The members of the combat division wandered back onto the center courtyard. The friends smiled at each other.
"Looks like we're the only ones still here," Emm said quietly. "Guess us fighters really are the biggest morons.
"Or we're just the most stubborn," Fred replied, stepping up to meet them. Gradually, the Battlefront combat division formed a rough circle, some sitting on the ground and benches, others standing stiff on their feet.
Leonard had brought a chair. As they watched, he sat, tapping away on his laptop. After a space, he clasped it closed.
"There. I have finished recording all that has occurred. Now there is a record for the ones who come after."
Leonard scratched his neck. "I am sorry that I made such a big deal about you all calling me Christ. I always thought religion was ridiculous, and wished to mock it. The joke being, I am very far from the worth of a messiah." He rocked forward in his chair.
"Well, I suppose this is it. Thanks for the adventure, all of you. Now I know I am capable of far more than I ever dreamed."
As they watched, the chair rocked back, empty.
There was a cough. Emmanuel abruptly stepped forward, face pink. "All right, I'm going to get this over with before I lose my nerve. So, all I want to say is that I got what I always wanted. The chance to kick some a**!"
He waited a moment. Nothing happened. Emmanuel coughed again. "Uh, I mean, I got to use some seriously massive weapons!" The wind blew through the trees. Emmanuel kicked the dirt. "I mean, all I wanted was to teach punks a lesson!"
Emmanuel huffed, puffing his lanky hair out of his eyes. He groaned. Then, the New Yorker turned to his leader.
"Hey, Fred? I really appreciate everything. Thanks for giving me a cause to fight for."
They stared at awe at the spot where Emmanuel had stood. "Did Emm actually saw thank you?" Luke said eventually. That was able he could manage to say.
After a pause had pasted, Richie hoisted himself up off the bench. "Well heck, I'm just glad to have met all of you guys." Their friend planted his hands on his extensive sides, and smiled up at the sky. "Isn't a nice day out?"
Jake crossed his arms, refusing to stare at the spot where Richie had stood. "This is ridiculous!" he sputtered. "It's just like those times we tried to reach the Guild, only this time…"
Beside him, Elly gave him a nudge. "It's all right. We're all just as uncertain as you. But there's no point in being afraid."
Jake didn't seem totally convinced. They could see him struggling to hold onto his trademark aggression, tightening his grip on his weapon. "Jerks, what were they thinking, just shooting off like that? They don't even know where they're going! What if they're in trouble, and need our help? Wait, no, I mean-"
"Ha! Caught you!" Fred exclaimed, pointing a finger at Jake. "Caught you being sweet! You've got a sweet side to you, don't you?"
Jake squirmed under Fred's smile. "No, yes, whatever!" His body gradually relaxed.
"But thanks for noticing."
Elliot took a breath, and moved in closer to the circle to fill in the gap that had formed. "Well, if I had the time, I guess I could probably prepare a speech for the occasion. You know, about my pride, and how I always felt the need to set myself apart as special. But I guess that really isn't necessary.
"You guys would have stuck with me regardless of my talents. Thanks for the ride, it rocked. I'll see ya."
It was at this point that Mike started struggling to control himself. He could feel emotion pounding at him, but he refused to break down. Not when those around him were managing bravery.
He felt a light prod in the side. Hannah was staring at him intently. It took him several seconds before he was able to realize she was holding something.
"Hold this for me please, will you?" Hannah said, carefully folding her Teddy into Mike's arms. As she stood up, her friends eyed her in shock, minds buzzing. Hannah, letting someone else hold her Teddy Bear? But that was impossible! She would never trust another with something that important.
Once Hannah reached the center of the circle, her certainty of what happened next ran out. She knew what she had to say, but how… Ugh, this was so stupid.
"Well, uh, everyone, hello. I know I don't usually, well, say things. But now I'd like to say a few words.
They eagerly crowded in. Hannah gulped. Fred gestured furiously, and everyone gave the girl some space.
"Well, I've very glad that everything I trained for was able to be effectively utilized. I'm sorry that we didn't get to meet God in this life, but there may be other chances. Well, actually…
What's going on, Hannah fretted. Why am I like this? I've never so uncertain before. "Actually, I want to tell you that I'm changing my quest. When I was alive, I was hurt by my father. Ever since then, I have wanted to harm him in return.
"But I've decided that he isn't worth the effort. So, instead of vengeance, my new quest in whatever world comes after will be to protect. I know I will have to undergo new training, to succeed in this. But… I think it will be worth it. To be able to care for others, and be cared for in return. And to protect them from harm in whatever way I can."
Finally, Hannah turned to one member of the ring. No, don't you dare, she thought. No. No, stop that right now. Darn it you stupid face, don't give me away!
Ignoring her burning cheeks, she stared into Luke's surprised face. "Luke, I want you to know that you can do things that no one else can. You are special. Especially to me.
