Chapter 12: Surprises

"It's been two weeks since we came here…" thought Hiro leaning against a tree in a park looking at Zero Two as she and all other people of squad 13 played catch with the children with a happy face, "I really like it here… The capital is formerly known by the name 'Aztlan'. Our training to bring us back in shape for piloting the Franxx is also underway. However, it is at least a thousand times less exhausting than the training we used to get at the plantations. The Klaxo sapiens who are formerly known here as the Klapiens for simplicity's sake really love Hatake, he also loves to roam around and talk with them. For a king, I would say he is very kind, even Seraphime looks at him with a happy face as she walks with him sometimes. Even the kids love playing a lot with their Klapien friends." He said as he got up, "If this is a dream…" he whispered, "Please don't let this end here…"

"Squad Jian is requested to assemble at the defense hall." Said the intercom.

"Why are they calling us now?" asked Zero Two as everyone walked towards the hall.

"Jians," thought Hiro, "that's the name we are known by during battle times. We are addressed according to our codes with 'Jian' as the prefix. Hatake is Jian 0, Zero Two is Jian 2, and so on, it was Hatake's idea and we all kind of liked it too. So, it looks like we are going to a battle after these many days…"

"Just on time!" said Hatake standing with Orion as everyone entered into the hall, "get ready fast!"

"Get ready? We are going to fight?" asked Futoshi.

"No, you all forgot, didn't you?" asked Orion, "You all will be put up in front of the people with your Franxxs! The people need to see who is going to fight for them and in what of course."

"So," said Miku, "where are we going?"

"Once you all get into your uniform," said Orion, "we will be going to the biggest garden of the capital, where all the people of Aztlan will gather! And you all will be up on the stage with your Franxxs that will be on the other stage."

"The same graduation ceremony as the plantation then?" asked Ichigo.

"Yes," said Orion, "somewhat similar to that!"

"Mama's going be on the stage?!" asked Ai shocked.

"Yeah," said Mitsuru patting Ai's, "she is!"

"Perfect, aren't they?" asked Orion standing beside Titus.

"Yeah…" said Titus looking at Ikuno as she walked around while talking to Ichigo, "They are…"

"She was a bit of trouble, wasn't she?" asked Elise looking at the direction of Titus's sight.

"A bit?" asked Titus with a smile.

2 weeks ago…

"All the preparations are ready, sir." Said one of the scientists as Titus and Ikuno stood inside a room that could be called a mixture of a research lab and a hospital.

"Alright, let's go!" said Titus as he held Ikuno's wheelchair in his hands.

"Why are you doing this?" asked Ikuno, "Even if I do gain my ability back…" she said with tears in her eyes, "I don't even know if I even have the guts to pilot again-" she said as Titus flicked her over her head.

"Hey," said Ikuno angered, "What was that for?"

"Ikuno…" whispered Titus looking at her with a serious face, "What does piloting a Franxx mean to you?" he asked.

"What can I say?" said Ikuno with a smile, "Piloting… It was everything I had dreamt of… But I don't want to anymore, those memories, that pain, they will all come back…"

"At least you are worthy enough to pilot… Just remember, everyone is not lucky enough to pilot a Franxx…" said Titus with tears in his eyes, "You are a pilot of a Franxx, own it!" he shouted.

"Who are you exactly?" asked Ikuno shocked, "Why is it that you are so obsessed with the piloting of Franxxs?"

"That's because…" said Titus, "I was supposed to be a pilot too…" he said with a wry expression, "But I could never pair up with anyone… I was a burden, a useless person. But, Orion, Elise, and Ecchino never gave up on me… They always encouraged me, and I finally ended up studying science, something that I could help everyone with…"

"I'll do this," said Ikuno as she pushed her wheelchair forwards into the lab using her hands, "but you have to promise…" she said with a smile, "You have to promise that we will ride together in a Franxx!"

"You think that's even possible?" he asked with a sad face, "Can someone as useless as me pair with anyone at all?"

"We are both useless people…" said Ikuno smiling as the doors of the lab closed, "That fact is enough to make both of us pair."

"Well, she is a bit crazy though!" said Titus as he snapped out of the flashback, "Hey, don't run!" he shouted at Ikuno but stopped looking her face that was lit with happiness.

"She's so happy, isn't it?" asked Goro looking at Ai as she played with a toy fighter plane in her hand with all the kids.

"Yeah," said Ichigo with a smile, "That really was a fuss…"

6 days ago…

"Ai, hurry up!" said Kokoro as she woke her up, "Everyone is waiting for you!"

"What's so special mama?" she asked as she woke up yawning, "Why is everyone waiting for me?"

"It is your birthday, Ai!" said Kokoro as she put a red-colored belt to tie up her Kimono.

"Ah, I forgot!" said Ai remembering.

