Sly was in the van, chained to the wall. He hung his head and stared at the ground; it was the only way to keep himself calm. Ranger Ken sat between him and Cass. Even though he was blocking Sly's view of Cass, he still didn't want to risk it. He couldn't control his anger very well. He had even destroyed a 10-foot practice robot in training before because he was angry (the robot had recordings of Cass reminding him how his family had "abandoned him;" that thought alone enraged him). He didn't want to get himself into any more trouble than he already was.

Ty had gone back down to Julius' lab. Betty, Di, and Bri had reunited with his cousins and were making plans to leave. Shazza stayed behind at Julius' lab to wait for Ty.

Julius and Maurie came outside when Ty reached the doorway. Shazza was leaning on the doorframe. Ty looked absolutely defeated; Shaz was heartbroken to him like this, and so was Maurie. He hadn't seen him look like this since he was a cub.

Maurie was the first to speak. He gently said, "Your family's makin plans to leave, mate. They said they can't stay here much longer."

"Yes, and I'm afraid they've got a good reason," added Julius. "I'm so sorry, dear boy. I do hope that things turn out differently."

"You're not the only one," Ty said, sounding depressed. He was now beginning to enter that state, too. He turned to leave, but remembered his manners. "Thank you both, for everything."

"No need to thank us, lad," said Julius.

"Right. You know we're always here for you, Ty."

Ty nodded with a weak smile, then walked away, head hanging. Shazza followed him. He met up with the rest of his family, and with heavy hearts they began the journey to the top of the cliffs.

About fifteen minutes later they reached the surface. None of them said a word on the way up. They were met by a police koala and another Tasmanian Tiger with a pick-up truck. That tiger was a stranger to them.

"G'day, folks," the koala said cautiously. "I'm Sergeant Bluey. I'm the head of the law enforcement in a town called Burramudgee."

"Burramudgee? That's where we're from," said Brian. "Well, all of us except my nephews, here." He made a gesture identifying his nephews. "They're from Currawong."

"O ok. Well my officers just left with Ranger Ken, but I stuck around to find someone who could give you blokes a ride home. I ran into this young tiger here."

The tiger nodded. "Name's Ryan," he said softly.

"Ryan..." said Ty. "You look familiar."

"I do some types of construction and repair for homes in the forest. You might've seen me in their a few times. Aren't you that tiger that lived with the Bilbies?"

"Yea that's right. You helped our neighbors when their roof caved in a few months back. I remember you now."

"Well we'll pass through the forest if you wanna see your bilby family again. They're home safe now, thanks to you."

"Yea…" Ty lowered his head slightly. Others really did see him as a hero now. He didn't think he was. He just knew that his new title came with the loss of his brother. He then turned to Brian. "Would that be okay with you, Dad?"

Bri nodded. "That's fine, son. I need to thank them anyway for watching you."

"Alright, then. Bryan'll drive you blokes back to Currawong and Burramudgee. I'll come along just as a formality and…also to get details about your son…"

Di and Bri both nodded their heads sadly. Bryan and Sergeant Bluey then turned and got in the truck. The other tigers piled in behind them: first the cousins, then Betty, then Ty and Shazza, and finally Di and Bri. Bryan started the truck, then they were off.

It was a long, sad ride to the forest. Hardly anyone said a word.

Meanwhile, the police van that Sly was in had almost reached Currawong prison. He had stared at the floor the whole time. He also occasionally had flashbacks while in the truck; he had glimpses of his earliest childhood memories, when Ty was born, when Ty was a tiny cub, when his parents first got word of Cass's activities, the night they dropped he and Ty off with the bilbies, the night he left, when Cass found him, various accounts of when he worked for Cass, when he found out the truth, when he had a conversation with Ty for the first time in twelve years, when he saw his family again, when he had to tell them the truth, when he had to leave…He was in full-blown depression now. He couldn't feel anything; he didn't know what to feel at that moment.

The van came to a stop at the old Currawong Jail. A few skinks lizards and some renegade mammals were in line to be processed outside. The driver stepped out of the vehicle and came around back to open the door. When he did so, Ranger Ken motioned for them to take Cass; he would take Sly. The koalas nodded and took Cass out of the van. As Cass passed by Sly, he looked at him and noticed how depressed he was. He laughed to himself spitefully (they had muzzled him during the trip). Sly heard, but made no sign that he did. The police koalas took Cass in through the main gate.

