Two weeks had passed since the battle, dubbed by the media as the 'Nightfall' Incident, and Odaiba was slowly rebuilding itself, with many citizens now feeling at ease knowing the Night Queen and the Dark Legion were defeated and behind bars, set within the highest of security systems as to avoid any escaping.

Composing himself, TK opened the hospital room door after being cleared by the officers on guard, walking in to see Matt on the bed, a bandage wrapped around his chest and handcuffs keeping him restrained, before the older blond looked with a solemn smile at his younger brother.

"TK." Matt greeted with a tone matching his smile as the younger blond came in, with TK still grateful that the doctors were able to save Matt in time, but also sad that, knowing once he got a clean bill of health, that his older brother would be sent to prison.

"Listen..." Matt then said as he tried to sit up, groaning from the pain he still felt, before the defeated villain looked at his brother and said. "I'm probably going to be gone for a long time after this. I regret a lot of things... but I was glad to be able to spend time with you, little bro. I'm proud of you, of the man you are and the man you'll be."

TK did his best to hold back his own tears, before he said with a smile that was a mix of happy and determination."Thanks, but I know you'll find a way out sooner than you think, and I'll be there when you do, making sure you walk the right path, or so help me I will put you back in this hospital myself."

Matt couldn't help but grin back at his brother, hoping that TK was right and that they could be together again soon.

-Meanwhile-

Entering the room they had prepared for him, Red Nova walked in front of the glass wall that separated him from Tagiru, who was bounded in a straightjacket and to a chair, with devices monitoring him to help suppress his powers, including a mouth guard as he narrowed his eyes at Mikey, even more so as he took his helmet off and looked at the bound villain.

"Tagiru, I am sorry things got this far, I can't help but think you were right, that this was my fault." Mikey said with empathy, unsure if Tagiru would hear him out, but he continued to speak.

"I can't imagine what you must've endured to see the world in such hatred that you would be willing to destroy it all, but I promise I will continue to make things right and help you see the good in others." The fiery hero then said, putting his helmet back on and turning to walk out, before looking back at Fusionist and adding in an almost challenging voice. "You have a great power, one that could do so much good in the world. Perhaps one day you can try and see what the world could look like through the eyes of a hero."

Tilting his head, Tagiru watched Red Nova leave, leaving the villain to his own thoughts, as well as the parting words of Mikey.

-Meanwhile-

An air of silence filled the small prison cell as Tai held a solemn look on his face.

Before him and dressed in prison fatigues, alongside a flameproof collar designed to keep her fire powers at bay, Sora sat adjacent, only she was staring at the ground before with a dead look in her eyes.

After the Mark of Shadows was finally removed, the orange haired girl was finally able to think for herself for the first time in years, to think clearly, and she was horrified at all she had done, remembering each and every life she had ended in a fiery death, all the while smiling as she did so.

It left Sora feeling broken inside, especially when she willingly tried to hurt those she loved.

'I was a monster... I allowed myself to do such horrible things, and I never questioned myself...' Sora thought to herself, allowing her pain and misery to consume her, before feeling a slight warmth when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, causing her to turn her head up to see Tai looking down at her with a soft smile.

"You're not to blame for anything you did, Sora. The authorities already know that. Give them time and you'll be out of here before you know it." The brunette said with a smile, though slightly forced, as he wasn't sure how to act with Sora anymore, still confused as to what was real about her and what was an act due to the Mark.

"Sora." Tai then said as he looked upon the orange haired girl with continued sincerity and told her. "I could never imagine what you are going through, but just remember that you still have others who care about you, who still love you, and I promise I'll be there for you whenever you need me, to help you through your pain. You might've been manipulated by Kari, but I know your kindness was all you."

Removing his hand from Sora's shoulder, Tai then turned to leave, letting out a sigh as he wondered what he would do with his life, before his eyes widened as he felt something press against his back, turning his head to see Sora holding him from behind, pressing her face into his back as she teared up.

"Tai... please believe me... not everything was fake... my... my feelings for you are real... I love you... please believe me..." Sora said through her tears, fearing that these events had driven the man she loved from her and that he would never return her feelings again.

But looking up at Tai, Sora began to tear up at the sweet smile the brunette gave.

"Nothing could stop me from loving you, you should know that by now." Tai told Sora, managing to turn himself around and set his arms around her, holding her closely and gently.

Not wanting to let go, Sora held her beloved close, hoping that one day, she could not only redeem herself for her past, but also forgive herself as well.

-Meanwhile-

As Tai finished his visit with Sora, making sure he didn't leave until he was certain there was part of her still trusting in herself, within a much more secure cell, and after having passed through all the security checks to be allowed in, Davis was in a similar situation as he stood before Kari, who was also wearing prison fatigues as she sat on the bed, with seals placed all over the walls to help restrain her magical abilities, less she tried to escape.

For her own part, Kari was left with much doubt, looking back and finding her vision for a better world more twisted and misguided than she realized, that Zhaitan had manipulated her all these years and had warped her mind to imagine such a terrible place, a realm of eternal darkness to be her own desires, all to lure Davis and herself in an attempt to draw the darkness from within them out and recreate an ancient terror.

