That's the plaza!"
"P-Plaza?" asked Hiro confused.
"Yeah," replied the Klapien father, "it's a place where you could spend the whole day eating!"
"I see…" said Hiro.
"Huh?" said the Klapien child looking at them holding hands, "Are you two a couple?" she asked.
"Couple?" asked Zero Two confused, "It must be some special term for Squad 13 here…" she thought.
"Yes," said Zero Two "We are a couple!"
"I see…" said the Klapien mother blushing.
"Take care of her boy!" said the Klapien patting Hiro's shoulders as they all walked away.
"S-Sure…" said Hiro confused.
"Hurry up darling!" said Zero Two as she ran towards the building in joy.
"Hey, wait up!" said Hiro as he ran behind her.
"Children change so fast, don't they?" asked Kokoro looking at their kids playing with the Klapien kids as she, Ichigo, Goro, and Mitsuru sat under a big tree, the pleasant breeze made the leaves dance as they fell on the ground.
"Yeah," said Ichigo, "I feel like it was just yesterday when I had Nozomu…"
"Speaking of which," said Goro, "isn't Ai's birthday next week?"
"Yes," replied Goro, "fortunately we already have a present for her. How about you?" he asked.
"Ah, well... You see... We kind of forgot it when packing..." said Goro scratching his head as he looked away from Ichigo's eyes.
"You what...?" said Ichigo in anger, "And 'we' forgot it?!"
"Alright, alright!" said Goro as he raised his hand in front of his face in defense, "I forgot it!"
"You're lucky Ai is very humble and she appreciates anything you give her..." said Mitsuru trying to cheer up Goro.
"I know…" said Goro with a sad expression, "But the one I had was-" he said as they got interrupted by a loud noise, 5 starfighter jets went above them. Ai looked at the fascinated and raised her hand towards them as if catch them with a smile.
"I think I just know the thing to give her…" said Goro whispering with a smile as he looked at Ai's face lightened with happiness.
"Where could they be?" asked Naomi as she walked with Nana and Hachi near the downtown region of the Space Elevator.
"I think the question should be 'where are we?'" said Nana looking around.
"Whatever this place is," said Hachi looking at the stores, "it is clear this isn't where they would go with their children…"
"Yeah, I think we should have accepted Orion's offer for a guide…" said Naomi looking at a map confused, "But this map says that the park was in this direction!"
"Naomi…" said Nana with a sweatdrop expression, "You are holding the map downwards…"
"Y-Yeah! That was the problem!" said Naomi as she turned red and hurriedly held the map correctly.
"Hey, look at that!" said Hachi as he was pointing towards a bar that, surprisingly, had a figure that looked like Milstinteinn with the number 13 inscribed on it along with a 4-leaf Clover.
"Isn't that Milstinteinn? said Naomi shocked, "How do they know about the place?"
"Only one way to find out." Said Hachi as they all walked inside the bar.
"Are those... Franxx models and pilots?" said Nana confused as she looked at the butlers and maids dressed as Franxxs.
"Hall of fame?" said Nana reading at the words written on a plaque that hung a huge wall that had some picture frames spread all over it. The whole place had a design that sure reminded everyone of them. There where holographic screens that showed Franxx models that looked like the current ones the Federation had, some of the frames had lists full of names that looked like the names of the pilots, there were also markings, old mission reports, and all other sorts of things.
"Hey you all there!" said a voice from beside. It was an old man with gray hair and blue eyes with a scar that ran through his left cheek. He was standing beside the bar table wiping the vodka glasses.
"I'm the manager of this bar," said the man, "Only Franxx or Starfighter pilots can enter here. If you are not one of them, then please take your leave."
"Yes, we are Franxx pilots!" said Nana in a bold voice.
"Are you?" asked the Manager, "In that case, can I have you IDs please?"
"ID? Like our codes?" asked Nana confused.
