When Fran had first arrived at the Varia, he was alone. Sure, there were the other Varia members and (Since Xanxus wasn't there) various recruits but it wasn't like they wanted to entertain a bored teenager. Fran often found himself in either the massive gym or lost in the expansive library that held so much knowledge. He would come and go silently for the Varia meals but wouldn't generally interact with other people outside that.

Fran wasn't uniformed though, and he knew that his name was making it through the gossip circles. Whispers and glances followed his form in the halls, all guessing just why they had taken in the petite mist. One rumour was that he had slept with the upper echelon to get in.

Idiots, the lot of them. But it wasn't like he could tell that to anyone, nobody was going to listen to him, even the Rain squad that was supposed to be level-headed and more logical than the other squads. Whatever, it wasn't like he needed friends or acquaintances anyway…

"You come here often dear?" A cheery voice asked behind Fran.

He whirled around in surprise before bowing in respect. In front of him was the Varia Sun guardian, with shockingly green hair and a bright smile on his face. Realising that he was waiting for an answer, Fran stuttered, "I like the peace that the Library grants."

"Hmm, it's definitely quieter in here than out there," Lussuria gestured at the hallway. "Are you the new recruit Mammon brought in then?"

Fran looked at the ground, "Yes, is there anything you need?"

"Oh no, I just wondered why you looked familiar," Lussuria assured Fran.

"If that's the case, I believe that I am needed somewhere, have a good day Sun Commander," Fran said as he walked towards the hallway. He breathed a sigh of relief as he didn't get called back into the massive library, and started the trek to his room. It was surprising that the talented Sun didn't pick up on the bruises, but they had been careful not to mark his face or any other visible areas.

Fran quickly walked into his room and flopped onto the lumpy mattress. He let out a sigh, it hadn't uncomfortable the first week he had been here, but the comfy mattress had been replaced with this pitiful excuse for a bed. Fran knew that the other recruits had done it, but didn't have any proof. The best he could do was hide personal belongings and just deal with it.

The illusionist was brought out of his musings when the door to his small room was kicked in with a smash. Varia-issued boots clicked quietly as two of his tormentors walked into his room with smirks adorning their faces, "What do we have here, Dominic?"

The red-haired male looked down on the small mist, "A pathetic piece of trash I reckon. We going to rough him up today, Niccolo?"

Niccolo, the taller of the two bullies, chuckled sinisterly in response, "Not too hard though, I heard that Alfio was looking for him. That doesn't mean that we can't beat the trash up though, so what are you waiting for."

With Niccolo's permission granted, the Storm walked towards Fran and picked him up by the collar of his shirt. Fran went limp in his hold, not even flinching as his cheek was punched harshly. He lay in place as Dominic let loose punch after punch on his body, sure to leave spectacularly green bruises in wake. After what felt like an eternity, Niccolo put a stop to the beating, "I was just getting into it, are you sure I can't do just a bit more."

"No, Dominic," Niccolo said sharply, "I don't want any of our superiors catching wind of this anytime soon."

The lightning spun on his heel and exited the room at a leisurely amble, but not before spitting on Fran to let him know his place. Dominic glanced unhappily at the small illusionist before following Niccolo out of the room and down the corridor.

Fran groaned as he slowly sat up and leant against his bed frame, his hands found their way to his tender stomach and gently massaged the bruising flesh. He staggered up onto sore legs and hurriedly attempted to fix his uniform, regretfully, his Varia jacket ripped in some parts, but it couldn't be helped.

Fran gave his damaged door a rueful glance and peeked out of his room to see if he was going to be harassed in the hallway, however the path was clear. His door creaked as he closed and locked it, and he headed into the maze of hallways to get to the Mist commanders office that currently belonged to Alfio. Although the Niccolo would lie to him, he sensed a small amount of truth in the words, and didn't want to keep the commander waiting any longer than necessary.

Navigating by this point was easy, and with a few turns and only one wrong way, Fran was standing in front of the Mist commander's door. He ignored the curious, lingering mists and knocked quietly on the door. There was a brief murmured conversation before the door swung open and he was pulled in as the door slammed shut behind him. Commander Alfio placed Fran back on the ground and ushered him into one of the office chairs that was placed next to the easily identifiable person in the room.

