Chapter 26
The Celebration
“Cleanup continues inside the Metropolis, particularly in Communique Plaza, after the events a week ago when the Renegades took the stadium and tower hostage to relay their message,” a reporter spoke over the screen. It was little more than the news cycle on a repeat, broken up only by talk shows that reiterated much the same thing. Even a week later, what had occurred at the Alliance Games was big news that spread the whole world over. “Artisans and magic-users have flocked in droves to repair what’s been damaged, though the Corps has announced that all holdings of the Trial of Power will be postponed until further notice.
“Thankfully, the battle in Communique Plaza caused no long-lasting damage outside of some offices and screens, and repair remains steady even as we continue to broadcast.”
The television clicked off.
“Hey, I was watching that!” Meredith shouted to Vivian. She craned her head back to look at the blonde only to stifle her laughs and forget about the television entirely. “You look ridiculous, Viv. Green doesn’t suit you!”
“Dresses don’t suit you at all,” Vivian snapped, rapping Meredith over the head with a remote. Now that Meredith thought about it, she really didn’t feel all that comfortable in her teal dress, and nor did she think the color was right, but it didn’t matter much. Tossing a shrug to her friend, she whisked the remote out of Vivian’s hands and turned the television back on, now airing a talk show, hosted by none other than Freddy Chapman, himself.
“Even with everything, and Meredith Childs’ victory, there are still questions we need to ask ourselves,” the commentator’s guest said. “How did the Corps let the Renegades slip past? Why did they have to rely on children who aren’t even full-fledged Guardians to take care of their mess for them? No matter what way you spin it, Marcus will have a lot of questions to answer in the coming future.”
“Should we really be asking all these questions, though,” a female co-host said, her legs crossed. “We were saved due to the Corps’ efforts in any case, and to doubt them now would be tantamount to saying we agree with a bunch of terrorists.”
“I’m not saying that’s true at all! I’m just saying there’s a lot to be evaluated,” the man sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if said terrorist didn’t have a point. I’m more concerned about the fact that many Guardians ran from the scene and that we’ve no idea how they’ll address this.”
“Well, I think I’ll place my own faith in the Corps,” Chapman insisted. “They may have struggled, but they pulled through when the chips are down, and that’s all that matters.”
“Same old drivel, huh?” At Brynn’s voice, Meredith shut the television off. It was the same as it had been since she and the others had been convalescing: news anchors and talk show hosts bickering over the Corps and the Renegades. Who was right? Who had a point? What did it mean for the future? The whole thing was tiresome. “I would have hoped they’d find another topic by now.”
“Nah, it’s all sensationalist,” Vivian drawled, hiding her yawn. Meredith smoothed out the folds of her dress, and left the remote behind to stand. There was still a wincing pain in all the places Rico had struck her, but a few days in the hospital and Emily’s crack healing work had left her with nothing but a couple of scars that twinged a bit. “They’re gonna milk this for a while until there’s something new to talk about. See, Mera, why does she pull off the dress so easy while you look like someone put a pig in fabric?”
“I will cut you, Viv.”
“Let’s duel right here and now!”
“I don’t think so,” Brynn said, her tone motherly and firm. She hooked both of their arms and steered them in the direction of the door out of the room they were in. “Judging from what happened that night, I fear you two would take down the entire presidential estate, and we have a gala waiting for us.”
“Why do we have to go to a gala?” Meredith complained. Brynn laughed, thumping her on the back as Vivian rolled her eyes.
“You really have no idea how upper society works.”
“Gladly.” The two would have gotten into another verbal snit were it not for the doors opening wide. Applause met their ears, smattered though it was, and all three girls felt like deer in headlights. They raised their hands and waved, proceeding into the ballroom where many were gathered.