"Oh, it seems you ARE pilots. Only those know that they are ID via codes." Said he Manager sarcastically, "Sorry for the welcome but we already had our bunch of troublemakers with false IDs!"
"No problem," said Hachi as he kept his hand on Nana's shoulder, signaling her to stop, "It makes sense. We're also new here so..."
"Ah! So, you're newly graduated pilots, eh?" asked the Manager.
"Not exactly..." said Nana.
"Alright," said the manager getting suspicious, "then can you please give me your codes?"
"Sure," said Nana, "I'm Nana, Code: 007, this is Hachi, Code: 008 and that is Naomi Code:703"
"Yeah, just give me a second!" said the Manager as he quickly ran the codes through the database on his computer, "Ah, so you're part of that special escort that came with the Royal Couple and the president! It seems what they said about you is true, you're truly veteran pilots. My name is Mihaly, I'm the manager of the "Lucky 13" bar, the favorite bar for Franxx and starfighter pilots, and a place that has seen the best of the best!"
"Wonderful day isn't it? Mr. Mihaly?" asked a voice as 5 unknown people entered the bar.
"It is indeed!" said the Manager looking at them with a smile, "You will have the usual, I guess?"
"Who are they?" asked Naomi.
"They are the Ace, the best Starfighter pilots we have in the federation!" he said looking at the pilots who talked to each other laughing and joking as they had their drinks, "Anyways," he said looking at the computer screen, "looks like I can't-"
"Hey!" said one of the pilots as he pointed out Naomi, "You are one of the Veteran Franxx Pilots!"
"Y-Yeah…" said Naomi.
"Come one let's have some drinks together!" said the pilot.
"That's what I was about to say," said the manager, "their codes have an alcohol ban!"
"The president has his ways, doesn't he?" asked the pilot.
"True indeed," said the manager, "however, I might just be able to offer juice to them, please be seated!"
"Darling!" said Zero Two she ran towards a sweet shop, "They have all kinds of sweets here!"
"Calm down Zero Two, these kinds actually cost some money!" said Hiro worried that Zero Two might put both of them under debt. "It looks like we won't be able to buy any of those, for now, Zero Two…" he said with a convincing smile as he pointed towards a sign that hung outside the door of the shop 'Closed for an urgency, come back later!'.
"But darling!" said Zero Two with a puffed face.
"I know…" said Hiro "But-"
"Breaking news!" said the speakers as the huge screen that hung at the center of the plaza turned on, "Good evening gents!" said a human, "Today we open up this edition of FedNews with an interesting anecdote from our co-hostess Alexia." Said the person as the camera focused on a Klapien girl that had short blond hair in braids, "Alexia, what happened today that brought more than half of the population of Aztlan happier than Victory Day?" he asked.
"Well Carlos," said Alexia, "that is because today we got news that our King and Queen, something our people believed lost, had just arrived in our city TODAY!"
"Wow!" said Carlos, "It is happy news indeed! Although, if I remember correctly, didn't your people say that only the Queen was the one still alive? How do you know the man with her is your king?"
"Well my dear friend," said Alexia"there's a tradition in our people that when a person is worthy of being our king, well... proof of it is that he stays alive, there's quite a complicated story behind it."
"Well... then that seems like a story for another time then!" said Carlos, "However, is there any information about what they have been doing this whole time?"
"Apparently, thanks to the confirmation of our president Tláloc," said Alexia, "both the King and Queen have been very focused on a war against the now-defunct 'APE' organization. Let me tell you, that was a war the Federation had the luck to avoid at that time since it wasn't prepared for it." She said as everyone in the plaza started grumbling over the topic.
"Ah, then that explains how they didn't find you at the bottom of the Gran Crevasse," said Carlos, "no offense to your leader, everyone has their oopsies at times." He said as everyone laughed.
"None taken." Said Alexa, "However, you should notice that there are some interesting people among the Royal group that may peak your curiosity more than the return of our majesties." She said as the video footage of squad 13 getting inside their transport ship was shown and paused.
