Zack woke up. He felt two shapes beside him. He felt one of them holding his hand. He looked up to see Julie looking back at me. " Julie?" he asked. She smiled. He got up hugging her tight. " My little girl." Julie hugs him tight. She touches the side of his face. " I'm so sorry baby." He whispered. " It's alright dad. It wasn't your fault." She looks down. " Dad there's something I never told you or mom." He nods. " I'm listening." Julie sighs. " I was pregnant with Dai's child. Dai came after it." Zack looks at her. " Why didn't you tell us sooner?" he asked. Julie sighs. " I couldn't bring myself too." Zack holds her close. " None of that matters."
Karia smiles. She holds them both close. Zack sighs. " I've missed the both of you so much." Karia nods. She touches the side of his cheek. She senses the air change around them. She smiles closing her eyes.
Shinji was at work when he heard his phone go off. " Hello?" he greeted. " Shinji…I need you here…now." Sniffed a voice. " Sam? What happened?" he asked. " Julie…Zack their both dead. Dai murdered the both of them." Shinji nearly dropped his phone. " I'm on my way."
Samantha was at her house holding Sacha. Sacha was crying into her chest. Samantha heard a knock at her door. She pulled away from Sacha gently to go and answer it. Shinji was standing there. His eyes had tears in them. She hugs him tight. Shinji hugs her back. " I've got my stuff ready. Sacha is ready as well." Shinji nods. He lets go so she could go and get her stuff.
Samantha returns with hers and Sacha's bags in hand. Sacha holds onto her mother's arm. Shinji leads them out to his car. Samantha got in the front. She looks at the house that her and Zack had once shared. I'm so sorry baby. I couldn't protect you. Shinji got in. He takes her hand gently. He rubs the back of it with his thumb. Samantha sighs. She looks away from the house as they pull away leaving the quiet, desolet house behind.
Fletch held Tyne close. Both of them were hurting over the loss of their boss. Someone who had taken them both in and helped them. The kids were holding their parents. Tyne snuggles close to Fletch. She hadn't said a word since she received the news. Fletch rubbed her back. He kisses her neck. " It will be alright." He whispered. His voice cracking. Tyne shakes her head. She buries her face in his shirt. He sighs. He lifts her up taking her back to their room. He lays her down on their bed. Tyne grabs him holding him close. " Don't leave." She begged. He nods laying by her. She closes her eyes unable to keep them open. She falls asleep in his arms.
Fletch decides to head to the hospital. He walked into Zack's room. He felt tears leak out of his eyes. " Hey boss." He looks down. He sniffs softly. He takes Zack's cold hand in his warm one. Fletch tries to keep from crying. " I never got to tell you this in person. I'm kinda lost for words at the moment." He keeps his voice steady. " You were a brother to me. You kept me together for so many years. I never got to thank you or return the favor." He holds Zack close. He kisses the top of Zack's head.
Fletch feels the room go cold for a while. He blacked out holding Zack.
Fletch wakes up in a white room. He looks around. He gets to his feet walking around. He sensed someone was standing behind him. He turns to find Zack standing behind him. Fletch hugs him tight. Zack smiles. " Fletch." Fletch looks up at him. Zack touches the side of his face. Fletch leans into his touch. " My little brother." He purred. Fletch smiles. " I love you so much. I need a favor." Fletch nods. " You are heading into a great battle. The Chuggineers are without someone to lead them. I'm counting on you Fletch." He begins to fade.
Fletch woke up. He looked down at Zack. " You have my word." He laid his boss down. He left the hospital. He snuck in going quietly to his room.
Two days pass….
Fletch was the first one up. He got on his armor. He felt someone hug him from behind. " You ready?" Whispered Tyne. He nods. His heart was doing flips in his chest. He grabbed his swords putting them on his belt as well. Tyne had on her visor and her heat blades. She held Fletch's hand gently. Fletch kissed her before pulling away. He got downstairs to find Shihzuka ready for battle as well. Fletch smiled. He heard a knock at his door. Brewster and Cormac were outside with Chug Patrol. Fletch nods to them. " Alright let's move out." Tyne walked side by side with him. Her heart was fluttering. She took Fletch's hand squeezing it harder. " Fletch." Fletch looks at her. " If I don't make it." He turns her around. " Of course you'll make it. Everyone will. We just need to stand and fight together." Tyne sighs. " I know but if I don't then…Just keep the family together." She hugs him tight. " I love you so much." Fletch kisses her.
She pulls away taking his hand again. Fletch walks with her and the rest of his team to Rocky Ridge Canyon. The sky overhead of them was speckled in light grey clouds. The air hung heavy and hot around them. The air didn't move like as if the canyon walls were holding their breathe. Fletch's team stood together side by side. Fletch took the head. He stood in front of his team watching the shadows ahead of them. His heart fluttered painfully in his chest. His hand never left his sword.
The silence was soon broken by the sound of marching. Dark shadows grew ahead of them and stopped.