This is the last chapter of Lord of the Bombs. I want to thank you all for favoriting and following my story, which wasn't easy to do because of my lack of gaming experience with Team Fortress 2 but I tried to make it enjoyable for fans and non-fans alike. Be sure to check out my other fanfictions including a new one I've made called Sonic Reborn, and I hoped you enjoyed this while it lasted.

Chapter 43: Manhattan Shores

It had been a few years since Freddie and the other Scouts had returned safely to Harvest. While the residents constantly asked them to tell their stories or occasionally doubted them, they were all fairly content and happy. During one celebration that was similar to Bobbie's birthday from long ago, Steve finally had the courage to dance with the female Scout Racheal. After that, the two couldn't keep away from one another and were eventually married. They now had a fair-haired daughter named Emilia with another child on the way.

Meanwhile, Mickey had taken a fancy to Emma Bolton, who was Racheal's maid-of-honor, and they were planning to marry soon. Patten on the other hand had decided to wed a young female Scout named Diana who originally came from Granary, and they had a son named Franklin after the new king of Rottenburg. The only one of the four who didn't seem entirely content was Freddie. He spent most of his days in the Billow-End home writing his story in the same book that Bobbie had used to tell his story in before him.

"Hey," Steve said as he walked into Billow-End one day.

"Come on in," Freddie replied, getting up from the table he used for writing. "Want something to drink?"

"No, I'm fine. I was just heading down to the storage facility to pick up some food when I passed your house and decided to drop in."

"How's Racheal?"

"She's fine. It'll be ten more weeks before our son is born."

"Son? How do you know that?"

"Gerald stopped by not too long ago, and did a sonar reading for Racheal."

"Why didn't you tell me Gerald was here? I've been wanting to see him for some time now."

"He was only visiting temporarily, but he wanted me to tell you that he's planning to take Bobbie to Manhattan and would like you to come along as an escort."

"Sure, I'll go. Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"So have you finished the book?"

"Just today."

"All right, let me see it." Steve walked over to the other side of the table and opened up the book.

On the front page was a message from Bobbie to Freddie, then the second page showed two titles in bold handwriting: Here and There: A Scout's Story by Bobbie Billows, and The Lord of the Bombs by Freddie Billows.

"This is amazing," Steve said, flipping through the pages. "Aren't you happy, Freddie?"

"I guess," Freddie replied.

Steve sighed. "You know, ever since we got back, you've never been happy. Sure, you'll smile and laugh when you need to, but most of the time you're solemn and quiet. I didn't want to say anything because I figured you'd be mad, and that with time you'll settle down, but you haven't."

"You're right, Steve," Freddie said. "I want to settle down, but because of everything we've been through, I can't. Then again, Gerald told me a while back that I still have some of those microscopic Robots in me after that Android Spy wounded me. They're dead now because Gray Mann's spirit is gone, but they're in my body and always will be until I die."

"So what?"

"It's like a wound that'll never heal, both physically and mentally. I was given a heavy burden, and I thought I could handle it, but I put you and everyone who got involved in danger. If Mumble hadn't attacked me, Gray Mann would've won."

"Freddie, don't say things like that. What's done is done." Steve got up and headed for the front door of the shed. "Gerald will be back in a couple weeks. I'll meet you by the front gate."

Freddie's eyes widened. "You're coming, Steve?"

"Of course. If you're going to Manhattan, then so am I."

Two weeks later, Gerald showed up in a van driven by one of the Snipers. Freddie and Steve climbed into the back along with Mickey and Patten, who insisted on coming along. Inside they found Bobbie, who was now much older than they remembered, snoozing on one of the seats. Once they were all in, the van did a U-turn and drove back along the dirt-road. Unlike the last time they were in a van, there were no Robots pursuing them nor was Gerald in a hurry to get to Manhattan which suited the Scouts fine.

For a week, they passed through various Areas across America. Some were former shells of what they used to be, while others thrived well. When they arrived in Manhattan, the Scouts were amazed by the tall towers and concrete streets that made up the Area despite the lack of people in it. After they got settled at the Defender's base, Saxton Hale appeared to greet them.

"How was your trip, my friends?" Saxton asked.

"Uh, much better than the last one," Mickey said.

"Of course it was," responded the Administrator, who appeared out of the shadows with a cigarette in hand.

Upon seeing the Administrator, the four Scouts went stiff and bowed quickly.

"I see you haven't forgotten your manners." The Administrator flicked a few ashes off the cigarette. Then she saw Bobbie leaning next to Freddie and said, "You must be the famous Bobbie Billows I've heard so much about. Your resemblance to Freddie is striking."

At that, Bobbie flinched.

"Well, the sun's going down and the boat is waiting," Saxton said, and gestured everyone to the opening of the base which was located on a ledge a few feet above.

