Hi everyone, SK here.

You know what's coming, I know what's coming, let's not waste any time here shall we?  This chapter is gonna be a rollercoaster to write I already know (edit: it was)... so I'm just gonna get to it.

Enjoy, if that's even possible.  And again, there's a few POV switches in this chapter.  AND AGAIN, long chapter alert.

!!! WARNINGS: Violence, Death, Lots of sad feels :(

Verity

August and I wake up early so we can catch our parents before they leave.  I didn't get a chance to see Valerie last night so I unfortunately I couldn't tell her the news that Leaf told me to pass on.  I was hoping to see her this morning, but when I go into her room her bed has been made and it's clear that she's already gone to the castle.  I guess I'll have to tell her when she comes home to the Colony today.

I glance at my brother as we descend down the steps; he looks tense.  "Are you okay?" I ask him.

"I think I'm just nervous," he returns after a pause.  "Mom and Dad are doing something big today so there's that.  Then Valerie has to take her first Queen's test tomorrow, I'm a little scared for her."

"I'm sure she'll be fine- look at all that she's been through," I point out to him as we hit the bottom step.  "She's still standing after all of that, I think she can take some silly test."

"No, it's not just that," Auggs says, sounding concerned.  "Last night, she looked really distraught as we said goodnight to each other.  We both know her, she worries excessively, but last night I couldn't help that her worries were warranted..."

I shake my head; I love Val, but she's getting in my brother's head on a day that is not only important for her and our parents, but for us.  He needs to be on his game.  "August, both of the Ministers will be there.  Heliux and Layra won't let anything sneaky happen.  Everything will go fine, so we should be focusing on our duties here to let Mom and Dad be less worried when they go out there to sign the agreement.  Right?"

"Right," August answers weakly, and I know that I haven't convinced him of anything yet.  I can't do much about it right now, but I know that when we have to be in charge of things his brain will kick into gear; that's how my brother works. 

The Light fairy turns to me.  "Where do you think they'll be?" he asks, referring to our parents and the Ministers.

My response is a shrug.  "The best place to start is the center plaza, after that we can check the Council's Court and maybe the Library."

"Okay."

As the two of us travel the paths of the Colony, we notice that all of the buildings, shops, and eateries are all empty.  It's particularly strange; considering the amount of fairies that live here, you'd think that there'd be some in any of the establishments.  Although as we near the Colony's centre we begin to hear the murmur of a crowd grow louder, so it's clear where all the fairies are.  Of course it's early, so a good chunk of fairies are still asleep, but there's a decently-sized crowd gathered in that area.  

"Mom, Dad!" August calls, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward them.

"Good morning to both of you," greets Mom as we come close.  She gives August a hug, then me.  I hug her back; Mom really gives the best hugs.  I don't know what I'd do without them.  Dad comes up after and hugs both of us, holding us close maybe a little longer than necessary.  He's nervous, I realize.  But can I really blame him?

"Are you guys ready?" I ask breathlessly.

Dad nods after a second.  "Theoretically we should be.  Your Mom and I have been hearing wishes of good luck for the past forty-five minutes," he adds with a small chuckle.

Mom smiles.  "Everyone else seems excited for this.  Valerie came up to me this morning before she left- it was a little odd, she started thanking me for everything I'd done for her when she first came to the Colony, all this praise out of nowhere.  You've found yourself a very sweet girl, August," Mom adds to him, turning his face slightly scarlet.  When she says that her voice is a little strained, probably because she still is not completely accepting of their relationship, but whatever.  Jeez Val, we all know that Mom is awesome, I think to myself.  No need to be so extra about it.

"Where are Heliux and Layra?" August asks curiously, trying to tone down his blush.  I roll my eyes at him; first he's dense and now he's the opposite.  His brain certainly works in mysterious ways.

"They're just going around the Colony and finalizing certain things," answers Dad.  "They'll be here in a few minutes, and then we'll be going."

"If you've got some time before you go, how about we take a photo?" I suggest.  When the rest of my family looks at me in slight confusion, I explain further.  "Let's take one now, and as soon as you get back we can take another one.  Like a before and after thing..." I sigh.  "Yeah, that sounds stupid."

