Fawfulfan's Disclaimer: The Pendragon Series is the creation of D.J. Machale.
~ Earth ~
An unnatural hush had fallen over the conclave.
Crowds of people, both former Ravinians and outsiders, stood in a great mass, absolutely silent, staring up at the raised platform in front of them. Once upon a time, the flag flying from the pole next to the stage had been a red flag with a black star. The symbol of Ravinia. Today, however, the flag waving in the breeze above the stage was the stars and stripes. That simple change—a different flag—represented a great deal to the people gathered in the conclave, as it had in the years since that change had been put into effect. It was the difference between confinement and liberty. Between the favored few and equality for all. Between free will and forced destiny.
A voice boomed out, echoing across the grassy fields of the conclave. "Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States...Mark Dimond!"
A man with long, black hair and glasses stepped onto the platform, looking out at the sea of faces. As always, Mark felt a pang of nerves at the prospect of addressing them all. But it was his duty to do so, after all. He gave his head a little shake, walked up to the podium, and began to speak.
"People of New York. Today marks the twentieth anniversary of the day that Ravinia fell and Saint Dane was toppled from power. That day marked the your decision to take back your lives. Now, as I look at you all, I see the same look in your eyes that I saw twenty years ago. It is that determination that will allow Halla to once again achieve its former glory...and more.
"Yet we have still not come close to undoing the damage Saint Dane has done. For, through the journals of Bobby Pendragon, the lead Traveler, I have seen what the fifty-first century Earth should have been in. There was no pollution. No overpopulation. No wars. Many people lived underground, allowing the surface world to thrive. There were even millions of people who lived in space colonies. It was a paradise in which man and nature coexisted in harmony.
"Today, we exist in a very different version of the fifty-first century Earth. The Ravinians methodically ensured that they could live in their own paradise. The conclaves were—and are—beautiful places, filled with natural and man-made splendor and luxury. But, as you all know, life outside the conclaves is another story. Once-mighty cities lie in ruins. Many plants and animals no longer exist except inside the conclaves, and pollution fouls the skies. We are all forced to shelter inside the conclaves while we attempt to clean up the mess.
"I am proud to say, however, that we have begun to make progress. The ruins of several cities have been cleared away, and reusable materials have been salvaged. Our sensors detect that the pollution in the atmosphere has fallen slightly. Best of all, recent reports indicate that the people in Chicago, Atlanta, and Boston have actually begun to abandon their conclaves and establish new communities. And it is all thanks to you...the people of Earth.
"When we think about what we have lost, it is always difficult to find the strength to go on. But you have...and you will eventually be rewarded for your courage and dedication. You will be rewarded with a better future...a new Earth!"
The crowd gave a deafening cheer. Everywhere, people were chanting, "A better future!" and "A new Earth!". Mark smiled weakly, turned, and walked back through the curtains at the back of the platform, sighed heavily, and collapsed into a chair next to a beautiful gray-eyed woman in casual clothing.
"No matter how many times I go through that process, I just can't get used to the feeling." Mark said.
"You'd better get used to it, dork. You're the President now." the woman shot back teasingly.
"And you are my Vice President. I don't know how you do it, Courtney. Your confidence never ceases to amaze me."
"But it can't have been that bad." countered Courtney Chetwynde. "I heard you, Mark. You were awesome out there."
"It was you, Courtney. You give me the strength to go on. I couldn't have done it if you hadn't been sitting back here."
"Oh, that is so corny!" scoffed Courtney.
"But it's true. I can't explain it, Courtney. You just...help."
Courtney shook her head. "I don't think I'll ever understand you."
"Nor I you. We've always been leagues apart, you and I. It's why we're a great team."
The two friends laughed and hugged each other. "I know what you mean, Mark." Courtney said. "I couldn't deal if you weren't here with me, either. Becoming politicians three thousand years after you're born is a staggering idea to have to get your head around. I can get around it better if I'm with you."
"Well said." said Mark. "We're in this together to the end, aren't we?"
"Course we are, dork."
"And I wouldn't have it any other way."