I meant for this to be a oneshot, but needed to type something else. Fanfiction is being overrun with fics depicting Ren dying. I'm sorry, but I cannot accept that. Ren is a part of Monty that has been left behind. Characters don't die with their creators. They live on. Hope you like this little snippet I added.
Ren groaned quietly as he stood up. He blinked a few times, acutely aware of a sharp pain in his throat. His grogginess vanished when he saw that he was standing on what looked like an open field. The night sky stretched above him, dotted with more stars than he had ever seen. He looked down and saw that the field was dotted with millions of tiny, white flowers, making it look like a second shower of stars.
"Pretty, isn't it?" A voice jolted him from his thoughts. Turning around, Ren saw a young man approaching him. He had short, black hair and a friendly smile. There was a very comforting and cheerful aura surrounding him.
"Very." Ren tilted his head at the man as memories started to come back to him. He saw the Ursi, heard Nora's cry of fear. "Are you an angel?"
At this, the man let out a gentle laugh. "I have been called that in the past."
"Am I…?" Ren swallowed nervously. "Am I dead?" Dust, I hope not! There's so much I need to do. And what will Nora do without me?!
"No." The man replied. "You aren't. I am, though."
"I'm sorry," Ren said, and he meant it. He couldn't place his finger on it, but something about this man made him feel an instant connection. His voice just seemed so familiar. "What's your name?"
"Monty." The man nodded courteously. "It's nice to see you, Ren."
Ren blinked at Monty. "I never told you my name. How do you know it?"
Monty looked at the stars for a few minutes, as if he was trying to think of an answer. Finally, he said: "I've been a pretty big part of your life."
"How so? I've never seen you before."
"Yeah, well…" Monty shrugged, grinning slightly. "Think of me as a family member who's always been behind the scenes. That's the best way I can put it."
Ren's brows furrowed, but he had a feeling that he wouldn't get a clearer answer than that. "If I'm not dead, why am I here?"
"You came close to dying," Monty explained, reaching down to pick a white flower. He examined it closely as he spoke. "Also, the accident happened at the time of my death. There's a reason for that."
"What's that?"
Monty took a step toward him. "You aren't going to die, but you are going to lose something. It's something I've been giving you throughout your life. I'm going to have to take it back before we part ways."
"Wh-?" Ren was cut off as Monty's hand touched his throat. The touch immediately reawakened the forgotten pain, and he let out an agonized whine.
"Sorry." Monty closed his eyes and a warm glow emitted from his hand, soothing the pain a little. He withdrew with a sad look in his eyes.
Ren opened his mouth to say something, but found that no words were coming out. He blinked, placed a hand on his throat, and tried again. Nothing. His eyes widened as he stared at Monty. That's why his voice is so familiar!
Monty smiled gently and touched Ren's shoulder. As he did so, a light appeared behind him. "I have to go, now. I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'd leave it behind for you if I could, but the best I can do is leave you behind. Goodbye, Lie Ren."
Still not fully understanding, Ren gulped and nodded his head as Monty turned, touched the white light, and vanished. He became aware of a dark door appearing behind him, one that would lead him to a lot of pain and uncertainty. It would also lead him to Nora.
Taking a deep breath and saying a silent prayer, he opened the door and stepped through.
This was pretty short, but to the point. I intend to write lots more fanfics in the future, including some fluffy romances I've been working on. I have a feeling that the fandom is going to need some happy thoughts in the coming months. Peace out!