"No, it's not stupid," Mom says encouragingly, that kind smile of hers once more gracing us with an appearance.  "I like that idea.  Let's find somewhere where there's not many fairies."

"Let's just fly up to the treetops, I doubt anyone'll be up there," suggests Dad, pointing upward.  The rest of us agree, so we all fly up past the branches and leaves toward the sky.  Once we reach the treetops we easily find a spot where we can gather together to take a photo.  

August, Dad and I position ourselves while Mom does the take-a-photo spell.  She mutters the incantation under her breath.  Holding up four fingers, one for each copy, she drags them in the air to create a slightly lop-sided rectangle- give her some credit, it's hard to draw shapes in the air.  The rectangle begins to flash red and white as Mom quickly comes back and wraps her arms around Auggs.  He smiles, putting his hands up as Dad flashes a peace sign.  I think quick and just stick my tongue out at the camera.  The rectangle flashes a star-bright white, and almost instantly four pieces of paper slowly float onto the leaves.

"What a perfect photo!" Mom exclaims happily as she picks up her copy.  The rest of us pick our respective ones up and as I hold up mine I have to agree, it's a pretty good photo.  At least all our eyes were open when we took it- I'd hate to waste time and do a retake.

Dad gazes at it fondly.  "We should really take more photos," he says to us, still looking at the photo held between his fingers.  

August and I nod, the initial excitement beginning to fade away as we know that by now the Ministers are probably waiting for our parents.  They have to go.

I smile weakly.  "Well, we shouldn't keep you waiting- here, give us your copies, we'll leave them in your bedrooms for you."  I take the photos from Mom and Dad before they can say otherwise.

"We'll be back in a few hours," Mom points out, probably sensing my nerves acting up.  "And chin up you two, today is a happy day.  We're going to make peace with the humans, and then we can all get back to our normal lives.  Right?"  She looks toward both of us for an answer.

"Just..." August's voice trails away as he looks at Mom with big blue eyes.  "Just stay safe, okay?  The humans hate us, they could try something, so just promise to stay safe."

"Of course," Mom agrees tearfully, both her and Dad reaching out to us for a family hug.  August and I reach back, the four of us holding onto each other tight.

"You have to get your Mom to make us all some Pokepuffs when we return," Dad whispers to me, and despite everything I can't help but laugh.

Mom playfully headbutts him.  "You can just ask me, you know."

The four of us pull apart.  "No, they're the Leaders now, they have to be the ones to ask," Dad points out cheekily.

I roll my eyes.  "Fine.  Mom, make us Pokepuffs when you get back, please?"

She chuckles to herself.  "Of course, Verity."

I see what we're doing.  We're trying to prolong this conversation as much as possible.  They don't want to leave us and we don't want them to go.

Dad sighs.  "Well, we should get going- you know how Heliux gets about the time.  We'll see you both soon- and don't forget about the projection window!" he adds.

"We won't," says August.  "Bye Mom, bye Dad."

"Bye," I say, my voice sounding hollow.  "Love you."

"Love you too," they say in unison.  Our parents then wave to us and fly back down to return to the ground.  Now it's just me and August up here staring at the morning sky together.

He comes up and approaches me.  "Should we head back down?" he asks, sounding unsure.

I nod.  "You go.  I just need to stay up here for a bit to clear my head."

"Alright.  I'll see you in a few," he says, giving me a pat on the shoulder before leaving.  As soon as he's gone I stare back up at the sky, even though the sun is trying to blind me.  Something in my gut is telling me that today, things are going to change.

As much as I'd like to think positively, my gut feeling is giving me a heightened sense of anxiety.  

I can't help but feeling something is going to go wrong today, and either our parents or the Ministers, maybe both, are going to get hurt because of it.

Valerie

"Alara, I did as you said," I tell the Queen as soon as I arrive.  "It was so hard to tell them both to not save... uh, you know who," I correct quickly as I spot some of her Spirit Soldiers in the room.  Alara- we've become friends over the week, so I can safely call her by her first name as a friend instead of a student- told me to practice not sharing sensitive information.  Basically she wants me to work on my lying abilities.  I wasn't, and am still not, allowed to tell the Spirit Soldiers what is going to happen today.  

