Disclaimer: I give up. Refer to the last 33 chaps for the disclaimer. Oh, and the song? Not mine. Hilary Duff's.

Author's Notes: Can you believe this is the second to last chapter! Time flies! So hurry up and read then review!

Sisters till the End

This is dedicated to Pablo/Cecil because he is such an awesome writer and he has inspired me to go farther. Thank you Pablo/Cecil for your awesome story and your awesome talent!

Chapter Thirty-Four: Goodbye

I'm always too late,

I see the train leaving,

I'm always laughing,

When it's not cool to smile,

Nicole watched as Alex pulled away from her, eyes tear stained, and looked towards the pillars. The sounds of battle had long ago eroded away and all that was left was the sound of silence now broken by footsteps. Nicole turned also, surprised to see so many. "Chesta!" She cried, seeing her husband. Running forth, she gave him a huge hug and burst into tears again. Oh, why Kat? Why now? "Where's Kat?" Dilandau asked, looking around. "She's not here."

Alex pointed towards the pillar. "She's… in there," she said, her voice breaking. "She took my place," Scott added, now standing with Zorya's support. The silent shock that went through them was audible to Nicole. She sniffed and wiped away the tears that blurred her vision. Was Dilandau actually caring about Kat? "Dilandau…. You…" she started, but Rika finished. "He was under Kalarice's spell. I freed him."

"Oh."

"Then he rounded us up," Morwyn said, motioning to Shadow and herself. "We ran into Coran and his groupies here."

"Coran," Alex said, breaking away from Miguel and looking at the assassin. He stood staring up at the pillar, an unreadable look on his face. "Coran, did Kat say she was-"

"Not a word," he spat. "Not a word," he repeated more softly, to himself. Alex turned away and looked back at the light. Anger boiled up in her besides the situation and she glanced at Nicole. "How could she?" She asked, wanting answers. How could Kat do this?

"It was a mistake," came the answer. The gasp that echoed through everyone was simultaneous. Every watched the pillar as it split into two separate columns and three figures appeared, standing on a pedestal that was slowly falling to the ground. "Kat!" Rika gasped. She had certainly not seen this.

I'm always aiming,

But somehow keep missing,

So how did you get here?

Something is wrong,

"Kat! Oh my God, don't do that!" Alex cried; starting to run forward but stopping, her path blocked by an invisible wall. "Kat?"

The pedestal stopped its descent and now everyone was able to fully see Kat and the two people behind her. One was a tall woman with beautiful blonde hair, and a porcelain face marred only by an old scar, and the other a burly man with wild brunette hair and piercing green eyes. Nicole's eyes widened at the sight as she recognized the two. "Gaea," she whispered as Rika whispered, "The First." Everyone stared up at the trio with wide eyes, almost no one knowing who the other two were, and those who did already crying. The pain and sadness was thick in the air, blocking out the stench of burned flesh and blood, and suddenly the war that Coran and Dilandau had faced didn't seem so strenuous.

"It was a mistake," Kat repeated, looking down at everyone around her. All of her friends, her family… Coran and Dilandau. She paused on the two, standing side by side, the two objects she had been torn between. Her heart skipped a beat and tears began to sting her eyes. It was hard, as the First had said; to leave those you love behind for their benefit. She wanted to jump down and tell those behind her goodbye and go on living her life. What life? She asked herself. Dilandau practically threw you out of his life and Coran… Coran was there. You were selfish and hard to both and yet here they are, still standing by you. I don't deserve them.

Where did I go right?

How did I get you?

How come all this blue sky is around me,

And you found me,

"I jumped in for Scott because I thought I was saving his life. In reality, I was only ending my own. Perhaps it was meant to be this way, or perhaps not," she continued, looking at Rika. Only the Fate would know. "But I am not here to leave you all with sad memories."

Where did I go right? How did I get you?

I don't know how I did,

But somehow now I do,

"Kat… no!" Nicole cried. She and Alex were both in tears and Kat's heart burned with pain. She had to do this.

"I can't turn my back, Nicole, Alex. I can't turn away and let Gaea die. I don't want to leave you here. I have to. Please, understand that."

"You don't have to. We can do it together!" Alex yelled.

