Epilog

"I don't get it", Scott said as he watched the huge screen in front of him and the others. "What is he doing?"

"He's laying low, baiting the enemy", Gordon replied calmly. "Just like he did when we practiced."

"But there's only like two people left other than him and he has the highest stats by far. He overpowers both of the others with weapon power alone!" Virgil objected.

"But power isn't everything you know", Alan said.

"I know that but still!"

"Virg you are not a gamer and you never play video games unless it's a flying or art simulation", Gordon said. "You need to think differently in this game."

"But Johnny is at a much higher level than those other two players", Scott interjected again.

"Yes but on of them is a mage who can blast everyone away with a fireball if she finds them. The other one is basically an unbeatable tank. John's a rogue."

"So?"

"So he needs to stick to the shadows and use his bow and sneak attacks", Alan said and he and Gordon shared a look, telling each other Scott and Virgil were both being idiots.

"You are all wrong", Jeff said and all four boys turned to their father. "John is just toying with them."

"Huh?" all four of the brothers said.

"Just watch, in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Go."

On screen John suddenly sprung out of his hiding place and sprinted across the open field towards the knight in the middle of it. The wizard wasted no time and fired her fireball at him. John just kept running and the knight came towards him.

"What is he doing!?" Scott exclaimed. "He'll get himself killed!"

"No he won't", Jeff said. "Remember what he told us?" They watched John somersault over the knight, getting the knight hit by the fireball and the knight fell to the ground. John twirled around and stabbed him in the head as he fell, killing him and earning the points. Then he crouched down. The wizard started looking around in confusion. As did the Tracy brothers. How could the wizard not see John? He was right there! Right in front of her. John calmly put an arrow on the bowstring and pulled the string back. Jeff smirked.

"Game over", he said and John released the arrow. Sending it straight at the wizard, hitting her dead in the heart and ending her game. John smirked and got up from his crouching position and the audience cheered. Jeff whistled loudly while clapping. John removed his VR-glasses and got up from his seat, waving at the people around them.

"And there we have it folks!" the commentators said over the PA system. "This year's winner in Ancient Parchment V Mykris is the one, the only Mister John Tracy!" The audience cheered loudly. "Tracy has been away from competitive gaming for a few years now but he has so far shown why he was ranked as number one in Mykris, Olah, SC, Deadly Fighting, Cavern Quest, Djävulen, Battlepower and Grave Invader."

"Right you are Gorge", the other commentator said. "So far this is Tracy's third solo win in this tournament, he reunited with his old crew and they outclassed the other teams in the SC tournament."

"Sources tell me that this was his last competition this year though Ali."

"What? Why?"

"I dunno maybe he is scared."

"Oi!" John called to the commentators. "Jangler Thyconn isn't scared of anybody. The sign-up time just ran out." He shrugged, but then get swept into a tight hug from his youngest brothers. The commentators shrugged and turned to the next competition.

"I still don't get why she didn't see you", Scott said as they prepared to leave the competition after John got his medal and had finished talking to the other competitors and wishing them luck in the upcoming matches.

"I told you Scott", John said. "I had maxed out my stealth and unlocked all the perks."

"I still don't get it", Scott said and this time John, Gordon, Alan and their father sighed. "What?"

"Remember when we played Mykris at home", John asked and Scott and Virgil nodded. "You asked which the best ability was to level up for your characters. I explained then that as Virgil was a tank character he needed to level up strength and athletics. While Scott needed some acrobatics for his uh… 'nimble knight'. I told you that I always play as a rogue due to a nifty little trick you learn if you have 100% in stealth, persuasion and deception. You unlock a little perk called 'deceiving warrior'."

"Which means?" Virgil asked.

"If I crouch down in the middle of battle my opponent loses sight of me and I convince them to look for another target and that they can't see me."

"What?!" Scott and Virgil exclaimed.

"Hey don't yell at me, I did not design this game!"

"But you have designed games?" Gordon asked and John chuckled. "Really!? Which one!?"

"A little something called: Cavern Quest 2."

"WHAT!?" Gordon and Alan exclaimed and John laughed again. Scott at first felt that small bang of sorrow when looking at John smiling like that, but he soon felt the sorrow melt away and he smiled as well. It had been a rough couple of months. Jeff had been good to his word and had tried to really be there for all of his boys, but John especially. John at first had been hesitant to let Jeff into his life fully. But with time and lots of talks with his brothers and grandma he gradually let Jeff into his life fully again. Fights had broken out a few times but they had always managed to solve them. One of the best changes, in Scott's opinion, was that John was home more. He no longer felt that he needed to stay away to spare everyone from pain. He still stayed for long stints on Thunderbird 5 but he came down more often. They had decided that he was to come home each weekend. Well… he came home every fortnight but they were getting there!

