Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Here we are in Last City, where unlike others tows, doesn't have a hero agency and plans to keep it that way.

"Instead, they have a bounty hunting system, where people who commit crimes are 'red' and volunteer law enforcers are 'green'. This bounty hunting system is the first of its kind, completely unique to other cities with hero agencies.

"I am here live in the city and will be doing a field study of this town and experiencing first hand what kinds of things and people go on in this city, as well as how the city operates.

"Back to you, Noxcrew."

Scott groaned, combing his cyan hair back with his fingers. The wind frizzed it all up, he probably looked like an idiot on live television.

To be fair, it was kind of hard not to when you are an idiot whose job is being on live television.

"I did my hair ALL NICE-" Scott complained. "And this is what it does to me. Not vibing."

Pearl laughed. Her brown and blond hair handing out of her dark blue hoodie. "That's why you go camera man. No one can see how bad you look."

Luckily the Noxcrew had assigned him somewhere with someone relatively agreeable. They were both sort of new to the kind of job they were doing as well, so that was a nice conversation starter.

Scott, while he usually did travel a lot, only stayed places for a short amount of time. Also he usually reported on sports or did, like real estate and house transformations, not forms of law enforcement.

Pearl, apparently, had never been outside her home city before this. She had been a photojournalist there, but was hired by the Noxcrew to stay with Scott for weekly reports on this town.

For six months.

It had been two days, and Scott was already bored.

"What do we have next?" Scott asked. The two walked down the street, looking at the citizens. None of them seemed impressed by the news reporters.

"We want to get an interview with a 'green'. I suppose we just go and ask around?" Pearl suggested. "I'm also hungry, so we can actually ask around a food place."

Scott shrugged and the two searched the streets for a food place, eventually resorting to just asking a group of people.

As they approached, the group backed up apprehensivly. Scott has gotten weird stares because of the nervousness that comes with being a news reporter, but the genuine hostility put him off.

"Hello!" Pearl waved, either not noticing or not caring about the tension in the air. "We were wondering if you knew a good place to get food?"

The group all looked between eachother, not knowing what to make of the two. Which was stupid, just answer the question.

A guy in a green shirt stepped forward, wearing a white headband to push back his blond hair. He squinted at the two.

"There's a pretty all right sandwich shop five blocks down," green shirt nodded behind the news reporters, signifying the direction. "Pretty pricey though."

"One of the owners has charm speak," another guy with a mustache behind him piped up, with a tone of voice as if he was telling stories around a campfire. "The other owner is pretty scary too."

The group broke into murmurs before another guy in a red sweater jumped off the mail box he was sitting on. There was an edge in his eyes, not quite unlike the competitiveness Scott has seen in athletes over the years.

"Stop scaring them," he rolled his eyes. There was something child like about his voice, giddy. "The shop's a good one, the only place in this city to get a decent sandwich. Tell the owners I said hi."

"Said hi from...?" Scott asked, trying to get his name.

Red sweater eyed the microphone Scott was holding at his side. "They'll know who."

Before Scott could ask anymore questions, the mysterious man had turned vack to his group and was loudly talking, to loud for him or Pearl to cut in. The two turned and shrugged at eachother, following the directions green shirt gave them.

Magic Mountain was... a strange place. Even for a rundown city still under construction it had a lot of health code violations, or would if those still existed anymore.

But other than that it seemed nice. There was a chalkboard of the menu, and some relatively decent tape work on the cracked windows. Other than the people dwelling inside, the building looked like it should have been abandoned or torn down years go. Strange for a city that started construction a year or two ago.

Scott and Pearl glanced at eachother before heading in. There were only a few people inside, minus the two what appeared to be employees.

There was a guy waving around a broom like he was an anime villain for starters. He looked rather unimpressive for someone with such gusto, brown hair with a green streak and an old poet shirt. Other than the green, he looked straight out of a Renaissance fair.

The other one at the register looked at least kid of put together. He was wearing a purple hooded cape (and Scott though thee other one was a cosplayer) which seemed to be hiding tufts of white hair. The dude himself however, wasn't old at all, Scott would go as far as to say he looked pretty fit. Over alla pretty friendly looking dude.

... except for the scars everywhere. Yes, he had slashmarks on his face and burns and it kind of look like he was a survivor of an explosion. No one else in the store commented on this.

Scott walked to the counter aprehensivly Pearl behind him. Seeing as most people they had encountered so far didn't like the whole news reporter thing, they had put their equipment in their backpacks.

"One sandwich please," Pearl ordered. Her eyes darted around the room. "What's your name, sir?"

"Scar," the man at the counter said. Seeing the two reporters' reaction, he continued. "Yes, that is a nickname. I'm very clumsy."

Scott raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms. "One sandwich as well... how long have you been living here?"

"Long enough to know you two are new," Scar pressed buttons on the register as Pearl and Scott gave him money. "What brings you here?"

"Looking for 'greens' to interview," Scott explained. "Know any?"

Scar blanked out for a second before smiling. "Joel!"

The man with the broom looked up sneering. "Kinda busy!"

He had been pretending the broom was a sword.

"Isn't your brother in law still green?" Scar shouted across the store.

"Only cuz he got hospitalized before he got red!" Joel scoffed.

"Where's the hospital?" Scott piped in.

"Ten down one over," Joel rolled his eyes. "But if your looking for the 'exciting life of a green', he's not the one to ask."

"And his name?" Pearl asked. Both the reporters were excited to finally have a lead.

"Jimmy. Real downer," Scar cut in, shaking his head. "Prophets will do that. More of an idiot than anything though. Wait till he tells you how he got in the hospital!"

"Do people normally transition from green to red...?" Pearl asked, looking between the two employees. "Like does being green have a pipeline into becoming a criminal?"

Scar and Joel stared at eachother from across the room for five seconds before they burst out laughing. Laughing for a while.

"What was your guys' names?" Scar said, wiping a tear from his eye. Well that seemed like a bit of an over reaction.

"Scott and Pearl...?" Scott looked over to his cameraman, who just shrugged.

"Hate to break it to you," Scar "but everyone in this city is a criminal. The greens are just in denial. And maybe a bit sneakier. Eight dollars for the sandwiches."

They each paid, Scott a bit more confused than before. Not that he wasn't already confused from that other group of people. Oh yeah!

"A guy told us to say hi to one of you?" Scott said.

Scar shook his head. "Classic. Not even coming in himself. Tell him I said hi back, next time you see him."

Being quite honest, Scott had no real scope on how small this city was to the point hed run into the sane guy twice. They turned around to leave before Scar's voice sounded again.

"*Each of you leave a ten dollar tip.*"

Scott twirled back around, grabbing money from his pocket ad quickly as he could and putting it in the tip jar, time was of the essence. Pearl did the sane thing as the two walked out of the store. Scott was glad he completed that task.

Wait...

Scott and Pearl looked at eachother for the fourth time that day.

"Did he just...?" Scott put his hand on his hip, pointing to the door.

Pearl gave a resigned sigh. Completely fair, they weren't getting that money back if that was the owner with charm speak. "Come on, let's go find out whoever this Jimmy is."

Chapter Text

The blue haired man clutches the arrow in his shoulder, blood leaking on his hands. His breathing was intense.

Grian sat atop the boxes in the storage house, inspecting his nails, showing contempt to the guy bleeding out. He looked over, unimpressed.

"You know," he jumped down. "I thought you were interesting when we first met. Like... a rat in a maze. Do you remember? Before you were red, before- before *I* was red as well, feels like ages ago."

The blue haired dude glared up and fell to his knees. He was shaking severely, the arrow in his shoulder and a slash across his back.

"I usually have a thing against killing, but..." Grian flipped his hair back, smiling and drawing his sword the same shade as the other guy's hair. "I think I'll make an exception for all the trouble you've caused me."

The blue haired man raised his arm up, blue energy forming into a small weak shield that wouldnt save him from what Grian was about to do. He raised his sword-

Jimmy shot awake, covered in sweat. The moniter was going off like crazy, nurses looking relieved as he woke up. They left the room as his heart rate went down, and as Jimmy realized his dream hadn't happened yet.

Looking in the reflection of his window he was still himself. Blond hair, back eye, bandage on his head- right!

He scrambled to the table by his bed, a napkin and a pen attached to a clip board would do.

*blue hair*
*grian and him are red*
*blue hair baby hurt*
*blue hair is new in town?*

He searched his brain, trying to remember any details about the dream, any numbers. On a box... 95 bags of gravel.

*95%*

"Solidarity?" Jimmy snapped his head over, a nurse holding a clip board. "Some news reporters are here to interview you."

Jimmy's heart sunk, but he was intrigued. They probably wanted to know about the green thing, that whole thing.

He also felt bad, there were other way more impressive greens and even more impressive reds to talk to. Not just some guy who was hospitalized by his own sister and then betrayed by his gang.

Jimmy nodded, sitting up and straightening out his hospital gown. He watched the two enter.

There was a girl with a camera, unceremoniously in a dark blue hoodie. Strangely enough, Jimmy swore he only saw half of her pupils, like someone hat taken a knife and cut them right down the center. And the one with the microphone-

Jimmy blanched, his eyes going wide.

The interviewer was a carbon copy of the man in his vision.

...

Pearl closed in on herself as nurses rushed past her, running to Jimmy. The star of the interview passing out before they could even say anything was NOT ideal.

"Is he okay?!" She shouted over the noise, nurses tampering with the heart monitor as it sky rockets.

"He's..." a nurse put a thermometer into Jimmy's agape mouth. Once he was done reading it he held it up to the news reporters. It read 103.5. "He's just had a vision, and you two must have triggered it."

Pearl blinked back, looking at Scott. He shrugged, turning to the nurses. "Should we leave or...?"

"He's gonna share when he wakes up..." One of the nurses rolled her eyes. "Sit down, he'll be up in thirty minutes or so."

Pearl stuttered but sat down, followed by Scott.

"Came for an interview," Scott sighed, picking up a generic magazine. "Now I'm getting my fortune read."

"Har har," Pearl rolled her eyes, putting down her camera. "I wonder what happened, looks pretty beat up."

Scott looked up at the ceiling and thought for a moment before grabbing a few files from the table besides the bed.

"'Jimmy Solidarity: poisoned, dehydrated, blood loss-'"

"He doesn't look like he lost much blood," Pearl sneered, looking at the sleeping man. "He looks... like a vampire got him or something."

Scott hummed and they waited the rest of the time in silence. He looked nervous, but Pearl wasn't. If they were about to see the futures of themselves, it wouldn't matter if it was going to happen anyway.

Jimmy stirred, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. He looked at the two on the waiting chairs.

He sighed. "Both- both of you are real. Who are you two?"

"Scott and Pearl, here for Noxcrew." Scott cleared his throat, sitting up and straightening his jacket.

"Noxcrew?" Jimmyraised his eyebrows. "That's... wow! Uhm- hi, I'm-"

"We've already recorded who you are." Pearl cut him off, turning on the camera. Scott scooted into frame. Jimmy looked a bit dejected. "Before we start, what was the vision about? Just you know, out of curiosity."

"Well..." Jimmy squirmed. "Scott, was it? You were wounded. Badly."

Scott blinked back. "Oh?!"

"Go on..." Pearl leaned back.

"Uh, he was fighting an... old friend of mine," Jimmy shrugged looking off to the side. "It's- it's nothing! Really. Let's get on with the interview."

Pearl shrugged and positioned the camera, recording the interview.

Jimmy was a green, one of the first. He worked with the "Southlanders", a group of greens who hunt reds in the southern parts of the city.

He was outcasted from the group because he refused to fight his sister (a red) but his sister ended up nearly killing him anyway.

As a green he didn't take down any reds himself, but he was great support for the group. He has a power that let's him see the future and gives him a percentage chance of if his visions will happen, as opposed to most future telling powers who only get short thirty second bursts of foresight. Jimmy used this power to aid the Southlands in their conquest.

The interview ended and Pearl put her camera away, a few things still not adding up to her. His sister had apparently beaten him with a baseball bat, which wouldn't give him enough blood loss to be in his state. As well as Jimmy refused to disclose any Southlander names, which was just over all kind of suspicious.

"One more thing before we go..." Scott said, putting his microphone into his backpack. "What percent chance is it that MY vision will happen?"

"Ninety... FIVE..." Jimmy squeaked out. Like he was scared they would blame him for the prophesy, which wouldn't make sense.

Pearl crossed her arms. "I feel like theses something you're not telling us, but I also feel you won't tell us no matter what, correct?"

Jimmy sighed, nodding. Scott shuddered, standing up and walking back towards Pearl. Before he could take a step, Jimmy grabbed his arm.

"I know Noxcrew likes hands on reports and you're news reporters and such-" Jimmy rambled, pulling Scott in closer. "But PLEASE don't get involved in this red/green thing. Take it from me, who's experienced it hundreds of times over with my visions, it's not worth it."

Scott solemnly nodded. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Solidarity. Hope to see you again in... a bit better condition."

The reporters left the hospital only conversing once they left through the main exit. Pearl looked at Scott as he stared straight ahead, focused.

"You're gonna get us involved with the red/green crap, aren't you?" Pearl dead panned.

Scott nodded, not bothering to deny it. "Oh yeah. But first I'm tired, let's go see what kind of apartment Noxcrew got us."

Not a very good one, turns out. It sort if looked like an upgraded college apartment, beige and grey everywhere. There was a medium sized couch and one bedroom.

Having been in a college dorm before, Pearl ran over to the living room. "Dibs on the couch!"

Scott sniffed snootily. "I wanted the bed anyway."

Pearl closed her eyes and steadied her breathing as Scotg screamed about his sheets being made of rubber. It was about three in the afternoon, so she could take acouple hour nap now and report on the city at night, maybe see some green or reds in action.

Ignoring the cries of Scott, Pearl was lulled to sleep by how boring the news was. Half moon tonight.

...

Impulse floated in the hospital room. A vision about those news reporters from earlier? In a fight with a Southlander?

He phased through the walls, back to where his body was being guarded by Mumbo and Martyn. Impulse phased back into his body, compulsing and jolting back to life. The guards turned to face him.

"Go get Grian," Impulse smiled. "I have something he might want to hear."

Chapter Text

The sun was setting as Pearl and Scott walked down the street.

"Not concerned about that prophecy at all then?" Pearl asked. She had her camera out, ready to start recording at a moments notice.

Oh yes oh hell yes nothing terrified Scott MORE than what Jimmy had said. "Not scared. I mean, as long as we're careful there's a 5% chance it won't happen."

Pearl raised her eyebrows, doubting, but they continued walking. The moon was in the sky, Scott could practically FEEL the energy buzzing off his camera man.

"We walk around," Scott planned out loud. "Find a red/green fight, move on, find more. Maybe tomorrow we can register as greens to get even more coverage."

"As long as we don't die..." Pearl shrugged. "I don't know, there's something weird Jimmy wasn't telling us-"

"What powers do you have right now?" Scott asked, holding his hand out so the two of them would stop.

Pearl paused for a second, her half pupils glowing milky white. "Slow falling and the tremors and candle things."

It wasn't a super power, but Scott was an excellent eavesdropper. "Something about Shadows and..."

"Cleo, guards are stationed?"

A scuttle of wood and metal scraping on stone. "All ready to go."

"Queen of Shadows," a gruff voice said. "The northern reds have all-"

"We do not associate with the north," someone snarled, presumably the 'queen of shadows'. "We can take care of the Southlanders ourselves. Besides, we don't want BEST tracking them to us."

The other voice paused for a second. "Yes, Lizzie."

"Cause tremors to distract them," Scott said under his breath. "I'll put up a shield to trap them."

Pearl nodded, crouching down and pushing the pads of her fingers on the sidewalk. A slight quake went through the ground, the conversation stopped.

"Cleo, check the alley entrance." The queen- Lizzie commanded.

Scott and Pearl went against the wall, not knowing what was approaching. It wasn't... human, at least.

Scott's eyes went wide as he saw- saw SOMETHING. It was like a wooden mannequin, but only the basic structure. "Cleo" must be controlling it.

Before it could fully step out of the alley, Scott jolted forward and swiped his arms up in a sweeping motion, summoning a blue barrier between the four and the reporters.

A woman with pink hair turned and hissed, going up and banging on the barrier, which only rippled like water in response. A man in sunglasses stood at attention in a red t-shirt and a black leather jacket.

Toward the back there was another girl standing by a guy in a blue button up shirt. The guy looked nervous, but the orange haired woman only looked slightly inconvenienced that her mannequin was stuck in a wall of blue energy. Of the four, she was the weirdest dressed in Scott's opinion. She had a ripped blue shirt and striped stockings.

Actually, none of their clothes looked particularly coordinated.

"Who are you all?" Pearl shouted. The lights on the street lamps flickered as he voice sounded.

The sunglasses's eyebrows raised above the frames. "That's the news reporters! Remember what my informant said?"

"The news reporters?" Pink hair took a step back, smiling. In barely a second she went from feral caged large cat to a seemingly nice person. "Well I can't hurt NEWS REPORTERS."

Scott tilted his head. "You can't?"

"Lizzie-" orange hair spoke up, reaching out. She looked the reporters up and down. "Look..."

Scott blinked back as something behind him caught the group's attention. It must have been Pearl, apparently people sometimes marvel at her powers when they first learn of them. Scott didn't think much of it.

"Of COURSE I wouldn't hurt a news reporter," Lizzie exaggerated her speech and pronunciation, but Scott wasn't sure she was lying. "I may be red, but I'm not a monster. I'm sure there's been a misunderstanding-"

Scott looked back at Pearl and he let the barrier down. Not confused and trapped, the four looked rather sensible. Blue shirt came forward.

"Let us introduce ourselves," he bowed slightly, looking towards Lizzie who gave him a nod. "I'm BigB, the one biting her tongue not insulting you is Cleo. The one pitting on an accent for no reason is Ren. And of course, Lizzie is our leader. We are the Fairy Fort."

Pearl crossed her arms, putting the camera down next to her. "Do you even have a fort? And did you say you were REDS?!"

"Yeah but we haven't done anything particularly red like in a while," Lizzie rolled her eyes, kicking at the dirt. "Just ya know, making enemies. What was even the last crime we did?"

Cleo leaned against the wall. "We beat up that prophet."

"Oh yeah!" Lizzie perked up, turning back to the reporters. "I beat Jimmy up, what else?"

"Antagonizing Southlanders?" BigB offered.

"Striking fear into the hearts of out adversaries?" Ren glowered. He clutched the hilt of his sword.

"That as well," Lizzie waved them off. "And a little... what do you call it?"

The armor stand had snuck around them. Cleo flicked her fingers and the stand picked up Pearl's camera.

"Hey!" Pearl went forward, only to be stopped by three other stands, previously standing idle by Cleo.

"Oh yeah!" Lizzie smiled. "Petty theft."

Pearl snarled, thrashing in the hold of the stands. Scott felt tremors in the ground, the street lamps blazing impossibly bright. "You five better-"

Lizzie's eyes went wide as she wipped around. Cleo took Pearl's camera, BigB and Ren looking around. But as far as the reds went, it was just the four of them.

"Impulse," Ren glared around. "He's here."

"Can no one else see that guy?" Pearl turned to Scott, confusion on her face. "Floating? Glowing yellow? Has an exclamation point shirt?"

"Disperse!" Lizzie shouted. She pushed past Scott and Pearl shoving them out of her way. It... it stung when she touched him.

Cleo made a pyramid of her and her armor stands, climbing atop the building the alleyway was surrounded by. BigB followed behind her and Ren jumped onto a dumpster to get on top the adjacent building. The news reporters were quite literally, left in the dark.

"Hey..." Scott said after a minute. "Didn't Jimmy say a guy from the Southlands was named Impulse?"

Pearl stomped. "I would suggest looking through the footage, but we can't even do THAT since that lady had her TOYS steal my camera."

"And they said they were the ones to eat up Jimmy!" A few things clicked in Scott's head. "So Lizzie must be Jimmy's sister, which makes sense why she hurts to the touch if she has poison powers."

"Scott," he turned as Pearl put her hand on his shoulder. "I understand now. Let's get so so very involved in this red/green thing and let's get my camera back."

Scott rolled his eyes. "That's only cuz you're not the one getting 'wounded. Badly.'"

Pearl had murder in her eyes, storming ahead of Scott. "They'll never see me coming."

Chapter Text

Wrath.

Pearl was seething. She led Scott back to the apartment, landing face flat on the couch and screaming. All the lights in the room went out.

"Pearl..." Scott hesitantly got closer. "It's okay, we can get it back. The moon's waxing, right? We've got this!"

Pearl looked up, murder in her eyes. She saw them glow in the reflection of the window. "Rule number one of being a camera man, Scott. Guard your camera with. Your. Life."

"Uhmm..." Scott backed away as Pearl stood back up. She paced around the apartment, sparks of light flinging off her fingers. "Well, it was just a bunch of reds, right? And they said something... BEST? They seemed scared of whoever those guys are. We can go and find them, and boom! Get you camera back!"

Pearl glared. Not that she didn't appreciate the help, she was just generally peeved off at anything that moved. "Where would we even START with that?"

Something knocked on the window. Pearl thought it was a bird, but it was a piece of paper, some kind of flyer.

*BEST: BEST Guys for the Job!*
*call now for your first free mission!*

Scott lit up, making a box around the flyer. He opened the window and brought the box inside. "Adversizing crime fighting, interesting."

Pearl caught the paper as the clear blue box disappeared from around it. "No address..."

"Lizzie said something about the northern parts of the city, should we check there?" Scott offered. Pearl considered it, her anger simmering down.

"Maybe..." Pearl looked at the sky, turning purple from pitch black. "Let's get some sleep first."

Scott groaned. "Ugh... time to go sleep on my giant ERASER-"

Pearl snickered, flicking her hands to turn the lights off. "Night, Scott!"

"Night!"

-

Pearl doesn't dream, she can't recall a time she ever did.

-

Pearl yawned, waking up and making a coffee. Her eyes no longer glowing, but her pupils were still only half there. And... the coffee CERTAINLY woke her up.

Feeling a little jittery, she put on the TV and started doing some work out while watching the news (CLEARLY not as good as Noxcrew, but still).

"It's Sunday, you know what that means!" An overly peppy news reporter said. Gosh, Pearl was so glad she wasn't paired with someone like HER.

"Time for-" The guy next to her got overly hyped up. A text flashed across the screen. "Red Roundup!"

Pearl stopped her jumping jacks and looked at the screen in confusion. "Scott! Come check this out!"

Scott, being the morning person he is, rolled out of bed and trudged to the living room still half asleep. Even Pearl, who had night based powers, wasn't that bad at waking up in the morning. At least his eyes became awake as he saw the news.

"What the..." Scott sat on the couch. He quickly grabbed for the notepad and pen on the coffee table.

"Here is the announcements of reds this week:

"Lizzie D. Shadow

"Joel S. Beans

"Good 'Scar' Times

"Ren Dog

"Big B. Starz

"This concludes the Red Roundup of the week. Please bear in mind to only pursue these people at night, day fighting will put every party involved on the red list. Stay tuned for later-"

The news reporter droned on as the two (better) news reporters stared agape at the TV.

"Huh?!" Pearl jolted forward, inspecting the screen as if it still had clues on it. "They just?! Announce it?"

"Aren't those the guys from Magic Mountain?" Scott squinted at the screen as well. "And I don't actually see a Cleo on there."

"No fighting during the day?" Pearl blinked back. "I guess that explains how Lizzie could beat up her own brother. Wait..."

"Lizzie and Joel were married?!" Scott furrowed his brow. "I feel like both of them could do better."

"What does that even-" Pearl frowned, knowing better than to judge Scott's weird assessments of people. "Whatever, but they have to be the northern reds Lizzie was talking about, right? Surely THEY would know where to find BEST."

"Would reds want to help us find greens to in theory arrest other reds?" Scott wondered out loud. Both of them were still kind of figuring the ins and outs of the system.

"I'm... SURE they'd appreciate the greens out of their hair," Pearl suggested slyly. "And besides, the two groups of reds didn't seem very fond of eachother."

Scott buffered. "They're married?!"

Pearl shrugged. "Same difference. Come on, I didn't feel like making breakfast anyway."

"I didn't feel like paying thirty dollars for two sandwiches anyway..." Scott rubbed his temples, not having the edge Pearl's coffee gave her. "Nope. Screw it. I'm making breakfast here I'm not getting scammed again."

Pearl rolled her eyes. "Maje me something too, I'm gonna go out."

"Go out where?" Scott asked, turning on the stove and checking the fridge.

"Go and kill someone, bye!" Pearl leaned back and waved before shutting the door, not bothering to wait and see Scott's reaction.

Pearl loved her camera like a dragon loved gold, as in it was hers and she'd become violent if someone tried to take it.

It had all the footage they needed to submit to Noxcrew, as well as all the footage from Jimmy's interview. She didn't really want reds seeing green secrets.

And it was expensive and probably get cut out of Pearl's pay if she lost or broke it.

But all Pearl had to go off of was the south. She wandered around the streets, admittedly kind of nice without a ten pound camera to carry, but eventually got bored. Hell, they were probably avoiding her.

Who would know where Lizzie was?

Joel wouldn't tell her, even if the night didn't matter it was still his wife. Scar probably wouldn't know either. The Southlanders...

The fuzzy blue outline.

It would be much easier to find a green than red.

Pearl smiled, hunting down a certain spy.

...

Scott groaned,brushing his teeth and hair, not bothering to try and look too awake.

Lizzie, Ren, and BigB were reds that the Southlanders foiled... so Joel and Scar must be the northern reds they were talking about.

The ones that would lead him to BEST.

Scott entered the sandwich shop, going up to Scar at the counter. He snickered, seeing how tired Scott was.

"Not a morning person?" Scar tilted his head, leaning forward.

"Not a staying up all night person," Scott glared. "One black coffee. And then can I ask you and Joel some questions?"

"I'm guessing this was your first Red Roundup?" Scar asked, pushing numbers into the register. "Yeah, I'll see what we can answer. No charms on the coffee, my treat."

Scott narrowed his eyes. "How much for one coffee...?"

"Seven dollars."

Okay. Scott was about to go green JUST to get the legal opportunity to beat this guy up.

Scott sighed and gave him to money, sitting down at a booth. It was early in the morning, why would Pearl wake him at this hour, so no one was really in the shop. Scar and Joel sat across from him after tidying some things up.

Scott cleared his throat. "I'm here to ask some questions-"

"Where's the camera man?" Joel sneered. "I literally spent five minutes in the bathroom to look nice for an interview-"

"I thought you were cleaning the bathroom?" Scar looked over, crossing his arms.

Joel paused. "What about those questions?"

Scott rolled his eyes. "So you're married to Lizzie Shadow, and Jimmy Solidarity is your brother in law?"

"Yep!" Joel smiled. "I take it you went and talked with him? Still as sad and pathetic as I remember or...?"

"As a news reporter, I try and stay unbias," Scott dismissed the question. "Does that affect your personal lives at all?"

"Not really," Joel shrugged, leaning back. "Like we went to go visit Jimmy in the hospital, and he was glad to see us. Me and Lizzie don't shy away from fighting at night either."

"Interesting," Scott took mental note of that. "What made you two reds? How does that work?"

"Well as you can see here-" Scar vaguely motioned around to the whole shop. "I'm not exactly... making an honest living."

"I also beat up people in alleyways." Joel added.

"I'm eighty percent sure he's joking when he says that," Scar reassured Scott's worried expression. "Any other questions?"

"Yes..." Scott prepared to be chased out of the shop. "Do you two know where I can find team BEST?"

Every second the silence dragged on the more Scott regretted every life decision ever.

Eventually, Scar cut in. "Doesn't Tango work at that hardware store?"

"I thought it was an auto repair thing." Joel looked up at the other manager.

"I think it's both..." Scar tilted his head, the two droning off.

"Okay..." Scott stepped out of the booth. "Thank you, I'll see yall later."

Hardware... auto repair... there can only be one of those in the city. It's not like everyone was driving cars everywhere or everyone needed all technology to do things they could do with their powers.

After looking at a map, Scott looked up, determined. He turned around and started the directions.

*You Bet your Life! Luckiest repair guy in town!*

Chapter Text

Scott found the shop very quickly. Apparently, it had gained quiete name for itself, being... probably the strangest place to get a repair.

"You Bet your Life!" Was run by one Tango Tek, who had neither experience in engineering for basic utilities nor even an electronic based power. Infact, the way he fixed cars was he would mess around with the car and use a "luck charge", his super powered luck he could use three times a day.

The luck charge though? A 70% chance of working. The other 30% means the customer walks out with less money and less of a car than they walked in with.

The bell on the door rang as Scott stepped inside. Inside wasn't what an autorepair would look like, maybe more like an evil cartoon scientist.

There was a man in a red vest and golden hair that ended in a point. He was welding something, wearing red goggles to protect his eyes. But the most interesting thing about him was the backpack.

Scott wasn't really sure what it was at first, but did see weird snake like metal tunes assisting the man in his tinkering, moving around like extra limbs. Once again, like a cartoon villain.

Scott cleared his throat, tye man abruptly switching off his blow torch and snapping his head over. "Hello! I'm Tango, what can I do for you?"

"I'm a news reporter, Noxite," Scott explained. He looked around the room, many coming to mind. "Are you busy?"

"Nope!" Tango smiled, popping his p. "Hit me!"

Scott sat down next to Tango. He was still working, but doing a bit more safer work in his company. "Why aren't you a real mechanic if you know so much about all this tech?"

"The old stuff isn't the exact same as the new!" Tango gasped incredulously. "I can make my own things and fix modern machines, but stuff from the Before Times is just so weird! I'd rather use my luck than try and figure out what a 'motor' is."

Scott hummed, standing up to look around the shop. Other than the refusal to learn, Tango was pretty talented. "And the thing on your back, what is it?"

The sound of robotic movement whirred by him and Scott rented as the metallic tentacle things grabbed him by the shoulders, pulling him back over to sit by Tango.

"These-" Tango was a natural, the metal limbs moved in perfect sinc with his actual arms, expressive, efficient. "Are my prized invention. I broke both of my arms in an... unfortunate engineering accident, but wasable to design and perfect these babies while I was down. Even after my arms were all healed I continued on the project, and just look at them now!"

"And then one more question..." Scott's probably played into pride long enough to get what he wants now.

"Shoot." Tango fully stopped what he was doing and turned to Scott.

Scott leaned back in his seat, watching Tango closely. He still wasn't really sure how far greens and reds separated their selves from their civilian selves, if it was taboo to talk about it at the wrong time or what. "Where can I find BEST?"

Tango gave him a look of confusion, pulling his red goggles up into his hair. "They usually help me out here, but right now they're all at Magic Mountain. Why do you ask?"

"My friend and I need their help," Scott crossed his arms, backing up towards the door. "Can we meet you all somewhere tonight?"

"Yes..." Tango thought for a moment. His eyes lit up as he plucked a hair off of Scott's head.

"Hey!" Scott hissed, putting his hands up to his scalp. "What the-"

"We'll find you," Tango said, pulling the hair to its full length. "Anyways, want to buy anything?"

...

Gibbous.

Pearl walked down the street, sun setting, moon rising. She ran into Scott at Magic Mountain, and they agreed to meet by a weird mechanics shop at midnight.

So Pearl had about six hours to get her camera back for tonight.

The gibbous moon was low in the sky, heightening her senses. Unlike most other sensory powers, hers was off and on, giving her headaches every gibbous and full moon with the overload of noise and textures.

At least motorcycles weren't too popular in this city.

Pearl stocked the south of the city, listening for any members of the Fairy Fort. He had on her a short sword, but her abilities should be strong enough to hold their own without it.

Slow, leisurely footsteps about a street over. Quicker, sharper ones along with it. Metal scraping the sidewalk, probably a long sword. One of them was whistling.

"Scar-" an eyeroll was aparent in his voice. "A little more careful please? The night of the Red Roundup is always busy-"

"Come on," Scar scoffed, it was Magic Mountain, walking towards the street Pearl was on. What were they doing in the Southlanders territory? Lizzie made it sound like the two sides kept to themselves. "You heard what those news reporters said, BEST is all theirs tonight. Chill out, what should we do while their occupied?"

"Maybe get out of the only other green team's territory?" Joel said sarcastically. "The northern greens are all busy! Let's stay in the north!"

Pearl hid in an alley, closing her eyes so the glow wouldn't give her away. They walked past her, turning the corner.

"Remember WHY we're here?" Scar said. "We're stealing from YOUR wife, Joel. I would have thought you'd be a little more excited about it, you know what we can do with a camera with access to Noxcrew?"

Pearl opened her eyes, enraged. Oh HELL no. It would be much easier to get her camera back from someone she couldn't touch rather than someone with freaking CHARMSPEAK.

Pearl darted over to the two, ramming into Scar who fell over and then knocked over Joel. They both looked up, Joel sneering.

"What are YOU doing here?" Joel hissed, getting up. Man, him and Lizzie were perfect for eachother with all the hissing. "I thought you and Scott were with BEST right now!"

Pearl didn't respond as he brought down her short sword, quickly blocked by Joel's long sword before it sliced his neck open.

"Tell me where to get my camera back," Pearl growled. "Or else I'm going to stop going easy."

Joel and Scar froze as the sword pointed at them, but then looked at eachother, smiling.

Joel stood up, almost ignoring Pearl slicing at his chest, and stood up. While not completely healed, the wound certainly didn't look fresh, even seconds later.

Enhanced healing? Nothing Pearl couldn't take on.

Pearl and Joel traded punches, Pearl's eyes glowing brighter as the fight went on, Scar was standing off to the side, looking quite awkward, not really knowing how to cut in. Pearl was shaking the ground, making Joel trip up as she was more powerful than she was yesterday. But with each punch, Pearl could tell Joel was also getting stronger.

A few dots connected in Pearl's head. Uh oh.

Joel didn't have a healing factor. The more damage he took or dealt, the stronger he was getting. That was probably NOT something Pearl could take on.

In a panic, with bruises all over, Pearl made her hands glow. Of course, this was an illusion and meant nothing, but it was enough for Joel to back off and Scar to start talking. Well shoot.

"*Drop your sword!*" Scar shouted. Pearl's hesitancy left enough room for Joel to crawl away. Pearl shook like a leaf, trying to resist, but eventually gave in.

"*Turn your powers off!*" Scar yelled, gaining confidence. Joel snickered, watching his adversary be so helpless. Pearl HATED this. Her hands stopped glowing, the ground stopped shaking. Her breathing became heavy and quick, panicking that she couldn't turn off the heightened senses.

Joel stalked back closer to her, brandishing his sword. Scar had a full smile now. "*Hold still-*"

Something wooden grabbed Pearl from behind, twirling her away from the swinging sword and into the empty street. This city had little to no cars, but had streets for some reason. While Pearl was still frozen, the armor stand blocked Joel's swings with its arms and kicked him back to the ground.

"What are you doing?!" Scar shouted, scared again. Good.

"My powers only work on living things, idiot!" Joel retorted, rolling away from under the stand. "Do you see her?!"

"No-" Scar looked up to the top of the buildings surrounding them as another armor stand crept up from behind, also pushing him over. He uickly jumped up. "We've got to get out of here!"

Joel blocked a wooden punch with his sword, clearly struggling. "You think?!"

Joel ducked to the side as the stand charged at him, spinning away and running. Scarfollowed suit, the reds of Magic Mountain retreating.

Pearl shook herself off, able to move again, wincing as she pressed down on a bruise. Yep, that would leave a mark. A thud his the ground behind her.

Turning, she saw the same jerk who stole her camera. They looked rather unimpressed, both the armor stands returning to Cleo's side.

Pearl felt the wrath in her reignite. "YOU-"

"Save it for later, lunatic," Cleo rolled their eyes, crossing their arms. "Walk with me, I have something you might want, right?"

Pearl froze again- on her own violation- clenching her fists and glaring. She didn't confirm nor deny, but they both knew what Cleo had.

"Sorry about that by the way," Cleo said, putting their hands out in defense. Pearl couldn't tell if they were being genuin or not. "You know how it is, need to listen to the boss."

"So it was blackmail?!" Pearl said, incredulous.

"Eh..." Cleo thought for a moment. "Okay yeah, definetly blackmail. Anyway, we need your help."

"Why would I help the people who STOLE my camera?!" Pearl almost laughed.

"Maybe cuz Ren's prepared to smash it to pieces if you don't come with me." Cleo held up a walkie talkie, inspecting their nails.

Pearl fell silent again. For it being nearly a full moon, it really wasn't her night.

Cleo smiled, confident they had Pearl around their finger. "Come on, Lizzie's waiting."

Chapter Text

Pearl returned to the apartment after an... interesting conversation with Lizzie.

-

"I can see it in your eyes..." Lizze and Pearl had an uncomfortable eye contact moment (tm). "Moon based abilities can be awfully powerful."

"So I've been told," Pearl rolled her eyes. "So am I gonna get my camera back or am I gonna have to sit through a villain monolog?"

Lizzie sputtered, looking like a kicked puppy. "Hey... I'm not even a villain... and I work VERY hard on my monologs thank you."

"What Lizzie's trying to say," Cleo stepped in. "Is that we want your help against the Southlanders."

Pearl crossed her arms. "How so?"

"Incriminating footage is a good start," Lizzie suggested. She didn't seem at all like the conniving little brat when they first met right now. "Something that will make them red."

"Who do I start with?" Pearl blinked back. She forgot how fluid this city's law enforcement system was.

"Hmm..." Lizzie thought for a moment. She was definetly... quieter. "Start with Impulse. You'll be able to find him easier with your ability to see him... for some reason."

Pearl squinted, looking around the room. "Where's Ren and BigB? This seems like an 'everyone in the alliance' sort of meeting."

Lizzie shuffled her feet. "Lookout. Cleo, go get Pearl's camera. She can start finding evidence tomorrow night."

Cleo snapped her fingers, armor stands marching to get her camera. "Impulse works as their spy slash information gatherer. If we take him out first, the rest of the group will have no idea what's gonna hit them."

"No concern about Jimmy finding out?" Pearl asked, snatching the camera back from the armor stand, shooting a glare at Cleo. "Precondition and all?"

Lizzie stopped in her tracks, thinking for a moment. "I'll see that he's taken care of. Tomorrow, start gathering info. It'll be Monday. I want to see Impulse on next week's Red Roundup."

-

Pearl was lying upside down in the couch in their apartmentwhen Scott burst through the door.

He was clearly distressed, beathing heavily and barricadibg the door with his body. "There's a guy following me and I don't know what to do."

...

Pearl said nothing as she stared at him. He could hear footsteps going up the stairs of the apartment complex, and he knew Pearl could hear them too.

"Uhm..." Pearl pursed her lips. "It doesn't sound like they're slowing down... there also seems to be a few of them."

Scott opened his mouth to say something before he was thrown forward by the banging on the door. He quickly threw a barrier in front of him and Pearl as the door slammed open.

"Scott Smajor." The man nodded. He held up... something very thin and looked cyan in the light. Was that his hai-

Oh right. BEST.

"I'm Etho," he introduced himself walking in the door, ignoring the way Scottand Pearl shrunk back behind the shield. He had grey hair, but didn't look too old (what was it with this city and white hair-) as well as a scar over a red eye. His green winter jacket looked very warm, but it seemed useless and annoying at the start of summer. "And I take it this wasn't how you were expecting BEST to find you."

Scott hesitantly waved away the barrier, brushing himself off as he stood up. "I don't remember giving Tango my name..."

Etho shook his head. "All part of the power. Hunting, tracking, the likes."

"And where's the rest of them," Pearl glared, still sitting cross legged on the floor. She blinked back. "Okay, nevermind. I can hear-"

"ETHO!" a voice said loudly. It sounded gravely, like a side villain in an in depth kids show. "Introduce us!!!"

Etho sighed, but Scott could tell he was slightly smiling. "Okay... meet Bdubs."

"And me..." another voice said fake sadly. His voice was... Scotg would almost say commanding.

Etho rolled his eyes. "And Skizz."

"And me!" Tango piped in, peeking around the corner of the door frame, where they all must be waiting.

"They already know you!" Etho swatted at all of them as they came into the apartment. "Anyway, I was told you all needed help?"

"Yes," Scott began to explain, Pearl stood up. "We want revenge on the Fairy Fort. They stole Pearl's camera and we don't like them."

Bdubs nodded. He had on a fuzzy green cloak, mossy, and had big perceptive eyes. "We usually only deal with the north, but I think we can handle a bunch of southern reds! Who specifically did it?"

Pearl shuffled her feet, looking off to the side. "The main one... Lizzie. I went to get it back this evening, and they started blackmailing me to get some dirt if some greens."

"And you declined, right?" Skizz asked carefully. He wore a suit with the arms ripped off for some reason. While he looked relatively fit, it certainly wasn't enough to rip his sleeves off.

Pearl paused, looking around the room. "Of course I declined. I managed to get the camera back though, but I'm not letting their wrongdoings slide."

"Okay..." Etho thought for a moment. "And you got nothing from the Southlands?"

Scott blinked back, completely forgetting about the other group of greens. Maybe it was more efficient than asking the group in the north for help and distracting them from their duties.

On the other hand... Scott wasn't sure he trusted them. Jimmy didn't make them seem all too nice, kicking him out after he lost one fight. And the prophet got weirdly skittish every time his former teammates were mended.

Scott sighed. "Nope, nothing from the Southlands. They didn't seem friendly to the idea of taking requests on who to beat up. Will you help us or not?"

BEST all looked at eachother, silently coming to an agreement as they all nodded. Tango stepped forward. "Do you want to go to city hall in the morning to officially register as greens? Might make the legalities easier."

Scott cringed, sucking air through his teeth. Pearl had a similar reaction. "I don't think me or Scott are the kinds to do things officially. So far we've just been walking in on stuff and going from there."

Scott nodded. "Maybe some other time, but right now let's just plot some demises. Woo!"

...

Cleo messed with the old rag doll in her hand, making it dance. Nonliving humanoid shapes were very amusing to control.

BigB walked past the chair she was sitting in. As resident "non red just in it for the funzies", she was much more relaxed than the rest of the group. The old abandoned warehouse was a perfect place to make armor stands.

"I'm gonna go home now..." BigB tilted his head towards the large door. "It's getting late. I'll see you!"

