Upon Matthew and Addison's return to Arcana, the duo was immediately surrounded by everyone and anyone asking questions about what happened, who they saw and everything that neither of them felt at liberty to answer at the moment. Addison slowly made her way over to her mother's side and hugged her tightly, leaving Matthew to navigate his way alone. With his arm numb to everything and only one functioning one, he knew the first thing he needed to do was to find his own mother and Kayleigh if they were in the vicinity. The only feeling he had in him was exhaustion and aching bones, no doubt stemming from the rain clouds gathering once more above Arcana. It would seem that Arceus knew the land needed a good, firm cleansing after all they had endured.

He politely tried to slip and slide through people he had only heard of in legends and songs. People like Steven Stone, Diance, Leon and so many Champions from other regions. He also found faces he did recognize, including the Queensbury family, the Augustine girls (which included a gentle and warm smile coming from Jasmine to him), as well as his other cousins who did not need immediate medical attention, chiefly Billy and Jenna, though Billy's face was still pale and weak, forcing Amanda to have to be by his side constantly, though she didn't seem to mind. He thought that maybe he should also look for Annette and explain himself, but he either didn't immediately see her or she was dealing with family stuff with Garret and thus compelled him to keep up the search for his mother. He nodded politely to his Aunts and Uncles he past, including his Uncle Doug and Aunt Janine, who were consulting with Piper about something very hushed up.

Michael was explaining things to the Home Guard (or whatever the people left behind were calling themselves) what had gone on back in the Realm of Dreams, but noticed Matthew struggling to make it through the crowds and held off a minute to help him find his mother. He gestured towards a table where Kayleigh was at a table playing with the newly adopted son of his and Julia's, under the watchful eye of his Aunt Erin and his mother. Matthew stumbled his way down towards them, the numbness of his arm making the walking all the more awkward. He made eye contact with his mother, who's eyes found the arm bobbing lazily at his side and came over to him. She tested the durability of his arm, but saw nothing stimulating him.

"Oh, my baby boy" Alison moaned sadly. "What happened to you?"

"I guess the path of the hero really was meant for Ryan" he joked. "I took a Shadow Ball for a..." His face reddened at the thought of Annette, but he sighed when he realized she wasn't in the immediate vicinity. "...for a friend. I know they would have done it for me."

"We'll take you to the Hospital as soon as we can" she told him as she kissed her son's head.

Kayleigh, upon noticing her brother's return, waddled her way over to him. Her eyes immediately fell on her brother's arm and she cried out. "Broboo got booboo!" She went to grab at his arm, but Matthew pulled away.

"I don't think Kayleigh kisses are going to fix it, sweetie" Matt sadly informed his sister. "But a hospital trip will...right?"

Alison tried to give her son some reassurance, but could only shrug. "Guess we'll have to find out."

Matthew lowered his head. "Mom, I'm sorry. We really, really tried to get Ryan back, but-"

"I know, I know" she replied gently. "Sometimes, the happy ending doesn't always transpire. I will always miss your brother and your father. But at least I know I have you two to share my love with." She took her son's head in her arms and kissed his head repeatedly.

Matthew reluctantly accepted his mother's kisses, until he paused and saw something in his peripheral vision. By the end of the road, where Parlor Town became Parlor Beach, he noticed the unfortunately now decorative fossilized forms of Warren Tenton and Daniel had been joined by a third: this being of Jocelyn. He managed to slip out of his mother's grasp and walked over to the statue. As with the others, her form had not changed since he first saw it. Her face crippled by the shock of her impending fate, but a bit of hope in her otherwise lifeless eyes.

"So this is the illustrious Jocelyn Aced?" Alison asked as she caught up to her son.

"I went to Mirage Island in the hopes that I could save her" he spoke softly. "But like everything else in my life, I failed."

Kayleigh also managed to make her way up to her mother, prompting Alison to take her daughter up in her arms. "I wouldn't say you failed, sweetheart. You went back for her and you brought her back here. Maybe there will be a way to remedy this."