“Ladies and gentlemen, presidents, parents and fellow competitors, I present Ladies Meredith, Vivian and Brynn,” Chapman announced to those gathered. Meredith felt a bit too examined, but relaxed when she noticed that most of the faces were familiar. From seeing Edgar and Conrad stuffing their faces to Eddie conversing gaily with Summer and Autumn, Meredith became more at ease. Even better, the three of them had been the last to enter the party and the attention was swiftly taken off of them. “Well, late is better than never, folks, but we’re here to celebrate the end of the Alliance Games. To mark this occasion, some words from our president.”
Whatever murmurs had persisted around the room, and whatever eyes had been on the trio of ladies, soon became fixed on Presidents Nelson and Parradyne approaching the podium. Their respective guards winged them on either side. It didn’t take much for the room to grow quiet.
After seconds of staring, the presidents bowed their heads and uttered just two words. “Thank you.”
Meredith felt the collar of her dress grow hot with embarrassment, but Chapman soothed the situation.
“Well, without further ado, I do believe it’s time to celebrate a most stupendous victory! Eat, drink and dance to your heart’s content, everyone! You’ve earned it!”
“Yeah, we did!” Conrad said. Some of the adults in the room laughed at his comment, but Meredith shook her head. He caught her eye, winking at her before she could look away. Rather, she was pulled away by Brynn to another food table, right past a sulking Jay and Sal, firing razor sharp glares at each other. She had no idea what the two members of Tempest Squad were arguing about, and she certainly didn’t want to find out.
“I hear the presidents are in intense discussion with Marcus,” Brynn told the two girls once they were safely getting food on their plates. “I don’t think either of them are happy, but they won’t make a statement until things are worked out. Not that much’ll change, I think. At least, not as far as the Home Guard is concerned. We failed just as much as the Corps in doing our job.”
“You mean they didn’t give you a promotion?” Meredith laughed, munching on a chicken leg. Brynn gave her own barking laugh at the insinuation, turning some heads.
“If only. I was lucky to get away with not being reprimanded! My boys are sweet, though, and one of them seems to be eyeing you, Lacroix.” Vivian choked on her water, staring to catch Gregory’s eye. She didn’t look disgusted by it, but the blonde did shield herself behind Meredith, like it would do any good.
“You hide any longer and I’m just gonna step aside to make you dance with him.”
“I’d rather dance with Eddie.”
“What about who now?” Eddie asked, appearing from nowhere. Vivian squeaked, but didn’t take cover, especially once she noticed that Eddie had come attached with an entourage. Autumn and Summer were, as always, practically hanging off him, with Felix not far behind. Like Meredith, the Lacardian class president was pulling at his collar.
“Talk about a to-do here, huh?” Felix asked. “Best we’ve ever gotten has been end-of-term stuff, but even that’s more a raucous dorm party than this kind of formal event.”
“I swear, I’m surrounded by plebeians.”
“Nice to see you, too, Vivian,” the twins said with scary synchronicity. Vivian recoiled, though whatever sheepish look was on her face dropped into a thin frown. She tapped Meredith’s back, pointing in the direction of the arrival that hadn’t been announced. Everyone in their circle grew silent, looking as he approached with his escort.
“Well, I’m surprised you showed up, Emil,” Vivian commented. The boy, his scarf absent for once, was downcast and said nothing to her. “I thought you were in prison at this point or something.”
“Just for questioning,” Amelia confirmed. When no one said a thing about that, the commander tapped Emil forward. “Well, Baroné, I thought you had something to say. It’s the only reason I brought you along.”
“Y-yeah…” He tripped a bit over his own feet, and was apparently tripping over his own words. Meredith hesitated in taking a step forward, but when she did, Emil finally looked up. She stopped in front of him, nose wrinkling before her hand shot out to slap him across the face. Then, she huffed loudly.
“There. Now, I feel better. Any one of you want a go?”
“I had my shot,” Eddie said. That didn’t stop Felix and Vivian from rolling their sleeves up, prepared to enjoy it. Emil had some life shot back into him, holding his hands in defense.