"Anyways," said Kokoro as she looked at her to see if she was ready, "now, come on!" she said as she took her to the hall room.

"Happy Birthday!" shouted everyone as they entered.

"Happy Birthday, Ai!" said Ikuno as she gave Ai her gift.

"Aunt Ikuno," said Ai with a mixed expression of shock and happiness looking at Ikuno who was standing on her own feet, "you are walking!"

"Yes," said Ikuno with a smile as, "yes I'm!"

"Oi!" said Titus, "Back to your wheelchair now."

"Just a bit more!" said Ikuno.

"Rest for now," said Titus worried, "you can walk as much as you like after you get fully cured…"

"Alright…" said Ikuno annoyed as she sat in her wheelchair.

"No one should see me…" said Hatake as he sneaked in through the main door with two bottles of liquor in his hands.

"What are you doing?" asked Elise standing behind him.

"Elise!" shouted Hatake shocked.

"How dare you bring such things at a kid's birthday party?" asked Elise.

"Well, I was just…" said Hatake looking towards Orion who stood there ignoring both of them.

"You asked Orion to keep me busy so I can't see you, huh?" asked Elise.

"Well, yeah…" said Hatake.

"Uncle Goro, I love it!" shouted Ai as she held a box with 'Starfighter' written on it.

"I'm glad that you like it, Ai…" said Goro with a smile, "I had a nice gift for you, but I forgot to bring it on the way. I'm sorry…"

"Not at all," said Ai, "this gift is great!"

"I hope she is happy…" said Goro snapping out of the flashback.

"Alright, we are all ready I suppose?" asked Orion.

"Yes, we are!" said Zero Two standing beside Hiro. Everyone was wearing uniforms similar to the parasite uniforms they previously wore. The uniforms had colors matching to the pilot's Franxxs with badges upon them which was essential in the field for identification.

"It's gonna be another big event, I guess?" asked Goro looking towards a highly decorated garden from the transport ship they were traveling in.

"We are ready sir," said a voice on Orion's phone, "waiting for your command."

"Stay in standby till then!" said Orion as he put out his phone and the ship landed.

"Oh my god," said Kofuku getting out of the ship, "this is the first time I'm going in front of such a huge crowd, I'm so nervous!"

"Well," said Hiro looking at Ichigo who was standing calm, "at least Ichigo and Goro are staying calm with this. Good thing since they are our squad leaders!"

"Kyyaaaaahh!" screamed Ichigo in her head, "It has been so long since I have been presented like this! What was the posture to do again? Who is going to take care of our children while we are on the podium? Are we supposed to say something at the end of the presentation?!"

"Hey, relax." Said Goro keeping a hand on Ichigo's shoulders, "I'm as nervous as you are but considering we already many crazy stuff in the past, I think that we can handle a crowd, don't you think so?" he asked with a smile.

"Thanks, Goro." Said Ichigo calming down, "But I'm still worried, who is going to take care of the children while we are busy in the ceremony?" she asked worriedly.

"Don't worry," said Hatake, "I and Sera can take care of them!"

"Are you being serious about it Hatake?" asked Mitsuru shocked.

"Wait, what? We will?" asked Seraphime confused on the words of Hatake.

"Yeah!" said Hatake "I mean, we will be alongside Hachi, Nana, Orion and Elise, and all the high command staff in since we are royalty. So, we won't be with you guys at the podium, but we will be sitting near the VIP chairs were your kids can watch closely!"

"That actually is a relief for us Hatake, thank you!" said Kofuku, "Not to say that it will also serve you two as practice for when you have children of your own!" she said smiling with a smirk.

"Y-Yeah…" said Hatake scratching his head as both blushed.

"Guys, it's time." Said Orion confirming the schedule over a call, "Sera, Hatake, come along with me, please. The rest of you guys, please follow Elise."

"Sure. Come on kids! Let's go watch your parents make the people proud!" said Hatake as all the children followed him and Sera while the rest soon followed Elise into another route.

"Is there something we must learn about, Elise?" asked Ichigo as they walked through the backstage.

"Only that you all always need to be in your best attitude and be calm..." replied Elise as she turned to Zorome and Miku, "especially you two, understand that?" she said glaring at them, they had already started their quarrel.

"Geez, chill. We already agreed to do our best behavior here..." said Zorome.

"Yeah, no need to worry for now." Said Miku carelessly.

"That's why we may worry later..." whispered everyone upon their words.

"Good. Also take note that even if you're being presented as someone special, many people around the Federation will only see you as reborn rookies that were just very lucky of being famous." Said Elise, "If you want to earn some of the veteran's respect remember they respect people that take action rather than simply use fancy words. Treat them as your brothers and sisters, always appreciate their advice at all times and don't be afraid of admitting your mistakes. In the closing dark hours that our nation is going to face, we need heroes like you guys, and heroes do their best. Got it?" she asked.

