Interstellar Academy

36: Fin

A/N: I can't write this… Like, my heart is hurting because this is seriously the end and I can't stand it. To everyone who has supported me throughout the whole series, thank you. It means the world. I knew it had to end sometime. Unfortunately, I have to find something else to fangirl over, and write about to pour out all of my fangirly feels. Without further ado, the end.

The end of the semester held one important time for these particular seniors: graduation. The Dean was so impressed with the formation and nobility held by the upper class during the battle, and thought that there was nothing left to teach them. Everyone in the class seemed ready to move up in the world.

Nova appeared in her cadet uniform, Helena and Charlotte at either side, linking arms. The two aliens had tears running down their faces, disbelieving they finally made it: this was the end of their high school career.

They thought they'd have another half of a year to prepare, not just a few short months. The Dean had notified them as well as family of the event, and everyone had to make hasty preparations, but it was well worth it. As they entered the large auditorium full of people flocking about like proud chickens, they knew this was meant to happen.

Nova took her place in the front of the girls' row of chairs, since her name was going to be one of the first called. She heaved a sigh and looked cattycorner to her, the blue eyes she was searching for smiling right back.

Her father and mother had begun preparations for a wedding the two weren't ready to have quite yet. They wanted to get really settled into a place, start their careers first, make sure they were stable enough to handle a wedding on top of the other stresses of life. At any rate, she felt excited and light headed at the thought. She was going to wear a gorgeous dress, and Jim insisted on wearing the captain's uniform his mother tailored for him. Her mother wanted to meet at a halfway point, but Nova decided to have it here, at the beach. The Dean had agreed to it, happy to oblige for the king of Solara. For Nova and Jim, these grounds held many memories, and with those memories they grew stronger, as individuals as well as a couple. This land was sacred in their hearts, always would be.

Jim and Captain Amelia decided it was high time they work together, and she would introduce him into the military business. Nova, honestly, wasn't comfortable with him joining the military, but knew this was his dream: to captain a whole fleet of ships. He would have to work his way up, but his intelligence and skill would get him there quicker than most.

Nova opted to be the ambassador for Solara, instead of queen, to her brother's delight. She would first travel to the ruling planets her parents dominated and speak with them, improve them, on behalf of her father. After much convincing, the king realized his rule was, in fact, indecent and simply not working any longer. Nova was glad that her father finally listened to her and seemed to be making more sense and caring for his people. Afterward, she would work with Jim on his missions and speak to other planets about Solara. After the battle- no one could call it a war anymore, it was so small- they needed to build themselves up all over again.

Helena received a job at a university designing maps. She would spend her life traveling and creating beautiful maps, Ruse providing the technical support to make those maps manifest. Nova was glad the two's relationship had blossomed so quickly, when it seemed the two would never get together in the first place.

As for Charlotte, she wanted to stay on campus and teach as well as coach the swim team. She loved working with her fellow students, and felt this career choice was the best one for her. The others couldn't agree more. She was happy when mentoring, and wanted to continue this path. Rayn had gotten her into a student teacher's program, and Nova could tell it was the beginning of yet another beautiful relationship.

"If I can have everyone's attention," said the Dean into the microphone, and everyone instantly shushed. "I'm very proud to introduce the graduating class gathered behind me. They have proven themselves under the deepest pressure and rose above all of our expectations." He cleared his throat, as if he was trying to contain tears. "I have grown to… love the people behind me. They are valiant, true, brave, intelligent individuals with bright futures. I have no doubt they will make it far, and bring our universes together as a whole." The Dean turned to Nova and nodded.

Nervously, the girl stood up and took her place at the podium, as valedictorian. She smoothed her skirt out, then began. "Parents, friends, family members… class mates, we are here today, thinking that today will be the most memorable moment of our lives." She paused, allowing the words to sink in. She could tell they were confused. She swallowed back tears and continued. "But it's not. I know for a fact that some of us will be forgotten over time, and those we haven't forgotten, we simply… won't see much of. To me, the most memorable moment is entering this school. When my foot first stepped onto campus, all I could think to myself was, 'I better not throw up, please don't vomit.'" This caused a raucous of laughter.

