Midday, and a lone aircraft approaches the outskirts of Yamakasai. In the cockpit, Danny Brock and Sally Flynn lie naked in each other's arms, snoozing lightly. Suddenly, they're woken by the autopilot signalling their arrival.
"We're here," Danny concludes, standing up and helping Sally to her feet.
Sally looks out of the cockpit window at the warzone below. "By the Ancients," she breathes, wiping away a tear.
Danny puts an arm around Sally's shoulders. "It's OK. We'll put an end to this."
At that moment, there's a knock on the cockpit door. "What are you do‑ By the Ancients Danny, put your clothes back on!" Maria exclaims.
Sally spins in surprise, doing her best to cover her modesty. Danny reacts more calmly, turning to see Maria on her tiptoes, peeking through the cockpit door window with her eyes screwed shut.
"Sorry Maria," Danny apologises, gathering his clothes and getting dressed. Once he confirms Sally is also fully dressed, Danny unlocks and opens the door. "You can open your eyes now."
Maria opens her eyes. "Ah, much better."
"My apologies, Maria," Sally adds. "We should have put a cover over or something."
"Don't worry Miss Spiky: I don't mind seeing you naked," Maria assures. "And you have nothing to be embarrassed about," she adds, noticing Sally is blushing.
"Th‑Thanks," Sally acknowledges, blushing even more.
"I assume we're back at Yamakasai?" Maria asks.
"Correct," Danny confirms. "We'll be landing at the dojo in just a few minutes."
"Yay!" Maria chimes, jumping for joy. "We can help Hanna get better!"
"And end the war," Danny reminds.
"That too," Maria acknowledges.
Five minutes later, Danny lands the aircraft in the Kasai‑dojo airfield. As soon as the craft has settled, Maria opens the door and sprints to the infirmary, Danny and Sally following. Maria's speed has her at the infirmary a full minute before Danny and Sally, but she doesn't wait: she heads directly for Hanna's private room, bursting through the door with a cry of "We got them! We got them! We got them!"
"Dammit Maria!" Hanna gasps, her heart racing from the sudden shot of adrenaline. "What the fuck has gotten into you?"
"The Crystals!" Maria explains. "We have the Crystals!"
"By the Ancients," Rob sighs. "You just had to go for them, didn't you?"
"Shut up Rob," Hanna commands. "Where are they, Maria?"
"Blondie and Miss Spiky have them!" Maria chimes.
"This just gets better and better," Rob sighs, burying his head in his hands.
"Rob, if you don't shut up right now, I'm divorcing you," Hanna threatens.
"You're kidding, right?" Rob asks.
Hanna glares at Rob with an expression of pure thunder. "Shut. The. Fuck. Up. Right. Fucking. Now."
Rob wisely remains silent.
A moment later, Danny and Sally arrive. "Here… they are," Sally pants, handing the backpack to Maria before sitting and leaning against the wall to rest.
"I know you're disappointed Rob," Danny apologises. "We did what we had to do."
Rob nods an acknowledgement, but doesn't say anything.
Maria fishes the Fire Headband out of the backpack. "Put this on," she instructs, handing the Headband to Hanna.
"What's this?" Hanna asks, inspecting the Headband.
"It'll stop you going crazy when I give you the Crystal," Maria explains.
Hanna puts the headband on. "It's pinching my head."
"I'll adjust… it for you… in a bit," Sally volunteers.
Maria fishes out the Fire Crystal and tosses it to Hanna, who catches it cleanly.
"Wow," Hanna breathes. "I forgot how good this feels." She then realises everyone but Sally is watching her nervously. "It's OK, I'm perfectly sane. I can feel the power being restricted."
Everyone but Sally breathes a sigh of relief.
"Very funny," Hanna quips sarcastically.
"How are you feeling?" Maria asks.
"I… don't know," Hanna answers. "In the Kyuden, I could feel the Crystal healing me. Here though… I don't feel that."
"Does that mean it's not working?" Maria asks, her eyes moistening.
"What matters is you did your best," Hanna assures, pushing herself into a seated position.
Rob leans back in his chair, then notices something out the corner of his eye. How hasn't she noticed yet? "Sally, is it possible the Headband is too limiting?"
