Individual thanks to come later...
Author’s Note: So, I meant to get the out sooner, but I’ve been super sick the past week and have not been able to do anything. It was really bad. The good news – I’m much better now. I can actually look at a computer screen without my head screaming at me…
Okay – here it is, chapter 13 and the epilogue. I hope that you all enjoy the ending to this story. It gets a little fantastical, due to the Rambaldi aspect of the story. But not too bad – no green goo that somehow tells people the location of a long lost sister after being smashed onto the ground…or a machine with robot arms, or anything else like that… :lol:
Oh yes, and I apologize for two things: 1- the lack of smut, it just didn’t fit in anywhere and 2- any typos/errors that I missed. I’m still a bit loopy on my medication…I’m sure I’ll catch them and fix them later – and feel free to PM me if you see anything majorly wrong
Chapter 13
Hope
Hope
Seeing who you really are
At your highest
Is who you will become
-Jewel
Sydney picked up the paper that had come from Il Dire.
Hope or Despair? She knew that they could not understand the magnitude of that simple question.
Basically, the weight of the world was piled on her shoulders – she was the chosen one. She did not want to be, but she was.
They were all sitting there, waiting for somebody to start talking. But none of the men knew how to ask the question that needed to be asked. So they sat, on edge, until Sydney would start talking on her own.
“I saw images of the past, the present, and the future,” Sydney began before anybody could even ask the question. “And I took two different paths in the future. In one path, I chose evil and caused destruction. In the other, I chose good and essentially saved the world.”
The four men were silent, as they waited to hear the rest of what she had to say. This was one thing that they could not rush, and they all knew it.
“So basically, the time will come that I have to make a choice, and the most frightening part about it is that I must make the decision by myself. There is nobody that can help me, dissuade me, or stop me if I choose the path of destruction.”
Jack, having the steadiest voice, asked calmly, “What happens when you choose this path?”
Sydney shuddered for a moment with the memory of the images forced upon her. Then she spoke, just as calmly as her father, “Well in both cases I search for something. But the search does not take long, because I know exactly where it is.”
She paused, feeling the now familiar sense of unnatural knowledge coursing through her body.
When she started again her voice was still steady. “I’m filled with knowledge and images of things I should know nothing about. I never believed in Rambaldi before now. But I have no choice anymore. I don’t like it, but it is what it is.”
At this, the four practical men nodded, hearing the element of truth and annoyance in her voice.
She continued, “I just wanted to get that clear. Now, back to this object that I find: it is, well, it is a vial filled with a serum that leads to immortality.”
Sydney paused as she saw the unbelieving looks from her companions. She shook her head and continued, “I know it sounds unbelievable, but it is true. Do you remember the flower in Pakistan – that was uncovered using the cores of the nukes?”
They all nodded, the disbelief slowly draining from their faces as they noted her determination to make them believe – as she now did.
“That was preserved using a variation of this serum. I saw in the Telling a vision of the past – of Rambaldi – as he was concocting this human variation. And another thing; Rambaldi very closely resembled Sloane. It is my belief that Sloane is a direct descendant of this man.”
To this Weiss snorted in derision. “You don’t really believe that, just from a couple of visions, do you?”
To which Sydney gave him an arch look and responded, “You are not the one who saw these things. I don’t expect all of you to believe me, I guess, but it is all true. I can no longer doubt.”
Sark nodded and reinforced Sydney, “when I was partnered with Sloane at SD-6, he used to tell me how he believed that. It was a monk in Nepal, a Rambaldi scholar named Conrad who informed Sloane of his heritage and started him on this quest.”
Sydney thanked him silently and continued with the rest of her story. “In one vision, I find this serum and take it. One particularly nasty side effect is that it corrupts the brain. I become, basically, an evil force and I attempt to essentially control the world.”
At this, Vaughn, who had been silent the whole time recited the most telling part of the prophecy, “
This woman here depicted will possess unseen marks. Signs that she will be the one to bring forth my works. Bind them with fury, a burning anger unless prevented at vulgar cost this woman will render the greatest power unto utter desolation.”
Sydney nodded, shivering at the words – remembering the images. “The prophecy is all true. But there is one problem.” She paused and looked directly at Sark, and then her father. “Nobody can help me. The only person that can prevent the fury and burning anger is me. And in the image I saw where I did not use the serum – I was unable to see how I prevented it. All I saw was my entering the place and then exiting many hours later.”