Fortunately, a ramp had been placed there, which allowed everyone including Bobbie to ascend up to the opening. On the other side was a railway track and beyond that stood a large cruiser docked by the pier. As they all walked along it, Bobbie clung tightly to Freddie.

After a while, he turned to Freddie and said, "Before I leave this place, I was wondering if I could hold that bomb-shaped trinket I cherished so much one last time. Do you still have it?"

In response, Freddie sighed. "No. I lost it."

"Oh, I see," replied Bobbie.

Once they got to the cruiser, a few Snipers saluted them there. The gangway was down, and at the top stood several more male and female Snipers than the Scouts had ever seen. Saxton and the Administrator exchanged glances and approached the gangway together. Before they ascended, they turned to face the Scouts and Gerald who was walking towards them.

"You don't have to come with us, Gerald," Saxton said. "There's much you can still do in America."

"I realize that, but the only reason I came back to life was to restore the balance between life and death," Gerald said wearily. "But now that I've fulfilled that purpose, I am slowly dying and would prefer to die in my ancestor's homeland which is Germany."

After a pause, Saxton nodded. "I understand, old friend. We'll stop by Germany along the way."

"Danke (Thank You)," Gerald bowed and met Saxton and the Administrator at the gangway.

"Now it is your turn," the Administrator said to Bobbie. "You will be the first Scout to visit Australia."

"Australia? That sounds like an adventure I wouldn't miss," Bobbie said enthusiastically.

Bobbie made his way slowly to the gangway, with Freddie helping him along. But despite Bobbie's slowness, it only took a few minutes. Then as Freddie let go of Bobbie, Gerald turned to him and said, "Aren't you going to say goodbye to your friends?"

Steve, Mickey, and Patten looked at each other and then at Freddie expectantly.

"Um, I probably should've told you guys sooner," Freddie began, scratching the back of his neck. "But I'm heading for Australia as well."

"Why, Freddie?" Steve said gaping.

"Is that why you've been so cut off lately?" Mickey asked in an angry tone. "Because you were preparing to do this?"

"Guys, let him speak," Patten said sharply.

After a long silence, Freddie explained. "You're right, Mickey. I have been planning to do this for a while, but I knew that if I told you guys you'd all tell me to stay and possibly prevent me from leaving. So I kept it a secret till now, when it would be harder to stop me. But you must understand that I'm doing it not out of spite.

"I love you guys, and everyone at Harvest, but I can't stay here. For the past five years I've been trying to accept everything that's happened to us and move on with my life, yet I haven't been able to. The book only brought up bad memories I wished to forget, though I think it needed to be written for future generations to learn from our mistakes. In the meantime, I want to heal myself and I think going to Australia is the only way I can."

For a long time, the remaining Scouts didn't say anything. Then Freddie walked over to them, and his eyes fell on Patten. "You understand me best, cousin. Don't you?"

Patten hesitated and then he said, "Well, if that's your decision, and you think that's what's best for you, then we shouldn't stop you."

At that moment, Patten gave Freddie a firm hug.

Freddie reciprocated it, and said, "I wish you the best of luck at finding Zepheniah Mann's ghost on Halloween."

"Thanks," Patten replied.

Then Freddie came up to Mickey, who only looked away. "I know this is hard for you to accept, Mickey. You've always been stubborn, but would you rather see me suffer than find some way to heal myself?"

Mickey clenched his fists, and then he relaxed them. "No, you shouldn't have to suffer because of your personal demons. I just thought that Patten, and Steve, and myself would be able to help you."

"And you have all helped me, numerous times, but this is something I must do alone."

"If you say so," Mickey said as he reluctantly hugged Freddie. "Be sure to write every once in a while, okay?"

"I'll try." Then Freddie stood before Steve. "Steve, you're the greatest friend a Scout could ever ask for, and there aren't enough words to express how much this hurts."

"You don't have to, Freddie," Steve said as tears welled up in his eyes. "I know."

"Before I go, I want you to have this." Freddie reached into his satchel and pulled out the book. "There are enough blank pages in it for you to tell your story."

"But isn't the story finished?" Steve asked, taking the book from Freddie's hands.

"It occurred to me when you visited two weeks ago that the story is never finished. While Bobbie and I may have had our own adventures, there are others who still need to tell their stories, and one of those people is you. Tell your story in this book, let your children do the same, and their children after them."

"So who's going to own Billow-End?"

"Billow-End is yours now. It'll be a good place for your children to grow up in."

After a moment of silence, Steve hugged Freddie so hard that Freddie almost chocked. Then Steve let go, and the two parted ways. While Freddie walked back to the gangway where Saxton, the Administrator, Gerald and Bobbie were boarding the cruiser, Steve, Mickey and Patten walked back to the Defender's base. The three Scouts looked back, and watched as the cruiser left the pier and sailed towards the setting sun.

The End