AN: Sorry – this came out a little later than expected. I got sidetracked over the weekends. Not sure if this actually ruins it though… meh. I want a real ending so here it is, good or bad.

Epilogue

12 Years Later

Footsteps echoed along the road. It was a bright day, and the grass that grew next to the cobblestones ruffled gently in the wind. The feet soon left the path to scale their favourite hill. It looked down on all the Far Side, and the view was fantastic.

He stood on the hilltop, never tiring of the view.

"Aerrow." He looked to the sky as he heard his name, and saw Piper descend from above, riding her favourite Domiwick creature. She jumped off its back in one graceful leap, and it flew off, calling happily.

As Piper approached Aerrow, he smiled at her warmly. "They really are something, aren't they?"

Piper grinned playfully. "You say that every time."

"I know, but maybe that's because it's impossible to get tired of it."

"Well, that's true."

Together, they watched as it flew farther into the depths of the city, making its way back home.

"Finn's almost done getting everything ready." Piper reported. She inhaled deeply and sighed with content. "Could we even get a more perfect day for this?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Aerrow agreed. "Just think of it, Piper - they've never seen any of this before. It'll all be completely new to them."

"I wonder how many there'll be..."

Aerrow grabbed Piper's hand in reassurance. "Don't worry. No matter how many, we're ready."

Piper smiled. "I know." She took a few steps away from Aerrow, and looked down at the half-built city. Ever since that first week, they had done their best to give the Far Side life again. It wasn't complete, but they had certainly done better than any of them originally expected. They were self-sufficient, almost half of the ruins had been restored... and of course, everything they had learned from this place was absolutely priceless.

"Just imagine what it'll be like after today," Piper imagined in wonder as she gazed down at the product of their lives. "It'll be just like it used to be."

Aerrow walked up next to her, placing his arm around her and fantasising along with her. "Soon it won't just be imaginary," Aerrow said. "Are you sure you're ready? How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," Piper reassured Aerrow. "You of all people should know by now how it works."

Aerrow laughed a little. "That's true. But it still doesn't have to be today if you don't feel ready. I can send Arygyn back and..."

Piper placed a finger on Aerrow's mouth, smiling mischievously. "Can't you ever, for once, not worry so much?"

Piper removed her finger and Aerrow grinned. "You of all people should know how it works by now."

Piper laughed and pushed Aerrow playfully to the side. "Come on," she said. "Today won't last forever."

They were all gathered together in the city square. The rebuilt temple shone brightly in the early afternoon sun, and the surrounding buildings were just as magnificent.

Finn, Junko, Stork, Radarr and Arygyn all stood together off to the side, leaving the entire plaza open and spacious, even though it wouldn't remain so for long.

"Hey," Finn whispered, leaning over to Junko as they waited for Aerrow and Piper, who were located in the center of the square, to finish their preparations. "You know what occurred to me? It's been years. She's going to look like an old woman."

"I wouldn't say that in front of her," Arygyn interjected, not even trying to conceal the fact of his eavesdropping. Finn blushed furiously with embarrassment, praying that Arygyn would keep his mouth shut. Arygyn simply laughed.

Stork gestured to all of them that playtime was over – Aerrow and Piper were ready. Radarr looked at his friends and gave a chirrup of anticipation.

Suddenly, everything grew very still. Even the sound of the river seemed to have been muted. Aerrow and Piper stood beside each other in the plaza's very centre, hand in hand.

Before them was an empty frame.

It was built into the threshold of the temple, the building's true purpose realized years ago. Piper stared directly ahead at where the soon-to-be door would lie. She could feel Aerrow give her hand a gentle squeeze. Each one looked at the other knowingly, and started.

The door's creation was not akin to the chaos of the abomination Cyclonis had made so many years ago. The burden of it may have been too heavy for one person, but it could be borne by two. The purple light shone gently and true, warm and peaceful. The onlookers were lost for words at the beauty.

Aerrow and Piper finished; the door remained in place. However, the purple light soon faded into transparency , revealing a brighter, more familiar light behind it that the Storm Hawks hadn't felt in years.

It was the golden blue light of the beacon tower. It illuminated the streets of Atmosia, now mere feet away from where the Storm Hawks stood. Through the door they saw the figures of Starling and countless others she had brought with her, all awaiting the discovery of their new home.