Author's Note

I've had this ending in my mind for a long, long time. Even had some of it written already, the scene with the conversation with Odin. I think I first wrote it around the time Anti-Alien showed up in Move Along. Yeah, this has been years in the making. This entire series has been. And it's definitely taken me places I never thought I'd go. But now we've come to the end, my friends.

This is the final chapter in Ari's story.

Go onward, one last time.

Epilogue

Two Years Later

Ari tugs on the strap of her outfit for the fifth time, trying not to growl in frustration. She can't believe she let Loki and Thor talk her into this thing. It's some sort of cross between a toga and a dress, Asgardian formal wear fit for a princess according to them. And, really, it's a very nice dress. It's a beautiful shade of blue, dark like midnight with shades of light blue and purple that shimmer in the fabric every time she moves. It's comfortable, lightweight, and some kind of silk that's extremely soft.

It's also incredibly revealing in the front. She keeps pulling at the straps, trying to pull the dress up a bit, but nothing really helps.

"Stop fiddling," Sideswipe's holoform whispers in her ear, his arms coming around her from behind to wrap around her waist. "You look fine."

"Yeah, you would say that," she mumbles to him, feeling how very much he appreciates this dress over the bond. "You're sure I can't just wear a t-shirt and shorts?"

"Hey, I'm not the one who said you had to wear this," he says, tracing a finger lightly along her bare arm and making her shiver.

She slaps at his hand playfully, stepping away so she can turn around and get out of his reach. "Stop that. I can hear your thoughts right now. None of that."

He chuckles, deeper than usual. "But you look so beautiful. I can't help myself."

She rolls her eyes. "Uh huh. Think Thor and Loki would notice if I change?"

"Most definitely. I'm sorry, sweetspark, but you can't go in bummy clothes."

Her bottom lip pouts out, only hamming it up a little bit. She really, really wants to go change. "But why not?"

"Because this is just as much of an ambassador trip as it is for fun. And ambassadors don't go meet alien royalty in shorts."

Ari sighs deeply, tugging at her dress again. "I still can't believe the Council is making me turn this into an ambassador thing. Loki and Thor just want all of us to go meet his parents. Plus, we're testing Jane's new portal. This is just as much for science as anything else. And Jane wears jeans doing science all the time."

"Yes, but she's wearing one of these fancy Asgardian dresses for this trip as well."

"That's because she's dating Thor and they're his parents." She runs her fingers through her hair, turning her head this way and that in the bathroom mirror trying to get all the strands to lay how she wants them. "She just wants to make a good first impression."

"Admit it, sweetspark." He sidles up behind her, meeting her eye in the mirror and tugging on one of her locks. "You want to make a good first impression, too."

"To their mother, yes," she admits, watching in fascination as his fingers deftly finagle her hair into an intricate braid in seconds. "Odin, on the other hand, not so much."

She does not like Odin. Not at all. And she's not afraid to say so, even to his face.

"I know, I know." He plucks a hair tie off the counter, tying off her braid. "But earning a little bit of grace before causing an intergalactic incident wouldn't hurt, don't you agree?"

She sighs dramatically, but nods. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Someone knocks on the door to their suite, Tony's voice filtering in, "You guys ready to go or what?"

"Coming!" she calls back, tugging on the dress one last time. "Alright, let's go shock the intergalactic neighbors."

Sideswipe presses a kiss to her cheek. "See you outside."

His holoform blinks out and Ari exits the suite, walking through the hallways on sandaled feet towards the back of the building to get to the living room. The sliding glass doors were left open for her and she steps outside. Jane and Darcy are just finishing calibrating their machines set up on the lawn while wearing dresses matching Ari's in shades of red and gold.

They decided to do this in the new Avengers facility Tony had built in upstate New York, a collection of buildings settled in the middle of a thick wood, well away from any populated areas.

So, if Jane blows something up, no one else will get hurt. Though, they shouldn't blow up.

Hopefully.

"Tony, you are sure this is going to work, right?" Pepper asks worriedly, watching from the sidelines with her hands folded over her very pregnant belly. "If something goes wrong and you're not back in time to see the birth of your child, I will find a way to travel across the universe myself so I can strangle you."

Only a pregnant Pepper can say something like that with such a straight face.

"I promise, Mrs. Stark," Tony says playfully, using a finger to trace an "X" over his heart. "Cross my heart and everything. This will work and I'll be back by dinner."

"We better be," Natasha adds her own warning, bouncing her own daughter on her hip. Natasha was, of course, correct in the gender of her child, giving birth to a little girl with wild red curls. Natasha hated being put out of the Avengers game for several months, but she's done a glorious job getting back in fighting shape. If Ari wasn't there at the hospital herself, she could never tell by looking at her that Natasha ever gave birth. "That mission we went on yesterday ran a lot longer than you promised. I'm not missing Abigail's bedtime again. You know she likes a story before going to sleep."

