AN: Last chapter is here. Once again, I would like to thank everyone who has read this story. I hope you all enjoy the ending! :D

The Spire

Sparrow opened her eyes, and found herself standing in the center of the Tattered Spire. Corpses of workers surrounded her, the men worked to death or just carelessly slaughtered. It didn't matter either way...for she had the music box in her hands, and clear path to Lucien. Setting her face, and squaring her shoulders, the young Hero sprinted up the walkway. She had a mission to complete...and a sister to avenge. And Avo pity anyone who got in her way.

Ignoring the bodies sprawled around her, Sparrow ran into the brilliant white light at the center of the Spire. Shutting her eyes to keep the light out, she grimaced at the feeling of pure Will rushing over her. Pushing past the feeling, the Hero continued to run through the light, until she found herself at the Heart of the Spire. A three pronged platform, with Lucien at the center. Much like at Hero Hill, a bright white light surrounded him, with colored lights from the Heroes connected to the center.

Needless to say, Sparrow relished the fear in Lucien's eyes, when he saw her approaching him. Nothing but a small white scar on her head showing that she had ever been shot. The man quickly recovered, though fear could still be seen practically rolling off him.

"Your power is astounding! Twice you've cheated death," the 'Lord' said, before his confidence seemed to return, "Yet your abilities are trivial compared to the infinite power of the Spire…which will soon be mine!"

"Shut up Lucien," was Sparrow's only reply, "you have ruined my life. You have murdered thousands of people. You killed my sister. You are not leaving the Spire."

Lucien's confidence in the Spire didn't waver, though his body still reacted with fear to the cold, unfeeling tone in Sparrow's voice.

"Now…sleep…" the man said, waving his hand like he had done the first time Sparrow came to the Spire.

The woman in question merely glowered at the 'Lord', as she felt the pressure of the Spire pulling down on her. But she would not be defeated. Not here, and not now. Pushing aside the pressure on her body and mind, the young Hero brought up her music box. Twisting the handle, a bright beam of light flew out at Lucien, fusing with the white barrier surrounding the man.

The music box shook in Sparrow's hands, but she did not let go. She held on despite the shaking, and the amount of raw energy flowing through the device. The Hero grimaced, but maintained her control. For his part, Lucien started to freak out at the fact that this music box was drawing the power away from him.

"What are you doing?! Stop that!" the man shouted, as he stumbled.

For the moment he said that, the blue line from Hammer vanished, as the Hero of Strength collapsed to the floor. Next came Garth and his red line. And finally, Reaver and his yellow. That left just the silver line connecting Sparrow to the white barrier around Lucien. The crazed man was practically begging Sparrow to stop by this point, as he felt the infinite power of the Spire fading away, to be replaced by nothingness, where there was once everything.

Sparrow paid no heed to the man's begging, as she turned the handle on the music box one last time. A brilliant flash of light filled the Heart of the Spire, as the barrier around Lucien shattered. White flakes of energy floated through the room, as Lucien held a hand to his heart, and Sparrow set the music box by her feet, drawing her rifle...the rifle Rose had gifted her so many years ago...instead.

Both Hero and tyrant glared at the other, Sparrow's normally cool brown eyes glowing bright blue with Will energy, while Lucien's were glowing white with corrupt energies from the Spire. The glaring contest lasted only long enough for Lucien to gather up a final attempt to sway Sparrow away from what she was doing.

"Why…why must you interfere?" the man ground out, "What are you protecting?"

"What do you care, monster?" Sparrow replied, barely keeping herself from blasting Lucien's head off.

Lucien laughed, a high and cruel sound, "Oh, I'm the monster am I? For trying to remove the world that robbed us of what we love most?"

The man was so wrapped up in his megalomania that he didn't notice he had touched a nerve. Sparrow's finger inched closer to the trigger of her rifle, only her immense self-control preventing her from shooting at that very moment. She wanted to hear what Lucien had to say, if only to soothe her conscious.

"All I asked for was a family…was that too…"

The moment those words came out of Lucien's mouth, Sparrow's self-control finally snapped. She brought her rifle up to her shoulder, screaming at Lucien, her voice filled with pain no living being could understand.