"Bye! And oh-" Cleo waved before remembering something. "Lizzie said she wanted you to use your illusions to confuse Southlabders tomorrow. She said she wanted them a bit more scared earlier this morning. Something about greens fearing reds?"

"Oh yeah..." BigB scratched the back of his head nervously. He was one of Cleos best friends, but she could read him just about as well as she could read a Before Times language. So not very well. He quickly made for the door. "Okay see you got to go!"

BigB left in a rush, leaving Cleo confused,but she didn't really care enough to ponder too long about it. She continued working on crafting an armor stand, Ren saying he wanted a whole army. While that would be impossible for Cleo to control, the mental image was funny so she would attempt to make it.

A bit later, Lizzie burst through the door, Ren close behind. They went into a different part of the warehouse to attend to red affairs or whatever they did.

Even later, Lizzie angrily stormed back into Cleo's room, walking out. It looked like Ren was trying to reason with her.

"As soon as I find those news reporter idiots," Lizzie was seething. "I give them something to report on, that's for sure."

"We can get the camera back," Ren consoled. "Between the four of us, we've got it. The camera slipped under our noses once, but it won't happen again."

Cleo tilted her head as she worked, deciding she didn't want to get in the cross fire of whatever the two were talking about.

Cleo furrowed her brow. Wasn't LIZZIE the one to make that deal with Pearl?

Maybe if Cleo cared enough she would actually think about it,but right now, her kind droned on as she built.

Chapter Text

Scott sort of missed sleep, but he could sleep in the morning. Right now, he was put in charge of the defense of the night's stroll.

BEST was... strange, to say the least. They had a weird hodgepodge of powers that wasn't all too balanced. Like Scott and Pearl worked pretty well, a completely defensive power and completely offensive power, but not these four.

Skizz was apparently their main fighter, strength and agility. It was almost unnoticeable, but he wasn't getting tired like the rest of the group, going through the night.

Of course Tango had his probability powers, but those were almost always used up by the time night came. His robot arms were his main melee force, as they were quite versatile, if hard to control. He was even able to use them in place of his legs, creeping down the street like a spider.

Etho could hunt and track anything as long as he had a piece of the thing he was tracking, like Scott's hair. Once again, not really useful in fights. He really only got them to fights with reds with pieces of them. Apparently he had several locks of hair, some blood samples, patches of clothes, and even a tooth. Scott didn't really want to ask where that one was from.

Bdubs had... honestly a quite powerful ability. Like, almost Pearl level powerful. Not stopping- but slowing down time. Bdubs demonstrated his power immediately to the news reporters by stealing their TV remote and switching it off the news channel, which was a strange moment of blurring and knowing they couldn't have stopped them if they wanted to. Scott hasn't known Bdubs for long, but with a power like that? And his bordering frantic personality? There was no doubt the silly man was a force to be reckoned with.

The six were walking on the street. It was still a gibbous, tomorrow or the next day it would be full, so her and Skizz were walking in front of the group. Scott was walking by Tango behind them, and then Bdubs and Etho behind them.

"And are you guys ever I'm contact with the Southlanders?" Scott overheard Pearl ask.

"Over heard" as in "intentionally eavesdropping".

"Not really," Skizz shrugged. "We all usually keep to ourselves, but every so often I see them places in the southern parts of town."

"Like where?" Pearl asked again. "Do they have a place like Tango's shop they hang out at or-"

"The news reporters," Etho whispered. Scott latched on to it, losing track of Pearl and Skizz's conversation. "I don't like this..."

"Relax!" Bdubs said, way louder. "Nothing we couldn't handle if they go rogue. Besides, they're just getting their stuff back. No harm there."

"But a camera?!" Etho said, sounding like he was trying to shush his partner. "Seems arbitrary. Especially for someone to steal."

"Like they said. Blackmail. Come on, it's not always what it SEEMS."

"I still don't like this-"

"Scott!"

Scott snapped his head back over to Tango, who was trying to converse with him. Oh yeah. Scott was too busy eavesdropping to realize he was in the middle of talking to someone.

"Yeah yeah..." Scott nervously laughed. He had kind of forgot what Tango had said. "And the arms? I bet you can make more money like that than sometimes fixing appliances barely anyone uses."

Tango rolled his eyes. "Honestly? Kind of like the thrill. I love it when my powers go wrong, cuz where's the fun if they don't? I sound insane."

"Yeah," Scott confirmed. "And the-"

Pearl stopped, and the whole group came to a halt. She held out her hands, her eyes wide, observing.

"Scar and Joel," she whispered. "Get ready for a fight."

"Do we want to fight?" Etho crossed his arms.

Pearl readied herself, drawing a dagger. "Probably not, but they will."

Scott made two shields on his forearms Etho used a hand crossbow, Bdubs and Skizz were weapon less. Tango's arms whirred as he spun them into an attack position. He leaned in to whisper to Scott.

"Don't let Joel hit you," Tango whispered. "Especially with this many of us, it will only add up and he'll get too strong."

Pearl snapped her head to the side. "ROOF!"

Scott looked up and covered himself with the shields just as a Scar landed on him, pressing off the barriers and landing on his feet on the sidewalk.

Scar smiled, looking up at Scott. The man's friendly demeanor from the Cafe was gone.

"*Take down the shiel-*"

Before he could finish, Bdubs barreled past him in a blur, knocking Scar to the ground.

"And don't let Scar talk to you," Tango said, looking over as Joel landed in an alley across the street from them. He looked over and nodded at Skizz. "Excuse me for a second-"

Tango ran over, his speed was assisted by the metal arms and engaged in combat with Joel. The red swung manically with his axe, but was blocked by the arms and pushed farther and farther away from the fight.

"*Give me the-* WOAH!" Scar ducked under an arrow from Etho. "Can I PLEASE finish-"

Scott encased him on all sides with blue barriers as he was distracted. Scar groaned and banged on the glass.

Scott looked over as he heard clanging metal, Joel being easily overtaken by Tango. He was on the ground pinned by the metal arms, unable to contest any gained strength against the mechanics.

"What do you even DO with the reds you catch?" Scott asked, lifting the box up in the air so it was floating a few feet off the ground.

"Send them to city hall, the mayor will deal them," Etho explained. "Honestly, this is the first red BEST has caught."

Scott stared at him for a moment. "What."

"Etho!" Tango said through gritted teeth. He has Joel wrapped up, unable to deal or take damage. "BEST doesn't value itself with numbers-"

"The city does though." Ethi shrugged.

Pearl chuckled, Scott might have tok if he wasn't in the middle of the conversation. "Okay, we take them to city- SCOTT-"

Scott looked over at Pearl just in time to be shoved to the ground by... seemingly wooden hands. Just when his night was going good, a member of the Fairy Fort showed up.

"Fancy seeing younall here!" Cleo said from the top of a building. "No reds are being turned in today, thank you."

"Why do you even care, you're not red!" Scott shouted. The box around Scar faded and he was free.

Cleo shrugged, a smile curling at the edges of her mouth. Scott turned to look at Pearl, right besides him.

But... her eyes weren't glowing.

"Wha-" Scott's eyes went wide as Pearl's form shifted, turning into BigB. Caught off guard, the illusionist swept his feet and knocked Scott to the ground again.

Right before his eyes, a whirl of flashing lights danced around him, all different colors. Like a heard if zebra running from a lion, Scott couldn't tell what was going on with the lights everywhere.

Across the street, Scott could make out something very similar happening to Tango, forcing him to drop Joel.

BigB smiled, seeing his plans working, before being hit in the head with a small rock. He looked over at an angry Pearl.

"Stop bugging me," she hissed, dashing at him, knife bared. "I-"

She slashed at BigB, missing because of the lights and her anger. An armor stand pushed her, but she caught herself and kicked it in the chest, snapping the main spine beam on the ground.

"Cannot STAND this nonsense!" Pearl shouted. "What do you care about a camera?! Or reds that have nothing to do-"

"*Drop the knife.*" Well crap.

Scar was back up, Skizz was being warded off by Joel, who was getting stronger and stronger. Pearl froze and did as he said.

Scott jumped back up, ready to fight, but Scar tilted his head over to him, contempt on his face.

"*Attack Pearl.*"

"What?!" Pearl shouted, snapped out of her temporary trance.

Scott didn't waste a second summoning pointed barriers on his arms. He bolted over to Pearl, slicing at her. In a panic, she dodged and jumped back, kicking Scott in the chest.

He couldn't NOT fight her. He HAD to, like his life depended on it. It probably did, Scar would kill him Scar COULD kill him and-

He slid onto his knees, twirling back around to Pearl. He punch and kicked at her, each attack getting easily blocked. Overall, Pearl looked pained.

Cleo jumped down from the roof she was on, going over to fist bump BigB. Scar turned to Skizz

"*Stop blocking Joel, but keep attacking.*"

Scott blinked, looking over at Scar. He... he didn't need to attack Pearl, what was he thinking. He held his hands up and Pearl prepared a punch, signaling to her he was good now.

Skizz on the other hand, was bloody. He was bruised and there were a few open wounds where Joel had got him with his axe, over all not very good.

"Gah!" Cleo fell over as Bdubs barreled into her, Scott didn't even see him coming.

BigB caught her before she hit the ground and they smiled at eachother. They both stood up, back to back in a battle stance.

"You got my back?" Cleo asked. She brought her two Armour stand to either side of them, making a defense square.

BigB nodded. "Always."

Cleo and BigB were scarily enough, terrifying together. They worked as one unit, even as two people with several more units underneath that with the armor stands and illusions. Even with Etho shooting at them and Bdubs's speed as he slowed time, Scott would go as far as to say they were coming out on top.

Scott was too absorbed watching the Duo fight to realize Joel was about to attack him. He raised up a shield, the impact of the axe causing it to flicker and fade away. Scott looked up in fear as Joel grinned.

Skizz was getting sloppy, probably from how beat up he was. As well as Pearl, who was too angry and too jittery to fully focus on one fight, trying to focus in on several people at once and failing.

Scott was also getting tired, the constant resumoning of barriers because of how Joel could break them was draining. He was getting sluggish, and he didn't know how much longer he could go.

Just as a last ditch flickering shield raised above his head, Scott felt a lurch in his stomach.

Wind in his face, he was underwater. Underwater, everything is slower, working against the current. Scott looked down to see Bdubs, looking back to see Joel nit even noticing he's gone yet.

The feeling stopped as he was landed on the street corner, Etho was already there.

"I'm getting the others," Bdubs panted. Like other power, it was exhausting to use too much consecutively. "Start running, I don't think we're gonna win this one!"

"I can't leave without Pearl!" Scott looked around the green to sed where his cameraman was, as she was fighting alongside Tango with BigB and Cleo.

Etho shook his head. "And I can't leave without the rest of BEST!"

"ILL CALL IF I NEED YOU!" Bdubs shouted, clearly annoyed at their martyrdom. "I'll get the others, I promise, but get YOURSELVES out of here before some reds start fighting you again!"

Scott gritted his teeth, looking between Bdubs and Pearl. He nodded, running off with Etho back to... wherever Etho was going, he guessed.

Well, that could have gone better.

Chapter Text

It was morning (it was one in the afternoon) when Pearl woke up. She got out of bed, having slept in her clothes from the previous day, did basic hygienic stuff, and went out.

Today Scott would be dealing with the post office, sending all recordings so far to Noxcrew. Apparently this would be a weekly thing, but they both elected Scott should be the one doing it, as he was "the face" of the operation.

So Pearl was walking through the streets. Her goal today was finding Impulse, making friends, the likes. She needed to find out why she could see his ghost form, and find out how to catch it and turn in evidence to the town's news anchor, turning him red.

And she knew exactly where he'd be.

...

Cleo was standing near the door of the warehouse, controlling armor stands to stand guard besides Lizzie as Ren gave her information.

She looked through the gap between the double doors, smiling at BigB, who was standing guard and casting decoys around the building. Cleo never really payed attention to these meetings, but she was listening more than usual.

"My informant told me the Southlanders are preparing an attack tonight," Ren said gravely. Cleo was pretty sure he took his red title more serious than even Lizzie. "They want to travel north to go to Magic Mountain. Do we go and help our fellow reds?"

Lizzie thought for a moment. "We stay in the south. This is the perfect opportunity to see how that camera got away from me without any green interference."

Cleo looked over. That is exactly what she wanted to hear about.

Cleo saw Lizzie trade away the camera she was so angry about, and she acts like she doesn't even remember. Something is up.

"I still suggest you inform Joel of the attack today," Ren tilted his head. "The Southlands, while disorganized, are no joke."

"Oh gosh, of course I'm telling Joel!" Lizzie said incredulously. "I tell him everything non detrimental, red solidarity after all! I also told him to be on the look out for those news reporters."

Ren blinked back. "I thought you said you wouldn't hurt news reporters."

Lizzie shrugged, smiling. "They don't have to know I was the messenger. Let's go."

Cleo looked at Lizzie as she left. She crossed her arms. "Go where? It's the middle of the afternoon!"

"Oh, I thought we would all leave together." Lizzie tilted her head like a cat being told not to knock water off the counter.

"That won't look suspicious," Cleo rolled her eyes. "No, I'm going home until night."

"As am I," BigB chuckled. "Who knew a strictly at night justice system was so harmful to a sleep schedule?"

Cleo snorted as Cleo froze her armor stands, dormant. She fist bumped BigB and went with him inside to pack away some things.

"Excited to be RELEASED of your RED CURSE?!" Cleo feigned dramatics, both of them knew she was making fun of Ren.

BigB nodded, exasperated. He was tired. "I'm ready to be done with a of this. Only a week more before I can quit the Fairy Fort, and then another until I won't be on the Red Roundup."

"A year working with that lunatic," Cleo shook her head fake soberly. "All because you splashed her with her own blood."

"Yeah," BigB thought for a moment. "How are you not red yet?!"

"Please," Cleo rolled her eyes. "It's been two months, only one of those I actually showed my face. I'm sure the news will catch up eventually."

The two chatted as they packed things up, just a bunch of busy work so Lizzie and Ren would leave before them. They said goodbye and went their separate ways.

"I'll see you later!" Cleo called out and waved, giving her friendliest smile.

BigB jumped, looking at her sadly for a second before waving back. "See ya!"

... it wouldn't hurt now to hunt down a certain cameraman.

Call Cleo paranoid, but she was going insane. Did that happen? Did she imagine it? Did she unconsciously betray the Fairy Fort?

Pearl was the only other witness.

...

Pearl walked into the restaurant. Crastle was a very good 24 hour breakfast place. She scanned the room.

In the corner, Impulse was eating by himself. Or, he was the only other person in the eating area, so it was kind of hard for him to not be by himself.

Pearl walked over and slid into the booth. They looked at eachother for a moment as Impulse put down his breakfast burrito.

"Can I do something for you?" Impulse asked, a little annoyed.

"I just wanted to say," Pearl looked for words. She couldn't look suspicious here. "I'm sorry for ratting you out to the Fairy Fort. I thought everyone there could see you."

"No worries," Impulse sighed. There were clearly worries. "I just wanted to see what they were up to. But I do wonder..."

Impulse trailed off, reaching into his bag and pulling out a notebook and paper.

"Why CAN you see me?" Impulse exclaimed. "I mean... that's never happened before! Other people with orange energy can see me, but YOU are not even an energy user!"

"Well..." Pearl thought for a minute.

This was so good. She needed to find out how she saw Impulse. It doesn't matter if SHE can see him, the camera needs to catch it too.

"Ah!" Pearl hummed. "At night my eyes glow like black light. My optometrist hates me! Could that have anything to do with it?"

Impulse blinked back. "That's exactly it, actually! I'm visible under black light, yeah."

"Huh!" Pearl feigned interest as Impulse scribbled something in his notebook, putting it away. "Orange energy... what do you do with it?"

Impulse shrugged. "The Southlanders usually have me spy on other factions, which is nice because that's pretty much the only time I sleep."

"Even other greens?" Pearl asked, noticing his nonspecific language.

Impulse sputtered. "I- well... only if they TELL me too-"

Pearl laughed. Got him. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

No it's not.

"I'll catch you around!" Pearl hot out of the booth and left the diner. That, she will do.

Well, there was only one faction of greens he could get in trouble with. As well as they hand an engineer that probably had black lights.

Pearl chuckled to herself. This would be easier than she thought.

...

Scott... had some plans.

He was at home, standing over a cork board at the coffee table. He laced things up with red strings.

He was still in danger. He still worried about that prophesy, and the things Jimmy wasn't telling him. Scott could DIE.

Or, Jimmy just said badly hurt. But no one can blame a girl for being NERVOUS about A PROPHESY.

And its not like he was getting anywhere. Who was going to beat him up, why, it was getting frustrating. All he knew was that it was a Southlander, but even that got him no where. Hell, he's barely even TALKED to the Southlanders, leg alone antagonize them.

But he did research on the computers at Tango's shop.

The Southlands consisted of Mumbo Jumbo, Grian, Impulse S. V., Martyn Inthelittlewood, and- formerly- Jimmy Solidarity.

They were much more put together than BEST as far as powers and balancing went. Spies and ranged attacks and melee fighters-

Or, Grian was their melee, but not for his power presumably. The green and red updates cite said nothing about his powers, where as everyone else's was one of the first things they mentioned.

So, no motive. No clues to who. Scott couldn't prevent this from happening. But, maybe Scott could be prepared when it happens.

But being quite honest, who was gonna be scared of a fighting adverse blue energy guy? No. He needed to be someone people revered. People were scared of. Powerful.

Scott thought for a moment before realizing something.

Why not just take all that advice LITERALLY?

Literally BECOME someone people were scared of.

But Scott wasn't the best cosplayer. How would that work?

Scott's eyes landed on the doodle he did for each alliance. What looked like a rook in a game of chess in pink.

Scott knew someone who vould help.

Chapter Text

Grian rolled his eyes. "It's really quite simple, Martyn. You're a traitor- worse than the boy who wouldn't fight his sister- and you're being exiled from the Southlands."

Grian was standing in the middle of a dark room, it looked like Magic Mountain late at night.

But... it was just Grian. The first exile from the Southlands it was four against one, now it's only Grian.

Martyn bristled. "What Southlands! Every passing comment, every slight, you've kicked out everyone who would have fought with you!"

"Even if that's true," Grian stepped forward and Martyn went back. "There's a difference between turning red suddenly and secretly helping reds this whole time!"

"I was helping friends" Martyn yelled. "Not reds! Ren's my friend! YOURE my firend, but you sure aren't acting like it."

Grian hissed. "Martyn, you are no longer part of the Southlands."

"Where am I to go?!" Martyn looked around, laughing. "Where are YOU gonna go, you have no one left!"

"I have other people willing to help me," Grian grinned. "Everyone wants power and money and whatever else."

Martyn glared. "That's not why we're greens. I've seen it, I've seen it in your mind, that is not why you signed up to be green."

Grian tilted his head. "And can you hear my lies?"

Martyn paused, clenching his fists.

Grian tsked. "You can't say I'm not telling the truth when your power is literally detecting lies. Alright, you can come out now!"

Two figures emerged from the shadows. It was easy to tell who they were, they were all in Magic Mountain, after all.

Martyn scoffed. "I'M the one working with reds?"

"See here, I'm not betraying anyone now," Grian smiled. "You have what... three days before the news announces you red? I've got at least ten before the media catches up. Joel? Scar?"

Martyn's eyes went wide as he dashed out of the shop. Scar pursued him, sword in hand, but Grian grabbed Joel before he could leave.

"Not yet," Grian looked ecstatic. He always overreacted, victories and losses. "I want you to get those news reporters."

Joel raised his eyebrows. "Any reason?"

Grian looked up, a glint in his eyes. "I no longer need them."

The scene changed.

Tango- from You Bet your Life- stormed into his mechanics shop. Something looked off, and it wasn't the "about to commit murder" face.

He slammed down his... metal backpack thing on the table. He looked rightfully pissed. Probably having to do with the backpack being burnt up, scratched, and even bent in some places.

The rest of BEST came in after him.

"Look," Bdubs spoke up, stepping farther into the shop. "Look I'm sorry-"

"Sorry?!" Tango whipped around. "You destroyed my prized invention!"

"It was the only way to make the reds think I was on their side!" Bdubs yelled back. "Come on. There are SO MANY REDS now, it's not like when there were only like, five."

Tango turned away from him, taking out a screw driver and starting to fix his backpack thing. He hissed, seeing the insides fried.

Bdubs went from leaning forward to firmly planting his feet. "We all need to make sacrifices."

Tango flared. "Well next time sacrifice something of your own! Until then, I'm DONE with BEST."

Etho reached out. "Tango-"

Tango rolled his eyes. "Go ahead! Take his side again!"

Etho stood by Bdubs, putting a hand on his shoulder. "We need to stick together. Like he said earlier, there are too many reds now to face alone."

"Who says I'm staying green?!"

The group fell silent.

Skizz put his hands up. "Tango, don't be hasty. We can help fix it! We... come on. You're not going red."

"It's not Sunday yet," Tango tensed up. "I'll steal something, beat a green up, bottom line is I am never going to be a part of best again."

The only noise was the metal against the table as Tango disassembled his pride and joy. Tango felt eyes on his back.

"Are you going to get out of my shop?" Tango rolled his eyes, frustrated. "Or am I going to have to make you?"

Etho slumped his shoulders, staring at his former friend before holding the door open as Skizz walked out. Bdubs stopped in the door frame.

"As soon as you go red you're gonna see how wrong you were." Bdubs glared, not turning around nor looking back.

Tango's hands stopped. "As soon as we have to face eachother you'll realize how wrong YOU were."

Etho held the door open a second longer as everyone left looking inside sadly at the bitter man. He sighed, closing the door as the bell jingled.

Jimmy woke up.

...

Something wasn't adding up to Scott.

Pearl had her camera back, simply refusing the blackmail that the Fairy Fort had threatened her with. Scott hasn't Bern in the crime scene for long, but he's pretty sure that that is NOT how that works.

That also didn't really seem like the poison to the touch Lizzie he had met.

And he NEVER sees anything about greens or reds on the news. He knew it wasn't a hero agency, but every other town he's been to has had at least SOME coverage of heroes and villains and vigilantes and whatever else.

Scott went out, almost sunset. He didn't doubt he could take it if a red attacked him, and in his experience there'd be some greens nearby anyway.

So he found himself by You Bet Your Life. Full of LEDs, black lights hurting his eyes.

Quite... a few places had black lights, actually. A restaurant called Crastle, Magic Mountain, post office, city hall, any business had at least three. But by far the most was at Tango's shop.

The two loudest reds could be heard up the street, Scott ducked into an alley.

"Lizzie's been buzzing all day," Joel snickered, a certain softness in his voice that was gone the next second. "That reporter should be getting her job done today."

Scott held his breath to repress his audible surprise. Scott was very skilled at staying quiet.

But... Pearl?

"Turning a Southlander red?" Scar scoffed. "I can imagine. I doubt the Southlands would be that quick to hunt down one of their own-"

"Eh," Joel shrugged. "They were pretty quick to turn on Jimmy when he was down. I'd say it's in their wheelhouse."

"But that would certainly get BEST off our tails if there's another red up north." Scar pointed out.

"Even if she messes up..." Joel said slowly. "That still might be another red for everyone to deal with! If she does THAT bad a job."

The two walked by the alley, not noticing him. The continued talking.

Pearl?

Scott was light on his feet, coming out of the alley way not making a sound. As soon as he was far enough away from the reds, he started running.

PEARL?!

What- she said she refused the Fairy Fort's offer? She was ruining someone's whole reputation and social life it seems and-

Wow, they were really in it now. Only one report back to Noxite, and they were already becoming criminals.

Scott ran into the apartment, Pearl wasn't home. She was either out now or... what was she going to do?

Her camera was not in the apartment. She must have it, there was plenty of film in the camera, the cable to connect it to screens was gone.

Just as Scott decided to go out again, the door opened to Pearl standing there. Her eyes glowed with the power of the full moon.

"Hey!" She smiled, setting the camera down on the coffee table. Pearl tilted her head, noticing his devastated expression. "Hey, you alright?"

Scott was shaking. He couldn't tell if it was anger or fear of what was to come. "What the hell did you just do?"

Chapter Text

Did Pearl want to explain herself?

... no, not really.

She sent the photos to city hall, hand delivering the envelope as well as a hard drive with video evidence.

And she wanted to go find Lizzie. Tonight, while she was at the height of her power.

"I have to go out..." Pearl avoided the question, making a grab for her bag. Before she could leave, Scott grabbed her hand.

"What did you just DO!" Scott was seething. "PEARL! We were keeping our heads low, we... oh my gosh! Who did you just turn?!"

"Just Impulse!" Pearl rolled her eyes. Yes, she felt bad but she couldn't let Scott know, not when they were arguing. "I'm... I'm going out."

"Then I'm going with you." Scott crossed his arms, going up next to her.

Pearl didn't want that. She knew there was no changing his mind, but she might have to kill him if he dies. Not to mention what Lizzie might say about that.

But... again, she did feel bad. She left Scott completely in the dark, it only seemed fair Pearl let him in on the missions and her motivations.

"Fine," Pearl glared right back at her friend. "But PLEASE try and be quiet. This is my problem, not yours."

"It's both of our problems." Scott said pointedly. Pearl didn't really care enough to retort.

It was... surprisingly quiet on the streets, which pissed off Pearl just a little. It was a FULL MOON and she wanted to FIGHT SOMETHING. Especially under its light, she could feel the moon coursing adrenaline through her veins. She was pumped.

"So... Lizzie, huh?" Scott tried to make small talk. "That's when you got your camera back, right? Must of..."

"Hey," Pearl remembered something. "Can you tell me if you notice anything weird about Lizzie? I know I've interacted with her like, once before this, but she just seemed... off."

"Okay..." Scott took note. With his natural perception and Pearl's heightened senses, they should be able to sniff out anything suspicious.

Because Pearl seriously doubted anyone in the Fairy Fort had self preservation skills, they heard them from a mile away. To be fair it WAS three in the morning, which usually greens went home at two.

"I'm telling you," a... not Fairy Fort voice said. Pearl and Scott looked at eachother. "The years almost up. BigB will be off the red list in three weeks, minimum."

"Sure Grian," Lizzie said, audibly rolling her eyes. "He still has a week left."

Pearl and Scott drew closer until they saw light coming from an alleyway.

... Southlands?

Impulse wasn't with them, that the first thing Pearl noticed. It was just Mumbo, Martyn, and Grian. Mumbo had... something in his hand glowing purple, Grian had a sword and Martyn a bow.

"I'm sure he wants to be green though," Grian snickered, turning to the man in question. "Come on, times up. You've made the cut and everything."

"Made the cut?" Cleo blinked back, two armor stands by her sides. "What the hell does that mean?"

"It means he's on our side now," Mumbo glared. Lizzie, Cleo, and Ren backed up as he held out the purple energy to them. "And we're taking him tonight."

Mumbo threw the crystal, just as Pearl remembered that purple energy meant explosions.

A blue wall erupted between the two sides, the crystal bouncing back to the Southlanders. Mumbo quickly waved his hand, the crystal exploding mid-air.

Everyone turned to look at the news reporters. Lovely.

"Well, if it isn't the newbies," Lizzie chuckled, stalking closer. "Wasn't expecting you here tonight-"

"Lizzie-" BigB reached out. "Careful, she's very powerful right now..."

"How can you even tell?" Cleo asked, jabbing him in the side in a friendly way.

BigB looked back over to them, squinting. "I can see it in her eyes."

... Pearl had heard that somewhere before.

"Blah blah blah," Grian rolled his eyes, getting bored of the exchange. "So, give us BigB or we're giving YOU to city hall."

"Come on," Ren scoffed. "There's four of us and three of you scum. And BigB doesn't even want to go with you guys!"

BigB cringed, tensing his shoulders. Cleo looked over. "BigB?"

BigB shrugged sheepishly, stepping away from his friend and shooting his hand straight up, snapping his fingers.

It was instant, Pearl had to blink a few times before she realized what was going on. Where BigB had stood was now a perfect illusion of Lizzie. He turned to Pearl.

"I appreciate you keeping Impulse away tonight," the illuson smiled. "But I'm afraid it wasn't Lizzie who ordered you to do that."

In just another instant the illusion turned back into BigB, who was avoiding Cleo's shocked gaze.

Ren was infuriated. "You dirty-"

"Impressive..." Lizzie smirked. She... didn't look mad? Which was strange, because Pearl and Cleo were both pissed. "That was your little try out for the Southlands, huh? Getting rid of one of them?"

"He made the cut, that's what's important," Grian spat. "Come on, get over with the greens where you belong."

"Are you KIDDING me?!" Cleo shouted stepping between Grian and BigB. "No! Lizzie, that's messed up! He tricked me! Us! Not an honorable discharge, a straight up betrayal!"

She turned to BigB. "I can't believe you didn't tell me! You can't tell me you'd go to the guys who would turn on you in an instant to prove a point!"

"So come back to the Fairy Fort!" Lizzie piped in, spreading her arms.

Cleo stepped back in shock. "No! This backstabber shouldn't be accepted anywhere! Red or green, he's a traitor!"

"I mean..." Ren took in the situation. "He did get rid of a green..."

"He was able to at that," Grian pointed out. "Truly a powerful asset for the Southlands."

Cleo stared at everyone in the alley, eyes wide. She turned back to Lizzie. "There is no way in hell I'm staying part of your little fort if you let that idiot back in."

BigB winced, Pearl almost forgot they used to be friends. "Cleo-"

"Come on!" Cleo shouted. "Answer me!"

Lizzie looked beyond her to BigB and the Southlanders, who were also waiting for BigB. He was the one who had make the choice.

BigB took a deep breath and backed up next to the Fairy Fort. Lizzie smiled.

"Thank you, BigB," Lizzie nodded. "Welcome back-"

"That's it," Cleo hissed. She whipped out an axe as the Southlanders also got ready for battle. "The only reason I ever joined you was for him, and he's the reason I'm leaving. I WILL remember this slight."

Grian nodded to Mumbo who produced a large crystal. He soaked in the terror of the group and just as he was about to throw it-

An arrow zipped past his face, right to the crystal. The explosion threw him backwards, leaving him on the ground and bloody before the battle even started.

There stood Martyn, bow drawn. He looked over to Ren. "Just like old times, my liege?"

Ren smiled as Martyn walked over, Grian's jaw dropping. "As always. Let the battle comence!"

Okay, now it was four to two in favor if the Fairy Fort, with Cleo stranded in the mix fighting by herself.

Pearl didn't even realize she was running into the fight before she felt Ren try and slice at her arm. She had only fought the red once, but she would have SWORN he seemed stronger than usual.

Lizzie wasn't using a weapon as she dealt punches to Grian, he looked pale and was beading sweat. He was knocked to the ground easily.

BigB made three illusions of himself as he dashed over to Mumbo, causing him confusion and disarray. He shot purple energy beams at the illusions, not sure which was the real one. They had him surrounded.

Scott jumped in as well, clearly not sure who he was fighting for. He created a barrier between an axe and Pearl before she got hit, as well as boxes around the armor stands. He shrugged to Pearl, who faceplanted.

Pearl held her breath and she felt all the weight loft off her feet. Her and everything else around started floating. Weapons clattered to the ground and powers shut off their effects as everyone got startled.

They were about fifteen feet in the air before she exhaled, letting everyone fall to the ground. Pearl landed on top a building, grabbing Cleo's arm and catching her as they fell.

Lizzie landed rather gracefully, turning towards the two with rage on her face. She dashed over and grabbed Cleo by the leg in an attempt to drag her back down.

Cleo cried out in pain as she kicked Lizzie off if her, pulling herself up on top the building. Pearl easily dragged her ul with her heightened strength.

Pearl looked down on the alley. "Scott!"

Scott looked up, quickly gathering what was going on. He made stairs appear in front of him, disappearing as soon as he stepped off each step so no one was behind him. He met Pearl and Cleo atop the building.

"Where to?" Scott asked, panting. "Might I suggest to bed?"

"I'll kill him!" Cleo stated, matter of factly. "He's a liar! He- how can they not SEE-"

"Chill out," Pearl tried to break her out of her anger. "Killing later, running from whatever that was now. Are you both good?"

Scott looked fine, just cuts and scrapes from getting knocked down and rolling and dodging about. Cleo though...

While it didn't seem to have an effect on her currently, the spot where Lizzie grappled her was a pale and sickly green, and very quickly spreading in splotches. Cleo didn't seem to notice or be in pain... it must be fine.

"We've got to get out of here," Scott said. "Come on, let's go back to the apartment."

"You cool with that?" Pearl asked, inquisitively holding a thumbs up.

Cleo bristled, looking behind her at the battle. "I suppose..."

"Cool..." there was an explosion, Pearl covering her ears at the unexpected loud noise. "I think that's our cue."

...

There was a weird pang in Jimmy's chest. He had a week left of being in the hospital, and he would be so annoyed if he had to stay longer-

But no, he knew what this was. A prophesy changed.

He had the same pang fighting Lizzie. He remembers the prophesy he had, him and Lizzie teaming up, demolishing both the Southlanders and the Fairy Fort.

But as soon as Lizzie grappled him in her poisonous grip he felt it. He knew it wasn't his sister's usual toxins, but that a prophesy failed.

He stood up and looked out to window. The past few prophesies he had...

It was Friday night. He would know Come Sunday what had went wrong, what twisted fate away from its course.

Chapter Text

Cleo sat cross armed on the couch. No, they didn't want to talk, thank you very much. They wanted to sulk like a movie protagonist in peace.

BigB...

They flared out, filled with sudden rage, making Scott and Pearl flinch back.

Oh yeah, they were in the news reporters' apartment.

The blue one barricaded the doors and said he wouldn't let Cleo leave until they a) got healed up and b) answered questions.

But when Cleo was angry, they went silent.

-

Cleo was walking with BigB, it was a quiet night in a new city. They both quickly learned of the red green system, but as a duo? The two had it covered, there wasn't a red they haven't passed.

"Lizzie-"

"Shut it Ren," there was a scuttling noise. Cleo might have mistaken it for a racoon if they didn't hear the human voices. "I've got this, I just need..."

"It's our first night as reds, Lizzie-" the other voice, Ren, cut in. "I'm pretty sure the greens want to focus on the long running problems."

"Jimmy told me yesterday before the Roundup they'd be here!" Lizzie whined. "Come on, what's the harm in a prank?"

"City hall." Ren reminded her.

Cleo and BigB stalked closer, wanting to see exactly what they were doing. The discovery was... uncerimonious.

The two reds, Lizzie D. Shadow and Ren Dog if Cleo remembered correctly (Cleo always remembers, they need to keep track of grudges somehow) were rummaging through garbage, looking for something. But also dropping off something.

Something small, wired...

Okay yeah, they were definetlysetting up bomb. In the path of greens that may or may not show up.

But hey, Cleo didn't like getting involved in things. They hadn't really had the time to make a statue workshop yet, so they were essentially without a superpower for the time being. Not to say they couldn't hold their own, but they'd certainly feel safer once they had armor stands by their side.

But BigB was pretty good at his illusions, like a zebra. Not necessarily a fighter, but caused enough confusion for them to get away unscathed.

"We lead the Spyglassers here and then-" Lizzie held a red button in her hand. And then she would press the button.

"I think they're the Southlands now," Ren tilted his head. "But there is five of them..."

Cleo and BigB nodded at eachother. BigB wiggled his hands (they weren't entirely sure how he did it) and what seemed to be a million of Cleo and him filled the alley.

"What the-" Lizzie punched left and right, the illusions he was touching poofing away. "They're illusions!"

Ren took out a sword and swung through the illusions. Cleo darted into the fray, seeing if they could extract the bomb.

But there was another thing in the dumpster, looked like a failed arts and crafts. A bunch of popsicle sticks glued together to look like a doll.

They wondered if they could...

Cleo held their hand up, the figurine coming to life. It was a simple design, but... kind of perfect. While ineffective at this scale, Cleo didn't doubt it would be easy to replicate.

"There!" Ren shouted, pointing as them. Cleo was snapped back to the present. "That ones using powers!"

Uh oh. Cleo took the bomb and started running, kind of forgetting about strategy, and ran straight over to BigB. This of course led the reds right over to their hiding spot, equipped with more weapons than the other two were at least.

"Well well well," Lizzie snickered, seeing the other two panic. "What have we here? Decided to foil my plans for fun, or new green meat?"

"Of course," Ren smiled, his stupid wearing sunglasses at night self. "Instigating fights without a green pass can make you reds like us."

Cleo looked at BigB, nodding at eachother. "Yes, we are greens! And you're under arrest!"

"Oh no!" Lizzie put her hands up in fake horror. "Like I dont hear that five times a night! You have the thing, Ren?"

Cleo elbowed BigB as they drew their pocket knife, signaling for him to do something. He blinked back and... it was hard to describe. Every movement of his left an imprint in Cleo's eyes, like the weird squiggles of color inside their eyelids after a firework show. It kind of hurt their eyes, it was hard to tell where their friend was.

"Get the other one," Lizzie turned to her henchman. "I'm gonna test this out."

Cleo saw a syringe in the red's hand, filled with dark rust blood. Ew. Before they could say anything, Ren dashed towards them with a short sword, which was very hard to fend off with a knife.

BigB and whatever evasion spell he put on himself was doing very good against Lizzie, who didn't land a single punch. She didn't seem to have any weapons, but they didn't know what kind of powers she had.

But Cleo was doing alright too. While Ren was skilled, Cleo was fueled on spite and self righteousness, so it evened out.

Just as Cleo kicked up and flung Ren's sword five feet away from him, there was a shriek. Cleo and Ren stopped fighting to look over at what had happened.

Ren pushed past Cleo, almost forgetting they were fighting in the first place. "Lizzie!"

It was almost like steam was coming off of Lizzie, slightly less so from BigB. On the lover part of her face was burning flesh, being slowly eaten away in a splash like pattern. BigB had the mark on his hand and held it close to him, trembling.

Lizzie hissed standing up. She unscathed her axe and pointed it down at BigB. Cleo, too busy making sure their friend was alright, didn't even notice Ren scampering away to get his sword back and point it at them.

Cleo put her arms up slowly, for BigB's sake. Trembling on the ground was not a good look in the middle of a fight. "You got us. What do you want?"

"This guy spashed me with my OWN FREAKING BLOOD!" Lizzie was seething. She was sweating profusely in pain, Ren edged closer to Cleo, holding the blade up to their neck now.

"Ew!" BigB winced back, looking up. "Why were you trying to inject blood into me?!"

"To cause severe pain clearly!" Lizzie snapped back. "You two better start listening before I get a lot bloodier."

BigB looked up in fear, so Cleo stood down. Whatever caused that much pain...

"We're looking to recruit," Ren said, nodding at Lizzie. "And you just took down the Shadow Queen. That is an impressive display of skill, along with whatever you were doing with those popsicle sticks."

"So what, we team?" Cleo blinked back, barely holding back a smile. "That's ridiculous! After what you just did to my friend."

Lizzie had a... glint innher eyes. She stalked closer, even without a weapon she was scary.

She placed a hand on Cleo's shoulder, the feeling of stinging nettles erupting under their skin. They tensed up, not able to fall forward without landing directly on Ren's sword.

"We team because there's a lot more where that came from." The pixie like mischief in her voice was replaced with... well, shadows.

"How..." BigB stood up, his jaw looked tense, like he was trying not to whimper. "How long do we have to do this?"

"BigB!" Cleo said incredulously.

"Hmmm..." Lizzie thought for a second, ignoring their objections. "Let's say a year. I'll be nice, since you got hit as well."

Cleo simmered in their rage, but the deal was made.

On the brightside, Cleo got a workshop up and running for their mannequins with "The Fairy Fort". And they would go as far to say Ren and Lizxie were nice to be around. Cleo themselves were almost always behind the scenes, so they got to remain neutral. But the other three were always in the fray, turning BigB red by the end of that week.

But Cleo would do anything for their friend.

-

Pearl was looking at Cleo's ankle as they pouted on the couch. "It's... only discoloration. It FEELS a bit rougher, definetly, but other than that... is it painful?"

"No..." Cleo rolled their eyes. "Can I leave now?"

"After we ask some questions." Scott pulled out a cyan notebook to match his hair.

Cleo sighed. "Ask away."

"Is there anything else the Fairy Fort is planning?" Scott asked, clicking a pen.

"Not that I know of," Cleo thought for a second. "The only person Lizzie tells her plans to before hand would probably be Joel."

"Who's also red..." Scott frowned. "What exactly are their powers?"

"Lizzie hurts to touch, like poisonous," Cleo explained. Their shoulder tingled at the memory. "Ren makes allies stronger and is stronger himself around a lot of allies. BigB makes illusions."

"Makes allies stronger?" Pearl blinked back. The sun was rising as her pupils dulled. "He doesn't seem that strong."

"That's probably why he wants to recruit people," Cleo thought out loud. "There's definetly a difference from now than when we first met. He's not that strong to begin with, and there's only three more of us. Or... four including Martyn. Or wait three since I left..."

The weight of the night fell down on them. They were betrayed. By their best friend.

"And one last question..." Scott scribbled down his notes.

Cleo looked out the window, holding in a sigh. They wanted to go HOME.

"Are you okay?" Scott looked at them, the question catching Cleo completely off guard. He had the same neutral news reporter face as always, so the question barely registered.

Cleo took it all in. The betrayal. While they wouldn't admit it, they were a little concerned about whatever happened to their ankle, knowing what Lizzie could do. But most of all, a pain in their heart. BIGB...

"I'm fine," Cleo shrugged, avoiding eye contact by staring at the TV, which was off anyway. "Can I go home now?"

Pearl and Scott exchanged a glance before nodding. Cleo rolled their eyes, standing up and going walking back to their apartment. Luckily the sun was rising, and it was morning now.

But... they were still mad. BigB couldn't get away with that. Completely let off for betraying them. Traitor. Liar. Liar. Liar.

So instead they walked to city hall. The person at the front window greeted them.

"Hello, how can I help you?"

Cleo glared slightly, still trying to keep their friendly demeanor. Or, as friendly as Cleo could get.

"Can I get a green application form?"

Chapter Text

Wow was Scott exhausted. He didn't know how the greens did it, every single night, up till whatever time at night, exhausting their powers, NOT SLEEPING.

