After eight long, difficult weeks of fighting, you've finally done it. You've put an end to Neo Metal Sonic's dreams of conquest and with it, you've saved not only this world, but all worlds. Perhaps not everything is wrapped up as neatly as some of you would like, but you've done what you set out to do, and now you can breathe a sigh of relief.
In the hours that follow the immediate aftermath of Neo Metal Sonic's defeat, Tails sets about figuring out how to control the Egg Fleet and recall them to where Neo Metal Sonic had them stationed. Sonic heads out into the city - and then even further beyond - to ensure that the people are starting to regain their senses without anyone to suppress their free will anymore. Knuckles escorts you back to the base, then takes a ring to hop into the Void to let Shadow and Infinite know what's going on.
As for you all? You aren't expected to do any work, because you've done so much today. Take a load off and take the time to rest - you deserve it.
For those of you who can't wait to get home, you're welcome to grab a ring from one of your colorful friends and head straight back, but for those of you willing to take the night off and regroup in the morning, you'll find that said colorful friends have put together a party for you - or, well, they tried their best. The decorations are store-bought (or not) and simple, Sonic seems to have thought confetti is the best way to throw a party and there is so much of it getting showered on all of you the moment you walk into the room, and someone obtained a sheet cake that did not have any sort of message on it, so an awkwardly scrawled message of "THANKS FOR HELP" is written in bright green icing that clashes with the cake's soft pink and red color scheme. An attempt was made.
You're welcome to hang out here - both in the new base and in this world as a whole - for as long as you'd like. Permanently, even, if you don't have any intention of going home. After all, you've more than earned it. Sonic and friends will gladly help you figure out a way to get settled here.
If you do choose to stay for any length of time and head out into the city, you'll find that people are indeed starting to return to their daily lives. They don't really understand - or remember - what happened, but they do recognize you as someone they have some innate fondness for, regardless of how startling your appearance may be to them. The city itself has seen better days thanks to the spread of Eggman's chroma, but thankfully the natural elements are recovering from that just fine. The buildings, streets, and the like will not naturally recover, so it seems Chicago's going to require some pretty intensive rebuilding...
But for the time being, everything is going smoothly, and you've done everything that was asked of you. You're free to return home. If you do, your shard may eventually come loose and simply fall off, ridding you of both the shard and its powers. Or maybe it won't, and you'll have that memory of your time in this world forever, along with the power innate to you and the ones you can activate from your fellow shardbearers whenever you're near each other.
Congratulations, shardbearers. You've done the impossible, and maybe even formed some new bonds along the way.
( Welcome to the final log of Shardbond! With this, you have successfully navigated your way through the Sonic friendship game and no one died! Hooray!!! For this final log, you may do whatever you'd like - if you want to use this to do an immediate aftermath top level, go for it! Party top level? Sure? Post-game top level? Have fun! You want to bring a castmate in and NPC them or have someone else play them? Also cool! Generally speaking, you are now free to do what you will with the setting as a whole - your fuzzy little friends will be hard at work making sure that you all are able to get home and/or get settled just fine, and they'll also be keeping an eye out for one (1) Neo Metal Sonic. And also Infinite, I guess, unless someone wants to take that stray jackal with them but like, no one needs that. )
I will be heading back first to see a familiar face with dear Jasper - you see, before all of this, I was hanging out with this friend of mine, and some lady who had rescued us in space.
Following that, I was planning on heading back to his homeworld with him. After settling matters there, I would imagine exploring different worlds will be on the table, though it is also to ensure that I've the chance to reunite or visit those I have met on this journey. It isn't very often someone like myself manages to make such close connections...and it will be a shame if I just let them all fall away, hm? Time is short, as a fellow long-lived being, you would understand, yes?
[ They'll discuss the matters more in detail with Jasper, though they wanted to settle those two things first before leaping into exploration of different worlds - yet, it is something definitely on their table. ]
What about yourself? I understand that you have a job back home, though I wonder is it something you see yourself as doing forever.
The specifics do need actual working out after the two matters are more or less are finished, but you are certainly correct.
[ Going back to Earth completely isn't exactly within the cards, yes. Space and multiple world crossings and travels? That is what they're aiming for. ]
And yes, while there are those I can more or less...help that issue along, I can't do the same for everyone else.
[ Some people just want to live a normally long-lived life and all. ]
...As for your problem with being an immortal yourself, do you plan then on leaving it soon or in a certain number of years?
To be honest, I haven't thought greatly about my plans.
[He'd left Hell initially simply because he didn't feel like doing the job anymore. He and Maze had had a rather simple lifestyle before Lucifer met Chloe. Sex and partying had been a large component. Lucifer isn't the sort to be ashamed of it, but it does feel incredibly empty now.]
