I don't own the characters. I attach strings to them and shout, "Dance marionettes! Dance for my pleasure!"

Before Melanie could even take a step towards the meeting place a pair of arms pulled her away from the public eye into an empty room where they wrapped themselves around her frame.

"I'm sorry." Jack whispered in her hair. "I should have scouted ahead before we went out."

Mel shook her head. "Its okay. I think we both needed to get it off our chests before we hurt ourselves even further thank we already have."

He huffed and hugged her tighter. "I wish you didn't have to get hurt at all."

"I know, Jack." She pecked his cheek. "I know."

Oliver was moping in his chair when Austin started screaming his name. Annoyed, he shot his partner a sour look. "What, Austin?"

"We've got motives!" He waved a handful of papers in the air.

Oliver was confused. "What?"

Austin plopped down in the seat next Oliver. "You know the jewelry company they stole from? Slone's Stones and Co.?"

"What about it?"

Austin shoved the papers into Oliver's lap. "Sylvester Slone was charged with sexual harassment two times, two years ago. You will never guess who he was harassing!"

"Kennith?"

Austin shook his head. "Nope. It was Reeves. Apparently, he bought backstage passes and tried to sexually assault her. The security guards caught him, and they got it on video as well. But the charges were dropped by Henley or some reason. There were rumors that Slone was threatening her shows. She was just a starting magician at the time and she couldn't afford to have any trouble."

Oliver frowned. He did remember Dylan Rhodes putting in a report that mentioned that the places and people the original Horsemen stole from were connected to Lionel Shrike. There were many speculations and rumors that he had risen from the grave. "Who was the second person that was robbed?"

"Annith McKinney. He stole five million dollars from Merritt when Annith was his manager. He just disapeared. Six months afterwards, he rose up as one of the most successful business men in the country. He just got voted number seventeen on Men in America's richest men in the world."

Oliver nodded. "We've got grudges as motives for two shows. Did you run a background check for the audience tonight?"

Austin shook his head. "I couldn't. This place seats over forty thousand. There was no time. Whatever they're planning, we just have to wait for their last trick."

They closed the entrance to the stadium an hour before sundown. Audience members were ushered to their seats half an hour before the show started.

As soon as the sun hit the horizon, five people walked from the home dugout to take their places on the field. A pitcher, a catcher, and all three basemen, all in unnamed Giants uniforms. The crowd, thinking that they were a part of the show, started to cheer. As soon as the pitcher motioned for silence the stadium became as quiet as a grave. The pitcher took his stance, took a deep breath, and threw the ball at home plate. As soon as the catcher caught the ball, the field was covered in thick smoke.

When the smoke cleared the Horsemen all appeared in the places of the players. Mel waved to the crowd, her image up on the gigantic screen in the corner of the stadium, and received a roaring applause.

She laughed. "Hello everyone, and welcome to the final show of the Five Horsemen!" The announcement was met with boos. Mel laughed again. "I know, I know." She motioned for the crowd to settle down. "Over these past few weeks, I have performed on a stage bigger than anything I've ever been on. I've made mistakes and have learned from them. I've made friends that I know I will keep for life." She smiled at her comrades, all of whom smiled back. "Most of all, I've learned so many things about myself, things that have allowed me to grow as a person and as a magician. I want to take this moment to ask all of you to applaud yourselves. Because along the way, it hasn't only been my fellow magicians who cheered me on. You, as fans, have also encouraged me on a level that I never though was possible. So thank you! Thank you so much!" She bowed in every direction as thunderous applause rose up from the stadium.

Oliver Jackson found himself clapping with everyone else. "I gotta give it to her; the girl does know how to make a speech."

She motioned for the crowd to settle down again. "In most of my shows these past few weeks, I have only been giving back to the general public. Tonight, as a part of my final performance, I want to give something to one of my mentors and also," Mel smiled gently. "one of my very best friends. Henley Reeves, please step forward."

With a confused look, Henley stepped forward from first base and next to Mel on the pitchers mound. "What is going on, Mel?"

Mel smiled. "Something you should be excited for." She turned back to the crowd. "From the very first moment I met her, Henley Reeves has been a constant support for me. She's been like a naggy older sister everyone both wants and fears." The crowd chuckled. "No matter what dangerous tricks I did, she was there beside me every step of the way, encouraging me and berating me when she thought the trick had gotten too dangerous." The crowd chuckled again. "Now, its my turn to give something back. Daniel Atlas, will you please come forward?"

