[b]Hi. cody230001, CmdrX27, and TheLordOfWar832's characters are in this chapter Chapter 51: I Found You[/b] [i]I remember finding you, a small helpless thing. A tiny spark of life in a room surrounded by death. In that same room something else sparked within me like a lightning strike. I held you close, held you within my scarred arms and wishing I could have shown you the world. Wishing that maybe one day you'd be the light that everyone needed. Andal would be proud, wouldn't he? If only he saw what you had in you then maybe...just maybe...people would turn their heads your way. Turn towards your kindness, your heart, your trust and maybe gave you a chance. My little boy. Please don't grow up too fast. Don't turn your head away from me. Please don't forget this old Hunter. My little boy Bolt. My precious child.[/i] Slowly opening her eyes, Vala was immediately met with small rays of light on her face. Then the feeling of leaves on her skin followed that and she moved to sit up. Brushing away the jungle fauna from her face she could realize she was alone and the jungle was oddly quiet. As she sat there, memories came back slowly to her. Then she jumped up, suddenly alert and angry. How dare Mirak knock her out! Fueled by her anger and even a tiny bit of worry, she pushed forward. If she ever saw that Hunter again she would slap him upside the head for doing that to her. But right now she had to [i]find [/i] him first. As if the fates had smiled down upon her, Vala's ears picked up voices not that far off. As quiet as she could, she stalked forward, making hardly any noise whatsoever. "Are you okay?" Vala's eyes narrowed at the unfamiliar female voice. She briefly wondered why they would be out here but then the thought passed her as she moved forward to see more. "I'm fine. I'm more worried about you." Freezing in place, hope erupted from her heart at the other voice. [i]Bolt! My boy! He's here!![/i] Foregoing her instincts to stay hidden, Vala rushed to find a glimpse of her son. She stopped herself at the edge of a clearing to find herself willing away the tears from her eyes. There, standing still in his armor she had given him was Bolt. Worry took hold in her chest at the bandage on his leg but it was smothered at huge relief that crashed on her. Tears spilling once more, Vala broke out of the brush and made a mad dash to the Vandal standing. Vala never noticed the female Warlock turn towards her. She sprinted past the female, finally seeing her son turn towards her. "Mo-" not even finishing his sentence, Vala launched herself towards Bolt, catching him by surprise. Her son opened his arms instinctively, welcoming her as she closed her arms around his torso. "Bolt!!" Crying and wailing, Vala hugged the Vandal with all the strength she had, not letting him go. She needed to feel him, reassure herself that he was here. That he was alive, real, and not a figment of her imagination. Her tears flowed more as she felt Bolt squeeze her back and felt him purr. "Mom...you're here...I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I ran away. [i]I'm so sorry...[/i]" Bolt trembled in her hold, Vala trying to rub his back to calm him down. But her body shook as well, the sheer relief and happiness of finding her lost boy making her mind fuzzy. Sniffling loudly Vala made no attempt to separate from this long awaited moment she wished for many days. It felt like forever ago now. "My boy. My little boy. You're alright. You're fine. My Bolt...I missed you so much. Please don't ever do the again." Sobbing into his neck, she managed to try a small smile before it fell to continue crying. Breathing in the situation did not calm her down in the least. Instead, her heart leapt and stuttered with joy as she finally, [i]finally[/i] had her child back into her arms. Everything didn't matter anymore. Only Bolt. "I promise. I'm so sorry I left you." Tears escaped from his eyes as well, the reunion both hitting them hard. Vala only managed to nod, biting her lip and trying to bury herself into the embrace. Bolt did as well, his four arms wrapping around her tightly. [i]I'm the luckiest Hunter to have ever raised such a treasure like you.[/i] What felt like forever, Vala finally pulled back to wipe at her eyes. When she was able to calm herself, she reached her arms up and cupped her son's face in her hands. Leaning forward, she began to smother him with kisses which Bolt responded by laughing and halfheartedly pushing her away. "Mom! I'm too old for this sort of stuff!" Vala could only laugh joyously before continuing what she was doing. Bolt shook his head and gave up with a defeated sigh. She knew that deep down he loved it anyways, always wanting these attention filled sessions when he was younger. She felt even more joy to know that he had not changed even to this day. "Hey um not to burst your reunion but...." As if a switch was flipped, Vala took out her knife and took a defensive stance on from of Bolt. The Warlock jumped at the sudden change but made no move against her. "Who are you? And why do you have my son?" The female Warlock only held her hands out in a submissive gesture. "Whoa there, hell cat. Tame the flames. I'm just-" "Alice? What the hell is going on??" All eyes when to a male Warlock who had come out of the jungle and into the clearing. In his arms were various knives and swords, some looking like they could cut to the touch. Vala eyed the man, a faint recognition sparking in her eyes. Then it all clicked and she gaped at the male Guardian. "Shade?" The Warlock dropped everything he was carrying and stared wide eyed at her. "[i]Vala?![/i]" "Alice!!!" All eyes went to the female Warlock for a few seconds at that. "This is not the way I imagined our reunion would be." Rubbing his face as if tired all of a sudden, Shade glared at the female Guardian as she smiled. "Go suck a lime, Shade." Was her taunting retort with a Cheshire grin. Shade responded by throwing his glove at her. Bolt only laughed and Vala remained clueless of the situation. Maybe her some would give her details later. Right now she was happy, her son right back by her side. Holding his hand, she gave a gentle squeeze which Bolt did in return. Her hell was over for her. Her heart calm and relieved to have her son, [i]her home,[/i] with her once more. "I love you, Bolt. No matter what happens, I'll always love you." She felt like she had to say it somehow. Rubbing small circles on the back of Bolt's hand, she looked to see his eyes looking back to her with such intensity it made her want to turn away. "I love you too, Mom." Vala smiled, kissing his forehead with a silly grin. [i]I'm home once more.[/i]