Welcome back again everyone! Even though Marta completed her training with Vermillion four days after traveling together and planning to spar with Emerald next, they were attacked by Lavender and Scarlet, who were determined to drag Marta and the others back to her father by force. Despite depriving Lanvender of her ball and fending off Scarlet, the Crimson Swordsmaiden ultimately incapacitated everyone.
However, even though Scarlet revealed the sorrow she felt and although Marta gave her something to consider regarding Brute, Lavender turned against Scarlet thanks to Selene reaching out to her better nature.
With Lavender now aiding her, will Marta be able to convince Scarlet to stand down? Once we check back in the present day, we'll see how it all unfolds.
Grass Field Outskirts [Present Day]
Emil and everyone heard some rather shocking and surprising things such as Marta fighting Alice's monsters, fleeing from Richter in a forest and fighting Alice herself, but to run into Lavender and Scarlet out of the blue was unexpected. Even more so considering Scarlet's savage attacks toward Marta and her friends. Despite being disgusted by Scarlet's brutality, they had to admit that they didn't expect her to break down and admitting that she loved Marta and the other girls like sisters, hence her uncontrolled rage. Raine, Genis, Sheena and Zelos questioned how much Scarlet truly cared, but considering she wasn't out to kill Marta to begin with, they knew she just ended up lashing out to deal with her grief.
Emil and Lloyd especially understood where Scarlet was coming from as to Scarlet, it felt like Marta betrayed her trust despite the young girl's intentions. After, Lloyd didn't tell anyone his side of the story regarding the Blood Purge and Emil inadvertently took advantage of Richter by taking his friend's appearance.
"That must have been difficult." Presea stated matter of factly. She was one of the few who tried to see things from both points. She along with Emil, Lloyd and Colette sympathized with them both, knowing why Marta and Scarlet did what they did. Granted, she found what Scarlet did unacceptable, but understood that she truly valued her friends and felt utterly alone. As for Marta, she already knew due to having met and helping her with stopping the Vanguard.
"No words fit the situation better than difficult. I hoped we would meet again, but... not like that." Marta said as she closed her eyes and shook her head in disappointment at herself. If only she knew how Scarlet would have reacted, if she knew that Scarlet saw her and loved her like a little sister, maybe... just maybe she could have convinced her to leave the Vanguard with her... and perhaps she...
"Marta... what happened next?" Emil asked his beloved in regards to the confrontation with Scarlet. According to Tenebrae, Selene managed to convince Lavender to reconsider what she was doing. While hearing this brough relief in regards to the Vibrant Girl, Scarlet was a whole other story. Emil and Tenebrae once again noticed Raine and Genis listening intently. Why though? How come they're more focused than everyone else here?
"Well, after Lavender managed to get Scarlet off of me and Selene healed us... I took the chance to stand up to Scarlet, not to best her... but take everything she had..." Marta said as she recalled the firce fight with Scarlet. It wasn't a battle to defeat the Crimson Swordsmaiden, but to show that Marta too cared for her, even in the midst of her friends sorrow and anger.
Riverbed Path
Once Marta made her declaration to take the brunt on Scarlet's emotional turmoil head-on as the Crimson Swordsmaiden's friend and not as her captain made everyone, Lavender included, look on in awe.
Scarlet could only look confused. How does this make things any better? Furthermore, why would Marta be afraid of her father? That still ate away at her, seeing Marta speak about her father in fear. He never once mistreated her in ANY way, so why? This confusion along with Marta's bold claim to take her challenge only reignited the spark in her.
"Just... just STOP!" Scarlet yelled as she slashed a wave of flames acrossthe ground with everyone dodging the attack as Lavender spun her ball and than...
"Jupiter's Orbit!" Lavender shouted as she slammed her ball into the ground as it reved up on the ground before Lavender kicked it like a ball game. It charged along the ground toward Scarlet who only kicked it back. It proceeded into a continuous rebound game of sorts as the ball only grew faster each time it was kicked.
"Why Lavender!? Why did you betray me too!?" Scarlet shouted in anger as she kicked it back for the 10th time. Why do this to her now, she thought.
"Because I now know that my parents wouldn't want me to kill thousands and neither would Captain Marta! I want Captain Marta back, but NOT LIKE THIS!" Lavender shouted back, remembering what Selene and Tenebrae said to her minutes ago, finally being honest with herself instead of letting the higher ups tell her what's best. Marta, hearing this, could only give a look of genuine relief that Selene and Tenebrae got Lavender to come to her senses, but figured the talk can wait until AFTER Scarlet stops fighting.
