.
Riddle Me This
.
If it is broken, it will still work.
But will stop with just a look.
It can be freely given.
But a thief can have it took.
You can hide it.
But someone can find it.
And with one touch, it can be theirs.
If it is lost,
Nothing else will matter.
.
.
In the throne room of the Hanging Gardens, Team ENMY stood before Temujin's innermost circle of advisors.
Each honed their focus on their visitors. Always wary, always watching. They presented an intimidating front but, as if dismissing the fears any normal person would usually have, one girl's voice broke the silence. All pretenses of formalities and double-talks dropped in an instant.
"Alright," Emerald said with an angry tone. "What the fuck was all that?!"
"I assure you, what you experienced was nothing planned," Temujin sincerely replied.
"Yeah, I figured as much. You may be twisted, but there's nothing to gain by pulling a stunt like that. So, explain it to me. WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!"
It was only a few hours ago when Team ENMY each experienced their own run-in with a type of Grimm that could imitate the appearance of regular people. One took the form of a small child, forcing Neo to kill it. Another replicated a man with a prosthetic leg, which was dealt with by Mercury. And another pair took the identities of Emerald's long-lost parents.
"We call them Cuckoos," the small figure of Mouse Rakis stepped forward. "As you've seen yourself, they take on the identities of their victims and carry out a near-perfect assimilation into their lives."
"I never heard of a Grimm like that," Yang said.
"They were only discovered recently. Only our best Aura Sensors have been able to detect them. Aside from being able to shapeshift at will, they possess the ability to siphon the life and Aura of those around them. Though, they are not strong physically, that by no means negates the obvious threat they pose."
"Aberration Class, huh?" Emerald grimaced.
"Indeed. The first, but not the last you will encounter during your stay here."
Among the various species of Grimm to roam Remnant, most were categorized into Letter Classes depending on their raw physical ability. Those termed Nightmare Class were ones given individual names and were the sole population of their kind.
But there was one more category unique solely to the Kingdom of Vacuo.
The Aberration Class.
Unlike its other Grimm counterparts, members of this particular caste possess a number of odd traits, presenting a threat that cannot be measured by strength alone. Among them, exist species with uncanny intelligence, and even those which can negate Semblances.
"And I thought your Daemontors were all we had to worry about." Emerald's expression darkened. "So, that's it. This is Salem's declaration of war."
Things were starting to make sense. ENMY's leader wondered at length why Temujin was so open to negotiations with Atlas, and her team stumbled right on top of it…
…Or did they?
"My parents! So those…fucking things killed my parents and took their place?" Emerald pressed.
"That would be our assumption, yes," Mouse responded as carefully as he could. "Your parents mined Dust outside the city frequently. It would not have taken much for a pair of Cuckoos to replace them and gain access through the wall."
"Yeah, but why my parents?! Is that supposed to be just a coincidence? They just happened to attack three of my people at the exact same time, too?"
"I…do not—"
Temujin raised her hand.
He has a long way to go before he's ready.
"Surely, you can venture a guess," the elder Faunus took over. "It's what I warned you of, Emerald Sustrai. Salem's deemed you and your team a threat, and has moved to dismantle you accordingly."
"Fucking bitch…!"
"Yes, a sentiment I share wholeheartedly."
Emerald took a few harsh breaths to regain her composure. In the context of having to kill the figures of her parents with her own bare hands, the others judged she was handling it relatively well.
"Alright. I'm over it."
"Really?"
"It was a low blow, I won't lie, but my parents have been dead to me for a while. I have a real family, and it was never them. No psychiatry required for a self-adjusting, low-key sociopath."
"Hm. Though, I doubt the rest of your team is as well-off."
Emerald didn't look behind her.
Mercury handled his situation well, though he did scare the life out of Icarus, Daed, and Brigid. Although he projected a sense of solidity, there was something definitely off in his demeanor to those who knew him best. Emerald wasn't sure of the cause, but her partner survived the incident with some peculiarities.
The bigger problem was Neo and Yang. There was an estrangement between them. An atmosphere so thick, they could feel it press against their skin and muffle their surroundings. Even now, Neo acted as if she were somewhere else entirely. On the other hand, Yang was all too aware of the hurt she caused her partner, but knew no way to approach her.