"This will be your escort for the mission Commander Belphegor. Will you be happy with just him and Matteo?" the relatively wary Commander asked.

The Storm Commander sat back in his chair and gave his signature laugh, "Shishishi, the peasants better be able to catch up with the Prince." Fran and the (rain?) Matteo quivered under the Storm's penetrating stare, although Fran exaggerated slightly. "Whatever. You peasants," Belphegor directed towards the two officers, "Meet the Prince in the garage in half an hour, don't make me late!"

All three in the office stood as Commander Belphegor swished out of the Mist Commander's office and relaxed once he was out of sight. Commander Alfio looked at the mist under his command, "Please come back in one piece, I would hate to lose such a talented illusionist."

"Of course, Commander," Fran intoned as he inclined his head towards Alfio, "Will you be needing me for anything else sir?"

Commander Alfio shook his head, "Just promise me you'll be careful around Commander Belphegor."

Fran saluted and slid into the hallway, "As you wish, Commander Alfio."

XXXXXX

Fran rushed into the garage, hair being blown in all different direction, as he skidded to a stop beside Matteo. It was nice, Fran thought, that I didn't get paired with someone who hates me. A small glare from the Rain beside him made him rethink that thought. At least he doesn't physically hurt me anyways… Fran sweat dropped.

Matteo broke the awkward silence that descended with a question, "Is it true that you use your body to get up the ranks?"

"Where the hell did you hear that!" Fran growled in irritation.

Matteo looked at Fran, "Well I guess it either is and you're acting protective about it or the rumour's false."

"Of course, it's fake you stronzo!" Fran shouted at the smirking Rain.

The clacking of boots and a familiar haunting laugh made them aware of the presence of the Storm Officer and they both stood to attention as Belphegor walked past them and towards the issued car for their mission. "Shishishi, you peasants ready?" The Storm Officer asked mockingly.

"Of course, Commander," Fran intoned, smiling inwardly at the interruption.

Matteo huffed as he wouldn't get a full answer from Fran and followed the Storm Officer hurriedly, he didn't want to get on the bad side of the bloodthirsty Storm. "Catch peasant," Belphegor said as he tossed the mission file to Fran.

Fran caught the thin file mid-air and continued walking while reading at the same time. The first page was just the bare minimum and held no real details, so Fran flipped to the second – and last- page in the thin folder. They were to escort Belphegor as he captured and interrogated a renegade Varia member that had stolen some confidential information for an unknown reason. Fran finished the small file as they reached the car and was forced into the backseat as Matteo pushed him out of the way. The Illusionist glared silently at the antagonistic Rain before handing the mission folder to him and went to stare out the window.

"Shishishi, don't be sick in the car peasants," Belphegor warned as he turned the ignition and shifted the car into drive. Tires squealed noisily against the floor as the Storm slammed his foot on the pedal and cackled madly as the car shot forward and out into the sunlight.

Fran groped for his seatbelt and held onto the handle bar that was known as the oh shit! handle and prayed he would survive the hour-long journey ahead of them. The large car swerved sharply, at least two times over the speed limit, and narrowly avoided colliding with a transport truck. Dear lord, Fran prayed in his head, let me survive this Hell. He opened his eyes, (when had he shut them?) and quietly snickered at the situation the other Varia agent found himself in.

Matteo had also grabbed onto the handle, but he had also wrapped the seatbelt around himself twice and was bracing his feet under the dashboard. Luckily, it didn't seem like he was going to be sick anytime soon, he looked far too pale and not green enough.

The Storm Officer's eerie laugh echoed around the car as he ignored every rule of driving and swerved in and out of lines to get to his destination faster. Fran gripped the plush leather in a white knuckled grip as they shot through a set of red lights and almost hit several cars as the car sped up even faster. Mother of god, how much faster could the cursed car go? Fran thought hysterically as he caught a glimpse of the speed they were going.

Finally, finally, they were at their destination said the GPS in a cheery tone, unaware of the craziness that had happened in the short (too short) journey. Never again, Fran thought vehemently as he fell out of the vehicle.

