"I'm surprised you're not with Ruby." Emma commented surprised as she was walking into his room and she took notice of the shut laptop.

He sighs "Well I have some important stuff to do. She has made a lot of progress." He admits, coming into the room behind her and sitting on his couch, "Come sit. We can talk."

"I just don't want to leave everyone behind. At the League I was sent on missions and trained kids who often wouldn't make it back."A sigh protruded Emma as she rubbed her face tiredly, "I don't know what would go on but I remember they would go on missions, but because of one agents orders they wouldn't come back. I was under his care, I couldn't do anything. Except try and go myself. I was a killer." Her eyes began to well up with tears that she blinked away.

"I don't want this mission to bring back old memories. Why don't you stay? I'm sure we can send someone else. In fact I have a job for you tonight." his voice coy and smooth.

______________________________

Clancy strode into the passage with Emma on his tail, watching Liam shove the guard against a wall. When Liam stopped, Ruby and Chubs tried to catch his attention and make a run for it. But he just stood there. "He can't hear you. Get up you asshole." Clancy took short but powerful strides.

"Ye-yes sir." The man groaned, "Yes sir.". He struggled but managed to stand. Emma moved, standing next to him stoically. As if frozen. Like a robot.

"How's my dad?" Clancy questioned, looking at the guard who didn't dare look at him.

"Enjoying your old padded cell." He glanced at Clancy who looked at the group and one frozen Liam.

Clancy chuckled, "You've got kids to round up. Lots of new kids for my army." He walked towards them, not getting too close. "Call the birds." He directed, Chubs figured out what was happening. His eyes glowed green and he pulled Ruby away.

"Already on their way sir." He answered, as he was looking at Emma before moving forward but Emma wasn't aware. Her vision cloudy except for Clancy.

He moved forward, as if guarding Clancy as he talked. "I liked you Ruby. I really did." He started slow, "So believe me when I say I'm broken up about this. I'm just trying to make this miserable world a place where we don't have to be afraid."

He walked towards Liam, "Where those who are special, like you and me, can be in charge." He told her, "But you'd rather run around the woods with this guy and his little friends." He nodded towards Liam.

He threw his hand back, using all his might to punch Liam. Ruby cried out for him to stop as Chubs held her back. Liam's upper body was thrown to the right but his feet stayed planted firmly.

He had no choice but to take it and Emma had no choice but to watch while trapped in her own mind. "No one. Takes what's mine." Clancy murmured to him, as if he could hear.

He continued to punch him, his grunts and the sound of Liam being hit filled the air. Ruby's cries were sharp and almost shirll as they cut through loudly. "Not my father. Not anyone. Certainly not you." He shook his head as he looked at Liam.

"You know it sucks Ruby, we could have been leading an army together. Punishing everyone that ever hurt us." He told her, she just looked furious.

"Now I have a new plaything," Emma began to move, exactly like a soldier until she was right next to him. Her body rigged to the side, to his side as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "And she, unlike you, will do anything I want."

"My hand hurts. Take over." He ordered the guard. Liam was no longer under his control and began to cough, the blood dropped from his nose.

"Gladly." The Captain punched him in the stomach before he could even move. He bent over as Ruby screamed. He fell to the floor only to be kicked, his groans filling the air.

As Liam's eyes looked up he saw the unmoving stoic Emma. She didn't even look at him, at his place on the ground. But he closed them again as he was hit, and because he did not want to see her blank face. And he definitely didn't want to see Clancy using her like a toy.

"Now I can find it in my heart to forgive you." Clancy admitted, looking at Ruby again.

"Don't!" Ruby cried out to the Captain.

"You don't really get a choice in the matter. You've shown me how to fix you. Once I do you'll do whatever I want." Clancy talked to her but Ruby paid him no attention as she watched the Captain kick Liam's stomach over and over.

"Stop you'll kill him!" She shouted, her voice echoing and under that was Liam's groans as he was kicked repeatedly.

"No I won't." Clancy dragged out, not even giving his gesture to Liam any care. The Captain has backed up as he tired from kicking Liam, but he continued, now using leverage as he did a step forward to get more speed.

This made Liam's pain and groans grow larger and louder. Clancy looked at Ruby with intent as he told her "I want him alive. To see exactly what you become."

This seemed to click something in Ruby as she glared at him, "Go to hell!" Her eyes glowed as she faced the Captain. He groaned and stood straight.

"Zu lights!" Ruby yelled, something went off and Emma was released from the prison, that Clancy had trapped her in, in her mind.

She groaned as she was brought back into the world with flickering bright lights.

-Emma

I fall to the ground, hearing gunshots and blinding lights. Shouting filled the air and electricity hit the ground from the lights Zu had tampered with.

