The Insurrection

Chapter Ten

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

"His name was Alex. He was eight years old and had dreams to be an astronaut and explore the universe. He died in our fight against UniFed. I know you all have your Alex's too. A brother, sister, son, daughter, mother, or father. People you have lost during this Insurrection. The good thing is that we are at the end of it. This is our finish line. Our final step in rebuilding this World is simple: heal. In the past couple of months, we have pushed our losses and pain aside to restore, and we have restored. Now it's time to mourn and grieve. It's time to remember and commemorate the ones we've lost. Because they will never be forgotten. It's time to heal."

I step back from the podium for the last time. This is it. We did it. We succeeded.

We go back to our HeadQuarters and celebrate for a bit before we start saying our goodbyes. Soon enough everyone will have their own place to call home and begin their new lives. But no matter where we go, this Insurrection will always be with us.

After packing up our belongings, we make a stop at a place that will hopefully bring some peace and comfort to everyone. After some planning and creativity, we built memorials all around the World for everyone we lost. Not just during the Insurrection, but under UniFed's rule too. I hope that people will feel some sense of closure from them and that they serve as reminders of the sacrifices that were made.

I brush up my knuckles against Alex's plaque and place a small toy rocket. I switch places with dad and move to mom's plaque next. I wish they could both see our World right now. See that their dreams have come true. I blink away the tears and turn to join Taika and Leon as we pay our respects to every Insurrector we've lost. We made it, I whisper under my breath.

After visiting the memorials, we take a walk and I lead Taika and Leon through the lively streets.

"Where are you taking us?" Taika asks.

"You'll see," I say.

She sighs, and Leon chuckles, "I see you have excellent patience, princess." He mocks.

She glares at him and says, "That is not making a comeback."

"Oh, yes it is."

We walk for a few more minutes and I say, "Here we are."

"Is that-?" Taika asks.

I nod, "This is where it all began." I wave my arms around.

We all look at the alley that I made Alex stay in while I was running from a WorldKeeper, the alley that Taika was hiding in away from her father, and the alley that Alex brought Leon in to save him from his Golden Complex. It was the alley where we all took a chance on each other. Learned how to trust, forgive, care, and love. We lean on each other and look back on our journey that got us here.

"Two years ago, this is the alley where our Insurrection began."