"We'll be fine. Been through worse," Emerald waved indifferently. "More importantly, what are you going to do about these Cuckoos?"
"Measures have been taken to varying degrees of success. Dust in the food, intense preliminary screenings."
Emerald remembered back when ilia screened them upon arrival. The Dust shards they were forced to take. There was also the new trend of using the energy supplement as a food ingredient.
"So, that's how you've been rooting them out."
"It has its limits. A band-aid solution for what requires a cure."
"And any ideas on what that cure is?"
"Our most promising lead lays with Professor Oobleck, who currently resides in the Tower of Alexandria."
"The Tower," Emerald sniffed. "You guys know its location."
"Yes. We are aware you've expressed interest in going there yourselves," Temujin gave a slight glance to Yang. "We have no qualms about providing you with directions."
"Awfully forthcoming with this intel. We did just blow a secret you were trying to keep wide open, but why do I get the feeling there's a catch to this?"
"We've been trying to get in touch with the Professor for some time now, but have failed to do so."
"Here it comes."
"Since our goals are aligned, we were wondering if you would help us reestablish contact with him, while fulfilling your own goals. Of course, necessary transports and supplies will be provided to make the journey."
In the face of Temujin's all-knowing grin, Emerald let out a long drawn-out sigh.
She knows we're not gonna say "no".
This old bag really knows how to use people.
Emerald finally looked back at her team. They weren't in the best of shape. Their synergy was all over the place. To say they were "functional' was the minimum assessment she could make.
"We've got conditions, Temujin. We do this, and an alliance between Vacuo and Atlas is final. I trust you don't have any problems with that, given the situation."
"None."
"Second, our two Kingdoms are equals."
"New and fairer terms shall be drafted and sent to your Queens immediately."
"Finally, —Hm, on second thought, I think I'll wait on that one."
Temujin's initial grin faded, as her lips pursed into a slight frown.
"If you have it, speak it."
"No, I literally don't have one yet. But I want a favor from you. Anytime, anywhere, no expiration date."
"That is a very demanding condition. It's not as if you're in a position to refuse this alliance either."
"Yeah, but we're really in it now. And I want to remind you, Team ENMY doesn't work for your Kingdom. But we are, as of this moment, doing everything we can to save it. What's that Code again? Honor Rewards and Services? Feels like our services need some more honoring."
"…Fine. Consider it honored upon completing the job."
"Great…!" Emerald clapped her hands in a business-like manner.
"Just set us up with a ride, and we'll be on our merry, life-gambling way."
.
X
.
"…"
"…"
"…You're really not going to see her off?"
"If I do, I might try to stop her."
"You really are an overprotective father."
Glynda stood up from the bed and began putting on her blouse, while Taiyang continued to stare passively out the window.
As he watched a couple of birds fly across the cloudless blue sky, his thoughts traveled to different places. He wondered what his daughter would think if she knew. Would she be disgusted? Would she despise him? Or would she simply accept it?
"You aren't thinking of telling Yang about any of this, are you?" Glynda interrupted his thoughts, while fastening her skirt.
"I… don't know. She knows Raven and I have been over for a while now, so—"
"No, Tai. The answer is 'no'. Your daughter has enough on her mind, as it is. And this, whatever this may be, is not worth notifying others about."
"It isn't?"
Glynda paid a sigh in his direction.
"You and I have known each other for a long time. We went to school together and fought side-by-side on countless battlefields. When we came here, it was easy for us to take… comfort in each other. That is all."
"I didn't think that was all…"
For a brief moment, Glynda's stern expression broke into a sympathetic frown. But her demeanor immediately toughened upon pressing up the bridge of her glasses.
"Go say goodbye to your daughter, Tai. I have a meeting with Minerva to get to."
Before Taiyang could speak another word, Glynda was out the door.
"'Don't tell her', huh? I wouldn't even know where to start."
The man scratched the back of his head, and got dressed. On Glynda's advice, he made for one of the garages linking to the outside wall.
