Today was the awaited day. The day they would meet Team AVNJ of Shade had come at last. Team CTNE marched towards the oasis where they would meet. Noah held Beacon's banner with ease upon his glaive.
They stopped at the oasis. "Where's AVNJ?" a familiar voice asked. The others whipped their heads towards the voice and saw Michael Andersen. "I thought you said you didn't want to come.." Noah said. Michael's reply was a shrug. "I came anyways. I put trackers on you a little while back." Michael explained.
Tim stepped forward mutely. "Look." was all he was able to say, pointing to the west.
Walking towards them were faces they had not seen in a very long time, faces they had long given up hope of ever seeing again.
One of the figures in the distance stopped. It took a moment for Evan to realize who it was. His eyes pooled with tears. "VIN!" he yelled, running towards the friend he loved. He stopped and looked at yet another familiar face. "Alex!" he said.
The next figure strode up to Tim.
"Jay.." he whispered. Then he pulled Jay into a tight embrace. "I missed you. So much." he confessed. "I missed you too, Tim." Jay replied quietly.
Caught's feet flew across the dunes. "NATALIEEEE!" Caught screamed. Natalie's face brightened. "CAAAAUGHT!" she boomed in reply, giving Caught a sick high-five.
Noah sat under the shady palms with Michael. "So you didn't get your happy ending, either." Noah remarked to Michael. Michael nodded. Shaun was an ass sometimes, but in the end they were brothers, and Michael did love him as a brother should.
Vinnie smiled at Evan. "We also brought one other person.." Vinnie revealed, a little sheepishly. Evan looked back up at the dunes.
Standing upon the dune's zenith, with the black and orange banner of Shade in hand, was Jeff. The desert sun glowed behind him, giving his features a divine luminescence. Evan barreled towards Jeff and nearly jumped into his arms. Jeff's smile was almost zen-like.
"It wasn't your fault, Evan. Don't worry." Jeff breathed to Evan.
Vinnie strode to Noah and hugged him. "Sorry you didn't get Milo back. I know you wanted to see him again." Vin apologized.
Noah shrugged.
Noah awoke that night to a whisper. 'noah. come outside.'
It sounded so familiar… so he wandered, slowly, to the front of the tent and out into the wild desert.
Ebony sands swirled around him. The sky was truly a celestial galaxy. He ignored all of these signs that this was not where they set up tent.
For standing in front of him was Milo Asher. 'firebrand brought me some time. only have tonight to talk. i'll say what i need to.'
'i brought you to this desert place to tell you this: my death was never your fault. don't blame yourself. you're stronger than that.'
'the collective is planning an attack. during the tournament. protect who you can.'
'and finally: you don't need to worry about me anymore. i'll watch over you always. remember that, dearest cousin of mine.'
And Noah Maxwell, after all this time, broke down into tears of joy. Milo enfolded him in a warm hug as he cried over all the things that had been changed.
For once, for once, everyone was ok.
But this was not the end, I am sorry to say. We still have much to see of them yet.
Theirs is a tale forged in fire and blood.
Remember that.
Author's Note: REVIEWS! THEY ARE THE MOTIVATION THAT KEEPS THE WRITING GOING! I HONESTLY UPDATE SOONER THE MORE YOU REVIEW!
On another note, in one chapter we'll be halfway through the fic. Currently, we're in Noah's arc: Darkness Descending. The next arc will be named The Vampire of Emerald Forest. I'd love to hear your theories on what that name means. ;)