Scott's eyes tingled and felt sore as he tried to keep them open. He watched the news, wanting to see what the local anchor had to say about last night if anything at all.

"And now it's time for the Red Roundup!"

What.

"Pearl?" Scott called. She peeked her head through the door to the bathroom, brushing her teeth. "What day of the week is it?"

Pearl thought for a second before spitting out her toothpaste in the sink. "Thursday, why?"

"There's a Red Roundup on..." Scott crossed his arms, sitting back on the couch. Pearl walked in and they watched the news together.

"Last night there was a bit of a scuffle on 3rd street," the guy news anchor said. "And Last City has deemed in necessary to do daily Red Roundups."

A video with cruddy quality played. It must have been after all the side switching. Scott recognized the glowing sky blue squares as his, and the clip ended as Pearl reversed gravity.

"Here are the reds of the day.

Lizzie D. Shadow

Ren Dog

Joel S. Beans

Good 'Scar' Times

Big B. Starz

Impulse SV

Martyn Inthelittlewood

Stay safe out there, we're on a record high of new reds, two in one night!"

"And now for the weather..." the other anchor said. Scott and Pearl turned to eachother.

"Well that will certainly be helpful," Pearl chuckled. "I guess that's more chances for us to become red as well though..."

"And others!" Scott sputtered. "Impulse is already red, and you just turned in the information yesterday! Martyn as well."

Pearl tensed and looked off to the side. "We're not gonna go red though! We've never WORKED with reds."

"Looks like we made some though," Scott pointed out. "I... want to go to the Southlanders to see what they think."

"Oh they probably hate me," Pearl nodded, saying the possibly dangerous situation very casually. "As well as my powers won't be available, so it's gonna be... not fun."

"There's a rule against fighting during the day," Scott remembered when Joel explained his marital relationship. "So... they'll be pissed but if they're rule following greens we shouldn't get hurt."

Pearl deadpanned at him. "They spy on other greens and let one of their own get hospitalized before exiting him. I'm sure they get along SWELL with morals and rules."

"Where DID you find Impulse?" It occurred to Scott he never found out exactly what happened between the two to get him caught.

"Spying on BEST," Pearl explained, glowering. It was a slight shift in expression, but Scott was good at picking up on those. "I informed them about something like that happening and convinced them to put up LED lights so I could catch it on camera. Got a picture of him right next to Tango's shop's logo."

"Hmm..." Scott hummed. While Pearl was getting her stuff to go out, Scott went into the kitchen. He put a knife on the inside of his jacket shirt thing... just to be safe.

He was ashamed to admit it but... he was a little afraid of the Southlanders. Of course there was Jimmy's prophecy, his exile, but unlike BEST, the group didn't seem particularly virtuos.

"Southlanders, here we come!" Pearl came back into the living room, pumping her fist in the air. She faltered, looking at Scott. "Where exactly are the Southlanders?"

-

They found the Southlanders. Eventually. Turns out they don't really meet up anywhere specific, they just group up at random places in the south side of town.

Well, "group" as in there were two of them.

Mumbo Jumbo and Grian Life, the last Southlanders. Jimmy was exiled and hospitalized, Martyn switched sides, and Impulse was blackmailed out. Not a good day for them.

"Well if it isn't the little snitches..." Grian sneered. They were stood outside the post office. "Come to turn us red too?"

"Har har," Pearl rolled her eyes. "We came to see what the whole deal with the Fairy Fort was."

"Well we needed to see how good he was," Mumbo started explaining. Grian could kill with the glare he had, but Mumbo didn't notice in the middle of his talking. "So... you know what happens next then. I never saw the Martyn betrayal coming though, and I wasn't expecting BigB to remain loyal to his reds. We... yeah we kind of screwed ourselves over here."

"But it doesn't matter," Grian waved off. Scott was good at reading people, but even he couldn't tell if Grian was being defensive or just genuinely didn't care for his former friends. "We'll get rid of those reds by the end of this year. Jimmy said so."

"Jimmy?" Scott perked up. "When did you even have time to see him?! Between last night and this morning?"

Grian rolled his eyes. "He told me that like, forever ago. Probably... eight to nine months ago. Yeah, cuz that's when we started the Southlands."

Mumbo nodded. "First official greens."

"You..." Pearl tilted her head, squinting. "Don't seem that upset over the loss of half your team."

Grian shrugged. "Things happen. Especially now that Red Roundups are everyday. I'm not trying to grow attached to anyone's title but mine."

"So if any of your teammates turned green again you'd let them back in?" Scott followed up.

"Oh gosh no!" Grian nearly laughed. Mumbo blinked at him, looking a bit dejected. "No, at night they are SCUM to me. If I was DYING I wouldn't reach a hand out for their help."

Scott and Pearl exchanged a glance. This guy was crazy.

"Well..." Mumbo smiled awkwardly, noticing the dip in the conversation. "See you tonight possibly? Hopefully not I guess-"

"Are we cool then?" Scott crossed his arms. He put his hand around the knife in his shirt.

"Why would we be cool?!" Grian said incredulously. "You got rid of half my team!"

"That was all YOUR fault!" Pearl shouted. The Southlanders WERE the ones to get BigB to impersonate Lizzie.

"Pearl," Scott tugged on her arm. "Let's get out of here-"

Pearl pulled her arm away, glaring at the greens. "This isn't over. I'm sure Impluse's spying missions are some of your more minor offenses."

"Are you threatening me?" Grian barked a laugh, leaning forward. "Well I hope you know the last guy who did that wound up in the hospital. Careful, cameraman."

Jimmy?

Pearl sneered and stormed off, Scott close behind. Welp. That certainly happened.

"I think we've made more enemies than we needed..." Scott chuckled nervously.

Pearl blinked back. "How many enemies have we made?"

Scott thought for a second. "Everyone but... BEST, Jimmy, and maybe Cleo?"

"Cleo's still not red..." Pearl wondered out loud. "I wonder why. She was definetly in that crappy video."

"Probably cuz she went rogue," Scott pointed out. "Come on, let's see if we can sleep. I think we need to go out tonight."

"Why?" Pearl scrunched her nose.

Scott sighed. "I need to talk to an illusioner, and you might want to talk to a spy."

...

Grian tried coming into his room early in the morning, pushing past all the nurses and doctors who probably told him that visiting hours don't start until 7 and it was 5:23.

Grian hadn't come to visit once. Of the Southlanders, Mumbo had visited first with apologies and flowers. He was always polite and put together and probably didn't know what was going on half the time. He looked pretty confused as Jimmy was getting exiled.

Next was Martyn, who had then told Jimmy Grian didn't want any Southlander visiting him. He got gossip and updates on the Southlands. Martyn even told him he was working with the Fairy Fort.

Then Impulse. Impulse with his hollow apologies. It was maybe a month or so into his stay at the hospital. The poison spread all throughout his body, so he needed to stay for some six months.

Along with whatever Grian had done to him.

Grian had never visited until early this morning. Jimmy refused to talk, answer any of his questions. Even look at him for that matter. He wanted to know more about a previous vision.

Jimmy told him everything the second he had it, just like any other vision he had with the Southlands. Not that Grian ever took him seriously back then.

Even so, Jimmy was still concerned about his false prophecy. He realized after he got the ping he forgot to look for the probability, what with the shock from having two visions in a row.

It must have been the second one, as Martyn was red. Purely because he was now freely working against the Southlanders, Jimmy wished him luck.

Chapter Text

Cleo learned the history of Last City on one of her first nights here, despite BigB saying it wouldn't matter.

The green part of the system was founded by a part of city council called The Listeners. Greens would register at city hall and fight small time muggers or thieves for a large sum of money from the town.

But there was a clear flaw in this system: the Listeners absolutly did not discipline these greens at all. They'd raid stores and harm citizens, by the end they just ruled the city.

Then the Watchers, a party opposed to the Listeners, came in. They added reds, essentially targets on heads. Reds were usually a reserved title for rogue greens. As well as cutting any pay to greens to ensure people weren't just in it for the money, the red/green system was in place.

And we'll, now all the normal not red criminals are too scared to go out. So thanks a plus.

This all happened in a span of the first month of Last City being an official city, so it was still iffy. Essentially, being a green was a one way ticket to red town.

BigB, being the idiot he was, signed up to be a green the moment they got to town. He had complained to Cleo, he thought choosing a red or green side was mandatory to be a citizen. It wasn't, and that's probably why BigB was red and Cleo wasn't.

Her job for the Fairy Fort was a bit more "behind the scenes" as well. She made armor stands, she sent them out, and she got to stay in the warehouse, making more.

So there Cleo was. Alone. By herself, she would dare to say she felt a little lonely. Her friend of years, betraying her.

So maybe that's why she found herself struggling fighting Joel and Scar. While she basically had three extra bodies, there was still one of her and two of them.

The fight had been going on for thirty minutes she wanted to say, but Cleo didn't have the best concept of time. She felt her head getting fuzzy, trying to control her armor stands and fend the two off at the same time.

"All your friends are gone?" Joel cooed, taking a swing. An armor stand ducked in front of Cleo, but got a good chunk cut out of its arm. "Might as well just go red!"

"*disassemble the mannequins.*"

Ah crap.

Cleo thrusted her arms downward and the armor stands crumbled into piles of wood. She glared at the two reds, taking in her options.

Her first option was to speed arrange the wood into human shapes so she could control them again. Her second was to run as fast as she could to possibly find an ally.

Cleo took a deep breath and rushed at Joel. She parried the sword and instead of reengaging in the fight, she pushed past and started running.

There was one major flaw in option two though. Who were even her allies at this point.

Where even was she?! She was too tired to hear anything but her own heart beat, so she couldn't even tell if the reds were still behind her.

... she was on Pearl and Scott's street.

And that was their apartment building.

Before Cleo could come up with a better way to get up there without the possibility of reds following her, she started scaling the wall, hoping she could tell what window they were.

She was just cool like that.

After getting 20 feet up, she heard Joel and Scar below her.

"What is she doing?!" Joel hissed. "Get her to stop!!!"

Scar hummed nervously, almost squeaking like a hampster. "If I tell her to come down she might get hurt-"

Cleo knocked on a window with the lights on, remembering vaguely that the news reporters lived on the third floor.

Just as the adrenaline started wearing off and Cleo realized just how much she might have screwed herself, a certain blue haired man opened the window.

"Hel- Oh JESUS!" Scott grabbed onto Cleo's forearm, calling to the rest of the apartment. "Pearl!!!"

"Yeah- oh wow-" Pearl walked into view and jumped upon seeing Cleo, helping Scott pull her up.

Cleo was hoisted up into the apartment, flopping down like a ragdoll. and lying on the floor exhausted. She lied there for a second, welcoming the warm air on her skin.

"Uhm-" Scott looked down at her. Pearl looked out the window and shut it immediately after seeing the reds at the base of the building. "Care to explain?"

"Right-" Cleo sat up, her iron deficiency really kicking in. She knew she was a lightweight, but she had no idea adrenaline would get her tipsy. "I signed up to be a green and forgot that both greens and reds hate me. Whoops!"

"Wait," Pearl blinked back. "Green? Since when?!"

"Since last night!" Cleo hot off the floor and sat on their couch like she owned the place. "Yeah, I'm gonna kill BigB."

The news reporters exchanged a glance (why did they always do that?!).

Scott stepped in front of Cleo. "Okay. First, please don't kill people. Second, please don't kill BIGB, of all people."

"Why that?" Cleo crossed her arms.

Scott tensed up, and Pearl looked at him suspiciously. He cringed back. "I want to see if he can make an illusion for me. I have this weird plan..."

"Which is?" Pearl raised an eyebrow.

"Well..." Scott looked off to the side. "I was going to see if he could make me look like you. So like if I needed blackmail or a favor or something people would be more scared of me."

Pearl thought for a second. "Not to toot my own horn, but I think that might work."

"His illusions don't disguise voices or sounds," Cleo rolled her eyes. "You have to have another person with you if you wanted that to work. Probably someone who isn't Pearl as well. Also no one should talk to BigB unless they're killing him. Ever again."

She blinked back. Well, that's what BigB told her. He clearly did something to his voice while he was disguised as Lizzie.

Cleo huffed angrily. He must have lied so he'd seem less powerful than he was.

Scott squinted his eyes. "Right... well, today was supposed to be a break day, but I guess that's out the window."

There was a small thud. Cleo looked over and saw the window broken, the reds were still down there and they probably threw a small pebble.

"Literally," Pearl smiled nervously. "So what are we going to do now? Cleo?"

The news reporters turned to her, which was a perfect Segway. "Do we all want to become allies? I don't have any, I know YOU TWO don't have any solid allies either, it's perfect!"

Scott and Pearl looked at eachother, shrugging. Pearl nodded. "I don't see why not."

"Perfect!" Cleo clapped her hands together. "Come meet me at city hall in the morning! I'll vouch for you both to become greens!"

Cleo definetly heard some shocked protests, but she simply walked out the door like it was no big deal. She went to the top floor up to the roof.

Yes, things would be looking up for Cleo Zombie.

...

Impulse sat in Crastle, seething. It was five in the morning, and Impulse had been in the diner since one.

Red. Red red red. All thanks to nosy news reporters sticking their faces into other people's business.

But at least he sat peacefully, knowing the group that exiled him was now a group of two. Grian might be a conniving jerk, always with a plan, but he wasn't great at thinking of other people.

The Red Roundup yesterday was very satisfying for Impulse to watch indeed.

But there were still two people he wanted red.

Scott Smajor and Pearl Moon.

Impulse was an amazing spy, he did his research. Neither were the fighting type, even if they had good powers, as evident by their two weeks in the city dancing around fights and not really wanting anything to do with them.

So he needed someone persistent to fight them. Not kill them at least, but maybe turn them red.

Red red red.

Impulse got up from his booth and walked to the northern part of town. He already ate, so hopefully he wouldn't get scammed by any charmspeaker.

The bell on top of the door rang as Impulse entered Magic Mountain. He walked up to the counter, where Scar was smiling at him. It wasn't a friendly smile, that was the smile of a winner.

"How's the red life treating you?" Scar leaned against the counter. "What can I get you?"

"I need..." While he hated being a bad guy now, he did soak up the dramatics. "A hit."

"Ooh?" Scar raised his eyebrows, crossing his arms. "Do go on."

"I need Scott and Pearl red," Impulse glared, the names bitter on his mouth. "And I want the Southlanders broken up, they don't have to be red though. I just want Grian to be alone."

"Hmm..." Scar thought for a moment, chuckling. "Glad you told me to break them up now rather than two days ago. And payment?"

Impulse looked to his sides, no customers because it was so early in the morning. "I bet I can get you that pretty camera."

Scar smiled. "Add fifty dollars and it's a deal. Fifty dollars now, I get the job done, then the camera after."

Impulse groaned, taking twenty dollars from his wallet. "Twenty dollars now, the camera and thirty once it's done."

Scar squinted but snatched the twenty out of Impulse's hand anyway. "You've got a deal, fellow red."

Impulse bit his tongue, refraining from shouting at being called a red. He nodded and walked out the shop.

Scar yelled after them. "They're good as fooled even right now!"

Chapter Text

Etho stood around the table along with the rest of BEST at You Bet Your Life. He held up what used to be a chunk of purple fabric, but was now pretty much just a chunk of purple strings.

"Today's mission is simple," Skizz started the meeting as Etho's powers activated. He felt a pull- that's where Scar was. "We find the Magic Mountain duo and see if they're planning anything nefarious. We got info from the Southlands-"

Tango cringed back, crossing both his normal arms and his mechanical back pack arms. "The Southlands? I don't know-"

"I don't know about them either," Skizz sighed. "But I do know they don't mess around when it comes to reds."

"I don't know if you've been watching the news lately-" Bdubs narrowed his eyes. "But I can assure you they have been in many kahoots with reds. How do we know this isn't a ploy to get Magic Mountain to join the Southlands or something crazy?"

"All I know is that Grian hates Scar with a passion," Skizz defended. "Even if he's down on his luck, he's not gonna resort to the red he hates the most."

"We jut need info," Etho shrugged, pocketing the fabric. To this day he could still see where it was torn from Scar's cloak. "And they're big talkers. It will be easy."

So BEST walked out, hoping to catch Scar and Joel red handed, no pun intended.

Etho led the group, using his tracking power to fund where the reds were. He held out his hand once he heard them talking, signaling his group to stop.

"I can't belive she got away..." Joel said. BEST ducked into an alley, wating the reds go by. "She'd be so good on our team if we could turn her red-"

"You're forgetting if we turn Cleo red-" Scor interrupted, surprisingly being the one with common sense. So it was Cleo they wanted... "she'd hate us forever. And we'd be in MORE danger than we are now because she wouldn't have any laws to monitor how... how she fights us."

"Come on," there was an audible eyeroll in Joel's voice. "She's green now, how hard would it be to turn her? You know how much city hall kind of actually hates greens."

"Come on, who else can we turn..." Scar wondered out loud. Were they actively seeking to recruit others? Magic Mountain was a bit... solitary, so this was unexpected. "BEST is always on our tails, so that might be easy."

The group held their breaths.

"Yeah, there's a few very powerful people in that group," Joel thought for a second. "Hmm... Etho is pretty much useless in such a small city-"

Etho chose not to take that personally, but OUCH.

"Skizz might be good," Joel continued. "But there's other cooler powers that involved enhanced abilities."

Skizz huffed, crossing his arms. Etho patted his shoulder, if being weak meant not being a target, then Etho was fine with that.

"Tango is alright I guess," Scar added on. "More for his mechanical skill than anything. But you know who'd be a really good addition to our team?"

Uh oh. Etho looked over. It was no secret who had the best power amongst BEST.

"Bdubs!" Joel laughed.

Etho has known Bdubs for a long time, even longer than they've both lived in this town. And knowing Bdubs, he was about to do something rash. Etho grabbed Bdubs by the shoulder and shook his head.

Bdubs looked back up at him, pleading with his big eyes. But he didn't look angry about his friends being called weak, or prideful at himself being called strong, he had on a look Etho had never seen on Bdubs.

He had a plan.

Bdubs winked and used his power, slowing time and running over to the reds.

Etho turned around to see Skizz and Tango, their mouths agape. They didn't know what was going on. They were terrible liars... Bdubs probably wanted that.

"I heard you were looking for a new red!" Bdubs flexed his arms. Etho held back Tango and Skizz. Whatever Bdubs was doing should be worth it. "Well lucky for you, I'm looking to betray some greens!"

...

Martyn knew how this city worked.

He also knew how Ren worked. And they worked very differently.

The city, the greens and reds don't get along, even amongst themselves. Greens hate greens, reds hate reds, and no one is loyal. BigB turned out to be disloyal to both the Fairy Fort (Lizzie was calling it the Shadow Alliance now, cutting all ties from Cleo) and the Southlands. Cleo wasn't loyal to her best friends, or maybe she was overly loyal? Grian wasn't loyal to his team. Even Martyn didn't consider himself loyal to anyone.

But Ren? Once he was loyal, he'd die for his allies. Martyn couldn't tell if that came from his power or if his power affected him independently. Martyn had searched his mind, looking for a hint of betrayal and nothing. That was someone worth being friends with.

BigB got it out of his system or something, because he also didn't think about stabbing anyone in the back again, at least not for the thirty seconds Martyn was in his mind. No it was just a sort of... passiveness. BigB would stay with the Shadow Alliance, but not with the people. He liked to stick by a name, not really his friends.

And same with Lizzie. She couldn't care less who was in the alliance.

*I need someone else to patrol outside of the hideout now that Cleo knows where we are... that traitor. I guess she was kind of right... but either way BigB is on my side, Ren's under my thumb. I can get rid of them if I need-*

The mind reading cut off there. Martyn didn't really know what he expected, but it was a little shocking to hear that in the front of Lizzie's thoughts.

Huh. No wonder her powers are so toxic.

Oh. Oh no.

She's gonna break Ren's heart.

Ren, who's dedicated the better part of a year to working and fighting with Lizzie. Finding out he's just a device to be thrown out to the Shadow Alliance.

And well... Martyn is a great informant.

The four finished a meeting and went their separate ways. Lizzie had cleanup duty, making sure they left no traces of crime there, and waved bye. "See you all tomorrow night! When we turn all those greens, ha!"

Martyn waved back, feigning a smile. Liar.

Ren was walking back to his apartment, surprisingly close to the Shadow Alliance's warehouse. Martyn ran up to him and grabbed his shoulder.

"Hey, Ren..." Martyn smiled sadly. Ren tilted his head, noticing something off. "Can we talk?"

Chapter Text

Pearl stayed silent the whole time as her and Scott became greens. Well, this could only end well.

Cleo smiled at them after they got out of the stuffy city hall room where they had to sign all their papers.

*Any injury, mental trauma, ruining of reputations, financial loss, or fatal accidents that take place during the night as a green or red will not be the city's fault.*

The text was smaller than other parts, they must not really want people to see that part.

Well, Scott has only been green for an hour and even before that Jimmy basically foresaw his death.

Or at least, that's what Pearl thinks it is. Jimmy was way too jittery for just "hurt badly".

They met Cleo outside, giddy and adrenaline filled. She was messing with a little doll structure thing in her hand. They had met up at seven in the morning and it was now ten.

"So!" Cleo punched the air, rather pumped up compared to the quiet terror Scott and Pearl were exhibiting. "Feel new? Cathartic? Trust me, it's so much more fun to best people up when you know you won't get in trouble for it."

"Well..." Scott cringed, in just as much disbelief as Pearl on what just happened. "I mean, yesterday was your first day and YOU almost got beat up-"

"Shut up shut up shut up-" Cleo put her hands over her ears, ignoring a pretty good point Pearl hadn't thought about.

"And didn't they say that we'd get in even MORE trouble than a red for beating someone up?" Pearl asked.

"I'm not having any of this," Cleo rolled her eyes, walking in front of the news reporters. "Alright. I'll meet you guys by Crastle after sunset to go on out first outing as an alliance?"

Pearl smiled and gave a thumbs up. Cleo looked a bit too happy to turn down.

"So what now?" Scott asked, absent-mindedly. Pearl could tell he already had a plan and was just trying to Segway.

"I don't know, what do you want to do?" Pearl rolled her eyes.

"Today is Saturday..." Scott said. He looked at the sun, barely creeping over the shorter buildings. Cleo was a lunatic for wanting to wake up this early. "I dropped off our reports to the post office on Wednesday, so it wouldn't hurt to get more reports done."

"On?" Pearl asked. She put her hands in her pockets and hunched her shoulders. The sky as still just barely purple, and she wasn't sure if a red would be able to attack them ag this hour. "Honestly? I'd feel a bit nervous with my camera out, especially at night."

"We could do another interview," Scott suggested. They were walking back to the apartment, and Pearl was excited for a big cup of coffee. "They ate up our last interview with Jimmy."

"Who would we even interview?" Pearl rolled her eyes. Her powers faded as the sun came up, and she was feeling disoriented being stripped of her heightened senses. "Jimmy is the last person who doesn't want us dead. We'll, other than BEST, but apparently they've never even caught a red."

"Not EVERYONE wants to kill us..." Scott looked off to the side.

"Well let's see..." Pearl started counting off. "Whatever remains of the Fairy Fort never liked us anyway. Especially after we saved Cleo and got the camera back. Magic Mountain also has it out for us since we fought them with BEST, and Impulse probably wants to kill me."

Scott stayed silent for a second. "Well... that's not EVERYone. The Southlanders are overall neutral on us!"

Pearl raised her eyebrows at him.

Scott cringed back. "Right. Prophesy. I mean... prophesy hasn't happened YET. I bet we could go get an interview with Grian and Mumbo."

It certainly wasn't flawless logic, but it's not like Pearl had anything better to do at the moment. "Okay... but let's get coffee first."

"Let's go to Magic Mountain." Scott took a turn in the opposite direction of the apartment and towards the Cafe.

Pearl groaned. "What, you have thirty dollars on you? Cuz I'm not paying."

"Chill OUT," Scott rolled his eyes. It was fun to joke around and just be goofy after a week of stress. "Come on, a coffee can't be more than five, that's only ten for the both of us."

Pearl scoffed, crossing her arms. "You forgot about Scar's mandatory 200% tip!"

The two bickering all the way to Magic Mountain, smiling. Pearl remembered why she was so adverse to visiting the Cafe as they entered.

"Welcome," Scar smiled as they stepped inside. "What can I get you two?"

"Two coffees," Scott held up two fingers as Pearl glared at Scar. "We probably need all the caffeine we can get because. You know, you woke us up when you threw a rock at our window in the middle of the night."

"Well... I uh... I mean-" Scar scratched the back of his neck. "Technically Cleo woke you up first by climbing through your window. And Joel! Joel was the one to throw the rock, not me."

"Don't blame me!" Joel shouted. Pearl jumped at the noise, turning to see Joel wiping down a table. "You literally charmspeaked me into throwing that rock."

"So I did," Scar shrugged, looking off to the side. He handed each of the news reporters a coffee. "Here you are! And uh, no charmspeak on you two today. I'm sure you've got bigger things to worry about than tips."

Scott started sipping on his coffee, content, but Pearl did a double take. "Wait, what's that supposed to mean?!"

Scar blinked back before grinning. "Oh, have you not found out yet?"

"It happened two hours ago," Joel called over, rolling his eyes. "Of course they haven't found out yet."

"Found out what?" Scott and Pearl took a few steps closer to eachother nervous. The reds both smiled at eachother, sparking her anger. "Well? What is it?!"

"Wednesday night's fight?" Joel nearly cackled. "Lizzie told me allabout it. And all about what BigB tricked you into."

"And what does that have to do with this morning?" Scott stepped in, nervously glancing at Pearl.

"Well," Scar grabbed a twenty dollar bill from his pocket. "Impulse didn't like that very much. Tell me, have you two signed up to be greens yet?"

"Just did..." Scott said slowly.

"Well, hope you enjoyed it while it lasted," Scar tsked, shaking his head. "Because come nightfall you two will be red like us, upon Impulse's request."

Pearl felt each of her nerves get plucked like a violin. Leave it to Pearl to screw things up. Pearl who can't control her temper or her powers. Pearl who uts her friends in danger.

Fine, she thought. It was fine she was getting forced out of her anonymity. But she's known and in the spot light, and she's just been making everything worse.

"Thank you!" She shouted in a hurry. Pearl grabbed Scott's arm and they ran out of the Cafe.

Scott stopped running behind her, catching his breath. Pearl stopped as well, waiting for him.

"So..." Scott panted. "What now?"

This time it was a genuine question. Pearl thought for a moment, taking a sip of coffee. "I don't know! We should get BEST or... or SOMETHING-"

"Cleo!" Scott shouted. "We can get Cleo's help now, BEST, we're fine! We're fine-"

"No ruined reputations!" Pearl barked a laugh. "We can't sue the city for that at least!"

Scott chuckled as Pearl dissolved into giddy laughter. Can she please go one day without getting an adrenaline rush thank you.

"I just want to sleep..." Pearl caught her breath, stretching. Maybe nearly two full weeks of stating up all night extending her powers wasn't a good idea.

"I should go interview the Southlands," Scott sighed, looking down the street towards Magic Mountain. "Shouldn't take long, there's just two of them."

"What if you get beat up?" Pearl asked. Leave it to Pearl to screw up protecting her coworker when she even knew Scott was destined to get beat up.

Scott hesitated. "What if I find BigB first? So he can turn me into you? That way they might be a little more scared and WON'T beat me up.

"My powers don't work during the day," Pearl reminded him. "They might think you're at your- or my weakest."

"Thay most likely don't know that," Scott shrugged. "And most likely us good enough for me. I'm gonna get the camera, is there anything you want while I'm gone?"

"Peace and quiet..." Pearl grunted. She and Scott walked back. She didn't waste a second beelining for the couch. Pearl fell asleep as soon as she hit the cushions.

Luckily, Pearl doesn't dream.

Chapter Text

Bdubs wasn't the greatest liar, but he was a great showman.

Bdubs had avoided the media thus far, hoping Joel and Scar wouldn't notice. He needed to get info from these reds, as they were very closely tied to the Shadow Alliance and they themselves were always up to something.

It was the day after Bdubs "betrayed" BEST, and the reds of Magic Mountain were in the Cafe, preparing to go out once the sun set.

"So Bdubs," Joel stretched as he put bandages and a few projectile weapons in his bag. Bdubs sat far from the windows in the dark, not wanting anyone to see him and convict him of going red. "What made you want to betray those BEST losers?"

Bdubs only faltered for a second before going into his act. "Those guys just don't APPRECUATE ME enough!"

"That's ridiculous!" Bdubs could tell Scar was feigning shock. Not to be mean, more like in a salesperson way. "You're very much their most powerful member!"

"I KNOW!" Bdubs grumbled. Of course, none of this was true. All of BEST valued and respected him, all the times he's saved their butts, and all the times he's almost caught these reds. "I want to show them! Show then what it's like without me around! You know?!"

"Believe me," Joel rolled his eyes, smiling. Red solidarity was strong, they were already acting like his buddies. "I've walked out on Scar a few times. He relearns every time that he can't fight at all and he just relies on his charm."

"I mean," Scar stroked his chin. "I DO have pretty good charm-"

"I MEANT YOUR POWERS- whatever," Joel grumbled. "What are we doing right now?"

"Hunting down the reporters and then splitting up the remains of the Southlands," Scar reminded him. "Care to help, new buddy?"

Bdubs blinked back, not quite registering that Scar of all people was addressing him in a friendly manner. "YEAH! Let's... let's break up the Southlands first. I think I know where they-"

"Oh," Joel chuckled. "That's not necessary."

Bdubs paused. "What?!"

"Oh yeah," Scar snickered. "Since you're red now, you might want to know Scar has been partnered with us from the beginning."

"Yeah," Joel grinned. "Impulse DEFINETLY got scammed when he asked us on that one."

Bdubs's eyes went wide. "Wait wait wait- what? Wha- WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?!"

A while ago while they were out, BEST had run into the Southlands, who immediately started bragging about how thay were better than them. In the mix, Grian had bragged about being even more powerful than Bdubs before quickly back tracking and refusing to elaborate.

Maybe he was just making stuff up, but Bdubs had been steering clear of Grian since then.

Joel shrugged. "Probably when they first made the red law, actually. We're just sort of like... muscle if he needs to get rid of someone. Like, we provide our 'hit man' services to everyone, but Grian's been coming to us the longest."

"We're SORT OF criminal master minds..." Scar tilted his head, gloating.

"But he's so against red green teaming!" Bdubs wondered out loud. "Or being red in general!"

"Yeah, he's just a liar," Joel tsked ad if Bdubs should have known this already. "In fact, I'm sure if we ask nicely he'll break up the Southlands himself."

Bdubs took a mental note. He didn't know when he'd be able to get back to BEST, but he'd be sure to tell them everything.

At least Etho knew what he was doing. Most likely. He just hoped he didn't tell Tango or Skizz.

"Bdubs!"

He snapped his head over. Joel and Scar were standing by the door.

Scar raised an eyebrow. "You coming?"

Bdubs took a short inhale. He could do this. "Yeah! Let's go beat up some greens!"

...

Ren was a little hurt to say the least.

Martyn, his friend of years, even before they moved to the city and saw eachother for the first time in months not aware they were moving to the same city. Martyn his friend claimed Lizzie was going to betray him.

Or, would betray him. She, as of now, had no plans to do so, but she would without a thought according to Martyn.

He noticed himself a little weaker the next day. He didn't know if Lizzie noticed that she was getting weaker, but Ren knew that it would be the case.

They had told BigB as well, it seemed like he already knew. Not because Martyn and Ren told him, but because of how opportunistic she was about his stunt with the Southlanders.

And Ren would be lying a little if he didn't feel the same way when it all went down.

"We need to get out of here," Martyn said under his breath, sighing as they walked home. "She couldn't fight us all at once, especially without your help."

Ren looked off to the side. Why the heck would he wear sunglasses at night. "She hurts to the touch, Inthelittlewood. I think she would at least get away if we tried taking her to city hall. Not to mention whatever she did to Cleo..."

"We need to do something..." Martyn thought for a moment. "That will turn us green."

Ren blinked back. Oh.

It wasn't like Ren was opposed to the idea, it was just that it had never occurred to him. Ren firmly believed he would make a good green, but that it also might get confusing.

All reds were at the very least allies, if not friends. Greens though? BEST and the Southlanders didn't like eachother, not that it was hard to tell.

In other words, not a lot of power for Ren.

"We've just got to get in, get out," Martyn gave a thumbs up. "That way we won't get arrested if we try and get Lizzie to city hall. Lizzie will then be alone and some other greens, with more ranged attackers, can deal with her. After that, we're sailing smooth as good guys, or we could even resign."

Ren inhaled slowly. "That DOES sound nice, dude. Just... what would we do to become green?"

Martyn barked a laugh. He stared Ren in the eyes.

"Why, fight and turn in a red of course!"

All reds were allies.

Ren trailed behind as Martyn continued on, thinking.

Allies.

Ren never liked betrayals, which you know, who did? But it always hurt him a little more. People who were going to betray him can leach off his powers as long as they wanted until they got bored. And Ren couldn't do anything as long as he trusted them.

But... Ren trusted Martyn.

And his powers might have to go obsolete if he has his heart broken again.

Chapter Text

Scott had no idea where any of the Shadow Alliance might hang out during the day. So he was just walking around. Even until the dead of night.

But at last, he saw BigB. He was by himself, a serious look on his face, thinking about something.

Scott was also by himself though, so he needed to be careful. He couldn't act like he was at an advantage.

... however, he REALLY wanted to try something.

He crouched down, listening to BigB's footsteps and the vibrations through the sidewalk. He flared up his powers.

Scott looked up and saw BigB in a clear blue box.

"Come on man..." BigB panicked and looked side to side before spotting Scott. He banged on the glass. "Hey! Come on, I've got stuff to attend to!"

"First," Scott stalked closer. He was feeling a bit daring now that he had the fox trapped. "You're gonna tell ME what exactly you did to look like Lizzie and trick my friend."

BigB squinted down at Scott, being just an inch or two taller. "Or what? Why in the world would I do that?"

Scott focused for a moment as the box shrunk, making BigB have to crouch a little.

"Or I tell your old bestie where you are and she comes over and probably kills you." Scott inspected his nails.

BigB groaned. "I- just recently! I figured out how to make audio illusions as well out of preexisting sounds. I can't make a voice, but if there's already a voice I can make it sound different. Small things like that."

"Nice!" Scott released his focus and freed BigB.

BigB laughed out and started running the other way before Scott summoned a wall in front of him.

"But-" Scott clicked his tongue. "I want a favor. You got me and Pearl into some deep trouble, so it's really the least you could do."

"What?" BigB pushed off from the wall and brushed off his shirt.

"At any time," Scott had thought of how to word this. BigB's powers and everything else were made of lies, he seemed like the kind of guy to find a loophole for anything. "I need you to make me look and sound like Pearl."

BigB blinked back, baffled. "Why?"

"She's scary," Scott shrugged. "I'm sure any negotiations will go better if the other parties think I'm more powerful than I am."

"I won't be able to do her glowy eyes," BigB squinted, tilting his head. "Having only part of an illusion emit light is a bit too complex."

"So what I'm hearing is a deal?" Scott extended his hand.

BigB looked down at it and sighed, tired. "We've got a deal."

-

It was trippy at first, Scott was seeing at his normal height which was just an inch or two shorter than Pearl, and he could actually see himself. But everyone else would see Pearl.

He had the camera and the note pad, he tested his voice a few times to make sure BigB wasn't lying, he was set.

Now all he had to do was find the Southlanders.

That... was easier said than done.

Scott had to remember he was Pearl now though. If he used his powers with the illusion up, he risks no one ever falling for it again. So he had to be in character, but he also couldn't be too aggressive and get in a fight.

That... was going to be hard.

"I just don't get why they all had to go!" A voice shouted. There we go.

"Impulse is RED, Mumbo!" Grian shouted back. "Martyn full blown betrayed us for the Shadow Alliance, and even if I WANTED Jimmy back with us he's still hospitalized!"

"He wouldn't BE hospitalized if you hadn't forced him to 1v1 his SISTER-" Mumbo paused, taking a deep breath. "Look, I'm not having this conversation until you admit you're wrong sometimes. How do you not get it, you were wrong with BigB!"

"I'm not having this conversation until you realize we're in the real world!" Grian retorted. "Even if I was wrong, that doesn't matter because WE ARE ALONE NOW. Go ahead. Leave me. Be a single, lone green out fighting reds!"

Okay... how does he go about this. Eh. He was already lying today, might as well do it again.

Scott felt the ground again before he heard the shouts of protest from the Southlands. He ducked around the corner.

"Thank you, Scott," he called out to the buildings. It was strange to hear his words come out as Pearl's voice. "Now, I'm going to get a nice interview, or I'm gonna drop you two off by the nearest reds."

...

Skizz paced back and forth as Tango worked on... whatever that guy worked on. Etho leaned against the door, looking outside at the night wistfully.

"We... ugh!" Tango slammed down his screw driver. "I can't think of how to counter this! If we stay green we're gonna have to fight him someday, but I just CAN'T imagine myself hurting Bdubs."

"So we don't!" Skizz announced. He took himself up as the leader of BEST, the others went along with it so they must feel the same. "We focus in on the Shadow Alliance and lay off Magic Mountain until Bdubs comes to his senses."

Skizz couldn't believe it. Bdubs of all people! Tango? He could see. Etho? Slightly plausible. But Bdubs? That man was nearly as loyal as... anything! Him and Etho stuck together like glue, they were loyal to the alliance and devoted to the cause of bringing good to the city.

And if what he said was true... giving up his goal, his vision, just because they didn't say thank you enough?

"Even if so you've still got Scar and Joel running around," Etho sighed, sliding down the wall and sitting on the floor. Poor Etho, it was like he had lost his other half. "I doubt the Southlands or whatever remains of that will want to fight those two."

"Screw it!" Tango groaned, sitting up. "Next week- next week we WILL fight the traitor and take him to city hall. I don't CARE what we used to be. No green and red friends, remember?"

Etho bristled. "He's not red yet, he's been avoiding the news."

"Etho," Skizz's heart wrenched a little. Poor oblivious Etho. Hopeful innocent Etho. Skizz never really thought he'd think those things about the hunter, but CLEARLY someone couldn't let go. "He can't do that forever. He's gonna get caught and we'll have to fight him, or he'll go green again, but Bdubs is a guy who sticks by what he says."

"No matter how bizarre..." Tango mumbled under his breath.

"Just because he used to be our friend-" Skizz took both of Etho's shoulders. "Doesn't mean we can ignore out job."

Tango sighed and put his hand out. "BEST team around?"

Etho snickered, putting his hand in the pile along with Skizz. . "More like EST team around. Come on, let's go kick red butt!"

Chapter Text

Sleeping all day was enough for Pearl, she was ready to go fight people.

It was only a half moon though, so she was only at half power. But considering what she was like at full power, it would probably be enough.

She also didn't have Scott with her, the one who could remind her that she could be injured at take damage so her adrenaline NUMB didn't get her killed. Also the guy with shields.

But she should be good.

While the three were allies, Pearl had no idea where the heck Crastle was. The place Cleo told the news reporters to go.

Not to mention Pearl had no idea where Scott was.

But it was fine. Pearl could go and explain to Cleo something work related came up. Which was technically true.

And as long as Pearl didn't mention BigB... or the fact that Scott was planning on WORKING with BigB-

"Pearl!"

She yelped, jumping and spinning around to see her ally. Cleo had ordered a soda and a large plate of fries, to be shared by the three of them Oearl assumed.

Cleo waved her over and-

"Gah! Woah-" Pearl took a step back pointing to Cleo's arm. Running up their skin was the same sickle green on their leg from where Lizxie had touched them. "Dude! Get that checked out! It's gotten worse..."

"I'll be fine," Cleo rolled their eyes. "It still doesn't hurt so. Anyway, where's Scott."

Pearl paused for a second, trying to remember her cover story. She wasn't great under pressure. "He's occupied with a work thing. You know how us news reporters are!"

Cleo crossed their arms, shrugging. "Whatever. Come on, I got city approval to just station armor stands around so I don't have to lug them everywhere. Where do you want to go first?"

"I've been sleeping all day," Pearl laughed into the table. "First I kind of want to eat."

The two sat down and ordered food. Pearl looked around, remembering the last time she was here.

"Doesn't Impulse hang around here?" Pearl asked, looking from side to side.

"I don't know," Cleo scoffed, chuckling. "I haven't actually seen him since... well, you know."

Yeah, that was the part Pearl was concerned about.

The two finished eating and left the restaurant. Before she got out the door, Cleo grabbed her arm.

"Hey just curious," Cleo looked incredibly awkward. "But what powers do you have right now? I know they change and I just want to be prepared-"

"It's a half moon so..." Pearl thought for a moment. Of course she always knew her powers, but it was hard to articulate. "Like- small illusions, making lights brighter, slight temperature control. I'm only at like... half power."

"That's a lot though!" Cleo gawked. "Jeez... so was that night-"

"Full moon," Pearl forced a smile, pulling away from them. Gosh, why were power conversations so awkward? "Let's go, we're burning night hours."

-

It was quiet. Too quiet...

Scott would be preoccupying the Southlands, Impulse was missing in action. But BEST was nowhere to be seen. The Shadow Alliance has also gone pretty quiet since Cleo became green really.

In theory, it was just Pearl, Cleo, and Magic Mountain out on the town. Commiting crimes.

Speak of the devils...

"Scar look!"

Of course.

The greens skid to a halt as they saw Magic Mountain and one other person at the end of the street. Scar was grinning like a mad man.

"Look!" He pointed over, laughing. "Half of the guys we've got to turn red!"

"Where's the OTHER ONE though?!" Joel groaned, annoyed that both his hits were not in the same place at once.

"Doesn't matter, come on!" Scar ran towards the greens.

"Wait-" the third person... Bdubs from BEST? "We- gah! Fine."

Crap.

"Left!" Cleo shouted. Pearl dodged left as Scar swung at her, Joel going for Cleo.

Pearl brought out her pocket knife and started slicing. She didn't want to actually hurt him, but she was scary enough to pull this off probably.

