Author's Note: Well, here's the final chapter of this story. I hope you all enjoy it and that this gives a finished feel to the story.
Chap. 20: A Fairy Tale Come True
Once back on Cybertron, Scourge was immediately repaired by Red Alert. The whole repair process only took a couple hours and once the autobot medic was finished, the Jungle Planet leader was discharged from the med bay. He was still a bit sore, but given a few days he would be back to normal.
Scourge left the med bay and headed to the command center on a hunch that Lori would be there. When he entered, he discovered that his hunch was correct. The female dragon ran into his arms grateful that he was alright. Scourge held Lori close to him thankful that Galvatron hadn't harmed her.
Optimus watched the two dragons for a minute and then piped up, "I hate to interrupt, but Scourge, we've figured out a way to return your planet to its correct orbit."
"And that would be?" the Jungle Planet leader asked.
"We strap a few huge rocket boosters to it and then launch it through a warp gate," Bud answered absolutely thrilled he was going to witness something like this.
Optimus chuckled, "Basically what he said."
"I see, but my planet better not be harmed in the process,"
"We will be monitoring it every step of the way to make sure that if there is any damage, it is minimal," the autobot leader explained.
Scourge nodded and Optimus gave the autobots their orders. Once the rockets were in place, they were activated and Scourge watched on the monitor as his planet was safely returned to its correct place. He noticed as some of the autobots fizzled out of the room giving him winks and smiles. The dragon had told the autobots that he was going to propose to Lori, and that he just didn't know when. Apparently this was his moment since he spied Lori's parents peeking in the doorway. Clearing his throat Scourge asked, "Lori, what would you think of returning to Jungle Planet with me, as my mate?"
Lori looked up him quizzically, "Mate?"
"I guess in human terms it would be called wife,"
A huge smile appeared on her face, "Are you serious?"
Scourge let her go for a moment only to produce a ring from his subspace, "I couldn't be anymore serious. Lori, I love you so much more than anything, and I want to be with you, well, forever."
"What about the rest of the autobots?" Lori asked.
"I…I completely understand if you would like to remain with them and continue to go with them on there adventures across the universe,"
"Scourge, I've been on enough adventures with the autobots to last me a lifetime. And the only adventure I want to experience right now would be returning to Jungle Planet with you as your beloved mate," Lori exclaimed.
Scourge grinned, "So it's a yes then?"
"Yes,"
The Jungle Planet leader captured Lori in his arms and kissed her like he had never kissed her before. Scourge wasn't quite sure if there was a moment in his lifetime where he had been so happy as he had been that moment. Suddenly a loud applause sounded out of nowhere. Both Lori and Scourge looked to see the autobots, the minicons, Coby, Bud, and Lori's parents all crowding into the room.
"I can't believe it," Ernesto, Lori's father piped up, "My little girl is getting married!"
"Mama, papa? What are you doing here?" Lori asked surprised.
Scourge then smiled while rubbing the back of his head, "They all kind of knew I was going to be proposing."
Lori shook her head and pulled Scourge back into the kiss. A few minutes later they broke away from each other. The female dragon went over to talk with her parents and Optimus came up from behind Scourge saying, "Congratulations."
Scourge smiled, "Thanks Optimus. Thanks for everything you've done for me."
"You're very welcome," Optimus replied, "I've got to tell you something though, you can be the judge of whether or not it's good or bad."
"I'm listening,"
"Wing-Saber, Jetfire, and I went out to retrieve Galvatron's body while you were still in the med bay being repaired,"
"And?" Scourge asked not liking the sounds of this.
"We couldn't find it. Being in space and everything it is going to drift, but I highly doubt it could've drifted away so quickly," Optimus explained, "I have a strong feeling that someone else got to the body before we did, especially since Thunderblast, Thundercracker, Ransack, and Crumplezone are nowhere to be found."
"This definitely isn't good news,"
"We'll just have to hope that Galvatron's body remains missing,"
"Don't tell Lori. She thinks she's safe right now and I want her to keep thinking that," Scourge stated.
"I understand. If you ever need our help Scourge, don't be afraid to ask,"
"You got it Optimus, you got it,"
Optimus nodded just as Ernesto shouted, "Scourge, I'd like a word with you."
