Prince and Jay turn to look at the woman who suddenly emerged from on top of the plane. She has long, blonde hair with a captain's hat and goggles on top. Her leather jacket hugs her body to reveal finely toned muscles underneath. Behind her is the shade of a Manifesto, on the verge of manifesting. Prince instinctually brings out Giuoco Piano, ready for a fight. Sensing the way things are going, Jay attempts to stand between the two, Fool's Gambit behind him.
Jay:
Prince, what in the world do you think you're doing?!
I'm pretty sure she's the woman we're looking for!
Prince:
Obviously she is, she had a dramatic entrance and has a Manifesto.
You told me yourself that Manifesto users are "eccentric"
Ms. Volare?
*Yawn* Hey, are we gonna fight or what?
Prince:Jay:
Yes! No!
Prince and Jay turn to look at each other, holding an awkward silence for a moment.
Jay:
I'm so sorry Ms. Volare, there was a bit of a misunderstanding–
Prince:
What's there to misunderstand? She had her Manifesto out, that's like having a gun pointed at someone when you're about to talk to them! The loaded gun did the speaking for you!
Ms. Volare:
Hey, that's not fair, my Manifesto wasn't fully out. You're actually just lying.
Jay:
Can we not argue over the semantics of all this?
To confirm, you are Ms. Amelia Volare, right?
Ms. Volare:
I am, what's it to you?
Jay:
I apologize for the late introduction.
Jay straightens out the stolen uniform and stands at attention.
Jay:
My name is Jay Libreman, with the United States Central Intelligence Agency. We paid you to get us across the Atlantic to France.
Amelia:
CIA, huh…what's with the TSA uniforms then? Thought you guys worked here.
Prince:
We ran into some trouble on the way here and had to escape undetected.
Amelia:
Right, so you figured theft would be the best option. Which one of you came up with that? No, wait, let me guess! It was the short one with the yellow Manifesto, wasn't it?
Jay:
We keep getting off topic!
Both of you, please just slow down for a few minutes so we can figure out what's happening next!
Ms. Volare, when can we leave for France? We're on a bit of a time crunch and can't really afford to waste more time in Canada.
Amelia:
Hm, that's a good question. I think the soonest I could do it is…never.
Jay:
…
Huh? What's that supposed to mean?
Amelia:
It doesn't really mean anything, just what I said. I don't feel like flying you guys, so why should I?
Jay:
W-we paid you a substantial sum of money for this flight and to make it fast and discrete. We can't exactly book a new flight now anyways. Why can't you do it?
Amelia:
I can break it down for you if it'd help. There are a few reasons why I don't want to fly you guys anymore. First, I don't like the short hippie. I've only just met him, but I get the impression that trouble surrounds him, and I don't need to get involved in that. Second, if we were to leave Shortie behind, then I'd just be flying myself and one other person. That's a huge waste of time and fuel. In the end, I don't gain nearly enough from this job. I don't care too much about going to Europe to rescue some CIA agent who got himself lost in Russia. It's not my problem.
Jay:
Wha–
Prince:
Fuck you mean "I don't care"?!
Jay:
Prince…?
Prince:
What kind of reasons are that?! We had a deal, but even just morally, shouldn't you want to help someone when they're in trouble?! How can you not care?!
Amelia:
See, I'll have to disagree with you. I don't think I should feel any responsibility to help at all. He knew the risks, he got himself in over his head, so why should I bail him out when he's in trouble?
Prince:
But how can you just leave a man stranded when he's constantly under threat from those around him? Even if I think the man's the biggest sob I've ever met, I still think I should lend a hand because I can!
Amelia:
Let me ask you both a question. If there were two train tracks, one with 1 person who got tied to the tracks, but you could save him by changing the train to the other track where there are 5 people who tied themselves to the track, do you save the 1 who doesn't want to be there, or the 5 who do?
(It's a trick question though, the answer is save neither and just stay away from the tracks in the first place. If we try to meddle in every problem in the world, we'll inevitably run into a conflict we can't win or an obstacle we can't overcome.)
