Franky Franklin/Synopsis

History
In the last war between Ostania and Westalis, Franky was drafted as a soldier but attempted to desert. During his attempt to escape, he met "Roland Spoofy," a Westalis soldier who would later become known as Agent Twilight. Franky pleaded for his life, saying he did not want to die without ever being with a woman. Twilight was amused and spared him, even giving him a cigarette. As they sat together, Franky began talking about a research experiment at a university. In it, test subjects were shown something unpleasant while unaware of the context, but when an idea got placed in their heads, they had a complete shift in opinion and enjoyed it. Franky explained to Twilight that the whole war was pointless, caused by a diplomatic fiasco, and forced regular people to fight each other.

Twilight strongly believed that Ostania began the war, but Franky told him they thought otherwise. Franky then talked about the bombing of Luwen, saying it was a false flag operation. Hearing that triggered Twilight, who pointed his gun at Franky, saying that those bombings took everything from him, but Franky retorted that he was in the same position. Loid kicked down Franky and prepared to shoot him, but as he hesitated, he was promptly shot in the head, only protected by his helmet. His attackers were the Ostanian army that had been pursuing Franky. Not wanting to get caught, Franky fled while Loid made his escape shortly after.

After some time, Franky returned to Ostania. While not on any particular side, he disliked how Ostania did things and saw them as too rigid and oppressive. As an act of rebellion, Franky set up a tobacco store in Berlint that was a false front for his informant work and gave himself the alias "Franky Franklin." Sometime after this, Twilight, now a spy, reunited with Franky through their professions and began using him as an information asset.

Franky once dreamed of making the world a better place with his inventions, as well as getting money from patents, but it did not turn up well for him.

Introduction Arc
As the first phase of Operation Strix begins, Twilight, now going by "Loid Forger," visits Franky at his shop for the necessary paperwork. He explains that he got late having to trap Anya inside the apartment, and Franky hopes Loid does not get reported for child abuse. After Loid and Franky complain about kids, Franky gives Loid the Eden Academy application, an appointment for the entrance exam, and a copy of the test. He also tells Loid that he did some digging on Anya's past and found no birth records or anything about her from more than a year ago. Franky jokes that since she got many names while being fostered out and returned, she is perfect for Loid. As Loid leaves, Franky warns him not to get attached.

Loid realizes he needs a wife for the interview, and Franky volunteers. Loid disguises him as a woman, but it does not look good, and he blames Franky for his body proportions. Loid instead has Franky copy all the files of single women from the City Hall and deliver them to him.

On Saturday, Loid gets a side mission to retrieve some stolen antiques from some smugglers and takes Franky with him. Franky explains this is not his field of work and that Loid had maxed his credit with him, but Loid convinces him by offering up one of the valuable antiques. Hearing that, Franky quickly accepts the mission, and they successfully manage to get the antiques back while escaping the smugglers. During their getaway, Loid and Franky argue over a diamond ring and end up in a car crash with the smugglers, which they survive.

Admissions Interview Arc
Learning that Anya got accepted, Franky goes to their house to celebrate. While they eat and drink, Franky tells Anya that Loid will buy her something as a reward, but Anya wants to be rescued in a castle. Franky takes her side and convinces Loid to rent a castle; otherwise, Anya will not go to school. At the castle, Anya wants Loid to save her from the evil boss Franky. Franky enthusiastically takes the role and calls "Yorticia," the deadliest witch to stop "Loidman." Being drunk, Yor seriously attacks Loid, but her heels break, and she falls asleep. Franky tries to stop Loidman by himself but gets easily knocked out by him.

