Star Darlings; The Soldier

The Aftermath

Wow it was really the last chapter that delayed everything, huh? I just finished this in like an hour.

The celebrations lasted for days.

People of Starland celebrated their victory, how they preserved through the toughest times, and of course their leaders: The Star Darlings. Toasts, speeches, congratulations, and tearful reunions happened all over Starland as the people mourned their losses and cried over what they found in the ruins.

They will rebuild, return Starland to its former glory.

The Star Darlings had luckily landed mostly unharmed, though Colin did break his left arm on his way down due to Beckett not being fast enough. Everyone had seen the final bit between Nicholas and Rancora, too.

After the supernova, Nicholas was knocked unconscious from overuse of Wish Manipulation, but overall he was fine. The SD was worried for the first bit until they heard him snoring peacefully.

The other Star Darlings had recovered quickly, with the exception of Colin's arm. He had landed on it, breaking the bone and twisting it 150 degrees the other way. (*pukes*)

After Rancora was killed, the Necromorphs all just flopped dead. The big boi just fell apart, nothing holding it together anymore. The remains rained over the battlefield like a gross pinata. It'll take some time to clean up, but now they're focusing on celebrating their victory.

"Everyone!" Colin said into the microphone. "Please calm down on the partying we're trying to not get everyone hangovers!"

Everyone in the room who understood it laughed.

A little stage was hastily placed on a side of the room, where everyone can see. Nicholas walked on top. Everyone cheered a loud round of applause for the hero.

Nicholas raised his hand, calming everyone down for a speech.

"Hello everyone," Nicholas said, smiling. "Today, we are here with our family, celebrating the victory of this war. Today, we also mourn everything we've lost. Friends, family, and our belongings. But we will rebuild! We will return Starland to what it was, and maybe even improve on things too!"

The people roared in approval.

"Will you and your friends lead us?" A voice from the back asked. Others murmured, pondering the possibilities.

Nicholas glanced at the others, who sat at a table below the stage. They shook their head.

"No," Nicholas said firmly, despite the disappointment he knew they will face. "We're not made to lead Starland. Yes, we led the Resistance to victory, but we are not the people for the job to lead Starland as a whole. It's a different subject to lead an army than an entire world. We have our own dreams and wishes we have to accomplish, too. However, we won't leave you all in the dust, I assure you. We will help rebuild and restore Starland. But after that..." he looked at the others. "We have our own lives to live."

No one could argue with his logic.

"What about the Brotherhood?" Someone else asked.

"They've already withdrawn from the rest of Starland," Luke said from the other side. "We've lost many, just like everyone else, but we can't interfere directly. We'll send supplies and give refuge to those in need of a home, but we'll like everyone to just forget about us. It's important to keep our secrets, in case there's another... incident."

"I thought the Skylars and Rancora were gone!" Someone yelled.

"Rancora is dead, yes," Nicholas said. "But Negative Energy will find another successor. And the Skylars... I doubt it. They've survived worse than this. But don't be discouraged. We will be ready for them. We will persevere.

"But let's not linger on such subjects," he said quickly. "We have our lives to rebuild, but most importantly, we have a victory to celebrate!"

Nicholas stood at the balcony of Starling Academy. The party was placed at the space between Star Prep and Starling Academy. He gazed over the familiar place that he spent a few years at. The place where his life changed.

Piper leaned against the railing beside him. The school was being repaired, ready for Starlings to learn and teach again.

Beautiful. She said.

No beautiful than you, dear. Nicholas said, smiling. Piper punched his arm, laughing lightly. They'd excused themselves from the party to get some privacy.

"Hey, lovebirds!" Colin's voice said. They looked over their shoulders to find the other Star Darlings.

"It's really not hard to find you, considering the best view here is on the roof," Scarlet said. "Having a little convo?"

"Ha." Nicholas chuckled. "Scarlet, aren't you planning to live on Wishworld after everything is done and wrapped?"

"Yup." she nodded. "With Orrin too. Don't worry, we'll visit."

"Bring any children you have, once they're old to enough to understand," Piper said, enjoying the blush that Scarlet had on her face.

Orrin smiled. "It may take a while to settle down, but I think it'll be good for the both of us."

"Ok, now that we're in the mood to share our future, tell everyone what we're planning," Nicholas said.

"I and Nico are going back to wish-granting," Sage said. "Especially now, when we have to crystal to magically poof Starland back, we need the grant more wishes."

"Or just invest in solar panels," Vega muttered. "Hector and I are going to university. We're wasted 5 years of our lives neglecting our learning, so we're hoping to get a Ph.D. or something. Then, maybe we'll return to Starling Academy to teach."

"That's my plan too!" Adora said. "Which university are you going to?"

"Haven't planned that yet," Hector said. "Also Adora, you need to open up to Beckett soon-"

"Ok ok, I get it," Adora said. "This may be the only chance I find a boy like him, I need to take the risk."

"Well I mean Becora is already your designated ship name," Ganymede said. "Oh, I and Libby are already founders of a non-profit organization to help restore Starland. Haven't named it yet."

"I've been working on my first novel," Percy said. "You all know about it. Cassie's helping, we'll co-publish it or something."

"I've going to pursue my dream of being a chef!" Tessa announced. "And Andrew's filling in his father's old job of being a sheriff. Not sure what that means, but he's happy with it. And if he's happy, I'm happy."

"Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww..."

"To be honest, there's literally no need for us to explain." Austin said. "Sports. Astra already received an invitation to the NSL." (National Sports League)

"I and Scott are starting a band!" Leona said. "Of course, we're not releasing anything until Starland's all hunky-dory."

"I and Clover are thinking the same, Leona," Phil said. "Being songwriters and DJs. it's surprising how good songs are with two DJs on one DAW."

"I'm just planning to live amongst suburbs," Colin said. "I and Diana don't really have that big plans. Maybe we'll have something to do later on in life, but now we're not that keen on doing much."

Everyone looked to Piper and Nicholas.

"I was thinking about returning to Gloom Flats and starting a family," Nicholas said. "The Northern Mountains are no place to have kids. We'll have the Eye for like a summer home."

"With how much 'private time' you two have, it won't be hard," Peter said. "And I honestly can't tell you what I and Gemma are going to do. Maybe Instagram stars or something."

(Unplanned... Honestly, I have never understood what Gemma's future can be. Sue me.)

They went silent after that, watching eh sunset.

"Remember Lady Stella and Kristopher?" Nicholas asked.

"Of course," Andrew said.

"Do you think they're smiling down at us, proud of our victory?"

"Of course," Piper said. "They wouldn't they?"