"Shishishi," Belphegor cackled creepily as he advanced towards the hidden entrance of the Varia's Interrogation base.

Matteo recovered quickly and hurried after the mission leader, and violently shoved Fran as he passed by. Fran growled and clenched his fists in an attempt to not lash out, though his flames had taken on a sharper tinge. "What is your problem asshole?" Fran asked confrontationally.

Matteo smirked and glanced at the Storm to make sure he would be overheard, "Just making sure you know your place, scum. Besides, we all know you've been whoring yourself out to the higher ups."

Enraged mist flames lashed out at the impertinent Rain before Fran could reign them in, and Matteo stumbled back. Before another move could be made, by either side, Storm flames cut through the barrage of Mist and slammed into both agents at full force. "Enough," Belphegor ordered in an uncharacteristic display of seriousness, "If either of you have a problem with one another, resolve it back at base. I will not have idiots accompanying me."

"Understood Captain, my apologies," Fran said contritely as the self-proclaimed prince stared at him.

Matteo stood beside him and apologised as well, it was clear though that he didn't mean what he said as he glared at the remorseful Mist. Belphegor stared suspiciously at the two agents before spinning on his heel and continued to walk towards the entrance. "One word out of either of you and you might find yourself in a painful situation, let's go."

The three Varia members quickly made their way to the Interrogation base and were hurriedly pulled through security, made faster with the Storm Captain in their midst. A harried looking brunette made her way towards the trio, her heels clicking on the floor quietly, "Captain Belphegor, thank you for coming sir."

Belphegor nodded and motioned for the two agents two follow him as he walked beside the brunette. "May I have your name?" He asked as he fell into his Captain persona.

The tall brunette blushed, "Apologies Captain. My name is Chiari Moretti."

Belphegor and the newly introduced Chiari made their way towards block E where all the information on renegade members was held. They were taken to a normal sized conference room that already was set up and had information scattered everywhere as well as a map. "I hope this is to your liking Captain Belphegor. If there is anything you need, please ask. Otherwise, I wish you all the best in capturing him."

"Grazie Chiari," Belphegor murmured as he looked over the map intently.

Fran stood beside the Varia Guardian and looked over the map as well. Red dots were sporadically placed in random spots on the map as representations of sightings. In between the red pins were blue for Varia bases and green for possible hide-outs the renegade was handling. "What do you need me to do Captain?" Fran asked as he catalogued where all the pins were placed.

"Look over the profile we have of the renegade and tell me where you think he might be in accordance to the pins," Belphegor said commandingly, "Matteo." The Rain looked at the Captain. "Bring me some black coffee, one cream and two sugars."

Matteo made to protest but shut his mouth and stormed out of the room after giving Fran a dark glare. Fran was beginning to look over the information when Belphegor broke the silence in the room, "Why does the Rain hate you so much?"

Fran shot the Captain a look of surprise before schooling his mask back into neutrality, "It is nothing Captain, at least on my side anyways."

"That is not the answer I was looking for, exaggerate for me," Belphegor said as he made notes on a blank piece of paper.

Fran blew out a breath, "There is some unpleasant rumours going around at the moment, they are focused on me."

"Why?" Belphegor asked, the blank sheet of paper rapidly being coloured in ink.

Fran shrugged his shoulders in confusion, "I assume that it is because of the way I was inducted into the Varia, Captain."

Belphegor made a sound of remembrance, "You were brought in by Mammy, weren't you? Yes, I could imagine it would fuel such comments."

Fran didn't have a chance to respond before Matteo burst into the room with the requested coffee and an additional one in his hand. The Rain placed Belphegor's cup on the table and sat in a chair to watch Fran as he refocused on the papers in his hands. "Next time, Rain, I expect you to walk in much more quietly than you just did, am I clear?" Belphegor nearly snarled at the agent, feeling unusually protective of the petite looking Mist.

"Yes sir," Matteo quailed under the scathing glare of the Storm Captain.

Belphegor turned his attention to the unfazed looking Mist, "Has anything caught your eye?"

