Gamerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr88888888 theY STAnd upOn tHE threSHold

in. Goodwitch seemed to be in a poetic mood. "Let us consider the heart. A physical organ known to us all- but also known as an emotional organ. Love flows from the heart like blood- could blood and love be related? Does a heart pump love in the same way it pumps blood?

"Could it be that love is the blood of the universe?"

Chapter XXVI

Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright

Nobody recognized the man sitting in Yang's chair. He was tall and lanky, a pair of thick, round glasses upon his face- one lense was shattered, the eye beneath missing where the bullet had penetrated.

Ruby carefully removed the pawn from the man's mouth and placed it into a bag, which she then handed to Nora. "We need prints."

Yang reentered the room, dead serious. "No witnesses- nobody saw a thing. The fire and blackout had everyone outside."

Michelle was there, doing the best she could on-site. "Hard to get a time of death here... I'll need better equipment for a full autopsy."

"The bullet isn't what killed him," Ruby whispered- she'd been unusually quiet so far. "Look under his shirt- there'll be a stab wound- upwards, past the sternum, severing the aorta."

Michelle looked up at Yang, baffled- Yang nodded, giving her the go-ahead. Michelle did as she was instructed, lifting the man's shirt, discovering the exact wound Ruby described.

"...Emerald, you said?"

Ruby nodded.

"She was good," Yang noted. "Not so much as a bloodstain, anywhere except the body."

"She didn't wipe her footprints," Ren put in as he entered the scene. "Two sets- same boots. One coming, one leaving. Heavier on the way in- from carrying the body."

"You're sure this is Emerald?" Yang probed.

Ruby silently looked at the man. "He was alone- he needed a lift. He got one. He was driven to the edge of the Emerald Forest- the car will still be there. He was stabbed- once. Tried to run, but collapsed. Emerald Sustrai orchestrated an explosion that caused a power outage. A fire to draw everyone out of the station. Took the body in... through the window."

She crossed the office and gazed out of the window in question- it was, indeed, open. "Yang... Emerald's been in this room. I can feel it. But... we won't find any fingerprints. She didn't make any mistakes. She didn't slip up. Everything was perfect- intentional. Precise. She knows what she's doing, and she's taken her first pawn."

XXXX

As morning dawned, Cardin found himself summoned to Weiss's room at the top of the Austin Hotel, where they began laying out their plans. "Listen closely, Winchester- this is what we're going to do," she began. "If I've learned anything from my parents over the years, it's that business relationships are sacred. Nothing can be held back."

"I see..."

Weiss rolled her eyes. "You want to get rich, Winchester?"

Cardin grunted, then nodded. "As soon as I can."

"Well, I believe I can help you with that." She reached into a glass of ice water and seized one of the cubes. "This is my mother."

"...That's an ice cube."

"Yes, but it represents my mother." Weiss emphasized it by closing her hand around it. "Now, we need to pull my mother back out of Wonderland before she melts away and leaves us with nothing."

She opened her hand, but the cube had melted away.

"We don't want that to happen, understand?"

"No- of course not."

Weiss sighed and grabbed his chin- her hand was still cold. "Let me spell this out for you- from now on, I'm the one you suck up to."

Cardin gulped, but nodded.

XXXX

Velvet held her breath, crouching behind the refrigerator. She could sense Adam- standing in the darkened living room. She drew breath as shallowly as possible, not wishing to do anything that might spur him into action. The lights occasionally flickered, causing her heart to briefly fail.

Slowly, she peeked around the refrigerator's edge.

Adam was missing.

Slowly, she moved around it, her heart racing as she kept on high alert for any signs of the man. If she could just make it to the door...

Something shattered next to her- she screamed and broke into a run.

The front door had been sealed shut- no matter how much she struggled, she could not open it. "No! Help! Someone help me!"

She screamed as she slammed her fists against the unyielding wood.

Outside, only an owl heard her, tilting its head an letting out a quiet hoot.

She finally gave up on the door, turning and pressing her back against it. "Adam... please!"

She still couldn't see him, no matter how hard she looked.

The back door- maybe, if she could get to it... just maybe...

