A/N: It sure has been a while, huh? This regular break between chapters turned out to be a lot longer than I planned, so, really sorry about that. This semester kicked my butt harder than Will Smith slapped Chris Rock and my living conditions didn't motivate me at all to sit in front of my laptop and write. But honestly, I'm kind of glad it took so long. It helped me realize how I wanted to write this story. Starting here, my page is going to be reinvented, so to speak. With a clear plan for every story, I'm coming at them with a stronger and refreshed outlook so I can progress everything until their natural and hopefully satisfying ends. That was always the plan, but I only had the faintest idea how I was going to do it. Thankfully, being a fan of the source material and having an understanding of the world and its characters means I... Wait a minute. Lisa's been calling him "Vul" this whole time and not "Vulc?" Facepalms. Just ignore those few Vulcs from the past chapters, it's just one letter.
May 16 edit: Also, the anime's third season was just announced! Whoohoo! About time, right?
Cock-a-doodle-doooo!
Ugh.
Cock-a-doodle-doooo!
Not now. Please not now.
Cock-a-doodle-doooo!
Such an annoying sound. Lisa's barely conscious mind shut down again and she resumed sleeping.
Cock-a-doodle-doooo!
She groaned and turned in her bed, grabbing the other side of her pillow and pressing it against her ear.
Cock-a-doodle-doooo!
"Ugh!" She turned over and slapped the rooster-shaped alarm clock to turn it off. Rubbing her temples, she shifted around until she sat up. After her mind adjusted to the light and sounds of her room, she stretched and got up, with her long hair cascading over her shoulders and down her back. Despite her irritation with the clock, she remembered something that lessened her annoyance. Today's the day.
Walking downstairs, Lisa tied her hair together into a ponytail. She could already hear the loud clangs and whirring that Vulcan was making with his gadgets.
"Morning Vul."
He didn't hear her at first, forcing her to repeat herself louder. He turned around and slipped his ram mask up his face.
"Hey Lisa," he smirked at her slightly irritated expression. "I bet you're loving the new alarm I made for you, huh?"
The girl rolled her eyes. "That was so funny I forgot to laugh."
"Well, just as long as you think so," Vulcan smirked at her. "At least your morning didn't involve telling more of those Fire Soldiers to buzz off. They don't know how to take a hint."
"Uh huh. What are you working on?"
"A motion detector. If I can get it to work correctly, it can let out a hyena's laugh and scare any intruders away. Fire Soldier, thief, anybody."
"Do you really think that's going to work on the Fire Force? They deal with Infernals all the time, I don't think they'll care about some creepy laugh."
"That's why I was thinking for maybe phase two of my plan, I could build actual robotic hyenas to drive the point further."
"When has that ever worked?"
"Only in my dreams," he sighed.
She snorted. As Vulcan turned back to his machine, Lisa walked into the kitchen to make a bowl of rice. She walked in there to find Yu eating his way out of a large rice bowl of his own, and rather quickly.
"Slow down or you'll choke," she said casually as she walked past him. She opened the rice cooker and scooped herself some breakfast.
Yu set his bowl down and gulped, wiping his mouth. "Sorry," he said. "Master gave me a big assignment today. I have to go into the city again, and I need to be on my feet all day."
"Well, don't overwork yourself. He's still going to need you after this project."
"Right," Yu returned to his bowl but ate slower. Lisa smiled slightly at his youthful energy. After they finished eating, Yu got to packing his things while Lisa walked into the kitchen, where she grabbed some bread. Checking the refrigerator, she was relieved to see the groceries she bought were still there, and that the boys heeded her request to leave them alone. Gathering up some ham, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and a few condiments she got to work on making sandwiches. Once she was done with them, she took a knife and cut them all diagonally to make triangle sandwiches. She placed them in little boxes and returned them to the refrigerator, where their drinks were kept. A small assortment of cans and bottles were inside, ranging from water to tea to soda. The pantry was also left untouched, as the bags of chips she bought were still there. She packed them in a bag next to the refrigerator.