"Yeah, she gets really fussy otherwise," Clint says, plucking his daughter from his wife's arms and giving the little girl Eskimo kisses, making her squeal in delight. He passes her to Pepper's waiting arms with the reminder, "If we're not back in time, her favorite book is tucked in the side pocket of her baby bag. Just in case."

"Don't worry, Clint, I'll look after her," Pepper promises, pressing a kiss in the middle of the girl's red curls. "I'm enjoying the practice for my own munchkin."

"Behave yourself, little one," Ari tells her godchild, stroking her cheek with the back of her finger. "If you do, I may just bring you back a present."

"You spoil her too much," Natasha huffs, but she's fighting off a smile.

"But it's a godmother's job to spoil her godchild! Right, Sideswipe?"

She arches a brow at his bipedal form standing in the center of Jane's machines. He quickly nods his head along obediently. "O-Oh, yes. Yes, godparents must spoil their godchild rotten. It's a rule. A really, really important rule. I'm sorry, Nat, but we must do it."

"God uncles and aunts must do it as well," Pepper adds sagely, rocking a sleepy Abby in her arms. "Which is why Phil will be heading over to help me out. He said he just had to finish a bit more work."

"See, Nat?" Clint chuckles, steering Natasha towards the circle of machines. "They'll be fine and our child will be spoiled and we'll never have to buy her toys because everyone's going to get them for us."

"Alright, people," Darcy says, straightening her glasses a little nervously. "We're ready to rumble. Everyone who's going, get in the circle."

"We're sure this is gonna work, right?" Steve asks nervously, wearing his Captain America suit. Thor encouraged all of the Avengers to go all geared up, showing themselves off as warriors and his shield brothers and sisters.

Ari wishes she could go in her tactical gear, but no. She's in a dress. At least she still has her blades braceleted around her wrists. Not that she's expecting trouble, but still.

Just two Asgardians—Loki included—are a handful enough. They're about to go to a planet-full.

"It'll work," Jane says firmly. Darcy opens her mouth but Jane shoots her a look that makes her snap her mouth shut. "It will. Thor already tested it and he made it to Asgard and back just fine."

Bruce's eyes widen a little, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Wait a minute, you've only tested the portal once?"

Darcy bites her lip as she cringes, twisting her engagement ring around on her finger. Bucky takes her hand to make her stop fidgeting. "Maybe?"

"Perhaps we should just take the Bifrost," Loki suggests, edging backwards towards the edge of the circle.

"Nonsense!" Jane presses a few things on her tablet, the machines around them whirring to life. "Ready for launch!"

Ari presses into the side of Sideswipe's leg, wind gusting up in circles around them. She believes in Jane's work. Really, she does.

But her stomach still feels a little queasy.

The wind kicks up even harder, creating a whirlwind around them. They press closer together in the center of the circle as lightning crackles between the rods of Jane's device. Ari's about to ask if that's normal but then a bright light flashes blindingly bright, forcing Ari to close her eyes, and a strong force pulls her up. She clings to Sideswipe, pressing her face into his leg and waiting tensely for the feeling to stop. Like she's on a high-speed elevator going all the way to the moon. Her stomach drops, chest squeezing as she waits to combust or fall into space or something.

But then she feels solid ground beneath her feet. A flat, smooth surface, not the grassy earth she was just standing on. And the wind is gone and everything suddenly feels so calm.

She cracks her eyes open.

And sees stars. So many stars and galaxies spread out across a night sky that isn't just black. It's black and dark blue and a deep purple swirling together and sprinkled with whites and yellows and reds and oranges twinkling like Christmas lights. This sky is clearer than Nevada or New Mexico. It's clearer than any sky she's ever seen, filled with more stars than she ever knew existed. And constellations she's never seen.

A different sky. A new sky. An alien sky.

"Welcome, defenders of Earth," a deep, baritone voice says behind them. Ari turns away from the starry display to a man standing on a pedestal in the middle of a domed room. He's tall, almost as big as Thor, with dark skin and eyes as golden as the armor he wears. His face remains stoic as he straightens his spine, bending at the waist into a deep bow. "My princes, it is good to have you home once again."

"It is good to be home, my friend," Thor replies, clapping the man on the shoulder when he steps down from the pedestal. "Everyone, this is Heimdell, gatekeeper of Asgard. His eyes have the ability to see across entire galaxies, warning us of troubles in the Nine Realms and operates the Bifrost for us."

Jane's eyes light up. "Oh, the Bifrost! I would love to take a look at it and pick your brain a bit if you have time. How does it work? Similar to my machine? Where do you keep it?"

Heimdell gives a deep chuckle. "Lady Jane, you are in the Bifrost."

They all look around the room with new eyes. They stand in some kind of observatory, with a domed ceiling, a large, circular opening looking out at the stars, and then another opening leading out to a bridge that seems to be made out of some sort of rainbow, prismatic glass.