Fran took a moment to review a paragraph before nodding, "Do you want me to recite it now, Captain?"

Belphegor nodded and sat on the table, sipping at his coffee as he watched Fran make his way to the map. Fran asked one more question, "How much information do you want right now sir?"

Belphegor raised an eyebrow, "As much as you've gathered."

Fran nodded in acquiesce and began talking about the information. "As you know, we have been asked to find, capture and interrogate the renegade Varia member Stefano Amante. He took on a solo mission and never returned, the only reason we know he is alive is the fact he returned his identification and of course, the murders."

Fran wheeled over a large whiteboard and began pinning up photos of the crime scenes and victims. "Stefano first attacked a low-levelled agent that was part of our non-flame user group CANDLE. The victim's name was Allegra Fausti, she was returning to HQ when she was confronted by Stefano and shot in the head at close range."

Fran pinned up a picture beside the first victim, "This is Luciano Pecora, or rather, what is left of him." A gruesome-looking corpse was lying stomach first with brain matter scattered around the body. "By now, a small investigation team had been formed to look into our first victim's death. Three days later, they stumbled upon Pecora's body. "Amante must have been wary that we were already on to him and instead of boldly confronting Pecora, he took our agent by surprise and killed him the same as our first victim."

Fran walked over to another picture that had two solemn looking men staring at the camera. "These two people were his next two victims, and also the last two victims so far. They too, are not flame users and were working under CANDLE. The one on the left with blonde hair is Salvatore Davide and his partner was Corrado De Luca. You may know them as the Assassini Gemelli [Twin killers]. The two were very successful and skilled agents. They were killed just one day ago."

"Are you going to get on with it or not?" Matteo sneered as Fran paused to relook information and take a breath.

"Of course," Fran rolled his eyes as he returned to setting up his information. He finished pinning up the last of photos and turned to look at the photograph of the renegade agent. "As we already know, Amante shows incredible skills wielding guns and was progressing quickly through his training before he left. Obviously, all murders were killed with a gun, but it is confusing that Amante chose to get so close to the victims instead of doing a long-range kill instead."

Fran brought a map of the area where the murders occurred and placed it on an empty spot at the conference table. "These are where the murders occurred," Fran stated, and he circled the areas in red, "You can see that they are not in any particular pattern at the moment, however I can attribute this to the fact that all of our victims took different routes back to base. With a few adjustments to the map I could pinpoint the location that Amante is most likely to be."

Fran began to make a big circle around the murder sites, "Using the circle theory and assuming he is striking from home and not travelling he is most likely in this area. You can see that each site from the centre of the circle is almost approximately twenty miles from the centre which is our base. This means that he is waiting for agents to get within that range before he strikes. Amante doesn't have a vehicle to use so that's why he's sticking to a short range of attack. We know that all Varia agents are taught how to hijack a vehicle therefore he is in an area where either vehicle are non-existent or kept under too tight a watch."

The map was scrutinised before Fran continued his long explanation, "Since he is making a move at night, this restricts his zone of opportunity in order to not look suspicious or stand out." Another red circle was added onto the map. "The murders are at the borders of this circle, so we are down to a smaller area…"

Fran looked at the map closely before marking two different areas with a blue pen, "Either of these two places could be where Amante set up a hideout, or perhaps he moved places." The first blue mark was on the north side of a small town known for dealing with shady business. The second blue area was south-west on the map and was on the borders of the first location.

Belphegor slowly clapped, "You will definitely be getting a recommendation from me agent. This is impressive work."

Fran conspicuously flushed, "Thank you Captain."

Matteo looked at the ceiling in frustration before speaking in a moody tone, "Will we be checking the areas out now Captain?"

Belphegor gazed at the angered Rain, "Hold your tongue, brat. Fran, which area is most likely out of the two to be his base?"

The Mist carefully scrutinised the two locations, "I would say location B Captain, although I can't say for sure. Amante should be living in a small abandoned home though, close to main roads I would guess but far away enough that neighbours don't suspect anything."