After that, she got to packing lunch for Yu. His food consisted of a box of rice, dried seaweed, eggs, ham, and a few other vegetables. They were lucky to have made some money lately, as it made for higher quality meals.
Yu walked over. "That looks delicious, Lisa!"
"You think so?"
"Of course!"
"Good," she said. "Think of me when you eat it."
"Thanks a lot!" He grabbed a notepad and started going through the list he'd written down.
"Uh, Lisa, do you need me to grab anything for you?"
"No, I'm good."
"Are you sure? You've been working on your own device for a while now, and you might be running out of parts."
She shook her head. "I'll make do."
"Okay then." He continued through his list while Lisa packed his lunch for him.
Once he was done, he grabbed his rucksack and headed for the door. "I'm off, Master!"
"I told you not to call me that!" Vulcan snapped. "And be careful out there, okay?"
"Will do!" He opened the door and stepped out.
"Remember to come back before 10!" Lisa reminded him as he left.
Vulcan pulled his mask off and grabbed a soda. Chugging it down, he let out a "Whoo!" as he finished before chucking the empty can onto the ground. "So, what are you gonna do today?"
Lisa looked away. "I need some extra parts for this little gizmo I'm making. I'm going out to find some."
"Why didn't you tell Yu to get some? He can't have gone far. Let me call him back."
"Nah, let him go. I want to get this thing done myself."
"Why? You haven't blown off his help before."
She shrugged. "He already has plenty of your parts to worry about. Why should I cut into either of your schedules?"
Vulcan nodded. "Guess you're right. When are you headed out?"
Looking at the clock, she noticed it was 9:27. "In about 15 minutes."
As she headed out about 20 minutes later, she carried a small bag with her, packed full with the food she prepared, and bid Vulcan farewell. Usually, one would find spare metal parts in junkyards much like Vulcan's workshop or at junk dealers. Yu would frequent these areas for her and Vulcan, and he undoubtedly would be stopping by them before heading into the city, just in case. She didn't want to risk running into him and awkwardly explaining why she didn't tell him that she wanted parts of her own, but fortunately, she didn't have to. The truth was, she was heading out for a different reason.
Arriving at a quiet hill at 11:02, she picked some flowers out of the ground and headed further north to a graveyard. She opened the gate and stepped through. The familiar place was looking a little neglected; the caretaker was likely coming to clean it up in the coming days. Weeds and overgrown grass stuck out of the ground, untidily accompanying some of the tombstones. Two such tombstones needed tending to. She knelt down and cleared the weeds, pulling them out of the ground and tossing them away. She sat and looked at the names engraved on them. Ken and Maya Isaribi.
"Hi Mom. Hi Dad."
The wind drifted through, making her hair flow gently.
"It's been six years, huh? That's a whole third of my life ago, but I remember it like it was just yesterday." She choked a little. Wiping at her eyes, she continued. "I could never forget. Even when I was a little girl I clung to the mortician's leg and demanded she tell me where she was taking you. There's no letting go of that memory."
She sat down in front of the tombstones and unslung her bag, withdrawing the food. She set a sandwich in front of both graves with a few chips laid on top of her mother's. Her father's chips were placed inside the sandwich. Lisa smiled, recounting out loud how he ate his sandwiches and chips like a child. She gave them both a water bottle and finally served herself. The peaceful sounds of the wind blowing, birds chirping, and Lisa munching on her lunch helped to soothe her. Several hours passed, spent warmly as Lisa caught her parents up with all that had happened at Vulcan's workshop since her last visit. She laughed at how adorably scared Yu got when he first heard Vulcan's artificially created lion roar and Vulcan accidentally setting himself on fire a little when an invention blew up in his face. Fortunately for him, he was wearing his mask, which protected his face from burning off. Unfortunately, he was shirtless at the time. She expressed annoyance at Vulcan's alarm clock, happiness at cooking her mother's omurice perfectly, and serenity at just lying there in front of them, absorbing the warmth of the sun. She ate her chips slowly, wanting them to last.
