Author's Note:

I don't own anything, duh.

Italics are for memories and thoughts.

This story is now complete. Please leave a review when you finish!

Rush

It had been raining all day. It was a month after the destruction of Nagapur, and winter was on its way. It felt like it could start to snow at any minute, with dark grey clouds hanging low over Athlum.

We were scheduled to leave for Eulam half an hour ago. Both my mom and Irina had come knocking at my bedroom door already, asking if I was ready to leave.

"Yeah, just a minute," I told both of them, though I made no move to go. I just sat on my bed, looking down at my fingers as I spun the flower Dave had given me in Nagapur between them. I didn't want to leave Athlum. For the first time, I felt like I was where I was meant to be.

"Open your eyes."

My eyes flew open, and the memory ended. The light was almost blinding, and I blinked as I tried to focus on what was in front of me.

"Woah…" I sighed as I looked out over the vast mountains in front of me. Snow covered peaks that shot out and above high clouds stretched as far as I could see. I was standing on one such peak, almost up to my knees in snow, but I couldn't feel the cold. I realized slowly that I couldn't see my breath either.

I must be dead. I thought. And damn, this isn't bad at all.

I stood for a moment, unable to look away from the beauty in front of me, before my mind began to question who had told me to open my eyes. I turned my head slowly to my left.

The Conqueror sat next to me on a large rock, gazing at me with a look I could only describe as boredom. The feeling that swept through me was strange; the one I had just sacrificed myself to destroy stood before me, but I wasn't afraid. I felt no hostility between us, even after what we had just been through. We'd been through it together, after all.

"Hey man," I said, a smile creeping across my face as I was filled with an odd sense of camaraderie. He only rolled his eyes.

"Come, sit," he instructed me, his voice rough yet quiet. I did as I was told, taking a seat next to him. We sat in an easy silence for a few moments, our eyes simply gazing at the horizon.

"Where are we?" I finally asked.

"We are in between," he replied. I immediately understood what he meant.

"Why?"

"You and I are exceptions," he began, shifting his weight a bit. "As wardens of the remnants, we have more control over if and when we will pass on."

My eyes flew to his face. I'm sure if I'd had a heartbeat, it would have skipped. "If we pass on? You mean we don't have to?"

He turned towards me, annoyance on his face again. "You really don't remember anything, do you?"

I threw up my hands, blurting out "Obviously not!" before slapping them back to my knees. We both stared at each other a few seconds before he began to chuckle.

"I suppose what happened is not your fault then. One can hardly perform a duty when he does not know what it is."

I leaned forward, placing my elbows on my knees, and stared at the ground, contemplating his words.

"So I was supposed to enslave the world? Man, that's messed up…" I said, scratching my head.

"Not you, Saress was." He stated. A smile crossed my face at his words. I had always wondered, since a few months ago when I figured out that I held a remnant inside of me, what her name was. I could sense it was a female, but we were never able to speak. Knowing now, although she was gone, was amazing.

"Wait, if she wasn't me, and I wasn't her, then I'm not really the remnant," I began thinking aloud, gesturing with bizarre hand movements as I tried to sort out my thoughts. He raised an eyebrow at me as I paused for a second. "Then…why am I here? Shouldn't she be here?"

"Yes, she should be." He stated plainly before falling into silence. I stared at him, leaning forward as I waited eagerly for him to continue.

"But?!" I burst out after a moment, rising to my feet.

He only shrugged at my outburst. "But she isn't."

"But why not?" I asked, realizing I was being annoying, but I wanted to know. I had wanted to talk to someone about my remnant for months, but had to leave before ever having the chance to tell someone. The Conqueror remained silent as I figured the answer out for myself. "Marion's blessing…that's why I'm here. Because I am still human…" My voice trailed off as I slowly sank back down to the rock I was sitting on previously.

Mom...Irina…

My heart ached at the thought of them. I suddenly wished Irina hadn't been present at the end. I remembered the look on her face that one day, not very long ago.

