Bel watched the big screen at the end of the stadium go black a second time, and then the psychopath's legs were gone as well. A great black wolf, incongruously wearing a service dog's harness, stood in place of the legs. As it trotted toward the girls, the screen dissolved to white.

When the screen went completely blank, Bel turned to his second in command. Harold looked up from where he performed CPR on Ms. Lake. A miniscule shake of the head told Bel everything he needed to know.

"Give it up, Harold. I know you've done everything you could. She's gone."

"I didn't even see her go down. If' I'd been a little quicker…"

"We were both watching Mary, Harold. I didn’t notice she was having a problem until she hit the ground."

"You noticed. I didn't until you told me."

The two men stared at one another across the old woman's body. The wind quieted, the only sounds the creaking of the abused grandstand and the awakening moans of the survivors sheltered under its roof. After a time, Harold closed his eyes, words leaking from him one by one.

"There had to be something. Something we could have done."

Bel shook his head, his own eyes drifting closed.

"No, Harold. There never is. There never has been."

A gust of wind blew past the kneeling pair, blasting them both with coarse dust. When it cleared, Bel opened his eyes to find Ms. Lane's body gone. In its place lay a gleaming gladius, its blade shoved through a heart-shaped stone. Bel reached down and lifted the sword. Maybe it sparkled, or maybe his eyes watered. He looked up to find Harold staring at him.

"Let's go, Harold. We've got a lot of cleaning up to do. Spring break won't last forever."

Harold looked up, shock dropping his mouth open. "You're keeping the school open?"

"We still have students. They still need us, still need this school. Besides that," Bel nodded toward the screen, and a sad grin twisted his lips. "d'you want to explain why we gave up if they come back looking for their diplomas?"

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Commencement: Elsewhere

Gwen's Cytes ferreted out the last fragments of Gungnir from Lane's gut. Her readouts showed Lane healing so fast the Cytes had to burrow into her to find the last bits of the spear. While they did, Gwen checked her readouts for any infection. None were evident, but one reading stood out. Gwen double checked her medical database, but her memory was correct.

Only one thing could have caused Lane's elevated hCG levels. A quick ultrasound showed the reason for the dropping levels. Gungnir had taken its last victim and Lane's last link to Galahad. Gwen debated telling Lane, but before she could decide, Mary's voice echoed through the aether.

"I will remember." Mary paused. Her remaining human hand grasped the handle of Fenris' harness. When she spoke again, her voice held uncertainty. "What comes next?"

Gwen shrugged, the motion rippling through her legs, making her whole body bounce slightly. "No idea. Not that I mind, but why is your wolf not making a snack of one of us?"

The light flickered, and a voice of rage and thunder shook the aether. "She chained me again. She shattered Gliepnir with words, then forged a new chain with more."

Lane looked up from staring at her new hammer. "Words are holding you in place?"

The endless non-light flickered again, "The right ones."

Gwen couldn't resist. She reached out, her palm brushing softly against Mary's cheek. The moment Mary felt her touch, she leaned into the caress. Gwen tried for gentle teasing, but her words came out choked with longing. "You always knew the right words with me. Looks like it's a knack."

"Nothing can bind Fenris. The mercy of Fenris binds him, his compassion leashes him. That is a sufficiency of Nothing."

Gwen felt a figure approaching through the aether moments before she saw him. Her guns tracked to the center of the young man's gleaming white breastplate as he reached conversational distance and stopped. A sad, yet satisfied smile twisted his lips as he spoke.

"Ladies. I am Atris, Guardian of the Outer Reaches. We had a friend in common."

Lane stepped forward, her crowbar dangling from her hand. "Which friend would that be?"

"S'oh." At the mention of the turtle, Lane relaxed, leaning back against her hammer as Atris continued. "He and I worked together a long time. He will be missed."

Gwen teared up, and then Mary’s face pressed against hers, echoes of quiet whispers calming her grief, dulling it, keeping it at bay. When she looked at Atris again, she had her sorrow under control.

"Yeah, he will."

The group stood silent a while; time marked only by the sound of Gwen's hand stroking Mary's hair. Eventually Atris broke the tableau, turning to face Gwen once more.

"I will miss him for more than sentimental reasons. I need someone to assist me. I was hoping you could take his place."

Gwen stiffened, her guns cycling once before she stilled them. "I won't go anywhere without my… Without Mary… or Lane."

Atris smiled, "And why would I break up such an effective team?"

Gwen turned her face to Mary, who stared sightlessly into the distance. "What do you think, Love?"

At the last word, Mary's poker face dissolved into a serene smile. "The decision is already made, my Love. Wherever you go, I will follow."

"Lane?"

"What she said. Only without the kissing bits."

As one, they stepped off into eternity.