AN: Alright, and it's finally over. Now I can go fade into obscurity again. (Actually, I've debated writing more within this universe, but who knows). Anyway, I had to wonder about the apparent significance of Beerain in the finale. Not just because she's my least favorite character, but I have to do her justice anyway. But also because she was not all that important in the SR anime. But, I think (or hope) I reached the only natural conclusion.

52- Beerain's Tear

Hunter's last attack was the final blow he needed. Once and for all, Mantid was finished.

"It's over!" Magma exclaimed, impressed. At least, Mantid seemed to really be gone this time.

"Or is it?" Brade replied. "You see, the skies above us are still dark. I can't see what it's like now in the human world, but I would assume their skies are still steadily darkening."

"But why?" asked Igneous.

"Mantid was defeated," replied Brade. "But before then, he'd already made his wish."

"So, everything we just did was for nothing?" Corona asked, shocked.

"There's still hope, I think," Aqune spoke.

"What?" asked Corona.

"We must use any power we have left to combine the Oracle Keys to one," she said. "Then, Spirit Oracle will return to this world."

"But what will happen to you?"

"I don't know," Aqune replied. "Buguese thought that once Mantid used the Oracle's power, I would be destroyed. But I'm still here."

"Perhaps that's because Mantid wasn't able to fully destroy Spirit Oracle," Brade spoke. "Some light remains."

"But once that light is gone, we're all toast, right?" Magma asked.

"Regretfully, yes," Brade replied.

"I'll do it," Aqune said. "Whatever happens to me doesn't matter. This is the only way to save the Inner World, and so many innocent lives. Corona, won't you help me?"

"Yeah," Corona replied.

Once again, the two girls conjured up as much energy as they could muster. Hunter was reverted back to his original form, and the Keys, now in his hand, started glowing.

"I think it's working!" Hunter said.

Aqune's body was levitated into the air. All of a sudden, she was completely covered in light, unable to be seen by the others. When that light cleared, in Aqune's place was Spirit Oracle.

"Woah!" Hunter exclaimed.

"What happened to Aqune?" asked Corona.

"Greetings, Spider Riders," Spirit Oracle replied. "That girl… Aqune was the current human chosen to be my reincarnation. Because the Oracle Keys were finally bought back together, I was able to awaken, restoring my true form to this world. But I can feel that this was the last will of her consciousness."

The Oracle looked over at Hunter.

"Digger… no, he must be gone by now. You're his descendant, the second coming of the Brave. You look like a younger version of him, though. How truly handsome you are."

"What?!" Corona was disturbed to see the Oracle seemingly hitting on her Hunter. Well, not that he was really hers. She still hadn't even confessed. And now probably wasn't the right time for that either.

"What is your name, boy?" the Oracle asked.

"Hunter Steele," he replied.

"I see," she said. "And you are an Earthen, aren't you?"

"Yeah," he replied.

"You must miss the Earth," she said.

"Well, I kinda do," Hunter replied. He loved being in the Inner World, being a Spider Rider, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't think of home now and then. He did have parents back in the real world, who didn't know where he was. He wasn't on very good terms with them, which is part of why he could just drop everything and leave so easily, but that didn't mean he didn't care about them at all.

"Perhaps you wish to return," the Oracle spoke. "I can give you one wish. You can go back to the Outer World. Or, you can remain here, forever fighting to protect the sunlight which I will restore. Do think carefully."

"No!" Corona exclaimed. The thought of Hunter just leaving forever bought a pain to her chest. "Hunter, please don't go back!" she called, as she ran closer to him. "I would be lonely if you were gone! H-Hunter… I… ever since I first met you, I thought you were amazing. Your hope and your determination was like nothing I'd seen before. I realized that I love you!"

"Corona…" Hunter replied, touched, though rather surprised by the sudden confession. "I didn't know that's how you felt." Hunter walked to her side. "You know, Corona, I couldn't possibly go back home. I'd miss being a Spider Rider. I'd miss all the adventures. I'd miss Shadow, and all my friends. Most of all, I'd miss you. I couldn't think of going to a place where you wouldn't be fighting alongside me. I also love you." He laughed nervously. "Actually, that was a little embarrassing to say. But I'm glad I finally got it out."

