A Different Way
Author: TUCfan
Pairing: Gregor/Luxa or Gluxa, Ares/Aurora or Aurores
Rating: T (it's TUC)
Description: A different way things could have ended. The beginning of the Ares is Alive timeline.
Disclaimer: I do not and will not ever own the Underland Chronicles, including any and all words borrowed from the fifth installment of the series, Gregor and the Code of Claw, which will be in italics. They belong to the wonderful author Suzanne Collins. If I did own them, I wouldn't be writing FanFiction, now would I?
Author's Note: Welcome to my fourth story. This is how I think the end could have gone, rather than how it did go. Do you think it could go differently? If so, leave your thoughts on how in the review section, I'd love to hear them.
Song: Written while listening to the ZREO Twilight Symphony Selections, an amazing rendition of the soundtrack from the hit Nintendo game Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
"Get out!" Gregor cried. "Get out, Ares!" He had a terrible sense of dread. Something was wrong about their position, their proximity to the Bane. Even before his bat opened his wings, Gregor knew there was no way they could clear the claws. He thrust his sword in the Bane's direction but it was too late. "Ares!" Gregor cried. "No!" Everything seemed to move in slow motion as the rat caught Ares's wing, spun him around so they were face-to-face, and pulled him forward.
As the Bane opened his jaws wide, an idea came to Gregor. At the last possible second, instead of dropping Solovet's dagger, he swapped it to his right hand and threw it as hard as he could down the throat of the Bane. The rat gave a strangled roar and released Ares, throwing his head back as he did so.
"Get in close!" cried Gregor. The bat obliged, and as soon as they were close enough, Gregor took his sword in both hands and thrust it up into the jaw of the Bane. With an almighty crash, the Scourge of the Underland fell backwards, his paw swinging up and swiping Gregor off the back of Ares. He landed several feet away in a heap and made no move to get up.
The Bane lay dead, the sword of Sandwich and Gregor embedded into his skull. Ares and Gregor had been successful. The Underland was saved.
However, Gregor fared almost no better than the white rat. The blow had left five long, jagged gashes in his chest.
Ares frantically gathered Gregor in his wings. "Gregor? Hold on. I will get us out of here," he said. Gregor only groaned in reply.
Far away, a pure, blue light appeared. It must be the light people talked about. The ones who'd had near-death experiences. You went down a tunnel. There was a light. People you'd loved who had already died were reaching for you.
Ares groaned at the sight of the Shiners appearing. This would not end very pleasantly for him. He did his best to get Gregor onto his back.
The pain left his body and Gregor had the sensation he was flying. He was gliding closer and closer to the beautiful blue light. In a few seconds he would reach it. He was almost there.
Then everything went black.
The first thing that registered with him was sound. He could hear a number of things at once. Whispers of two people. The shifting of a blanket. The shuffling of claws above him. He wondered where he was.
"Are you certain he will be alright?" asked one voice.
"Yes, I am. He is in a completely stable condition. He merely sleeps to finish healing and regain energy," said the other.
They spoke too quietly for him to decipher their identities, but Gregor assumed one was a doctor and both were Underlanders, based on their speech patterns and language.
"I know you wish for him to wake soon, cousin, but we must let him awaken in his own time. He needs much rest to recuperarate," said the second voice.
"I know. I only wish for his guidance and presence," said the first voice. Female, it was. The second voice was male. Their voices had grown slightly louder. Or maybe he had woken up more? He wasn't sure which.
Both voices were quiet for a moment, before the male sighed and presumably rubbed his jaw, based off the scratching of stubble.
"I know, cousin, that I told both you and Gregor that a relationship between the two of you could not work. I also know that my words would not and are not stopping either of you. I assume, if he was to stay, as you so wish, that he would become your champion, as the Warrior. The council, when they are reformed, cannot object to him as a potentiel suitor due to his status and feats," said the male. Howard, Gregor deduced.
"Why do you bring this up to me?" asked the female voice, who Gregor knew to be Luxa.
