Valkyrie

Burial Plot

~~*~~

Watch me as I come undone

A burial plot for you and I

Where we can both learn to die

It's my fault that your gone

~~*~~

The news had broken and the weight on Stella's shoulders just seemed to get heavier as now the public's opinions and thoughts were running wild. Some were shocked, in denial, angry. Angry with her, for not telling them sooner. For lying.

The messages poured in and Stella had to delete most of her social media due to her just scrolling through every comment berating her, or worse, accusing her of killing the Guardians. She knew Cecil already knew about it, but when he would bring it up was another matter entirely.

The funeral seemed like it happened overnight, even though Stella knew that wasn't true, but that's what it felt like, and she wanted to scream. In her costume, beside Nolan as they waited to take off with the US army's fighter jets.

"How are you feeling? I know you pushed yourself during the last Falxan attack, you're not gonna fall out of the sky, are you?" Nolan grinned down at her. Stella forcing a grin at his attempt at humor, but was just entirely patronizing.

"I'm fine, thanks." Stella gritted out, both of them getting the signal at that moment to take off.

~~*~~

Stella stood on that pop-up stage for what felt like ages while Omni-man spoke, as he was supposed to deliver his speech and then introduce her. But he seems to have forgotten that she was the "main event" speaker, as the last remaining Guardian.

It was probably for the best though, because even though Stella knew their bodies weren't in those coffins, seeing them and remembering made her want to be anywhere but there. Soft applause and the clearing of a throat made her snap out of her daze. Nolan gesturing to the podium with his head and stepping back.

Stella took a breath and stepped up to the microphone, looking at the crowd of heroes and civilians alike all here to mourn her friends. Swallowing harshly Stella rolled her shoulder's back.

"I was almost fifteen when I started my training with the Guardians of the Globe, when I first met them it was not the warmest reception." Stella quietly chuckled to herself, glancing down for a second before looking back out at the crowd. Hands gripping the side of the podium for dear life, "They were confused about how this... kid, could become a Guardian. But over time they became my friends, my family." Stella's voice wavered and she took a breath before continuing, glancing around the eyes of those in the crowd. "Fighting along-side them was a privilege, they taught me what it means to be a hero, what it means to be a Guardian of the Globe. I will carry them, their memories, and their teachings with me for the rest of my life. And as the... last Guardian, I promise you, the world, that I will be there carrying on their legacy with Omni-man and those like us. They will not be forgotten, not in this lifetime, and not in the next. They will live on through the new generations of heroes and inspire them to be the best they can be. Just like they do for me, everyday."

Stella's eye stung and she was determined not to cry in front of the whole world right now. But her struggle was clear to see, even though she was trying her best to embody Immortal's ability to be the calm and collected leader in the face of any advisory.