"Did they comply?" she asks me casually.

I nod.  "They did, but I hated myself for giving them that news.  How do you do it so easily?  Doesn't it kill you inside?"

Alara winces.  "It is hard, and it still eats me up inside too when I have to share bad news like that.  But, you did it, and I'm proud of you for it," she adds encouragingly.  "You've come far, Valerie.  You're ready to take the test tomorrow."

"But I don't have any people chosen yet," I protest to her, starting to worry.  "I don't have any Spirit Soldiers!"

Alara gazes at me warmly.  "Valerie, don't worry.  You will take that test tomorrow, and you will be ready and prepared for it.  You know by now that everything happens for a reason, right?" she asks with a twinkle in her eye.  "So don't worry.  You will have people to take the test with."

"O...Okay," I comply eventually.  She IS the Queen after all, it's not exactly possible to argue with her.  "So, what am I doing for my last day of training?"

"We'll be reviewing everything that we've covered over the past week," answers the Queen.  "At the end of today I'll also be placing my Elements within the stages for you to collect- that will mean that I will lose my powers as Queen.  Don't worry, I'll still be able to use basic fairy magic," she adds when she sees my expression shift, "but not much more than that.  Once you collect them while taking the test, you'll be able to use their powers."

I nod at her, because what else am I supposed to do in response to that?  It's so odd to think that by next week I'll be the Queen of fairies.  The Queen of fairies.  Me.  Who would've thought?

Definitely not me.

"But first," she says suddenly, "I'd like you to meet someone.  It's important you meet him before your test- but, I suppose you already do know him..." she trails away, looking behind me.

"Who is it?" I ask, but then I hear footsteps sound behind my back.  I turn around in time to see a person, not a fairy, a person step out from behind the shadows of the corridor.  I gape at him.  Same hair, same clothes, everything.  Only now one strand of his hair is pushed back behind his ear, revealing a pink tattoo with the Time Element Symbol on it.  A pink tattoo that I, no one, ever noticed before.

"My Soldier of Time," introduces Alara.  "But you know him as-"

"CALEM!?"

Heliux

"This should be the location, Your Lightness," I say to Her Lightness as she steps through the portal.  Layra and His Darkness follow closely behind, and the portal closes.  The four of us, human-sized to make things simpler, stare up at the giant steps that lead to the Indigo Plateau.  Wide slabs of marble beckon us to climb to its top where heavy ancient gates await us.

Her Lightness takes the first uncertain step up the staircase, and when she keeps going, the rest of us follow.  His Darkness quickly catches up to her and places his hand in her own; Layra and I follow behind them.

I glance at Layra, and she returns my gaze.  We just stare at each other, knowing what is going to happen.  I half expect her to use her powers so that we can talk secretly, but she doesn't.  It makes sense, I suppose.  The Leaders do not seem to realize that we are both somber, too somber for such an occasion.  They happily talk to each other, relishing each other's company.

The world works in strange ways.

Just when everything seems to be fine, another meteor strikes you down.  

Of course, I do not know this for sure, but there is a very good chance that... that...

Her Lightness or His Darkness is going to die today, and there's nothing I can do to stop it.

Well, I can stop it.  I have the power to do so, but if it leads to the worse path into the future, then I must refrain from it.

I let out a breath I did not know I was holding.  Over the years I've had the pleasure, and displeasure, of meeting a wide variety of fairies.  I've served under and worked with millions of Leaders, all of them unique, and yet I've never met one quite like Ms. Serena Yvonne.  She's something special, and today, the world might lose her.  I can say the same about Ash Ketchum.  He is truly one of a kind.  If he dies today, Serena will forever be changed.

Glancing toward Layra again as we near the final steps, I can tell that she is thinking deeply about something.  Perhaps she's thinking about how her own Leader might have to deal with the death of his beloved, or how he himself would need to perish shortly after to avoid an imbalance.  It is the same for Serena, if she is to perish today.  No matter which one dies, the other must die shortly after to avoid an end-of-world situation. 