"I wanted to bring her back in one piece, not stuck like this forever. No one deserves a fate like this. Least of all her."

Alison seemed about to say something, but she heard a commotion gathering around the center of town. "Looks like Michael's going to say something. Come on, Matty. We should be there."

Matthew nodded and followed his mother back towards town. He gently made his way through the crowds of people, finally managing to arrive where Michael had been heard speaking before. The ArcNet Trio had arrived on the scene and were interviewing the King of Arcana on what had transpired, prompting Matthew to take a bit of a backseat to what was going on. He found himself, Chris, Mark and Lizzie being the only ones standing near the King. Even Julia was not present, having likely been called away to attend to affairs of state.

"Why are we being sectioned off like this?" he asked the others.

Chris shrugged. "My guess is something big is going to be announced.

Lizzie wouldn't make eye contact for some reason. She was keeping her head down, almost on the verge of tears. Matthew thought for a minute that it was possible she was mourning Ryan not being back, or perhaps the death of Cameron. But this was a different kind of sad he'd ever seen from her. One that made him realize that there was in fact something wrong. Mark also seemed more distant and quiet. It was as if the two were in on some kind of secret that was about to become all too open for the people of Arcana. Matthew gulped as he and Chris tried to figure out what it could be. From out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Six Mythical Pokemon floating around town, chattering and chirping at one another playfully and brightening an otherwise dreary and stormy day.

"And you're certain that the gateways to Mirage Island are now officially closed?" Amber inquired, while she and Dylan interviewed the King and Corey live streamed it for all of Arcana to see.

"With Mewtwo gone for good" Michael explained, "a great many things we thought we knew about the world have changed. The multiple pathways to Mirage Island have been sealed off. Traversing between our realm and the Realm of Dreams will now be impossible to do without falling asleep or passing away. It will serve as a haven for all wayward souls now, as it was always meant to be."

"And what of the Syndicate?" Dylan asked. "Are all of their remnants either captured or dead?"

Michael cleared his throat. "The vast majority of their forces have been rounded up or have perished. Their figureheads have all passed on, with Cassius, Archer, Claude, Hunter, Elezar and Courtney being confirmed gone. Their enforcers, such as Victor, Nadine and the like, have been captured and are locked up inside the Titanio City Gym while we await the reconstruction of Klefki Prison. Some of their lesser peons have fled into hiding, such as the twins Lily and Lena, but they are likely only going to be considered small time crooks now. The Syndicate's backbone was in it's strong leadership and without that, they will no longer be a threat to Arcana."

Amber scribbled down some notes before continuing to pepper the King with yet another question. "Just one more question, Your Majesty. With the War over and the Syndicate and Mewtwo both eradicated, do you think that the Pokemon Leagues and Contests will open up again?"

Michael sighed. "I can't answer that question. Arcana is still suffering from the effects of invasion, war and loss. It will take a great deal of time for us to rebuild our region to what it once was, especially after losing such good and keen minds. But I have confirmation that the Terra Town Construction Association, under the current leadership of Atticus Waters, will have basically a monopoly on the necessary reconstruction projects for Titanio City, Taghwan City, Magic Junction, Charizark Town and Magenta Grove." He glanced back at Chris before addressing the question further. "As it currently stands, Amber, we do not have a confirmed date for which the Pokemon League or the Queen of Arcana contests will reopen. I can imagine talk of that will resume as soon as we have allowed proper time for our families and friends to mourn what has been lost and begin to restore this region to what it once was. It may not be a quick and painless process, but it is one we must take, nonetheless."

"Thank you, Your Grace" Dylan responded politely.

