A/N: Hey there Fanfiction! I just finished reading the Lorien Legacies series, and it was pretty good all in all. But I decided to make this my first Fanfiction because I feel some characters got the short end of the stick in the end (John, Marina), and there were some loose ends not addressed in the finale. Anyway, I hope that anyone reading this will enjoy my portrayal of the aftermath of the Mogadorian war. The story is set a few weeks after the one year anniversary of the Garde's victory over the Mogs. Any feedback or constructive criticism is welcomed if anyone stumbles upon this story. :)

John

As I fly in the air, feeling the breeze along my back, my mind is racing. That girl—Taylor I think her name was—and her resemblance to Sarah was startling. Just seeing someone who had similar features to her would stir up the emotions, and in turn, I think about how close Marina and I have gotten in the past few weeks, my heart aching. Was I betraying Sarah in a way by being with someone else? No, I think, unsure if the thought is mine or Ella's. Sarah would have wanted you to move on, you can't mope forever. I recall the seven months I spent in the Himalayas alone, a cynical recluse who had no one, other than Bernie Kosar and the Vishnu soldiers who had welcomed me with open arms, and sigh.

I shake off those thoughts. There's something else bothering me about the exchange with her, but I can't put my finger on it right now, my thoughts in disarray. Instead, I focus the terrain ahead so that I don't get hit by any aircraft. A flock of seagulls come my way in the low altitude and I nod at them solemnly, speaking to them telepathically for a bit, a habit I developed after cutting off ties to the others. The others. Someday, I hope that we'll all get together again, gathered around a fire inside the Himalayan Cave, and come to terms with our haunted pasts. I don't blame any of us for going our separate ways, in the end, we all did what each of us thought was best. Just as I begin my own trip down Memory Lane, the cave is within sight.

I head inside, and Marina's chatting with Ella, asking about the extent of her Legacies. ("Does the telepathy come naturally, or can you control it to an extent?") She drops this immediately as she spots me, and pulls me into a fierce hug.

"Hey John," she says. "How'd your 'peacekeeping' duties go?" She raises an eyebrow at me, though I know she's just teasing. Whenever I head out into the world, my cell phone gains reception, and several law enforcement agencies have me on speed dial just in case. I usually don't get any calls, and don't find myself hoping I do anytime soon.

"Not bad," I reply, pulling away slowly. "I didn't really do much, just toured around North America a bit, signed a few autographs and such. It really is exhausting, being the face of the Garde." I say this last part just to distract Marina from probing, although I was only half joking.

Ella looks at me questioningly. We try not to use our telepathy with Marina around, but sometimes we just scratch the surface of people's thoughts, their general feelings. It can't be helped at times. "Are you sure that's all you did?" she asks me, and I know that she's read my mind, whether on accident or not.

Marina picks up on it quickly, just from the stares me and Ella exchange. "Oh good," she mumbles. "I love it when you two go head to head."

She puts her hands on my shoulders, looking at me in the eye, and reminds me, "Remember John, you can tell me anything. Nothing has to remain secret now. Whatever happened, I can help you through it." I smile, recalling when she could get me to open up after Sarah's death, bringing a light when no one else could, and I make a split-second decision. I know she's right about this. The time for secrets is over.

I tell her about the ordeal with the Earth Garde I saved, how she was being hunted down by the locals, and I realize what was nagging at me on the way back. "The thing is, I'm sure she's not alone in wanting to live a normal life. I just wish there was something I could do about it," I say sadly.

Ella then chimes in. "But you can, can't you? I mean, they're just doing what they think is best for humanity, but you're the one who saved the world. If there's anything they'd listen to, it's you," she says.

"Maybe, if I had been there during the aftermath. But now . . . the laws are already in place, people are turning in any potential Garde they see, and it's all wrapped up. I wish I had been there to help," I admit.

"It's okay, John. They're just afraid of what would happen if these powers fall into the wrong hands. You know it, and the rest of us know, there are some evil people in this world who would use their Legacies for the wrong reasons. Better to take them away now to give them the better mindset for the future, than wait for something to go wrong," Marina says encouragingly.