Belphegor nodded, "Let's go then, make sure you're ready for anything." The Storm Captain exited the room, leaving behind his emptied coffee cup, and Fran rushed after him as Matteo slowly trailed behind sulkily. Fran quickly caught up to the mission leader and fell into step slightly behind him.

"Mammon chose you because of your skill with illusions, did they not?" Belphegor asked conversationally as they turned a corner.

Fran looked at Belphegor's shoulders as he replied, "Yes, Captain. I was told I would become a great illusionist akin to themselves one day. I don't mean to brag."

The Storm studied the agent beside him carefully, "I suppose I can see what Mammon can, though I am no Mist. You will be a great asset to the Varia in the future."

"Thank you, Captain," Fran murmured as they walked up to where Chiari was talking to some security personnel.

The personnel quietened as Belphegor advanced towards them and Chiari turned around the see the cause of their silence, "Ah, Captain Belphegor. Is there anything you need?"

"My team and I are going to investigate a possible lead in the case, I would ask that you don't disturb the room we are working in while I am away," Belphegor requested firmly as he waited for the trailing Rain to catch up.

Chiari nodded in understanding, "Anything else Captain? Is there a certain time we should expect you or send out reinforcements if you do not check in?"

Belphegor glanced at the clock above him, "If we are not back by nine then send word to the main base and ask them to send out Lussuria and another guardian. Tell them that we have not communicated with you when it was expected, and we have probably run into trouble."

"Of course, Captain," Chiari acquiesced and looked at her watch, "I hope to see you in four hours then."

Belphegor began to walk away and motioned for the two agents under his command to follow him, "Did you hear all of that Fran?"

"Yes Captain," Fran said obediently.

"If I am unable to send word that we are in trouble, if I am incapacitated or occupied, I want you to do what I told Chiari," Belphegor told Fran as they walked quickly to the car.

Fran nodded but hesitated, "Matteo has experience and superiority over me Captain. Why do you not tell him to do this?"

"I trust you a lot more than I do that Rain," Belphegor admitted as he unlocked the car. Matteo was forced into the back of the car, as Fran got shotgun unwittingly as he followed Belphegor. "Matteo, navigate for me."

With those last words before they moved, Fran clung to the emergency handle and shut his eyes as they rocketed out of the parking lot and towards their destination.

XXXXXX

Belphegor calmly exited the car and locked it behind him as Fran attempted to not vomit on the dirt below him. The Mist took a few deep breaths of fresh air before straightening up and looking around him. Belphegor had stopped in an empty parking lot next to an empty gas station that had not been used for a long time, according to the rust that the building had acquired over the years.

"There was a road a kilometre back that I want to look at first," Belphegor said as he finished putting his weapons on his body, "We'll split up on that street and investigate the houses separately. If you find anything, tell me over communications and we'll regroup at the beginning of the street unless I say otherwise."

The trio trekked back down the road they came from in an unshakeable silence, each agent checking and rechecking their weapons and reviewing the rather simple plan in their head. In the span of ten minutes, all three arrived at the street Belphegor was interested in and made a mental note of their surroundings.

"Matteo, go to the end of the street and make your way back, Fran you take the right side of the street and I will take the left." Belphegor said as he walked past the street's sign Viale Prosperare [Prosper Boulevard].

Fran walked down the street and looked around at his surroundings, the sky was beginning to darken but is was still easy to see the area around him. It was a rundown neighbourhood where nearly every front garden was so overgrown you could barely see the front door of each house. It appeared that not many houses were occupied in the street – A good area for the renegade to hide out – but the ones that being lived in were stood out against the abandoned houses. For one, the occupied houses had the grass cut to make a pathway to the front door and all visible windows had security screens and curtains drawn against each one.

Fran hopped the fence of the fifth house he was looking at and managed to break into the kitchen. The house larger than it looked on the outside despite being only one story, and Fran had finished searching the master bedroom when the earpiece crackled as somebody reported. "Captain Belphegor, I believe I may have found the house we're looking for." Matteo's voice crackled through the earpiece.

Fran perked up and quickly exited the house and made his way onto the street again. "Where are you?" Belphegor asked hurriedly on the comm system as he too made his way out of the house he was searching. "Number forty-three, it's on the left side of the street. What do you want me to do?" Matteo answered the mission leader.