"Before we wrap this up, I have a major announcement to make to the people of Arcana." At this, the six Mythical Pokemon floated down and surrounded the King, prompting a chorus of awe and delight at seeing these Pokemon from the crowds. "These Six Mythical Pokemon have continuously served by our sides for years. They have provided us with wisdom, power, insight and love that we cannot possibly ever repay. I know I personally wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for Celebi keeping the Crimson Fury inside of me tempered." Celebi came over to Michael and landed gently on his head, patting him lovingly. "But, I'm afraid that with Mewtwo's end, on top of the end of the Age of Heroes as foretold by Countess Rosemary, it is now time for us to part ways with our friends."

Matthew gasped. "WHAT?!"

Chris was equally shocked. "You can't be serious, Mike."

"The Mythical Pokemon had their roles to play" the King continued sadly. "And they have played them terrifically. But they will be needed in the Realm of Arceus to rest and recover their power, at least until the next generation that needs them comes around."

"We can't be saying goodbye again so soon!" Chris seemed about to explode, when Manaphy floated down and gently brushed his antennae on Chris's nose before shooting out a mist around him. With his big, soft eyes, the Mythical Pokemon seemed to be informing him that this had to come to pass, whether they wanted it to or not. Chris rose from his chair and hugged the Pokemon that had been his constant companion for almost ten years. Victini came over to his side as well, prompting Chris to bring both in for an embrace farewell on behalf of Cameron.

Mark and Lizzie were already saying their own goodbyes to Mew and Jirachi respectively, each whispering to them and with Mew playfully tickling Mark's nose with his stubby tail and Jirachi showering light onto Lizzie as thanks for looking after him for so long. Matthew noticed Shaymin finally making his way up to him and sniffing at his shoes. Matthew held out his only functioning hand and let Shaymin hop up his arm and onto his lap.

"I guess this is where it ends, bud" Matthew spoke softly. "I'll miss you, Shaymin. Look after the others while you're up there, okay?"

Shaymin barked happily and playfully nipped at Matthew's pants before jumping up quickly, licking his face and flying off to hover above the town once more. As Michael and Celebi concluded their own goodbyes, the other Mythical Pokemon joined in shining up and around the small village of Parlor Town as if giving off a final goodbye to the people they had known for so long.

All except Jirachi. Lizzie and Jirachi seemed to be deep in some kind of communication that only they could understand. And for some reason, Jirachi wasn't budging yet. It took Lizzie a minute to gather altogether what this meant.

"Wait!" she cried out. "We're not done yet."

"What do you mean?" a voice called out from the crowd.

"Jirachi still has one last wish to grant" she explained. She gestured towards the small star-like crown atop Jirachi's head. "You see that blue wish ticket hanging from it's head? There used to be three on there. But over the course of the last few years, Jirachi has granted two wishes. One was used by me to provide us with aid against Hunter during the Battle of Mt. Heatmor. The second wish was used by Piper Pines, the Contest Queen, to assist us in another endeavor. It must grant it's third and final wish before leaving. But before anyone gets any ideas, Jirachi will choose who gets the last wish. No one else can make one besides the one whom he chooses."

The people in the crowd waited on baited breath. Jirachi floated from person to person, as if sizing them up and seeing if the light in their heart was worthy enough. Matthew saw it pause in front of Jasmine, himself wondering what she would wish for. Probably some way to make it so we never had our fight. A part of him would always care for Jasmine, but the part that might have been completely hers now had a different home in mind. Jirachi did not stay long near Jasmine, instead continuing on it's quest to find the one who would have any wish in the world granted.

He stopped in front of Kayleigh, who tried to leap up at him, but Alison held her down. He also floated around Holly, but she seemed to have had her wish granted by Jeremy's return and thus she seemed happy enough without one. He finally noticed Annette in the crowd when Jirachi came to her, but she seemed unable to look the Mythical Pokemon in the eyes. She briefly made eye contact with Matthew before looking back down, though why remained a mystery to him.

"The person who gets their wish granted may not even be here" Chris whispered to Matt. "This could take a while."

"Well, I guess now all we have is time" he theorized. "I'm looking forward to some rest." The two watched Jirachi go from person to person, with Matthew wondering who would ultimately get their wish granted. "I'm surprised it's not you."