I felt hands on me and saw Ruby. "Emma we have to go!" She urged me, I stumbled to my feet as she grabbed Zu and we ran. I stop and help Chubs with Liam. I had no idea what was going on.

We raced back into the camp to see choppers in the air. Soldiers began to slide down ropes from them. I watch as they release people but they were also dressed as soldiers.

"Reds!" A voice screamed out hoarsely. They began to let out piercing streaks of fire from their mouths. The buildings began to burn as they created the streaks of fire.

Soldiers began using the frequency guns on kids. I barely noticed Clancy walking towards us, the reds in a line in front of him. Not until Liam ran forwards, bent over clutching his stomach. He only moved his hands when the fire began to pour out of their mouths and he moved a large metal shipping container to block their streaks.

"Liam!" I screamed out as the fire nearly hit him. An explosion of fire went off in front of the container and I ran forward to him. He shoved it back towards them, the reds forced to scatter from their formation.

He was hurt, I didn't know how but he was and shouldn't be using his power. He falls to the ground. "Liam." I mutter as I kneel next to the groaning boy.

They all come and help me pull him up frantically. Kids were running around frantically screaming. We pause as the suddenly stop and part, kneeling as Clancy walked through them.

As he passed them they would run, no longer under his control. "Go go go you need to go!" Ruby says frantically as he slowly approaches.

Chubs and I pick Liam up, his arms over our shoulders. "I'm not leaving you!" Liam yells out as Zu hugs her waist.

"You can't fight him. I can!" Ruby shouts back, although hers was sad. But I knew she was right.

I still had no idea what had happened but I also put together that I went from Clancy's shack to the cave so I assumed he used me.

Liam did too by the look on his face. "I can." She tells him, before tearing Zu off her "Zu go with Liam." She tells her, quieter than before.

"Come on. We have to go." I tell her, taking her arm in my hand.

"Liam they need you. Now go save as many as you can." Ruby shouts as we begin to leave. I look at the guards using their frequency guns.

"Take him and get out!" I yell to Chubs over the shouting everywhere.

Liam attempted to stop me but I shook him off as they called after me. I pulled my hands up when I got closer, my eyes glowing as I forced their bodies to rise up and I made them fly across the camp and into one of the many burning tents.

I yell to the kids "Get up and run! Get out of the camp!" I start rushing kids towards Liam who also starts yelling orders so they could get out.

I turn in a circle, hearing shots but only saw the two oranges fighting, and the groups of soldiers hitting only each other.

I wanted to watch but I couldn't. I had to find Liam and Chubs and Zu. I ran out of the camp, disabling all the soldiers in my area.

I run around calling out "Liam! Suzume! Chubs! Someone?!". I run and continue to call out but get nothing in return.

_______________________________

"Emma!" And run towards it. It was Liam's voice.

"Liam?" I cry out as I see him. We collide into each other, making him groan.

I sniffle as I pull away "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" I put my hands on his battered bloody face.

"Hey I'm okay. I'll be fine. You've got to leave, the League is coming." He tells me, taking my face in his hands before pushing my away.

"Wait no Liam what's happening?" I ask him, grabbing his arm as he tries to push me away.

"Ruby called the League!" He yelled at me, "You have to go before they come. Chubs is hurt and we are staying but you can't go back to them." He tells me, this time quieter.

My mind stops. But I wasn't going to just leave. "No." I shake my head.

"Emma-" he attempts but I stop him.

"No! Liam I'm staying." I pause "I'm staying." I tell him softer this time.

He brings me into his arms. We stay there for a minute. "Come on. They're over here." He guides me, I run over to Ruby and Chubs, kneeling next to them.

"He's out." Ruby says, "He uh- he got burnt saving me from the helicopter explosion." She explains, her voice cracking.

Liam comes over and leans on the tree. I sit next to him and lean my legs against Ruby when I ask "Where's Zu? Is she okay?"

Liam nods "She's with a group of kids.". I feel a breath of relief go through me and he leans his chin on my shoulder. I lean my head on his.

"Hey Ruby?" I murmur, her head turns to me. "If they ask, I went after you to try and get you back." I give a dry chuckle, before closing my eyes.

I heard cars turning up, I watch them get out in a rush, and clutch Liam's hand. He had his arm wrapped around my shoulder and he clutched my shirts.

I watched the guards put their guns up and he pulled me into him. Cate put a hand up to stop them. I stood, going over to her and she pulled me into a hug.

"Hi Cate." She gives me a smile as she releases me.

"It's good to see you again Emma." I spot Rob behind her as she talks. But his eyes were on Liam. I wouldn't let him do what he did to me to Liam. Over my dead body.

