Everlasting (ch17)

All right finale main chapter with plenty of action in store!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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														Chapter 17. Side By Side

They all have to pause and listen for a moment, trying to discern what it is and where it's coming from. It sounds like an alarm of some sort, a warning...

Akko scurries behind Chariot to peer over her shoulder, gazing down at the phone and the image on its screen.

"What is it?"

Chariot's voice is hesitant.

"A... missile, perhaps...?"

Akko's eyes shoot open wide.

"A missile?!"

From her standpoint, Diana steps in a little closer to try and view the screen as well. The others begin murmuring in concerned voices, but Diana keeps her attention on Croix who staggers to her feet at last to explain.

"It can't be... it was taken over by my magic creature."

"Huh? You mean those square things?"

"Yes. I built it to gather Noir Fuel Spirit." Croix attempts to connect with the missile through her device, but a warning screen pops up to deny her access. The professors begin to speak nervously back and forth, but no matter what Chariot asks or suggests, Croix's response is numb and hopeless.

Diana can feel her heart sinking further and further down into her stomach. Her classmates are beginning to panic all around her, filling the atmosphere with despair. Suddenly it's more difficult to breathe, more difficult to think-

"We can do something!"

Akko's voice has never been more determined in all her life than it is right now. Simply the sound of her voice like this somehow eases some of Diana's nerves. The brunette sweeps her gaze around to all of them, making sure everyone is listening.

"We can stop it!"

And Diana can't explain it, just as she can't explain a lot of the emotions and things she feels when she is with Akko. But something inside her begins to blossom amidst the fear. With every confident, heartfelt word out of Akko's mouth as she reassures her friends, Diana only feels more and more confident herself.

"I don't think we'd be able to catch up to it on our brooms..." Lotte frets.

Akko turns to her with a fierce look in her eyes.

"Does that mean you won't do anything? We've got nine perfectly good witches right here! There must be something only we can do as witches!"

She says it all with such conviction, without hesitance, in that surefire way of hers that moves Diana's very soul. It's the least she can do to voice the first words of support in Akko's favor.

"You do have a point." Once Diana has everyone's attention, she continues. "Knowing that this is the work of a magical creature, magic may be our only avenue of response." Meeting Akko's gaze, Diana offers a smile. "It is well worth a try."

But in spite of her decision to stand with Akko, Croix voices every reason as to why it would be impossible. Diana listens and takes her professor's words with a grain of salt.

But she listens to everything Croix has to say, as it's all vital for her to know. She must understand the setbacks and obstacles in front of them before she can hope to consider ways to overcome them.

Even after Croix tells them they could very well run out of magic, Akko isn't fazed. Diana's words of support have encouraged her further, given her that tiny boost in an otherwise stagnant place.

"We still have to try! Let's go as far as we can with the nine of us! Yeah! The New Nine Witches!"

And it's just enough, because the others start agreeing.

"Geez," Amanda sighs. "There's just no convincing you. You don't have a chance on your own so we'll give you a hand."

Diana doesn't miss her chance to voice her intentions.

"I will go as well." Stepping closer to her girlfriend, she presents the others with a calm smile. "Akko and I should be able to catch up on the Shiny Volley."

Akko looks around to all of them, repeating their names back to them.

"Amanda, Constanze, Jasminka... Diana!"

Gripping the Clamioh Solas, Akko says her name with a little more softness, a little more affection. Diana dips her head, silently telling Akko that now might not be the best time to reveal their relationship with Akko potentially kissing her in excitement.

Luckily, before she can act on her affectionate impulses, Akko's attention is pulled elsewhere, back to her own teammates.

"You can count on us too!" Lotte pipes in.

"I'd be too worried if you went alone," Sucy agrees.

"All right!" Amanda grins. "Let's do this. We can take you a nice distance if we stick our brooms together and give you a push. Sound good, Constanze?"

Her smallest teammate gives an affirmative thumbs-up.

As soon as they are all in agreement, despite Croix's misgivings, the girls spring into action, gathering their brooms and lining them up.

As everyone else convenes to listen to Professor Croix's instructions, Diana manages to step away, just for a moment. She retreats to Akko's side at a distance from the others, taking advantage of the fact that all of their attention is occupied elsewhere.

Akko presents her with a smile, stepping back a little so they can speak freely without having to worry about being found out.

"Diana..."

She takes her girlfriend's hand and brings it up to her chest, to where she's hidden Diana's premium card in her vest next to her own treasured Chariot card. Akko's eyes are sparkling with emotion, almost spilling over.