"We understand Elise. Trust me when I say this: as long as we stick together, we will soon soar higher than your expectations." Replied Ichigo with a calm voice.

"Well, I will hold you onto that promise." Said Elise with a smile, "Come on, the people are waiting..." she said as the whole squad stepped upon a platform, "Alright, this is when we part ways. I will see you up there soon! Ah, and smile to the cameras! They are recording this to your plantation so give them a greeting too!" she said as the platform moved upwards, and Elise took the exit.

Eventually, the platform soon took them into a podium where they were soon bombarded with photos, the light of the sun and cheers of the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, we present you the new and improved Jian Squad!" a speech followed.

Hiro looked around and saw that they were at the ground level of the Space Elevator, near a clearing that had a giant white floor that looked like it had 4 sections. He and his friends were in a slightly elevated decorated podium in front of a HUGE crowd of humans, Klapiens and Klaxo sapiens that covered a huge sector of the gardens in which they were hosting the event. There was also another podium from which Orion, Elise, Hatake, Sera, and the children stayed seated along with some important people. They also saw some strange drones flying above their heads with their lens pointed at them. He could also see many flags around, with two designs standing out: one was the flag of the Federation, three red "X" behind a centered blue "Y"; the other flag had a white Jian holding in both their peaks a green laurel that had the number 13 inscribed behind them in golden colors with the black silhouette of Milstinteinn in the background.

"Darling, that's our squad flag, right?" said Zero Two looking at the flag, "It's so beautiful!"

"Yeah it is..." said Hiro looking at it with a smile.

"Now, before I present you the pilots of the new squad, first I will present you their Franxx." Said Orion "Franxx designed by the own Dr. Franxx and now modernized by us! Let his legacy live on!" he said as everyone in the squad soon turned around to look at the platform. It started to emit steam and mechanical noises and soon opened. Out of it came the 6 Franxxs that had so long stood as monuments back at home, rotting with time and slowly being taken over by nature herself. Now they looked like reborn maiden warriors that will not rest until they had one played one last crucial role to fill. Everyone was in awe of their designs, including the squad itself, who now saw the changes done in their mechas.

"Glad to see that Orion and Hatake outdid themselves for our sake." Thought Hiro, "I can't actually wait to pilot with Zero Two again!"

A light suddenly rained upon Freiturnier. "We will start with the most loved unit in all Franxx squads; the medic! This is Freiturnier, the newest addition for the squad, courtesy of the Federation. Designed specifically as a combat medic, her presence alone is more than enough to keep Franxx pilots and mechas to stay up in the fight! while also giving some nasty surprises to enemies who think of her as easy prey! She will be piloted by pistil Kofuku "Jian 53" and Stamen Futoshi "Jian 214"." He said as the lights soon zoomed into the couple who waved and saluted everyone. Thanks to his hearing, Hiro could hear the kids cheering at their parents.

"Now we move on towards the heavy arsenal unit, or as many people like to say 'the heavy weapons girl' continued Orion as light fell upon Genista, "When Genista was presented to us in the hangar, we simply knew that we just needed to add more power and versatility to her already powerful arsenal. Her main weapon, the revolver cannon has been given upgrades in its fire rate and reload time along with some special experimental defensive modules that will make melee units be more careful when approaching her. She is piloted by pistil Kokoro "Jian 556" and Stamen Mitsuru "Jian 326". - Soon enough, both were also saluting everyone.

"Obviously, firepower is nothing if it isn't precise. That's the role the next Franxx, Chlorophytum, covers with excellence." Continued Orion as lights fell upon Chlorophytum "When we saw her blueprints along with her intended purpose, we realized that Dr. Franxx made quite the mistake of not fully developing this mecha to its maximum potential. Originally designed as a precision, quick-firing unit, we have now upgraded her purpose as an air-supremacy and combat sniper unit! Her guns not only have deadly accuracy but can also hit severe damage against critical points of the enemy and fusion together for the role of a long-range sniper! She is piloted by Pistil Ikuno 'Jian 196' and Stamen Titus 'Jian 345'" Orion said as Hiro could see the happiness in Titus' face, seeing his dream of piloting a Franxx accomplished. He smiled, knowing personally how satisfying was the feeling. Ikuno was also smiling warmly now.

A week ago…

"Thank you…" said Ikuno crying as she hugged Titus.

"I-It's nothing!" replied Titus shocked.

"Well, I wish we had time for that…" said Elise looking at them, "But we don't even know when the enemy might strike, therefore we must be trained from before… Now come with me to the Franxx simulator, let's test if your body levels are enough to pilot a Franxx."

"Alright then," said Titus, "call me if any problem occurs!"

"Where are you going?" asked Elise, "I never said 'only Ikuno' you know?"

"What do you mean?" asked Titus confused.

