I wish I could say that everything was sunshine and roses once we reached the base but cannot; I cannot even say that we happily lived ever after. What I can tell you was that Star grew up to be a Warrior and helped defend us many times over by the time she reached twenty; yes, it took us ten years to the day that I rescued and brought Dragon home.

We lost and gained many during that time and we fought F.E.A.R a lot during those times but say we finally defeated the Leader, I cannot. Whenever we fought the Priests, he was never there; and for each one we took down four more appeared at the next battle. Finally, it was about a week before my 28th birthday, we got word that the Leader was leaving my old city and going to set up a Temple in a new one. I knew at once; this was our one chance at catching him off guard for once. Before we left, we wrote a letter to those who we were leaving behind; a just in case we never back.

I did not just write one, I wrote seven each one different; I wrote one to Prophet, one to Mystic, one to Destroyer, Mourner and Fenix each had one as well. Star received a two letter, while Ronnie received a four page one; his was the hardest to write for me. In it I poured everything I was keeping close to my chest, including the fact I was in love with him; I told him that I did not say anything before now because I did not want to have my heartbroken by it not being returned. I told him that I could not tell him I loved him, just to find out he sees me like a sister. I told him about how when I first saw him in chains that first day, I went home cried; well at first, I cried then I started planning to get him out of there no matter what it took to do it.

I told him about how when I first looked in his brown eyes, I could see a strength that I did not have at that moment; I knew that strength was the only keeping him from breaking. After I finished my letters, I placed them all in the pocket of my vest and walked out to meet up with everyone. Looking at my family standing tall as we were about to and hopefully beat F.E.A.R for the final time, I could see so many faces of the those who now call me family. Andy was not yet in Prophet mode, so he was slouching in the corner having what looked like a very intense conversation with Ronnie, Jinxx and Jake were sitting on the ground playing with some guitars we somehow were able acquire in one of our many runs.

C.C. was trying to get Lonny to laugh but telling some random jokes and my sweet Star, the sister I never knew I wanted until I got her; she was practicing some new moves she picked up with her staff. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to Jake and Jinxx first and handed them their letters; then it was on to CC and Lonny and did the same thing. Star just smiled as I handed hers and finally, I let go of the breathe I did not realize I was holding in and walked over to Andy and Ronnie. As I got closer all could hear was Andy saying, "Tell her, Ronnie and tell her soon; don't leave it in some letter like a fool." Ronnie just shook his head and said "Too late I already wrote it, you know me man; we grew up together, you know I was always pants at admitting things like that. Besides the girls could not see past your pretty face and see my ugly mug, how do you think you were able to snag Juliet? She took one look at my ugly mug and chose the prettier of the two of us, no man seriously though. I am safer with this letter; you know we are writing them, right?"

Before Andy could respond, Ronnie spotted me and hit him in the chest as if to get him to shut up, "Hey Peyton, finished with your letters already?" he asked as Andy turned towards me. "Yeah, um I already gave the other's theirs, so here is my last two. I saved the two of you for last since it was easier, I know that it's a just in case letter so I except them back unread when we get back ok?" Andy just laughed and said "I don't know, you have me curious as to what you wrote if you save ours for last. What did you do write your darkest secrets down and hope that we won't have to read them before you get them back?" I just glared at him and walked away.

Before I could get extremely far Ronnie caught up with me, "Hey, do not let Andy get to you; it is just his nerves talking; here this is my letter, plus everyone else's. I was volunteered to give them to you. Star said if you want you can read hers no matter what, the others agree as well. It might help give them something to think about while are fighting, you can read mine if you would like." He said as he handed me the letters before slipping off again, this time who knows where. Realizing that we have sometime before we were to go to battle, I sat down in a corner close to where Star was practicing and began to read their letters.

I started with Star's ~Peyton, I do not know how to thank you, I am not even sure where to begin. Before I stood up to the Prophet and broke his rule about leaving camp after dark alone to get you, I was never one to do that. I still do not know what came over me but I can tell you that I am glad I did, to be honest I was scared that Prophet would be mad at me. Instead, I gain a new big sister and a mentor who I make proud, so I just want to say Thank you. Star~

I smiled at her letter, she was right I was proud of her, the next one I grabbed out my small pile was Jinxx's; I was a but scared to see what he wrote ~Peyton/Metis, I write this to because I see what you have become. I was a little unsure of you in the beginning and not because your brought Ronnie back, I do not think I ever thanked you for that. I was unsure because for a while I thought you were a plant to lead F.E.A.R to us, so that they could destroy us. When I lost my twin, I felt like a piece of me was gone; like a part of my soul was missing and then here you come, this girl who remined me so much of her. I just help but want to call you, my sister; so, Peyton/Metis I hope to see you safe.

I just laughed at Jinxx's letter, I skimmed over the rest until I got to Ronnie's; that one I was dreading the most. Apart of me wanted to return it unread but another part was desperate to read it, of course my curiosity got the best of me and I folded. Slowly opening it, I held my breathe as I began to read it ~Peyton, I cannot really put into words what you mean to me; I cannot really call you my sister because you mean so much to me than that. When Andy met Juliet, he could not stop smiling, and when F.E.A.R killed her in front of us all, I do not think I ever saw smile like that. That first day, when you walked in to where they keeping me and looked me in the eyes, I knew that somehow, I had met my own Juliet. So, many times when you were taking care of me, I wanted to tell you run and never return. I did not and I still do not want the same fate for you, Andy had and still does have a reason to fight. I never really had that reason, till your Green eyes hit mine; so, I what I mean to say is I love you. If you are reading this after the battle and I am not there, do not cry. I died saving the ones I love. Ronnie~

I wanted to go to him and tell him to read my letter, but my feet failed to move; my whole body felt like it was set in stone. When I looked up from the letter after reading it for a second time, I saw Ronnie helping Star practice. When I was finally able to stand, I saw Andy fold his letter from me and place it in his jacket pocket. We walked in front of the crowd that had gathered around, I had never seen so many people ready to stand up and fight for what is right. "I would like Dragon and Metis to come up and stand here with me please, I have some words that I would like to stay and I am sure they also have something to say as well." I stood up straight and stood next to Andy on his left, while Dragon stood on his right.

"As we stand in this Desert we call home, we stand here united to take down those who call us Rebels." He said before pausing, I spoke up "So stand up and show them that we can rise above the ashes of our fallen, show them what a real family is." While taking a deep breathe before I continued Dragon spoke up "I have seen what they do to those of us they call Rebels, so lets show them that we are not afraid and they have no control over us now or never." He said as he looked around. Andy finally spoke up one last time, "Let's go and fight for our Freedom, let today be our New Year's day!"

The crowd cheered and chanted "New Year's Day," as we marched out of the gates the was our home for the past ten years. As Andy walked, Dragon, me and Mystic flanked to his right while Fenix, Destroyer and Mourner flanked to his left. Behind us was our army and walking tall and proud in front of it and yet behind Andy was Star. We did not know what waited for us at my former city but we were united and strong, nobody was going to take that from us.