"The moment these guys appeared, our Klaxosaur comrades went through some sort of 'group' communication which only happens when they sense a threat so high they must work together to stop it. We made a talk with some of them and apparently they reacted like this because many members of their packs knew about them."
"Wait... are you saying that the group that came with them are actually veteran Franxx pilots!? From the war against APE?!" said Carlos as everyone gasped.
"Darling?" said Zero Two looking at everyone's reaction.
"What?" said Hiro.
"Why do I feel like running?" asked Zero Two.
"That's right!" said Alexia, "We made some research and interrogation among many of the conscience of some Klaxosaurs and we found out that the group that went with the royal couple are the famous and mythical 'Squad 13'." She said as everyone shouted with happiness out of surprise.
"No way!" said Carlos "The famous APE squad that could handle your kin with ONLY MK2 FRANXX'S!?" he said as the screen showed footage from the war, "No wonder they are here! You would need the best to escort your King and Queen! Think that the president has some plans for them?"
"Our sources indicate that he indeed has a plan," said Alexia "however it is still to be confirmed for what it is, although the hints given by some agents indicate that is not a good one."
"What does that mean exactly?" asked Carlos curiously.
"It will have to be for later Carlos since it's just rumors around the military circles," said Alexia "but it is believed that an old nemesis we fought before is returning..."
"Oh... well, glad that you had talked with us about this recent event Alexia." Said Carlos "And to our dear audience, stay tuned to this channel for more information about the return of the King and Queen and the famous Squad 13 'The Lucky Ones'!" he said as the news ended.
"Come quickly, this way!" said Hatake as he pulled Seraphime into a narrow space between two buildings.
"Aw…" said a Klapien with many others behind her, "Where did his highness go? I wanted to offer candies to them!"
"What happened?" asked Seraphime.
"If people keep talking and offer things us," said Hatake, "we will never be able to see this place properly, will we?" he asked.
"You are right," said Seraphime, "maybe then we could just order them to stay away?" she asked.
"No," said Hatake, "that would just be cruel…" he said looking towards a clothing store, "I got an idea, come on!" he said as both of them ran inside the shop.
"How can I be of help, your highness?" asked the human shopkeeper with a calm voice.
"We would like to try some clothes please!" said Hatake, "though we don't have any money…" he said as he soon realized that his plan was about to be of waste.
"No worries!" said the shopkeeper, "we have already received notice, the federation is going to pay for all expenses of squad 13 and of course the royal couple!"
"I see…" said Hatake, "You owe me one, Orion…" thought Hatake with a smile, "Alright then! Select any dress you want and change into them quickly!" said Hatake.
"Then choose one for me…" said Seraphime.
"We have been on this topic!" said Hatake, "You don't have to follow the rules here, wear whatever you want!"
"S-Sure!" said Seraphime with a smile.
"Ah, finally!" said Hatake looking at the view mirror as he put on a blue hoodie, and jeans "It had been ages since I wore these!"
"H-Hey!" said Seraphime, "H-How do I look?" she asked in an embarrassed tone.
"What with that question?" asked Hatake as he looked through the shirts that hung there instead of looking at Seraphime, "If you like it, that's enough!"
"I-It's not like I always wear what only I like you know…" she said.
"Is it?" said Hatake with a laugh, "Alright, let's see-" he said as his eyes got stuck on the view, she was wearing a pink sweater over a white shirt with a red skirt and a brown muffler, with an animal drawn over the clip that held her hair tight.
"Cute I would say!" said the shopkeeper looking at her, "So, what does your highness say?" he asked.
"Y-Yeah!" said Hatake as he turned his head away with a red face, "Calm down, calm down, CALM DOWN!" he screamed inside his head.
"Thanks for everything!" both of them said as they left the store.
"Here!" Said Hatake as they stood in front of a cotton candy stall, he passed over cotton candy to Seraphime, "One of the things that no Klapien can deny in terms of taste!" he said as his phone blipped.
