.
Poison Apples
.
And you don't seem to understand.
A shame you seemed an honest man.
And all the things you hold so dear.
Will turn to whispers in your ear.
.
.
Above a certain club, in the living room of a recently reconstructed loft, an unusual gathering of individuals idled.
Sitting awkwardly in a rectangle of couches were seven figures. Tea cups and coffee mugs placed before each. Their beverages long since gone cold, remaining untouched due to the palpable tension. Every eye darted between two in particular, whose staring contest could reignite a dying sun.
"…"
"…"
"…So, what did you wish to discuss?" Cinder asked the girl glaring at her from across the table.
"I'm still thinking…" Yang replied.
"You didn't plan which questions to ask before reviving me?"
"I had my head full of how I'd kick your ass up and down, if I couldn't let the crap you pulled go."
"And I take it, you have? Considering we're sitting here so cordially."
"I'm still deciding," Yang muttered through her hands.
"I see. Well, I suggest you make your mind quickly, before I decide to… accelerate the process," Cinder added with venom. "My plans have been delayed significantly, and I have much to make up for since my absence. I'd rather waste as little of it on you as possible."
"—Cinder!" Emerald interjected hastily. "How about some more tea? I was thinking of brewing a new pot since yours was getting cold—"
"No need." Cinder brought her cup to her mouth. Her eyes glowed with like stoking coal, reheating the tea, before taking a patient sip. "While Ms. Xiao Long decides whether to risk life and painful death for her petty, little revenge—I'd like to hear what's happened during my incarceration."
"Oh, okay," Emerald scratched her cheek. "Well, there's a lot to tell."
"I know some vagueness of current events. Ruby Rose's ability did not leave me completely comatose. My mind traversed the Never Realm in the meanwhile. And I observed many things there."
"Okay…sure. What did you want to know?"
"Where do we stand with Salem."
"Oh. She, uh… hates us. I think. I mean, I'm pretty sure. We haven't seen her, but she sent Mercury's relatives after us, so I think so."
"I see."
"I know it sounds bad, but I think it's for the best. Salem's never really cared about—"
"I am quite aware."
"You are?"
"Like I said, I observed many things in the Never Realm, including matters Salem chose to keep from me. I refuse to be anyone's pawn," she said with smoldering fury. "Now, how is Raven?"
"Oh! Yeah, she's—"
"—My mom is working with Salem and wants to kill us, too," Yang answered.
"Hm. I suppose I'll have to find a way to reach her after this."
"Why?"
"I'd very much like to speak with her."
"You think you can change her mind?" Yang asked with an incredulous smirk.
"I know I can. It's been done on a number of occasions."
"…"
Yang's smirk faded.
While the way Cinder talked about Raven gave her an odd inkling, Yang caught an almost indiscernible reaction from Mercury and Emerald. A slightly larger bead of sweat forming on Mercury's brow. A brief clenching of Emerald's hands. It led Yang to think there was more to it.
"Why do you think you can convince my mom? Why would she listen to you?"
"I have a way with Raven. Your mother and I are very close."
"Just because you worked on the same side?"
"Hm? Did these two deem not to inform you of our relationship?" Cinder asked with a tinge of snideness and gloating.
"…!" Yang's neck whipped to Mercury and Emerald. "Oh, god. WHAT THE HELL GUYS?! I THOUGHT WE WERE DONE WITH ALL THE SECRETS AND BULLSHIT!"
"It's not like we were keeping it a secret," Emerald replied. "It's more like… the subject never came up?"
"EM?!"
"It's not that big a deal. It never impacted the missions or anything. So, we just kinda… never mentioned it."
"What?! Mention what?!"
"—Raven is very special to me," Cinder stated. "And I, her. Not that it is any of your business who your mother chooses to associate with."
"YANG! Yang, calm down! It's not what you think!" Emerald stood between the two, as Yang hoisted the chair she was sitting on above her head. "Cinder! Please, just tell her the truth?! We all want the same thing!"
"Whatever do you mean? I've only spoken openly and honestly."
"Cinder~!"
"Hmph," she took another sip of her tea. "Raven saved my life. One could say, she's the reason for it. She is my benefactor, and someone I care deeply for."
"See, Yang?! It's fine!"
"—Em, get out of the way!" Yang roared. "She totally made it sound like something else!"
"I'm not quite sure what you are insinuating," Cinder feigned innocence.
