*Scratches back of neck uncomfortably*

It's been some time, hasn't it? I know, and I apologize greatly for the HAITUS. Well, at least I came back, right? *weakly smiling at the readers that are holding pitchforks*

*clears throat* Yes, well for the first time in a long time…

Read on, my lovelies.

I did the first thing I could think of.

I dove out of the way of whatever Dan was yelling at me about. I heard something fly by my head. I glanced up to catch a glance of a…

Boomerang.

More specifically, a plastic boomerang.

Dan had nearly given me a heart attack to watch out for a boomerang. I jumped up to see Dan catching the "deadly" boomerang in his left hand.

"Whoa, that was a close one," Dan said.

I calmly walked over to him and swatted his head.

"Ouch!" he cried, holding his head. "Sis, you have to get those anger issues checked out!"

"You're such a dweeb!" I said, but wrapped him up in a hug.

"Ew, gross! Someone help me!" Dan exclaimed, trying to get out of my grip.

"What on earth are-" Fiske stopped in his tracks when he saw us.

I don't remember who started running first, but I soon found my arms around him. I inhaled my uncle's familiar scent, and I slowly unwrapped my arms from around him.

"I'm not even going to ask where you guys were," Fiske said, smiling.

"Wise choice," I complimented, sharing his smile.

Just then, Ned, who was tailed by his brother, the Holts, and Jonah, sprinted out of the house with a piece of paper clutched in his hand. He ran to us and doubled over, trying to catch his breath and talk at the same time. He noticed us, waved, and tried desperately to talk again. I shot a glance to Ian, and he raised an eyebrow at Ned. Finally, Ned was able to catch his breath.

"Zurich," he said, panting slightly.

"Zurich?" Fiske repeated.

"The shield's in Zurich."

That's one way to get us all moving.

~I'm always in this twilight~

We booked the first available flight to Zurich.

So six hours later, I found myself staring out of an airplane window. Ned had explained how he and Ted (with some help from Hamilton) had intercepted some e-mails sent between some Vespers and was able to decode the location of the shield. Originally, they were trying to see if the Vespers had captured us but ended up stumbling on the location of the shield. Sinead was so impressed with her brothers that it almost brought her to tears.

I felt someone tap my shoulder which snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked over and found Dan looking at me with a strange expression on his face.

"What's the matter, Dan?" I asked, puzzled by his expression.

"You know what it means if the shield is really here, right?" he asked.

I shook my head, not knowing where he was going with this.

"This could be the last mission. We might not ever be coming back to Attleboro," he said.

I was stunned for a second or two. It seems as reality finally hit my brother…and it hit him hard. I hugged him as best as I could in the awkward position the airplane seats put us in.

"We're going to come back, Dan," I said reassuringly. "Everyone's going to come back. The Vespers will be defeated and we will have our shield back."

"Are you sure?" he asked, sounding like a child looking for assurance.

"Positive," I told him, smiling. "Now why don't you get back to your crossword puzzle? There still some spaces left," I said, jokingly.

He nodded and began to work again.

But he was right…how was I so sure about this?

~Cause we don't know how to back down~

The planed landed and we rushed tour hotel that Fiske booked. The last thing we needed was wasted time. Dan, Fiske, and I threw our stuff on a bed and waited for the others to join us. Before long, the small hotel room was packed with the thirteen of us.

Our little army…

"As you know, if this mission is successful, it will be our last-"

I felt Dan grip my hand.

"-and if you feel as if you are not ready, feel free to leave."

No one moved.

"Very well, I must warn you though. This is the most important thing that I have trained you guys for. If you thought the first mission was hard-"

Everyone winced.

"-then this could be hell. I know it might not be the most comforting words, but I speak the truth. You might be pushed to the extremes and will have to fight until your very core ache. Of course, safety and all of us come before anything. I brought bulletproof vests and weapons that will not be too big to morph with. Here is the map of the Vesper stronghold. Study it, learn it, and know it. We will leave at four in the morning tomorrow. I advise strongly to go to sleep as soon as you can. You're going to need it," Fiske concluded.

With that, we were dismissed. Everyone went into separate rooms with their maps. I picked up mine and studied it until my eyes ached. I looked over to the other bed where Dan had passed out, the map covering his face. I small smile tugged at my lips, and I walked over to his bed. I took the map off his face and pulled the blankets to his chin. I kissed his forehead and turned off the light.

This could be it. This could be the end. And I, sure as hell, wasn't ready…

But I had to be.

A/N: Hi! Again… well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I apologize for the wait! I promise to update very soon. Aw, it makes me sad to know that there are only going to be a couple more chapters in this story. I hope you guys have enjoyed it so far. Oh! What was your favorite chapter? Please tell me, I would love to know! Thanks again for your patience.

~Nataliya

Oh, and P.S.: Remember to guess the songs!