A/N: Don't own.
Starts a few days in the past and only has Fon.
Interlude: Fon
Fon sedately made his way through Milan Central Station, observing the people scurrying between the platforms. He had arrived in Italy just a few hours ago on a contract from the Triads to look for information on a rather delicate and quite convoluted situation.
The Tarasov Brotherhood of the Russian Mob had developed a way to force Flame activation.
Fon wanted to frown when considering this information again.
He already disliked the idea of a technology like that existing at all, much less in the hands of a small, unscrupulous group of the Russian Mob who might now create any number of Flame users from their own ranks and wherever else they could find them. Or sell the technology to the highest bidder.
It was calamity in the making.
Hopefully, the Tarasov never got their hands on anyone truly powerful. The destruction wrought by their newly activated Flames - uncontained and with no way to control them - would be immense. And who knew what kind of damage forceful activation might do to someone's Flames.
Fon didn't even want to consider what might happen if the Tarasov ever got their hands on a powerful Sky. Just the thought of uncontained Sky Flames was unsettling.
It would be a bloodbath. The Sky would pull at any Element within reach - looking for protection in a stressful situation – who would fight ruthlessly over the Sky.
Uncontrolled Sky Flames were dangerous, usually ending either with the Sky crippled – in mind or body or both – or with multiple Flame users dead - either at the hands of other Elements or simply because they couldn't handle the strain of having a Sky pull at their Flames without actually forming a bond.
Having Sky Flames pull at you without actual bonding - due to a difference in power levels, or simple unsuitability, or any other possible reason – was pain. Pain that ached down to your very soul. Pain with no way to find relief.
Fon knew. Over the years, there had been numerous Sky users who had tried and failed to pull him in.
There was a reason why any decently strong Sky was taught by a one-on-one tutor at least until they gained a certain level of control after activating their Flames. And that was just considering the possible ramifications of forcefully activating Sky Flames.
And now someone wanted to go about indiscriminately forcing people into activating their Flames.
Fon felt like sighing at the entire situation.
The Shuǐhé Yī - one of the more powerful Triad branches - had found out about the Flame activation technology just a few days ago, after eradicating the Tarasov Brotherhood - in revenge for an attempted double-cross - when cleaning out their compounds. However, there had been no information to be found anymore on how the technology had been developed or what the plans for its implementation had been.
The Tarasov had been working with a small crime family in the UK, the Duggan Firm, who were supposed to provide some sort of essential information for the project. However, the exchange had been yet another double-cross that ended with the Russians entirely destroying the Duggans with the help of an Italian ally, the Corocos Famiglia. Who had then turned around and betrayed the Tarasov.
In the end, it had been the Corocos who had somehow made away with both the technology and the information.
Before the Russians had a chance to follow the Corocos to Italy, they had been wiped out by the Shuǐhé Yī in retaliation for an attempted – though entirely unrelated - betrayal.
Fon had always held the opinion that most of the smaller groups in the world of organized crime were ridiculously faithless. Amongst themselves they waged a continuous war of cut-throat and betrayal. These groups would do anything to rise into the ranks of the bigger players. Literally anything. Apparently even mess with Dying Will Flames, with people's soul and life-force.
Fon felt nothing but contempt for them.
Now, the Triads' higher-ups wanted the technology from the Tarasov and also preferably the information from the Duggans – whatever that might turn out to be. Thus they had followed their only lead for finding the technology itself to Italy. But the situation had escalated before they ever got there when a large Corocos compound had been blown up - under questionable circumstances - quickly followed by whatever else remained of the Famiglia.
At this point supposedly no one else had been aware of the Flame activation technology, so the Triads had decided to send someone to unobtrusively gather information and possibly even attain the technology itself.
Which is how Fon found himself in Italy looking into the activity of the Corocos before they had been taken apart.
Fon had been contracted for this particular job due to him being considered something of a neutral enforcer within the Triads. Even the leaders of the Triads preferred him in that position, as he could be called upon in cases such as this where multiple branches held separate interests. Especially, as Fon had no additional loyalties such as a bonded Sky and thus it was considered near impossible to sway his loyalty in case of a conflict within the Triads.
His position gave him an unusual amount of freedom - a rarity for someone of his strength – as Fon had the advantage of not being directly affiliated with any particular branch of the Triads. This freedom was something Fon would fight to keep with every resource available to him.
Additionally, ever since making a name for himself Fon had taken care to keep a rather low profile outside of the Triads' higher-ranking members as his main employers. He liked that by being mostly unknown in the underworld he could move far more freely than would be possible otherwise.
