Mirage (An Emerald and Mercury Fanfiction)

Emerald: Surprise

As soon as they reached Salem's domain, a wave of fatigue washed over her. It scared her, mostly because she had never experienced that while transporting two people.

Mercury placed his hand on her back as she bent over, trying to catch her breath. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, straightening and taking a deep breath to clear her head. "Yes. Let's get to Salem before she wants our help."

He looked unconvinced, but nodded. "If you're sure."

They crossed into Salem's throne room hesitantly, and Emerald saw Ruby being held in place by Neo and Roman in the middle of the room.

Salem was sitting calmly on her throne, only a hint of red glare in her eyes. "Ah, Emerald, Mercury. Come in, there's no need to hide."

Mercury walked in first, leaning against the wall as Emerald followed timidly to the same spot, not wanting to disturb anything.

Ruby had a cut on the side of her mouth that was bleeding, but other than that she seemed unharmed.

She glared at Salem, her silver eyes flashing despite the state of her aura. "Just stop trying. I'm never going to give up my power to you."

Salem didn't look fazed. "Oh, Ruby Rose. You don't even know what the power you hold is capable of."

Ruby let out a very uncharacteristic growl. "I know enough. I know that if you keep trying to take it, it won't work out for you. I also know it's powerful enough to freeze a dragon, which I imagine had as much power as you do."

Salem's eyes were the brightest red they had ever been, and Emerald could feel the power radiating from her. "Child, my power is too great for you to understand."

Ruby let out a faint, laugh. "I'm sure."

Emerald sucked in a breath. Oh, Ruby. You aren't helping anything.

Mercury glanced in her direction, then turned back to the confrontation with a smirk.

Salem was fuming, but her voice was level and cold. "I believe you have had a demonstration already, have you not?"

Beacon. Low move, even for her.

Ruby's face fell, but a smile reconstructed itself almost immediately. "That's not going to work as well anymore."

Salem nodded. "You are stronger, it seems. I have one last attempt to persuade your power out of you."

Ruby didn't respond, and Roman and Neo let go of her arms and stepped away as Salem raised her hand.

"Now is your chance to either surrender or suffer, child."

Ruby's silver eyes met Salem's red ones defiantly. "If my power becomes yours, all of Remnant is doomed. I'm going to fight you until I die, because that will mean my power goes with me!"

Emerald's eyes widened with awe. Ruby was so young, yet so unbelievably determined to protect everyone. No one resisted Salem for this long.

Salem's expression didn't change, except for a thin smile that crossed her face briefly. "I won't kill you, if that's the case. Your power will submit without the cost of your life."

Ruby clenched her teeth as a red aura surrounded her and Salem's hand. "No, it won't. How do you know more about my power than I do?"

Salem laughed. "Child, I know about every power in existence that could possibly oppose me."

Ruby didn't respond, and Emerald could see her energy slowly bleeding out of her every second that red aura remained. Her head drooped, and she would have slipped into a daze had the doors of the throne room not flown open.

Emerald jumped, being the closest one to the doors, and stepped back in order to balance herself. The red aura around Ruby faded, and she sunk to the floor, unconscious.

Salem's eyes were glowing bright red, and Emerald quickly stepped away from the entrance, followed closely by Mercury.

What happened?

I don't know. Someone must have arrived with us. Mercury sounded slightly angry, and Emerald's heart sank.

Salem's not going to be happy with us if that's the case. How do you know?

Someone grabbed my ankle before we left. I don't know who, I thought I did a great job rendering them useless before you came.

Emerald stepped back to get a better view of who had opened the doors, and her eyes widened.

A bruised Jaune stood in the doorway, eyes fixed on Ruby and a concentrated look on his face.

Salem looked furious. "How are you here?"

A quiet laugh sounded from the Hunter. "Reflexes."

Emerald wanted to shrink into the floor as Salem's gaze shifted to her. Perhaps you would like to explain why he was able to join us, child?

I'm sorry, my lady. I had no knowledge of his arrival.

No matter. He is not able to leave.

Every muscle in her body relaxed when the red glare turned away.

Jaune looked back at Ruby, and Emerald could see the young Huntress stirring. Her head rolled over in his direction, and a sad smile took over his face.

"I assume you want your teammate back, correct?" Salem looked triumphant, which scared Emerald.

Jaune turned a glare in her direction. "Yes. Leave her alone, she doesn't deserve any of this."

Salem laughed. "Oh, but she does. She has scarred one of my best fighters, and for that she will pay."

Ruby's body was lifted into the air and surrounded by the red aura again. Jaune's eyes widened, and Ruby's eyelids fluttered open just as her body went rigid.

A pair of hands flew over Emerald's ears as Ruby let out a scream and then fell silent. Mercury pulled her to his side, removing his hands only when Ruby had fallen to the ground again.

Salem sighed as the aura pulled away from Ruby and surrounded her, seemingly feeding power into her.

Jaune rushed to his teammate's side, lifting her into his arms without any resistance from Salem.

Emerald froze as Salem's voice filled her head. I have locked Miss Rose's power in place, she will not be able to use it against me for a long time. I will have Neo take them back, you and I have to talk.

There was a pause before the last word was spoken, and Emerald's heart threatened to break out of her chest.

Jaune locked eyes with Salem, anger present more than anything. "You're going to pay for hurting my friends."

Neo's parasol met his spine, and they disappeared before Salem could respond.

Oh boy! Ruby's kind of out for the count guys...don't worry, she's got that main character plot armor to save her! See you Bookworms in the next chapter! c: