"It looks like we made it even with a few speed bumps," Blanche said looking out the window with a devious smile on his face.

Scarlet didn't say anything. She really was going to do this and there was no backing out now.

Well... I guess this is it now. Once I do this, I can never go home.

"Scarlet, are you ready?"

"In a few minutes."

She stood up and headed down a few cars to her room. She looked around the room one final time. Her stomach felt like it was in knots and she wanted to vomit.

This is crazy. I would've never traveled this far to do something this dangerous. To do something that would make me an enemy of one of the largest military forces in the world.

She ran a hand on her face.

This isn't what I would've ever wanted to do. I... We stood for something. We stole and gave to those who needed. Helped those who needed it. We are just hurting people for our own gain.

Her mind flashed to Crimson and his smile. Part of Scarlet felt like she was about to betray him.

I had hoped that Ash would've came. It would've been a big reason not to do this but... I guess he wouldn't be able to come since he is a kid.

She closed the door behind her and kicked off her black shoes.

"It's been a while," she said out loud.

Scarlet knelt down and pulled out a suit case. She opened it and smiled. It was her outfit she wore with Crimson when she worked with him, The white jacket with black buttons. The black silk shirt and the black pants with pin stripes.

She smiled faded away as she reached under her bed for her black boots. Tear stung her eyes as her mind drifted to Neo. He had suggested she pick out an outfit that she wouldn't normally wear so no one would recognize her regular clothes. She was in shock when he gifted the outfit to her. He said it made her look elegant, sexy and dangerous.

Stupid idiot. It's all your fault for being an asshole. I wouldn't be here... Idiot.

"Are you ok in there?"

Blanche's voice broke her thoughts.

"Yea. I'm just nervous."

"You got fifteen minutes. We start walking for the gates soon."

"Ok."

I wonder... I wonder why Red had never come for me but I guess I know the reason. I betrayed his trust. I betrayed everyone else. Once I walk for those gates... I betray the whole world.

Scarlet dressed herself as the infamous criminal of Vale for the last time. The only thing she was missing was her hat. She left it for her son. She wasn't sure if she would ever see him again but at least he had one of her favorite things.

She walked out of her room and to the doors leading to the outside. Just outside those doors was Atlas. The gates that shielded the military were enormous. Blanche had somehow gotten the information on what they were made of and he figured out how long it would take for her to melt down those gates.

He didn't want a small hole, he wanted the whole thing to melt down.

I remember the first time we robbed some place together. Neo's words were, 'Go big or go home.' We took so many gold statues that night that the police were busy for weeks. They never found us.

The memory brought a smile to her face.

I wonder why I never tried going back to him. I suppose I wanted him and his girlfriend to be happy. I don't blame him for being angry at me when we were supposed to have a partnership. I just wanted more than that.

I messed up bad. We never shared a one bedroom apartment. We had our own rooms. We sought comfort in each other. I felt hurt because he never told me about her. Maybe there was feelings in there but he thought he would ruin a good thing on acting upon them.

I moved onto Red without a second thought then started treating him like a child. He even took me back and Akairo was ok with it. I can't imagine why but I know it had something to do with Crimson or their own guilt. I guess I needed a lot more help than she ever did. As twisted as she was, Akairo had more meaningful relationships in her own life than I did.

Scarlet's green eyes scanned the area in front of her.

"We have to ride a Bullhead from here."

"I can see that."

Scarlet gave him a smile.

"Are you that confident?"

She nodded, "I've been practicing for a while. Shouldn't be any problem."

A smaller than average Bullhead landed a few yards away from the train. Ten of them climbed in and it took off. Scarlet watched the train grow smaller and smaller as they went upward towards the land of Atlas. She felt nervous.

She wanted to vomit.

Scarlet looked over to see Blanche's face. He looked anxious. He had some sweat on his forehead. That sight really didn't inspire any confidence in her since he was supposed to be their leader and everything.

What if he is the type to bail if things don't go well? He always stuck around whenever his men messed up .Who is to say he would stick around for something like this?

Scarlet bit her lip.

The Bullhead landed and the engine was shut off. Everyone got out and headed for the gates of the military base. She swallowed hard and closed her eyes trying to keep herself steady as she walked.

"Alright Scarlet."

Blanche took her hand making her open her eyes.

"I believe in you."

She swallowed but her mouth was dry.

I wish someone would save me now.

X

X

"I thought you said we were Atlas?" Ash asked looking around.

"We have to ride a transport to Atlas. Most of the land floats in the air."

Ash's eyes widened, "Really? That's so cool!"

Neo grinned and grabbed the young boy's hand.

"I don't want us getting separated. A lot of people come here on business and other things. Let's be on the lookout for your mom."

"Ok!"

"Everyone! The transport to Atlas is closed!"

Neo looked up to see an uniformed man with a mega phone.

"An incident at the base has happened and we need everyone to stay here, I am sorry."

"Shit."

Ash looked fearful.

"Mom! We have to save her!"

Neo looked around to see a way through crowd.

"Can we get through?" Ash asked quietly.

"Are you ready to break about ten laws?"

"They're only laws in Atlas, right?"

Neo laughed nervously, "You hung out with the wrong people boy. That is true."

He picked him up bridal style and made his way through the crowd.

"Can you climb the gate?" Ash asked.

"I don't know."

"I have an idea."

"What is it?"

"Can you stand some heat?" Ash asked.

"Elaborate kid! That could mean a gun, police or actual fire."

Ash took a deep breath and blew out at the fence. The fence melted into globs on the ground.

"HEY!" the uniformed man yelled.

Neo climbed through ignoring some of the melted metal on his back.

"Damn kid! That was slick!"

Neo threw Ash into the small transport that looked like a small, white helicopter and climbed in next.

"Either fly or get out man," he said.

The small military stared at him.

"HEY!"

"GET HIM OUT OF THE TRANSPORT!"

"I have to save my Mom! FLY!" Ash screamed.

The man jumped and took off, almost knocking Neo out of the airline vehicle.

"Damn it... With all them being stopped... She's already started whatever she is doing," Neo said.

Ash nodded.

"We can stop her."

"Are you so sure?" Neo asked.

"Yea. I'll fight her so she won't be the bad guy anymore."

Neo looked out the door to see the gates to the military base slowly coming down. He saw the orange hair he had been so accustomed to seeing over the years.

"Scarlet."

X

Scarlet watched as waves of heat rippled through the gate. The gate was disappearing little by little as it evaporated into the air. It was getting hotter by the minute and it was making Scarlet dizzy. She pulled her hands away from the gate and fell onto the ground to her knees.

"What is your problem?!" Blanche yelled.

"It's fucking hot! I can't just stand back and do it. I have to be so close."

She raised her head. The gate was melting onto the ground in globs. She cracked her fingers and stood up.

I have to finish this.

She raised her hands again. Something moved out of the corner of her eye making her jump. Scarlet looked upward slightly to see pink and brown eyes staring into hers.

"N-Neo?"

"Long time no see babe."

Her eyes started to well up with hot tears.

"What are you doing here?"