Bdubs was standing off to the side, just sort of watching the fight. He weaved his way over, speeding by to barrel into people, but for the most part just staying on the bench.

Cleo was blocking Joel's attacks with the outsides of their arms, not having any weapons on them for SOME REASON.

"Now might be a good time for some armor stands!" Pearl grunted as Scar kicked at her legs, trying to weaken her balance. Just as that happened Bdubs bolted by and knocked her to the ground.

"Oh right!" Cleo blinked back, ducking under a wide hook. They kicked Joel square in the chest and held their arms out.

There was a loud sound as something fell off the nearest two story building. It grappled Joel, but he easily fended if off with his new found strength from dealing damage to Cleo.

Pearl stabbed Scar in the fabric on his cape, using it to twist and turn him away from her to dodge easier, as well as slamming into a wall a few times.

Scar spat on the ground, ripping his cape away and in the process making a huge tear in the side. He gasped dramatically and glared up at Pearl.

It just sunk in to Pearl as she remembered how kind of terrifyingly powerful this silly man was.

"*Put the knife. Down.*"

Pearl dropped the knife as if it had become searing hot.

"*Attack Cleo.*"

Scar was going to kill her. Scar was going to kill her right now if she didn't kill Cleo. Cleo would kill her if she let them live. Pearl needed to shoot first otherwise she'd be the first to die and-

Pearl ran over and joined Joel, clawing at Cleo with her nails. Cleo seemed very confused, sending her armor stand to restrain Pearl as she needed to focus on Joel.

Pearl was crying out into the air as she writhed, unable to complete the command. No no nononono-

Joel parried a punch from Cleo with his sword. "Chill out on the mind control! I'm trying to fight and the screaming is REALLY distracting!"

Cleo was pushed to the ground but quickly jumped back to their feet, punching Joel in the stomach. "How do you think I feel?!"

"Scar, stop it!" Bdubs shouted over, a look of almost terror on his face.

Scar scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Fine. *Stop.*"

Pearl gave a sigh of relief, able to do that even while trapped by an armor stand. She caught her breath.

Cleo groaned as they attempted to fend off three people with powers while the only vessel of their powers around was holding Pearl. Let's just say it wasn't exactly going well for them.

Cleo backed away, putting their arms out again. The armor stand ran and ran away, Pearl maybe still a bit too sleepy for this, as Bdubs sped over.

He picked up the stand and ran it to the street corner.

Pearl tilted her head, remembering this morning. "You're not red-"

"SHH!" Bdubs hissed, probably at a louder volume than Pearl was talking. "Get out of here! They've been trying to hunt you and Scott like crazy!"

"I knew that part!" Pearl hissed back. "While confused on what exactly a member of BEST is doing teaming with Magic Mountain, I do express my gratitude."

Bdubs time travel super speeded back over to the fight. Pearl untagled herself from the stand and shoved it in Cleo's direction. The animator saw this and smiled, using their armor stand to launch themselves up onto the roof of a building.

"Later, losers!" Cleo laughed as Magic Mountain and co didn't have an idea how to get up there. The armor stand followed close behind. "Stick with your day jobs!"

"We do this at NIGHT-" Bdubs shouted back, fuming.

Luckily Cleo got up on Pearl's side of the street, so the two ran home together to what Pearl assumed to be Cleo's apartment.

The two fell into giddy laughter, Pearl collapsing on the floor as Cleo hunched over on the couch. Yep, definetly still too sleepy for this.

"Oh gosh..." Cleo heaved their final laugh of the night before they just looked utterly exhausted. "We've got to get better at this."

"MY KNIFE!" Pearl jolted up. "I dropped my knife when- and I didn't pick it back up I'm so angry!!!"

Pearl laid back down, covering her eyes with one arm. Before she could even plausibly pretend to be asleep, Cleo shook her awake.

"Yeah uhm, quick question-" Cleo raised their eyebrows. "WHY are Joel and Scar trying to kill you and Scott?"

"I don't know..." Pearl sighed, turning over. "Impulse got all upset and so he hired some hit men to turn us red."

"Scar and Joel are the hit men?" Cleo crossed their arms. "The same Scar that gave you a nervous breakdown with his powers? Those hit men?!"

It, once again, sunk I to Pearl how terrifying Scar was.

Pearl grunted, going back to covering her face with her arm. "Never said we would survive."

She could tell by the silence Cleo wasn't impressed, but that's okay.

As soon as the moon started waxing again, then should be good.

Chapter Text

Mumbo had no idea what was going on, but to be fair, when did he ever?

Grian had told Mumbo to meet him in Magic Mountain after it had closed, fir whatever reason. Right in the middle of the eagle's nest seemed like an awful idea, but he didn't want to be on Grian's bad side after the train wreck that had been this week.

Grian had been becoming stranger and stranger.

He was distrustful, ruthless, hell, he wasn't even telling Mumbo why they were meeting at the Cafe with Pearl. To be fair, she did threaten them to take her somewhere she could do an interview.

Kicking out every Southlander until it had been just the two of them was also not the best green flag.

And like... kicking out Jimmy was maybe understandable. He could be soft, which wasn't best for fighting crime, but it was completely understandable to not want to fight siblings.

But then there was whatever the HECK Grian did after kicking out the prophet.

It was Jimmy with his sunken face, looking like a vampire had just sucked all the blood out of him. Barely moving. It was never disclosed to Mumbo what Grian's powers WERE, but after that Mumbo didn't think he could HANDLE knowing what they were.

In front of him and Grian was Pearl Moon, the news reporter. It was a half moon, her blue eyes glaring at the two greens.

Grian had told Mumbo about the extent of her powers at a full moon, he didn't want to see what it was like, even just at half.

"So can I get that interview or...?" She leaned against her arm on the glass windows. "I'd LOVE to get an explanation to why you're in the Cafe notoriously run by reds."

"It's an AMBUSH," Grian rolled his eyes, his knuckles turning white from how hard he was clutching his hands. "And I thought blue boy was the reporter."

"He's... busy-" Pearl waved off the question. "Shall we begin?"

-

While Mumbo always like dressing nice (why else would he wear a suit every waking hour), he had terrible stage fright.

Pearl asked relatively normal questions, all of which Grian had to answer.

Grian was the first green of the city, signing up as soon as the system was proposed. He was also the only green that had been green that long.

And Mumbo who joined in maybe... one month after the city added reds to the system. He was a bit confused but still wanted to help, so he joined the Southlands.

"One last question..." Pearl clicked her pen smiling at the other two, crossing her legs. Mumbo felt like he remembered the cameraman being a lot less... extra. "What is your favorite part about being red?"

Grian opened his mouth to talk, but hesitated. "You mean being a GREEN, right?"

Pearl paused for a second, squinting. "Yes of course, sorry. Misspoke."

Grian ranted on with sort of cookie cutter responses. "Helping a still growing community" and "becoming a founder in a system will be beneficial to spread this new form of law enforcement to other cities" both were mentioned a few times.

Pearl stood up once he was done, saying thank you and walking out the door. As soon as she was out of earshot Grian dissolved into giggles.

Then bone chilling, screeching laughter, a shrill eagle.

"Grian..." Mumbo said carefully after Grian had calmed down a bit. "What-"

"That wasn't even Pearl!" Grian started laughing even harder.

Mumbo shook his head and hands. "What are you ON abou-"

"Her eyes weren't glowing," Grian settled down, but he still had the widest grin Mumbo had ever seen. "And the moon is out. I don't know who it was, but it wasn't Pearl!"

"So what do we do now?" Mumbo blinked back, surprised at how nonchalant Grian was being about this. "Bloody- who did we just give a bunch of information to then?!"

"Doesn't matter!" Grian looked Mumbo dead in the eyes, still smiling. "The Southlands are no more either way!"

Mumbo's heart sunk. "What?"

Grian laughed again, Mumbo flinched as he thought he would have to hear the manic noise. "Okay okay! You guys can come out now!"

Joel and Scar came around a corner, both holding their weapons.

Mumbo looked between the reds and Grian. "You said this was an ambush!"

"Yeah," Grian nodded. "An ambush on YOU."

"And by the way," Joel cut in. "Thanks for calling us idiots to the international news!"

"Well..." Grian tilted his head from one side to the other, squirming. "There's a very real possibility that wasn't even a news reporter, so..."

Grian monologed as Mumbo backed up into the door, discovering it was locked. He summoned an energy crystal into his hand.

"And as for you, Mumbo-" He tuned back into the conversation as Grian mentioned his name. "I will forever be thankful for your help, but it was never my plan to keep you around. Boys?"

Mumbo elbowed the window behind him, the adrenaline giving him enough force to shatter it.

"Hey!" Scar got so mad he forgot to use his powers. "Stop right-"

Mumbo threw the crystal and jumped, running as fast as he could. He didn't turn around after he heard the explosion, but he REALLY hoped he didn't kill anyone.

But where could he even go right now assuming Grian and the reds were following him?

Mumbo was just a guy, a confused guy, looking for someone to tell him what the heck was going on.

...

"Lizzie D. Shadow

Ren Dog

Joel S. Beans

Good 'Scar' Times

Big B. Statz

Impulse SV

Martyn Inthelittlewood

Bdouble O'Seven

Mumbo Jumbo

That concludes the Red Roundup of the day, with two new reds since yesterday. Grian, leader of the now disbanded Southlands cites Jumbo as 'going rogue' and setting off his powers in the Magic Mountain Cafe, causing mass property damage."

"This is nearly ten reds, the most the city has ever faced all at once. We wish our greens luck as they take this challenge head on."

Jimmy turned off the TV, hoping to never have to watch boring news like that again.

That's right, nearly six months and Jimmy was able to leave the hospital.

He wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do. Looked like all the Southlanders but Grian were red, and Jimmy didn't think he wanted to go back after what had happened.

Grian had put a hand on his shoulder, right where Lizzie had bruised him with her bat. And poisoned him. Jimmy hadn't been poisoned since he was a little kid, both trying their powers on command.

(Neither of them really got thr hang of it. Jimmy would go into a trance when the universe deemed fit, and Lizzie never found a way to turn off the toxins in her hands, unable to touch a living thing without causing at least a little pain.)

But this was worse than poison. It felt like a million needles sticking into all over his body, and each and everyone draining his energy, his life.

He was left on the ground, gasping for air as he felt all his organs slowly stop working one by one. Until a green (she had moved to a different city now) had run into him and dragged him to the hospital.

Jimmy shook his head. But enough of that.

He needed somewhere far, but close enough to what was going on to interfere. Also close enough to help incase he needed to prevent a prophesy from coming true.

But where?

Though it made him a little shaky thinking about seeing her again, Jimmy started the walk over to Lizzie's house, hoping she didn't turn him down.

Chapter Text

Etho hunched his back, walking besides the rest of BEST. The sun had just set, and the time for fights had just begun.

Tensions were high, the first night after Bdubs was declared red.

But Bdubs would be more careful than that. He knew how to avoid the media- hell, his power could make it so he never got caught!

And the way Bdubs looked up at Etho the night he joined Magic Mountain. The determined pleading of his eyes. No, he had to have had a plan.

There was the lingering doubt. It was no secret Bdubs was on the team for his powers. Of course the rest of them liked him and enjoyed his company, but he wasn't really the best at following instructions or being quiet or being perceptive...

Etho cringed. He hated thinking these things about his best friend. Even if he kind of agreed with them.

Maybe this was why Bdubs left.

Skizz punched him in the arm.

"Hey!" Etho swatted at him. "I'm trying to focus!"

"Lighten up a bit!" Skizz rolled his eyes. "Tonight's gonna be hard for all of us... especially if we run into him."

"That's why we're being a little sneakier," Tango cut in. He wasn't walking on his robot arms, and he was surprisingly light on his feet. "I even specifically routed us so we wouldn't run into Magic Mountain's path."

"It's all just so..." Etho shivered. "The last time two reds got on the news at the same time was the Fairy Fort fallout. I mean, do you REALLY believe that thing about Mumbo?"

Tango blinked at him. "What do you mean?"

"I mean. Mumbo?" Etho didn't know how to put it into words. "I mean, I barely knew the guy, but that just doesn't seem in his... pallet to betray."

"Well," Skizz shrugged. "We always thought Bdubs was so loyal, and look where that got us."

Etho bit his tongue. Even if Bdubs was red now, he still must have a plan. This was just a set back for whatever he was doing.

They walked along in silence for a bit before hearing two voices. Etho panicked for a second, hearing Joel and thinking it was Magic Mountain, but then he heard the red's wife.

"I can't believe I ditched Scar for this..." Joel sighed. Skizz and Tango jumped into one alley and Etho went into a different one across the street. "I just don't know how good of an idea such an open alliance is-"

"Keep your voice down!" Lizzie hissed. "My gosh, do you have no self preservation skills?!"

"Okay Mrs. 'Let herself get betrayed'!" Joel argued back. "And no one will be in this part of town right now anyway."

"Well how do you know?" Etho could see the two reds now. Lizzie had her hands on her hips.

"Cuz I'm cool and awesome," Joel rolled his eyes. "But no. I don't think I trust Martyn or BigB. And I know Scar won't either."

Lizzie groaned in annoyance. "Scar may be the one with charm speak, but he cam be convinced of anything. Come on!"

"And I don't know if I want all your 'favorite greens' on my back," Joel continued walking forward. Etho made eye contact with the greens across the street. "I'm not messing with the reporters, and I'm DEFINETLY not messing with Cleo."

Tango and Skizz nodded and jumped out at the reds. Tango went for Lizzie, using his mechanical arms to fight her from a distance. Skizz wrestled with Joel in a defensive style, trying not to take or deal damage.

Etho took the bow off his back and slowly drew it, aiming for Lizzie's shoulder.

But before he could blink, a flash of green caught the arrow and tackled Etho to the ground.

"Sorry!" Bdubs whispered standing up. "Scar! Grian! I caught a nefarious green over here!"

"Well there's a full on fight over here!" Scar called over.

"Grian?!" Etho sucked in a breath, looking at Bdubs in shock.

"I've got all the details for later!" Bdubs said quietly, winking. "Come talk to me-"

Etho backed away, standing up. Bdubs looked at him, bright eyed. At least his plan must have worked.

"Bdubs..." Etho said, somber. His voice was barely audible under the noise of the battle. "You're still red. I... and I kept your secret. The others still don't know."

"But-"

"I'm not sure how this will work," Etho tensed his shoulders, looking to the side. "We can talk about this during the day."

Bdubs put out his hand. "Etho-"

"Bdubs!" Grian shouted. "Come get these guys before a news outlet gets here!"

"Quick-" Bdubs looked out to the fight. Tango was doing alright, with two mech arms on Lizzie and Scar each, but Skizz didn't look too good fending off Grian and Joel. "Punch me!"

Etho blinked back, sputtering. "What?!"

"Just do it!" Bdubs stage whispered.

Etho shrugged, punching his best friend in the eye. Bdubs reeled backward, running out into the fight.

Grian saw Bdubs return and started running to the alley, but Bdubs grabbed his shoulder.

"Don't go in there!" Bdubs shook his head, haunting. "I don't know what Etho did, but... but..."

"Jeez," Grian rolled his eyes. "Fine then, just help the fight."

Etho was shooting from the alley, getting shots in Lizzie's calf, grazing Scar's arm, and nearly hitting Grian in the foot. He was avoiding Bdubs for obvious reasons, but he also avoided Joel to not make him stronger.

But the MVP of the fight was Tango. Not including Grian (should Grian count as a red?) There were four reds, three of which were being dealt with by his robot arms.

Scar, Lizzie, and Joel were all being taken care of as Grian fought Skizz, who was coming out on top.

Grian was pushed to the ground as he glared furiously at Bdubs, who had been off to the side either trying to find a way in or a way out. "What are you standing there for! Do something!"

"Well..." Bdubs shifted his weight, bouncing towards and away from the fight on his feet. "I don't- I-"

"What is he doing?!" Lizzie grunted, getting slammed against a building by the mecg arms. "You two just let some random green join you?!"

Bdubs looked between Etho and Grian. In a blur, he had rammed into Tango, with a loud breaking metal clang. The mech arms all flopped to the groundas the backpack was disabled and the reds were freed. The backpack was smoking from the sudden fruction, Etho had no idea Bdubs could go that fast.

Lizzie and Scar high fived as Joel rolled his eyes, Scar flinching back as he tooksome poison damage. The three rushed Tango while he was down.

The green was shouting in anger and agony as he processed what gad happened while taking punches from the reds. Tango floor swept Scar and pushed Joel into Lizzie, the former falling to the ground in pain at the poison touch.

Tango roared. Bdubs tooka step back, Grian nodded in approval. The green drew closer and closer.

"Well come on," Grian put his hands out. "Aren't you going to fight him?"

Bdubs blinked back. He looked between the seething Tango and Grian. "What?"

Grian shrugged. "Go on. Prove how devoted you are to our cause."

Bdubs sputtered. Etho drew another arrow, lacing it with his powers so he wouldn't miss. "What cause? I thought being a red was just breaking rules and laws and junk. We- you've got no motive!"

Grian stepped away as Tango got closer. "Come on. If nothing else, prove to me that you aren't a coward."

"Shut up!" Tango growled. "I don't care about this red green CRAP anymore! Bdubs! What the hell did you just DO to my mech backpack?!"

Bdubs cringed back. "Tango, ask Etho. We can both tell you-"

"Ask Etho?!" Tango laughed without humor. "Going and running behind your body guard?! I don't care if you're red, we were still friends. You KNEW how much effort and time and patience I put into that!"

"I panicked!" Bdubs defended. "How else was I supposed to convince the reds I was on their side?!"

Grian's face fell. "What."

Etho released the string while no one was moving and everyone was distracted.

The arrow hit Grian right in his side, the false green falling to his knees. He looked up at Bdubs, clenching the arrow as blood seeped through his fingers. He held out his hand.

The rest of the battle fell silent.

Grian was shaking and soon so was Bdubs. The false red paled as Grian stood up, barely appearing like he had been injured at all as Bdubs fell to the ground on his knees.

"What the heck what the heck that the HECK-" Tango rapidly looked between the two liars. Quickly acting he tackled Grian, stopping whatever spell he put on Bdubs.

Etho ran out of the shadows to Bdubs's side, thankfully still breathing. He turned his fury to Grian.

"We tell city hall about this and you're toast!" Etho spat. He hoisted up the barely conscious false red.

"Oh no!" Grian feigned fright, Pushing Tango away from him. "I shan't become red! Not when I'm such a noble and honest and good natured green!"

Etho stayed silent at that, Bdubs looked up at him and shrugged. Yeah, he's got them there.

The color had returned to Bdub's face and he was supporting himself, standing up without Etho's help in less than a minute. Whatever Grian had done, he must not have finished.

The reds stepped away from Skizz, all looking in almost horror at Grian as they let the green flee.

Skizz ran over, catching his breath. "City hall, then You Bet Your Life?"

Tango readjusted the straps on his mech backpack, giving Bdubs a glare. "Come on, while the others are shouting at him."

Etho didn't even notice how Lizzie snuck up on Grian. He jumped and backed up in surprise as she went off, screaming and shouting.

Skizz went inside the building to report Grian and the other members of BEST waited outside. Tango was no longer wearing the backpack, but hugging it to his chest. Bdubs was avoiding looking at him.

Wait.

"Bdubs," Etho leaned over. "Maybe we DONT have you right outside city hall when you're still technically a red."

Tango sniffed as Bdubs barked a laugh. "Yeah, let's actually get out of here."

"We'll be around the corner," Etho pointed. As well as not getting arrested, it was also probably a good idea to separate the two. "Call if you need anything."

"Don't go too far," Tango deadpanned. "Because we haven't even STARTED the conversation."

Etho and Bdubs looked at eachother. While he didn't know how in the right either if his friends were, he knew he wanted BEST to stick together. No cracks in the clay.

"Come on," Etho nodded to where he had pointed a second ago. "We've got lots of catching up to do."

Chapter Text

Scott and Pearl gaped at the news. Four reds in one week.

Scott almost wonders if it was his fault. The only thing that happened on the night Mumbo went red was the interview.

And maybe they should have checked in on BEST. Both Tango and Bdubs were now green. If this keeps happening, Scott, Pearl, and Cleo might become the only greens in the whole city.

And then there was Grian.

Not to say Scott didn't expect it, but it definetlh caught him off guard. According to the news, Grian was reported by BEST last night to have been working in secret with reds his entire time as a green.

Scott could definetly believe that.

The Southlands were no more. Jimmy and Impulse exiled, Martyn and Mumbo betraying them (though Scott didn't know if he believed that one, not with the nervous wreck he was during the interview), and Grian left alone with his hubris.

What was there then? There was the Shadow Alliance, surprisingly going on stable even with Cleo hunting them down, and the remnants of BEST, so just Etho and Skizz. There was also Magic Mountain, reportedly being the reds Grian was most in contact with.

And then there was the weird sort of alliance of Scott, Cleo, and Pearl. And all the rogue reds, Impulse, Grian, Bdubs, Tango, and Mumbo.

Eleven reds. Five greens.

This will end well.

"Cleo?" Scott drawled. The three were sitting in the reporters' apartment, it was almost noon. Aside from the whole red green thing, Cleo was fun to hang out with. "Can a red go back to green?"

Cleo nodded, not looking up from her cereal. Scott tried not to look at how green several patches of her skin had become. "Yeah, I think Joel has a couple times, and Bdubs started out red once upon a time like two years ago."

"So if we wanted to," Scott formed his thoughts. "Could we bring a red to our side?"

Cleo squinted at him, Pearl raised an eyebrow as she got coffee out of the fridge. "Who?"

"Anyone I guess," Scott shrugged. "I suppose not Grian or BigB because of their... track record, but we'd need people."

Cleo hummed, going back to her cereal. "So what exactly do you guys do during the day?"

"Well I'll be going with Scott to mail footage to Noxcrew," Pearl took her coffee out of the microwave, chugging it in one go. "But after that I want to find out where Ren, Impulse, and Tango are. We need to ask some questions."

Scott blinked. "Ren?"

"It's been a bit since we've heard from the Shadow Alliance," Pearl shrugged. "I feel like Ren is a credible enough source."

Scott leaned back in his chair, smiling. "Well that's good, he was the red I was asking about. And Martyn. Those two seem like they'd be good additions to our team."

"We're a team now?" Cleo raised her eyebrows. "Like, a team team? Officially?"

Scott shrugged. "Yeah, I don't see why not."

Cleo beamed, looking a little surprised. "Wow uhm- okay! We need a cool alliance name then! What do you guys think?"

Scott squinted as he thought, not the best when it came to names. "I think we'll have to wait a few nights of combat to name ourselves. I don't think we've ever been out all together at once."

Cleo nodded. "Fair enough. We can each do one and report back, actually."

"Who'll go with who?" Pearl asked, washing out her mug.

Cleo hummed. "Probably best I don't go for Ren, I don't want to kill anyone. I'll go for Tango."

Pearl looked up to the side, thinking. "Probably best I don't do Impulse, so I'll go for Ren."

Scott took his bowl to the sink, standing besides Pearl. "Guess that leaves me with Impulse. We should do this like, right now so it's illegal to fight."

"Cool!" Cleo stood up streching, getting in line to was the her dish. "Come back here at let's say... seven, discuss, and go out and maybe decide a group name?"

"Ready?" Pearl put her hand out, about to do something of a team sports cheer.

Scott rolled his eyes, putting his hand in the middle along side the other two.

"On three: gathering info. One-"

Scott sighed, ignoring the smile on his face. "This is so dumb-"

"Two-" Cleo counted in, looking at Scott expectantly.

Scott put his other hand on his hip. "Three..."

"Gathering info!" All three of them shouted, some a little less enthusiastic than others.

The three walked out of the apartment, pretty much going to opposite sides of town. Did they all just agree to face a red by themselves? Yes. Was Scott concerned? A little.

But either way, Scott walked into Magic Mountain.

"What can I get for you," Scar looked Scott up and down, the whole Cafe (so like maybe two other people) fell silent. "Dead man?"

"Speaking of that whole deal," Scott walked up to the counter, Joel closing the door behind him. It was day, and there were witnesses, no reason to be scared. "You can get me a gossip."

Joel wrinkled his nose. "And why would we help you?"

"Yeah, why would we help the guy we're getting paid fifty dollars to work against?" Scar scoffed.

Scott open his mouth to talk, but then blinked back. "Wait, Impulse is only giving you guys fifty dollars each?"

"Fifty in total..." Scar scratched the back of his neck.

Scott stared at them for a moment.

Joel scoffed, cutting in. "You know, for a guy with charm speak you do maje the EASIEST bargains."

"Well it doesn't seem like you helped at all," Scott pointed out, ignoring Joel's grumbling. "But! How about a deal?"

Scar raised an eyebrow, crossing just arms. "What sort of deal?"

Joel groaned. "Not this again..."

"Tell me where Impulse is," Scott thought for a moment. "And I'll tell you where BEST will be tonight."

Was Scott going to be able to come through with that? Probably not. But lying was quick, easy, and free.

Scar and Joel both looked at eachother.

"Throw in five dollars." Scar smirked.

"Ha!" Scott wheezed out quickly before returning to a neutral expression. "No."

Scar shrugged. "It's a deal! We tell where Impulse is, you tell us where BEST is."

"SCAR!" Joel fumed. "Drive a harder! Bargain!"

Scar blinked back, embarrassed. "Oops. This is still fine though. I doubt they'll be at their usual place based on what happened last night."

Scott squinted, leaning forward a little. "What happened last night?"

Both the reds smiled knowingly, sharing a glance. Joel chuckled. "I THINK you better hear that one from a primary source."

Scott sighed under his breath. Hopefully Pearl would fill him in on the details. "Right. Impulse? Where?"

Joel took out a notebook and flipped through a couple pages. "Two streets down, two houses to the left. That's where he lives at least."

"He used to hang at the Crastle restaurant," Joel cut in. "But haven't seen him since he hired us."

"He never really went out as a green either way," Scar put the notebook back in his pocket, Scott was a little unsettled he just had a book of everyone's addresses. "He has no one to spy on for, he's practically benched. I wouldn't doubt he gets off the red list in a few days."

"And BEST?" Joel asked, pointed.

Scott thought for a moment. He could just... lie. "Tonight, they'll be trying to ambush the Shadow Alliance. So if you ask Lizzie where she's going, Etho and Skizz are sure to be there."

Scott didn't care if he made a monstrosity of a group of six- seven reds, if all goes well he'll be with Impulse all night.

Scott bid farewell, leaving before Scar robbed him blind. Two down, two to the left.

Let's hope no one's a vengeful ghost.

Chapter Text

Based on what they heard on the news, Cleo found it likely she'd be catching Tango alone. BEST was now ES.

It was still the day time, so it was likely Tango was at You Bet Your Life. Hopefully he wasn't in the middle of helping someone.

It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to Ren. Hell, he found Cleo the morning after what had happened and profusely apologized. Of course he was still with Lizzie, so she didn't forgive him, but she appreciated the gesture.

No, she didn't want to talk to BIGB.

Nope. She did not want to talk to her friend of years. She didn't want for things to get better. She didn't want to leave this hell of a city to just live a normal life with the bestie.

Why couldn't they live in a NORMAL city? With plain super heroes, the same old villains, and an average plot to take over a town? Why did it have to be greens and reds?

But here she was, middle of a system, about to talk to one Tango Tek.

Tango had on a welding mask and was using a blow torch, not hearing the bells ring as Cleo entered the shop. He seemed to be working on his backpack robot arm thing.

Cleo knocked on the door, even though she was already inside, to get his attention. "Uhm-"

"Gah!" Tango patted a fire off of his protective apron. If he was so easily scared, Cleo was surprised the building
was still standing if he had access to fire. "Sorry, sorry, what can I- oh."

At that point Tango had turned around, his expression falling as he realized who he was talking to.

Cleo smiled and gave a wave, but it was very clear how much Cleo was meant to be threatening. "Good to see you too! I understand you're red now? Just wanted to see what that was all about, is all."

"I'm not talking to a green," Tango rolled his eyes. "I've got work to do."

"But it's the day time!" Cleo pointed out, putting her hands in her pockets and leaning forward. "Right now I'm just your friendly acquaintance!"

"Acquaintance maybe..." Tango sighed, spinning around in his chair to fully face Cleo. "And shop's closed today."

"Maybe try locking your door next time you close then," Cleo shrugged, keeping her ground. "Relax, it's not like BEST sent me. Scott and Pearl did."

Tango perked up, squinting, suspicious. "Why? Want to publish an article about my complete and utter failure?"

"I..." Well, maybe Scott and Pearl did want to write something like that. She shook her head. "We want to bring you back to green."

"I've barely been red two days," Tango scoffed. "Can I have a little fun first?"

"You're telling me you didn't have fun as a green?" Cleo raised an eyebrow. "I remember you having quite the time beating me and my former friends up with that thing you're fixing right there."

"Well I'm not going to have fun if I know I'm expendable," Tango hissed, returning to his work. "Offer up my place! Tell me I'm not strong! Beat me up what EVER! But do NOT break my stuff."

Cleo stayed silent for a moment, a slightly bored and disappointed expression. "Right, can you tell me exactly what happened if you're not going to join me.

Tango sneered. "Fine, sit on that stool while I'm working."

Cleo went over, putting her hand out to signify for him to begin.

"It all started when Bdubs made a secret plan, not telling the rest of us..."

As Tango went on and on, Cleo realized she might be staying there for a while.

...

Lizzie paced around her house, not entirely sure how this would work out.

Jimmy was admitted out of the hospital, thinking it a good idea to come to her first. He was let out as the sun was setting, so she guessed it made sense. His house was a lot further.

But apparently he had plans to go green again. And Lizzie frickin Queen of Shadows could NOT be seen keeping a green in her house.

Ren would follow her to the ends of the earth, which she was banking on, but BigB and Martyn? They've both betrayed for less.

And even though she was planning to ditch the Shadow Alliance soon, she didn't want this interfering with her reputation among other reds.

She just had bigger plans. Plans she didn't need anyone else for. Sure the grunt work is nice, but she could trick anyone into doing that for her. Being a part of an official team was useless! A scam!

About to turn the corner in the hall way, Lizxie nearly bumps into Joel. She quickly backsteps, jumping out of the way just in time before they made contact.

Lizzie was apparently "tragic" and "pathetic", but she didn't know why that was the case.

It was because she couldn't touch another living person without setting their skin to boils or rashes or stinging pain or whatever. But she got over that when she was like, ten. And it wasn't like she didn't have friends. Hell, her gest friend would die for her, and she had a lovely husband.

"Jeez, Joel!" Lizzie rolled her eyes, backing up so he could pass. "Be more careful when you know I'm pacing around!"

"Why are you up without your gloves on?" Joel yawned. She did usually wear gloves around the house and when she went out during the day, but Jimmy caught her right as she was going to bed. Joel was holding a glass and it was nearing the middle of the night, he must have gotten up to get water. "What's wrong?"

"Look at what's in the kitchen and tell me." Lizzie sighed.

Joel peeked around the corner, quickly whipping around back behind the wall with an awkward expression.

"What the hell's Jimmy doing here?!" Joel hissed.

"He just got out of the hospital," Lizzie tapped her foot, unable to hold still. "He wants to stay here AND he wants to go green again!"

"What?!" Joel barely manages to keep quiet. "You know how much Scar will make fun of me if I let a green stay in my house!"

"That's what I've been thinking!" Lizzie nodded. "But I can't just kick him out!"

"Why not?!" Joel sneered.

"He's my BROTHER, Joel," Lizzie crossed her arms, glaring at her husband. While nearly unnoticeable, she was a little over half an inch taller than Joel, so she glared down so slightly. "Not to mention I'm the one who put him in the hospital in the first place!"

"We both know you didn't mean to do that," Joel rolled his eyes. "You hit him a few times with a baseball bay, you punch him and forget about the poison, but YOU didn't leave him half DEAD. You didn't suck him of his life force!"

"What are you talking about!" Lizzie's brain was too fast for this conversation.

"You know I've been working with... you know," Joel took heed of Jimmy in the other room. Lizzie nodded, she knew he was working with Grian. "Well he did that something to Bdubs the other day, you were there. Didn't that look an awful lot like what Jimmy's condition was when he was committed to the hospital?"

Of course she noticed. Lizzie didn't scream and swear and threat at Grian for nothing last night. But she still couldn't help but feel guilty about the whole thing.

Jimmy had been unconscious for a full month after their fight

"He's still my brother and even if it wasn't a lone effort, I still beat him up," Lizzie said pointedly. "I think I have... a compromise. Come on."

Joel cringed as Lizzie stepped out into the kitchen light, Jimmy turning to face her. He was sit, stirring a bowl of melted ice cream Lizzie had gotten to keep him occupied.

"Hey. Brother in law." Joel said awkwardly, finger gunning.

Lizzie sighed, both at her husband and what she was about to say. "Of course you are welcome to stay here, Jimmy."

Jimmy smiled, nearly hugging her before he remembered her powers. "Thank you so much Lizzie! Don't worry, I'm no dead weight! I can do chores and errands and-"

"On one... SMALL condition," Lizzie winced. "You can't be green."

Jimmy's face dropped. "But... I've been waiting six months to go and help my friends again! Sure they're all red now, but-"

Joel grumbled. "We can't just NOT hurt you again, Jimmy-"

"JOEL." Lizzie hissed. "What he means is it won't go well if we all live together. Even me and Joel try and avoid eachother on the field, that way there's no hard feelings when we get home."

"Okay..." Jimmy looked disappointed, but not like he wasn't expecting it. "I guess I was just sort of caught up in seeing my friends again, so much drama- barely had time to visit me."

Joel perked up. "You should totally go red with us!"

Both Lizzie and Jimmy blinked back. She almost laughed. "What?!"

"Well he can be red, perfectly fine to stay in the house," Joel explained. "And then if he's not cut out the city will either take him off the list or turn him green, and by that time he'd already be moved in, and we can just say it'd be too much effort to kick him out!"

"That..." Jimmy thought for a moment. "MIGHT just work. Yeah!"

"Wow," Lizzie rolled her eyes, jokingly. "Did Joel actually say something smart?"

"I will inform you I'm smart sexy and cool ALL the time-" Joel said, trying not to laugh.

The three all said goodnight and went to bed, sleeping soundly with that weight off her shoulders.

...

Cleo walked back to the reporters' apartment, a little annoyed.

He didn't agree to go green and join them, which was sort of fair. But he refused any follow up questions and was preoccupied the whole time by his mech backpack.

But Cleo had a mini notebook's worth of notes, so hopefully Pearl and Scott saw that as enough of a win.

And tonight? The three would go out together, destroying and turning in the first red they saw.

Chapter Text

Thinking about it now, Pearl doesn't think she's ever seen anyone from the Shadow Alliance, or Fairy Fort for that matter, during the day.

But Pearl was a bit driven right now, in a random burst of energy that would die in twenty minutes.

After looking up articles and papers on the library computer for the name Ren Dog, she found some results. Of course there was all the reports with his red name on the news, but she also found some contacts for a job he was working at.

Right in the library.

Oh.

Pearl walked up to the third floor of the library and sure enough, there was Ren, stocking shelves and checking out books for people.

And from the snippets Pearl could hear, his voice wasn't gravely or serious, just light and customer service-y.

It was a bit bizarre, maybe even off putting. Pearl was prepared to LARP to convince Ren to go green, but he was just a normal dude.

"Ren!" Pearl whisper shouted, waving. She walked over.

"Moon!" Ren smiled. "How's it going?"

"Good! Just... cane here to do some research," totally not hunting you down. "I didn't know you worked here!"

"Yeah," Ren chuckled. "Me and Martyn work here during the day, though he's on break right now."

"Well, this is convenient!" Pearl smiled, almost forgetting to upturn her mouth. "I was actually wanting to ask you a few questions."

"Oh?" Ren tilted his head. "Ask away!"

"I was just wondering what the Shadow Alliance has been doing since that whole thing," Pearl looked up and to the side, trying to be nonchalant. "Haven't seen you guys in a while."

Ren held a short silence, long enough to be noticeable. "We're alright, as good as a bunch of back stabbing reds can be."

Pearl raised her eyebrows. "Careful there, almost sounds like you're complaining about the boss."

Ren laughed stiffly. "I mean, for the most part Lizzie's great but..."

Pearl tilted her head. There it is.

Ren shrugged. "It's just been a bit high strung since Cleo left. I head you and Scott are working with her now though?"

"Yeah, she's still pretty angry though," Pearl picked up a book to look at, also to hide her terrible poker face. "But she really likes being green. Have you ever considered it?"

Ren tilted his head side to side, bouncing a little on his knees. Unsure. "I used to be green... I'd almost say I liked it more than now. But I sort of owe Lizzie..."

Pearl squinted, pumping her fist behind the book. "What for?"

Ren cringed. "When I started out I was with a team, but the night before they retired they basically kidnapped me and handed me over to Lizzie, saying I wasn't needed anymore."

Pearl grimaced. Yeowch. "Sorry that happened."

Ren didn't talk for a bit after that. Pearl just watched him put books on shelves.

"Maybe Lizzie WANTS to go green." Pearl suggested. It was too quiet and too somber.

Ren scrunched his nose. "No, she really likes being red. It's just... I don't. Martyn doesn't... and Lizzie has shown she doesn't really have loyalty..."

"I don't know about you," Pearl stretched her arms. "But I'm not fond of people telling me what to do. If you and or Martyn want to go green, we'll welcome you with open arms."

"Thanks..." Ren sighed. "Dude, not sure if I can get through another betrayal. Those greens, sort of both BigB and Cleo..."

"Well it'd be a bit awkward if I betrayed my teammates," Pearl pointed out. "I live and work with one. So I can say for at least myself I am one hundred percent betrayal free."

Ren barked a laugh. "Thank you Pearl. I might consider it... assuming Cleo still doesn't want to kill me?"

"Jury's still out," Pearl wrinkled her nose. "Thanks for talking, see you around!"

Just as the elevator opened, Ren looked back up. "And Pearl?"

"Yeah?" Pearl held open the door.

Ren's previously friendly demeanor was gone like a snap of his fingers. His sunglasses (which he why was wearing them inside) shined.

"Stay away from down town tonight."

-

Pearl made her way home, she got the information she needed. Walking across the way was-

"Cleo!" Pearl shouted over.

"Hey," Cleo ran up to her. The two started walking together. "Get anything good? An alliance maybe?"

"Possibly, he said-" Pearl paused for a second, realizing what she just saw. "You know Ren works at the LIBRARY?"

Cleo nodded. "Yeah, it's not like it's a job to be a red. Or a green."

"But a LIBRARY?!" Pearl reemphasized. "Loud, theatrical Ren. Also why does this town have a library before it has a public school system?!"

Cleo brushed off the question. "Home schooling. You know I'm a tutor?"

Pearl blinked back. She could not imagine violent unforgiving Cleo as someone patient enough to teach.

And thinking about it it was true. Scar and Joel had Magic Mountain, Tango had You Bet Your Life, Scott and Pearl were news reporters, huh.

"Sidetracked," Cleo shook her head, remembering what they were talking about. "Got anything with Ren?"

"He says he DID like being green," Pearl said, smiling. "And he's getting a bit tired of Lizzie. Him and Martyn both."

Cleo grumbled. "Of all the people we were going and talking to I was really hoping Ren wouldn't be the one to accept our invitation."

"I assume the talk with Tango didn't go well?" Pearl asked.

Cleo rolled her eyes. "Insufferable, that one. Barely answered my questions, just kept asking 'why why why'. He's still all pissy."

Pearl let herself snicker at the use of the word pissy. "Well, then we see what Scott says about Impulse. Something tells me his mission is going to go a lot worse that ours."

Cleo hummed. "I think we'll have to try later and get Etho and Skizz on our side since they've been left alone. I hear Etho's pretty good, even without a combat power. Did Ren say anything else?"

Pearl thought for a second. "'Stay away from down town tonight.'"

Cleo blinked back, smiling. "Well you know what that means?"

Pearl sighed. "We're going down town tonight then? I REALLY don't want to be part of a conflict again."

Cleo shrugged. "Shouldn't have become green then."

Pearl stared at her. "You're the one who made me and Scott go green?!"

"In my defense you guys LISTENED to me," Cleo put her hands up. "No doubt the Shadow Alliance will be doing something nefarious. I'll get Skizz and Etho to come with us."

"We'll be hunting them down then?" Pearl tilted her head.

Cleo scoffed as they got to the apartment complex. "Oh yeah. It'll be our first time the alliance has gone out together to fight. I'd be a little upset if we didn't turn in at least on red."

If they didn't go red first. That seemed to be the tactic nowadays.

"Let's make lunch," Pearl went inside. "We'll need the energy if we're going to be kicking butts all night."

Chapter Text

Martyn was sitting in the janitor's closet. Ren was covering his work, and in turn he would get him lunch tomorrow or the next day.

Ren was talking to Pearl, that news reporter. He couldn't tell what they were saying apart from what they were thinking.

Sometimes his powers... flared up. While he can usually activate his powers for a few seconds of mind reading, with his passive powers of lie detection, every once in a while the mind reading would just appear and not stop.

But Pearl left. With a few more minutes, her and Ren's thoughts left his mind and he got out of the closet after an hour or two.

"Hey man, sorry," Martyn snuck up behind Ren, who jumped. Martyn has been told he has a... tendency to accidentally sneak up on people. "I'll take you to Crastle at lunch break tomorrow."

"No worries, dude," Ren just smiled. Martyn knew Ren didn't like him giving him things, but it was the least he could due. "I'm sure you noticed Pearl dropping by."

"What'd she say?" Martyn raised his eyebrows. "All I really got was we all wanted to team up, but-"

Ren hummed, interrupting Martyn. "News reporters are nosy."

Martyn snickered. "You say to the guy who can mind read."

Ren nudged him, also laughing a little. "I feel like she... she knows."

Martyn's nerves all pricked. "You didn't say anything, did you?"

"No no no, of course not," Ren quickly reassured his friend. "I just think she suspects somethings happening in the Shadow Alliance. I'm a great actor, not so good a liar."

Martyn squinted his eyes, Ren squirmed under his gaze. "I also told her not to go down town tonight."

