Episode_PolarEyes

08/18/2016
Blackthorne Mountain Pass

Zeke slowly trudges up the Blackthorne Pass, covering his mouth with his scarf as the cold wind and falling snow pass him by. A snowman slowly pursues him -- honed in like their blank, featureless face is hiding an audience for him underneath.

ZEKE
If not for the love of my life waiting for me, I'd be walking right there with you.
Just as cold, just as inhuman.

Standing around the halfway point down the Mountain Pass, Lonnie kneels and lowers the rifle for a moment to wipe the scope. As he looks back up, he notices more snowmen at the plateau where Zeke is headed. Zeke trips over something, and one of the snowmen behind him gets a little too close for Lonnie’s liking.

As Zeke gets back up, he hears the muffled crack of Lonnie’s rifle in the distance. Turning around, the snowman closing in on him takes a direct hit to the head before it can do anything. Aware of the other snowmen trailing behind him now, Zeke turns and makes a break for the plateau. Lonnie chambers another bullet and prepares to clean up the rest of the snowmen.

08/18/2016
Blackthorne Valley

Abel is heading for the mountain, frequently lifting his head and checking the Pass for signs of Zeke and/or Lonnie.

ABEL
Dammit Lonnie, you had one job. How do we lose you every single time you leave the bar?

Before Abel can get far, a voice in the distance grabs his attention.

CLOVER
Abel!!! Abel!!!

Clover practically jumps onto Abel, who pulls her into a hug.

ABEL
Good evening Clover! What brought you all the way out here?

CLOVER
You're looking for Lonnie and what's-his-name right? Let me come with you!
Look, check this out...

Clover raises her arm. From thin air, neon orange armor manifests around it.

CLOVER
I still don't know how catalysts work, but it looks stronger now right?!

ABEL
Considering your lack of experience, I would say it's in decent condition. However...as long as your armor can be seen through, it will break significantly easier. I would wait until your catalyst is more reliable before you do any training with me.

CLOVER
That's okay! I don't really like fighting, but I still wanna come with you!

ABEL
If you're determined...then it's official, Clover.

CLOVER
What is?

ABEL
This will be your first mission as a knight-in-training.

CLOVER
A knight? I thought you guys were called vanguards.

ABEL
That is correct. I am a vanguard, and Pigeon is my apprentice. As her knight, you will protect her from any and all that pose a threat.

CLOVER
Ohhh...

ABEL
I see the fire in your eyes...your soul is one of flame. Ever-changing in shape, dangerous without purpose. But with proper direction...even the most dangerous threats will know to respect you.

Abel pauses. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a notices a snowman with an orange tint is stalking the two.

ABEL
And speaking of...here comes hell, right on time.

ABEL
Clover? When taking down a snowman, what is the most important rule to follow?

CLOVER
Use your catalyst sparingly, cuz nearby snowmen can sense it and gang up on you!

ABEL
That is...correct, but not quite the reason.

CLOVER
What is it then?

ABEL
Pay attention to their color. Each have their own visual differences, but the easiest way to tell is by their glow.
The white ones are called Alpha snowmen. They’re the type that form from the ectosnow...they lack catalysts entirely.
However, when a human becomes a snowman...their catalyst is all that remains of who they were.
Orange, green, purple, and blue indicate Aura, Astra, Anima and Aqua, respectively.

CLOVER
So that's why they look different sometimes...but can they actually use their catalysts?

ABEL
It is their greatest defense mechanism. If a snowman is killed by someone with the same type of catalyst as them...that person becomes a snowman themselves.

CLOVER
And this one is orange...same as my Aura catalyst.
...which means I can’t kill it. Great.

ABEL
No matter. Pay attention, Clover -- watch how it is done.

Abel takes down the snowman with little to no struggling, and dusts off his jacket.

CLOVER
Okay...I think I can do that.

ABEL
Good, there’s two more heading our way.
Show me what you can do, and do not worry. I will step in before anything happens.

Clover steadily beats both snowmen, weaving in and out as Abel blocks their attempts at retribution.

ABEL
Good work, Clover.

CLOVER
That was easy!
Easier than I expected, actually. Snowmen really don’t put up a fight, huh?

ABEL
They are not to be underestimated. Snowmen are made of ectosnow. Too much exposure to it will also leave you as one of them...
...and they are not “easy” when they were once loved ones.

CLOVER
Oh...got it. I’ll be careful then.

ABEL
They are really, really not easy.

CLOVER
...do you...want me to handle that one over there?

Clover points to a snowman with a blue tint leering them down. Abel steps between them and Clover.

