Chapter 5

Rust took in a deep breath of the early morning air as he, Vermillion, Mauve and Asher walked to the airship. They had spotted the transport touching down as they left their tent with their luggage. Rust was glad to see that it was a civilian craft rather than a military one, differentiated by its viewing windows and easily accessible flight deck.

Rust could only assume that Ironwood sent a civilian craft to remain discrete… probably.

Vermillion sighed and squeezed his hand tighter as she walked beside him. She and the rest of her teammates woke up early to see them off, but Lavender and Teal did not follow them to the airship. Rust couldn't blame them for making that choice, given that they also had a hard day of travel ahead.

"Anyone seen Sage?" Mauve questioned, her amber eyes flicking around the camp and over to Vermillion. "He didn't come back last night… and he never answered his scroll…"

"I couldn't tell you…" Vermillion muttered back, her face tightening to form a grimace for a moment. "If it's any consolation… neither me nor my teammates have seen Honey either…"

Asher's face tightened. "You guys don't think that… they left… do you?"

Rust felt his throat tighten at the suggestion. He certainly hoped that wasn't true… would Sage willingly do something like that? Abandon them…?

"We'll try to call him before take-off." Mauve suggested. "Maybe his scroll ran out of battery… it wouldn't be the first time that happened."

"I hope that's the case." Vermillion closed her eyes and muttered.

Team MARS (minus the S) walked up to the loading staff and began handing off their luggage for storage, including Sage's carrying cases. The team and Vermillion took a few steps back to make their scroll message to Sage.

"I have a favour to ask of you guys." Vermillion began as Asher tapped out a message on his scroll. "Since you'll be up in Atlas anyways."

"Name it." Rust rumbled, rubbing her shoulder affectionately.

"Well." Vermillion reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a small envelope and a piece of paper. "I think I mentioned that my brother is up at Atlas academy…"

"You want us to deliver a message?" Rust smiled. "I'm sure we can do that for you."

"Thank you." Vermillion smiled back. She passed the small envelope and a separate piece of paper over to Rust's outstretched hand, watching as the large man carefully tucked the envelope into his pocket.

"His name is Crimson." Vermillion added with a slight nod of her head. "He's a third year so you'll find him in those dorms. The small slip of paper is the postal address of my village… in case we need to keep in touch."

"What happened to letters being too unreliable?" Mauve joked.

Vermillion shrugged. "Until the CCT is repaired… it's our only option now."

"We'll try to keep in touch," Asher interrupted with a smile, sliding his scroll back onto his belt. "It shouldn't be too hard to track down your brother."

"Did Sage respond?" Mauve questioned.

Asher frowned. "He sent a quick message-"

"I'm here!" Sage called, jogging up to the small group with Honey hot on his heels. Rust instantly knew something was different about the two of them… if the ruffled state of their clothes was any indication. Rust had some assumptions about what the two had been doing… but now wasn't the time for gossip.

"Where were you!" Mauve demanded.

"Sorry!" Sage gasped. "Just lost track of time I guess." The wolf-faunus snuck a glance to his blonde companion, who was taking a moment to straighten her messy hair.

"Right…" Vermillion drawled. "Well, you-"

"AHEM!" Flaxen loudly called out, watching in smug satisfaction as the students whipped their heads in his direction. The wolf-ish commander was leaning against the boarding ramp of the ship, his arms crossed haughtily and one hand tapping the face of his wrist watch.

"Okay then." Honey spoke slowly, she walked around to face Sage directly. "This is goodbye for now…" The blonde girl grabbed the sides of Sage's face and pulled him into a sloppy kiss. She pulled away after a few heated moments, observing Sage's beet red face.

"Goodbye." Sage smiled sadly. Honey patted his cheek and then softly pushed him back in the direction of the ship, the glimmer of tears already forming around her eyes. Sage gave her one last smile before turning away and stalking up the ramp and into the passenger bay.

Their small audience was standing around in shock after the passionate display…

"Well…" Asher trailed off, his grey eyes still wide. "Mauve and I will hop aboard and give you two a moment… take care of yourself, Vermillion… bye Honey."

Mauve said nothing as Asher grasped her wrist gently and led her up the ramp. The lynx girl was looking over her shoulder the entire way, her amber eyes locked on Honey.

"Well then." Rust chuckled. He turned to Vermillion and pulled her closer, laying a calloused hand against her graceful neck. "Stay cool-?"

