As the world covered in ash, one man appeared. He would later be called Raffles I. Raffles took his disciples and left on a journey in search of light. At the end of his journey, he found an "unsullied flame," and brought forth light that would be mankind's salvation. Raffles and his disciples used the flame bestowed by the great Sol and the technology cultivated to create "Amaterasu". The sacred flames of Amaterasu benefits the lives of mankind and ended up establishing the foundation of a state in the far East.

~~~~~~

"Dr. Giovanni is out to take Vulcan's life?" Arthur questioned after the two soldiers explained the weird feelings they had a moment ago.

"I don't know the reason, but that's what I felt." Shinra said.

"I felt it as well. His murderous intent..." [Y/n] said, getting the chills.

"The captain of the 3rd was here trying to recruit him Vulcan-san, right? Why would he be out for his life?" Iris asked.

"It might have something to do with his history with Haijima." Shinra said. "Vulcan did reject Giovanni's offer." [Y/n] added.

"Even if you tell Vulcan, do you think he'll believe you? I mean, I don't even believe you." Arthur said.

"Does this have something to do with the 'Adolla Burst' that you mentioned right afterward?" Iris asked.

"Adolla Burst...Adolla Link..." Shinra muttered.

"This also happened at Asakusa. It was too distinct for it to be a mere hunch, almost like we were hearing someone's voice." [Y/n] said.

"Moreover, it was real. We can't afford the let this intuition pass by, either." Shinra said, "Sister, you, [Y/n], and Arthur go back to the workshop and tell Vulcan he's in danger."

"Right."

"What are you going to do?" Arthur asked.

"I don't know if we're dealing with just Dr. Giovanni, or Company 3. Still, the other side won't know that we're here, too. If I can ascertain the enemy's movements from a high vantage point, we can make the first move." Shinra said.

"But, Shinra-kun, I can-"

"No." Shinra said, sternly, "If Company 3 gets ahold of you, there's no telling what's going to happen. I- We can't lose you. You need to stay out of their sight, [Y/n]." He was serious. [Y/n]'s eyes saddened a bit. "Okay..." She muttered, "Be careful."

Shinra used his ability and fly into the air. "Arthur, you and I are the only ones who can fight. It's up to you!" He said and flew away.

"Wait! Say that one more time!" Arthur said.

"We have to warn Vulcan." [Y/n] said and led the way. Once they arrived at the shed, they explained to Vulcan. "You say Dr. Giovanni is going to kill me?" Vulcan questioned, "I'm the one who resents him enough to kill him! Why should he come after me?"

"Well, um..."

"It's difficult to explain." [Y/n] said.

"It's kind of like we heard it! That's what it was like!" Arthur said.

"I thought you were a little strange to be Fire Soldiers, but are you also using ridiculous threats to get me to come with you?" Vulcan asked while putting his hand on his hip.

"No, of course not!" [Y/n] said while shaking her head side to side. Lisa's stare was making her uncomfortable.

"You really have no idea why? You have some kind of history with Haijima, right?" Arthur said.

"Like I said, I'm the one who has the beef with them!" Vulcan yelled.

"Ah! Vulcan!" Yu called, and Vulcan looked outside.

The shed was surrounded. "The back way is surrounded, too." Lisa said.

"All for me? This is way out of proportion." Vulcan said.

"He let that big a force get by unnoticed? What is Shinra doing?" Arthur questioned, and [Y/n] beginning to worry about him. "I...need to go look for him." [Y/n] said.

Arthur placed his hand on her shoulder. "No, the order was that you stay here, Princess." He said, and [Y/n] glared at the floor. "You're Fire Soliders, right? Do something."

"I don't have the gear to use my ability. Also, I don't feel very knightly right now, so I can't get going. If I don't feel knightly, I can't use my ability." Arthur said.

"Huh?"

"Without anything more swordly, this all the firepower I have." Arthur said while grabbing different items to test his ability, "Something more swordly would raise my firepower. I am the Knight King, Arthur Boyle! The more I look the part of a knight, the stronger my ability becomes. That's why I am a knight!"

"I could tell at first glance, but you really are dumb, huh?" Vulcan said and began tinkering, "In short, If I make you more knightly, you'll get stronger, right?"

He looked around for things. Vulcan handed [Y/n] what looked like a sword. "He called you a princess. So you have to give him the title of your knight." He said, and [Y/n] titled her head in confusion.