ABEL
That one has an Aqua catalyst...let’s play it safe.
I have the same type of catalyst, but the special thing about Aqua catalysts...
...is that no two are identical. Far from it, and it just so happens mine is one of the...stronger ones.

Abel raises a hand.

ABEL
Draw five...Dealer’s Choice.

Between his fingers, a stack of five glowing cards manifest.

ABEL
Traces of all four catalysts run in everyone’s blood...and mine, no different.

Shuffling them with one hand and too much spectacle, he tosses four to the ground.

ABEL
The cards amplify traces of one catalyst while diminishing the others...and after only one is left...

He flips the remaining card around to show Clover. There’s an orange glow to it.

ABEL
You know the rest.

A sudden burst of smoke and sparks forces Clover to shield her eyes. When she lowers her arms, Rubedo -- Abel’s amplified “suit” -- is already shredding the snowman in half with his war talon.

CLOVER
R-Rubedo.

Rubedo turns his head, baring a grin and fangs made of Aura catalyst metal.

08/18/2016
Blackthorne Hollow

Lonnie rounds the corner and enters the hollow, greeted by Zeke’s side-eye.

LONNIE
So is this where you’ve been disappearing off to?

ZEKE
...may I ask what you’re doing here?

LONNIE
I’m watching your back like I said I would. Someone’s gotta get you home safe, yeah?

ZEKE
I’ll be fine. There’s just too many snowmen down there right now...I’ll wait them out.

LONNIE
Zeke, I have more than enough firepower to smoke them if we need to. I don’t leave Blackthorne without it.

ZEKE
Well...I don’t. I wouldn’t be much help in a fight either, I...think you should just go back.

LONNIE
Okay...now what’s really going on?

ZEKE
I’m waiting for someone. It might be a while.

Lonnie sits against the wall opposite of Zeke, resting his rifle beside him.

ZEKE
What are you doing?

LONNIE
I’m just getting comfortable...you said we’re waiting for someone, right?
What kind of friend would I be if I left you up here in the dark?

Zeke gives a melancholic smile.

ZEKE
...yeah. Her name’s Tizona. I think you’d like her.

LONNIE
Why don’t you tell me about her while we wait?

ZEKE
I could go on forever. Did I tell you how we met?

LONNIE
Plenty of times now, but...go on.

ZEKE
The same day I came here...I saw something watching me from the top of the mountain. It looked like a flamingo.

LONNIE
And you went looking for it?

ZEKE
Yes, but-- let me tell it the way I want, alright?

LONNIE
Alright, Zeke. So what happened after that?

ZEKE
Well, I went looking for it...that’s when I found her.
She was beautiful. That kind of pretty where you look at her just long enough to have something to hold onto in your head...but nothing more.

06/25/2016
The Lavender Bar

Zeke walks into the Lavender Bar for the first time, hesitant to move further from the door as he scans around before noticing Lonnie waving at him.

LONNIE
You must be the one Abel took in yesterday.

ZEKE
Yeah. I owe him everything, he saved my life.

LONNIE
I heard about what happened, I’m sorry about your folks kid.

ZEKE
I’ll be okay. If they weren’t killed first, they probably would have taken me out sooner or later.

LONNIE
Your own parents wanted to kill you?

ZEKE
I’m definitely not the easiest kid to take care of, but...their pressure doesn’t make things any easier.

LONNIE
That doesn’t justify anything. It’s just a lazy parent’s excuse, so don’t take it to heart.

ZEKE
I never did. It’s probably part of how things got to where they did...

LONNIE
Now stranger, are you gonna come sit down and tell me your name?

ZEKE
Right...sorry. The name's Zeke.

LONNIE
Welcome to Blackthorne, Zeke. I’m Lonnie, and this beautiful building is called the Lavender Bar.

ZEKE
I’ve never been in a bar before. It’s nice in here.

LONNIE
Indeed it is. It’s my home, in a way.
So, Zeke, have you looked around the rest of Blackthorne?

ZEKE
Not really. You’re the first person I’ve seen at all since Abel.

LONNIE
Don’t worry, almost everyone pops their head in here throughout the day. You’ll find out pretty quickly that there’s never a dull moment in the Lav.
Want something to drink?

ZEKE
Is vodka an option?

LONNIE
It depends. How old are ya?

ZEKE
Turned 13 a few months ago.

LONNIE
Then for another 8 years, no. Vodka’s not an option.

ZEKE
Damn. What about beer?

LONNIE
No alcohol at all, sorry. That’s my rule.

ZEKE
Boring...what else you got?

LONNIE
I’ve got...water, milk, some sodas, apple cider...