"REN!" Martyn blanched. He quieted himself, remembering they were in a library. "Of COURSE they're going to go down town now! Not to mention they're allied with Cleo, who might just kill us all on sight!"

"But what if we need the help?" Ren asked. "Lizzie said there would be a surprise tonight, what if something clued her in on what's going on?"

Martyn grumbled, looking up at his friend. He didn't need to be a mind reader to tell Ren felt extremely bad. "Fine. Maybe it might be for the better. Then we can pledge an alliance to them right in front of Lizzie."

Ren smiled. "It's now or never, dude. Let's hope this works."

Martyn scrunched his nose. "Which it will."

...

Scott knocked on the door to the apartment. This was a bad idea.

Which Scott participated in often. Though usually he wasn't the one making the bad ideas, he was the one enabling them.

Impulse opened the door as Scott smiled up at him, to immediately have the door slammed shut a second later.

"I know you're in there!" Scott said sing song, knocking on the door repeatedly.

"You turned me red, isn't that enough!" Impulse shouted. "And quiet down! I've got neighbors!"

"I'll quiet down if you let me in!" Scott sung again.

Impulse groaned, opening the door. "What do you want?"

"An interview," Scott shrugged. "News reporter, remember? I also have a proposition."

"I'll do an interview," Impulse grumbled, letting Scott inside. "But I will NOT accept anything YOU have to offer."

"Okay," Scott plopped down on the couch, resting his head in his hands. He took out his little pocket notebook. "Ready?"

Impulse gave a heavy sigh. "Shoot."

-

The interview came and went without much hassle, even if Impulse was a bit pointed in his answers, but the hard part remained.

Scott put his notebook back in his pocket and folded his hands, elbows on his knees.

Scott cleared his throat. "And now for my proposition-"

"No." Impulse crossed his arms.

"Can you at least hear it out first?" Scott rolled his eyes. "Besides, it might fix your little problem."

"And what is my problem?" Impulse glared.

"Well..." Scott stared at him. "That you're red!"

Impulse leaned back into the arm chair he had sat down on. "Oh yes. I'd love to go green again and have literally all my old friends be my enemies."

Maybe it was an oversight that every Southlander was red.

"But we're not alone!" Scott defended. Other than Impulse's general stubbornness the interview had gone good, he wasn't losing this opportunity. "We're getting the remnants of BEST, possibly some of the Shadow Alliance-"

"I know what you're doing!" Impulse lashed out, Scott flinched back. Impulse looked like a strong guy and while any sheilds he made were invincible, Scott was still the one who had to hold them up. "I've been spying on EVERYONE this whole time! You know Grian framed Mumbo for going rogue?!"

Scott blinked back, confused by Impulse's sudden energy. "What-"

"Yep! Betrayed right after your friend interviewed those two," Impulse gave a passive aggressive smile. Scott looked to the side. "And for some reason Grian said it wasn't Pearl? I didn't get that part. The Shadow Alliance is all about to betray eachother all at once."

Scott shook his head. Impulse was shooting him in the chest with info after info so much that he couldn't keel track. He was angry and rambling and trying to get him out of his house, but it just made Scott want to stay more.

"Bdubs wants to make Etho red! Skizz might go red for Tango! Scar might leave Magic Mountain! Jimmy was admitted out of the hospital!"

The world froze for Scott. "Jimmy?! He's- he's out?!"

"What's it to you?" Impulse sneered. "If I explain more will you get out of my apartment?"

Score, Impulse was getting ripped off for this one, Scott was just about to leave anyway. He leaned forward, all ears.

"Jimmy Solidarity was let out of the hospital last night," Impulse whispered. He seemed less angry, more like a high school gossip. "And I saw him make his way to where Joel and Lizzie live. Lizzie did NOT look happy, but I was floating too far above the city to actually hear them. They went inside after that."

Scott waited for him to continue. "And? What did they do inside?"

Impulse takes a second to process what Scott had said. "What? I don't go into people's houses as a ghost. That's weird."

Scott thought for a moment, shrugging. He guessed it would be weird. "Alright, guess I'm getting out of your house now. Nice to see you. And... maybe get out more. No one has seen you in a week.

Impulse's eyes went wide. "Has it really been-"

He cleared his throat, returning to his serious/annoyed/get out of my house persona. "Don't forget I hired hit men on you nosy news reporters."

Scott shrugged. How could he forget about that? What if they were the cause of Jimmy's prophecy, "hurt badly"? And like always when Scott was stressed, he delved into sarcasm. "On no. Scar and Joel. The scam artists who let you pay them only fifty dollars."

Impulse gave a short chuckle. "I am serious though. Get out of my house before I make you."

Impulse now had a hand on a sword, which had been resting besides the arm chair.

Aaaaaand that was Scott's cue to leave.

He jumped up and hastily (while making sure Impulse KNEW he wasn't scared of him) got out the door.

Oh, Pearl and Cleo were going to LOVE this.

Chapter Text

Cleo was with the news reporters, sitting around the kitchen table like they had done that very morning.

"I'll go first since mine will probably be the shortest," they handed Scott their notebook. "Tango wants nothing to do with being green again. Those are my notes, but they're a bit SLIM."

"Expected, BEST's wound us still freash," Pearl nodded, handing Scott her notebook. "Ren seemed interested in going green and said Martyn might be interested as well. There seems to be a bit of strife in the Shadow Alliance. I was also instructed to stay away from down town tonight."

"Okay... so that's definetly where we're going..." Scott flipped through the books. "Impulse was pretty compliant but refused to be green, like Tango. He gave me an overload of information."

Scott went through each piece one by one.

Mumbo was framed to become red by Grian, betraying him and teaming up with Magic Mountain. That was to be expected, Cleo remembers Mumbo being quite anxious (too anxious for betrayal) and Grian with... a glint in his eyes.

Ren, Martyn, and BigB had a plot against Lizzie. That must be what Pearl was talking about. That one also made sense. Lizzie was also apparently betraying THEM as well (which Cleo didn't find to be out of her wheel house), but it is unknown what exactly either party's plan is. But it was safe to assume whatever they were planning was going on tonight downtown.

Bdubs wants to turn Etho red. Those two have stuck together like glue, so Cleo can definetly see this happening. While they don't thinkEtho will accept (right away, at least) there is no doubt in their mind Bdubs won't at least try.

But Skizz going red for Tango? That was... new. It was no secret they were also close but... Skizz was just such a goody two shoes, it was hard for Cleo to imagine this stupidly moral green even considering going red.

Scar might leave Magic Mountain. If they remembered correctly, Scar was the one to found it, so that would be a little strange. But Scar has never been known for his attention span, it was possible the reds were just bored of eachother.

But the last one.

Cleo of course has never liked any Southlander, but there was always something that was... off about Jimmy. He was too skittish. They knew it wasn't how his power worked, but Cleo felt like Jimmy was watching them die every time he looked them in the eyes.

So no, Cleo was not excited for the little prophet to be back on the board.

"So what do we do now?" Pearl asked. Her eyes were gradually getting brighter, but only to a crecent. "It's us three versus the Shadow Alliance when we get there, even if they're not working together they might decide to work AGAINST US first."

"I..." Scott wandered off, blanching. "WAIT! I TOLD MAGIC MOUNTAIN THAT VEST WAS AMBUSHING THE FAIRY FORT TO NIGHT AND GO WITH THE FAIRY FORT TO GET THEM."

Cleo groaned, slamming their head on the table. "Right. How about we go in and see if Ren and Martyn would join us for at least the fight?"

They decidedly left BigB out of this plan.

"Swoop in," Pearl grabbed her camera. "Record, get Martyn and Ren, get out."

She looked between the other two. "Simple."

"Well..." Scott shrugged, not really sure what to say. "Hopefully we run into BEST? Ready, everyone?"

The other two nodded, and they got out of the apartment. Earlier in the day Cleo had stationed armor stands around down town, so hopefully those came in handy. Pearl wasn't very strong right now, so Cleo let her use on of their swords. They also recommended Scott hung back to let the other two fight, only adding in shields if needed.

"We can't just ALL go red," the trio stopped. Etho. "That leaves, what, the news reporters and Cleo to go against every single red in the city?"

"But that's not our problem!" Skizz defended. They were drawing closer, which Cleo didn't like much because if how he was talking about going red. "I mean, we were fine as greens but we never really caught anyone. Maybe BEST was MEANT to be-"

"We started BEST to return the city to all greens," Etho snapped. Cleo, Pearl, and Scott had ducked into an alley. "I'm not going red."

One pair of footsteps stopped, then the other. "Etho. You can either join me right now, or join me later when we won't have been friends."

There was a long moment of silence before Etho spoke again. "Goodbye, Skizz. I hope throwing away your whole mission was worth it."

"I hope choosing a mission over your friends was worth it." Skizz pointedly said back. He walked the direction the two had came from, and Etho was still walking towards the three.

Cleo jumped out from where they were hiding, beckoning an armor stand to their side. "Where you going?"

Etho looked to the sides, seeing if there was a way out. "Home."

"We're gonna have to stop you right there." Pearl drew her sword, stepping closer to Etho. Crap, this was a lot more intimidating than Cleo had intended it to be.

Etho quickly turned around, but there was a barrier in his face and he slammed right into it.

Scott came out as well. "Can you just ask him next time?"

Pearl shrugged. "We're gonna fight some reds, join us."

"I mean," Etho glanced around nervously. "Sure? I'm not getting kidnapped, right?"

"Nope!" Cleo popped their p. "Green as can be, us."

The four were on their way, patrolling down town and keeping their eyes and ears open for reds. Etho was silent the whole time. Maybe if Cleo could actually talk to people they'd try and ask if he was okay.

Pearl had also made a plan for the four. She would brighten all the lights around them to distract the reds they run into so that Cleo could sneak some armor stands closer easier. Pearl, Etho, and the stands could then get the jump on the fight.

"No one followed you here?"

"No, Queen of Shadows."

"We should be safe."

Lizzie, Ren, and Martyn. No doubt BigB was with them as well. Their voices were coming from a bug empty space with no buildings. A parking lot was useless when there's no cars.

"Then I have gathered you three all here to assimilate TWO new members!" Lizzie announced. "They should be here any moment-"

"Wait, who?" BigB asked. Cleo walked some armor stands slowly closer to the lot. They felt their face becoming red with anger. BigB was right. There.

"It's a surprise, BigB," Lizzie rolled her eyes. "But! That will bring us to six reds, and then the largest team in the city."

Pearl held her hands out, Etho putting an arrow in his bow as Cleo move the stands closer and closer. Scott prepared two shields.

"Ren! Martyn!" Lizzie hissed, nearly backing up into BigB as all the reds scrambled, trying to figure out why the parking lot lights were sporadically flickering. "You said no one followed you!"

"We found our own way here, thank you!" Pearl jumped out with her sword. "And it's no SURPRISE that you're all going to jail tonight!"

"Love you Pearl, but please leave the cool lines to someone else," Cleo groaned. There were three armor stands that had encroached on the parking lot, all copying Cleo's fighting stance. "But yeah, you are all going down."

"Not today!" Looking up, hanging off the side of a building was one Tango Tek, newly mended mech arms. The red welding goggles flashed as the lights were still going haywire.

"A former BEST member, really?!" Martyn said pointed to Lizzie, glancing at Ren.

"Tango is NOT one of the two that were meant to be here..." Lizzie gulped like how she did when a plan was falling apart. Good.

Etho snapped his head over the opposite way. "Uh oh..."

In barely a second Bdubs, Scar, Joel, and a fourth person were in front of the Shadow Alliance. Cleo saw Tango grimace as his former teamate paused for air. "A cool red party and you didn't invite me? Really guys?!"

"You're not cool, is the thing!" Tango shouted over.

"Guys that's a lot of reds..." Scott whispered to his team. "That's seven to six best case scenario, worse four to nine."

"Still up to fight?" Joel smiled. "I've been looking forward to turning you two news reporters red."

"I've got a good start!" Lizzie piped in, closing her eyes.

Cleo was about to tell her off and jump into the battle, but everything was itchy. Really REALLY itchy. Then it felt like burning and melting. They collapsed to the ground, looking down to their leg yo see what had happened.

"The poison..." Pearl gasped, turning back to the crowd. The Armour stands had gone limp as Cleo was no longer concentrating on them.

Could you blame them? They felt like they had been set on fire!

"All right then," Pearl spun her sword, catching it and pointing it at the reds. "It's on."

Cleo was left blurry eyed on the ground, watching all hell break loose.

Chapter Text

Scott ran over to his fallen friend, but Pearl didn't waste a second after Cleo fell, passing off her camera to him before lunging at Ren.

It was only a crecent moon, so she was already a little at a disadvantage.

"Whatever you're planning," Pearl hissed under her breath as he blocked with his sword. "Do it quick and start helping us."

Scott snapped his head over to the side and cradled to camera to his chest, holding his arm up and making a shield as Joel bounced off of him. The red pushed off the shield and growled, coming at him again.

It occurred to Pearl that Scott might not be able to defend the camera well.

She spun around and sliced at BigB, barely cutting his clothes before Bdubs pushed her like a flash into the ground. Etho shot an arrow at his feet as and he whipped around, bolting elsewhere before Etho decided to actually land a shot.

Pearl jumped up and ran towards Tango, trying to stay as close as she could so that he was too overwhelmed to use his mech arms on her.

Ren, Martyn, and BigB were all on Scott as he gave Pearl a nervous glance. None of the three reds were holding back even though in theory they should be backstabbing their boss. The camera was on the ground with a sheild around it, leaving Scott with only one.

It was blatantly obvious Cleo was stressed and wired and fighting through the pain. They shakily got up and parried Scar's knife with their arm, unsteadily raising the armor stands again. They were speaking and breathing too hard, whatever poison Lizzie had infected them with a couple days ago was now taking effect.

Pearl was too busy warding off the mech arms to realized Bdubs had rammed her into the ground. She got up only to be punched and pushed over again, giving Tango the window to back up and hoist her into the air.

"Don't make me break these again!" Pearl shouted, struggling to try and get out. She looked over to Scott.

He was... not fairing well. The camera was still recording (and Pearl was sort of getting inspired by the angle it had from the ground, she didn't work in a worms eye view often) but Scott was pushed back, tripping over the box around it. The barriers disappeared.

BigB leaned to pick it up, grinning. Pearl kept squirming. "Touch that camera and die!"

Every exhale the mech arms wrapped around her tighter. Tango wouldn't kill a person... right?

There was a metal thud as and armor stand pushed Tango over. He turned and hissed, sweat beaded at Cleo's forehead.

"Careful! I just fixed this!" Tango jumped up and growled as Pearl made her getaway, swinging her sword at BigB and causing tremors on the ground.

She floor swept the red and caught her camera in air. Pearl doesn't think she's ever been that dexterous outside of when the moon's right, guess that's what happens when you threaten an artist's medium.

"Come on, man!" Martyn said under his breath, swinging at Pearl but purposefully going a bit too wide. "Stick to the plan!"

Pearl ducked under a swing from Joel. "Can the plan go a bit faster?!"

"*Drop the sword.*"

Pearl's heart rate spiked and she instantly dropped the sword. Crap.

Scar picked up her sword, twirling it around a few times before pointing it back at her. Just as he was about to slice into Pearl a flash of blue snapped his wrist and made him lose grip on the sword.

Scott had thrown a shield like a Frisbee as he pushed Ren and Bdubs off himself, getting Pearl up.

Lizzie was in the middle of the lot fending off Cleo and a few armor stands with Tango. Joel rushed over, seeing a stand shove Lizzie over.

"Where is he?!" Lizzie grunted in frustration, jumping back up like a panther.

"I don't know!" Joel nearly backed up into Lizzie as a stand lunged at him, but quickly regained his composure. "He was supPOSED to walk here with me-"

Pearl was too busy paying attention to whatever Lizzie and Joel were shouting about that she forgot she was in the middle of a fight. Bdubs rammed into her again, knocking her to the ground. He landed a few punches before getting distracted by...

Oh gosh.

"Jimmy?!" Scott gasped.

It was true. Jimmy "hospitalized for six months" Solidarity was running into the fight, still looking a but worse for wear, with nothing but a baseball bat.

"Took you long enough!" Joel gave an exasperated sigh as he was decked in the jaw by Cleo.

"Is that MY bat?!" Lizzie focused for a second as Cleo fell to their knees, shakily getting up again. Pearl apparently had a sibling she's never met, but she didn't think she'd want to if they would always be this territorial.

Pearl dashed over and helped Cleo up. "We need to get you out of here."

Cleo groaned, pulling away. Their eyes didn't look focused, and their face was dripping in sweat. "Not before I kill BigB!"

Speak of the devil, BigB appeared right in front of them, smiling sadly.

"Cleo," BigB shook his head. "I'm so sorry, I never meant to upset you. I was... look, we can be friends again. Just join me, and we can be red together!"

Cleo roared and punched him in the face, their hand going right through as BigB turned into steam.

"Go to the hospital!" Pearl got Cleo to their feet, shoving the a little out of the way of the fight. "Lizzie's just gonna keep doing the sleeper poison or whatever-"

Cleo ran opposite of Pearl so she wouldn't tell them off again, reanimating the stands to attack Tango and Bdubs.

"Or not." Pearl rolled her eyes, turning to block Ren's sword.

Ren was breathing heavily. "Someone's betrayed us, I'm getting weaker."

"Come with me and Cleo and Scott," Pearl parried his sword to the ground. "Is BigB even with you?! He keeps attacking us-"

"I'm not sure..." Ren quivered as Pearl kicked him to the ground. "Try and avoid Martyn, he needs concentration for what he's trying to do."

Pearl nodded and ran over to Etho, who had accidentally gotten within melee range of Jimmy and Lizzie. Lizzie reached out her hand, about to sting his face-

"WATCH OUT!" Bdubs bolted over and got Etho on the ground, saving him from the stinging touch.

"Get off of me!" Etho hopped up, brushing off his vest. "You're red, act like it!"

"I-" Bdubs looked heartbroken. It was night time, it clearly didn't matter to Etho that they were best friends in the day.

Pearl was about to run over and swing her sword at the red before Lizzie twitched. She turned to Joel, ignoring the armor stands laying blows on her.

Joel shoved one to the side. "Lizzie, be careful- GAH!"

Lizzie had put her hand on Joel's back and he fell to the ground.

Pearl looked to her side to see Martyn, shaking like a leaf holding his hands out. She stepped in front of him, whatever this was was working.

Lizzie blinked and cringed at her husband on the ground. "Did I... MARTYN."

She turned to Pearl and Martyn, instantly becoming enraged. She darted forward, one hand stretched like a claw and the other wielding a dagger.

Pearl blinked and she was on the ground, Bdubs on top of the Queen of Shadows. His skin was rashing at the touch. She wrestled out from under him, punching him in the eye and jumping up.

Ren came to Pearl's side. "There's supposed to be illusion out right now where are the illusions I don't see them what is BigB-"

Scott came up beside her. "We need to get out of here."

"Agreed." Pearl took in deep breaths. She surveyed to field. Joel was shakily getting up with the help of Jimmy, getting stronger by the second as he took the poison damage. Tango and Scar were on Etho and Cleo and the former two reds were about to attack Scott, who still had the camera- wait.

If Scott was still fighting...

Pearl felt a twisting pain as the Scott next to her drove a knife in her side. It... probably wasn't fatal? But it hurt like HELL.

Scott spun around, turning into BigB.

Rean growled. "Really?! Again?!"

"Lizzie caught on immediately," BigB rolled his eyes, throwing a knife at Martyn, hitting him in the leg and ending whatever mind control he had on Bdubs. "I'm not teaming with people I know will lose."

Pearl's vision grew blurry as she clutched her side, kicking BigB off his feet. "Me and Cleo and Martyn need medical attention."

"GREENS! RETREAT!" Ren shouted, his voice oddly commanding for a loyal follower.

Etho and Cleo ran over, Scott tripped Jimmy to get away.

"You're on the wrong side of this, Jimmy!" Scott shouted, holding the camera as tight as he could and started running towards the others.

Jimmy sighed. "I know..."

"Well don't let them know you know!" Joel scolded him. "Hunt them down!"

Crap.

Pearl hobbled along with the help of Ren and Scott, the moon still far down in the sky. The night had barely begun and she still got her but kicked, they all did.

Pearl leaned against the front desk, trying her best not to get too much blood on the floor. Much to the shock of the receptionist. "Hello, can we get some assistance?"

Chapter Text

Scott, Etho, and Ren, the only two not on the verge of passing out, were talking to the doctors as the only ones with clear minds. They couldn't sign any wavers or anything for their friends, but they were witnesses to how they got hurt and were being told what was going on.

Pearl was pretty self explanatory. She was stabbed, the doctors and nurses would be able to stitch that up fine. Since Scott was her roommate he was given some ointments to give have Pearl put on the wound herself.

Then there was Cleo, who had a "sleeper poison", is what Pearl called it. Lizzie put it in place on the full moon when the Fairy Fort fell apart, and then activated it earlier during the fight. It was easy to get rid of, it just would have been easier if a) they had come to the hospital about it sooner and b) Lizzie hadn't activated it. Powers were medically very very annoying to deal with, apparently.

And then Martyn.

Martyn had strained himself, pushing his powers to the absolute limit by inacting a direct mind control ability (Ren didn't talk about that part, as that was like, super illegal) and was basically high right now, as most negative side effects of powers do, such as Dim. He would need a LOT of rest, even without the stitches they were going to have to do on his leg.

All in all, not a win for the last greens on the server.

Scott paced up and around the room Pearl and Cleo were in, Martyn and the others in the room next door. He was literally only there to shield them and he DIDN'T.

Scott was too busy in his own thoughts to realize Etho was standing in the door. "I don't know if Martyn's the only mind reader, I can hear your gears turning from here."

"Ha ha," Scott rolled his eyes. "As soon as all three of them wake up, we need a plan."

Etho's eyes widened. "No, we need rest. Literally half of our team was just hospitalized, Scott. We can't just bounce back like that."

Scott groaned. "Waiting gets us nowhere. We can't just sit and wait either."

"Look," Etho sighed. "Half of my role in BEST- or on any team really- is to wait for the perfect shot. I track things, wait them out and strike when they have their guard down. We're not waiting, we're preparing. If we don't, we get beaten even faster than last time."

Scott grumbled, sitting down. He had also gotten a few cuts and bruises, but no one needed to know that. "Grian- no Southlanders were even there except for Martyn and Jimmy."

"You wish there were MORE reds at that fight?" Etho raised his eyebrows.

"Every green we had was at that fight," Scott pointed out. "Who knows what Grian or Mumbo or Skizz or whatever other reds weren't there were doing."

Etho stared at him for a moment before looking away. It must be hard, all his friends abandoning him. Skizz chose his other friends over Etho.

"Just make sure to tell those two what's going on when they wake up," Etho sighed. Scott cringed, he could have chosen his words more carefully. "I'm gonna go check on Martyn."

"Hey-" Scott stood up, reaching his arm out.

Etho turned around, staring straight at him. The hunter had... very piercing eyes. This was awkward.

"Uhm thank you," Scott shrugged, sitting back down. "For helping us. You didn't have to."

"Your friends didn't give me much of a choice," Etho chuckled. "Greens stick together now, apparently."

Scott nodded. He felt a little less high strung now. It was almost the day time and all the stitches and procedures were done, whatever sleeping drugs Pearl, Martyn, and Cleo were on would wear off soon.

"Ren?" Scott walked into the other room where Martyn was awake but groggy. "Oh- hi Martyn."

"Heyy Scott..." Martyn was blinking very slowly, drugs and painkillers and whatnot still in his system. "Otherss wake 'p yet?"

"They're still asleep," Scott smiled, trying to be friendly. "Ren, what exactly went wrong with the plan you guys had?"

"You saw Martyn use the mind control," Ren recounted. He was glaring at the floor. "But the plan was to make all the reds turn on eachother and pick them off one by one. Martyn would mind control them for a short amount of time to attack other reds and BigB would make illusions to disguise greens as themselves to get them all confused. Clearly it didn't work."

"And now-" the news anchor on TV smiled a bit too wide. Scott and Ren turned their attention over. "The Red Roundup!

"Lizzie D. Shadow

Joel S. Beans

Good 'Scar' Times

Big B. Statz

Impulse SV

Bdouble O'Seven

Mumbo Jumbo

Grian Life

Tango Tek

Jimmy Solidarity

Skizzle Man

That concludes the Red Roundup of this morning! With two reds switching sides-"

Ren cringed

"And three new ones to replace them. Tune in for more at eight-"

Scott groaned, putting his head in his hands. "Does Bdubs even know he can go back to red?"

"He started red then went back to green when he joined BEST," Ren explained. "I'm... not sure what he's doing. Etho said he joined Magic Mountain to infiltrate but he hasn't gone back."

"Right..." Scott vaguely remembered Cleo saying something about that. "What are we doing after everyone's all rested up?"

"Conviniently Pearl might not be able to fight tomorrow on the new moon," Ren thought for a moment. "Martyn and Cleo will still be loopy for a few days-"

"After all that?" Scott rolled his eyes. He was well aware how much down time they would have, and he was NOT excited to be idle for even just one day.

They were the only greens in the city, for crying out loud.

"We should go after Scar," Ren decided. "And then BigB. They're both pretty dangerous power wise."

"What actually happens when you catch a red?" Scott blinked back. He never really thought about it. He wasn't ruining the rest of someone's life, was he?

"Don't worrry," Martyn grinned, trying to be reassuring. He must have heard Scott's thoughts. "And no I didn't hear your thoughts Just jail for a month 'nd house arrest another. Or longer, depending what made a perssson red."

Scott stared at him for a moment. That was it?! He sighed. His job was to catch reds, not to decide punishments.

"I'm gonna go check on Pearl and Cleo," Scott looked out the window at where the sun was. "They're probably awake right now."

Scott walked back to the other room to see Cleo crossing their arms and glaring at the edge of the hospital bed. "I'm gonna kill BigB."

"Sure..." Scott took a few deep breaths. His mind felt all mushy, he was exhausted from all the information the doctors told him. "Do you think all the poison's gone?"

"If it gets me out of this hell hole faster: yes," Cleo itched at a tube in their arm. "What are factions looking like? Other than the Shadow Alliance being down, that is."

"No clue," Scott shook his head. He saw Pearl messing with her camera. "Did we catch anything good?"

Pearl looked up, her eyes just a little unfocused. "Nearly fifffty five minutes of action, if you say THATS good!"

"Yes!" Scott pumped his fist. "I'll take that to the post office later then. How are you feeling, Pearl?"

Pearl grimaced. "I don't know.. there's this STABBING pain in my side-"

"Ha ha." Scott faked laughed sarcastically. "Good, we need to make a plan."

Pearl cringed. "ScoOott, we can barely get out of bed, I don't thinnnk we should fight."

"I wanna fight!" Cleo piped in, Pearl leaned over to swat at them, bit their bed was too far away.

"You and Etho and Ren can fight," Pearl's head rolled to the side. She had to take less morphine than the others since she was only stabbed, but she was apparently still very drowsy. "I need rest..."

Scott sighed, his partner falling asleep mid conversation.

Etho didn't want to fight, as they didn't have the numbers, and no doubt Ren wouldn't want to either without as many allies to make him stronger. But Scott had never been a patient person.

Tonight he was going to go and catch a red.

Chapter Text

Jimmy felt bad. Really really bad.

He wasn't an idiot.

Hmm. Well... okay. Maybe not that far.

Of course he KNEW he was on the wrong side! There's no gain from becoming red, only loss. And of course he had no interest in beating people up like Joel or Lizzie. He wasn't a mastermind like Grian or a sweet talker like Scar.

No, what he WAS was just a guy wanting to do right. He could go green soon, he just needed to figure out how.

Jimmy was out on a walk, promising Lizzie he could take care of himself. The moon was three quarters down the sky, so he still had an hour or two before he was safe in the day, but all the greens were at the hospital from the big fight.

It really only occurred to Jimmy what he had done, looking Scott and the other greens in the face.

No bad feeling either. Whatever he was doing right now was contributing to Scott getting beat up, broken and bloody right at Grian's feet.

Jimmy shuddered. He's foreseen two deaths before. Moments before his and Lizzie's mother had a heart attack at the dinner table and when the mayor of the city was pronounced dead a week after he had his vision.

He did not want to add to that list.

To be fair: Jimmy didn't actually SEE Scott die in the vision. Maybe that could mean something?

Jimmy was walking in circles around the same block, waiting for the sun to go up so he could go back to Lizzie's house.

His eyes were fixed on the floor, the sidewalk moving past him as he ran straight into a familiar face.

"Gah!" The other man jumped back, summoning a glowing purple crystal to his hand. Jimmy had known Mumbo long enough to know what that thing would do. "Please no please no- green-"

"Chill out, man!" Jimmy nearly shouted, snapping Mumbo our of his rising panic attack. "Not green."

Mumbo gave a sigh of relief, waving his hand as the crystal was brushed away like steam. He blinked. "Wait, if you're not green, then why are you out here at night? Wait..."

Jimmy cringed. "Yeah..."

Mumbo groaned. "Don't tell me... how?! As far as I'm aware, you were in the hospital just yesterday!"

"Me and Lizzie and Joel all attacked Skizz while he was by himself," Jimmy recounted what had happened before the big fight. It was right by city hall and Skizz had run straight inside, no doubt reporting the three and turning Jimmy red. "And... yeah. Heard about you on the news, though."

"Yeah," Mumbo gulped. "This is my third night and I'm still praying I don't run into Grian."

"You said it," Jimmy chuckled. "Wanna walk?"

Mumbo shrugged as they walked side by side. He jolted forward a little, putting his hand on his forehead. "Oh! Because Grian did the... yeah."

"Anything interesting happen while I was out?" Jimmy asked, smiling, but looking off to the side. Mumbo was always the nicest of the Southlanders to him, but it was still awkward. Not that he could have done anything, but Jimmy does remember him just standing there as he was exiled.

"Everyone's red," Mumbo looked down at his feet. "Like... except for Skizz and Etho and Cleo and the news reporters."

"So I've seen," Jimmy hummed. "I'm currently teaming with Joel and and Lizzie, if you want to join. Wait, I don't know if I can offer that-"

Mumbo laughed. "No no, I'm trying to get off the Red Roundup as soon as possible. This... wasn't intentional."

"Huh," Jimmy always thought Mumbo was... too clueless to be reported as a red. Sure he could be threatening if he wanted with his quite destructive power, but Mumbo was very unassuming. "Lizzie and Joel made me go red so it wouldn't be suspicious of me to live with them."

"Fair," Mumbo shrugged. He looked at the sky. "Sun's up soon, want to get a bite at Crastle?"

Jimmy smiled. It would be nice to feel the sun on his face. "Sure!"

...

Impulse trailed behind Lizzie, Joel, Scar, and Bdubs. He was in ghost form right now and the moon was crecent, so he might have to be weary if Pearl made another appearance tonight.

Which was unlikely, as she got stabbed.

Impulse had floated about the parking lot the whole fight.

"I forgot how much THAT hurt-" Bdubs scratched at the rashes he got from Martyn mind controlling him to tackle Lizzie.

"Tell me about it," Joel groaned. His didn't look as bad, as the more damage he took the faster he would heal. Still probably hurt like hell though. "I have to LIVE with her."

"Literally got mind controlled," Lizzie pointed out, annoyed. She sounded uncertain still. "Besides, it'll heal up after a day or two."

Bdubs's eyes went wide. "You're telling me I have to live like this a whole day, itchy?"

"Be glad Martyn didn't have her do what she did to Cleo!" Scar elbowed Lizzie, yelping a little as her poison stung his arm.

"Either way, clear lines have been drawn in the sand," Lizzie ignored Scar's pain. "We know who's green, and who isn't."

"Etho..." Bdubs started, then swallowed. "I'm his best friend and I don't know if even I could convince him to become red."

"Ren and Martyn are out of the picture for teaming with us ever again," Lizzie pouted. "I should have just stopped that plan as soon as I heard..."

"Those news reporters are too goody two shoes y to be red," Scar added. Impulse listened in further, seeing if his hit men had any plans. "But either way you and I, Joel, need to turn them."

"Oh no," Joel rolled his eyes. "A camera that would get us hunted down and killed and thirty bucks! Relax, Scar. We've got other things to do."

Scar hummed. "Well, I'M gonna keep on trying to get the news reporters red."

There was a long while of silence as the group walked Bdubs back to his apartment and said goodbye. The remaining three kept walking.

"Is BigB still our ally, Lizzie?" Joel asked, tilting his head.

Lizzie shrugged. "He's a bit more trouble than he's worth. I'd rather not have him at all than have him betray us and screw up our odds in a fight. He's walking Tango home right now, all we'd need to do is avoid him til he takes the hint."

The other two nodded in agreement.

Scar blinked back. "And what of Jimmy?"

Joel scoffed. "What of him?"

"Where does he come into play?" Scar asked. "Sure he's got prophesy, but he can't control it, can he? I don't know, I just don't think he's... CUT OUT to be a red."

"Jimmy's got a surprising amount of connections," Lizzie recalled. It was true, he had all the Southlands, he seemed friendly with the newscreporters so perhaps all the greens, and from working with him for nearly two years, Jimmy had a weird way of gaining enough sympathy to get out of any situation. "The news reporters no doubt want to talk to him, just based on Scott's reaction, and he can relay any info he gets back to us."

"Ooh!" Scar grinned. "Okay, it seems we have different goals then. I... I think I'll split off from you two to go and catch Scott and Pearl myself then."

"Sounds good," Joel held out his fist as the fist bumped. "Try not to die."

"Don't worry," Scar glowered. "When I get back, my pay will have been more than you've ever seen."

"It's an extra thirty dollars, Scar." Joel deadpanned.

"But I'm off to home, I'll see you guys later!" Scar said quickly to avoid being wrong.

Lizzie and Joel started to walk back to their own home.

"Joel," Lizzie was looking at the ground. "You're okay, right?"

"I'm fine, Lizzie," Joel rolled his eyes. "I don't think Martyn knew how to control your power, so it was justat a standard pain level. Nothing two bad."

Lizzie groaned but they kept walking in silence, saying no more on the matter.

Lizzie blinked and stopped, Joel turned around. "Babe, what happens when we ALL go red, and there's no more greens to fight?"

Joel shrugged. "I'm a fighter, not a planner. I guess anyone's free game to fight or turn in then."

The two walked in silence the rest of the way home. Impulse sighed (or, made a sighing sound. He didn't really have lungs in this form) and floated back to his apartment and woke up.

Chapter Text

Etho hadn't been paying attention, maybe he should have.

While walking with Skizz, he had in his hand a barely weaved together patch of red fabric that Joel had cut off of one of Grian's sweaters a while back (Etho was 90% sure Grian had at least fifteen of that same sweater).

Etho attuned to the patch, not actually telling Skizz he was tracking Grian. Skizz thought they were looking for Tango, with the screw driver from him that Etho always carried.

In fact, Etho was making sure they were as far away from Grian as possible.

But Skizz totally flipped out on him either way. To go be with Tango again.

To be with BDUBS again.

But no, Etho wasn't going red. No, BEST would see. Skizz and Tango and Bdubs would see. He would get them to go green again, even if he has to turn them in to do it, Etho would have his friends back.

Pearl for some reason did NOT respond well to anesthetics and was in a deep deep sleep. The nurses said it would be best to not wake her up, especially if she would be at her weakest tonight due to the new moon.

Also due to the fact being a green or red was exhausting. Who's idea was this?

Etho glared at the floor. Skizz's.

But Cleo was awake, just writing in a weird mini notebook one of the news reporters probably gave her.

"Whatcha writing about?" Etho raised his eyebrows.

"I'm trying to remember everyone's weaknesses..." Cleo tapped the pen to her mouth. "What do you know about BEST?"

"Uh-" Etho blinked back at the upfrontness. "Skizz doesn't really have any, but his power's kind of lame anyway. Tango almost never has any charges of his powers in the night and Bdubs gets fatigued easily."

"Hmm..." Cleo jotted down the notes. "BigB can't cast light illusions and not light at the same time. Evasion is the best strategy for fighting Joel... I don't know much about Jimmy, and I'm pretty sure I remember Lizzie saying something about wearing rubber gloves around the house... so rubber probably deflects the poison. Do you know anything about the others?"

"Uhm..." Etho thought for a second. "Scar needs to be standing still, or at least not fighting, for his powers to take full effect. That's all I know."

"There's not a good combatant to Mumbo, but as long as you're in close range he's utterly useless," Cleo rolled her eyes, writing down more. "And once Pearl wakes up she can explain how she bested Impulse."

Etho counted up the names in his head to the Red Roundup earlier that morning. "And Grian?"

Cleo's eyes grew dark as she showed Etho the first page in her notebook.

*AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!*

Etho sighed. "I'm not sure what I expected-"

"And we-" Cleo put the pen and paper down harshly on the bed side desk. "Are going to be MIA for at least tomorrow, maybe the next if Martyn and Pearl aren't better."

"I'd love nothing more than to go and catch some reds right now," Etho took a deep breath. "But all we can do right now is wait."

"Yeah yeah..." Cleo gave a long exhale.

Etho crossed his arms, sitting down in one of the chairs and closing his eyes.

...

Ow. Everything hurt.

Martyn knew he could do mind control for a while now, one time when he was like eight he mind controlled his brother on accident, immediately passing out. He hadn't done it sense, which is probably why he had almost immediately passed out again.

*tonight we should hunt down Scar or Mumbo, they're probably alone-*

Of course his powers were beating him while he was down. The mind reading was slipping his grasp as everyone in the hospital's thoughts seeped into his brain.

*blood bags are in room 203-*

*we need to get BACK at them! Lizzie-*

*hope everyone recovers, first loyal team I might find and the THIS-*

*patient in 407 needs morphine-*

A blinding white light filled his vision, like the pale sickly blue of the moon. Fricking visual thinkers.

*spike of heart rate in room 109, press the button-*

*why is the heart monitor doing that?! What's happening-*

"MARTYN!"

Martyn gasped for air, his vision blurry. Ren was standing above him, holding him by the shoulders and shaking Martyn like a rag doll.

"Sore- sore-" Martyn managed to get out. Ren let him slowly back down in the hospital bed. "Ouch, sorrry."

"Are you alright?" Ren asked. He was still, for some reason, wearing his sunglasses inside. The curtains were closed, so it's not like it was particularly bright either. "I think your mind reading was going haywire! The heart monitor- woah!"

Ren was pushed out of the way as some doctors and nurses came in the room. After a blood pressure test, a few flashlights in his eyes, and a thermometer in his mouth, they left.

"He shouldn't be using his powers for at least three days," the doctor gave a look to Ren, she then pointed at Martyn. "I'm aware you have duties as greens, but health and safety first please."

"Can't controlll the powers sometimes..." Martyn said between breaths. He was trying to slow his breathing, he really was! But his chest felt real tight and he just needed all the air he could get.

"Hmm..." the doctor hummed, scribbling something down. "We might come and test you... later, when you're more recovered on if you'd be eligible for a Dim perscription."

Martyn blanched as the doctor had to walk over again, checking on the heart monitor as it spiked again.

Dim was a drug that put a dampener on the user's powers. Usually used on powers like Martyn's where it could get stressful or out of control. Or on powers like Lizzie's, where it causes physical pain to the user or uncontrollably causes pain to others.

Martyn was put on Dim for a year or two when he was twenty, but it had little affect on his powers, as well as exponentially increasing his paranoia for whatever reason. It only occurred to him AFTER he had nailed all his windows shut to stop people from watching him that maybe it was the drug.

"I'd prefer not to take it," Martyn looked around the room, anywhere but the doctor. "I've already talked to my phrm... phamarm..."

Ren put a hand on his shoulder, noticing he was struggling. "He's already discussed with his pharmacist, thank you doctor."

The doctor left the room as Etho walked in. "Pearl's stirring, so meeting once she's fully up. How's Martyn?"

"Doing better..." Martyn rubbed his forehead. "We'll mmmeet you ann Pearl and Scott-"

"Scott?" Etho blinked back, looking round Martyn's hospital room. "Oh gosh, I thought he was in here with you!"

"Where's Smajor then?!" Ren grew louder, whispering apologies as he saw Martyn cover his ears.

"He left his sword," Etho leaned out of the doorway, double checking. "But he took the camera so... probably just work stuff? Worse comes to worse I can track him."

"BREAKING NEWS!"

The three looked up at the por quality TV in the corner.

"Green Scott Smajor was caught in a fight with Good Times and Big Bstatz! Outside of designated fighting hours! Witnesses say Smajor was taunting, if not out right instigating for a fight."

Ren grimaced. "Yeah, now would definetly be the time to see where Smajor is."

Chapter Text

Okay... Scott could explain.

He was just so PISSED. He felt done. His friends kept getting hurt and the reds kept GETTING AWAY and he kept on being useless.

But as far as he could tell at the time: all he wanted was to talk. Scott would go to Magic Mountain and ask Scar where he'd be.

And yes. Scott knew he'd be alone if he wanted to go on this escapade at all, if he told the others they'd try and convince him to not go, and they'd probably succede.

So maybe fighting the guy with charmspeak by himself wasn't his BRIGHTEST idea.

But in theory all he was gonna do was talk (again, not REALLY great for charmspeak) and see if he could catch a member of Magic Mountain.

There was an immediate hostility in the air as Scott entered the Cafe. All the patrons looked away awkwardly as Joel, BigB, and Scar glared at the green. Though Scar was a lot more smug than the other two.

"So," Scar smiled. Gosh how Scott hated that smile. "How was the hospital."

Scott silently took a deep breath. Okay, so they were playing like THAT. "Nice, how's the Shadow Alliance?"

BigB looked off to the side, Joel death glared at him. They started it.

"Broken up," Joel spat. "Thanks to you and your camera man."

"Oh no, Martyn and Ren did that by themselves, only Pearl was really told about it," Scott shook his head. He may be in a slightly dangerous situation, but he always makes time to be a smart aleck. "Looks like things are pretty high strung among the reds, not knowing who to trust and all."

"Careful Scott," Scar narrowed his eyes. "You've still got quite the bounty on your head."

"Scar-" Joel hissed. "If you get in a fight about this I'm not backing you up."

Scott blinked back. This was great!