Another sprint, but this time, she saw Adam's wheelchair roll out in front of her, just too late to stop. She tripped spectacularly over it and landed hard on the ground.

Finally, she saw him, standing next to the refrigerator where she'd just been hiding, a sock full of soap danging from his fist.

"Bad girl," he snarled.

"Please, Adam!" she whimpered. "Please don't!"

He tossed the sock over towards her- it landed a few inches to her left. She squeaked and pulled away. "Please- please!"

She rose to her feet and struggled with the back door- it, too, was thoroughly locked. "No!"

She could hear Adam lurching towards her- she fumbled towards a nearby drawer and pulled out a knife, turning to face-

He was gone again.

"Stay away!" she forced out. "Stay away- I'll kill you! I swear!"

She looked towards the missing wall- in its place was a wall of plastic held up by several wooden beams. She rushed it and began struggling to hack it open. "Help! Help!" she screamed.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, and screamed as she was thrown back into the kitchen, crashing into the table. The knife slid away under the counter.

Outside, Cardin was walking wearily towards the house, considering how to apologize to Velvet for his earlier behavior.

These thoughts disappeared when he found the door locked against him.

He knocked. "Velvet?" He closed his eyes in resignation. "Velvet... okay, Vel, I'm sorry."

Velvet heard his voice, but was still on the ground, watching in terror as Adam picked up an axe. "No... no!"

He lurched towards her, dragging the axe along the ground.

Cardin heard the cries. "Velvet- Velvet!"

He moved to a window just in time for Adam to punch through it and make a grab at him. "No- no! Adam! Velvet!"

He pulled away from the window and dashed around the house.

Adam turned back towards Velvet. "No! No, Adam, please!"

"Goodbye, Velvet," Adam grimaced as he raised the axe.

"Velvet!" Cardin screamed- he found the tear Velvet had managed to make in the plastic and forced it open further. His heart nearly stopped when he saw what was about to happen.

Finally, he tore through, sprinted across the kitchen, and seized the axe before Adam could bring it down. The two men began to struggle for the weapon, Velvet watching in horrified awe.

The knife was still there, just under the counter. She began scrabbling across the floor as Adam got the upper hand, pressing Cardin against the wall, the handle of the axe against his neck, lifting him several inches from the floor.

Cardin's struggles were growing weaker as Velvet fumbled around for the knife. She looked back to see Cardin turning blue-

Her hand brushed against the knife. She picked it up and, without thinking, turned and stabbed it into the first thing she saw- Adam's calf. He screamed in pain and fury as he fell back, dropping the axe and finally allowing Cardin to breathe. He continued screaming, sounding very much like a wounded animal, as he staggered towards the hole in the plastic, forcing his way out and lurching off into the distance.

Cardin fell to the ground, coughing.

Velvet was at his side in an instant. "Cardin! Cardin!"

He got over it as quick as he could, forcing himself to his feet and lifting Velvet up as well, pulling her into a tight hug. She sobbed against his chest as he placed a kiss on her forehead. "It's okay, Vel- it's okay. He's gone now."

In the distance, they could hear another scream- Cardin raised his eyes, watching the plastic, torn to shreds and flapping around in the wind.

XXXX

Ruby sighed heavily as the man's body was taken away. She slumped into the seat her sister usually occupied, staring listlessly at the desktop.

A mug of coffee was pushed into her line of view- she looked up to find Yang smiling gently at her. "Thought you could use a drink."

"Thanks," Ruby smiled weakly as she picked it up and drank deep.

"You called it," Yang muttered. "No fibers, no prints. If this was Emerald, she didn't miss a thing."

"I kinda wish I was wrong on this one," Ruby whispered.

"Any word from Reese?" Yang attempted a change of subject.

"Cleared of all charges." Ruby did her best to sound proud, but her smile was still rather forlorn. "Still suspended, though. Next move is to wait 'til I hear from Maria."

"Still my deputy, then," Yang grinned.

"I suppose so..."

"Alright, then, I'm officially assigning you to this case. I want you to find Emerald Sustrai."

Ruby clenched her fist around the mug. "Yang, I gladly accept."

They clinked their mugs together.