"You know exactly what you were insinuating!"
"Hm? Oh, did you assume Raven and I…? Oh, my. How embarrassing. Although, there is some truth to that, I suppose." Cinder continued to sip her tea.
Now Mercury leapt from his seat and had to hold Yang back by her waist.
""Yang…! YANG! Calm down!"" Emerald and Mercury yelled interchangeably.
Cinder set her cup down with an audible clink.
"As entertaining as this is, I believe it's time to move on to matters of greater import. Yang Xiao Long, I suppose I should thank you for looking after my subordinates. But now, it is time to part ways."
Emerald, Mercury, and Yang froze abruptly at that.
"You also have nothing to worry about concerning your mother. I will personally see to it she is freed from Salem's grasp."
"I'm gonna enjoy caving your nose into your face!" Yang raged.
"And with that, our business is concluded," Cinder went on, ignoring the other's threats. "Emerald. Mercury. Begin preparations to leave. There is work to be done."
"Cinder…!" Emerald struggled to hold Yang back, and began speaking rapidly. "Actually, I was thinking maybe we could team up. You know, together? We did just take down an army of Grimm and a Nightmare-class with just the seven of us. Besides having another Maiden, Neo and Masa are really—"
"They are unnecessary. I didn't ask for your advice—simply your obedience."
"But—"
"I said, enough," Cinder ended with a harsh tone.
…
"Heh!" Yang snickered loudly. "You're a fucking joke."
It was Cinder's turn to exude some anger, as she stood from her seat. Her shoulders squared with Yang, while the other puffed out her chest.
"And whatever do you mean by that?" the Fall Maiden asked leadingly.
"The way Emerald and Mercury talked about you when they recruited me, after learning what you did at Beacon—I was expecting more," the Spring Maiden turned her nose. "Some sort of devious mastermind or whatever you turned out to be. They oversold the hell out of you. You're nothing but talk."
"…"
"Losing your temper cause your so-called subordinates aren't willing to listen to you anymore. The whole apathetic act. It's pitiful, really."
"—Yang!" Emerald tried to intervene.
"But why wouldn't you be upset? You're afraid if they don't fear you, if they don't follow you anymore—Poor. Little. Cinder. Is going to be all alone again. But you can't admit that. Cause beneath all the huff and smolder, you're nothing but a coward."
"…"
"You can act perfect. You can fool everyone else around you," Yang's eyes shimmered, "but I can see your flaws, Cinder. I know what you are—you're a pretender. All flash and no fire. You don't deserve Emerald or Mercury's loyalty."
...
"You think you know what fire is?" Cinder spoke after a time. "I've changed my mind. I think I'll delight in stilling you're beating heart beneath my heel."
"Bring it on, bitch. I'm ready to go when you are!"
"—THAT'S ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU!"
To everyone's surprise, it was Mercury who made the outburst, extending his arms between the two. Even the person himself was caught off-guard by what he was doing. His demeanor immediately shrunk.
"O-okay. Look, we just saved Cinder. We should be celebrating! Yang, I know how it is, but can you just cool it for one night? Give me and Emerald some time to sort this out?"
"…Yeah. I know how much she means to you—even if she is just the worst kind of asshole."
"And, boss," he turned to the other pissed off Maiden. "Yang hates you, but she still brought you back. And she did it for me and Em. Don't you think you could show a little—"
"No."
"Nope. Course, not. But you can understand that Em and I can't just up and go. Don't get us wrong, we're with you till the end, but…"
"Yes?"
"It's just…"
Cinder switched her sights from Mercury to Emerald.
"Do you feel the same?"
The mint-haired girl shifted her hands and feet.
"…I don't know."
"How disappointing." Cinder turned dismissively and made for the roof. "You have ten minutes to say your goodbyes, before we leave."
As the young woman exited the loft, the others were left to dwell in the estranged atmosphere.
…
Breaking the silence was the loud slurping of two people taking their tea and coffee.
"—That was certainly dramatic, this one comments, unsure what to make of the situation," Masa commented
[I cannot taste this. Please code taste receptors into my next line of programming, Doctor.]
"Penny, your request is very low priority in comparison to a number of other things."
[The note has been made, Doctor. I shall remind you at the next scheduled patch.]
"…Your old personality interface seems to be gradually restoring in Miss Yang's vicinity."
