.
Life's a Gamble
.
Alea Iacta Est.
.
.
Yang's body spasmed uncontrollably.
The bedrest her arm was tied to, threatened to break off from the violent bucking.
"Neo…! Neo…!" she grunted repeatedly.
Her pleasure senses always dialed higher with the blindfold on. Every little touch, every little run of Neo's fingers across her skin, amplified over what felt like a hundredfold. Yang twisted and squirmed with ecstasy. Her toes curled into the bedsheets.
She would have leapt off the mattress, if Neo hadn't been holding her down so firmly.
"I'm close…!" she moaned, breathless.
Her wife dug deeper between her thighs.
Neo's irises blared red. Their Auras, as well as their souls, infused—becoming more entwined with each passing peak. The surge of gratification granted Yang a greater and greater high until…
"NEO! I'M CU—!"
Just then, the sound of a door being kicked open interrupted everything.
"Okay, you kinky lovebirds. Emergency meeting. We gotta hoof it to Temujin's ASAP."
"EM?!"
Yang felt one side of her blindfold lift up, and saw Emerald gazing down at her with a sadistic smirk.
"Did you finish?"
*Sigh* "…You totally timed that on purpose," Yang accused.
"Nah. It's not like I could hear you through the walls or anything. Now, up and at 'em!"
The mint-haired girl then, picked up a few of the trace underwear littering the floor and tossed them on Yang and Neo's heads.
"Just two more minutes?"
Emerald whipped out her gun, and pulled the trigger once. The rope holding up Yang's wrist was shot through. A bullet-hole sizzled the top of their bedpost.
"Fine…"
Without another word, Emerald left the room.
Although Yang was clearly annoyed, Neo on the other hand, looked delighted at the little bit of torture. The petite girl playfully leaned next to her wife's ear and gnawed on it sharply, before whispering with sweet seduction—
"tiL ToNighT."
Neo got off and began to change. With extreme reluctance, Yang followed suit. When they were both dressed, the two joined Emerald and Mercury outside.
"…? What's eating you?" Mercury asked.
"Not Neo," Yang answered with an unsatisfied grunt. "Never mind. So, what's going on? Salem done getting ready to kill us?
"Nope. It's actually good news for once," Emerald answered. "Temujin's finally in the last round of negotiations with Cinder and the ice queen. They put a rush order on the treaty when we told them the world was ending. Now, we just gotta be there for some formalities."
"Do we really have to be there?
"Yeah, as if-boredom-could-kill-we'd-all-be-pushing-daisies as it is, we do. Once we're done, you two can go back to having your kinky little S&M sesh. But for now, work."
"Y'know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a little bit jealous, Em."
"Yes. Everything you guys are doing, I want to do a million times over with Cinder," Emerald let out a frustrated growl. "But the only way I even get to see her, is through some stupid ass meeting about some political mumbo garbo."
"Did not mean to step on that landmine…"
"Like, can the world just take a hint? Just let us wrap this shit up, so we can head back to Atlas, so me and Cinder can FUCK! GOD!"
Our leader's mind finally snapped like a popsicle stick.
"Right?" Yang side-mouthed to Neo.
"I mean, am I right? Merc! Back me up on this!"
Emerald turned to her partner expectantly to find him walking along with a complicated sway.
"Merc?"
"…Yeah. We needa fuck Cinder," he mumbled absentmindedly.
"What's with you? I don't expect you to be happy-go-lucky or anything, but we did finally get to ice the last of your asshole family. You're not gonna tell me you didn't have fun with that."
"That's not it. Of course, I'm glad Jupiter probably has maggots treating his scrambled entrails like a smorgasbord."
"Nasty."
"I just," he paused. "With the stuff that's happened, and the wedding, I think…"
"…Yeeeessss?"
"I think I'm ready to talk about my dad."
A hushed silence fell over them, as the other three stopped walking.
"Well, can't say I saw that coming," Emerald said, before pulling out a diary from her back pocket. "I was planning on giving this to you later, but now's a good as time as any."
Mercury took it and flipped through some of the pages.
"This is…"
"Your dad's diary. We're ready to talk whenever, Merc. Glad I didn't have to be the one to push the issue."
"Did you read it?"