"Because he will wake soon. And if you get your way, which I assume you will, then it will happen. I only wish to apologize for where I previously stood on the matter. The Gregor I knew then is different from this Gregor. This Gregor gave his life for our people. He has fought and knows the way of war, but continues to wish for peace. He has the makings of a good king," said Howard.
Luxa was silent for a moment. When she spoke again, Gregor could detect a slight tremor in her tone.
"I fear he will not awaken. Or, if he does, he will not be able to stay. I know that with Vikus in his condition, and with the rest of the council dead, Regalia will fall to me. I sincerely hope I will have Gregor at my side to ease the burden. I do not know what the struggle would be like without him."
All of his worries of how she felt about him melted away. Yes, he had her put in the dungeon, but it was for her own good. She must have realized that by now.
"Rest assured, cousin, he will not leave you without a fight. I have seen the way he looks at you. There is love in his eyes," said Howard.
Gregor cracked his eyes open. He wasn't in the hospital. Instead, he appeared to be in a bedroom. Ares and Aurora hung from the ceiling. Howard and Luxa stood by the side of his bed.
"I am relieved that I may share these concerns with you, cousin. I am glad you are not one to see the battlefield," said Luxa. And then she did something quite out of character. She hugged Howard.
"As am I, cousin. As am I," returned Howard.
Gregor then tried to speak. Unfortunately, thanks to weeks of disuse, his words came out as only a groan. Immediately, Luxa and Howard turned to him. He opened his eyes further.
"Gregor! I did not expect to see you awake this soon. How do you feel?" asked Howard, immediately setting his bag on the side of the bed and opening it. Luxa clutched his hand tightly.
"Bad," croaked Gregor. Both Howard and Luxa smiled at his words. The latter lifted a cup of water to his lips for him to drink.
"I hate to say it, but that is good. That means you have no damaged nerves and can feel properly," said Howard. "I do not expect you to be able to move yet, but with how much sooner you are awake, do not be surprised if you can move everything in the next few days."
Gregor tried to nod and failed. Instead, he opted for an "okay" and sighed, closing his eyes. Luxa took his hand. Gregor opened his eyes again. Brown met violet, and he found that he could not tear his gaze away. A silent question that he could not understand lay in her eyes.
Sensing their mood, Howard finished his checkup and excused himself from the room. His leaving shattered the spell, and the two averted their gazes.
"You need to continue resting, Gregor. I may not be here when you awake next, but your family will be," said Luxa.
"Where are they? Where is here?" asked Gregor.
"Here is the royal palace. You were in stable enough condition to be moved from the hospital, so I had you brought here for peace away from too many people. Your family is resting in another room. There was not room here with Ares, and he refused to leave your side," said Luxa.
Gregor smiled at that. His face hurt doing it, but he didn't care.
"How is he?" he asked.
"He waits by your side every day. He brought you back to the battlefield a bloody mess, and from there to the Regalian hospital, where you entered emergency surgery. They would not allow him to enter, but he waited for you. He has very hardly left your side since," said Luxa. "Aurora waits with him to keep him company."
"Only Aurora?" asked Gregor. He had thought that with the defeat of the Bane, his bond might be treated better. Apparently, he was wrong.
"She is the only Flier I allow into this room. When you were in the hospital, he would not be left alone. Many came to him to thank him for defeating the Bane with you," said Luxa, smiling.
"They're treating him better?" said Gregor in surprise.
"They no longer hold resentment for him. Not that he particularly cares, I think. Still, it is good to know he will face no persecution without you," said Luxa.
Gregor nodded and yawned, then winced. Pain flared up in his chest if he inhaled too deeply. He must be pretty banged up underneath his clothes.
"Rest now, Gregor. You need much time to heal," said Luxa.
Gregor closed his eyes, and, just as he slipped back into unconsciousness, felt Luxa press her lips to his forehead lightly.
The next time he awoke, Luxa was gone, but his family sat in his room talking to Ares.
"After that episode, Boots was never allowed to have balloons inside the apartment again," said Gregor's dad. Ares gave a low huh-huh-huh in response.