ZEKE
Just water then, please.

LONNIE
Wait, what about some tea? It’s cold outside, something hot wouldn’t hurt.

ZEKE
Until it spills. But no thanks, I’ve never really liked tea.

LONNIE
Alrighty...one water comin’ right up then.

ZEKE
Thank you, Lonnie. You know...maybe things happen for a reason.

LONNIE
A lot of things definitely happen for one reason or another...thinking of anything specific, Zeke?

ZEKE
With my parents...I always kinda felt like that wasn’t how family was supposed to be. Maybe everything that happened was so that I could find my own. A real family, you know?

LONNIE
...I do. That’s what Blackthorne’s always been to me, and a lot of others.

ZEKE
Then I’m happy here.

Zeke raises his water.

ZEKE
To new family?

Lonnie raises his glass, already nearly empty.

LONNIE
Sure. To new family!

08/18/2016
Blackthorne Valley

RUBEDO
Clover~! * Is that all you got?

CLOVER
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!

Clover dashes forward, enhanced by her catalyst armor as her barrage of punches is intercepted by Rubedo with ease.

RUBEDO
At this rate you won't be able to keep up with me, dear...
Come on! FASTER!

*Atop the Plateau, Lonnie spectates the brawl through his rifle's scope. Zeke stands beside him, squinting in an attempt to identify the people fighting below in the valley.

ZEKE
Wait, that's...Abel?

LONNIE
It's not him.

ZEKE
His entire outfit is purple. I'm pretty sure that's Abel.

LONNIE
It was Abel. This is part of what his catalyst does.
When he picks a card, its suit assumes total control of him.
Each suit has their own personality, memory and appearance. Which may not seem like such an advantage...
But the suits also wield the other catalyst types.

ZEKE
Then who's the girl he's fighting?

LONNIE
Looks like Clover. Maybe they're sparring?

Rubedo slams Clover against the mountain hard enough for Lonnie to cringe at the sight. Clover falls to the ground, and Rubedo slowly looms over her.

LONNIE
Shit. We need to get down there.

ZEKE
Would shooting Rubedo also mean shooting Abel?

LONNIE
It would. If there's no other choice, then from here...

Lonnie lines up his scope with Rubedo's head. Rubedo stops and stares up at him, grinning cheek-to-sunken-cheek for his paparazzi.

LONNIE
Zeke, I think you should make your way back to town while you have the chance. I know your friend might be here, but-

ZEKE
Get ready to back me up.

Zeke turns away from Lonnie and begins walking down the mountain.

LONNIE
No, Zeke! Go back to town! STAY AWAY from Rubedo!

ZEKE
I'm not leaving Clover to fight for her life down there!

Cont.
Blackthorne Valley

RUBEDO
Your armor barely manifests, and yet it burns fierce enough to leave scars. Scars on you, at least. It’s quite telling, don’t you think?

CLOVER
...

RUBEDO
Flowers and fire only know a single dance...and it ends in ash. It ends with everything ruined.

Finally within sight, Zeke points his sword at Rubedo. His eyes snap to the boy, wicked grin weaving across his face.

ZEKE
Back off.

RUBEDO
...Eh? Oh. You. Not the brightest crayon in the box, are you?

ZEKE
My name is Zeke. Call me that, and nothing else.

RUBEDO
Or what? That's a showman's way of holding a blade. Does it make you feel safe? Are you afraid I'll attack you? Haha…

LONNIE
Zeke, enough!
I’ve got Clover. Let’s just fucking go home already.

Lonnie slings his rifle over his back and helps Clover up.

LONNIE
Once Abel’s back in control, I’ll come to get him.
Now stop indulging him and let’s go.

Rubedo licks the blood off his thumb and winks at Zeke.

RUBEDO
You know I'd rip those scrawny little arms from their sockets before you even knew what was happening…but you're not my type.

Zeke, seething with rage, sheaths his sword to help Lonnie with Clover.

RUBEDO
Tell me 'bout this chick you found on the mountain — maybe she's more my taste.
Maybe I’ll fashion a skin rug outta you two~.

ZEKE
I'm splitting your skull from your crooked spine for that.

RUBEDO
I wouldn't do that, Crayon. I might get testy again, and I bite. Hard.

LONNIE
Zeke...let’s just...c’mon.

ZEKE
Lonnie, no--

LONNIE
Go.

Slowly sheathing his sword, Zeke walks backwards with his eyes kept on Rubedo. The whole walk home, Rubedo’s manic cackling fits echo through the forest and bury themselves deep in Zeke’s head.

Next Episode: New Phoenix