Salem: "You win this time boy, but no more. You shall watch as I slowly kill all of those you hold dear. And only after I finally allow them the sweet release of death shall I take your broken mind and make you mine. Until then~"
Taking a step away, Topaz thinks on what she said until his head becomes foggy, and the pain he'd been pushing to the back on his mind could be held back anymore. In hazy steps, Topaz falls to the ground as his world turns dark. Muffled shouts are heard by Topaz, but he can't tell from where or who, and then all goes quiet.
Beep Beep Beep
Topaz: "Ugh, my head."
Blinking away the tiredness he felt, Topaz looks around and sees a white room and medical machinery. Feeling an itch on his nose he tries scratching it, only to realize he can't move his arms. Panicking slightly, he looks left and then right, and sees that his hands are restrained to the bed he is lying in. The door to the room opens and in walks the doctor that must be in charge of his health.
Doctor: "Ah, you're finally awake."
Topaz: "Where am I?"
Doctor: "You my boy, are currently in the Atlas Military's prison hospital."
Topaz: "And why am I in the prison hospital?"
Doctor: "That is not for me to say."
Topaz: "Fine then, send in Specialist Schnee or General Ironwood to answer that then."
Doctor: "Fine then. You're funeral."
The doctor finishing his check up on Topaz turns and leaves the room. Deciding he had enough of the special treatment he was receiving, Topaz shifts his form so the restraints come off and then continues lying on the bed. Nearly an hour later the door to the room opens once more and in walks Winter, followed by General Ironwood. Winter looks relieved seeing Topaz awake and General Ironwood just looks pissed.
Ironwood: "Just what do you think you are doing back on MY land Topaz?"
Winter: "General Ironwood, sir."
Ironwood: "Silence Schnee."
Winter: "Yes sir."
Ironwood: "So Topaz, you either tell me why you were there to conveniently save my ace ops, or I have you executed for working with Salem."
Winter: "Sir!"
Ironwood: "I said SILENCE!"
Topaz: "I'm here because my sister called the world to ask for help. Help against Salem, and against you General. You've lost your mind."
Ironwood: "Is that right."
General Ironwood draws one of his guns from its holster and aims it towards Topaz. Topaz looks into Ironwood's eyes and steps out of bed. Taking a step towards General Ironwood the General presses down on the hammer of the gun making a distinct CLICK.
Ironwood: "Try me Topaz. For the sake of Atlas I will kill whoever I deem it's enemy. And right now, that would be you."
Winter: "General Ironwood you can't keep going around killing anyone that stands against you."
At Winter's outburst, General Ironwood turns towards her, swinging the butt of his gun towards her head. Using the distraction, Topaz lunges at General Ironwood and is able to tackle him to the ground. Wrestling the gun out of his hand, Topaz watches as Winter picks it up and aims it at the two of them.
Winter: "Topaz, stand down."
With a frustrated sigh Topaz gets off of General Ironwood, only for him to elbow him on the large burn on his chest and then punch him across the face.
Winter: "General Ironwood you're to stand down as well."
Ironwood: "Specialist Schnee. You will regret aiming that gun at me."
Winter: "Maybe, but there are limits that we should not cross."
Winter sets the gun on the table away from General Ironwood and proceeds to restrain Topaz once again. Leaning forwards Winter whispers quitter than any normal human could hear.
Winter: 'Please just go along with it.'
Winter: "General Ironwood sir. Topaz saved my life and the lives of the Ace Ops, and for that I will not allow you to kill him. He is a strong fighter, so why not have him used as a training dummy for our soldiers?"
Ironwood: "Do you think that I am stupid Specialist Schnee?"
Winter: "No sir!"
Ironwood: "Don't think I haven't noticed the feelings you hold for him since the two of your mission."
Winter: "Sir? I have no feelings for Topaz, no offense."
Topaz: "None taken."
Winter: "I respect him as a soldier and as a friend, but nothing more."
Ironwood: "Then why not throw him into our prison with the rest of the scum of Atlas?"
Winter: "Because Topaz has done more than enough for Atlas to not be considered scum sir."
Ironwood: "He is here to FIGHT us. What more reason do I need to call him scum, or put a bullet in his head."
Winter: "Yeah, that will go over well. Did you forget how almost all of the Academy students reacted to when they heard what happened to Topaz last time? If they find out you not only knew he was still alive and claimed him a traitor, but killed him outright… we'd have a riot on our hands."
Ironwood: "Fine, do what you want Schnee. But one more bit of insubordination from you and you'll face treason."
Winter: "Thank you sir."
Ironwood angrily walks off, grabbing his weapon on the way and then smashing the table is sat on. After he had left and things quieted down, Winter lets out a relieved sigh and turns towards Topaz.
Winter: "Well that happened."
Topaz: "Indeed it did. So what's the plan?"
Winter: "Well, you and I are going to grab some people and then leave."
Topaz: "Who are we grabbing?"
Winter: "You'll see."
Winter gently guides the restrained Topaz through the halls, eventually coming to a training room. Once inside Winter locks the door and lets Topaz loose.
Topaz: "Thanks. So why are we here?"
Winter: "You guys can come out. It's me and a friend."
Slowly a couple of familiar faces peek out from around the various training equipment. The first is someone Topaz remembers from the Vytal Festival Tournament. Hard to forget someone who roller skates around wearing such bright colors.
Topaz: "Neon, it's been a while."
Neon: "Oh my gosh! Topaz, its like been forever. Wait! Your alive!"
Topaz: "That I am. Good to see you as well Flynt."
Flynt: "Topaz, my guy. Good to see you alive and kickin'."
Two more faces peek out from around the training equipment, one of which Topaz recognizes, the other is a new face.
Topaz: "Reila? What are you doing here?"
?????: "I ain't Reila. Names Rika, her twin sister."
Topaz: "Oh, well nice to meet you."
Rika: "Sup."
Winter: "And the final face here is Yuna."
Topaz: "Is it just me or does she look like Marrow?"
Winter: "It is not just you. Yuna is Marrows little sister."
The little girl in question was around the same age as Ruby and Rose. She looked towards Topaz in a way that left a bad taste in his mouth. Her emotionless eyes and rigid stance told him more than enough.
Topaz: "Oum, just what the hell is Ironwood trying."
Winter: "Topaz?"
Topaz: "The poor girl. How could someone do that to such a sweet and innocent girl."
Winter: "What are you talking about Topaz?"
Topaz: "Winter, look at the girl and tell me what you notice."
Winter: "Um… I couldn't tell you. She looks normal to me."
Topaz: "Winter, she's mentally broken to be a soldier. At her age!"
Winter: "O-Oh."
Topaz walks over to Yuna and kneels down in front of her.
Topaz: "Hi there Yuna, my name is Topaz. It's nice to meet you."
Yuna: "…"
Topaz: "Yuna?"
Neon: "Sorry Topaz, she's quiet most of the time. The most I've ever seen her talk is when Marrow is around, which doesn't happen much anymore."
Winter: "Problem of being Ironwood's favorites. No time for family or friends, only what he wants."
Flynt: "With that being said, I thought you wouldn't be back for a while Winter?"
Winter: "I didn't think that I would be back for a while, but it's time."
Neon: "It's finally time?!"
Topaz: "Time for what?"
…