For the last two volumes, Mercury and Emerald have generally been shafted to the background.

All we’ve seen are some brief instances in Salem’s domain where they’re shocked and horrified by the sights, some snark at Ravens camp, and their involvement in the Scuffle Of Haven.

Usually in Volume 4 and 5 it was Cinder who was covered when they showed the villains side of things. With her gone, I strongly think these two need to be brought back in the spotlight and be our main characters on the villain side of things, along with Salem and Hazel.

The writers have said Mercury will be getting his backstory and motivations explained next Volume.

They should also cover their reaction to Cinders death and the after-effects of it.

If these two begin to grow closer, they need to show it. If one or both of them are having second thoughts, we need to see it.

Personally I’m hoping they’ll grow closer as teammates. Whether they swear revenge on team RWBY or think about changing sides and getting out of Salem’s domain while they can, they’ll realise all they have left is each other and Mercury will open up about his past to her in time.

The only evidence I have however is Mercury looking out for Emerald back at Haven.

“Emerald, get up we need to go. Emerald.” - This threw me off when I first heard it, and actually sounded out-of-character to me.

I originally thought he was angry and whispering but on relistening he does sound unusually soothing to me.

For an example of his “angry yet whispering” tone, refer to Volume 3 Episode 6’s “There’s not going to be a next time, blondie” after his fight with Yang.

This could be nothing, but the fact they specifically set-up the scene so Mercury would say that looks to me like possible foreshadowing of him starting to look out for her while she mourns Cinder next volume.

Whatever happens with these two, if they want to give Mercury and Emerald attention and flesh them out, now is the time more than ever.

Otherwise I feel the window of opportunity will pass and they’ll stay as uninteresting side-characters who I honestly feel have a lot of potential.

Would you like to see a proper arc for Emerald and Mercury next volume? If so, what do you think will happen? What would you like to see happen?