Welcome back everyone! Last time we saw Marta, she was dreaming of the first day she met the girls who would become the Vanguard Special Unit and has hit it off with everyone. Now, we will see more of their time together and even see them take on an important task.
After we check up on the Present Day, we'll jump right into it!
Azure Bio
Hometown: Asgard
Country: Sylvarant
Age: 19
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 250 lbs. (Despite her slim build, she mysterious weighs a ton. She claims that scales are broken when she uses them.)
Race: Human
Weapon: Sapphire Blaster (High Tech Pistol)
Element: Ice
Lavender Bio
Hometown: Triet
Country: Sylvarant
Age: 18
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 135 lbs. (She remains on a strict diet)
Race: Human
Weapon: Indigo Bouncer (Ultra-Durable, Pop Resistant Rubber Ball)
Element: Water
Grass Field Outskirts [Present Day]
As everyone payed attention to Marta recounting her first meeting with the people who would become her Unit, everyone felt relived and happy that Marta got along well with everyone. What confused them the most was the fact that Scarlet was MUCH nicer back then as opposed to what Tenebrae told them.
"Wow, it sounds like the Scarlet when you first met her is vastly different before you left the Vanguard." Genis exclaimed, seeing the difference between how she behaved at two different points.
"Yes, Scarlet is rough at points, but I can tell that she's not a bad person deep down. That's what made it hard when she became angry when I left..." Marta said in regards to her old friend and yet again she sounded sad in regards to Scarlet. The question is why though? Everyone knew Marta will get to it when she does, but they can't help but wonder. In the meantime...
"Why don't you tell us about Azure and Lavender before you continue your story?" Lloyd chimed in, wanting to understand the remaining two members of Marta's old unit.
"Sure Lloyd. In regards to Azure, she's as Tenebrae said. She's very smart, a bright genius. She even managed to enroll in Palmacosta Academy despite originally being from Asgard. Despite her intellect, she never once talks down to anyone. I think she might get along with Raine and Genis, don't you two think so?" Marta explained happily in regards to the young woman, feeling that Azure would have a ton of good conversation with the two Hal-Elf siblings.
"Uh, yeah! She sounds like a good person to speak with!" Genis said after sounding like he was at loss. Marta didn't notice, yet Tenebrae did? Why did it sound like this is new to him?
"And what about Lavender?" Regal said, wishing to know about the girl with the ball.
"Lavender is a really sweet girl. Out of all of us, she wants everyone to get along in our Unit and gets distressed easily if things get tense... in fact the ball she carries is not just her weapon, but also her stress relief as well..." Marta explained in a less energetic tone. While Marta is fond of Lavender, she is saddened that Lavender would side with her father in regards to dealing with Tethe'alla.
"Why a ball? Genis using a kendama is one thing, but a ball? Wouldn't it pop?" Emil asked Marta, wondering how a simple ball can be a weapon.
"She made it herself using a special made type of rubber that bounces, but won't pop. Something science related I think... back on topic, Lavender has a strong black and white viewpoint, having a rather innocent point of view. Regardless, she's a good friend too." Marta explained and continued, even admitting that despite standing against her back then, Marta considered Lavender a good friend too.
"It sounded like she didn't want any conflicts..." Presea added on, recalling what Tenebrae said about her and Scarlet earlier.
"Yes... that's part of the reason she joined the Vanguard, to end the fighting between the two worlds, believing Tethe'alla to be the villains..." Marta noted sadly in regards to that thought. Marta fully knew that there is good and evil in everyone, yet she learned not to label people until she got to know them. This much she learned from Emil and Colette.
"I can't say I blame her if she thought that way. Those nobles really didn't give us a good impression..." Sheena replied in shame and disappointment. Granted, the nobles haven't been causing trouble ever sense the lower class Tethe'allans told off three of the nobles causing the most trouble, with Zelos reporting them. Currently, they are under watch and may lose their noble status by decree of the King as a result of their cruel behavior.