"You were the first one to support me when everyone was in doubt. If you hadn't, then no one else would have backed me up. Thank you..." Akko leans her forehead against Diana's, closing her eyes for just a moment. Diana leans into her touch as well, but though her lips smile, her breath still trembles.

"Akko... this is going to be dangerous."

"I know."

"Far more dangerous than anything you have ever done."

"I know."

"Akko." Diana pulls herself back just a little, so she may look her girlfriend directly – sternly – in the eyes. "I support you with this one-hundred percent. I will support you with everything I have. However..."

And until now her conviction has been as steadfast as Akko's. But now that they're alone, she can't stop the fear from creeping its way back in.

"Akko... should something go amiss... I... I will not hesitate to retreat and bring you to safety. I will do... everything within my power to ensure our success, but if our efforts should fail-"

"They won't!" Akko says. "Our efforts won't fail, Diana. You can't already be thinking about the failures right now! You've gotta believe! In everyone, in yourself, and in me!" Her eyes haven't lost that sparkle since she'd suggested the idea of pursuing this missile.

Diana knows Akko is entirely convinced they will succeed, even before they have set foot off the ground. And Diana does her utmost best to add to that emotion, to fuel her excitement and her determination.

But no matter how dearly she loves and believes in Akko, deep down, in the bottom of her heart, Diana will always be scared for her too. And she will put Akko's wellbeing above even her own belief in her if she must.

Diana leans her head forward, resting her forehead gently against Akko's shoulder, hiding her expression completely.

"I do..." she whispers. "Akko, I do believe. I truly do. I simply... do not want anything to happen to you..."

"Diana..." Akko sheathes the Clamioh Solas in her sash for now. She needs both hands for this. She wraps her arms around Diana firmly, pulling her in as much as she can, resting her chin on Diana's shoulder as well. "I know I can't tell you not to worry, cuz then you'll only worry more. So thank you. Thank you for worrying about me, Diana."

Turning her face, Akko presses a quick kiss into Diana's hair. "I agree with you, Diana. If something really bad happens, we should retreat. We can figure out some other way. I don't want anyone getting hurt."

Diana feels a pang in her stomach, guilt for having planted that seed of doubt within Akko in the first place.

"Akko-"

"But we don't have to think about that!" Akko pulls away, presenting Diana with a refurbished, even more exuberant smile. "Because we're gonna do it! We can do it, Diana! I'm gonna have Luna Nova's top student on my side, after all!"

Diana's heart skips in her chest. She knows Akko has always believed in her, but never like this. Never for something as immense as this.

But it doesn't feel intimidating or frightening.

Rather, it feels... empowering.

"Akko..." At last, Diana manages to ease her hands into place on either side of Akko's cheeks. She bores her gaze into chestnut for a long moment, nose to nose with her. "I promise I will not let you down." She seals this promise with a kiss, one that's fiery with passion, alive with the knowledge of what they must do.

Akko locks her arms around Diana's back instantly, kissing back, drinking her in as if to fuel herself with that affection. She isn't going to let anything happen to Diana, either.

For a moment, they have one another, and nothing else.

But it isn't long before Croix is announcing they've finished their work. Akko and Diana part – for now – but not without one last brush of their noses. They turn back to the others, and Akko thanks them for their hard work in connecting the brooms.

With that, and with the feeling of Diana's lips still on hers, Akko has twice as much energy as usual as she raises the Shiny Rod above her head and calls out the fifth Word – the one she and Diana had revived together.

"Sybilladura Lelladybura!"

And the magic adheres to her will, casting out bright light over the large procession of brooms they'd put together. The Rod itself fuses into it, hardening it, enhancing it, making it sturdier, safer. And cooler.

"All right!" Akko squeezes her hands together. "This should get us there!"

"One moment, girls."

Chariot's voice draws all of their attention. The girls all watch as their professors – who've been hardly anything other than at-odds with each other until now – cross their wands and call out a spell together.

"Metamorphie Vestesse!"

Their combined magics fuse together and fill the air around their students, switching out their usual outfits for pure white robes, hats, and boots. As they all voice their amazement in little sounds of excitement, their professor speaks a blessing for them.

"May you all be blessed by the Nine Old Witches."

And of course, in all the dazzling emotion of the moment, Akko's method of thinking is on a totally different level.

"Whoa! It's like I got a power-up!"

"They should protect you with the power of magic," Chariot explains.

"Professors, thank you!"

"Of course," she smiles. "Be careful."

"All right! I'm fired up!" Akko whirls around and jumps into place near the head of the broom as her friends and teammates file in behind her.