"Yang!" Ren entered. "Ruby- I found the car, just on the forest's edge, just like you said. Sure enough, no prints. In case you were wondering, Hazel wasn't at the party last night because he was in the hospital. Says he was hit by a bus, and he sure looks it. I cuffed him to the bed and booked him for the parole violations."

"Good," Yang nodded. "Anything else?"

"We got a call from Velvet Scarlatina. She says Adam woke up last night, attacked her, and took off into the woods."

Ruby blinked slowly as she took another drink of coffee. "Everything always happens all at once around here..."

XXXX

Ren returned to the lobby to find Nora struggling to remove a plastic glove- it had gotten stuck to her hand like an Animanian finger trap. "Here, Nora, let me help-"

"No, I've got it!" she interrupted, giving it one last sharp tug- it flew off her hand and soared across the room until it got stuck to a window.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

Nora glanced back at him, biting her lip. "Why're you and Neptune hanging out behind my back?"

Ren sighed heavily. "It's a long story. Neptune has this asinine theory about Ken..."

"Ken? Ken Amada?"

"Neptune has somehow gotten it into his head that Ken is... well..."

"Is?" Nora prompted.

"That he murdered his parents."

"Ken?" Nora repeated. "But... he's nine!"

"Yes," Ren nodded heavily. "Which would make him six at the time of the 'crime.'"

Nora opened and closed her mouth like a fish. "I... I've met Kenny! I've talked to him! There's no way he'd ever do anything like that! I need to get to the bottom of this!"

She stormed off, leaving Ren groaning internally. He really needed to have a word with whoever had taken control of his life- it certainly wasn't him anymore.

XXXX

Pyrrha was back in the garage, fiddling around with some of the Marigold's other cars, when she was approached by a tall woman with light, somewhat silvery hair. "Hello," the woman greeted her. "You must be Pyrrha Nikos." She extended her hand- Pyrrha responded by raising her currently greasy hands. The woman laughed, pulling the hand back. "I'm Sae Nijima. Henry's told me all about you."

Pyrrha glanced behind her, and saw Henry approaching, his sunglasses in place. "Well, the only way to find out is to take her out for a test drive."

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Sae assured her. "It's very fortunate Henry ran into you."

"All my luck, I assure you," Pyrrha bowed slightly as she closed the hood.

"Henry tells me you're traveling."

"Indeed- I have no clear destination."

Sae smiled wistfully. "No itinerary, no deadlines... I'll admit, I'm somewhat envious. We should talk when I get back. I'm no mechanic, but I do have a fascination with cars."

"Maybe," Pyrrha shrugged, "but I'm actually-"

"Of course she'll stay," Henry interrupted. "I'm sure we can find some things for her to do. Right, Pyrrha?"

Pyrrha hesitated. "I... I suppose. If you'll... excuse me for a moment..."

She turned and headed back into the house.

"She's a nice one," Sae noted, delivering a kiss to Henry's cheek. "The car certainly looks better from the outside, but let's see what she can do on the road, shall we?"

She climbed into the car, but Henry didn't follow. Sae glanced at him, then shrugged, taking off. Henry watched her go, quietly waiting for the sound of a crash.

XXXX

Yatsuhashi was speaking to Michelle, taking a booth at Coco's Diner. "I need to speak to you about Neon. She's trying to date boys now, and I have no earthly idea how to handle it."

"Is she getting active?" Michelle asked, eyebrows up.

"Well, I wake up every morning feeling like I've been hit by a train," Yats shrugged. "You tell me."

"Sounds like the extra adrenaline," Michelle speculated.

"Whatever it is, it's dangerous," Yats insisted. "It's rough on me, if she turns her attention on a kid, she's liable to kill him."

"Well, for now, all I can say is, be patient, and try to make sure she's home by nine on school nights," Michelle shrugged.

Yats sighed as a smiling Coco arrived with his meal. "Extra potatoes," she grinned, "on the house."

"Thank you very much." At last, Yatsuhashi felt a smile come to his lips. As Coco moved away, he found his smile matched by Michelle's.

Slowly, both smiles disappeared. "Yats, Sun took the car this morning, said he was going to meet with Pyrrha. Is there anything I should be aware of?"

"Pyrrha's in Centralia, from what I can tell," Yats explained. "I think she's trying to clear her head, after... everything that's happened."