"ENOUGH OF THIS!" Scarlet yelled, tired of playing around as she tried to kick the ball into the forest, only for it to spliter the tree as the ball broke it in two with the ball lying where it landed. Lavender turned pale as once again, she's left defenseless as Scarlet prepared to charge Lavender for "betraying" her as well.
*CLANG!*
As Scarlet charged with sword in hand. Vermillion intercepted her by sword. Her armor was worn out, it's vibrant colors slighty dulled from the heat and her helmet suffering from cracks all over. As Marta and the others saw this, they couldn't help but be worried about her.
"How long do you intend to let you rage control you!? You know this isn't right, so why keep doing this!?" Vermillion shouted to Scarlet, trying to make her see reason. Scarlet just glared in response.
"Why won't you let me just do my job!?" Scarlet yelled back in a combination of sorrow and fury as Marta and Emerald both kicked Scarlet in her arms. Despite the force stunning her, she did let go of the blash clash with Vermillion as she spun around with a sword swing. While Marta and Emerald dodged the attack, Vermillion's helmet was struck directly as a piece of it flew off.
"Vermillion!" Marta shouted as the piece fell back down. Even Scarlet paused to make since of what just happened. She was completely filled with rage that she failed to notice Vermillion's helmet was falling apart. At first, it showed what appeared to be an amber colored eye. Vermillion raised a hand up to her helmet, knowing her true face and identity will be revealed.
"I was hoping no one would see this..." Vermillion said as the rest of her helmet fell apart, the pieces crumbling into broken pieces as Scarlets intense flames made it extremely brittle.
For the first time, Marta and the rest of the Special Unit got a clear good look at Vermillion's face. She had shoulder lengh snow white hair with hime cut from the front, vivid amber colored eyes with a faint scar near the right corner of her mouth. Her face looked calm and graceful as if she was sculpted by the most renowned artist. But prehaps the most unusual feature was the fact her ears are pointed! Azure's electronic eyes widened upon scanning her.
"No way...! Vermillion, you're...!" Azure said with shock, unable to finish her sentence as Marta and the others wondered what this meant.
"You don't need to say it Azure. It is as you can tell. I'm what you would call an Elf." Vermillion, her voice unfiltered no longer, said with clarity. Everyone stood in surprise. While Marta knew about Elves, she herself has never met one in her life alongside Half-Elves. A pure blooded elf was with them this whole time! In a way, this explained some things, but didn't explain what she had to hide. In a way, Marta thought it was kind of cool that Vermillion's an Elf. Scarlet however was befuddled...
"No way... it would have been one thing if you were human or a half-elf... but, your one of those jerks!?" Scarlet shouted, recalling that elves don't view humans too fondly. Even so, there is a difference between distrust and hatred, which Vermillion understood well as humans aren't forbidden from entering elf settlements.
"I never thought I see the day where a human would rather someone be a half-elf." Vermillion replied with a slight smirk. It was a cold, yet ephemeral type of smile, the kind you see on an ice sculpture. The tone wasn't laced with venom, but something of an unexpected tone.
"Vermillion..." Marta softly let out in surprise as her eyes shined in awe. Vermillion than turned to look at Marta, giving her a tiny smile. It felt so unreal and yet, Marta ALWAYS wanted to see her smile at least once without her helmet hiding it. Not even the scar ruined the beauty of her smile.
"I'll explain everything once we resolve this, Lady Marta." Vermillion said with a hint of guilt in her voice, most likely from hiding the truth from them. Scarlet however wasn't having this as she clashed with the lady knight again!
"Why!? So you can rub it in about how "superior" you prejudice pricks are!? Treating humans with disdain and even half-elves like shit!" Scarlet yelled out in fury, much to everyone's surprise. Generally, elves are treated decently, but to see one with so much hostility toward one? While Marta herself was uneasy about half-elves, she never really knew how the others felt about them, let alone full blooded elves. However, it was clear about one thing: Scarlet doesn't hate half-elves, but she hates pure blooded ones! With that, Scarlet lunged at Vermillion again, clashing with her sword
"I never thought I meet someone who hates elves, let alone someone I consider a friend! Although, I can understand why, considering how my people act, I won't be lumped in like that!" Vermillion replied, feeling feelings of guilt and disappointment to her own race. Marta and the others, Lavender included, glanced at each other and agreed, without saying a word, that regardless if she was an elf or half-elf, Vermillion is their friend no matter what. That said, Topaz charged in head first to get Scarlet off of Vermillion.