"-and classy!" Vermillion finished with a laugh. She pressed forwards and sealed her lips against his in a quick kiss. The redhead pulled away and regarded Rust with a critical expression. "Don't let your eye wander up there…"

"Me?" Rust fake-gasped. "I would never!"

Vermillion held up a single hand and ignited her semblance, wisps of flame dancing between her fingertips and across her palm. "I'll hold you to that… for your sake…"

Rust laughed and pulled her in for another kiss.

"AHEM!"

Right…

Later...

The row of seats shook and rattled as Rust collapsed next to his teammates. His peers, like him, had chosen to wear their typical combat clothes for the ride up to Atlas. Rust sighed as he propped up Ruination against a nearby wall, angling the blades so that they wouldn't fall onto him in case of turbulence.

The sound of Lieutenant Flaxen's combat boots became louder and louder as the blonde officer approached Team MARS. He stopped a few feet in front of them and snapped a quick salute, with all of Team MARS standing up to offer one back.

"At ease." Flaxen muttered, the team took the chance to sit back down again. The military man looked down at his watch and scowled, but the look softened before he spoke again. "Were a tad bit behind schedule… but not unreasonably so… I"ll let it slide. Any last questions before you four shove off?"

"What's in the crate?" Rust joked.

Flaxen raised his eyebrow. "Classified… nice try…"

"It was worth it…"

"Hardly," Flaxen muttered as he clapped his hands together. "Anyways… good luck your four… and remember, if you pull this off then Beacon gets the help it sorely needs… understood?"

"Yes sir." Mauve responded.

"Excellent." Flaxen nodded. "Good luck you four… and for the love of god do whatever Ironwood says!" The military officer who had held their reins for the past six months snapped one last salute and then left, his boots clanking as he made his way down the boarding ramp.

The ramp slid up into the ship and the bay doors closed. After a few moments of clanking and groaning the airship was free of its supports, the massive craft ascending high above Beacon and flying north to Atlas. Once his brief feeling of weightlessness was over, Sage stood up from his seat with nary a word and stalked over to one of the airship's windows.

Asher was considering taking a nap when he felt someone jostle his shoulder. He turned his head to look directly into his girlfriend's amber eyes. Mauve leaned in and put her lips next to his ear.

"Should one of us go talk to Sage?" She whispered.

Asher pondered the question for a moment before putting his lips against one of Mauve's human ears. "Maybe… but is it our business to pry?"

"Yes." Mauve whispered back. "He was gone all night… we need to know that he's still up for this…"

"He never was…" Rust suddenly interjected with his own whisper in their direction, his head shoving in-between theirs. To an outside observer the scene must have looked comical.

"I know that!" Mauve half-whispered back. "I don't know what to say to him…"

Asher sighed and fought the urge to lay his head on his hands. He patted Mauve's knee affectionately and stood up, flashing her a smile and then turning his head to get a quick nod of affirmation from Rust.

The fair haired boy took a few careful steps towards his green haired companion, wordlessly claiming the spot next to him.

"How are you doing Sage?" Asher began.

Sage gave a weak shrug. "I'm fine… but to be honest I wish I was back on the ground."

"I know…" Asher breathed out in a sigh. "I'm not going to say you aren't justified to feel this way… given the circumstances."

Sage gave a sigh of defeat and gently laid his forehead against the window. Outside the window trees, valleys and rivers whipped by… Vale already being a blip far in the distance.

"Can I uh… ask you something?" Asher near-stammered out.

"Go ahead."

"You and Honey… did you two… spend the night together?"

Sage gave Asher a hollow look before leaning in. "Promise me you won't sing to the high heavens about this?"

Asher gulped. "Of course… you know me to be tight-lipped…"

Sage shook his head. "I don't care if the team knows… I'll tell them anyways… but I don't want anyone else to know… understand?"

"You have nothing to worry about Sage…"

"Good." Sage breathed. "In all honesty… we slept together last night."

"Oh!" Asher blinked in surprise.

"It was a heat of the moment thing…" Sage trailed off. "Neither of us wanted to say goodbye… so…"

"That's nothing to be antsy about, Sage." Asher reassured him. "You two were careful… right?"

"Huh?"

"Only a fool doesn't wrap his tool…"

Sage chuckled with laughter and smoothed his mop of hair back. "Of course we were careful…"

"Good." Asher sighed. "You said you're okay with the team knowing this?"

"Well… yeah."