"O-Okay..." She said as Arthur kneeled in front of her with a smirk on his face and a blue cape. "I-I dub thee, Arthur Boyle, as my King Knight." [Y/n] said while patting one shoulder then brought the sword over his head to tap his other shoulder.

Arthur stood up and took the sword and went outside. "Vulcan, is putting blue sheeting over him going to be enough?" Yu asked.

"He went out there happy. It all depends on how he feels. Who am I to say?" Vulcan said.

"Then again, that's not a horse, it's a donkey, right? It's asking an awful lot to call him a knight looking like that." Yu said, referring to the donkey head that was attached to Arthur. The girls tried not to laugh.

Arthur pulled out his sword. "Arthur-san's sword flame is stronger than usual." Iris said while they peeked outside to see him, and [Y/n] nodded. "Huh? You're kidding, right?" Yu said.

[Y/n]'s mind still didn't wander to the thought of Shinra. He looked so serious when talking to her, but she had the feeling that she should go help him. There was no way he would let these White-Clad members by without a fight. [Y/n]'s eyes widened in horror when she witnessed Arthur get knocked to the ground.

"No, Arthur!" [Y/n] said, ready to open the door.

"[Y/n]nee-san, you mustn't." Iris tried to stop her while Vulcan blocked [Y/n]'s way out. Vulcan went to look out the back door while Iris stood in front of the front door. "The folks surrounding the rear have disappeared, too. Lisa! Yu! Now's your chance! You're getting out through the back way!" Vulcan said.

"You two from the 8th, take her somewhere safe." Vulcan said.

"What about you, Vulcan-san?" Iris asked.

"I'm the one they're after, right? You don't have any reason to stay with me?"

"No way!" Lisa said, "I'm not just going to leave you here and run away, Vul!"

"Vulcan, you should escape with us!" Yu said.

"We're family, aren't we?" Lisa said, and Vulcan stopped for a moment. "He may be an idiot, but I can run and leave the guy fighting for me behind." He said.

"Why are they after you? I can't go along with this unless I know why." Lisa said.

"I don't know. Except Haijima has taken everything from our family. Our family, and our technology."

"Technology?"

"Yeah, that's right. The culmination of the technology that my forefathers spent so much of their time and pride to create. My forefathers are the ones who built Amaterasu." Vulcan said, and [Y/n]'s eyes widened a bit. "There's something I made for an occasion like this out back. You can get away using it. Even separated, we're an indestructible family." He had a soft smile on his face.

'Family...'

"Sisters, I hate to do this, but look after these two." Vulcan said.

[Y/n] nodded. "Leave it to us!" She said. Lisa stood in front of Vulcan and shot a blast of flames to his chest. [Y/n]'s eyes widened. "Vulcan!"

"Lisa, what are you doing...?" Yu said, and Lisa blasted him with fire as well. [Y/n] was about to step in. "Don't move. Try anything funny and I'll kill him." Lisa said and looked down at Vulcan, "It wasn't a coincidence that you took me in back then."

"Wh-What...?"

"It was all so I could sneak in and find a certain something. Hand over the key to Amaterasu." Lisa said.

"The key to Amaterasu? Lisa, what are you talking about?"

"D-Don't tell me..." [Y/n]'s voice shook. Lisa looked at her with dead eyes. "I'm am a servant of the Evangelist, Daughter of Sol." Lisa's attention went back to Vulcan, "You say you want to build something that won't beak? It was broken to begin with--playing house like we were."

Vulcan gritted his teeth. "O-oh, no..." Iris muttered.

"It's not true." Vulcan said, and Lisa kicked him in the stomach then stomped on him. "Lisa-san, please stop!" Iris said.

"Giovanni is heading this way. If you don't tell me where the key is, he'll kill you." Lisa said.

"What is this, Lisa? Are you concerned about me?" Vulcan questioned.

"Just how gullible are you?" Lisa said.

Soon Giovanni showed up, but it wasn't only him. Pure fear-filled [Y/n]'s body when she saw him.

Louis.

This was the first time in years that she's seen him clearly. He was really tall with a lilac-colored mullet and cold crystal blue eyes.

"Lisa, stand down. We will take it from here." Giovanni said as he walked closer to Vulcan, and Louis had a smirk on his face.

Every nerve in [Y/n] body was screaming to fly far away. But, [Y/n] had to protect Iris and save Vulcan somehow. "Vulcan, you can die after you tell me where the key is, or you can die now. Choose."