A bird flew overhead, drawing Lisa's attention. Focusing on it, she recognized what it was. "Look Mom, it's a cardinal. You always liked it because it reminded you of my hair. It's a really pretty bird. Vul tells me they weren't native to Japan before the Great Cataclysm. I guess even animals had to move here because of it." She paused. The cardinal was carrying a caterpillar in its beak and heading for a nest in a tree. She couldn't see, but it was clear the bird was feeding its family.
Lisa set her half eaten bag of chips aside.
"I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit you lately. I've been really busy," she said. She tried to ignore the nagging feeling in the back of her mind and stood up. "I-It's really important. What we're doing is going to change the world. It's for the greater good. It's just on a scale so large that most people can't comprehend it. That's why...that's why..."
What am I saying?
"I mean...we're trying to...we're just..." She couldn't finish. She couldn't look at them.
"Dad, you always told me to follow my heart. That I can't possibly make bad judgements. But to be honest...I think I died with you. My body is still here, growing without me and following orders. I don't...I feel empty inside. I don't make bad judgements because I can't make any, it's all the will of..." She shuddered and tears started to prick at her eyes. Her knees dropped to the ground and her usually tough exterior shattered.
"The only time I'm not empty is when I'm with him, with them. Vulcan calls us a family, and beneath it all I wish it was true. I wish I could have met him and Yu without going undercover. I just want to be happy. I just want to fill the gaping hole in my chest that Infernal burned open when it took you. I just want..." She was crying. All her emotions that she was ordered to lock up burst her dam. Even in death, her parents made her feel so vulnerable that she cast aside all the paranoia and fear she harbored.
"But I can't. I have my orders. Please forgive me. I know this isn't what you would've wanted to see, so please don't think of that when you see me again. Soon, it will all be over. One day, this world will be cleansed, and everything will be alright. I promise."
More tears were shed as she stopped talking and let herself grieve. She put her hands to her face and wept silently, sniffling and crying.
Something was burning.
"Crap!"
Lisa tore her hands away from her face and gasped at the sight of an Infernal right outside the graveyard cornering... "Vul!"
Vulcan's back was pressed right up against the gate. He dove out of the way just in time right before the Infernal punched a hole through where his head had just been. He got back up and shot a glance at Lisa, who had frozen in place.
Memories shot through her head at the sight of the flaming monster. Suddenly she was no longer in the graveyard, and the next thing she knew, she was in a familiar house. Vulcan wasn't there, and everything was on fire.
"Lisa!" A woman's voice screamed.
Lisa turned around in shock to see her mother running toward her. "M-Mom?!"
"Lisa, we need to get out of here," Maya said hurriedly. "Come on!"
"What about Dad?"
"He's right behind us, we have to go now!"
Maya grabbed her hand and led her away from the burning hallway. It was getting harder to breathe, which forced them both to cover their mouths. There was a lot of creaks echoing through the house, as well as ominous thuds. Lisa looked behind her, trying to look for her father amidst the fire. A loud crash snapped her attention away.
An Infernal had plowed through the staircase right in front of them, blocking the door. Lisa and her mother screamed as it looked right at them, its eyes glowing aflame amidst its dark, charred skin. It started to advance on them until a computer dropped from the second floor and struck it on the head. The Infernal turned around to face its assailant.
"Over here, Ono!" Her father yelled. "You focus on me and leave my family alone!"
Ono? That's right, Mr. Ono was visiting us for lunch today. Is he...
The Infernal jumped up the stairs and crushed the railing that her dad was standing behind. Ken fell backwards in fear. Looking back down at his family, he barely got out the word "Run!" before he was scorched alive. Maya screamed and covered Lisa's eyes, but it was too late. The very last seconds of her dad's life and its end was permanently etched into her mind.
