(Short flashback of young Iris about to grab some flowers made from fire until two pairs of hands stop her.)

(Iris is doing her daily ritual.)

(Another flashback this time of young Iris running up to a young Hibana and a young Ghost.)

(Imagine a young Ghost is next to Hibana.)

(Yet another flashback this time of young Iris, young Hibana, & a young Ghost waiting for the group photo to be taken.)

(Imagine a young Ghost next Iris with a small blush on his face.)

(Cut to Shinra jogging upon Iris.)

Shinra: Huh?

Iris: Sister. (notices Shinra) [gasps] (begins to cover up) I, um--

Shinra: (goes behind a wall) Crap, my bad.

Shinra's thoughts: Was she crying?

(Iris walks into the hallway.)

Shinra: I really am sorry for intruding.

Iris: Oh, no. You're okay. Marshmallow is the only person that comes through this early but he hasn't for a while now so I'm not used to other people coming this early. Anyway, take care with your training, Shinra.

Shinra: Thanks, I'll do that.

Iris: Well, see ya later.

Shinra: Hey. Uh, Sister? Thought I'd ask: Is something bothering you? I'm happy to help if I can. It's why I took this job.

Iris: Thank you for your concern.

(Iris walks away & ends up walking into Ghost.)

Iris: Morning, Marshmallow.

Ghost: *blush* Morning, Iris.

(A couple seconds of silence pass between the two.)

Ghost: I'll let you head back to your room. Sorry for keeping you.

Iris: Wait. (holds onto Ghost's sleeve)

Ghost: What's up, Iris?

Iris: How come you don't perform the ritual with me anymore, Zakando?

(When Iris had used his real name this instantly made him respond with a more serious tone.)

Ghost: You already know the answer to that, Iris.

Iris: (starts tearing up) You're right, sorry Marshmallow.

(Iris runs away from Ghost.)

Ghost: Good job, Ghost. You idiot.

(Cut to Obi addressing Company Eight on top of the Cathedral.)

Obi: After the dust up you and Ghost had with them yesterday, this is probably obvious but Company Five can't be trusted. We're looking into their affairs, and it could come to blows. Sorry, Ghost.

Ghost: No apology needed, sir. Even though Hibana is my sister, I trust as much as you do.

Shinra: That's impressive, sir. Is this a new training regimen you've come up with or some kind of performance art?

Obi: Hinawa!

Hinawa: Recall that our primary objective is to protect people by fighting Infernals and putting them to rest. However, we can't forget that the Eighth has a hidden objective: To investigate suspicious crew members within other companies and oppose the ones guilty of misconduct.

Shinra's thoughts: I'm so distracted by his cap that I can't hear a word he's saying.

Hinawa: ...Company Five lies squarely...

(Arthur notices some birds perched upon the Cathedral's cross.)

Arthur: More of those wretched griffins. Come to attack my castle again, eh? Someday you'll be rust on Excalibur's blade.

Ghost: (sighs) Those are birds, Arthur.

Shinra: Do you even understand how your blade works?

(Imagine Ghost is between Iris & Maki.)

Maki: Yeah, how about you put a lid on that knightly temper of yours and leave those adorable "griffins" alone? There are wildlife protection laws for a reason, ya know.

Shinra: It's kinda funny hearing you tell someone else to control their temper.

Iris: You have a point. Ninety percent of the time, Maki's just as cool headed as she is beautiful. It's a real shame about the other ten percent.

Maki: I'm trying, okay?

Ghost: We know you are, Maki. Hey, Iris?

Iris: Hm?

Ghost: I'm sorry about earlier.

Iris: It's okay. I shouldn't have asked you such an obvious question.

Ghost: Iris, list-

(Hinawa pulls out a pistol which causes Shinra & Maki to gasp.)

(Imagine Ghost is between Iris & Maki with his mouth open.)

Hinawa: No idle chatter. We're in the middle of an important meeting here. Shut your mouths and focus.

Shinra: Hey, Lieutenant, I know you're kidding, but could you please not point your gun at us?

Hinawa: What the hell made you think I was kidding?

(Hinawa shoots Shinra in the leg.)

Shinra: [screams] Somebody get a doctor! My leg! It hurts! Huh? Less than it should, though. No way. An airgun?

Hinawa: No. It's very real.

Maki: Lieutenant Hinawa is a second-generation Fire Soldier, the same as I am. So he can't create fires, but he is able to control them once they ignite. He weakened the gunpowder's explosion so the bullet would hit you with non-lethal force.

Hinawa: Fire Soldiers are versatile. Hard to predict. Unlike the Infernals we fight, humans use all sorts of tactics. You should all keep your wits about you when you fight them. Excepting Arthur, of course, since he has none.

