─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

CARL EMERSON WAS A LIEUTENANT IN MOUNT WEATHER, AND CAGE'S SECOND HAND MAN. Riley didn't doubt that he was given the treatment and could have lived, but she assumed a grounder or someone would have taken him down. All these months, she had spent time thinking she was the last Mountain Men, and if they were any other circumstances, maybe she would have felt indifferent that she wasn't. Emerson had taken all the ones who wasn't answering their radios. Monty, Octavia, Jasper, Miller, Harper, Bryan; they could all be dead for all Riley knew.

The last three remaining stalked down Arkadia's hall bravely in search for their missing friends, each holding a gun. The weapon Riley had in her hands was pointed forward, on guard, incase he appeared as Bellamy suddenly stopped to try and radio in their friends. Clarke stopped behind him, making Riley come to a halt as well. "This is all my fault," Clarke suddenly whispered in realization. "I let Emerson live. In Polis, I had a chance to kill him. I let him go."

Not sure if she heard that correctly, Riley stared at her in disbelief. "You let him go?" She repeated, emphasizing the word. Clarke nodded back, regretful, with guilt crossing over her features. Riley inhaled sharply, her bad hand coming up to press her palm against her forehead, incredible. Even Bellamy looked disappointed by Clarke's admission of remorse.

Raven's voice filled the static on Bellamy's walkie talkie suddenly, asking him what's wrong. He lifted it, speaking quickly and in panic. "Raven, are you okay? Where are you?"

"Still in engineering, we're fine," Raven replied, calm but confused.

Clarke took the radio from Bellamy as he lifted his gun when a light started flickering from behind them. Riley listened, turned around with her gun pointed forward into the dark. "Raven, listen to me," Clarke ordered seriously. "Emerson is here. Are the others with you?"

"Negative, just Sinclair," Raven answered. "Mount Weather Emerson?"

"Yes," Clarke confirmed, quick. "Lock down the hangar bay, don't let anyone in but us." She finished, clicking off her radio, and motioning for Bellamy and Riley to follow her.

Panting, Riley and the other two ran down the hall and towards the hangar bay, desperate to get there before Emerson did. She still didn't know if her other friends were alive, and the idea was a pang in her heart, but she knew she could at least try and save the other two that they knew for sure were.

Suddenly, Raven's voice filled Bellamy's walkie talkie's speaker once more. "He's here." It came out as a whisper. "He's inside the hangar bay." Suddenly, she shouted in pain, before it went dead.

Urging them to charge faster, Bellamy picked up his pace. Riley felt her heart skip a beat, leaving a black hole feeling in the pit of her chest of knowing he was locked in the bay with them. She clutched the gun tighter, running faster, until she could finally see the door in her line of view.

Through the window of the door, Riley could see the bay was pitch dark. She stepped next to Clarke, taking one side of the window and pounding on the glass. "Raven! Sinclair!" She shouted along, desperate to see them, but was met with nothing except silence and the black darkness. Emerson had to be in there, doing who knows what to them.

"We have to go to the outer door," Clarke declared, when realizing the two inside were in too much trouble to open the closed opening they were at. Angrily, Riley banged her fist against the metal of the door once more before turning around and taking off again with the others in the direction they came from.

It took just as long as Riley expected. By the time they arrived to the bay, the outer door was already partially opened, and just enough for them to squeeze through. "Raven! Sinclair!" Bellamy whispered loudly in a shout, but receiving nothing, as he pushed through first. Clarke went next, and Riley went in last, just as he flicked on his flashlight.

On the ground, was Sinclair, rolled on his side. Clarke gasped his name, kneeling next to him and turning him over. Sick, Riley's hand flew up to cover her mouth in grief when seeing the pool of blood that had seeped through Sinclair's shirt, staining it a deep red. Clarke pressed her fingers against his neck, checking for a pulse. "Is he - ?" Riley whispered, wretched, as Clarke confirmed his death with a nod of her head. She brushed the tips of her fingers against his wide opened eyes and shut them.

"We're too late," Bellamy said softly.

Sinclair was dead, Riley knew, which could mean the same for the ones missing. "What about the others?" She questioned quietly, forcing herself to look away from Sinclair. "What if they're.." If they were, a big possibility, than the three of them were on their own and had to carry the heavy weight of loss again.

But Clarke protested, shaking her head. "He didn't kill Monty or Raven," she pointed out. "He would've left their bodies. He took them somewhere." She rose to her feet, facing Riley and Bellamy. Realizing that Clarke was right, Riley felt a sharp prick of hope. "But where would he take them?"

"Could be anywhere," Bellamy answered, glancing around the bay. "Does he even know his way around?"

"He was here when you both were in Mount Weather," Clarke replied, thinking hard, before it hit her. "The airlock." She stepped forward, taking the walkie talkie off Bellamy's strap as he scanned the area with his gun. "Emerson, I know you're listening. We need to talk."

It took a moment too long, that Riley was considering it wasn't Emerson, and maybe this all was some cruel joke, before his voice finally filled the speaker with a quiet crack. "I don't need to do anything." Riley's breath hitched and she leaned forward, listening to how calm he was despite the threatening situation he was putting them into. "You should've killed me when you had the chance."