Only Diana takes her spot in front of Akko. Hers is perhaps the most difficult job, but all things considered, there is no one quite as qualified for it as she is.

They all take a moment to collect themselves. Diana closes her eyes, gripping the handle of the broom with surety. She can feel Akko's presence behind her, and then all of the others behind Akko. She can feel their magics all flowing through the handle of the broom, igniting it, fueling it.

One by one, their brooms fill with magic, Diana's being the last.

"Let's go!"

With Akko's command, everyone braces themselves for the takeoff of a lifetime.

And all at once, all together, their voices rise up as the air around them stirs.

"Tia Freyre!"

Diana angles them upward, and she can feel the others working with her. Their magics ignite the sparks that gather together, and at last burst into a massive boost of power. It propels them upward, straight through the leyline and on to the other side.

The air blasts at their faces with force, hitting Diana hardest of all. The initial impact dizzies her for a brief moment, but she never allows her concentration to sway. She keeps them strictly on course, shooting straight through into the sky, following the trajectory of the missile.

In only seconds, they've covered miles and miles of distance, leaving the leyline terminal far behind them. No one looks back. They only focus on what's ahead.

Diana takes them higher, climbing as high as possible given their initial boost. But it isn't very long before the force of the air pressure begins to interfere. There's a sudden weight in her lungs, making it infinitely harder to breathe. Until-

"Faerie of wind, lend me your power!"

Lotte's voice rings out above the rush of air.

And suddenly, the pressure is gone. It feels as though the weight of their structure has been cut in half, and they can all breathe easily.

The second Diana can draw in a decent breath, she aims them higher into the atmosphere, hoping Lotte can appreciate her silent gratitude for now.

As soon as the pressure is gone, Amanda gives the cue.

"This is perfect! Jasminka, let it all out!"

And in only a matter of seconds, Diana feels their second major boost. They skyrocket twice as quickly as the takeoff had allowed them to. Diana lowers herself to the handle, willing the others to do the same. Her ears pop against the deafening rush of wind whipping past her, sending her hair snapping out behind her.

She's vaguely aware of Akko shouting out her thanks to Jasminka before their first anchor falls away, but not without giving one last push to Constanze's back.

And then it's Constanze who is giving them a fiery boost with her mechanisms, sending them up through several layers of clouds. The spray of moisture serves to cool them all down a little after the heat of the adrenaline starts to become normalized in their veins.

One by one their friends drop off, leaving the others with one final push.

After Constanze has done her part and received her thanks from Akko, Amanda gives them a much-needed boost from an impressive twirl, something only she could ever accomplish. She pulls the broom, and Diana works with her from this end, angling them enough to arc themselves upright once again. With a shove to Sucy's back, Amanda calls out to them.

"It's all on you guys now!"

Diana glances back just for a second to watch her drop off.

"Yeah!" Akko calls. "You can count on us! Thank you, Amanda!"

With nearly half their initial weight now gone, the remaining four witches can carry on for a while longer.

But it's only a few minutes later when Diana feels them slowing down. Right on cue, Sucy and Lotte jump into action.

"All right, this is for Akko!"

"Right!"

"Let's do this!"

Sucy disconnects, only to add her broom beside Lotte's onto the back of Diana's, allowing the mount to take the form of the Shiny Volley. With a little of Sucy's potions and another boost from Lotte's fairy, they give Akko and Diana their final push.

"Pyro Booster!"

Their chorus of voices cry out as a wave of energy surges from behind them. They surf almost effortlessly on its momentum for several seconds.

Diana continues steering them forward, following the missile's contrails. From behind herself, she can hear Sucy's and Lotte's final words of encouragement.

"This is it for us!"

"The rest is up to you!"

One more push from both of them, and it sends Akko and Diana onward.

"Go, Akko!"

With Lotte's and Sucy's chant of her name, Akko shouts back to them.

"Thank you, Lotte! Sucy!"

With that, she turns to face forward along with Diana, moving her grip from the handle of the broom. Instead, Akko wraps both arms around her girlfriend as tightly as she can, wincing as she tries to keep her eyes open through the harsh winds.

"Diana!" she calls. "Are you okay?"

Diana doesn't look back, but gives a nod.

"Yes. Let us continue forward, Akko!"

"Yeah!"

With just the two of them now, the wind can carry them much more easily. However, when Diana's eyes flicker down to the charge left on the broom, she grimaces.

/We do not have nearly enough.../

Gritting her teeth, she returns her focus ahead. In the distance, there is a red speck in the blueness of the sky.

"I can see it."