"YOU STOLE MY FAMILY!"

A bullet flew from the Master Flintlock, hitting the madman right between his eyes. The back of Lucien's head vanished in a spray of blood, as the man toppled over the side of the platform. Sparrow panted, before dropping her weapon, and falling to her knees. She wrapped her arms around her body, tears and sobs ripped from her body. She had finally done it...after twenty years, Lucien was dead.

But it was a hollow victory at best. Rose was dead...Sparrow was all alone once again.

Rose should have been here too damn it! Why, Avo, why?!

As Sparrow sobbed on the ground, the other Heroes stumbled to their feet.

Typically, Reaver was the first, "Ah, I thought he'd never shut up."

Hammer was second, sending a worried look at her broken friend, "Lucien's dead...so...what now?"

A flash of light on the bloodstained central platform was her answer. Fading into view, was a familiar face. The red-hooded figure of Theresa, the old Seer smiling enigmatically as always. It was a sign of just how distraught Sparrow was that she didn't even notice the appearance of her Aunt. She just continued to sob on the floor of the platform, her heart breaking even more than she had thought possible.

Theresa's own features softened ever so slightly, as she gently began speaking to her distant descendant.

"Sparrow, it is time you gained your reward, your gift for saving the world from a madman's ambition."

A hollow laugh was her only answer, before Sparrow broke down in fresh sobs, "What gift could possibly be enough right now Aunt Theresa? I lost Rose...I lost Petal...I'm all alone now! I beat Lucien, but I don't have anyone to return to!"

Theresa, for once in her life, gently reached out and pulled Sparrow to her feet. The young woman stumbled, almost collapsing to the floor again. Sparrow felt a tugging on her Will energy, making her look up at her Aunt with tear-streaked eyes.

Theresa smiled ever so slightly, "The Spire has awakened…and it still has the power to grant one wish…yours."

The young Hero's eyes widened, as what her Aunt said filtered through her brain. A bright light surrounded the pair, depositing Sparrow in the true Heart of the Spire. A brilliant white plane, where only she and Theresa stood, no stone, no people, just the two Heroes. Sparrow wiped her eyes, and looked at the old Seer expectantly. If she could grant the one Wish that the young woman had...she would forgive her Aunt for anything. And she meant anything.

Theresa smiled slightly, as she pulled three cards from her hands. Sparrow frowned at that, before Theresa began explaining which each card was...what choice each represented. For Sparrow would only get three options for her wish...though the old Seer fully expected that she knew which one her young charge would pick. It was the one she herself would pick, were their situations reversed.

Holding up the first card, Theresa began, "Sacrifice. You may choose to revive all those who died in the Spire's construction. But know that in doing so, you will never see your family again."

Sparrow felt a horrible tugging at her heart with that option. She knew how many people had died on the Spire...like Bob. She knew how many families had been torn apart by Lucien. And Sparrow would have picked the choice in a heartbeat, were Rose still alive. But now...she couldn't bring herself to pick it. Not when Theresa had mentioned seeing her family again...that could only mean there was an option for picking Rose.

And come hell or high water, she was getting her sister back.

Theresa realized what was going to happen, as she said the second option, "Love: Those dearest to you, Rose…your faithful dog, will be brought back to life. But their lives will come at the cost of all those who died building the spire."

Before the old Seer could even begin to explain the third option, Sparrow's hand shot out and took the Love card.

"Very well, a warm welcome awaits you at home. And any who may call you callous…any who lost family to this place, will know that they would likely make the same choice…as I would have."

As Theresa finished saying that, the room faded back into the chamber where Lucien had been killed, the three Heroes looking at Sparrow with varying emotions on their faces. Hammer looked somewhat confused, Reaver a bit sick (no surprise there), and Garth looked...proud? Yes, that was a proud look on the older man's face. Sparrow smiled back at her friend, before turning to Hammer, who was the first of the other Heroes to actually say anything.

"We heard everything," the large woman said softly.

"Yes, a choice was made, and the world will bear its consequences," Theresa replied, her voice going back to its usual cool tone.