"I'll let you tell it then." Asher smiled. "Let me know if you ever need to talk… I can lend an ear…"

"Sure thing Asher…"

Asher gave Sage an affectionate clap on the shoulder and left his side, meandering his way back to the seats where his other teammates were. He took the seat in-between Rust and Mauve again, relaxing into the padded cushions.

"How is he?" Rust questioned.

"He's fine." Asher reassured. "Just give the guy some time… you know how it is..."

"What were you two laughing about?" Mauve cocked an eyebrow.

"That's for him to tell…" Asher grinned. "And he said he would tell you two… so have at him!"

Rust and Mauve turned to make eye contact with each other and a silent conversation was shared between them. The two stood up without a word, navigating through the seats towards Sage, no doubt to grill him on his whereabouts the previous evening.

Asher yawned and leaned his head back onto the headrest. The drone of the engines made him feel drowsy and he still felt tired from crawling out of bed that morning. His dreams had been fairly regular the past night… maybe this little nap would be no exception…

… he was wrong… because of course he was…

Asher succeeded in dozing off after a few minutes of listening to the engines hum. As soon as his mind drifted away Asher found himself re-living another memory, once again immaterial and from the perspective of an observer.

This was not a good memory… this event occurred right after the previous one.

With a rush of sound and colour Asher found himself standing in the middle of a heated A.F.A.L demonstration. All around him humans were marching, holding up signs and shouting expletives at the faunus rights demonstrators across the street.

It only took Asher a few moments to find his parents among the throng. Slate and Penny Russet were at the very front of the human demonstration, hurling insults and propaganda towards anyone who would listen.

Asher felt his heart leap into his throat when he found his younger self standing nearby. Young Asher was holding up his own sign with a conflicted look on his face, clearly terrified by the sights and sounds of the rabble around him.

It took only one glance across the street to see that his parents aggressive tactics were working. The faunus demonstrators were looking more and more dejected by the second, a few looked like they were gearing up for a fight…

That was exactly what A.F.A.L wanted… instigate a conflict and then blame the faunus… it was like clockwork.

"ANIMALS!" Penny Russet roared, spittle flying and copper eyes filled with fury. "GO BACK TO YOUR ZOO… ALL OF YOU!"

"GO BACK TO YOU'RE ZOO AND STAY THERE!" Slate added with equal intensity. "WASN'T THE ISLAND ENOUGH FOR YOU ANIMALS!?"

Asher watched in revulsion as the younger version of himself tried to slink back into the crowd, only to be pushed back by a wall of bodies. Asher could spot tears beginning to well up in the eyes of his younger self as he tried to get his parents attention… but to no avail, the two were so wrapped up in their hatred they didn't notice him…

Asher's eyes snapped up in shock to the other end of the street when a familiar face appeared. Argent Tempesta walked out from the pro-faunus crowd and stomped across the road…

How could he not remember this? How could he not remember Argent the moment he saw him during the first scroll call they shared?

Argent looked a lot younger, his face was more youthful and his silver hair less streaked with grey. His chiseled and handsome facial structure was unmistakable… and his eyes… that was Argent alright.

Slate and Penny shared a smug look as they met him halfway, picket signs resting on their shoulders. Asher walked up to observe them, his movement feeling natural despite his state of dreaming.

"What are you doing here!?" Argent demanded, his eyes filled with anger. "You know we have the right to peacefully assemble!"

"As do we…" Slate smugly replied. "Come on Argent… did you really think we would let them do this? You should be on our side! With your people…"

"I am certainly not a part of your people," Argent snarled back. "I would rather die than ever associate with people like you…" Argent took a moment to collect himself, heaving out a breath that rattled with anger. "They have come to peacefully protest… just leave them alone!"

"Don't be so dramatic." Penny mocked, she turned her head to look around Argent and scanned the faunus protestors. "Did you bring your daughter along again?" Penny smiled when Argent bristled, Asher felt his heart leap into his throat again…

... Mauve had been in that crowd?

"Don't you dare bring my daughter into this!" Argent seethed.

"I'll take that as a yes… what was her name again?" Penny tapped her chin.

Argent was wise and stayed silent.

"Please my dear." Slate soothed his wife. "I believe you made an error… we all know animals don't come when you call them…" Slate and Penny spared a glance towards Argent, who was almost glowing with rage.

"I will not stoop to your level-" Argent snarled before he was cut off.

"Would you like to meet our son?" Slate offered. Before Argent could respond he turned around and grabbed young Asher by the forearm. The younger version of himself yelped as his father overzealously dragged him in front of Argent.

"Tell him your name." Penny asked in a sugar sweet tone.