Kat sighed and looked at Dilandau. He's free of her will, she thought, seeing his eyes with fresh tears in them. Coran looked hard but she knew inside he was crying. "I love you all, every single one of you. To see so many faces show up to defend Gaea gives me hope that when I go she won't be threatened again. She has many protectors now, and Scott has many more. Together you'll see that she's safe.

I'm always driving,

Forget where I'm going,

Should have turned left,

But I was singing some song,

"I know you have fought a long and hard battle and suffered wounds that you're doubtful will heal. You lost people you love: friends, family, lovers. It might seem like it's not worth it now but it is, and soon you will see it. Your presence here alone will signify a union so strong that not even death will "

"We're not here for fame and glory," Morwyn spoke up. "We're here for Gaea and her honor."

"And her life," Dalet added.

Kat nodded. "She knows that. And she thanks you also. I don't have much time left now. I want you all to know that nothing in life is not worth the risk it takes to achieve it. Nicole," she turned her gave to her blonde friend. "I'm so happy that you'll be a mother, a wife, and finally have a family that loves you for everything you are and what you are not. I'm so proud of you. Never doubt yourself because through this all you have been true to our feelings and your thoughts. I'm only sorry that I won't be able to see your child grow up like I saw you did.

And I, I am arriving,

As everyone's leaving,

But there you are waiting,

Something is wrong,

"Alex," she looked at her brunette friend now. "You're so strong and even when I was in doubt you always showed me the meaning of trust and belief. You were the stone I turned to. Now, you have your own family that turns to you and loves you. No longer are you the child, but the mentor, and no longer do you walk in someone else's shadow. I know you'll be the best because you truly are. The only thing I'll regret is not being able to watch your strength grow and thrive in your own family.

Where did I go right?

How did I get you?

How come all this blue sky is around me,

And you found me,

"Scott, though we've only known each other for a little while and certainly only a few hours connected, I feel as if I've known you as long as I've known Alex and Nicole. You will always be a part of our family. Your power and what you are, is special and don't forget it. Even if you feel as if you've done nothing right in your life you have and from the moment you came here, it was this. So trust yourself and turn to your friends, don't be afraid, and I know you'll forever protect everyone you love. If you could, also watch over and protect those I love while I'm gone?" Scott nodded. "Thank you. I wish I had more time so we could become closer, Scott, for you are truly a great person.

"Coran," it pained her now to look at him. "You stood by me when I thought I had no one, when I wanted to endanger no one. At my request you came to my aid and helped me through this journey. You showed so much trust in me and I'll never forget it. I just wish that you would show that much trust in others, to privilege them as you privileged me. And perhaps, if time had allowed it, we would've been great together.

Where did I go right?

How did I get you?

I don't know how I did,

But somehow now I do,

"Dilandau," she finally looked at her husband, now crying herself. "Through all we've done, through everything that's happened, we've been together. I told you once before that it took a lot of trust for me to love and you proved that I could. It's been a hard road that we've traveled but through it all you've been right there for me, proving me time after time that I could never doubt you. Even with what's happened to us I still trust and love you. My regret is strong because I only wish that I could've spent our last months together, not apart, and certainly not fighting."

Makes no sense to me,

No it isn't clear,

But somehow you're standing here,

Something gets to me,

It's that nothing is wrong,

She paused before going on, looking at each in turn, remembering their faces and all the memories she had with them. "For all of you, I will always love you and cherish this memory forever. The day we came together and fought for our Mother, Gaea. I wish you all a happy and fulfilled life ahead of you and trust that you'll carry on what I leave behind. But remember, I will always be with you-each and every one of you. You might not be able to see me, but I'll be there, watching over you guys. So never think that I'm truly gone, okay? Or else I'll have to bean you with something large and heavy."

Where did I go right? How did I get you? How come all this blue sky is around me

And you found me

There was a small mutter of laughter from everyone and Kat smiled. "I'll miss you all. Goodbye," she said. With that, the two split columns came crashing together, and with a loud clap of thunder, the column exploded into a bright light. Everyone covered their eyes, tears still falling, and when the light finally faded, there was no evidence that either Kat or her two companions had ever stood there. Nicole stood there, stunned, staring at the place where her best friend had been. It was hard to believe that she was really gone…. She searched for Kat's connection but found none. The loss of that connection was like a bomb. Turning and looking at Alex she met her friend's gaze and they both fell into tears. Kat really was gone.

Where did I go right? How did I get you? I don't know how I did

But somehow now I do.