Chris shook his head. "The wishes Jirachi grants have to be within it's power. Taking us to the Realm of Arceus and helping free the minds of Hunter's captive Pokemon were easy. What I want...can't be done so easily. So, I figure I won't be getting it."

Matthew turned to face him and shook his head. "Come on, Chris. Don't say that. You deserve it."

"I doubt Jirachi agrees." Chris's eyes widened and he cracked out a wry grin. "In fact, I'm supremely confident that he won't."

"What makes you think so?"

"Turn your head."

Matthew's head rotated and he almost gasped when he found himself face to face with Jirachi, the Wish Granting Pokemon. Jirachi had his eyes focusing intently on him, before smiling brightly and nodding to himself.

"So, Jirachi has chosen" Michael vocalized for all to hear.

"Matthew?" a voice called out from the crowd.

"Broboo wish?" Kayleigh squawked.

Matthew tried to brush it off. "Oh no no no no no. I don't think Jirachi can grant my wish, either."

"Come on, Matt" Chris assured him. "Make one."

Matthew lowered his head. "I...I don't think I can. I...I don't deserve it."

"Jirachi says otherwise" Mark concluded. "He seems to think you are."

"Maybe he's wrong?"

Lizzie walked over to Matthew's side and patted him on the shoulder. "Matthew, after all you've done, all the changes you've made and all the help you've been to so many here in Arcana, I think you need to finally learn to forgive yourself. Because basically everyone else here has already. Jirachi sees there is good in you and wants to reward you for it. Go on. Wish for whatever you want. You've earned it."

"But-"

"You can get that nerve damage fixed" Michael urged him. "You could get that wish of being the most powerful Pokemon Trainer in the world. You could wish for the world's tastiest pizza. Whatever you want, champ. Because like Lizzie said, you deserve it if Jirachi says you do."

Matthew's eyes went everywhere besides Jirachi's. Michael and the others nodded at him endearingly. He looked out into the crowd, none of whom seemed to be upset that he was the one chosen. In fact, if anything, they were jubilant. Jasmine was blushing, likely wondering if he might wish for her to love him again. Annette was curiously looking on, wondering what he might wish for. Even his mother and Kayleigh were happy for him. Matthew's eyes finally fell on the statue forms of his cousin, Addison's father and Jocelyn. Could he...maybe?

He looked at Jirachi and wondered how exactly he could get what he wanted. But a part of him constantly warned him that other people might need this wish. He already blew his chances with Jocelyn before. Why would he get the chance to help her?

Jirachi chirped at him happily and gestured for it's Wish Tag to be taken and wished on. Matthew closed his eyes and took the ticket in his hands, before quietly whispering his wish. Jirachi eyed him curiously, cocking his head and wondering what this meant. Had he been too vague? Was Jirachi confused at the request?

Matthew's fears of having his wish denied seemed somewhat alleviated when Jirachi floated up towards the others. They joined in a group and spun around playfully. They all called lovingly to their former guardians, before, in a flash, they exploded into a ball of bright angelic lights reminiscent of the Aurora Borealis. The clouds seemed to be growing a brighter shade of gray, before a lone ray of light fell upon the townsfolk. From this ray of light, sprouted a rainbow the likes of which none of them had ever seen before. It was absolutely massive, seeming to go as far as the horizons to the north.

A few raindrops began to fall on everyone, prompting Michael to try and gather everyone out of the impending storm. But no sooner did they begin to disperse, that a strange ball of light fell from the skies. It landed on the ground just beside where they had been gathered. Dead grass from the flames that had scourged the town underneath Claude began to grow once more. Broken trees from the battle with Mewtwo seemed to be sprouting back up. The nearly ruined lands near where the Ranch had suddenly felt a rain shower revitalizing the soils of the land, showing signs that Pokemon and plants would grow there once more. Homes that were not yet fully repaired were springing back to life. Buildings like the grocers, the delicatessen and others were springing back to life as if they had never been burned and looted.

