The Human Torch (Fire Force) Chapter 6: Factory Incident

[Third Person's PoV] 


Later in the night…


Johnny and Shinra were both lying awake in their bunk beds.


Johnny felt Shinra shifting above him. “Can’t sleep?” Johnny asked.


“No, not really,” Shinra replied, staring at the ceiling.


“Wanna talk about it?”


“No, I’m just a bit anxious about fighting a Flame Person. I can’t help but think about that night…”


“I thought you said you didn’t want to talk about it.”


Shinra simply rolled his eyes, but before he could continue, the siren rang. Both Johnny and Shinra jumped out of bed.


Maki burst into the room. “Johnny, Shinra, a Flame Person has appeared. You guys have 30 seconds to get ready.”


As they ran, Shinra asked, “And our outfits?”


“In the Matchbox,” Johnny informed him.


When they arrived, they found the captain getting ready. “Flame people have appeared in the Torigoe area. We’re moving out!”


Everyone quickly got in, and as they went, they quickly got dressed.


It wasn’t long before they arrived at the scene. Captain Obi gave them a quick rundown of the situation. “The scene is a small factory that manufactures metal fittings. The factory manager’s wife became a Flame Person. According to the reports, there is another employee who has yet to escape.


“The primary objective is to rescue that employee. Then we’ll give a proper send-off to the soul that once belonged to that Flame Person. There might be falling machinery and debris, so stay alert.”


When they got out, there were regular firefighters trying to put down the fire.


“Johnny, go in and secure the target. If you see the Flame Person, do not engage.”


Johnny nodded, taking off his clothes in one swift action. “Flame on,” he said as he flew through one of the open windows.


There was fire everywhere, metal debris falling, and the sound of the flames crackling with intensity. Johnny heard painful screaming and quickly flew toward the source. He found both the Flame Person and the worker.


The man was rolling on the floor, half his body covered in flames. The flame woman stood over him, her hair made of fire flowing elegantly.


Her hands turned into more flames, but before she could attack the man, Johnny flew at him and scooped him up. He used his flame manipulation to snuff the fire off of him.


As the flame stopped, the worker fell unconscious due to the pain. His body was more than burnt off.


The door to the factory opened, and in came the rest of the 8th. Johnny saw Shinra’s expression but didn’t have time to say anything about it.


He flew past everyone and carried the worker to the regular firefighters. “He has third-degree burns and needs medical attention immediately.”


The firefighters nodded, taking the worker off Johnny’s hands. Johnny flew back in just in time to see Maki parting the flames like the sea, while the others rushed further in.


The flames were then pulled away, causing confusion. “A flashover?” Hinawa asked.


“No,” Captain Obi said. “The flames are being pulled away.”


“Shinra! Behind you!” Johnny informed him. Shinra quickly turned around to see the female Flame Person standing behind him menacingly, gathering the fire around herself and powering up.


Shinra jumped back as the flame woman attacked, sending a stream of flames toward him.


Just above the others, a large metal pipe rolled off and was making its way towards the girls.


Knowing Shinra could take care of himself, Johnny flew in above the girls. “Look out, you two!” Johnny sent his fist forward, releasing his own stream of fire that pushed the pipe away.


“Thanks, Johnny.”


Johnny kept flying around in a protective circle above them as Hinawa went and picked Shinra up from the ground.


“Get up, devil!”


Shinra was still a bit disoriented from the attack as Hinawa continued, “You earned yourself a ridiculous nickname like devil, and you’re still useless?”


Shinra fixed himself up. “Sorry, I lost consciousness. How long was I out?”


“What? Five seconds, max.”


“Are you alright, Shinra?” Obi asked.


“Yes, sir,” Shinra replied.


Captain Obi reached into his fireman jacket and pulled out an axe, while Hinawa reloaded his rifle.


“All units, prepare to engage!” Obi ordered. “At 21:10, we will lay the soul of the factory manager’s wife to rest!”


“Understood!” they all shouted.


“Shinra, I'm sure you already know, but Flame People can only be stopped by destroying the core at their hearts. Maki and I will draw its attention. When the timing is right, use your feet to finish her with one blow. Don't do anything stupid! Johnny, just continue what you were doing!”


“Got it!” Both Johnny and Shinra replied.