A rainbow bridge through space.

Jane's eyes widen as she mumbles, "Well, it's definitely a lot bigger than mine."

"And I will explain it to you at a later time, if it pleases you and Prince Thor?" He looks to Thor questioningly, looking for permission.

"That would be wonderful, my friend," Thor says with a nod.

Darcy sighs deeply. "I was hoping for a vacation from sciencing. And if she goes, Bruce and Tony are going to want to go, too."

Jane shakes Darcy's arm excitedly. "But Darcy! I can't just pass this up. There so much I could learn!'

"There is something I would like to learn as well," Heimdell interrupts before Jane can go into a full-blown ramble. He turns his golden, piercing eyes to Ari. "I can see many things, Lady Ari, just as Prince Thor says. But I often seem incapable of seeing you."

Ari blinks in surprise. "What?"

"There have been several instances where my vision has become fogged when I turn my eyes on you," Heimdell explains, tilting his head in curiosity. "For instance, when Unicron tried to destroy your world. I saw the outcome but I could not see what you did to ultimately defeat him."

"Oh…," Ari mutters. Sideswipe kneels on the ground, bowing his body around her like a shield. She reaches a hand up, stroking the side of his face comfortingly above her head.

The others tense around her, waiting to see how she wants to respond, waiting to see how much Heimdell might push.

She never really thought about it before. She knew about Heimdell's eyes. That they can see far and wide. But she never really thought about what they might see when looking at her. Or not see.

She touches a finger to the Autobot pendant hanging around her neck. She never takes it off. Not for anything, because it protects her and keeps her safe. Shielding her AllSpark signature so others can't sense the power flowing through her, more powerful than a nuclear reactor.

Would the pendant really keep her from being seen by Heimdell completely? She wouldn't think so, and not so sporadically. That means it's the AllSpark itself, keeping her secret safe from others even when she doesn't know it.

It's nice to know for certain that she still has this card up her sleeve. She may need it against these Asgardians. Especially Odin.

"Well, Lady Ari?" Heimdell prompts, one brow arching slightly. "Do you care to explain yourself?"

"No," she answers coolly, stroking Sideswipe's face again, He's all coiled around her, both physically and across the bond, ready to pounce at the slightest provocation. She sends him her calm, trying to ease the panic threatening to rise up. She doesn't think action will be needed, not this time.

Not yet.

Heimdell frowns, golden eyes flitting to Loki and Thor. "The AllFather will not be pleased."

Ari's spine straightens. "Well, the AllFather doesn't always get what he wants and needs to deal with it."

"Ari…," Steve says with a warning tone, staring at Heimdell and his huge sword nervously.

Ari crosses her arms across her chest. "No, this is my secret to tell. I decide who learns it and when. Odin isn't the boss of me."

"It's alright, Heimdell," Loki says placatingly. "Thor and I both know her secret, and it's imperative to her safely that it remains a secret from everyone."

"Trust us, my friend," Thor adds in, squeezing Heimdell's shoulder once more. "It's better this way."

Heimdell breathes out sharply through his nose but nods. "Very well. If that is what my princes want. The king and queen wait for your arrival. It would be best that you proceed directly to the throne room."

Everyone finally unclenches, Thor and Loki taking the lead towards the rainbow bridge. Sideswipe stands, keeping himself between her and Heimdell as they walk towards the city.

A bullet dodged. Barely. Just how much is Odin going to be willing to push? He always pushes, pushes, pushes, everything and everyone, until he gets what he wants. It's no different than with Earth's leaders. They think they can push Ari and the Autobots into complying, but Ari proved to them that won't fly with her.

Odin's pushing has hurt people, people Ari cares about. He keeps pushing Loki to move back to Asgard, even though Loki now considers Earth his home. He also still refuses to allow Thor and Jane to marry. Perhaps it's time to show Odin that he can't keep pushing people around anymore just because he's the king of Asgard.

Especially Ari.

They walk down the main road through a marketplace, Asgardians lining the street once they spot their princes. They cheer like this is some kind of parade, throwing flowers in the street that Ari and the others step over as they make their way through town. Thor waves to the people, hamming it up, but Loki just keeps walking without looking at any of them.

"Is it like this every time you come home?" Bucky murmurs to him, looking around at all the people like a spooked deer. He clutches Darcy's hand tightly, keeping his fiancee close to his side.

"Unfortunately," Loki mutters dryly. "Asgardians go a little overboard about…well, everything."

Loki has always said Asgardians are more than a little ostentatious, Thor always rather reluctantly agreeing, but Ari's starting to truly understand what they meant.

They walk up some stone steps towards the palace, and it's stunning, golden and shining like the sun. All of Asgard is like a sea of gold and diamonds, just as beautiful as the stars sparkling above them.