Somehow, it didn't surprise Gregor that his dad was there. It just seemed natural for him to have come when they needed him most.
They went on to explain the obsession Boots had with the bats at the zoo, and Ares and Aurora were mortified to hear that such things existed.
"You mean that humans simply watch the animals in captivity?" asked Aurora.
"It's mostly so people can learn about them up close. The animals don't mind, since they're not like you guys. They don't think like you guys," said Lizzie.
"They don't rescue their bond from the brink of death like you guys do, either," cut in Gregor, his voice rusty. Lizzie and Boots gave a squeal of delight and rushed to one side of his bed. Ares took the other side.
"They do not help their bond slay the Scourge of the Underland like we do, either," said Ares. He extended his claw forward, and Gregor, in a feat of wonder, lifted his hand and joined it with his bond.
"How do you feel?" asked Lizzie.
"Do you want the easy answer, or the accurate answer?" replied Gregor, groaning slightly.
"That awful sound you made is enough," said his dad. "What do you remember?"
"I killed the Bane, the Bane whacked me, Ares rescued me. That's about it," said Gregor. He didn't want to tell them about what he overheard Luxa and Howard discussing. He would save that conversation for Luxa herself.
"You have slept for a long time. The battle ended a month ago," said Ares. Gregor's dad took Boots and exited, likely to give Gregor some privacy with his bond. He motioned for Lizzie to follow, but she held up a finger to indicate she would be out in a moment.
Gregor's eyes widened in surprise. He knew he had slept for a while, because how could he not? But a month? "What have I missed?" he asked.
"After the battle. Ripred was thought lost, but returned some days ago. He is in bad condition, but on the mend. The gnawers have surrendered, but the war has yet to be officially ended. Luxa wanted to wait for you, since you are the Warrior. Other than that, nothing. The city mends. The dead are buried, and the injured heal. Yourself included," said Ares.
"Good to know. Where is Luxa? And everyone else for that matter?" asked Gregor.
"My bond is swamped with duties, since the council was wiped out. Mareth assists her in any way he can. Howard remains in the hospital, but checks on you routinely. Your family and Ares have all stayed with you," said Aurora.
"Has Luxa been handling everything alone besides Mareth helping her?" asked Gregor.
"York advises her through letters from the Fount, and Ripred has started giving her pointers, but that's it," said Lizzie.
"She is in need of help. She will be glad to have you back," said Ares. Gregor smiled at that.
"I wanted to talk to her anyway. I'll tell her I've got her back then," said Gregor.
Lizzie muttered something about a heart, but Gregor couldn't quite hear her. Ares and Aurora both gave bat laughs. Gregor narrowed his eyes.
"Something you want to share with the class, Lizzie?" said Gregor.
Lizzie simply smiled innocently and walked out.
"I believe your sister implied there is another part of Luxa you have," said Ares.
"And what would that be?" asked Gregor flatly, raising an eyebrow.
"Her heart," said Aurora. Gregor blushed and attempted to come up with an excuse, but failed. He settled instead on a change of subject.
"Like you two aren't enamored with each other," he said.
Both Ares and Aurora instantly attempted a denial, but Gregor would hear none of it. "You seriously want me to believe you two feel nothing but friendship for each other after I see you act the way you do? Get outta here."
Aurora came up with an excuse about finding Luxa so she could talk to Gregor and left.
Ares fixed him with a stare. "Thank you, Overlander, for your impressive tact," he said flatly.
Gregor smiled at him. "Anytime."
A comfortable silence settled between the two, but Gregor had a feeling that Ares wanted to say more.
"Do you really believe that Aurora and I act in a way that would imply something like that?" he asked.
"Are you kidding me? You two are ridiculous. She's bonded to the queen-to-be and you're bonded to the great Warrior. You could be with anyone you wanted. And yet, here you are, together, as always. It wouldn't surprise me if a little black and golden bat was learning to fly soon," said Gregor.
Ares simply stared at him. Gregor smiled back.