"We caught up!" Akko chirps. But no sooner had the words come out of her mouth than the broom begins to drop. "Wait...? What?"

They fall lower and lower by the second, and they lose whatever ground they'd been gaining. Diana does her best to pull the broom back up, but it does nothing.

"It's no use. Our magic is about to run out."

"What? Come on, it's like right there!"

Suddenly, Diana catches sight of something through the clouds. With a sharp pull, she reacts quickly enough to yank them away, out of the path of what turns out to be another missile.

There are two of them, pursuing the tainted one, no doubt trying to intercept and detonate it while it's still high up enough not to cause harm to those below. But if they succeed and it explodes here-

Diana's heart pounds harder and faster than it has been all this time. She'd promised to keep Akko safe. If she has to, she'll call this off herself and get them out of range.

But before she can make that determination, she and Akko watch as the haunted missile evades the others in the most impossible of ways. It dodges them, warps around them, and changes form in a way indicative of something that's possessed by magic. Using the pent-up negative energies it's collected thus far, it produces its own smaller missiles.

Diana can predict the collision seconds before it happens. With a powerful tug, she wretches Akko and herself as far away as possible just as the missiles collide and explode. Akko shrieks, clinging onto Diana for dear life. Diana can only keep one eye open as she attempts to keep flying.

At the very least, the impact of the explosions provide a few more bursts of air to keep pushing them forward. But even so, they are lacking severely in speed and magic now. They continue to drop and their speed decreases. From behind her, Diana can hear Akko wailing.

"No, no, no! But we're so close!"

And she's right. They've come all this way, because of their friends and their professors. If they don't go through with this somehow, all of that will have been for nothing.

Diana does everything within her power to keep them going. She angles them as best she can, reducing the push of the wind against their bodies, pulling them upward and onward.

But it just isn't enough.

She tries. With all her heart, she tries, and she gives it her all, just like Akko always does. Diana closes her eyes.

/Please... let me do this for her.../

She believes they can make it. She knows they can.

A sudden flash of green from beneath her draws her attention back to the broom's charge. It's filled up again, just a little bit.

"Diana!" Akko's voice is loud and encouraging in her ear as she squeezes her in for a tight hug. Diana feels a big warm kiss on her cheek. "Keep going! We can do this!"

And though her heart flutters even more out of control, she agrees.

"Yes!"

She pushes onward, feeling Akko pressed against her back, her pulse beating in time with Diana's. They're able to rise up a little, bit by bit.

And then-

Suddenly they are being lifted by something intangible, something nothing short of magical. Branches of companion magic rise up from the world below, gently pushing them forward across they sky. Diana can feel a surge of it flowing through the broom now, egging them onward, back onto their desired path.

"Our magic is increasing."

"Huh? Why is that happening?"

"I am not sure. However, we should have no trouble flying now."

And Akko can feel it too, how one second they'd been dropping like rocks and now they're soaring with barely any effort at all. She can sense a bit of this pressure has eased off of Diana's shoulders, making it easier for her to control their broom.

In no time, she's brought them back within range of the missile. Akko squeezes her back again in excitement, looking behind them at the swirl of color helping them fly.

"Wow! Forget about dropping, our magic just keeps going up and up! We'll catch up in no time!"

"We already have."

"Huh?!" Akko turns to the front once more, jaw dropping as she sees the tainted missile right in front of her now. "We did it!"

"Not yet," Diana says. "Not until we stop it."

She keeps a close eye on the missile, trying to pull them up as close as possible. But when it suddenly begins to shift and light up red, Diana can tell right away it's trying to counter them.

It warps itself into different shapes, then suddenly releases an array of smaller explosives. A dozen or so of them drop and shoot out straight for them, and it's all Diana can do to evade while still trying to stay on course. She pulls and pushes at the broom handle, twisting, turning, dodging every blow.

All at the same time, she tries to accommodate for Akko's weight against her back, maneuvering in ways that ensure she won't slip off.

There's so much happening all at once – the deafening noises of the explosions, the twisting inside her stomach, the throbbing in her skull and chest, the tears the wind is forcing from her eyes. It's all so overwhelming-

"Diana!"

Akko can sense her girlfriend is having trouble with it all. Diana's doing most of the work here, and Akko knows it's her own job to thank her for that and support her. She has to look out for Diana, too.

Keeping one arm looped around her stomach, she gives a firm pat to Diana's back to help steady her.

"Diana! Breathe! We can do this!"

And it's just the push she needs. Diana shakes her head and refocuses as the next wave of explosives comes their way. By some miracle, she manages to utilize her skills enough to avoid the wave of the attack.