The whole place is rather big and flashy. Don't get her wrong, it's impressive, but Ari gets the feeling that they spent a lot of unnecessary money to make gold-everything for no good reason. Like they're trying very hard to be impressive to the rest of the universe.

Guards open a set of enormous doors so big Sideswipe doesn't even have to duck his head, ushering them inside. They step into the throne room and, yep, more gold everywhere. Someone is definitely making up for something. With the gold, with the people gathered all around at the fringes of the huge open space, with the ornate columns, and with the solid gold throne at the front of the room lifted up on a pedestal.

And in that throne sits a man, long white hair spilling down to his shoulders. He wears ornate armor, almost as ostentatious as his palace, made moreso by the golden eyepatch covering his right eye. A frown hangs in the middle of his white beard as he watches them approach, face stoic and undecipherable.

Odin appears powerful. Imposing. Intimidating.

And very full of himself.

Thor and Loki step ahead of the group, kneeling down on one knee in front of Odin. The others look at each other in hesitation before stiffly doing the same.

Everyone except Ari and Sideswipe.

"You sure about this, sweetspark?" Sideswipe asks, not really anxious about it. More like amused, the prankster in him perking up in anticipation.

Odin's one eye twitches as they remain standing, scandalous murmuring rippling through the audience around them.

"Oh, definitely."

"So you are the human my sons have been flitting around recently," Odin says, voice somehow quiet and booming at the same time. Carrying effortlessly across the room. "Arianna."

"Odin Allfather," Ari bows her head respectfully but no more. She steps forward, the others rising nervously as she stands in front of them, Sideswipe looming at her side. If Odin's surprised or worried at seeing Sideswipe—his first Cybertronian—he certainly doesn't show it. Guess he's heard enough stories from his sons. "It is an honor to meet you, though I would prefer you call me Ari."

"And I would prefer you properly kneel."

"A person kneels before their king, as a sign of respect and fealty." She lifts her chin, straightening her spine. "I have sworn no fealty to you."

His hands clench slightly on the armrests of his throne. "I am the king of Asgard."

"But you are not my king and I am no Asgardian."

"No, you are not." He eyes her up and down, mouth pulling up in a sneer. "You are a mere human mortal."

Ari gives a secretive smile, one she learned from Natasha. "In that, Allfather, you are wrong."

She pauses, letting him stew for a moment. He stares her down, like he can force her secrets out of her by his will alone. But his will has nothing on her.

She just lets him keep stewing, arching a brow at him.

His eyes narrow suspiciously. "And how, pray tell, am I wrong?"

Ari tries so hard not to smirk but it's so hard, especially when she can feel Sideswipe's laughter over the bond. "For one, humans are not 'mere' anything. It's been proven time and time again, especially in recent years. We've saved the universe countless times."

No thanks to him and the rest of Asgard. Thor and Loki are great and all, but some more Asgardian backup would have been nice for some of those end-of-the-world moments. Apparently, Thor and Loki have asked Odin for help in Earthly affairs before but he always says no.

"Your kind have certainly surpassed expectations," Odin admits, "but you are still weak, young, and foolish."

"Being mortal does not make humans weak." She cocks her head at him, wondering how someone so old can be so naive himself. "And I believe you forget the true definition of mortality. Asgardians are not immortal. Your kind are just as capable of dying. You simply have longer lifespans."

"And our longevity has allowed us to learn a great many things, things humans are still as ignorant as babes."

Ari rolls her eyes. So this is where Loki learned the better-than-thou attitude. No wonder he doesn't like his adoptive father all that much. "Yes, Asgardians were given birth to before humans, and that head start has allowed you to make many advancements, especially when it comes to magic and technology. That still does not make you any wiser."

"Asgard protects the Nine Realms from chaos and destruction. We are its keepers, protecting you from threats unknown, while humans are busy destroying themselves. We are the only ones wise enough to keep the balance."

"And yet it was your own foolishness that almost cost the existence of not one world but two."

Odin rises from his throne in an outrage, "How dare you—!"

"No, Odin," she snaps, her voice echoing around the room. Everyone falls silent at her audacity to interrupt the AllFather, but she could hardly care less. This guy is seriously overdue a stern talking to. "You cannot deny this. Your mishandling of Loki, from the moment you plucked him off of Jotunheim, is the sole reason Loki almost destroyed Jotunheim and then almost subjugated the Earth. You taught him to hate what he is, taught him that Frost Giants are monsters, and then neglected to tell him what he truly is. He found out, on his own, that he was the very thing he and all other Asgardians are taught to hate and fear." She shakes her head, truly unable to understand his logic. "What did you think would come of that?"

He has nothing to say to that, eyes flickering to the one he claims as son and back again. So fleeting, she almost misses the guilt. But only almost.

"You see, Odin? You are no better than the humans you see yourself better as. We all make mistakes."

"Maybe it was a mistake," he says softly before shaking his head, sinking back down into his seat. "But what does that prove? What do you hope to say with all of this?"