"Shouldn't be," Sally assures. "I spent a long time… tuning them."
"Rob, in the name of the Ancients…" Hanna sighs.
"Sorry," Rob apologises. "I'm thirsty. Anyone want a drink?"
"By the Ancients, yes!" Sally answers. "Blueberry… anything!"
"Maria?" Rob asks.
"Banana milkshake," Maria decides.
"I'll come help," Danny volunteers.
Rob and Danny leave the room and walk a few yards down the corridor, where Rob halts.
"I have an idea," Rob whispers. "Play along."
"I don't follow," Danny replies.
"That's OK," Rob assures. "Just say nothing."
"OK," Danny agrees, still confused.
Rob allows himself a cheeky smile. "Tsubaki Moto!" he shouts angrily. "What are you doing here‽"
Hanna leaps out of bed, sprints out the room, and slides to a halt beside Rob. "Where is she‽" she demands, claws at full extension, Fire Crystal glowing gently in her hand.
"Somewhere else," Rob answers. "Sorry for tricking you."
"For fuck's sake Rob!" Hanna yells. "I got out of bed for nothing‽"
"Nope," Rob grins smugly.
"What do you‑" Hanna starts, stopping when the realisation hits, her anger vanishing in an instant. "I… I got out of bed. I'm… I'm standing!"
"Yep," Rob confirms.
"You know you'll pay for this."
"Worth it."
Before Hanna can reply, she's almost knocked to the floor by Maria hugging her tightly. "You're all better!" she chimes, weeping tears of joy.
"More than that," Rob corrects, reaching behind Hanna and gently pulling her newly regenerated tail in front of the vixen's face.
Hanna is transfixed by the white‑tipped orange magnificence of her new tail. "I…" she begins, unable to speak further, overcome with happiness. Wordlessly, Hanna hugs her new tail with love and tenderness, tears of joy in her eyes.
Danny signals to Maria that they should give Hanna and Rob a moment alone. Reluctantly, Maria follows Danny back to Hanna's room.
"Room for one more?" Rob asks Hanna.
Hanna answers by pulling Rob into a loving embrace, her new tail wrapped around her husband.
"This is the second happiest moment of my life," she whispers.
"Glad to have you back," Rob whispers back. "And your new tail is magnificent."
"I cannot overstate how happy I am to have one again."
"And I cannot overstate how good it feels to be wrapped in it."
"I don't have any clothes."
"I've already got that covered."
Half an hour later, Hideyoshi receives a message from the guards outside the bunker entrance. "Chika, Xander, you'll want to see this," he announces, opening the door.
Hanna Skarlett strides into the bunker, dressed in a brand new black halterneck crop top and navy blue capris, the Fire Crystal affixed in a brand‑new belt buckle, and poses in the centre of the room. "Did you miss me?" she asks smugly.
"It's wonderful to see you back on your feet," Hideyoshi smiles, closing the door once Rob, Maria, Danny, and Sally have entered the bunker.
"Agreed," Chika adds. "Now we have a strong chance to end this stupid war."
"I know I've not been around," Xander begins, joining his friends, "but it's fantastic to see us all together again, as a unit once more."
"It wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Maria and Danny," Hanna informs.
"And Sally," Danny reminds.
"Hi," Sally waves to Xander. "I'm a Red Scarf now."
"I noticed," Xander acknowledges. "I'm guessing you're here with Danny."
"Yeah," Sally blushes.
Xander hesitates a moment. "I've missed something, haven't I?"
"Blondie and Spiky, sitting in a tree!" Maria giggles.
"So, you finally admitted it then?" Xander asks Danny teasingly.
"Yeah," Danny blushes.
"Enough of this soppy stuff," Hanna declares. "Sally, equip Xander with the Water Crystal and Headband."
"Gladly," Sally agrees, handing both Headband and Crystal to Xander.
"So, Elemental Protectors, are you ready to end this war?" Hanna asks.
"Absolutely," Rob agrees.
"Of course," Maria adds.
"Definitely," Danny replies.
"You don't need to ask me twice," Xander assures.
"Excellent," Hanna smiles with determination, violence flashing in her eyes.