"'Course, I read it."
"Right. Don't know why I expected you to lie about that."
Emerald ruffled Mercury's quaff.
"Silly, butt face. You don't have secrets."
Following her lead, Yang gave him a friendly shoulder bump, while Neo booped his nose.
Mercury spent a few seconds fixing his hair and trying to stifle the happiness he felt.
After a few quiet breaths, the young man moved to join the rest of his team.
.
X
.
"I see. It seems despite word we've received on our end, Salem appears to have complete control of the situation," Argent commented.
At the private keep, where the highest authorities of Vale once gathered, only a few officers of the Mistral-Vale Alliance now met. They were Prime Minister Argent, King Straw, and General Saru of the Armada. A sparse three occupied the circular conference room intended to hold at least a hundred.
And in the middle, the projection of a young girl and a short boy finished conveying the current events of Salem's war in Vacuo.
"The Witch and I continue to add more Grimm to our cause," Bean explained. "Host has tripled in size since initial battle. Time of next siege attempt, approaching."
"Hm," Argent scratched his silver beard in thought. "And I am correct to assume Salem's position on our deployment has remained unchanged?"
"Affirmative. Currently, the Witch would like the Alliance to remain on standby. Building resources towards second campaign against Atlas would be my suspected intentions."
"Or Salem simply wishes us mere mortals to stay out of her way."
"That is…"
"No, it is fine, Bean. Let Blake know that our forces remain at the ready."
"…I will, Prime Minister."
"Take great care, Bean."
The small boy paused. "I do not understand your meaning."
"My apprehensions of our sinister overlord are no secret. Which is why, if you ever have need for our assistance, no matter how small, do not hesitate to ask."
"…"
"Inna," Argent addressed the hologram next to Bean. "I will trust your judgment. If you perceive the slightest hint the Witch is about to make either of you a sacrificial pawn—"
"I'll get ma' self and this little rascal off this rock, and back to Vale."
"Repercussions be damned. We fight for the peace of Remnant, not Salem."
"I hear that, Prime Minister. Copied loud and clear."
"Good. Please keep us posted of the situation."
"Roger. Inna and Bean, signing off."
With a two-fingered salute, the holographic image of the two cut out, leaving the officers of the Alliance to themselves.
"So!" Straw clapped his hands, rubbing them together. "I suppose we can count our blessings Salem failed to call our participation for this battle. The plan continues to proceed smoothly, albeit; not without its minor hiccups. It is just as Raven foretold."
"Our part in this war is over," General Saru added. "Salem will soon accumulate enough Grimm to make the Alliance obsolete. And when that moment passes…"
"Endgame," Argent muttered with a finality. "Have we received word from Raven, yet?"
"You mean, since her impromptu departure for Vacuo?" Straw needled. "None."
"That may pose a problem."
"Not everything can go perfectly according to plan, Minister. This 'Alliance' was a desperate gamble from the very outset. We can only act as true gamblers do, and commit to our bet, as it were."
"Indeed," Argent nodded solemnly.
The older man's callused fingers tapped the wood of his armrest.
Straw is right in more ways than one.
All that is left for us to do is collect the remaining chips we can before the table is set—and the final die is cast.
Argent took out his scroll to check for messages again. The screen indicated no communications from Raven for the hundredth time.
What are you doing, Raven?
Is Temujin such a rogue element you personally had to go to Vacuo?
…
Or is there something else?
Another secret you're keeping from everyone?
Argent sank deeper into his chair.
A gamble.
Straw's description felt too true and too simple for Argent's liking.
I suppose that is our nature.
No matter what precautions we take, nor the measures we can spend years putting into place,
For us Children of Remnant,
Life may amount to nothing more than a simple gamble in the end.
.
X
.
"Hoh hoh, quite the predicament we find ourselves in," Temujin gave a low chuckle.
With the sealings of an alliance between Atlas and Vacuo finalized, the two nations discuss the imminent threat approaching their world. This discussion included an overview of Remnant's origins, the immortals, and the emergency restart mechanism already set mid-motion by the Tree of Balance.
"You don't sound very worried," Cinder's hologram crackled.