(It's better for everyone if we just focus on ourselves and how we want to live our lives as individuals without getting bogged down by complex emotions like empathy.)
Jay seems to be sweating as he is unable to answer the question, and seems flustered at the problem proposed.
Amelia:
(This is what happens when you get bogged down with other people. How can people be so blind? If everyone just looked out for themselves, then we wouldn't have to fight the wars for corrupt politicians, or force members of our own family to starve.)
No answer yet?
I thought as mu–
Prince:
That's a dumb question, I'd just stop the train and save all of them.
Amelia:
(Huh?)
Jay:
Wait, was that an option? Was that the right answer? Does that mean you'll let us on the plane?
Amelia:
(What is this guy talking about? That's such a childish and immature response…)
(Yet…for some reason, he doesn't seem flustered or upset by his answer at all…He fully believes that he could save everyone if it came down to it…)
What kind of idiotic answer is that…
Prince:
?
Amelia:
(Don't look at me like that…)
(I don't need you to pity me. I'm not some weak damsel. I've hardened my heart against a cruel and unfeeling world. He's lying. He's lying to himself. He's lying to me.)
Wrong answer, you obviously can't save everyone. You always have to make sacrifices to get what you want.
Prince:
But weren't you saying before that we shouldn't get bogged down in what others want?
Something about the individual? It was hard to make out. I'm just following that advice and doing what I want. If I want to save everyone, I'll find a way to save everyone. It's as simple as that.
Amelia:
(Did I say that out loud?)
That's–that's not what it means!
Jay:
Prince, this is why I told you not to say anything!
You're not making this any easier for us!
Prince:
So? What's your answer? If you saw 7 people about to die in front of you, would you let them? Or would you get up and do something to help them?
Amelia:
I–I…
I don't know!
Amelia stamps her foot down on the wing of the plane, with her Manifesto using its full force, denting the plane and fully emerging. Its body is blue, with three eyes on its head, tape over its mouth, and its ribs breaking through the skin to wrap around the torso.
Amelia:
Why should I care about what happens to others?! It's not my responsibility they were in that situation!
Ugh, just leave already!
The plane begins to emit a faint glow, as many small objects begin to fly towards Jay and Prince from the plane. Fool's Gambit manages to absorb the impact of them all, causing the objects to fall to the ground with a light "tink".
Prince:
(Screws? These must have come out of the plane…so now the question is how did her Manifesto do that–)
Before Prince can finish thinking, the wing of the plane quickly begins extending and reaching towards him. Giuoco Piano hits the plane wing, blocking the attack, but Amelia's focus is still placed squarely on Prince.
Prince:
Sorry, were my questions hitting a little too close for you? Just thought I'd try to understand my new friend a bit better!
Amelia:
Do you ever shut up!
Prince:
Sorry, I like the sound of my own voice.
As Prince speaks, Giuoco Piano lowers the pitch immensely while amplifying the sounds. Amelia gets thrown off the plane, and her Manifesto's fist cracks the ground underneath her. The plane launches another barrage of parts towards Prince, while the wing also tries to encircle him. Fool's Gambit is sent to protect Prince from the shrapnell being launched at him.
Jay:
Sorry, Prince! Didn't think it'd go this badly!
Maybe we should have vetted the pilots a bit more!
Prince:
Don't apologize! Pretty sure this is my fault this time!
Then again, I always found the best way to be friends with someone is by fighting things out!
From the corner of Prince's eye, he sees jagged concrete spikes shoot towards him.
Prince:
Sorry, were you getting jealous I wasn't talking to you?
(Still…concrete spikes this time? I guess her powers aren't limited to just the plane or even metal itself…)
(There must be something more going on…)
Jay! Do we know what her Manifesto is?
Jay:
Only its name…
…Lucena!
Amelia scowls at Prince as her Manifesto pulls its arm out of the concrete. Unbeknownst to the group, just out of view, a mysterious figure is watching them…