Michelle chuckled softly, taking a drink of root beer. "It's rough, being a parent, innit?"

"Preach to the choir, Michelle," Yats nodded, digging into his potatoes.

Michelle left a tip and headed out the door- in a moment, her place was taken by Coco, reigniting the smile on Yats's face.

"Did you hear?" Coco began. "Hazel's in the hospital- says he got hit by a bus."

"A wild bus named Neon Katt," Yats nodded. "Hazel jumped me yesterday, not long after you left. I was very fortunate that Neon showed up when she did."

"Neon... took out Hazel?" Coco asked with a smirk.

"It... wasn't pretty," Yats nodded his confirmation.

Coco glanced at the table. "Yang gave me a call- Hazel's under arrest for parole violation. He might get better- only to go right back to prison."

"Interesting," Yats nodded.

"I think I'll take the time to start correcting some of my mistakes."

"Perhaps we could start by getting a cabin," Yats suggested. "Some steak and sparkling wine."

Coco smiled at the thought. "People would find out."

Yats placed his hand over hers. "Let them."

He heard music from the jukebox, and began to sing along with a smile. "People talking about us, they've got nothing else to do. When it all comes down, we will still pull through, in the long run."

XXXX

Henry tiptoed into Pyrrha's room to find it empty except for a suitcase on the bed.

"You know, it's generally considered polite to knock first."

He turned to find Pyrrha entering from the bathroom, pulling on a shirt. "Sorry. Are you leaving?"

"I'm afraid so," Pyrrha nodded.

Henry stepped closer. "You... were good with Sae."

"I'll take your word for it."

"Can you take my word for this?"

HE PUllEd HER In for A Kiss ANd-

Pyrrha's eyes widened, and she pushed him away. "No! This is wrong- all wrong!"

"What do you mean? Love isn't wrong, Pyrrha-"

"No, this is all wrong! We shouldn't be like this, none of this should be happening, I shouldn't even be here! This isn't how it's supposed to be- it's all wrong!"

"What do you mean?" Henry asked pleadingly.

Pyrrha ignored him, turning to the window, struggling with that intense feeling of wrongness that had just swept over her.

"Pyrrha... please don't leave me! Don't... don't leave me alone with her!"

Pyrrha slowly turned back to face him, FeELiNG ThE UrGE to kiSS-

There it was again. No, this wasn't right- none of this was right.

"I... need to go check my bike."

She turned and left the room as fast as she could, leaving Henry staring after her.

XXXX

Ruby lingered in her sister's office, her eyes fixed on the chessboard, left untouched since the discovery of the crime. There was no doubt in her mind that this was the exact game she was playing with Emerald.

"Why chess?" Yang asked as she entered with some fresh mugs of coffee.

"We used to play chess every day, during lunch," Ruby recalled. "Every day, for three years. She saw it as... a metaphor for life, I guess. And... I never beat her. Not once. But now, I have to. I have to play her game. Put my response in the newspaper. What else... what else can I do?"

"Rubes, I need you to be completely honest with me- what is going on here?"

Ruby took a seat across from Yang and sighed heavily. "Emerald... was my first partner. Everything I know, I learned from Qrow, or from her. Four years ago, we were assigned to protect a key witness in a... a horrible crime. His name was Makoto Naegi- one of the kindest people I've ever known.

"He and I worked very closely, and... we fell in love. We told each other everything- he... he already had a girlfriend, but she treated him terribly- like property, and beat him if he so much as looked at other women. I think he saw a second chance in me, and I... I just loved him. So much.

"One night, I failed. He as attacked- I tried to protect him, and... failed. I got hurt, lost consciousness. I woke up, and his body was in my arms. Dead. One knife wound, up past his sternum, severing his aorta. We never found the killer, though I... have my suspicions. I healed, and Emerald Sustrai was committed to Graham's Memorial Mental Institution- until a couple weeks ago, when she escaped."

"And why is she after you?" Yang asked gently.

"Because... she was his girlfriend."

Yang breathed deeply, looking at the chessboard. "She... blames you for what happened?"

"No, worse. I think... I think she killed him."

Yang's eyes widened.

