Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who stuck with me this far! I really don't know what to say... *sniff* Enjoy the epilogue!
It has been hundreds of years since that day.
Everything is different.
The nations have changed. The world has changed. The human population has expanded to the point where they have turned to the skies for more space.
And their first target is the moon.
The nations still remember that young girl they had the fortune of sharing time with. Such little time, so long ago, yet they still remember.
This time, they do not fight for domination, as before. They work together.
America and Russia bring their practical experience, from the last space race.
Sweden and Finland bring their ability to create.
Switzerland and Liechtenstein bring their knack for finely tuned mechanics.
Canada brings his newly developed technology.
They each bring with them what they do best, and they do it, as best they can.
Finally, it is ready. A lunar vessel capable of bringing many, many humans to the newly established colonies on the moon.
To the nations, this is a second chance.
And they take it.
They emerge from the hatch one by one. Stepping onto the newly built floor of the colony's housing dome, they catch their first glimpse of the new world.
A strong dome made out of synthetic materials capable of withstanding a small atomic blast surrounds a nice large area of land, covered with buildings and transportable farmland. Facilities for water and air reclamation are working at their highest capacity. Around them, advance teams are already guiding the new settlers to their assigned homes, explaining how the colony was to work.
But the nations do not care about these things. They make a beeline for the nearest exit. Putting on space suits, they are eager to leave the protected world inside the colony and see the untouched landscape of the moon for themselves.
As they step out, they gasp. In front of them, setting just over the horizon, is the Earth. It fills them with a sense of such longing that they cannot help but reach out toward it.
Was this what Moon always felt when she saw the moon, they ask each other. No wonder she always wanted to go home...
They stay out there as long as possible, only heading back when their oxygen supplies are running out. But just as they are about to reenter the dome, a cry rings out.
"Look!"
Everyone turns in the direction Liechtenstein points to. There, in the distance, is a shadowy figure.
They run forward, and it slowly comes into view. It is Moon, playing with her bunny.
They call out her name in joy, but she doesn't respond.
She doesn't turn around.
They can't get her attention.
Then Sealand gets out the orb, now mounted on a pendant and strung onto a necklace chain, from his pocket. He holds it out.
Slowly, Moon seems to grow aware of their presence. She smiles, oh so sweetly, and gently takes the necklace from the micronation's hand. She puts it on, laughing as it tickles her neck.
The more logical nations wonder how it is they can hear her, when there is no air on the moon, but do not ask.
The others merely smile, and reach out to hug her. But she dances backwards, a sad smile on her face.
"Thank you," she whispers. "Thank you for returning to me..."
Then, she fades for good.
Every day until they leave, the nations go back to the place where they found Moon. They hope to see her again, to embrace her, but she does not return.
On the last day, they finally accept that she is gone. Tears stain their cheeks as they cry quietly, but they understand that things have changed.
The moon is no longer the place she had once represented. It had changed, evolved. There would be new nation representatives.
But they would always remember the first.
Moon.
End