Last chapter! And then that's it from me for a long while for Mighty Max. There's a oneshot related to the Fate is a Gift series that I'll put in December, but now I'm going to be moving onto other fandoms for the rest of 2016. I hope something entertains you until then, but if not, I'll catch you at the end of the year!

Thanks for being with me on this journey, always.

Enjoy!

There was certainly breakfast.

After being escorted by dozens of Guards and warriors into the castle, Mujaji led the way to a small room for more informal dining, the table already spread with a morning feast. Norman and Max positioned themselves nearest a window (Norman fully prepared to dive out it with his boy if an escape were needed) and allowed the others to choose their seats. Mujaji sent every one of her Guards out of the room and gave orders that they were not to be disturbed for anything before she settled at one end of the table. Beowulf and Jonayayin sat across from Norman and Max, and Hanuman took up a position at the end of the room where he could see everything. Teacher took the chair beside Max.

An awkward silence descended.

"Eat, boy," Beowulf said at last. "You're too thin by half."

"You both should eat," Mujaji nodded. "We will speak."

Norman nodded and scooped some food from the table for himself and Max, quickly beginning to pack it away without ever letting up his vigilance.

Mujaji began.

"As you know, The Dawning was called by myself in order to identify any challenger who might be worthy to be considered Heir to my Dominion. You, Norman of the Norns, are the only challenger to have endured The Dawning in full. Indeed, you even defeated the Conqueror. With some help," she looked at Max.

"Hey, just because I jumped in doesn't mean you shouldn't count it as Norman's win," Max argued. "He did all the hard work."

"He did," Mujaji inclined her head, "and while your interference was rash, dangerous, and unprecedented, it was also not entirely unexpected considering the circumstances."

"Though you did nearly give Virgil a heart attack," Jonayayin said to Hanuman with some censure.

"Hey, it's not my fault I actually beat the All-Knowing Ancient One over there to the obvious conclusion for once," Hanuman shrugged easily while juggling fruit.

Max turned to Teacher. "He called you that before. That's your real name? Virgil?"

"Yes." And for the first time, Teacher reached up to push back the hood of his robes and reveal his face.

Max dropped the food he'd been holding. "You're a chicken!"

"Fowl actually," Virgil said daintily. "I am Virgil, one of the last survivors of Lemuria."

Indeed, the one who had remained hooded for all this time bore the features of a bird, from feathered skin and hands to a full beak instead of a mouth and nose. His eyes seemed fathoms deep and impossibly noble, which almost countered the comical absurdity of the rest of it.

"What's Lemuria?" Max asked, frowning.

"It's a land as far east as the sunrise," Norman said softly. "Said to exist long ago. It's a myth."

"It is not a myth as you can plainly see," Virgil replied, managing to frown in spite of the beak. "But since it has been eons since Lemuria stood as a proud nation, I forgive you for your ignorance."

"Better start at the beginning, old friend," Hanuman said. "You're confusing them both."

"Oh, very well." Virgil turned his wise, kind eyes on Max and held the boy spellbound as much with his gaze as his words.

"Once, long ago, the wisest leaders of Lemuria received a terrible prophecy from the Powers themselves. They learned that one day a great evil would emerge, an evil so powerful it would endanger the very world and every living thing upon it. But the prophecy foretold that Lemuria would be long dead before such a disaster came to pass and therefore would be unable to prevent or combat it.

"However, they prophesied that a Chosen One would rise up, and he alone would have the power to protect the world and all its inhabitants and, eventually, to triumph against this evil.

"This Chosen One would not stand alone against it, however. He would be accompanied by a Guardian, the finest warrior in any land. For while the battle against evil would belong only to the Chosen One, there would be other battles, other dangers, and a Guardian would be needed in order to ensure the Chosen One's safety for the final confrontation to decide the fate of all life.

"In addition to the Guardian, I was chosen by fate to guide the Chosen One, to be his tie to his destiny and a source of wisdom and counsel on his journey. I am very old and have lived in this world since well before the fall of Lemuria. It was my duty to prepare the world inasmuch as I could for the arrival of the Chosen One and to ensure that the paths of destiny were not corrupted by those who would fear the Chosen One's powers.

