There was a ten second length applause, Karma standing with a firm stoicism as she awaited patiently for the crowd to simmer down. Once they had done so, a confident but soft smile spread across her lips.
"Good morning divine people of Noir City, it is with the great pleasure of our president Neo that I, as well as your Noir City Aviator Captain, Connor Leech, to present our next league of talented recruits ready to defend our people against the perilous dangers that face our nation. Dear graduates, I want it to be known that this journey is not an easy one, but it is still the most honorable. From this day on, we see you all as heroes. And no matter what happens, know that you'll die one."
The crowd roared once again, many of the young men raising their fists into the air or standing up to give praise to the admired counselor. She raised her hand modestly, bowing her head slightly in a careful attempt to silence the crowd once more.
"Today, we shall open with our Valedictorian's speeches, all with messages of how you all can garner the skills and faith needed to be as talented as these young saviors. Everyone, let's welcome onto the stage, Captain Leech's son himself, Alec Leech!"
The crowd's clapping once again ensued, Ember turning to his side to watch a nervous Alec stand. Ember foolishly didn't think about the repercussions for Alec having to give a speech with yesterday's stains still on the Captain's son's face.
Ember felt a twist and a turn of guilt in his stomach as Alec slowly trudged his way to the stage. The smokey haired pilot still seated turned his head to find Captain Leech's face. The Captain appeared to stare intently at his son, a morbid lack of care on the mans face as the Aviator's leader slightly frowned at his son's hesitant steps.
"He knows... why didn't he do anything?" Ember whispered to himself, observing the father. It was shocking that the Captain didn't save his son's pride and cleaned up the ink still stained on his son's face, nor finding a way as their leader to stop this speech from happening.
Alec's anxiety officially rubbed off on Ember, the once proud pilot now gulping as he sunk a little into his seat, watching as Alec regretfully took his first steps onto the stage.
A deafening silence filled the air as Alec stood at the podium, many in the crowd staring in awe of Alec's ink stained cheek, the ink faded from repeated attempts at washing it off but still managing to cover everything from his cheek up to his forehead. Alec was frozen, lip twitching as he felt himself grow overwhelmed by the crowd.
"H-Hello... my n-name is..." Alec stuttered.
A good portion of pilots broke out into a powerful laughter as Alec tried to speak, the laughs having a trickling affect as it grew. Ember however, was silent, eyes wide as he watched Alec frown, tears beginning to form in the Captain's son's eyes. He never moved on with his speech, instead stepping off the podium and beginning to quickly storm off, wanting to get away from the still laughing crowd as quickly as possible.
Ember's eyes followed Alec, head turning as the blonde walked past him. The mossy eyed Ember couldn't describe the level of guilt knowing that this embarrassing situation was all because of him. The laughter subsided, people instead surprised by Alec's sudden exit. That grim silence filled once more, only the sounds of the auditorium entrance doors opening being heard.
Ember's eyes landed back on Captain Leech, who simply remained seated and staring ahead, appearing unaffected by his son's humiliation. The ashy haired pilot frowned in disgust, apalled by the older man's seemingly indifferent expression. Ember wanted to stand up and go after his comrade, but before he could get up and do so, Karma already retook her place on stage. She coughed into a fist uncomfortably, even the counselor seemingly confused by what just occurred. But in her eyes, the show must go on.
"Ahem, well, we apologize on behalf of Alec Leech's strange behavior. With that said, please welcome your next Valedictorian. Everyone, Ember Chain."
Ember had just stood up as his name was called, eyes turning toward the stage with raised brows of surprise as he heard his name called. He felt people's eyes glue onto him, Ember glancing around to meet his fellow compatriot's gazes. His lips curled downwards, the boy hesitating before eventually making his way up the steps to join Counselor Karma on stage. The woman didn't miss a beat, moving on from the previous occurrence and greeting Ember with a smile as he approached.
She held out her hand, Ember's eyes staring down at it as he slowly reached out his own and the two exchanged a handshake. Karma whispered a congratulations before exiting backstage, staying put behind a curtain as Ember took his place on the elevated podium.
The room went silent once again, as though the crowd was waiting for more antics. Applause was not given, people still too lost in the happenings of what just previously ensued. Even Ember was completely silent for a few moments, trying to figure out how to even begin.
"Hello..." He muttered, staring down at the surface of the podium as he spoke into it's microphone.
"As you heard, my name's Ember Chain, one of the many new pilots joining the Noir City Aviators. I want to begin by saying that it is an honor to be awarded in this way, especially alongside all the brave men who-"
"YOUR FATHER IS ALIVE!"
Ember's voice halted, his eyes going wide as he heard those words. He tried to deduce where in the crowd it came from, but the stage lights prevented him from seeing more than the silhouette of the first few rows of people.
"HE'S ALIVE, AND HE'S ON EARTH! YOU HAVE TO FIND HIM! YOUR GOVERNMENT IS LYING TO YOU, ALL OF YOU!" An older man's voice reiterated, causing gasps to fill the auditorium.
Ember squinted, catching the figure of the elderly man screaming this as his eyes finally adjusted to the brightness. It appeared the man managed to disguise himself as a reporter, wearing a brown raincoat with a fedora to match. The pilot watched as city patrollers crashed through the front doors, semi automatic guns in hand. It was then that the elder pulled a pistol of his own from the inside of his coat, a gunshot going off that sent the auditorium into chaos. Screams from the attendees sounded out as one of the patrollers collapsed with a gun wound to the forehead. People frantically began storming for the emergency exit doors while others aimed for the entrance.
Ember only stood in shock, mouth falling open as he took a step back, hearing more gunshots go off as the sounds of rifles began to overwhelm the power of the pistol. President Karma ran to the podium, yanking a shell-shocked Ember off the stage as the newly inducted pilot watched the old man's body twitch and jerk in response to each bullet that hit his body.