Episode Ember: Chapter 2: Fledgling

Chapter 2 of Ember's adventure.

Two Days Later

Caravan Bound for Vacuo

 

 

 

            Ember twirled her drum sticks in her fingers while she watched the countryside roll by.  The Troupe was making their way through the wilderness to reach the land bridge that connected the two regions between Vacuo and Vale.  The Troupe planned on making a few stops along the way at villages to do a few performances as a warm up, and perhaps receive some funding for their efforts.  The Violet Troupe took care of their people, but the fact that most of their members were Faunus did make it difficult sometimes.  Case in point, as they rolled past a town they had marked on their maps previously as “do not approach”, several folks from the town suddenly started appearing and started to throw rocks at the caravan.  Some of them had signs that were anti-Faunus, others shouted slurs and hateful comments their way.  Ember simply sighed, put away her drum sticks and pulled out her nunchucks, both of which had purple sticks that connected to a white stick.  The amount of hatred and bigotry from the towns combined with the general sour taste that kind of reception left in the Troupe’s mouths meant that the risk of Grimm attacks was now higher than they were previously.

            “You guys can’t take any other roads to avoid this town?” Traci asked as she blocked a hurtling rock with one of her gauntlet shields.

            “What other roads?” Ember said somewhat jokingly, somewhat sadly.

            “It’s so easy to forget how much of an outlier Aequo is in terms of Faunus rights and treatment compared to the rest of the boonies.”

            “It’s a lot more blatant out here.  The cities keep that kind of noise muffled, but it’s still there.”

            “What about Menagerie?  An entire continent for a species has to be…..”

            “Most Faunus think of it more like a prison.  Two-thirds of the continent is uninhabitable, it’s under threat of tropical storms, and instead of finding a solution to the issues plaguing the Faunus as a whole, they decided to just stick us on an island.  And even then, sadly it’s the only place Faunus can walk around without getting second looks from people.  At least, that’s what I’ve heard from my friends here and from news letters written by Ghira Bellodanna.”

            “I’m sorry.  I can’t even imagine what that must be like.  I’m Human after all, so people just look at me and don’t bat an eye.”

            “That’s why I want to keep moving forward with the Troupe.  Learning what I can from all corners of the world.  Improving my craft with my performances is one thing, but if I can help people like me, then I believe I can keep striving towards a new dawn.  For myself and all Faunus.”

            “Isn’t that the doctrine of the Troupe?”

            “Pretty much verbatim.  They’re words to live by.”

            “True enough.  Who knows?  Maybe if you have some of your own experiences with and beyond the Troupe, you’ll have new words you can inspire others to live by.”

            “Huh?”

            “Well, the Troupe’s doctrine is a good one, but sometimes the doctrine of one’s heart can be even more powerful.  It’s what you truly want and believe, so it means more to you.”

            “Get that off a fortune cookie?”  The two of them laughed at Ember’s joke.  Traci then looked towards the sky; a smile grew across her face.

            “When my children were born, it was one of the greatest feelings I had ever felt in my life.  Living life as a Huntress, you see some things that most people could not even begin to or want to comprehend.  But holding the two of them in my arms, I feel that swell of hope.  That desire to protect them.  And it is mine.  I still hold tight to that flame, that feeling.  I don’t want to ever let it go.  Because if I do, I lose who I am.”

            “Where did you hear that from?”

            “My heart” Traci said as she looked back at Ember with a big smile.  With that, Traci patted Ember on the shoulders and walked towards another part of the caravan to make sure everybody else was still okay.  Ember looked back at the village jeering at them, and then turned to continue onwards.

            “My heart….huh.”

 

 

 

            After another few days’ travel, the caravan finally rolled into Vacuo.  The city had a huge welcoming party as Headmaster Theodore shook the ringmaster’s hand with a ton of excitement in his demeanor.

            “We are so excited to have you here!” Theodore said with the energy of a star-struck child.  “Your accommodations are here at the school.  The students are on break so we have more than enough room for all of you!”

            “We appreciate the hospitality Headmaster” the ringmaster said with a smile.  With that, he waved the caravan in and everybody took to their own rooms.  Ember and Traci were sharing a room due to their special task, which made Ember a bit concerned.

            “How long do you think this will take?” Ember asked as she placed some clothes in one of the dressers.  “This is my first tour with the Troupe as the lead drummer.”

