[center][color=0076a3][h2]Zachary Ackerson[/h2][/color] [h2]Jezebel Volcov[/h2] [img]http://pm1.narvii.com/6479/4ef068eaaecab2c2ab0654f8360c652b88a691de_hq.jpg[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/dUaKI5w.jpg[/img] [b][color=0076a3]"Exit stage left."[/color][/b][/center] [hr] [center][@Majoras End][@Mateotis][/center] [hr] There they all went, moving on towards an uncertain future. Those “Infinites” he had been stuck with, struggled with, and survived with… had all begun to depart. Yet here he was, slumped to his knees like a marionette with its strings cut ever since the moment it registered to him that they’d finally reached the outside. They succeeded! They won! And now...? Zachary’s appearance was not that of a person who had just escaped the clutches of death. Quite the opposite, almost. He had become enervated in contrast to the rest of the group who seemed brimming with vigor. Despite this, he managed to pull himself to his own two feet and made the motion to follow them, yet as he went to take the first step, he hesitated. [color=lightblue]”Seems leaving is harder than staying.”[/color] Emily must have noticed Zachary, as she was walking towards him now. [color=lightblue]”But it’s understandable, really. We’re not returning to the world we thought we were. Not as the people we thought we were at least.”[/color] As soon as Emily arrived at Zachary’s side, she spun on her heel and looked at the group departing. While most of the others looked pleased, Jezebel and Cyrus seemed to be having a talk not far off. [color=lightblue]”Or does something else have your feet stuck in place?”[/color] He sighed. [color=0076a3]“I’ve done what I’ve set out to do,”[/color] he postponed his attempt at leaving to face Emily. After some deliberation, he spoke. [color=0076a3]“Once I learned the truth, the only thing left for me was to make sure you guys got out. And you have,”[/color] he eyed Jezebel and Cyrus momentarily. [color=0076a3]“Not that I can really take credit for that, of course. As usual, I didn’t really do very much.”[/color] Zachary then returned his gaze to the leaving Infinites, frowning. [color=0076a3]“Either way, we escaped. But now that we have...”[/color] he trailed off. [color=lightblue]”You don’t really think it ends [i]now[/i], do you?”[/color] Emily continued to speak with a smile on her face. [color=lightblue]”Even if you somehow forgot you were Jezebel’s reason for getting out of there, we’re not quite out of the woods yet. We still don’t know how the general populace will receive us. Imprisoned or not, we partook in illegal medical practices to become who we are.”[/color] Zach raised an eyebrow at Emily’s statement. [color=0076a3]“I sure hope they wouldn’t punish us for something we can’t even remember. I feel like that death game should suffice,”[/color] he thought about something, then shrugged. [color=0076a3]“Does she even need me?”[/color] the idea seemed to baffle him. [color=0076a3]“I can’t even use the talent they gave me anymore,”[/color] he moved his hand over his eyepatch to emphasize this. [color=0076a3]“...I just don’t know what to do or look forward to.”[/color] [color=lightblue]”Zachary, do you think anyone here feels any differently than you?”[/color] Emily turned to look at the archer. [color=lightblue]”Let’s pretend Axis Mundi can’t restore your sight: It’s not like you had archery to begin with. There are plenty of people in the world who lack talent. That includes the real Emily. She was an inferior nanny, and she was even responsible for the death of a child.”[/color] She looked away. [color=lightblue]”…I know you searched me during the fifth trial. I don’t know why you stayed quiet, but I’m glad you did.”[/color] Her smile didn’t falter for a second. [color=lightblue]”And honestly, that’s a lot more important in the real world than shooting a bow. I saw Alter Ego impersonate the real Zachary, and I’m not sure I like them as much as you. I know Jezebel doesn’t, and I’m sure she’ll tell you as much if you ask her. That guy was a jerk!”[/color] She returned her gaze to Jezebel. [color=lightblue]”Honestly, I don’t think I was all that helpful either during all of this. I made a lot of choices I regret, and I don’t really have a lot to bring with me out of the death game either. Just some care taking skills that can maybe land me a low paying job at some retirement home.”[/color] With a giggle, she stepped forward. [color=lightblue]”But I’m not going to be leaving here empty handed. I have each and every one of you as friends, and that’s enough for me. But I’d never be content with that if I was still moping to everyone, like I was earlier in the killing game.”[/color] She spun on her heel to look at Zachary again. [color=lightblue]”I guess what I’m trying to say is this: When you get to the point where you can laugh at your mistakes, you'll find new things to replace what you lost.”