Secret Police Arc
After meeting Yuri Briar, Loid begins to suspect Yor is involved with the Secret Police and gets Franky to help him with his ploy. Disguising themselves as SSS officers, Loid and Franky confront Yor, accusing her of espionage via. a secret cipher. While initially annoyed at having to help out, Franky quickly gets into his role, intimidating Yor with stories of SSS prisoners. When Yor declares her innocence, Franky tries to detain her but gets thrown to the ground. After Loid gets his answer, he and Franky follow their script, telling Yor that they misread the cipher and let her go. After Yor leaves, Franky confronts Loid about his guilt for doubting her and reminds him that people like them cannot get attached. In response, Loid tears off Franky's mask, to the latter's dismay, as he had hoped to get some girls with it, and Loid ironically tells him that getting women through deception is wrong.

Midterm Exams Arc
Franky calls Loid to tell him that he has fallen in love with someone. Uninterested, Loid turns around, wishes him good luck, and starts walking away. Franky threatens to sell Loid out to the secret police and receives a look of killing intent. Franky tells Loid he was joking and promises to make a smaller listening device for Loid in exchange for his assistance.

They stop by a coffee shop, where Franky tells Loid about Monica McBride, an employee at the cigar club on Fifth Street. Franky proceeds to divulge lots of personal information he has collected on her and receives a face of disappointment from Loid, who calls him a stalker. Franky complains that Loid researches others too, but Loid retorts that it is part of his job. He asks why Franky even needs his help if he has already gathered this much information on her. Franky loudly whispers to him that information gathering and analysis are two very different things and that he is only good at the former.

After some begging from Franky, Loid decides to help him out. Loid comes up with several methods on how Franky should practice, and they agree to have a practice date, with Loid dressing up as Monica as they have a conversation. Franky, feeling satisfied, thanks Loid and heads out to go ask out Monica. However, when Franky gets to the club, he tries talking to her but stumbles over his words.

On the way to the bar, Franky runs into the Forger family on their outing. Loid asks Franky how it went, and he relays the excuse Monica gave for why she could not go on a date but adds that she promised to watch a movie with him someday. Reading Franky's mind, Anya gives him a consoling pat.

Franky sobs at the bar and asks for another cheap drink. However, he instead gets an expensive drink provided by Loid. They greet each other, and Franky asks why Loid is not with his family, who tells him that Yor is taking care of Anya. Franky believes that Loid just came to mock him, but Loid tells him that people like Franky and himself cannot afford to have feelings for others in their work. Franky yells at Loid since he has a wife and daughter, which Loid comments are part of his mission. Franky tells him that he is going to get drunk on Loid's tab, and Loid says he will join him.

Campbelldon Tennis Arc
Loid prepares to head out with Yor for drinks, and Franky comes to the Forger apartment to look after Anya and Bond. Franky plays with the two and appears to be enjoying himself. Loid sees this and decides to head out but is interrupted by a frisbee to the head. Franky expresses his irritation at having to babysit every time Loid goes out. Loid explains that he has to clear up the misunderstanding about his relationship with Fiona Frost to Yor. Franky tells him to do it at home, but Loid says there are certain things he cannot discuss in front of Anya. Loid decides to pay Franky for his help, and Franky quickly changes his tune, taking Anya and Bond to the park.

Later in the evening, Anya waits for her parents to come back home. Seeing that they are late, she suggests they are "shacking up." Franky asks where she learned that from, and Anya says most of it was from Becky Blackbell. Franky then asks if Anya likes her parents, to which she replies that she loves them. Loid and Yor return shortly after, and Anya and Bond rush to greet them. Anya asks if they were "smooching" but stops when she sees Loid with a swelled-up chin and an embarrassed Yor behind him. Franky bursts into laughter, asking if Loid got hit after putting some moves on Yor, which the latter quickly denies. Franky then picks up Anya, who tries touching Loid's chin. Afterward, Franky sits with the family in the living room while Yor serves tea.

Cruise Adventure Arc
At Franky's Tobacco Store, Franky gives Loid a fake I.D. for Department Two of Doust Industries and the engine test results for a new fighter jet they are developing. Loid thanks Franky for the documents, and Franky reminds Loid that he is charging Loid for them. Loid asks about the pictures he requested of the members of an association. Franky informs him that it will take a little longer as his contact specialized in that intel has been eliminated. Loid is shocked and questions if the SSS got him.

