.
All's Fair in Love and War
.
"(…)"
.
.
At the Tower of Tamonten, Emerald tried to peer through the surrounding whirlwinds.
With one hand shielding her eyes, she stood in the opening caused by one of Diana's or Apollo's arrows. Struggling to see any sign of Yang and Mercury's battle, she squinted.
"Nope. Nothing. You know, if they weren't trying to kill us, I wouldn't mind having a couple of assassins like them on speed dial," Emerald mused. "Sniping us from that far, through all this windy crap? Impressive. Could give Inna a good run for her money."
She turned briefly to her teammate.
"How are Merc and Yang doing, by the way?"
Neo cast her an annoyed frown. A palm-sized glass fragment held in her hand.
"I know it's the hundredth time I've asked, but you're the only one who can actually see them."
Neo held up the A-Okay sign. Shortly after, a distant explosion echoed from afar.
"Nice. Think you can warp them back now?"
Neo thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"What? Why? You've still got a little Aura and Dust left," Emerald commented, while viewing her team's status on her scroll.
Neo only shook her head again.
"Tired? I guess I did say to conserve your strength. Do they have their own way back?"
She nodded.
"Hm, should be fine, then."
The moment Emerald turned back to face outside, Neo started to move. Steps made as light and as quiet as possible to avoid alerting her leader.
There was a greater reason she didn't want to teleport Yang and Mercury back immediately. And it had nothing to do with being tired or conserving her strength.
Closer and closer, Neo snuck towards Ruby. Little coughs escaped the girl, still feeling the hit she took from Yang. She failed to notice the nearing predator.
Like a spider creeping towards its meal, Neo advanced with cane-sword in hand. Only a few more paces until she was primed to strike.
"—Neo?"
She stopped.
"What are you doing?" Emerald asked, without turning around.
Neo didn't respond.
*Sigh* "Damn it. We just finished fighting for our lives, like, twice today."
Emerald strode from her spot, and planted herself between Neo and Ruby.
"Yang totally called it. And normally, I'd never get in the way of your stabby-stabby fun time, but…" She whipped out her dual pistols. "…I made Yang a promise. I don't let you do anything to Ruby until she gets back."
Neo's eyes went sharp as they glared at her teammate. The point of her parasol scraped the ground continuously. Back and forth. Mind-numbing screeches, likened to nails on a chalkboard.
Emerald continuously flinched at the encroaching psychopath.
"After what's happened today, I can't believe this, right here,
Is the moment I'm actually afraid I might die..."
.
X
.
"It cannot be my place to die here. Please, I will give you anything to spare my life," a man in an expensive suit pleaded.
"What can you offer someone who has everything he wants?"
Adam broke into a sinister smile, hovering his katana around Sable's layered neck.
Raven looked on at the interrogation with disinterest. Her former apprentice had grown into quite the boring sadist under Salem's thumb. But she supposed it was that very aspect that made him a good hound. Rabid, amoral, simple, and a certain pension for relying on baser instincts. Not to mention the ease in manipulability.
The Witch learned her lesson after I betrayed her.
Raven breathed a tired sigh.
Currently, White Fang members were looting the Sable estate. The Faction was also in the process of dissolving into the lesser families. Apparently, the House was originally intended to remain intact, but something unexpected occurred.
The result of some broken contract, if Raven had to guess.
"—If you have nothing you desire, I'll simply provide you with something you've never known," Sable negotiated.
"Like, what?" Adam wondered.
"Depends on your interests. You are a warrior, so… weapons, perhaps? I've collected a vast number of treasured arms over the years. Stored in a secret vault only I know the location of. Unique, ancient, and powerful. They can be yours."
"Interesting," Adam thought.
Raven smirked, thinking the Heads of Houses really were formidable in their own rights. Having a katana pressed against his neck did nothing to dull Sable Shell's nerves or wit.
She pulled out her scroll to check it.
Still no answer from Yang.
Things are going to play out a lot differently than scripted.
Raven made a self-deprecating smile.
Maybe Vermillion's last curse was the real deal after all.
At that moment, a small Grimm bird perched on her shoulder. The sight of it caught Adam's attention as well.
"Unforeseen circumstances have arisen," Salem's voice drifted from it. "Adam. Stop playing with your food."
Right away, the swordsman drew his katana through Sable's throat. And the business tycoon collapsed to the floor, desperately trying to keep his blood from spurting out.
Formidable, yes, Raven thought. But what's a rich man's wealth to a dog?
"—That's better. Now, the next phase of your mission may require some… adaptation on your part," Salem continued. "Due to the incompetence of parties not worth mention, your task has become that much more difficult."
"Lost a few pawns, have we?" Raven mocked.
"Now, now. There is no need for petty barbs.
I wish you and Adam the best of luck."
.
X
.
With a crash landing on the air skiff they over from the twins, Yang and Mercury made their clumsy return to the Tower.
"Couldn't you land this any softer?" Mercury complained, while rubbing his head.
"I don't see them. Ruby's missing, too." Yang scanned the area.
"Your sister's probably dead."
"I can't get them on comms. You're not the least bit worried about Emerald?"