"What is it?" asked Seraphime as Hatake checked his messages.
"Looks like it's time for the speech I asked Orion for!" he said as he kept the phone back in his pocket.
"Come on! I already told you I'm sorry! I was just joking!" said Zorome trying to calm down Miku as they walked through the streets right below the Space Elevator.
"Humph!" said Miku as she turned her head away with a puffed face.
"Come on Miku…" said Zorome, "Tssk, and they tell me I'm the stubborn one!"
"Got a problem with that blockhead?" asked Miku angrily, "At least I'm flexible enough to think about you!"
"You're right…" said Zorome as he was about to argue but sighed, "Sorry if I don't get as romantical as those two but that's not the way I am." He said as Miku looked at him shocked on the confession, "You have already known me for more than 15 years to know that I prefer to do more action than talking Miku…" said Zorome hesitating, "Sometimes I even wonder how we both ended together even if we knew about each other's defects."
"Well, you maybe a massive blockhead but it has always impressed me how determined you always are of being the same emotional and energetic dofus over and over again." She said as her face turned red, "I mean, your charisma and recklessness seem like something I wished I had..."
"Well, that's kind of nice of you to say about me." Said Zorome scratching his head, "One of the reasons I actually feel attracted to you..." he said as both them blushed, "You know Miku, maybe that's the reason we both are always together, I'm your blockhead while you're my hothead. We both keep ourselves in line, and I feel no other girl could do it as well as you do."
"Zo-Zo-Zo…" she said as she turned towards with her face her totally red and her head shaking.
"Hahaha! Look at how flustered you are! And you believed I wasn't a romantic!" said Zorome laughing.
"Zorome! Baka!" she shouted as she slapped him on the face making him crash on a door nearby, "At least you do care for me..." she said whispering, "I think you're right, I wouldn't change you for any other blockhead. They aren't as unique as you…"
"What was that?" asked Zorome as he got up.
"N-Nothing!" shouted Miku, "I-I was just-"
"Hey, Miku, look!" said Zorome looking at a sign saying 'The Return of the arcade' that hung at the door on which he was slammed upon.
"What do you say? Should we check this out?" asked Zorome.
"Sure!" said Miku blushing, "As long as it is with you, I'm all in!"
"Aright!" said Zorome, "let's do this!" he said as both of them went inside.
"These doughnuts are just great!" said Futoshi as he sat with Kofuku and their children inside a doughnut shop on the 11th floor of the Space Elevator, the floor had a balcony with flowers growing from the pot that hung almost everywhere, and with a precious great view of the city.
"Yeah, you really did eat a lot!" said Kofuku smiling.
"Hey!" said Futoshi as he saw Ikuno and Titus entering the balcony, "What are you all doing here?" he said as they all approached the two.
"Just exploring!" said Titus, "Orion told me to show Ikuno around the city!"
"I see…" said Futoshi laughing.
"Ikuno…" said Kofuku looking at Ikuno who was on her wheelchair as she stayed silently looking at something from the balcony, "What's the matter?" asked confused.
"That…" replied Ikuno with shocked eyes as she pointed towards the direction she as looking.
"Is that Chlorophytum?!" said Futoshi shocked, as they could see the Franxx being loaded into the Hangers.
"Dad," said Izune holding Futoshi's hand, "is that the big robot you and aunt Ikuno piloted before?" she asked excitedly.
"Yes, my dear…" replied Futoshi, "It feels like a while now."
"But aren't you going to pilot her again?" asked Izune curiously, "And what will happen with mom?"
"Don't worry Izune," said Kofuku patting Izune's head, "while your father is piloting with aunt Ikuno, I will stay with you to take care of you!"
"Piloting Chlorophytum again..." said Ikuno with a sad expression, "But I can't."
"If it is for your legs," said Titus taking a sip from his can of coffee, "I already told you, I will be able to restore your ability to walk soon enough."