"And the memories between then and now will stick to me forever, as it will for the rest of my class mates. There were hardships and heartbreak, but in those times we also had classmates that turned into something more- we became a family. We loved each other, sympathized with our neighbor's pain.

"And our blessed faculty, who never gave up on us, even when we were ready to give up on ourselves. They stood by us, taught us all we needed to know and went beyond that, because they knew we wouldn't know to look further than beyond the book. We were pushed over the edge and down a canyon, and taught to climb right back up. And for that, we can't thank you enough." Nova paused to smile sweetly at her dean and Rayn, who returned it heartedly.

"It's these moments that will live with me, not today. I don't think I'd be wrong to say the same for my classmates." A small holler sounded behind her, and soon the entire auditorium was cheering. They hushed just as quickly as they started. "We were prepared for the hard times, but we weren't prepared for how they'd imprint on our hearts. But I'm glad it happened. We all are." She bowed and went back to her seat, wiping the edge of her eye.

"Now I will begin calling forth our graduates alphabetically. If you will refrain from applause until I've reached the end of my list, please."

And so they were called, one by one, to receive their diplomas. When they were finished, the Dean held a surprise, awarding lower class students who fought in not only the battle for Solara, but also those who dealt with other school disasters. After the list was finished, everyone stood and cheered, the graduates throwing their hats into the air.

Nova met with her family after the ceremony, hugging them tightly.

"Oh, my Supernova. We are so proud of you," said her mother, trying her best to hold back sobs.

Her brother, dressed in his Solara Captain uniform, black hair tousled and brown eyes shining, kissed his twin on the cheek. "You did good, squirt."

Nova playfully punched her brother then turned to her father, who wiped at his eye, shedding his second tear.

"Oh, daddy!" She reached up for a hug, and he took his small daughter into his large, lean arms, picking her up and holding her tight.

"There isn't anything I could have asked for more, than to have you in my life, my daughter," he said through sobs. "I love you, my dearest."

Jim met up with his mother when they were dismissed and couldn't stop hugging her, both sobbing uncontrollably.

"You have grown up so much," Sarah hiccupped, pulling back to look at her son. "I look at your old pictures, and can't help but wonder if this is how I expected it. And it's not, Jim, it truly isn't. But I'm glad you exceeded my expectations because you made me the proudest mother in the entire universe."

Jim held his mother's face, realizing that now he was looking down at her. "I told you, mom: I'd make you proud."

People left shortly thereafter, classmates meeting with their friends and hugging them for the last time- until the reunion.

Nova held onto Charlotte and Helena's hands, her lip quivering. Ruse and Jim stood behind their girlfriends, Rayn beside Charlotte.

"I can't believe this is good-bye," Charlotte choked, looking at her friends.

"It's not forever, Charlie," Nova said, barely squeezing the old nickname through her tight throat. "We'll still see each other."

"Fucking right we will," Helena croaked through her tears. "How long until your wedding?"

Nova smiled back at her fiancé, who kissed her forehead and answered, "Not sure. But it shouldn't be long now. Certainly not ten years."

"If he makes you wait ten years," Ruse said, "we're gonna kill him. Just letting you know."

They laughed quietly before falling completely silent.

"Well, we better get going," Charlotte whispered, letting go of her friends' hands and stepping back.

Nova took hold of Jim's and turned away, waving sadly. They barely made it a yard before someone hugged her from behind, making it impossible to walk.

"D-dammit," Nova cursed, turning around to hug not one but two people- not her roommates, not her friends, but her sisters. They fell to their knees, sobbing, unable to do much else. It was awhile before they calmed down, and only then could Nova walk away.

Nova rested her head on Jim's shoulder, squeezing his hand, while they rode Delbert's small ship back to Montressor; her parents agreed to a holiday with the Hawkins' family, curious of the way they celebrate the frigid winter months.