I nod, having not considered that point. The day of flight exhausted me, so I say, "I don't really want to talk about it anymore… Anyway, what do you girls want to do for tonight?"

Marina eyes me closely, wondering if she should let the topic slide, nodding eventually, probably saving her argument for another day. "Well actually, I was thinking we should get some rest for tomorrow," she replies, glancing at Ella.

"Tomorrow?" I inquire.

"We were hoping you could take us out into the world again, it can get a bit dull around here at times. Besides, we just finished a painting of Eight over there, we could use a bit of a break," Marina replies, pointing at the wall where the prophecy of Eight once was. I glance at Ella, and she nods in agreement. Hey, I love this place, but after all your stories of being on the outside, it's time we join in on the fun, she tells me in my mind.

I concede to these points, and say, "It just all seems so sudden. But if you really want to go . . . Okay, we'll bring along some food and water, leave a note in case one of the Garde shows up, and head out at dawn. Sounds good?"

"Perfect," they both say in unison. One thing I love about the life we've created following the war is that things are a lot simpler. No need to plan for Mogs or make sure you're not being watched. If one of us wants to go somewhere, we can go without a worry.

We exchange some small talk afterwards, Ella excitedly explaining what she learned in school, Marina going in depth as to how she hones her Legacies. With that, we all head to bed, Ella snuggling into a Queen bed much too big for her, while me and Marina take the twin bed. I cozy up next to her, unable to shake the smile off my face, and sigh contentedly.

The next day, we all get up after a crack of light makes its way inside, grab a fresh pair of clothes, and eat the breakfast the Vishnu Nationalist soldiers graciously provide for us. I notice Marina picking at her food a bit, and ask her, "You all right? You seem a little . . . on edge." She's worried, Ella confides to me.

I'm about to ask her why, but Marina shakes me out of my thoughts. "It's just that-," she starts. "It's just that so much could have changed in the last year. I'm not sure I can bring myself to talk to the other Garde."

I look at her tenderly, and say quietly, "I know what you mean Marina. When I came to visit for them, I was worried too. Worried that they'd resent me for isolating myself. But they were all hugs and smiles in the end. You've got nothing to worry about."

She nods appreciatively in response, taking my words into consideration. We eat the rest of our bacon, scrambled eggs, and potatoes in silence afterwards. I take the time to scribble out a note for the Garde, in case they decide to stop by, explaining that we'll be back in about two days. As I tack the note to the wall, Ella brings our backpacks with food and water outside, giving me and Marina a moment alone.

"I really appreciate you doing this John," she says as she walks up behind me. "You mean the world to me." As she says the words, I know she's about to open up to me. "After the war, I didn't think I could recover from all the bloodshed and death. I didn't think I could love again. But here we are," she says with a smile, although there's still some sadness there.

With that, I pull her into a passionate kiss, and I think about how we mended each other's wounds and losses. I know that Eight and Héctor's deaths still haunts her, just like Sarah's does to me, but together we can put it behind us. Though the pain will still be there, it doesn't consume us like it did before. I turn my Lumen on to counteract her icy touch, and reluctantly pull away after a few seconds. Once again, it feels a lot warmer in the cave, but not because of my lights.

"I love you Marina," I finally say.

"I love you too John," she says back, as she takes my hand. "Now come on, let's get going if we want to arrive before half past midnight." She says this more playfully, and it's a welcome sight compared to the Marina I had seen a few weeks ago, broken and lost after Five pushed her over the edge.

We meet up with Ella outside, and she and Marina each take one of my hands. I look at the two of them one by one, a sense of anticipation washing over me, and as we turn invisible, I say, "Ready?"

They both nod in agreement, no words needing to be said. And then we fly away, soaring through the air, headed out to a world full of promise and hope.

Hope you guys enjoyed this first chapter. Yes, I am a Marina-John shipper if you were wondering. Please review, rate, and share if you can, it really helps the story, especially considering this is my first one. :) Any constructive criticism or feedback is welcome, and if anyone has any ideas for me to add to the Fanfiction, you can PM me.

-BasketballIsFun