— CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN,
do not resuscitate.

RUBY SLEEPS UNTIL CLARKE WAKES HER. As soon as Ruby feels someone's hand on her leg, her eyes shoot open. She immediately sits up and reaches for her sword.

"Woah, woah." Clarke's eyes widen. "Ru, it's okay. It's just me."

Ruby closes her eyes and takes her hand off of her sword. "Jesus, Clarke," she breathes out. When she reopen her eyes, her brows furrow. "What is it? Why do you look so upset?"

"Emori lied." Clarke informs her.

"What?" Ruby asks.

"That wasn't Baylis. We just killed an innocent man in that chamber," Clarke states. This causes Ruby's eyes to widen. "And now Luna refuses to give anymore bone marrow. We gotta convince her somehow."

"So, we're basically Mount Weather now?" Ruby huffs in frustration. "So much for being the better people." She moves the blanket off of her and throws her legs over the couch, "how the hell did I get here, anyway?"

"You fell asleep in the hall with Roan. He brought you here." Clarke informs her.

"So, what?" Ruby asks as she stands. She grabs her sword and throws it over her head so it can rest against her back. "Are y'all going to put Emori in the chamber now?"

"She lied, Ruby." Clarke sighs. "She let us kill an innocent man."

"And what of my brother?" Ruby's questions, "have you given any thought to him or how he will react?"

"Ruby—"

"No, Clarke! I know if Emori is put in that chamber and doesn't make it. . . my brother will be the next. And I can promise I will kill all of you before you can lay a hand on him." She snaps.

As the Carson girl makes her way to exit the rec room, she pauses. She glances at Clarke over her shoulder. "You're no better than Cage and Tsing."

─────────

The doors to the room where the rocket rests lays open.

It also just so happen to be the room where Emori and Murphy remain tied up.

"It's time," Clarke announces. Murphy glances back at his sister who stands behind everyone else. He sees her subtly shake her head, silently talking to her big brother.

She is not okay with this.

A memory springs into Murphy's mind.

"Really? Bellamy, you really believe this crap?" Murphy's blue eyes fly to Bellamy who stands behind Ruby.

His eyes then move from Bellamy to Ruby. She's still rooted to the ground. Terror is written on her face. "Ruby?" Murphy's voice is hopeful. Ruby shakes her head, Murphy realizes then that she is the only one that believes him.

"Ruby believes me!" Murphy shouts.

A small gasp slips past Murphy's lips at the horrible memory. That was and still is one of the worst days of his life. It led to many things. . . one of those things being the downfall of his relationship with his baby sister.

"Guys, just wait, okay?" Murphy starts, nearly pleading. "Hear me out."

"It'll work this time," Clarke nods her head. Still, she sounds unsure.

"Then how about we just go with that and forget the test?" Emori asks, panic in her voice.

Ruby's eyes dart to Miller as he pulls something from his pocket. Her blood runs cold when she realizes what it is.

A Reaper Stick.

Murphy's brows furrow, "Miller? Miller, don't— Miller! Miller, I swear to God, I'll kill you—"

He says nothing else as a blade presses to his throat. Murphy's eyes shut tightly in anger.

"Roan!" Ruby's voice fills the air. Before anyone can react, Ruby is rushing to get to her brother and Roan. Swiftly, Amara catches the taller girl around the waist. "Amara, let me go!"

She watches in desperation as Miller shoves the Reaper Stick into Emori's neck. Ruby knows how fast acting the sedative is, so she isn't surprised when Emori slumps against the rocket within seconds of the needle piercing her skin.

"You bastards!" She screeches.

Miller unties Emori and hoists her over his shoulder.

"Miller, Miller, Miller just look at me, man. You don't have to do this," Murphy begs.

Miller looks up at him from where he holds a now unconscious Emori over his shoulder. "I wish that were true."

"You don't have to do this!" Murphy screams desperately. Roan moves away from Murphy, as he leaves the room, Miller follows. Murphy's eyes then lock onto Clarke. "Who the hell do you think you are, huh?" He seethes.

"I'm trying to save us," Clarke says through her tears.

"Save us? Ah, right. Wanheda, savior of us! Well maybe you forgot but last time you were saving us, I was saving you!" Murphy screams. Commander of Death.

"I'm not forgetting!" Clarke exclaims.

"You haven't forgotten?" Murphy raises his eyebrows. "Then, please, you don't need to do this. Don't do it. Please, please, you don't need to do this. You know, it's too bad you weren't a read Nightblood because then you coulda been Commander. Imagine how many people you could've killed then. Tell me something, after you murder Emori, am I next?"

When Clarke doesn't respond, Ruby's eyes narrow.