[Affirmative.]
"Could this be due to the Spring Maiden's abilities? This one must look further into the matter."
…
While Masa and Penny carried with their own discussion, the members of Team ENMY were left to their own devices.
"Yang—"Emerald started, but Yang cut her off with a hand.
"I've made my decision," Yang said with a finality. "You may not like it, you might hate me for it, but I've decided. I can't get past what Cinder's done. I don't care if she destroyed Beacon, but she hurt a lot of people. She killed Pyrrha. I won't look away from that. Not ever."
"Yang, don't do anything rash just because you're angry," Emerald tried to reason.
"I'm not," she held Emerald and Mercury in a cold stare. "I really can't look past it. She killed one of my best friends for nothing but her own selfish reasons—with her own bare hands. And let's not forget what she did to Penny."
"Well, Penny's right ther—"
"There's no letting Cinder go. Not for me…. She dies. No forgiveness. No peace for what she's done."
"Please, don't do this," Emerald said to her. A measure of pleading, but also a warning in her words.
"I get it, really," Yang said to them sadly. "You guys are loyal to her. She was there for you. I know that, because I feel the same way about the both of you."
"Yang," Mercury made his own attempt, but the girl only shook her head.
"So, if she's still on the roof in the next ten minutes when I get there—it goes down. I want you two to know that. Understand?"
The pair stared at her, digesting the meaning behind her words.
"No," Emerald murmured.
"There isn't another way around this, Em."
"No! This isn't right! Screw that!"
"Heh. I was beginning to think you lost your spunk, after seeing you go weak-kneed around your old boss."
"Shut up! Both you and Cinder want the same thing! You want to save Raven! You can work with her!"
"No. I can't. Every time I look at her, I remember the grief she's caused."
"Are you forgetting we did the same thing?!"
"She ordered you to do those things."
"Mercury and I have never done anything we didn't want to. You know that!"
"Just go, Em."
"Damn it, Yang!"
"You're in love with her, right?" Yang smiled sadly. "Then, go. Get as far away from here as possible. Or stay—and we fight. No hard feelings, no regrets."
"AHHH! You freakin' idiot! I hate you, you know that?! Just everything about you has to be so goddamn…"
"I'll miss you, too."
"…!" Emerald wanted to curse more, but stomped away with a huff instead. Her steps falling heavy on the staircase leading to the roof.
…
"It was a fun ride, Yang," Mercury said with a genuine smile.
"Yeah. Yeah, it was, Merc."
The two teammates measured each other up. Yang eyed him with a crooked brow.
"The next time we meet, it'll be a real rematch for what happened at the Vytal Festival."
"Geez, you're still not over that?"
"And I am not forgetting that you and Emerald never told me about Cinder and my mom!"
"Relax, Yang. I think they're just friends… maybe. Probably. Okay, now that I really think about it—"
"Yup! Not gonna miss that. Take it easy, Merc. I'll kill ya around."
"What, that some new thing you're trying to make happen?" Mercury bitterly grinned. "... But sure, Yang. I'll kill ya around."
The two bumped fists and parted.
When they were gone, Yang eyed the petite girl by her side.
"Don't wanna join them? Cinder seems more your type than me."
Neo shook her head, and nuzzled into Yang's breasts.
"(I'm staying.)"
"(Don't worry.)"
"I wasn't worried…But, yeah."
"I'm glad I'll still have you around."
.
X
.
In the room of a private terminal, a monitor buzzed with sound, but no picture appeared to speak of.
"Your grace?" Hades spoke into the receiver.
"Have you received the parcel?" Salem's voice came from the other line. A "SOUND ONLY" printed red letters across the screen.
"Yes… I have them."
From an ornate crystal chest, Hades drew two apples from its contents. One red and one green. Although it took some time to deliver, the pair of fruit looked as fresh as they would freshly picked.
He held them up to the screen, but did not know if the camera feed transmitted.
"Milady, can you see them?"
"Yes, just fine, Hades. In an unfortunate accident, I seem to have damaged the camera on my own terminal."
"An accident?"
"Yes… My temper took the better of me for a moment. It is nothing worth concern."
"I see. Then, the apples. The green is to be presented to Kori Schnee, while the red is meant for the heiress," he repeated instructions heard days ago.
"No. A change of plans is in order, in light of… new developments." Apparent frustration could be detected in her tone. "You are to present Weiss Schnee with the green apple. The Winter Maiden will partake of the red."