Chris tried to tell him something, but Matthew could not hear it through the strange storm that was now hitting Arcana. He simply ran past all of the crowds in awe of the repairing buildings, hoping that his wish might truly be coming true as he hoped. Please...please, PLEASE?!

A ball of light landed just nearby the statue of Addison's father, Warren Tenton. The Warden of the Safari Zone's fossilized form absorbed the light in droves. As Matthew's hope teetered, he gasped in delight when he saw the stone fragments beginning to crack and come apart. With every piece, a part of the body of this great man could be seen. Addison and her mother raced over towards the form of their father and husband, before finally, Warren broke free from his prison and fell forward onto the ground, breathing weakly. Deidre held her husband in her arms, tears streaming down her face. Addison stood just above, her hands folded as if in prayer. Warren stirred and his eyes finally opened.

"Dee? Addy?"

"DADDY!" Addison wept.

"Oh Warren!" Deidre cried out. "It's a miracle!"

Matthew was about to congratulate them, but a second ball of light landed down where his cousin Daniel Kingston was frozen. As with Warren, bit by bit of the young man's body began to show before the rocks fell from him completely, restoring the former Elite Four member completely. Daniel, dazed from the entire experience, fell onto his rear end before his parents rushed to his side and showered him with hugs and affection.

"Huh? What?"

"Oh Daniel, you're okay!" his mother Janine exclaimed.

"We thought you were gone for good, son" Doug wept.

"Did...did we do it? Is Mewtwo gone? Warren, did we do it?"

Warren looked around. "I know just as much as you do, kid."

"He's gone" Addison tearfully confirmed. "Mewtwo, Courtney, Claude. All of them! It's finally over!" She then planted a big kiss on her father's cheek. The families seemed to be moving themselves a bit away from the Light Shower descending upon the town. More and more of the town began to be revived, prompting Elmont Queensbury to make a joke about the money they'd spent on rebuilding the town all gone.

Matthew stood, now basically alone. He glanced up to the heavens, hoping Arceus or his Grandfather or someone was looking down. "Come on" he told himself and those viewing. "Please! Don't forget about her!"

As the sun began to peek it's way out of the clouds, one final ball of light fell with surprising speed towards the fossilized form of his former protector. A small speck of light shined from a crack formed in the fossil, as if all of the heavens were on his side for once. First, her legs became free. Then her arms. Then her torso, prompting the chains that had bound her to fall to her ankles. Finally, the fossilized head burst free, leaving Jocelyn Aced exactly as he remembered her being. Tall, dark-haired, beautiful and full of life. She moaned in fatigue, before falling forwards on to her knees. Realizing she was going to fall down, Matthew slid down and caught her with his arm and his body. She rested her head on his chin.

"Uh..." was all she could say.

"Jocelyn" he whispered. "Jocelyn? It's me! Matt!"

"Uh...huh?"

He pushed her back. Her eyelids were still tightly closed. "Come on, Jocelyn! Open your eyes!"

They slowly began to flutter open, but her confused moans did not stop until her eyes fell upon Matthew. They first took a brief moment to make sure it was him. Then, down at herself to realize she was no longer either fossilized or in chains. Then finally, to their location. She took a deep breath then found her former charge's face once more. "Matt? Is it really you?"

"I told you I would come back for you" he assured her.

"You...you came back for me? But...but how?"

Unable to contain himself, Matthew threw himself at her, wrapping his only functional arm around her. "This is real" he assured both himself and her. "You're really here! It's over. I finally got you back!"

Jocelyn seemed eager for more knowledge, but upon seeing how distraught he was, simply wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. Matthew thought he could feel a teardrop fall onto his back. But he didn't care. He had Jocelyn back. Something had gone right for him for once in his life. And he would be damned if he ever took her for granted again.

"I got you back!" he repeated, sobbing relentlessly. "I got you back! And I'll never let you out of my sight again!"

"Matthew...thank you. Thank you for everything."