"It was at my request that Queen Mujaji initiated The Dawning, for it became imperative for us to locate the Guardian. The time has come for the Chosen One to rise and circumstances demanded that the destined warrior who would protect him must be called into service quickly. The Dawning was a means for us to identify the Guardian, for he who could endure the challenge would be strong in ways not only of the body and the sword, but of the soul as well."

Norman was as still as a statue, hardly breathing.

Virgil turned to him. "You, Norman, are the Guardian. It has been foretold that you alone can protect the Chosen One on his quest and aid him as he battles for the fate of our world."

"Way to go, Normie!" Max cheered.

"For this reason," Jonayayin said, "it was necessary that we test you outside the realm of combat with the Conqueror. It was we who laid the ambush for you yesterday in which we threatened the boy and forced a choice upon you. We wished to understand if your pride as a warrior would overcome your loyalty to one under your protection."

"And you could not have responded better," Virgil said with warmth.

"Is that why you helped us afterwards?" Max asked.

"No. As Guardian, Norman is entitled to all the help we can provide him," Beowulf said. "It is our honor to defend him as he will defend the Chosen One."

Max blinked, then gulped. "Oh, hey…if that was you... Uh, sorry about spitting on you yesterday."

Beowulf just laughed.

But Norman looked at Max with a tight distressed expression. "Little One, I did not...I do not…"

Max took a breath and made himself smile, instantly understanding what was so hard for Norman to verbalize. "It's okay, big guy. I get it. You've got...way better things to do than to hang out with me."

"Max…" Norman reached out but froze before he could touch the boy. He could feel them both breaking at the prospect of being separated now that they had found one another.

Max turned back to Virgil and his voice was steady if far too bright. "So where's this Chosen One now? He or she better be awesome if they get to hang out with my buddy instead of me."

It was Hanuman who spoke. "The legends said that the Chosen One would remain hidden from all but those with eyes keener than that of any man. When I, in my youth, was cursed with this monkey form, I knew then that it meant I would be one of the few to know the Chosen One for who he was on sight, other than Virgil himself, of course. I met him when he was but an infant.

"The Chosen One had been traveling with a company of traders and entertainers. I do not know if they were his true family or if they had found him as I found him later. But they had all been killed by mysterious means. I came upon their campsite and discovered one solitary thing living at the center of a scorch mark that had destroyed everything else for yards. The Chosen One had been spared by some miracle, or perhaps by the Powers themselves.

"I took him away from the scene of such destruction, but I knew I could not keep him with me. My Land in the east is too close to the Barrens and too many evils dwell there. The Chosen One would be forever on the edge of a warfront, and I would not be able to protect him, not only from danger, but from a life lived under the threat of it. So I entrusted him to someone worthy without revealing his true identity to her and sent them to live here in Intuition. Mujaji's lands are guarded by ours and bordered by the Great Sea, and so her people have less to fear from evil here."

Max had gone very, very pale.

It was Virgil who spoke next.

"The Chosen One was never lost to us, though none but myself and Hanuman knew of his identity at first; Hanuman summoned me as soon as he had sent the Chosen One and his surrogate mother on their journey, and I quickly followed after them. When I arrived in Intuition to watch over him, however, I made myself and the fact of his existence known to Queen Mujaji though not his name. She has graciously housed me for all these years while I kept an eye on the Chosen One to ensure his safety. However, we did not wish to burden him with the reality of his destiny until he was old enough to face it, so we left him to live a peaceful life unmolested by evil."

Max was shaking his head. "No." It was barely a whisper.

"Last winter solstice," Virgil continued, his voice gentling, "the person Hanuman had trusted to guard the Chosen One was killed. It was made to look like simple thievery, but I knew the signs were clear. The forces of evil were drawing near to the Chosen One as they had in his infancy, and they had struck in an attempt to force him out into the open.

"It was for this reason that I imposed upon Queen Mujaji to hold The Dawning. The Chosen One had never been in such danger, and it was imperative to find the Guardian quickly that he might be protected."

Max was still shaking his head and gripped the edge of the table with hands gone white. "No," he croaked again.

"We could not have anticipated that you would find one another on your own," Mujaji said carefully. "Nor could we be more grateful for it. Acting together, you have done more than either of you could have survived alone."

Max was starting to tremble a little, and Norman broke out of his own paralysis to put a large hand on the boy's shoulder.

