Zak was in a fog. It felt like a dream, but he couldn't move or talk. He could hear voices though. They were calling his name. He was trying so hard to answer, to tell them he was okay, but nothing came out. He was also seeing flashbacks of his life-his family. Is this dying? he wondered. He could feel things fading slowly. Then he thought of Lily and how much he would miss her. His mind was running wild. He wasn't ready to die. This can't be happening! he thought. He opened his mouth to scream, but no sound was uttered. Then everything went black again.

Hexxus' tree...

Crysta stared her sister down. If she was going to die this way, then she wanted Fern to remember her face forever. Hexxus started laughing the closer Fern got. He came closer himself, just to get a better view. Fern's jaw was clenched, and she gripped the knife handle so hard it was cutting into her palm. Now or never, she thought to herself. She had never seen Crysta look so afraid. It would haunt her forever. With a roar, Fern made to lunge at her, then she swiftly swung around and plunged the knife right into Hexxus' heart. He let out a scream of rage, but Fern held on, shoving it in deeper. His blood was hot, running over her hand and arm. He swung a fist at her hard, and the blow knocked her unsteady, but she kept holding on. The second blow, however, caused her to lose balance and fall backwards, gasping in pain. Hexxus wrenched the knife out of his chest. He knew he didn't have long, so he lunged towards Crysta to have his revenge before he died. The green flash got in his way, but the knife still connected with flesh. Despite being wounded, Pips was able to wrench Hexxus off the branch with him, and together they fell. Fern and Crysta both screamed. Suddenly Wil and Sandy were there. Wil had Crysta freed within seconds, and she tore down to the ground with Wil on her heels. Sandy remained with Fern.

"You all right?" he asked, looking over her facial wounds.

"I won't be if he's dead," she cried. "I ruined everything. This is my fault." Sandy pulled her into an embrace while she sobbed.

On the ground...

Crysta searched frantically. There was no sign of Hexxus, but eventually she saw her fallen partner.

"Pips!" she cried, rushing to him. She rolled him onto his back, searching for life. The gash in his arm was flowing freely.

"Get me those ferns!" she yelled to Wil. He obliged quickly. She wrapped them around his arm and pulled them tight. She didn't know much about healing, but she did know some things.

"Please, please, please wake up," she begged. Holding him in her arms, she began to cry. Wil felt himself getting emotional. This was his best friend. He didn't know how life would even exist if Pips died. The only sound in the forest was Crysta's weeping, and it was breaking his heart.

Elsewhere...

Call it a hunch but Batty knew Lily was desperately needed. The battle for Zak's life had been draining, but for now, he was stable. Mother Ash was uncertain if he would ever wake up, but at least he was still alive. Batty felt another wounded soul, and he had a bad feeling as to who it was.

"Lilyjean I think you should follow me," he bleeped.

"Why?" she asked. The thought of doing anything strenuous was exhausting in itself. It had taken so much of her energy to save Zak. She didn't think she had anything left to give.

"Please just do it," Batty insisted. He left without waiting for her argument. Mother urged her to go, so she followed. She hated to admit it, but Batty's "hunches" were usually correct. She was more afraid of who's life was in danger that she needed to save.

Hexxus' tree...

Pips still hadn't woken up. Fern and Sandy were now standing with Wil. Wil noted that Fern was holding Sandy's hand. She felt broken inside watching her sister like this. Then a thought came to her.

"Where's Roman?" she asked quietly. They all looked at each other. No one was really sure what had happened after Roman and Pips had taken their battle elsewhere. Fern felt afraid that he was going to come and finish them all off like he planned. Sandy and Wil reached for their bows. They all jumped at the sudden appearance of Batty and Lily. Crysta cried in relief when she saw Lily, who hurried over to her. She examined Pips thoroughly.

"Good job on the arm," she gestured.

"I don't know what else to do," Crysta whispered. "I feel so useless. I can save plants but not my own...my own..."

