Marcus sat silently in his pilot seat, gazing unseeingly out into the broad, vast beauty of the Lylat system.
He'd tacked down the rest of Dash Bowman's team; sure, it'd taken him a little less than a month, but he'd done it. The Morbids that had destroyed the one he loved were now justly punished- gone forever. Using DNA analyzes from Scarlet and tissue testing, along with internal organ sanning, he'd intricately pieced a plan together to track down and destroy the last of the deadly virus. Needless to say, Dash and his team were gone. Died shortly after the Morbids had invaded their bodies.
Scarlet lasted from her deep meditation methods. She withdrew into her deepest, more inner self, preserving what little life she had left as long as she could.
The doctors finally forbidded marcus to visit the vixen, he hadn't seen her in 3 months. And the brave, strong, fearless vulpine had given up hope. He knew the reason the doctor's told him not to come; the treatments, transplants, and implants they were giving Scarlet were disturbingly inhumane, but they were trying everything they could with their advanced technology to save the vixen.
Marcus sat as still as a stone. He didn't know what to do next. He knew Scarlet wasn't alive right now, and even if she was, she wouldn't be for long.
He looked up suddenly and saw a single star that shone like a pure diamond. It twinkled brightly in the dark, velvety sky, like the Star of Hope.
Marcus felt an enexplicable ache in his heart, and a small tear slowely slide down his cheeck. He looked up at the star with tear filled eyes, and said the little chant he's said many times as a child.
"Star light, star bright. First star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight."
Marcus took a deep breath.
"I- I wish that I could have a second chance..."
That was all that Marcus could get out without choking up. He suddenly felt a flood of peace come over him. He heard a sound behind him... a door opening...
He turned slowely around and looked up.
"I must be dreaming-"
Marcus stood, eyes wide and mouth open. There right before his eyes, was Scarlet. She wasn't the same way she was before, he knew she wouldn't be, but it was her.
Scarlet looked timidly up.
Marcus stood still for a moment, unsure of what to do.
He opened his mouth, the words barely audiable.
"Scarlet... I'm... sorry..."
Scarlet let out a stiffled cry, and Marcus crossed the room and in a moment she was in his arms.
Tears of happiness streamed down both of their faces.
"I am so sorry... so, so sorry, Scarlet..."
Marcus held her for a long time, repeating his apology over and over.
Scarlet pushed back, looking into his face. He gazed back. He knew he was forgiven.
They stayed in the command room most of the night. Marcus was filled with immense joy, he was forgiven. Scarlet was jubinently happy, she had someone who loved her.
And all I'll say now, is that they lived...
...happily ever after.

The End