She made a promise to Clarke. She will kill anyone and everyone who attempt to put her brother in that death chamber.

And Ruby Carson never breaks a promise.

"Clarke, please. He loves her!" Ruby begs. "We don't have to do this. We can think of something else. Please don't do this."

"I'm sorry, Murphy." Clarke mutters. She then glances over at Amara and relievers a subtle nod.

Amara doesn't hesitate to shove Ruby roughly into the room where the rocket is.

And then the door seals itself shut behind her.

Ruby whirls around, shocked and horrified at the betrayal. She bangs her fists against the door. She tries to pry open the door. "Clarke! Amara!" She screams. "Let me out!"

Murphy lets out a furious scream behind her.

"Come on, guys! You don't have to do this to her! Please!" Ruby cries out.

"Ruby." Murphy's voice hits her ears.

"Luca! Roan! Come on, you bastards! Don't let them do this!" She bellows as she tries to pry the door open with her fingers.

After several minutes of Ruby trying to pry the door open and screaming the top of her lungs to be let out, Murphy freezes when he sees the black blood running down her fingers, hands, and arms from how hard she attempts to pry the door open.

"Ruby!" He yells. Ruby spins around to face him. Tears stream down her face, sweat rolls down her forehead. "You're only hurting yourself."

Ruby looks down at her hands and shakes her head. She ignores the blood and moves up the steps to join her brother.

"What the hell are we doing, John?" She whispers as she leans her head on his shoulder.

"Well, we're locked in here and they're about to kill my girlfriend." Murphy mumbles.

"I'm sorry," Ruby tells him. "I'm so sorry, John. I know— I know you love her."

"It's not your fault." He shake his head.

"I could do it." She says suddenly. It's as if the realization hits her square in the chest. "Me, I could do it!"

"What?" His brows furrow.

"I could do it!" She springs to her feet and rushes to the door. "Clarke! Let me out! I could do it! Put me in the chamber!"

"What!?" Murphy stands, "hell, no!"

That's when the door opens.

Roan walks straight to Ruby and grabs her arm as Luca walks to Murphy. He cuts the younger man's binds off.

"What're you doing?" Ruby panics. "Are you putting John in the chamber? I swear to God, I will kill you all!"

Ruby tries to yank herself away from Roan.

"Stop fighting." Roan says lowly as he tightens his grip on her arm, "Clarke is the one being tested."

Ruby freezes. She turns her eyes back to Roan. "What?"

"She took the Nightblood so Emori doesn't have too." Roan explains.

"Oh, God," Ruby whispers.

─────────

Not long passes until Ruby sits on one of the stools. Her body is clean of her blood and all ten of her fingers are wrapped in bandages thanks to Jackson. Her eyes are locked on the large screen again, eyes following Praimfaya as it rages across the Earth's surface. Death Wave.

She jumps when she the sound of glass shattering fills her ears. "Abby, don't!" Someone shouts.

"Abby!"

She whirls around in her seat to see Abby destroying the radiation chamber. "Abby!" Ruby shouts as she springs to her feet. As Ruby joins the others, Abby drops the IV pole on the ground and hits the floor after it.

"It's okay, it'll all be over soon anyway," Luna says before leaving the lab.

"We are so, so screwed." Ruby groans.

─────────

Ruby returns to the mainland.

Why?

Because Jaha had been right.

Because there is a bunker.

And it just so happens to be right, smack in the middle of Polis.

Right where war wages between two clans, Trikru and Azgeda. Tree Clan. Ice Nation.

The rover rolls to a stop. Roan doesn't hesitate to jump out, followed by Ruby, Luca, and Amara. "Clarke, can I talk to you?" Abby asks her.

Clarke glances back at the others, "I'll be behind you." She says to Ruby.

The Carson girl nods and comes to stand beside Roan. She crosses her arms and looks out at Polis. It just a few days this will all be gone.

Roan glances down at her. "How's it feel knowing we have to live in a giant hole underground?"

"I have severe claustrophobia, Roan." She says blankly. "Obviously I'm not happy about it. I lived in a bunker for the worst three months of my life. I don't wanna die in one."

Behind the pair, Luca and Amara share a swift glance. Of course, they know about the deal between Skaikru and Trikru. Sky People. Tree Clan.

Ruby, however, does not.

When Abby told them about the deal, she asked them not to tell Ruby. They weren't happy about keeping something so big away from their friend but in the end, they decided it was for the best.

They all decided that Ruby is too close to Roan, the King of their enemy.

"Gentlemen and ladies," Marcus greets them as he emerges from the trees.

Ruby grins brightly as soon as she sees her godfather. She rushes forward and hugs him. When they pull apart, she asks, "how is he? How's Ryland?"