"I want to prove to you that humans are just as mighty as Asgardians. You have no right to look down on them. I want you to allow Loki to continue living among them as he wishes and for Thor to marry Jane Foster."

"Loki has proven himself worthy to call himself Odinson once more." He waves his hand dismissively, though she can still sense the disappointment in him. Loki will never quite act the way Odin wants him to. "He is, again, a Prince of Asgard, and no longer a prisoner. He may do as he wishes. But Thor will not marry Jane Foster. She is not fitting for a prince of Asgard, nor to be at Thor's side as queen when the day comes he is crowned."

Jane shifts closer to Thor's side, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. She tries hard to mask the disappointment and pain, but she is no master spy.

Ari shakes her head in frustration, hating to see her friend hurting. "Why keep them apart? I know it's not because of the human lifespan. You have ways around that. Allow her to eat of the apple."

His eyes flash in surprise that she would know of the apple before he schools his features again. "No, I will not. A human is not worthy of Thor's hand."

She barely suppresses an eye roll. That would probably not be a good thing to do to the King of Asgard. Though, she imagines Loki's done it plenty of times and he's still alive, so it's worth considering later. "Again with this 'worthy' business. Who are you to decide who is and isn't worthy?"

"I am king—"

Ari scoffs impatiently, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "Yes, so I heard. But humans are far more capable than you think. They have the ability to accomplish so much, especially Jane. With Jane by his side, Thor could lead Asgard and the Nine Realms into a golden age."

"No human is worthy of such a position on Asgard. You are not even worthy as an ambassador. I am simply humoring my sons with this meeting."

Her secretive smile returns, putting Odin on edge. "Oh, Odin, I am so much more than you know."

"Then, please," he waves a hand at her, "prove yourself."

Ari smirks. "I was hoping you'd ask."

She reaches beneath her collar for the Autobot pendant. For the first time in her life, she willingly slips it off over her head. Loki steps forward, an eagerness for mischief sparkling in his eyes as she places the pendant in his palm. As soon as the metal no longer touches her skin the room takes in a collective gasp. The pendant no longer masks the power of the AllSpark. All Asgardians are sensitive to the ways of magic, she knows, and a power such as this can be felt even by an untrained child. It permeates the room, beating pulses that are ancient, maybe even timeless. And far more powerful than even Odin himself.

"What are you?" Odin asks in a breathless awe, his one eye staring wide in confusion, caution, and maybe even fear.

"I am human," she tells him, not like she needs to soothe his worries. Really, she rubs it in his face. "But the power that rests inside of me is something far older than this planet. Or any planet for that matter. It is the power that was used to create the universe and I was chosen as worthy to become its vessel."

His scowls wipes any awe clean off his face. "Impossible."

"No, not impossible. You need to open your mind, AllFather. You and your people are not the first to believe themselves to be the center of the universe, but you are no less wrong. This power, the AllSpark, is where we all began, and I, a 'mere human', am its wielder. And if I am worthy of the AllSpark, then Jane is just as capable of being worthy of Thor."

She can tell that Thor and Jane are meant to be together, that their meeting was never any coincidence. Because Earth—Midgard—is more important than anyone ever could have imagined, except for Primus. That's why he decided to become their home. He knew how important humans would become to the universe.

That's why, even now, when Ari could probably do something to release him from the center of the Earth while keeping the Earth's magnetic field intact, he still chooses to remain. Because they are important to him. They're important to everyone.

Thor and Jane can form a bridge between their two species—humans and Asgardians—that can help not only Earth and Asgard, but the entire universe.

"So much has been hidden away from us," Odin murmurs thoughtfully, for once actually looking like the old man he appears to be. "The scrolls in our library hint at some of what you've spoken of—this AllSpark, as you call it—but never did I imagine that the stories were true. That one little planet could mean so much."

"There's more to us than meets the eyes," Ari agrees, smiling at the phrase Optimus likes to use so much. "And now, Cybertronians have joined us on our home. We work together to keep the world safe, and if the universe ever needs us, we'll be ready for them as well. So please, Odin, don't try standing above us anymore. Stand with us. As our allies and friends. If you don't take this step, you will regret it far more than you know. It could jeopardize your planet. And you will lose your sons, who are already striving to pave the way to change, a change you are so stubbornly hesitant to accept." Her smile softens, giving one final push to break through to him. "Please, accept our friendship as well. We are worthy of it, and it has the potential to bring everyone so much happiness, including yourself."

Odin sits and just stares at her for several, long minutes. He's a difficult guy to get a read on. Will he listen? Has she changed his views on humans? Will he respect her—not just as the AllSpark, but as herself? Ultimately, it doesn't really matter. At least, not to Ari. All she cares about is Thor and Loki and their happiness.

Which she's determined to give them, despite all the slag Odin's thrown at them over their many long years.