“Please don’t! Please! I’m sorry!” he squeaked out. Amelia folded her arms behind him, nodding her head to insist that he keep going. “I’m sorry for what happened! I didn’t mean to help Rico…do what he did…I just…”
“You were a confused moron, Emil. Now let me slap you,” Vivian said. He didn’t stop it and the blonde looked just as satisfied as Meredith felt. “Next time you’ve got issues with figuring out who your friends are, just talk to us. We’ll set you straight, even if that would require you having two brain cells to rub together.”
“Yeah, all right…” Emil said. He bowed his head again. “I am sorry, though. I was just so angry, and Rico was there. He helped me, let me see the world with my own eyes, and I felt like all I saw were Guardians who didn’t care. Then I saw my parents and I couldn’t do it anymore. I lashed out, and I hurt you. I won’t make that mistake again. I won’t run away anymore.”
“The smartest words he’s spoken since interrogation,” Amelia confirmed, slapping him on the back. “Thankfully for him, he’ll have plenty of time to contemplate his actions. He’s going to be working as a grunt in the Corps until he’s paid off his debt to society. Seems a fitting punishment for someone who raged against us. And since we can’t say he actively injured anyone but you guys, and you’re fine with it, he’s not as liable for any of the charges levied against the Renegades.”
“You mean Rico, right? Still haven’t found him, then?” Amelia’s nose twitched at Meredith’s question, the air turning frosty. It had been the elephant in the room, and a source of much discussion and interrogation since the end of the Games. Rico had gone missing, along with Lovelia, James and Maria. Only Carlton had been captured, courtesy of Raymond.
Rico’s weapon had been confiscated by the Corps, however, the one silver lining in the entire mess.
“Speaking of the Corps,” Amelia chirped out, changing the subject entirely. No one pressed the issue. “I’ve had some long talks with Roy and Marcus after all this, and we’re all incredibly impressed. My protégés are so amazing!”
“No hugs, commander!” Meredith and Vivian insisted before the woman could do said intended action.
“Right, well, before you were Honorary Guardians…whatever that was,” the commander said, nodding her head with almost every syllable. “However, with Childs having just one trial left, and Lacroix just two, we thought we’d offer a Corps internship. It’s not common, and I can’t even remember the last time we did it but-”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Yes!” The two girls were joined with Eddie’s acceptance, the three of them giving each other a high-five. Amelia blinked but chuckled.
“Glad you’re so enthusiastic, though I’m not surprised.”
“Wait, so we officially cleared the Trial of Power and Teamwork?” Another high-five followed Amelia’s confirmation.
“Tournament or no, we’d be hard-pressed to not say you cleared them after the work you put in. S-Rank, naturally. Of course, the rest of you are free to come to the Corps at any time, as well, though it may take a bit more finagling.” The Lacardian students lit up, and even Brynn’s interest was piqued. Meredith gave a toothy grin. The Corps’ reputation may have been damaged, but for the teams at the Games, a bond greater than reputation had been formed. “Well, with that settled, we’ll have to start working out logistics for when we leave. A squad you’re familiar with might work…ah, but one more stop before I can start figuring that out. Baroné!”
“Yes, sir,” Emil said. He pivoted to follow her, but Meredith called out to him.
“What’s the stop?” she asked. He leaned back, smiling, the hesitancy and anger gone.
“I gotta talk to my parents. Just talk,” he answered back. “The scarf might be a good place to start.”
Meredith knew he’d be okay.
Amelia departed with Emil in tow, and the ambient sounds of the room seemed to suddenly spring back to life, made no more obvious than Conrad being in front of her on a knee, his hand outstretched. Vivian sniggered in the background.
“My lady, if I can have a dance,” he said, his simpering tone causing her to blanch.
“I’m going to step all over your feet.”
“I wouldn’t mind you stepping on-ow! Felix!”
“Behave,” the Lacardian team leader said. Right after, he bowed to Brynn and asked for her hand in his own dance. She accepted, curtsying with her pink dress and wheeling on to the dance floor.