"The world is always one step away from imminent self-destruction. If it isn't this Tree thing, it's the Grimm, or another war, or the other Kingdoms. This is simply the next problem. If I worried over every single time Remnant tried to off itself, I'd die of stress! Hahaha!"
"Is that so?"
Cinder didn't believe Temujin for a second.
No, the old woman had some premature idea. It must be related to the Rakis siblings. What else is this woman hiding?
"Are there any more subjects worth addressing?" the Black Queen carried on, despite her misgivings.
"None that I can think of. When can we expect Atlas to honor their word?"
"The Atlesian Fleet has been undergoing deployment arrangements the second the treaty was signed," Weiss spoke at Cinder's side. "Atlas reinforcements will arrive as soon as possible."
"How soon is soon, White Queen?"
"Very soon."
"How can I be so sure this is no empty-handed promise? I can picture my people dying, and Atlas waiting until the last second to save them. And then, with our strength diminished, simply take the Kingdom the S.D.C. has coveted for so long."
"Wha-?! Of course, not! Firstly, the S.D.C. no longer operates in such a—!"
Cinder raised her hand to interrupt her fellow regent.
"The thought crossed my mind, but the Kingdom of Atlas stands to benefit more from a relationship of mutual partnership than subservience. After all," the Black Queen grinned. "Trust is a more important commodity now more than ever for us Children of Remnant."
"Hmph. Cinder Fall," Temujin spat, and spared a glance towards Team ENMY. More specifically, Emerald. "Trust is something earned. Here's hoping your tin cans at least make decent cannon fodder for our Kingdom!"
"Wha?!"
Weiss gasped again, but Cinder only let out a polite laugh.
"Well, then. If that concludes matters, my fellow Queen and I have the rest of our army to ready."
"Your fleet has four days to get here, or Vacuo will sever this alliance."
"Eight is the earliest they can arrive, and eight will be how long you will have to wait."
"Six."
"Six, it is."
Even though the two communicated from separate continents, over the expanse of a whole body of ocean, the tenuous storm kicked up between them was no lesser had they been in the same room.
After a prolonged staring contest, Cinder gracefully diverted her attention to Team ENMY.
"I expect my ambassadors to carry on with their duties as previously instructed. They will remain at Vacuo's honorary disposal, at least until our Fleet arrives."
"If," they heard Temujin scoff.
"If and when, they arrive. Do you understand?"
"We understand," Emerald answered for her team.
"Be at ease. It is only an estimation, but our Fleet should arrive on the 25th at 17:00 hours."
"…Understood."
Cinder bade Team ENMY a subtle nod, before turning to Temujin once more.
"I think this will be the beginning of a supremely beneficial friendship."
"Time will tell. The Queens should visit Vacuo one day. I can promise a warm welcome."
"I can only pray such a time will arrive sooner than we expect."
And with that, the transmission ended.
Team ENMY was making their way from the throne room, when Emerald established a hallucinated link with her teammates.
"You guys got that, right?"
"Ease. 25. 17," Yang replied. "Emergency channel: EZ 25-17."
Neo didn't show any signs, but she was quickly identifying the spies stalking them.
Two on the right.
She watched a pair of figures trailing along what were supposed to be their team's blindspots.
"I've got two more on our left," Yang added.
"How do you wanna ditch the escort detail? I doubt we can outrun them," Mercury advised.
Emerald gave a mental shake of her head.
"They also know about my Semblance, so I can't hallucinate them that easy. Besides, I need some quality time. We'll run Plan H."
"Wait, I don't think I telepathically heard you right," Yang's voice chimed in. "Did you just say, 'Plan H'?"
"Soft H. Like, lowercase h. Plan h."
"Right. Well, you do remember the h in Plan h stands for hostile, right?"
Emerald telepathically shrugged.
"We have an official alliance with Vacuo and a favor from Temujin. I'd say we've earned some good grace."
"How sure are you?"
"If all else fails, just play the 'newly-wedded goddaughter' card."
"Geez. It's not even a minute after the treaty was signed."
"Which makes it the perfect time to take advantage."
Yang, Neo, and Mercury stopped walking and dropped back, while Emerald made a sudden dash towards one of the hall's windows. Another second later, and she was gone.