"Begging your pardon, Mistress. But I wish to know the effects the apples will cause."
"…One will lull a person into a deep slumber. The other will strike a person dead with a single bite. You may decipher which is which."
"…! But your grace. You previously spoke about your plans to keep the Maiden of Winter weakened, but alive."
"Plans change with fluidity, Hades. Originally, I was fond of having the Four Maiden Inheritances out of anyone's reach. The eons of time, wasted trying to control pieces I thought were too powerful to ignore. The amount of times the Old One and I traded them…" Salem scoffed with annoyance.
"But as soon as the Summer Maiden disappeared, and the Maiden of Spring grew too uncontrollable for anyone, I gained greater advantage than I had in centuries. Even having Cinder trapped in her state was a fortunate consequence, if Ozpin lost the ability to turn her against me."
Hades' helmet hissed, as his head lowered. The new information burdened him with a new weight.
"But now… you desire the Maiden of Winter's death?"
"Her sleep would only make her a vulnerable target for others," Salem explained.
"Vulnerable? If I may, Cerberus's defenses are impregnable."
"Excluding Qrow Branwen, there are at least two individuals with the ability to breach the Tower. I will not risk the Maiden falling into either hands. Wiser to have Winter's inheritance lost to the winds, than in a known location. Our Snow White can die another day."
"I… understand. I shall carry out your will."
"Good. Report to me the results."
"Yes, your grace."
The call cut out and Hades rose from his seat. His mind clouded upon looking at the two spheres resting in his palms. Sleep and death, held in each hand. A decision that would effect everything—including the future of Remnant.
The mechanized knight left and made his way to Winter Schnee's room.
Along with a sleeping Ironwood, Kori and Weiss were present. Luckily for him, Weiss' bodyguards were not.
"Greetings to you both."
The two nodded courteously at his appearance.
"Oh! What are those?"
"A gift," Hades answered Kori.
"—You brought them for my sister?" Weiss asked.
"No. Actually, I was hoping to offer them to yourself and Kori."
Hades paused for a moment, before moving forward with his decision. His hands extended to each of them.
The Green Apple for Kori.
The Red Apple for Weiss.
He would apologize to Salem for his failure later, but his affections made him refuse Kori's death. If it cost the life of the younger heiress, then so be it. He would live with that burden and the punishment the Witch would exact on him in the future.
The two Schnees reached for their offered apples and eyed them curiously. Though Kori took hers without reluctance, Weiss remained suspicious. But after watching her cousin, she decided Hades would do nothing to cause her harm or heartache.
The two took a sampling bite. Hades watched them chew and swallow with tremendous guilt.
"I am sorry, Weiss Schnee."
"What—?"
Weiss fell from her chair. Her vision grew hazy and distorted.
"Hades…! What did you do?"
"What I had to. My betrayal did not come easy. But for Kori's sake, I vowed to do everything I could to save her."
"Kori…?!"
"Yes."
But Weiss shook her head desperately, and pointed her finger, while on the verge of collapse. When Hades looked to what she indicated, his insides went cold.
Kori had a blank stare. No life to her eyes and a stillness in her chest. What was left of the Maiden's Aura fluctuated and began trailing. The snowflakes shedding from her figure diminished to a trickle.
"No," Hades muttered. He grabbed Kori and shook her. He checked her vitals, but found nothing. "NO! This cannot be! WHY?! WHAT HAPPENED?!"
Salem!
Did she lie?!
The Witch cannot lie!
He remembered back to when he asked the effects of the apples.
"…One will lull a person into a deep slumber. The other will strike a person dead with a single bite. You may decipher which is which."
Nothing mentioned of what each apple did. Only an implied assumption.
She knew I would switch them?!
"But! She wouldn't! She—!"
Hades felt a hand sharply slap his face through his helmet. When his senses returned, he saw the one who did it was Ironwood. The man had awoken in all the commotion.
"Come with me," the former general spoke. "There's little time. We have to take her to Professor Polendina's lab, if there's any hope of saving her."
"What?"
"It's something I prepared in case Winter's condition ever took a turn for the worst." He pulled Kori's arm over his shoulder, while leaving Hades the other side.
"Now, hurry!"
.
X
.
On the roof of Junior's club, Emerald and Mercury joined Cinder. Their boss had her sights set in the distance. All around her, snow melted in her presence.