On the other hand, while Fon himself was unknown, his reputation as 'Fēngbào zhī yǎn' - the 'Eye of the Storm' - was met with fear and respect throughout the criminal underworld, well beyond the Chinese Triads.
Subtle gathering of information or manipulating shifts of alliances or acquisition of specific items were his preferred areas. He excelled at inconspicuously molding even the most delicate of situations to fit his demands, at acquiring any article – be it information or an item or a person - he aimed for, while afterwards, no one would be able to actually recall any details about his person, having entirely dismissed him during the process.
Fon preferred to solve any situation without actual violence, but if a situation did escalate there were very few people who even had a chance to defeat him. Very few. As in barely any.
But despite his position as a neutral enforcer between the branches, he was still very much considered a part of the Triads. Thus he wasn't entirely free in which jobs to take and which contracts to refuse and the contract that had brought him to Italy had been handed to him from the upper levels of the Triads.
So now, he was in Europe to gather delicate information that the higher-ups had not wanted to entrust to just anyone. In Italy. The land of the Mafia. Who had no idea that the 'Eye of the Storm' was in their country. Fon's serene smile tilted up another notch at that thought.
There were some people he wouldn't mind seeing again.
Well, first he would have to take care of this contract. He might as well seek out the Triad's informant in Milan that would be his starting point for this job.
Fon placidly looked around - reaffirming that there was no one paying any sort of attention to him – before sedately moving towards the main exit leading to the city center of Milan. Had anyone been watching they would have seen him entirely disappear from view between one blink and the next.
Leaving yet another informant and making his way further into the city, Fon contemplated the information he had gathered over the past few days. Things didn't add up.
It appeared as though his contractor hadn't been entirely honest with him regarding the specifics of this job. Though it was well known that Fon would not tolerate any sort of betrayal from allies. So, instead of his contractor having risked Fon taking revenge due to a perceived treachery it was just as likely that the Triads simply hadn't known.
As soon as he got back to China, he would be having words with the higher-ups. At the very least about the quality of their informants.
Fon had no patience for incompetence.
He had no doubt that he had gotten every last bit of relevant information the informant had known. And quite a bit more actually, as the man had started babbling in a panic at the near tangible pressure of Fon's Qi. It was always gratifying how easily people got scared of his polite smile when backed by the roiling power of his Flames.
Still, the information was not adding up.
Taking a seat at a restaurant's table to wait for the meeting with his next informant, Fon contemplated the information he had gathered so far, all the while vanishing into the canvas of the multiple awestruck tourists milling about.
While most of the Triad's background information had been correct - as in the Tarasov betraying the Duggans and being betrayed by the Corocos in turn – the Flame activation technology wasn't nearly as secret as he had been led to believe. It was actually more of a general topic of conversation in the Mafia World right now and thus also very much sought after by several parties.
Additionally, he had been informed that shortly before the first Corocos compound had been destroyed, the Strongest Sun had also been looking for similar information recently.
Reborn. As in the World's Greatest Hitman. Who would never leave such an obvious trail to follow. Who even Fon would have trouble finding against Reborn's wishes despite knowing the man's modus operandi well enough to have an advantage over most anyone else.
For Fon, the Sun Flame user fell cleanly somewhere in the middle between colleague and friend. Just as Fon was one of the very few people in the world who could count themselves as something more than an acquaintance or an annoyance in Reborn's eyes.
Fon and Reborn had met years ago, occasionally worked together, trusted the other for support during a job or for providing information. While there was no definite bond of loyalty between them, they both valued integrity enough to trust that no actual betrayal would come from the other.
Fon truly valued their understanding. Honor was hard to come by these days and especially in their circles.
Accordingly, they had done their best to avoid ending up on opposing sides during any larger conflicts and had both previously refused contracts for that reason. In their positions, you tended to do your best to keep the few reliable alliances you managed to build.
Still, no one in the criminal underworld actually knew about their - at the very least amicable -acquaintance. Just based on their roles and conduct in the Mafia World, they were usually seen as exact opposites.
Reborn liked to leave a swath of chaos in his wake wherever he went, using his reputation to strike terror into anyone opposing him and making them surrender without additional effort, while Fon preferred subtlety, undermining his targets to the point that they simply handed him whatever he had been hired to achieve in the first place, but barely leaving a trace of his ever having been there.