"Yang, Emerald never does anything without a reason. I think she faked the insanity that got her committed. She was a huntress, but at some point, she lost sight of what's right and wrong- and that scares me more than anything. You don't know what she's capable of, Yang- and after all this time, maybe I don't either."

XXXX

It took Sun until mid-afternoon to find his way to the steakhouse Yats had labeled as the meeting place. He headed up to the bar and ordered a coffee, taking a seat to wait for Pyrrha- the envelope with her money was in his pocket.

When the bartender arrived, he asked, "Hey, I don't suppose you've seen a girl in here- red hair, pretty tall? Goes by the name of Pyrrha Nikos?"

The bartender shrugged and moved along, but the other man at the bar didn't. "Well, you sound like you need some help, stranger."

Sun glanced at the young man with dark blue hair. "I'm looking for someone."

"Pyrrha Nikos, right?"

"You know her?" Sun asked.

"She just did some work for me recently."

"Oh, really?" Sun raised an eyebrow. "What kinda work we talkin' bout here?"

"Fixed my wife's car."

"Sounds like her, alright," Sun nodded. "You know where she is now?"

"Gone," Henry shrugged. "Took off on her bike yesterday."

"Where to?"

"South Vacuo, if I'm not mistaken- she said something about the ocean."

"You don't say..." Sun narrowed his eyes. "Is that all?"

"Oh, I see," Henry's eyes widened. "You're the one she's running away from, aren't you?"

Sun faltered- there's no way Pyrrha said that... was there?

"Look, kid, maybe you should just head back home," Henry suggested nastily. "If she wants to see you, I'm sure she'll be back."

He rose to his feet, left some lien on the counter, and headed out the door, Sun watching the whole time.

XXXX

Willow's dioramas were growing steadily more detailed- she even had model trains chugging around now. At the moment, she was busy laying model soldiers out in what was, in her mind, a perfect recreation of the final battle at Blood Gulch.

"She's doing well in her campaign," Weiss whispered to her father, who was busy staring, aghast, at his wife. "Whatever she's aiming for, she's getting close."

"...Willow?" Jacques asked in disbelief.

"Actually, she prefers General," interjected Doctor Oobleck- he was seated in a chair set high above the dioramas, writing down his observations with rapt attention.

"G-General!" Jacques repeated.

Willow looked up. "aH, VANgarRe. i waS WONderiNG WhEN you'd ARRIve."

"Vangarre?" Jacques repeated.

"She thinks you're Colonel Marlowe Vangarre," Weiss whispered.

"In the cavalry," Oobleck added helpfully.

"THIs IS a finE DAY, coloNEL," Willow grinned at him. "bY DawN, BLOod guLCH Will bE Ours! aTLAs wiLl PREVail! oNLy gOD can StoP US, And I FirMLY bEliEVe, vANGArre, tHAt THe AlmiGHty is AtlesIAN."

"Hallelujah," Oobleck nodded as he continued to write his notes.

"HALlelUJah!" Willow called, producing a model sword.

Jacques took this as his cue to retreat. "Doctor, is it really the best idea to permit her use of a sword?"

"My dear Jacques, she is firmly of the belief that she is in the midst of the first War for Remnant, about to seize a key location in Blood Gulch. Believe it or not, seeing this fantasy through to the end is quite healthy. By reversing Atlas's defeat during the war, she will reverse her emotional setbacks. What she needs above all is the understanding of those close to her, and Atlas's victory."

"MEn oF ATLas! i sEe iN your EYes ThE SAMe fEAR ThAT WOuld tAKe thE HeaRt oF ME! a day MaY COMe whEN Our coURAge cOLLApseS- WheN WE fOrsakE OUR frieNDs, BReakIng ALL boNDs OF FEllowShip- BUT it IS NoT This DAY! ThIS Day WE FiGHT! by AlL YOU hold DeAR ON thiS GoOD eaRtH, i biD you STand, MEN Of ATlaS!"

As she spoke, Willow raised an Atlas flag, flying it in the wind produced by a nearby fan. Oobleck beamed as he watched, while Weiss was impassive, and Jacques struggled to look at all.