I shiver.  Let us not think about that now, I tell myself.

Her Lightness reaches the top step with His Darkness, and together the two run toward the gates.  Time seems to move in slow motion.  However older they may be now, they have the same energy, the same youthfulness, the same innocent curiosity that they had when I first met them both almost five centuries ago.  The same love for each other.  The same everything.

The two Leaders wait patiently for us to join them at the entrance.  Layra and I pass the top step and as we walk forward I do a quick scan in the room itself.  Indeed, I can see a weapon hidden in the room... but no human holding it yet.  

"Well, this is it," Her Lightness breathes, shaking a little.  "It's so strange, why am I so nervous?"

"You have no reason to be nervous," Layra says smoothly despite knowing the opposite to be true.  I don't bother talking; I am not exactly the best at lying.  It's better to leave that to my songbird.

"She's right Sere," agrees His Darkness.  He drapes his arm around her shoulder, an action that still makes her turn scarlet even after all this time has passed.  "I mean, I'm a little nervous too, but who wouldn't?  But remember that we've got the Ministers here, and the twins and the rest of the fairies will be watching from the Colony.  Plus, I'm here too," he adds with a wink.  Her Lightness gives him a sheepish smile as he continues.  "We're not alone, and we're going to do this and make everyone proud, and then we're going to go back home and have the night of our lives."

Her Lightness laughs, her worry seemingly forgotten.  "I hardly think that tonight's going to be the night of our lives, considering the fact that we have parties at least once a week at home."

"I'll make it the night of your life," he tells her with a suggestive look on his face.  Should I be listening to this? I wonder.  Her Lightness just blushes more and casts a quick glance at the two of us before turning to the other Leader and giving him a rushed nod.

"W-Well we should be going inside now," she says, clearly trying to regain her composure.  Her Lightness, curling her hand into a fist, knocks strongly on the gates three times.  After a few moments, they enter.

I cannot bear to watch her enter these gates hoping to go home when I know that she might never be able to go home again.

Despite the fact that I witness Leaders' deaths all the time, I still do not know how to deal with this one.  I look at Her Lightness, a person so selfless and kind, a person so worthy of life that she got chosen to be a fairy early and was even gifted a second chance at life after the first time she passed away.  I look at the fairy who's spirit is ever so full of boundless joy, endless love for everyone she comes across.  

While it might not be her that will die today, her days are limited for sure.  

How am I supposed to say goodbye to her?

How is anyone?

Serena

Ash takes hold of my hand as we enter the building.  In fairness to the humans, the architecture here is beautiful.  I do notice something- he hasn't really let go of my hand today.  Ever since we left the kids after we took the picture, he's always found some way to latch onto my hand.  I'm not complaining because I think it is absolutely adorable, but I know that inside somewhere he must be nervous.  The four of us enter a winding corridor.

Wish me luck! I say to the spirits in the Necklace, but all I'm greeted with is silence.  An eerie feeling suddenly washes over me.  They're not wishing me luck because they think I don't need it, right?

Right?

We reach the end of the hallway and enter into a small side-room- okay, I say small but it's decently-sized.  There's barely anything in here, not even furniture, only a lonely light hanging from a decorated ceiling.  Double doors guard the exit of the room, but they appear to be locked at the moment.  Oh well, I suppose someone will come and get us... I look toward Ash who, like I said, is still clasping my hand.  I need to talk to him.

Heliux and Layra go to stand in another corner of the room, probably sensing that Ash and I want to talk alone.  As soon as they're some distance away I lean my head on his shoulder, and he doesn't attempt to shake me off.

"I love you," I breathe out.

I can't see it, but I just have a sense that Ash is smiling.  Well, Ash is practically always smiling so I guess there's that too.  "I love you too," he tells me softly.  "And don't be nervous, Sere."

"That goes both ways."

"I'm not nervous," he protests calmly, even though I know him and he knows I know him.  "We've just got to remember to never give up 'til it's over, right?"

"And it's about to be over," I tell him.