"You sure you can do this?" Mercury asked Yang, paying careful attention to the empty sleeve of her right arm. "You can go ahead and join Em."
"Nah, I got this," she waved with a relaxed confidence. "'Sides, I got a new thing I wanna try out."
As soon as Temujin's spies made to chase Emerald, the remaining teammates of ENMY moved to cover their leader's escape. A triple concert of simultaneous kicks rang out against the attempting pursuers, knocking them into the afternoon light.
"Is there a reason Team ENMY is showing such sudden hostilities against our palace guards?" a deep voice loomed from just around the corner.
Then, a large, muscle-bound man strode into view with a strong, purposed gait. The blue rings blemishing his skin pulsed with Aura. A thick air of intimidation leaked immediately from his entrance.
"Well, if it isn't General Nai," Yang snickered. "You know, my dad told me you're the best martial artist in Remnant. Maybe, possibly, ever in history."
"And yet, you show no signs of backing down."
"Are you kidding? Why would I ever pass up an opportunity to fight someone so fun?"
"'Fun', you say?"
"Oh, yeah. General Nai: one of only four to ever earn a Khan's title during Vacuo's war for independence."
With a playful wink, one of Yang's irises went from red to fiery pink. She extended her left arm, and beckoned him forward.
"C'mon. Show me what the 'Fist of Vacuo' is all about."
.
X
.
Emerald made her rounds, making sure there was no tail.
One jump, ahead of the hitman~
One hit, ahead of the flock~
I think, I'll take a stroll around the block~
She sung to herself quietly, while stealthily navigating through the streets.
Eventually, the girl reached her destination. It was one of the few places within the city she could find any real measure of privacy.
"Hey, Brig," she greeted the blacksmith. "Any of Temujin's goons hiding in the back?"
Brigid let out a sigh, before pointing the wrench she was holding to the inventory room. Emerald dropped a number of high-quality Dust crystals on the workbench nearby as a bribe.
Once she shut the door behind her, she then, immediately barricaded it with whatever furniture and tools were available.
Won't hold for long.
Emerald worked her scroll, punching in the code to the emergency channel. Once connected, the images of Weiss and Cinder appeared. Apparently, they had been waiting since the meeting was adjourned.
"Are you alone?" Cinder asked.
"As alone as can be."
"The others?" Weiss asked.
"Buying me time. Don't worry, the scene won't be big."
"Scene?!"
"Won't be big. Is this thing on?"
"Hah-hah," Weiss huffed.
"On to the subject at hand," Cinder called them to order. "I require an impartial assessment. Temujin is an unknown variable to say the least."
"Emphasis on 'least'," Emerald snarked.
"How much can she be trusted?"
"Not at all," the answer came immediately.
"…That doesn't exactly inspire confidence."
"But I think we can trust she hates Salem. And nothing's more trust inspiring that a common enemy—or common hate for some crazy bitch that wants to bring about the apocalypse and rule the world."
"That much is true."
"She's got her secrets and her own motives. Wouldn't surprise me if she has half a dozen schemes cooking backstage. But I don't think she'll try to screw us over." She paused. "For now."
"I see." Cinder glanced briefly to Weiss, who nodded. "That will do for the moment. On to other matters of concern."
Emerald gulped.
"The utilization of the Bridge Project. Explain yourself."
Cinder was referring to the ability Yang activated in order to bring herself and Emerald back to Vacuo through the traversal of the Never Realm.
"Mercury and Neo were in trouble. I take full responsibility for ordering Yang to use it."
"Hmph. As if we would believe such an obvious lie. You and Yang share equal parts of the blame, but punishments can wait until later. What possible fallout can we expect?"
"Honestly, Temujin probably thinks Yang picked up that trick from Raven. She's smart, but she won't think it's anything more than that. And I doubt the Rakis siblings know the full story of what it can do either."
"And the more pressing point?"
"Yeah," Emerald bowed her head slightly. "Yang activated it in front of Blake, which basically means she did it in front of Salem."
"That's a concern," Weiss weighed in. "I doubt she understands the significance behind what Yang did either, however…"
"It does not change the fact an integral part of our strategy has been exposed," Cinder finished the thought. "We cannot discount the chance Salem will look more deeply into the matter. Hopefully her war with Vacuo will occupy most of her attention."
