"It is nice to see you back in the palace, Syura." Honest said as he roamed through one of the palace towers with his son, Syura. It is now dusk. There were no stars within the night, the moon was full.

"I don't really want to here it, pops." Syura stuck his hands within his pockets and his face looked a little bored. "It's been rough for the past few days, since I had been stranded on that stupid island."

"You were gone for a while without notice. I was starting to think that something, or someone had killed you." Honest said.

"Pfft! As if I'd let that happen! I'm the son of the Prime Minister!" Syura detested as his eyes swiftly looked away from Honest.

"Indeed, you are my son. And I have high expectations for you."

"I know, pops."

"Say, why don't you tell me what happened, and maybe I'll give you some fatherly advice?"

Syura remained silent for a moment as he walked.

"The silent treatment, eh?"

"I was just caught off guard, back then. By that bastard called Flare. That's all."

"Flare, hm?"

"Champ told me a few things about him." Syura yammered on and on about Flare, not wanting to talk about him.

"Really... That young stripling is becoming a greater problem by the day." Honest thought out loud.

"You know him?" Syura asked as he looked at his father.

"Only by reputation. I have yet to meet the young lad. Word from the grape vine is that the citizens are starting to acknowledge and follow him."

"Who the heck is he, anyway?" Syura questioned.

"From the information I've gathered from our Imperial spies, this young lad possess the Imperial Arm that grants him the ability to control fire."

'The ability to control fire...'

"Because of this unique ability, he was chosen by General Esdeath to join his police force, the Jaegers after winning a tournament. And apparently, he is also her lover."

"Really..." Syura took a moment to think, then something hit him. The last part left Syura a little spiked. "Wait, so he's fucking one the strongest general in the Empire?!"

"Why, yes. She should be returning home, soon."

Syura gripped his fist out of jealousy. 'That lucky bastard. I probably would've wanted to fuck the general, myself. But since he beat me to her... eh, there's a lot more toys around the capital for me to play with.' He quickly got over his jealousy of Flare almost in an instant.

"So, Syura. What are you going to do, now?" Honest asked his son.

"First of all, I'm going to murder Flare and everyone he cares about. And then I'm going to take back what was stolen from me." Syura was talking about his former Imperial Arm, Shambhala."

Honest walked a little faster. "Listen, Syura. I don't care how many people you kill in order to get back Shambhala, nor do I care if you get revenge on Flare. But, you do know your objective is to eliminate Night Raid, correct?"

"I know, pops. I've already set preparations for them. Leave it to me. But, what you going to do about the rebels from the south? If they get to the capital, my group will fight them. But aren't you short on soldiers?"

"As if I am. But if things gets worse than they are, then we'll just have to call up that stubborn bastard and his men." Honest silently chuckled.

"Who are you calling a stubborn bastard?" roared a voice, as it echoed through the halls.

The next morning, Flare was walking through the long dark hall of the Imperial Palace, thinking of what could happen. He had worn a business casual suit, which consisted of a black business coat, white business shirt, black tie, black pants and a pair of black shoes.

An hour prior, Flare was informed by Run that he was supposed to rendezvous with the within the council hall. being held as a guest of honor to their banquet for his deeds. He is the only Jaeger to have yet to meet the child emperor.

Flare felt confident, as he walked down the halls of the palace. 'After all these months, I'm going to finally meet the Emperor. I gotta tel the Emperor what's going on. He's been in the dark long enough. But I'm sure the Minister will be in his corner.' Honest then visualized what the Prime Minister looks like. 'Even if I try to tell the Emperor what's happened... the Minister will probably turn the Emperor against me, thinking that I'm an enemy or a spy.' Flare then thought about what Father Christopher has told him.

'Remember, Flare. You must not let your guard down around the Minister or his allies. Not even for a second.' Father Christopher's words.

'Right. Just as the old man said. The Minister's the reason for the Empire's corruption. I can't believe anything the Minister says. I can't let him sway me at all. Besides, he's the real enemy. I gotta stay focus.' Flare grunted as he sensed someone ahead. "Who's that?" Flare finally stopped walking, as he saw a large man in gray armor guarding the large double doors. He had blonde hair, blue eyes and had an intimidating look on his face. He was the Great General Budo.

"Holt."

'This guy is huge. His aura. It's at Danger Beast levels...! Whoever he is... this guy is no pushover.' Flare noted as he stared at Budo and could sense his massive aura and power.

Budo stared down at Flare. 'So, this kid must be the one...' "So, you must be person whom can manipulate fire. Flare, is it not?" Budo asked.

"Yeah." Flare answered.

Budo stomped his foot on the ground, which made Flare silently grunt. "I will not tolerate any kind of disrespect. When you speak to me, you shall speak only formal."

"Yessir."

"I am the Great General Budo. The highest ranking officer of the Imperial Army."

'Oh yeah. I've heard Esdeath talked about him before.' Flare thought, as he continued to look.

"Listen carefully, Flare, as I am only going to say it once. Behind these doors, you are about to meet the high majesty. There are rules, though."

"Rules?"

"Yes," Budo raised an index finger towards Flare. "Number one. Once you enter, you must show the high majesty respect."

'I can do that.' Flare thought, as he could agree with Budo.

Budo raised a second finger. "Number two. You are not allowed to causing any kind of violence around the majesty."

'I don't really like where this is going...' Flare suddenly gained a gut feeling that what Budo was about to say next.