Vulcan glared, "Giovanni..."

"Lisa was undercover here to search for the key to Amaterasu. Gullible people don't suspect others, so they get tricked. You should learn to look twice before you leap. Was it fun playing house with Lisa?"

"Was that really the reason why you came to my workshop?"

"Your foolishness must be handed down generationally. Everyone in your family line was pathetically gullible. Appeal to your emotions, and you are completely fooled. Your old man was the same way. Generation after generation of deceived fools. However, when it came to Amaterasu, at least, they were cautious. They did look twice before leaping with the key to Amaterasu."

"I'm not hiding anything, and I don't have anything!" Vulcan yelled, and Yu finally regained consciousness."Was that child a part of your little make-believe family?" Giovani asked. His glove shot out and held Yu by his throat against the wall. "Where is the key to Amaterasu?"

"Damn you, Giovanni." Vulcan glared.

Giovanni shot a bullet out of his cane, hitting Yu in the chest. The young boy went limp. "Yu! Yu!" Vulcan called out to him.

"Yu-san!" [Y/n] and Iris called out to the boy and ran over to him. Before [Y/n] could get close, a flaming whip wrapped around her neck. She fell to her knees, struggling against the restraints to get to Yu. "It's a life-threatening wound, but there may be some time if you act now."

"Stop this, already! Save Yu, now!" Vulcan yelled.

"You're the one who hurt him. You didn't tell me what I want to know. Where is the key?"

"What do you mean, key? I have no way of knowing. Please, don't take anything more from us." Vulcan said.

"I have made careful arrangements, stopped your supply of materials, been especially cordial in recruiting you, and sent Lisa undercover. I have looked, and looked, and looked, and looked, and looked, and looked, and looked, and looked before I leapt. Do you really not know? Damn you, Vulcan. As dumb as you all are, you hid the key, and that's why this is happening. Your whole family is a rotten mass of technology, talent, and gullibility."

"Damn you, Giovanni...I'll kill you!"

Giovanni hit Vulcan in the head with his cane. "I have looked, and looked, and looked, and looked, and looked, and looked, and looked, and looked for that key! I should have leapt, and leapt, and leapt, and leapt, and leapt, and leapt, and leapt, and leapt on you to make you talk!" He yelled as he continued to beat Vulcan. Giovanni noticed the special device that was displayed to the Fire Soldiers moments ago. He raised his cane in the air.

"No..." [Y/n] muttered as the flaming whip tightened around her neck even more.

Giovanni smashed the device. Repeatedly. "Please! Stop that!" [Y/n] yelled, "It...was a precious memory from Vulcan-san's father. Don't...Don't break it!"

Louis clicked his tongue and pulled the handle of his flaming whip, yanking [Y/n] backward. "God, you're still so annoying." He said and glared, "Oi, can I have my fun now?"

Giovanni picked something up from the pieces of the device. "I have what I came for. Try not to kill her."

[Y/n]'s vision began to blur due to the lack of oxygen. Louis smirked and grabbed a fist full of [Y/n]'s hair. Before he got the chance to do anything, Shinra came flying in, kicking Louis in the face which sent him crashing into Giovanni. Both of the men crashed into a shelf in the back of the workshop.

[Y/n] gasped for air and fell to her knees, coughing. "Are you okay, [Y/n]?!" Shinra asked, and [Y/n] gave him a weak smile.

"Y-Yes, thank you, Shinra-kun." She said. Lisa got her flames ready. "Lisa-san, why...?" Shinra muttered. Vulcan looked up at Shinra.

"Are you okay, Vulcan? Can you move?" Shinra said the red-headed male.

"I got hut by flames...I still can't move on my own yet..." Vulcan said.

A flaming whip came flying towards them, and [Y/n] pushed Shinra out of the way. When the whip came in contact with the floor in front of her, causing an explosion that launched her outside. "[Y/n]!"

"Princess!" Arthur saw her rolling in the dirt, but he was too busy fighting.

[Y/n] quickly stood up. He was way stronger than Mimi. [Y/n] glared as Louis stepped out of the workshop with an amused smile on his face. He cracked his whip again, making another explosion right next to her. It sent her flying in a different direction. 'His whip is so fast...I can barely see it.' [Y/n] thought as her glowing eyes narrowed.

[Y/n] caught the whip with her flaming hand. Louis chuckled. "Confident, aren't you, Labrat?" He said with a smirk on his face, and he held a whip in his other hand.