He didn't know much about Scar, but while he's powerful, he wouldn't be dumb enough to start a 1v1.

Scott inhaled through his teeth. "Sure. Like you're gonna turn me AND Pearl red alone."

"Was that a challenge?" Scar stepped out from behind the counter. He was still smiling, as if he wasn't aware Scott was serious.

Or that he WAS aware and had some sort of trick up his sleeve.

But how likely was that?

"Scar..." BigB warned. He stood up, putting his hand out. "Guys, let's not be too hasty-"

"No," Scott cut him off, tilting his head up at Scar. "If he thinks he can fight me by himself-"

Joel sighed and walked out the door. Scott turned his attention back to Scar, grinning. "Your move."

Scar stepped over so he shoulder to shoulder with Scott. He leaned down.

"Mark my words, Smajor," even Scott had to strain to hear what Scar was saying. "I'll turn you and all your friends red if I don't put them in the hospital again first. And I'm getting. That. Camera."

"Mark my words, Times," Scott copied his inflections, taunting. "You're NOTHING without someone to. Fight. For. You."

Scott whipped his arm up to cover his face as Scar nearly punched him. He pushed back, sending Scar barreling towards a (thankfully empty) table.

BigB lifted his hands and the room was filled with doubles of himself and Scar. The other patrons were shouting and running out of the Cafe.

Uh oh.

No fighting during the day.

"*Attack BigB.*" Scar sneered, smiling still.

Easy, Scott was already planning on doing that. Scott whirred around and thrust his fist towards the nearest BigB's face. The illusion disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Scott took an unsteady step back. If he didn't attack the real BigB right that SECOND Scar was going to kill him or worse and ge didn't know which one was REAL-

"*Go home and get me that camera-*" Scar growled. Scott pushed past the illusions to the door. He must have pushed the real BigB, because very real hands grabbed onto his shirt, preventing him from getting past.

BigB eventually wrangled Scott so he was holding the green from behind. He gave a pointed yet concerned look towards Scar. "He needs to stay here until Joel gets back with-"

"*Shut up, BigB*," Scar hissed. Scott immediately relaxed. Why on earth would he ever go give SCAR the camera.

Scott threw his head backwards, forcing BigB to reel back and let go. He ran towards the door only to see Joel a block over, running ahead of the news reporters that did the Red Roundup.

UH OH.

"BREAKING NEWS!" the news reporter said, only a little out of breath. Her cameraman pointed their camera directly at Scott. She continued once she had caught her breath. "Green Scott Smajor was caught in a fight with Good Times and Big B. Statz! Outside designated fighting hours! Witnesses say Smajor was taunting, if not outright instigating for a fight."

Scar ran out to high five Joel. Scott turned around angrily, BigB gave an awkward wave and faked a smile.

"Where are you tonight? I'm brining you in." Scott stated matter of factly.

BigB shrugged, his smile becoming a bit more genuine. "I'm afraid reds can't turn in other reds."

Scott's eyes went wide. He turned back around to see Joel, Scar, and a few of the people that were in Magic Mountain getting interviewed by the reporters.

"SCOTT YOU IDIOT!"

Scott spun around to see Ren shouting at him, Etho running forward and grabbing the former green by the arm and running in the direction of Scott's apartment.

"What was that?!" Etho hissed, pulling Scott closer to him. He saw why the reds got intimidated by him. "We were laying low!"

"YOU were laying low," Scott clarified. "I WAS gonna get things DONE."

"Well YOU were gonna turn red-" Ren cut in. "And you did! The others are at your apartment."

"Ren-" Scott tried to figure out how to ask his next question without making his plans immediately obvious. "What happens when there's no greens left? And it's all reds?"

"Scott," Etho warned as they stopped at the bottom of the complex. "No."

"Hmm..." Ren thought for a moment, anger disapating as he brainstormed. "I doubt the city would just let the reds run around... so probably a bounty sort of system where reds can turn in reds."

"But that is ANARCHY-" Etho hissed, stopping Ren before he could say anymore. "And that is not a goal we should move towards."

"It'd be a lot less pressure though," Scott rationalized. "We wouldn't have to worry about being to brutal or anything. Just red versus reds."

"Then I'd LOVE to see you pitch this idea to the others." Etho crossed his arms, rolling his eyes.

The three stepped inside, over to the elevator, Scott pressed the button.

Scott just hoped the others would know he didn't want it to go like this. But what's done is done.

By tomorrow, Scott Smajor would be red.

Tomorrow.

"Hey," Scott turned to Ren. "Next Red Roundup isn't until the morning, right?"

Ren and Etho exchanged a glance. "I guess not. What are you planning, Smajor?"

"I still have a full day of being green," Scott broke into a smile. "And whatever I do doesn't matter, cuz I'm red either way! We're SO catching a red tonight!"

Etho blinked back. "I guess we're not really working with a red if he's not on the list yet..."

The elevator door opened and Scott raced out. "Come on, I'm about to WIN whatever game the reds think they're playing!"

Chapter Text

Jimmy had a bad feeling about tonight. He didn't need to be a prophet to realize something was going to go wrong.

It was the night after they put a the greens in the hospital.

Scott looked at him with anger, determined. The same way he looked at Grian in the vision that started all of this.

Jimmy didn't say anything as Joel recounted the events of the morning to him and Lizzie. Tomorrow Scott Smajor was red.

Jimmy wasn't quite sure what that would mean. Sure, reds had the factions between them, but it wasn't like reds ever fought reds. But he doubted any of the reds would accept Scott with open arms.

Or, maybe Mumbo. But it was Mumbo.

Jimmy glanced at Lizzie and Joel as they got ready for the night. Short sword, bat (Lizzie ripped it back from Jimmy as soon as he got back to their home), crossbow. If it came down to it, would Jimmy have welcomed Scott?

He guessed that depended on Lizzie and Joel. The sun was going down, so he felt more comfortable now it was designated hours for this sort of thing.

"Hey guys..." he said, grabbing a knife. The other two snapped their heads over at the same time. Maybe he wasn't so comfortable. "When do you think I can go green again?"

Lizzie and Joel exchanged a glance.

"You still want to do that?" Joel rolled his eyes. Lizzie elbowed him, thankfully she was wearing long sleeves.

"Joel-" Lizzie hissed. She turned her attention back to Jimmy. "Well... it's complicated.

"Tensions are high-" Joel cut back in.

"The reds might be splitting off-" Lizzie looked up and to the side.

"You're proving to be SURPRISINGLY competent-"

"All the greens are turning red anyway-"

The couple kept giving weird and specific small negatives. Jimmy's heart sunk.

"So that's a no..." Jimmy slumped in his chair.

Lizzie and Joel cringed back, still sort of smiling. It was never the plan to let him be green, was it?

Jimmy stood up and went to the door. "I'm gonna go and see if I could find Mumbo, maybe I could get him to join us."

Joel shrugged. "Okay, he's got a pretty good power."

Lizzie snickered. "If only he had the guts to use them."

"See you guys," Jimmy tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice. He looked at the clock. "I'll meet you guys by Crastle at eleven."

Lizzie and Joel bid him bye as he went out. The streets were empty as the sun was just setting, people hurrying to get home before the fighting hours began.

There was one flaw in Jimmy's escapism strategy. He had no idea where Mumbo was.

"I'm getting a bit tired of this, Mumbo." That voice sent chills down Jimmy's spine.

He drew closer to where Grian and Mumbo were, peeking from behind a building to step in if anything happened. He clenched his knife with white knuckles.

Jimmy fell over, right as his brain twisted like a taffy machine. He became pale as he clenched his head, closing his eyes.

Bdubs quicker than a flash grabbed the bat out of Lizzie's hands as the reds (Jimmy nor Mumbo in sight) looked down from the roof at the rising sun.

He slammed the bat into the side of Lizzie's head, luckily not plummeting to the ground. Grian reacted quickly and shot Bdubs in the arm, but she was already out cold as Joel ran to her.

"I HAD TO!" Bdubs cried out as he dodged under an attack from Grian right over to the ledge. "I HAD-"

He didn't get to finish as Grian shoved him off the building. Neither he nor Lizzie moved, only shallow breaths. That and the sigh of relief from Joel, Lizzie was alive.

Grian snapped his head over to Tango, who overall looked rather shocked. Jimmy wasn't well versed in the inner workings of BEST, but he knew Bdubs and Tango had not been friendly for nearly a week.

"Take Bdubs to city hall and see he gets put behind bars," Grian stood on the ledge. This would be a great time to take him out, turn him in, but no one did. Had Grian always been this scary? "Get back here as soon as possible and-"

There was shouting in the distance. Distinctly the greens still left. Grian hissed under his breath.

"Joel, we've got to move," Grian said as Tango jumped off the building, easily landing and picking up the unconscious Bdubs with his mech arms. "They're coming, and I think-"

Joel grabbed Lizzie by one of her arms, yelping and dropping it. Poison.

"We'll have to leave her."

Joel looked between his wife and the ground where the greens were quickly approaching. He stood up, Lizzie still on the ground, and ran away with Grian.

"What have we here?"

Jimmy was snapped out o the vision as he realized Grian was standing right above him.

Invisible needles pricked at his skin, a feeling he recognized from all those months ago.

Grian glared at Mumbo. "Did you call him over?!"

"No! I had no idea I-"

"Mumbo-" Jimmy managed to get out before his throat threatened to close. "What's going-"

"What's going on is we were MEANT to have this meeting in private-" Grian cut him off. It was like that underlying venom (Jimmy had always thought Grian sounded a lot less nice than he tried to be) had fully breached the surface of his voice. "But someone's a bit too much of a coward for that."

"I swear, I didn't-"

"ENOUGH!" Grian raised his sword and stabbed it into Jimmy's arm. The pain nearly made him forget about the needles.

The pain only increased as his headache flared up again. Jimmy was too busy staring at his new wound to close his eyes before they rolled to the back of his head.

Scott stood along side Grian and Joel, he pointed his sword down at Pearl. With the power of a gibbous she sent tremors through the ground.

All the glass in the nearby buildings shattered, she swept her hand through the air and turned off the street lights, realizing what she had done. Destroyed public property.

While a stupid reason, Pearl was soon to be red.

And Scott was working with Grian.

But if that wasthe case, why was Scott going to end up bloody in an old warehouse about to be killed by him? Jimmy never got the ping that that vision was wrong...

Jimmy blinked a few times until he saw only Grian standing over him. He took in a few shaky breaths before he surprisingly found his voice.

"The storm is brewing..." it felt like words were spilling uncontrollably out of his mouth. "Grian Life, you're hold on this land will soon be up and you'll realize you never actually had an ally in anyone. Not in the Southlands, not with other reds, no one."

Jimmy gasped as whatever THAT was finished. Whatever Grian had cut in his arm must have been important, as Jimmy was already seeing spots. He looked up and chuckled nervously.

"Try to not put me in the hospital this time?"

Grian growled and grabbed Jimmy by the hair, slamming his gead into the concrete. And again. And again.

Jimmy could barely keep his eyes open by the time Grian moved on to Mumbo. He didn't get to see how it turned out as his world faded to black.

...

Lizzie tapped her foot nervously as she leaned against the brick wall of the only restaurant in town. It was 11:47. No Jimmy in sight.

"Hello? Any reds here?"

Joel rolled his eyes, recognizing the voice. "You don't have to do that everytime you go out, Grian!"

"But it's funny!" Grian stepped into the light of a street lamp. The night wasn't even half way over, but he already looked a bit winded. "What are you two standing around for? I want to go and collect the other reds to alliance."

"So who's that?" Lizzie asked, crossing her arms. "Just BigB, Tango, and Bdubs, the three traitors? Not to mention Scar already said he wanted to work alone."

"Hey, don't forget Impulse!" Grian defended his strange plan.

"And Mumbo." Joel added.

Grian grumbled, annoyed at the mention of his former teammate. Why did he need all the reds together for an "official" alliance? "Us reds have no where to go if we turn on eachother,so I'm not to scared of getting betrayed. Plus-"

"Have you seen Jimmy?" Lizzie blurted out. "He was supposed to meet us here at eleven but-"

Grian waved her off. "I'm sure he's fine. Plus-"

He continued on, starting to walk. Lizzie and Joel trailed behind him. She didn't know what he was planning, but she wanted in. Jimmy could catch up later.

"I think this whole thing will be over soon."

Chapter Text

"No way." Cleo crossed her arms.

The six greens (or, five sort of) were in the news reporters' apartment. Pearl found it pretty funny that people were just referring to them as "the news reporters", which was accurate but inexplicably hilarious.

Like she knew the reds called them that, but Cleo still called them that after almost two weeks as a team.

Or... maybe that team wouldn't survive the night.

"That is WAAAAY to risky, Scott," Pearl pointed out. "You realize if what Ren is saying is true, that all the reds- that outnumber and HATE us- would be able to turn us in too?"

"And then they could also turn in eachother!" Scott exclaimed. "Come on, just go insane with me tonight! We'll all be red by tomorrow."

The way Scott said that made Pearl squirm in her chair.

All of Pearl's life- up to when she was sixteen- was centered around defeating evil, training to become a hero. What would her home town think of this?!

"I don't care what you guys do," Pearl put her hands up. "But I'M not. Going. Red."

"Same here," Etho raised his hand. "It's not a thing anymore, I know that, but BEST's goal was to turn everyone back green. And I'm keeping by that."

"Okay, agree with the sentiment-" Cleo rested her elbows on the table, looking at the other five. It sort of reminded Pearl of King Arthur. "But let's not get overly attached to being green? I mean, look what they pulled with Scott! We shouldn't be overly righteous about this."

"So what?!" Martyn huffed. "Just let them trample over us until we're all red?!"

"I'm just saying it could be any of us next."

Why did Pearl's heart race at that remark? "Come on, let's just get ready. I want at least one red turned in out of this."

Scott tilted his head as Pearl left to the bed room, where they had been storing their weapons. "Go and prepare, we'll meet you by You Bet Your Life."

The other four left and Scott came into the room. "Sorry, I shouldn't have let Scar and Joel and BigB- let them bait me like that."

Pearl sighed, taking a knife. Tonight was a crescent moon, she needed to be careful. "You know I was gonna be a hero? Back in Mojang?"

Scott blinked back. "What?"

"Good powers, initiative, I was all set!" Pearl looked at the corner where the back and right wall met the ceiling. "All set at fifteen years old, training the moment I got powers."

"Why are you here then?" Scott asked. "Not that I don't want you around but... what happened?"

"I ran away, obviously," Pearl turned around, rolling her eyes and smiling. Bringing humor to a situation was WAY easier than addressing it as an actual problem. "Left a little brother behind, oppressive parents, everything. And I know I ran away to get away from the crime fighting life, but I can't bring myself to... be a crime commiter."

"We'll still be fighting... less than good people-" Scott reassured her. "It's just a different name."

Pearl tensed her shoulders. "And new rules that won't be able to stop us if we corrupt."

"That won't happen," Scott insisted. "Come on, let's see who's out tonight."

...

"What happens if we win?" Martyn asked. "Or... what happens if we go with Scott's plan and win?"

Ren shrugged. Well, the answer was obvious. "Then there's no more reds."

Martyn rolled his eyes. "NO- Cuz then we're still reds. The system has been in place for years, anyone STUPID enough to sign up to be green has done it already, so there's no one to stop US if we win."

"We'll..." Ren looked off to the side.

He couldn't imagine it,but he could imagine people like Etho or Cleo imagining it. The six of them, all betraying eachother until one has turned in all the rest, getting arrested themselves as they hand them over to city hall.

"I'm sure the city will be very appreciative of us once we get rid of Grian. Or Joel. Or Scar. Or Lizzie." Ren pushed his worries to the back of his mind. He's been friends with Martyn for a while now, he knew how to hide things from a mind reader. "Even if we are reds. Coming up on three years... surely they'll pardon us or something? They must have a plan for if the city is all reds, reds that won't turn eachother in."

Ren could easily imagine Pearl levitating him into the air, not high enough to kill but high enough to knock him out, and then taking him to city hall. He could see Scott sneaking up from behind and stabbing a needle into his shoulder, dragging his unconscious body to city hall.

No. The city wouldn't make them fight eachother they've gone through too much to get here Ren wasn't working with a basically villain for a year for this for some crummy old team who left him at the drop of a hat for some new team who would do the same and he couldn't BREATH-

"HEY!"

Ren didn't even realize he was covering his ears until Martyn pulled his arms down.

"Whatever happens-" Martyn held out his hand for a fist bump. "Like old times, my liege?"

Ren snickered. The two bumped fists. "As always."

...

"I bet you're wondering why I've gathered you here."

Skizz raised his eyebrows. "To get us all killed?"

Skizz was in the closed Magic Mountain along side one BigB.

It had been less than a week. Etho and his new FRIENDS were stuck in the hospital for two days after the last two members of BEST broke off. And Skizz... couldn't tell if the red life was for him or not.

Sure he had the gusto, the drive... but after being BEST's defacto leader, it left a weird taste in his mouth becoming the very thing he swore to destroy.

Not to mention he had been unsuccessful in what he had abandoned his last friend for.

-

"Hey-" Skizz waved over to Tango and BigB, who were walking to their homes together. "I was... hi, Tango."

Tango looked Skizz up and down. "What happened to attacking reds on sight? Or is this just courtesy of our former alliance?"

"I'm..." Skizz saw BigB flare out his hands, ready to cast an illusion. He puffed his chest a little. He's the strongest guy in BEST, dammit, he should act like it. "I'm red now. Broke into that jewelery store on 2nd street. I'll be red in the morning."

Tango was silent.

"Would everyone being red bring BEST back together?" Skizz blurted out.

Tango rolled his eyes, pushing past his former friend. "My gripe isn't with BEST, it's with Bdubs. Come on, BigB. I have to wake up early tomorrow."

BigB shuffled past Skizz, giving him an apologetic look, as the two walked towards You Bet Your Life.

Skizz had gone red for nothing.

And now he was PISSED.

-

It didn't matter, Skizz was still red. And he had a new team! It's not like ALL the reds were COMPLETELY together, but each group was a lot more friendly that BEST was ever to, say, the Southlands.

"It's the perfect time to strike!" Scar clapped his hands together. "Tonight as the news reporters leave their apartment, Skizz will go and starta fight. I'll step in and join, making sure they don't notice that BigB makes Skizz invisible while he climbs the wall to their window and steals the camera."

"And then when we have the camera?" BigB asked.

Scar shrugged. "Then we run!"

"No, like-" BigB thought for a moment of how to phrase his next question. "What are you going to DO with the camera? Why do you want it so bad?"

"Impulse is giving me thirty dollars once I get it to him," Scar smiled. Skizz stared at him for a moment. All of this for thirty dollars?! "But come tomorrow he'll have had a week and a half of not going out as a red, and therefore be off the list. If he doesn't need the camera, I can keep it and get thirty dollars."

"This seems excessive." BigB pointed out.

Screw it. Skizz was sad and angry and red! He didn't care about morals or his team! Team that he wasn't enough for, who wouldn't even consider changing sides for him. No, Skizz was done.

He pressed the palms of his hands tithe table and stood up, looking at his... acquaintances. "When do we start?"

Chapter Text

Etho couldn't believe he was doing this.

At 2:00, all the greens would meet up and do their best to ambush the reds of BEST. Not only did Etho try and remind them that none of the three reds wanted to do anything with eachother, but also that Etho- while devoted to the green cause- didn't know how he felt about fighting them.

Which is dumb. He abandoned Skizz to his face. He has ALREADY fought Tango, the night they were all sent to the hospital.

But it couldn't be his only problem was with Bdubs.

The catalyst. The one who started it all, just cuz he went in head first without a plan and without consulting the others, like always. And Etho had just LET HIM.

No, he had no right to hold Etho's brain hostage like this.

Those few days prior to Bdubs breaking Tango's mech arms were fine, which clearly spoiled him. Etho would go and meet with Bdubs everyday and they would both apologize for what happened in the night, hanging out the rest of the morning.

It was always like that. Once, Magic Mountain and the Fairy Fort were enemies, but Joel and Lizzie were still clearly together when he saw them out and about. Jimmy still talked to his red sibling in the day, Scar and Grian were friends, Etho is even sure he saw Cleo and BigB having a chat just three days after the betrayal.

But it was all too high of stakes now. Etho couldn't see Bdubs, make it clear it was all just the job and they were still friends. It had all gotten... really real really fast.

Etho could wait it out, power through. He was good at that.

But that might be coming to an end. With Scott already bloodied who knows who might go next. Could be Martyn. Ren. Pearl. Himself-

"You good?"

Or the person walking right next to him.

Etho blinked and looked up at Cleo, hands in her pockets. The two were partnered up as Scott and Pearl needed to talk to Scar and Martyn and Ren... what were those two doing actually?

"Yeah..." Etho did a double take as his body was pulled over to the right. He was tracing Jimmy with a button that had fell off his shirt.

Cleo crossed her arms, her armor stands following suit. She figured it would be more convenient to walk with them than stationing them around randomly through the city, especially with three of them all beaten up from the big fight.

"Just tired, is all," Etho is not about to spill his guts and every little thought of his to Cleo, its bad enough he told the group how his powers worked. They didn't need to know any more about him. "And nervous. Not entirely sure what today's gonna bring."

"Still going the right direction?" Cleo asked.

"I've been doing this since I was five, I'm sure I know what I'm doing," Etho said curtly. He cringed a bit. He's just tired, he doesn't want to be short with the others, especially not on a night like this. "He's getting close."

The two only got to walk another minute or so before arriving where Jimmywas too be. And if Cleo hadn't stopped him, Etho would have run right into the door of city hall.

"Uhm..." Etho scratched the back of his head. "His trace is inside..."

"He's been CAUGHT!" Cleo laughed out. "This is great!"

Etho shook his head. "Cleo. If we were met with all the greens just two hours ago, having run into NONE of them on the way here, who caught Jimmy Solidarity?"

Cleo didn't have an answer fir that one, only checking her watch after a long moment of silence. "Come on, it's one thirty. Let's go meet with the others."

They didn't talk as they made their way over to Crastle, where all the greens would meet up. Etho looked at the floor, as Bdubs worked there during the day. And if he remembered correctly, Cleo actually did as well.

"Anyone find anything interesting?" Cleo said as they approached the group.

Pearl shuffled her feet, glaring at the ground. "Scar got the camera."

"What?!" Martyn yelped.

"Well we were talking a bit and then he just..." Scott shrugged, still looking baffled. "He commanded me to get the camera-"

"And then Skizz and BigB jumped out out of no where-"

Etho hoped no one noticed him sharply gasp.

"He'll be taking that to Impulse, right?" Cleo asked. Bitterness was evident in her voice. "Surely we could get it from Impulse easier than we could get it from Scar."

"Maybe I just can't believe he won!" Pearl crossed her arms, tapping her foot. "I just... ugh!"

"We didn't get close, but Lizzie and Joel are with Grian and Bdubs and Tango at the moment," Ren added to the report of the day. "They were breaking into the library but-"

"We couldn't take any risks," Martyn grumbled. "How about you guys, Cleo, Etho?"

Etho took a breath. "Jimmy was caught."

That silenced the whole group.

"And no one has had any eyes on Mumbo either..." Scott pieced together. "Do you think-"

"Not Mumbo," Martyn cut him off. "So either Mumbo was caught too or he is safe at home. But he's always been so seceptible to peer pressure..."

"So none of you did that then?" Cleo pointed around, all the greens shook their heads. "Alright. You think Bdubs and Tango are still at the library?"

"We JUST saw them before coming here." Ren nodded.

"Then that's where we go," Pearl turned around and started walking the other direction towards the library. "We're burning moonlight, come on."

The others shrugged at eachother, Etho going first to follow.

It didn't matter who his friends were. Etho knew two things. He was green, his former friends were red.

-

The fight hadn't been the best. In theory six versus five should have gone in their favor, especially with two of them not wanting to be together, but Grian must like, count for three people with how much everyone was too scared to openly go over and fight.

Along with Tango and four arms to fight, Joel just getting stronger, and no one being able to touch Lizzie (Etho took notice to how Cleo avoided her as much as possible), it was not fun.

That and BDUBS BEING SO CONFUSING.

Bdubs was on defense, dodging in front of attacks and pushing people out of the way of others, doing this for both reds and greens.

It made Etho's head hurt. At one point he had his arrow trained on Ren, who was in a fight with Bdubs. He nearly released it before remembering who was on what side.

It was annoying as hell.

But Etho was able to leave a nasty wound on Grian, the arrow turning his already red sweater darker. He hissed and turned around, extending his hand out towards Etho. With his other hand he pulled out the arrow, leaving his wound out in the open.

In the hospital Etho had been telephoned through red, telephoned through Martyn, having been told directly by Jimmy on what exactly Grian did to him. First the needles. Then the buckling knees. No one could see Etho slowly having the life sucked out of him, Martyn, Ren, and Cleo focusing on Tango while Scott and Pearl focused on Joel and Lizzie.

The wound on Grian covered up like it was never there at all, just a scar. Just as Etho's vision started to blur, he was snapped out of the trance to see Bdubs had tackled Grian to the ground.

"Bdubs!" Grian growled as he pushed him off himself. "Watch yourself-"

"Sorry!" Bdubs cringed, standing up. "I wasn't thinking-"

"Clearly." Grian gave a pointed glare, running over to help Tango. Bdubs reached out apologetically before running over to Etho.

"Can you cut it OUT-" Etho sneered, stumbling back as the color returned to his face. "This isn't something you can both side, Bdubs!"

Scott was knocked over and Pearl rushed towards Joel with her knife. It was still only a half moon though, so she was easily over powered and thrown into Lizzie.

Cleo's arm stands were able to grab two of Tango's mech arms as she fought Grian on the ground. Ren was throwing punches directly to Tango as Martyn had shot (and missed) Grian with a hand crossbow.

Despite the draw, the reds started to retreat. They weren't losing, but their faces ranged from determined to mischievous. Not a good sign, but the greens were a bit to beaten up to follow.

"Gonna go with your friends?" Etho raised an eyebrow, taking another step back.

Bdubs grew sad. "You're my friend."

They were quiet for a second.

"How about this," Scott said as Etho jumped, not realizing the future red was right behind him. "You turn in a red, and we do our best to get you back to green."

"What?!" Etho and Bdubs gasped at the same time.

"I mean, doesn't seem like the reds like you too much right now," Pearl looked over to where all the reds were running, leaving Bdubs behind. "And Etho certainly misses you."

Etho hunched his shoulders. "Guys-"

"You'd really do that, Etho?" Bdubs looked up at him.

There was that look again, like when he went to Magic Mountain without consulting the others. That look Etho couldn't. Say. No. To.

Etho said nothing, not trusting himself to talk. Bdubs nodded, slowing time to move fast and chasing after the other reds.

"Boom." Scott shrugged, smiling, even though Etho was emotionally devastated. "Either he catches a red and we get a green, or he gets caught trying! Easy!"

Etho took a step away from Scott, pointing to the rising sun. Five o'clock, Red Roundup at seven thirty.

"Ah..." Scott's face fell. "Guess I'm walking home alone then?"

Pearl pursed her lips, Ren and Martyn looking off to the side. Cleo shrugged apologetically, but Ethi just stared him down.

If he wasn't going easy on Bdubs, he certainly wasn't going easy on Scott.

Scott went on his way, supposedly back to his apartment. Pearl walked the opposite direction.

"Come on," Pearl beckoned the others. "I'll walk with you all until fighting hours are over."

Etho followed along with the others, looking to where the reds had run off. Despite everything he stood for, Etho hoped Bdubs didn't do anything too stupid.

Chapter Text

It was a loss for both sides, really.

The greens were already down in numbers and even though the reds gained one, they still lost five.

"Now for the Red Roundup! Last night was exciting as ever, as four reds were caught. However, a red has been removed from the list due to inactivity, as well as a red being added. Let's get right to it.

"Joel S. Beans

Good 'Scar' Times

Big B. Statz

Grian Life

Tango Tek

Skizzle Man

Scott Smajor.

That concludes the Red Roundup as lines are drawn and intentions are revealed. Speaking of our reds and our lovely greens-"

Pearl leaned forward in her seat. The greens were all met in the library early in the morning, she managed to get out of the house before Scott woke up.

She hated having to hide things from him now. They were still friends. They still lived together, HOPEFULLY they'd still hang out, but one silly label and the whole dynamic gets flipped upside down.

A net worth of four people off their hands, just from last night.

Granted, they contributed most likely nothing to that number. Both Bdubs and Lizzie were gone, she noticed Etho staring at the screen a bit longer than the others. Mumbo was gone, probably taken out by whoever turned in Jimmy. And of course, Impulse was MIA.

Pearl kept her eyes peeled though. Just because he wasn't there doesn't mean he wasn't watching.

It wasn't like she'd see him though. Her eyes only glowed when the moon was out.

"Today we need to go out and talk to everyone," Ren pointed to a board. "Or... everyone we don't have an alibi for. Etho and Cleo?"

"Saw no one," Cleo recalled. "Etho used a shirt button in something to find out Jimmy was taken."

"Pearl and... Pearl?" Ren barely caught himself before saying Scott's name.

She sighed. THAT was going to get annoying, at least until she turns red so they can actually be teamed again.

Huh. When did that become more when than if.

"Just Scar, Skizz, and BigB," Pearl shrugged. "But on the way THERE we saw Bdubs and Tango. Not together though."

"And we saw Lizzie, Joel, and Grian with them later," Martyn reminded Ren. "We left before I could get a read on them all, but Lizzie was only thinking about the fact Jimmy was late to meeting her and Joel."

"So that leaves...?" Ren asked.

The rest of the group groaned, all coming to the conclusion together. "Grian."

"What even is Grian's plan, take out the reds from the inside?" Cleo scoffed. "He seems to have way too much fun as a red to do that."

All eyes fell on Martyn. He squirmed under their gazes. "What?"

"Do you know what Grian might be planning?" Pearl said, stating perfectly clearly. For a mind reader, Martyn could take forever to pick up on subtext.

Martyn groaned. "Grian's just so- Grian's weird. It's like he SCRIPTS his thoughts. Like he's been mentally preparing his whole life to meet a mind reader."

"Okay..." Etho hummed. "Was there ever anything he said to the Southlands? About his plans, or about anything that just sort of ticked you off to him being a bad guy?"

"He just wanted all reds locked up,just like BEST or any other greens before us," Martyn shrugged. "I remember he said 'our goal here is to get everyone off the streets, whether they want to or not'."

Cleo snickered. "Yep, can see why you started working with him, Martyn."

Something clicked, Pearl tapped her fingers on the table. "Guys-"

Martyn gasped, offended. "I was only in the Southlands to be a mole for Ren and the Fairy Fort!"

"Uhm, guys-"

"Yeah," Cleo crossed her arms. "That's also going splendidly then?"

"Like you and BigB weren't working with Lizzie for a year straight for no reason." Etho piped in, earning a glare.

"Hey guys."

"At least me and BigB don't jeopardize every fight where we see eachother." Cleo accused, tilting her head up at the hunter.

"Oh come on," Ren put his hands up, erasing the board now they've singled out who caught Jimmy. "Let's not fight-"

The three nearly scoffed in unison. "Shut up, Ren."

"GUYS!"

Everyone FINALLY stopped arguing and turned to Pearl. "I know things are high strung, but that means we can't be doing little petty squabbles more than ever. There's still only five of us and seven of them. Martyn?"

Martyn looked up from where he was glaring at the floor.

"Did Grian say EVERYONE?" Pearl asked. "Not reds off the streets. Everyone off?"

Martyn pieced it together. "Oh crap... that's why he left Jimmy to die when he was first hospitalized."

"Why he only pretends to care who he's teaming with..." Ren added.

"He's trying to eliminate reds AND greens." Etho concluded.

"Is he allowed to do that?!" Cleo sputtered. "If he drags one of us to city hall, we won't be arrested, right?"

"I'd rather go to city hall than get the Jimmy treatment." Ren gulped. "As far as o can tell, there's no way to counter his power."

"Alright, this is fine-" Martyn shook his hands out. "All we need to do is interrogate Grian today, and focus him at night. If we take him to city hall, no one has to get... get 'the Jimmy treatment' ever again."

"Easier said than done," Pearl huffed. "Scar still has my camera."

"I still need revenge on BigB." Cleo seethed.

"And I still want to reform BEST," Etho added, faltering a little. "Even if it means doing it without Bdubs."

"We just need to do the best we can," Ren nodded at the others. "How about Martyn and I go interrogate Grian, since it seems we'll be the least distracted."

"Fine by me," Cleo shrugged, standing up and stretching. "Meet back here tonight?"

Martyn nodded. "Eight o'clock sharp."

"Great!" Pearl smiled, getting up. "There's a certain GHOST I need to talk to."

Etho sighed. "Please don't make us anymore reds to deal with..."

...

Half of his mission was complete. Scott Smajor was red, and he had the camera.

Impulse has been inactive for a weak though, has his anger subsided? Does he even care about the camera anymore? Or Scott? Or Pearl?

Or, Scar HAS to turn Pearl red. If not for this thirty dollar bounty, then at least for his own pride. Both the news reporters. Uptight, self righteous greens. RED, because of him.

So here Scar was, kneeling down and looking at the camera on his coffee table in the living room space above Magic Mountain.

He could just... not give it to Impulse.

Well, he should go and tell Impulse he HAS IT, but not give it to him. No... he has better use for a camera that stuffy Impulse does. He's certainly strong enough to fend the ghost off if he tries to take it.

Hm. The only part that irks Scar is that he might loose some cash on this.

Whatever. He can make a HUNDRED dollars with blackmail. Yes... there's still five greens out there.

Pearl of course wants the camera BACK. He can set up a ransom price once she is red, and all the others too.

The only thing is Scott. Hmm...

It should be fine. It's still day one for him as a red, and all his time as a green was spent making enemies across the board.

If Scott decided to come and fight him, alone, Scar could take him.

Now. If Scar knew how her powers worked, tomorrow was a gibbous moon. Meaning Pearl was gonna be strong tomorrow. And she had four allies on her side that wouldn't want SCAR to have her camera.

It's fine. All he needs is incriminating footage to turn all her little friends red until she's the only one left.

And they're all green, so how hard can that be?

Chapter Text

Cleo knew where Lizzie and Joel lived of course, so they didn't really even need Etho with them, but it still felt weird just... marching up to their house.

Pearl had given them and Etho a tape recorder, because even though the camera got stolen those two still had a job to do. Luckily Scott had thought to bring back up devices.

Cleo knocked harshly on the door thrice. The third time the door opened to Joel in a nicer outfit than normal. Seeing who it was, he scowled.

"Do you mind?" Joel sneered. "I have to pick up my wife from jail."

"About that-" Cleo lifted your the tape recorder, waving it like they were saying hi. "The news reporters wanted to know if they could have an interview-"

"No." Joel pushed past them.

Cleo and Etho exchanged a glance. Okay, this would be done the hard way then. They didn't care if Joel attacked them really, they just wanted answers.

Because for the two years they've lived in the city... Cleo's never heard of a red getting caught.

"Joel, you little-" Cleo grunted, grabbing Etho by the forearm and chasing after Joel.

They sort of forgot one of the reasons that fighting was left to night: crowds. Even from ten feet behind, Cleo lost sight of the red amongst the other people going about their lives.

Etho yanked his arm away from them, rolling his eyes. He had what looked like an aglet in his hand. "Come on, this way."

Getting over the fact Joel had somehow managed to lose and AGLET during a fight (presumably with BEST, which loosing ANYTHING in a fight with those dopes was feat enough), they eventually caught sight of him again. Cleo had an armor stand jump out of the alley and grapple him.

"What are you gonna do?" Joel wrangled, Cleo felt beads of sweat by their temple trying to maintain concentration, but they held strong. "Can't turn anyone in during the day, you'll go red for sure!"

"We just want to talk," Etho pocketed the aglet before putting his hands up. "We want to know your feelings, experience, and the legalities that come with getting caught."

Cleo turned on the weird tape recorder thing, made a terrible whirring sound that would underline any dialogue, and no doubt the audio was terrible.

Joel stated at the two for a moment. A long moment. Maybe even two. Before he burst out laughing. Cleo knew they saw tears of hilarity, it felt wrong to call whatever... this was joy.

"Why don't you ask Mr. 'Bdubs can do no wrong' right there?" Joel smiled, sneering. He twisted violently. "And let. Me. Go."

Etho took a step forward. "You be quiet-"

"Etho." Cleo hissed, grabbing the back of his shirt. "Wait until it's not illegal to beat people up. But..."

An armor stand jumped down from a roof across the street and barreled at Etho, grappling him just like Joel.

"HA!" Joel barked out. "Idiot!"

Etho writhed before glaring up at Cleo. "What is this."

"Well..." Cleo clicked their tongue. They were having second thoughts, but it'd be awkward to release Etho now after they've shown they're willing to do this. "I think having two perspectives will be interesting for Noxcrew."

"CLEO!" Etho growled.

Cleo fished a piece of paper from their pocket. "Anyway, here is the sheet of questions Pearl gave me-"

"Cleo." Etho was clearly seething, like a pot about to boil over. "I'm green and I don't hate you, I can answer questions like a normal person. Call the stand off."

"Okay Mr. 'Fumbly and touchy when Bdubs is on the field'," Cleo put their hands on their hips. "You'd be vague or just. RUN if I asked you anything about your former team."

Etho stilled, no doubt scowling under his mask. Cleo rolled their eyes.

"If you don't wat to talk I can get a hold of Martyn," Cleo pointed out. "Come on, this will be over fast."

-

Getting a red out of jail was pricey, though apparently there's a slight "discount" for spouses bailing out their spouses.

Paying the fine releases the red with a three month house arrest, followed by a three month period of strict curfew. The red cannot apply to be a green for two years.

If the fine is not paid a red will stay in the city jail for three months and then put on house arrest for another three, and not be eligible to be a green for another two years.

Both Lizzie and Joel have the appropriate amount stashed away for when they need to be bailed out.

Etho is not planning on bailing Bdubs out.

Only citizens of Last City are eligible to bail out reds.

These are all the things Cleo relayed back to Pearl.

The two were sitting in Crastle, the clock to strike seven in about thirty minutes. After they were finished eating they'd meet Etho, Martyn, and Ren at the library.

"So that's it then?" Pearl smiled. "No more Lizzie? Or Bdubs? Or- well, Jimmy and Mumbo were never really a problem for us, but still."

"This isn't all good news." Cleo pointed out. "You and Scott aren't citizens, so if you're caught there's nothing we can do."

"Then we won't get caught!" Pearl pocketed the tape recorder. "And Etho and Joel just gave you this information?"

Cleo paused for a second. "Yes. Pearl, you can't just say you won't get caught. Hell, the only reason Jimmy was allowed to quit being green was cuz he was bed bound. You won't get out of this until you go home, and that's probably only cuz of Noxcrew."

"Oh please," Pearl wiped her hands. "When have I ever not been careful? I'm never going red, and I'm never getting caught."

Cleo took a deep inhale. "You got stabbed, BigB tricked you into turning Impulse red, you and Scott lost the camera, probably much more I don't know about-"

"I feel like it's noteworthy to say you ALSO got tricked by BigB," Pearl held her hands out. "And you got poisoned."

Cleo grumbled. They were hoping Pearl wouldn't notice that. "Whatever. How much left do you and Scott have here?"

"Uhm..." Pearl squirmed in her seat, smiling awkwardly. "Like... five months?"

"Pearl!" Cleo yelped. This... was NOT going to end well for the news reporters. "Gah! Do you know where Scott is now?"

"He probably wants to team with Grian and Joel," Pearl thought for a moment. "He hates the two of them, but I'm sure he's smart enough to not go out on his own. He's smart like that."

"I don't know if I'd ever call teaming with GRIAN smart," Cleo sighed. They knew Pearl wouldn't know EVERYTHING about the red and green system, but it was really scary to see how invincible Pearl thought she was. "Okay, we need to go and find the others."

"Wait..." Pearl shook her hands out, grabbing Cleo by the arm before they fully stood up. "Me and Scott were green without being citizens, right? Why does that matter for the bail then?"

Cleo bit their tongue, not wanting to keep them later at Crastle than they already were. "The city government REALLY likes its red green thing. They were probably just THRILLED to have two NOXCREW reporters to see it for themselves."

Pearl's breath rose and fell rapidly, before she evened it out again. "Come on, let's find the others."

"Idiots!"

Oh goodie.

Martyn was clenching and unclenching his fists, glaring daggers at Ren, who looked like he'd really rather not be there. Etho followed behind, and Cleo did not miss the look pointed at them.

"What's happened?" Cleo asked, standing up. "Ren?"

Ren opened his mouth as Martyn cut him off. "Well, we went to talk to Grian-"

"Oh gosh-" Cleo deadpanned, crossing their arms.

"He was questioning my loyalty," Ren spoke for himself, holding himself as regal as he could even though it was evident he screwed up. "And I lashed out and told him he had no loyalty. It was true, but he didn't seem to like it. He promised that two of us would be red by the end of the night."

"And he meant it." Martyn clarified. "He was thinking about going to where the Fairy Fort kept their operations to scavenge, but I can't trust his thoughts."

Cleo hummed. "Even if he's there it'd be a good idea to raid the warehouse. I'm sure Lizzie must have left a lot behind."

"Stay away from Grian's posse we should be good." Pearl nodded. "Ren, you think you could get in the warehouse first? Just to draw out anyone that was inside."

Ren gave a thumbs up. "Are we ready then?"

The five all confirmed. Ren clapped his hands.

"Great. Tonight, guys, we dine in hell."

Chapter Text

Scott was already having a weird day when he got called into work. He THOUGHT he just had his last field day of the month, just commentating whatever the "big game" of the season.

But here Scott was, waiting in an office of the Noxcrew building for a higher up. Something about a new assignment. Of course Scott loved his job, but he was very excited about working at home for the next two weeks.

Scott sat attentively at the round table until the door opened. He stood up out of respect, but the person who entered was... definetly not a higher up.

And Scott thought HE was underdressed. The lady had a dark blue hooded sweater, no thought really put into her ratty, slightly tangled hair hanging out of her side. Her eyes were wide, but she was uninterested.

She sat down next to Scott, hubching over with her elbows on the table.