When Taiyang arrived, he came in the middle of Team ENMY's preparations. Emerald, Mercury, and Neo were busy loading luggage into an off-road jeep, while Temujin and Yang were inspecting something in the nearby corner.
"She's called, Blackthorn," the old Faunus told her goddaughter. "I used to ride this baby all across the steppes. The blood and spoils we shared together—she was my only partner for the longest time."
"She is a beaut."
Yang ran her palm across the enormous motorcycle's surface. Its polished, ebony finish gave the vehicle a robust sense of style. Not only its frame, but its tires were particularly larger than average, in order to mobilize on any type of terrain. Though, it was not built with the emphasis of speed in mind, there was no questioning the power of its engine.
It was a monster of a machine and Yang couldn't help imagining a well-trained warhorse when she looked at it. As if it were some living creature, loyal and strong to its rider.
"…Would you like her?"
"What?!" Yang blurted, as she whipped her neck.
"Peh! It's not as if I can ride her anymore! She'll just gather dust and die in the shadows at this rate!"
Yang laid a heavy hand against the bike's thick body.
Gather dust? Yeah, right.
She's obviously been maintaining it.
"I meant to pass it on to Raven, but the girl never did inherit that particular interest from me."
"Must've skipped a generation. Hey, wait. So if you're giving it to me, does that mean—"
"Don't get ahead of yourself, brat! I'm only lending her to you for the journey. It's not like I've acknowledged you as my goddaughter or anything! I just think it would be nice to let someone who can appreciate her, borrow her for a while."
Yang flashed a wide smile.
"Thanks, granny. I'll take good care of her."
"Who the hell are you calling, granny?!"
"Yo, Merc! Check out what my grandma just gave me!"
"She is certainly something…" Taiyang joined them in admiring the bike.
"Hm." Temujin sniffed him. "You smell like sex. What in the world are you doing before your daughter goes on an expedition into the deep desert?"
"Wha?! I don't—I didn't-!"
"Hahaha!" Yang only laughed. "I'll be going, dad."
Taiyang was taken back by how little Temujin's remark affected her. He wondered if his daughter actually knew something from the start, or if she simply passed it off as a joke. Either way, he didn't really want to address the subject.
"Yeah. Take care of yourself, kiddo. I'll be here when you get back."
The two shared a warm hug, while the rest of Team ENMY loaded the last of their cargo. When preparations were finished, the garage door opened to the bright hills of sands beyond. Hot air swept inside to greet them in its dry embrace.
"Neo, coming on—"
As Yang called for her partner, she saw the pink-haired girl take the passenger seat next to Mercury in the jeep.
"Well, not bad to mix it up once in a while," Emerald commented, before climbing behind Yang's back.
"…?"
"Don't give me that kicked puppy-dog look, south paw. You'll hurt my feelings."
"I doubt that."
"Well, if you know, then kick this crotch rocket off already! We're burning daylight!" Emerald put on her helmet and grasped Yang's waist. In a lower voice, she spoke, "Chin up, Yang. He doesn't show it, but your dad's worried to shit about you."
"Ya think? He really does smell like he had sex before coming here."
"Yeah, but he's here, so put on the good girl act. At least your dad's alive."
"You did not just play that card."
"I did. Is there a better way to use dead parents than guilt-tripping people or making uncomfortable jokes?"
Yang gave a short laugh.
Her leader played it off smoothly in front of Temujin, and even in front of their teammates. But she knew making crass jokes about her parents was one of the ways Emerald was coping with her issues. Choosing to respect that, Yang turned the motorbike's engine over.
Its pistons fired and roared. The seat and its controls reverberated with a reliable strength. Its outer frame folded intricately to cover its passengers in a smooth shell.
Emerald and Yang waved to Temujin and Taiyang from underneath the sunglass surface. And with one long howl from the Blackthorn and the jeep, Team ENMY was gone.
"…"
"…"
"Did you really have to say that before she left?" Taiyang asked.
"What? You mean the implication that you no longer have feelings for Raven and are now having casual flings with some unknown woman?"
"It's not casua—" He made a short, frustrated groan. "Do you think Yang knows?"