Finally, Odin takes in a deep breath, focusing more on his sons. "I've made many mistakes over the years," he starts solemnly. "I can admit that I've done to Loki. To Thor. It has pushed my sons away to where they might call another planet home."

He tears his eyes back to her, rising from his throne. "But you are right, Ari Lennox. AllSpark. There is more to your planet than meets the eye. And perhaps it is time to put the past behind us. To take a new step going forward with hands clasped in friendship. For it appears it is as you said. I know very little after all." He descends the stairs leading up to his throne, putting himself on the same level as her. "But I wish to learn and grow with you, in the hopes that we bring the universe into a brighter future."

He then turns to Thor and Jane, their hands clasped tightly together. Odin frowns at the sight of it, almost like he can't help himself. His worldview on humans won't change overnight, though. But he's showing that he's willing to try, which is more than Ari was hoping form. "My son. Lady Jane. I can see now that you are the first step we must take if we are ever to succeed." He takes in another deep breath before releasing it slowly, some of his frustration getting replaced with acceptance. "You both have my blessing."

Ari smiles as Odin and Thor embrace, Odin even giving Jane a little hand-clasp as well. Not leaps and bounds, but it'll do. Odin has had his eyes opened today. What he does with it, well, they'll just have to wait and see.

This is definitely a good start, though. And it makes something settle inside of her.

Celebration soars through the palace as Thor calls for festivities, wrapping up Jane is is arms and twirling her around. Her delighted laughter rings out, infectious as it echoes around the room. Everyone surges into motion. Tables emerge, soon blanketed in food. Music bursts through the air as instruments get pulled out. The crowd then surges to the edges again to make space in the center of the room for couples to come together in dance.

Sideswipe transforms into his alt mode, some Asgardians giving his car curious glances, and he brings out his holoform. He quickly takes her hand and she squeals as she's pulled into the throng, not knowing the local dance moves and neither of them caring.

Her friends and family gather around them, even Bruce to her delight, basking in the overwhelming happiness beating in time to the music.

They dance. They eat strange new foods, they meet Thor's and Loki's friends, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three as Darcy calls them. They finally meet their mother, Frigga, Clint immediately asking for embarrassing stories on her sons. She arches an amused eyebrow, Steve tensed for some kind of backlash from the Queen of Asgard, but instead Frigga laughs, happily obliging.

Oh, yeah, Frigga is definitely the better parent. Though, perhaps, with enough time, Ari can get the stick up Odin's aft all the way out.

They spend hours there, Ari isn't sure how many, but tiredness starts to wear on the humans in their party and they realize it must be late, Earth time. Goodbyes get exchanged, promises to return given, and Frigga pulls Ari in for a long hug to whisper "thank you" in her ear.

Ari fights off a grin as she pulls back, meeting Loki's eye over Frigga's shoulder. "Oh, don't thank me yet," she says, promises of mischief practically dripping from her lips. Frigga recognizes it, too, how could she not after having Loki as a son? But instead of calling her on it or warning Ari against it, she laughs.

"You may very well be the best thing to ever happen to this family," Frigga chuckles, giving Ari's hands one last squeeze. "I look forward to seeing what more you will bring us, and to the universe."

Ari blushes, ducking her head. She never felt very important, before all this started. Frag, she never felt overly important during all of the world-saving, because it's not like it was ever just her trying to be the hero. She just knew she had to help and did everything in her power to help. To help the world, to help the Autobots, to help the people she loves. She wouldn't do any less or do anything any differently.

But her duty is done. The war is over. However, Frigga's right. Just because her duty is done, that doesn't mean she doesn't have more to give the world.

Speaking of which…they should probably get going.

But not before one more thing.

Everyone gathers in front of the throne, to say final farewells to Odin. Ari slips in next to Loki, both of them schooling their features to calm indifference.

Sideswipe's humor rolls across her over the bond, making it a bit difficult.

Thor says a few words, promising his father to return home for a visit soon. Odin gives a tight but understanding smile and then Thor turns with a final wave goodbye, heading for the exit to start the trek back to the Bifrost. The others fall in behind him, but Loki, Ari, and Sideswipe linger behind.

Sideswipe kneels, the compartment in his arm softly opening for easy access.

"Well, AllFather, it's been a pleasure," Ari says cordially, glancing at Loki out of the corner of her eye. He nods almost imperceptibly. Ari takes a few shuffling step back. "Please do stay out of trouble. Heimdell isn't the only one who can be all-seeing, you know."

She says it teasingly, but by the way Odin's head rears back fractionally, he understands that she does really mean it. He does something stupid again that hurts Loki or Thor or jeopardizes Earth, they will be having words.

And he knows now that she has the power to back up her words.

"It has been…an experience meeting you, Ari Lennox," he says grudgingly, not really an insult but not exactly a compliment. "Have a safe trip back home."

She finally lets the grin out, taking another step backwards. "You have a good evening as well. Take care."

