Hello everybody! A whole week has gone by which means an UPDATE! And on time for a change. I loved all the reviews (very happy that minds were blown). To answer some concerns:

-Book Queen; The Garde will be choosing sides and things are certainly going to heat up. The Garde are not literally reshaping the world like in Man of Steel. That was referring to the balance of power/who controls the world. And only human technology is effected not Loric because its powered by crystals

-wii99; Lots of valid points. The Garde will be examining all of them. And the Society of Shadows is actually inspired by the League of Assassins (I love DC and Batman is my favorite hero).

In case anyone was wondering Hannibal is actually partly inspired by Ra's al Ghul and General Zod (with a little Bane) since they're both leaders of armies, strategists, trainers of warriors (Batman/Kryptonian Soldiers), and they fully believe in their cause for the greater good.

If you all were blown away by the last chapters, this one is going to be an even bigger one. Especially the ending.

Please enjoy and review.

Chapter 50

Four

Darkness surrounds everything around me. Inky blackness that has no beginning or end. At first, it feels like I'm falling but images suddenly begin appearing to me.

I focus on the nearest one and slowly start to make out their meanings. I see myself when I was a child maybe eight years old and a much young Henri. Another Image shows my grandparents and then my father the day the Mogs destroyed Lorien.

Suddenly images of my friends begin to appear. Training with Sam, finding Bernie Kosar, walking with Six under the moon, rescuing Nine from West Virginia, and meeting others as we've developed our Legacies over the past few months.

They bring a smile to my face as each one recalls a certain memory. But there are dark memories as well. Henri's death, almost dying in Paradise, being hunted by the Mogs, and almost dying at the hands of the FBI.

Then, new images start flickering into view. The Garde fighting Mogs in New York City, space ships shooting at each other and burning above Washington D.C., and an enormous crowd cheering for us as we fly above their heads.

"What is this?" I ask aloud.

"A future my heir."

Pittacus materialized beside me and stares at the images intently. "The past, present, and future. So many variables intertwined within a single life. A whole universe really."

He turns to me. "There is so much I wish I could tell you but alas our time is running out."

Puttacus waves his hands over images causing them to come together and show hundreds of ships approaching the Earth. Made of ugly, black, and twisted metal they bristle with guns and show no signs of stopping.

Then, the scene changes to show my friends sitting at a round table and speaking about the incoming Mogs.

"As we speak Number 5 and her Cepan are detailing their plan to defeat the Mogadorians and what to do with the Earth in the aftermath."

"Which is?"

"Building a Loric Empire."

Pittacus disappears and is replaced by a montage of scenes throughout history.

Cavemen learning how to use fire, humans learning how to work fields, and then building the pyramids, temples, and other ancient monuments like Stonehenge.

But not all scenes are so peaceful. I see men in bronze armor fighting each other with spears and swords. Another image shows Roman legionnaires battling on a field while a man holds a sword that looks a lot like Sam's leads his side to victory. A third vision shows two armies firing at each other with muskets and cannons and a pale man on a white horse encourages his men in French.

I see men crowning themselves kings, people bowing down before them, a bearded man leads hordes of horsemen armed with bows while holding a glowing sword, and all the while in the background I witness Legacies, Loralite, and the Loric secretly working from behind the scenes.

"For centuries the Loric have nurtured Earth. Guided its people. And at certain times we stepped in to take a more active role in the affairs of men."

"Men like Caesar, Alexander the Great, King Arthur, Genghis Khan, and Napoleon tried to unify the earth under their rule. Establish order but none could create a lasting success.

"So we allowed the humans to develop on their own and forget about us. Overtime the Loric faded into myth and the humans started believing they were alone in the universe."

Pittacus sighs and shows me Mogadore. "That is when the Mogadorains started to arrive. They saw opportunity where we did not and treated with the humans directly. By the time you and the remaining Garde came, the Loric had ceased to have contact with Earth and the humans were only too happy to help their new allies hunt you down."

"So how do we stop them?"

The vision now shows Setrakus Ra addressing a crowd of Mogadorians who scream his name in reverence. "Only by severing the head of a beast can the body die. Without him, the Mogadorains will be lost."

I stare Ra and clench my fists. "We don't have the forces to beat the Mogadorians."

Pittacus chuckles "I'd say you have that under control."

Ra's face vanishes to show millions of guns being pulled off assembly lines, countless droids and clones strapping military gear to their bodies, and thousands of ships scattered across the globe waiting for the order to attack.

But the image don't stop there. I see dozens of massive satellites orbiting the Earth, entire cities falling to darkness as their power is cut, and new buildings being constructed from the ashes and ruble of destroyed cites.

"Number Five feels that the only way to preserve the future of our people is to rebuild Lorien on Earth."

"What?"

"Yes and it will be up to you whether or not to fulfill that destiny."

I turn around in circles trying to find him. "And what do you think about this New Lorien."