"Back off!" Topaz said as she clocked Scarlet with a sidearm attack, who than rose by performing a leg sweep on her and the Lady Knight. Selene and Azure began firing their attacks from a distance.
"Ice Needles!" Selene shouted as she shot ice shards at Scarlet.
"Optic Blast!" Azure shouted as she fired the pink colored beam from her gun.
"Lava Barrier!" Scarlet said as she stabbed the ground, shooting up a wall of molten rock that harden after coming out, blocking the attacks.
"Damn! I forgot she could do that!" Azure cursed to herself, not that anyone can blame her as Scarlet rarely had to use that Arte, let alone to protect herself. As Scarlet turned around, Topaz was back on her again with Marta coming in from behind. Scarlet caught Topaz's fist and blocked Marta's spinner with her sword, stopping the spinner's saw like motion.
"Scarlet, stop it! I'm the one you should be mad with, leave Vermillion and the others out of this!" Marta said, wanting to take responsibility for Scarlet's anger and splitting her Unit apart this way.
"Even if I focus myself on you, Vermillion lied to us! Those elves, thinking we're not trustworthy and condemning half-elves for even existing! Does it really matter if humans and elves fall in love!? Calling it blasphemous is disgusting!" Scarlet said, letting her thoughts about elves be made clear. Marta sort of envied Scarlet and yet pitied her. Evny, because she didn't allow prejudice of half-elves to rule her, ut Marta pitied her by taking it out on elves instead.
"Even is she's an elf, Vermillion's still our friend!" Marta said as she used her other hand to help push the one with the spinner forward and stabilize her other one. This seemed to make Scarlet consider her words for a moment. Eventually Topaz lifted Scarlet off her feet and over into the water.
*SPLASH!*
With that, Topaz fell to her feet with Marta running over to her worried. Despite Selene healing everyone, it would appear everyone's injuries haven't fully healed.
"Topaz! Are you okay?" Marta said as she prepared to cast a healing arte on the Martial Artist, but Topaz stopped her, prompting a look of confusion.
"You should heal yourself. Besides, if you want to face her, you need to be ready to go." Topaz said with a confident grin. Marta's eyes widened slightly, but than calmed as Marta nodded her head. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't scared, but while she can't face her father, she can at least face her friend.
"Wait for Selene to patch you up." Marta said as she stood up and prepared to heal herself like Topaz said while the Martial Artist sat down in a crossed leg position, showing she has full faith in Marta. Just then, Scarlet leaped out of the river, shaking her head around like a dog to get the water out of her hair, prompting it to poof out for a moment. She shook her head, causing it to return to it's original spiky style.
Afterward, Emerald charged towards her former ally.
"DEMON WIND SHIRUKEN!" Emerald yelled as she threw Jade Star, enveloping itself in pure wind, honed and sharpen. Scarlet blocked it and sent it flying with the kunoichi throwing kunai infused with water. As Scarlet knocked those away, steam rose from her heated blade.
"Kck!" Scarlet let out as the steam blinded her briefly. At that moment, footsteps rose, Marta came toward her. Scarlet noticed that Marta looked how she did before unleash her Mystic Arte, Scorching Tempest earlier. Marta was able to cast Heal on herself and as she ran forward Scarlet attemped to strike down with a heavy punch...
"Swallow Waltz!" Marta shouted as she back-fliped out the punch before unleashing two spin-kicks and an overhead slash, pushing the Crimson Swordsmaiden near the river. With that, the Young Girl rushed forward with a nee attack she had been working on for some time now. It's not perfected, but it's best to try it now than later...
As Scarlet regained herself she rushed and brought her sword down as Marta leaped over her head and immediately after she landed, she didn't waste a moment as she slided into and underneath her!
'WHAT THE-!?' Scarlet thought to herself as Marta perfromed an uppercut slash before charging up two balls of white light in her palms
'Chi!? No way!?' Scarlet thought more as Marta took a deep breath and merged them...
"Remnant Strike!" Marta shouted as she slamed the now big ball of chi into Scarlet with her plams, sending her across the river, away from the others. Marta than held her knees, taking in deep breathes as it took much out of her. Needless to say, Tenebrae and the girls were all impressed at Marta's newfound Strike Arte. With that said...
