The End...

[strangerpeople]

THE END...

[When the Titled wake up next, it's to void darkness.

There is nearly nothing left after what has happened, save for the blackness. Save for themselves, the Dragonborn and Serana as they hold each other, the Thalmor prisoner (who is clearly in shock), the body of the dragon they had attacked in the distance, the tower in the even further distance...

and an old man, sitting on nothing, clapping wildly.]

Bravo! Bravo!! Encore!! That was just amazing.

[Confetti starts to fill the air. It catches fire mid-way to the..ground. Whatever counts as ground now.]

Nothing like a good old world-ending riot, I always say! You all deserve an award for ending the universe as I knew it. Have some bread!

[Bread that looks like Papyrus' pops into their hands. It smells like chicken and god only knows what it tastes like.]

Go on, have a bite!

[This was probably not what anyone was expecting when the world ended.]

Comments

[carries_war]

[That voice. The voice he never thought he'd hear again, after condemning him to death. He doesn't even think to correct Yusuke about his name. He just runs forward over the nothingness to lunge forward into a relieved hug. Futaba's idea worked...they're all going to make it out of this.]

[pursuitofbeauty]

"Rube-- oh!"

The redhead slams into him with what feels like the force of a small car. Yusuke reflexively hugs back, still wearing that quietly stunned expression. He doesn't even care that he's being squeezed like there's an anaconda trying to crush him.

"This is the second time I've been brought back from some form of alternate existence. The warm welcome is rather nice, though."

[carries_war]

I was so afraid...I'd let all you guys down.

[Hope Yusuke doesn't mind a bit of dampness on the front of his shirt...]

I...I took care of Futaba, just like I promised.

[pursuitofbeauty]

"I knew you would. Thank you, Rubedo."

Hugging is so strange-- Madarame was never affectionate-- but it feels so good to know he was missed. Though he'd only been with some of these people a couple of weeks before his death, the bond they share is strong.

"But I'm just as glad to know you survived as well."

[carries_war]

You've got the rest of these guys to thank for that. I don't think I could've made it without them.

[pursuitofbeauty]

"You kept them together, didn't you? And in turn, I know they supported you when you needed it. Even though there was no way for me to see what was happening here, I know you all survived because you helped one another."

It's sappy and sentimental, but where else would they find the strength to thwart this morbid game if not within each other?

[carries_war]

Yeah...

[His grip loosens somewhat, enough for him to pull back one arm to wipe his eyes.]

We all looked out for each other. And when they tried to make us vote for Maglor...we'd had enough. I'd had enough.

[pursuitofbeauty]

"They tried to deceive you into voting for him?" That's a frown darkening Yusuke's face. "I'm assuming the one responsible is dead, though I must say I'm sorry I missed the chance to help in the fight."

Yusuke's anger cools as he examines the redhead's face, the sight of those tears and the emotions shining clearly through both words and expression finally reaching the artist. "Rubedo? You seem different. More... human."

[carries_war]

The one responsible for all of this is dead.

[He finally lets go, wiping the last of the tears from his eyes. He's smiling, a genuine smile that touches both his mouth and his eyes.]

And I know...amazing what fourteen years of trying to form a new identity can do to a guy, huh? By the way, it's Jr. now. Gaignun Kukai Jr.

[pursuitofbeauty]

"Fourteen?" Yusuke blinks owlishly. "My word. So that means you're actually... in your late twenties?"

It really is amazing what those fourteen years have done. Rubedo... Junior... is smiling a real smile. There is warmth in his face and voice, shining directly from his heart. It's beautiful.

"I can see it. You're no longer the weapon you despised, you are your own person. I am happy for you, my friend."

[carries_war]

Twenty-six, yeah. I stopped aging when I was twelve. It's a real pain in the ass, but...you're right. My body's the only thing that's stayed the same. I've become a hell of a lot more than my bastard father ever planned.

[pursuitofbeauty]

"They do say living well is the best revenge." Yusuke rests his hands on Junior's shoulders. "But I've learned that being happy for your own sake is the most important facet of a good life. That is what I wish for you."

[carries_war]

Well, my life wasn't exactly happy last I remember. Some ghosts decided to creep back from my past and stir up trouble...but before that, I think I was doing pretty well for myself. I bet you'd love the Foundation.

[pursuitofbeauty]

"If only I could see it. My world is safe now, I remembered what the Phantom Thieves accomplished. Still, I don't think I could leave my friends behind for good to travel to other worlds. If there was only a way for us to move freely between each others' worlds...."

[carries_war]

That might just be possible. We're getting to design a new world here...if that bitch and her goons could bring us here from our own worlds, makes sense that we'd be able to create a way to go back and forth.