            “I understand.  We do have some transportation arranged for both ways, so hopefully we will be able to be back before your performance begins.”

            “Thanks for that.  This means a lot to me.”

            “I know it does.”

            “Are we the only help available?”

            “Not quite.  We have a few more people joining us that Ozpin is sending our way.”

            “How soon do you think they’ll arrive?” Ember asked looking around the room.

            “Speak of the devil,” Traci said as she looked towards the windowsill with a coy smile on her face.  Ember looked over to see a black raven perched on the windowsill, staring at her.

            “I didn’t think these types of birds lived out here.”

            “They don’t” a new voice chimed in.  Ember turned to see a woman wearing a white hood with red interior and a black corset and skirt with black boots standing in the doorway to the room.

            “Summer” Traci said with a smile shaking the stranger’s hand.  “I see you both made it.”

            “Both?” Ember asked looking over Summer’s shoulder expecting to see somebody there but didn’t.  Just then, the raven leapt up, flew behind Summer and then with a thud, a tall woman with messy black hair wearing red armor and wielding a red katana sword materialized where the bird used to be.

            “You didn’t mention you were bringing a carnie with you Traci” the new woman said with a scowl.

            “If you had read your dossier Raven,” Summer said with a sigh, you would have seen this one was requested by Professor Ozpin himself.”

            “Another potential simple soul for Ozpin’s army?  What does he see in all these people?”

            “The same thing I assume he saw in you at one point.”

            “Excuse me…” Ember said raising her hand with a confused look on her face, “I’m lost.”  Traci laughed and pulled Ember away from the monologuing newcomers.

            “Right, of course.  Ember, this is Summer Rose and Raven Branwen, both were formally members of one of the greatest teams to graduate Beacon Academy, Team STRQ.”

            “The who now?”  Ember asked tilting her head.  Summer laughed at this remark as Ember’s confusion only grew.

            “I’ll admit, this is kind of refreshing” Summer said with a smile.  “Most people we meet are flabbergasted that they are actually in the same room as us.”

            “You’re actually that famous?”
            “We went back-to-back in the Vytal Festival, first time in the tournament’s history!” Summer said with a smile.

            “Enough posturing” Raven said with a scowl, “you told me this was important, so I decided to tag along.  Despite everything that’s happened.”

            “What’s happened now?” Ember asked looking towards the two of them.

            “Long story” Summer said with a sigh.  “Short version is, Raven made a decision, and I’ve been picking up the pieces these last few years so….”

            “That’s an interesting way of saying you became Ozpin’s lapdog” Raven growled.

            “Would you rather I have told her you abandoned your husband and child just because….”

            “You didn’t see what I saw Summer.  You….” The two of them continued to step over one another, refusing to let the other get a full sentence in.

            “Ok, forget I asked” Ember said stepping between them.  “I’m sorry, sore subject.  I get it.  Let’s pretend it didn’t happen and get this thing started.  What’s our first objective?”

            “First and foremost,” Traci said pulling out a map of the city, “We are dealing with a group called ‘the Church of Eternity’.  They claim they are an organized religion to keep the law from being able to shut them down, despite the fact they are clearly a cult.  It’s been rumored that their entire mantra is that they send people out into the wilderness to ‘become one with eternity’.  If you haven’t guessed, no one has ever returned alive.  Apparently, their leader has, but leading theory is that he’s making it up to try and rally people to his cause.  And to add to the chaos, it appears that they aren’t just wandering into the wilderness, but all the way to the Graveyard far to the north.”

“The Graveyard?” Summer said with a shocked look on her face.  “How do they even get that far?”

“They probably don’t,” Raven said scratching her hair, “that journey is sand and Grimm as far as the eye can see.  And even if they do get there, the Graveyard itself is crawling with monsters so they just die the moment they get there.”

“That still doesn’t explain why though.”

“Do we know much about them?” Ember asked leaning forward.

“Nothing outside the basics” Traci said as she brought up a hologram of the main building.  “The cult has their headquarters down by the slums, and from what Ozpin’s intel has gathered, they’re planning another meeting later today.  So our first order of business is to try and sneak in and get more information.”

            “I can handle that” Raven said.  “If there’s a window, I can listen in without anyone else being the wiser.”