More often than not, he awoke from a nightmare. He would fall asleep relatively early, only to violently awaken some time later. In the morning, dark circles could be seen under his eyes. He would guess that he wasn't getting the full night of sleep his body required.
However, tonight was different. Tonight, he simply couldn't sleep at all.
He had tried laying in all different sorts of positions, doing his multiplication tables, and even counting sheep. None of it worked. Sleep simply would not come to him.
Resigned to his tired fate, he rolled onto his back and gazed up at the ceiling.
"Why is my life like this?" he thought to himself. "If I do end up being able to sleep, I'll just wake up again from another nightmare. How am I supposed to maintain that life back home?"
A thought that had occurred to him was that soon, he would have to return to the Overland. He dreaded it, knowing that he would be expected to pick up his life and live how he had used to.
"I'm not that person anymore. I've changed so much. How can I simply go back and act like it never happened?" he wondered to himself. "I simply can't. It cannot be done."
With those thoughts, he finally slipped into a quiet slumber.
It wasn't long before Gregor was able to sit up in bed, and a bit after that, move his legs around. During all the time he was healing, he was visited by each of his friends and family besides Vikus, who was still healing himself, and Luxa, who was too busy with negotiations. As soon as she woke up in the morning, she went straight to meetings that lasted the whole day, with only short breaks for meals. Most of the few times Gregor saw her, she was coming back to her room for bed, and he could see how exhausted she was.
One night, when everyone else was sleeping, Gregor slipped out of bed. Luxa had not yet returned, and the rest of his family were in their room. Ares hung from the ceiling in his room, and Aurora likely the same from Luxa's room. He didn't know where Hazard was.
Quietly, he made his way into the living room and sat down on one of her comfortable armchairs. He knew it would be a little while before she would return, so he settled down to wait.
"What am I even going to say to her?" he thought to himself.
Just then, the curtain was swept aside, and Luxa strode in, shoulders slumped with exhaustion.
"Luxa! I didn't expect you back so soon," said Gregor. Truly, he hadn't. Had it not been for the conversation he had overheard between her and Howard, he would have been feeling apprehensive toward her, unknowing if she resented him for placing her in the dungeon. But now, he knew that she at least somewhat wanted him. What he didn't get was why she wouldn't come to see him at all. He knew her meetings were incredibly tiring, but there were a few instances in which he had tried to wait for her and been disappointed.
"My meeting let out early," she said curtly. She moved to walk into her bedroom, but stopped at the sound of Gregor's voice.
"Wait, Luxa. Can I talk to you, please? I've barely gotten to see you recently," he said.
"We are speaking now, are we not?" she said, turning back to him, but not meeting his eyes.
"You know what I mean. I haven't held an actual conversation with you since I woke up. Why are you avoiding me?" said Gregor. "Jumping straight into it. Nice job, Gregor," he thought to himself.
Luxa made no move to answer, only standing there, arms wrapped around herself.
"Whatever it is, please, tell me. I can't stand not talking to you at all," said Gregor.
Finally, she met his eyes. "I have been busy, that much is true. But I have avoided you as well, Gregor. I fear I may have turned you away from me with my words when I was put into the dungeons," she said slowly.
Realization dawned on Gregor. The first thing he had done when he had awoken was to ask her several questions, but made no move to ask her about herself. He had barely responded when she had kissed him on the forehead. She must have thought he had lost his love for her.
He strode forward and took her hands in his. "Luxa, that couldn't be further from the truth. Yeah, you said some nasty stuff, but I know for a fact you didn't mean it. Did you not get the letter I sent to you after we left?" said Gregor.
She shook her head, and he furrowed his brow. "It must have been lost during the battle. I gave it to Lizzie to give to you, since I thought I was going to die," said Gregor. She cast her eyes downward.
"Do not speak of such things, Gregor. I nearly lost you as it is," said Luxa quietly.
"Hey, I'm here, alright? I'm perfectly okay. I promise you. The only thing that was bothering me was this," he said.
She nodded and reached forward, wrapping her arms around his neck. He wound his arms around her waist and sighed in contentment. She laid her head against his shoulder.