"Yeah, but not everyone is a bad person. All of you and the people we met have shown me that." Marta replied with a smile to Sheena, showing how far she's come to chaging her views on people, having outgrow her own black and white viewpoint. Emil and Tenebrae smiled in regards to how much Marta has grown as a person and couldn't feel more proud of her.
"Marta, perhaps we should continue your story in regards to the fist time you met your Unit?" Raine chimed in, hoping to get things back on track.
"Oh right! *Ahem* Anyway, we went to my room at Vanguard HQ and we eventually got involved in something important afterward..." Marta said, recalling the time that she and her unit bonded and would be involved in something important...
Marta's Dream [Palmacosta - Vangurad HQ, Marta's Room]
It's been 20 minutes since Marta and her new unit have went into her room. The room was lightly decorated with some things she and her father obtained during their travels a year ago. One of them was a photo of her and both of her parents, one of the few things recovered from their destroyed home. At least this way, Marta would have something aside from her barrettes to remember her mother by. As soon as they arrived, Marta explained to the seven girls about what happened to her mother when the giant tree monster destroyed Palmacosta and how the people said that happened because the Chosen ran away from regenerating the world. While the seven girls had their thoughts on Colette, they understood how this must have felt and looked to Marta, with all of them sympathizing to her. Some of them even empathize with their new captain over the loss of a loved one as well...
"And... that's what happened. Ever since then... me and Daddy traveled the world before we returned to Palmacosta to help rebuild and we founded the Vanguard to help the people of Sylvarant defend their rights as people." Marta finished her explanation to everyone while wiping some tears with a tissue as recalling her mom's death still haunted her. Just because she and her father mourned for her and moved on, it didn't mean that the pain and sadness would go away...
"I'm sorry for what you and your father went through Lady Marta. It must have been hard on you both." Vermillion said, giving her deepest condolences to Marta. While she is her captain, she's still a young girl and losing a loved one is VERY hard on people her age.
"Thank you Vermillion..." Marta replied softly, thanking the knight for her kind words.
"Y-yeah, I... I know what that feels like. I lost both of my parents myself. My father died before I was born while my mother was... taken from me..." Emerald explained hesitantly, understanding the pain her newfound captain went through. The others were surprised that Emerald lost both of her parents, yet commended her for opening up to the others. Eventually, some of the others spoke up too...
"Yeah, I lost my father too years back..." Azure said as she took off her glasses and wiped her eye, yet didn't explain further then that, yet Marta and the others didn't press her.
"While I was traveling, my grandfather was on his deathbed due to old age. I was able to return to Hima in time to see him before he... left us..." Topaz admitted to everyone, remaining strong while talking about her grandfather's passing. Even though he passed on peacefully, Topaz could relate to the others, even though it wasn't as bad as what happened to Marta's mom, Azure's dad and Emerald's parents.
"I never even knew my mother. My father was all I had growing up. He taught me everything I knew, but eventually sickness claimed him... he hid it from me so I wouldn't worry about him..." Scarlet said with a hint of guilt, sounding ashamed of herself for not noticing sooner.
"That's... so awful..." Lavender said outloud as she didn't expect most of them to suffer losing a relative in any way or form.
"Indeed it is..." Vermillion agreed as she listened to the conversation at hand. It went from a happy meeting to a sad sharing session. Scarlet felt bad for dredging this up, yet didn't regret it at the same time as it allowed them to open up with each other. On the first day no less.
"All we can do now is move forward... for their sake at least... they wouldn't want us to remain trapped in the past." Selene added on. While it looked like she didn't care, she did glance at them, understanding their plight.
"If it means anything, I'm sorry for what happened to your families." Marta said to Emerald, Azure, Topaz and Scarlet, giving them her own condolences as she believes that no one should lose their families. This act of kindness touched the four in ways they couldn't imagine.
"T-thank you... Miss Marta..." Emerald replied as a couple of warm tears fell down her face.
"I appreciate your kindness Lady Marta." Azure replied as she put her glasses back on her face with a warm, yet thankful smile.
"Yeah, it means a lot to me too." Topaz smiled back at Marta, thankful for their captain returning the kindness they gave her.
"That means a lot more then you can imagine... thanks... Lady Marta..." Scarlet replied with a small, soft smile.
