Amidst growing conflict between the people of Sparks and the Emberites, Doon searches for a new sense of belonging. Tick has started to come up with projects to fix up the Pioneer, but he never finishes them. Doon sees the futility of these projects, but he wants to be a part of something. Doon shows the books in the Ark to Edward Pocket, the librarian from Ember. Edward is thrilled to find a purpose, as he’s too old for manual labor. The Emberites raise a flag over the Pioneer, and later, passing through the village, Doon notices that the people of Sparks quietly raised a flag at some point, too.

Caspar, Torren’s older brother and a roamer, finally arrives home with a truckload of novelties. Dr. Hester tells Lina that he never brings back anything useful. Caspar also brings Maddy, a stoic young woman who is his new roaming partner. Torren is incensed that Caspar doesn’t pay more attention to him, but he still idolizes him. Lina is still frustrated with the realities of life in Sparks and her lack of agency. She overhears Caspar and Maddy talking about visiting the ruins of a city in search of treasure, and she realizes that maybe the Emberites are meant to create the city that she sees in her dreams.