A/N: This fiction is only based on the character portrayals and events in the film, Ned Kelly (2003)
He could still remember the chill of the water as he'd jumped in. All he'd known was that the boy was in trouble.
His mum and dad had stood just off to the side as he was presented with the sash. And after he'd received it, the people clapped, and his father had patted him on the shoulder.
He opened his eyes. He was still alive. The events from last night came flooding back. He wondered how far he'd managed to walk. His helmet must be somewhere beside him.
He struggled to his knees, leaning against the trunk of a fallen tree. His injuries made it hard to move.
When he turned to the Inn, he saw.
At first he looked right past the hundred or so armed men standing there. All he could see was that inn, and all he could feel was hope and life draining from him.
The police all stood with their backs to him as they watched on, flames engulfing the Glenrowan Inn, smoke spiralling upward.
And then he heard those final two gun shots.
Only two.
He didn't know quite what to make of that. But any chance of seeing his friend's faces again were now all but lost.
His brother and two best mates.
He balanced his metal helmet on the fallen tree and slipped it over his head.
They had no idea the man they wanted was right behind them. He knew he stood no chance. It didn't matter. He was on his feet and fighting until the end. The very end. For his brother. For his friends. For the freedom and justice he knew they deserved. And with the last flicker of determination, he stepped forward, shooting his gun into the air.
And he fell, as he knew he would. The helmet had to come off, as he coughed and blinked up wildly into the early morning sky. Rolling onto his side, he saw them all getting closer, gathering around.
He'd be reunited with the gang now. With his family. He thought to them and then to his father and his proud face that day he'd called him 'sunshine.'
And he'd still worn that sash. He'd worn it seriously, even here at the end. The token of bravery from his childhood. Proof that he'd saved a life as well.
Blood stained for evermore.
A hero's sash of green and gold.