"No, is not that Titus... it's just..." said Ikuno looking at Futoshi who is happily helping his kids have a better look at the Franxx while telling some anecdotes about their time, "I feel like I wouldn't be able to ride the Franxx again after all of what we have been through… I would basically hold Futoshi back and become kind of useless, do you have any idea of how that feels?"
"Believe it or not," said Titus looking at the sunset, "I do… And that's why I tell you that you don't need to worry about that. If you have already proven yourself once before, what says that you won't be able to try again?"
"Well, I guess that's true." Said Ikuno with a smile, "Maybe I will give a try at least..."
"Please do!" said Titus smiling back.
"Won't we be late if we walk all the way to that place?" asked Seraphime as she and Hatake walked through the streets.
"Yeah…" said Hatake, "Should I call Orion for a ride?" he asked.
"No need to!" said Orion as he came out of a transport vehicle that landed right beside them, "Why were you two in disguise? I took hell lot of time to find you two!"
"We just wanted to spend some time away from 'his highness', and if you just need us you could have just given me a call you know?" said Hatake.
"Uhum, Y-Yeah!" said Orion, "Come one now! Everyone's waiting!" he said as everyone got aboard.
"You all are here already?" asked Hatake as he saw the whole squad 13 inside the vehicle.
"Yeah," said Hiro, "the night party was about to start and when Orion told us that you will be giving a speech to the Klapiens, we really wanted to hear it!"
"It's mean of you that you didn't tell us though!" said Zero Two angrily.
"Yeah, sorry…" said Hatake as he took a seat and the vehicle went away at full speed, "I won't be saying much, just a few terms I want to make clear to them…"
"So, it wasn't something big?" asked Orion.
"No, it isn't!" said Hatake, "Why do you ask?"
"Well, you should have told me about that later…" said Orion with a sweatdrop expression.
"What do you mean?" asked Hatake confused.
"Look outside!" said Orion as Hatake looked outside the window.
"T-THESE MANY?!" he shouted looking. In front was a giant hall with thousands of Klaxosaurs gathered in front of it, light beams were passing through the glass ceiling of the hall that colored the sky.
"Well, we sent the notice to as many Klapiens as possible," said Orio scratching his head, "and everyone wanted to see their new king… So, good luck!"
"You can still say that?" said Hatake worried.
"Nah you will be alright!" said Goro cheering him up as the vehicle landed, "Come on now!"
"Yeah…" Hatake said as he walked with Seraphime to the back of the stage where he was to give his speech, "Let's do this!" he said as he wore the crown.
"Good luck!" said Seraphime with a smile.
"Wait, you are not coming with me?" asked Hatake worried.
"Don't worry," said Seraphime, "I'll be there sitting with everyone else right on the front row!"
"I see…" said Hatake, "Okay then!" he said as he walked onto the stage. The spotlight focused on him as the crowd cheered upon him in happiness.
"My people!" said Hatake as he raised his right hand signaling everyone to calm down, "Can I ask you a question, what have you all been gathered here for?"
"To see our king of course!" said one of the voices in the crowd.
"Well, I'm sad to say this," said Hatake, "I'm not your king…" he said as everyone gasped, "I'm just a mere keeper of this crown… After all, I'm just an outsider, I don't see any point in you accepting me as your king. I don't want to regret saying anything when you all find this truth. I'm therefore making it clear from the start, I'm not the king, neither am I a Klaxo sapien nor even a human. I don't know whether you all will accept me as your king, just because the crown did not kill me for wearing it, doesn't mean that I have to rule you all, do I? I, therefore, leave it to you all upon whether you should accept me as your king or not… Until then I will just be a person who, on the queen's order shall protect you all!"
"W-What is he saying?" said Seraphime shocked on Hatake's words.
"It doesn't matter!" said a Klapien as he took a knee in front of him, others did the same looking at him, "The crown has chosen you, your majesty! You are our king, even if you are worse or even if you're the kindest! What do you all say?" he asked.