"Exactly."  Is it possible to feel a person's smile?  Because Ash has one of those smiles for me.  "So let's just sign that damn piece of paper and get out of here."

"We're about to step into a room of people who literally want to kill us," I remind him with a small shiver.

"And when has that stopped us before?" he points out.  "Don't you remember the war we ended five centuries ago?  The Drago-controlled fairies weren't exactly the dictionary definition of 'friendly'.  If we can handle a whole Colony of fairies with magic, we can handle a small group of unarmed humans, don't you think?"

I love him so much, he always finds a way to make me feel better about anything.  "I suppose you're right," I tell him as I lift my head from his shoulder, "but there's still justice in being cautious."

"I suppose you're right," Ash tells me in a voice that is clearly mocking my own.  Before I can swat at him the two doors in front of us open to reveal the Champion himself, Red.

He doesn't seem to have anyone with him; honestly, with all of the hatred that the humans feel toward us, I'm taking it as a good thing.  "Hello," he says warmly.  "I'm glad that you all could make it."

"Why would we miss it?" I smile.

He shrugs.  "I suppose that's fair.  Anyway, you four can come with me.  We're going to have a final discussion before we sign the agreement, if that's alright."

The four of us nod and, after Red props open the door, together we follow the Champion down a narrow corridor.  The walk isn't long, and we quickly come across a new, much larger, room.  There's a pane of glass that blocks us from entering that lets us see into the other room, and I can see a group of people who I can only assume are the other Champions.  There's a few people who are more formally-dressed, I can only assume they are moderators, guards, or recorders for this event.

Red begins to point out who is who to us.  It's strange to think that I'll only see these people once, and once the agreement is signed, never again.

We won't be able to travel to the human world ever again, but that's something I'm willing to let go of for the sake of peace.  

"... and that's Lance," he finishes, pointing at a spiky-haired red-headed trainer.  "He's not a Champion, but he's a member of the Kantonian Elite Four.  He's like my back-up."

"I knew a Lance that was a part of the Elite Four once, a long time ago," remarks Ash as he looks at the new Lance.  

"Oh, I know who you're talking about," Red tells him.  "Lance is actually a descendent of the Lance you speak of."

"Huh," says Ash with a tiny sense of awe.  "That's cool."

Red nods, agreeing with the Dark Leader.  "So, are you four ready to proceed?"

I spare a tiny glance at the Ministers, and they both nod curtly.  Even they look tense.  It's out of the ordinary to see them, especially Layra, look nervous about something.  I guess this is a really big event... well, it is.  I turn back to the Champion to answer his question.  "Yes."

He smiles.  "Right this way."  Unlocking the door with a click, clearly alerting the other humans in the room, he enters the glass-paneled domed room.  Layra follows suite first, then Heliux.  Ash and I enter side by side.  

"They're all in pain," Layra's head-voice tells me as soon as we enter.  "The moment we stepped in it's like a switch flicked inside their heads.  They're angry and upset- it's best we get this done as quick as we can."

Alright, I think back to her.  Tell Ash too.

"I already did," she confirms, and I watch as her eyes return to their normal colours.

I look toward the humans, feeling slight sympathy for them.  "Greetings," I say warmly.  "My name is Serena Yvonne, and I am one of the Leaders of the fairies."  No need to bother with Light or Dark specifics, I reason.

"I'm the other Leader, my name's Ash Ketchum," adds Ash.  

"My name is Heliux-"

"And I'm Layra," she adds when the humans toss the Ministers odd looks.  "We are the fairies second in-command.  You are all Champions, correct?"

"Most of us are," says the girl who I think is Victria.  The elderly woman's voice is rushed and a bit snobbish as she speaks, as if we are the street beggars to her Ebenezer Scrooge.  I understand everything that's going on, but one would think that you could spare us a little bit of kindness.

I glance to the back of the room as Red goes to stand between the two groups- I spot the "window" that I asked the twins to set up earlier.  I can see the anxious faces of the Colony through it.  I would give them a little wave or something, but I don't want to bring attention to it.  Only fully Initiated fairies can see it, so I don't want to worry the humans or make them distrust us even more.