"He's coming with Bellamy later. He's using a cane right now but he's healing." Marcus nods.

"Where's the guards?" Roan speaks up gruffly.

"Our people aren't back from Arkadia yet." Marcus explains.

"Kane, don't! Roan, Ruby!" Clarke's frantic voice hits their ears.

Their first reaction is to pull their swords from their sheathes. Instinctively, they move so that their backs face each other so that they will be able to defend each other in a fight.

"Trikru." Roan snarls lowly as Trikru warriors rush out of the tree, surrounding them. Tree Clan.

Ruby looks to her godfather with anger accusation. "Marcus, what the hell is this?" She demands.

That's when arrows rain down on the Trikru warriors. People of Azgeda rush from the trees, tackling every Skaikru they see, Luca and Amara included. Tree Clan. Ice Nation. Sky People.

As one of the Azgeda men make a move to take Ruby to the ground, Roan grabs her arm and pulls her closer to his side to show that she should not be messed with. "Not her," he shakes his head. "She didn't know." Ice Nation.

The man nods but sends a look of hatred to Ruby in the process. Roan keeps his hand locked around her forearm protectively, both to protect her from the man and to keep himself from strangling the man to death for daring to look at his friend in such a way.

Ruby suddenly hears the sound of light footsteps to her side. She takes her eyes off of the man to Echo standing on the bluff, staring back down at the scene before her. She smirks as Roan looks to her. "Welcome back to Polis, my King."

─────────

Roan doesn't allow any of his guards or even Echo to touch Ruby as they're led around the ominous tower. Her weapons and bag have been taken by Echo. But that's not the most of her worries, she's worried about the memories that might plague her when she enters the throne room.

She shakes her head in attempt to shy away from the memories. She turns to look at Roan.

"Roan—" Ruby hisses as he keeps his grip tight on her arm, "what the hell, man? Why didn't you let them take me?"

"Don't talk," he quickly tells her. "No questions."

As they enter the war room, Echo instructs the men to cage Ruby's people. Roan says to bring Clarke to him. He then orders Echo to explain what happened. She doesn't listen.

"I said, explain." Roan says to Echo. The woman glances warily at Ruby, who remains standing beside Roan. "She wasn't a part of plan."

"Skaikru allied with Trikru to take the temple. They gave up the tower to do it. Strategically, that made no sense, so I put our people at the temple doors. Good thing I did." Echo informs her king. Sky People. Tree Clan.

"You did well, Echo. Move the rest of our army to the temple doors. No one gets in or out," Roan says to his second-in-command as the guards bring Clarke into the war room. Ruby's eyes instantly shoots to her, taking her in and making sure she remains unharmed. "Go."

Echo and the guards leave Roan and the two Skaikru leaders without hesitation. Roan walks forward and yanks the gag from Clarke's mouth, "how long have you known?" Sky People.

"I just found out," Clarke relies.

Roan pulls his dagger from its sheath. Ruby's eyes wide. "Roan, what're you doing?"

Instead of hurting the Griffin girl, his blade slices through the ropes around her wrists, freeing her. "Thanks for trying to warn us."

"This doesn't have to turn into a war," Clarke says to him.

"It already is a war," Roan responds.

"Only if you fight it." Ruby pipes.

"Your people betrayed me, Clarke." Roan says. He then motions to Ruby, "Ruby is the only one who's stood by me this entire time. What do you want me to do?"

"Live?" Clarke says. "The radiation will be here in six days. You were willing to share the bunker with us, why not share it with Trikru, too?" Tree Clan.

"I suppose Kane tried to get Indra to do that before agreeing to let them assassinate me and nearly get his own goddaughter hurt and nearly killed in the process, too," Roan continues on.

"Kane didn't know of the relationship you two have. He would've never put Ruby in harms way." Clarke swiftly defends Marcus.

"He already has before." Ruby rolls her eyes.

"And believe it or not, Kane was trying to save your life." Clarke explains.

"Mine, maybe. Not my people's." Roan argues.

"That was before your people surrounded the temple. Look, now no one can get in to survive unless you allow it. Indra will have no choice but to talk." Clarke says.

"Fine, we'll talk. But I'm holding your people." Roan shrugs.

"My chancellor needs to be at that meeting, Roan." Clarke tells him.

Ruby remains silent, though her eyes silently move between the two.

"Your chancellors's lucky he's important to Ruby, if not he would be executed. Besides, if anyone can convince mortal enemies to move in together, it's you two." He glances between the only two Sky People he trusts, "I'll call for the summit. Only Ruby will stand by my side, not Skaikru's." Roan says. He then grabs her arm and locks eyes with Clarke. "Ruby is Azgeda now." Sky People. Ice Nation.

