Outbreak

Violet's Sacrifice

Day 37

Violet Leader P.O.V.

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"I have a favor to ask."  I hesitate even as I say the words.  Sabre's looking at me expectantly, or I think he is, anyway.  It's hard to tell with the blindfold on.  Am I really doing this?  What if it goes wrong?  What if he can't really-

"What is it?"

I have to do this.  For the kingdom.  I can't leave them leaderless with only Sabre to help them.

"I need you to remove my energy."  There is a beat of silence.  Sabre's face goes through a few emotions before settling firmly on skepticism.

"Violet Leader... I don't think that's a good idea."  he says slowly, taking a small step back.

"Can you do it?"  I asked.  "I know you have experience with machines.  Can you build one that will remove my energy without killing me?"

"I think so."  he admits.  "But I have no idea what that might do to you.  Even if it works successfully, you won't have powers anymore.  You won't be able to teleport, or..."  He pauses for a second, trying to think of anything else that Violet Steves could do.

"I understand."  I take a step forward, prompting him to meet my eye.  "And I'm willing to take the risk.  I can have someone else teleport me if I need to go somewhere.  But the truth is, the entire kingdom is about to line up for testing, and I'm not going to shirk my duties just because some of them are infected.  I need to be able to care for all of them."

Sabre stares at my earnest expression before sighing and nodding his assent.  A small smile flickers across my face as he gestures me forward toward a blank room in the citadel.

Some of my confidence fades as he starts to build the machine.  Unlike the sleek copper device used to test for the sickness, this one looks amateur and out of place, built from cobblestone and exposed wiring.  Still, Sabre builds it with a practiced ease, as though he's built this same thing a hundred times before.  Strange.

"That should be good."  he says at last, presenting the patchwork machine to me.  He gestures to the spot inside the pistons, which is not looking very inviting.  "If you're sure about this..."

"I am."  I insist, ignoring the uncertainty tugging at my mind.

"Then step in."

The click of my platform boots on the piston below sounds ominous even to me.  Before I can say another word, Sabre comes forward and places glass in front of me, blocking me in.  I clench my hands together tightly, but keep my head high.  I am going to keep my dignity.

Steeling my nerve, I focus on my people.  Sabre's voice slowly fades into the background, and my nerves die down as I remember who I'm doing this for.

I lost so many steves to the darkness.  So many Violets who didn't deserve it.  Light had built the Rainbow Kingdom for everyone, but I had built the Rainbow Kingdom for them.  I had been skeptical of the other colors at first, not trusting them around my eager, innocent people.  But they had needed a leader, and I was a leader.  Over time, I got to know the other steves, and it wasn't difficult to see that they weren't so different from my own, wanting peace in a world of war.

Now, they are scared, uncertain.  They need someone to take charge.  To protect and guide them.  They all need me to step up and make some sacrifices.

And I am more than willing.

A horrible draining feeling washes over me, like something is trying to suck out my life.  I try to pull away, but my body is stuck, unable to move.  Frantically, I try to fixate on my people again, but it's difficult.  Faces flash before my eyes, and the desperate, warm feeling of love blooms in my chest.  I'm locked in place, my head still forced up high, my eyes glued open.