"So, before we sign this agreement," the Champion begins, "we are going to have a final discussion about the terms before we begin-"

"No," objects one of the Champions- I think it's Selenio but I can't be sure.  

"What do you mean 'no'?" repeats Red, sounding befuddled.

"He means that we are not going to spend anymore time than necessary with them," says the Hoenn Champion, forgive me for I forgot her name, as she points toward the four of us fairies.  "Let's just sign the agreement and be done with it, let them go back to where they came from."

Heliux's frown deepens and Ash's smile fades, but I try to keep up hope.  This is just because of Valerie's spell, once it wears off perhaps we can figure out a new agreement- one with more freedoms that is.  Red looks to both Ash and me to agree or disagree with the other Champions' demand, his expression twisting.  I give him a sympathetic look- he's clearly trying his best but his fellow coworkers are giving him no slack.  

Ash and I look at each other before he responds.  "Yes, that's fine," he says kindly.  "Whatever works for you all is fine."  He's clearly just as off-put by the current Champions as I am.  If he were to live as the Kalos Champion, is this what he would have become?  I clear my thoughts instantly.  No, of course not.  He's my Ash after all.

Despite his kindness the Champions still huff at him.  I let out an internal sigh.  At least this will be over quicker.

Red also lets out a sigh, but his is audible.  "Alright then.  I have the papers here- I've already read them, as have the other Champions, so we will sign first."  He looks for us to give him the okay, so I nod.  Red nods back and pulls out a black pen with gold accents from behind the podium where the papers rest.  He goes up and signs first, and the other Champions form a line behind him.  One by one they sign the papers, Lance- where did Lance go?  He must not have to sign, so I guess that's why he left.

"Alright, you guys can sign it now," says the Kantonian Champion warmly.  He gestures to the papers.  "You can read it first, and are more than welcome to raise any objections should you have any."

Ash steps up.  "I'll sign first."  He walks up to the podium, the humans stepping away from him like he's the carrier of a deadly disease or something.  After a few minutes pass he takes the pen and does what I assume is that usual sloppy signature of his that I've grown to love on the last page of the document.  He sets the pen down and walks back to stand beside me.  

I cast him a tiny glance, and he returns a subtle nod back to me.  It seems that everything is alright, so I might as well go up there and add my signature.

"I'll sign now," I offer, and step up to the podium.  I hate the way how the humans step away from me the moment I come close to them- I'm not something or someone to be feared!  Nervousness suddenly rises up within me as I step in front of the podium, and I grab hold of the pen with trembling fingers.  I look back at Ash for reassurance, and he gives me that perfect little smile of his.

Flipping through each and every page, I force myself to read every paragraph and every sentence.  The humans' impatience is more than obvious, but this is important for me to read through.  If they didn't want me taking so slowly then they should have sent us a copy to read beforehand, I huff to myself.

At last I reach the final page of the document, the one with all of the signatures.  I pick up the pen.

As I click it open though, something changes.

There's a sound, a loud banging noise, but I don't register it.  Not completely.  All I'm focused on is the signing of this paper, the signing, sign it, sign it Serena, you have to sign this Serena, why aren't you signing it Serena?  Why aren't you signing it? I repeat to myself as a wave of frustration washes over me.

I look at Ash's name on the paper.  Ash.  The love of my life.  I love him.  I can remember when we used to sign things together as humans, the official documents for his league championship and my Kalos queenship, the stupid friendship contract that we'd made after.  The friendship contract the day before that picnic, that last picnic before I died.

My head begins pounding.  Something's not right.  Something is here, in this room, out to get me, just like Zygarde was-

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot it whizzing through the air.

My breath hitches.

I can't- I can't-

There's no time.

I have no time.

Zygarde- no.  Not Zygarde.

Something different.

A different kind of lightning.

And if Zygarde was the first time that lightning struck, the incident with Drago was the second...

I scream.

... and this is the third.

The pen falls to the floor as I hear Ash scream.  I shake as I see the bullet pass straight through me and lodge itself in the wall on the opposite side of the room.  I hear footsteps rushing toward me, footsteps rushing away, but I'm trying, trying to pick up that pen and sign the damn paper.  Various voices sound in my ears, voices telling me to stop, but I can't register the speakers nor do I listen.  This is my purpose, I have to, I have to...! 

