They find the Dark Orca in the former resting place of the Monumential. Gain directions from shaky pirates, and turn their backs on the thorns in their sides they should have dealt with years earlier.

It's too late to change the past. There's only time to wonder at the what ifs as they follow a trail of destruction.

What if they'd moved slower?

What if the world could have worked around the Monumentials?

What if they'd never opened Lemuria's gates?

They find it, munching away in a reef. It looks so natural, they can't help but entertain some more what ifs.

What if they left the Monumential?

What if it adapted?

What if the ecosystem adapted to this mega-eater?

What ifs are left behind as the Monumential moves on, hungry after devouring a coral reef and it's gleaming inhabitants.

There's no room for what if. Only for action.

Ant goes to the front, standing tall. He wears the Jorange, having learned in the past that it was an easy way to keep water handy for the Scepter.

And if having his best friend at his back makes him stand straighter, well, nobody's going to begrudge him that.

Will stands at Ant's back, as he always has in the past. This time, Kaiko joins them, leaving Nereus at the wheel. Either parent has a hand on Ant's shoulder. Fontaine stands on Ant's left and, after a moment of hesitation, Finn goes to his right.

Ant doesn't ask why they're there.

They wish he would tell them to back off. Laugh off their frowns.

Ant is silent. His eyes close as he lifts the Scepter. Jeffrey obligingly splashes the artifact, causing it to light up.

The process seems to take forever. It's too long, too much, too little strength in Ant's shaking body. The Monumential fights back. Ant's winning, but can he hold out long enough?

The creature thrashes, and a breathless cry escapes Ant.

Knees hit the deck, but Ant's arms stay up. Somebody screams and hands try to take the Scepter. Ant's grip is strong, though. He refuses to release the Scepter until the Monumential is still.

Only then does he let go.

Only then does he open his eyes.

He's still awake, but his eyes are white. Pure white.

The Scepter slips from pale hands, clattering to the deck. Under normal circumstances, there would have been a few winces at possible damage, but everyone's watching a damaged Ant.

He's smiling his tired smile, blank eyes fixed seemingly ahead. A wet sound comes from his throat, and blood drops from his nose to the floor.

Kaiko's suggestion to go to the infirmary dies on her lips. Nobody would have heard her, anyway. Everyone knows.

Too long.

Too much.

Too little strength.

Ant doesn't fall to the floor, but only because Will's hugging him too tightly. Kaiko cards her fingers through his hair and tells him how heroic he is. Fontaine clutches his hand, while Finn hugs her and stares into white eyes. Nereus takes the Jorange and kicks the Scepter away to set Jeffrey at the boy's knees.

Nobody's sure when the labored breathing stops. Only that, at some point, the room suddenly feels too big and quiet.

A/N: ... 'kay, bye.