Jack finally spoke, “There must be something we can do. I refuse to accept that there is nothing at all possible to be done to help you.”
Tears filled her eyes for the first time during her re-telling. “I’m sorry, dad. There really is nothing you can do except take me there and wait. This is something I have to do on my own.”
The other three men were equally unable to accept this right away. Sark stood up and started pacing the room. “There must be something Sloane knows that could help you with this. He might know what you will have to face and overcome.”
Sydney shook her head. “He does not know. The role he plays only comes later, when I am bent on destruction. He becomes my guide, my teacher, and the only one who does not suffer my wrath.”
The silence in the room became overwhelming.
Sydney got up and left before she completely lost control. It was a struggle, knowing that nobody could help you. Feeling the insane burden of essentially the future of the world, was more than any one person should have to deal with alone.
But here she was – in that exact situation. It was funny, when she was younger, and her whole world had revolved around school and friends, she had nobody to count on as well. When she had a bad day, if somebody had teased her – her father was never there to wipe away her tears.
Now that he was, now that she had not only a father, but a lover, and two incredibly loyal friends to help her – they were powerless to do anything but watch and wait.
Sometimes life just didn’t make sense. And she blamed it all on Sloane and some fifteenth century man with a God-complex.
Vaughn followed her out, and Sark let him – because he knew that there was still unfinished business between them and, after all, Vaughn had been with her from the start of this prophecy business.
“Sydney,” he said softly, “I want you to know how much I believe in you.”
She looked up into the eyes of the man she had left behind: the man who was limping because of her, the man who had taken a bullet for her. Sydney smiled.
“I know you do, now.”
“Sark told me something, when he gave me my black eye,” he said, somewhat sheepishly as he remembered his foolish pride.
She grinned, “And what did he tell you?”
“He told me that while he still had to loyalties to any country, he was no longer completely flexible. He told me that his loyalties lie with you. I believe that now. It hurts me still, but I believe it – and I believe in you.”
A tear slipped out of her eye as she smiled. “Thank you.”
Vaughn put a hand on her shoulder, not quite knowing how to end the conversation. Sydney knew, however, as she drew him in for a hug – an offer of friendship, that he accepted with a heavy heart.
Sark coughed from the doorway. Vaughn pulled away, sadly, and as he walked by Sark, he said softly, “She’s yours – but take care of her. Or I might just have to let you give me a black eye again.”
Sark arched an eyebrow and laughed. His face turned more solemn as he looked back at Sydney. She was exhausted, he could tell. So he pulled her into his arms and placed her gently on the couch.
“Just sleep,” he whispered as he stroked her soft hair. So she did, and he watched her as she slept.
---
Back in Los Angeles – at the JTF
Sloane was not a lucky man. He was bruised and swollen, lying in a CIA cell. Jack Bristow was not a forgiving man – and Sloane had crossed him too many times to ever be redeemed.
After Sydney had recounted her visions from Il Dire, Jack had paid a little visit to Sloane.
“It seems as though now you are in my custody, old friend,” Jack said, in his most unyielding tone.
At this point, Sloane was still convinced he could talk his way out of anything. “Jack, we have been friends for many years. It was never my intention to torture you. But such is the way of our profession, our chosen profession.”
Jack narrowed his eyes, “You have crossed me too many times to play that card, Arvin. You have used the one person that I never wanted to be used.”
It was a painful flight back to Los Angeles for Arvin Sloane.
And now he was stuck in a cell. So far away from his dream, from his destiny, that he no longer felt the pain from his bruises. All he felt was numbness and despair – from losing at the end of his lifelong goal. He had come so far, and lost so much that his will to live was the only thing he had left – and that was diminishing every moment he spent in the cell.
Meanwhile, in Dixon’s office all those involved met in private to discuss the next events that were to take place.
---
5 days later – Brazil, the Amazon
The lush rainforest was filled with life. There was even life in the humid mist that seeped in between the trees and other foliage.
The river was relatively peaceful as they floated along in the canoes they had acquired from some of the native tribes in the area. There was no joking on this mission. All were quiet. It was partly due to reverence and respect of their beautiful surroundings, but partly because nobody knew quite what to say.
They reached the enclave that lead to the lush area where the vial was located. The men could do nothing but wait there as Sydney made her way through the forest.