"I have no obligation to tell you anything," the old Faunus callously scoffed. Then, with a quiet tone of mockery,
"Glynda's perfume smells nice by the way."
.
X
.
The fragrance of nightshade mixed with Bane Berries hanging from the stone cave's ceiling made for an unusual atmosphere. It was soothing and sweet, but left no one with any doubt of the poison in the air—literal and metaphorical.
"Interesting. Very interesting," Jupiter Black picked one of the fruit to observe.
"It isn't recommended you ingest it," Blake called across the round table. "The effects aren't meant for those unprepared."
"Hm. Is it to the Faunus I speak to now, or is it Salem? Or perhaps both?"
"Would you care to test and find out?"
Jupiter chuckled. "I shall refrain from such discourtesy."
At another seat of the table, Bean and Inna watched the nonchalant conversation, while more of the meeting's attendants arrived.
One by one, they identified the guests as best they could. Every figure brought with them a gruesomeness that piled onto the atmosphere. Assassins they'd only heard rumors about, warriors whose identities they did not know, but possessing of a heavy malice. But they were not the most surprising element of the gathering.
Grimm of carefully defined shape took up the rest of the seats' vacancies. Bean could tell they were leaders of their respective clans. Some of which, were clearly Nightmare Class.
Azkaban: Leader of the Daemontor Grimm, took its place at the boy's right. A wraith of white bone chains and rags floating with a ghostly air. Though, not hostile at present, still emitted an area of effect that diminished the Semblances of those gathered.
On Inna's left side, a decrepit-looking bird shambled to its assigned seat. The Faunus girl felt the color drain from her face just by being nearby. It was the Chief of the Cuckoo Grimm, named Combine.
Inna tried her best to ignore the creature, but in the smallest glance she spared its way, a large circular pupil with a dot for an iris stared back at her.
Before she could act on the distraught she felt, the leader of the meeting called order.
Beside Blake, a Grimm knight of crusted, medieval armor stood with an echoing clank. Its sword, which could have passed for a giant's weapon, was stabbed into the table. Rather than held, the weapon was connected to its wielder by muscular tissue up to its elbow.
This was Camlann: Leader of the Moredread Grimm.
Bean did not know how much was true of the knights rumored origins. But according to information circling the locals, the Moredread spawned from the ill will and grudges of slain Crusaders. As such, they were more than motivated to join Salem's cause of war against Temujin.
It was an odd discussion. Though, enemies by nature, the Human, Faunus, and Grimm held something of a civilized strategy meeting. The assassins called on by Jupiter were uncomfortable at first, but became surprisingly acclimated as time went on. The most likely cause being, the Grimm possessed far more intelligence than the common dark creatures they previously encountered.
Also, Bean and Blake acted as mediaries between. The Grimm did not speak, but communicated their intentions on a separate wavelength—which their translators passed on with accuracy and a slight embellishment of politeness.
"Well, this has been oddly productive," Jupiter commented as the meeting approached its end. "I must say, the rest of the Alliance leaders could learn a thing or two from you abominations."
Blake looked to Camlann and communicated her thoughts. The Grimm then, thumped its steel hardened chest with a fierceness. It seemed the mediator chose to neglect the insults in her translations.
"Now, it is on our side to choose the first dagger, as it were" Jupiter proposed. "Who among us will strike the initial blow against our grandest of adversaries? Name yourselves! I'd go myself, but there is sadly another matter I must attend to."
After some moments of silence, a man with a similar steel mask laid his maul across the table. His tree trunk legs crossed and postured him in an inclined manner.
"I'll do it," Vulcan Black bellowed low.
"I'll smite the floor with Temujin's arse."
.
X
.
"mmMMAHH!"
"Did you seriously fall asleep?"
"Why? Did I miss something? No. We're still in the middle of butt-fuck nowhere."
Emerald readjusted her arms around Yang's waist and continued to lean lazily against her back.
"I have no idea how you can fall asleep on a bike."
"It's really easy when you're really really bored."
"Well, cut it out. You're making me sleepy."
"That's not my fault."
"You've got the worst shotgun etiquette ever."
