(First off I wanted to tell you all thank you for all the positive feedback I have received in response to this story. It really means the world to me guys. As such, I figured I would prolong the ending of this story just a little longer. So expect at least one more chapter. Enjoy.)

Many seasons had passed since the fall of the final Truffula tree and the Once-ler, now gray with age, had locked himself away from the world ever since that fateful day. Regret his only mistress, he sat idly by watching the world progress; a result of his selfish desires. Time had been an excellent teacher for the lessons he had needed to take to heart, but could never fill the void that she had left behind.

He spent the remainder of his days in the solitude of his home, never departing the safety of its loneliness, pondering the mistakes of his youth, and yearning for a single chance at redemption; though he knew as well as anyone, he didn't deserve such an opportunity. From his place at the window he wondered if at times she ever thought of him as well, even half as much as he thought of her. Had she forgiven him…could she ever? What he would give to be able to just make her laugh again, for he knew the hardship the last days of their relationship held for her. He smiled. Just the thought of her face lighting up, experiencing happiness, was enough to bring him a few moments of pleasure; a few moments that broke up the bouts loneliness and depression that he was accustomed to daily.

Still lost amidst a sea of thoughts, his concentration was disrupted by an unfamiliar sound-something he hadn't heard in years, his own doorbell.

Before his house now stood a boy, a boy interested in the tale of the trees. What had happened to them? Why did they leave?

But no one cared about trees anymore. Didn't they?

Something about this boy, something he couldn't quite name, had intrigued the Once-ler, so he began to divulge the mystery of the trees to the young boy and when the boy left, half a story under his belt, Once-ler felt a change in the air. Something had lifted from the valley and a new sense replaced the dread that had lingered there.

Maybe, just maybe, he thought to himself and although he didn't know it just yet, fate had dealt Once-ler just one more chance for his redemption.