"Did you finish bidding your fondest farewells?" she asked, her speech possessing a trace of bitterness.
Mercury spoke up.
"Yeah. We did. We're ready to—"
"—I don't want to go."
…
Cinder turned and addressed Emerald with a sinister anger.
"What did you say?"
"I said, I don't want to go! I don't want to leave them!"
"You intend to disobey me."
"I don't!" Emerald strained. "But Yang and Neo are useful! You know Neo, and Yang's proven herself! They can help you accomplish your goals!"
"You are aware the adversaries of my next ambitions are, correct?"
"I am."
"Then, why would you suggest something so foolish?"
"Yang's fought Weiss before. She killed her sister! There's no love lost in taking down Atlas! If we just talk with her, she'll help us."
"You care for her."
Emerald struggled a bit with her reply.
"…I do! And I'm sorry if that disappoints you, but I don't want to be just someone, who blindly does whatever you ask—just to please you. I can't be that person anymore." She took a deep breath. "I want to help you the best I can, even if that means disagreeing with you. Yang is important. Mercury thinks so, too!"
"Hey! I—"
Emerald threw him a menacing glare.
"Yeah," Mercury straightened. "Yang's good."
"She was there for us, even if there was nothing in it for her! Yang's the reason you're here!" Emerald started panting out of breath. The cold air was penetrating and her throat tightened with stress, but she continued. "We wouldn't have been able to bring you back without her! I won't abandon her! Yang's one of us!"
"…And if she and I were to come to disagreements," Cinder narrowed, "who would you side with, I wonder."
"You, Cinder," Emerald shivered. "Always you."
There was a brief pause, as she braced her hand to her chest.
"I love you. I'll always love you. Not because you saved me. And I don't care if you never return my feelings, or if you and Raven…"
Cinder approached, holding Emerald's cheek in her hand. Warmth from the Maiden stopped the other's shivering. She leaned on the other side to plant a warm, soft kiss.
"And you, Mercury?" Cinder side-glanced the young man. "Where do your loyalties lie?
"I, uh… I'm definitely not in love with you."
Mercury scratched the back of his head, trying to find the right words. He wondered about what Yang actually meant to him. He thought about all they had been through. Then the right words seemed to find him on their own.
"Ask me if I'd want anyone else on our side, Cinder. Salem, Raven, any of the Kingdoms combined, the freakiest Grimm on the planet, anybody," he worded firmly. "—And I'd still choose Yang over every single one of them."
"That's quite the compliment coming from you."
"Yeah. And if we're being honest, if you and Yang ever threw down, I think I'd just take a step back and break out the popcorn. You always fought your own battles, anyway."
"True."
"Having Neo around is pretty great, too. Nothing like a psychopath in your pocket."
"I am rather fond of Neo…"
"It's a no-brainer, boss. Not taking Yang with us is," he gulped momentarily, "a mistake. You're making this too personal."
"…Hm. Perhaps there was some truth in Yang's words, after all." Cinder let Emerald go. "I've grown rather partial to the two of you. And would hate for you to be lost—to anyone."
"…"
"Very, well. I'll settle an arrangement with Yang Xiao Long. Bring her here."
"Uh… tiny wrinkle with that, boss."
"What?"
"She kinda… wants to kill you," Mercury answered nervously. "I mean, me and Em can try something, we know her soft buttons. But I don't think even we can clear out all that bad blood."
"—We can do it," Emerald said fiercely to Cinder. "We'll convince her."
"Did you two not hear what I ordered?" she posed to them in a stern tone. "I said, 'Bring her here'. I will convince her myself, or there will be no point to it."
"But—"
"Fetch her, before I change my mind."
"…Right away," Emerald left, dragging Mercury by the arm.
A few minutes later, Yang ascended the stairwell alone.
"So, we doing this?" she cracked her knuckles.
"No. I've weighed the pros and cons, and judged it favorable to have you join our ranks."
"Oh, that's rich," Yang scoffed.
"We can help each other, I think. I have certain ambitions, and stand to benefit greatly from the power of another Maiden—even if it takes the form of yourself. Likewise, saving your mother would hold better chances of success with us working together than apart."
"No deal. I can save my mom with Neo alone. And even if I couldn't, I'd find another way without relying on you."
"That is not the only thing I offer."