"Uhm..." Scott tried. The only indication he got that she was listening was the tilt of her head. She didn't make eye contact as she looked around the room, incredibly bored. "And you might be...?"

The lady raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to answer, but before she could make a sound the door swung open again.

"Scott Smajor," fancy suit said. Scott couldn't be bothered to remember every important name at Noxcrew. "Apologies for the short notice. I assume you're acquainted with Pearl Moon?"

"No-" Scott's breath caught as he went to answer the first question. There was no way.

She was a cameraman, which explained how she put herself together, he supposed.

Okay, that was a little mean.

Pearl Moon. Only the most famous photojournalist in the whole city. Known for her work capturing picture of heroes and villains at work. Also known for never showing up to any award ceremonies, even though she had won several in her few years with Noxcrew.

And rumor has it her abilities are powerful. A colleague of his said she floated up to get a good vantage on a fight, but her official resume only refered to some light ability that helped with her photographic composition.

Scott, being a live news reporter, has never actually met the photographer. And he only worked in sports, so it was no wonder they hadn't crossed paths.

"Thank you both for meeting me here," fancy suit continued. "I'm sure you've guessed I have a job for you. Don't worry, you'll have two weeks to prepare for the trip.?"

"Trip?" Pearl tilted her head. "I think there's been a mistake, I don't get assigned jobs outside the city. Of course I know Scott has been all over, wherever the sports games take him, so you probably want someone more exper-"

"Moon, we want YOU," fancy suit cut her off. "Last City is only about two years old, but already has an alternative to the hero agency system."

Scott blinked back. EVERYONE used the hero system, and if they had something else they definetly were not a new city. Questions already formed in Scott's mind, ones he'd research and interview about once he got to the city.

But he didn't let that show. His hands were folded on the glass table.

"You two will go to Last City- all expenses fully paid for, don't worry," fancy suit clarified. "And report on the system, what kind of people practice it, that sort of thing. The city council commissioned this piece themselves, so I'm sure they'd be happy to answer any of your questions."

Scott resisted the urge to wrinkle his nose, one Pearl did not even try and protest. He didn't go near the government with a ten foot pole if he could help it. He wasn't a criminal or anything, it's just they always barred information, and whatever they said was biased.

"How long will this trip be?" Scott made a file in his head for all the stuff he'd have to start packing.

"Six months."

Both Scott and Pearl sputtered, leaning forward a little towards fancy suit. Scott nearly choked on his own saliva. "Six months?!"

"Yes," it was easy to tell fancy suit was trying to feign neutrality, but was clearly as surprised as they were. "The city practically insisted on it. Six months, Last City, fully paid for."

The rest of the meeting was all the technicalities. Scott and Pearl were to share an apartment (which based on how tidy she kept herself, Scott was not excited to see how tidy she kept a living space). Once a month they'd have to mail Noxcrew an hour of footage at minimum. All with very, VERY well pay for the project itself.

Scott and Pearl signed some forms and made their way out of the building. Noxcrew. Wanting HIM. He knew he was a recognizable face to the public, so having him in an experiment might help its success, but WOW did it send his confidence soaring as he walked out the door.

"See you in two weeks?" Pearl held open the door for him.

"Nice to meet you," Scott extended his hand out for a shake but she instead took the high five. "I'll try and pack a board game or two. Is there one you particularly like?"

Pearl shrugged, a smile that made her nose wrinkle warmly. Despite her informal wear, she was very professional during the meeting, which eased Scott's nerves. "Nothing in particular. Though, something tells me we won't have much time for board games. Or sleep for that matter."

Scott hummed. "It's only an hour of footage."

Pearl started making her way opposite of Scott as they turned the corner. "Eh. If it's a whole new system? That WE have to explain? No heroes or villains? I think we'll be plenty occupied."

-

Scott disagreed with that statement now. Grian, at least, was definetly a villain.

Gosh, that was only TWO MONTHS ago.

It still didn't feel real. No, Scott wasn't red. This was all a fluke. Just a... hiccup in his path.

His path towards the belly of the beast.

Oh no, Jimmy's first words to him weren't lost.

"Well... Scott, was it? You were wounded... badly. He was fighting an... old friend of mine."

The only "old friends" Jimmy had were the Southlanders. Scott HAD considered Joel or Lizzie for a while, but despite the hospital situation, it seemed they were still pretty close.

While Martyn had a betrayal streak, it couldn't be him. And other than the fact that Scott was red now, the two got along fine. And from the way Martyn fights? Scott doubts he would get "hurt badly" by the mind reader.

Mumbo was off the table. He was caught- and Scott wouldn't even be in the city long enough to see him get out. Not to mention the man was a nervous wreck and a half. No perceived physical strength, Mumbo would fight with his powers, easily thwarted by Scott's own abilities.

Same with Jimmy. And the prophet seemed apologetic enough for it not to be him.

Impulse. Scott had thought it'd be Impulse for a long while, being quite honest. The man could hold a grudge, but also hold back his anger, waiting to throw it like a grenade. But no one has heard from Impulse in nearly a week, and Scott was hoping if anything, he'd seek PEARL out more than Scott, since he was now red.

So of course, that left one person that could best him in a fight, and would want to.

When Scott thought of this, he thought of the request Jimmy made right after the interview, after serving as the anglerfish that got him into this mess.

"I know Noxcrew likes hands on reports and you're news reporters and such- but PLEASE don't get involved in this red/green thing. Take it from me, who's experienced it hundreds of times over with my visions, it's not worth it."

It was almost that time of night, and Scott was making his way towards Magic Mountain. Joel would obviously be there, not a good look to go radio silent after a blow like loosing Jimmy AND Lizzie.

The bell above the door rung, and Scott saw the man that would kill him.

Grian squinted, smiling. "Well, that was a quick descision."

Grian set the sword he was sharpening on the table and walked up to Scott, hands behind his back. Message clear.

In his eyes, Scott wasn't a threat.

"No way are you letting HIM join us!" Joel gasped indignantly.

"It's not like he's the one who put your family in jail." Grian pointed out. Joel flinched back at the jab.

"Well..." Joel tapped his foot in frustration. "If he couldn't even catch anyone as a green what hope does he have as a red."

Scott clenched his teeth, biting back a snappy reply. He needed them on his side, even if only for two days.

Just long enough to turn his friends red.

"Look Joel," Grian rolled his eyes. "It's not a bad idea- or, not for me at least- to have a good, sturdy shield. Because let's be honest, we take as many punches as we throw."

Joel scoffed. "He's just gonna betray us for that little lap dog tomorrow."

"Oh, Scott wouldn't do that!" Grian put his arm around Scott, as if they had been friends this whole time. "He needs us. Ren will need us too, he'd never survive by himself with THOSE powers-"

Grian scrunched up his nose at the mention of Ren's abilities. He tightened his hold on Scott.

"Besides," Grian returned to a smile. "I'm keeping my enemies close. And don't deny it! I know you just want to have your little nosy news reporter nose stuck in our business. Right, Scott?"

Scott resisted the urge to swear him out. "I'm just glad we're on the same page. Can I team with you two? I'm... gah! I'm just mad. I just want to SEE the greens faces, when they see who I'm with. I don't care how distant you guys hold me, I just want them to feel crappy."

This was a lie. A big fat lie. Scott was mad of course, but he trusted Pearl and the others would realize this was an alliance of necessity.

Because while the greens might feel bad for turning him in, other reds will not.

"Joel?" Grian tilted his head. He was cocky, knowing he's won the logic battle.

"Hmm... fine." Joel glowered, picking up a baseball bat. Lizzie's. "But stay out of our way, would ya?"

Scott trailed a few paces behind the two, Grian and Joel making a plan to turn Ren red again.

He kept his eyes trained on Grian. He didn't even know if the game had started yet (it has. He feels it in his bones. It has), but when it did, he'd be ready to strike first.

Chapter Text

Ren tapped his fingers together, doing his best to keep his hands to his side. If he doesn't, hell curl up on himself and it'll let the others know how nervous he actually is.

He's going red tonight, that much he can tell. He was the one to lash out at Grian. And he'd be dragging someone down with him.

But he didn't know who yet.

Some selfish part of him hoped it'd be Martyn. Martyn would be the least likely to hate him afterwords.

Cleo would hate him the most he knew for a fact. She hated him now, there was no way she didn't. He stuck with Lizzie, he aided BigB when he betrayed her.

No no no, it's fine it's fine. He got betrayed by BigB too. And in the end he's still here helping the green cause.

Or... at least for tonight he will be.

Etho was without- or, has been without, but is now completely cut off from his other half. It didn't take a mind reader to tell Etho was tearing himself to shreds about it, but Martyn had told Een the extent of what he's seen anyway.

And then of course Pearl.

Martyn told him that Scott and Pearl had only met a week prior to coming to the city, but it was clear how quick the two had become best friends. And Scott was red, and as far as Martyn could tell, Pearl was avoiding even THINKING about it.

And it didn't take the little twitch behind his ears to tell Martyn was reading his mind too. The pitying glances. The stares. Normally Ren didn't mind, no matter where the two were they were always on the same side anyway, but he HATED how exposed he felt under Martyn's gaze.

Martyn looked away.

It was maybe a but too quiet of a night that Cleo, Ren, and Martyn were out. Or... that Ren was "by himself".

Grian wanted his blood? Why, then he was the perfect bait.

The plan was simple. Ren would walk alone looking deathly anxious (which was probably the easiest part). That would lure in whatever reds they ran into, to which Cleo and Martyn would jump out and they'd catch someone. Hopefully.

Ren cracked his knuckles before biting them. He looked all around. There was no noise, and that part scared him the most.

Because Etho had told them where Scar would be, and Scar always made himself known. And even thought this was to be an ambush on him, it made Ren shake that he didn't know where the red was.

He settled on hands in his pockets, away from the sword on his back. He was unassuming. Easy prey. Like he was waiting for his friends to appear.

Ren nearly jumped across the street when he heard the whisper in his ear. "*hold still. Don't make a sound.*"

He felt something sharp touch against his arm. He desperately wanted to, wanted to scream for help. But Scar would kill him in an instant, even with two allies nearby strengthening him there is no doubt in his mind Scar would easily over power him.

He finally saw the purple fabric as Scar rippled into view. As far as he knew, invisibility wasn't in Scar's pallet. So that meant there was a certain other traitor was accompanying him.

"Grian has put QUITE the bounty on your head..." Scar grinned. "So now I've got myself a camera, as well as a deal for never having his powers used on me. And a quarter of whatever he finds at the Shadow Alliance's former base."

Ren was trembling.

"How do I do this..." Scar thought for a moment, before his eyes lit up. "*go down to You Bet Your Life and fight Tango and Skizz. Break windows, steal something, do something that would make you red.*"

Ren broke away from the knife, it sliced his forearm as he moved away from it. He was able to move! He could talk!

But there was only one thing on his mind now. Find You Bet Your Life. Find Tango and Skizz. Break something. Ren doesn't remember a time when Magic Mountain or the Fairy Fort ever walked home together, but Scar must at least know he works at the library. He needs to get the the mechanics shop fast, or Scar would find him and do away with him and-

Ren vaguely heard Cleo's voice and the movement of wood on concrete as he dashed downtown. Cleo and Martyn would try and stop him, they didn't know what was on the line if he didn't do what Scar said.

He didn't even notice as he barreled into BigB, the illusionist sneering as he ran towards Scar. He heard Cleo scream in anger, Martyn not far behind with a chorus of "woah!"s and "hold on!"s.

The city was small and Ren didn't run into anyone on his way to the shop. The light was on, as it was still early in the night, neither of the reds had gone out yet.

Ren tried the door, causing both the reds to look up at him. Even with no allies nearby, Ren was able to break the glass and get into the shop.

"Woah woah!" Tango hissed, swiftly putting on his backpack and getting into a fighting stance. "I don't know WHAT you think you're doing, but- GAH!"

Ren didn't waste a second tackling Tango, though he didn't fall to the ground due to the extra balance from the mech arms. With no allies nearby, Tango easily shoved Ren away and used one of the mech arms to pin him to the floor.

"What in the WORLD-" Tango seethed before his eyes widened, looking at the door Ren broke. "Ah... something tells me this was about Grian's little message..."

Ren snarled. He wasn't done, he needed to keep fighting, attack Skizz, break windows, SOMETHING. Scar would have his head.

Skizz kicked Ren in the side. "So what, this was Scar's doing then? He looks... MANIC. Ugh, I've got to convince Scar not to use his powers near me. It's so... creepy."

Ren steadied his breathing, going limp in faux exhaustion. He cam play victim again.

Skizz hoisted him up from under his arms. "He's not red YET, so we can't take him to city hall..."

"So what, just keep him here for the night?" Tango crossed his arms. "I know we've 'made up', but I think I'm regretting my descision to let you make team plans again."

Skizz gasped indignantly as Ren took the distraction. He threw his head back, hitting Skizz in the chin and forcing him to let go. He rushed at Tango, who had retracted his mech arms and pushed him to the ground.

"Careful!" Tango yelped as he was pushed into a table. Stray pieces of machines and things that were warm went everywhere. Break things.

Ren unsheathed his sword and went over to the biggest piece of technology he could find. He thrust the sword between the metal.

"NO!" Tango screamed, running over as Ren got shocked by the sword.

A moment later he realized what that meant and took several steps back. Tango fussed over the machinery before it exploded in his face.

Everyone was thrown backwards, Tango the most as he was closest to the blast. Ren tried to get up, covered in burns. Skizz had a bit more success, crawling over to Tango and feeling his neck, giving a sigh of relief.

Tango was unconscious, but alive.

Ren got up despite the pain. Skizz had his back to him. He picked up a wrench from the table.

Skizz was down in a second.

Ren collapsed again, covered in blood and burns.

But slowly, he felt himself get filled with new energy, the burns scabbing a lot faster than they should have. Allies.

"You idiot," Cleo picked him up, bridal style. "I'm sorry I'm sorry- we wanted to get you but... I saw BigB and I just. Ugh."

"Did we get them?" Ren rasped out.

Martyn took one of his hands. "You know it. Come on, I got some medicine at my apartment."

"Not the hospital?" Cleo asked, raising an eyebrow.

Martyn shook his head. "Once the Red Roundup is announced he'll just get admitted to city hall if he's in the hospital."

"That seems like something we want though." Cleo pointed out.

"Mmm." Martyn shuffled his feet. "Here, I can take Ren. Get Tango and Skizz to city hall."

Armor stands marched into the room and picked up the reds from under their arms. Martyn put his arm around Ren and they walked back to his apartment.

"I take it I'll be..." Ren didn't finish the sentence.

"Red." Martyn swallowed. "Come on, let's get you home."

Chapter Text

It had been nearly a week since she's been in the hospital. The moon smiled at her, half.

Contrary to popular belief, Pearl wasn't an idiot.

Hm. Maybe she would have preferred it like that.

She never should have gotten Scott's location from Etho, he was with GRIAN now, for crying out loud. The two of them, along with Joel's brute strength, would have a trap for any green.

So Pearl was red, only for breaking a few windows, no less, which was a stupid way to go out.

She didn't tell the others in the chaos of the night. Ren had his own problems, as well as Martyn and Cleo. And she knew Etho went to speak with Bdubs, she didn't want to pile on on everyone's problems.

"And now, today's Red Roundup!"

But that meant the others were in for a nasty surprise this morning.

"And the reds today are:

"Joel S. Beans

"Grian Life

"Scott Smajor

"Ren Dog

"Pearlescent Moon."

Great. Now the whole CITY knew her full name. Not like she was hiding her identity or anything, but who names their kid "Pearlescent"?

Or, that was probably a good question for the parents of anyone she's met in the past month.

But besides that... GOSH was the Red Roundup short. It hasn't been this short in what, since before the initial fiasco with the Fairy Fort.

She knew last night four reds were caught, two reds gained and therefore two greens lost.

Three greens. Three against five.

On the bright side, she and Scott were on the same side again. And with Ren too. All they needed was Cleo, Etho, and Martyn red, then they'd all be able to work together and take Grian and Joel down.

Or... maybe they should deal with Grian and Joel first.

Pearl didn't bother turning off the TV, tuning out the voices until they were only noise and making herself and Scott some coffee.

It was gonna feel weird today, not having the other greens I the apartment to plan. They'd probably avoid her like the plague today.

That was SUPPOSED to be the appeal of the red green system, all business kept to the night so that the two sides could live normally in the day.

Jimmy had told the reporters Lizzie came to visit him after he was put in the hospital the first time, even though she was the one to beat him up.

Martyn and Ren worked at the library together, even while Martyn was a Southlander and Ren for the Fairy Fort. Maybe that one wasn't the best example, as Martyn had been a mole in the Southlands the whole time, but still.

There were probably more cases Pearl didn't know about, but everything's changed.

Etho wouldn't talk to Bdubs during the day or night, nor would the rest of BEST.

Cleo couldn't look at BigB.

Pearl remembers walking with Scott and seeing Jimmy walking. Scott pulled her to the other side of the street.

Impulse only grew more and more reclused.

And of course, Grian was as detached as ever. From both the people he was fighting and his own teammates.

That being said, Pearl hadn't had a proper conversation with Scott in nearly three days.

Scott also woke up a lot later than she did. So all morning, six to nine, Pearl had been pacing the apartment stressing about what he'd say. She didn't even realized how tuned out she was until she jumped at the sound of the reporter's voice.

"Good morning."

Pearl spun around in her seat on the couch. "Why, good morning! There's coffee on the counter."

"Thanks," Scott picked up the mugand sat in the arm chair to the side of the couch. "We should go out to eat today."

Pearl, as much as she was dying to talk about it, was so glad the first thing she talked about this morning would not be her new status. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Despite my powers, I DO miss the sun."

"Where should we go?" Scott thought for a moment. "Scar is in jail so the only person running Magic Mountain is Joel... and I doubt he wants to see me-"

"I thought you and him were all buddy buddy now," Pearl did a terrible job hiding the bitterness in her voice. She flinched. "I mean- I didn't-"

"No, it's fine, it probably hurt," Scott looked to the side. "But when you ran away from the fight yesterday-"

"Okay, maybe not RUNNING AWAY-"

"After we got you red I told them I quit," he admitted. "Yeah, with Scar gone, his wife and brother in law gone and with Grian being an inconsistent mess, I doubt he'll want to see me."

"Yeah that's..." it's a little stupid how Pearl's heart twinged for Joel. When put like that, he had lost quite a lot. "Wow. So no go on Magic Mountain. Crastle?"

Scott shrugged. "Yeah, we can go to Crastle."

Pearl hated it, she hated every fiber of her being. She let herself become red, she wasn't careful, she wasn't THINKING-

But it was the day. Right now, she could just go have breakfast.

Chapter Text

*why would she tell us? We could have made it easier, been more productive, this is all my fault I shouldn't have snapped at Grian and I shouldn't have snapped at him Pearl's red because of me-*

Martyn buried his face in his pillow. He woke up really early in the morning, as his mind reading switched on the middle of the night. And usually Ren's really good at keeping his mind mellow.

And the pain probably wasn't helping. Just last night Ren was the catalyst of a minor explosion that knocked out two other people. Martyn was able to treat the most of his burns, but he could still feel the twinge of stinging and vague acknowledgement of the sensation in Ren's mind.

But the Red Roundup came and went, with both him and Pearl red now. And, reasonably, Ren's thoughts raced around his head, Martyn could practically visualize his words bouncing off the walls.

But Martyn kept that to himself. He didn't want to add to the stress of having to deal with him.

"We need to go idle."

Martyn didn't respond at first, as he didn't realize Ren said this out loud, before blinking back. "What? No! Look, even if you're red you can still help us. Tonight you and Pearl need to get Scott away from Grian and Joel. Then they'll still have to worry about all six of us."

Ren grumbled, sitting on Martyn's bed. Martyn sat up to be next to him. "I can't believe we got SEPERATED again."

*Martyn must hate me.*

"Hey," Martyn squeezed Ren's hand. "We can fix this. I know we can. We've just got to-"

"No." Ren cut him off.

Martyn blinked back, knowing exactly what this was about. But he had to let Ren figure it out himself, for his sake. "No?"

"No!" Ren groaned, falling backwards into the bed with his hands over his face. "Cuz I'm red and you're green and everything's different now! Tensions have gone high and no one talks to eachother and..."

Martyn didn't even bother to ask what Ren was worried about. As the thoughts raced around Ren's head, Martyn plucked obe from the crowd.

*so why do I still feel myself getting stronger with you?*

"Listen," Martyn sighed. "I've made up my mind already. I'm gonna go red for you, and I'm gonna do it tonight."

"Martyn-" Ren grumbled sitting up. "You can't just leave Cleo and Etho like that, not to mention that as soon as everyone goes red-"

"Reds can take eachother out," Martyn finished his thought. "I thought I'd be the last one, you know? The last one not red that is- I don't think I could compete with Pearl's powers or Etho's determination or Cleo's rage to be the last one standing-"

"So what are you doing, man?" Ren pleaded.

"We've been together, through thick and thin," Martyn smiled softly. "And I'm not gonna let this change that. I don't want us be be like Etho and Bdubs, or Cleo and Martyn, or any of that."

Ren leaned onto his shoulder. It was kind of painful, being that close to Ren's brain while his powers were going crazy.

*I wished he wouldn't do this for me- this might be a good thing- he's already gone red for me once- his loyalty will be his downfall, I just know it-*

Martyn snorted at that last one. "YOU'RE one to talk about being loyal to a fault."

Ren froze, lifting his head up. "Can you hear me right now?! I'm so sorry I didn't mean-"

"Sh sh sh-" Martyn flinched as he heard both Ren's spiraling thoughts ans spiraling words. "It's fine. It's just you and me I can hear."

Ren paused as his brain clicked together the reason why Martyn could only hear him. "Wait... if you can't hear anyone else in the building-"

"Then it's past eight!" Martyn sprung up, putting on his jacket. "Come on, we're gonna be late for work!"

...

Etho clenched his teeth. Cleo was with him, wanting to talk to BigB after what happened yesterday.

And of course, the others thought the first time he visited any captured reds in city hall was yesterday.

The others didn't have to know he'd been visiting more. Way more. More than just once, more than just Bdubs... nobody needs to know.

And nobody needs to know he turned around and went to talk to Jimmy immediately after seeing his friend's face, no words said. Just Bdubs reaching out as Etho closed the door.

Luckily BigB was only admitted yesterday, so Etho hadn't visited him yet so he can't spill the secret. Him and Cleo made their way through security, praying none of the guards treated him with familiarity.

Due to his powers, there were no visitors allowed for Scar, not without noise canceling headphones. But Etho wanted to talk to him a little, if not just to find out where he kept Pearl's camera.

Jimmy was still in jail as well, as Joel only had the money to get Lizzie out. It was easy to tell he was trying to not show how much that really, really hurt.

But when Etho went to visit him, Jimmy only said to remind Scott of some prophesy. When Etho gave him the news that Scott was red, he turned white as a sheet.

Etho thought he would need to go to the hospital again, being quite honest.

Talking to BigB... he let Cleo take the reigns on that one. It wasn't that Etho wasn't also angry at the illusionist, its just that he did NOT want to be in the middle of whatever reel she was about to go on.

But... the entire time Cleo was calm, yet curt. Instead of the usual fiery rage she was prone to exhibit, she was cool and calculated.

"Just tell it to me straight-" Cleo took a deep breath. All of her usual mannerisms were slowed down and rigid, like she was straining not to snap. "How much did it matter to you that I went to the Fairy Fort for you?"

"That has ALWAYS mattered to me," BigB winced. "I forever be thankful. But Cleo... I was red- in the thick of it, at least- for about a year more than you. Come on Cleo, you hadn't even gone out at night with us until we met the news reporters for the first time."

"What does THAT-" Cleo hissed, before clenching her fists and eyes for a second. "I don't see what that has to do with it."

"You've seen it now, Cleo," BigB pointed out. "It's all just means to an end, to get ahead of the person in front of you. Or to push down the person besides you. And we've always been by eachothers sides, Cleo. If not then, then we would have betrayed eachother a different time. Lizzie knew it too, or that's what Martyn said, that alliance would never last. No alliance will ever last."

Cleo was silent. "I would have thought our friendship was more important than an alliance. You could have stayed for me. I stayed A YEAR for you."

"I could have..." BigB admitted. "I- I just wanted out. I was restless with Lizzie, under her. I was so mad that night, when I decided to stay and you left me. I was so close to getting out... knowing how to hurt her..."

Cleo grimaced. She rubbed her forearm. "Do you regret it then? Starting all this? All this... discord because you don't keep any of your words?"

BigB stays silent. They stare at eachother for a long moment before Cleo gets up and walks out of the room, Etho close behind.

Etho didn't realize until later, but BigB never directly apologized.

"Anyone else you want to visit?" Cleo asked, putting her hands in her pockets, looking down. "I mean, your betrayer actually put in effort to be together with you again, we could visit-"

"No." Etho cut her off. "We... it didn't go well yesterday... he just needs time."

Cleo hummed. "Okay then... anyone else?"

Etho thought. Mumbo was always lovely to BEST, even when the rest of the Southlands weren't. But it wasn't like he wanted a reminder of someone trying to help, getting caught in the crossfire.

Grian's crossfire.

Tango and Skizz. Skizz and Tango. His other two best friends. They were still recovering from their injuries, and Etho couldn't handle to see them hurt, even if it was while they were on opposite teams.

He missed Skizz, it was nice to be able to lean back and go with the flow of whatever zany plan Skizz had.

And Tango. Seeing him getting excited about projects or jobs during the day that went wrong honestly made Etho's day sometimes.

And then the man who caused it.

"Let's talk to Scar." Etho glared as he started pulling Cleo to the nearest security checkout.

"They already told us he's not allowed visitors-" Cleo rolled her eyes, following him.

Etho sighed. "I... might be able to get us in."

-

"So you've been visiting city hall nearly everyday?"

Etho groaned. "Yes, Cleo. Now, can we just get on with-"

"And you didn't think yo tell ANYONE?!" Cleo raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms. She was testy, which made sense as she had just had thirty minutes of talking to the guy who dropped her at the hat even though she gave up a year of her life for him. "No useful information to relay or-"

"Just to restate one of Jimmy's prophesies," Etho put his face in his hands, really wishing he could be done with this conversation. "The only other piece of information I've been worried about is the camera and what could be left at the Fairy Fort/Shadow Alliance meeting place, but I probably would have just asked Impulse to look for me anyway-"

"Right in here, you two." The guard handed them each a whiteboard and marker.

Scar's room was soundproofed so that no noise could get out, and therefore Scar couldn't use his powers.

The two stared at Scar for a moment, who was staring at them through the glass. Cleo shrugged and wrote on her sign.

*hello*.

She erased it and wrote a new word.

*idiot*.

Scar rolled his eyes and took a minute to write. *this is going to take a LONG WHILE if you decide to write one letter at a time.*.

Cleo sneered.

Etho scoffed and started writing.

*where's the camera?*

Scar laughed, Etho and Cleo stayed silent even though they couldn't hear the noise. He thought he'd go insane if he was kept in here, but it looked like Scar had a radio and some instruments in his cell to keep him company.

Scar wrote. *with grian probably*.

"What?!" Cleo gasped indignantly. She grunted and started writing. *how do we get it back?*

Scar thought for a moment ans started scribbling down. *he's made his base the old Fairy Fort base. I'm sure him and Joel are awaiting you.*.

Cleo crossed her arms. Etho tensed his shoulders and turned to her. "There's no way this isn't a trap."

"It's Grian and Joel..." Cleo hummed. "As soon as everyone's on the same team again, we can go catch them there together."

"So that's it?" Etho asked. "You're pro going red for convenience's sake now?"

"APPARENTLY-" Cleo scoffed. "This alliance is just another disaster waiting to happen. And come on, like MARTYN'S gonna stay green when Ren's red."

"He did it when he was with the Fairy Fort," Etho pointed out. "I don't know if-"

"That's cuz he was like... a mole." Cleo waved him off. "And you can't tell me you want to be alone, even with your VALIANT mission."

"I..." Etho looked to the side. "I'll do it to be with you guys. I'm not... I'm not making the same mistake I made with Bdubs."

Etho wrote down one final message on his whiteboard, as did Cleo.

*Thank you.*

*rot.*

The two left city hall. Now, what would they do to become red?

Chapter Text

"Breaking news!

"Local greens Etho Slab and Cleo Zombie have started a fight with former red Impulse SV at Crastle! Breaking two rules, no fighting in the day and no fighting inside.

"In other news, green Martyn Inthelittlewood was seen with red Ren Dog fighting eachother and causing property damage!

"We know we've already had our Red Roundup today, but this is a special occasion, as there are no more greens.

"Meaning that reds can turn in other reds now. Green sign ups are closed until there is only one red left as well, so if you're interested in volunteering, you'll have to wait a bit!

"And our second Red Roundup of the day begins!

"Joel S. Beans

"Grian Life

"Scott Smajor

"Ren Dog

"Pearlescent Moon

"Cleo Zombie

"Etho Slab

"Martyn Inthelittlewood.

"As always, citizens are advised to stay inside after seven pm to avoid getting caught in any scuffles.

"And now we bid our first generation of reds adieu, as this is the first time since the system has been put in place that therez been all reds and no greens.

"Thank you to our founding members still fighting on this day, all of you are truly making something great."

Scott clicked the TV off. He sure hoped HE didn't sound like that while on camera. But that's besides the point...

Everyone was red now. He knew it would happen eventually but he wasn't anticipating Martyn, Cleo, and Etho joining him willingly.

"Us SIX-" Pearl barked a laugh, gaping at the screen. "Versus Grian and Joel! This couldn't be more perfect!"

The news reporters high fived. Scott pumped his fist in the air. "How's that for a prophesy, huh?! It all ends tonight!"

"Oh!" Pearl ran over to the door, grabbing the keys off the hooks. "This is great! I'm so excited- gosh, what's the plan?! It's gonna be so cool-"

"Where's the moon tonight again?" Scott, looked out the window, the biggest grin on his face.

"Full, baby!" Pearl whooped as the two ran down the stairs and out of the apartment complex. "We're getting my camera back today, and we're putting Grian and Joel behind bars!"

Scott snickered, following Pearl. They had already been having a good day, reunited to the same side of the battle field. And though it clearly bgged Pearl that she was red now, she was fully on board to try and get her friends red.

Now they just had less work to do.

The news reporters made their way to the library, opening the door to see Ren and Martyn smiling as they shelved books.

"Ready?" Scott crossed his arms, giving a smirk. "I have a plan that I think you guys will like."

"Ready as ever!" Ren took a deep breath in. "Just waiting for Cleo and Etho."

"They're right behind you," Martyn nodded over to the door as it opened, the last two of the team stepping inside. "Shall we get started then?"

The six sat around a table as Cleo brought out their notes. Etho folded his hands. "We talked with Scar earlier, he says your camera is at the old Shadow Alliance/Fairy Fort base."

"Grian is no doubt stationed there," Etho sighed. "But I don't know how much Joel cares about you guys. He was really only mad at Bdubs, who was the one who knocked out Lizzie."

"So that's what happened..." Pearl thought out loud. "So they're what, splitting up? That seems pretty dumb, even for Joel. ESPECIALLY for Grian."

"It's no matter," Martyn shook his head. "We need to focus on Joel first, he'll be easier to take out if he's out and about, rather than Grian who's expecting us."

The phone rang. Ren shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, duty calls."

He got up and answered the phone. "Last City Library, how can I help y- oh."

"What's- Uh oh." Martyn blanched, turning to the others. "We're all gonna want to hear this."

Ren held the phone out in front of him as the other five gathered around.

"I can't see you anymore, is everyone there?" Someone... Impulse? Impulse said across the line.

"We're all here." Cleo said curtly. "What do you want?"

"I've been watching this whole time," Impulse didn't change his tone at all, even for Cleo's harshness. "And Joel and Grian have already discussed."

"Discussed what?" Scott pressed. He was in no danger he knew, Impulse was no doubt inspecting from his home, not an active threat. Still, Scott's heart pounded in his ears.

"You guessed right, they are splitting up," Impulse continued. Scott felt his skin prickle, realizing just how much Impulse could have overheard. "And Grian is staking out in the Fairy Fort tonight, and plans to smash the camera to bits if no one confronts him."

Pearl's breathing went short. "And why doesn't he think all six of us won't just go over and beat the hell out of him?"

"Because Joel is gonna be storming city hall to release all the reds you've locked up. All the ones you've made enemies with? And worked so hard to put behind bars?"

"What?!" Cleo seethed. They took a deep breath. "And how do we know we can trust you, hm?"

"Because I don't want Grian to win," only now did Impulse's voice grow dark. "He's the reason I'm stuck as a spectator."

"But we're still the ones who actually caught you and made you re- ow!" Pearl yelped as Martyn elbowed her. "What? It's true!"

Impulse hummed. "To me, it's a little bonus if you get hurt along the way. But I suggest choosing only one though."

"And why would we do that?" Scott raised an eyebrow.

"Because if Joel succeeds even a little, you'll have a bunch of angry reds on your hands," Impulse pointed out. The room held still. "As well as you will be in the heart of city hall, where any of you can be turned in in an instant. And I'm sure you know that taking on Grian requires him to be severely outnumbered, even by himself. And the only one of you he really takes seriously is Pearl anyway so. Splitting up, like you said, is pretty dumb, even for you guys."

A moment of silence, until Martyn spoke up. "Is that all you needed to say?"

"What, no thank you to your fellow Southlander?" There was a smile in Impulse's voice. "But yes, that's all I heard before I thought I'd better tell you guys."

"Thank you, Impulse," Scott kept his voice stable, even as his stomach twisted. He HATED making decisions. "Anything else we should know?"

"I'd hurry up if I were you," Impulse said nonchalantly. "They plan to attack as early as five to get the jump on you."

The line hung up.

"We have to go after Joel." Pearl said, determined.

Scott blinked back. "But your camera-"

"Is not worth letting all we've worked for these past months go to waste," Pearl cut him off, putting her hands on her hips. "Grian can win for now, but this would be cataSTROPHIC-"

"I can go alone."

All of the other five turned to Scott.

"No offense, Smajor," Ren reached his hand out. "But you heard Impulse, all or nothing."

"And even if one went by themselves, it should be Pearl," Etho pointed out. "She's the one Grian is most scared of."

"I can- look!" Scott ran back to the phone, dialing up City Hall. An operator answered. "Hello, can you direct me to Big B. Statz please?"

Some electrical buzzing came through the line. He saw Cleo scowl. The line clicked.

"Hello?"

"BigB," Scott squinted his eyes. "It's Scott. Remember our deal?"

"Uhm..." BigB thought for a moment. "Oh! Yes yes yes... today? When?"

"At five," Scott nodded. "Make me look like Pearl and keep that up as long as you can. Got it?"

"Yeah, come on down when you can..." BigB sounded confused. "Tell Cleo I said hi?"

Cleo gasped indignantly. He hadn't realized the others were around him, listening. "Do NOT tell me he said hi, the jerk!"

Scott looked at the clock on the wall. It was three thirty now. "I'll be there soon."

He hung up and turned back to the others.

"By himself?" Martyn shook his head in disbelief, looking around. "We're just letting him do this?!"

"As soon as you use you're powers, hell realize it's not me," Pearl bit her nails. "Actually, as soon as you walk in not using ANY powers he'll realize it's not me."

"Come on," Scott grabbed his bag off the chair he had been sitting at. "You'll be needed at city hall. And you might not care about letting Grian win, but I do."

"If he's stupid enough to go in like that, I don't think we should stop him," Cleo shrugged. "And if we screw up our mission, it will be better to have some designated survivor from our side still out there."

"It's settled then," Scott took a deep breath. "I'm gonna pick up weapons from the apartment, is there anything I shouldn't take, Pearl?"

"Just my knife..." Pearl sighed, looking off to the side as she realized there was no swaying him. "Just don't die?"

"Wasn't planning on it." Scott waved goodbye and walked out of the library.

Tonight it was all going down, and only one person would walk away from city hall, not caught.

Chapter Text

Jimmy woke up and did some stretching. It had been a few days already, and as far as he could tell, no one had been able to go home yet.

It was... annoying. Most of the reds had moved to the city away from family, and only citizens could bail out reds. That as well as it was SO EXPENSIVE, not something to ask anyone you haven known for more than like, ten years.

Or if you're married. Like Joel and Lizzie.

Yes, every day in the morning Joel came down to city hall to visit Lizzie and Jimmy, and then go into an office to try and bail his wife out. It has been a while, nearly a week, but he supposed there was some complications with a red trying to bail another red out.

Jimmy walks up to the window of his cell as Joel approaches, sitting down with a slump. He rubbed his temples. "I swear, if I have to talk to ONE MORE RECEPTIONIST-"

"Still having trouble?" Jimmy chuckled nervously. He usually avoided talk about the bail, but if that's what Joel wanted to open with... fine.

"Well, I need to get Lizzie out of jail before tonight," Joel looked off to the side, wrinkling his nose. "But they won't GREAKING LISTEN TO ME-"

"What's happening tonight?" Jimmy asked, leaning forward. He didn't need to see the future to know that whatever Joel was planning might make a scene. "Joel?"

Joel sighed, looking Jimmy up and down. He was wearing a grey jumper, probably still looking worse for wear after what Grian had done to him. They had to get paramedics in his cell to wake him up, Grian hadn't gone easy. "Grian has the news reporters' camera and is guarding it at Lizzie's old base. So they either have to go there or come to me here tonight as I try and free as many reds as I can."

"What?!" Jimmy stared at him, wide eyed. "No- you can't do that! That's not how it works, once you get caught you stay in city hall, that's the rules. And with GRIAN of all people-"

"We're red, Jimmy." Joel cut him off. It wasn't necessarily mean, but there was an exhausted edge to Joel's voice that let Jimmy know he didn't have time for this. "Break rules, cause chaos, desolate, it's what we do."

Jimmy pursed his lips, looking defiantly at his brother in law from behind the bars. "No, it's what you do. I never wanted to be red, remember? You were the one so worried about your reputation!"

Joel flinched back, looking away again. "What's your problem with Grian anyway? I thought any Southlander beef was supposed to be behind all of you."

Jimmy opened his mouth, words catching in his throat.

As much as he wanted to gouge out Joel's EYES right now- he doesn't want him hurt. Jimmy has discovered no one knew about who put him and Mumbo in jail, and it seems Mumbo was staying silent too, thank god. Hell, no one even seems to realize who put Jimmy in the hospital for the FIRST time.

And if Joel finds out... angry, grudge holding Joel... he'd do something rash and get himself hurt.

Or maybe Jimmy just doesn't want to deal with how he'd feel if Joel didn't care what Grian did to him. How hurt he'd be if he kept working with that monster, even with Jimmy's story.

"Just surprised you want to work with a serial backstabber-" Jimmy gave a pointed look to Joel. "Look-"

"I'm sorry for making you go red and I'm sorry for letting you get caught." Joel interrupted him, finally meeting his eyes. "But I can fix that in the evening today when I free everyone, i can even bring you a weapon! Just be ready when you hear the alarm, I'll come straight to you."

"I'm not a red anymore, Joel." Jimmy walked away from the door, crossing his arms towards the opposite wall. "Rules are rules. We'd just be starting over this motiveless fight."

Joel clenched his fists. "Last chance, Jimmy."

"Goodbye Joel." Jimmy huffed. "Good luck getting Lizzie out."

Joel sneered, turning away and slamming the door.

Jimmy twisted violently at the noise, falling to the ground, writhing in pain.

There was a man, flinging other people into the air with his powers, laughing as they spin as they hurl towards the earth. The vision shifts.

A fight happening by the lake a few miles south of the city, a man standing on the banks as every person that's ever died in that water is raised up. The others flee as him and his teammates laugh. The vision shifts.

A woman chasing a couple, axe in hand, wolves made of black anti energy behind her. She laughs a hideous laughter as she swings down on one of their sheilds.

The person she was attacking looks her fearfully in the eyes as her own turn green. Her attacker's legs plant firmly in the ground as they turn to stone. The anti energy user hisses, using the hilt of her ace to knock her out before the transformation completes. She turns to the other one as the wolves attack him. The vision shifts.

There's man enveloped in fire, attacking and jeering at a person high up in their house. The man threatens to burn the house down if he doesn't come down to face him. The man hides in his house, not daring to look out the window. The vision shifts.

A charm speaker whispering to someone, filling them with paranoia in the dead of night. The victim looks like the necromancer by the lake.

In the background, two people on opposite sides of the city wide fight exchange something. A small, black sack. They converse and laugh as the man is lost in his own anxiety. The vision shifts.

There's a monster. Large and wide, black as night, screaming and destroying the street. A man stands behind it, laughing maniacally as his creation wreaks havoc.

That's all it is, huh? No one will learn from him, or Joel, or Grian, or Lizzie, Scott, Martyn, Pearl... whoever else was a part of this. As soon as there's no fights in the streets, the city will open green sign up sheets to the public again, wanting the attention. Wanting to be different.

Not caring that it's not just professional. No one cares if what happens at night shouldn't be held accountable in the day.

It still HURT, and the city was going to let it happen again.

Jimmy doesn't realize the visions stopped until the last jolt of pain went through his skull, and he passed out.

-

Jimmy shot up, rubbing his head and arm, feeling sore from laying on the hard floor. He rubbed his ears, trying to get the ringing to stop.

But it didn't.

Jimmy was even more awake now, standing up even though it made him dizzy and clutching the bars on the door, looking out to see what was happening.

The alarm was on.

Someone- Joel laughed as a group of reds ran past his cell. Pink caught his eye.

Lizzie looked back at him. He frowned at her and shook his head in disappointment. She glared back in response, before smiling as there was a loud crash, running to catch up with the others.

Jimmy fell to the ground, resting his head on the bars. He tuned out the world around him.

They wanted to repeat history? Fine. He would have no part in it.

Chapter Text

Ren threw open the door of city hall as soon as he heard the shouting from inside, the rest of the group (along with a few armor stands) filtering inside.

"Listen here-" Joel was looming over a receptionist, axe in hand. "You're gonna open up all the cells right now, do you hear me?"

"Sir, I-" the receptionist whimpered as Joel grabbed his collar. "I can't do that! Like, physically! I don't have a button to do that!"

