The fire was reflected in her eyes, creating the image of burning oceans there. She continued staring into the massive fire in the center of one of the castle plazas; apparently it was a place for these specific rituals. Her leader was beside her, his arms crossed behind his back, his orange eyes also reflecting the blazing bonfire. It was a while before he spoke, as his attention was focused on the wolves and panthers that were slowly circling the fire and the two burning bodies within. He finally opened his mouth to speak.

"Have you thought about what this was all for, Larxene?"

Larxene gave a start, unprepared for the question itself. "I..." She looked to the side at him. "This was to... protect Strafe, and ensure his safety."

"Was that all?"

Larxene continued to look at him as the wolves howled softly. "No, it wasn't," she answered finally. "It was because no one here was going to change the Pack. If we hadn't interfered, the Pack would have continued going on the way they were. If we just stood by and let things go by with Bellacruxia, what would we be?" Another thought struck her. "So did we do this to keep our honor? Were we being selfish? Seeing this opportunity and taking it to benefit ourselves?"

Xemnas smiled at her. "It depends on how you look at it," he rumbled. "Why did you help them?"

"I helped them because they needed it!" Larxene said to her leader. "I told you before: I was going to protect that kid from Bellacruxia. As a result, I realized that the Pack would need help, too, if Strafe were to ever be safe from Bellacruxia. I did it..." Larxene took a shaky breath. "...I did it out of love..."

Xemnas smiled at her this time, pride as well as firelight dancing in his eyes. "You've grown up so much, Larxene," he said softly as the panthers began yowling, quiet and mournful. "I remember you well in our time in the realm of the living, and in the past few years you've changed. As I recall those years, I can see the gradual change in you. I'm proud that it's for the better."

Larxene was taken aback by her Superior's praise toward her. "I didn't change all on my own," she murmured. "I had a few triggers..." And with that she looked wispily at Axel, who was talking quietly to Stok a few paces away, and Strafe, who was holding the Beta's hand. The boy's eyes were red and puffy from crying.

Xemnas followed her gaze, then returned his own to the Nymph. "And it all started with Axel's arrival into this realm," he said.

Larxene looked to him. "No," she said quietly. "I believe it started from when we first met. Fate and destiny be damned, though; things all just led up to everything else. You're right, though: Axel's arrival, and the repossession of our hearts, helped me change and mature from what I was."

"And what were you?" Xemnas asked, like a mentor to a student.

Larxene grinned. "A selfish bitch with a big mouth who'd lynch little children on her good days."

Xemnas, despite himself, chuckled warmly.

The slow and mournful calls of the panthers and wolves rose with the smoke, melting into the dying night, the fading moon receiving even the faintest flicker of flame and the tiniest trickle of smoke, as the rosy pink of dawn approached.

"Hey, kid," Larxene called as she kneeled in front of him. "So...this is it, huh?"

Strafe looked at her solemnly. "I gotta stay here," he said to her. "Stok's gonna teach me, so when I can lead the Pack I'll be able to do it right." In the meantime, Stok -being a Beta- would lead the Pack until Strafe was of proper age.

Larxene nodded curtly. "You're right," she murmured. "You can't run from your responsibilities. This is your duty, and it lies with the Pack." She ruffled his sandy blond hair, and let her gloved hand cup his cheek. "Besides, a wolf like you would want to be with others of your kind. A kid like you would eventually want to be with other kids your age."

Strafe neither nodded nor shook his head. Instead he held her wrist, as Larxene's thumb began stroking his cheek. "You'll come visit me, right, Larxene? And Axel, too?" At this last part he looked to the pyro beside Larxene.

"Of course, Strafe," Axel murmured softly, his green eyes reflecting Strafe's blue ones. "You know some good-byes aren't forever... However frickin' cheesy that line just sounded all of a sudden." He chuckled, and Strafe giggled as well. "Between you, me, and Larxene," he said to the boy, "I'd've wished for things to be different. Know what I mean? But that's too childish and selfish to wish for..." He put his hand on Strafe's head. "You've got a life."

Strafe smiled. "And will you keep on being my daddy?"

Axel's face grew solemn. "If you want me to, I will. Though when I learned of your real father, and when I saw what he did, I don't think I deserve that title." He noticed Larxene quickly glance at him, and he quickly, truthfully, added, "Don't get me wrong: I'd do the same for you whatever the circumstances..."

"That's not it," Larxene murmured, shaking her head. "I'll tell you later."

With that Axel turned his head back to Strafe, curious all the same about Larxene. "Sure, Strafe. I'll be your father for you." He pulled the child into a gentle embrace.

When Strafe and Axel broke apart, the boy looked to Larxene. "Larxene?" he asked tentatively.

"Hm?"

"Will you still be my mommy?" He shuffled his feet on the ground. "If you want to be..."

Larxene's eyes closed as she smiled. "Did you have to ask that?" she asked lightly. When Strafe looked back at her, she held his chin. "Of course I will, Strafe."

The Cub Prince smiled.

Larxene lay on her bed, idly stroking her stomach, which she realized hadn't yet begun to swell. Good, that way Axel wouldn't try to put two and two together without her telling him to. She realized she was probably not even a month along, anyway.

