To Be Human
Chapter 23
The Revolution, Part 1 (Panic and Pain)

"Everything cool?" Charity looked around at all the faces.

Some were more eager than others, but all were ready to take down Mother. They were tired of this injustice; the newer ones had been locked in a white-walled room with no windows and unable to do anything, as (according to Diligence) they'd been classified as "unstable," and "dangerous."

Envy had apologized to Temperance (much to his humiliation) in front of a pretty large group of people. But Kindness could tell he'd tried to forget about it and was ready to fight. Since receiving his powers back just a few minutes prior, he'd been eager to use them again.

Kindness had been shocked to find Jenna and AJ in the room, and even more shocked to find out why-all three of them had been siblings since the start, and had only been on Earth for Kindness's supervision.

"I've got a serious problem with Mother now. Think's I'm helpless, eh? Well, she's about to learn the hard truth; this kitten's got claws." She had muttered.

Other things Kindness had noticed/been told was that one little girl, Sadness, was claustrophobic, so being trapped in a room with a bunch of people had left her permanently scarred. Another guy, Vanity, loved to be out under the stars, and the room had been designed so none of the occupants could make anything. So no stars for him.

Kindness had also learned from Jenna, or Courage as she preferred, they had been created shortly after Forgiveness fifty-three years ago.

It was no wonder they were upset. Who wouldn't be?

"Kindness. Do you see that?" Envy gripped her upper arm.

Kindness followed his gaze. "Isn't that-?"

"It's Hope. Apparently she was a little ishvalan girl." Doubt said.

Envy went pale as Kindness turned to glare at him. "I was acting on orders, you know that!" He protested.

"Wait, you killed her?!" Doubt said, shocked and angry.

"Yeah." Envy replied, missing the unhappy feelings being sent his way.

"DIE!" Doubt lunged.

Envy started shrieking, fighting him off desperately.

"Hey, save it for Mom! Kindness, why aren't you-Kindness?" Charity blinked.

Kindness was on the other side of the room, talking to Hate about something pretty serious. Envy stared at them, his gaze burning into Kindness jealously. But then he remembered Hate would be gone soon, and something different pricked him.

Guilt.

"Dammit." He muttered, kicking the floor in frustration.

"What are we waiting for?" Sadness asked Joy quietly.

"We're waiting for Mother to come to the room. Charity told her to come because of a problem." Joy replied, his gaze darting to the people in the room, analyzing the moods.

Impatience.

"Everyone get into position! She's coming!" Jenna and Wrath came darting into the room from scouting Mother.

There was scurrying and the last person had just finished moving when the great double doors opened, Mother walking in.

The main Virtues minus Temperance were in a semi-circle around Doubt. He was staring off into space in the general direction of Mother, biding his time until he could lunge. The others were stationed around the room seemingly random, but on closer inspection they were in such a way to barricade the doors and attack.

"What's going on here, Doubt?" Mother asked.

He gazed at her blankly. "You tell me, I don't understand the problem either."*

Temperance began freezing the door from the bottom, Hate doing the same from the top down.

"He was causing a ruckus on the basis that Wrath picking a fight."

"I didn't! Mommy, tell them I didn't!" Wrath tugged on Sloth's dress.

Carmen took a quiet step closer to Mother, Lust and Luciana mirroring her actions.

"He did too! He's a little brat!" Doubt said, pointing in Wrath's direction.

"AM NOT!" Wrath took his cue and lunged for Doubt, who pretended that he didn't know.

Wisdom and AJ hurried forward, and then chaos broke out.

~+!+~ Kindness

I watched as people raced forward, every power I knew and then some racing at a top speed towards Mother. A muddy-brown force field shot up the walls, preventing escape to another part of The Space Between. I stretched my hand out, vines rushing forward and saving Envy-my brother-from being speared.

The green haired guy shot me a glance, probably in thanks, then continued hacking at Mother's protective shield.

It struck me that Mother hadn't taken much creativity in making the Vices, as some looked quite similar to the Homunculi. Seriously, Sloth and Wrath were different, but that was about it as differences go.

There was a yell, and I saw three people go flying, crashing into the walls with sickening thuds. My gaze flew to Mother, who had gold spikes shooting out seemingly randomly, but nailing someone almost every single time. I saw Mother close her eyes, and seemed bored with the whole thing. My anger flared. With a battle cry, I leaped into the fray.

~+!+~ Hate

I briefly saw Kindness leap for Mother, and my stomach swooped. What if she got injured?

Idiot, she can heal herself. Not as fast if Temperance does it, but still. Why are you worried? Damien scolded.

Right. Forgot about that. I suddenly felt myself sail backwards. My head cracked into the wall with a thud, and I saw stars. When my vision cleared, I saw everyone picking themselves off the floor. Mother was on a pedestal of some sort, but it was see-through. My eyes widened. Wisdom was in there, Sadness squished up against her.

Literally the best choices to make a good defense. Damien commented. Metal machines and reality bending. You'll think you're seeing zombies while you're really seeing armorless, metal stick-figures.

My heart sank. How were we going to defeat this?

"Don't let them cut you! Then you'll start seeing things! That's how Sadness works!" Joy called.

See ya sucker. You're on your own. Damien said.

Wait, what?! I thought, panicked.

A sharp pain echoed through my head. I groaned, bending over and holding my head, trying to focus and not let panic and pain** overtake. It felt like my brain was being ripped in two.

A hoarse, panicked cry screamed, "HATE!" as I hit the floor, unconscious before I even made contact.

Snort. XD I don't know what's going on either, Doubt.

(Doubt is seriously my new favorite character.)

**"Panic and Pain" sounds like a good Emo band.

Meh.

Cliffy much?

You probably already know how this ends anyway...

Heh. Maybe. *evil laughter as I contemplate killing Hate now or later*

Anyway, Mom, how could you? Drafting Wisdom and Sadness like that, tch.

*CoughtryingtomakeherevenworsethansheactuallyisCough*

I've begun thinking about a mini series for the lesser Virtues and wrapping up loose ends in the Brotherhood. Like, did Al ever figure out Alkahestry?

Hmm, sounds like a good Al/May one-shot right there...

I would love ideas for the mini adventures, if y'all have any.

Review~!