I shall... have to see what happens in the future.
Well, I'm sure arranging visits with familiar faces isn't something that can be too difficult to plan, yes?
[ Void Archives offers something like a reasonable spot of advice. He seems to be at a sort of crossroads here, and they do understand not knowing what the future may not bring.
Associating consistently with familiar faces, they feel, might only continue to help. ]
The universe is vast, and you have a lot of time on your hands. Eventually, you shall find your way. Maybe continuing to see where other paths lead will help you discover yours.
[ Hah, that sounded pretty wise, didn't it? Please, someone give them a round of applause. ]
[Given everything that has happened here, Lucifer absolutely has reason to keep in touch, especially for those in the group who will live for a long, long time now.]
Perhaps you should consider giving motivational speeches.
[This isn't sarcasm, he's completely genuine. That's a bona fide compliment from Lucifer!]
[ It is much the very same for them - they have no intentions of allowing their meaningful bonds go without any chance of further contact. The future is mutable, but they believe that such things can remain strong even after the mission has been completed, and some go their separate ways. ]
Well, I am glad you not only agree, but do so happen to believe quite a big deal in myself doing so with ease. Yes, I would undoubtedly inspire others quite well in ways that no one else could potentially conceive of!
[ ...okay, that is a bit egotistical, but they received the praise well, and that is what matters. ]
[That's absolutely egotistical, but Lucifer's brows raise in that way that indicates that he's delighted by the attitude and not particularly bothered by their words.]
I'm certain you'll have plenty of novel ways to do it!
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the beginning of the end
[He knows very little of their past, of what they were doing before. It interests him, though he doesn't press for answers.]
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Following that, I was planning on heading back to his homeworld with him. After settling matters there, I would imagine exploring different worlds will be on the table, though it is also to ensure that I've the chance to reunite or visit those I have met on this journey. It isn't very often someone like myself manages to make such close connections...and it will be a shame if I just let them all fall away, hm? Time is short, as a fellow long-lived being, you would understand, yes?
[ They'll discuss the matters more in detail with Jasper, though they wanted to settle those two things first before leaping into exploration of different worlds - yet, it is something definitely on their table. ]
What about yourself? I understand that you have a job back home, though I wonder is it something you see yourself as doing forever.
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[He's pleased, actually. It sounds like being away from their world is the best situation.]
I can't say I blame you; time is precious, among mortals.
[As for his job, he shakes his head.]
No, likely not. Not because I'll get bored, but because of the nature of things. It'll be obvious, given I do not age.
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[ Going back to Earth completely isn't exactly within the cards, yes. Space and multiple world crossings and travels? That is what they're aiming for. ]
And yes, while there are those I can more or less...help that issue along, I can't do the same for everyone else.
[ Some people just want to live a normally long-lived life and all. ]
...As for your problem with being an immortal yourself, do you plan then on leaving it soon or in a certain number of years?
no subject
[He'd left Hell initially simply because he didn't feel like doing the job anymore. He and Maze had had a rather simple lifestyle before Lucifer met Chloe. Sex and partying had been a large component. Lucifer isn't the sort to be ashamed of it, but it does feel incredibly empty now.]
I shall... have to see what happens in the future.
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[ Void Archives offers something like a reasonable spot of advice. He seems to be at a sort of crossroads here, and they do understand not knowing what the future may not bring.
Associating consistently with familiar faces, they feel, might only continue to help. ]
The universe is vast, and you have a lot of time on your hands. Eventually, you shall find your way. Maybe continuing to see where other paths lead will help you discover yours.
[ Hah, that sounded pretty wise, didn't it? Please, someone give them a round of applause. ]
no subject
[Given everything that has happened here, Lucifer absolutely has reason to keep in touch, especially for those in the group who will live for a long, long time now.]
Perhaps you should consider giving motivational speeches.
[This isn't sarcasm, he's completely genuine. That's a bona fide compliment from Lucifer!]
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Well, I am glad you not only agree, but do so happen to believe quite a big deal in myself doing so with ease. Yes, I would undoubtedly inspire others quite well in ways that no one else could potentially conceive of!
[ ...okay, that is a bit egotistical, but they received the praise well, and that is what matters. ]
no subject
I'm certain you'll have plenty of novel ways to do it!
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Oh, certainly.
Originality is quite becoming of the Void Archives.
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[He clasps his hands together.]
You must tell me all about the adventures you have!
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While all the same, I'd expect updates on your end as well.
[ It can be a mutual trade of stories - or information, as it were. ]
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[He really does need to spend a fair amount of time in his own world, but, well... he does plan on introducing others.]
And Chicago is a fantastic city in which to meet!
Not nearly as good as Los Angeles, but as this world doesn't have Lux, it'll have to do.