XXXX

Joseph Winchester was exhausted as he made his way back into the police station- when Nora saw him, she was surprised he could even stand upright. "Major Winchester, you okay?"

"I... need to see... Yang," he panted- right before collapsing on the ground.

A few minutes later, he was resuscitated and drinking coffee with Ruby and Yang.

"So, let's start at the beginning, huh?" Yang started. "What happened, Major?"

Joseph paused to swallow, and took a deep breath. "As women of service yourselves, I hope you understand how sacred I hold the Pledge of Allegiance. To break such an oath comes with great cost. I pledged loyalty to the Air Force in the firm belief that they sought only the best for the world. But now... I'm concerned.

"When my superiors questioned me about my disappearance, they exhibited a degree of suspicion and intolerance bordering on sheer paranoia. I... I can now admit that their motivation in their search for the White Lodge is... impure.

"I believe I was taken to the White Lodge during my disappearance. Unfortunately, of the time I spent there, I remember virtually nothing. All I remember is a clear sense that there is... trouble ahead."

"What kind of trouble?" Ruby asked, rising to her feet.

"I can't say," Joseph shook his head hopelessly. "If I remember anything else, however, you will be the first to know. Until then, I intend to lurk in the shadows. Call upon me should you need me."

He walked out, Yang giving him a pat on the shoulder on the way.

"Huh," Yang grunted. "Sounds like he's having a worse time with his bosses than you are."

"Yang, Nora," came another voice- Fox. "If you could come with me a moment..."

In the next room over, Kashiwagi awaited, alongside Ren and Oobleck. "I have taken Peter's concern into account," Oobleck announced. "I have spent twenty-four hours with this lovely lady, and I can assure you I feel as fit as ever! In my professional opinion, Peter's worries that she is cursed are sheer nonsense! What she does possess is a heightened sexual drive, and the skill to back it up."

"Well, congratulations," Ruby shrugged. "Looks like you're off the hook!"

"All thanks to Dr. Oobleck," Kashiwagi assured them.

"And now, we intend to go bowling," Oobleck announced. "If you will excuse us..."

They had barely left the room when Kashiwagi screamed, immediately drawing the police's attention. They rushed into the lobby, guns drawn, to find Peter standing there, blocking the door with a shotgun in hand.

"Don't anybody move!" he ordered.

"Port, put the gun down," Yang demanded cautiously.

"I said don't move!" Port repeated. "Anybody moves, I'll blast her to Kingdom Come!" He aimed his weapon very obviously at Kashiwagi. Oobleck moved to defend her, but Port didn't lower the gun.

"Port, this isn't going to solve anything," Yang pointed out, holstering her gun and slowly moving forward.

"She killed my brother!"

"She's killed nobody!" Oobleck objected.

Ruby glanced around, and raised her voice. "I have an idea! We can let Kashiwagi and Port talk things over alone!"

"I'm not here to talk, I'm here to shoot!"

"Take it from me, Peter, it's best to talk first, and shoot later! Leave your gun, and step into the conference room."

Slowly, the police moved, guiding Kashiwagi back into the conference room- Port slowly moved forward, presenting Yang with his shotgun before stepping in after her.

Ruby closed the door and stepped away. "And now... we wait."

So they did. They waited ten or fifteen minutes, with no signs of anything happening.

Finally, Ruby motioned them back to the door. "Alright, it's been long enough. Let's check in on them."

Fox took point, kicking open the door to reveal Kashiwagi sitting in Port's lap, leaving several lip marks all over his face- something he didn't seem to be objecting to in the slightest.

Port beamed at them. "We've decided to adopt a child!"

"He's so much like Ryan," Kashiwagi beamed. "It's almost like he's come back to life!"

"I've been a lonely fool," Port admitted. "I hope you'll all forgive me my boorish behavior."

The two rose to their feet and headed out the door, leaving the others stunned in their wake.

"Well, I don't know about you guys," Yang muttered, "but I could use something a little stronger than coffee."

XXXX

"Tai!"

It was sunset as Tai was going over the shopping list for the week- Raven came barging in with a grimace. "Has Blake gone shopping yet?"

"Yup," Tai nodded. "I think I forgot to put hot dogs on the list..."

"Forget about that," Raven shook her head. "There's something else I'd like to show you."