[/color] She lowered her eyes. [color=lightblue]”Now how about you go see how Jezebel is doing.”[/color] Even after her speech, Zachary wasn’t sure if he would be able to continue forward. For him, it was just so much harder to look at this as the starting line for the rest of his life than it was to view it as the finish line. It was a daunting challenge to start one's life over from zero. Everything from before the start of the killing game was someone else's. They were all stolen from the real Zachary. A man with actual talent, and an actual life that evidenced this. Unlike... the phony using his name. Even if he was less pleasant to deal with, supposedly, at least he could confidently claim he liked what he liked or hated what he hated. But this false Zach wasn't even sure if his feelings were his own most of the time. [url=https://youtu.be/AETqzPdPjsA][i]...But, if everyone else can do it, then I should be able to, too! [/i][/url] He had many doubts. Fears. The confusion was a given. But it wasn't like Emily's words fell upon deaf ears and he knew he wasn't the only person suffering like this. Everyone who escaped was in exactly the same situation. Jezebel, too! And if they all wanted to try to grasp a new, original future. Then, well, he supposed he could give it a shot as well. [color=0076a3]“Yeah,”[/color] he said, a small hint of a smile becoming obvious on his features. [color=0076a3]“I think I’ll go do that. And, uh… thank you, Emily.”[/color] Zachary offered his hand for a shake, but Emily pulled him into a hug and patted him on the back before letting him go. [color=lightblue]”Take care of yourself!”[/color] He nodded before trotting over to where Jezebel was having a conversation with Cyrus, a bit curious to see what the two were even discussing. [color=D1c2bf]”…I’m glad we could end things on good terms now, at least. ”[/color] Cyrus Was about to turn around to leave when Jezebel gave him a hug. [color=#bd71e8]“We’re totally going to meet up again.”[/color] [color=D1c2bf]”I would think so.”[/color] He pointed at Zachary. [color=D1c2bf]"Looks like someone’s here for you.”[/color] Jezebel immediately turned around to see Zach give a small wave, and her face lit up with a smile. [color=#bd71e8]“Baldwin number one!”[/color] She practically danced over to Zachary while Cyrus slipped away. [color=#bd71e8]“I was totally going to go see you, but like, I needed to talk to Cyrus first. Things were kinda grody between us, so we took a chill pill and we’re like, totally fine now.”[/color] Zach held a hand up and shook his head as if to say, “No problemo” before Jezebel folded her arms behind her back. [color=#bd71e8]“Are you alright? I totally thought you’d be happier about this.”[/color] Zachary went to apologize, but then stopped. That was a habit he intended to purge himself of. Plus, Emily’s words flashed through his mind. It’s not like Jezebel wouldn’t have similar concerns. So he shouldn’t be bringing the mood down too much like some spoiled brat. [color=0076a3]“I suppose I don’t give the best impression of it, but I really am elated that we’re free from that death game. It’d be closer to perfect if I still had both eyes, but what can you do?”[/color] he shrugged, then looked towards the others who obviously weren’t there anymore. [color=0076a3]“Suppose I can’t pretend like I’m not concerned with the future, though. We might’ve broken some rules before becoming “Infinites” and I have no clue what I should name myself, either. Lots of stuff to think about and I’m criminally good at overthinking things until I stress myself out. Might be my real talent, even.”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“Tell me about it.”[/color] Jezebel looked at the floor. [color=#bd71e8]“The irony of it all is like, wow. The real Jezy wanted to hide her face from the world, and I wanted it for myself. Totally weird.”[/color] It didn’t take long for her eyes to return to Zachary’s. [color=#bd71e8]“But I’ve also got to remember that just because Jezy was a clown doesn’t mean I have to be.”[/color] She smiled.[color=#bd71e8]“I don’t even really care who I was, honestly. I mean, I don’t think I can continue to be Jezebel, but like, I already sorta gave up on who I was anyway? I feel like it would just be more pointless drama.”[/color] She scratched her chin a bit before pounding her fist into her hand. [color=#bd71e8]“I got it! We’ll make new identities for each other! Go on, Baldwin! Tell me who I am!”[/color] [color=0076a3]“Ah? Eh? T-that’s...”[/color] Zach fumbled after being put on the spot. [color=0076a3]“You’re asking me? T-that’s a bit complicated, isn’t it? I wouldn’t even know where to begin...”[/color] Despite wracking his brain for something, all he drew were mostly blanks. [color=0076a3]“I’m terrible at this sort of thing, y’know. Because if we’re just talking names right now, all I can really think of is Betty.”[/color] Jezebel laughed. [color=#bd71e8]“Betty?! That’s perfect!”