"Goodbye, father," Loki adds with a casual wave of his hand, the three of them turning their backs on the AllFather.

As Loki's magic gets to work, taking the contents in Sideswipe's compartment out to put to use.

Ari can't help looking over her shoulder at the loud intake of breath from the crowd still gathered around them. Odin hasn't quite noticed yet, himself.

His entire throne, once gold, is now painted a bright, lime green. Dark green glitter dusts the surface as well, giving it an emerald sheen. And to top it all off, Odin's golden eye patch was also turned bright green.

With a large googly eye attached to it. Lina couldn't be here to see it—someone had to stay and keep an eye on things—but Ari promised.

Odin glances around at the shocked faces around him and then finally looks down, brow furrowing in confusion. At that point, Loki grabs her forearm, pulling her into a run.

"Loki!" Odin bellows and they let their laughter run free.

"Thanks for the invite, AllFather!" Sideswipe calls back, picking Ari and Loki up and skating them out of the throne room before something gets thrown at them.

Shock the neighbors, indeed.

It really is late by the time they land back at the Avengers facility. All of them crash right into beds, intent on sleeping through much of the next morning. Except for Ari and Sideswipe.

They have one more errand to run.

They get up at the crack of dawn, loading up on a quinjet to fly back to Nevada with Ari at the stick. Butterflies flutter in her stomach as she lifts them off the ground, excited to use the flying skills Clint taught her just a few months ago. The ride is smooth. Quiet. Allowing her to clear her head.

A lot has happened since the war ended. Friends married, having kids, finding happiness. Lina's training to be co-head of the organizations and more Cybertronians have come home to Earth.

Ari and Sideswipe have taken a lot of time for themselves. Going on vacations, seeing the world, just…enjoying life.

But in between all of that, there's something they've been working on. Something that should be ready by now.

She lands them in the field behind the farmhouse, Ari and Sideswipe arriving just in time for breakfast. It's Will's day off so he greets her at the door, enveloping her in a bear hug before handing her off to her mom. They load up on food, catch up with the family—Abigail starting eighth grade soon should not be a thing no matter how excited her little sister is—and then it's back in the quinjet again for a short ride to the nearby base.

They rebuilt the old N.E.S.T. facility out in the desert, no longer needing to be concerned with keeping the location secret. Scientists scuttle around in a flurry of activity, the excitement of the day bubbling in the air as potent as the heat.

Ari and Sideswipe instantly head for the hanger, her eyes roving over the five tanks set up in the middle of the room. Like cryotubes, but as big as SUVs and not used for keeping people frozen for years.

These are made for bringing life.

"How's the nursery doing?" Ari asks, climbing up the scaffolding to put her at shoulder level with Optimus. He and Elita watch over the nursery with excited smiles, hands clasped together tightly.

"Wheeljack says the first of the sparklings are at the right growth stage," Optimus answers, only a slight shaking of his voice giving away the emotion that must be clawing at his chassis. "All they need are sparks."

Blue electricity tingles along her left arm, concentrated around her life mark. She clutches her hand shut, the sparks dying down but the tingling continuing down her spine.

The AllSpark seems just as excited as the rest of them.

It's time.

She descends the scaffolding, approaching the first tank. They could have made more than five, but they wanted to be sure they got this right. It's been so long since a nursery was last built. Wheeljack and Ratchet weren't sure they even remembered how to make one. But they got these five sparklings to maturity, all of them fully grown and healthy and waiting.

For sparks. For life.

And for parents.

Optimus and Elita stand behind her, the recipients of the first, she already promised them that. But then there's also Chromia and Ironhide, visiting from England to pick up a munchkin of their own. Jazz and Moonracer bonded just hours after the war was declared over, one of the many pairs of sparkmates that didn't bond before, despite finding each other, because of the dangers of offlining. Mirage and Arcee were the same. All four of them wish to be parents, so four sets of couples ready for sparklings.

They could have easily found another couple wishing to be parents, especially with all their new residents, but…Ari told them no more would be needed for this round.

She's not sure how, but…she knows someone's getting twins.

Ari places her hand on the tank, delving into her AllSpark doors. Looking for one she's never opened before. Her breath intakes in a sharp gasp, feeling all of the potential life swirling around the other side of that door. They all have their time, a time when the world will need them and their unique talents, and Ari looks for the ones she needs now. Burning brighter than the rest.

She pulls one out gently, cradling the soft light in her hands like a baby chick. Another door opens, energy spilling out like a thread, tying this child to another spark not yet born. But she will be, soon.

This little mech, she pushes into the tank, filling the chasis of the protoform suspended in the liquid inside. A little Cybertronian, about the size of a ten-year-old.

Green optics blink online and Ari smiles.

Ratchet bustles over, quickly opening the tank and pulling the sparkling out. "It's a mech," he declares, tears dripping down his cheeks as he watches the baby in his arms get his first look at the world. Ratchet sniffles loudly, holding the child out to Optimus and Elita. "You have a baby boy."