As Akko readjusts herself, she peeks over Diana's shoulder to where the broom's charge is blindingly green.

"Hey! It looks like the Rod's power is maxed out! You think we can use it to turn the missile into something harmless?"

"We will have to try."

Only now that Diana's absolutely certain it will be safe does she fall back.

In one swift, skilled movement, Diana swings both of her legs off to the side, using the momentum of the air around them to move herself. She reaches back to grab onto the broom's handle behind Akko and lets go of her previous grip at the front.

"Go forth, Akko!"

As she settles into her new position, Diana gives a light push to her girlfriend's back, nudging her forward.

"Uwaaaah!"

Akko jumps up just in time to stick the landing, glancing down at the handle beneath her boots. Sensing its wielder, the Shiny Rod manifests itself in its original form and appears before her eyes. Smirking, Akko grabs hold of it just as the next wave of missiles come hurtling toward them. With a sweep of her arm, she calls out her favorite spell.

"Metamorphie Faciesse!"

A curve of green light follows the path of her hand, passing over all of the explosives directed at them. They all disappear into poofs of clouds, then come back as colorful animals and harmless faeries. Akko pumps her arm in triumph.

"Hell yeah!"

While Akko's been focusing on the spellcasting, Diana has been keeping watch for other dangers. The second she spots more drones coming toward them she gives the warning to Akko.

"Hold on!"

With a quick swipe of the broom, Diana scoops Akko onto the handle by the back of her knee, having her drop down to get a sturdier grip for the turbulence she knows is coming.

Even from the back of the broom, Diana can fly it effectively now that it's charged so well. For now, she simply focuses on dodging whatever she can whenever she can, flying every which way, arcing wide circles, spinning, cutting back the other way, turning them upside-down, left and right, up and over – everything at breakneck speed.

As Diana steers and flies them, Akko rights herself and takes aim at the missiles, transforming them into harmless animals and poofs of dust.

As she takes them out one by one, she clears a path for Diana, making her job of flying easier, giving her less to worry about and more to focus on. She keeps her eyes locked dead ahead, watching the missile from around Akko's body. It's been flying consistently in a straight line all this time.

Until now.

Without warning, the missile warps once again, splitting into two parts down the middle, growing sharp teeth and a massive mouth. It changes directions in the blink of an eye, heading straight for them. This time it shoots out even more massive bombs, all glowing red.

Diana hastily yanks the broom upward with all her might and just barely manages to keep them out of range. She grabs onto Akko's back with one hand, preventing her from slipping off before her legs can get a grip again.

But the very next second there's another missile on them, and another. It's all Diana can do to keep track of them and dodge, hauling Akko and herself out of harm's way often only by a hair's breadth.

Pulling-

Spinning-

Ducking-

They make sharp turn after sharp turn while still shooting forward at impossible speeds. Their senses are jumbled, and the jarring assault doesn't let up. At one point, a missile comes so close that they actually have to run along it while still remaining on the broom.

In a split second Diana finds herself alone, and her heart almost slams to a halt.

But the next second, she spots Akko in her mouse form scurrying along the length of the nearest snake-like creature. She transforms it into a bubbly purple whale, then moves onto the next one, and the next, changing her form all the while. She skids and slides along each snake she lands on, moving quickly and thinking even more quickly to cast her magic and make them inoffensive objects.

Diana keeps track of both Akko and the snakes, but follows her partner, dodging and ducking all the while, aligning her flight with Akko's steps perfectly. Diana gives Akko that support, that reassurance that she's got someplace safe to land.

As soon as Akko turns the next snake into a flock of birds, Diana swings in low just as Akko pops out of her turtle form and back into her human one. Diana times it all perfectly and catches her with precision. She feels Akko's weight add onto the back of the broom once more, feels her hand around her stomach again, hears her jeering laughter at the enemy.

And Diana takes her eyes off of her surroundings just for a second, just to look back at her and check-

"Uwah-!"

A concussive blow slams into them from the side. Diana feels Akko's grip on her slacken and then disappear altogether as she's dislodged, thrown helplessly into midair.

It's all so fast.

Diana's heart leaps into her throat as her mind registers what's just happened.

"Akko!"

Akko plummets, disappearing into the clouds. Several large snakes shoot after her.

Diana tries to right herself, flipping over on the broom, but she's hit again and again from different sides, knocked away in a dizzying maze of objects and a dangerous shift of gravity.

Despite it all she keeps going, keeps her eyes set on the place where Akko had fallen. The snakes surrounding her turn back to face Diana, jaws parted wide and red. She veers up to avoid them as the teeth snap around her, missing her by feet, by inches.

