The Night World Series: As Beautiful as the Black Rose
Middi: Ooooooo! I love the Night World Series! Specially Ash and Mary-Lynnette!
Symphy: No shit Sherlock! Did you actually figure it out for yourself or did you have help? Why do the readers think you're writing a fanfic if you don't like the series? Well you could be making fun of it, like some people and 'Twilight'…
Middi: Shut up Sym…-_- I WAS HERE FIRST! RESPECT ME DAMNIT!...
Symphy:…
Middi:…
Symphy:…You done now?
Middi: Yeah. DISCLAIMER! I don't own the Night World Series *Symphy opens mouth* AND don't you say a word Sym.
Symphy: I was just going to say all we own is the plotline *smirks*
Middi You suck so much. You little sucking up piece of-
Symphy: Ah ah ah, there are readers present here. *Middi grumbles*
Middi:…
Symphy…gimme a hug ya little fuzzball
Middi: YEAH! *Glomps!*
* * * * *
"Goodbye," She told firmly to Ash.
He looked at her for a long moment, the looked at the road behind them. He turned to leave.
Mary-Lynnette watched him, blinking away tears. She still couldn't let herself believe in him. But there was no harm in hoping, was there? In wishing. Even if wishes almost never came true…
Jade gasped. "Look!"
They all saw it, and Mary-Lynnette felt her heart jump violently. A bolt of light was streaking across the darkness of the northeast. Not a wimpy little shooting star--- a brilliant green meteor that crossed half the sky, showering sparks. It was right above Ash's path, as if lighting his way.
A late Perseid. The last of the summer meteors. But it seemed like a blessing.
"Quick, quick, wish," Mark was telling Jade eagerly. "A wish on that star you gotta get."
Mary-Lynnette glanced at his excited face, at the way his eyes shone with excitement. Beside him, Jade was clapping, her own eyes wide with delight.
'I'm so glad you're happy,' Mary-Lynnette thought. 'My wish for you came true. So maybe now I can wish for myself.'
I wish…I wish…
Ash turned around and smiled at her. "See you next year," He said. "With slain dragon!"
He started down the weed-strewn path to the road. For a moment, in the deep violet twilight, he did look to Mary-Lynnette like a knight walking off on a quest. A knight-errant with shining blond hair and no weapons, going off into a very dark and dangerous wilderness. Then he turned around and walked backward, waving, which ruined the effect.
Everyone shouted goodbyes.
Mary-Lynnette could feel them around her, her brother and her three blood sisters, all radiating warmth and support. Playful Jade. Fierce Kestrel. Wise and gentle Rowan. And Mark, who wasn't sullen and solitary anymore. Tiggy wound himself around her ankles, purring amiably.
"Even when we're apart, we'll be looking at the same sky!" Ash yelled.
"What a line," Mary-Lynnette called back. But he was right. The sky would be there for both of them. She'd always know he was out there somewhere, looking up at it in wonder. Just knowing that was important.
And she was clear on who she was a t last. She was Mary-Lynnette, and someday she'd discover a supernova or a comet or a black hole, but she'd do it as a human. And Ash would come back next year.
And she would always love the night.