Maya grabbed her and made a run for it again, but this time, she wasn't so lucky. The Infernal leapt from the second floor and right onto the wall above the door, crushing it and sending debris flying down. Looking up, Maya held her daughter tight before throwing her with all her might out the door. Lisa grunted as she landed. Turning back around, she briefly caught a glimpse of her mom before the debris landed on her and the Infernal killed her as well.
"Mooooooom!"
The entire house was on fire. Their neighbors were evacuating their houses as well, making a run for it. One of them picked her up and carried her away, but she struggled against him. She reached back for her house, seeing it burn down with the monster staring right back at her. Fear clenched her chest.
"Mom! Dad!"
The house shrunk the further she was carried away. Eventually, they turned a corner, and she couldn't see it anymore. And now...
The Infernal lashed its arm out at Vulcan, sending a wave of fire in his direction. Vulcan started running, but the Infernal quickly gave chase. It jumped high into the air and reared its arm back, ready to blast another wave at him.
"Lisa! Help!"
The girl was snapped out of her flashback and tightened her fists. Not again.
She ran for the gate, flames lighting up around her body. She jumped into the air and manifested large tentacles from around her waist, which pushed off the ground with enough force to send her high into the air. Sending a tentacle downward, she latched onto the Infernal and curled it inward, keeping it away from Vulcan. Making sure that he was far enough away, Lisa raised the tentacle upward and threw the Infernal to the ground. The grass underneath it started to burn from the impact, and Lisa, thinking fast, used one of her thicker tentacles to crush the burning person. But it wasn't enough. It was still writhing underneath her.
Bringing the tentacle back up, she slammed it back down again. Still no luck. Again. Not yet. Again. Almost there. Again. Done. Again. Again. Again.
"Lisa! Lisa, stop!"
Lisa caught herself, and saw Vulcan's concerned, yet frightened expression.
"It's over. Let the poor guy go."
Lisa looked back down. The remains of the Infernal were smeared into the ground, leaving a black stain. Her tentacles started to shrink in size until she was back down on the ground again. She started shaking, holding her arms to her chest.
Vulcan stepped over to her and hesitantly reached for her. "Lisa..."
She flinched at his touch, so he retreated.
"Lisa, talk to me."
She kept her head down. "Are you okay?" She asked.
"Forget about me! Are you okay? I've never seen you snap like that before."
Lisa blinked hard. She thought she'd be crying, but all her tears had been shed. Now, she was just shaken.
"Come on, let's get you away from here." Vulcan led her away from the charred ground and back to the graveyard.
Fear suddenly struck Lisa's heart. How long had he been standing there?
"Did you hear me?" She asked.
"Hm? No, did you say something?"
"In front of the tombs. Did you hear anything I said?" She asked a little harshly.
Vulcan was surprised with her tone, but answered truthfully. "No, I didn't. I saw you crying and decided to leave you alone."
"What were you doing here?"
"You were taking way too long to be picking up some spare parts. I know you Lisa, you're too smart to waste the day away for something as small as that. I figured maybe you were visiting your parents, so I came to check. Once I saw you, I was going to leave until the Infernal snuck up on me."
Lisa looked into his eyes. Vulcan was a very hotheaded and passionate man. He didn't hold anything back and said exactly what was on his mind. He wasn't the type to lie. He was telling the truth. She breathed an inner sigh of relief.
Vulcan looked over at the graves of her parents. "Is today the day they died?"
"Yeah."
"Oh. That Infernal must have struck a bad memory. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"Still, I shouldn't have snuck up on you."
"I shouldn't have lied," she countered. "That's my fault. I made you worry for nothing, and you almost died because of it. I just didn't want you to see me like this."
He laid a hand on her shoulder. "It's fine. We all need our time alone. Just...be honest with me, okay?"
Lisa dropped her head. "Yeah. Right."