"Would you ever go back and change anything?" asked Nova sleepily.

"No," Jim said softly, nestling his nose into her hair and kissing the top of her head. "I wouldn't dare. All of this, like you said, made us stronger."

3 years later…

Aurora fidgeted with Nova's veil for the hundredth time, annoying the young woman.

"Mom, it's perfect. It's been perfect since the first time you fixed it."

"I know sweetheart, I just… I want today to be perfect. In every sense of the word."

"I'm marrying the man of my dreams in front of my beautiful family and friends. There's nothing else that I want. Though the extravagant wedding decorations are a definite plus, I won't lie."

Her mother smiled down at her daughter, her eyes glowing. "I am still trying to see it: Supernova Hawkins."

"Mrs. Supernova Hawkins, to you." Nova winked at her mother playfully. "But I know what you mean. You know that no matter what, I'll always be your little girl."

"Do you have any doubts?" she asked, her graceful, queenly head tilted in curiosity.

"No. He's the one I want and need. I always have, and I always will. I love him with everything I have, mommy." Nova bit her lip and looked down, trying to contain her crying; her mother would kill her if she messed up her make up.

"I know, sweetheart."

Jim adjusted his captain's uniform, tailored by his mother, staring in the mirror. His hair had grown since graduation, though he'd trimmed it for his wedding and wore it in a thick braid that stopped between his shoulder blades. He raked a hand over his bangs, hoping they'd stay behind his ears; if his mother couldn't get his face in a picture due to his hair, she swore she'd shave it all off.

"Well, you did it, man. It's all finally happenin'." Ruse wore a deep blue tuxedo; the bridesmaids wore elegant, simple green dresses. He popped the collar and looked jokingly at his friend. "About damn time."

"Tell me about it," said Rayn as he tried- and failed- to maneuver his tie.

Jim laughed and helped the guy out. "You gotta get that down before your wedding, White."

"Oh, don't talk about this, I can't hear you!" Ruse marched away with his hands to his ears, and the two men simply laughed at him.

"How are you feeling?" asked Rayn, seriously.

"Nervous. Happy. Confused as to why she settled with me."

Rayn elbowed Jim. "She didn't settle. She stayed with the one she loved. Don't question it, man, just roll with it."

"Great advice, thanks." Jim rolled his eyes and smirked at the blond.

"Or you could just fall flat on your face on your way up to the altar, that's always an option."

A few minutes later, the wedding march began, a long time classic that was Nova's favorite: Canon in D minor. Jim and his mother walked arm and arm, the woman holding a tissue to her eyes the entire way. He kissed her cheek when they reached the altar. "Thank you, mom."

The flower girl and the ring bearer, children of two regulars, came rushing down the aisle, making everyone laugh. Bridesmaids and best men marched, linked, down the aisle after them, then finally entered Nova.

She wore a sleeveless white dress, floral bodice and a flowing skirt that had a slit starting at her knee. She smiled up at her father, also wearing white, who seemed to forget for a moment they were walking down a beach lined with a blue velvet carpet.

At that moment, he saw a little girl in a sundress and bonnet, a smile with one missing tooth and eyes with a million and one dreams.

Nova looked down the aisle at her groom and her heart exploded. His uniform was a stark white, red collar lined with gold and a captain's pin right above his heart. He looked beautiful, and in her eyes he was the most perfect being in the universe.

Her father, most willfully, handed Nova off to Jim and they stood hand in hand, gazing only into each other's eyes.

And it was like they were taken back in time, back when they first met, and they saw each other for the first time thinking, This is it, this is the one.

A/N: I AM CRYING RIGHT NOW OK. I can't believe it's over. I haven't felt so attached to something in my life. Thanks to everyone who was involved in this. Thanks to my readers, thanks to my reviewers Xiaolin and Trekkie, thanks to the one who favorited, thanks for everything.