"Then I'm going and releasing them all mySELF." Joel hissed, throwing the receptionist back in his chair. He pressed a button, and a loud, blaring, flashing alarm came on.

Ren ran up to the desk, the receptionist shielded his face. "Please just take what you want!"

"Woah!" Ren flinched back, quickly changing his tone. "You need to evacuate the building, and lock us all inside. Can you do that for us, sir?"

"They're all evacuating from the alarm," the receptionist jumped up and from behind the desk. I'll lock you all up in here! Thanks! ... I think?!"

The man ran away, leaving the five to their devices. Ren just hoped they didn't disrupt any documents or files too bad.

Joel rushed back out of a back room, three others with him. Lizzie, Bdubs, and BigB. BigB moved his hands subtly, in a circular motion, but nothing was out of the ordinary. Looks like he was keeping good on his word to put the disguise on Scott.

"So are you going to tell us WHATS HAPPENING or-" Bdubs's breath caught as he spotted Etho. "Ah. I see..."

"There's only five of them!" Lizzie snickered. "Scott get booted off the team? On a sick day?"

BigB groaned, eyeing the door. "Come on guys, we can get past them and then-"

"No no no," Joel cut him off, turning his glare back to the opposing reds. "I think I want these idiots behind bars, like you three were. I think it's time we teach these guys the lesson they refuse to learn."

"Well," Pearl clicked her tongue. The sun was setting as the moon rose, her eyes beginning to glow with the power of the full moon. "I wouldn't be a fan of that happening, but I'd like to see you try."

"What's the plan?" Ren leaned over to whisper to Cleo, both drawing their swords. Ren kept his eyes on Lizzie, who had gleaming brass knuckles. In fact, all of them had smaller weapons other than Joel, probably because he just brought what he had at home.

Cleo's eyes darted between Lizzie, a little fearful, and BigB, where she returned to her normal rage. "I take BigB, you go after Lizzie with Martyn."

Ren nodded, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

BigB shuffled his feet, looking down at his moving hands. "Let's just get out if here."

Pearl hummed, tilting her head to the side. "And what makes you think we won't stop you?"

"This!" Joel laughed, rushing her with an axe.

Go!

Ren dashed forward, jabbing at Lizzie with his short sword. He just needed to keep her at as much of a distance as possible.

Martyn made eyecontact with him as Ren nodded. With four allies by him, and the other three enemies all focused on other people, he was feeling on top of his game. Martyn nodded back and went to help Pearl overwhelm Joel.

Cleo didn't waste a second jumping into combat with BigB, shouting as she swung repeatedly with her axe. BigB dodged and weaved out of the way, only having a knife so nothing to block attacks.

Bdubs also didn't hesitate to speed over with his power and tackle Etho, still looking ever apologetic as he attacked. The two stayed in close range, which did Etho no good with his bow.

"Fighting against reds? Your own?" Lizzie smiled, sneering as she leaned out of the way of a thrust. "VERY out of character, Ren."

"I'm fighting with my friends-" Ren definetly didn't yelp as Lizzie nearly hit his arm. Poison. "Something YOU wouldn't know about!"

Lizzie hissed as Ren grazed her forearm. "You betrayed me first, Ren!"

Ren felt his blood boil. How DARE she. He spun around, Lizzie's eyes going wide as she dried to block the sword with her bare hands. Drawing blood.

Ren remembered how the Fairy Fort first came about.

-

Just as Cleo kicked up and flung Ren's sword five feet away from him, there was a shriek. Cleo and Ren stopped fighting to look over at what had happened.

Ren pushed past Cleo, almost forgetting they were fighting in the first place. "Lizzie!"

It was almost like steam was coming off of Lizzie, slightly less so from BigB. On the lover part of her face was burning flesh, being slowly eaten away in a splash like pattern. BigB had the mark on his hand and held it close to him, trembling.

-

Lizzie stumbled away, clutching the open wound on her palm as it sizzled at her skin. The blood dripped from Ren's sword as well.

Lizzie gave a frantic smile, eyes darting around to her preoccupied allies. "I- I didn't say that right-"

"The thing about betrayal Lizzie," Ren glared. Lizzie's breathing grew faster as she realized how much she screwed up. "Is you can only do it to people who were your friends at all. And you-"

Ren pointed his sword at her. She backed up, holding her hand away from her. "Hold on now wait-"

"Martyn told me what you thought about me, Lizzie, towards the end," Ren rushed forward, just barely not flinching as Lizzie blocked the attack with her brass knuckles, making a clang.

"If you want good friends, then act like one."

Lizzie gasped as Ren slashed at her stomach, the blood seeping through her sailor outfit, hissing as it burned her flesh. She turned white as a sheet and fell to the ground, passing out in shock.

Ren shuddered. Revenge... wasn't for him, apparently.

"I'll kill you!"

Oh right.

Ren ran through the fight, between desks, over to where Cleo was making her armor stands chase BigB, making his dodge and weave up and over and below whatever desks or office chairs there were. His hands were still circling.

The armor stands chased him into Cleo, looking down at her former friend. He chuckled nervously, right before she punched him in the stomach.

His hands weren't moving. His illusion on Scott was up.

"Screw it!" BigB splayed his hands out, before shoving Cleo away from him and flashed a blinding light in her eyes.

Cleo repulsed back, covering her eyes, but it was too late. She blinked her eyes open, clearly dazed and confused (while still having her signature display of rage) as she attempted to direct her armor stands to attack him.

BigB made large circles with his arms, surrounding both of them in a swarm of flashing and blinding light. Ren was lucky he wore sunglasses all the time as ge broke into their sphere.

"I'm sorry it had to be like this, Cleo," BigB walked towards her, knife in hand. "I'm leaving you here to get locked up. Maybe next time I... can make better decisions."

"Cleo!" Ren isn't making it on time, as he runs across the grand room.

BigB stabs Cleo in her side, the armor stands going limp as Cleo falls over, still blinded. She must have hut her head pretty hard, her eyes rolled over. BigB left the knife in at least, so she wasn't going to bleed out.

Ren turned away. He could help soon enough, he needed to keep the others up long enough, then they could take her to the hospital and it would all be-

"Fine!"

Ren snapped his head over.

"You want to fight?!" Etho hissed, wrestling Bdubs off of himself for what might have been the millionth time. The two stood off for a second. "We can fight!"

Etho jumped backwards, taking aim at Bdubs. He blanched, using his powers to fall to the ground quickly to dodge the arrow. Bdubs shot off the ground in a blur, shoving Etho's arm out of the way as he fired another shot (almost hitting Ren) and threw him into a wall.

"I never wanted to fight you!" Bdubs shouted, both of the reds flinching as Martyn and Joel's weapons clashed. "Please just stop being so damn determined and STUBBORN for once!"

"We had a mission, Bdubs," Etho spat, elbowing Bdubs in the side and getting out of his vulnerable position. "I intend to keep it, even if the rest of BEST left it for dead!"

Bdubs bent over backwards, dodging another arrow that would have nailed him in the shoulder. He darted forward, grabbing Etho by the abdomen, blasting him all the way into one of the back rooms. Bdubs came back out alone.

Ren yelped. He ran to the back, to see Etho rattling the bars on a cell. One he was stuck in.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Etho growled. "Get back out there!"

Ren blinked back, trying the handle. Locked. "Let me get you out-"

"I can get out on my own!" Etho hissed. "NOW, Ren."

"But- rghhh! Fine!" Ren spun around, going back out to the battle.

He knew there was a huge fight, but why was everyone so HOSTILE?!

Martyn and Pearl had Joel flanked, while Bdubs and BigB were flanking them. With Joel at the center of it all, taking and dealing so much damage, he was getting powerful.

Pearl stomped her foot on the ground, causing all the reds other than Martyn and herself to levitate into the air. Ren held on to the doorframe as he felt his own feet start lifting off the ground.

She released the spell, letting out a large breath of air, Joel disoriented long enough to sweep him out from under his feet.

Ren jumped into the fight, doing his best to occupy BigB as he tried to flash light in his face and make doubles of himself. Bdubs also made an appearance from time to time, tripping up Ren and throwing him off balance.

Ren spun around, trying to dodge out of the way of Bdubs, only to run right into another red, covered in sweat and blood.

Joel grabbed Ren and took a step back from his adversaries, holding his axe up to his neck. "That's it! Can't you just accept you failed?! You couldn't even stay green, what makes you think you can stay uncaptured?!"

Bdubs pulled Pearl's arms behind her with the distraction, BigB Martyn's.

"We've already got two of you," Joel mused. "But it doesn't have to be like this! Help me release all the reds."

Pearl said nothing, glaring at the man. Martyn looked a lot less determined, glancing from Joel to Pearl to Ren, but stayed silent as well.

Joel spat. "Fine! Let's see what Ren wants you to do after I beat him senseless!"

Joel raised his axe, swinging it down-

Right before dropping it.

Martyn stared straight ahead, sweat beading his brow as his while body shook. BigB and Bdubs let the two go, right as Joel let go of Ren, letting him fall to the ground.

Martyn fell as well, breathing heavy. "We- we've got to get out of here. I can only hold this so long-"

"What about Etho and Cleo?" Pearl asked, pushing the grand city hall doors open, probably breaking the lock.

Ren looked over to where Cleo was, shakily getting up. She nodded at him, mouthing for them to go. An armor stand hobbled away, reassembling itself as it went to the back rooms.

"They've got it," Ren said, helping Martyn up with an arm around his shoulders. He gave his strength to Martyn. "Come on! Close the door!"

Pearl ran down the stairs. "Come on! We've got to get to Scott!"

Chapter Text

"Ah..." Grian exclaimed as Scott (disguised as Pearl) burst open the doors to the abandoned warehouse. "If it isn't-"

He turned to fully face Scott, blinking back surprise. Which... he was Pearl right now. Exactly who Grian should expect to see.

"Pearl. Moon." Grian smiled, leaning down to look Scott straight on. He was sitting on top of a bunch of crates, camera in one hand and sword in the other. "The woman of the hour! Surprised you showed up. With... none of your allies!"

"Skip the pleasantries, Grian." Scott was thankful his voice was disguised as well. "Give it back."

"What, this?" Grian held the camera up. He was very precarious with it, threatening to drop it. "You'll have to come and get it."

Okay. Scott took a deep breath, looking around.

It was just him and Grian. The way he addressed him... he definetly knew he wasn't Pearl. He didn't know how, but it was clear he knew. But if Grian knew it was Scott, or anyone really, he would have said something. So Grian knows he's not Pearl, but he doesn't know who he is.

Grian had a sword, Scott had a sword, but Grian didn't have a shield. That put Scott at the advantage if it came down to power usage, but it would be a tell tale sign of who was under the disguise.

Not to mention Grian's powers. No way to contact his team, and even if then his team was all the way at City Hall, if Grian decided to use his powers, Scott was done for.

Grian was still looking down at him, just smiling.

"You don't know who I am." Scott glared. Might as well get it out there. Maybe he can stall, or see why Grian is stalling.

"I'm willing to wait it out," Grian shrugged. "Pearl's eyes glow. Yours. Don't. But, I'm curious to see if I can figure out who you are."

Scott shifted his feet, adjusting his fighting stance to hold his sword in front of him.

"No bow, so not Etho," Grian jumped down, making Scott flinch and back up. "I would say you managed to get Jimmy on your side, but I made sure he was taken care of a while ago. Plus, I doubt he'd want to fight me again."

Grian drew closer, sword at his side. He left the camera on top of the crates. "Ren? No, he would never suggest to go alone, the coward. And Martyn wouldn't go without Ren..."

The two were face to face. Scott was tense, but Grian was as casual as ever. The same childishness in his eyes as always, like he was looking at a cool beetle.

"I don't think Cleo would be as... PATIENT as you are right now," Grian clicked his tongue. "Knowing them, they'd come in with all their armor stands paying no mind to the disguise. Not to mention this I clearly BigB's work, and last I saw of them, Cleo is not ready to forgive and forget."

Okay. He knew.

"Anyone else I can think of is in jail or is on my side," Grian feigned a thoughtful expression. "Or is Impulse but he's not one for direct confontations like this."

Grian took another step closer and it took all of Scott's power to not go back.

"So that leaves one person for you to be."

Okay, screw this.

Scott pushed forward, Grian moving back without resistance. He swung with his sword, eyes on Pearl's camera.

And it was immediately obvious what Grian was doing. He wasn't using his powers to just instantly with the fight, he was barely even attacking. He was gonna let Scott tire himself out, taunting.

"But please, don't leave me guessing!" Grian laughed as he ducked under a jab. He kicked upward, flinging the sword across the room. "Since I'm going to probably kill you now, I thought it'd be fun for you to know why I'm doing this."

Scott tackled Grian to the ground, punching him with his bare hands. Grian picked up his own sword, stabbing upward at Scott, before he summoned a shield, catching the blade right before it pierced him in the stomach.

Grian laughed a terrible, terrible laugh. Scott saw his reflection in Grian's eyes and looked down.

He wasn't Pearl.

Grian easily pushed him off himself, throwing Scott across the room despite his shorter physique. And his supposed plan from earlier definetly worked, Scott was already tired, desperately trying to keep his eyes open as the air was knocked out of his lungs.

Scott hissed, getting up, hobbling over towards the crates where the camera was. Grian tsked, easily beating Scott to it and picking something up.

"Smile!"

Scott yelped, falling backwards as Grian shot him in the arm. A little more to the right it would have hit his heart, but instead it just hurt like hell as an arrow pierced the sensitive skin under his forearm.

Grian walked over slowly, heel toe. Something cold went through him, hurting like hell, just below his ribcage on the right.

It takes Scott a second to realize he's been stabbed.

He shakily tried to sit up, at least to look Grian in the eyes. He would NOT face the indignity of getting monologued at while down.

He clutched his arm, looking up. Grian was back in his original spot, looking rather bored now that he's basically won.

"Now, where were we?" Grian tapped his chin. "Right! Let's start over. Hello, Scott. I suppose you're wondering why I've gone to all this effort for a camera I don't care about?"

Scott spat out a bit of blood, just glaring.

"Well I'll be honest with you, Scott," Grian started pacing, doing a circle around the warehouse. Scott's skin prickled as Grian moved out of his line of sight. "I really, REALLY don't care about this camera. I wasn't lying when u said I'd smash it to bits. No, I'm doing this to see what you do about it."

"What then?" Scott's breathing became ragged, all his hair standing on end. "Curiousity for curiosity's sake? I don't buy it."

Grian hummed. "Well, in the BEGINNING I was only meant to watch, but after you and Pearl got thrown in the mix... I couldn't not put my hand in, mix a few things up to get a reaction."

Scott put effort into keeping his eyes open. He was getting dizzy. Even when he tried to push himself up, his hand slipped in the blood.

"Pushing the right buttons, saying the right things to the right people," Grian listed off. "Just the little things. Jimmy wouldn't have gone red if I didn't tell Joel I didn't want greens in his house. Impulse- the Southlands would probably still be together if I didn't pull the strings on BigB. Bdubs would have gone crawling back to BEST if I didn't have anything to say about it."

"You- you self centered-" Scott whimpered as he tried to sit up again, the stab wound flaring up, more blood dripping down his arm. "They made those decisions! BigB didn't have to accept your offer, Bdubs was just as unpredictable to YOU as he was to US. You didn't do anything, you just brought out the worst in all of us!"

Grian looked down at him, unimpressed.

Scott clutched the arrow in his shoulder, blood leaking on his hands. His breathing was intense.

Grian sat atop the boxes in the storage house, inspecting his nails, showing contempt to him, below him bleeding out. He looked over, unimpressed.

"You know," he jumped down. "I thought you were interesting when we first met. Like... a rat in a maze. Do you remember? Before you were red, before- before I was red as well, feels like ages ago."

Scott glared up and fell to his knees. He was shaking severely, the arrow in his shoulder and a slash across his back.

"I usually have a thing against killing, but..." Grian flipped his hair back, smiling and drawing his sword the same shade as Scott's hair. Diamond. "I think I'll make an exception for all the trouble you've caused me."

Scott man raised his arm up, blue energy forming into a small weak shield that wouldnt save him from what Grian was about to do. Grian raised his sword-

There was a loud crash, as Scott felt stinging pain all over, falling down again as the ground shook.

Chapter Text

Pearl ran as fast as she could, sending out the strongest vibrations she could, all the power of the full moon, and broke the large windows in the warehouse.

Stupid stupid STUPID- why did she ever let Scott split off from the team to go on his own?!

The glass shattered into a million pieces, making way for Pearl to jump into the fight.

"You LITTLE-" Pearl grunted as she tackled Grian the ground, sending the two of them tumbling. She turned and shouted to the others as they wrestled. "Get Scott out of here!"

Grian thrashed, but he was no match for Pearl with the full moon behind her. He was at too awkward a position to use his sword. "No way you're worming your way out of THIS one-"

Grian clawed at Pearl's face with his bare fingernails, forcing her to flinch back and give him the window to get out from under her.

He stumbled upright as she jumped up, backing away and holding his hand out towards Pearl. She hissed and jumped up, dashing towards him with her knife.

Pearl jabbed and sliced, but all he did was dodge and curled his hand. Every time she attacked again, Grian just looked more and more fascinated.

It wasn't until Pearl put too much force into an attack, lunging right past Grian and falling to the ground again before she realized how TIRED she was. Her brain rattled in her skull as all her expended energy caught up with her.

Which, first off, why was this happening?! Pearl knew she always got tired after full moons, but that was usually AFTER the moon had set and stopped giving her more and more.

And second off, it wasn't like Pearl was already over exerted. Sure, she was already working super hard fighting Joel in city hall, but that was fine. Martyn was there with her, and the run to the abandoned warehouse should have been a good cool down time.

It wasn't like Grian was landing damage heavy hits like Joel either. He hadn't touched her at all, in fact.

Pearl pushed herself off the ground and yelped, clutching her head and doing her best to keep her feet on the ground. She felt light as a sheet of paper, her head pounding in pain as her lungs accepted less and less air.

"There we go!" Grian smiled. He didnt look tired at all, even though he should have been doing the same amount of fighting as Pearl did. "I was WONDERING when that would take effect. Or... more when you would NOTICE. It's pretty much run its course now."

"Stop-" Pearl coughed. "I swear-"

"Swear what?" Grian asked, tilting his head. Nothing to do now, Moon."

Pearl's vision grew fuzzy before her head felt cold. Her eyes came back into focus to see Grian clutching his bleeding arm, Ren seething as his sword dripped.

She stood up, coming back into her senses Grian's power getting cut short.

Ren swung again, but this time Grian was prepared and he began to dodge and swerve out of the way of the attacks.

"This ends now, demon!" Ren roared.

"And what are you gonna do?!" Grian laughed, ducking under a swing. "Three friends, two of them down? For as much as you tried to gain allies, you think it'd have worked a bit better!"

"For as much as you've betrayed and lied-" Ren grunted, his attacks gaining more momentum. "You think you'd be caught by now!"

"Get him!" Pearl and Martyn shouted at the same time, she stood up as she regained energy by the second.

Pearl jumped back into the fray, unsheathing her knife fron her pocket and using her heightened agility to slice Grian up.

"This-" Grian yelped and stumbled backwards as Pearl gave him a nasty stab in his side. "Will NEVER be over..."

Grian collapsed on the ground.

"Scott!" Pearl inhaled, running over to her friend. His eyes were unfocused and he looked pale, there was a lot of blood on the ground. "You good?"

"Hrghhhh..." Scott hummed in response, trying to turn on his side only to curl up in pain from the movement.

She sighed and scooped him up. She went and picked up her camera, laughing as she saw it had recorded the whole thing. Minus the blood and the threats and the near murder that took place, this would be some good film to get to Noxcrew.

Pearl looked down at Grian, catching her breath. It took for-freaking-ever, but they did it. They stamped out the snake.

...

*did they- did we win? Where's Etho and Cleo-*

*so that's what that power feels like...*

*... hmmmm...*

He flinched as the thoughts of the others flooded his mind. Martyn took a deep breath, grasping the wall as a spike of pain went through his head.

*okay, Moon's got Scott, here, how am I gonna get Grian- okay, there we go-*

Martyn walked over, looking much better after getting some rest. But mind control was a lot of work, so he still looked a bit worse for wear from the stunt in city hall. "So, are we gonna do it?"

Ren blinked up and tilted his head. He was mid way through lifting up Grian's unconscious body from under his arms. "Do what?"

"You know!" Martyn motioned to Ren's sword, then to Grian.

Ren bristled. "Martyn, you know how much trouble we'd get in? Not stupid red green trouble, ACTUAL trouble. Not to mention that's, you know, KILLING A LIVING AND BREATHING PERSON-"

"But come ON!" Martyn pleaded. He shifted his weight a bit before begrudgingly going over to help Ren take Grian to the hospital. "You said yourself, he's done nothing but lie and betray- he's willing to kill! You know what happened with Jimmy, what almost happened to Scott and Pearl-"

"I'm not killing, Martyn." Ren said, no room for argument. "Even if we're reds now, we became greens to catch reds, and catch them only. And... that's killing a guy, Martyn. I hate him, hate him so much, but he'll get what's due to him in court. City stuff, not our stuff."

"But-"

"Nope!" Ren shook his head, shutting Martyn right up. "This whole thing was never meant to be personal. Cleo and BigB, Etho and Bdubs, BEST as a whole, really, Jimmy and his family, we were too invested. We're reds and we can do what we want... but don't be BLINDED, Martyn."

The two walked in silence for a while until they got to the hospital and told the staff what had happened, and maybe to lock the window to Grian's room. The receptionist looked very concerned, but got a room for him, as well as letting them sit in the lobby to get their own- less serious wounds be treated.

Martyn face palmed. "Oh gosh, we have to go to work tomorrow. It's like three..."

Ren chuckled. "Here, I can tell the boss you're sick?"

"Hey, if I'm not going in tomorrow, you aren't either!" Martyn scolded him.

*some fight, forgot what that poison felt like... screw her.*

*it's over... I already want to apologize, don't I? Yep-*

Pearl came out of the doctor's room a seconds later, all the cuts and gashes she got layered in bandages. "Doctor says both of them are surviving, so that's good. So now-"

She was cut off by the door opening, Cleo and Etho stepping into the room, covered in cuts and bruises and, in Cleo's case, a bit of discoloration.

"Cleo! Etho!" Ren stood up to greet them, a big grin on his face. "What- how did you get out?!"

"Long story," Cleo brushed him off, slumping down into a chair. But I'm tired and the nurse said to wait here."

"I picked my lock and distracted Bdubs and Joel," Etho recounted. "Cleo took out BigB after pretending she was passed out, and then took care of Joel with some armor stands. And then Bdubs... was easily overwhelmed by himself."

"Huh." Martyn hummed. "Wait, you don't look too bad though, Etho."

"I know I don't," Etho pointed to Cleo. "This one, however-"

"Oh, right." Cleo uncrossed her arms to reveal the handle of a knife that was sticking into her abdomen.

"Jeez!" Ren cringed. "Okay, you can get checked up before me then, Cleo."

"And you guys?" Etho squinted. "Scott?"

"On a loft of pain killers and sleeping, but fine." Ren answered.

"Camera?" Cleo crossed her arms, barely flinching to her credit.

"FULL of footage!" Pearl squealed in excitement.

"And Grian?" Cleo asked, raising an eyebrow.

Martyn hesitated, grumbling. "Unconscious, getting treated for a stab wound then going straight to city hall."

"This city needs a better place for criminals, I swear," Pearl sighed, sitting down in Cleo's seat as she got up to go in the doctor's room. "If anyone could just walk in and threaten all of the inmates to freedom-"

"Hm." Martyn huffed, reminding himself that it's better for everyone if Grian isn't dead... morally, at least. "City's bad at these things I guess."

The rest of the night drowned on, soon more doctors came in to treat everyone at the same time, and they were let out. Pearl stayed at the hospital, but the other four got out of there.

"... what now?" Ren asked after a while.

"I've got a kid to tutor." Cleo shrugged, picking at the bangades on her stomach. "But after that want to all meet up at lunch or something?"

"That's not..." Martyn started to clarify, explaining he meant to ask about the red green situation, as they were a still technically reds.

But damn, was he tired. And lunch sounds nice.

Martyn relaxed his shoulders. "Yeah, let's go to Crastle. They have good deals on Thursdays."

The rest of the conversation was casual, like they didn't just fight in the most intense battle and had to go to the hospital. Like they didn't just turn in a major border line villain. Or, villain in everything but title.

It felt normal, which was nice. It was freeing, not feeling responsible. So in the middle of everything.

Tomorrow would be day. They could just hang out and not worry about it a for a bit.

Chapter Text

"Piss off, Scar," Cleo rolled their eyes. "Or I'll beat you up and send you to city hall. Again."

"Aww... Cleo!" Scar gave a cheeky smile. "You won't do that cuz you don't want to go green again! Now, are you SURE you don't want to leave a seven dollar tip for that coffee?"

"Leave me alone." Cleo grumbled. It was their first day off of the summer, and they were NOT going to waste one more second of it shoo-ing off Scar.

"Fine," Scar picked up their mug. "But you're the one who came into Magic Mountain."

Cleo sighed, but they couldn't leave yet. They... no, they don't have to think about it, not really. Not until he gets here.

It's been a couple months. What... five of them? All injuries have been healed in that time. Most charges dropped (except for Grian, thank god). Everyone that stopped talking is in touch again.

Almost.

The bell above the door rang as a man walked in.

Cleo and BigB stared at eachother for a moment. A long moment.

"Here, come on." Cleo motioned to the spot at the table across from them. "Before Scar starts thinking you're all alone and scam-able."

"I think I can handle a little scam," BigB chuckled. It was dry. "I've fought with Scar before, he knows not to mess with me."

Cleo snorted. "Scar's fought with everyone and has yet to realize we all have the will to beat him senseless. Just sit down."

BigB tried chuckling again, but noticed the way Cleo wasn't looking at him. He sat across from them. "So... how's tutoring?"

"Fine." Cleo answered, short and curt. "They really need to set up an actual school in the city soon. It's nice since I can be at the library with Ren and Martyn but GOSH do these kids have no work ethic or tenacity or integrity or ANYTHING."

"Well, they're still kids," BigB shrugged. "And anyone with parents willing to move HERE is bound to be a little dishonest."

Cleo stayed silent for a moment. They unfolded their arms and placed them on the table, trying not to shake.

They looked at BigB, before having to look away. Cleo clenched their jaw.

It had been months, MONTHS, and they were still livid.

And it's not like they wanted to be! Being angry was tiring, and... Cleo has been friends with BigB for years before that. Why did they have such a hard time forgiving him for one stupid little mistake between reds and greens, something built to be so impersonal?

"I... I do think I still hate you, BigB." Cleo sighed. Blunt, getting it over it. They were disappointed... in themselves and still in BigB from all those months ago.

BigB, to his credit, didn't look surprised. Hell, he barely looked hurt. He gave a short nod. "Yeah... do you want to be here?"

Cleo looked around. "Hm. No, not really. Once more kids move here then tutoring will pick up more so I can MOVE out of this city but-"

"No," BigB cut them off. "Like, HERE here. With me. Because we can both just leave right now."

They could just leave right now. Cleo could hate BigB forever and think they were right. They could look back on this as a sour point, and they could loom back on it because it was over.

"I don't want to hate you." Cleo resisted glaring at the illusionist.

"That's a start..." BigB chuckled, looking to the side. "I don't want you to hate me either... I missed you, I missed being friends and being chill... I just missed you."

Cleo stared for a moment. It was... rough, without BigB. "I missed you too, but I'm not about to just forgive you for what you did. You... you didn't TELL me, I can't BELIEVE-"

Cleo went in, and BigB listened. It almost made THEM feel bad, seeing BigB so very obviously trying. Not that Magic Mountain was the most crowded place in the city, but they at least drew in Scar's attention a few times at the very least.

"You... I still can't believe you didn't tell me... I could have helped..." Cleo looked off to the side. "You let me send Pearl off to make Impluse red not even telling me you were disguised as Lizzie-"

BigB looked at them with his bog stupid sorry eyes. Cleo stated into them for a moment. He sighed. "You... want to do this again next week?"

It had been what, ten minutes of Cleo's whole day off? It was way less than what they had planned, but it's way more than Cleo is ready for.

It still stung, like how every time they got hurt they expected their skin to flare with poison. It was months ago, but it felt... fresh. The two had never really talked about it, Cleo never really got or gave the chance.

... they don't want to be angry. It's tiring, Cleo wants their friend back.

"I should be free around this time," Cle sighed, shrugging. "But I'll call."

BigB nodded, giving a short smile, and he walked away.

...

"And then I had to tell HIM that I was just there to get tissues but HE was still all-"

Etho snickered at Bdubs dramatic recount of when he went to the store. He leaned against the counter. He... missed this. Just hanging out with BEST, he missed the twangy feeling of being in You Bet Your Life.

"That was..." Skizz shook his head slightly, mouth agape in a stupid smile. "Really a story, Bdubs."

"I didn't even get what I needed..." Bdubs pouted, crossing him arms and murmering. "I was TRYING to get ingredients for a cake-"

"Cake?" Tango perked up, looking over from whatever he was working on. "You're making a cake? Because let me tell you, I have been DYING to test out this design for an oven-"

"We want a cake, Tango," Etho cut him off, holding up a hand. "Not char."

"And not a freaking EXPLOSION!" Skizz jumped in as well, laughing.

Tango huffed, turning back over and continuing on his work bench. "Why do you want to make a cake anyway?"

"Oh," Bdubs shrugged. "Etho's buddies- the news reporters, from when we were all... you know- they're leaving this week, and he wants to make them a little something to say bye."

"Huh..." Tango slowed down for a minute, before resuming at a normal pace.

It was bad. They... hadn't talked about it. Not really.

It was better though! Etho felt like he could hang out with Bdubs again, not feeling torn between his goal and his friend. Skizz as well, and Tango. They were friends, it was near exactly like how it was before, before Bdubs switched sides in his secret plan.

... almost. Almost like before.

"Anyway-" Skizz attempted to cut the tension. "Saw Ren over at the library today, Impulse at Crastle. I didn't know the reporters were leaving?"

"Yeah, they're report was over six months," Etho explained. "Though... I imagine it got a little boring after they took Grian down. But they just had to stay the summer and some snd get interesting things to make a large report on."

"Weird..." Bdubs thought for a moment. "Like I know we aren't reds or greens anymore so it doesn't even contribute but it's going to be so STRANGE without them here."

Etho shrugged, looking to the side. "Hey, at least we can finally have a camera not on us."

"What else?" Skizz looked at the other three, landing on Tango. "What about you? Whatcha working on over there?"

Tango tensed slightly, sliding and leaning back out of the way so the others could see the machine on his desk. His mech arms.

"I... I realized I never fully fixed them, I was kind of busy being pissed," Tango scratched the back of his head, not looking at Bdubs. "It's been a few months and they were real cool, and theyll be useful for when I can go green again."

Etho blinked back. "Oh, you plant to... then?"

"Skizz and I already talked about it," Tango refocused on his work, Skizz nodded in confirmation. "BEST was doing pretty good before..."

Bdubs cringed, Etho slid a step closer. It was pretty much him that caused this, but he didn't want him to feel bad, to dwell on it too long. It's been months. "Yeah... I think I'm going to go now."

"I'll head out too," Etho stretched and walked to the door, trying to look natural. Also trying to make sure Bdubs wasn't singled out. "Later, guys!"

Etho and Bdubs walked in silence. Or, metaphorical silence. Etho wasn't saying much, but Bdubs continued going off and on about every topic... but they didn't talk about what they needed to.

"Hey, I'll see you tomorrow, Etho," Bdubs waved bye when the two had to split to go to their respective apartments. He checked his watch. "Want to go to Crastle or something tomorrow? I bet-"

"Will we ever talk, Bdubs?" Etho said before he could think.

Stupid stupid STUPID-

"I'm- well- when..." Bdubs shifted, vaguely starting different sentences before dropping them. "See ya!"

Etho definetly took note of how Bdubs used his power to get away faster than normal.

It was fine. Bdubs... he knew it was him that would have to start to talk. Because if Ethi wants something, he FINDS it. And he has yet to track down answers, no matter how much he wanted to find them.

It was a waiting game. Etho could wait.

... barely.

...

Martyn came out of the supply closet forty five minutes after work started, and after SHE arrived. Which is honestly sooner than Ren was expecting to see him. And later.

Martyn still had his mind reading flares, but he knew when he was fine to do his job, and he knew when and how long he needed to take a break. So it wasn't like Ren could bust in and tell Martyn WHEN he was fine.

... but the flares usually last around ten or fifteen minutes. Of course Ren couldn't say he was in there too long, he could judge another person's required rest time-

"Fine, just stop your thinking in circles." Martyn groaned as he stormed out of the closet. He came up next to Ren and started stocking the bookshelves, with maybe a bit more force than necessary.

Ren... okay, Ren knew he should leave it-

"Just say it and get it over with, Ren." Martyn sighed.

"Stop listening first?" Ren tried.

Martyn paused for a second, shutting off his mind reading, something he had apparently been getting better at. He listens to Ren's words.

"I... don't know if I can stay mad at her forever." Ren admits.

Martyn hissed under his breath. "Well I CAN and-"

"Ren? Martyn?"

The two whipped around to see Lizzie, like on her name tag. She's holding a large book. "Uhm this is a book of folk lore, I was wondering if this went in the fantasy section or more of the history section?"

Lizzie had gotten a job at the library, as just Magic Mountain wasn't enough to get her and Joel out of the hole they'd kind of sunken into after bailing eachother out of jail. It was... awkward, to say the least.

Ren leaned down, looking at the cover of her book. He smiled up at her. "That one goes over more in the encyclopedia section, it's about terminology and origins, not necessarily a story book."

"Ah." Lizzie nodded, squinting at the book in her hands. "Looks like SOMEONE is a little tricky, huh? Uh, thank you Ren!"

Lizzie walked away quickly as she realized they had caught her talking to a book, but the way she twitched when Martyn glared at her was not lost on Ren.

Martyn watched her go, Ren couldn't stand the tension. "That was MONTHS ago, Martyn. She didn't even do anything to us! Not really..."

"YOU didn't hear her, hear what she said," Martyn cut off his trail. "She had it in her to betray you, I couldn't sit there, you KNOW how much you hate getting betrayed-"

"She thought about it," Ren took a breath. "THOUGHT, Martyn. Not said, not did, THOUGHT."

"I don't CARE!" Martyn hissed. "I'm not letting her hurt you again."

Ren leveled a look at him. "We're not reds. We're not greens. We are two dudes working at a library with her. She's not going to hurt us, the night world shouldn't even be this real to us."

"Well everything about this system was screwed up since the beginning." Martyn resolved, huffing and returning his attention to the shelves. "It sure as he'll felt real. We've got scars to prove it was real, I don't care how impersonal it's supposed to be."

"Lizzie was also betrayed by BigB" Ren hummed to himself. "And we betrayed her first. And she was pushed off a building."

"Ren, I'm not forgiving her."

"Well I am, and you can't tell me not to."

The two silently shelved books for a moment. After a bit, Ren sighed.

"My power works both ways Martyn," Ren looked off to the side. "I have to extend the first olive branch, it's better if I offer my trust first for others to grab onto."

"It gets you hurt." Martyn pointed out shortly.

Ren took a deep breath. "I'm the one who gets to choose to take that risk, Martyn."

Martyn rested his head against the metal bar supporting the shelf. "I can't see you hurt man..."

"I know what I'm doing." Ren resolved, and that would be the end of that. "And Martyn. It's JUST a day job-"

"Yeah yeah I know..."

...

"Grian Life, hereby sentenced to three years under careful watch on sixteen cited accounts of cross color teaming, four accounts of green on green violence, and attempted man slaughter." The judge announced.

"Do you have and words for the court, Mr. Life?" His lawyer looked at him, unimpressed. This wasn't the first- nor would it be the last time- that they've been in a situation like this.

It was an empty hearing, like it always was. A single judge (also the mayor, founder of the red green system), a single lawyer, and Grian. Grian's sentence being way less than it should be...

And a performance review from Grian.

"Yes," Grian rolled his eyes. This was his least favorite part of each round, as he called them. "Don't know what it was, but the teamwork was horrid this time around. That and the no red green teaming felt pointless and redundant, not to mention debilitating for a situation where a green and a red might have to work against a common enemy."

"Anything else?"

"What else is that I HATE those news reporters."

"Grian Life, please take this seriously and stay professional."

Grian gave a glare to his lawyer, who took a quick step away from him in fear. Good. He sighed. "That is all, your honor."

The judge slammed down his gavel- for no one but himself and his pleasure, Grian chuckled to himself at the judge making pointless displays to the empty room.

But... he rocked back and forth on his feet.

He hated those news reporters he really did (how was he ever supposed to watch the Noxcrew channel again beats him). But he can't deny how FUN it was to have new people to figure out, new buttons to press... of course there's that allure every time around, but those fish out of water, not a clue how the city actually works?

It was GOLDEN.

And Grian was antsy for when he'd get to do it again.

"Your honor," Grian addressed the judge as both the coutmen began packing up their stuff. The judge looked down at him. "When will the next test take place?"

The judge looked down at him. "Mr. Life, you attempted murder with a Noxcrew news camera pointed directly at you. You aren't invited to join the next test."

Grian blinked back, chuckling nervously. "I mean, SURELY there's something-"

"Don't make me ban you from the city, Mr. Life."

He but his tongue, a growl building in his throat. Instead, he put on a cold look and bowed, and did not suck the life out of the so called mayor in front if him like he desperately wanted to.

"Thank you, your honor." The lawyer bowed as well, escorting Grian out of the building.

They can't kick him OUT of the system he's been cleverly crafting and testing for years. He's waited, he's taken notes, studied every little part of how people act... what ticks them off in scenarios like the ones he's created...

They didn't even do him the decency of putting him to rot in prison. He was a free man that the city would hate. He was free and he couldn't think of a THING to do to get what he deserved.

The news reporters were leaving today.
Grian walked back to his apartment and threw himself on his bed. All he's worked for, gone because they wouldn't let him do his job.

He'd be more careful next time.

And though the judge doesn't know it yet, he does. There WILL be a next time.

...

He was... not stressed, was the first thing he saw.

He was on TV, green screen background behind him as he announced the future, it's rate of chance, how to make sure it happens or how to prevent it...

He's still stressed, it's inconsistent and it's still a full on blackout whenever it happens, he has someone to tell- someone who believes him- and he has a way to warn people of what he sees.

And... he's stressed, there's no doubting that. But he's HAPPY.

Jimmy sucks in a breath as he regains his sight and senses, pushing off of the wall besides the door to Scott and Pearl's apartment. Luckily he wasn't too close to the stairs.

He blinked away the black spots and looked down at his resume. Jimmy took another breath... and knocked on the door.

Scott opened the door, smiling and tilting his head in confusion. Maybe he should have called or written to them before this... "Jimmy? What are you doing here?"

"Hey, Jimmy!" Pearl projected her voice from further in the house, she was stuffing some clothes into a suit case.

The news reporters had been here for six months. A little less than two of those were spent on the field, getting that footage. And then another four doing more... CALM interviews.

Impulse was one, Jimmy knew. Of course for the obvious fact Impulse had a view no one else did, but he did watch it over and over and over... just to hear his thoughts on the Southlands.

Mumbo was another for a less obvious reason. He was a decoy as it turns out, one Grian framed into being red. It was interesting to hear how he felt obligated to see the game out, and how Impulse didn't.

Ren and Martyn gave interviews, Joel gave an interview about the bail system (which was a really funny one, it was easy to tell the whole time that he was biting his tongue to not snap at the reporters for past grievances). Of course Etho was interviewed as someone so devoted to the green cause... all the others too, just about their experiences in general.

Which... was a really nice step up, from everyone being so detached. Jimmy remembers the looks he'd get from Joel and all the questions he had asked about when the Southlands had betrayed him. This was better.

In fact... the only person they hadn't interviewed was Grian, who seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. Or, at least the city.

"How are you two feeling?!" Jimmy hyped them up, smiling. Scott stepped out of his way, inviting him in. "How does your last day feel? The months fly right on by? You think you did good?"

"Feel like I can feel my pulse again-" Scott joked. Jimmy felt that one, Grian's power was NOT fun to be on the receiving end of. "And two months in the hospital felt like forEVER-"

"You said it..." Jimmy agreed.

"And we did PLENTY of good!" Pearl piped in, dragging two suitcases over by the door. She sat down on the arm chair as Jimmy and Scott took the couch. "We... okay, we kind of screwed a lot of stuff up, but we did good!"

Jimmy thought a moment. Yeah, they did do good. In a weird, round about way, they did good. It didn't look like there'd ve another round of reds and greens for a long long time.

"I at least can say I won't miss this place too much," Scott scrunched his nose at the bedroom. "Or, we need to make sure we keep touch with Ren and Martyn."

"AND Cleo and Etho-" Pearl cut in. "And Jimmy."

"Well OBVIOUSLY and Jimmy-"

"About that..." Jimmy raised his hand. The news reporters looked over at him. "I was thinking I maybe... wanted to catch the train with you guys over to Noxcrew? And apply for a job there. Put these powers to use, you know?"

The news reporters stared at him for a moment.

Scott snickered. "Well Jimmy, now that we're SORT OF the hot shots around Noxcrew, I'm SURE we can put in a good word or two."

"Yeah, yeah!" Pearl nodded as well, putting on the same sly and joking look as Scott. "Little bribery here... few threats there..."

Jimmy smiled as Scott put an arm around his shoulders. "G- great! When do you two leave?!"

"In about an hour-" Pearl stretched her arms, cracking her shoulders. "We were gonna meet up with the other four at Crastle, want to join?"

Jimmy was a bit taken back. An open invitation. He broke out in a stupid grin, chest swirling with pride. "I'd love to!"

Scott and Pearl grabbed their suitcases, Jimmy waving bye as he went back to his own apartment to get his. Sure, Lizzie and Joel lived here... but he was honestly more than relieved to get out of the city, where everyone knew who he was, and all the former reds reminding him of what happened...

No matter.

Jimmy took a deep breath and shut the door. Good bye, Last City.

Out to face the unknown, things were looking bright.