"I'm just Max...I'm just...there's nothing special...I don't want to...you're telling me mom died because...she got killed because of me...because of me?"

"No, Mighty One," Jonayayin said firmly, and his tone and his words were enough to break through the boy's mounting hysteria. "Your honored mother gave her life to save you. The fault lies not with you, but with the evils that hunt you."

"He's right," Norman said softly. "It's not your fault."

Max took a couple of deep breaths. "What if you're wrong?" he demanded, eyes roving over the table. "What if I'm not this Chosen One?"

"You are the Chosen One," Beowulf said staunchly. "None other could have entered The Dawning as you did and survived. None other would know the Guardian by instinct."

"Also, more generally," Hanuman put in, "only the Chosen One has the ability to break enchantments like you do. When you're older, you'll be able to do a lot more. You'll even be able to break something like the pact that held Norman as a slave to Skullmaster someday. It's part of your destiny, Mighty One."

Norman tipped his head. "Mighty One?"

"It is his honorable title, just as you are the Guardian. It is a term of respect and office such as Queen or King applies to them," he waved a hand that they could see was feathered when not hidden behind the heavy robes. "He is Mighty, Norman."

"I know that already," Norman replied a little testily.

Max was masterfully pulling his feelings under control and looked around the table. "So what's this evil I'm supposed to fight? Or is that something else that isn't supposed to happen yet?"

"A wise question, young Mighty One," Mujaji said. "In fact, there are many evils that only you can vanquish. You have already met the first of them, however."

Norman's rage flooded him with the speed of a tidal wave. "Skullmaster."

"Yes," Virgil nodded. "Skullmaster came to Intuition because he knows of the destiny of the Mighty One. He hoped to identify him and eliminate him as a threat before we could put him under the protection of the Guardian and set him on the path of his destiny."

"Couldn't you have just not invited him?" Max asked with an annoyed look. "Would have been easier on everybody, I bet."

"No," Jonayayin shook his head. "Better to have the snake out in the open than lost in the grass where you will not see its strike."

"Besides," Hanuman added, "if Skullmaster hadn't come, neither would have Norman."

"I guess that's true," Max nodded. Then he let out a breath. "Okay. Let me get this straight. I'm some sort of hero destined to fight evil somehow and that's why...my mom died and everything. And you held The Dawning to find Norman so he can be the Guardian and help me. And the reason nobody told me that I was this Mighty One was that you didn't want the bad guys figuring it out and coming after me before Norman was around to protect me."

"Also to give you at least something of a normal life," Virgil added. "If fate had allowed it, we would have waited until you reached proper manhood before we hung the balance of the world across your shoulders."

"And I appreciate that, really," Max looked at him. "But...well, what am I supposed to do now? Head out on some crazy journey?"

"Not necessarily," Hanuman said. "Just because you know who you are doesn't mean you have to jump right into world-saving. You're still a kid. We can't let anything happen to you, but you have some time before the world will really need you."

"Time to learn more about your legacy and your powers," Jonayayin said. "Time to prepare yourself."

"And time for your Guardian to improve as well, if not in body, then in mind," Beowulf said, his eyes landing on Norman. "Even the finest warrior can be undone with hatred in his heart."

"But whatever you choose, from this day forth, I shall be with you to guide and serve you," Virgil said, ducking his head in the only show of obeisance Max had ever seen from him in spite of the presence of four monarchs. "Technically, as the Mighty One of Lemurian prophecy, you are the heir to the Lemurian nation and, in one sense, a prince. But, believe me, Mighty One, that is not saying a great deal, unfortunately. I will take you to Lemuria if you wish to see it, but I assure you, there is nothing left there for either of us."

"It's Virgil's duty to guide you on your destined path, and you would do well to heed his advice," Mujaji said. "He has been waiting for you for well over five thousand years."

Then her eyes moved to Norman. "And you, as the proper Guardian for the Mighty One and also the champion of The Dawning have earned the right to inherit my Dominion. Which is to say, I relinquish my protection of the Mighty One to you, Guardian. Defend him well."

