#with luka being the crown princess as chosen personally by the Empress

[discordiansamba]

They hear the rumors first.

The Altean Empire has a new prince. They don't connect it with the recent capture of three of their own- why would they? Akira, Cat, and Tsuyoshi are all human. They've probably been hoktril'd by now.

They almost definitely have, given that the base they all operated out of was attacked shortly after their capture. Thankfully, they'd already largely abandoned it, and were able to pull everyone out without any further captures. Any data they left behind in the base was destroyed. They should be safe for now.

Still, the news of another Altean royal is troubling. The current Altean Empress, Empress Fala, is too old to have another child of her own- her only biological child, Princess Merla was born late in her life, and she had no other children. This new royal heir must have been adopted into the royal family- which can only mean one thing.

There's another Altean with alchemical talent.

The attribute has become vanishingly rare amongst the Altean populace. It's a great relief to the rebellion- they've heard tales of the feats that Altean alchemists are capable of. So for there to be another one is deeply troubling. They will have to keep their guard up, see what this new prince is capable of.

They get their answer much sooner than they expect.

It was supposed to be a simple mission- targeting one of the Altean Empire's supply ships. In and out. No one expects the new prince to be on board.

No one expects him to be Akira.