"I would, but she's probably dead, too."
"Mercury…!"
"What? Also, where should I put these?"
His thumb pitched to the unconscious Diana and Apollo Black, who they ultimately decided not to kill. Yang's excuse being, live messengers made better statements than dead ones.
"Fine. Stay here and watch them."
"You sure that's smart?"
"You're a big boy, Merc. I think you're old enough to know scaring your enemies is better than pissing them off."
"I don't know that."
Yang rolled her eyes and ran off to search for Emerald, Neo, and Ruby.
…
Meanwhile at the bottom floor, Emerald draped Ruby's arm over her shoulder. The two trying their best to put distance between them and the small nightmare in pursuit.
"Why are you helping me?" Ruby groaned.
"Cause I always wanted star in my own horror movie."
"…"
"Why do you think? Yang asked me to—at least, try my best anyway. No pinkie promises."
"Why? Yang doesn't care about me. She killed Qrow."
"Listen to you. Your sister's punch make you braindead, too?"
Emerald continued to drag Ruby around, trying to keep away from the sound of Neo's footsteps. Once or twice, she drew her pistol and fired a couple rounds back, but it proved ineffective.
To make matter worse, Neo was especially resistant to the effects of her Semblance.
That didn't take long…
*SCCRRREEEEECCHHHH*
Neo strutted in the way of the pair's escape route, dragging her sword behind. She flicked up her umbrella, then started spinning it over her shoulder. The girl could've attacked, but decided to wait.
Taking the hint, Emerald sighed in cheap resignation.
"…Welp! The game's over. Can't tell Yang I didn't try!" She threw up her hands, letting Ruby fall to her knees. "Sorry, red. But I'm not committed any more than this."
Emerald then, made a clear step to the side, giving the other a wide berth.
Neo nodded, as if to say,
Wise choice.
With a swift twirl, she unsheathed her weapon's full blade. Prodding the top of Ruby's head with its tip, she drew out a thin trickle of blood. Now there was no escape. A quiet fury emanated from her demeanor.
Neo wanted to see Ruby's fear, from the one who took Torchwick away. Neo wanted suffering. She wanted tears. She wanted screams.
"I'm sorry."
"…"
"I'm sorry for what happened to Torchwick."
"…!"
There was no desperation or cowardice in Ruby's tone. It offered Neo no consolation.
She inched the pointed steel into the girl's skin, and deepened the wound. The steady stream of red leaked down Ruby's face. She wanted this brat to anguish, but it failed to take.
Ruby only tilted her head up to stare into her eyes. With an expression so calm and serene, accepting of her fate, there was only peace.
It made Neo's hatred flare once more.
She pulled back her sword as high as she could. Then, stabbed down with all her might.
…
The sight of Yang made her stop.
Neo's blade lodged itself into Yang's prosthetic. The point entering the palm and boring its way through to the end of the elbow. Pieces of armor and engine skewered instantaneously.
"—AGHH! Freakin' synchronizer…! Feels like my arm really got…!" Yang gasped for breath. "Anyway. Hey, babe ~ What's up?"
"…!"
Neo pulled back, causing some of the inner wirings to come free. Yang fell forward with the momentum. Her good hand rapidly worked to disconnect Ember Celica from her bicep.
"Job's done, y'know?" Yang smiled with sweat dripping from her face. "So, how about we go get some ice cream? Come on, what do you say?"
Neo's expression twisted in pain for a moment, before her viciousness returned. She walked around to get another angle on Ruby, but Yang blocked her path.
"Neo, I need you to—"
Without waiting, Neo kicked Yang in the face and stabbed at Ruby again.
The sword was parried by Yang's remaining hand. A long gash cut across her forearm. Blood dripped freely from the wound.
"Gah…!"
"Yang!" Ruby sobbed. "Why are you doing this?"
"Not right now, Ruby…!"
"I don't understand—!"
"Ruby. Shut up, and move!"
Neo tried a feint, then came from above. But Yang grabbed the scruff of Ruby's hood to pull her out of the way.
They ended up tumbling across the floor, still whole—for now.
"Neo! I won't let you do this!" Yang shouted.
"…!"
"I can't!"
She exhaled an exhausted breath.
Taking out Qrow, the assassin twins, getting here and receiving Neo's attack. All of it left Yang barely able to move. A numbing of her senses was starting to set in. Her eyes were beginning to gloss over.
"You get it, right?" she tried. "If you want to kill Ruby, you have to kill me, too."
Neo shook her head.
"Come on, you had to see this cliché coming."
"—I did," Emerald commented from the sidelines.
"See? Emerald did," Yang coughed jokingly. "…I guess, you were ready for this, too. Cause you look like you're gonna try…what I wanted to. Which is, to knock me out first so I can't do anything. Heh!"
She shakily got to her feet.
"Problem with that is…"
Neo dashed forward, at the same time, Yang activated her Semblance. With her injured arm, she threw a body blow aimed right for the liver.
Yang felt the punch find purchase.
But to her dismay, the other girl was still standing. Not only that, but Neo took the blow and continued towards Ruby. She had prepared and braced for it, despite the connection.