Norman looked down at the boy beside him. Max was clearly more than a little frightened at the unexpected turn the morning had taken, and it was only the shade of relief in his eyes that Norman would be with him that kept him grounded. Norman supposed that must work both ways, for he would never have been content serving as Guardian for any other but Max. Somehow, he had belonged to Max since the day they met, and Max was his.

This must be what they mean by destiny, he thought.

Perhaps Norman had some say in the matter over whether or not to become Guardian to the boy, but in every way that mattered, he had no option but one and wanted no other.

"I accept this Dominion as Guardian to the Chosen One," Norman intoned, giving his vow not to Mujaji, but to Max himself. "My life is yours, Mighty Max, now and forever."

"As long as I've got you to back me up, Normie, I think I'll be okay," Max said, smiling weakly but gratefully at his friend.

"You won't be alone, young Mighty One," Beowulf said. "All of us shall join you if you but call upon us. We are yours to command."

"Except me," Hanuman put in with a roguish grin. "Nobody commands me."

"That's the Powers' own truth," Virgil muttered just loud enough for Max to hear. Max stifled a surprised snort.

"It's okay," Max said. "You already did your part. You saved me once and...you gave me a mom." He dropped his eyes and said softly. "You're sort of the first family I ever had, I guess."

Suddenly Beowulf laughed, his big chest bouncing. "He is your Uncle Monkey for certain, Mighty One!"

"Oh, you are gonna pay for that, Beowulf," Hanuman threatened as everyone else laughed or at least smiled. Even the severe Jonayayin and dignified Mujaji were openly amused.

This led into a verbal sparring match between Hanuman and Beowulf, who was not as unarmed in the arts of repartee as he pretended to be. Though he did occasionally punctuate his own jibes by tossing napkins or bits of food at his opponent. Hanuman caught all of them handily and built them into a strange sort of display upon his plate, eventually moving to actually sit on the table itself where he could better intercept Beowulf's attacks.

As the atmosphere relaxed, Max found himself chiming in a bit, even earning a roll tossed his way by the northern king.

Norman caught Virgil, Jonayayin, and Mujaji exchanging knowing looks and understood. Such foolishness was deliberate, intended to soften the weighty truths heaped upon the boy. His heart warmed with gratitude for the kindness and he ducked his head to them when he could intercept their eyes.

When at last Beowulf ran out of reasonable ammunition (porridge being an unreasonable thing to throw across the chamber, as Mujaji told him quite firmly), Virgil rose from the table.

"If we are...finished here," he looked at the rather messy table with a raised feathered eyebrow, "there is one last formality we must see to."

Max, who had been lounging and grinning, tensed a little, but with a glance to those around him, remained largely composed. "What's that, Virg?"

Virgil smiled at the nickname that meant the boy had begun to accept him. "Your destiny is your own, Mighty One, and nothing we do or fail to do will ever change it. However, there is something you should be given, and it deserves a moment of ceremony."

At Max's doubtful expression, Hanuman leaned across the table and put a paw on his shoulder. "Don't worry, kiddo. It's a private ceremony. Just us. We're not announcing your identity to the world. That would be pretty stupid after everything we went through to keep you secret. We leave idiotic moves like that to the bad guys."

Max nodded and found himself able to smile again. "Okay. Let's do it."

Virgil led the way from the room and through several hallways until he reached a heavy wooden door down a narrow corridor. "This is my study, Mighty One. I hope you might join me here sometimes for instruction."

The room beyond the door reminded Max so fiercely of his mother he felt tears spring to his eyes.

It was a huge chamber lined with shelves that ran to the ceiling higher than the roof of the two-story home he had been sharing with Bea and Felix and their mother for the last few months. Stacked on every shelf were bound tomes and scrolls, all carefully arranged, not a page or parchment out of place. Under the broad window that faced the back gardens was a huge writing desk with a tall chair, and it was covered with ink and quills and many sheets covered with what must be Virgil's precise handwriting. In an alcove to one side was a low bed. But every other inch of the room was dedicated to the arts of study and scribe.

"Cozy," he said after getting his breath back. He didn't notice Mujaji and Hanuman exchange glances, both having known his mother quite well before her death. But they respected Max's privacy and courage and said nothing.

"Stand there, if you would please, Mighty One," Virgil gestured.

Max realized that the floor of the chamber was inscribed with the patterns of the night sky, stars and the moon and the constellations and patterns they formed spiraling across the stones. The place Virgil indicated was in the center of the mosaic, on top of a grand, golden picture of the sun.