"Tenebrae! Please carry me over there!" Marta called out to the Centurion as he floated over to her, wondering what she's planning on doing by asking him this.
"Marta, don't tell me you're gonna fight her by yourself!" Emerald called out to her friend in disbelief. If Scarlet was able to harm them this badly, there's no telling what she could do to Marta. The Young Girl understood the Kunoichi's concerns and yet...
"I know this is reckless, but it's me she wants. I couldn't face daddy... I can't do that with Scarlet too." Marta said as she grabbed the hand like tailcon Tenebrae as he lifted her across the river over to where Scarlet laid at. Emerald was prepared to rush on over until Vermillion grabbed her arm.
"Vermillion?" Emerald asked in confusion as Vermillion shook her head, dissuading the kunoichi from going against Marta's wishes. Gazing at her face, it felt surreal as she was used to her face being covered.
"I believe in Lady Marta. Let us believe in her." Vermillion said with great trust and faith in the girl who was their captain. Topaz, Selene and Azure all agreed completely. Lavender slightly unsure, but decided to place her trust. Emerald, seeing all of them nodded in agreement and stood with her hands clasped over her chest to calm her anxiety.
Tenebrae lowered himself for Marta as she let go and stood in front of Scarlet as the Crimson Swordsmaiden rose to her feet.
"Go Tenebrae!" Marta shouted with the Centurion of Darkness reluctantly leaving without a word. All he could do is hope for Marta's safety as he floated over to Emerald and the others. To say he was surprised that Vermillion's an elf is an understatement as he met at least teo Half-Elves a long time ago. Mithos and Martel, he believed their names were. But to meet a full blooded elf is an interesting experience.
Marta took her fighting stance, spinner at the ready as Scarlet stood up and got into her stance. She understood what her former captain is doing now. A personal fight. The two of them, one on one. Everyone else is now just a mere spectator. Marta was serious about taking her head on and deep down... it earned respect from Scarlet. She truly
"So... you really want to fight me, Commander's Daughter?" Scarlet replied, not letting her emotional breakdown from earlier get her down.
"You know my name Scarlet! Why won't you call my name anymore!?" Marta shouted back as it hurt not being addressed by her name.
"Why don't you answer my earlier question before Lavender rudly interrupted me? Why would you be afraid of your father? He never once raised a hand to you, nor did he ever treat you horribly, so what have you got to be afraid of?" Scarlet asked in a much more calm voice. She was genuinely confused and Marta can tell. Considering how Scarlet mentioned she can't have what Marta has with her own father again, the Young Girl understood her pain well. After all, Marta can no longer be with her mother.
"Wouldn't it be hard for you if your father changed drastically? Daddy... despite how he looked is kind and supportive. You're right that he would protect me if I was in danger. However, he's not protecting me, he's just babying me now... but that is not why I'm scared of him. These drastic approaches and mindlessly causing violence toward the Tethe'allans is what scares me! We started the Vanguard to create peace, not more war! Not to mention... I think he's doing this just to be king on an ancient dynasty he didn't even care about until now!" Marta replied as tears clung to her eyes, mentioning how difficult it became to see her father turn more ruthless and violent, the whole Mana Cannon plan being the final straw.
Scarlet's eyes widened as she listened. If there was one thing she knew about Marta well, is that she isn't a liar. Needless to say, she felt sad for Marta to feel that way toward her father. She knew Marta and Brute still loved and cared for each other and now... she can only imagine Brute trying to reach out for Marta as she screamed bloody murder at his touch. The thought alone brough pain to Scarlet's heart and yet...
"I don't want you to be afraid of him... but I don't want his heart broken at seeing you brought back to him dead... and I don't want to see you killed either." Scarlet said solemnly as she steeled her heart with a look of dread. To everyone present, it appears she is calm now. With no interuptions and outside interference, Marta and Scarlet are speaking more clearly, but a fight is inevitable and Marta knew it.
"I'm not going back! But I don't want to see you kill people or be killed yourself. I will accept my role in hurting you, but I will not go back on my choice of leaving the Vanguard!" Marta replied with defiance. Although touched that Scarlet doesn't want her to be afraid of her only family left, she can't change what she thinks so easily. With that, things remained silent until the two broke off at incredible speeds.