"I am afraid that we will be separated," said Luxa, voice muffled.
"My mom still wants to head to Virginia," said Gregor. "I don't want to go. Neither do Lizzie and Boots."
"Would we be able to write?" asked Luxa.
"I don't know. Probably not. Virginia is really far from New York," he said. "But we might not even go. At least, I hope we won't."
"It may be selfish of me, but I hope not as well," said Luxa. "I do not know how well I would do without you."
And just like that, he had found his way to bring up the conversation.
"Luxa, do you remember the night I woke up?" asked Gregor. She nodded. "I overheard you talking to Howard."
She looked up at him then. "What did you hear?" she asked.
"Pretty much everything. Including a certain queen-to-be hoping I'd stay by her side," said Gregor pointedly. Luxa cast her eyes downwards.
"I meant what I said, Gregor. Your presence alone is a comfort to me. I do not wish to pressure you into staying when this place has done much to hurt you, but I need you. I need your strength, not as the Warrior, but as Gregor," she said. "I do not know if I have the strength to do this on my own."
"Luxa, listen to me," said Gregor, placing a finger under her chin to draw her gaze up to him. "I don't care if this place has hurt me. I want to stay here. I won't ever fit in up in the Overland anymore. They wouldn't ever be able to understand me, and I wouldn't ever be able to tell them what I've gone through. Here, though, you all know me. You understand. I don't have to worry here."
She smiled. "I take it you wish to stay?" she asked.
"I do. With you. Even if all I ever do is end up as your bodyguard, or your champion, or whatever, I'll be content," he said. He swallowed. "I love you, Luxa."
She smiled wider. "I love you, too, Gregor," she said, before reaching up and kissing him.
Some time later, after Gregor had been going through some exercises to get himself back into shape, Lizzie sneaked into his room. Though his back was turned towards the door, he could see her fidgeting nervously through echolocation. "What's up with her?" He thought to himself.
"Gregor?" she asked hesitantly. "Can I talk to you, real quick?"
He turned and smiled at her. "Sure, Lizzie. What's up?" he asked, sitting on his bed and motioning for her to as well.
"Well, I've been thinking. Being the sister of the Warrior, and the Codebreaker, I'm pretty important to the humans, right?" she said, twiddling her thumbs and playing with her fingers.
"I'd say so, yeah. I don't think we could have won the war without you," said Gregor, smiling genuinely at her. She smiled back.
"Thank you. That means a lot," she said. "If it's true, that I mean a lot to them, then I think I've figured out a way for us to stay here, instead of going to Virginia."
Immediately, Gregor snapped to attention. "What? What do you mean? Tell me everything," he demanded.
"Well, alright. But it only would work if the humans really do value me. And, if Ripred is willing to accept..."
Before long, the official surrender was upon them. Ripred would be representing the gnawers, and with all he had been doing with Luxa, it meant there was truly, finally, a chance for peace.
The ceremony was to take place in the arena. Those who worked there had been doing their best to patch the large holes that the moles had left. All in all, Gregor thought they had done a good job. As he followed Luxa to the center, where the negotiations were to take place, he could see few places where the war had left marks. The places that had yet to be taken care of were easily avoided as he followed his queen.
It was only until he entered the circle at the center of the arena did he see who had been chosen for the delagations. In the ring stood Luxa, Mareth, York, himself, Lizzie, Ares, Aurora, Nike, Queen Athena, Temp, some cockroaches Gregor didn't know, Ripred, Lapblood, two half-grown pups with her, a handful of spiders, mice, and moles, and the two fireflies, though no one knew why they were there. The rest of his family were seated in the stands, along with the majority of Regalia.
Luxa stepped into the middle and beckoned Gregor and Lizzie to follow her. Ripred, Lapblood, and the two pups stepped up as well. The buzzing of conversations died away.
"Today, we gather to mark the end of a costly war. Currently, the humans, fliers, nibblers, spinners, crawlers, and shiners stand victorious over the gnawers and diggers. I welcome you, leaders of the gnawers, to this peaceful place where we may negotiate the end. What say you, Ripred, leader of the gnawers?" said Luxa, in what Gregor dubbed her queen voice.