Every blast of air seems to be working against her now, pushing her back, further and further away from Akko. She can't see her anymore-

"Akko!"

Diana avoids another crushing snap of jaws, then another. They're all around her, twisting, gnarled bodies and gnashing teeth. There are too many of them-

She can only watch as the massive snake-like creatures spiral around the place where Akko had disappeared, then shoot up at Diana like a twister. They force her backward, knocking her around and over and to all sides. All of them come for her now - roaring, biting, smashing together.

Diana can feel the tears in her eyes, sharp and stinging as she looks down and screams for her.

"Akko!"

And then the blow hits her with the force of a train, ramming into the side of her head with such force she has no hope of maintaining her grip. Diana is hurled off her mount, and the broom reverts back to its former swordlike state, unable to be of use to her any longer.

And she falls. Plummets. Gravity seizes her and takes her down, the wind steals the breath from her lungs as she shrieks in terror.

She's never felt more helpless in her entire life. So vulnerable. Now, even something as thin and intangible as air can break her.

She'd...

She'd failed Akko...

/Akko.../

It's all over now.

It's all-

"Hhn!"

A strangled gasp deflates her chest as she feels a sudden tightness on her wrist. It's warm, firm, strong-

Diana's eyes fly open and she looks up-

And she's breathless for an entirely different reason now.

"Akko?"

And she's there, in her white fluttering robes, her brown hair flowing out behind her, her chestnut eyes winking and a bright smile on her lips.

"Nice catch, me!"

As it all clicks in Diana's mind, the relief washes through her that Akko is all right. And consequently, now so is Diana herself. She tilts her head back, gazing at what her girlfriend is riding on now, with its infamous red iron handle and elegant feathers.

"Isn't this... the legendary broom?"

"Now that's what you'd call a dramatic reunion!"

With a heave of her arm, Akko pulls Diana up toward the broom. Diana strains to reach up with her other hand. Akko keeps a firm hold on her now as Diana hauls herself up and over, not letting her go until she's sure she's safe.

Once Diana has taken a second to situate herself, Akko leans back and turns to her, giving Diana a small, quick kiss to her cheek.

"You okay?"

"Yes... Are you?"

"Me?" Akko grins. "Never better!"

At that moment, the Clamioh Solas falls from where it'd lost its form of the Shiny Volley and now lands right in its wielder's hand. Seconds later, a rain of those giant snakes comes down on them from above. Akko keeps her eyes set on them, waiting until the last second and then-

With a burst of incredible speed, Shooting Star takes off, slicing its way through the clouds. The monsters hiss and swerve, trying to keep pace.

Akko uses herself as bait, leading them away. When the creatures realize they can't keep up, they morph back together into one grotesque form, spiked on the outside with scales and on the inside with more teeth.

But Akko and Diana are much quicker. Shooting Star takes them higher, climbing into the atmosphere until even the wisps of clouds are gone. The entire planet is far beneath them now, and Akko knows this is a far enough distance to take care of this missile. The blessing from Lotte's faery and the clothes Chariot had provided for them make Akko and Diana immune to the dangers of the planet's atmosphere.

With the seconds of free time they've gained over the missile, Akko finally glances back and offers Diana her free hand. She feels the firm clap of Diana's palm in hers; she trusts Akko with all her heart.

Akko projects her will to Shooting Star, and it listens. With a small tug to Diana's wrist, Akko pulls them both off the legendary broom.

For a terrifyingly beautiful second, the two of them are floating in midair above the blue and green planet, with the lightyears of unknown space shining at their backs.

The missile is coming for them.

But Akko and Diana do not fall. Shooting Star positions itself beneath their boots, and for the first time since it was crafted and unrestrained, it stays perfectly still.

The two young witches stand firm now as the gaping red jaws of the missile unhinge and head straight for them. But even in spite of this, they have nothing to fear.

They can see the glimmering green vines of Yggdrasil now, branching out from all across the entire planet. The manifestation of everyone's feelings, taking form and climbing higher and higher into the sky, right towards them. What every person thought was a small, seemingly insignificant emotion by itself now all come together and create something incredible, something beautiful, something powerful. The entire world is charged with positive energy in this moment, all of it for those two little witches.

Diana rests a steady hand on the small of Akko's back and turns to her. There's a dazzling glow radiating off of her, countless particles of magic just ready to move as she wills them. A soft rush of air pulls at her hair and her clothes, reminding her to breathe.