Reborn liked to exhibit the exact personality traits expected of a Sun Flame user, but used his Flames in the exact opposite way. Offense instead of defense, annihilation instead of activation. Fon was known for presenting the exact opposite of the personality ascribed to Storms, but could use his Flames to literally disintegrate anything they touched.
Reborn was provoking and dismissive all the while easily fading into the background - his presence vanishing from anyone's radar - if he so chose. Fon was the embodiment of calm and polite, but he had mastered the use of his Qi to focus anyone's attention on himself all the while distracting them from actually seeing what Fon was doing.
In the end, both of them always, unquestionably, uncompromisingly achieved their goal.
Though to be honest, they both also had their chosen indulgences, cultivated as appeasements for their tempers, for their Flames, their nature. Reborn had made an art form out of driving people to the edge of insanity with his mind games, having the person unlucky enough to be the target questioning their own loyalty by the end of it. Fon on the other hand preferred frustrating people into losing control, simply by showcasing his legendary calm, uncompromising politeness and complete lack of reaction no matter what was thrown at him.
There were few things that Fon priced quite as much as self-control. Thus, driving others into completely losing control of themselves was his preferred way to show his disdain for someone. Not that anyone ever suspected something that underhanded from him, his mask of politeness clearly working to his advantage. He had made his cordial mask into one of his most useful weapons.
Fon and Reborn found similar gratification in revealing other people's weaknesses, their deficiencies, emphasizing the vast gap of strength. Reborn for the joy of messing with other people's minds, Fon for his disdain of anyone not trying to better themselves due to the misconception of having reached mastery of anything - there was no such thing as far as Fon was concerned, there was always some way to get better, to improve, to reach.
Reborn liked watching people flounder helplessly while he held the life vest that they were desperately searching for, while Fon found satisfaction in making people entirely lose control - of themselves and thus of the situation.
None of their targets had walked away entirely sane from any of the jobs where Fon and Reborn had joined forces.
They had managed to keep their acquaintance a secret mostly due to working on different continents, though they often used the other for information that might otherwise not be easily accessible to them. Their alliance widened their respective networks considerably simply by including the other's contacts, which were immense due to their position and abilities.
Which brought Fon back to the problem at hand.
Fon had already been suspicious. But then not only had the Flame activation technology suddenly become general knowledge – raising everyone's interest to absurd levels - but at the same time everyone also seemed to have figured out Reborn's possible involvement, going by the general search for the World's Greatest Hitman.
There was no way that the information had become available without interference. Someone must have pointed out Reborn's involvement in this situation. Either Reborn's own informant - though Fon doubted anyone would be stupid enough to betray the World's Greatest Hitman - or someone who apparently knew far too much. But Fon was unable to find the source of this information leak, which made the entire situation even more suspicious.
It stunk of someone desperately trying to find Reborn. So much so that they made any and all information they could find on the Strongest Sun available – even revealing the existence of the Flame activation technology to increase the general interest - hoping that someone else might find Reborn based on that information.
However, how had that person even found out about Reborn having been involved? Something else was at play here.
While nothing showed on his face beyond a calm smile, Fon felt like frowning. Not even only at someone possibly betraying Reborn but also that Fon was not able to find even a trace of who that might be. There should be a trace. No one was that good.
However, who would be idiotic enough to anger Reborn of all people, who was known to rip apart anyone who got in his way. For someone to risk Reborn's wrath by giving away this sort of information to the entirety of the Mafia - knowing full well that Reborn would find out - there had to be something else at play.
Fon felt his instincts tugging, warning him that there was more to this situation, something even more dangerous, permanent, damaging than he was used to normally.
Reborn was at the very least an ally and so Fon would seek him out. To warn him about the increased interest - so the man could prepare himself – and possibly to offer his help.
Conveniently, it appeared as though Reborn was somehow involved with the technology, so Fon even had an excuse for seeking out the Strongest Sun while on a contract from the Triads.
Considering the first Corocos compound had apparently blown up right after Reborn having shown interest in the Famiglia, Fon felt it save to guess that Reborn had probably found out about the technology somehow and decided to get involved for some reason. Knowing the man, Fon was sure it had been boredom driving the Sun to do so. And Reborn had vanished from the Mafia World entirely right after. So, it might be safe to assume that Reborn had made away with the technology. Before anyone else had even gotten wind of it. Typical.
Reborn's need to be constantly active, moving, entertained was the one thing that actually gave away his Flame type. Other than that Reborn's personality, like Fon's, didn't really match Sun Flames, tending to fade into the background, rarely showing any form of true enthusiasm, always remaining level-headed.