            “Well that’s our ears,” Ember said looking over the map of the city, “What are we going to do about getting probable cause for arrest?”

            “You know your logistics” Summer said raising an eyebrow.

            “We have to be ready in case the racists have a lawyer on their side.”

            “Pleasant thought……”

            “If we can catch them sending a person to their death in the wastelands,” Traci said pulling up a few legal documents, “or gain audio of them promising one thing without harm befalling them and then find a group under attack by the Grimm, then it falls under ‘intentionally misleading’ and ‘attempted murder by insanity’.  Ozpin has found just about every religious law on the books for this one.”

            “How does he remember all these obscure laws?” Ember asked looking over the documents.  “Most of these laws aren’t used by law firms.  They haven’t been relevant since the Great War.”

            “He’s the head of an Academy, which while not the leader of a Kingdom, is essentially the next highest position if not more recognized and respected.”

            “So wonderous Ozpin gets to lord over all of us from his ivory tower and still claim he is humble….” Raven said with a growl.

            “His actions didn’t have to determine yours” Summer said scowling at Raven.

            “Getting back on topic,” Traci said pulling up a hologram of the cult’s headquarters, “we have determined at least two prominent figures who are at the head of this operation.  First, this lieutenant who we don’t know the name of but have heard the followers refer to them as ‘The Second’.  They always wear a mask, but their body looks to be about the size of an average person.  And then their leader is this guy with silver hair.  Looks to be in about his mid-thirties, fairly tall build.  He is referred to as, ‘The Prophet’.”

            “That tracks for a cult I suppose” Summer said looking over the pictures of the two they had available.

            “Any idea what their Semblance or weapons are?” Raven asked Traci while looking directly at the photo of The Second.

            “Haven’t gotten that far.  Everything we’ve done up until this point has been strictly surveillance.  And any groups that have attempted to follow the groups out of the city have either not found anything of note or never returned along with the cult members.”

            “And what makes Ozpin think we’ll be any different?” Raven asked pinching her forehead.

            “Because they’ve never dealt with a bird before” Summer said with a smirk.  Raven groaned and stepped towards the windowsill.

            “What time are they meeting?” she asked looking back at Traci.

            “In about two hours according to our reports” Traci said pulling up a small document.  Raven sighed and put one foot on the windowsill.

            “I’m going to get some air.  I’ll head down once the time arrives.”

            “Be safe” Summer said with a twinge of sadness in her voice.

            “What do you care?” Raven said with a growl.  With that, she transformed back into a raven and flew away.  Ember stood there, completely dumbfounded.

            “I feel like there’s a ton of backstory that I’m missing out on and it’s kind of annoying” she said scratching her head.

            “Our lives have been…..complicated over the last few years” Summer said with a sigh. “Maybe later tonight if we need to find ways to pass the time during the stakeout, I’ll tell you the rest.”

            “You don’t have to if it’s a sore subject….” Ember started to interject.

            “You’re helping us out with a mission” Summer said smiling as she interrupted Ember.  “It’s best you at least understand why two members of your team might make the wrong decision on the battlefield.”

            “I thought you said they were legends or something?” Ember asked Traci looking past Summer at her.

            “Legends sometimes don’t meet the hype” Traci said with a sigh.

            “Rude,” Summer said with a slight chuckle, “but accurate.”

 

 

 

Eight Hours Later

 

Sundown

 

 

 

            Ember sat on top of the roof overlooking the main building for the church.  She and Traci were monitoring radio transmissions to see if anything was coming out of there while Summer kept an eye out for anybody who seemed to be a person of interest entering the church.  Raven landed fluttered next to Ember and then transformed back, landing on one knee.

            “Does turning back into a human from a bird cause you to make sure all of your entrances are like ones from cartoons?” Ember chuckled while Raven simply continued to glare.  She walked over to Summer and sat down.

            “What did you hear?” Summer asked as she put down her binoculars.

            “They’re preparing another expedition” Raven said stretching her arms.  “But this time, the Prophet is going with them.”

            “Really?  Why?”

            “Something about “this trek will be the one that secures the future” or some random pamphlet jargon.  So they’re leaving tonight to cover the vast amount of ground during the coolness of night, then going nonstop the next day.”

            “Brave folk to follow a hooded man into the most dangerous place in the world in the middle of the night.”

