SE- Ry's POV

Oh, dang.

That was the first thing that went through my head when I saw the post on Facebook.

She attacked another country?! This is going too far!

I went straight to my messages with Naomi, copying the link as I left that painful website. I knew now that I couldn't trust Naomi... for a fact.

Some sort of thought was nagging at the back of my head, but I pushed it back quickly. There was no mistaking what the conversation had been about. She'd attacked a country. Pyolangi, at that.

But you only heard her side of the conversation, I could imagine Andrew saying.

I whipped around, looking for him. I could've sworn I'd just heard him... maybe I was just hallucinating again.

What is the meaning of this?! I typed, pasting the link. Hesitantly, I added, I hope you have a good explanation.

That second part never sent. I cut it and sent my original message, heart pounding. If she really had done what I believed she had, I might have no choice but to send an assassination party.

Goodness knows that'll be a last resort. But I'm really being pushed to that right now...

Shaking my head, I stood and walked to the window, looking out over the capital. Off toward the fountain in the center of the city, I saw one of my other friends, Quinncy. She'd been a part of the Radish Land until Andrew had snapped her out of the stuff Todd had given her...

No, too painful. That just brings me back to the good times, before the Republic.

My phone buzzed. I glanced at it and saw that it was a text from Dark.

Did you see that post?!

Yeah, I replied. I already confronted her.

Are you planning anything?

Maybe, I admitted. I feel bad, but the problem is that we might have no choice for peace.

True.

Someone knocked. I called, "Who is it?" without looking back.

"Sapphire."

"Come in."

Sapphire came in and walked to my side. She looked at my phone, which was still on the conversation.

"Oh, crap. There was a post?"

Wordlessly, I handed her the phone and showed her the video. Sapphire frowned in concern.

"There might have been other stuff going on, or the person who recorded is trying to turn you against her," Sapphire suggested.

I sighed. "I knew you'd say that. Sapphire, I'm really concerned."

"Don't let your fear make you do something horribly idiotic," Sapphire warned. "You've been known to do that."

"Hey, I did it one time a long time ago," I defended myself.

"Remind me what started the civil war."

"...okay, two times. Sapphire, that one was more because I didn't want this country split."

"Which it was anyway," she pointed out. "Check yourself before you wreck yourself."

"Dang it, don't use some person's quote against me," I groaned.

Sapphire smirked, then her face grew serious again. "You can make the plans, but just remember... maybe you should wait."

"I can't wait any longer," I whispered. "Not after everything said there."

"To be honest, I agree with you. I'm just trying to give Naomi some trust here."

"Same, but I'm afraid that we're on our last resorts. War, or assassination."

Sapphire sighed. "Call Dark."

"I will, trust me," I told her before typing to Dark, Can I call?

Plans?

Yup.

Dark called. I answered.

"Hello?" he asked.

"Hey," I replied, gesturing for Sapphire to leave. She nodded and left wordlessly, closing the door. I locked it behind her, then turned and closed the blinds to ensure Naomi didn't find out the same way I'd found out about her attack. "I'm gonna have to talk quietly, and I currently am not on speaker."

"Gotcha. Okay, so here's what I think we should do..."

~~~~~~~

"Got it?" Dark asked after a long explanation.

"Yes, but some questions."

"Such as?"

"For one, isn't that the most dangerous place to pull that off?"

"Yeah, but if we do it quickly..."

"We'll still be screwed ourselves," I pointed out. "Especially if she gets bodyguards."

"Then we'll have to do it the old fashioned way."

"With a gun? Seriously?" I asked skeptically. "I get the whole distance thing, but a gun draws twice as much attention to us."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Uhh..."

"Exactly."

"What's another long distance weapon?"

"...a bow."

"Exactly." I started pacing, still talking. "You see, they're basically silent... if you're careful."

"Or we could hijack a plane or car."

"And how do we do that?" I asked. "Calling some Radish Land terrorists?"

"That's actually what I was getting at."

I sighed. "Dang it, Dark. That's probably the best idea. We have the most people who know how to do that in our countries. Especially Emeraldia, as we were more merciful!"

"I still don't get that," Dark muttered. "But that's a good point. You know what, what do you think?"

"I think your original plan could work, with a couple of changes. You see..."

~~~~~~~

An hour passed with Dark and I exchanging ideas and adding details. At last, we had to leave with a full plan ready to be played out within the course of several days.

I glanced at my messages. One was from Naomi. Probably denying what was happening to Pyolangi.

I replayed what I'd heard in my head. She definitely had sounded like she was commanding her army and whatever to attack... I still couldn't believe it.

I read the message to myself quietly.

Look, I didn't know Pyolangi was still alive. Tim is the one who found them. Pyolangi attacked first. I didn't know until the phone call.

I shook my head. Naomi, I'm afraid it's hard to believe. It sure sounded like a planned attack to me, I replied.

It wasn't, I swear! Ry, when have I ever lied to you?

I frowned. Maybe Sapphire was right when she said I should give Naomi a little more trust.

No! It's too late to turn back, I thought sadly. Naomi, I miss the old days, but they're gone. I can't trust you, and I need to do what is necessary for my country, as does Dark.

Without typing a word back, I closed the app and walked back to the window, pulling the blinds open.

To my surprise, people were staring up at my window. I raised an eyebrow and turned around as a knock sounded on my door.

I called, "Who is it?"

"Quinncy," a female voice replied.

"Ummm... give me a second, the door's locked."

I ran to the door and opened it. Quinncy stared at me.

"Why were your blinds down... and why was the door locked?"

"I can't say," I told her, glancing down the hall at a person holding up a phone. "Phone down, by the way. I'm not blind, and I know you're recording that for Facebook. It's nothing important. I just needed some time alone."

Quinncy raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "This isn't the Ry I know," she commented as the person put his phone away. "The old Ry wouldn't be hiding out in her room, scared."

"The old Ry also wouldn't have been stupid enough to do what she just did," I growled. "Quinncy, I'm sorry. I needed some time alone to think. I was online, alright?"

"Okay, whatever you say," she replied. "I'm sorry as well. This must be stressful, so soon after the war."

"I have a bad feeling about this," I told her quietly. "And I feel like it'll be worse than last time..."

A/N: Probably a good place to stop for now.

What will happen next? Will Dark and Ry's plan actually be carried out? Why does Ry feel that this time will be even worse than the war with Radish Land, which was the worst war in history so far? Find out next time, on Chasing Chaos!

See ya later!