"Hunter!" Corona, with tears flowing down her face, embraced him.

"So that is your choice?" spoke Spirit Oracle, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Very well then."

She started to glow. And in a moment, for the first time in many years, a sun rose over the Insector lands. The rest of the Inner World too was filled with light once more.

"Sunlight?!" Grasshop exclaimed, blinking. He could hardly believe his eyes. "I'm not dreaming, right?"

"No," said Sparkle, happily. "It's real!"

"Now, all is as it should be," Spirit Oracle announced.

"No, it's not." Beerain, who had stayed quiet this whole time, finally spoke.

"What do you mean?" asked Spirit Oracle. "Didn't you wish for sunlight to return to your lands?"

"I did," Beerain said. "But… this isn't the way I wanted it. I can't live in a world without Buguese! Please, Spirit Oracle, bring him back!"

A single tear streamed down her face, but she continued staring intently at Spirit Oracle.

"Also," she said, "You must restore Aqune. Because she's the one Buguese chose. It pains me just to say this. I always hated her. But, Buguese deserves to be happy."

"Normally, the dead should not be revived," Spirit Oracle said. "However, that is the purest wish I've ever heard. I will grant your wish."

On the ground, the body of Buguese then appeared, fully restored. The Spider Riders watched as this happened, amazed. When this was done, light began to cover Spirit Oracle once more.

"I guess this is goodbye for now, Hunter Steele." She smiled to him, before disappearing in the light.

In Spirit Oracle's place was Aqune, who floated back down to the ground.

Aqune opened her eyes. "Huh? What happened?" She glanced around, only to see Buguese lying next to her.

"Buguese!"

The Insector also awoke, at the sound of her voice.

"Aqune!" he shouted. "What… is going on? Why am I here?"

"You're alive!" Aqune shouted, excitedly. She threw her arms around him, and didn't want to let go. She didn't understand it herself, but somehow, a miracle had happened which bought them back together.

Beerain sulked as she watched them. But yet, she was pleased because her wish was really granted.

"I'm back!" Grasshop stood at the doorway, with Sparkle behind him, when his wife opened it.

She stood there, gaping.

"Thank the Oracle!" she exclaimed. "We missed you so much!"

"Daddy!" Step and Jump ran to their father, who hugged each of them.

"Please… forgive me!" he shouted, clasping his hands together.

"We were never upset with you," replied his wife. "Every day, we wished for your return."

"I'm so glad," said Sparkle, as she watched the family reunion.

"Kyu kyu!" replied Hotarla.

"I wonder when Sparkle will come home."

Lumen sat at a desk full of paperwork, half asleep.

"Well, maybe I'll take a nap while I wait."

"Everyone, keep at it!" Igneous was vigorously training a group of tired-looking Arachnan soldiers, Grey among them. Magma was just watching them.

'It's a shame the Hero Brade isn't here,' he thought to himself. During the crazy events after the battle with Mantid, he'd managed to slip away undetected. "Hero Brade-sama, I have so many more questions for you!" he called into the distance. "Come back to me!"

"I can't believe we're really on a date." Corona covered her mouth, realizing she'd just said that out loud. She was a nervous wreck.

The two of them had decided to have a picnic together (which they both worked to prepare) at the Village of Fragrant Blooms.

"Hey, calm down, Corona," said Hunter, though he too was a little nervous. "It's not like we've never been alone together before."

"That's true," Corona replied, blushing. "Hey, Hunter, we're not taking things too fast, are we?"

"I don't think so," replied Hunter.

"Good," said Corona. "Because I want to savor our time together. I hope we can go on lots more dates!"

"I'm sure we will," replied Hunter. "Now… as for taking it fast, that's Buguese and Aqune."

"Yeah," agreed Corona. "I can't believe they already announced their engagement."

"It's kind of cool though," said Hunter. "They're both determined to build a better world, where humans and Insectors are united. A real marriage between the two races has got to be a big step in that direction."

"I'd really love a world of peace like that," said Corona.

"Me too," replied Hunter.

One moment, the two were just gazing into each others eyes. The next, their lips met in a gentle kiss.