Fran spotted the Storm heading out onto the street and made his way over to the Captain. "Stay out of sight and near the street, Fran and I will be there soon." Belphegor said in the comms as he saw Fran jog towards him.

"Yes Captain," Matteo said into the earpiece and turned to find a space to hide.

Belphegor started a slow sprint as Fran raced beside him, "Remember your training, and you'll be fine, okay?"

"Yes Captain," Fran answered as he searched for the house Matteo described, "There!"

Both the Varia members slowed to a stop and eyed up the nondescript house that was on the partly abandoned boulevard. "Stay close," Belphegor ordered as he lowered into a crouch and headed for the bushes that were at the side of the house.

No fence was erected around the two-storey house and Fran and Belphegor managed to get lose to the side of the house before stopping and looking for the Rain. "Matteo, we're here, where are you?" Belphegor said into the earpiece and frowned as only static greeted him. "Matteo, respond!"

Fran, who had been inconspicuously looking around paled as he saw what looked like a finger poke out from one of the nearby bushes, "Captain?"

Belphegor turned his head towards the other agent as he heard the quiver in his voice, "What?"

"I think I found Matteo," Fran mumbled. The Mist steeled his nerves and moved to the bush where there was indeed a finger lying out of the thick leaves. With only a small tremble in his hands, he reached out and grabbed the still hand lying in the bush. With a strong pull, Fran tugged the body out into the open, and muffled his sound of horror at what he saw.

Lying still in the darkening sky was Matteo. Instead of all the other victims though, he wasn't shot at close range which meant, "There's a sniper, Captain!"

"Get down." Belphegor hissed as he rushed for some form of cover in the nearby bushes.

Fran hastily wedged himself into an alcove in the wall and looked around frantically to see where the sniper was shooting from. He was close to hyperventilating before Belphegor whispered through the thick bushes, "I need you to contact the base and do what I said before. The code is F1r4M3."

The earpiece was hastily taken out of his ear with his shaking hands as he inputted the code into the small device. "Connecting…" The device bleeped quietly, and Fran slid down the wall to get into a smaller target. His head snapped to the bushes as Belphegor made low rustling noises moving, "Captain, where are you going?"

"Stay there and explain the situation. I'm going to find Amante," Belphegor ordered as he cautiously crept out of the bushes. He disappeared before Fran could put up a form of protest.

"Authorisation code needed!" The device in Fran's hand beeped. "Agent three-three-one emergency," Fran muttered into the earpiece as he looked around for better cover.

"Who is this?" Came a wary voice through the small earpiece. Fran hurriedly put the communication device back in his ear. "My name is Agent Fran, I was sent on an escort mission with Agent Matteo to watch Captain Belphegor," Fran began to crawl to the back of the house, following the decrepit wall.

"How did you get this code?"

Fran bit his lip, "Captain Belphegor gave it to me. He said to tell you that Lussuria and another guardian must be sent to our location immediately, asap."

There were indistinguishable whispers on the other side of the line as Fran talked to the cautious operator. "Reinforcements will be dispatched soon. What exactly is the problem?" A different voice asked over the comms, still male though.

"You don't understand, Captain Belphegor very specifically requested that Lussuria and another guardian were to come to our location if we were in trouble," Fran said exasperatedly.

"What is the problem?" The male repeated, unwilling to back down.

Fran sighed, "We were ordered to capture the renegade Stefano Amante. We found where he is laying low, but he's set up a sniper post and already killed Agent Matteo."

There was a small pause over the earpiece before it crackled back to life, "Your request will be granted Agent Fran, they will rendezvous with you in approximately fifteen minutes. Keep your earpiece on, we can track you through that."

"Acknowledge base," Fran replied as he darted around the corner of the house and onto the rotting wood veranda.

Gunfire cracked through the air, followed by muted shots back, meaning Belphegor had found Amante and was in direct combat with him. Fran looked through the dark blue horizon to see whether he could find the area they were fighting, when a stray bullet pelted into the wall beside him. Instincts kicking in, Fran ducked down and pulled out a plain silver ring. He slipped the unadorned ring on his left middle finger and directed a portion of his flames into the ring.