"As- Asher." Young Asher warbled out, his eyes pointed fearfully at the ground.

"And what do you think about the faunus?" Slate asked.

"I don't like them." Young Asher droned out weakly, hefting his sign up a little bit.

Argent stared down at the younger version of Asher with a mixture of disgust and pity.

How did Asher not remember this? Not remember Argent…? And what of Mauve?

Asher broke away from the scene he was familiar with and crossed the road, instinctively ducking when a bottle sailed past his head. He walked straight through the faunus protestors… right until he found who he was looking for.

Even as a young girl Mauve was unmistakable…

The lynx girl was maybe four or five like he was and cowering behind the legs of several men who were shielding her. Her amber eyes were locked onto her father's back as he confronted Asher's parents. Asher noted that her lynx ears were twitching wildly, a sign that she was in distress.

"Who are those people?" Young Mauve muttered.

"Nobody you should worry about," one of the large men shielding her answered. The speaker in question turned and lowered himself onto his knee to meet Mauve at eye level. He was massively muscular, with a well kempt beard and a mane of flowing dark hair. He was dressed in regal clothes, a long fur coat that was left open to reveal a tuft of chest hair and an armored breastplate.

"Are they mean people?" Young Mauve asked, her amber eyes peering around the large man's form.

"They are mean sometimes," the large man soothed. "But your daddy will be alright… he's just trying to talk with them."

"Alright," Mauve's gaze continued to flick around nervously as she twiddled her fingers.

"Ghira," called out Argent, the silver haired man having disengaged from Slate and Penny. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes," the man now known as Ghira responded. Argent leaned up very close against Ghira to speak into his ear; Asher moved forwards and craned his head in to listen to them.

"I'm sorry Ghira," Argent muttered. "I want to stay but we both know where this might end up… I worry for my daughter."

"I understand." Ghira clasped a hand on his shoulder. "Take her and go… I will contact you soon."

Argent nodded and kneeled down to address Mauve. "Come dear… were going to leave now."

"Are we going home?" Young Mauve questioned with a hopeful edge in her voice. Asher followed Argent as he carefully led Mauve around the throngs of protestors and down the street.

"Not yet, we're going to go back to the hotel. We will go back home very soon..." Argent reassured her.

Asher watched as the two walked away and out of sight, the edge of Mauve's purple skirt disappearing around the corner of a building. Asher sighed in exhaustion and turned back to find his younger self in the crowds again. Young Asher had hefted his picket sign back up and was yelling again… but the miserable look on his face could be spotted from far away.

Asher hated this memory… he wanted it to end…

… and then the world dissolved into smoke again. Asher found himself standing once again in the smoky obsidian void, its features hadn't changed since his last "visit".

"That was hard to watch," spoke a warbly and deep voice. Asher spun around to spot the stranger again, their form still indiscernible and impossible to describe.

"You saw that?" Asher croaked out, grabbing at his throat in amazement at his voice finally obeying him.

"You can talk now, good," the stranger grumbled. "Well… good for the two of us…"

"What is this?" Asher demanded. "Where am I?"

"You are still slumped in the passenger seat of the airship," the stranger answered. "Your body is there… and your mind is here. It will be a while before you can bring both along for the ride."

"What is this place?" Asher demanded. "And who are you!?"

The stranger was silent, their form shimmering with smoke. "Now's not the time…"

"Why!?" Asher almost roared, his voice crackling.

"You need to wake up… now!" The stranger rumbled, their voice deep and authoritative.

"Wha-" Asher was cut off when his throat began to constrict, the signal that he was waking up.

"There will be a time for questions later," the stranger soothed. "Get up… your team needs you-"

Asher woke up to a slap that stung his cheek and ear.

"Wake up!" Mauve roared down at him, her amber eyes filled with desperation.

"What?" Asher mumbled, his head still groggy with the effects of sleep.

"Were under attack!" Rust roared in the distance.

Asher suddenly became aware of the blinking red lights in the cabin and the blaring of an emergency klaxon. Mauve grabbed his hand and roughly pulled him into a standing position, Asher's head briefly spun with nausea before becoming clear.

"We need you on this," Mauve hissed, the lynx girl brushed past him and sprinted towards the flight deck, sliding her blades from their sheathes as she ran.

Asher shook away the last of his confusion and reached over to grab the rifle he had propped up against his seat. Hefting the unremarkable weapon up Asher checked the magazine and turned off the safety.

The stranger was right… the questions would have to wait.