[/color] She folded her arms. [color=#bd71e8]“Yea! I even think Jezebel would agree I’m a Betty. All of my favorite girls were Betty’s too!”[/color] She grinned. [color=#bd71e8]“That means you’re no longer Baldwin number one. You’re [i]the[/i] Baldwin!”[/color] The young man joined in with laughter of his own. It really was a lot easier than he thought it would be. [color=0076a3]"Baldwin... well, I certainly don't need to worry about adjusting to it. You made sure of that. Should I have called you a Betty?"[/color] Ignoring that, Baldwin's smile couldn't be any more genuine if he tried. [color=0076a3]"That said, we have alliteration material here."[/color] He made a 'b' sound with his mouth, then spoke. [color=0076a3]"Betty and Baldwin buy big burritos."[/color] Completely satisfied, he nodded. [color=0076a3]"Okay, it's perfect for me."[/color] Betty chuckled. [color=#bd71e8]“That’s amazing!”[/color] her thumbs spun around each other. [color=#bd71e8]“So what should our last name be?”[/color] [color=0076a3]“I’m afraid that escapes me. It’d be weird to use grody, of course, but what could---”[/color] Baldwin stopped to think about her wording but almost didn't start again. As realization struck him, his cheeks flushed a shade of red. [color=0076a3]"O-our?!"[/color] he nearly yelped. He even failed to reboot a couple of times. [color=0076a3]"...!”[/color] [color=#bd71e8]“Yea, no doubt about it, it should be Ackerson.”[/color] She nodded. [color=#bd71e8]“Zach is kinda like your dad, and if we were to get married, I’d have to take that as my last name too. Baldwin Ackerson, it’s got a nice ring to it.”[/color] Her grin continued to widen.[color=#bd71e8]“Guess the only reasonable thing for me to do right now would be to use Volcov as my last name then. Like, we haven’t gotten hitched and junk yet. Wouldn’t wanna have a back up plan in case the only thing holding us together was this killing game. Gosh, that would be sooooo morbid!”[/color] Calming down from earlier, Baldwin shook his head fervently. [color=0076a3]“Keep that line of thought up and I’ll start moping again.”[/color] Betty coiled one of her arms around Baldwin’s and started to walk towards the chopper. [color=#bd71e8]“Hmm, don’t wanna base my entire life around those two. I wanna change it up a bit. Kinda thinking I need to put my own spin on the valley girl thing, ya know? Like, maybe instead of saying totally, I could say something like, flippin’? Yea, that flippin’ works!”[/color] In response, Baldwin rubbed the back of his neck. Her proposal seemed to discomfit him more than a little. He agreed that they should separate themselves from the identities they had borrowed, but there was clearly another matter that required his full attention. [color=0076a3]“Ah, uh, maybe you should, like, work on that?”[/color] he suggested, finding himself now SIMPering. [color=0076a3]“There’s plenty of time to decide.”[/color] he wondered if a verbal tic would make him a bit more interesting but also thought leaving it to Jez was perhaps the best choice. [color=0076a3]“But maybe it’s better than saying something like, ‘dude’ every sentence.”[/color] he admitted. Betty giggled. [color=#bd71e8]“Honestly, It’s best if we don’t force it too much.”[/color] She tapped her chin in though. [color=#bd71e8]“Well, I think I’ve seen enough of this place. Did you want to get on the chopper with everyone else?”[/color] Baldwin gave one last look back at the elevator they’d taken before, nodding. [color=0076a3]“Yeah. We’ve spent more than enough time in this place,”[/color] he agreed with a smile. He wouldn't want to keep the others waiting any longer. It was 'goodbye, despair!' and 'hello, hope!' from now on. The former Zach now had plans. He thought that it might be good to go meet the real Zachary, if only to get some closure. Or even to encourage him to speak his mind to his father. It had the potential to backfire. Baldwin imagined a lot of people would react negatively to a stranger butting into personal affairs out of the blue. Familiar as uncertainty was for Baldwin, he felt a sense of warmth. Though he wasn't sure what would happen with Zach, he could rest easy knowing for sure that he would have Betty right beside him. [color=0076a3]“So,”[/color] Baldwin found his face flushed red as they walked, as well as a lump in his throat. But he pressed on in spite of this. [color=0076a3]"Well... I was wondering if you would like to maybe hold hands?"[/color] he asked. It was kinda lame, and he wasn't completely sure how she'd respond. But now that he thought about it, maybe he didn't need to be sure of everything? [hr] [center]The Infinites had persevered and, despite the odds, survived the cruel game that Alter Ego subjected them to. Though there were bound to be problems along the way, each remaining Infinite was now afforded the chance to write their own story. This one tale ends, but many more now begin. [hr] [h2]That's a wrap! Thanks, everyone![/h2][/center]