"From this point forward, you must do everything to keep Project Bridge a secret. Even if another similar situation arises, you should avoid using the ability again, or Salem might get suspicious."
"Sure thing, ice queen," Emerald muttered.
"This is serious."
The tone of Cinder's warning made the mint-haired girl stiffen.
"I understand. It won't happen again."
"Good."
"…"
"Hm?"
"…I miss you terribly."
Emerald blinked a few times, before registering the words Cinder just said.
"Really?" she couldn't help but question.
"Of course. Do you think I meant it as a light remark?"
"No, no. Just… I miss you too."
Emerald's chest tightened so hard, she thought her blood might stop circulating. She would be the first to admit their relationship had its complications—especially with Raven involved. But hearing Cinder not only confirm her affections, but admit she felt the same way, brought a strange, unbridled happiness to Emerald.
"I want to see you so bad," she choked.
"Soon."
"How soon?"
"Very soon, I promise."
Emerald held the scroll close and kissed the screen.
…
"Um," Weiss's voice crackled awkwardly. "Should I go?"
Just then, something heavy slammed against the door of the room.
"Take care," Cinder said with a tender tone. "Try not to get into too much trouble."
"I'll try, but I don't know. Someone might have to bail me out," Emerald chuckled.
"If such a time comes, I suppose it will be one more reason to make my visit to Vacuo that much earlier."
The door burst open, and at the same time, the communication cut out.
After the dust settled, and there were no longer flying pieces of debris, Emerald's pursuers stepped into the backroom. One in particular, scowled with crossed arms.
"Done with your phone call?"
"No! You guys ruined a perfectly good moment! Now I know how Yang felt earlier."
"'Scuse me?" Ilia offset her brow.
"Nothing. So, what happens now?"
"We execute you…is what I want to say, but Temujin said to just arrest you."
"Yay~"
.
X
.
Nai's Semblance was Venom.
It coated every inch of his skin and was fatal on contact, if he so choosed. One single touch, one slight brush, and it would've been over for any opponent. Not the strongest of warriors or the most talented of healers would be able to undo its lethality in concentrated dose.
Still, as if to spit in the face of the threat it presented, Yang ducked and weaved between Nai's blows by a hair's margin.
Her unblinking eyes fixated on his. A pink reflection of himself danced in the iris of the girl that was shoulders high. An unnerving nature lent itself to Yang's movements—made her aware, too aware of Nai's next attacks.
It was almost as if she knew the larger fighter's sequence of techniques before he himself did.
What is this girl?
What in the world does she see?
…
Perhaps, capturing her uninjured is impossible.
Yang side-stepped back and forth. Nai's combo landed just short, before the fiery-headed girl slipped in close. A hard-left hook caught his chin, causing him to stagger a few spaces.
No, it is impossible without injury.
Nai's posture visibly changed. His center of gravity lowered and his rings oozed a dark-sea hue. A sharpness honed in the air around him.
Yang took notice, and steadied her breathing. Her confident smile didn't diminish in the least. In fact, a growing excitement seemed to exude the gold boxer.
She beckoned him forth again with a wave of her hand.
Nai wasn't disturbed by the blatant taunt, only giving his own answer to the challenge. A forceful charge exploded from the balls of his feet. Despite his stature, there was no questioning his agility. A gust of wind propelled from a mere feint.
Nai didn't know if Yang had any way of looking into the future, like the Rakis siblings did. If so, the feint would prove an empty effort. But he needed to gauge his opponent's abilities.
His lead hand drew back, and he saw Yang standing her ground, unfazed.
It is possible she possesses some form of Precognition.
Very well.
What I do does not change.
As Nai ripped one of the most vicious fists in his arsenal, he momentarily had a vision of Precognition of his own.
A body-weighted counter landed flush across his cheek. His punch meeting nothing but air. Yang sporting a malicious smile, while her knuckles shattered skin and bone.
But the prophecy never came.
…
Nai's punch stopped just short of Yang's nose. The girl no longer wore an expression of enjoyment, but refrain.
Before Nai could question her, Yang raised her only arm in surrender. Behind, he could see Neo and Mercury do the same.