"You're welcome... and thank you everyone..." Marta replied, happy that she finally made friends through her new unit as her father hoped. With that, Marta got to know them more as they did with her and needless to say, the eight of them are quite the group indeed. Most people would just call them a couple of misfits, but that's where the eight of them fit in.
Marta's Dream [Palmacosta - Vangurad HQ, Brute's Office]
After spending an hour getting to know her Unit, Marta met up with her father. At this point, Brute is less tense as his headache went away, yet listened to his daughter as she told him about her new unit. The only thing she left out was telling them about what happened to them a year ago.
"Overall, I do like all seven of them. I don't know if I can be a good leader, but like I said, I'm willing to try at least." Marta finished with a smile that's filled with some confidence, a fact that made Brute smile with relief.
"I'm glad to hear it Marta and don't worry, I'm sure you'll become a great captain in time." Brute replied while encouraging his daughter that she'll be fine. This raised Marta's spirits that maybe her fears about the Vanguard's supposed radical nature may be unfounded...
"However, there's something I do want to know though Daddy. It's about Emerald, Scarlet and... Selene." Marta asked Brute, making the commander wonder what his daughter has to say about those three.
"What would that be?" Brute asked his daughter, hoping it's nothing serious despite the praise she gave them.
"In regards to Emerald and Scarlet, I'm grateful that you made them part of my new unit, but wouldn't they have fit better into the Espionage and Combat Units respectively?" Marta asked her father that one question that egged at her for a while now. Since Emerald is a ninja, helping Decus with Espionage would suit her well and considering Scarlet's a master swordswoman from what Marta learned about her, she could EASILY fit in well with the unit and even hold her own with Alice.
"Ah, well... in regards to Emerald, I'm pretty sure you well know based on that... "little" incident at the mess hall... yes Emerald is a well trained individual but she has a panic disorder. She's easily frightened and while Decus is without a doubt a good captain to his men, I didn't want to place her in a group that would be too much for her. She would be a liability for the Espionage Unit and I can tell based on what you told me, she's at least in a comfortable position with you." Brtue explained about why he place Emerald with Marta. Although Marta didn't like her father saying that Emerald would be a liability to Decus, she understood that her panicky behavior might inconvenience them and Marta had to admit that Emerald is better off with her.
"And as for Scarlet, I WAS going to put her into the Combat Unit along with Topaz and Vermillion. Sense I figured you needed to lead a Unit, I decided to put Topaz and Vermillion with you while Scarlet would join Alice, but she insisted to be part of your Unit instead." Brute continued in regards to the red haired woman. Marta figured Topaz and Vermillion would fit in the Combat Unit as well, but she was surprised that Scarlet WANTED to be in her Unit instead.
"In fact, based on what I saw when I first met Scarlet, she could have easily surpassed Alice and become the new Combat Unit captain herself." Brute admitted to Marta, earning a look of surprise from her. Scarlet is THAT strong!? To the point were she could defeat Alice and be her superior!? That sounded to good to be true!
'That would be something...' Marta thought to herself, knowing if Scarlet chose to be in the Combat Unit, at least the other Combat Unit members won't need to put up with Alice's abuse anymore. She didn't say it outloud, not wanting to upset her father in regards to 'favoritism'.
"And what of Selene?" Brute asked his daughter, somehow not noticing how the two look similar.
"It's a minor thing, but she looks like me... and it got me thinking that what if I... what if we never recovered from... from..." Marta replied to her father before hesitantly trying to finish her sentence. It was then Brute recalled that Selene DID look like his daughter now that he thought about it and understood that like him, she was still hurting from losing Lily. With that he slowly rose from his chair and walked over to Marta, pulling her in for a hug.
"Marta... I will admit when I saw Selene, it looked like I was looking at a different version of you and it saddened me that you would never smile again. If there's one thing both your mother and I treasure dearly, it's your happiness and your smile. I would ensure to do what it took to help you through these troubled times. I'm sure that's what Lily would want for us." Brute said softly to his daughter, expressing his thoughts on the matter, not wanting Marta to think about what she could have become if they didn't take the chance to travel the world. It's true that the emotional shock will never go away, but he was still willing to do what it took to ensure Marta's future as her father.