"Oh, fine, ya big baby."
Emerald sat up straighter and took a look around. Nothing but desert and hard rock as far as the eye could see. Only beside them, was a jeep carrying Mercury and Neo.
"So, what?" the team leader asked. "I guess we can talk about you and Neo's problems uggghhhh," she groaned.
"Don't 'ugh' my problems!"
"I don't wanna be couple counselor to you freaks. What am I supposed to do? Ask how you feel or how things are in the bedroom?"
"It's not a bad start."
"Kill me now. Why did I take this ride with you again?"
"I think you wanted to cheer me up after Neo ditched me."
"Oh, yeah. Instant regret."
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Alright, Yang. The sass foreplay is out of my system." Emerald gave Yang a lighthearted slap on the thigh. "Lay it on me. What's up with you two?"
Yang took a moment to gauge if the other girl really meant what she said, or if she was about to be made fun of again. She had no doubt Emerald was actually worried, but was terrible in expressing it. In the end, Yang decided to go through with what she wanted to say.
"It just feels like, when things are really important, me and Neo always have these heavy, one-sided conversations with each other."
"'Cept Neo's mute."
"…"
"…Go on."
"It was that way when we started. She just…jumped me, right? It was so overwhelming, and I kind of just fell into it. It's not like I had any say."
"Sounds about right."
"But I did the same thing, too. When I stopped her from killing Ruby, I practically blackmailed her. I said whatever I had to say to her and hurt her. I didn't give her a chance to say anything back."
"'Cept—"
"Except she can't say anything. Yeah, Em. I know. The point is, we just settle any problems we have by running the other over. Lately, though? We've been trying to change that, I think."
"Meet each other halfway. Like normal people."
"Yes, like normal people! God! Yes! Dammit! I wish we were normal!"
"Instead of trying to bury everything in an avalanche of drama and raunchy sex."
"It's just so… toxic. Our relationship was built on me hating her, then I got ditched by Blake, and then she kidnapped me!"
"…Yeah, dude. You guys probably have the most dysfunctional, unhealthy relationship I've ever seen."
"I just wish—I don't know. We followed the rules to having a normal relationship or whatever."
"Funny. Didn't know there were rules to begin with."
"You know what I mean."
"No, I don't actually." Emerald knocked the side of Yang's helmet and pointed beside them.
There, they could see at some point Mercury and Neo switched seats. Now, Neo was driving with one foot on the gas pedal with the other on the steering wheel. Her hands busied with playing cards to past the time.
"If there were ever 'rules' to follow in a relationship, I definitely wouldn't expect you guys to follow them," Emerald told her.
"…"
"Just keep running each over. Who cares if it's unhealthy, as long as it works."
"Yeah, but for how long, Em? How long can we keep this up? There was a part of me that thought it was okay too, maybe, but now? This isn't something I can really overwhelm her with. I can't force her to forgive me. And she's also never cut me off like this."
"You thought Neo killed a kid. Anyone would've freaked."
"I didn't expect it to be such a big deal. I never thought it was so easy to tear us apart. It makes me think of all my past relationships—with my old teammates, my old friends—Blake? I mean, we were so close, and then I turned on them just like that."
"So, what? You think Team ENMY is a temp gig, too?"
"I don't know. Just the way we are now. It's not just me and Neo. You're, well, you—but Mercury is obviously off his game."
"You do know this is exactly what she wants, right? Salem targeted us right where we were weakest. It's how she operates."
"Yeah. Credit to her, she does know what she's doing. We might've taken her too lightly."
"If you ask me, she took her shot and missed."
"How do you figure that?" Yang tried to make eye contact with Neo again, but the petite girl refused to face in her direction.
"We're still standing."
Emerald grabbed Yang's helmet and turned them away from Neo, and towards her—forcing the bike to come to a sliding stop.
"This isn't like you, punchy. I don't care what you have to do to get this weak shit out, but I need you here! Focus up and stop pining. I can't hold this team together by myself. I'm the leader, but you're our backbone."
"…"
"Blah blah Neo and Merc. But just remember, I need you too, read me?"
"…Aw, Em. I never knew you felt this way!"