Pittacus chuckles but doesn't reveal himself. "Her ambition is limitless. Once the Earth is saved she has plans to spread the Loric way across the universe. A true golden age for Lorien."

Pittacus reappears and places his hands on my shoulders. "A new age of the Loric is coming and only you and the other Garde can decide what it will be."

Pittacus moves a hand to my forehead and closes his eyes in concentration.

"I can't tell you what to do or how to win but I can give you my memories and knowledge. I hope you'll find an answer within."

A warm sensation spreads across my head as countless memories pass before my eyes. Remember the Phoenix Stones Pittacus's disembodied voice echoes as he fades away.

The sensation started as a light touch but has now become a burn. My head feels as though it's splitting in half. Thousands of visions rush past my eyes as the pain spreads across my skull and down my back.

I fall to my knees and grip my head to try and ease the pain. It becomes so bad, I start to scream. Let it end. Anything to make its. I want to shout but nothing happens. The memoires just continue to flood in without any sign of stopping.

Nine

"My friends" Hannibal begins as he paces the room.

"Congratulations on three very successful missions. We have severely limited the Mogs preparedness and are one step closer to ending this war once and for all."

When no one responds, Hannibal sighs regretfully "I understand that your soldiers incapacitated all of you and Talia has been speaking to each of you about it. I want to tell all of you that the clones were acting under my orders and if you want to blame someone, blame me. Not her."

"So if anyone wants to say anything about what happened they can say it to me." All the Garde turn to look at Talia and then Hannibal but no one says a thing."

"Now then, feel free to speak to me privately if you wish but now we must turn to more pressing concerns."

He breaths deeply and closes his eyes "Despite the fact that we have damaged their overall war effort the Mogadorians are still coming. And in less than an hour they will begin their conquest of the Earth."

Pandemonium breaks out as everyone starts shouting and panicking about what to do.

"What are we going to do?" One practically shouts.

"Where are our soldiers?" from Three

"We have to warn the humans!" Adam says.

"We need Four!" Six declares.

Hannibal holds up his hands and gradually the shouting dies down.

"I know this seems very alarming but we can win this fight. Each of you will be given command over a legion of troops to purge the Mogadorians from our new home.

The looks of fear begin to disappear, replaced by looks of hope.

"There's a revolution coming my young Garde. When mankind discovers who you are, what you can do, each of you will face a choice."

He looks at each of us in turn. "Will you submit to will of weaker men or rise up to rule?"

"The choice is yours but know that if you do not stand with the plan then by definition you are against it."

"So" he says "You can use your army to save the governments and people that have hunted and despise you, or win the war with us and live like kings for the rest of time."

Hannibal pauses on the last word and looks directly at me before turning to look at One and Six. "And queens."

We fall silent and cast glances at one another. Although no one says a word l know we're all thinking the same thing. Submit or rule. An entire planet as our personal playground to do whatever we want. It's a lot to take in. I look to Sandor for guidance but his face remains impassive.

One is the first to speak. "What do we have to do?"

Hannibal gestures towards the screens. "At first nothing. The humans will put up a fierce fight and the Mogadorains will be forced to commit all their forces to taking the planet. "

"That is when we will strike. Our army will hit the Mogadorians where they are weakest and exhausted. From there we will take back any cities that have fallen and rain fire upon their heads. They will be powerless against our combined forces."

"How?" Adam asks.

This time Talia steps in to answer. "With this." She waves at the screens and the news channels are replaced by images of hundreds of satellites circling the Earth."

"This is the USA's satellite defense system built with stolen Loric technology and Mogadorian aid. Hyperion class and equipped with a supersonic laser. Perfect for shooting hostile missiles out of the sky."

"But when concentrated with enough frequency on a single target…."

The satellites on the TVs glow for a second before blasting blue laser beams directly at the Earth obliterating mountains, buildings, and Mogadorain ships.

"Half as powerful as nuclear explosion but with none of the fallout."

"And what about Setrakus Ra? Marina asks "How will we deal with him?"

A sense of unease falls over the room as memories of our previous fights resurface. "Separating that monster's head from his body would be a start" Hannibal remarks dryly.

"But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Talia believes the Phoenix Stones have the power to destroy him forever but if that is not the case the Null Void is an option."

"Until he escapes again" Eight mutters.

Another shouting match appears on the verge of erupting but Hannibal quiets everyone by slamming his hand on the table.

"Enough! Four is communicating with Pittacus as we speak. Hopefully he can provide us with some guidance on the issue. In the meantime, I think you must vote on how to proceed with the war effort. Those in favor, stand up."

Talia rises from her seat first followed soon after by One, Two, Three, and me. Ella also rises which causes a look to flash across Marina's face but she remains seated along with Eight, Sam, Adam, and Six who for once looks unsure of herself.

"What will happen to the humans once we take their planet?" Marina asks Hannibal.

"Whatever you desire. Certain humans will have to be punished as war criminals for assisting the Mogadorians invade the planet but you can be as benevolent as you want to the humans within your domain."

"Domain?" Sam echoes.