Hammer chose to ignore Theresa, as she turned to Sparrow, "I'd do anything to get back someone I loved."

"Oh I think I'm going to be sick," Reaver broke in, making fake puking motions.

Everyone ignored the pirate, as Hammer continued speaking. Her voice seemed almost wistful, as she looked at her best friend. Sparrow felt a bit uncomfortable under that look...like her oldest friend was judging her for something. What, she didn't know...but the feeling was there all the same.

"But you could have brought back thousands. All the victims of this place…they had families too…"

And that made Sparrow feel bad. She was well aware of that fact. She had been well aware of it when she made her choice in fact. And, while it made her a bit sick to think about it...she would make the same damn choice again. Rose was worth more to her than anything in Albion. And if someone wanted to judge her for that, they could take their opinion and stuff it. Sparrow was due for some peace and love in her life, and between Lucien's shooting her out that window and locking her in the Spire...she had twenty years of life to catch up on with her beloved sister. And hopefully get to know Elizabeth, who might as well be family now.

And nothing would have made her change her mind on that. Nothing at all.

Garth seemed to agree, "It was her choice…and I'm proud of her strength. Not many people would be able to make such a hard choice."

Reaver, naturally, just cared about himself though, "Yes, yes, yes…but onto more important matters. What do I get? Cash would be nice."

Everyone present, excluding Theresa, glared at the pirate Hero. Reaver just smirked back at them, not repentant in the slightest. The man probably considered himself entitled to something for helping, regardless of the fact he had tried to sell them all out...twice. And the fact that he hadn't really helped, beyond merely providing power. Really, the man didn't deserve squat, in Sparrow's mind.

Theresa proved herself quite adept, as usual, at defusing a situation though. She faced the pirate, and looked down on him. And as the only person who could get a true reaction out of Reaver, the effect was somewhat amusing.

"That is up to you, I can send you anywhere from here," the old Seer said.

Garth was the first to speak up to that offer, "I wish to return home to Samarkand."

Reaver looked up at that, "Ooohh…I've never been to Samarkand. Hot nights, exotic substances…uninhibited women…"

"It's nothing like that!"

"Trust me, I'll find the exciting bits."

"Fine, just stay out of my way. Hammer?"

The first Hero to be recruited looked at her feet, before looking up again and shaking her head. Hammer suddenly looked tired, exhausted and wanting nothing more than to be left alone. The vulnerable look didn't suit her...and scared Sparrow somewhat. What was wrong with her best friend? Had something happened while she was in Bloodstone?

Hammer smiled at Sparrow, a comforting look that soothed the younger woman's worries somewhat. The Hero of Strength then turned back to Theresa, setting her features into a more stern look.

"No, I'm done," the large woman said, "I want to go north, to find the warrior monks. I was so sick of avoiding violence…now I'm sick of causing it."

After Hammer said that, Garth was able to speak his piece, "I had my doubts about you…but I'm glad we met. You are my friend, and I am certain we shall meet again Sparrow. You can count on it."

With those words, Garth and Reaver vanished in a flash of blue light, presumably on their way to Samarkand. That left just Sparrow, Theresa and Hammer in the Spire. Hammer turned to her friend, ignoring Theresa for the moment. Sparrow smiled weakly at Hammer, knowing what the Hero of Strength was going to say. And she didn't want to hear it...but she knew it was coming anyway.

"So, think you can handle Albion on your own? I need to get away from here for awhile…do some thinking for a change," the large woman said softly, before smiling at Sparrow, "You're the best friend I've ever made. But it's time to say goodbye. Take care of yourself...and my father."

And with that, Hammer vanished in the same way as Garth and Reaver. Now it was just Sparrow and her Aunt in the Spire. The two women stared at each other, before Sparrow smiled at her Aunt, and ran up to give the woman a hug. Theresa didn't react at first, before she slightly squeezed back. Realizing she was making the old Seer uncomfortable, Sparrow pulled away and smiled sheepishly. Theresa didn't seem to mind though, as she smiled back herself, though it was a very slight smile.

The two women continued to just stare at each other, before Sparrow sighed.