As Max took his place, the others moved as well. Mujaji remained nearest the door in the south. Beowulf crossed the image and planted himself by the northern edge. Hanuman leaned against Virgil's desk by the window to the east. Jonayayin moved silently to the western edge of the design. Norman did not need anyone to tell him that his place was at Max's side and slightly behind him, so he placed himself above the constellation of the Star Hunter. Virgil appeared with a box in his feathered hands and strode with some dignity to stand before Max.

"Every person has a gift and in their gift lies their destiny," Virgil said, meeting the boy's eyes. "You, Mighty Max, are a hero, the destined Heir of Lemuria, and you have been chosen to protect the world from evil. We can do nothing to abridge that destiny, for it lies in the Powers themselves and in your own hands. But as such, you have been gifted an item of great magic to help you on your journey."

Virgil opened the box. Lying within was a strangely simple scarlet cap with golden threads twining a pattern.

"This is the last Cosmic Cap, Mighty One, a legacy of the Powers own time on earth. It will not give you anything you do not already possess, but it will make the path easier to tread for it opens the secret passageways of magic to you for your use." He smiled slightly. "Do not fear - I will teach them to you.

"Will you accept this burden of destiny, this place in the world, and this Cap to lead you to victory, Mighty Max, Chosen One of Lemuria?"

Max took a deep breath. "Yes. I will."

Virgil set the box down and lifted the Cap. "Well done, Mighty One. May the Powers watch over you." And he settled the Cap on Max's head.

The instant the scarlet Cap touched Max, the very moment its weight transferred from Virgil to Max, Max's whole body seemed to be on fire. An energy unlike any he had ever imagined before rushed through him. He thought he might be glowing. There was a crackle of power in the air and the room was suddenly filled with wind and light and motion.

Just as quickly as it had begun, it stopped.

"You are truly the Mighty One," Virgil said. "And the Cap has accepted you as its Bearer. Now, with myself and your Guardian, your journey can truly begin."

Then Virgil looked past Max to Norman. "Guardian, you have already sworn your oath, but I ask you to repeat it here in the presence of the Cap-Bearer and the four heroes who will witness it. I must do the same."

Max turned as Virgil moved to Norman's side where he and Norman dropped to one knee. Norman drew his father's sword - his sword - from its place on his back and held it out to Max with the point hovering before his own heart. When Max gripped the blue bindings, the sword seemed to hum.

"If the Mighty One deems me worthy, than I accept my place as his Guardian for all time," Norman said softly. "I will defend him and battle for him for all my days."

When he looked into his boy's eyes as he spoke, he saw a rush of friendship and trust and hope that matched his own. Both Norman and Max had been alone for so long in their own ways. And now Norman noticed that Virgil's own eyes swam with the same feelings; Virgil must have been just as alone, and for thousands of years.

"If the Mighty One will accept me, I hereby pledge myself to his service," Virgil said quietly. "I will follow and serve him loyally in the name of Lemuria and the Powers and never turn from him and his will. My life is yours to take as you wish."

Max swallowed against a lump in his throat. The heavy sword he held wobbled slightly, but he managed to rest it on Norman's shoulder.

"I accept your oath as Guardian, Norman."

Then he transferred the sword to Virgil's shoulder.

"I accept your oath, too, Virgil. Under one condition."

Virgil looked up, surprised.

"I may be the Mighty One, but you're not a servant and your life isn't something you can just let me take. I want you as a guide and teacher, sure. But more than that, I want you as a friend." He took a breath, suddenly nervous. "Is that okay?"

Virgil smiled warmly. "If that is your will, Mighty One."

"It's more than that," Max looked at the two of them. "That's my destiny. Our destiny."

Around them, four voices spoke together. "We witness these oaths of fealty and loyalty. May the Powers watch over you and guide you and keep you strong in the service of our world."

Norman and Virgil rose - the latter getting a hand from Max when Norman took back his sword - and they smiled at one another.

"So now what?" Hanuman asked with an impudent, shrewd smirk.

Max looked across to him and grinned, feeling Virgil and Norman slide into place on either side of himself and realizing he had never in his life felt as safe and as whole as he did in that instant.