"What?" Ruby's eyes widen. "Roan, are you crazy? They're my people!"

"And you're mine."

And with that, Ruby becomes Azgeda. Ice Nation.

─────────

Ryland throws his belongings in his bag. His clothes, his necessities. When he's done packing, he waters Ruby's home and looks around. She knows the most important items she possesses are always on her person, her book and her note from Murphy.

But as he does a quick scan of the home, he finds a picture in her parents bedroom. She hasn't entered the room since she's been back. He set sets his bag down and drops his backpack off of shoulder.

He walks forward and reaches down. He picks up a picture from the bedside. He stares down at the picture it contains. Tears begin to well in his eyes as he stares down at the happy faces of Mavis and Rowan Carson.

Ryland doesn't hesitate to gently place the picture frame in his backpack.

"You're leaving?" A voice hits his ears as he shuts the door behind him. He turns around to see Jasper Jordan standing behind him with a piece of paper clutched between his hand. "Come on, Ry! Stay and party with us your last days!"

"Jasper." Ryland says sternly as he leans against his cane. "Come on, man. Don't do this."

"Why not, Ry? There's nothing out there for me." Jasper grins.

Ryland heaves a deep breath. "I get it." Ryland nods. "I do. You're hurt and you don't want to live anymore. But there is something out there for you, I promise you."

"I don't need you to tell me stories." Jasper shake his head. "Go to Polis. Live," he gives Ryland a sad smile. "Go to Ruby."

"Ruby needs you, Jasper. You know that." Ryland tells him. Jasper says nothing in return. Ryland rolls his eyes in anger. "Fine. Stay."

"Will you?" Jasper asks quietly.

"Hell, no." Ryland says. "I don't wanna die in the death wave or drink myself to death. But I understand, Jas. I do. And I'm not angry at your for deciding what to do with your last days."

Jasper smiles a genuine smile. It's the first time he's smiled in so long. It hurts Ryland's heart to know he's only smiling because he's going to die soon.

"Come here, you sucker." Jasper pulls Ryland into his arms. The two hug so tightly that it hurts. When they pull apart, Jasper scans Ryland's face. "You go and live in some hole in the ground for the next five years of your life." He then taps Ryland's face. "And take care of Monty and Ru for me, please."

Ryland blinks away his tears, "I promise, I will."

Jasper pulls Ryland into one final hug.

"See you on the other side?" Jasper asks. Ryland grins as a noise that's a mix of a sob and a laugh slips past his lips.

"I'll see you on the other side, Jas." Ryland grips his cane tightly. "I love you, Jasper. You know that? You're my brother."

Of course, Jasper knows this. Ryland and him have been friends since before the council decided to shove all one hundred delinquents in a drop ship and send them off to the most dangerous place in the entire galaxy.

"I know you do," Jasper nudges him. "I love you, too, Ryland."

As Ryland begins to walk away, Jasper calls out, "hey!"

Ryland turns. Jasper approaches him and holds out the paper he holds. "Give this to Ruby for me please. It's my— it's an apology letter. Make sure she gets it. Please."

Ryland blinks away his tears as he takes the letter from Jasper. "Of course, Jas."

_______________________________

word count: 3,271
episode: DNR

here's a rewritten chapter for you amazing people!!! i gotta say, i'm indifferent about this chapter. i like it but at the same time i don't.

anyway, a lot happened in this chapter. i added over a thousand words so a lot better have happened. but, let's talk about it.

first, ruby defending emori when she barely knows her? i mean, ruby threatened to kill some of her closest friends for emori. we all know she did it for her brother but still, it's the start of ruby and emori's amazing friendship that i am so very excited to rewrite and write in the next book.

and then our girl was ready to put herself in the radiation chamber to save emori, too. ugh, she's so special to me.

speaking of my favorite brother and sister ever. ruby and murphy mean the absolute world to me. they're such siblings too. just one chapter ago they were ready to tear each other's throats out and in this chapter they were so protective of each other. my babies love each other so much <3. and i love them.

also, ruby is officially in her azgeda era. she's even skaikru and trikru and now she's azgeda (of course, it's not entirely her choice but still). she'll will still pick her people over azgeda any day of the week though.

ryland and jasper at the end 🥲. my boys deserve so much better. they went through so much together and ryland is losing another one of his best friends. my heart hurts for them both.

and y'all are not ready to find out what jasper's letter says to ruby. it's going to BREAK y'all's hearts, like into a billion pieces.

i have six chapters left to rewrite of this book!!! i'm so excited and so nervous because we're getting closer to some huge deaths, that i'm lot excited to rewrite at all.