"Oh boy," Scourge exclaimed causing the autobot leader to chuckle, "I'll see you later Optimus."
"You too Scourge,"
Scourge then walked over and knelt before Lori's father so they could speak on a more…personal level. Ernesto eyed Scourge for a moment and then said, "You know, I didn't want my girl to date anyone until after I was gone. Though after what she's told me about you, I've got full confidence that you'll protect her and you won't hurt her at all."
"Thank you sir, with me around you won't have to worry,"
"I didn't think so. So, when's the wedding going to be?"
Scourge glanced over to Lori and said, "Well…"
Lori and Scourge emerged from within the temple on Jungle Planet and onto the platform where the wedding reception was being held. They had just been pronounced husband and wife, and neither or them could've been happier. Lori's mother was in tears, her father was wiping his eyes when no one was looking. Coby looked at the couple, happy for Lori. Bud was thrilled beyond belief, even though he had to cover his eyes when Lori and Scourge kissed. It was "too mushy" as he put it.
Scourge and Lori sat at a table away from the others but where everyone could see them. Gifts were presented to them by the autobots, and each autobot gave his or her congratulations to the couple and wished them the best of luck. Lori took Scourge's hand in hers and remarked, "This has to be the best day of my life. I love you so much Scourge."
Scourge grinned saying, "I love you too Lori."
A song came on suddenly, that Lori recognized and Scourge seemed to notice when he asked, "You want to dance?"
Lori nodded and allowed Scourge to lead her to an empty section on the platform. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she gently wrapped her arms around his neck. They moved slowly as the song played:
Winter snow is falling down
Children laughing all around
Lights are turning on like a fairy tale come true
Sitting by the fire we made
You're the answer when I prayed
I would find someone and baby I found you
Scourge pulled Lori closer to him and the female dragon rested her head against his chest. The two of them felt like they were in their own little world, and Lori felt that a fairytale had really come true.
Lori recognized the song as a Christmas song she had heard before. She had always thought it sounded more like a love song than a Christmas song. Either way, she still loved it.
All I want is to hold you forever
All I need is you more everyday
You saved my heart from being broken apart
You gave your love away
And I'm thankful everyday
For the gift
Love truly was a gift; Scourge had realized that much on his journey with Lori. She had started out a brave and fearless human determined to change him from a decepticon to an autobot. She had seen the good in him, even after he betrayed her and the autobots. And she was strong enough to forgive him for what he had done. Scourge knew he would love her forever. Heck, he didn't want anyone else.
Watching as you softly sleep
What I'd give if I could keep
Just this moment; if only time stood still
But the colors fade away
And the years will make us gray
But baby in my eyes you'll still be beautiful
All I want is to hold you forever
All I need is you more everyday
You saved my heart from being broken apart
You gave your love away
And I'm thankful everyday
For the gift
Neither Lori nor Scourge could wait to see what life had in store for them, for better or for worse. Whether or not Galvatron came back, or if a new threat presented itself, they didn't care, just as long as they had each other.
And all I want is to hold you forever
All I need is you more everyday
You saved my heart from being broken apart
You gave your love away
I can't find the words to say
That I'm thankful everyday
For the gift
When the song was nearly over, Scourge leaned forward and gave Lori a sweet and passionate kiss. She had saved his life, and for that he would always be thankful.
As for everyone else, Coby ended up finding the love of his life, a girl who loved technology as much as he did. Once through college, Bud directed an extremely popular action movie and made millions. It was about giant alien robots that came to save earth from a giant black hole. As for the rest of the autobots, they went off to build spacebridges that connected the universe. They also had every intention of scattering the Cyber Planet Keys and the Omega Lock across the galaxy.
The autobots only hoped that they wouldn't see or hear from Galvatron again.
Author's Note: And that ends it. No, I am not planning a sequel even though I did kind of leave a cliffhanger. I hope you guys liked this story, thank you to everyone who reviewed and read it; you kept my hopes up when I was extremely down with this story. Reviews for this chapter are greatly appreciated as well. The song was The Gift by Jim Brickman.