You can't believe everything that happened- I can't- [she stops, and briefly sobers, reaching for Rachel's hand.]
Don't. Don't say you're sorry. You've got nothing to be sorry about. It's all fucking Nathan Prescott and Jefferson. They're the ones to blame. Not you. They should be sorry.
[ the mention of nathan - of jefferson - causes a small flinch, and a bitter look spreads across her usually smiling features.
and she can't even hate nathan for what he did, not in the way that chloe does. not when she knows everything that happened, how she understands, even if it's all twisted, and even if it meant she had to lose her life for it. ]
I still left you, though, even after everything I promised. And Frank— [ and her heart is breaking for poor, poor frank, who she treated and used so terribly and was treated terribly by in return. ] I wasn't the greatest friend.
[She did leave. Rachel had been her rock through so much. After her father's death, after Max left... Rachel had been there for a bitter, angry young woman, and honestly, had saved her life just as much as Max had.]
You weren't. But that doesn't mean I don't love you.
[Because even she has to admit that. Rachel lied to her about Frank and of all the things she figured Rachel would tell her about. Best friends were supposed to tell each other everything, right?]
Why didn't you tell me? You know you could have told me anything, Rachel. [Maybe telling her would have saved her life.]
That's the point- only one person left living in the entire world knows.
[Her life, though, it's a small price to pay. Nathan Prescott gets arrested. Kate lives. Jefferson is stopped before he can hurt anyone else. Rachel is found. And the town stays standing.
But at least she had that stupid, weird, crazy week. The most fun she'd had in years, Max and Chloe, back at it after so long. None of it had happened, in the end. But she remembered.]
Everyone's just gonna keep living their lives, unaware of the impending Apocalypse that I stopped.
Guess that's what being a superhero is all about, right? No key to the city or giant statues. [Just another name on the list of reasons why they needed to do something about guns.]
Doesn't matter. [Chloe shoves her hands in the pockets of her jeans.] No one would believe the shit I've been through in the last week, anyway. [Just her and Max.]
The point was to keep everything safe. Normal. And Arcadia Bay doesn't want to celebrate a blue-haired delinquent.
Then be proud. The one who remembers, the one who had to take your life- [Which in itself must have been a Thing, he realises.] -will not forget your heroism.
But I hope that here, in this convoluted world, you are able to reunite with those close to you.
Good for you. Just means you'll be a target next time something happens that people can't explain. You'll spend more time trying to clear your name than actually getting anything done. I was caught in that loop for years before I lost my powers.
Oh yeah? You're lucky, then. Most of us don't have that luxury.
[Jono's got his own experiences with death, both literal and metaphorical. By all rights, he should have died that day. No More Mutants. No more powers keeping him alive. Were it not for the timely intervention of Dr. Henry McCoy, he very likely would have died. Considering the way he lived for the next year, death would have been preferable. Laying in a pressurized hyperbaric tent, with tubes hooked up to machines pumping his blood, oxygenating it, and providing him the bare minimum of nourishment to keep him alive. If he could have committed suicide back then, he absolutely would have.
Now here he was, alive and patched up by the people he hates most in the world, leaping right back into being a "superhero", after he'd sworn the life off for good. He's a damn hypocrite and he knows it.]
Like I said, you're lucky. There are infinitely worse superpowers to have, and worse ways to end up after doin' the whole "superhero" thing. Case in point. [He gestures at his own face. Gray skin, reddish eyes, and blue lips, like he's out of some horrible sci-fi movie set in Egypt.]
I didn't always used to look like this. Used to have a bloody explosion where my heart ought to be. Talk about losing the super-power lottery. [He laughs a dry, sarcastic laugh.]
I don' mean to bitch, but we've all got a story, don't we?
[That...makes him genuinely laugh, no sarcasm implied.]
Might say that, yeah. They called me "Chamber" back in the day, on account of my chest being a chamber of nigh-unlimited biokinetic energy. It was all bollocks, really. Was supposed to be in school learning to control it, but I never really learned anything beyond what not to do with my powers. In all honestly, I'm glad to be shot of it all. Whatever "heroing" I do any more's my choice.
But I promised I would protect you! And instead I let you die and... and I killed you. [Twice. Once in the alternate universe and then saving the bay. And you died thinking you were alone and abandoned in a bathroom, it still hurts.]
You will always be my hero, Chloe. And trust me, I will never ever forget the time we spent togather. I am glad I got to share this journey with you, there's no one else I'd have wanted at my side.
No. Don't you ever say that, don't even think it, Max! Nathan Prescott killed me. Just like he killed Rachel, and now, because of you, he and Jefferson are going to get exactly what they deserve.
[It's, if you want to get technical, assisted suicide, both times.
The tip of Chloe's nose is red, and she wrinkles it to try to get the tell-tale sting of unshed tears out. No crying, crying is for wimps, and she's not a wimp.] I know you won't. I'll haunt your ass if I even think it. [Ghost points! Woohoo!]
I know. I'm so thankful I got to spend this week with you. You're my best friend, Max. I love you, alright?
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I knew I'd see you again!
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I can't believe everything that happened— and, I'm so sorry.
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Don't. Don't say you're sorry. You've got nothing to be sorry about. It's all fucking Nathan Prescott and Jefferson. They're the ones to blame. Not you. They should be sorry.