"Well, you said that Skullmaster is one of the evils I have to fight?" Max asked.

"Yes," Jonayayin nodded. "He will undoubtedly be nearby waiting to learn if we have discovered the identity of the Chosen One. That was his purpose in attending The Dawning. Once he realizes who you are, you will be in grave danger."

"For that reason, we must remove him from my city and my Lands as quickly as possible," Mujaji said, eyes snapping.

"Yeah, I figured," Max nodded. But he looked to Norman with a bright gleam in his eyes. "Hey, Normie?"

"Yes, Mighty One?" Norman asked, feeling his own heart rising.

"How'd you like to go help me kick Skullmaster out of Intuition?"

Norman smiled ferally. "It would be my pleasure, Mighty One."

"You're going to go after him now? Not wait until you are older to face him?" Beowulf asked with a raised eyebrow.

Max shrugged. "Hey, no time like the present. And, trust me, that guy's got it coming to him sooner rather than later. Even if I can't take him down today, I can at least get him out of the city."

"I couldn't agree more, Mighty One," Mujaji said firmly. "Lead on."

"We will accompany you," Jonayayin said. "Skullmaster is a dangerous adversary."

"Yeah. Sounds like fun!" Hanuman shook out his hands in anticipation. "I can't wait to get out there and start all new rumors about the mysterious monkey warrior."

Virgil shook his head. "You're just tired of those robes you use to conceal your identity."

"Of course I am! But they're kind of a moot point anyway since he," he pointed at Max, "knows who I am now."

"True."

As the four monarchs left the room ahead and began calling out to their warriors to assemble, Max hung back.

"He hid his identity for that long...for me? You both did?" he looked wonderingly at Virgil.

"Yes, we did," Virgil nodded. "Hanuman suspected you would remember him from rescuing you as a child. Had rumors of a monkey man reached you, you might have followed them to try to learn about your past, potentially exposing your destiny to your enemies. And had anyone seen a Lemurian lurking around you for the last several years, they may have uncovered your true identity as well. Such a disguise was necessary to protect you, Mighty One."

"Wow. You really...you've been watching out for me all this time."

"And ever shall," Virgil assured him. "As will your Guardian." He looked up at Norman. "I know your life has been a great hardship, but I believe in the end it will serve you well. It has honed you and prepared you for danger above and beyond what any other warrior in the Seven Lands would be capable of enduring."

"Is that what they mean by destiny?" Norman asked.

"Yes," Virgil nodded.

"Norman," Max hesitated. When the much larger man looked down at him, the boy sighed. "I'm sorry. In a weird sort of way, that makes it my fault that everything happened to you. If you hadn't been my Guardian, maybe you never would have had to be a slave at all."

"Don't be sorry, Mighty One," Norman said gently. "I'm not."

"You're not?"

"No," Norman smiled. "I have the freedom I always sought and the chance to avenge my father's death. And, more importantly, I have reason to live and someone worth protecting at my side."

He enfolded Max's shoulders in a tight, warm grip.

"It's worth it. It's all worth it for this, Little One. Believe that. I do."

Max searched Norman's face with his guileless blue eyes until he found the sincerity Norman hoped he would see. Then his own young face transformed and he grinned brightly.

"Okay then! Well, let's get going and start in on that payback you owe Skullmaster!"

"Life with you is not going to be boring, is it, Mighty One?" Virgil asked as he fell in with them.

"I don't think so," Max shook his head. "I'm not going to try to win all the fights right away, but we're going to start doing some good as soon as we can. And when I'm ready, we'll really take it to Skullmaster and everything like him until the world is completely safe. That is my destiny."

Virgil smiled. "As you wish, Mighty One."

Norman did not speak, but his heart was full and light. And as he followed his boy, his Mighty One, out into the palace to assemble with the other warriors and prepare for a long-overdue assault against Skullmaster, Norman knew he was exactly where he belonged. What he had said was entirely true and correct - it had all been worth it. For this fate was all he could wish for himself and more.

Norman didn't need Virgil's prophecy to know that the path before him would be dangerous and exciting and honorable and just. And as he stepped out upon it, he knew with a conviction that warmed him down to his soul that he and his Mighty One along with Virgil were all going to change the world together for the better.

And so they did.