"There's the idiot," Emerald smirked, and knocked on Yang's helmet. "Knew I wasn't the only self-adjusting, low-key sociopath on this team. For now, all we can do is give the other two some time to figure themselves out."
Yang inhaled a deep breath through her nose, and exhaled all the air from her lungs. She tightened her body and perked up visibly.
"Yeah. Alright. Good talk."
Emerald and Yang watched the jeep circle back around to a stop in front of them.
"You guys good?" Mercury popped his head out the top.
"Yeah," Yang answered. "Just caught sight of the gatekeeper."
The young man turned around, and saw what appeared to be a cloud of sand speeding towards them from a distance.
"So, that's Giza." Emerald shaded her squinting eyes under her hand. "It's fast."
"Professor Port said we wouldn't have to fight it," Yang reminded.
"True, but you never know. It's a Nightmare/Aberration Class Grimm, so there's no telling what it might do. If it comes to it, you might have to bust out some of those Spring Maiden powers."
"All we have to do is answer some riddle, right?" Mercury checked. "Then, it just lets us pass?"
"That's what we've been told… But if that's all it took, how come Temujin didn't send one of her people for this job?"
"…"
"Exactly, right, Merc. It's cause we're expendable, while still having a high chance of success. Low risk, high rewards."
"Balls."
"Okay! Game face, people. Remember the last bit of advice. When Giza's here, don't—under any circumstances—flip the shit out."
As soon as Emerald finished her sentence, the enormous lion-bodied Grimm pounced high and landed before the four with an earthquaking tremor. Wind and sand kicked up where it fell, sending a tidal wave of desert past them.
When Yang finished blinking her eyes clear, she saw Giza in its fullest form.
In addition to its gigantic feline torso, it possessed a disturbingly human-sculpted head. Rather than a skull or appearing to be made of bone, the mask it wore was like pristine ivory. The face etched on it was that of an emotionless state, almost like it were sleeping.
"Hey, Em?" Yang spoke the side of her mouth. "What was that last bit of advice?"
"Don't flip out?"
"Yeah. That's not happening."
"Just play it cool. We know what happens next. Just—"
The eyelids of Giza's mask opened to reveal the endless abyss within. The great pools of darkness swirled, sucking the souls of Team ENMY in like a black hole. There was no escape, no fighting the telekinetic gravity of the Grimm's psyche.
Yang fell to her knees, clutching the sides of her head.
"GAAaAAHHhHHH!"
Her mind was in complete anguish. She felt like the contents of her brain were being scooped out, run through a blender, and poured back in, just to have the process repeat. She could feel tendrils reach across her thoughts, probing her memories for information. The darkness oozed through her eyeballs and into her skull. They made its way down to the depths of her soul, but gave pause to the fire burning there.
asdoiOSLK;sladfka.
KR;sJ)(*#*)$ _ !
Yang felt foam dribble the edge of her mouth as she convulsed uncontrollably. Her muscles went so taut, she thought they might tear out of her skin. Every bone in her body dislocated and attached again with a sickling crunch. She screamed and belched fire that engulfed her in flames.
Yang couldn't tell what was real and what was illusion anymore.
The only thing that made any remote sense was the voice in her head. The unrelenting barrage of emotions that filled her in the form of yells and cries she didn't know were her own or someone else's.
srEkeES eRoM
TOweroF eHt
Yang didn't care. She had enough.
She was about to manifest the Inheritance of the Spring Maiden and put an end to all this.
THAt necEssAry NoT.
The sONg Is HaRmonizing.
Yang paused.
She was still wracked with immense pain, but decided to hold out.
…
…
If it is broken, it will still work.
But will stop with just a look.
It can be freely given.
But a thief can have it took.
You can hide it.
But someone can find it.
And with one touch, it will be theirs.
If it is lost,
Nothing else will matter.
…
The psychological strain resurged and was becoming too much to bear. It wasn't even by her will, did the answer escape Yang's quivering throat.
My Heart.
Her body laxed all of a sudden, as she fell face first into the sand. Yang immediately pushed herself up, spitting grains from her mouth. Blood painted her vision as her Semblance went into full effect with her rage.