"Be good," I told her as I was exiting the audience chamber of Athlum. "I'll be back, you know I will."

"I was just a man once," he said after a long time. I turned toward him.

"Yeah?" I inquired.

"Yes, though I cannot recall my name or where I was from. The remnant I hold overtook me completely, though it drained my body and caused me to, in a way, go dormant. When I awoke, I was as I am."

"Oh," I said, nodding slightly. I didn't know what to say to him, but thankfully he sustained the conversation.

"I believe you are her e because Saress chose to have you be here, at this pinnacle," he said. "I was created when she originally failed to complete the task she was given. She was always a little…rowdy, per say. She didn't take orders well. Marion's blessing only prevented you from being overtaken."

My heart sunk a little. "So she passed on willingly so I could stay here?"

"Yes."

I left the flower Dave had given me on the bedside table of the room I was staying in. I gathered my things and opened the door, but paused to turn back and pass my gaze over the room which had been a comfortable, safe home for the past few months. As my eyes passed over the window, I noticed that the rain had started to fall harder than before, and the room seemed darker than before. With a deep sigh I exited the room, leaving the door open behind me.

After a long silence, I saw him turn to me out of the corner of my eye. I did not turn to face him.

"So, what did you say to the Marquis when you pulled that little stunt?"

My mind was instantly blank, as if it was a slate wiped clean. Then just as quickly it was filled with only one person. One face. One word.

Dave…

My breath caught in my throat. "What stunt?" I attempted to deny it.

"Manipulating time. I've seen you do it before, and you did it to everyone except the Marquis and yourself. It was risky, it could have made you lose control over the situation. What was so important that you had to tell to him?"

I let out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding, and reached up to run my fingers into my hair. "Uh, geez, you know…just not to worry and that people will live on without us and stuff," I stammered, feeling my chest swell in pain. Dave…

He was quiet for a few seconds, and I could see him considering me out of the corner of my eye.

"What did you mean to tell him?"

My resolve broke. I lowered my face into my hands, unable to look at him. It was a long time before I found my voice.

"Something very different."

I closed my eyes.

Rush,

I hope you have enjoyed the time with your family in Eulam for the Christmas holiday. In case you have not heard, the Congress has decreed that a search for new remnants is to begin at once throughout the world. Athlum, of course, will answer this call.

I know you must be relieved to be back home with your family, but I must request your help in this matter. Both your parents and Irina would be a great aid in the search. As for you, I would like to offer you the position of Commander of the soldiers that will be involved in this search. This position would be working directly with the Generals and me.

This position would be made a permanent one should you decide to stay in Athlum. We can discuss it in further detail upon your acceptance.

If you are willing to aid Athlum again, I will expect to see you back here within a fortnight.

Regards,

David Nassau

Marquis of Athlum

At the bottom of the letter, which had been in perfect script, a note was scrawled in the bottom corner, as if added in haste.

I do sincerely hope to see you back here soon.

My heart had already been beating wildly in happiness at the thought of going back to Athlum so soon, but with that last line it soared.

"What will you do now?" the Conqueror asked me, raising an eyebrow as he grinned in my direction.

"What do you think?" I replied, turning towards him with wide eyes. "I'm going back. They're waiting for me."

When we arrived in Athlum there was snow on the ground, and the sun shone in the sky. Rooftops throughout the city were dusted with a white powder, and Athlum castle looked as brilliant as ever. My stomach had started doing summersaults as soon as it came into view.

At the sight of us climbing the steps to the entrance, Bloctor came bouncing down them and smothered Irina and I in a hug.

"I'm so glad to see you guys!" he exclaimed, placing the two of us back on our feet.

"Me too man! Ready for some more late night duels?" I'd replied, laughing as he and I began to pretend to square off and throw light jabs at each other. Dad chuckled as Irina and Mom rolled their eyes and headed inside.

"We'll see you later Rush! C'mon John!" Mom had called from the doorway. Dad motioned to her that he'd be there in a minute, and then quietly pulled me aside.