Figuring there was nothing wrong with courtesy, Meredith accepted Conrad’s invitation and the two made their way to the floor. The adults gathered in the room were also dancing, including the boisterous Kenny and Sal, along with her own parents. Max was in a corner, tapping to the music the band was playing with a smile on his face at Vivian enjoying herself.
“Gotta say, Mera, you were impressive. Scary, but impressive,” Conrad complimented her. She intentionally stepped on his toes, but he smiled all the way through it. “Never thought we’d be getting along like this, either. Day one and we might’ve been just trying to one-up each other, but now we’re all chums.”
“I prefer it that way,” she said. Conrad spun her out before bringing her back with a wink. She supposed he wanted her to find him impressive, but got a swat on his shoulder for the trouble. “You should pay a visit. If Viv, Eddie and I will be interns, I’m sure having a top Lacardian student come to the Corps would give us a welcome break.”
“Oh, I’ll take you up on that offer.” He spun her once again, though this time, she ended up with Eddie, swapping Summer over to Conrad. She didn’t mind, awkward as it felt.
They didn’t say much, the best friends having fun in the moment of dancing and twirling. It was enough fun that Meredith forgot she was wearing a dress and started to embrace the spirit of the evening, dancing with the members of the other teams and occasionally taking breaks for food with the other girls. After two weeks of battling and convalescing, Meredith felt peace and joy for the first time in a while.
As the evening wore on, and her feet became tired from the dancing, the ache of all her sores started to throb, prompting her to excuse herself from the dance floor. She immediately found her brother sitting in a chair. He was removed from most of the festivities, his senses alert as he watched the entrances and exits. He needn’t have worried, Meredith felt, but she supposed that was just the way her brother was: wound up.
“Boo!” she said, in a clear attempt to spook him. It did nothing of the sort and he quirked an eyebrow. “What’s with you, sourpuss? Not enjoying the party. They’re throwing it for you, too, you know. For ‘Tempest Squad’s brave action in the line of duty’!”
“I’m aware,” Raymond responded. He tugged at his bowtie, absentmindedly watching the dance floor. More people were there than earlier in the evening, including Amelia, twirling around with Benjamin. Chapman was speaking with the twins, interviewing them and asking for a possible appearance on his talk show, while Masters took interest in what looked like the Home Guard’s combined comedy routine. Meredith snorted when Theodore botched something. “Just thinking, Mera.”
“You can have time for thinking later, Ray. We’re at a party.”
“Mm.” She twisted her lips to a frown at his noncommittal response.
“You’re not still mad, are you? About us fighting Rico?”
“I’m not that petty, Mera. I like to think I have bigger things on my mind than what idiotic things you did,” he snapped. She descended into guffaws at his stern answers. “Hey, I’m just thinking about the Corps and what kind of training regimen I can implement. Those idiots need some serious education on how to not run away from a fight!”
“Oh, Ray, you’re totally petty! Mom, Dad, tell ‘im.”
“Your sister has a point, Raymond.”
“You used to take your frustration out on things all the time, especially if your sister would sneak your toys to her room,” their mother said. Both parents had come over, red-cheeked and looking like they’d been having the time of their lives. Raymond sulked in his chair. “Cheer up, Ray. Why don’t you dance for a few minutes? Relaxing does people good.”
“Dance? I don’t dance.”
“Captain, you don’t dance?!” Emily said, her shock causing her voice to rise an octave as she appeared out of nowhere. “That won’t do! If you intend to become a commander, you’ll have to attend social functions, which means dancing.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that…Em, what are you doing? Hey, I don’t-!” Raymond’s protests were swallowed by the dance floor when his lieutenant grabbed him off his chair and swept him into the fervor of dancing. The Childs family laughed, and their mother leaned over to Meredith.
“Is that your brother’s girlfriend? She seems nice.”
“Pretty sure he can’t date her. Rules and all, mom.” Her mother scoffed at the very notion, hiding a chuckle behind it. Meredith let a devious grin split her face. “That doesn’t mean I can’t tease him about it, though.”
“Let us know what you find out.”
