Epilogue

A Time To Move On

Everyone had decided to go camping together for a few days after the battle. Anubis was watching the Dynasty, but they knew that Talpa and Tara would have to re-gather their forces before they could make another attack. So for now, they had a break. They relaxed, finding time to cement their friendship with Sheeva and Katrina. Some of them also found time to reconcile the past and the present.

At a small fishing spot a little ways away from the others, Midget and Munchkin talked about everything they had learned.

"So they told you they did it," Munchkin said slowly. "And that they knew I am your sister because Dais kept an eye on me after that day."

"Yes," Midget agreed calmly. She saw the anger rising inside her sister and realized she needed to remind Munchkin of something. "Before you go immersing yourself in anger I'd like you to listen to me for a second and do me a favor."

"Oh, yeah," Munchkin asked, trying to control her fury. "And what is that?"

Midget looked straight into her eyes. "I want you to remember everything they've done for us over the years."

"What?!?" Munchkin was startled and sullen.

"Sis, I know this is hard to take in. It hurts to think of a friend of yours having done something that has caused you so much pain. And it feels like that betrayal is new since we only recently found out about it, but it's in the past. What they did then isn't what they would do now, or even in all those years since then. Then they were part of the Dynasty and completely under Talpa's control. Afterwards they changed."

"So," Munchkin asked sullenly.

"So we can't just throw everything we went through together, all the time and effort we put into our friendships with them over something that happened before we were friends," Midget answered reasonably.

"Why not," Munchkin retorted, but Midget could see that her words were sinking in. "We lost our parents to them. Not to mention each other for many years."

"We didn't really lose each other for long," Midget pointed out. "We might not have grown up as acknowledged sisters, but in our hearts we always were sisters no matter what anyone else would say. And yes, we did lose our parents to them, but look at everything we gained from that loss. We gained two wonderful friends, the Doc. and the Capt., and the lives we've lived up until now. Sure, we could have had different lives, but then we might not be the people we are today."

There was a moment of silence, then Munchkin looked at her. "Well, what do you think? Are you going to just forgive them?"

Midget smiled at Munchkin. "Don't get me wrong, Munchkin. I'm still angry and hurt about our parents' deaths, but I don't want to lose what I have now for something I lost a long time ago. I will always miss our parents, but I went on with my life a long time ago and I don't see any point in returning to where I was now. We survived their loss and became stronger because of it. Now we have to survive the loss of my friendship with two very good friends. Both of us must move on. What we have to decide is are we going to do that with or without them."

Munchkin contemplated this in silence. Privately she admitted that the thought of living without their friendship was disturbing.

More disturbing than the thought of what they did, asked Flame, uncharacteristically serious.

Yes, it is, Munchkin answered heavily.

Then I don't see that you really have a choice, Flame said simply. Not if you ever want to be happy, that is.

I know, Munchkin admitted reluctantly. It's just that it hurts so much to know that I'll never see my parents except for in my dreams.

Yes, you will, Midget told her, picking up on the conversation. When it is your time to join the deceased you will see them on the other side.

"Do you really believe that," Munchkin asked aloud.

"Yes, I do," Midget said confidently. "It's one of the things that has helped me get past the anger. It helped me see what is important, and that is those I care about."

"Yeah, you're right," Munchkin replied thoughtfully. "We cared about them before, and in spite of the pain and the sense of betrayal we still do."

Midget nodded. She waited patiently, knowing that Munchkin was finally working through everything. It was only a matter of time before she would make her decision.

Munchkin looked at her sister. She couldn't believe how good it felt, to finally have a sister and to have finally decided this issue. "Let's call Dais and Anubis and tell them of our decision."

Only a few minutes later both arrived. They looked a little nervous, their expressions grim. Hope shone in their eyes though. Munchkin looked at them calmly.

"I'm still filled with pain and anger over what you've done," she informed them flatly. Their expressions tightened but they didn't say anything and she continued, "But thanks to Midget I've recently come to realize how much more I would be hurting if I were to lose you and your friendships."

The two men looked at each other. Then they looked at the two girls, sitting there so calmly. Their expressions were sober, but their eyes smiled through the pain.

"We have decided that we want to continue our friendship with you both, in spite of what happened," Munchkin went on to inform them. Midget smiled and nodded her head in agreement.

"Why," asked Dais, almost too over come to speak.

"It's like Midget told me," Munchkin said wryly, glancing at her sister. "We lost something back then, but we've gained a lot from that loss. It's part of the past that helped make us who we are. We moved on then and now we've chosen how we'll move on now. With all of our friends."

"A wise decision," the Ancient's voice said from the side. Everyone turned to look at him. "The two of you have grown up a lot these past few weeks. You have my congratulations. Your parents would be proud of both of you."

The two girls looked at each other and smiled. Then they looked at the other three. From the other side of the wall of trees in front of them, the sounds of laughter and playing reached them. Just then their boyfriends appeared, grinning and asking them if they wanted to join them.

Midget looked back at the Ancient and Anubis, standing together a few feet away. Dais stood a little to the side. All three of them smiled at her and gestured for her to go on. She turned to see that Munchkin had already joined the other two and was waiting for her. She smiled as she stood and moved over to them. As they walked over to join their friends she turned back for a minute. Looking at the Ancient she said, "Goodbye Ancient. Until we meet again." Then she looked at the other two. "Are you two coming, or what?"

Laughing, Anubis and Dais followed the four younger people. The Ancient stood where he was for a moment longer. He whispered, "They have managed to get over these two hurtles. I only hope they do as well with the ones that still lie ahead of them." With that cryptic remark he disappeared.

Back with the others, the two girls were unaware of what the future held in store for them and their friends. For now they were enjoying life with the ones they cared about. They knew, though, that all too soon they would be back in the battle. It made this time more precious, for them and for the ones they were with, and they cherished it together.

The End