Chapter Eleven
Elvis had his arms protectively around Penny's body. He had lost his girlfriend. Sam stood outside of the doorway. His gaze was on the floor. Charlie put a hand on his shoulder. "Sam her death wasn't your fault." he whispered. "Charlie she's the second person I've lost while being a firefighter. I couldn't save the last person and I couldn't save her. I'm not cut out to be a fireman." Charlie paled. "Sam you can't quit. This job has been your dream for years. PontyPandy needs you now." Sam looked at his brother. "This is a time of sorrow. Death is going to happen no matter where you go." Sam hugged Charlie tight. Charlie returned the hug just as tight. He rubbed his back. "No matter what Sam I'll be here to stand by you. You're my brother." Sam smiled weakly. "Thanks Charlie." Charlie wiped away Sam's tears. "Be strong for Elvis now. He's going to need you." Sam nodded. He walked into the room. He sat by his best friend putting a hand on his back. Elvis looked up at him. "I'm so sorry Elvis. She gave her life to protect me and for that I am grateful. She lived a good life. She isn't in pain anymore. She'll always be with you." he put his hand on Elvis' chest. "Right here. As long as you think of her, she'll be right here." Elvis sniffed. "Thanks Sam." Sam held Elvis close. "I'll make sure she gets a proper burial." Elvis buried his face in Sam's chest sobbing. Sam held him tight. "There there. Let it all out." Elvis cried himself to sleep. Sam stayed right by his side.
The ship touched down at the Air Force base. Penny's body was unloaded first. Penny's sister, Finley waited at the end of the runway. She was dressed in her white with gold trimmed Assassin's robe with her hood up concealing her face. Sam stood by the covered body. "I'm terribly sorry. I tried everything I could for her." Finley looked up at him. She smiled weakly. "It's okay. My sister was known for throwing herself out there for the good of others. It's what made her a great firefighter. The thing is." Finley gulped. "She left behind a son. He's been in my care and I promised that he would see his mother." Elvis perked up a bit. "I'll look after him." he vowed. Finley looked at him. "You sure?" Elvis nodded. "I was dating your sister for quite some time." Finley smiled. "That would be grand. I would continue to watch him but my duties as an assassin keep me busy." Elvis smiled a bit. "I would love to meet him." Sam rubbed his back. "Let's lay Penny to rest first Elvis." Elvis felt Sam put his arm around him. They prepared Penny's body. There was a church on the base that her casket was put out on display in. Elvis kept his gaze down. Sam kept his arm around him. Finley stood at the podium. She coughed into her hand gently. "I've known my sister ever since we were kids. She's been my light in the dark when I was going through some nasty times. She would have been a great mother if her life hadn't of been cut short." Sam felt his heart stop in his chest. It fell to his feet. "But let this be a time of remembrance in a world where there is no light. Let her death be the spark that starts the fire within you all." She put her hand in the air. " Revolution dans les rues. La justices est une riviere rouge!*" she shouted. She stood back from the podium. Elvis helped bury Penny's body in the graveyard near the base. He stood there for a couple of hours before walking back over to Sam and Finley. "I'll show you her son." Elvis nodded. Sam gave him a loving pat. "Go with her Elvis. I'll see you soon okay?" He hugged Elvis one last time. "You'll be a great father." Elvis smiled. He sniffed. He kissed Sam's cheek causing him to blush. Finley giggled softly. The both of them left the base with a military escort.
Hoshi walked into his parent's tent. "Dad." Charlie looked up at him. "Mom told me to tell you that she went to the park with the twins." He nodded. Charlie sighed crossing his arms. "I take it you miss being able to fish huh?" smirked Hoshi. Charlie laughed. "Yeah but I can't go fishing now even if I wanted to. Apparently some of the radiation contaminated the waters. They've put restrictions on fishing til the ocean get cleans up a bit." Hoshi nodded. Hoshi sat down next to his dad. "Also I've been asked to appear in court." Charlie paled. "They want to be able to talk about ending my probation so that way I can continue with me life." Charlie put a hand on his son's shoulder. Hoshi looked down a bit. "Hoshi that incident wasn't your fault. Norman caused you to snap. He did it on purpose." Hoshi held himself. "But was it worth putting Mandy in danger? Her parents won't let me be near her anymore." Charlie rubbed his back. Hoshi sighed softly. Hoshi then shivered. He got up. "We need to go now." Charlie nodded. He felt it too. Hoshi and Charlie ran out of the base. Charlie had a bad feeling wash over him. He heard Bronwyn scream in pain. Charlie picked up the pace. Bronwyn had both of the twins close to her. Hoshi growled. He got between the Ero brute and his mother. Charlie yanked his wife and the twins close. Hoshi growled lowly. The brute pulled out an energy sword. Hoshi dodged its attack. He tackled the brute into a tree. The both of them had at it. The Ero shoved Hoshi into a tree and raised its sword. Bronwyn's eyes widened. She got between them putting her arms up to protect Hoshi from harm. Hoshi looked up wondering why he hadn't a scar on him. Bronwyn was standing lifting up the blade with her arms. Blood dripped down her arm. She was shaking. The Ero growled. He slapped her away. He raised his blade again. Hoshi growled. He phased slamming into the Ero to protect his mother. His fangs bit into the Ero's neck. Poison entered his mouth causing him to howl in pain. "Hoshi!" yelled Bronwyn. She picked up the fallen energy sword. She charged at the Ero stabbing the blade into the Ero's chest cutting down. The Ero stilled against the tree. She panted.
Hoshi shook on the ground. He felt his body start to get cold. "No no no I'm not losing you." she whispered. She fetched a vial from her belt. She dropped a few drops into his mouth. Hoshi coughed. He held onto his mother. "You'll be okay." she whispered soothing him. Tears fell out of her eyes. She held Hoshi tighter as an Ero loomed over her. Charlie lunged forward. "NO!" He yelled. Another Ero came up behind him. It slammed its armored fist down on top of Charlie's head. Charlie fell to his knees. His world going black. The last thing he heard was Bronwyn whispering "I love you." and hearing her being torn apart. His hearing soon faded away afterwards.