Hi! So, here I am, back with another chapter. I know I'm pretty unreliable, but I'm trying to learn how to juggle a grown up life now, and it's really tough. (It may involve me getting into too many things at once over my head...) But I said I'd finish this thing one day, and I meant it. So, chapter 42!

This is the part I've been avoiding for the entire fic. I really didn't know what to do, but I couldn't stall any longer, so here it is. I hope it's not awful.

Reviews:

Linh Song: Aw, thank you!

Smiles: Dear friend! I can always count on you to lift my spirits and show me that I'm not updating in vain because at least one person reads! I am so torn on Keefe because I really dislike him in cannon, and even though I feel that Shannon should just kill him off in a redemptive (or not) arc, I also have become rather attached to the version of him that has grown in this fic. *sigh* I just don't know anymore. Thank you, though!
I don't actually watch Marvel stuff at all, but I hope you enjoyed. (or, whatever, I heard around that it was a little... dark) I do like DC, although I haven't seen any of their movies, just TV shows.

Guest: Wow, I'm glad you like it, thanks!

Also, huge thank you to emeraldrobyn for following me! Thank for taking a chance on my work!

So now, on to the story, if anyone is still out there...

Chapter 42:

Sophie squeezed Fitz's hand in terror as she stood beside Prentice's bed. She'd been waiting for this moment for a long time, but now that it was here, she couldn't help but be filled with self doubt. What if it didn't work?

Everything will be fine, Fitz reassured her, and Sophie smiled mentally at him. They'd become so much of one unit, that neither could imagine a world without the other.

On the other end of the room, Mr. Forkle and Tiergan stood on either side of Wylie, who looked as taught as a rubber band. Sophie peered over, waiting for the signal that they were ready. Wylie was the one who met her eyes at last.

"Bring my father back," he whispered.

Sophie steeled her nerves, cleared her mind, and touched Prentice's clammy temples.

Instantly, she was overwhelmed with the sharp, confusing jumble she'd felt before. She whispered words of encouragement, and followed the trail to the safe, warm nook in Prentice's mind. Once there, she sent him memories of Wylie, calling others from his mind to join. She sent him thoughts of her own happier moments, and the beautiful Alicorns with their coming baby. She shoved sweet, healing joy and peace into his mind, until he seemed ready to explode with it all. Suddenly, it sprang into a shape, and the pieces started to come together. In minutes, his mind was whole. Weak, and painfully confused, but whole.

Sophie allowed herself to fall back into Fitz's arms, gasping. Fitz hugged her tight while Wylie threw himself into his father's arms, and the two Black Swan leaders followed, holding onto their friend with huge smiles.

Of course, they weren't allowed to talk for several minutes, until Sophie had completely recovered and Prentice was feeling stable. But when at last they were sitting in a circle with hot tea in their hands, Prentice had a lot of questions. Some were too painful to answer, but they all did their best. At last, Sophie could stand it no longer.

"I'm sorry if this is a painful memory," she said, "but we have know. Why did you call Swan Song?"

Prentice frowned, as if that memory wasn't quite available yet. "It was something…" he began, then gasped.

"Some of the details are fuzzy," he said, "but I remember one thing."

He met every eye in the room. "I found out the endgame of the Lodestar Initiative."

At first, Sophie thought they already knew what Prentice was going to say. But as he spoke, it became sickeningly clear that they'd only scratched the surface.

"Gathering an army of indoctrinated children is only the beginning," he explained. "After they have neutralized any resistance in the Lost Cities, they plan to move on to the human world. They've already infiltrated hundreds of colleges, joining environmental and socialist groups. Once they have enough of a following, they'll convince the poor kids that humanity must be dealt with drastically, and get them to help."

"Drastically?" Fitz's voice was a rasp of worry. He gripped Sophie's hand tight, and she could feel his unsettlement.

"Extermination and imprisonment." Prentice said.

Tiergan and Mr. Forkle exchanged odd looks. "So the war is about humans after all," said Mr. Forkle at last. "We suspected, but we had no clue it went so far."

Prentice nodded grimly.

"Wait," Sophie suddenly realized she had a question. "I thought the elves believed in socialism?"

"While our society is basically socialist," Tiergan began, "it may not be the utopia that the Council wants us to think. But either way, we are elves. Humans have proved time and again that socialism brings their kind only misery and disaster. Honestly, it's the perfect way to cause humanity to implode."

"So," Fitz frowned, "you're saying the Neverseen have a smart, well thought out strategy?"

"Just because they are wrong and cruel doesn't mean they are unintelligent, Mr. Vacker," Mr. Forkle said.

Wylie, still glued to his Father's side, set his tea down on the table with a thump. "This is all very interesting," he said, "but when can I take my father home?"

Tiergan gripped his adopted son's arm with a tired smile. "Soon, Wylie, very soon. We just want to keep him overnight for observation."

Sophie let a smile ghost across her own lips as she listened to Wylie babble about wanting to go home and prepare, no he'd rather stay- no… She was glad he had some kind of happy ever after. But with all they'd learned, she knew there was work to be done to protect his joy, and the joy of countless other families, both elvin and human.

We should go to Alluveterre, she said to Fitz, letting Mr. Forkle overhear her transmission. We have a lot to talk about.

Mr. Forkle gave her a small nod of permission, slid the crystal across the table to them, and the two teens slipped out. Just as Sophie made it to the doorway, Wylie jumped up.

"Sophie!"

She turned.

"I- I just wanted to say thanks." He twisted his fingers. "For everything."

Sophie smiled. "Thank you, Wylie. For not hating me through all this."

Fitz took her hand, and together they walked up the stairs.

"So that's why I don't think we can wait any longer," Sophie finished. She'd explained the whole thing to Tam and Linh, and the twins' seemed deep in thought.

Danny, who was still decidedly attached to Sophie, was sitting in her lap playing happily with her various necklaces and bangles. He giggled at the cold slosh of her allergy medicine, and almost caused an uproar when he tried to push her panic switch. He occasionally spoke to her in Russian, and she'd answer, poking his nose or belly playfully.

"I agree," Linh said, creating and dispersing rainclouds absently. "If we're going to stop the Neverseen, we can't afford to waste another moment deliberating."

Tam tossed the shadow ball in his hands back and forth. "You're right," he said. "Feelings aside, we have to stop this."

"How are we going to go about it, though?" Sophie carefully detangled Danny's fingers from her Sucker Punch.

"I have an idea," Fitz began, but then he was cut off.

Someone barged into the room, making them all turn in surprise. Keefe stood in the doorway, pale and thin and seeming somehow wild. "Call the others," he said unceremoniously. Sophie felt her gut wrench at the sight of him, but there was something cold and savage in his eyes, something that scared her. All that was quickly forgotten, though, when he opened his mouth again.

"The Lodestar Initiative is about to enter phase three."