face them down, because all bullies are cowards at heart.
'That's all this is really. Standing up to the bullies. The bullies are just bigger, and there's more of the little guys. I'm going to keep standing up to them as long as possible. That's the thing, see. This will never be over. Oh, this war might, but there are always more bullies.
'It would be nice to have a bit of a rest though. And to stop having those dreams.'
General John Sheridan, 'the Shadowkiller' - 'Are they hearing all this?'
Ambassador David Sheridan of the Shadows - 'Yes, they can hear all this.'
General John Sheridan 'the Shadowkiller' - 'Good.'
Lorien had not gone far. He had been expecting the Pale and Silent King to return to him in time, and soon enough he was proved right. He usually was.
<We do not understand. The magi, the Priests of Midnight, the Flesh–Sculptors, the Heart Guards, the Seers of the Stars.... We all hear, but we do not understand.>
'Of course not,' Lorien replied.
<What are they doing?>
'They are showing you all just what they are. It is a clever move, really. Very clever. They are people now, do you see? They are real people, just as you are. They are explaining their hopes and dreams, and in doing so they are proving themselves your superiors, because you do not have hopes and dreams yourselves.
'Do you not see? You tried to show them heaven. They already know the path there. Not all of them will make it, but they at least know which way to tread.
'They do not need you any longer. If they ever did.'
<We will still fight for you, Eldest.>
'And still you do not see. They are strong enough without you. If you fight them, then you will truly have lost. Not just the battle, or the war, but you will have lost everything. You fought them to make them stronger, to make them fitter and wiser.
'But listen to them. You have made them everything they can ever be. You have done all you can ever do for them. Already there is one who is your image of perfection. I can feel him moving, and the others.... all living races have heeded your lessons and learned from them. There is nothing more to do for them now. They have learned all you can teach them.
'Fight them.... kill them.... and you ruin all that you have created. You will truly have lost then.'
<Not all of them understand.>
'No, they all do. Most of them merely do not realise it yet. It will be a long and painful road for them, but eventually they will make it, and they will do so by themselves.'
<Then.... we have lost.>
'As you were always going to.'
<We have failed you, Eldest.>
'No, you only failed yourselves. And perhaps.... not even that. Continue to listen....'
As the Pale and Silent King watched, as the entire Shadow race watched, as countless vassal races and peoples watched, as the Eldest being in the galaxy watched, John Sheridan and Delenn of Mir sat down in a room with Ambassador David Sheridan.
'Very clever,' Ambassador Sheridan said. He was wheezing loudly, but there was still a smile on his face. 'Very clever. You learned well, John.'
'It wasn't all my idea,' John replied. 'A lot of it was Delenn's.' Ambassador Sheridan looked at her, and saw a hint of concern in her green eyes.
'The time for war is over,' Delenn said softly. 'We have fought too long, and where has it brought us? You have lost, and you know it. Why continue to fight?'
'What else is there? No.... you're right. We don't want to fight. None of us does. But.... you can't understand. They are an ancient race. They took on a noble goal thousands of years ago. They believed in it. They really did. And now....
'It's hard to admit your children no longer need you.'
'We do understand,' Delenn said. 'We have learned a lot. We will take what you have taught us, and we will remember. We will not forget. We may even come to forgive. For myself, I forgive you all. For the others....
'You have seen who they are. You have heard them speak. There are countless others, and they all have their own dreams. They have families, loved ones. They are real people, not pawns for you to move around. There are countless more here for you to meet and talk to.
'Do you really want to kill them? They are the people you tried to create all along. You have achieved your goal. End this, and be proud.'
'No,' Ambassador Sheridan said, shaking his head. 'We're not proud. None of us is. We made a mistake, far too many mistakes. But what else is there left for us? To live on forever knowing we aren't needed any more? To know always that we lost and.... they won!'
'There's no shame in admitting you're wrong,' John said, and his father started. 'There is only shame in knowing you are wrong, and carrying on regardless.
'You taught me that.'
'I know. Ah, Lord help me, I know.'
'Now do you see? Now do you understand?'
<We.... we are wrong. But what else is there?>
'The others have gone Beyond the Rim. There are whole new worlds and galaxies and wonders to explore. You stayed behind. It was for a noble purpose, but that purpose is over.
'Go. Go and catch up with them all.'
<You will come with us, Eldest?>
'Not yet, no. I still have my duties to attend here.'
<The Vorlons.>
'Yes. You have learned now what you needed to learn. They have not. Someone now needs to teach them. They need to understand.'
<And then?>
'When they understand? Then we will leave. All of us. All those who stayed behind. We will pass this galaxy on to those who will follow, and we will hope they will have learned enough to do the same when their time comes. All things are a cycle.'
<As you say, Eldest. We shall leave. And we shall wait for you.>
'I do not think you will have to wait long.'
Ambassador Sheridan straightened suddenly, and sighed. 'It's over. We're leaving.'
'Leaving?' John asked.
'Yes. They're going beyond the Rim, leaving this galaxy for good. It's the only way. We can't stay behind, not knowing we've lost like this. You've.... reminded us all what we stood for once.'
'What's going to happen to you, Dad?'
'The same thing that happens to us all. I'm going to die.' He suddenly stopped, and cocked his head. A light flashed behind his eyes and he smiled, the shocked, euphoric smile of a poor sinner who has just found his way into heaven after all. 'They're going to take me with them,' he breathed. 'They're taking me with them. I'm.... I'm going to see another galaxy!'
John smiled. 'That's....' He swallowed. 'I'll miss you, Dad.'
'Not for long, John. I have.... a feeling you'll be joining us there eventually.' He looked at Delenn. 'Both of you.'
She smiled.
