NOTE: This FanFiction includes spoilers for the most recent episode (Season 5, Episode 9 Sic Semper Tyrannis)
The moment Clarke heard the bellow of the Ascension horn, she felt dread at the bottom of her stomach. We're too late, she thought. Those damn chains kept her prisoner in that dark room. Tears ran down her face as she desperately tried to fight against their steel grip. More than anything, she wanted to run to her little Nightblood and stop Gaia and the others from going through with the Ascension. The minute she put the Flame into her head, it would all be over.
Even though Clarke had been reunited with her friends and family, there were times when she felt like she and Madi were the only people on Earth. It was Madi that helped her get over the lonely isolation that plagued her throughout those six years. With some friends hundreds of miles above her and the rest buried underground, she had no one to turn to except Madi.
"You promised! You promised me you would keep her safe!" Clarke yelled. She remembered Bellamy gave his word to keep Madi from Gaia. How could he betray her like this?
It seemed like everyone except Octavia—whom she threatened to destroy—wanted Madi to Ascend. Under no circumstances was Madi allowed to take the Flame. She thought about the dismay that clouded Lexa's face as black blood blossomed on her stomach. Clarke could not risk losing another loved one to the consequences.
"Hi," Clarke greeted Madi worriedly as she came to. It's too late.
Octavia had demanded that she remove the Flame from Madi's head, her eyes filled with a deadly vengeance. "I can't," Clarke had admitted, looking down at Madi's sleeping body. "To take the Flame out would be to kill her," she said. Octavia's eyes grew darker with anger, and Clarke knew that she had to take Madi out of that room. While Clarke was not afraid of meeting her own maker, she would not put it past Bloodreina from killing a child. I have to go. Now.
It was Octavia's guard who almost killed Clarke and Madi. He swore allegiance to Bloodreina as Clarke pleaded with him to spare their lives. Madi, speaking with the wisdom of the Commanders, recognized him from the memories of the former Hedas. "You fought with honor under Commander Lexa," she reminded him in Trigedasleng. The guard dropped to his knees at the words of this young girl who seemed to know so much about him.
As Madi spoke those words, Clarke stared at her with disbelief. Was Lexa with Madi now? Of course she was. Madi spoke with the same dignity and calm strength that Lexa had. For years, Clarke had trained Madi to fight and survive in a cruel world. Now, would Lexa help guide her? Clarke shook her head. Feelings of grief clouded her heart. I can't afford to think about this right now.