Elita takes the sparkling, cradling him in her arms with a look of such bafflement that Ari can't help but chuckle through her own tears. Optimus looks no better, but with a little bit of fear in his optics.

He's so worried he won't be a good father. But when Elita hands their son over, the sparkling fitting in the palm of his hand and his entire face just softens, Ari knows he'll be okay.

Ironhide and Chromia are next, the AllSpark power branching unexpectedly to envelope two tanks, not just the one she stands in front of, and she knows she was right about the twins. Ironhide just about faints at that but Chromia jumps on her wheel with glee, taking a girl in each arm. Mirage and Arcee end up with another boy and then Jazz and Moonracer end up with a girl, Jazz automatically declaring her his "lil' lady".

Euphoria mounts in the room, higher than the day the war ended. That day, with the memory of Cybertron dissipating from the sky, it almost didn't seem real. It was a long, long time before they stopped actively monitoring energon sensors, keeping a wary eye out for Decepticons. But this. This feels like victory, like change, like the beginning of a new future.

Hope burns brightly in all of their sparks, burning brightest in the optics of their five new sparklings.

Everyone gathers around, gushing at the babies who begin to fuss for energon. Ari watches it all from Sideswipe's shoulder, leaning against his head in contentment.

They've all gone through so much. But, in this moment, she thinks she finally might truly understand peace.

"You feel happy," Sideswipe says over the bond, nuzzling his head against her side. "Happier than I've ever felt you before."

"I'm just so happy to have been here for all of this, Sides," she says, chuckling as the "lil' lady" attempts to squirm right out of Jazz's arms despite his attempts to keep a hold of her.

"This has been…very beautiful. I really didn't think I'd live to see this day."

"No, I don't mean that. I mean…I'm so glad I got to meet all these people. Made all these friends. Make them my family. And now they're all finally getting the happiness they've always deserved."

"So you don't have any regrets? Even though you'll outlive many of them?"

"No." She can finally say that with a smile, no sadness in her heart. She's gotten through so much, always moving along towards a positive future, largely thanks to her large, crazy family. She never would have made it if not for them. She can say that with certainty. A day will come when she has to move along without some of them, and it'll be hard. But the happiness and joy and love she's known by knowing them, she wouldn't give that up for the world. "It'll be sad, when they go, but I could never give this up or regret it. And I will always be grateful for the time I have with them. Speaking of which, I believe I promised my family I'd be back in time for a shopping trip into Tranquility."

He gives her a curious look out of the corner of his eye. "You really want to just slip out? You don't want to stay and enjoy the party? I'm pretty sure Jazz is two seconds away from starting one."

"Nah, that's alright. I'll see them all again soon." She slips down from his shoulder into the cradle of his arms, pulling his head down for a kiss. More than anything, she knows she loves Sideswipe with all of her heart, and he loves her just the same. Being with him for the rest of her many, many days will be enough to keep her going through anything. He will keep her strong, even when hope is gone, even when she falls and feels she'll never be able to pull herself up again. He is her rock, her constant, her first and only love, her sparkmate, her husband, her friend. With him by her side, she can do anything.

"Let's go home."

Author's Note

I hate Odin, always have, he's a jerk to just about everybody and doesn't mellow out until it's far too late to do any good. Writing Ari giving him a dressing down was deeply satisfying.

But the rest of it. I struggled so hard to give everyone a happy ending. Since none of them have really found it in the movies. But writing that scene with Optimus getting his little sparkling, guys, my chest just feels so full.

I wish they'd give him this in the movies. That mech certainly deserves it.

I almost don't want to end it here. A part of me wants to find some excuse to get Ari back in the game, some emergency, some big evil that will draw them all together again. But I know this is the end. They all have their peace, and I'm not about to take it from them.

This is my final fic for the Move Along series. This is truly The End.

So it is time to say goodbye.

To those of you who have been here since the first chapter of Move Along, I want to say thank you. You guys have been with me every step of the way, through every up and down, watching practically right along side me as I developed Ari into the character she is today.

To those of you who stumbled onto this in the middle, you guys are the ones who kept me going. Seeing more people join this little world of mine and offering encouragement when I wasn't sure where I was going with this meant more to me than I can say.

And to those of you who are only just now find this series, you guys are lucky fraggers since you didn't have to put up with my horrible cliffhangers too much. (Admit it, you guys love my cliffhangers.) But I'm glad you made it here anyway and enjoyed this roller coaster of a ride.

It really has been a roller coaster. I'm so glad and thankful you all road it with me. And I hope you ride it again and again, rereading Ari's story whenever you need her. She'll always be here. Thank you for helping me bring her to life.

Thank you all for being my readers.

Hope you enjoyed, PLEASE REVIEW, and see you all next time, whatever the next story turns out to be.