"It's okay," Lily squeezed Crysta's hand after she choked on her words. "I'll take it from here." She rested Pips on his back on the ground and got to work. Crysta was in awe of her sister's healing ability. She didn't understand half of what Lily was whispering as she moved her hovered hands over his chest and arms. They all watched as he seemed to glow under her touch, and then it stopped. Lily sat back on her haunches.

"What now?" Fern asked her.

"We wait," Lily answered simply. She felt herself starting to shake. She had not done this much healing at once before, and she was starting to feel ill. Wil noticed this, and he helped her up. He led her over to where his ride was resting.

"Have a seat," he motioned. "You did good, kid." Lily looked up at him to see him wink. Wil was having a difficult time seeing Lily as older than a kid. Hell, he still had trouble seeing Fern grown up. Times had moved quickly it seemed. He gave her shoulder a squeeze and then turned so she wouldn't see his face. Lily met Crysta's gaze and saw the desperation and hope in her eyes. It frightened Lily to think of what would happen if her healing failed. All eyes were on the motionless body on the ground in front of them.

"Why is everyone staring at me?" Pips asked hoarsely. There was a collective sigh around him. Crysta leaned over him, touching his face.

"Hi," he smiled up at her. She responded by kissing him soundly.

"I thought you were dead," she whispered to him after.

"I told you, you're stuck with me," he replied, reaching up to wipe her tears. She gave a choked laugh, and he sat up and pulled her close.

"I also promised your father no harm would come to you," he said. "And to do that, I can't be dead can I? He'd kill me." Crysta hugged him hard, making him grunt in pain.

"I'm sorry!" she exclaimed.

"It's okay," Pips reassured her. "It's just from the fall." Sandy and Wil were suddenly in his face playfully punching his good shoulder.

"We knew you couldn't stand to leave us to have all the fun," Sandy said.

"You know it," Pips laughed. Wil was quiet, but Pips knew he was just as glad to see him alive. Wil was not one for words sometimes. They shared a knowing look before Wil turned away again. Batty was hopping around excited.

"All's well that ends well," he chanted.

"Nice to see you too, Batty," Pips laughed.

"Move away please," Lily commanded. "I need to do a final check." She crouched down in front of Pips and looked him over. He couldn't resist giving her a cross eyed look when she searched his face.

"Thank you for taking this seriously," Lily said, ignoring him.

"Oh, I am. Believe me," he grinned. She shook her head at him.

"You're just fine," she concluded.

"Thanks, Lil," he said genuinely. She just smiled. Crysta helped him stand. Fern was standing off to the side, holding her arm in her hand. Crysta had to admit she looked gruesome with Hexxus' blood all over her. Fern came over and hugged Pips.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I really am. If I had just..." Pips held up a hand to stop her.

"It's not your fault. You didn't know," he told her.

"Where is he?" she dared to ask.

"I don't know," he admitted. Everyone stared at him. Pips shrugged.

"What happened?" Crysta asked.

"He was hitting on me hard then suddenly said, 'Another time, another place' and then disappeared," Pips explained.

"I don't like this," Crysta said.

"Well, all of Ferngully will be on watch for him now," Pips told her. "He can't hide anymore."

"What about Hexxus?" Fern asked.

"That last thing I saw was him lying on the ground and then vanishing before my eyes," Pips answered.

"Into the earth?" Crysta looked around them. Pips nodded.

"I think he's dead," he stated.

"He better be," Fern said. "I shoved that thing in there pretty damn deep." She showed her arm and hand to them.

"Let me get that off," Lily said, coming over to her.

"Please do," Fern replied. "It's burning a little."

"Can we go home now?!" the Beetle Boys called from above. They hadn't bothered to get too close. Emotions did not sit well with them either.

"Yes," Crysta replied, looking at Pips. "Let's go home."

Elsewhere...

Roman felt his power diminishing. There was little fear and rage to rely upon for strength. He felt it when he was battling with Pips. That's why he fled. He would not be subdued by someone like Pips. He would go into hiding and return when he was stronger. Then they would see. They'd all see. This was not over.

Crysta's home...