Tai seemed confused, but followed her into the hall nonetheless.

"So, Tai, I suppose you're wondering how I really survived after the fire. How I obtained the necessary resources to defeat the Schnees and get back the mill?"

"I suppose the thought had crossed my mind," Tai agreed.

Raven smirked, and opened a door to reveal Ghira Belladonna on the other side. "Taiyang Xiao Long," the large faunus greeted with a warm smile.

Tai was clearly taken aback. "Ghira? How? I... I saw the car! You... you were..."

"I'll understand if this takes some time to sink in," Ghira assured him.

Tai fumbled around for a minute longer before finally constructing a coherent sentence. "So... er... let me get this straight. You... didn't die in the accident."

"There was a traitor in our midst, Tai- I apologize for not telling you sooner, but everyone was suspect. With Kali dead, finding the truth of the matter is all I've thought about since."

"And what have you found out? Who wanted you dead?"

"Sienna Kahn," Raven interjected. "I presume you've heard of her."

Tai thought long and hard. "...No. No, I haven't."

"We worked together, a long time ago," Ghira filled him in. "She was a connection back to Menagerie. Everything went well for a while, until I got the better of her in one particular deal, and she tried to stab me in the back. She is very powerful, and very dangerous- the most significant reason I cannot return home."

Tai's eyes were wide as she struggled to take all this in. "Does... does Blake know you're alive?"

"Blake is on Kahn's payroll," Raven hissed. "Sienna turned Blake against her parents, used her to prepare for Ghira and Kali's deaths."

Tai stuttered. "But... she... but..."

"I'm afraid it's true," Ghira confirmed. "I don't know if she knew what she was doing, but she played a key part in what happened."

"Well... maybe she's turned her back on Kahn!" Tai suggested. "Right- she didn't know what she was doing, and when her parents died, she got out!"

"Maybe," Ghira nodded. "I suppose that is very possible- but we won't know for sure until Sienna arrives."

"She's coming to Vale?" Tai asked, somewhat overwhelmed by everything he was being told.

"She sees Blake as her property," Ghira growled. "She'll come for her."

Tai glanced between them, and nodded as he caught on. "And we'll be waiting."

XXXX

At that moment, a young woman was checking into the Austin Hotel- her pale blue hair matched her eyes as she rang the bell.

"I have a reservation- a room for two."

"And what name is that under, miss?"

"Kahn. Sienna Kahn."

She turned and smiled at the woman staring into the fireplace- her skin was dark, her hair black, a pair of orange ears protruding from her head as she drummed her fingers against the stonework.

XXXX

Night had fallen, and Neptune was being herded into the police station by Michelle and Nora- Nora looked furious, Michelle exasperated. As she passed Ren, she beckoned to him. "Come with us, would you? We need to talk."

Ren already had a sneaking suspicion what this was about, but followed anyways.

Ruby, who he'd been speaking with, was left alone with Yang. "Rubes," Yang began, "mind if I ask you a favor?"

"Yang," Ruby laughed, "you're my sister... and my boss. You say jump, I say 'how high?'"

Yang laughed, and produced a message she'd just received. "Notice from Vytal- a man's been found dead. Yuma Landis. He was trying to abduct Blake, not too long ago- Blake told me she got away from him."

"You think... Blake had something to do with it?" Ruby asked hesitantly.

Yang put a hand on her shoulder. "That's what I need you to find out. You know what she means to me, Rubes- you're the only one I can trust with this."

Ruby bit her lip, and nodded. "Gotcha- don't worry, Yang, I'll get to the bottom of this."

XXXX

"Nora told me about your theory," Michelle reported, "so I called the orphanage and cut through the red tape."

Neptune looked somewhat shamefaced, while Ren looked as stoic as ever as Michelle told them off.

"Ken Amada is no more a murderer than I am."

"But-"

"Neptune Vasilias, I did not drop you on your head when I delivered you," Michelle interrupted. "Don't make me second-guess myself.

"Ken had a rough childhood- he entered a part of the world where hope and promise never see the light. His mother was a poor chambermaid at the Austin- she fell pregnant after an attack in a back alley. She didn't tell the police, but when she had no other choice, she told me. She wanted nothing but the best for her son. Against all advice and warnings, she decided to deliver her child.