My fingers shake as I see the crimson, my blood, stain my beautiful dress a dull red colour.  I try to bend down, but I just collapse forward, unable to hold myself up.  Before I hit my head on the pedestal I feel hands prepping me up, two strong hands, and I turn to see Ash.  He's crying.  I feel wetness on my face but whether it's tears or blood I can't be sure.  My vision begins to go blurry as I blink multiple times, trying to regain it but failing.

All at once, I realize everything.

I'm never going to go home again.

I'm going to die today.

I'm never going to see my family again.

I'm going to die today.

I'm never going to save the Colony... again.

I'm going to die today.

"A-Ash," I sputter out, trying to talk but he shushes me.

Out of the corner of my eye I spot Red, the only human left in the room, looking shocked.  Heliux comes up to me, helping Ash to sit me down.  I lean back against the podium, still bleeding out.  Everything hurts.  My head, my side, my heart.  

And then, suddenly, August and Verity burst through a portal into the room.  As they do, I'm left with only one thought.

It's time to say goodbye.

This is it.

Despite everything, I smile.  It's my time.

Goodbye, everyone.

August

I, and the rest of the fairies, watch the proceedings anxiously but excitedly.  Mom goes up to sign the papers, and after she does, we'll be free from the prospect of war.  

She takes a few minutes to read through them, and then picks up the pen and goes to sign the paper-

and suddenly, there's a loud bang.

From that night I was helping Valerie escape, I know that sound to be a gunshot.

It all happens so fast.

I'm stuck in place, unable to do anything as I see the shard of silver whizz across the human-filled room and fly right through-

"MOM!" I scream, pressing my hands against the magically-formed glass and pushing other fairies out of the way.  "MOM!"  No no no this can't be happening.  Mom, Mom... Mom...!  No, this can't be happening, this is all a nightmare this isn't real.

This can't be real.

This can't be real.

This can't... be...

Instead of joining me Verity runs backward, maybe in shock I don't know my mom, my mom is bleeding out in front of me, dying, d-dying but she still tries to grab for that damn pen as all the humans but Red flee from the room.  Humans.  Damn scum.  Should never have trusted any of them.

I didn't even see who the shooter was.

Heliux and Dad prop her against the podium while Layra watches closely, all three of them visibly distraught for Mom.  Other fairies back away from me, not wanting to get close as I continue to shout Mom's name, desperate for all this to be a dream.

I keep seeing it in my mind.  The scene keeps repeating, over and over like some kind of sick loop.  Some kind of sick loop reminding me that my mother is dead, she's about to be, and I can't tell her that I love her before she disappears forever.

I feel a tap on my shoulder and I turn around about to throw the fairy's hand away when I see that it's Verity.  "Come on," she says, her voice slow and her tone dark.  "Gary says he can get us there.  Come on."

Silently I move away from the window and follow Verity away from the crowd to where the Dark Advisor is standing.  I'm shaking, I feel like I'm going to throw up.  I don't even listen as he explains what he's doing, I just want to see my mom, save her, and end this nightmare.  This nightmare that is apparently real.

Gary opens the portal and Verity and I run through, much to the shocked faces of the Ministers and our parents.

"Mom," I say, my voice breaking, and run up to her.  She- why is Mom smiling!?  Verity doesn't say anything but her face has gone dark and she follows me.  I crouch beside her, the sight of all this blood, all h-her blood, making me woozy.  I glance around.  Someone could have prevented this, right?  Someone could have-

"Heliux, you saw the shooter didn't you?  Why didn't you save her!?" I shout at him, ignoring his flinch.  "Why didn't you!?"  My voice breaks.  I feel more tears drip down my cheeks as I whip my head toward Layra.  "You didn't sense the murderer's presence!?"  The Dark Minister doesn't even flinch, she just looks sad.