Much to the pleasure of the female crowd that night, Daniel Atlas stepped away from his position at third base to stand in front of Henley. Much to Henley's surprise, however, unlike previous shows, he didn't look at the crowd. He didn't even flash a heart-stopping smile at the female crowd as he usually would have done. Instead he stared at Henley and at Henley only.

Making sure to make herself unnoticed, Mel skipped away to join Merritt at home plate. Jack had already moved from his position at second to join them.

"Henley," Daniel's voice was warm and husky and made Henley blush like mad. "all my life, I think I've been unconsciously searching for that one person who would stay by my side forever. She would put up with all my faults," They all chuckled. "put me on a pedestal everyday and only listen to me."

Henley scrunched up her face in disgust. "I don't–"

Daniel put up a hand to stop her. "You don't, and I think I love you even more for that. You aren't afraid to point out my faults."

"Like that ain't the understatement of the century." Merritt murmured, making Mel giggle.

Daniel went on. "You refuse to put me on a pedestal. Instead, you point out how I'm just like anyone else everyday and you aren't afraid to get on my nerves, because you know in the unlikely event that we break up, you know you could always do better and find someone who will respect you and cherish you in way that I can't. Thankfully, we haven't gotten to that point yet." Everyone chuckled. "Even so, ever since the first day I met you I knew you were the one for me. You kept me grounded, and you weren't afraid to tell me off when you thought I was doing something wrong. I needed that when I first met you, I still needed it after we had known each other for awhile and started dating, and I know I'll still need it even after today." The crowd laughed again. "So, Henley Elizabeth Reeves, love of my existence and my soulmate, will you do my the honor of becoming your husband?"

As soon as he said the words, Mel held her hand up to the sky and snapped. Instantly romantic music began pouring through the speakers. Millions of bubbles began to flood the stands and fill the stadium. There were bubbles everywhere, even outside. The crowd went crazy. Some shouted for her to accept, some shouted for her to turn him down.

A spotlight fell upon a particular bubble, one that was larger than the others. Inside it, a ring sparkled in the sunlight and floated down to a stop in front of Henley and Daniel, where is stopped and popped itself, the ring falling into Daniel's outstretched hand. As soon as he had the ring, he got down on one knee and asked the question again. "Will you marry me?"

Her lower lip trembled as she nodded and allowed Daniel (who looked so relieved it was funny) to slide the ring onto the proper finger before lifting her up and spinning her around, them both laughing as they did so. Applause filled the stadium as well as the many expected whistles and cat-calls. Mel and the rest of the Horsemen were clapping on the side as well, each of them grinning. Fireworks sounded off over the stadium.

"Congrats Henley." Mel thought. "I'm so happy for you."

With one more fierce kiss, the engaged couple broke apart and Mel turned back to the audience. "So thats it." An aww sounded out from the stands. "Just remember, if you want to look for magic, heck, even look for us, we will always be out there trying to bring a little magic back into the world. So come," She looked in the direction of where Oliver was sitting and sneered. "try to find us. Come as close as you can get. Just remember that the closer you look, the less you actually see." Before she could say another word, she felt Jack come up behind her. "What are you–"

She was silenced by Jack's lips on hers. If the crowd was excited before, they went absolutely wild. Mel could vaguely hear Merritt's cat-calls and Henley's cheers of encouragement, but she could barely concentrate on even that. She felt his hands running up and down her waist as she clutched at his hair.

When they broke apart, Jack wrapped his arms around her shoulders and looked up. The big screen showed Oliver's shocked and angry face. "I wanted to thank you Jackson. Thanks to you, I have the best girl here in my arms. You missed out on something amazing and I can't thank you enough. Now Mel is mine," He clutched her tighter. "and I'm never letting her go. Not now, not ever." He tipped an imaginary hat towards the enraged officer. "So thanks."

The Five Horsemen turned around ran towards the big screen, Jack tugging along a dazed Mel. "Stop them!" Oliver shouted to his team. Dozens of policemen jumped over seats and fences and soon, they filled the field as they raced towards the Horsemen.

As soon as the magicians were at the middle of the field, they began to float towards the sky. The nearest officer jumped, only to miss and fall on his fellow officer. With one last wave, the five magicians shouted, "Thank you everyone! We are the Five Horsemen and goodnight!" before vanishing into thin air.

"You do realize that was my line right?"

