When the golden magic disappeared, the Nightmare King no longer stood where he once were. Instead, in his place was a different truck, laying on the ground, with golden skin as he groaned, fluttering his golden eyes open.

"Wha... huh?" the truck muttered

.muttered

"Who's that...?" Gabby asked.

Crusher was just about to shrug when he saw his father, and gasped, rushing over. "DAD!!"

"Crusher!" Jokul sighed in relief as the cage disappeared, prompting him to run and embrace his son. "You're okay! You're ALIVE!!"

"You are too! I... I'm so sorry..."

"Shh, shh, now," Jokul smiled and hugged him tighter. "This is not your fault,"

"Yeah, kid," Aster joined them. "You were under that psycho's evil power. There was nothing you coulda done."

"Speaking of which... Dad? What happened to Pitchiner anyway?" Crusher asked.

"Hmm?" Jokul turned to the truck. "Uh… Aster, do you know what happened to him?"

"Huh?" Aster turned to the truck as well and gasped, eyes widening. "I don't believe it…"

"Who is it?" asked Stripes.

"Kozmo…"

Said truck turned to his direction, and his eyes widened. "Aster…?"

"Yeah, it's… it's me," Aster chuckled as Sanderson came over, looking excited. "Me and Sanderson," He helped the other up. "Good to see, old friend,"

"Uh... can someone explain please?" Darington asked, tilting his head and scratching it.

"Kozmo… like the brave general I heard of from Nicholas," Jokul chuckled. "He was a brave general of the stars, bravest in all the galaxies. One day, he was given a task to watch over Nightmares created by dark beings that had been annihilated by the kingdom of Lunar, but… the Nightmares tricked him, and he ended up getting corrupted. He destroyed the kingdom and became the Nightmare King,"

"So... Pitchiner was never the real you...?" Blaze asked.

"No... I never was that wretched monster to begin with," Kozmo shook his head. "And thanks to all of you, I never will be again."

"It was never your fault, old friend," said Aster. "Those Nightmares are to blame."

Crusher tapped his father on the shoulder, looking over at the still-fake-smiling Blaze as he joined the others. "Dad... from what Pickle told me, Blaze had a huge outburst after I died, and he really feels guilty, despite us telling him it's not his fault. Even I know it isn't his fault. We may be rivals in races, but we're still really good friends. Do you... think we can help him?"

"I'm sure we can," Jokul nodded with a smile.

Crusher smiled and headed over to Blaze. Said red truck turned to him, his fake smile still on.

"I'm so glad everything's okay, Crusher,"

"Yeah, everything and everyone," Crusher sighed. "Except you,"

"W-What do you mean? I'm great!"

"Blaze… please," Crusher shook his head. "I KNOW you. That smile is anything BUT real,"

"I... I know I could have done something more to protect you..." Blaze sighed. "I should've protected you... you... you're my friend..."

"Look, Blaze, you've already helped me enough," Crusher assured him. "We can't change with what happened, but there's no need to feel guilty about it all, especially when none of it is your fault,"

Blaze didn't seem convinced, though, and turned away. "Crusher, when we first met, all I wanted to do was be your friend, but you kept pushing me away. Now that our friendship is as close as we are now... I don't wanna lose it."

"And you won't," Crusher held both of his tires. "And as your friend, it hurts ME to see yourself guilt yourself like this,"

"It... it would have been better to see me die anyway... no one would beat you at anything, you'd get everything you ever wanted... and you and your dad would never have been seperated by Pitchiner in the first place..." Blaze hissed and finally let the tears fall.

"Blaze..." Crusher sighed. "If I had to see YOU or any of our friends die, I wouldn't know what I'd do," He squeezed the other's tires gently. "Please... never say anything like that, please..."

"Blaze...?" AJ looked as if he could start crying at any moment. "Is... losing all of us your worst fear...?"

Blaze didn't know what to say for a moment before pulling out a picture frame of everyone together.