"Thank you... Daddy..." Marta softly replied, thankful for her father's support. Despite what happened the past year and even though Brute changed, Marta knows without question her father's love for her is unchanged.
Marta's Dream [Palmacosta Town Square]
Marta and Brute walked around the town square as Brute wanted to take a short break from the paperwork and spend some time with his daughter as they both knew that haven't spent much time together lately, especially since Brute will have some important matters to attend to soon. He also said that he wished to discuss an important matter with her, although he looked hesitant and somewhat upset about it. As they walked around, Marta couldn't help but wonder about why Scarlet would give up a chance to be in the Combat Unit.
"Hey Daddy? I know this might sound strange, but how did you meet Scarlet and why would she give up the chance to join the Combat Unit?" Marta asked Brute, at least wanting to know how she joined the Vanguard. Granted, she could have just asked Scarlet herself, but Brute always allowed certain people to join or would try to recruit them himself. As she asked that, Brute stopped and pointed over to a small corner...
"Ah, you see... it was around two months ago when I first met her right around here. Me and Richter were discussing matters in the Vanguard. I told him that I planned to take you to Triet to celebrate your fifteenth Birthday, yet he was strangely against it, wanting me to focus on a specific project that required the Vanguard's assistance, yet I remained firm on that and Richter eventually understood and backed down." Brute began explaining, recalling the day he first met her was when he was speaking with Richter Abend, the Vanguard's Cheif of Staff. Marta had to admit that was a mysterious guy, but respected him as he became a trusted friend to her father, yet it saddened her that Richter would want Brute to focus on work instead of spending time her, his own daughter. She would have understood of course, but it would hurt if her father didn't spend her Birthday with her as she always made time to spend her father's Birthday with him.
"It was right after our discussion when we saw four Tethe'allan nobles around here and a young woman with red hair was fighting them off to keep them from kidnapping the women of Palmacosta. Eventually, some of the noblemen threw ropes around her and tied her down. It was then me and Richter rushed to her aid and chased those Tethe'allans away from the city. Afterward, she wanted to join our cause and she served in my personal Unit for a while before I planned to send her to the Combat Unit and you know the rest..." Brute continued as he finished his recollection. The fact that nobles from Tethe'alla are STILL trying to kidnap women to do whatever it is they want disgusted Marta and the fact that they resorted to underhanded methods to hurt Scarlet angered her, yet she was relieved that her father and Richter saved her.
"She owes you for helping her..." Marta whispered soflty, recalling Scarlet saying she had a debt to repay. That must have been it and why Scarlet would join her Unit. To protect her, the commander's daughter.
"I suppose so... and... that leads me to ask this of you... it's something I would rather not trouble you with, let alone ask you... but..." Brute followed up before trailing off, clearly not sounding happy.
"What is it Daddy?" Marta asked her father with a look of concern on her face. After a moment of silence and hesitance, Brute looked firmly at his daughter and spoke up
"It's those same four nobles again. One of my soldiers spotted them kidnapping six women, including a shopkeeper living here before carrying them off in a carrage." Brute solemnly said with a heavy heart and this in turn made Marta's face go white.
"H-how long ago did this happen?" Marta asked in fear, clearly dreading what will become of the six maidens in question. The thought alone scared and disgusted her.
"Today... sometime after I sent you to meet your Unit. I would have sent Alice or Decus' Unit to handle the matter, but they, along with Richter and the other captains are on missions right now..." Brute answered, regretting that he didn't keep at least one Unit here in Palmacosta and it slowly clicked with Marta.
"No one can help them... except... us..." Marta said as she looked to her father, knowing full well what this meant and this left Marta speechless momentarily...
"Daddy... a-are you asking for my help?" Marta asked with a sense of awe and worry. On one hand, it made her happy that her father needed help and not coddle her for once, but on the other hand, she believes that she's not ready for field work like this.