The finding out would have to wait until later, when Brynn invited her to a game at the edges of the hall with Conrad, Edgar and Autumn. Meredith waved to her parents and disappeared back into the haze of the night that continued until the early hours of the morning, when the ballroom finally began to empty.
The lights dimmed down, leaving only the three teams, standing together with yawns and heated faces of exhausted joy. Janitors moved in to clean the ballroom, with many of the VIPs having departed, including Tempest Squad and their parents, each of whom were returning home the following day. It meant only one last farewell was needed.
Brynn initiated it with a hug to Meredith and Vivian.
“Don’t be strangers, you two. Give a call anytime you want. We’re not rivals anymore, after all.”
“Sure. Just don’t drag us along to go shopping,” Meredith said, clasping Brynn’s hand when she pulled away. “And as long as Amelia’s invitation is open, you guys keep in touch, too.”
“Come back to visit Lacardia,” Autumn said. “Even you, Vivian.”
“If I find the time,” the girl dismissed, but her eyes said she was grateful for the offer.
“Don’t forget Edgar and the others. Home Guard would be happy to entertain the Corps for any sparring matches!”
“No one could forget a brute like you, Edgar, trust me.”
The teams shared a chortle before they became silent. It took a moment, but Felix lifted his hand, facing the exit.
“Well, it’s been real, guys. Time for us Lacardians to sleep. We head home in the morning. Take care.”
“We should get some sleep, too. No telling what Amelia will have us do,” Meredith said, offering her own wave.
It took only a few more seconds for them to leave the ballroom, proceeding down the halls to where their newest rooms were located. Meredith stopped outside the door as she pushed it open. Vivian nearly bumped into her, but she kept on moving. Eddie waited, watching them while Meredith sat upon her bed, kicking her shoes off in relief.
“Something on your mind, Mera?” Eddie asked, noticing her disposition.
She glanced to the corner of the room where the Earth-Splitter and Bow of Torrents rested. Terrill had been silent since the battle with Rico, wracked with his own kind of trauma from the event, or so Meredith felt. He hadn’t offered her words of guidance or consolation, but she wasn’t sure if she needed it. She had fought. She had won.
Rather, they had won.
Yet doubt still lingered in her fingertips, ones that had grown during her recovery. To that, Terrill’s silence meant one thing: he wanted her to figure out her own path. That didn’t stop her from having other questions, though.
“Hey, Mera, he asked you a question,” Vivian said, drawing her from her reverie with a slap to the back of her head. Meredith didn’t retaliate, but voiced her concerns instead.
“Oh, just thinking about Rico, I guess…” she replied. Eddie stepped into the room a little bit. “The things he said. The things he saw. I…I hope he understood.”
“I think he did,” Eddie assured her. “If you got through to Emil, then I think you got through to Rico, too.”
“I hope so.” Meredith looked outside, catching sight of the barely visible moon and stars through the window of their room. “I have to admit, though…I feel some doubt.” Vivian’s bed squeaked when she sat upon it, staring across at Meredith while she spoke her feelings plain. “There were Guardians that ran, and didn’t even care who they were endangering. Is that the right path? Are we just walking the road to a Corps we can’t believe in?
“Sorry…guess my head’s a little messed up from all the partying.”
“It’s hard to say,” Vivian said, her legs crossing over. “Any one of us has different ideas on how the Corps should be, right? You have one idea, I have another…even my father thinks differently from either of us.”
“Viv has a point.” Eddie leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, but his lips shining with confidence. “I think what’s important from here on out is what we see with our own eyes. How we act in the future. You decide your road to walk, and Viv decides hers. It’s not as cut and dry as Rico tried to think it is, but whatever that path is, I’ll support you on it. Support you both.”
Meredith wrenched away from the night sky to watch her friends, each supportive in their own way.
Memories flooded Meredith’s mind. Memories of their squabbles. Of Eddie’s scolding. Of her showdown with Brynn. Of yelling at Vivian and Emil to stop throwing their team aside. Of Vivian choosing her own path over her father’s. Of them triumphing over the relay. Of all four of them, Emil included, making their statement to Rico, loud and clear.