"Doesn't matter. Nothing you say can change my mind. Nothing you offer can undo what you've done," Yang started marching towards her.
"Oh, but listen carefully, and I'll prove how wrong you are."
In the sharp winds of the rooftop, Cinder's words halted Yang on her warpath. An uncertain amount of time passed, but something lengthy had been conveyed.
At the end of it, Yang dropped her hands to the sides.
"You mean that?" she asked.
"Every last word," Cinder smiled.
"…Fine. I'll help you. But this doesn't make us teammates."
"I'll try to survive that emotional tragedy."
"And I don't make any promises about what happens later."
"By all means, if you seek to settle matters at the end of our contract, I more than welcome the challenge."
Both their Auras flared hot enough to wipe the frost from the rooftop and dissuade any further snowfall.
"Have we an accord, then?" Cinder held out a hand.
"Team ENMY doesn't really do handshakes."
"'Team ENMY'. Hmph," Cinder curled her lip. "Then, what do you do to seal an agreement?"
"A fist bump," Yang answered with challenge.
"Oh? Well, I would hate to dishonor tradition."
They both pulled back their fists simultaneously, an unbridled force gathered into the pocket of their palms. The two gritted their teeth as they let their strengths loose.
The city of Vale heard a thunderclap echo down all its streets. A great hole in the clouds appeared above the downtown area, giving window to the clear night and stars.
…
And with that, an uneasy pact between two Maidens was sealed.
.
.
.
NOTES/REFERENCES
Haven't done one of these in a while. Excuse me for that.
-Vulcan Black is based of Vulcan/Hephaestus, and his two android helpers are based off the cyclops that that are also mythical smiths.
-The little stint with Adam and the other bull Faunus almost being completely wiped out was a touch on how American Bison were almost hunted to extinction… among other messed up stuff.
-The Silbern in Silbern Mafia is German for Silver. At this point, I'm not too sure he'll reappear in the series, but Weiss' butler is almost like the one in canon. Except he's a different personality depending on the day of the week, instead of sneezes.
-I incorporated Ilia into ENMY. Unlike Blake, she decided to stick with Temujin when factions in the White Fang were created. More on that in the future, probably.
-Victoria Stein is based off "The Bride of Frankenstein". In my weird brain, I imagined her as a freaky, banshee, steampunk angel-type of thing. Something I didn't get to mention was the Crusaders devoted a lot of resources into transporting her to Vacuo to fight Temujin. When Temujin and Raven "defeated" her, she began wandering Vale.
-When Masa tells Penny to execute "ReOrder Program 3-9", that was a small thing about Volume 3 Chapter 9.
-Emerald's Semblance is based off a mix of Aladdin and Scheherazade. I typed out an explanation, and it turned out to be really long(so I omitted it). If you're interested, I think it would be better to read up on the originals on your own, and make connections from there. They're a good read.
-Character briefly mentioned as Jack, full name is Lumber Jack(yeah, I know. It's pretty on the nose). Based off Paul Bunyan.
-The Executive Officer Trafalgar is in reference to Admiral Nelson of the Napoleonic Wars. The explanation for this is also super long, so it's omitted. The original was responsible for coining the term: "Turning a blind eye", which was parodied into "Turning a deaf ear" to the foolish commands of a superior officer.
-Pan Darling is Peter Pan/Wendy Darling. Hook Teach is Captain Hook, who was based on Blackbeard(real name: Edward Teach). The tick tock thing is a parallel to the other thingy. I don't want to say, cause it might be a spoiler for those who don't know it? I think most know, but you can never be too careful.
-The poisoned apples in this chapter are in reference to Snow White's folklore. It's not exact, of course, but yeah.
-Some readers have said they thought Emerald was going to be Spring Maiden. I will say now, that was totally something that could have happened. Up until the last draft of that chapter, it was still up in the air who was going to get the inheritance. I even thought about giving it to Penny, and she would be turned into a real girl, or at least restored to her pre-dead self.
In the end, I gave it to Yang cause it made more sense for what I have in store for everything else in the series.
I think some readers have noticed, but I've been casually throwing in some stuff about STRQ Team and what happened in the previous generation here and there— being vague about things.
That's because I've been brainstorming ideas for a STRQ series. I'm not sure if I'll do it yet. It will definitely be nowhere near as long as ENMY.
That's about it, I think.
See you guys in the next chapters!