"Yes, he is our king!" shouted everyone as they stroke their chest with their right hand.
"Very well then…" said Hatake with a sad expression, "Then as the king, I issue my first command to you here itself. No one shall address me or your queen as Your Highness!" he said as everyone looked at him shocked, "From here onwards, we will be normal Franxx pilots! We shall take no special hospitality that shall separate us from the normal masses!"
"Yes, sir!" said everyone as Hatake got back down.
"Just like my father…" said Seraphime as tears dripped down her cheek, "He wanted the same thing…"
"Well," said Orion as he passed Hatake a can of coffee from the vending machine, "that was a hell shocking speech you know?"
"I know…" said Hatake, "I feel terrible, but still because of this 'Royal Hospitality'…"
"What have you done?!" said Seraphime worried.
"Yeah," said Hatake, "I'm sorry, I should have asked you whether you would have like you not being called 'your highness'…"
"What?" said Seraphime turning red, "N-No that's absolutely fine, but we wouldn't have been able to do anything if they didn't accept you as the king you know…"
"There there!" said Hatake patting her head making her even redder, "Everything's fine!" he said with a smile, "Why do you worry so much?"
"Because you are an idiot…" she said blushing.
"Alright then!" said Orion, "Straight to the welcome party now!"
"Oh yeah forgot about that!" said Hatake, "Let's go then!" he said as everyone got back on the transport vehicle.
"So, who are going to be there?" asked Futoshi.
"Not many people!" said Orion, "It's only us and the Ace Pilots!"
"They are coming too?" asked Naomi.
"You know them?" asked Elise.
"Well," said Nana, "we happened to meet while roaming around!"
"I see!" said Elise as the ship landed on the headquarters.
"Alright let's do this!" said Orion as everyone entered a hall with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The room was well lit and food ready on the table, "W-What are you doing here?!" said Orion looking at Ecchino who was sitting on the sofa bored.
"Oh, come on!" said Ecchino annoyed, "you invited everyone but not me!"
"Were we supposed to?" asked Orion with narrowed eyes.
"Ah, come on Orion!" said Kofuku, "What is the problem if she stays here? She is also part of the federation after all!"
"Exactly!" said Ecchino with a puffed face in anger.
"Alright…" said Orion with a sigh, "But don't blame me if something goes wrong, alright?"
"Sure!" said Zero Two.
"Was the maintenance exercise important when we had a party today?" said Daichi as he entered with the Ace Squad.
"Of course, it is!" said Titus.
"You guys enjoy," said Hatake as he and Orion went outside, "we will be back in a few seconds!"
"Where are you going?" asked Seraphime.
"To get something that us humans and hybrids would drink!" said Orion with excitement.
"Hybrids?" asked Zero Two confused.
"Yeah," said Titus, "you see, humans and Klaxo sapiens have so much in common, that many of the humans even got married to Klaxo sapiens, the offsprings that came as a result showed both human and Klaxo sapien properties, hence we call them hybrids!"
"Symbiotic evolution, huh? Interesting…" said Hatake.
"Let's get started then!" said Ecchino as she turned on the music, Zero Two, Hiro, Ichigo and Goro danced as Futoshi, Ikuno and Naomi sat with the Ace Squad eating and talking.
"Hey," said Naomi, "I was wondering, why are our squads so famous?"
"Oh, that!" said Daichi as he took a sip of the juice he was offered, "Something that Klapiens and hybrids have is the unique ability to communicate with the Klaxosaurs using their horns as if it was telepathy. And it turns out that many of the Klaxosaurs were survivors from your squad raids… So imagine the surprise everyone in the military circle got when one of the memoirs we retrieved was one about the attack you did at the Gran Crevasse. Needless to say, you set a new set of standards for all Franxx pilots!"
"I see…" said Naomi shocked.
"Won't you dance too?" asked Titus standing near Kofuku.