It wrapped around [Y/n]'s throat once again. "Unfortunately...I'm not a merciful big brother." The red flames of the whips turned blue. It began to sting. [Y/n] winced in pain as the blue flames began to burn her neck. "Your Adolla Burst is all we need..." He said while a crazed chuckle, "...So who cares if your body gets a bit 'damaged' along the way."

[Y/n]'s eyes narrowed. A sudden tingle shot through her body, and her [e/c] eyes began to glow brighter. She could feel his power too. 'Shinra....'

"Adolla Link...was it?" [Y/n] muttered as her grip on the whip tightened, "I think...I get it now." She all the strength she could muster to pull the tall man closer to her. [Y/n] tried to punch him with her flaming fist, but Louis was able to duck. [Y/n] jumped back a few feet.

"Tough luck." Louis mocked.

"Maybe if I were alone." [Y/n] said and flaming lances appeared beside her, "But I have others here that I have to protect." Flaming gauntlets engulfed her hands. [Y/n] quickly changed at Louis while staying low to the ground.

Louis' smirk grew as another blue-flamed whip appeared in his hand. The whip wrapped around [Y/n]'s waist, burning pieces her clothes in the process. Louis effortlessly flung her in the air then to the ground.

The short-haired girl grunted in pain as she was thrown in the air again then back down to the ground.

Louis laughed. "What happened to your heroism, huh?!" He mocked. [Y/n] was thrown in the air again.

This time she wrapped the whip around her wrist and pulled forward to gain more momentum. [Y/n] punched the ground in front of her brother, creating a big explosion.

Louis winced as he stumbled backward. The flaming lances that [Y/n] kept idle where she once stood went to shooting towards Louis. He dodged one, but it exploded on the ground, creating a smokescreen from the dirt. Louis tried to deflect the second one, but he still took some serious damage, and he dodged the third one, making more dirt fly everywhere.

Louis coughed, "Cowar-" His eyes widened when he saw [Y/n] appear in front of him. Her glowing eyes narrowed at him then she jabbed in the face with her flaming gauntlets. She gave him a right hook then a left one. [Y/n] spun around and punched Louis with the back of her fist, sending him rolling into the dirt.

'I guess training with Maki-san and the captain really paid off.' [Y/n] thought as Louis quickly tried to recover, but [Y/n] appeared and kicked him into the air.

[Y/n] replicated the same blame-flamed whip that Louis had and wrapped it around his ankle then pulled him to the ground. Before [Y/n] could go after Louis again, a sudden pain shot through and back of her neck, and she fell to the ground, unconscious.

Louis glared. "I...didn't need...your help, Brat."

The albino's eyes narrowed. "Clearly, you needed me." He said while putting away his sword, "The daughter of Sol...she favors the other one with the Adolla Burst and links to him, huh? Restrain her since you're only good for that."

Louis clicked his tongue and slowly got up. He walked over to [Y/n] and picked her up, putting her arm over his shoulder. "God, you're fat." Louis grumbled as if the girl could hear him.

"[Y/n]!" Shinra called while in the back of a truck with Vulcan, Arthur who was injured, Iris, and Hibana. Shira scooped [Y/n] up out of Louis' grasp effortlessly and pulled her into the truck.

Suddenly, as they drove, Sho appeared in front of the truck that Viktor was driving. "He's fast. How did he that?" Viktor muttered with a smile.

"You're not getting away. Leave the man with the Adolla Burst and the daughter of Sol here." Sho said, and he was suddenly attacked by Joker. Hearing the commotion, [Y/n] slowly opened her eyes, seeing the battle as they drove by them.

"What...happened..?"

"Sho! I swear I'll come back for you! I swear it!" Shinra yelled.

They soon made it to the hospital to check out their injuries. Shinra convinced Vulcan to come with them to the 8th at least for now. [Y/n] sat waiting for their captain. The hospital provided her a change of clothes since hers were burned and dirty. The teenager sat with her trembling hands folded into her lap. The memory of Louis still haunted her.

Suddenly, a warm drink was pressed against her cheek. [Y/n] blinked in confusion the looked next to her to see Shinra with a drink in hand. [Y/n] smiled a little. "Thank you." She said and accepted the canned drink.

"Are you sure you're okay, [Y/n]?" Shinra asked.

[Y/n] smiled sadly. "I just can't shake the feeling of their intense hatred for me." She muttered and opened the can, "They blamed me for our mother's death, and I have no idea why. I can't remember a thing."