"Believe me, I would rather go myself then send you into danger, but considering that your Unit has seven skilled individuals, I fear I have no choice but... I would rather not lose you or send you to deal with those people..." Brute said with anger at himself for asking this of his only child, who meant the world more to him then anything. He didn't want to lose his daughter after what happened to his wife. If that happened, who knows what he would do...
"I know why asking me this is upsetting you, but I understand you need to be here so no more people would be kidnapped and... we're the only ones who can help... I know Richter, Decus or even Alice would be preferable, but I want to help those women and... I want you to try and trust me. Please." Marta said with a stern face. She'll admit that this scared her, but it's time to try and stand on her own like her father wanted and show him that she'll be okay. After her father took a few deep breathes, he then looked at his daughter.
"Marta, for your first task as leader of your Unit. You are to track down the nobles, who were reported heading for the outskirts of Hakonesia Peak according to one of my men. Once you do, rescue the six women and return here safely." Brute told Marta with deep hesitance, cleary not wanting to send his daughter on this daunting task, but knows that like a year ago with Marta's errands and journeys, he needs to let her do this despite not wanting too.
"Daddy... I won't let you down and I'll be back. I promise." Marta replied with a look on confidence before hugging her father, with him returning it. With that, Marta's first mission has now begun.
Marta's Dream [Hakonesia Peak Outskirts]
30 Minutes have passed since Marta and her Unit of seven ran along the trail, treaking through the lush greenery before meeting up with the soldier that followed the nobles. Needless to say, the soldier was surprised to see her here.
"Lady Marta!? What are you doing here!? And... who are these people with you?" The soldier asked in confusion, wondering why the commander's daughter would be here instead of Richter, Decus or even Alice.
"Daddy asked me to come here as the other captains aren't avaliable, so he sent me and my new Unit here." Marta explained to the soldier, who was taken aback.
"Your new... unit?" The soldier said in surprise as he looked at the seven women around Marta and needless to say, he was concerned.
"W-what is your Unit's name?" The soldier asked, at least wondering if they're an official Unit. This left Marta stumped along with the others as they haven't discussed what their Unit's name would be.
'Damn! I totally forgot to ask Daddy what my Unit is called!' Marta thought to herself before taking a glance at everyone. Looking at them, it certainly looks like they have a bunch of unique talents. Some are skilled in combat, yet their skills can also be used in other ways like Espionage, Intelligence and other things other Units can perform. They were even brought together by a shared sence of Camaraderie, loss and wanting to make things better.
'We're all unique and special in our own way... special...' Marta thought for a moment and turned to the soldier to answer his question.
"My Unit... OUR Unit is called the Vanguard Special Unit." Marta said with pride to the soldier as she looked back to the other seven girls to see their reactions.
Emerald and Lavender appear to be pleased and touched by being referred to as Special.
Topaz gave Marta a thumbs up in agreement while Vermillion nodded and Azure gave an assuring smile.
"Special Unit... I like the sound of that!" Scarlet said with a proud smirk.
Even Selene couldn't help but smile back, which surprised Marta, but in a good way as the dark haired look-alike didn't smile once since they met earlier today.
'Selene looks better when she smiles.' Marta thought to herself before turning to the soldier, who still looks unconvinced.
"I can understand your doubts, but we're the only ones who can help those women right now! So please tell us the situation!" Marta pleaded with the man in question before he relented, knowing this is what he needs to work with.
"O-okay. The four nobles are grouped up there around that campsite, specifically in that huge tent. However, they aren't alone... it would seem they brought help..." The soldier said as he handed Marta a pair of binoculars to see that the nobles have hired help. They appear to be dressed well and capable of protecting themselves as some carry weapons with them.
"Butlers? Servents?" Marta asked in confusion, not expecting this at least.
"I didn't know what to think when I first saw this, but it would seem these people serve the four nobles in question. If I had to guess, these nobles must have brought those men to aid them, most likely as revenge to what Commander Brute and Chief Richter did to them." The soldier thieroized as he heard about what happened two months ago.
"Dammit! They must have also done this to get back at me as well!" Scarlet cursed angrily as she wouldn't be surprised if the nobles did this to lure the three of them out into the open.