Franky describes the rumor that an organization called Garden eliminated him. Loid is aware of the group but believes that half the stories about them were urban legends. Franky explains that they are real, and the group kills traitors under orders from the shadow organization. Loid is not surprised that there is an unofficial paramilitary organization. Franky tells him it is rumored that one of their soldiers can wipe out an entire military troop, but Loid dismisses him, leaving and telling him to get the pictures.

Franky stops him and asks Loid to help him with a job. Franky holds up a missing cat poster for Kopi, a male Nortblue cat. Loid is confused, so Franky explains that the cat belongs to a server named Kacey, who works at Franky's favorite café. Kopi had disappeared last week, leaving Kacey devastated. Franky looks at Loid with a serious expression, asking him to help find the cat so he can get Kacey's smile back and help them get together. Despite Franky's threats to stop providing intel and attempt to throw in a gun he developed that looks like a toothbrush, Loid walks away. Franky resolves to catch the cat himself.

Franky uses a payphone to call other informants to help locate the cat. He eventually gets a report finding a cat matching the description near City Hall. As Franky approaches the location outside City Hall, he encounters Yor, who is stepping out for a lunch break. Upon hearing the situation, Yor decides to help Franky find the cat. Franky installs a C20 Feline-form Listening Device at points where cats congregate, with sensors to react to the sound of Kopi's bell collar. However, he realizes the cats have destroyed the listening devices, putting them out of order.

Franky prepares to use his next invention, the Cat Nearness Inducement Prototype Decoy System, designed to release the scent of catnip to lure Kopi to them. Soon, a hoard of cats arrives, lured by the smell of catnip. Franky manages to spot Kopi among the large horde of cats. Meanwhile, Yor is distracted by some cats clinging to her.

Franky tries to use the Hyper Long Hand to catch Kopi but fails as Kopi jumps out of the way. Next, Franky tries to use the Camera-shaped Net Launcher but fails to get within two meters of Kopi to successfully use it and ends up running after him. Yor manages to get the cats off her to see Franky chasing Kopi.

Franky brings out his exoskeleton power suit to give him superhuman powers, but it requires 15 minutes for the battery to warm up the motor, so Kopi runs away towards a road. Behind Franky, Yor asks to borrow his exoskeleton power suit and easily rips out the back part, throwing it in front of Kopi to stop him. Yor leaps at Kopi when he stops and catches him. Yor happily waves at Franky that she caught Kopi. Franky thanks her but is stunned that the exoskeleton suit he spent ten years building is destroyed. He consoles himself that it is a small price to pay in order to win Kacey's heart. He returns Kopi to Kacey, only to discover that she already has a boyfriend. Franky wishes the couple all the best and leaves, crying to himself as he resolves to live for his work.

After Anya wins a pair of tickets to a cruise, the Forgers go out on the trip, leaving Bond at home with an irritated Franky to watch over him. During an early morning in Berlint, Franky complains about having to pet-sit Bond. However, after encountering a woman with her puppy at the park, Franky proposes that Bond become his dog.

After the cruise, the Forgers come back home. Anya meets a crying Bond while Loid hands Franky, who seems to be complaining, a gift bag. After Franky leaves, the family commune in the living room over coffee.

WISE Arc
Looking for someone who can forge a state seal for a fake export license, Fiona approaches Loid, who directs her to Franky. At Franky's location, Fiona goes through all of his traps, eventually meeting the man himself. Franky immediately tries to flirt with her jokingly, and she almost leaves out of exasperation. Fiona names her request for a forged official seal, and Franky tries to get more details from her, saying he will get it from a friend. Fiona is unwilling to trust him and tries to get him to introduce his friend to her directly, threatening to have him incarcerated. She eventually acquiesces when he reminds her that she will not be able to meet with the counterfeiter without him, and he contacts him via the radio as a secret caller.

