It's alright, Sakki, Dino. Don't worry about it.
Anyway, I'll post the last chapter of this book soon. Like now. I'm gonna tell ya right now -- ain't gonna be a HAPPY ending . . .
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN:
A Bittersweet Victory
The White Lanterns landed next to their RAFian brethren. The armada was no more, the victims freed. Flores and Screamer had a touching reunion with Ventus, Wiz and Sonica. The living RAFians were celebrating, but the White Lanterns were not joining in.
Shadow arrived a few moments later, confirming that Malice was finally dead. This caused the jubilation to escalate. But throughout all this rowdiness, the White Lanterns seemed sad, bereft.
"What's wrong with you guys?" Dino said. "We've won!"
"Yes, we have." Goom said, not looking at her.
"We have freed all these innocents," Parker said, also not meeting her eyes.
"We have fulfilled the need," Gaz said with a morose tone.
"We have fulfilled our . . . our purpose here." Cloak said, deliberately keeping his back to Shadow.
"WHAT?!" she screamed -- a monkey screech intermingling with the word.
"Shadow, we're dead," Blaze said, rather cooly.
"I know that! But --"
"Shadow," Cloak said, gently but firmly, turning to face her. "There's an order to things. You know this. You know we no longer belong here. Our time, albeit brief, is over."
"NO!"
This time the voice was all of the RAFians.
"I'm afraid it's true," Blue said. "We were allowed to come back -- but . . ."
"But only for this one battle." Sakki finished.
Suddenly, a bright light appeared. Shadow ran forward, determined not to let her uncle go. But her hands clasped on nothing.
"I love you, Shadow," Cloak faint voice was heard. "But you don't need me anymore. You've proven that this day. This isn't forever -- we shall meet again . . . someday, long from now . . ."
And they were gone. Shadow stood, still with tears, but with a renewed sense of individuality and strength. She was Shadow, Elements Master. Shadow, the RAFian.