And of them dancing without a care in the world, free to make up their own minds.
She smiled at them.
“Then…let’s walk that road together.”
There were no words. Just a sudden clasping of hands, sharing their feelings for the future, before they turned towards sleep for their last night in the Metropolis, racing towards the future that awaited them beyond.
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“What. The. Hell…?” Maria’s harsh whisper may have been quiet, but it echoed across the empty plain. Wooden houses were torn to splinters. Metal pieces that once belonged to a skyship littered the ground, entangled with stone from the church that she knew had been there. The island breeze swayed the trees in the wind, a soft and unsettling sound to those who knew.
Where once there were Renegades, not a single being remained. Save one.
The Reaper.
“What the hell?!” Maria screeched. Her feet stomped in the dirt and her earrings jangled, across the broken path to the figure that stood in the center of where the church once stood. They did not make a move to stop her, nor intercept her, and she grabbed their cloak with bared teeth and furiously twitching lips. “I thought Tempest Squad wasn’t supposed to interfere! I thought they were supposed to be stuck here!”
“It’s good to see you, too, Maria. Don’t be angry,” the Reaper drawled, unable to contain his light amusement. Maria let go of him. “They were free before I ever arrived. Not that I’m surprised. Besides, it was a necessary sacrifice. You seemed to have no trouble with them.”
Maria twitched, and eventually shrugged her shoulders. She found a decent piece of the church left standing and sat upon it. “Of course not. You set me a task, and I did it. I just don’t understand why you had me infiltrate the Renegades to stir up trouble. You never explained that detail, Your Worship.”
“Heh, no, I didn’t. My apologies for having you play such a long game without that knowledge,” they said. Maria didn’t mind all that much, but leaned forward, curious for the now forthcoming answer. “Rico was a clearly troubled soul, so tinged with anger. All he needed was the proper push. Outside forces certainly left him on the edge, but only someone trusted could push him over.”
“Ohhhh…you’re still not making sense, Your Worship.”
The Reaper chuckled. “It is not so easy to change people’s souls when they’re so easily convicted to but a single cause.”
“And now you’re making sense,” Maria told them, crossing her legs over one another. “You wanted the people to doubt the Corps, all for the grand plan. Though, aren’t you worried about the blowback on the Order? Eyes will be all on us, now.”
“The Renegades are virtually no more. The Corps is called into question. Who is left to turn to now?” Maria raised an eyebrow, and allowed a Cheshire grin to spread across her face. Excitement pooled in her chest and she began to rub her hands together. The Reaper glanced towards her, and even with their face covered, the satisfaction was there. “I believe we can move forward with the next phase. It’s time to begin gathering the Weapons in earnest.”
“That might be a problem. The spear was taken into the Corps’ custody.”
“You leave that to me, Deceiver Maria. You have a much more important task to accomplish, with a far more famed Weapon. One I expect to recover very soon.” They indulged themselves in another chuckle, laced with menace. “Finding my apprentice, replacing the legs of our Order, along the way will just be an extra perk.”
Maria watched her leader. Their confidence was overwhelming. Their manipulations were peerless. She tipped her head back and gave a boisterous laugh. Her face became crooked with her grin, and Maria transformed, clothes and face mimicking someone more than familiar to most of the world. “All right, Your Worship. Leave Lacardia to me. The Violent Staff will be yours in no time, and they won’t suspect a thing.”
“I’d expect no less from you Maria. Or would you prefer the name of the role you play, ‘Headmistress Unda’?”
Maria’s transformation finished, her earrings jangled, and when she turned to one of the few reflective surfaces left in the town, the face of Unda from Lacardia stared back her. This was going to be fun. Maria spun and giggled. Then she winked, and with a flurry of water, departed the island town for her next assignment.
For the Reaper, everything was right on track.
TO BE CONTINUED