Arthur: [chuckles]

(Arthur sees a lizard & imagines it as a dragon.)

Arthur: Perhaps I'll get some when I slay this dragon.

Shinra: You've got quite the imagination, don't you?

(Hinawa grabs Shinra & Arthur.)

Hinawa: Your training begins now. I'll drill you punks into the floor.

(Arthur is training with Maki & Ghost.)

Maki: You're way too focused on my fists. Study your opponent's whole body!

Ghost: You're just punching aimlessly, try to predict my movements!

(Pan to Shinra & Hinawa.)

Shinra: Listen, Lieutenant. The thing is, someone in the Fifth joked about burning civilians and I can't let that slide. What's the deal with that captain of theirs? I know Ghost said that they're related but they're polar opposites.

Hinawa: Princess Hibana is a third-generation Fire Soldier. Her and Ghost started out as recruits from Haijima and shot up the ranks with astonishing speed. While Ghost did this by working hard, she did by illegally researching Infernals. All while selling off her findings.

Shinra: If Ghost was a Haijima recruit, then why is he here with the Eighth?

Hinawa: That's because he found out what his sister was doing and quit after he told the higher ups of Haijima of what she did but they weren't going to do anything about it.

Shinra: And these findings, do you think they might have anything to do with human combustion?

Hinawa: She at least discovered something big enough to turn a nobody into a captain overnight. Whatever it might be, I'm sure she'll have it documented. We'll search the base through force if we must. Your feet and Arthur's plasma can help with that.

Shinra: Forget the documents. I'm in it just to smash them.

(Cut to Special Fire Force Complex 5.)

Miyamoto: [screaming] No more! It hurts so bad. I'm beggin' you, stop!

Hibana: Why should I? You're just gravel! Just gravel!

Miyamoto: [screaming]

Hibana: Stop whining and shut your mouth. I'm talking to your body. If there's anything about you I don't know yet, it'll tell me soon. Those who aren't me are just gravel, and that most certainly goes for you. So why don't you pave the way to my happiness Repulsive dung.

Miyamoto: You gotta stop! Keep that up and it'll come out!

Hibana: What do I care if you scream? Your pain's meaningless to me! Because you're just dung strewn with gravel, and I'm just a powerful, beautiful princess! [laughing]

(Cut to Iris praying inside the church part of the Cathedral.)

Iris: The flame is the soul's breath. The black smoke is the soul's release. Ashes thou wert and art, may thy soul return...

(Ghost enters the room.)

Ghost: ...to the great flame of fire.

Iris: Látom. (turns around to look at Ghost.)

Ghost: You're gonna go see her aren't you?

Iris: Yes.

Ghost: I'm assuming there's no way for me to convince you to stay?

Iris: Unfortunately no, Marshmallow.

Ghost: That's what I thought. Well, I'm coming with you.

(Iris perks up after hearing this.)

Ghost: Let's go.

(Cut to Shinra & Arthur in their room laying in their beds.)

Shinra's thoughts: That smile was strained. Of all people, I should know. Maybe it has to with the Fifth. I also meant to ask Ghost how he was feeling after that encounter with his sister.

(Shinra looks down upon Arthur.)

Shinra: Hey, quick question. Do you know if something's going on with the Sister or Ghost?

Arthur: What's that? The princess has named me commander of the order? And the spirit golem has finally bent the knee to me?

Shinra: Guess that dumb imagination of yours runs 24/7, doesn't it?

Arthur: So what's the deal? You think the princess & spirit golem are in peril?

Shinra: Will you stop calling the Sister a princess? For real. You stopped with Maki.

Arthur: That's because Maki's an ogress--

(Maki opens their door.)

Maki: Hey, you guys awake?

(Shinra falls off the top bunk & Arthur pretends to sleep.)

Maki: Uh?

Shinra: Good evening, Maki. What's up?

Maki: I was wondering if one of you knew where Sister Iris or Ghost were?

Shinra: Huh?

(Cut to Iris & Ghost about to reach the Company Five Complex.)

Iris: Hey, Marshmallow?

Ghost: Yeah, Iris?

Iris: Why did you decide to come with me?

Ghost: Uh...

Iris: Don't get me wrong, I do feel better with you coming with me, I'm just curious.

Ghost: Well, I figured it's about time I had words with my sister.

(Iris remembers what Maki had said about Ghost being jealous after seeing the way Shinra was holding her.)

Iris: Hmm. Is that the only reason?

Ghost's thoughts: The other reason is that I love you and I couldn't forgive myself if something were to happen to you!

Ghost: Nope, that's it.

Iris: Hmph!

(Iris & Ghost are now in front of the Company Five Complex.)

(Imagine Ghost is next to Iris on the right.)

