Aw, it's over! :( By the way, I'm really glad all of you like this story. :)

PS: the epilogue takes place 5 years later.

Epilogue: A Shard of Hope

"And I want her home by 10:00 sharp. Got it?" Reala told Jackle sternly.

Jackle saluted Reala and grinned. "Yes sir, Mister Reala, sir!"

Reala turned to Hope. "If he tries anything, you know what to do."

Hope, the now 17-year old Nightmaren, rolled her eyes and answered, "Yeah, yeah, Paraloop him then Drill Dash away. Can we go, now?"

Reala looked at his daughter and Jackle a moment longer, then nodded. "All right."

Hope and Jackle smiled at each other and flew off together.

Reala watched them go and sighed. "She grew up so fast."

NiGHTS came up beside him and put her head on his shoulder. "Sure seems that way, doesn't it?" She kissed her mate's cheek. "And don't be too hard on Jackle."

"I just don't want Hope to get into trouble." Reala said.

"Reala," NiGHTS began, smiling. "who do they remind you of?"

Reala thought, but wasn't sure what NiGHTS was getting at. "I don't know. Who?"

"They're just like we were when we were secretly in love." NiGHTS answered.

"Exactly. You remember how much trouble we got ourselves in?"

NiGHTS pushed Reala playfully. "You mean how much trouble you got us in."

Reala chuckled and put his arms around his mate. "Well, we worked it out, so there might just be a shard of hope for them, too."

"Hey, Ree, what do you think Wizeman's thinking about right now?"

Reala looked up thoughtfully. "Hmm..."

(Inside Ace of Spades at the bottom of the pond)

"LET ME OUT OF HERE!!"

(Back with N and R)

"Say, Reala..." NiGHTS got a mischieviously sly look in her eyes. "Hope and Jackle are gonna be gone for a while. Maybe we could...you know." She gave him a wink.

"Hmm, I like the sound of that." Reala purred. He scooped up NiGHTS, who giggled, and carried her bridal-style inside the castle. As he made his way to their room, Reala thought, All our problems were solved because Hope trusted Jackle. She changed him like NiGHTS changed me... I guess there's a hopeful future after all.

THE END

Sorry it's short, but...I ran out of ideas! And unfortunately (please don't hate me) I'm not making a sequel. I have to move on with other ideas I'm currently brewing. Don't worry, I'm making more NiGHTS fics, just none related to this one. Here's a line-up in case you're interested: "Tales From Nightopia", "Why NiGHTS Isn't In SSBB", "NiGHTS: Journey Into New York", and (possibly) "Purple Power!".

I really 'Hope' you enjoyed reading this story and...THANX SO MUCH FOR REVIEWING!! 8D