Fiona and Franky are waiting outside a bar where they arranged to meet with the counterfeiter. Fiona attempts to enter, but Franky stops her and convinces her to wear a disguise before entering. They change into disguises suitable for a club, pretending to be a couple. Franky is excited to be on a "date" with Fiona, who is wholly unenthused about the situation. As they enter, they are stopped by the bouncer until Franky reveals his identity. At the club, Franky greets his many friends, showing off his "girlfriend." Eventually, Fiona reaches her limit and threatens to kill him unless he stops. Franky apologizes before noticing the presence of his counterfeiter friend downstairs, and they approach him. Franky tries to greet him, but Fiona interrupts and gets straight to the point with her offer. She tosses a paper with her deal at him, but he throws it away upon seeing it and the deadline, walking away.

Fiona and Franky continue to follow him outside. Fiona points out two members of the SSS tailing them. The counterfeiter is shocked and accuses Franky of being careless. Fiona suggests it was his new clients that made a mistake. The counterfeiter tries to make a run for it but is too late to notice a man around the corner. Before he can get hit, Fiona pushes him down and kicks the man in the face, incapacitating him. Fiona grabs him as they run and suggests he take her offer as repayment for saving him from the SSS. As they pass a corner, Fiona expertly throws another man waiting behind the corner with a knife. The counterfeiter is speechless at her skill, and Franky reassures him that he can trust Fiona. Another man shoots at Fiona, and Franky throws himself at Fiona to get her out of the way while she throws a knife at the shooter.

Fiona tries to get them to another place to hide from the SSS, but Franky displays his knowledge of the area and suggests using a tunnel path instead. Fiona recognizes Franky's skills as an asset, while he says he could even hide from WISE if he wanted to. Fiona asks why he is on their side, but Franky says he is not on anyone's side; he is simply dissatisfied by the current state of Ostania and would rather rebel by shaking things up.

Later, Fiona meets with Franky at his tobacco stand. He hands her a copy of the newspaper, along with the forged papers she asked for. Franky asks if she was the one who called the SSS on them, but she feigns ignorance. Fiona asks Franky if he has connections to fine art forgers and safecrackers, suggesting she will return to him with another job. Franky looks briefly moved but refuses to work with her, stating that he will lose his friends with her methods.

Friendship Schemes Arc
Loid calls Franky to help him in handling Gerald Gorey, the director of Berlint General Hospital. When Gerald calls the SSS to report Loid as a spy, Franky intercepts it as per Loid's request. Afterward, he and Fiona enter the hospital disguised as undercover SSS agents to confirm Gerald's report. Gerald shows them Loid and the files he used to support his claim. The two pretend to arrest Loid, cornering him when alone and cuffing him. Loid is shocked at being handcuffed and banters with Franky, who just wanted to see his reaction. Fiona interrupts the two to remind them that Gerald is watching, and they resume their little act.

Franky shows Loid the false evidence while Fiona pulls Gerald from his hiding spot and reveals him as Loid's accuser. Gerald frantically says that he assumed Loid's rising popularity was because of a spy technique, which Franky confirms in his thoughts. Loid explains that, as the new hire, he was only working hard to fit in. Looking at the files, Loid points out how they were typed on a different typewriter than his. Franky says it has the font of an old typewriter, and everyone pinpoints it back to Gerald, the only one in the hospital with that kind of typewriter.

The situation quickly turns on Gerald, who tries to deny that he framed Loid, but Franky pulls out a fake gun and demands his name. After Gerald reveals his name, Fiona says he is on the hospital's surveillance list, followed by Franky citing his misdeeds, provided by guesses from Fiona and intel from Loid. Fiona decides that the one they should be taking in instead is Gerald, who cries out for her when he gets handcuffed. Before Gerald gets taken away, Loid stops the faux officers and, with fake tears, passionately defends Gerald, even asking to be arrested in his place. Gerald is touched by this act, while Franky pretends to be moved and decides to let them go, then leaves with Fiona. Outside, Fiona and Franky decide not to change out of their costumes, Fiona because Twilight made her the costume, and Franky because he likes how cool he looks.