{}

Once the Light Shower had completed and the fossilized forms restored to life by the wish of his cousin, Michael made the necessary calls to Jenna's nursing teams to ferry the bodies of the fallen from battle towards the large landmass where the Ranch had once been. It was a long and painful task for everyone involved, both emotional and physical anguish, but it had to be done. He had sworn that the area that had once housed Maria Pines's Pokemon Lab would now be a memorial to those who had fallen in battle, never again to be messed with or tainted by development. And he intended on keeping that promise to one maternal figure in his life.

At his command, many of the mourners were given an option to either bury their fallen loved one or have them cremated. While many of the wives, parents and children of the Arcana Police Force cadets who had fallen would ultimately choose burial to ensure a part of them always had a place where they could visit and think of them, the Kingstons and the rest of the Thirteen Families who might have lost a loved one decided for cremation. And for all of those who had fallen in the War with Claude, it's aftermath or the Battle of the Crag Hills, statues would be erected in this site on top of all over Arcana, to ensure that future generations all remembered the brave souls who had paid with their lives to ensure peace reigned.

Of the most higher held of the fallen, who's eulogies and pyres would be the centerpiece of the entire funeral march, some had to be chosen to be the ones to say their final farewells and light the body ablaze. Michael was emotionally torn over which body he would be the one to ignite. He turned down an offer from his Aunt Lauren to lead it off with Junior, insisting that Jessica and Billy, his two children, be the ones to do it. It would be four people doing it though, as Lauren joined in to mourn her departed husband and Amanda, who was now clinging to her boyfriend as if he were going to vanish into thin air. It was important for them to do this, he believed, because not only was this their father/husband, but also that the rest of the family was going to be shaken by the rest of those who would be burned on this day.

The King also turned down an offer to stand beside his Aunt Joy and Madeline over the pyre of Byron. Though his uncle had always been a steadfast ally to him, again he felt it would be better if he stood on behalf of everyone and not just picking and choosing his favorites. Jon, undergoing emergency surgery to see if anything could be salvaged of his legs, would not be present but in spirit. Annie stood for him, doing her best to remain cheerful and optimistic, her hand gently rubbing her belly where her and Jon's only child would be born. Madeline and her mother stood in silence and looked down at Byron's body, weeping sorrowfully.

Both Cameron and Big Mike had a line of people who wanted to be there, but ultimately, the lists were cut down. Julia had wanted to be a part of both, but Michael had asked her to watch over Little Michael and take the lead with the rest of the family. Cameron would be well looked after. Her stepsisters, her stepmother Shannon, her father and Chris would be there to say their final farewells. Michael did stop and look over his younger cousin and protege for a long time before everyone else had gathered, wishing against hope that she might wake up. But she had died protecting someone she loved. And she did so because of how he acted. Cameron's love and loyalty was something he knew never to take for granted, which is why it was so painful for him to stay away. Piper also wished to be included, but remained with Julia and Cynthia behind, not wanting to cause a scene.

Michael's father, conversely, also had a surprising amount of people who wanted to help see him off. Many of his employees, including Atticus Waters and his daughter, had practically begged to help, only to be politely turned down. Victoria and surprisingly his mother Erin would be the ones to say goodbye. When Michael asked his mother why she felt she needed to be part of the farewell to her ex-husband, she told him:

"You never stop loving someone, even if you drift apart. That feeling is always there for your father and always will be. He was my first and my most passionate love. I have you and Tori because of him. We may never have made it work as husband and wife, but he was still one of my dearest friends in this world. For the sake of you and your sister, we fought to be as amicable as possible despite how hurt we both were. Unfortunately, we never got to see it come to fruition with what you endured. But your father always loved you and your sister. And I, even now as I'm married to Anthony, will always care deeply for him."

Greg had offered to be a shoulder for his wife to cry on, but he again remained behind with Julia and Piper to only watch on as others said their farewells. Tori weakly walked up to her father's final resting place, with Erin holding her hand and rubbing her arm as Big Mike's eldest child lost herself to her misery. She almost managed to dive onto the bed to be with her father, but Erin held her firmly and pulled her away, gently stroking her daughter's back and making looks to ensure her son didn't need the same.

