Swiftshadow gazed out on the clear open skies. It had been nearly a week since Malic Korvoths defeat. The repair to base has been going smoothly. The cracks and crevasses were being filled in. A new rolling door was being installed on the hanger.

Though the soldiers had returned to normal they still had vague memories of their bestial transformations. Despite appearances many put on, Swiftshadow could still see the minor flinches and jumps they made. Between Vlad's attempted possession and her own transformation by shockwaves hands she could vaguely understand their fears.

The sand was stained black where the pillar once stood. the vegetation remained dead and lifeless. If she focused she could feel the faint traces of Malic Korvoths presence. The demon may be gone but his marks would linger on the land like scars. She wondered if they would fade over time or if they would linger on for eternity. Only time would tell.

The desert heat rolled off of her scales. The dust tickled her sinuses making her sneeze. She swooped down and landed before the Autobot base. Miko whooped and punched the air as she landed. Her wings tucked in as Miko dismounted.

"Hoo-yaaw!" She cheered. "That was so awesome!"

"Flying is sure fun, ain't it," Swiftshadow smiled.

"We should do that again, sometime,"

"After a while," Said Swiftshadow as she walked into the hanger.

Raf and Wilson were huddled on the catwalk tinkering with Wilson's new shell. Ratchet observed their progress offering advice whenever he felt appropriate. Though he was mostly preoccupied with fixing his own equipment. The rest of the Autobots had since departed for Cybertron once they had recovered. They did have a whole planet to rebuild after all. The human race was more than capable in cleaning up Malic Korvoth's devastation.

"There you two are," Said Jack, "I thought you had run off again,"

"Me? Run off?" Swiftshadow voice was thick with sarcasm, "I would never do such a thing,"

"Speaking of which," said Miko, "You have yet to tell us of all the super cool adventures you've been on,"

"Yeah like what was up with that Julien guy?" Said Jack.

Julien had requested that he'd return home at the first opportunity he got. The base officers let go after he'd signed a sizeable stack of NDA's. He signed each on of them without question or complaint. He was noted stating that after the certain events that he was done with everything supernatural and extraterrestrial and wold rather go home and forget it all. Strangely though he insisted on keeping his ruined suit jacket with him for sentimental purposes.

Sky and Cliff had also returned to their packs. That goodby wasn't as painful as their previous. The pack was merely a hop, skip, and a jump away. Strong-paw assured that Swiftshadow was always welcome to visit the pack at any time.

Crawford had also departed. He'd said that there were some places that he'd wanted to visit. As usual he pretty vague on the details but he did promise that he'd teach her more about spirit magic when he returned. A part of her hoped that was soon. She could feel her talons tingle with magical energy.

"I guess I did promise that i'd tell you my tales. But first I want to give you something,"

"Like what?" Said Jack.

"Oh, just some souvenirs I picked up," Swiftshadow leapt up onto the catwalk.

"Hey! wait up," shouted Miko, scrambling up the stairs. Jack ambled up behind her.

Shifting form Swiftshadow sat down next to Raf, unsling her backpack. She set the bag down the table. It wasn't long before Miko was glued to her side like a over exuberant puppy waiting for a treat.

"What'd did you get us,"

"Give her some space, Miko," Scolded Jack pulling the Japanese girl back. Swiftshadow dug through her back pack until she found what she was looking for. Careful as to not ruin the surprise she arranged the items inside.

"Fist up is Miko," Swiftshadow could already see the stars forming in Miko's eyes. "For you I got a fully autographed Hexgirls CD,"

Miko grabbed the CD with gusto, "Sweet! This is defiantly going on my shelf back home,"

"For Raf, I got you a snowball," She handed Raf a cold sparkling snowball in a zip bloc bag.

"Its cold," Gasped the boy.

"Wait. Its like, ninety degrees out. How is that thing not a puddle?" Said Jack.

"Thats because it ghost snow." Answered Swiftshadow. "Ghost snow doesn't melt. And this is for you"

Jack blinked in confusion as she fished out his gift. A broken antler prong landed in his hands. Wilson had drilled a hole at its base so that Swiftshadow could loop a braided string through it. "What is-"

"An antler from a demon possessed deer monster," She answered.

"So wait. You got Raf a magic snowball and Jack a demon horn and all I get is a CD?"

"Hey! That CD come with with a story involving murder, betrayal, and an extraterrestrial encounter of the non Cybertronian variety,"

"Really?!"

"Speaking of which," Said Swiftshadow, "Wilson heard anything back from you family?"

"Yes actually," The little dinosaur chirped, "I got an email from Julien just an hour ago. By the sounds of it Julien's mother is making a rather unprecedented recovery. According to the doctors her cancer has shrunk by twenty percent and she regaining her strength.

Also Gregory's trial has been scheduled for next week. The lawyers have are making it sound like he's not going to win. Though have been talks of plea deals. So some things are still in the air there."

"Still, It sounds like everything is going well." Said Swiftshadow.

A grey sedan drove into the hanger and parked next to the stairway. June and Todd stepped out each large paper bags. The smell of fast food made Swiftshadow's out water.

In less that a week June and Todd had become good friends. They seemed to be always exchange some story of her and Jack's youth. Half of them she found to quite embarrassing. Judging the way Jacks cheeks flushed red he had the same sentiments. Miko was quite interested in listening in. 'For research' she said but Swiftshadow wasn't convinced and neither was Jack.

"Hey guys" greeted June, "Since you've been working so hard, we've decided to reward our little heroes with a treat,"

June and Todd set the bags down on the table and began divvying up the burgers and fries. Todd handed Swiftshadow her burger.

"Don't worry. I made sure they made it the way you like it." He chuckled, "Without the mayo."

"You're the best brother ever,"

"No. You're the best sister ever,"

Swiftshadow laughed as she bit down on her burger. The sweet savoury meat was warmly welcomed. As she swallowed two things came to mind.

So long as she was with friends and family, no matter where she was, she was home.

And no matter what the future may bring they would face it together.

THE END.