This is a Po5 fanfic based at the end of the war in 'Oblivion'. This is also my first story to go up on the web, so I'm a little nervous. And excited. I hope that you enjoy.

P.S.: Matt and Scott are still alive in this.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Power of Five series.

The gate sealed, signalling the end of the long reign of the Old Ones. The Gatekeepers all stood in a circle, stunned and relieved that the fight was finally over. The smoking remains of the ice castle, weaponry and battleships, broken medical tents and the dead were the only evidence that something terrible had happened here. But now it was over.

Scarlett was the first one to drop her sword. She was utterly drained of energy, and exhaustion was settling on her weak and frozen body. She needed food. She needed water. She needed heat. Most of all, she needed sleep. She could almost imagine a comfortable bed waiting for her. The very thought was making her feel dizzy. Or maybe that was something else. In this state, how could she know?

She watched as Jamie and Scott both laid their swords on the ice and then looked at each other. Jamie was watching Scott with a dangerous mixture of wariness and hope. Scarlett personally thought that Jamie had every right to be looking at his twin like that. Nightrise had tortured Scott and forced him to turn against the Five. They all had tried everything to help him (well, the boys did. Scarlett hadn't been there) but nothing had worked. Scott looked sheepish, ashamed. He seemed to be pleading with Jamie. Finally, Jamie ran to him and they embraced, reunited once more.

Pedro dropped his sword immediately afterwards, as if it had burned him. Scarlett didn't know why he'd done that. He rubbed his hands furiously. Then he glanced to the left of Scarlett. Pedro's eyes widened in fear. Scarlett heard someone cry out in pain. The healer ran. He ran to Matt.

Matt was on his knees, clutching his stomach, whimpering. The twins were too busy to notice. Scarlett felt panic rise within her. She raced to help Pedro lift him up to his feet. She vaguely wondered where Richard was. Knowing that Matt would need him, she yelled out his name. 'Richard! Richard! RICHARD!'

She and Pedro half-carried, half-dragged Matt to one of the least damaged tents and laid him down on the first bed they saw. Scarlett brushed back his hair with a shaking hand. He was crying now, tears streaming down his face from the agony. She was frightened. Matt never showed his pain. This was bad. Very bad.

Richard raced in, panic clear on his face, worry in his eyes. 'What's going on?' he exclaimed. Then his eyes fell on Matt. His expression became pained as he knelt beside him. He held his hand, whispering to him.

'Shh, it's okay,' he murmured, 'it's okay.'

Pedro laid his hand on Matt's chest. The Peruvian boy's face scrunched up with concentration. This would take a long time. But Scarlett was willing to wait. She needed to know he'd be okay. She held his other hand. He had to be okay.

He had felt Pedro's hand touch him. He had known he was going to be healed. But the pain, it was strong, too strong, too strong. The knowledge that he'd be okay soon wasn't enough.

He'd got away lightly. He could've died. He could've been whipped and slashed and beaten until he didn't know anything anymore. But he'd gotten away. He had found the strength to use his power and escaped.

He heard a voice. A soothing voice. A familiar voice. Richard! Matt reached out for it. It was the only comforting thing in this place.

He felt someone hold his hand. He knew that Richard was holding one of them. Who was the other person? He tried to focus. Gentle grip, soft and gentle, small hands and slender fingers. Could it be Scarlett? His fear lessened. Scarlett...

The Tyler twins had come about an hour before Matt woke up. They had sensed something was wrong, and had gone to investigate. They were getting on again, which would've been fantastic news. It was fantastic news. Just not now.

When Matt's eyes opened, a sigh of relief released from everyone in the small group. He moaned quietly and sat up. Richard spread his arms out to stop him but Matt shook his head. 'I'm fine,' he said hoarsely. 'I'm fine.'

Matt got better and everyone was happy ever after, blah blah blah. Now the real story begins.

What did you think? PLEASE REVIEW! I need a reason to update this story!