Iris: Apologies.

5th Soldier A: It's fine. But what's a Sister and a Fire Soldier from the Eighth doing here at this hour?

Iris: We were actually hoping to meet with your captain.

5th Soldier A: Uh. Doesn't seem likely.

Iris: Say that Iris has come to see her.

Ghost: And that her brother,...Zakando is with her.

Iris: I think her response might surprise you.

(Cut to Iris & Ghost talking to Hibana.)

(Imagine Ghost is slightly behind Iris.)

Hibana: Is there something you wanted, my little Miss Have-not? And I knew you'd come crawling back to me eventually, Zakando.

Ghost's thoughts: I knew this was a bad idea.

Iris: I'm not sure what exactly you're doing, but from what I've heard, it sounds really dangerous. Furthermore, it's clear that your research is corrupt and blasphemous. Are you defying the great Sol on purpose? Sister, please.

(Hibana grabs Iris.)

Hibana: You've got some nerve wearing that habit in front me!

(Hibana burns off some of Iris's habit.)

Ghost: Iris! Are you okay?!

Iris: [gasps] Why? I don't understand!

(Hibana grabs Iris by her throat.)

Hibana: The Sisters are used by the Fire Force as nothing more than window-dressing. And you've devoted your life to that nonsense? (looks at Ghost) It seems that you're following Iris no matter what as always. Looks like the both of you are as foolish as you've ever been.

Ghost: [growls]

Hibana: Don't you talk to me about your "great god Sol." You're praying to the ghost of a dream. Zakando, you're calling yourself Ghost these days? The only ghost is Sol! There's no god in this country. Hell. There's no god in this whole world. Although there are a few devils like myself.

(Iris pictures Shinra & Hibana lets her go & throws her jacket to cover her up.)

Hibana: Using you two as bait, I'll lure the Eighth here and grind them to dust.

Iris: No!

Ghost: Dear sister, what has happened to you? Calling yourself a devil?

Hibana: Why are you surprised, Zakando? Whether you like to admit it or not, you were the first person to see myself becoming a devil. And what did you do about it? You left me!

Ghost: You're right. To atone for that, I will stop you here and now.

Hibana: [giggles] You really think you can stop me, brother? I'll just end up grabbing you like last time.

Ghost: It won't be like last time!

(Ghost transforms into his foam form and just when he & Hibana are about to clash, Company Five's alarm goes off.)

(Cut to the outside of the Company Five Complex.)

5th Soldier B: What was that? Some kind of mortar?

5th Soldier C: I think it's human, but they came from the sky. Who the hell are you?

Shinra: I'm a hero, of course.

Shinra: But specifically, I'm part of Company Eight. You can call me Save-Sister-Iris-and-Ghost-by-Crushing-the-Fifth-Man.

(Company Eight drives into Company Five Complex.)

Maki: Pardon, Lieutenant! But isn't what we're doing kinda reckless and illegal?

Hinawa: We believe the Fifth has been carrying out some pretty shady research at this facility, so I doubt they'll file any police reports.

(Company Eight drives up to Shinra. Hinawa, Maki, & Arthur exit the Matchbox and stand beside Shinra.)

Hinawa: Use those devil feet to find the Sister and Ghost. Maki and I'll handle things here.

Shinra: You're gonna take on all these guys by themselves?

Hinawa: Start tearing things up inside as fast as you can. That'll give us some breathing room. Go!

Shinra: Yes, sir! (blasts off)

Hinawa: You go too, Arthur. We'll watch your back!

Arthur: Just don't forget to watch your own back, Lieutenant.

(Cut to the Ghost crucified on a cross after failing to defeat his sister.)

Ghost: Ugh, what happened? Oh, yeah. Hibana knocked me out.

(Ghost realizes he's been crucified.)

Ghost: Why am I not surprised that you've crucified me?

Iris: Are you okay, Marshmallow?

Hibana: That was a valiant effort, brother. But it was silly to think you could stop me. Status report.

5th Soldier J: The Angels are fighting Hinawa and Maki. Arthur's up against the Infernal. No one's seen Obi yet, but he should be near.

Hibana: Moths do love their flames, don't they? Burn the lot of them and leave no trace behind. The truth, the intrigue behind spontaneous combustion, it was found through our research. I won't let gravel steal it from us.

Ghost: Am I gravel to you, Hibana?

Hibana: Hm? (walks up to Ghost) Of course not, Zakando. (caresses Ghost's face) But as long as you get in my way and associate with gravel (punches Ghost in the face & starts rubbing her fist in Ghost's face) I will treat you as such!

(Cut to Shinra arriving where Ghost, Iris, & Hibana are at.)

Shinra: Here we go.