Ken began unchaining Sly when he felt that Cass was a good distance away. He still felt horrible for what he had to do to Sly. Once he felt that he wasn't bound to the wall anymore, Sly got to his feet and climbed out the van as best as he could (his arms were bound, so his motion was limited). Ken set the chains aside, then got out of the van behind Sly. He then showed him the way to the prison gate. The depressed tiger walked on somberly.

Sly looked up at the gate as he entered. It was huge. He then turned his gaze in front of him. The courtyard seemed mockingly pleasant. Trees and bushes were scattered across the yard. Sly figured that this would be his new home. At least there was something here that he could enjoy every once in a while.

Ty and his family had been riding in silence; all were saddened by Sly's departure. Ty was sitting closest to the back of the truck across from his parents. His knees were drawn up to his chest, and his arms were folded on top of them. Shazza sat next to him. Her heart broke to see her boyfriend in this state. She felt even worse that she could do nothing about it. She scooted a bit closer to him and slipped her arm through his. Ty sighed and lowered his head down to her arm. She stroked his cheek with her free hand. Ty's facial expression didn't change, but he accepted the comfort that his girlfriend offered. He couldn't have been more grateful for her.

They reached the forest and were approaching the bilbies' house. Ty lifted his head to view his familiar surroundings. He just now realized that he may not be living with his second family anymore. He was ecstatic that he had found his real family, but now he had to part with the family who had practically raised him.

The truck was pulling up to the bilby house. When it stopped, Ryan parked, got out, and went around back to let the others out. Only Shazza, Ty, and his immediate family got out. The cousins stayed behind and talked to Ryan and the other officer about everything that had happened.

Ty entered the house first. The bilbies were happy to see him.

"Ty!" exclaimed his bilby mother with joy. "I'm so glad your home, son. We couldn't be more proud of you!" She embraced him near the doorway.

"Too right, son," his bilby father added. "You're a real hero now," he said as he put his hand on his shoulder. Ty was still uncomfortable being labeled as a hero now. He did what he had to do to save his family? What was heroic about that?

Ty tried to hide his depression from his foster parents, even though some still managed to show. "Thanks, Pop," said Ty, trying to accept the compliment. Just then, Ty's father stepped in through the doorway, followed by Di, Betty, and Shazza. The bilbies were shocked to see them.

"Joseph!" said Bri, trying to sound happy. "It's been a while."

"Brian!" responded Ty's foster father. "You're a sight for sore eyes, mate!" He went up to him and hugged him. Brian returned the hug.

"Olivia!" said Di, also trying to sound excited. "It's good to see you, love."

"Diana!" Ty's surrogate mother exclaimed. "Holy dooley! You've all returned! Granny Willow! Ava! Zachary! Come look who's here!"

Granny Willow, Joseph's mother, came out to the foyer with Ava and Zachary running ahead of her. They were all shocked. Only Granny Ava knew who everyone was, however. Ava and Zach had heard stories about Ty's real family, but they never thought that they would meet them, let alone see them. Granny Willow had an expression of jubilation on her face. She always had a feeling that Ty wouldn't be alone forever.

"O thank the Bunyips! You've all returned!" Granny Willow exclaimed quietly. "Zachary, Ava, this is Ty's family. You all weren't born yet when they first brought him here." (Olivia was seven months pregnant with Zachary when Ty and Sly were brought to the biblies; Ava came two years later.)

"Struth. You really aren't the last Tazzy Tiger anymore, Ty," said Zach in breathless surprise. Ava just stood there in surprise; she wasn't much of a talker until you got to know her.

"No I'm not, Zach," Ty said, looking genuinely happy. "I got 'em back."

"Wow, you really did it, Ty," said Ava at last. "So, does this mean you won't be staying here anymore?" Ava asked the question that had to be asked, but no one wanted to answer.

"That's up to you, Son," said Bri.

Ty thought hard for a moment, then spoke. "Mom, Pop," Ty said, addressing his Bilby parents, "I'm grateful for everything, really. I know you didn't have to take me in and raise me as yer own, but-"

Olivia went up to him and touched his shoulder. "It's alright, Ty," she said comfortingly, like she had for the past twelve years. "Your real family's back now. You should be with them."