Mel snapped out of her daze to roll her eyes. "Oh, stuff it Danny."

"I'm serious though." He didn't look serious, with his giant grin and his hand wrapped around Henley's, who was sitting on his lap and snuggling into his chest. "You can't keep taking my lines. Next thing I know, you'll be stealing Henley."

She rolled her eyes again and sent Henley a suggestive look. "Hey Henley, wanna ditch your lame-brain of a fiance and come to the better side?"

The red head giggled fiercely before hopping out of Daniel's lap and into the seat next to Mel that wasn't occupied by an ogling Jack. "Sure. I've always wondered what it was like to be lez."

Daniel growled and tugged Henley to his chest, making her giggle even harder. Daniel glared at the smirking Mel. "Mine."

Mel just smiled sweetly. "Sharing is caring, Danny."

"Only Henley gets to call me Danny. And I'm not sharing my fiance with you."

"I'm calling you Danny." She stuck her tongue out. "So suck it up, build a bridge, and get over it. The only reason Henley said yes is because she felt sorry for you. Secretly, she pines for me." Mel slowly winked. "Right babe?"

Henley couldn't reply. She was laughing too hard. Daniel glared at Jack. "Control your woman."

Jack smirked and raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry dude. Thats the one thing I can't do. Ask Merritt to hypnotize her if you want her to back off so badly."

Merritt shook his head as he laughed. "Sorry fellas, but that girl would toast me whole if I even tried."

Mel looked smug. "Good boy, Merritt. You are learning."

Daniel groaned. "Why is nobody on my side?"

Henley shook her head before kissing his cheek. "Sorry sweetie, but Mel has every redeemable quality you don't, which is a lot. Plus, she makes a much better girlfriend."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that."

"You pretend all you want Danny."

"Shut up Mel."

The helicopter landed with a loud thud. As soon as the cockpit opened, Mel jumped out and stretched her arms above her head as she observed her surroundings. They were in some sort of clearing. The Eiffel Tower wasn't too far off in the distance. Next to her was a carousel, lit up and spinning so fast it made her a little dizzy. "Never again. Why don't you guys have a plane or something?"

Merritt followed her out, Jack tumbling behind him. "Because the Eye doesn't like to spoil us, as they claim. Secretly, they just don't have enough money to fund a private jet for all of us." Merritt paused. "Most of them are also lazy bastards."

"Merritt!" Henley, who hopped out of the helicopter with Daniel following her, scolded him. "Don't talk that way about our superiors! What if they hear you?"

Merritt shrugged. "Let them. I'm just stating the facts."

"So I'm a lazy bastard?"

The five of them whipped their heads around to see Dylan Rhodes grinning at them as he leaned casually against a tree. Mel's mouth dropped in surprise. Dylan Rhodes was part of the Eye? Dylan grinned even harder when he noticed Mel's surprise. "Nice to finally meet you Miss Kennith."

Mel's mouth flapped, but no sound came out. Henley laughed and patted Mel's back sympathetically. "Yeah, I know. I was surprised too."

"B-But he's–" Mel shook her head. "Here I thought I had seen it all with you guys."

Maybe it was just the way he was standing near the streetlights, but Mel thought she saw a glimmer in his eye. "Now that you're in, you have a lot more to see, as well as a lot more to learn."

Mel huffed. "Great, more magic lessons. Are they," She pointed to her four fellow magicians. "going to teach me?" They laughed at her appalled expression.

Dylan chuckled with them. "No, I think you've had enough of that."

"Thank God." She muttered. "I don't think I could take any more of Danny's special lessons on handling playing cards."

Daniel looked offended. "I was a wonderful teacher."

Mel nodded and patted her coworker on the shoulder. "Just keep thinking that Danny. Just keep thinking that."

Daniel grumbled as a laughing Henley decided that she needed to comfort her fiance with a hug. Dylan, who was laughing himself, turned back to Mel. "You've done well. You took your strengths and played them to the max. You've fooled the police, fooled the public, and, above all, you brought a little more magic back into the world." He reached for Mel's hand and shook it. "Congratulations Melanie. Welcome to the Eye."

Is is just me or...is it finally over? Hizaah! I've finally finished The Phoenix Judge! Yipee! I'm jumping over my chair!...And I just landed on my head. Ha ha! Oh, whatever. Thanks to all my devoted fans and those who favored and followed this story! I hope you all still review!