She would have attacked Giza if she didn't feel a familiar hand hold her back.
"It's over, Yang!" Emerald coughed violently. "We passed its stupid test. Hey, Grimm asshole! We get to go now, right?!"
As if to answer the girl's question, Giza made an almost imperceptible shake of its head.
"What?"
It was then, Emerald and Yang turned around to see why.
Sprawled on the ground, appearing to be in their death throes was Neo and Mercury. They had not awakened from Giza's psychic attack.
Tears streamed from their eyes, as they were completely rolled back. Blood leaked from their ears and mouths. There was no doubt they were dying.
The sounds of simultaneous firearms cocking rang out. Emerald and Yang took deadly aim Giza's way. There was no need for them to say anything, their actions were clear enough.
""If you don't let them go, we'll end you.""
The Grimm patiently shut its eyes, and then sat back at attention. Its toll on Neo and Mercury released, leaving them to collapse like stringless puppets.
"Keep it trained!" Emerald ordered.
"Got it! Just check on them!" Yang shouted back, while not letting Giza out of her sight.
Emerald ran to their teammates and flipped them face up. She checked their vitals and measured their pulses. They indicated the great amount of stress they suffered, but it lessened with every passing second.
The team leader breathed a genuine sigh of relief.
"They're alright," she called. "They got shaken up pretty good, but they're solid for the most."
Yang lowered her guard partly, then turned back to join them.
It was a few minutes before Neo and Mercury came to full consciousness. All the while, Giza stayed in place, seemingly observing the party.
"What happened to you two?" Emerald asked.
"I don't know…" Mercury groaned. "Everything just blacked out, I think I heard a voice, then nothing."
Same, Neo communicated.
"…Alright. Let's just get you two back on your feet and—"
As soon as Emerald and Yang hoisted their partners, Giza lowered its posture into an aggressive stance.
…
"We didn't pass, did we?"
Mercury's questioned echoed what the other three were thinking.
"I think me and Em did," Yang said slowly. "It let us go."
"So, it's saying we can't take Neo and Merc," Emerald tensed. "Great! Welp! Guess we're doing this. Everybody ready?"
"On your go," Yang replied.
"Wait, what?" Mercury questioned. "You guys just said you passed its test."
"So? We're not leaving you and Neo. We go together or not at all. You know that," Emerald said, like she was stating the obvious.
"…I appreciate the sentiment, but we're good."
Emerald and Yang showed the same kind of apprehension simultaneously.
"It's not a big deal.," Mercury continued. "I didn't really want to go to some crummy library in the middle of the desert, anyway. How about you, Neo?"
…No.
"See? You guys are the brains of the operation. You don't need us around to deep dive some books and babysit a Professor back home."
"You've got to be kidding—!"
Emerald grasped Yang's shoulder to stop her.
"Are you sure about this, Merc? This is really okay with you?"
"Yeah!" Mercury answered with a fake cheer. But the bravado started to falter. "The way me and Neo are, we'd only slow you down."
"That's not true."
"It is. We know it. Don't make us more embarrassed than we already are."
"…"
"Go ahead without us. We'll wait for you back in Vacuo."
Emerald was very tempted to yell something, but only turned away in a huff of frustration. Mercury saw it and understood how disappointed his partner was. There was no excuse for him to give. Likewise, Emerald felt guilty for not convincing him otherwise.
"I know things are rough right now, Neo," Yang started. "But you really have no idea how happy I am that you're alive."
"…"
Neo stared back with a look of sorrow.
"Honestly, I'm thinking of letting Em go alone, so you and I can fix this."
Neo shook her head.
"Yeah, I know. I get it…"
Yang thought about taking Neo into an embrace, even if she had to use force to do it. But then, thought better and left things at that.
She mounted the motorcycle where Emerald waited. At the same time, Neo and Mercury got into their jeep and drove off.
"You still think everything'll be alright, Em?" Yang asked.
"Now that you mention it, this might be a bit of a problem."
"Only a little bit?"
"Yeah—"
Emerald patted Yang on the thigh, ushering her to go.
"Only a little bit."