It wasn't two seconds after Emerald was brought into the building, did she give the telepathic order for her team to stand down.
"Sorry," Yang winked her iris back to its usual red.
"Rain check."
.
X
.
In an extremely large oasis, Raven made her way through the brush.
The land she walked was more akin to a jungle than anything else. Only the scenery around Shade Academy could have matched the terrain's lusciousness. But then, the plant life around Shade was also green. In comparison, every blade of grass and every branch of bark in the oasis was painted tar-black.
And in the jungle's cover, burning pupils stalked Raven's footsteps.
She passed the monstrous Grimm without paying any mind..
She could feel their presence, as if they were pressing against her skin. Their snarls released an odor she could smell, as if they were breathing right in front of her nostrils. The noises they made were like the scrapings of the inside of her eardrums.
Eventually, Raven made her way to a cave hidden behind a waterfall.
Named criminals and infamous warriors occupied the makeshift living space. They glared threateningly at the woman. Many of whom, knew her by reputation. Others, more personal than they would have liked with a few scars to remember her by.
As she continued to pass through the den of deadliest dangers, the woman finally came upon a couple of "friendly" faces.
"Bean, Inna. You two look well."
"Are ya lookin' fer Blake?" the cowgirl asked.
"Yes."
Inna tipped her hat down one of the labyrinth's pathways, and Raven descended further into the dark.
The caverns extended deeper and deeper. None of the desert's air made it into this place, where the atmosphere was cool and moist. The echoing drips of water let Raven know there was an underground reservoir at the end.
In the faint dark, she passed Adam leaning against the wall. The young man's arm was in a sling and seemed to be suffering some second-degree burns.
Raven didn't offer any greetings and had to fight down the urge to laugh as she passed.
"Blake?"
In the middle of an underground pool, Raven saw Blake standing in its waters. Luminescent plant-life at the base providing the only source of light.
The swordswoman circled the rim to the young Faunus's front, half-expecting to see the presence of Salem.
…
But to her surprise, a familiar smile met her in return.
"Raven, you're here."
"Yes, Blake. I'm here."
The cat Faunus waded to the edge where the other stood.
"I'm glad."
"So am I," she crouched down. "So am I."
Her hand scratched the girl's ears and under her chin briefly. The other went to the nearby towel, which she used to wrap around Blake, as the girl came out of the water.
While the putting on her clothes, Raven took notice of the great scratches carved along the walls. There were some pulverized boulders and dried stains of blood. She could easily imagine the girl venting herself on the surroundings.
"Where's Salem?" Raven asked.
"I…don't know."
"You don't know?"
"I'd be skeptical, too. Is it really me? Or is it Salem pretending to be me?"
"So, which is it?"
"I don't think I can even tell anymore, to be honest," Blake rubbed her arm uncomfortably. "I think it's just me right now."
"How do you know?"
"After… after what happened in Vacuo, I was upset. I was so upset, and angry, and sad." The girl shook her head in dismay. "Salem kept trying to get into my head, after I blocked her out… after I saw Yang carry Neo away."
"I see."
"She kept telling me it should've been me Yang should've saved. She kept saying I was the one meant to be with Yang—and that it was me who she should have married."
"…"
"But that isn't true."
"…"
"After what I did, I realized I was becoming the monster I was trying to protect her from. When did it become me, Raven? When did it all go so wrong?"
Raven approached, and braced Blake from behind.
"I wish I was there. I wish I could've seen it."
"Seen what?" Raven asked.
"I wish I could've seen Yang's happiest moment. I don't deserve it, but I just wish—"
"No more wishes for you, I think."
The sound of the icy-chilled voice made Blake and Raven step back with their guard up.
"Seeing as you're not quite ready for the task yet, I deemed it necessary to see this war to its completion—personally."
The figure of Salem crept from the shadows, and it felt like the dull glow of the cavern grew significantly dimmer.
"You two have been proving rather disappointing as of late. It's a shame really, but no matter. I fully intend to see our ambitions through."
A dense darkness billowed from her. A darkness that surged her consciousness through all the Grimm roaming Vacuo.
"It's time I wrote the last chapters of this story myself."
.
X
.