"No…," said Kofuku as she looked at everyone with a smile, "This is what I love, you know? Everyone living with happiness, no pain, no fear, no one is sad…"
"Of course…" said Titus.
"Say, Titus," said Kofuku, "can I ask you for a favor?" she asked.
"Sure!" he said taking a sip from his cup of juice, "What is it?" he asked.
"Well, I know what I said today in front of you, Ikuno and Futoshi…" said Kofuku, "but can I pair up with Futoshi?" she asked in a sad tone.
"I will try my best to arrange that!" said Titus with a smile, "As long as Ikuno doesn't mind pairing with someone else…" he said looking at Ikuno beside him.
"I don't mind at all!" said Ikuno, "Just make sure, that you don't pair me up with some idiot!"
"You can trust me on that one!" said Titus looking at her, "Alright then, I will try to convince Orion for that. Just remember Kofuku, just don't leave this hope of piloting a Franxx..." he said with a sad expression looking down, "Everyone does not get a chance of piloting one..."
"Don't tell me…" said Kofuku, "That you-"
"Alright what did we miss?" asked Hatake as he and Orion entered with big cans in their hands.
"Thank god!" said Seraphime as she took the other sealed can that Hatake was holding, "I'm so thirsty!"
"No, wait!" said Hatake but before he could say so, Seraphime had already taken a sip of it.
"W-What is this?" said Seraphime as she coughed.
"That's not good is it?" asked Orion.
"Good?" asked Hatake, "That's beer! A pure Klaxosaur with beer! You know what happens right-" he said as Seraphime fell over him, making both of them fall on the floor.
"Wait!" said Ecchino, "She got drunk just from one sip?!".
"Of course!" said Orion, "Don't you know? Pure Klaxosapiens have very low alcohol tolerance, they can get drunk just from the fumes!"
"Hatake…" said Seraphime with a red face and hiccups lying over him, "Do you love me?" she asked.
"O-Of course I do…" said Hatake worried of the current situation, "What is this?" he thought, "A confession?"
"Then why do you always go away?" she asked with tears in her eyes, "Why don't you ever love me?"
"I do love you…" he whispered with a smile.
"Then prove it!" she said in anger as she leaned forward to kiss him.
"What should I do?! A kiss, in this place!" he thought as he closed his eyes and was ready to kiss.
"Um… Hatake?" asked Zero Two as Hatake opened his eyes, Seraphime had fallen fast asleep on Hatakes chest.
"It's not the time, is it?" he whispered with a wry expression as he got up and pick up Seraphime in his arms, "Well," he said, "I will put her to sleep and come back… You all continue!" he said as he walked away.
"Yeah sure…" said Ecchino as blood rolled out of her nose.
"Never down on lewdicity, are you?" asked Orion.
"S-Sorry!" said Ecchino biting her tongue.
"Baka…" whispered Hatake looking at Seraphime's face who was sleeping in her bed while he sat beside her, "Who said I don't love you? You saved me, it was a feeling of guilt first… I just wanted to thank you… But later I don't know how it turned out that it was love hidden behind that guilt…" he said as he leaned towards her to kiss her.
"Ara, ara!" said a voice from the door that was open.
"E-Ecchino!" said Hatake as he looked towards her shocked, "I-It's not like that!" he said as he stood up and went out of the room as Ecchino laughed.
VIRMelion 2
VIRM headquarters
"Everything with an exception to the S2 Engine has been completed!" said one of the VIRM units taking a knee in front of Papa.
"The Invasion I plan has to be executed in time…" said Papa looking at a hologram of Earth, "Even if the engine is not yet ready, we have to strike. Initiate the plan on my command!"
"Yes, my Lord!" said the unit as he went away.
"The Klaxosaur king?" said Papa laughing, "I will crush him! With my bare hands…"
-end of chapter-
Next chapter releasing in between 14th - 20th Feb (I got exams, duh...)