"And now you're here to kill me," Clarke retorted. "Is that it?"

"Something like that," Emerson responded honestly.

"Then let my friends go," Clarke offered, bold and fearless. "Do that and you can have me."

"You're brave, Clarke," Emerson complimented immediately. "I'll give you that. They're lucky to have a friend like you. Come to the airlock, no weapons. Right now." He finished, the line going dead with his final offer with no chance of negotiating.

Before Bellamy could speak, whereas Riley could see the distress all over his expression, Clarke stopped him, lowering the walkie talkie. "I know what I'm doing. Saving them." She reached into her pocket, taking out the Flame and holding it outwards to Bellamy. "When it's over, take this to Luna, Raven will know what to do with it. Promise me."

Refusing the Flame, Bellamy shook his head stubbornly. "No," he declared. "You're out of your mind if you think I'm letting you do this alone."

"Bellamy, this is my fault," Clarke pleaded with him.

"Clarke," Riley spoke up. "You know what he'll do to you. Emerson is crazy, murderous, and unstable after what happened."

Arguing, Clarke looked over her shoulder to face Riley. "He's like that because of me," she stated. "I'm not letting anyone else die for my mistake. Okay? Take it," she demanded.

"You through?" Bellamy questioned, not giving in. "I don't know what happened between you and Emerson in Polis, but I do know that letting him kill you here today is a stupid plan."

"You got a better one?" Clarke challenged.

To Riley's surprise, Bellamy nodded. "Distract him," he suggested. "Me and Riley try to take a shot."

"Try is one word for it," Riley murmured under her breath before nodding in agreement. It was better than letting Clarke hand herself over and die for her friends. Bellamy motioned for her to follow him, and she bravely did, ready to at least end this one thing no matter what it took. Riley killed her own people before, and she knew she could do it again, if it meant saving her friend's lives.

-x-

As quietly as she could, Riley took small steps forward, careful not to look the footsteps echo through the empty hall. Bellamy was walking beside her, his gun cocked forward, as Clarke took the lead with her hands up in defense. As she turned a corner, Bellamy held up one hand, stopping Riley from continuing and getting in Emerson's view. The airlock chamber was just a few feet ahead, but they needed a clear shot if they were going to even attempt to try and kill him.

"I held out my part of the deal," Clarke called out from where she was. "Your turn. Let my friends go." Riley couldn't see clear from where she was, but could see the corner of Emerson's shoulder. She looked over to Bellamy, shaking her head without a word and silently telling him she couldn't do it. She was a lousy shot, especially with a handgun. She chose to step aside and let him take the lead, but kept her gun in a firm grasp just incase.

"Tell Bellamy to show himself first," Emerson challenged, fuming. Riley was surprised by the response, but it should have been more so obvious.

Clarke was surprised too, but tried not to show it. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Suddenly, a shout erupted and echoed in the hall, coming from Octavia. At the sound, Bellamy immediately surrendered, holding his gun up and stepping forward. "No!" Realizing that there was no point in hiding, Riley stepped to the side, holding her handgun up as well. She could see the airlock clearly now, all her friends gagged with Emerson in the middle, holding a knife to Octavia's throat.

Emerson looked genuinely shocked when his eyes connected with Riley, even though he kept the blade pressed firmly to Octavia's neck. "Riley Pascal," he drawled out slowly, venom and hate dripping in his tone. "Who would have guessed you were still alive?" He paused to tightened his grip, seething with hatred at the sight of her. "And living with the people who killed ours?"

"You're not my people," Riley shot back, her voice wavering. They may have come from the same mountain, but he was nothing but a murderer to her.

Even if Emerson wasn't Riley's people, he was in charge, as of now. "Take out the clips and throw them down the hall. Put the gun on the ground and get inside."

Riley stopped, hesitating and looking at Bellamy, who was refusing to drop his guard. She did too, keeping her gun up and glaring back hatefully at Emerson. "Please, you wanted me," Clarke begged him. "I'll get inside once you let them go."

Disagreeing with the offer, Emerson pressed the tip of the knife and cascaded it across Octavia's skin, making her let out a muffled cry of pain. "Okay, okay! Just stop!" Bellamy shouted, holding his hand up. Riley watched as he took out the clip, taking the gun off his shoulder and putting them on the ground. Emerson glared at Riley next and warning her to follow. Surrendering, she did, following in suit by clicking the handle on the gun that released her clip and dropped it, using her boot to kick it aside before lifting her hands.

"Don't do this," Clarke pleaded with both of them. Riley ignored her, walking past with her hands kept upwards and following Bellamy into the airlock chamber. She was terrified, not knowing what he was going to do to her. She wasn't sure if he hated her or Clarke more.

Emerson nodded to the handcuffs hanging on the wall, holding his grip against Octavia. "Those are yours," he told Bellamy. Complying, Bellamy stepped towards them, before cuffing his wrists and locking himself to it. Finally, Emerson let Octavia go, throwing her head forward. He suddenly reached behind him, pulling out a gun.