As she walked along, carefully watching for snakes, spiders, or other potentially poisonous creatures along her way, she feared the worst. She had no idea if she would be able to confront this evil, and save the world.
She really hated that. She hated the unknown. She hated not knowing how to destroy the serum, and how to stop herself from taking it.
And she hated the dreadful feeling of premonition that somehow her mother was involved. Facing Irina Derevko while trying to save the world was not on her top ten list of situations to face.
But here she was, navigating through the rainforest – alone, yet knowing exactly where she was going, even though she had never been there before.
Finally she reached the tree that she knew really held the vial on the inside – instead of the rest of the thick trunk. It was surrounded by a small circle empty of other plants, and it was as though the creatures knew what was there – for no animal dared come near that tree.
Sydney was filled with cold fear then, as she heard the sound of something approaching. She turned and was not really surprised when she saw that it was indeed her mother.
“I see you aren’t surprised to see me here, dear daughter. I suppose you know by now that this is your destiny and I am a part of it all.”
Sydney rolled her eyes. Just because she believed, did not mean she was going to start speaking of destiny and fate with her mother. “You know – this whole thing feels a little like
Star Wars, except that I already know you’re my mother, so save the Darth Vadar routine for somebody who’s interested.”
Irina smiled. “You believe, but you refuse to accept. I suppose that is a product of your upbringing.”
“I suppose,” Sydney responded dryly. “Now, what I don’t know is whether you are here to try and help me, or if you are here to convince me that I have this hidden desire to rule the world.”
This time Irina laughed a full and throaty. “I know that I cannot influence your decision either way. I’m here to kill you if I must.”
“And in what situation is that necessary? Because supposedly, if I drink from this vial, I’m basically immortal.”
“That I cannot tell you,” Irina responded, in her usual cryptic tone.
“I suppose you are going to tell me that if in fact the woman in the prophecy chooses to destroy this vial, that her mother can stop that from happening, kill the girl, and use it herself.”
“Oh no, it is nothing like that. But I
can help you. You did not see that much, but I can.”
Sydney looked at her mother in disbelief. “How?”
“By giving you this,” with those words, Irina handed her a document, “This is a Rambaldi artifact that came to me from a monk in Nepal – Conrad. Read this and make your decision.”
So Sydney read. And after she read, she knew exactly what she needed to do.
She looked at her mother, apologetic but determined. She picked up her tranquilizer gun and shot her mother. Irina crumpled to the ground as though she were boneless.
She searched her mother’s pockets and found what she was looking for – a needle. She filled half with her mother’s blood, cleaned the needle, and filled the rest with her own.
She then found the vial of the serum in the tree and opened it. She watched as the serum burned from contact with the mixture of their blood. If she had not been there, she would never have believed this was possible. But it was. When the vial was gone, she took the remaining blood and with it burned up the document – on which were instructions on how to recreate the formula.
Irina awoke just as the paper was finished burning. “So, it is done, then.”
“Yes mother, it is done. Derevko blood, mixed with Bristow blood – a mixture of hope.”
Irina shook her head, to clear the fog from her brain. “You know, you didn’t have to knock me out. I was not going to stop you.”
Sydney smiled. “I couldn’t risk it. Once I knew what to do, I knew that there was only one choice to make. And I didn’t know if I could trust you or not. So I did what I had to do.”
Her mother nodded, “I understand.”
“I know you do. Now, you must leave, and I must go back to the others.”
“I don’t know whether or not we will meet again, daughter.”
Sydney smiled sadly, “That is the way it must be. You will never be anything but an enemy to my country.”
Mother and daughter looked at each other, not speaking, not moving, and said a silent goodbye. They walked in their separate directions with heavy hearts – lightened only by the fact that the world was safe from Rambaldi. Though, Sydney had to admit, the whole ending was slightly anti-climactic. It was a ridiculous quest, she realized, but one she had learned something from.
The world was not fully black and white. And the shades of gray in between were what made life exciting.
As she returned to the enclave, she was met by her constant companions, the ones who had never doubted her on this mission – her father, her friends, and her shade of gray.
She was enveloped into her father’s arms as soon she was within range. “Is it done?” He asked.
“It is done,” she replied.
They all breathed a sigh of relief.
In a cell, far away, an old man lost his will to live. And drifted away quietly into the hereafter to face his eternal punishment for all of his evil deeds.