It had been half a day since they had departed from Santor Castle. Stok and Creena had been the ones to lead the Pack into seeing them off. Before preparing to leave, Creena had pulled Larxene away from the rest of the group to a small, secluded glade behind the Meadow of the Moon.

"I just wanted to thank you personally," Creena had said to the Savage Nymph. "Because of you, I can rest assured that my offspring will be free of Bellacruxia's edicts."

"The edicts are already being abolished?" Larxene had asked.

Creena nodded. "Stok is leading the Pack now, until Strafe is ready. He's going to try and rebuild and restore the Pack." She smiled fondly at the thought of her mate.

Larxene nodded. "Well, then. Is that all? Not to be rude, but I don't want to keep Xemnas waiting."

"Oh! And I wish you good luck with your own child."

"Wh...What?!"

Creena smiled, embarrassed. "I... figured it out..."

Now, as she sat up, Larxene smiled. Oh well. Eventually everyone would know, anyway, right?

There was a knock on her door, and Larxene knew who it would be. "I'm in," she called, and Axel stepped through.

"You wanted to see me?" he said, gently holding her hips. He kissed her, the gesture heated and suggestive, and Larxene snaked her tongue into his mouth, seizing hold of his spiky hair. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and Axel carefully took their bodies completely onto the bed, where he straddled her, suckling downward, below her bare collarbone. Larxene moaned for more, and Axel gave her just that, his hands now grasping her sides.

Soon their bodies moved together passionately with the tides, the ocean carrying them smoothly. Not a tempest nor a violent wave disturbed them in their beautiful voyage, as the stars poured their starlight onto the lovers.

Larxene and Axel reached the shore, and as the pyro tenderly kissed her lips once more, the lightning mistress huddled near his chest. "You're so beautiful...," Axel whispered into her ear. "Beautiful in every way."

Larxene gently nipped the nape of his neck, her teeth barely grazing the skin. "Yeah?" she responded. A quiet, breathless chuckle. "All I can say is that I'm glad I have you. But soon," she said, taking a deep breath, "it won't just be me who's glad to have you..."

Axel looked at her intently. "What do you mean?"

"Do you remember," Larxene said softly, "back when we were talking to Strafe? You said you didn't think you deserved to be called a father?"

"Yeah..."

"Well," Larxene pushed, "if you think that, how can you possibly hope to raise our own child?"

Axel sat up somewhat and stared at her, disbelief etched on his face. "Larx?" he breathed. "Are...Are you...?"

Larxene felt her eyes water for some reason. "Yes, I am," she answered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Soon, we'll see if you think you deserve the title of father."

Axel's emerald eyes danced with jubilations, and Larxene knew then and there that she would soon anticipate the coming of her firstborn. Axel leaned down and kissed her, hard and loving. The Nymph immediately responded, trying to taste every bit of his mouth that she could. Her arms wrapped around his neck, Larxene broke the kiss and embraced him, grateful for everything she had, as well as who she had and would soon have.

The next night brought the moon out with paling silver light, bathing the Santor Castle in its subtle beauty. In the forest in front of the massive structure, wolves were hunting. The creatures bayed to the moon as they ran on, feeling the wind whip through their fur and the forest scents greet their nostrils. The feel of the earth was absorbed into their pads, and they relished everything they experienced in this wild nature.

Above them, in the stars, the spirits of all the past Santors were romping and prancing joyfully.

A/N: Da end! Man, I'm almost sorry to end it! Wait... I AM sorry to end it... But fear not! There is another installment to be made!

Haha, here's what changed during this story plan-wise, as well as other little facts:

1. "Firestorm" was intended to be the sole sequel to "Pyroelectricity". Meaning that when I finished "Firestorm", that was it. But nope.
2. Ranik was intended to be worse than Bellacruxia, and therefore a villain.
3. Among several candidates, one was intended to be the one to take down Bellacruxia. First it was Strafe back in the dungeon, then I thought Ranik in the Meadow, then Larxene in the Meadow, and finally Marluxia in the Meadow. But I realized that the scene in this story had a more powerful and thought-provoking effect. More emotion-pricking, too, I thought. Last minute change, too.
4. Creena was intended to die, and later Stok.
5. Jink was intended to have a green coat, for some reason...
6. I didn't intend for Larxene to get pregnant, but the idea just flowed onto the story; gladly for the better.
7. Sadly, Ranik was intended to live and teach Strafe when the ordeal was over, but if there was no tragedy like his death, what's the point in certain aspects? Having JUST Bellacruxia die didn't seem quite sensible...
8. Although Ranik is in fact my own character, and therefore belongs to me, I modeled him after Erik the Opera Ghost from Phantom Of The Opera.
9. Demyx and Meytha were supposed to have a little part in the story solely to them, for them to get closer, but I decided to make it into a little one-shot for later on in the future.
10. Back when Ranik was still plotted in my head as a villain, it was intended for him and Xemnas to have a one-on-one fight in the climax, while Larxene took on Bellacruxia.
11. I have no idea where Bellacruxia came from, but now she's in my head... And I can't get her out.
12. Bellacruxia's original name was supposed to be Bellamuerta, which means "beautiful death". But I changed it to Bellacruxia because, to me, it had more appeal and more...menace? Yeah, that's it.
13. Strafe was going to be a panther Santor, not a wolf Santor.