"We're very proud of you, son. Working with the Marquis of Athlum, it's just great kiddo!" He said, clapping me on the back.

"Aw, thanks dad," I replied, becoming slightly embarrassed. He gave me a last smile before heading inside. I turned back to Bloctor.

"Hey, where's Dave?" I asked a little too quickly, giving away my enthusiasm.

"He's eh, in his office I believe. He shouldn't have any meetings for the rest of-"

"Thanks Bloctor!" I cut him off, and turned on my heel and began to jog for the door. My heart felt like a hummingbird in my chest as I approached the door to Dave's office, which was closed. I paused outside the door and took a deep breath.

Be cool, I told myself. I rapped my knuckles on the door briskly.

"Come in," I heard Dave call from the other side. My heart skipped a beat at the sound. I opened the door and entered quickly, my footsteps light. Only when I closed the door behind me without announcing myself did he raise his eyes to me.

"Rush," he said quietly as a smile spread across his face. I found myself beaming back like an idiot as he rose from his chair and walked towards me. He stopped a few paces from me quite suddenly, and withdrew his hands behind him, as he did when he was deep in thought.

"Have you come to a decision about the position I offered you?" he asked, his eyes moving towards the window.

"Yes," I replied. I felt a lump forming in my throat that I could not swallow.

"And?" He had moved away from me and towards the window. Although I could not see his face directly, I picked up on a hint of fear in his voice. He couldn't seriously be afraid I'd say no, could he? Did he think I came back here just to drop off my parents and Irina?

"How could you ever think I'd say no?!" I exclaimed, a wide smile breaking out on my face. His eyes flew from the window to meet mine, and I recognized relief spreading through his features. He took a few steps closer to me.

"Are you sure?" he asked, a little more confidently this time.

"Definitely," I replied, extending my hand to him. He took it immediately.

"Congratulations," he said, shaking my hand as a smile spread across his face. As our hands slowly came to a stop my smile fell away, and his mirrored mine. Our eyes were searching each others', looking for something I couldn't name.

I don't know which of us moved first, it seemed so simultaneous, but the next second I found myself with my arms around him, and his around mine. We were both holding onto each other tightly, and I could feel his fingers gripping my clothing. I closed my eyes, and listened only to the sounds of our breathing.

"I'm so glad you're back," he muttered into my shoulder after a long moment of silence.

"Me too," I sighed into his.

I'm never leaving him again, I thought to myself.

Returning to the present, I suddenly couldn't wait any longer to return home. "So, how do I do this?" I asked, rising to my feet and placing my hands on my hips as I looked around at the endless mountains.

"You're sure?" the Conqueror asked me, turning his head to me in interest.

I smiled at him. "Definitely."

"Just jump," he said, motioning with his head to the vast area before me. All I could see were clouds and nothing beyond them.

"Man, talk about a leap of faith," I said, inching slowly out towards the edge of the visible area of our peak. I heard a noise behind me, and saw the Conqueror had risen to his feet. When he saw me looking at him he motioned me over with a hand. I happily put off the leap for a moment and trotted over to him. When I reached him, he extended his hand to me. I shook it without hesitation.

"Alright, go on," he said, a small smile crossing his face. I smiled back before turning and moving back towards the edge.

"Hey, can you do me a favor?" I called back to him, looking over my shoulder. He crossed his arms over his chest before finally nodding.

"If you see Saress, tell her I'm sorry, and thanks."

I'm coming Dave. I thought to myself, and jumped.

When I returned to my old room in Athlum castle the day I became Commander, I found a surprise waiting for me. The flower I had left on the table had been placed in a small vase of water. It had been cared for in my absence.

The world faded to white as I lost consciousness.

Author's End Note:

Well, that's it for this one. I am in the middle of writing a Dave/Rush reunion type fic, and I'm hoping to get it out in the next few weeks. Please leave me a note of what you think of this, too sappy, not sappy enough, bad writing style? This is the last time I write in first person, I really do hate it.