Mother was immensely glad to see all her children and Pips, Sandy, Wilkea, Batty, and the Beetle Boys all home safe. Father had arrived behind them shortly after. He hugged all of his daughters.

"We've combed this entire forest," he told everyone. "We could not find any trace of Hexxus or this Roman fellow. We'll still have to be on alert, however. And I think we should have some of our warriors keep post." Wil and Sandy put up their hands to volunteer.

"First," Mother interrupted. "Let's please just be together for a while. I've had enough to worry about today already."

"Of course," Wil said. "We'll leave in the morning." Mother then hugged them all hard, especially Lily.

"You did well," she whispered into Lily's ear. "I'm so so proud of you." Blushing, Lily turned away and went to check on Zak. He was lying on Crysta's bed, still breathing but with his eyes closed. Lily stood over him, watching. Then she decided to be bold. Making sure no one was watching, she bent down and kissed Zak on his lips. Blushing again, she went to leave.

"Don't go," Zak's voice came behind her. She turned quickly.

"You're okay!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"I am. Thanks to you," he pointed out. "It was scary for a while though I have to admit."

"It was for me too. You had a very difficult wound to heal. It took both me and my mother to save you," Lily said. She felt like she was rambling, so she stopped talking.

"Well, thank you both," Zak said, smiling at her. Lily smiled back and turned to leave.

"Wait," Zak called after her. She came back in, and he could see her face was red. He struggled to get out of Crysta's hammock without causing further damage to himself. He never did like those things in the human world. Lily went over to assist him.

"Thank you," he said, straightening himself out. "Lily," he began. "You are the most talented fairy I've ever met. Better than your sister," he added, making Lily cover her mouth with her hand and shake her head. "I wish more than anything that you were older right now," he said. "I'd give you a proper kiss."

"You still can," Lily whispered. She saw him hesitate and regretted saying it. Then, to her surprise, he came closer to her and put a hand on the side of her face, making her shiver. He leaned in and gave her the softest kiss she could have ever imagined. When he pulled away, she was speechless.

"I have to leave Ferngully," he told her sadly.

"I know," she replied.

"In a few years," he said, "I will come back for you, Lily." She felt her throat tighten and tears come to her eyes. Zak pulled her into one last hug. Then she helped him walk out to the others.

"Zak!" Crysta cried, running over to hug him. "You're okay!"

"Yes!" he laughed. "It takes more than a villain to take me down."

"You were very brave," Crysta told him, "and I thank you for trying to save my sister."

"Yes," Fern chimed in. "Thanks, human." She winked at him. Zak laughed at her. Then he turned back to Crysta.

"I have to go home," he told her. She nodded knowingly. She gestured to outside, and he followed her out after saying goodbye to everyone and hugging Mother Ash.

"I'm sorry you got hurt," she said when they were on the ground. He waved his hand.

"It's okay. What's a vacation without adventure? Plus, I'll have a wicked scar to show everyone." Crysta looked at him with that look he found amusing when he said something she didn't understand.

"Nevermind," he laughed. "Okay. I'm ready." Crysta hugged him again.

"Take care," she smiled.

"I'll be back," he grinned in return. Crysta knew he would be. She had seen Lily's face when they had emerged from upstairs. She performed her spell and felt sad when she watched him walk away. It was nice having him around. Crysta returned to her home and found Pips standing off to the side.

"What's wrong?" she asked. He turned to her.

"Nothing. Nothing at all," he said, slipping an arm around her and pulling her close. They watched Fern and Sandy talking to each other, heads bent.

"Do you think they'll figure it out?" Crysta asked Pips.

"They will eventually," he agreed. "All in time." He kissed her gently, and Crysta allowed her mind to let go of the fear from earlier. It would always be there, but knowing Hexxus was gone forever helped. The fear of Roman returning was enough to choke her, but she refused to allow it in this moment. Because this moment meant everything to her. She was moving out and starting a life with Pips-someone she loved with all of her heart. Her sisters were growing up and falling in love. Their friends and Batty were feeling a stronger connection after everything that happened. Things were changing, but she was not afraid. What would be would be.

The End

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for the sequel in the future :)