When Fran flared his flames from the safety of shelter, it was obvious that Amante and Belphegor were fighting on the house adjacent to him, flame signatures blazing in the otherwise quiet neighbourhood. The sky had turned navy blue by the time Fran had weaved in and out bushes to get to the other house and the quickly dying light made it hard for Fran to find footholds to use to get up the side of the house.

Thankfully, it was only one story, but it was a well-cared for house and didn't have many marks to use as holds. Fran finally made it to the top of the roof by using a small amount of Mist flames to make a platform that ascended upwards. Another bullet flew by Fran as he stepped onto the roof and into the chaos that was occurring.

"Captain!" Fran cried as the Storm was shot in what looked to be his shoulder but could have also been his chest.

Amante whirled around to face Fran after hearing his cry, unintentionally showing the large amount of damage that Belphegor had given him. "Another agent to slaughter hmm? You sure act like lambs you know?" The renegade member cooed as he eyed up the uninjured Mist.

Lightening flames exploded outwards as Amante charged towards Fran and ferociously crackled against a hastily formed barrier. "Looks like you've got some bite to you after all," Stefano remarked as he pulled back and watched Fran run over to the fallen leader.

Belphegor groaned as his ruined Varia jacket was tugged off his right side to reveal a bullet wound that was an obvious entry and exit hole. Fran eyed the Storm with worry as he peeled back the shirt to reveal a massive black and purple bruise that signified internal bleeding. Fran winced, that was undoubtedly the cause of Belphegor going into shock, no bullet wound would keep him down for so long otherwise. "Stay still," Fran said quietly, "Lussuria is on his way and should be here in a matter of minutes now."

"That's good," Belphegor commented as he spat out a wad of blood, "He's going to have a fun time patching me up."

"Enough chit-chat," Amante sneered as he stalked towards the duo. He aimed his gun and shot at Fran, the bullet nicking Fran's neck.

Fran hissed but obeyed and stepped away from the injured Storm. He fluttered his eyes as he brought more mist flames to hum underneath his skin, and when he readjusted his sight his eyes flashed indigo. "I've got this Captain," Fran reassured him and began to twist his surroundings into illusions.

No matter how strong an element is, they must have incredible mental strength to beat a talented illusionist. The sky around the two battling elements darkened to ash grey and fires randomly started in different places. Thick flakes of ash began to fall from the sky and the air began to heat up to an almost unbearable level.

Stefano spun in a circle to take in the drastically detailed illusion, a poor choice considering that was what dragged you deeper into the Mist's playground. A flame demon, structured similarly to a balrog (Fran was a big fan of Lotr), was crafted and sent to fight Amante. The lightening paled and tried to kill the being with a slash of flames.

Fran laughed mockingly as Amante continued to fall deeper and deeper into his illusions. It was incredibly taxing to use his mist flames so much, but it was necessary to incapacitate the renegade agent until help arrived. Fran was not as foolish to think that he could hold Amante for much longer.

More balrog-like demons appeared in the Mist flame landscape with a twist of Will. Fran was so focused on his task that he didn't sense reinforcements arriving until someone put their hand on his shoulder. He sucked in a startled breath and whirled around to confront them but abruptly paused when he saw that it was Varia's second in command, Squalo.

"Captain Squalo," Fran hurriedly saluted but did not drop the illusion he forged.

The white-haired shark's eyes bore into him before looking satisfied at what he saw, "Drop the illusion after I deal with the filth."

He barely waited for Fran's acknowledgement and lunged at Amante with a terror-inspiring grin. The unaware renegade was quickly and cleanly taken out by a vicious chop to his neck that would knock him out for a few hours at the least. Fran kept pouring flames into the elaborate illusion and only stopped them once he saw Squalo's sword connect with the back of Amante's neck. His ears began to ring, and his vision wavered dramatically. The last thing Fran saw was the Rain Captain whirling around to see him fall to the roof.

Squalo turned back to the rookie mist just in time to see the teen's eyes roll back in his head and fall to the floor with a dull thump.