Michael was left with the final pyre for himself. Olivia's. With her estranged mother currently in the Alola Region and her deeply estranged brother Donnie unavailable due to legal issues pertaining to the future fate of his only nephew, Michael and Little Michael were the only ones left to light the final remains of one of the bravest woman he knew he would ever know. Michael had asked his son if he felt he could say one final goodbye to his mother, but he began to sputter and cry, resulting in Julia telling Michael on his behalf that he couldn't. This left the King to do it alone. And at first, it was something he vowed to do with stoicism and decorum befitting a King.

That was until he took his final look at her. She had been so much for him in his life. She had "stolen" his first kiss. She had been a ceaseless admirer of his and a cruel and vindictive child towards Julia. She had endured struggles the likes of which only he could relate in living in poverty and losing a love to disease, forced to raise her only child on her own with family scorning and hating her. She had shamefully returned to offer apologies towards Julia and him after years of silence and begged for his help. She had become a shoulder for him to lean on in his darkest times. She had offered to be his Queen if Courtney's plans to make Michael lose Julia had succeeded. She had, for a brief time, become his lover. She stepped aside when Julia recovered and despite all of her fears for the world, she stayed in Arcana to fight what would be her last battle. And through it all, she had left to Michael everything she held dear: her son.

As his eyes studied her face, he realized just how beautiful she was, even in death. Her skin looked as soft as silk, her hair lit fires of their own inside of his heart. Her eyes, the deep pools of sapphire they had always been, any man could be drowned within just by staring for too long. He knew that too well. For all of the red flags a relationship had between them, it was clear to him that there was a deep and profound connection between them that he could not explain. Not to the strength of his feelings for Julia, but of at least comparable power. And seeing Olivia dead right in front of him made him lose more courage and stability than he could have imagined.

He did love her. And it was becoming almost impossible to let her go. He bent down and kissed her, her face surprisingly warm for someone who had not had life in her for some time. When he had let go, he saw his own tears had fallen on her and he stepped aside.

Brightly burning torches were passed out to those who had fallen, which left the groups to decide who was going to be the one to light the pyres. In the end, without much debate, Victoria, Chris, himself and Madeline would do their duties, while Jenna and Billy would say farewell to their father together. The six all looked towards one another and nodded, dropping the torches onto the bodies and allowing them to burn. The groups stepped aside and stood in silence, some lowering their heads, some comforting those who still had tears to shed. Chris was himself surrounded by everyone who showered him with love, while Lauren gave both of her children affection as needed.

Michael let himself weep silently and solemnly, until he felt someone tugging at his shirt. He looked down and saw his newly adopted son reaching up for him and he gladly scooped the boy up into his arms. Little Michael clung to him and looked at the final remains of his mother, almost as if studying her as his new father had. "Mommy..."

"She loved you, kid" Michael reassured the boy. "Don't ever forget that."

The young boy rested his head on his new father's shoulder. The same father he was named for, despite no true blood connecting them. "Mommy loves me. Mommy loves you too, Dad."

Michael nodded sadly. "I know, son. I know."

"Missus Queen is very nice to me" the boy whispered.

He laughed. "And she adores you."

"I have two Mommies."

"And both love you, Michael. I don't want you to ever think that isn't true. And so do I. And so did your father."

"I don't know Daddy." The boy perked up and hugged his new Dad tightly. "But I'm glad I have my Dad."

Michael shed a tear, but this one of happiness, knowing not only that a living memory of Olivia would go on forever, but that also that despite all of the losses he'd suffered in life, even those to this day, life would always go on. His family would continue to grow, with himself, his beautiful and loving bride, his precocious and rambunctious daughter, his gentle and loving son, whatever more children came along the way, and a boy who adored him and was so happy to be his son. Whatever lied ahead, he would face it with them by his side.