Akko's hands are firm around the Clamioh Solas now as she holds it close to her chest, her eyes closed in concentration as she beseeches it.

"Please, Grand Triskelion. If you can truly change the world, I want to make a world where everyone can smile with each other!" Her chestnut eyes open wide now, sparkling brighter than any star around them. "A believing heart is everyone's magic!"

Her smile knocks the brightness of the sun down to second place as she finally turns to Diana.

And Diana hopes her own smile can give Akko at least half the joy Akko's gives to her.

All thoughts of fear, fatigue, and doubt are banished from their minds and hearts.

Diana reaches out for the Clamioh Solas as well, but knowing she is not truly its rightful wielder, she does not make contact with it. Instead, she rests her hand over Akko's.

In all this thrilling turbulence, it is a soft, tender contact, one that nearly brings tears to Akko's eyes. She leans closer, brushing her forehead against Diana's, and giggles the most innocent laugh.

Innocence. Purity. Love.

It all surges around them, over them, through them. Combined with the impenetrable force of everyone's belief, there's nothing that can stop them now.

The missile is drawing closer by the second, raging red, a clear abnormality tainting Yggdrasil's vines.

They have a second to spare. Just a second.

Akko uses it to brush her lips against Diana's temple, and murmurs into the tiny kiss.

"Let's do this!"

Together, they raise the Clamioh Solas, sharply lifting it high above their heads. And together, they shout out six wonderfully familiar words:

"Noctu Orfei!"

The magic takes form in a splash of bright light, expanding the smaller sword into a massive golden bow.

"Aude!"

Together, they bring the bow down, turning it, aiming it. The light of the entire world seems to be with them now. The power of faith and belief course through their veins and sparkle in their eyes.

From the place where Diana's hand supports Akko's, a ball of yellow light appears. Both girls use their free hands to grab it and pull back.

"Fraetor!"

From the massive bow, an even more colossal arrow of light takes form, burning with brightness and energy and magic. Yggdrasil's shimmering vines come together there, pouring all of the emotion of the peoples' hearts into the light, until it's ready to burst.

Akko and Diana give it the final push it needs, adding their own faith into the mix. The arrow of light and magic solidifies, taking form with seven star-like structures jutting out from all sides.

They can feel it all, every particle of magic pulsing through their bodies and in the world around them. All of it in this moment.

Together, they breathe.

Together, they steady their aim.

Together.

Together.

With their believing hearts beating as one, they pull back-

"SHINY- !"

-and fire.

"ARC!"

It streaks through the sky in a split second and collides with the missile. It ruptures, trembles, and then-

A plume of black smoke clogs the air as the creature finally bursts, but not even that darkness is allowed to linger for long.

Everyone had given their magic and their belief to the two witches. Akko and Diana had simply borrowed it for a moment. Now, they are giving it back.

The dark fog dissipates instantly when a much larger explosion of light stretches out across the sky. Akko and Diana watch from above as everyone's magic surges together one final time.

And then, with a giggle, it all spreads out and returns from whence it came.

Stars.

Millions of shooting stars, laden with wishes, encompass the entire planet, arcing out over every inch of the sky. They fall gently, creating joy and happiness for all below who see them. Every color imaginable fills the sky, coating the planet in light.

With Yggdrasil revived, the entire planet and everything in it flourishes for this moment in time.

And from on high, Akko and Diana witness it all. They are the only ones able to, so they enjoy it for all it is worth, engraving this precious, beautiful, magical moment into their hearts.

But even with everyone's dreams and belief now returned to them, Yggdrasil does not vanish. It forms a massive, swirling, sparkling flower in the center of the sky, one that radiates color and light. Almost like a shield to protect the innocent hearts of everyone beneath it.

And it stays there, perhaps only visible for now, and perhaps only to those of magical blood. But it stays.

Something tells them it will always be there, even long after they are gone.

The world's saviors were but two young witches, but they could never have accomplished such a feat without the combined powers of every other person.

They gaze with adoration across this world, a world full of new hopes and dreams, new beginnings.

And they've never felt anything quite as incredible as this before. The sheer joy of allowing others to experience happiness, to show them how to believe.

It's all Akko's ever really wanted.

And though Diana's aspirations have expanded over the years, it had all begun with that very same wish.

These shooting stars can now grant wishes of their own, so long as whoever makes them continues to believe and strive for what it is that will make them happiest. The entire planet glows, and the stars twinkle.

With the threat now gone, Akko and Diana are surrounded in light and silence.

Peace. Tranquility. Serenity.

It's truly a breathtaking sight.