*CLING!*
*SCARPE!*
*CLANG!*
Their weapons clashed as Marta's spinner slide down Scarlet's sword, amke a loud scrapping and clanging sound Tenebrae and the girls heard even from across the river bed. Scarlet was taken aback as they both clashed, with Marta occasionally flipping or pirouetting out of the way of Scarlet's sword strikes while Scarlet back or side stepping each of Marta's spinner slashes and her kicks. Each time they did land a strike, it was against their weapons. The girls noticed that Scarlet must be wearing down or she simply doesn't have the heart to fight Marta anymore as her movements have slowed and yet, Scarlet was determined to bring Marta down to take her back. Marta however was determined to show her resolve to Scarlet and help her through her feelings of abandonedment. Eventually, the stalemate came to a close...
"HARGGHHHHHHH!" Scarlet yelled as flames enveloped her blade and she swung hard with Marta blocking it.
"HYAHHHH!" Marta yelled as her spinner spun faster into a yellow colored wheel and struck back with Scarlet blocking it.
Than...
*THUD!*
As of in slow motion, a hit was landed as Scarlet punched Marta in the cheek with Marta kicking Scarlet in her cheek. Marta's eyes winced while Scarlet's eyes were wide with shock as they both stumbled back. The two stared back, surprised that the other's face wasn't swollen from what happened and yet...
'Grr... Scarlet always DID have a mean right punch...' Marta thought to herself in regards to Scarlet's physical strength. While her arms weren't as toned as Topaz's, there was still some muscle definition and her punches were just as strong as Topaz's.
'That... really stung... so she has more strengh in her legs... who'd thought...?' Scarlet thought in equal parts pain and equal parts amazed with a slight grin. She always knew Marta was athletic, but to think she had more power in her lower body speaks volumes as Scarlet still rubbed her face. Afterward, Scarlet raised her sword above her head, covering itself in flames and smoke...
'That move...!' Marta thought, remembering how mere moments ago the boiling lake with the dead fish and monsters.
"Where there is smoke, there is fire! Ash Wave!" Scarlet yelled as she swung her blade down, unleashing the grayish white flames across the ground toward Marta. The Young Girl bravery ran toward the flames much to everyone's horror as Marta began to gain momentum and than leaped over it as the flames crashed into a boulder. Needless to say, Marta's heart was rapidly beating fast from pulling off a risky maneuver.
"What!?" Scarlet yelled as Marta landed in front of her...
"Swallow Waltz!" Marta called out as she back-fliped into Scarlet's chin before knocking her off balance with the spin kicks and striking her arm with the overhead slashes.
"ARGH!" Scarlet growled as Marta caught her off guard again with a move she hasn't seen. However, the Swordsmaiden regained herself and than...
*ZOOM!*
"Meteor Strike!" Scarlet yelled back as she charged forth, gphitting Marta in the stomach with the hilt of her sword with quick speed, turning it into a wicked gut punch.
*COUGH!* Marta let out as she coughed a little blood from that blow as she was pushed back. Omce she caught her footing, Marta simply wiped the little bit of blood from her mouth while Scarlet clutched her arm as even a small cut can still bleed. The two were clearly doing a number on the other. At this point, none of the girls could stand to see Marta or even Scarlet do this anymore, butt while most of them stayed quiet, two in particular couldn't take what they were seeing.
"MARTA! SCARLET! PLEASE STOP!" Emerald cried at the two. Marta was her dearest friend and even though she was mad at Scarlet for her abrasive behavior, she can't deny that she still cared for her in spite of it all.
"YOU'RE GOING TO KILL EACH OTHER! PLEASE! PLEASE STOP IT!" Lavender cried as she hugged herself. Without her ball, she could only cry at her friends with tears in her eyes, believing one is going to kill the other at this rate. Scarlet's eyes widened at hearing this...
'I... I would never...!' Scarlet thought with disbelief. Yes, she was being rough with Marta, but she made sure to soften her strikes as to ensure Marta would only be knocked unconscious.
'I'm not fighting to kill here! And I know she isn't, either!' Marta thought to herself, knowing that is Scarlet wanted her dead, she wouldn't be trying to get her to stand down first or even have an emotional breakdown as soon as the Crimson Swordsmaiden pinned her to the ground.
Sadly, despite of all of this, neither Marta or Scarlet was willing to back down. Scarlet was determined to bring Marta back to her father while Marta herself was going out of her way to take what Scarlet can throw at her. Needless to say, both girls were beginning to wear down and the other knew it.