Ripred drew himself to his full height. "I give my thanks. Now, as is clear, we have surrendered. What are the first terms you set for us?" said Ripred, somehow seeming more grand than Gregor had ever seen him.
"The terms are as follows: firstly, and foremost, the gnawers shall agree to peace with all gathered peoples present, knowing full well that this means laws of each land must be followed accordingly," said Luxa regally.
"We agree to these terms," replied Ripred. Gregor didn't know if this had been rehearsed or if the rat was simply making it up as he went along, but he thought it was going smoothly.
"Secondly, the gnawers and diggers shall make a full repayment to the nibblers for the actions made against them during and just before the War of Time," said Luxa. She stared down Ripred. Ripred stared back. It was a battle of wills. Gregor knew with absolute certainty that this moment was vital.
Ripred was the first to back down. "We agree to these terms," he replied, barely covering a sigh. Mentally, Gregor cheered.
"Thirdly, and finally, the gnawers, as well as each united peoples present, will agree to meet the needs of any creature found in their land, regardless of species, as a true sign of unity," finished Luxa, gazing all around the ring. Each appointed leader stepped forward and held out their hand, or whatever filled the place of one. Though it was odd to his Overlander nature, Gregor could not help but smile at the sight. There was not one leader left outside of the group. All had agreed.
All who had gathered together stepped back into the edge of the ring, save Luxa and Ripred. "As treaties have never lasted before, a substitution has been made in place of one, to act as the representation of this agreement," said Luxa. She turned to Lizzie, who confidently stepped forward.
"Lizzie the Codebreaker has suggested a bond between herself and Ripred the Peacemaker. What say you, Ripred?" said Luxa.
Judging by his lack of surprise, Gregor knew this had been discussed beforehand. It made him smile, knowing his sister had gotten to be a part of such an important day.
"I accept," said Ripred, ambling forward and sitting back on his haunches. He then raised his right paw, and Lizzie did the same with her hand.
"Lizzie the human, I bond to you. Our life and death are one, we two. In dark, in flame, in war, in strife, I save you as I save my life," said Ripred.
"Ripred the gnawer, I bond to you. Our life and death are one, we two. In dark, in flame, in war, in strife, I save you as I save my life," repeated Lizzie.
All those in the arena cheered as Ripred and Lizzie smiled at each other. "This bond is made as an agreement between the humans and the gnawers, as the two races most likely to war against each other. Now, I ask that the leaders of each peoples present step forward," said Luxa. Each did so, raising their hands as they had before. "I, as the leader of Regalia and the humans, propose this: a bond between peoples, that we may come to the aid of each other whenever it is needed."
A ripple of murmurs swept through the crowd. Gregor raised his eyebrows, but made no objection.
Luxa was the first to speak. "Fliers, gnawers, nibblers, crawlers, spinners, diggers, and shiners, we humans bond to you. Our lives, our deaths, are one, we two. In dark, in flame, in war, in strife, we save you as we save our lives," she announced.
Each leader followed her example, making the bond to all other species there. When the last bond was made, Luxa stepped back into the middle of the ring.
"Let us celebrate this day, as the end of war, and as the beginning of peace!" she announced grandly.
A cheer arose. Gregor smiled. Finally, after all he had fought, bled, and nearly died for as the Warrior, peace had been made. He couldn't think of a better way it could have gone.
Soon, it was time for them to leave. Despite the fact that Gregor and Ares were still bonded, and now Lizzie and Ripred, Grace still wanted to head home.
A small party had gathered on the docks to see them off. Ares and Aurora would be flying the family and Luxa to the Central Park entrance to bid them goodbye. Ripred would use the tunnels that led to the entrance, rather than fly.
On the dock, Hazard, Howard, Dulcet, Mareth, and Nike stood, waiting to see them off. Gregor whispered to each of them that he would see them soon. A smile, a hug, and a wave were given to each, and then they were off.