"Well, I guess it's time for me to leave too isn't it? Promise me you'll visit?"

Theresa nodded, "I will. Goodbye for now, little Sparrow."

Oakfield

When the light cleared from Sparrow's eyes, she found herself once more standing on the Oakfield Pier. The Spire still stood in the distance, looking significantly less ominous, now that the clouds had been cleared from it, and she knew that it was in good hands with Theresa.

"Goodbye Aunt Theresa..." the young Hero muttered, before spinning around and sprinting down the pier.

She knew very well why Theresa had sent her to this town. And so, Sparrow ran...passing curious citizens of Oakfield. She ignored everything though. The town, the people, even the Abbot who tried to ask where Hammer was. The young woman had a single-minded goal in mind, a single-minded mission. Thus, she soon reached where she had been running. Her house...the door broken down, and signs of battle visible even from a distance. Pushing more energy into her legs, Sparrow ran through the ruined door.

Skidding to a halt, the young Hero stopped and panted in the living room. The signs of battle were even worse here...but what she saw wasn't that. What Sparrow saw, was her sister. Rose was standing at the center of the room, with Elizabeth, young and whole, next to her. Both the older woman and the young girl had been in the process of cleaning the damage, and only looked up when they heard someone run in.

"Rose..." Sparrow breathed, before flinging herself at her sister, sending both of them crashing to the ground in a heap.

Elizabeth squeaked, and barely dodged out of the way. She smiled though, and quietly left the room. It wasn't her place to get in the way of this reunion...so she would busy herself doing what she could in the rest of the house, while the sisters reunited with each other.

"I thought I lost you again!" the younger sister cried, holding tightly to her stunned sibling, "I thought you were gone forever!"

Rose reached around her sister's back, somehow, and held Sparrow tightly against her, "I'm sorry little Sparrow...sorry that I couldn't win that fight."

"I should be the one sorry," Sparrow croaked, "I left you here alone, all banged up with no one to help you. I should have had Theresa send you to the Barracks in Bowerstone or something like that! It's my fault you were left alone!"

Rose carefully got to her feet, pulling Sparrow along with her to a marginally intact couch. The two sat down, with Sparrow leaning against her sister, her body still shaking. For her part, the older Hero just held her sister and rubbed her shoulder soothingly, doing her best to help her younger sister calm down. After a while, Sparrow finally did calm down, at least enough for Rose to actually talk again.

"Sparrow, please don't blame yourself for something you couldn't control," the older woman said, silencing her sister by holding a hand to her mouth, "listen to me please?"

The younger woman nodded, allowing Rose to continue.

"You had no way of knowing Lucien would be able to find me. Or that he would even leave the Spire himself. Everything that happened was out of either of our control, so we can't blame anyone but Lucien. Don't beat yourself up over this...I'm alive now aren't I?"

Sparrow nodded weakly, "Yes. But only because I wished for you to be...Albion is going to hate me for that."

Rose sighed, and continued to rub her sister's shoulder. Leave it to Sparrow, kind-hearted that she was, to worry about a bunch of people she would never know hating her. The older woman could understand where her sister was coming from, admittedly. But Sparrow was worrying about things beyond her control...especially when anyone given the same choice, would make the same choice. And that included the people who would 'hate' her.

So Rose continued to comfort her sister, humming a soothing tone under her breath. After a few minutes, Sparrow's breathing had evened out, and Rose was finally able to talk to her again.

"Who cares what they think little Sparrow?" Rose asked, "The important thing is that it was your choice. Let them think what they want, we're together again aren't we?"

The younger woman smiled weakly, "Yeah...thank you Rose."

Rose's only answer was to hold her sister closer to her. The two looked out the broken door, at the brilliant Oakfield sun. Elizabeth and Petal watched silently, as the sisters looked out at the beautiful landscape. It was a new day, with Lucien gone. For the first time in their lives, the sisters could just relax and rest. At least until the next mission came their way...but that was a problem for another day.

Now? Now the Hero sisters were going to pick up the pieces of their lives, and enjoy the fact that they were together again, forever.

AN: What can I say...I'm a sucker for happy endings! :)