Mike could almost feel the air rushing into the space where Hannah had been, such was the speed of her escape.
Luke did not move. His mouth hung open, and Mike wasn't sure that he was still blinking. Gingerly, Mike laid the stuffed animal on Luke's lap.
"Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears. Sing with me, just for today. Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will come take you away," TK sang out, twirling forward. Abruptly he pointed at the sky. "Whoa! Check it-that radical hoobazam, man!"
As they craned their necks up to see just what a radical hoobazam was, they heard a familiar chuckle. "Ha! Classic! Fool'em and love'em. See ya dudes!"
Mike knew what had occurred before he finished looking back down.
"Harrumph!" Someone snorted. Alfred suddenly stood up, and began to stride away, muttering to himself. "I think I'll find somewhere private to settle my own affairs. This is a serious matter, and in any case I'm sure known of you would care…"
Mike turned as the younger boy strode past, giving him a subtle nudge in the side. Albert came to a total stop. "Don't be a moron, Albert," Mike said teasingly. "I swear, you're just like the rest of us."
Albert paused, and the haughty bearing that he wore folded at the edges. "I'm with the rest of you?" he managed.
Across from them, Fred nodded her agreement. "Of course. Every great leader needs a cynical advisor. You've been a load of help. When you weren't being a complete psychopathic mastermind, of course."
Albert rubbed his neck. "Yeah…"
"I've very proud of you Albert," Mike said. "Your life is amazing."
Albert ducked his head, so no one could see his eyes. "Hmmpth. Well, if you say so Mike, then I'll believe. I guess I best go and live it."
Finally, Luke blinked. Gradually, his legs gave out, and he slumped to the ground. As his friends looked on in concern, they heard a short statement, wrapped in awe.
"She… she thinks I'm special."
Fred hugged herself. Now that her army of friends had left, the war leader seemed far less formidable. Mike could almost believe she was a normal teenage girl. Then she glanced his way, and he felt the burn of her familiar spark. He held her gaze. For a moment, he saw something soften.
Harry yawned, craning his back against the bark of a tree as he stretched. The four remaining friends moved together. Mike saw movement out of the corner of his eye, and glanced around. His eyes widened in surprise.
Harry whistled. "Hey, look who's back," he said in reply to the group of normal students that were beginning to traverse the halls. This world is healing itself, Mike realized. It's returning to normal.
"It's kinda weird with just us four here, huh?" Fred observed, rolling her shoulders. She took a breath. Abruptly she turned and saluted Emily. "Emily, I'm really sorry that it took me so long to come around. Actually, I wish we could have had time to hang out. I'm glad that I finally got to know you."
Emily returned the salute.
Next she turned to her chief lieutenant. "Well Harry, It's been great. You've been with me from the very beginning. Thank you for always putting up with me, and knowing what I really needed. I respect you so much."
Ignoring Fred's salute, Harry stepped forward, and pulled his friend into a bear hug.
When she was released, Fred finally looked at Mike. "Well, Mr. Muttonhead," she began.
"Looks like I was right to want you with me. You've helped a lot, and now I'm ready to face whatever adventure comes next. Michael, thanks for helping me win the fight."
The leaf that had been trapped by Fred's foot floated up, and tumbled away. Mike felt a lightness at the top of his head, as something very large had just flew over him.
Harry glanced at his two remaining friends and whistled. The youth's good-natured face, lean and open, broke into one last grin.
"Well, to be honest, I think I've been ready to go for a while. I was just staying around to make sure you didn't mess everything up, Mike. Hey, give me a high five."
Mike obliged, moving his hands up to meet his friend's.
"See ya, man," Harry chuckled. Mike felt warmth between his fingers, then the open air.
In the tree above them, a series of clicks sounded as a squirrel energetically attempted to break a nut against the trunk.
Mike and Emily were alone. "Are you doing okay, Emily?" Mike asked."You haven't said anything in a while."
Emily looked up from the ground. "Yes. I thought it was more appropriate to listen. I am all right. It was just all very sad at the end. It doesn't seem fair to me.
Emily scratched at the ground with her shoe. "It doesn't seem fair that these people should live such difficult lives, and then be conduced to leave their true friends. I love God, but I there is much that I do not understand. Sometimes, despite how much I don't want to… I doubt that he cares."
Mike glanced at her. "That's okay. I'm pretty sure everyone does that. And they do it for a reason.
They stood in companionable silence for a few minutes. It wasn't an awkward silence though, Mike realized. When he was with Emily, he was just happy to be with her.
"Hey," he spoke finally. "Want to go for a walk?"
A/N. No, arg, no, I just don't want it to end. But I'd be selling out if I dragged this out just because I wanted to. This is the next to last chapter, friends. The final chapter of Angel Beats comes tomorrow.