I Miss the Future: A Reggie x Jake x Jenny Free Birds FanFic

Chapter 7: Flee the Flock...

   "Welcome turkeys big and small, I am proud to introduce our very first transfer ceremony!" The frail turkey squawked, his face full of pride and honor. Jenny gripped Reggie's hand painfully tight as Reggie did his best to bite back a yelp. They stood on a natural stage created by the layout of the cave. The rocks beneath Jenny's feet were cold and dry. Ranger stood on the opposite side of the stage, his face stoic. The slender turkey yapped out a ramble of explanations and thank-yous as the crowd waited patiently for the ceremony to really start. As the announcing turkey finally wrapped up his speech, Jenny, Reggie, and Ranger walked towards the center of the stage, Jenny's eyes locking with Ranger's.

   "Goodbye sis.." Ranger's face remained stony and cold, but his voice was nothing but a pained whisper. 

   "I'll miss you Ray, take good care of the flock for me, will you?" Jenny briefly let go of Reggie's hand to pull Ranger into a gentle goodbye-hug. Jenny slowly and carefully took off her necklace, the same necklace that got her here in the first place. It was time for her to flee the flock.

   Ranger's face twisted and warped, his brave exterior finally breaking, revealing a much more vulnerable side of himself. As tears blurred his vision, he took off his necklace, his hands visibly shaking. Ranger held his feathered palm out, the necklace resting peacefully in the center. Jenny held her palm out as well, her eyes beginning to well with tears. As they traded necklaces, the crowd began to cheer. 

   Jenny was no longer chief. 

   She could do as she pleased. 

   She could finally leave.

   Jenny pulled Reggie into a deep hug, her tears wetting Reggie's neatly kept feathers. They promptly stepped off stage, arms around one another. Jenny's eyes were filled with relief, but a sense of loss picked at the back of her mind. Reggie wore a wide grin on his face, his mind racing at the speed of light. Reggie led Jenny to their beds, having to occasionally slow down and let Jenny catch up. 

   "I can't believe we finally made it to this day. I thought it wouldn't happen in a million lifetimes!" Jenny wiped her eyes, tears staining her light blue feathers. Reggie couldn't help but pull Jenny into a passionate kiss, his beak intertwining with hers. Jenny blushed lightly, pulling away to catch her breath. 

   "Shall we start packing??!?" Reggie began jumping up and down, not being able to contain his excitement. Jenny nodded, letting out a small chuckle. She stepped up and helped Reggie pack all of their things, keeping them in a makeshift bag made of twigs, tree sap, and plenty of leaves. They scanned the flock, ensuring they hadn't forgotten to grab anything. Jenny nodded once she was sure there was nothing else to grab. Reggie dragged Jenny to the clearing in which he arrived here, grinning ear-to-ear. 

   "So, what do we do now?" Jenny asked, tilting her head slightly at the empty space. 

   "I suppose I should call for S.T.E.V.E-" Reggie was abruptly cut off by S.T.E.V.E's familiar voice. 

   "I see you finally decided to come back. Hop in, I can get you there in a jiffy!" S.T.E.V.E remarked, his voice not quite human yet not quite robotic. 

   "S.T.E.V.E!! Oh thank god, I was worried you wouldn't respond!" Reggie let out a sigh of relief, his muscles relaxing. Jenny stared in awe of the grand machine.

   "We made it."