"You are coming to the test too!" she said as she grabbed the hood of his jumper.

"No, let me go!" said Titus as he struggled to get out of Elise's grasp.

"Get in there already!" said Elise as she somewhat threw Titus inside the simulator, "Look…" she said looking down gathering all the force she could put in her words, "I know it's hard for you… I know you don't want to repeat that same failure again and again. But still!" she shouted with anger, "Do it this last time, at least for my sake… Please!" she said as Titus got back up with a calm attitude, "I will do it…" he whispered with a smile.

"Thanks…" said Elise calming down as she walked back to the control panel to analyze the simulation.

"Everything will be fine," said Ikuno as they took their seats, "just stick together!"

"Sure…" he said as the connection started.

"Body vitals normal…" said the computer, "Pulse normal, connection commencing!"

"Is this…" said Titus as he slowly synced with Ikuno's mind. He could the memories of Ikuno, things that had happened already, the mistakes, the problems, the wars, everything that had happened, "If this what being a pilot means," he thought, "then I want to… I want to pair up, I want to pilot… If I ever get the chance, I swear… I will never let go!"

"Connection successful complete. Diagnosis show no problems!" said the computer as tears ran down Titus's eyes…

"However," said Orion as Titus snapped out of the flashback, "it is useless to shoot at something if you don't see it. Every squad always needs a pair of eyes and ears in the battlefield that reports all enemy movements without a movement of hesitation and sometimes taking part in the fighting by doing the classic ambush out of nowhere that can affect the balance on the battlefield. This is the role in which Argentea excels at." He said as the lights went over to the mecha, "We were surprised when we saw that her frame was quite the excellent balance between speed, agility, and armor for a scout unit. Even so, that didn't stop us from giving her some defensive upgrades that will ensure she causes a lot of trouble for the enemy for quite a long time! She is piloted by Pistil Miku 'Jian 390' and Stamen Zorome 'Jian 666', Yeah, I know, he is quite the devil along with her girlfriend."

"Now, many of you have seen that if there is something in common among all of the previously mentioned mechas is that they are more or less designed for fast, 1v1 or specialized battles in which they can cover their weakness which is close-quarter fights along with numerical disadvantage. Where exactly is the tank of the group? Well, fear no more! Dr. Franxx made the great gift of designing the best tank we could ever ask! Here is Strelizia!" continued Orion as lights shone on the mecha, "Dr. Franxx once said that Strelizia was his greatest masterpiece. Now, he may have been biasing a little, but something we got to recognize is that this girl is really made up of the toughest materials one could ask for! Even their pilots are made of tougher stuff than the rest of their squadmates! I present you Pistil Zero Two 'Jian 2' and Stamen Hiro 'Jian 16'" Hiro may know he was unique among others but that still doesn't stop him from making him feel a little uncomfortable. However, when he saw Zero Two kind of having the same reaction, he grabbed her hand and smiled at her, making both relax, "At least both of us are never alone on our feelings anymore." He said with a smile.

"However, all of these units are useless without having the most essential unit in a squad: a leader! Fortunately, the Jians already have one since the day they were formed! And because leaders represent balance, their Franxx do so too like Delphinium here!" said Orion as the lights shone on the mecha, "Needless to say, she is the definition of 'versatility': capable of both ranged and close quarter combat, along with a strong aura of leadership, Delphinium is the wonder unit a leader could ask for! And their pilots also know the perils and perks of their jobs too! I present to you the leaders of the Jian squad: Pistil Ichigo 'Jian 15' and Stamen Goro 'Jian 56'!" Soon, the lights shined on them while they saluted everyone who cheered.

"The hyper-speed portal is ready, my lord!" said a voice to Papa, "We are waiting for your command."

"Execute the plan at once!" shouted Papa looking at the faces of squad 13 who stood on the ground waving at everyone with a smile, oblivious to what was about to happen.

"Eventually," Orion continued, "Now even if it's the Franxx and the starfighters the ones who do most of the heavy work fighting against our enemies, we must remember that squads are not only limited to the teamwork of their pilots but also to the teamwork between them and their assigned crew staff including doctors, mechanics, cooks, logistics and strategists. Therefore, I also present to you-"

"WARNING: UNIDENTIFIED UNITS DETECTED WITHIN 400 METERS! NO IFF ID FOUND." Said a voice over the emergency intercom, as alarms went on throughout Aztlan.

"What's going on?" asked Hatake shocked.

"Puny humans, and filthy Klaxo sapiens…" said a voice out of nowhere, "The happiness you all have, I end it… Here!" said Papa as suddenly four VIRM ships appeared exactly on top of the Aztlan. The ships released the tremendously huge S-Class VIRM unit that the ships were holding together, right over the glass dome of the capital below which was the space elevator.

"NO!" shouted Orion in fear.