Riley flinched as he pointed it forward, the barrel of it straightaway being pressed to her forehead. She could hear Clarke's gasp and her hands began to tremble, fear that he was going to pull the trigger and end her life, as he was going to back in Mount Weather when she was supposed to be caught. "You should have died that day too." There was a dreadful look in his eyes, almost as if he was willing himself to pull the trigger.

His hateful words were right. "I wish I did," Riley admitted in a whisper. Even months later, she spent time wishing it was her that died along with everyone else.

"Back up," Emerson ordered, pressing the barrel harder against her skin, pushing her back until she hit the wall of the airlock. He finally pulled it away, before taking out a gag and forcing it over Riley's head, making the band tuck into her mouth. The next object he pulled out was a glimmer of handcuffs, that he slapped over Riley's wrists, before roughing pushing her shoulder downwards, making her sit in between a bound Bryan and Harper.

Emerson turned around, finally facing a wide eyed Clarke. "Get on your knees," he commanded. She complied quickly, kneeling down to the ground. "Put your hands behind your head." Riley watched as she did, biting through the gag in anger before Emerson walked out of the airlock and stopped to press a button to seal it shut.

Riley's eyes widened and she felt vile as Emerson walked behind Clarke with the gun pointed to her head. Clarke was shouting, but the voice was muffled. Instead, she watched as the cruel man had grabbed her by her hair, forcing her up and towards the airlock, and pressed her face to the window. She could see her was shouting something back as he wrapped an arm around her neck, keeping the gun pressed to her temple.

Suddenly, Emerson backed up, only to swing his hand forward and hit another button. Riley let out a muffled shout as the light in the room turned red and a robotic voice filled the speaker. "Airlock five, oxygen venting." She swallowed thickly, feeling the air began to grow thin from what she breathed in through her nose.

Emerson was going to suffocate them all. The idea of dying didn't always scare Riley, but now that she was there, tears streamed down her cheeks as a choked, weak sob came out. She tried to calm down, preserve more air, but knew she couldn't. The oxygen was leaving the airlock, and they were all going to die painfully. There was a pounding in Riley's ears, filling with the sound of her friends gasping and choking. She wanted to scream or cry louder, but her head was growing dizzy from the lack of air she was getting, along with the burning feeling in her lungs.

If Riley was going to die, she prayed it was quick. Her head ached, and her lungs felt as if they were on fire, but she looked forward, meeting eyes with Monty, whose head was lolling to the side. Giving up, Riley let herself cry as her own head fell back, thumping against the wall. Her eyes were falling shut, slowly, but lidded. Her body felt as if it was letting go, and Riley was positive that in this moment she was going to fall asleep and not wake up. The only people on her mind as she stopped gasping for air was everyone she's ever lost; who she hoped she'd see again.

The black dotting Riley's vision that was occupied by a red light switched to a sudden white one after hearing a loud sliding sound. The oxygen went from nothing to something, thin at first, that soon turned thick, and filling her lungs freshly. Riley blinked a few times, her chest rising and falling as she began gasping once more. This time, each gasp she made was met with air, and she had to slowly pick her head up.

Riley could have started crying again, this time with relief, when seeing her friends in the same shape she was, but alive. She looked down, seeing behind it all was Clarke, tearfully looking at them worriedly from where she was sprawled on the ground. To add onto Riley's relief, she looked past Clarke, seeing Emerson covered in blood and dead. She didn't know how Clarke did it, but for the first time, felt nothing but pride to know that this time she really was the last of her people.

-x-

After everyone was set free, the group had piled outside, ready to burn their dead and let them go before leaving to Luna. Riley was standing above Monty and Octavia, reloading her given handgun as they packed the rest of their weapons away to prepare. Night had fallen and it was chilling, but that wasn't why Riley had felt a shiver. Instead, she quivered in grief when turning her head to see Bellamy carrying a body rolled up in sheets. It didn't take a genius to know who was there, as Sinclair's body was already prepared in the pit they had built.

Watching, Riley watched as Bellamy carried Lincoln's body to Octavia before placing it on the muddy ground in front of her and stepping back, allowing her a moment. Tearfully, she stared as the grieving girl pulled the sheet off Lincoln's face before letting out heartbroken cries of sorrow from the loss of her love. For a moment, Riley wished that it wasn't true, despite witnessing his death herself. But it was true; and he wasn't coming back, no matter how much hope there was he would.

The only thing they could do was say a proper goodbye at their funeral. The group stood in a circle, Riley in between Bellamy and Monty with her hands clasped in front of her. Octavia was holding a torch in front a pyre, holding both Lincoln and Sinclair's bodies. She watched as Raven touched Sinclair's shoulder before saying her goodbye. "May we meet again." Before stepping back, letting Octavia put the fire of the torch underneath the pyre.

As the wood engulfed into flames, Octavia uttered the final words. "Yu gonplei ste odon." (Your fight is over.)

Respectfully, Riley lowered her head, smelling the burn of smoke and hearing the flicker of the flames. Despite the lump in her throat, she spoke, saying farewell to them both by repeating Octavia's words along with the others.

"Yu gonplei ste odon." (Your fight is over.)