Something else that had changed was how IR was run. John was still the first person to take the calls and send his brothers out. He was also the one keeping them up to date with information on rescues. Jeff was back in charge, but as he said, he was mostly in charge of the paperwork and the discussions with the GDF and other government and global officials. Jeff held the reins, but John steered. Like always. Scott was happy to be rid of most of the paperwork and Jeff was the one to make final calls on tough decisions. At times the boys did it without asking and a few arguments had risen about it, but Grandma made sure they always reached a good conclusion and ended all arguments peacefully. Jeff had also reclaimed the command of Tracy Industries and he really liked what his sons had accomplished in his absence. All in all, things were going

"Great photographers", Alan's muttering voice cut through Scott's musings. He looked up and noticed a swarm of reporters and photographers coming towards them.

"I'll handle them boys", Jeff said calmly as the press descended on them, all of them shouting his name. "Yes, how can I help the press this evening?"

"Mr. Tracy did you enjoy the competitions today?" a young reporter asked.

"Yes very much so."

"What was your favorite game to watch today sir?" another young reporter asked.

"Hm…" Jeff thought for a moment. "I enjoyed a lot of them but as an old racing game lover myself I loved the racing tournament a lot. It was nerve wracking."

"Your son seemed to be quite successful today", a woman said. "Are you proud?"

"Very and surprised. It was a talent he had kept hidden from the family until recently when he decided to wipe the floor with me and his brothers."

"Is there any truth to the statements that you used your wealth to rig the competitions in his favor?" Scott could have throttled the woman but felt Virgil grip his arm tightly. Scott then turned to look at John only to find that John was nowhere to be found. Now that was just not fair! How could he always just… disappear like that!? Did he have that 'deceiving warrior-thing' for real?

"I will have you know that there is no truth whatsoever to that", Jeff growled darkly and the journalists involuntarily took steps back. Scott smirked. Oh yes, papa bear was out. "My son achieved all his victories fair and square with his talents and skills alone. I have never used my wealth or influence to help my sons get ahead and I am not planning to start now. John is a talented gamer and have been for many years. This is not his first wins. Thy are the first I have witnessed and I am very proud of my son, all of my sons. Now if that was all good night." Jeff wrapped his arms around Alan's shoulders and John's and steered them away, towards their car. Wait when did Jeff find John? When did John reappear? Scott was confused.

When they got into the car Jeff told the driver to get them to the hotel. John was smiling softly.

"Dad you didn't have to do that", he said.

"Maybe not but I will always step in to defend my sons", Jeff said calmly and ruffled John's hair. "But I will have you teach me how to melt away like that."

"And you have to teach us how you caught him dad", Gordon said. "Honestly Johnny it's not fair that you can just disappear and let the rest of us suffer the press!"

"Not my fault you guys are not sneaky enough to get away", John teased and his brothers shoved him lightly throwing "insults" at him. John just chuckled. Jeff shook his head before smiling. His sons were all so different from each other, no one more so than John. However Jeff had found that he cherished that in them all and he was extremely happy that he was getting the chance to get to know what kind of young man Alan was turning into and get to know what kind of men his four other sons had become in his absence. He had left his sons behind when that rescue went wrong but now he was getting them back. All of them and part of him told him that maybe, just maybe that accident eight years ago should not have been wished undone. Because if it had… he cast a quick look at John who was trying to ignore his youngest brothers pressing him about the new Cavern Quest game. If Jeff had never been sent to outer space that way, the boys would not have come to fetch him, the Hood would never had gotten John to admit his deepest thoughts and Jeff could never have asked for his forgiveness and John would never have started to finally heal… the family would never have been able to heal. Jeff had one thing he still wished undone… telling John he'd wanted him dead. That was something he would always wish undone… always. But maybe one day John would be able to fully forgive that and then, then Jeff would finally be able to forgive himself.

And that is the end! Thanks for all reviews you lovely people! I have an idea for a new fic. Hope to get it on paper soon :)

Oh and gold stars to those who can figure out all the fake games I listed... well Cavern Quest was in an episode so that one doesn't count!