It was only a short flight later that they came to the mouth of the tunnels back to Central Park. Ares, carrying Gregor, Luxa, and Boots, took the lead and headed into the entrance. Through echolocation, Gregor was able to see Ripred running along with them.
Soon, the tunnels they flew through changed from natural stone walls to bricks, and he was reminded of his very first trip to the Underland using the Central Park entrance. Two rats had been chasing him, and he had hung down from the small hole to hide from them. He hadn't even known Ares would be there to catch him.
Now, he sat on the back of his best friend, flying away from his true home. His arms encircled the waist of the girl he loved, and his mentor raced across the floors of the tunnel below him.
"So much has changed. I am not the boy I once was. My family is whole again, and I have gained an entire second family. How do I go forward now?" he thought to himself. "In the best way possible. I do what I can for my both of my families, now. Whatever it may entail."
He tightened his arms around Luxa's waist. She turned her head to look back at him and smiled. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
"Remember, whenever it is that you need us, just call, and we'll answer," he said.
She nodded, and their conversation ceased as they touched down at the entrance to Central Park.
No one in the family spoke as they dismounted. They simply gathered together and waited for everyone to have their attention.
"I know this seems like a final goodbye to all of you," started Gregor. "But hear me when I say, you four are some of the most important people in my life. There's no way I could leave you. The Underland has become just as much my home as the Overland is. I'll return to it soon."
Grace, with the help of his dad, stepped forward.
"As your mom, there are things I have to do that I know you won't always understand. Sometimes, the actions I take will make you hurt in the moment. But I promise you, I'm always trying to do the best for you," she said. "Before I came back to Regalia, all I wanted to do was gather the family together and bring us back home in the Overland. But now I see the way you are, and I know I can't do that to you. You've changed from the boy I knew. Bringing you away from here wouldn't do anything to help us."
Gregor's eyes widened. Was she saying what he thought she was?
"Yes, Gregor. We have to stay. You've done enough for our family as it is. Now, it's our turn to take care of you again," she said. A tear slipped down her cheek. "I don't always like the Underland, but if it's best for my kids, then how bad can it be?"
A joy that he hadn't felt in a very long time welled up in him. Stepping forward, he wrapped his mom in a hug. Soon, his dad joined in.
"It's going to take some time to figure things out, but believe us when we say, we'll be back. I promise you, son," said his dad.
"Thank you. I don't have the words to tell you how much it means to me," he said.
With that, the family separated and moved to say their goodbyes. Saying goodbye to Ripred and Aurora was easy for him. It became harder when he reached his bond. He raised his hand and connected it with Ares's claw.
"You know I'll be back the second I can be," he said. "Don't get into too much trouble without me."
Ares gave his signature bat laugh. "I will do my best to save any mischief for when you return," he said.
Gregor leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "Hey, remember what I said about Aurora. Don't miss what's right in front of you."
With one last smile at his bond, Gregor turned to Luxa. He took her hands in his. "Don't forget to reach out when you need to. If even the slightest thing changes for the worse, you know where I am," he said. "I love you, Luxa."
She reached forward and wrapped him in a hug. "I love you, too, Gregor. I always will," she whispered. "And do not fear. I will wait for you, as long as you need."
With one last sad smile, Gregor kissed Luxa and followed his family up the remaining steps. He helped his dad move the stone, and the moonlight flooded the passage. Each stepped out into the night. Turning around, he stuck his head back down.
"Goodbye, you four, for now," said Gregor. "I'll be back."
And with that, the two rolled the stone back into place, sealing the way to the Underland, at least, for now.
Behold, the main portion of the story I wish to tell. This is my fourth piece on ff net, but I always meant for this to be the first.
Very often I have seen Grace characterized as this evil woman who just wants to control her kids. I didn't want to do that. I've always felt that Grace didn't hate the Underland. I think truly, she just wanted to do what's best for her children, and she felt that leaving was the way to go. But with these events in place, leaving is no longer the best thing, and she knows that.
Thank you for reading. If you wish to leave your thoughts or comments, please review. I always appreciate feedback. Happy reading!