"Yes Mr. Goode. Once the war is over the world will be divided into spheres of influence for the Garde and our supporters to control. The war will cause massive devastation that will require years of rebuilding and care."

Hannibal pauses to think something over and adds "That includes you and your family of course. You can have any states in your country as your own or another country entirely if you wish. Your people will hail you as a hero that helped saved their entire race."

Hannibal leans forward so he and Sam are face to face. "I know how much your enjoy space exploration and astronomy. If you want, we can make you the director of NASA or give you your own space program to run when you come of age. All you have to do is join us."

Sam's mouth falls open in amazement, Hannibal's words clearly reaching him. He turns to Eight next.

"All of Asia could be yours Number Eight and you can lead them as their next Buddha or Vishnu."

To Six he says "You will be remembered as one of our greatest warriors."

Marina looks down when Hannibal addresses her "You can have Europe and build monuments to your Cepan and the friends you've lost."

He even looks at Adam. "You can be the first in a new generation of Mogadorians Adam. We will spare any women and children that manage to survive the war and attempt to cure Mogadore if we can. You can lead them to a better future beside your…girlfriend."

Adam blushes and sneaks a look at One who smiles and offers her hand to him. "Mogadorians and Loric side by side Adam. A lasting peace."

"What about John?" Marina pipes up. "Shouldn't he have a vote too?"

"Yes…" Hannibal replies. "He has a vote as well."

Marina nods triumphantly. "Then I think we should wait until all the Garde are here before we make a final decision."

Hannibal stares at Marina for a long time before giving the slightest of nods. "Very well. The vote will be suspended until Four arrives. Do what you wish until then."

He storms out of the room followed closely by Crayton, Brandon, and Sandor who gives me a thumbs up before leaving. The others break into groups and start talking amongst themselves, most leaving to think things over in private. Closing my eyes I try and focus on what their saying.

I hear One trying to persuade Adam to side with her, Eight trying to convince Marina Talia might be right, and Three asking Ella what country she wants.

"Spying isn't very nice" Talia whispers in my ear.

"I'm not spying, I'm listening discreetly."

She grins and wraps her arm around me. "So what are they saying about me?"

"Mainly whether they agree or not. Are you sure this is the only way?"

Talia gasps as though she's offended. "You doubt me?"

"You? Never."

She pushes my arm and tells me to close my eyes.

"Why?"

"Just do it."

I close my eyes and feel her hands on the side my face.

Slowly the darkness fades away and is replaced by scenes of catastrophe. Starving children, famines, Mogadorains enslaving the humans, Setrakus Ra siting in the remains of Lincoln Monument, and the horrible effects of their pollution destroying Earth.

"This is the future that will befall the world if the Mogs win. A cesspool of suffering and destruction."

"But together we can win and make a better world, a world without illness, misery, or Mogs." An image of crowds cheering our names appears. Next, a new Chicago being built appears with Talia and I watching from our penthouse in the John Hancock building, followed by the sight of all the remaining Grade in our thirties watching the world turn from space. The last images bring an unmistakable sense of longing for that future and homesickness for Chicago.

"A New Lorien where we won't be seen as freaks and rule beside our children."

"Children?" I blurt out, causing the trance to end and the room to come back into focus. "Yes my love" Talia replies placing a hand on her stomach. "You're going to be a father. I'm carrying twins."

The room in now spinning and I barely manage to grab a seat before collapsing in surprise. For once in my life I really am at loss for words.

"How… How long have you known?"

"Last night. I tested positive and used a scryer to confirm it."

After a moment she asks "Are you upset?"

"No, just surprised."

She looks at me sadly. "I understand if you don't want to talk about it now."

I look deep into her eyes stroke her face. "Do you love me?"

"Yes."

"I love you too, and we can talk about our kids as much as you want. If I'm going to be a father I want do it right and with you."

Talia throws herself into my arms and kisses me passionately.

Pausing a moment to breathe she whispers "After we rid the universe of the Mogadorain plague we will have the world in our hands and give our children the life we never had. Together."

Hannibal

"Sir, should we proceed?"

I look up from the electronic globe detailing every major city across the world and their respective electric usage and gaze at my fellow Cepans. I hold my hand to the technician who spoke and address my friends.

"For over ten years we have been hiding. Ten years! Ten years of being hunted, biding our time, and training the saviors of our race for this day."

I grasp Sandor by his metal hand and pat him firmly. "We suffered horrible abuses, torture, even death."

Next I place a hand on Crayton's shoulder. "For others standing here, only the slimiest of circumstances allowed you to return from the beyond and witness as we make history."

I lock eyes with Stark before concluding. "And now thanks to the genius of our scientists and our people's sorcery we are ready to end to war once and for all."

I nod to the technician.

"Set the Electro Magnetron Accelerator to its full capacity."

As the machine whirls and spins, the lights on the globe start to dim and then shut of completely one by one.

"Let the invasion commence."

Surprised? See you all in week! Best Readers Ever!