Fallen

Chapter Sixty: What If...?

Ash sits and watches as young warriors are shown how to fight. Madi seems happy to be among people her age for once. Though she seems against the idea of lying. But both Clarke and Ash are afraid what Octavia may do when she finds out Madi is the last possible candidate for the Flame. But they also don't want to tell her because she still sees Octavia as her hero.

Bellamy sits down beside Ash, clearly distraught.

"Octavia gave Echo twenty-four hours to leave before she would have to fight in the arena," he quietly informs her.

"I bet I know O wants as the opponent," she weakly chuckles. 

"I barely recognize her any more."

"Same."

Madi spots Ash watching and waves towards her. Ash smiles towards her adoptive daughter and waves back. Bellamy slightly waves before the girl goes back to her group.

"I use to think about us having a kid," Bellamy admits. "And that they would be as amazing as the one you have now."

Ash looks at her hands for a second, processing it.

"I was actually afraid of having a kid," she admits. "I was afraid I would fuck them up. Especially after Charlotte." She looks back up towards Madi. "But I lucked out finding her."

Bellamy sighs, thinking through her words.

"I still regret what happened to Charlotte. I should have done more."

That's what hit him the most. She can't blame him. Over half a decade later and she still thinks about it. Still thinks about everyone they have lost.

"We couldn't have done anything," she tells him. "As hard as it is to admit, we did the best we could in that situation."

Bellamy lets out a soft chuckle. "You still seem to know what to say."

"I never do," she laughs. "I just come up with it as I go."

He lets a laugh. A genuine one. How she missed hearing that fucking laugh.

"And here I thought you were the smart one out of the three of us."

"'Three of us'?"

"Yes. You, me, and Clarke. You know, I'm not surprised you and Clarke ended up together."

"I am  surprised you ended up with Echo. I thought likely it would've been Raven."

"It may have been you if you were on the ship," he admits. "But I was lucky that we made it. And I was lucky you helped save Echo."

Her heart picks up speed. The fact he had considered what may have happened if she had been with them. Though it would be a lie if she said she hadn't considered it as well. She can't be sure what would have happened if she made it on the ship. Because that would have meant Clarke would've too. There was no chance one would have left the other. 

Unless Clarke had pulled some ridiculous move to keep her safe. Similar to what happened back when there was the issue of the bunker. However, she would also being lying if she said she wasn't happy these past couple years. The small family her, Clarke, and Madi made; or on what could be considered Edin these days. 

If Clarke and Ash were both on the ship, they wouldn't have been alone for so long. It would have been them with the others for six years. They would've been with Bellamy. But then Madi would've been alone for six years. While she could have easily survived on her own during that time, she wouldn't know how to react to people invading her home.

"Yo know what I could go for?" Ash jokes, breaking the silence. Also trying to change the subject very quickly. 

"Monty's moonshine?" he laughs.

"Oh definitely. But specifically the one he made on Unity Day."

This earns a genuine laugh from him.

"You kept tripping."

"It was icy and I was tipsy," she quickly argues. He chuckles, shaking his head. The two watch the training. Madi seems to hold her own against the other opponents. 

"She's good," Bellamy tells her. "You and Clarke taught her well." He leans slightly closer before whispering, "She'll make a good Commander one day."

She feels her breath hitch and her muscles tense; however she tries to act like nothing happened. 

"So you know," she quietly responds.

"There was no way to replicate the formula," he replies, sitting up straight. His voice barely loud enough for even her to hear. "And no one needs to know that."

A small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. Good to know he's on her side. 

A static sound rings out from the walkie Bellamy has on his hip. The others go off at the same time.

"Members of Wonkru," the voice of Diyoza says through the machines. Octavia rushes into Ash's line of sight to steal one of the walkies. "I am offering a safe haven for anyone who wishes to abandon their situation. You have my word no harm will come to you."

Octavia looks angry at the message, turning towards the person she had taken the walkie from.

"Execute anyone who tries to defect!" she screams, shoving the device back in their hand. She motions towards Indra and the two march off. 

"This may be my chance to stay," a voice from behind Ash states. Ash quickly responds by grabbing them and going to pin the person down, her hand on the hilt of her knife. Echo smirks up at her.

"Good response time, my queen."

Ash quickly lets her up. 

"You're lucky I didn't stab you."

"Very. As I was saying, I can use this to my advantage." Ash raises her eyebrow. "If I offer my services to Octavia, I may be able to stay."

"It's risky," Bellamy informs her. "I'm not even sure how Octavia is going to respond."

"I think it's worth a shot," Echo informs him. "If I fail, I'll be banished any way."

"Or she'll kill you," Ash adds.

"If she can catch me," Echo smirks at her. The spy kisses her boyfriend before disappearing into the crowd that is starting to form. It's kind of impressive how she does that. What could she have learned from Echo in those six years? 

Then one thought that Ash has been trying to avoid pops in her head as an Azgeda citizen bows their head in her direction. What would have happened if Roan had won instead of Octavia? Echo would still have been banished but Ash probably would've been in the bunker. 

Her head spins at all the different possibilities run through her mind. She is able to push it aside when she sees Clarke. The blonde locks eyes with her before motioning for her to follow. Ash excuses herself before following her partner.