"I've done horrible things... and in the end, I wanted them." Kari said aloud with a sigh as she looked down to her feet, not wanting to look at Davis, to look at the man who meant the world to her, her soulmate who she harmed in ways she never thought possible, fearing the hate and loathing he often gave her as the Night Queen now being directed at her.

However, much to her surprise, Kari then felt someone sit down next to her on the bed, before placing a comforting arm around her, pulling her so that her head was resting on his shoulder, a gesture she did not refuse, while Davis smiled down at her and began to gently stroke her hair.

"After everything I've done, you're still here for me?" Kari had to ask, turning her eyes up to look upon Davis' face, where she saw his smile.

"Of course. When we were younger, I made a promise to look out for you, to be there for you." Davis replied with a heavy sigh as he then said. "I know I failed that promise and let this all happen, but I will keep my word. This time I'll always be there for you. Whenever you need me, just ask and I will be here."

Kari closed her eyes, feeling the tears begin to form as she listened to Davis' caring words, before she remembered Rika and Nene, seeing the care they both shared for her love, where she began to then say. "I'm going to be here for a long time, Davis. You... you should move on, find someone who can be the girl you deserve and..."

"I can't move on, not when a part of me is here with you. You are the love of my life, and I will wait for you, for as long as it takes." Davis cut in with a sincere and loving tone, causing a smile to appear on Kari's face as she sat there in silence, enjoying what time she still had with Davis before he had to leave for the day.

Hours later, having thought seeing Davis was all that would happen for the day, the time of which she cherished, Kari was surprised to find herself in a visitor's room, sitting before a table after the guards led her there, confusion filling her, before seeing the door open, surprised to see Vixen walk in with a white book in hand.

Once the door closed, and making sure the camera's were off, Vixen sat on the other side of the table, where she removed her mask and hood, allowing Kari to see Rika's true face, staring ahead to see the redhead smile at her.

"Is there something I can do for you, Rika?" Kari asked in a neutral tone, part of her wondering if the mystic heroine and daytime model had come to gloat on her locked up status and Davis now being available.

"This won't be made public for a few weeks, but after a conversation with Commissioner Sampson, the Odaiba PD will be launching a new program, the Redemption Project, which will give a chance for former villains to reform themselves, after some training and closely monitored services, before being allowed back into society, assigned to particular hero groups." Rika informed as she took a sheet out of the book and handed it to Kari, who took the document and read through the details, where the redhead then added. "Three of your former associates have signed up already, and I want you to be the fourth."

This surprised Kari, but the brunette quickly looked down as she then stated. "I doubt the city will allow me to sign up for this, plus it's hard to play the hero with the dark magic I know."

"Then start over and reinvent yourself." Rika then added as she slid the book over to Kari, where the mystic then added. "This is the first book I read from when I started learning magic. It's yours now."

"Kari, you have a stronger connection to magic than anyone I have ever met, and that includes Bagra. Plus, after what we were told and what we saw, I know there is a powerful pull to the Light within you." Rika told Kari, getting up as she then added with a growing smile. "Think on it, in a year's time, you could be out of here, and maybe fighting beside Davis instead of against him."

This caused Kari's eyes to widen.

If this works as Rika said it would, she could be with Davis again, and that thought alone motivated her.

But looking to see Rika turn to walk out, about to put her mask and hood back on, one thought lingered, forcing Kari to ask. "Why are you doing all this for me?"

Stopping in her tracks at the question, but not looking immeditale at Kari, Rika replied in an honest tone. "I'm not. I'm doing this for that wonderful, kind, almost hopeless man who believes you are worth a second chance."

Turning back to Kari, the brunette could see the solemn smile on Rika's face as she then said. "Make sure you prove him right."

Rika then left the room, leaving Kari with her new book, and a new vision of the future, one that would see her and Davis back together again.

-Hours later-

Standing by one of the shattered windows of their base, Davis looked out at the reconstruction of Odaiba, wearing his full V-Force outfit, minus his helmet, which he held in his arms, while behind them, the rest of the Protectors, including Cody and Joe, were welcoming their newest member, where Azumi looked around the place.

"Don't mind the mess, thankfully only the windows got shattered during that battle." Cody informed from his seat by the monitors, looking over as small robotic drones Izzy had built, which were in the midsts of repairing the rest of the base, while said tech hero was off to the side, finishing the system checks on his new and improved suit.

"It's not bad at all, better than the places I've been hanging." The raven haired heroine said as she looked around the base, before smiling as her eyes landed on Henry, who also had his helmet off, allowing Azumi to get a better look at his face, and liking what she saw, while Henry blushed at her staring at him, causing Suzie to giggle at her brother's antics.

Meanwhile, Nene looked over to see Davis, with TK and Tai near him, all looking over the city, before the brunette idol walked over to the group and asked in concern, though focusing on Davis more than anyone. "Are you guys alright?"