She was ready after all…
I nailed that shot in sparring, so Neo showed an opening to bait me.
Crap…
As the petite girl went for another stab, Yang caught the blade in her barehand. The sharp steel stopped only millimeters away from chiseling Ruby between the eyes. In fact, it still could, since the sword was slippery with blood.
Yang focused every ounce of her willpower into holding the sword tight.
Neo gave her an empty frown. It wouldn't take much. A flick of her wrist and she'd filet Yang's fingers off like sausage links. It would be so easy.
While Neo contemplated it, Yang used her brute strength to swing the girl back.
Yang's left arm was quickly becoming a mangled piece of flesh. She could barely lift it. And Neo had an idea what to do.
The petite girl launched another thrust at Ruby, but angled it oddly.
When Yang went to block again, the trajectory changed. And Neo sunk the sword into the other's left shoulder, down to the hilt.
Yang's back met the wall and was nailed to it. The pain doubled-over. It wasn't just the injury itself, but where it actually was.
If Yang moved just a little bit wrong, she could easily lose her remaining arm.
Neo revealed her sadness at having to resort to that.
She let go of the handle and tiptoed to brush the bangs from Yang's sweaty forehead. As if to say, "Understand? It's over", Neo planted a gentle kiss there.
…
Don't screw with me.
…
Don't screw with me!
When Neo turned away, Yang grasped her collar and pulled her close again.
"You think I'll give up if it's to save my arm?!"
The wound was excruciating, but she blocked it out.
"I'll give you my arm. I'll give you my life. I'm already willing to give you everything!" Yang shouted desperately.
"…"
"It's not even about Ruby, anymore. I decided this a long time ago."
"…?"
"I love you…"
"…"
"But I can't love you, if you kill Ruby. Do you understand?"
Neo met her partner's gaze and tried to break away, but Yang held her in a death grip.
"If you think I'll want revenge after this, I won't. If you think I'll forgive you with time, I won't. You'll never see me again."
"…"
"…Do you think anyone else could love you like I do?"
"…?!"
"I'm one of a kind, you know… You'll never meet someone like me, not for the rest of your life," Yang's breath started to soften. "No one will care. No one will matter. Not like I do."
"…!"
Neo tried to wrench Yang's hand off but couldn't.
"Tell me, is some dead guy really more important than me…?"
"…!"
Neo punched Yang's cheek.
"Hahaha…That's…the first time you ever punched me. I didn't know you could."
Neo punched her again.
"No one will ever be nice to you, like I am...No one else will feel as warm, as I do. I'm all you've got, Neo. I'm the only real thing in your life," Yang's tone barely above a whisper.
"…!"
"And I don't want to lose you either. I love you, and I don't want to stop loving you."
"…..!"
Unfair! Neo screamed inside, through the tears streaming down her face.
Unfair!
Always unfair!
Ever since I met you!
You've always been unfair to me!
I hate you!
"Hahaha…! Yeah." Dark circles were forming around Yang's eyes. "I know I'm being unfair—but I don't care. I'll resort to anything right now…"
"(Get out of my way!)"
"Not gonna. Only this one time… probably."
"(I have to kill Ruby!)"
"You don't have to do anything, babe. Just do nothing."
"(I can't let her live! I'll never forget what she's done! I'll never forgive her!)"
"I'm not asking you to forgive her or anything… I'm telling you to understand there's nothing more important to you than me. Not Torchwick, not revenge, nothing. Or else," Yang showed a droopy grin complete with exhaustion, "I think my pride might get a little hurt."
"(You don't understand!)"
"I don't. I also don't care."
"(You're so selfish!)"
Neo grabbed Yang's collar, gritting her teeth. But the other only continued to smile affectionately back.
"Ehehe… I'm also a little jealous, y'know? You're all mine… I don't feel like sharing you, and I don't want you to put anything above me."
"(You're so stupid! I hate you!)"
"…It's your fault."
"(I wish you'd die!)"
"If you could kill me… you would've already done it "
"(…)"
"Come on, Neo… Just… Just let this one go… For me?"
The numbness spreading Yang's body had almost finished running its course.
…
Neo's bottom lip curled up between her teeth. She stared up pleadingly with tears in her eyes.
"(Why can't you let me have this?)"
"I'm giving you my everything already… and you still want more?" Yang chuckled weakly. "Heh… don't be so greedy…"
"(…)"
"Mmm…"
The light was fading from Yang's eyes.
…
"I love you… Neo…"
She lost consciousness and any tension in her muscles released.
The blade still stuck to her shoulder would have torn through, if Neo hadn't quickly taken it out, at the last second.
The smaller girl supported Yang's limp frame.
Unfair.
This person is so unfair…
She saw Ruby out the corner of her eye, but the body in her arms held her down. Neo hadn't noticed how heavy Yang was till now. How much her partner weighed on her.
…
…
"…aah…ah…."
"aaAahHHhHhHHHHH!"
Neo's vocal cords strained, as she cried.
It hurt so much, but she couldn't stop.
And there, she stayed for a while.
The not-so-quiet girl, weighed down by the love in her arms.