“Loading safety equipment set,” Hinawa said as he began firing his bullets, using his 2nd generation ability to speed up the shots.


But the flame woman moved strategically, spinning around and dodging all of the shots while burning some of them before they even reached her.


Shinra, seeing this, was surprised. “Compared to the Flame Person from the station this morning, this one is clearly faster and more adept in battle. Do they always vary that much from each other?”


“She’s trying to run us from the factory,” Sister Iris said behind her mask, which protected her from the smoke. “I believe this factory must have been very important to her.”


Shinra gained a serious expression after hearing this. Meanwhile, Captain Obi went head-to-head with the Flame Person. “DAMN THAT’S HOT!”


“What’d you expect!?” Johnny shouted, surprised by his actions. He made a fireball in his hand and shot it above Hinawa as a piece of machinery fell towards him.


Maki put her hands behind Captain Obi’s back, causing his axe to gain flames on its edges as well as on the head. “Double Style Fire Axe, Piercing!” he shouted, slamming the axe into the flame woman’s stomach. She blocked it with her leg, but the blow still sent her flying back, giving Shinra the opening he needed.


Shinra closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and shouted, “I ain't no freakin’ Devil! What I'm going to become though is a Hero!”


Shinra's eyes gained a red glow as he dropped into a running position. Flames erupted from his feet as he shouted, “HERE I COME!!”


“Sister, prayer time,” Johnny advised.


“Right!” She joined her hands together. “Flames are the breaths of the soul.”


As Shinra blasted off, his mouth flapped open, exposing his gums. He tilted his head down slightly and flashed his signature smile as he charged ahead, leaving a trail of fire in his wake.


As Shinra charged ahead, Sister Iris continued her prayers. “And smoke is the soul's release. Ashes thou wert and art.”


Shinra extended his flaming foot and landed a kick right on the flame woman's chest. “BURRRNNN!!” he shouted, releasing more flames from his feet, which opened a giant hole in the woman's chest.


As Shinra slid back due to the force of his kick, he put his hands in a praying position. “May your soul return to the great flames…”


As they watched the ashes fly into the air, Hinawa grabbed Shinra's fireman hat and put it on his head. “You forgot this.”


“Not too bad for your first mission,” Obi said, nodding towards Shinra.


Johnny flew around with his hands behind his head. “Look at that, you just graduated from being a newbie.”


“Come, let’s get out of here and let the firefighters deal with the rest,” Obi said.


“Actually, can I try something out, sir?” Johnny asked.


“Hm? What is it?”


“I’m going to need Maki’s help with this.” Johnny whispered something in her ear.


“You can do that?” Maki asked, looking at him in surprise.


He nodded. “Yup.” He landed on the ground and extended his arms.


“Do what?” Hinawa asked.


“Just watch,” Johnny said as he closed his eyes.


Maki took a deep breath, her eyes glowing a purple color. She began manipulating the flames around them, directing them towards Johnny. All the fire from their surroundings was absorbed into Johnny and disappeared.


The fire around them soon became extinguished as Johnny patted his stomach. “Oh boy, am I full…” He burped, releasing smoke. “Excuse me, I wasn’t expecting that.”


Captain Obi let out a boisterous laugh and patted Johnny's shoulder. “You sure are a funny one. That ability of yours is sure useful. Good job.”


“Just doing my job,” Johnny smirked smugly.


“Now that it’s taken care of, let’s get out of here,” Obi ordered.


As they went outside, they were met with a warm round of applause and cheering. The factory manager ran up to them and asked solemnly, “Sister… my wife…”


Sister Iris bowed slightly. “She has been successfully returned to the raging flames. Brigade member Shinra let her go painlessly.”


Shinra had an awkward smile before the manager burst into tears and held Shinra’s hands. “You have my humblest thanks, Brigade member Shinra… Thank you so much,” he sobbed.


Everyone began cheering loudly, saying a job well done. They also cheered for Johnny, who had managed to save the worker just in time.


Johnny, who had quickly changed back into his clothes, blushed and scratched his cheek. He then turned towards Shinra and scoffed with a smile, noticing his elated smile—a smile different from his usual demonic one.


‘Who knew he could smile like that,’ Johnny thought, shaking his head and joining the others as they went into the Matchbox.