XXXXXX

Fran's slowly awakened and revealed tired teal eyes as he blinked at the bright white ceiling. He let out a low groan as he felt his drained Mist flames for the first time since he collapsed. Fran turned his head to the right and nearly had a heart attack as he saw the leader of the Varia sleeping in a chair next to him.

Embarrassingly, his hand was caught in an iron grip and no matter how hard Fran tried he couldn't get Xanxus to release his hand. Fran took a deep breathe in and his lungs betrayed him by making him have a coughing fit. When he had settled down again, the heart monitor he was attached to beeped faster, Xanxus was wide awake and staring at him with an unusual emotion.

"Commander Xanxus," Fran acknowledged as he spluttered over another breath.

Xanxus frowned, "Relax, you're one of mine now. There's no need for such formalities."

"Sir?" Fran questioned as he stared almost blankly at the Varia Sky.

Xanxus smirked, "You haven't noticed yet? We harmonized when you brought back here for treatment."

Fran went into another coughing fit as he realised what emotion was on the proud Sky's face- Possessiveness. "We harmonized?!" Fran shrieked, mortifyingly high.

Xanxus had no time to answer the shocked Mist as Lussuria quickly walked into view and frowned at him. "Did I not very clearly say to you that you weren't to scare the poor darling?" Lussuria scolded as he ran a diagnostic over Fran with his flames.

Fran shivered as the Sun flames (MineMineMine) swept through him and knew then that he really had harmonized with the Xanxus, and therefore the other upper echelon of the Varia. Lussuria seemed to be satisfied with the results and looked at his Sky, "If you could leave for a moment, it would be greatly appreciated." Seeing as the rebellious Sky was going to live up to his name Lussuria added, "Doctor's orders. Go get some coffee and food as well as the others before coming back here."

Xanxus glanced lingeringly at the Mist lying on the bed but conceded to the Sun and left the Infirmary to go to the kitchen. Lussuria smiled at Fran and sat down in the seat his Sky was previously sleeping in, "Hello sweetheart. I'm sure you know my name and I know yours, so we can get that out of the way. I wanted to discuss something with you before the rest of the guardians come back, is that okay?"

Fran nodded numbly at the perky Sun. "That's good darling. There's no easy way to break this to you but we found out about things that were going on under our noses. Bullying and undue harassment for one."

"It's not what you think," Fran tried to wave off the actions of his tormentors.

Lussuria gave him a sad look and tapped Fran's right ankle, "What's that scar from then? If it's not from a certain someone's Rain flames, then what?"

"Fine," Fran conceded, "Why do you care?"

"As you know, you harmonized with Xanxus and through that bond you also harmonized with the rest of us," Lussuria explained patiently to the defiant Mist.

Fran blinked, "So when you asked Commander Xanxus to get the others you meant…" Fran trailed off in shock.

"Of course! I sent them to get some sleep since they were all down here for so long," Lussuria exclaimed.

"What about Captain Belphegor?" Fran asked as he remembered the Storm's serious injuries.

Lussuria hastened to assure Fran, "That won't keep him down for long, especially with my flames healing him as we speak."

Fran was about to ask where the Storm Captain was when said person jogged sluggishly through the meticulous doors of the Infirmary. Belphegor slowed to a walk once he saw Lussuria though and almost timidly walked over to the glaring Sun. "It wasn't like I ran very fast Lussie," Belphegor hastened to defend himself before the wrath of the Sun could fall upon him.

"I'll be the judge of that," Lussuria sniffed and prodded Belphegor's abdomen from all different places.

"It's nice to see you awake newbie," Belphegor told Fran as Lussuria touched his almost healed wound. "Xanxus and the others won't be too far away, in fact, here they are now," Belphegor exclaimed as the group of guardians burdened with food and drinks ambled after Xanxus.

Various greetings were given to the newly harmonized Mist as the other guardians found places to put their packages down.

Later, in the early morning of Fran's second day in the Infirmary, all of the guardians were sleeping around the Mist's bed as their flames intermingled and engulfed the new indigo flames amongst them.