Earthbound: Champions of the Future

Chapter Fourty

~ Emi Naoko's POV ~

My most recent memories at that point consisted of Ciar's stupid smirking face just as I was falling unconscious back when we were in S'yan's village. Even without having a clear understanding about what had happened since then, though, I knew something pretty big had gone down.

My head still ached badly, but I managed to push myself to my feet. "Are you alright?" S'yan asked from somewhere to my right.

I nodded. "Yeah." I responded. I gasped when I saw Trudeau, on her knees as she silently stared at the road. "When did she get here?" I questioned in a hushed whisper. "Where's Ciar?"

"They arrived not too long ago." S'yan answered. "As for Ciar... he's gone. He escaped."

I sighed and turned back towards Trudeau. She was now on her feet, adjusting the strap across her chest. "Are... you okay?" Syo squeaked.

"Fine." Trudeau replied. "Syo, Gaius, we're leaving. We need to get to Kireina and Akuro before Ciar gets to them first." She turned towards us, her fists clenched. "Emi. Your Highness." She nodded to me and S'yan respectively before turning away again, walking away.

"Naoma, wait!" I called out. I hadn't intended to use her first name; it was an impulse to get her to stop, which seemed to work. She slowly turned back to face me, still frowning.

"What?" She asked. "We don't have a lot of time. It's already evening."

"I-I know," I replied, mentally cursing at myself for that stutter. "But... I've decided that I'm going with you. If I have to take a side, then I at least want to be on the winning side."

"I wouldn't know about that," Naoma shrugged. "Ciar seems to be winning pretty well right now."

"I'd rather stick by you than see that jerk's face one more time." I snapped. "I'm just doing what's beneficial for me."

"If you're only thinking about yourself, then I'm going to have to leave you behind." Naoma responded. "I'm doing this for the good of everyone. I don't care if they continue to hate me; they're my friends, and I'm going to help them see the truth. That's what I was thinking as I came here looking for you two. Obviously... it didn't work."

"Hold on, Naoma." Syo interrupted, tugging on a strand of Naoma's hair. "I think... we should let Emi come along."

"Why?" Naoma questioned.

"Well, think about it this way." Syo began. "You said yourself a few moments ago that you're not exactly popular right now. We need as many people on our side as possible. Only when we have everyone back can we really solve this problem."

"Don't worry; if they try anything, I'll be the first to know about it." The ginger haired thief grinned. I glared at him and punched his arm.

Naoma hesitated before looking up at me. "Can I really trust you?" She asked. "I don't want to be betrayed again."

"You don't have to trust me." I shrugged. "It's not like I trust you back."

"Emi...!" Syo hissed. "Don't say that! I'm trying to get you guys to be friends again!"

"It's not like we ever were." Naoma muttered. "Come on, we don't have any more time to waste. Emi can follow along if she wants."

"What about you?" I asked S'yan once the others were out of earshot. "Are you coming, too?"

"I am." He replied. "I've already began this mission. I can't return home until I've finished it. I must prove myself to my tribe."

I rolled my eyes at his usual spiel and followed after Naoma. "I think I know where Kireina and Akuro might be." Naoma began. "Gaius, have you ever been to Vineside before?"

"I think I have." Gaius replied. "Is it that place with the cat people and the pink trees?"

Syo sighed. "They're called cherry blossoms, Gaius. Anyway, yes, that's Vineside. Do you think you can teleport us there?"

Gaius sighed. "At this point, I'll run out of psychic power..." he muttered before clicking his fingers.

In the blink of an eye, we were in a completely different location. I glanced around madly, the partially scorched theatre replaced by several small houses and cherry blossom trees, the ground beneath my feet replaced with soft grass. "How did you do that?" I questioned.

"Like I said, teleportation." Gaius responded. "Oh, yeah, just a warning: it can be pretty rough on your first time."

"It's too late for that now, idiot." I mumbled, punching his arm again. "Anyway, where are we looking first?"

"We're not looking anywhere just yet." Syo answered. "It's getting late, so we should rest. Akuro's house is just over there. I'm sure she won't mind if we borrow it for a while."

"I'm a bit iffy about this idea, but if it means that I don't have to sleep on the floor, then go for it." Gaius replied.

Naoma followed Syo's tiny fluttering form to a house on the edge of the village. She pushed the door open and glanced inside. It was a small room with several decorative plants set up around the house. On a small table, a picture frame caught my eye. It was a photograph of eight people; five females and three males. All of them were Kazz, although I only recognised Akuro and Kireina. The others were people I didn't know.

"They look happy." Syo commented, making me recoil slightly out of shock. "Sorry, did I scare you?" The winged being asked sheepishly.

"No." I replied. "What do you want?"

Syo pouted. "You don't have to be so mean all the time. Or are you just tired? You should get some sleep. We'll have to go up against Kireina tomorrow, and Ciar's most likely going to be there, too. With that combo, it definitely won't be easy."

I paused before glancing at the small creature, whatever she was. "I want to ask you something." I began, lowering my voice slightly.

"Huh? What's up?" Syo asked, blinking curiously.

"Do you trust her?" I questioned. "Trudeau, I mean. Even after everything her father has done?"

"Of course I trust her," Syo responded. "She and her father are two completely different people. Just because her dad did some bad stuff doesn't mean we can blame her for it. I mean, you have a right to be angry, but... just don't let that anger consume you."

I nodded slowly. "I see. I guess that helped. Kind of."

"Just doing my job!" Syo beamed. "Now, go on, go to sleep. Just don't freak out if you feel any squirming on your shoulder. It's probably me."

I sighed and flicked her away. "I'm not your pillow."

Syo huffed and fluttered away, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Maybe I really have been wrong all this time...

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there is a reason why emi is only one letter away from emo

AceAttorneyFan over and out!