"Just make sure you visit us every now and then, Son," said Joseph.

Ty looked at them teary-eyed, then got on one knee and embraced them both for a few minutes. When the group hug was over, Ty stood up and turned to his parents. "I need to grab my stuff, then I'll be back." Di and Bri both nodded, then turned to talk to Olivia and Joseph. Betty joined in the conversation; Shazza followed behind her boyfriend.

Ty walked down the hallway to what had been his room for the past twelve years. It was so weird for him. Not too long ago, he had left it because Zach wanted to play tag in the forest. He had thought that they would play, then come back home for lunch. It never crossed his mind that he would one day leave his bilby family. He was just now starting to realize how dramatically his life has starting to change.

He was grabbing a bag from the closet to the left of the doorway when Shazza came in. The bag was sandwiched in between some other boxes in his closet. Ty was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't even hear her walk up behind him.

"Hey, Possum," she said softly. Ty jumped and simultaneously pulled his bag out of the closet. Unfortunately, he pulled it down to quickly, so some boxes fell with it. One fell on top of his head. He rubbed it in pain.

"Sorry, Possum. Wasn't tryin to scare ya."

"She'll be right, Shaz." Ty could see the concern written all over her face. "You don't have to worry about me, Shaz. It was just a box."

"That's not what I'm concerned about, Possum," Shaz said with a slight smile. She loved how he would always try to make her laugh, but it somewhat bothered her when he was clearly upset. She didn't want him to try to run away from his problems, if that was what he was trying to do. "Are you gonna be alright? I've never seen you this down before."

"I've never been this close to having my brother back before," Ty said, defeated. Shazza dropped her ears as she reached out and grabbed his arm. She didn't know what to say; Ty did, however. "But that's not it, Shaz. Everything's so different now. My family's back. I'm moving out. And now…people think I'm some sort of hero."

"But you are a hero, Possum," Shaz said as she put a hand to his cheek. "You defeated Boss Cass. He was the biggest threat we had this side of Southern Rivers. You remember all the break-ins, murders, kidnappings- everything that happened because of him."

"And you stopped him!" Zach shouted happily.

"Yea, Ty," Ava added. "You are a hero."

"I just don't feel like one," Ty responded.

"Titles aren't based on feeling, Ty," said Granny Willow coming in behind Zach and Ava. "They're based on attributes someone has, and things that they've done. That being said, Little One, you are a hero, whether or not you feel like one."

Ty sighed. "I guess you're right, Granny."

"You know I always am." Ty chuckled; Granny Willow was always right. "Now, about your brother-"

"How'd you know about him?"

"I walk slow, hun. I heard your parents and sister tell my son and daughter-in-law what happened. Well, part of it, at least. Enough to know why you're so upset." Ty dropped his ears; she walked up to him. "But you know what? You haven't lost him. He's still with you, and always will be."

"I don't know about always, Granny…" Ty whispered. He hated that he was thinking of the worst, but he couldn't help it. He was afraid that Sly was dead when he didn't come back. He didn't want him to actually die now.

Granny Willow grabbed his lovingly. "Ty, stop thinking of the worst. You'll worry yourself sick. The seasons change constantly, and we always know which one should follow the other. But sometimes, even the temperatures are unexpected."

"What does that mean?" asked Ty confused.

"It means none of us really know what's going to happen, even if we think we do."

"I guess you're right, Granny," said Ty, still skeptical.

"I always am, remember?"

Ty smiled and gave her a hug. "I'll miss you, Granny Willow."

"And I'll miss you, too, my little bilby cub."

"Hey!" exclaimed Zach. "What about us, Mate?"

"Yea," Ava chimed in. "Aren't you gonna miss us, too, ty?"

"Of course I will," Ty said as he finished hugging Granny Willow and bear hugged his bilby siblings. Seeing Ty so affectionate with his loved ones warmed Shazza's heart. When the hug was finished, Ty started packing. Shazza and the bilbies helped him. Everyone walked back out front when the packing was done, and Ty said his goodbyes to his foster family and thanked them one last time. Everyone else headed back to the van. Before he was about to leave, Olivia stopped him and went to get something from she and Joseph's bedroom. When she returned, she presented Ty with their family photo; he was six at the time, Zachary was three, and Ava was just a year old. Ty stared at the photo remembering the day. He looked up, but Joseph knew what he was thinking.

