The trio watched the lab be consumed by the fire that it once tried to tame within the girl, whom, just stood and watched as she burned down the last remnants of her past. Her dull icy blue eyes were replaced with her vibrant brown ones. She turned to look at Mike who brought her back from the brink. Mike leaned heavily against Hopper who kept him place with a firm arm on his shoulder, the toll of those several broken ribs were now finally beginning to take their toll on him.

She smiled at him shyly and despite the pain he was in Mike managed to smile back at her, they both realized it was finally over, the bad men were gone, destroyed, decimated and defunct. They were never coming back although it took the slaughter of hundreds of men, most of which were innocent to do so. Mike wandered over to her, limping and wincing in pain as he did so, El quickly and carefully supported him with her body as he hugged and nuzzled into her neck, whispering to her.

Hopper thought silently as he watched the embers burn out, she was like that of angelic power in human form, he went to church when he was younger, he read scripture, a single Angel had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, A single Angel had slaughtered 185,000 men in one night and a single Angel had killed all first-borns in the land of Egypt who's door wasn't splashed with lamb's blood.

The Parallels were very striking Hopper thought as he looked over to the two teens who were now embracing. Angels were beautiful and destructive, El was quickly becoming a beautiful young woman and yet she radiated power absolute. Beauty and Destruction. Beauty of Annihilation.

Hopper watched as the two shared a small but deep kiss, Hopper looked away not wanting to interrupt on the moment. Hopper thought to the bodies back in the lab, she had killed them all without a seconds notice, all because they had Mike and effectively tortured him, Hopper knew if it were someone he loved as much El seemed to love Mike he would also of done the same.

And then there was the way her eyes would turn that icy blue, that never happened before in all the times that she had used her powers but only seemed to happen now when she used her powers destructively. Hopper decided that he would not worry about it later, she was safe, mike was safe, they were all safe. Hopper turned away from the smouldering remains of what was left.

Mike and El were drawn out of their stupor as Hopper drew near them and signalled them to follow him, El carefully hefted some of Mikes weight onto her in order to take the strain off of his broken ribs. They slowly trudged away from the lab, the telekinetic tendrils lovingly supported Mike, keeping him safe, as they always did.

SIX MONTHS LATER

Now fifteen, Both El ad Mike had recovered from their ordeal at the hands of Brenner, Mikes ribs had healed without complication and had passed his exams that year with high marks, second best in the year, Karen was happily surprised at Mike's 180 turn around when it came to his grades as they had suffered tremendously since Eleven had vanished but since she had returned, Hawkins had witnessed the return of Mike's intellect. Karen knew it had something to do with Hopper's adoptive daughter Jane.

Of course she had met the girl only a few times when Mike had brought her to his house or when Hopper would drop her off, albeit cranky and good natured grumpiness. Every time she was at the door either by herself or with hopper she would always immediately say one thing.

"Mike?" she would ask hopefully and like if he had been summoned Mike would almost immediately appear from whatever area of the house he was in, being drawn to her like a moth to the flame. Where they would embrace and hold each other like they had been separated for years, although 353 days was enough thank you very much.

Once Karen had received Mike's grade at the end of the academic year she made a note to pull Jane aside the next time she came over. Which she did.

Mike looked a little confused before letting go of her hand and descending into the basement where they would spend most of their time together. She pulled El into a motherly hug, she did so slowly as El was still a little uncomfortable with touch from some people.

She spoke up "Thank you" Karen said before pulling back. El looked her a little confused.

"For what?" she asked her brows furrowed.

"For bringing my son back" Karen said

El still looked confused so Karen clarified "He's back to his old self again since he met you"

El understood, she looked into the basement where Mike had vanished down before looking back at Karen with a small smile.

"No" El said with a shake of her head "Better than before"

and then she too walked into the basement following her soul mate. Karen watched her go unaware that she was talking to her future daughter-in law, Karen left them to it with a smile not having to worry as long as Jane was there.

Eleven curled up at his side basking in his warm presence, of course everything wasn't perfect, they both had terrible nightmares that constantly made them seek out each other's presence, both Hopper and Karen would awaken to find that their child had acquired a companion during the night, both Mike and El would be in each others arms, blissfully asleep, it was the only way that either of them could get nightmareless sleep, Hopper didn't argue with her remembering last time they had an argument over the relationship she had with the wheeler kid, he realized the two needed each other, even in dreamland.

Karen couldn't help but be in two minds about the whole thing, on one hand it was inappropriate but on the other this was the girl that managed to reawaken the fire in her son. Plus she found it insanely cute in the way that Mike would have his arm around her protectively and the way in which El would snuggle into his chest, a small smile adorning her features. Only a fool would try and put a stop to it. Greater Men have tried and failed.

Karen let in the other members of the party who would cheerfully greet her before they too would descend into the basement, where the sound of boisterous laughter and joy would emanate from within. All that mattered was that her son had been reignited.

As the party laughed, joked and bickered, El would sit by his side, never to leave, never to falter, never to change, always by his side, through hell and heaven and the Earth in which they stood.

No one saw the shadow of a thousand feathers

(A/N) so that was the finale of this one, there will be a sequel guys of course lol inspiration hit me when I was writing this final chapter and no-one has ever done the idea which will now be the big plot point for the next story/sequel.

I also have an AU Mileven stroy I wish to attempt so look out for it, it will be called "Of Reich, Regret and Redemption" or "Devotion to Duty"

Also please take a look at phieillydinyia's first story on the site, the girl has been a constant source of help and friendship and has never failed to not review a chapter of my stories, so go read and review her story, she deserves nothing less :)

and a word of warning with "Of Reich, Regret and Redemption" it will take place in a period of history that is highly upsetting and i will historically and accurately depict the events that will take place, i hope to offend no-one and to honor the lives of the people who died.

As always review guys and until next time, peace!