The song, 'I Believe I Can Fly' is originally by R. Kelly is being borrowed in this chapter.
Chapter 35: Epilog
TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER
A silver van drove up through a quiet road inside a cemetery field just outside of L.A. It finally stopped. Simon stepped out with two bouquets in his hand and started walking up a small hill. He wore a long black trench coat and he had his hair nicely trimmed. Of course, thanks to his improved hair tonic formula from the island, his hair would never grow the way it was as when he was a child. Simon reached up to move a few strands of hair from his face. He accidentally touched his earring and smiled. For the past two years, his family had tried to convince him to take out the earring, but Simon refused their request and is proud that he did. The earring holds many memories for him from the island. He fears that without it he might forget some important things that went on there, especially with his friends. Simon finally stopped in front of two tome stones. He looked down at them and read the inscription on them. One has Tom's name on it along with a message that read 'A friend to the end.' The other tome had Renee's name and the message read 'Her smile will always shine through any dark cloud'. Simon takes a deep breath and smiles. His heart still ached when he thought how his friend's lives ended so quickly. It was not fair.
He started to think back during the two and half years after being let out of the hospital. Simon fell into months of depression. He kept having nightmares that left him screaming in his sleep almost every night. The one thing that shocked his family the most is when Simon went through a suicide attempt. Finally, with the help of a mysterious psychologist, Simon received the counseling he needed to get through that dark time in his life. After he worked hard in school and spent hours of studying so he would be able to graduate with his brothers and Chipettes next year. The toughest was trying to break the negating craving and drinking habit. He would sometimes sneak alcohol in a cup of coffee or his orange juice. Of course, Simon was caught a few times doing this. Dave and his brothers knew it would be hard on Simon and they had to be extra patient with him. With the help of the psychologist and his family, Simon made a full come back.
His family gave him a new computer system, updated with the latest programs. With it, he finally started to write songs, short stories, school reports, and especially to look through the files that his friends Mary-Anne and the others left in the envelope he received in the hospital. He was able to start writing letters to the families of the children that did not make it off the island. Simon's brothers, Dave, and the Chipette's as well were a huge help with that. Tom's father, who happened to be going through a rough time as well with his son's death, decided to help too by giving Simon a part-time job at his Auto Shop. Not to mention the relationship between Jeanette and him only became stronger, without her support during most of this he figured he might not have the courage and strength to continue. He even started to write a book based on the information from the files and his own experiences. It is mostly inspired from the promise he made to Mary. He is almost half way through writing it.
Again, Simon looked up at the tome stones and smiled weakly.
"Hi guys! It's been a long time! I just came to tell you that I'm finally back on track. I'm negating, and alcohol free now. Not only that, I'm graduating next year with my brothers and friends. And guess what, I heard a rumor that I'm going to receive a scholarship in physics. The make up exam I took last year was a challenge; I hadn't had a challenge like that since the time the nine of us tried to speak five different languages at the same time. I am unable to do that anymore since my brain is now at normal speed, and you know what? It feels great to be back!
"For once I'm really excited in what's happening in my life. I may even get to be that famous scientist that I always wanted to be. Also I've written a couple of songs based on all of us from the Island. I've even started to write a book. And I've been writing letters to all the families that lost their loved ones to the Founders. Some of the families even wrote back thanking and congratulating me for all I've done. But I can't take all the credit. My family was a huge help and so were Jeanette and her sisters.
"I still miss you guys a lot, though, and at times it's still hard for me to get out of bed. But then I remember that I have goals and that no matter what happens I know you guys are always apart of me. I-I…just want to say thanks; you were a great inspiration to me. Together we could accomplish anything. I will always continue the mission, I promised I would!" He wiped a few tears from his eyes and turned to see that his ride still waiting for him. "Anyway, I can't stay long. We have a concert to get to. I'll see you later."
Simon placed the bouquets in the brass vases on the graves of his two good friends and turned to walk back to the car. He stopped for a moment and felt a breeze pass his face. Simon swore he heard voices in the wind, voices that belonged to his friends. A comfortable feeling came over Simon, he was happy knowing that their spirits were never far away.
He made his way back to the van, got in, and closed the sliding door. Dave and the others watched him as he put on his seat belt and looked out the window toward the two graves he just came from.
"Are you going to be ok, Simon?" Dave asked, concurringly.
"I'll be fine." Simon sighed as he finally turned away from the window. He glanced down at his watch then looked at his family. "We'd better hurry, or we'll be late!" He said pointing at his watch.
Everyone smiled as he said that. A little of the old Simon was shining through. Dave turned the wheel of the van and pulled out to drive out of the cemetery.
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CERRITOS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS,
30 MINUTES LATER
The roar of the audience was heard back stage. Both the Chipmunks and the Chipettes nervously waited to go on. This would be their first concert since Simon's kidnapping. Simon carefully looked outward from behind the curtain to see the audience and turned to the rest of the group.
"Nervous?" Alvin asked him.
"Are you kidding, I've waited seven and a half years for this moment! So, what do you say we get out there and give them the concert of a life time?" Simon replied eagerly.
"Yeah!" All of them cheered at once. After they give each other high fives they ran out onto the stage and the crowd roared louder. Simon felt a serge of energy coming from their fans. He felt good being there, he felt whole.
The music started and both Chipmunks and Chipettes performed. From one of their best classics 'We are the Boys/Girls of Rock and Roll' to some new fresh songs they wrote themselves for this concert especially, they sang from their hearts. Excitement was felt throughout the entire building as this young teen group put on one of their best concerts of their lives.
The Chipmunk's version of, R. Kelly's
'I Believe I Can Fly'
(Alvin)
I used to think that I could not go on
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
If I can see it, then I can be it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can sore
I see me runnin through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
(Simon)
See I was on the verge of breakin out
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me
If I can see it, then I can be it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can sore
I see me runnin through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
(Chipmunks)
Cause I believe in me
(Alvin)
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
(Chipmunks and Chipettes)
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can sore
I see me runnin through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
If I just spread my wings
I can fly
I can fly, I can fly
If I just spread my wings
I can fly, woo
Check it out
Hmm… fly, fly, fly
THE END!
OoOoOoOoOoOo
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I just want to thank you, the readers, for taking the time to read my story. This particular story is my very first attempt to a fanfiction. Of course I have updated it a few times since it's first posting in early 2001. I hope you've enjoyed it, and I appreciate your comments and reviews very much.
Take Care,
Raven Child.
P.S. Hope you have enjoyed the updated grammar/spelling corrected version much better. For those of you that may have read this story before you may have noticed a few revised changes in some of the scenes. Thank you again and look forward in reading your reviews.