"I'll admit... you have grown stronger. I won't deny it anymore... but I'm not about to stop. For... I've come too far just to give up now!" Scarlet replied with sincere acknowledgement and a hint of reluctance. Either she brought Marta back or she would have to face Brute's wrath alone. She truly didn't wish to choose between the man she owed her life to and the girl who became a little sister to her. With that, she raised her blade up as the heat began to raise again, engulfing itself again. Tenebrae and the girls recognized it as as the same attack she used earlier.
"Lady Marta! She's using that fire tornado again!" Tenebrae warned Marta as the heat began to make itself known. Marta's breathing became shallow yet again, but she wasn't going to get swallowed up again. With that, she began chanting...
"God of healing, bless those who stand before you. Grant me the righteous power to banish evil..." Marta chanted as she began to charge her energy. This was her only idea to deal with Scarlet's Mystic Arte. Both girls eyes closed tightly and than snapped open.
"SCORCHING TEMPEST!"
"RADIANT ROAR!"
Both girls yelled as they unleashed their Mystic Artes simultaneously. Scarlet's flame tornado erupted threatening to suck Marta in, even as she leaped into the air, unleashing her light magic against her. Even though her body is being healed, the intense heat was wearing her down despite not being caught in the tornado. Scarlet felt every ounce of damage and realized that she can't suck Marta in this time and instead...
"HrgnnnnAHHHHH!" With intense strain, Scarlet slashed the tornado sending out three waves of flames that hit Marta, making her efforts of healing herself near moot. Marta fell to the ground on her knees with Scarlet feeling the same way. The two struggled to their feet as everyone watched. Tenebrae's eyes furrowed, Emerald and Lavender wear in tears, Topaz kept her breath still while slightly sweating, Vermillion remained firm in silent anxiety and Selene clutched her chest to calm her rapidly beating heart.
"Why...? Why... won't... you... stop...?" Scarlet weakly said as she made uneasy steps. Scarlet let her guard down and allowed her emotions to cloud her judgement and is paying for it. She still didn't want to see things from Marta's view and yet still wanted to understand.
"What... he's... doing... is... wrong... I still... love him... but... I draw the line... at... destroying a whole country..." Marta weakly replied. There was no doubt she loved her father, but how can she see the man who raised her now with how ruthless he became. She may be called a child for it, but she didn't care. That was how she felt.
"I know no apology will ever make it right! But, I want you by my side again, but not as a member of the Vanguard. None of us should take part in genocide!" Marta yelled as she began to run forward, tears escaping her eyes.
"I... I WANT YOU BACK BY MY SIDE TOO!" Scarlet yelled in return, tears escaping her as well. She clearly wanted her back in the Vanguard, but deep down, she knows she can't change her mind and that's what made it worse for her. As they got ever close, Marta's arm with her spinner dropped and Scarlet's sword arm fell and than...
*WHAM!*
Time stood still as they used their other arm to throw one last punch into the other's face. Both of them were tired of fighting the other, their faces and clothes covered in dirt and bruses. Scarlet dropped her sword and Marta's hand loosened from her spinner as they both fell to their knees and onto their backs, right next to each other as their world turned white...
Palamacosta (Three Months Before Marta's defection)
It was another job completed, fending off another Tethe'allan attempt to make off with women and helping the citizens. Thankfully, they were in town to prevent them from taking them this time, including Chocolat. Marta saw a child crying in Scarlet's care while she brought the woman Emerald saved over. The child noticed his mom.
"Mama!" The child cried as he ran into his mom's arms. The two shared a tearful hug together. Marta smiled in relief, once again her planning paid off as they managed to prevent them from being taken along with making sure a family stayed together. The mother Marta led back was nearly stolen away but was recovered thanks to Emerald.
However, Marta hasn't been on the field as much as she would have liked due to Brute becoming more protective of her lately, not even letting her leave Palamacosta altogether, especially now that the Vanguard has become more aggressive despite him saying otherwise. Needless to say, Marta's spirits have been down. Her father... is no longer the kind man she knew. With a heavy heart, she went to walked over to the bridge and looked over the seas... and silently cried. She hated all of this. The prejudice. The kidnapping. Her kind father becoming more ruthless. Alice's constant bullying. It just all hurt. While her Unit eased the pain, it did nothing to make it go away.