"I consider each and every one of you a brother or sister. When Crusher was hit by that arrow, I thought it was all over. I... I was so scared that the rest of you would fall victim to the spell, and... I would be all alone... I never meant for anyone to be this worried over me. I... I'm so sorry...!!"

Finally, he burst into sobs, not bothering to let up. Everyone glanced at each other before wrapping their tires around him, pulling him into a hug.

"Oh, B..." Darington kissed his forehead. "Shh, shh, it's okay,"

"Yeah, we're right here for ya, Blaze," Starla smiled.

"You'll never be alone," Stripes added.

"And if there's anything you're feeling, you know that you can open up to us, right?" AJ smiled.

"Yes... I promise I'll do that from now on."

"Blaze, you and your friends seem to have more compassion than any mortal I've ever met," said Jokul with a gentle voice and gentle smile. "A noble trait I admire,"

"Thank you, Jokul," Blaze turned to him with a smile. It was small, but at least it was real.

"They're tough, I admit," Aster chuckled. "You're no spirits, but you're all pretty brave,"

"But, their love for each other seems strong," Kozmo agreed. "So strong one was willing to sacrifice his own life to save those who do not fall into bloodline. That seems like a true act of heroism to me,"

"Thank you all," Jokul smiled. "If not for you, my son and I would never have been reunited,"

"It is an our honor, Jokul," Blaze gave a bow. "I'm just glad that everything worked out,"

"Well, almost everything," Crusher grinned.

"W-What do you mean?" Starla asked.

Crusher didn't answer. Instead, he held his new staff up and froze the floor. He then winked with Baby Tooth, who giggled before pushing Jokul. The Winter Spirit yelped as he slid across the ice and almost fell, causing Aster to grab him before he could fall.

"I gotcha." Aster chuckled and held him, their faces near each other. "Guess you almost 'fell' for me, didn't ya, Frostbite?"

"Um... actually..." Jokul took a deep breath, blushing deeply. "I have fallen for you,"

"R-Really?" Aster blinked down in surprise, cheeks reddening.

"I just... never knew if you had the same feelings. D-Do you...?"

"Yes!" Aster spoke too quickly, causing him to redden more and gulp. "I... I mean, yeah... yeah, I do... I... I wanted to tell you, but, well, you were with the Snow Queen and all..."

"I never loved her. I just wanted to be free from her rule, and bring a child into the world," Jokul glanced down at Crusher and smiled before turning back to Aster. "I've always loved you. And only you,"

Aster returned the smile and gently pulled the other into a kiss. Jokul's eyes widened before returning the kiss.

"Awww!" They all squealed.

"Now it's perfect," AJ smiled. "So... what do we do now?"

"Let's head back to the Warren," Aster offered. "Time for a celebration!"

"Yay!!" The group cheered.

X

The celebration at the Warren lasted all night. At last, it was time for bed. The group had chosen to rest in the Warren before heading back to Axle City the next day.

Aster and Jokul were one of the ones who haven't slept yet. They were outside at the garden, cuddling up with each other.

"What an eventful few days, huh?" Jokul grinned.

"Yep," Aster chuckled and sighed. "Man, I never thought that we'd have a moment after all this chaos,"

"Yep," Jokul laughed. "I miss this, don't you?"

"I sure do..." Aster kissed his forehead.

"Dad...?"

The pair turned to see Crusher drive to them.

"Son? What are you doing awake?"

"Couldn't sleep," Crusher sighed. "I just realized that being a spirit means having barely any sleep,"

"Yep, that's the pain," Jokul grinned. "Want to join us?"

"Sure." Crusher went over and sat down, snuggling up to them. "Hey, Dad? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Jokul nodded.

"If you're my Dad, and now, you're dating Aster... does that make him my other father?"

"Only if you want me to be." Aster chuckled.

Crusher stared up at him before smiling and leaning against him. "I do,"

"Now we are a family... now and forever."