"I wasn't paying enough attention," he whispers woefully, not even looking at me.  Fat chance.  Heliux never messes up, never, but today he does?  He didn't do his to murder her, did he?  My eyes are wild, my shoulders are trembling.  I'm trembling.  My mom is in front of me and she's dying, she looks like she's about to die.  She's fighting for every breath and her chest trembles as she makes an effort to raise it up and down.

"You," Verity says darkly to Red, the one human left.  "Leave."

"Let me help-" he begins, but Verity just points to the door.  I'm turned to Mom, my sole attention focused on her, but I assume that he leaves because I can hear the creak of a door shutting.

"August, Verity, I love you so much," Mom breathes out.  "Ash, you know how much I love you.  Heliux, Layra, thank you for being..." her voices fades away and she coughs.

"Save your strength," Dad whispers hoarsely, stroking her cheek with his hand, accidentally smearing her own blood on her face.  Dad's hands are covered in her blood.  That shouldn't happen.

This shouldn't be happening.

I- I-

Mom, I-

This shouldn't-

I- I- I-

What am I-

Help, I-

"August, look at me," Mom whispers, trying to slow down my breathing.  I'm panicking, I'm having a panic attack, I'm going to pass out, Mom is dying and do I- I have to become the new Leader?  Now?  I- how am I- 

"August," she repeats a little more firmly, and I look at her.  "I love you.  You're the best son I could have ever had, and I'm proud of the person you became.  You too, Verity," she adds to my sister, who has just moved to stand next to Dad (probably) trying to keep him calm.  "I love you very much."

"Don't say that," I tell her, knowing what comes next.

She smiles sadly.  "This is yours now," she says faintly, and I have to strain myself to hear her as the points to her Necklace.  

"Your Lightness, save your strength, please," Heliux begs her.   "I am so sorry I could not save you."  His voice is so full of emotion, so mournful, that it makes me begin to believe that perhaps he really wasn't paying attention like he should've.

She smiles at him.  "You did everything you could have ever done for me, Heliux, like the dependable Minister you are.  But I have one last order for you..." her voice fades away as she coughs, then it comes back.  "Help my son assume my position, please.  Just like you once helped me."

"Of course, Your Lightness."  Even to the very end his voice is still formal, but I can hear the sadness in his tone as he replies.

Mom smiles and lets out a deep, peaceful sigh.  Her eyes close as the Necklace lets out a bright flash, and after a few seconds, her body isn't there anymore.  The shards of Mom's wings glow brightly and swirl around us, then continue to fly upward where they will join her in the sky.

I fall on my knees.

My mom is dead.

My mom is dead and she isn't coming back.

My mom is-

My thoughts take a different turn.  Anger boils inside me.  My eyebrows furrow and I glare at the space in front of me, apparently unnoticed by anyone else.

My mom is dead.

She isn't coming back.

I've lost her forever.

... and it's all the humans' fault.

"August," Layra's voice is somehow slow and quick at the same time.  She picks up the bloody Necklace and waves her hand over it, washing it clean.  She pushes it toward me.  "You need to put this on now."

I shake my head, but Heliux persists.  "August, if you do not put this on now then there will be an imbalance.  There will be one now regardless, but it will end this world rather quickly so please," he says, his voice growing soft.  "I know you're hurt but you must put this on.  It's your time to become the Leader."

I hope that window was closed because I hope that no one will ever see me like this.  I cast a glance at Dad and my sister, both looking equally traumatized.  Verity is clinging onto him, but Dad gives me a reassuring nod despite what just happened to him, to all of us.

Slowly, I take the Necklace from Layra.  The Necklace that was my Mom's up until a few moments ago.

I place it around my neck and a shockwave pulses through me as I sink into the dark abyss of grief, anger, and the Necklace.

Okay how the hell am I supposed to write an A/N after this chapter?  Because I hate myself, I hate this chapter, and this isn't even the worst chapter I have to write in this entire book.  Cindy and Clippy will tell you that I was stalling for a week to write the part where Serena dies.  Because she's dead.  Serena is dead and everything is going to go to hell now.

I did warn you that last chapter was the last chapter where things were going to be the same.

Everything is going to change.

Nothing is going to be the same anymore, with any of them.

... and on that note, I'll see you all next week.