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and she can't even hate nathan for what he did, not in the way that chloe does. not when she knows everything that happened, how she understands, even if it's all twisted, and even if it meant she had to lose her life for it. ]
I still left you, though, even after everything I promised. And Frank— [ and her heart is breaking for poor, poor frank, who she treated and used so terribly and was treated terribly by in return. ] I wasn't the greatest friend.
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You weren't. But that doesn't mean I don't love you.
[Because even she has to admit that. Rachel lied to her about Frank and of all the things she figured Rachel would tell her about. Best friends were supposed to tell each other everything, right?]
Why didn't you tell me? You know you could have told me anything, Rachel. [Maybe telling her would have saved her life.]
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Don't seem to happy about that, mate.
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[Says the street vigilante who is just waiting for his number to come up. He offers her a sympathetic look.]
Stinks though, I'm sorry.
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[She kicks at the ground, because she is an ADULT.]
You think there are enough super-hero movies where we'd know that by now
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[He frowns, crossing his arms over his chest.]
I mean how many times has Superman died to sell the bloody books?
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I've come back, at least, that's what Max said. This time, I chose. I chose not to come back.
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[A small, almost half hearted shrug.]
That takes a lot of courage, y'know, to decide to sacrifice yourself.
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[Chloe reaches behind her head, awkwardly scratching at her neck.]
I- ah- thanks. [Don't tell anyone she said that. Don't.]
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Welcome.
[And y'know, he was a little rude. Jake offers his hand, eyes lighting up with a smile.]
I'm Jake, or Hunter, doesn't matter I answer to both.
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Well, since I doubt you want to talk about what happened, why don't you tell me what is your style, mate?
SORRY LATE
Uh, I call it 'Fuck This Small Town And Everyone In It' most days.
IT'S OKAY I THINK I'M LATER? OFFERS STARBUCKS
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Apparently just Friday. And, ah, Wednesday.
Same player, just a different account, sorry!
[Biff?? Beef?? Actually, nevermind--]
Nevertheless, it was a noble sacrifice. I am certain your deeds will not go forgotten by those important to you. Or perhaps, by all.
you're good!
[Her life, though, it's a small price to pay. Nathan Prescott gets arrested. Kate lives. Jefferson is stopped before he can hurt anyone else. Rachel is found. And the town stays standing.
But at least she had that stupid, weird, crazy week. The most fun she'd had in years, Max and Chloe, back at it after so long. None of it had happened, in the end. But she remembered.]
Everyone's just gonna keep living their lives, unaware of the impending Apocalypse that I stopped.
Guess that's what being a superhero is all about, right? No key to the city or giant statues. [Just another name on the list of reasons why they needed to do something about guns.]
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Except not quite like this.]
Would it please you more to be remembered in such a way?
[He doesn't mean that in a condescending way. His tone always seems neutral, if not kind.]
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The point was to keep everything safe. Normal. And Arcadia Bay doesn't want to celebrate a blue-haired delinquent.
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But I hope that here, in this convoluted world, you are able to reunite with those close to you.
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[Max loves her. And she loves Max.]
I- [Chloe starts.] My dad. Rachel. Yeah- yeah!
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[She's dead now. In every universe, every reality, except maybe one or two, she's dead as a doornail.
But Max... No. No one knew Max was responsible. Max wasn't responsible for the tornado or any of it. Things had just gotten out of whack.
Starting with her surviving.]
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[Jono's got his own experiences with death, both literal and metaphorical. By all rights, he should have died that day. No More Mutants. No more powers keeping him alive. Were it not for the timely intervention of Dr. Henry McCoy, he very likely would have died. Considering the way he lived for the next year, death would have been preferable. Laying in a pressurized hyperbaric tent, with tubes hooked up to machines pumping his blood, oxygenating it, and providing him the bare minimum of nourishment to keep him alive. If he could have committed suicide back then, he absolutely would have.
Now here he was, alive and patched up by the people he hates most in the world, leaping right back into being a "superhero", after he'd sworn the life off for good. He's a damn hypocrite and he knows it.]
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I didn't always used to look like this. Used to have a bloody explosion where my heart ought to be. Talk about losing the super-power lottery. [He laughs a dry, sarcastic laugh.]
I don' mean to bitch, but we've all got a story, don't we?
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Might say that, yeah. They called me "Chamber" back in the day, on account of my chest being a chamber of nigh-unlimited biokinetic energy. It was all bollocks, really. Was supposed to be in school learning to control it, but I never really learned anything beyond what not to do with my powers. In all honestly, I'm glad to be shot of it all. Whatever "heroing" I do any more's my choice.
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...
Gosh, I'm so so sorry.
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Hey, I'd rather be your hero than anyone else's.
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[Twice. Once in the alternate universe and then saving the bay. And you died thinking you were alone and abandoned in a bathroom, it still hurts.]
You will always be my hero, Chloe. And trust me, I will never ever forget the time we spent togather. I am glad I got to share this journey with you, there's no one else I'd have wanted at my side.
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[It's, if you want to get technical, assisted suicide, both times.
The tip of Chloe's nose is red, and she wrinkles it to try to get the tell-tale sting of unshed tears out. No crying, crying is for wimps, and she's not a wimp.] I know you won't. I'll haunt your ass if I even think it. [Ghost points! Woohoo!]
I know. I'm so thankful I got to spend this week with you. You're my best friend, Max. I love you, alright?