Scarlet noticed her crestfallen captain and flinched seeing her cry. She than walked over and offered a comforting hand to her shoulder. She didn't know why she was depressed, but she wanted to try and make it better, however awkward it might be.
"Hey... you... you're doing your best, you know Marta?" Scarlet said as she tried to console her captain. She wasn't that great at being a comforting person, but she can't leave her this way. Marta briefly acknowledged her in spite of her tears.
"If it weren't for your plans, those jerks would have made off with..." Scarlet continued before Marta broke away from her with tears and a frustrated glare. Scarlet was taken aback slighty as the Youn Girl rarely took this face with her.
"Don't you get it!? We're not making ANY difference! What's the point of all of this!? Why can't Tethe'alla just accept us!? Furthermore, daddy is... he's...! He's not...! Argh!" Marta yelled at the Crimson Swordsmaiden, her head aching from all of the stress and grief, not having the heart to admit how she now feels about her own father. She's become... afraid... she's scared of her own father now... but she didn't have the hewrt to tell Scarlet or anyone in her unit. Marta's face quickly grimaced as she calmed herself down.
"Just... forget it..." Marta said as she turned away, hugging herself and crying further, not only in sadness but also in guilt for yelling at Scarlet. She was just trying to cheer her up and Marta just threw it back in her face. Scarlet could only give a sympathetic gaze before softly turning Marta toward her...
"Now... you listen to me Marta Lualdi. It may... not be clear now, but we are making some difference... even with those Tethe'allans. The people of Sylverant can sleep better knowing there are people who care about them. We may not be technologically advance or have a high social status Tethe'alla, but we Sylveranti have each others backs!" Scarlet said with a frim resolution as Marta teared up, listening to a side of the Crimson Swordsmaiden she never saw before.
"And besides that, you got the makings of something great within you! But you need to be strong and stand tall on your own two feet, no matter what ANYONE says! And when the time comes when your ready to head out into the New World and show everyone, Sylveranti and and Tethe'allan alike what you can do... well, I hope I'll be there... to see the wonderful young woman I'll know you'll become." Scarlet said with a proud and loving smile, like a big sister motivating her little sister. Marta's eyes began leaking as she hugged her friend. Scarlet was surprised as she heard her captains muffled sobs, remembering that she's still young, facing a harsh new world. The two remained by each other's side as the sun began to set.
"Hey... it'll be okay... it's alright Marta..." Scarlet said in a soothing tone.
Riverbed Path
Marta and Scarlet both laid there, facing up at the clouds as they remembered that day. It was than Scarlet FINALLY understood why Marta broke down like that back than. It wasn't just because of Tethe'alla's prejudice, still dealing with her mother's death and Alice's attempts to make her life miserable. Even the current situation of having a target on her back because of Ratatosk's Core being attached to her forehead wasn't her main cause of grief. It's mainly because Marta didn't like what her father had become. Although she tried to deny it... Scarlet had to stop fooling herself. Brute was not the man who saved her life back than. While she wanted to make Tethe'alla pay dearly, some a part of her DID feel some doubt, mostly due to Marta and Vermillion along with that memory of being there for her captain. The two girls just layed there...
"Scarlet... I don't know if you remember... but, have I... stood tall...? Even if it's not... what you wanted...?" Marta said as she turned her head to Scarlet, who once again cried. However, this time, Scarlet no longer screamed and yelled in rage as she turned to face her, her face filled with regret.
"You have, Marta." Scarlet said with deep sincerity as she called Marta by name once more. Marta's tears ran down as Scarlet acknowledged her by name again.
"Scarlet... I'm... I'm so sorry..." Marta apologized again. She knew no apology would ever make it right, but she wanted her friend to know how bad she felt about what she did to her.
"I'm... I'm sorry too... for everything..." Scarlet said with tears. The two could only smile softly as they passed out from their injuries. Marta was at least satisfied that she got through to her.
"Lady Marta!" Tenebrae yelled as he and others made their way over to them. The girls became frought with worry upon seeing Marta and Scarlet collapse. To the Centurion's wonder, he saw smiles etched on their faces and saw their Scarlet's hand lying on Marta's. The girls all saw this scene and knew, that even admist her own burning rage, she DID and still cares. The girls all remained quiet, even as they tended to both Marta and Scarlet...
To Be Continued...
The Battle with Scarlet and Lavender has concluded! What will happen now? Will Scarlet and Lavender join Marta innher quest? Or... will they be turned away?
Tune in next time to find out!