"We don't know if they intended to lure you out, but it would make sense if they wanted to lure the Commander and the Chief in Staff here. But even they can defeat these men..." Vermillion theorized as she surveyed the area around them as they're in some kind of forest trail.
"L-let me look Lady Marta..." Emerald asked Marta as the latter passed the binoculars to the kunoichi as she took a look around.
"One... six... twelve... eighteen..." Emerald softly counted as she looked side to side and up to down before facing everyone to tell them what she saw.
"There a four nobles, right? I counted twenty people outside, so I'm guessing the nobles brought five people each." Emerald told everyone as all of them were surprised that the nobles brought so many servents.
"And they kidnapped only six women!? They could have kidnapped more if they didn't get spotted! That's like a miniature army!" Topaz said in frustration. Marta knew that the blonde haired woman is right. They could have kidnapped MUCH more people if they didn't get noticed sooner and it frightened her.
"Our mission is to rescue the women, so let's sneak by them and leave..." Selene suggested pragmatically with the same frown she usually wore.
"But... they'll just come back to kidnap the women again! Maybe even more!" Lavender pointed out with frightful concern.
"Not unless we have incriminating evidence..." Vermillion said, much to the confusion of everyone else. She then pulled out a strange device, some type of box with a speaker.
"Why not record what they say and send it back to their country?" Vermillion said with what appeared to be confidence.
"What do you mean?" Scarlet asked the knight in question, wondering what that would do.
"Let's just say I have a good understanding of Tethe'allan culture and I can say that it's king does NOT like this sort of criminal conduct. We provide the evidence and the nobles will lose their status. An easy crush blow. What I have here is a special voice recording device and considering we have the Cape Fortress near Meltokio..." Vermillion explained to the others and that's when Marta clued into what the knight is getting at, but...
"But isn't Meltokio against the Vanguard. Besides, why would the king care about Sylvarant?" Marta asked Vermillion, wondering why the king would even bother himself with this whole thing. These nobles didn't give Marta a great impression of the other world thus far even though she knew that there must be at least a few good Tethe'allans, but wouldn't the king be one of those foul hearted nobles that looked down on everyone?
"I understand your doubts, but I must ask you to trust me. Please Lady Marta." Vermillion asked the young girl and after a few minutes, Marta spoke up with a reassuring smile.
"I trust you. But we need to get inside that tent and I doubt we'll get in through the front... but... Azure, come here, maybe you can help out with the plan! Everyone, you guys come here too." Marta said, gesturing everyone over as they huddled together.
Six Minutes Later...
"What do you think?" Marta asked her Squad on their thoughts and needless to say, they were at least willing to give it a shot.
"It's a double edged sword, but it might just work!" Topaz said with profound confidence.
"If it means helping those poor women, I-I will t-try!" Emerald stuttered as she pulled up her face mask.
"Well show them not to mess with our world!" Azure said as she pushed her glasses up.
"We're ready when you are Captain!" Lavender said as she spun her ball on one finger.
"Just say the word and we'll begin." Vermillion said as she pulled out she sword and shield.
"We'll make then regret abusing the silver sppons they were given..." Selene said as she cracked her crop, eager to get started.
"Not how I want to do things, but if it means less grief, I'm all for it. Captain Marta?" Scarlet replied with a sly grin. With that Marta took a deep breath...
'Mom... please watch over me...' Marta prayed to her departed mother, hoping she will make her pround to protect the people of Sylvarant.
"Vanguard Special Unit... move out!" Marta said with confidence as their first mission in now underway!
To Be Continued...
Part 2 of the Flashback Arc is now done! Next time, we will see the mission get underway! How will it all work out? We shall see next time!
If your wondering why Brute is super hostile at this point, let's say that Solem's Core he has hasn't made him completely lose it yet and let's leave it at that. That's why he hasn't gone into full overprotective mode with Marta just yet, hence why he's willing to let Marta carry out this risky task.
Hope that clears things up! Catch you later!
UPDATE: Some minor editing to tie things with the Successors of Hope Novel.
