Akira 'Flame' Ashikaga

…You probably hate me already. You don't even know me anyway but you probably think I'm the bad guy just because I let some androids loose on one miserable city but hey, I would not hold that against you. Let me ask you a question though, what is your definition of who a hero is? Is it the guy that dresses up in a fancy costume and comes to stop someone he or she defines a bad guy or is it the one that rises from his despair and humiliation and proves to the world no amount of humiliation can break him? Can't answer? Let's me make it easier for you. How about I tell you my story then you get to decide who is the bad guy and who isn't. I think that's fair; don't you think? Okay then, let's get to it. It all begun in Yesana 14 years ago. I am Akira 'Flame' Ashikaga and this is my story. [Yesana – country, Capital city – Camcot]

14 YEARS AGO

YESANA NATIONAL LABS

3:00 PM

In a valley few kilometers from the sea, stands a grand facility resembling an egg slashed diagonally in half with its yolk crescent in shape and supported from below by what looks like two bullets. On the hills surrounding the facility are large turrets which turn from time to time as wells as large antennas. Standing around the facility are four towers, above which there are helipads and small drones.

A man about 50 years walks towards one of the bullet-like structures. Standing in front of the door, crystal clears water could be seen flowing beneath his feet, making the floor look like a mirror. Looking down, he begins readjusting his black chignon hair with a smile while admiring himself, at that moment, a red fabric flashes across his eyes and his combing comes to a stop. His heart rate skyrockets at once, almost causing him to lose consciousness. To worsen it, warm air softly blows over his ears as a soft delicate voice whisper into them.

"Sir"

His face immediately changes color, flushing red once he looks into the eyes of the young lady before him. Unable to contain his embarrassment, he lets out a loud yell causing her to shriek and he disappears into the room ahead leaving the clueless young lady completely shocked and confused.

"Huh?? Did I do something wrong?" she mutters to herself before realizing his files are still in her hand and yells after him "Sir your files"

Inside the room, he dashes towards the elevator without stopping, his tall figure making some of those inside look really small behind the bubbling chemicals.

[Which bastard even built this place? You will not progress in life, never!] he curses in his heart.

Arriving in the open elevator, he lets out a sigh of relief.

[Damn it, I forgot to pick my files] he palms his face.

Ding! The elevator door slides open revealing an even larger lab than the previous floor except over here, there no chemicals, just gadgets and lots of manufacturing. Regaining his composure, he steps out of the elevator, making his way through the busy lab observing whiles also glancing from left to right as though searching for someone. His eyes finally come to rest on a fiery orange haired man who appears to be in his 30's.

"Found him" he says enthusiastically and moves quickly towards him.

"Flame!" he calls out after reaching him.

Startled by the sudden call, the man turns and quickly discovering his caller, lets go of what he is doing and greets him properly, his yellow eyes giving a faint glow.

"Mr. Rochester, welcome"

"Thank you Flame. How's progress so far?"

"A little slow actually but I made a breakthrough"

"Hmph! Show me"

"For the android, not so much but for the military escape gliders, there is a major progress. Previously we…" his speech is brought to an end with a bang as smoke begins to fill the table behind him. Reacting quickly, the one behind the table fans out the smoke. Slowly turning back, Mr. Rochester faces the table as does everyone.

His smile fades and with a serious expression, he says sternly "Discard it, you are no longer going to work on that project"

"Sir please give me one more chance I promise I would make it count" the man pleads.

"I think you've had enough chances"

"Sir please…"

"I'm not repeating mys…"

"This is not fair sir" he interrupts.

"Excuse me?"

"Every time Mr. Ashikaga fails, you give him another chance but never the rest of us"

"Mr. Johnson, is it? You want another chance, don't you? Tell us what you were working on?"

He remains silent for a while before answering "Floating shoes"

"Floating shoes, hmph! Three times you asked for another chance and three times you were given. Using valuable resources and wasting half a year just to make shoes float and you couldn't yet you want another chance"

"Look over there Johnson, an android. You see that? Within a span of three months that project was handed to him, he's made a lot of progress and you couldn't make a shoe float for six months and you want another chance?"

Unable to defend his cause, he lowers his head in shame.

"Discard those and get something better doing. Flame my office and David, get him something better to do. He is wasting precious time"

"Yes sir" a young man about 19 shouts from a corner of the room.

As Mr. Rochester reaches Mr. Johnsons side, his face becomes even more serious than before and he says to him in a low voice "The next time you interrupt me when I'm speaking, you would find yourself on the curb before you knew what happened" and saying so, leaves Mr. Johnson who feels like his life is being ripped from him.

[Akira Ashikaga, we will see] he swears in his heart as he crushes some plastic in his hand, cutting himself in the process and blood slowly drips on the floor.