"It's yours to keep, son," he said. Ty smiled gratefully.

"Come back and visit us anytime. You know our door is always open," said Olivia softly.

Ty could only smile and nod. He still couldn't believe that he was leaving. He walked to the van as the bilbies gathered in the doorway. Ryan began pulling away as the bilbies waved goodbye to their bilby cub.

Sly had just finished being processed. He was in his room wearing a somewhat baggy, dingy green short-sleeved shirt and a pair of pants that were the same color. For once, he was barefoot. His prisoner number was tattooed on his right wrist: 09826. His clothes, gloves, shoes, rang, and shark-toothed necklace were being held by the head of the prison guard, Lieutenant Lachlan. He was sitting on the edge of his bed in his cell with his arms in his lap and head hung low. As far as he was concerned, this was his home now, at least, until his court date. Ranger Ken was trying to arrange that while he was deep in his depression. Part of him actually wanted to receive the death penalty; he didn't see how he could be of any use or benefit to anyone anymore, especially his family. What purpose did he have now? He had nothing left to live for in his mind.

Fluffy, Denozo, and the remainder of Cass's henchman had made their way back to the site where the first talisman was found. It was in the heart of a desert, but they had survived for three years before; they could do it again. The shack where Boss Cass slept in was still standing. Fluffy now took up residence in there while she was recuperating. A female red kangaroo was attending to her; Denozo was in charge of operations outside. Currently, they were rebuilding their defenses. Some ninja geckos, red kangaroos, and blue tongues were sent as scouts to look for anything that they could use to build any vehicles or anything else that they could use.

The female kangaroo, Jessa, was cleaning and re-bandaging Fluffy's wounds when Denozo came in.

"Haven't you ever heard of knocking, Denozo?" Fluffy said, irritated. She was just in a sports bra and short shorts when he came in.

"Chill, Fluff. You're not my species, let alone my type," he responded.

She growled quietly. "Anyway, what's the progress?"

"My roos and the blue tongues are workin on our guns. Skinks and lil neddy's are workin on the other weapons they usually use. Frills and ninja geckos are split up: half on guard duty, the other half scouting for food and to make sure we don't have any trouble coming our way."

"Good. Keep it up."

"Do I have a choice?"

"Can it, Denozo! Don't need your sass right now."

"Whatever. Anything else you need?"

"No. That's it. Go make sure everyone stays on progress."

"Consider it done, master." And with that, he walked out of the room.

Fluffy sighed deeply. "I don't know how I've put up with him for this long."

"It's cuz you know ya need 'im," Jessa said.

"Good point," agreed Fluffy.

"We still gonna contact that koala? The one Cass was workin with?"

"Yea. We'll need him to spring Cass. There was something else Cass was workin on, too, that he needed his help for."

"What was that?"

"I dunno. Somethin about makin an army out of lizards or something."

"Our lizards?" Jessa couldn't believe it.

"Yea. Somethin about makin them stronger somehow. I don't remember all the details."

"That should be interestin."

"Too right. See that device on the table over there? Bring it here."

Jessa walked over to the small table across the room, grabbed what looked like a PDA, and handed it to Fluffy. "What's that for?"

"Contactin' that koala. Says his name's Karlos," said Fluffy as she scrolled the device. "Hmm…interesting…"

"What?"

"Says he's got some issues with his nephew. Apparently that koala's smarter than he is."

"Struth. Should we start searchin for his nephew then?"

"No…Cass wants Karlos for a reason." She finished reading Karlos' profile, then went to a blank page to begin typing a message to him. Without looking up, she ordered, "Go make sure Denozo's got everything handled. We don't need him flippin' out on the rest of the crew."

"Right," said Jessa as she walked out.

Fluffy then began typing a message on the device:

"Professor Karlos, This is Fluffy, one of Cass's henchmen. Boss Cass has been imprisoned. I and a few more of his henchmen are in the desert rebuilding our forces. I saw that you had talked with him in the past and believe that we could negotiate a deal now, one that involves outshining that nephew of yours. Whatever your price, name it, and it's yours. Let me know by tomorrow morning if you're interested." She sent the message, then put the device beside her and lied down. She sighed, "All this better be worth it sooner or later. That little rat's gonna pay for what he did to us…"