But for Reborn to disappear entirely, to the point that his own contacts had no reliable way to get in contact with him, was unusual. Reborn always kept his information channels open. The man was obsessed with having any and all information available in the entirety of the criminal underworld. But if the World's Greatest Hitman wanted to disappear… well, chances were he would only be found when he himself intended it so.
It was yet another sign that there was more to this situation than appeared at first glance, so Fon spent the next few days looking further into the situation and found out that the Corocos had made another transaction in the UK. If they had returned to the UK despite the risk after already having double-crossed the Tarasov and the Duggans, they must have had a good reason.
Some more digging and Fon found records of a plane leaving Italy with three Corocos and returning with four passengers just days before the destruction of that first compound.
This was definitely suspicious and if something had dragged Reborn away it must have been pretty interesting, so this might be his most promising lead yet.
Fon would follow the trail of the Corocos and hopefully find out more regarding Reborn's whereabouts in the process.
Leaving Italy, he easily picked up the trail in London.
The Corocos really didn't know how to cover their tracks. So, after having ascertained the information himself, Fon erased the tracks for them, making sure no one would be following the same trail as he had.
Fon quickly uncovered the origin of the additional passenger, though he still didn't actually have a full name, just an address of where the Corocos had gotten this person.
Fon's next stop would be Surrey apparently.
However, he never actually made it out of London.
Before he could make his way towards British suburbia, something pulled at his attention - suddenly and fiercly, tugging at his instincts, his Flames, his intuition, his very being.
Never having been one to ignore his instincts, he unerringly followed the pull which led him to a street somwhere in the middle of London.
It took him a few seconds after arriving there to look past the insistent tugging to realize that it was Sky Flames that had his instincts on high alert.
Flames of the Sky sitting in a café at the other end of the street. Of the Sky who was sitting right next to the World's Greatest Hitman himself.
Fon paused, giving himself a few moments to process this. Even though he immediately smothered his Flames entirely after recognizing the Strongest Sun, Reborn had obviously noticed his presence, though Fon was certain that he had not been able to actually identify him. Fon's control over his Flames was too good for that.
He carefully considered the situation, while continuously assessing his surroundings. He had found Reborn. By coincidence.
Right.
This was too easy. It was either an incredible bout of luck – finding Reborn by coincidence of all things - or some kind of trap - but Reborn would not set him up in this fashion and his instincts were not giving any sort of warning. Fon took another careful look around. Coincidence it was.
Fon needed a chance to work through this. Reborn had noticed him watching. Fon could tell, what with Reborn's Flames aggressively curling about the surroundings trying to identify the threat – though thereby confirming that Fon finding Reborn here, was not some sort of setup designed by the Strongest Sun himself.
No one knew Fon was even in Britain. Even the Triads thought he was still in Italy.
He briefly considered the option of making his identity known to Reborn but decided against it. This situation was far too volatile.
And the Sky's presence was definitely throwing Fon off.
The one thing Reborn and Fon had always shared was their longing for a Sky, a true Sky. The kind of Sky that offered a boundless canopy for the Elements to settle and spread, an expanse to orbit without restraints, as well as the focal point to always return to.
Still, they were also both well aware that they were far too strong to ever expect to find a Sky that might be able to pull them in.
That of course didn't stop the numerous Sky users they met to try and force a bond on them. Although Reborn had possibly had it harder than Fon.
The Triads were very interested in keeping Fon as a neutral enforcer between the branches, thus none of the weaker Sky Flame users were willing to risk their wrath by trying to bond to Fon. However, the same could not be said for the high ranking members of the Triads, though they tried to be subtle in their attempts – 'tried' being the key word there, Fon thought, making his lips almost curl in contempt. Still, it at least limited the number of Sky Flame users trying to pull him in. Reborn had not had such luxury.
However, where Reborn had developed a clear dislike for Sky Flame users in general due to their constant attempts to pull him in by force or subterfuge – only ever asking, when their schemes failed – Fon held most Sky Flame users in contempt for letting themselves be used as tools by the powerful members of the Triads trying to further strengthen their base. The idea of being bound to a Sky like that, someone who would do the bidding of someone else - no questions asked - was abhorrent to Fon.
Additionally, they both liked their independency while cultivating a strong network of people for information and support if it was ever needed, making names for themselves that struck fear into the hearts of anyone who might have to stand opposite them.