_____________________________

I wake up, sitting in the fresh sheets when I hear someone come in. I sit up quickly to see Rob. "Where's Cate?" I question, my eyes flickering between him and the door.

I didn't trust him before, but I sure as hell didn't after what Ruby told me. He had a soft look on his face "With Ruby."

I nod, putting my head in my hands. "Where have you been? We had search parties going to all the locations to see if you were there."

He meant the locations I knew in case we got separated. "I was with Ruby. Protecting her. She was my case after all." I lied easily, he scoffed.

"You choose now to listen to orders?" He rose an eyebrow. He was talking about all those missions where I didn't listen, and ended up getting it done.

I roll my eyes "You should be glad. I'm back after all and now you have what you wanted." I climb out of bed.

"She wants us to let you and Liam go." He comments, as if making an accusation.

"You should let Liam go. He isn't a soldier. I am." I tell him as I walk to the window, taking note of the patrolling guards.

"One who went missing for months. And Liam? He has potential. Just like his brother." He has a commanding voice but it doesn't phase me.

"I'm telling you to let Liam go." I turn to him, crossing my arms. He raises his eyebrows and takes a step forward.

He looked like he was about to shout but Cate entered. "Good morning Emma." She greets, I nod to her.

"Morning. Any update on Chubs?" My voice feels small as I ask.

"He's in rough shape but in the best care possible. You all can visit him when he's better." She assures me, before glancing at Rob. "We talked to Ruby. She wants us to let you go. You and Liam. But I can't just let two teens fend for themselves." She explains, which I roll my eyes.

"We did it. For months." I tell her, refusing to let her think that we can't fend for ourselves.

"Really because I believe you called us because you needed help." Rob argues, his voice getting loud.

I glare at him, pointing accusedly "Maybe we shouldn't have!"

"Then you're little friend would have died! He almost did because of you and your freedom crusade!" Rob yells at me, I glare at him and Cate steps between us, hands out to calm us.

We paused for a moment to breathe. My mind was flooded as I began earnestly,"At least let Liam go. I know you can't let Ruby go, she can't leave I get that. But let him go." I plead with Cate, "I'll stay. I'll do the missions and training and raids. I'll do whatever you want if you let him go."

She gives me a wistful look. "Do you honestly think he'd leave you? I saw you two when we got there, he didn't leave you guys then, why would he now?" I pause, he had to.

"I need to talk to Ruby." I say, looking back out the window.

"You really think this is the best thing for him? Out there fending for himself?" Cate questions and shushes Rob when he begins to argue.

"He is good at protecting people, like Cole. But this place would tear him apart when he saw what it was doing to us. He would do anything to keep us safe, including defy orders and put others in danger." I muster up, it was true. "I don't want him to become a killer. And I know he's not gonna want to sit behind a screen." I tell her, she looks at me and nods.

"I just need to talk to Ruby. If you let me do this, I will do whatever you want." I tell her, "No more running. No secrets." I promise her and she nods once again.

"I'll take you to Ruby and then Liam. We have a deal right?" She agrees, giving me a pass key. She was the person I trusted most besides maybe Cole or Alban. But even those two had their secrets.

____________________________

I hug Ruby as I enter her room. As we let go I ask her "I need a favor."

We sit in the chairs and she asks "What do you need?". I fiddle with my fingers, looking at them.

"Liam won't leave us." I look at her, letting my desperation get to me. "I know you can erase memories. You need to make him forget us so he can leave. He can find Zu and be safe. He won't be happy here. He's right about this place. There are few good people here. They made me a killer. Even if it's for good." I admit, she looks down.

"I know. After Chubs I don't need anyone sacrificing themselves for me. I can try and get them to let you go as well." She attempts but I shake my head.

"I can't. They're not gonna let me go again. I'm made for this, Liam isn't. I made a deal with them. They aren't gonna let you go. I know too much for them to let me go. Liam is the only one leaving. But only if you help me." I plead, there was no good option.

I loved Liam, which is why I needed him to go. But Ruby was my best friend and I couldn't leave her here either. "I just want to say goodbye to him." I tell her, "The guy who made the Children's League has been looking for me. Everyone knows who I am here. I'm not leaving and I can help you." I tell her before Cate comes in.

She knocks on the wall to gain our attention. "I have a bag packed for him." She says after we turn to her. I nod and stand, I look to Ruby who gives me a feeble nod.

"I'll talk to him after." I knew she would see all of mine and Liam's sacred moments. But if it would protect him, I would do anything.

I take the bag from Cate's hand. I just needed for her to show me the room, I already had a pass.

I follow Cate to his room, watching her open the door. She allows me to go in, but doesn't follow which I'm once again thankful for. His back was to me, sitting up in the middle of the bed.