            “I was thinking more stupid but sure, let’s go with you praising everyone for good measure.”

            “Yang’s doing fine by the way” Summer said almost ignoring Raven’s most recent comment.  “Not that you would care.”

            “Shut up” Raven said as she stood up in a huff and flew away back towards the church.  Summer sighed and continued her own watch.  Ember heard everything, and slowly made her way over towards Summer.

            “Who’s Yang?” she asked offering Summer a water bottle.

            “She’s…..well she’s Raven’s child, but I’ve been her mom for a few years now.”

            “She walked out on her own kid?”

            “And her husband.  It was a big mess.”

            “All because she saw something?”

            “That’s what she said, but I’m skeptical.  What on Remnant could one see that would make them abandon their family and run back to their former bandit tribe?”

            “That does kind of seem like a bad trade….”

            “I try not to think about it too much.  Raven is just on a different path; I’ll just keep cleaning up her mess like usual.”

            “Have you told her this is how you feel?”

            “Even if I did, she won’t listen.  She can’t accept anything else it seems like.”

            “I know how that feels, but that doesn’t mean you should give up.”

            “Maybe after this mission is over.  I’ll invite her back home, confront her there with Yang at my side.  Maybe that’ll set something off inside her head.”

            “I hope so.  Good luck.”  Ember patted Summer on the back and made her way back over to Traci.  Ember looked over and saw Traci looking at her with some worry in her eyes.

            “You’re still thinking about Anima, aren’t you?” Traci said placing her hand on Ember’s shoulder.

            “It’s been three years now,” Ember said with a sigh, “and it still feels like she stabbed me in the back only minutes ago.”

            “She’s not a part of your life anymore.  If you let her memory control you like this, then how else can you move forward?”

            “It’s not that her memory controls me.  I’d say it reminds me.  It reminds me of what could happen if I give up.”

            “Do you know how she’s doing?”

            “Not really.  She disappeared after she left.  Even people I know in the Troupe who were in more regular contact with both back when she was with us and after she left her lost touch with her not long after everything. Last I heard she was making her way here to Vacuo, and then boom.  Dead to the world in just about all aspects.”

            “You don’t want to leave it that way?”

            “She was still my friend.  I’d be devastated if something bad happened to her.”

            “Even after everything she did?”

            “Yeah, I’d say so.”

            “You’re a good woman Ember” Traci said with a smile.  “I can see why Nathan looks up to you.”

            “I’m just one person” Ember said with a smile.  “I come and go with the seasons as does the troupe.  The person he really looks up to is you.”

            “I’m not home as often as you might think.  Jobs like this one sometimes take longer than anticipated.”

            “But when you return to Aequo, you’re going home.  To his side.  And he’s your son.  I don’t have anything like that.  Makes me kind of envious.”

            “You’ll find the right person somebody.  And you’ll have children of your own to have that place to return to.  That reward upon return.”

“Maybe.  I kind of doubt it.”

“You sell yourself too short.  I believe it will happen one day.  Your heart’s too kind.”

            “Perhaps.  Until then….” Ember picked up some equipment and helped Traci continue to listen in on the main headquarters.

 

 

 

            A figure wearing a black helmet and black and gray armor stood atop the headquarters of the church and listened intently through her microphone.  As she did so, another figure wearing a black coat appeared behind her.

            “What do you hear Second?” he asked.

            “As anticipated by the Master,” the figure said with a growl, “the destined are here, and are watching the church for activity.”

            “Good.  All as foreseen.  We shall prepare for….”

            “But there is one piece of the future that seems to have not been accurate.  Ember has been recruited as well.”

            “Well, that could be troublesome.  She is supposed to be oblivious to everything at this point.  This could potentially change events once we arrive at Perdita.  Are you fine dealing with the situation for the time being Second?”

            “As my memories are currently in specific use in the mind, I as program Second am fine with the appearance of Ember.  However, memories of the soul may find their way back and conflict with my orders.  I recommend I avoid her as best as possible.”

            “Understood.  Make sure they hear my address to the acolytes.  We march in two hours.”  The hooded figure turned and headed back down into the church, while the Second took off her helmet to clean some of the loose sand that had collected upon it.  While doing so, Anima Imperia looked up at the stars, her eyes blank like a canvas.  She then put her helmet back on and continued to observe the spies across the way.

Author's Note

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