Still, Reborn and Fon had always agreed in their wish for a suitable Sky – their Flames longing for the bond - despite their less than friendly feelings for any Sky Flame users they had met.
Because of that he was especially surprised by the obviously amicable atmosphere between Reborn and the Sky sitting at his table.
Reborn simply did not do amicable. With anyone. No exceptions.
Fon kept his direct focus off the two Flame users sitting at the table, knowing that was the only way to avoid Reborn immediately pinpointing his position. Still, Fon could tell that the Sky who was sitting with Reborn was young, teenage young.
What little he had been able to witness of their interactions - before Reborn had noticed his presence just a few moments after Fon had focused on watching them - had been surprising. Fon knew Reborn outside of a job or during a job. Knew what he was like when he was pulling in a target or charming someone out of information or into his bed.
This was unlike any of those situations. Reborn had seemed genuinely invested in the conversation. Focused intently on the little Sky sitting across the table.
Additionally, Fon could feel the astonishing purity of the Sky's Flames despite not even being able to get a clear read on the entirety of his Flames. How had a Sky like this been missed by the criminal underworld? Still, it figured that of all people it would be Reborn who would find a Sky like this.
The Sky was also a sharp contrast to Reborn, even disregarding his age. Where Reborn was dressed as usual in his suit, the Sky was wearing jeans and t-shirt, had fly-away hair that was obviously unstyled and was mostly curled up on his chair as he talked animatedly.
Though Reborn's focus on the Sky had quickly turned into a front while Reborn tried to figure out who was watching and from where. Fon was one of the very few people who had sufficient control over his Flames to hide his identity even from the World's Greatest Hitman.
The Sky also seemed to have amazing situational awareness as even though Reborn had not given any outward sign of having noticed a watcher, the Sky had clearly realized something was off. He was actually keeping up the conversation and to anyone not quite as skilled as Fon, it might have seemed as though neither of the two sitting at the table had noticed anything. Fon knew better.
Going by Reborn's instant and almost aggressive alert at noticing that he was being watched, Fon decided that it might be best to leave for now and wait whether Reborn would return tomorrow without the Sky.
When the two of them got up to leave, he stayed where he was for a moment, before quickly disappearing in the opposite direction.
During the next few days Fon returned to the café in the mornings and when Reborn didn't appear, he spent the rest of the day looking for more detailed information on the Corocos situation.
However, just as Fon had thought, Reborn returned to the same café several days later at the same time.
And surprisingly also in the same company. That was unexpected. Well, Reborn had always been good at surprising him and the World's Greatest Hitman clearly had no intention of leaving the little Sky out of this situation. Nothing for it then.
After flaring his Flames and getting confirmation from Reborn that he could approach, Fon calmly made his way towards them. All the while he assessed the Sky not only sitting with Reborn but also apparently included in Reborn's scheme.
Reborn wouldn't drag such a young Sky - not just any Sky, his instincts whispered - into a situation he couldn't entirely anticipate. Fon knew there was some piece of vital information he was missing.
Well, Reborn had always excelled at keeping Fon's life interesting, the Storm Flame user thought with a serene smile as reached their table.
A/N: So… I needed an interlude to cover Fon's side of the story. I just couldn't get it to fit into the actual chapter.
Also, as feared I am finding very little time for writing right now. Maybe I'll try doing shorter chapters for now until I get settled in my new place and my new job? That way I might also be able to mostly keep to my usual updating schedule…
Chapter 14 review responses:
You guys are just amazing! The response to the last chapter was insane and kept me spending what little free time I have right now on writing :)
To everyone who asked, no comment on whether Fon will be a Guardian or not (though it should become clear soon). Same for George. Also, thanks to everyone who commented on the Chinese greeting and especially to DarkMask09 for offering help with Chinese in the future.
To Evilshallprevail: Thanks for your review! This is post-HP and pre-KHR. I am keeping most of the HP storyline but messing up the KHR 'verse entirely :)
To bloodyredfox: Thanks for your review! I'm sorry but I don't want to comment yet on how Harry will affect the arcobaleno… Though I can tell you that Luce is going to be mostly the same as in KHR canon (there will have to be some changes though) and that I don't intend to make the story any more angsty than it already is.
To iBeta: Thanks for reviewing yet again! I will get back to the runes that appeared during the ritual and what they revealed. Though I'm not telling yet :)
To Celesta SunStar: Thanks for reviewing again and for pointing out any spelling mistakes! I'm always grateful for any feedback on my English :)