Vulcan looked up at the sky. "Are you ready to head back now? It's getting late."
She let out a shaky sigh. "Yeah. Yeah, just let me say goodbye."
"Of course," he waited outside as Lisa stepped back into the graveyard.
Packing her things, she slung the bag around her shoulders and looked back at the tombs. "I'm going now. I'm sorry you had to see that, I just... I couldn't stop thinking about you. That Infernal took our family away from me, and I couldn't let it happen again."
She paused, unsure of herself.
"I'm happy I could protect someone else I care about. Thank you for being here for me. I promise, we'll see each other again soon. Please hold on a little longer." She leaned in and kissed the top of both tombstones, and left.
The way back was uneventful. It was quite a long walk, but she felt at peace with Vulcan by her side. He gave her a sympathetic smile and asked her if she needed his arm. Thinking about it, she agreed and let him comfortingly wrap his arm around her shoulders as they walked. He wasn't being flirtatious or funny, he was giving her the comfort she needed after everything that had happened. She welcomed it, and for a moment she was able to ignore the thought that their family was going to come to an end. For just a moment, she was able to bond with a friend and recover. For just a moment...
The sky had darkened by the time they returned home. The automatic lights of the workshop lit up as they stepped foot into the junkyard. Lisa, long having cheered up, was happy to be back. As she and Vulcan stepped inside, they were surprised to see a winded and exhausted Yu sitting on the ground and leaning back against his rucksack.
"Yu?!" Vulcan ran over to him. "What happened to you?"
"Master, it's..." Yu took a gulp of air. "...good to see you."
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
Yu shook his head. "No, but I was almost killed by an Infernal."
Vulcan and Lisa's faces froze in shock.
"You ran into one?" Vulcan asked.
"No, it came for me. It was even talking," Yu's breath started to slow down. "Luckily, a Fire Soldier saved my life."
"...huh."
"He was very cool. He kicked it away from me just as it almost got to me. Although," Yu scratched his head. "I don't think they put the Infernal to rest yet."
"Why not?" Lisa asked.
"There seems to be internal conflict amongst the Fire Force. Another company swooped in and apprehended the Infernal, and I think they plan on studying him. The Fire Soldier's own company arrived soon after, but there wasn't really a fight."
"A talking Infernal?" Vulcan said out loud. "Crap's getting weirder every day. Whatever, I'm just glad you're safe."
"I'm sorry for coming back so soon, but I was scared for my life."
Vulcan rubbed the boy's head affectionately. "Seriously, don't worry about it! If you're dead, that's one more part of my family gone. I can't have that. Plus, I still need your help."
Yu smiled at his words. "Thanks, Master."
Vulcan smacked his head. "Stop calling me that."
Yu looked at Lisa. "Where have you two been?"
Vulcan looked over at her as well, who hesitated. "I...needed to find something."
"Did you get it?"
She looked over at Vulcan. How he knelt down next to Yu, concerned and serious. She looked at Yu, whose large innocent eyes were boring into hers and betrayed nothing short of curiosity and confusion.
She walked over to the boy and uncharacteristically hugged him, much to his surprise. Smiling, she said, "Yeah, I did."
A/N: Funny how the last chapter ended with "the future was looking brighter than ever" but the next chapter took place in the past. Speaking of which, I can't tell if either the manga or anime hinted at Vulcan knowing Lisa had powers, and if it was supposed to be a big deal. Lisa tased him in the manga rather than blast him with fire, but that was the only difference. All signs point to it not being that dramatic of a reveal, other than her betrayal, so for the sake of this chapter I'm having it as everyone knew of her powers beforehand, it's just how she used them that caught them off guard. Also, I discovered from YouTube that Fire Force actually uses the bruh sound effect in its sound design hahaha. Who would've ever thought all those fiery explosions were a heavily edited version of some dumb Vine? My day instantly got better from knowing this.
Bruh. Feet spontaneously combust to kick the crap out of burning civilians.