Budo raised a third finger. "And number three... you are forbidden to reveal anything to the Emperor that goes on within the Empire."

Flare grunted in disagreement. The whole reason for Flare agreeing to meet the Emperor was to tell him what was happening. He didn't like the idea of being kept quiet. Flare was not mad, but confused why Budo would make that rule. "The Emperor needs to know what's going on outside! Why can't I tell him?"

"Because we are currently in a Civil War. The Emperor does not need to get himself involved against the Rebels, nor does he need to know."

"What about the Minister, then?"

"What about the Minister?" Budo quoted.

"The Empire's in chaos because of him." Flare said openly.

"So you know as well, then?"

"Yeah I do-I mean, yessir." Flare had quickly corrected himself, before Budo could glare. "Before I came to the Empire, I've heard lots of things from different people inside and out. They all say that he's a wicked man who manipulates a kid on the throne. They also say he's the reason the Empire is the way it is."

"I'm sure a lot of people told you that."

"Look, I'm not from the Empire. I didn't come here to get money or become famous. I came here from a far away village, because I want to stop the Minister's tyranny. I want to prevent further life loss." Flare gripped his fist. "If we want the Empire to be free from his tyranny, then we must deal with the problem now, before it's too late!" He stared at Budo with a little frustration in his golden eyes.

"Oh?" As Budo stared at Flare, he could see a visuality of a person that he had seen decades ago. He saw a woman with long brown hair, auburn eyes and had a less revealing white dress, making the same face as Flare. 'That face... those eyes...' The visual of a woman had soon disappeared after five seconds. Budo then closed his eyes and turned away. "Only after we defeat the rebels. Then we will destroy eliminate the source of its instability."

Flare paused, as he heard Budo say "We".

"Follow me. And do not break the rules that I gave you. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yessir." Flare responded after Budo had pushed the doors open.

Meanwhile, the Minister was sitting at a long white table alongside six other people who were the councilmen. They all discussed the situation with the Revolutionary Army and how they have obtained a few powerful Imperial Arms. Honest was stuffing his face with large meat on bones, chewing down with his sharp teeth while Syura stood next to him, looking board.

Budo could hear the councilmen waver in fear a few yards away and quickly had gotten irritated. As soon as he walked close, he stomped his foot onto the floor, which caused the six councilmen to flinch." Stop wavering, you fools. And you call yourselves rulers of the people?" Budo questioned their rankings and courage.

Some of the councilmen gasped in relief.

"Great General Budo!"

Syura and Honest remained unfazed, as they purposely smile towards Budo.

'So, the old thunder geezer's here, too, huh?' Syura thought.

"Do not fear. If the rebels come near the walls, my Imperial guards..." Budo moved aside to let Flare walk up. "This boy, Flare and I will eliminate them."

Flare looked around at the council hall, then forward to see plenty of people sitting at a long table, staring at him. He didn't recognize any of them, except for Syura who stood next to Honest.

'Dammit, he's here, too.' Flare thought.

'What the fuck is he doing here, of all places!' Syura thought, as his teeth shut.

'He's already back here in the capital in one piece. Maybe that island wasn't far enough to get rid of him.' Flare thought.

'Damn you. I haven't forgotten for about you stealing my precious toy.' Syura thought.

'If he stays here, he's going to cause trouble within the Empire.' Flare thought.

'He's only going to cause trouble for me, if he continues to live.' Syura thought.

'Next time, there will not be a next time.' Flare thought.

'As soon as no one's looking, I'm going to murder this bastard and send him to hell.' Syura hid a sinister smile.

'I need to get rid of him for good, before he does anything destructive.' Both Flare and Syura thought as they immediately fired multiple daggers at one another.

Honest sees Flare for the first time and chuckles. "And whom have you brought here, Great General Budo?" Honest sarcastically chanted "Great General". It's not like you to bring guests." Honest asked as he looked at Flare.

Flare shifted his eyes and turned his attention from Syura to Honest, who was looking at him. 'So, that's him. The goddamn Minister... he's completely what I imagine as someone who's torturing the Empire.' Flare could easily tell that Honest was overweight while sitting.

"This is the boy that can manipulate fire, called Flare. Until General Esdeath returns, this boy will be fighting beside me against the rebels." Budo told everyone.

The councilmen gasped in relief after hearing Budo saying that he will protect the capital.

"What a relief."

"How assuring of the Great General. If he and this kid will fight for us, then we can win!"

"Yes!"

"I agree!"

"There's no reason to fear, if they're going to protect us!"

Budo then gave the councilmen an intimidated glare, which made them flinch. Flare could see the looks on their faces, as they easily fear the Great General.

'These guys are really scared of take Budo real serious.' Flare thought as he looked at Budo.

"A military officer is not meant to interfere with the government. I was born in a lineage of great generals since the beginning of the Empire. And everyone in my family has obeyed this rule. However, I cannot remain silent in a situation like this." Budo glanced at Honest. "After the rebels had perished, I will exterminate the the source of the Empire's corruption."

Flare stared at Honest, as he paused from eating meat.

Honest pretended to be scared. "Very scary. I hope this person is able to prepare himself for the worst." He snickered within his mind. He then locked eyes with Flare, who was staring at him. "So, tell me, Flare. Where are you from?"

Flare remained calm, as he locked eyes with his biological father.