In the dank prison cell of the Hanging Gardens, Mercury sat on the ground without his legs.
His attention rested solely in the diary in front of him. Every page he finished, he violently flipped to the next one. No concern at all was paid to the situation he and his team were in.
"…ffffFFFFFUUUUUUUUCCCKKK!"
"Seriously, Em?" Yang asked, while cuddling with Neo on the only cot.
"How long do they plan on keeping us here?! Hey! Guard! How long are we gonna be here?! Hey!" Emerald pressed her arms through the bars.
"Dude."
"What? They've held us here forever!"
"It's been an hour."
"…Oh."
"You really haven't noticed?"
"No." Emerald replied. "Man, I do not do well in prison."
"I'll say."
"Can't you guys just bust us out of here?!"
"Well, yeah. But you don't want us to actually break out, do you?"
"No! I just wanted to say it. Careful. I might ask you to seriously do it in an hour, but under no circumstances are you to do it."
"It might happen just so I can get you to stop yelling."
"Freakin—I can pick this lock! I could so pick this lock!" she shook the metal bars. "This might be the flimsiest jail cell in the whole city, and Temujin specifically put us in it. She's good at torture."
"My mom was a prostitute."
Emerald turned around slowly, while Neo and Yang sat up from the bed.
"My mom was a prostitute," Mercury repeated.
He dangled the diary, and let the pages fan through.
"Doesn't mention a name, a hospital—I was probably just born in that stupid house. Nothing. She's an anonymous. One of I don't know how many! I probably have like millions of step siblings out there!"
"I dunno about millions. Maybe, thousands?" Emerald brought up, before being jabbed in the arm by Yang. "Ow!"
"My dad is such a FUCKING asshole! My mom's probably not any better!"
"Probably not."
"I don't even wanna find her anymore!"
"Easier that way."
"Why even bother?!"
"Why even."
"Is that weird? Is it weird, I don't give a damn about finding my own mom? Or that I wanna just leave all this crap behind and forget it?"
"Oh, Merc." Emerald walked over and slumped down beside her partner. "Take it from a gal who shot her own parents."
"You mean cuckoos pretending to be her parents."
"Potato, potahto."
"No one says potahto."
"Parents…are a waste of time."
"Not true," Yang interrupted briefly. "But, go on."
"Besides," Emerald continued. "I'm your mom. So, don't sweat the small stuff, dummy."
"Wow…" Mercury wowed.
"And Neo's your sister. Yang is your sister too."
"Wait, why are my sisters married?"
"Is that the part you're gonna focus on?"
"It's definitely the part that stands out."
"Look, I'm gonna tell you what you already know, but you think you don't know for sure." Emerald took the diary out of Mercury's hands, and tossed it to Yang. "Your family isn't some maniac cult of assassins. They weren't your abusive dad or whoever your mom was. They're this girl, and that girl, and me!" she pointed to Neo, Yang, and then, herself.
"We give a damn about you. Maybe even two damns. So, you do what you wanna do, and we're with you. You wanna cry, Yang is totally the type to cry with you. Bleeding heart."
"Hey!"
"You wanna search for your mom? I'll help you find her. You wanna freakin' stab some people cause you're angry? Neo will go with you."
YEAH!
"That's all I'm gonna say. So, what's it gonna be?"
"I wanna burn my old house," Mercury answered immediately.
…
…
"When we get back to Atlas, I want to burn down my house. I want to burn the Black Family's estate down to the ground. I want to burn EVERYTHING!"
…
…
Yang set the diary she was holding on fire, and threw it on the ground.
"YEAHH!" she roared, which prompted the rest of Team ENMY to roar.
""YEAHHH!""
The four looked to be in the throes of absolute lunacy while screaming around a small bonfire. And it was this situation Temujin, Minerva, Nai, and a recently arrived Raven had come to.
"…Them?" Minerva asked skeptically. "These four are the ones we are entrusting to save Vacuo?"
"Remnant…actually," Raven sighed.
"The next generation—I like their spirit," Nai nodded appraisingly.
"HAHAHA! Tis only fitting the ones with a gambler's chance in hell to overturn a predetermined fate is a bunch of crazy idiots!" Temujin cackled. "Ah…"
"Shit."