"She never met him. She died to grant him life. She was given a plot in the Cemetery, and Ken was sent to the orphanage. He spent years being shuttled from one state home to the next, until a chance encounter delivered him to a young, childless couple who were only too happy to take him. Loving, caring parents- a loving family that collapsed one unfortunate night on an icy highway. Six-year-old Ken desperately pulled his parents from the car, but it was too late. Just like that, he was alone again. As he is now."

Neptune and Nora were sobbing, cuddling up to Ren, who managed to keep his face steady despite the aching in his heart. He gently patted them both on the shoulder, offering what comfort he could.

"So SAAAAAAAAAAD!" Nora wailed.

"Just a poor... little boy!" Neptune sobbed.

"...There, there," Ren whispered.

XXXX

Pyrrha was in her room, finally packing up- she couldn't stay here any longer- that persistent feeling of wrongness had taken firm hold over her, and she knew it would stay as long as she remained here.

"What- what are you doing?"

Pyrrha didn't even turn towards Henry. "What does it look like?"

"No- don't leave! Don't leave me!"

"I have to- I can't stay here. This is all wrong."

"Because I'm married?"

"...That, too. Of course."

"But Pyrrha... I love you!"

Pyrrha didn't respond, continuing to fold her clothes and place them in her case.

"Pyrrha, I've never said that to anyone in my life- I love you!"

Pyrrha held her tongue.

There were sirens- in the distance, she could hear police sirens closing in on the house. She could see the lights through the window.

Her grasp on her latest article of clothing turned white.

"...There's been an accident," Henry whispered. "Sae... is dead."

"...Her car?"

"Yes."

Pyrrha trembled as she forced herself to meet Henry's face. "You killed her."

"No... no!" Henry struggled to deny, as anger took over Pyrrha's expression. "It's not-"

"YOU SET ME UP!"

"It was May's idea!" Henry cried. "She- she wants me for herself!"

Pyrrha shut her case.

"Pyrrha- run! Hurry! Go find Sun- he can still give you the love you deserve!"

Pyrrha seized her jacket, and began to run.

Henry watched her go with tears in his eyes.

Pyrrha hadn't even made it off the lawn when she heard Sun's voice.

"Pyr? The hell is going on here?"

"Sun!"

Sun approached her, glancing in confusion from her to the police. Finally, he made his decision. "Come on, let's get outta here."

They began to run, Pyrrha looking back only to see Henry approaching and speaking to them before Sun seized her shoulder and continued their flight.

XXXX

The night was dark, offering only minimal light for Adam to find his way through the Emerald Forest. Even he didn't know where he was going- he was injured and confused. Every few steps, he heard an owl cry and saw it soar overhead- he no longer knew if they were real or just his imagination.

He couldn't go to Corsac's cabin- the police would know to look there- there was no chance Velvet hadn't told them. He couldn't go back home... he couldn't do much of anything in town... going to Hazel was obviously not an option, unless he wanted to die for real this time...

So he continued staggering through the woods towards an uncertain destination.

At long last, by sheer chance, he saw another cabin- more of a shack, really- sitting in the middle of the woods. He didn't recognize it, but there was a light on within. He didn't know who might be here, but at this point, he was desperate. He lurched towards the door and opened it without trouble.

He stepped inside- just to the right of the door was a crate, atop which were several carved wooden flutes.

He looked up and saw a shadow deeper inside- there was someone here, alright. And they had a gun.

He moved to stagger back out, but the figure spoke. "No need for that- please, come in. Don't be afraid- I'm a friend."

The voice was like poisoned honey, but in his dazed state, Adam didn't seem to pick up on it.

The figure put the gun down on a nearby table, atop which was a chessboard mid-game.

"Please, come in. It looks like you've had a rough night- come on in, and I'll help you."

Adam did as he was bid, staggering further into the shack.

"So, what's your name, big guy?"

"A...Adam."

"Adam, hmm?" The figure moved towards the table and sat down in the light of a lantern, revealing a dark face with lighter green hair. "Well, Adam, my name is Emerald. Emerald Sustrai."

XXXX

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