"I'm doing better, thanks." TK replied first, feeling more at peace then he had in a while now that he and Matt had talked once more, and vowed to remain on his path and look forward to the day his brother was a free man again.

"I'll get there." Tai then added, still feeling the of what his sister had done, and what Sora had gone through, but knew there was still good in both of them, and vowed to help them return to the light as best he could.

"We'll both get there eventually." Davis finally remarked, knowing the pain both Tai and TK were going through, but knew things would get better in the end.

As the others walked over to the group, looking out, Suzie was the first to speak as she said. "I know this might sound bad, but Odaiba is in a better position with Kari and the Legion behind bars."

"In the end, they were all puppets in Zhaitan's clutches, don't forget that." Rika said in reply, reminding them that many in the Legion were just misguided.

"Still, that darkness in her..." Nene started to say as she clenched her fist, despising the former Night Queen for all she had done, for possessing her with a Shadow Demon, and most of all, for the pain she caused Davis.

But before she could continue, Davis cut in and said. "It's the same darkness that's inside of me."

Holding out his helmet, Davis looked down at it and added. "If things had played out differently, it could easily have been me out there causing havoc. Kari and I are connected in ways we never imagined. But knowing that, I know there is Light in her as well, and with time, she will come back to it."

From Davis' words, many smiled in agreement, while Nene silently nodded her head, still not trusting the brunette, but trusted Davis nonetheless.

"So what now?" Mimi had to ask, not sure where things would go from here.

A determined look on his face, Davis placed his helmet on and stated. "The Night Queen and the Dark Legion might be gone, but Odaiba still needs their heroes to look out for it. Others might try and fill the void they left, and Psychonis and Shadowknight are still out there somewhere, and we need to remain vigilant."

As if on cue, their comms kicked in as they heard Thomas on the other end state. "Protectors, Kurata apparently escaped during the chaos of Nightfall and is now running rampant across downtown, we could use some assistance."

A sec later, the Protectors looked to see Responder fly by, where the tech hero looked at them and said. "We'll meet you guys there!"

Nodding as they watched him take off, the Protectors left to join the fray.

Meanwhile, flying down the streets, behind his helmet, Haru could not help but smile as citizens below cheered for him, no longer seeing the Vigilant as some mischievous group of teenagers, but real heroes, before flying up to see his teammates waiting for him on a rooftop.

"Nice of you to join us. We were thinking about going on without you." Tora commented jokingly, causing Eri to give him a light smack to the back of his head, giggling as she watched him fumble for a bit, before focusing her attention back on Haru and asked with a friendly smile. "How's Ai doing?"

"Well, Vixen hooked her up with some colleagues to help her understand her magical abilities, but who really knows what will happen after that." Haru replied, with the whole team wondering if maybe Ai could join them in the future.

Haru then turned to Yujin, who was in human form, and said. "I plan on sitting down with HiTech later this week to go over your condition and..."

"Haru..." Yujin then cut in, before saying with a smile. "I've thought about this a lot. I kept thinking of what happened to me as a curse. But, without it, I could not have done all that I've done in the past year, nor could I have fought with all of you."

The redhead then changed into his half-wolf form, where he then said with a smirk. "So instead of seeing this as a curse, I'm going to own it, and be a hero, like the rest of you."

This caused the rest of the Vigilant to smile, before the sounds of something smashing a distance from them was heard, causing the heroes to quickly leap into action.

"Looks like Razor Wolf is back on the prowl." Tora said with a smile as the team then took off, not noticing the hooded individual, who they knew as Infiltrator, smiling at them from the crowd, knowing the city was in good hands.

Not that far off, the officers of the Odaiba PD quickly moved out of the way as the lumbering form of Kurata kicked a police vehicle out of the way, the monstrous villain laughing as his mind had returned to him during his imprisonment.

"Yes! Run, flee, cower before me!" Kurata yelled with an insane laugh, before a whistling sound caught his attention, causing him to turn with a feral look, only to pale at what he saw, looking up to see not just the StarCorps, but the Protectors and Vigilant as well.

"So... are we going to do this the easy way, or the fun way?" Marcus asked as he slammed his fists together, causing the monstrous villain to give a nervous gulp.

"A hero's work is never done." Davis commented as the gathering of heroes leaped out to take the villain down.

.

.

.

.

Deep beneath the earth, in a dark lit temple, a group of five individuals knelt before a dark fire.

"I am not done with my Champion or her lover. Bring them to me, my Circle of Shadows." Zhaitan said to the gathering.

"As you desire, great one." The lone female of the five replied, while behind them, many glowing red eyes could be seen in the darkness.

Meanwhile, in another world, a dark being overlooked the world around him, seeing it burning and being consumed in darkness, before two other beings, emissaries of the Dark Ones, approached the figure from behind.

"Our apologies for interrupting you and your work, but the Dark Ones have a task for you when you are done. It involves another world... one with other Ascended." One emissary said, causing the being to turn to them.

And behind their mask... He smiled wickedly.

AN: Thanks to all for reading this story, but the show isn't over yet, stay toon for the eventual sequel to Hero's Justice in due time.