(Reader's P.O.V.)

"Okay so, don't get mad but, the resistance is planning another attack in a few hours. Literally at the crack of dawn." "And why would I be mad about it? You heard their plan right?" I pause for a moment, totally silent. "(Y/N)? You did hear the plans, right?" I give off more silence. I can hear the frustration in his voice when he speaks, "(Y/N)? You were listening to the plans, right?" "No... I was so distracted I didn't hear any of it." "You had one job, (Y/N). One job! How is it you can screw up like this?! What distracted you?" I remain silent again. I don't want to tell him he's the reason I got distracted. What would he even think if I told him that? He'd either get really mad at me or he might stop talking to me all together. "Nevermind. I'm sure the Phantom Ruby's got you scared. I can see why you'd be distracted. Let's just work with what we've got. Okay?" "Okay..." We begin discussing our plans to defeat the Phantom Ruby. Once we have our plan ready I turn off the radio and try to get some sleep. My thoughts keep wandering to Infinite, or Zero, and how kind he's been to me lately. Ever since he captured me and threw away the Phantom Ruby, he's been very different. When I was his prisoner, he was cold and cruel. Not even an inch of kindness. But when the Phantom Ruby tried to trap me in my own mind, he did everything in his power to save me. I still don't understand. He said he saw himself in me but, in what way? Does he mean the old him or the him that became Infinite? Unable to find sleep, I walk outside and hope the fresh air will clear my head. I walk a good distance away from the base when I hear a familiar sound. A chill runs down my spine as I turn to look at the owner, the Phantom Ruby. "I thought I'd find you here, Jewel. Melancholy thoughts usually lead us to places we left in the past. So, what troubles you my sweet gem?" His hand brushes against my left cheek causing another cold chill down my spine. I'm shaking, but I'm not sure if it's from the cold or from him. "Did I leave you speechless, love? It's alright... I promise you I'm not here to harm you. I would never harm the one I love most." After struggling for a moment I finally find my voice. "Why are you here?" "To take you away from here. I told you, this world destroys gems like you. If you stay here in reality, it'll destroy you too. I don't want that for you. You are unique and I am fond of you. Tell me, did you feel nothing of our time together?" "The only thing I feel is hatred." I push away his arm and take several steps back. He, however, remains undeterred by my actions. In fact, he laughs in amusement. "If that's the case then shouldn't you also feel hatred towards your captor as well? Unless... perhaps you developed Stockholm. A sense of admiration for the one who created this mess in the first place. Yes, the war was his doing not mine. And yet he has painted me black and calls me the enemy. Have you truly forgotten all he's done? Done to the world? Done to you? Tell me, do you despise him as much as me?" I don't know what the Phantom Ruby is playing at by asking me all this. Is he trying to change my mind? Warp my worldview? "I won't say I trust him completely but, I trust him a lot more than you. You could've stopped him any time you wanted. You want this war to continue. You want to destroy this world. He may have started it but you're the one who's continuing it. If you say you love me as much as you do, stop the war."

(Phantom's P.O.V.)

She looks at me with venom in her eyes. Such beautiful (E/C) poison directed at me. My sweet (C/T) turns away from me and leaves. How I love this new her. She isn't a frightened child anymore. She's a wild animal. And I'm the one who needs to tame her.