However, Akko's attention is soon drawn closer, down into her own hands.

Golden particles are beginning to rise up from the Shiny Rod. She can feel it becoming lighter and lighter by the second. It feels like a dream for a second until Diana's voice confirms it is real.

"The Rod-"

Akko feels the sudden swell of tears surging up.

But she won't cry. She doesn't. There is no reason to anymore.

So instead she smiles, and lifts the Shiny Rod high above her head, offering it back unto the stars and the sky.

And just like that it vanishes from her hands.

All seven stars return to their rightful place in the sky, maintaining the same formation they'd held on the staff itself. The Big Dipper once again shines brightly within the galaxy, with all its millions of companion stars surrounding it.

Akko watches it take back its true form.

And it's bittersweet.

Because this was Chariot's staff before her.

This was the staff that had revealed itself to Akko within Arcturus Forest on her first day as a Luna Nova student.

This was the staff that had seen her through it all.

And now she has to give it back.

But that doesn't mean she's lost it.

The Seven Stars will always be there, watching over her and all that she loves.

And the Seven Words will always be inside her heart.

"Thank you, Shiny Rod!"

In this moment, the entire galaxy reflects in her eyes, shining with every star that holds every wish ever made, and all those yet to be made.

And despite her efforts, the tears come down anyway. But they are not of regret. Only joy.

She smiles and laughs through it all as she wipes her eyes again and again. Diana wraps both arms gently around her, pulling her close, keeping her near.

Shooting Star begins to lower itself, inch by inch, easing itself down through the stars. Akko cries into Diana's collar, clinging to her with all the force she can muster.

Akko has just saved the world. She's kept everyone safe. So for now, Diana keeps her safe, shielding her with her own body, allowing her to cry as freely as she wants. She smiles, resting her head against Akko's, and a few tears of her own slip out.

"Akko..." She turns her face and murmurs softly into her hair. "You have done it."

Her words hold finality alongside truth. It makes it all real again, makes Akko understand that it's all finally over. And she'd done it. No-

"No..." Shaking her head, Akko lifts her face and presents Diana with a bright smile. "We did it, Diana. I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you... for believing in me..."

And she doesn't just mean for helping her pull back the bowstring. If it hadn't been for Diana finding her out in the snow, bringing her inside and revealing her deepest secrets to her, telling Akko she believed in her heart...

Akko knows she never would have made it here alone.

Now, she shows her appreciation at long last.

She rests her hands on either side of Diana's face, atop her soft fluffy hair, and pulls her down. Diana keeps her hands on Akko's back, in the very spot where she'd nudged her forward earlier.

Many can claim they have kissed beneath the stars.

But few, if any, can claim to have kissed among them.

The air around them is neither warm nor cold as they continue to descend. Their clothes and the magic around them prevent them from being affected by the elements of space and the atmosphere.

But the places where they make contact with one another are warm.

It is a warmth that radiates from within their hearts, spreading out to fill every inch of them with love. And no spot is warmer than their lips, the spot where they come together.

Bit by bit, they are brought back down to earth.

And they share a kiss on every level.

Between the stars.

Above the clouds.

Beneath the rays of the sun.

Until they are below the treetops once again.

And at last, they find themselves back at Luna Nova, where all of this had begun.

Their friends and professors have flown back to meet them here, and are all in tears calling for them now.

Akko and Diana ease back from their final kiss, knowing it would look like a simple hug to those below. They take each others' hands now and face their companions.

Shooting Star drops them off just a foot shy of the ground, and both girls hop down together. Having served its purpose for now, the legendary broom takes off once again to continue orbiting this magical planet.

Hand-in-hand, Akko and Diana turn to greet their friends with smiles on their lips, stars in their eyes, and warmth in their believing hearts.

---------

A/N: Ah, finally there we have it! There was a lot I wanted to mention in this fic, (including all the little girlfriend moments they share).

And I wanted to appreciate how Diana acts in canon during this scene. Everything was so fast in the show, but you'll notice how focused on Akko Diana was, always checking to see where she was, looking out for her to keep her safe. I wanted to acknowledge that in writing since the show glossed over it for the sake of the action.

I also wanted to make the point of Shooting Star, which was meant to fly and move constantly, only staying still at the end for Akko and Diana to stand on it. I think that was a really cool tidbit on Trigger's part.

And lastly the inclusion of space. I know a lot of people probably didn't think of it this way, but after the missile explodes and the magic spreads across the world, it's in the form of shooting stars, which is what people make wishes on. People give their belief to the stars, and that's why the stars carry magic.

And don't worry, there is an epilogue!