"It's gonna be okay." Shinra said with his usual smile, "We're close to recovering your memories. You told me you remember the convent, academy, and how you were captured. We just need to go backward."

[Y/n] smiled more. "Thank you, Shinra-kun. I can depend on you."

Shrina blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "Well..." He said and his look turned sad, "I met someone who may be my younger brother."

[Y/n]'s eyes widened. "R-Really? We have to go over him." [Y/n] said as she stood up. Shinra grabbed her wrist. "He serves the Evangelist." Shinra said while looking away, knowing [Y/n]'s intense fear of that organization.

[Y/n] gulped and clutched the can in her hand. "I don't care. He's your younger brother. I promised that I would help you avenge your family, but now that we know he's alive, we have to bring him to our side, so you both can be reunited." She said, "My fears don't matter right now. I'll get over them." [Y/n] smiled at Shinra, "He's your family, Shinra-kun, and I look forward to meeting him."

Shinra's eyes widened a bit at what she said as he blushed more and smile. "[Y/n]..."

[Y/n] blushed, "W-Was I rambling? Did I say something weird?" She questioned. Shinra shook his head as his eyes softened. "I love you so much." He muttered out loud, and their eyes widened. Shinra was even shocked that he said his thoughts out loud. 

Once back at the 8th, everyone got settled in. "I'm so sorry about this." Maki said to Vulcan, who looked at her in shock, "Our rookies weren't too disrespectful of you, I hope? Dum-dum and Dum-dum?" She held up Arthur and Shinra.

"No, we weren't." Arthur said.

"No, no." Shinra said.

"If anything, I was the one who was rude to them." Vulcan said.

[Y/n] peeked her head inside the office. "Supper is ready." She said while dressed in her orange jumpsuit. "You had dinner duty tonight, [Y/n]? You should be resting." Shinra said, and [Y/n] smiled.

"It's nothing. Besides, the lieutenant was there to help due to our unexpected guest." [Y/n] said.

Shinra smiled, "For real? Yes! [Y/n] and the lieutenant's cooking is the best!"

[Y/n] blushed the rubbed the back of her head, "Well...the lieutenant is far better than I am."

"That's not true. Your cooking's my favorite." Shinra said with his usual smile. "Will you two stop flirting and get out of the doorway." Maki said, and Shinra and [Y/n] blushed.

"W-We're not flirting." [Y/n] said as she stepped out of the way.

"Sure." Maki said, sarcastically while rolling her eyes. "We weren't!" [Y/n] continued to persist as they walked to the dining room.

They sat at the table. [Y/n] sat between Shinra and Tamaki. "Wow! Thank you for the food!" Shinra said, "I'm starving!" Arthur took some of Shinra's food. "Don't take my stuff!" Shinra growled.

"Where were you when the workshop was under attack?" Arthur asked.

"Oh, that? Dr. Giovanni managed to get the jump on me!"

"Don't let that happen!" They bumped heads.

"Like you were so perfect fighting them!"

"Of course I was! The princess dubbed me her knight, and I wasn't going to let Silver's sacrifice be in vain!" Arthur said, and [Y/n] nervously.

"Keep it quiet! We have company!' Obi said.

And the two boys stopped. "Stop looking at me." Shinra said.

"I'm not taking it anymore." Arthur muttered, and [Y/n] giggled.

"Yum!" Tamaki cheered.

"It's always a good day whenever Lieutanent Hinawa and [Y/n] have dinner duty together." Maki said, and [Y/n] blushed a bit. "It's really nothing." She said.

"We should do better, too." Maki muttered while the other girl felt defeated against the "perfect house-wife" [Y/n]. "This...isn't really what I was expecting." Vulcan said.

"Vulcan-kun, maybe you heard this from Shinra already, but our objective at the 8th is to save the world and its people. I like to think I'm well aware of your family's rules...but do you feel like joining the 8th?" Obi asked, and Vulcan looked down for a moment, "You're free to decline, of course. We'll still ensure your safety from here on. So I want you to consider this openly and honestly." He didn't respond immediately.

Vulcan ate his rice. The next morning the males to Vulcan to his workshop upon request. Nonetheless, Vulcan agreed to join the 8th which made [Y/n] happy. He even did some redecorating. He was making himself at home and see him happy put a smile on [Y/n]'s face.

{A/n: Another chapter should be out later today. If not, then tomorrow.}