Echoss sits in a corner of the airship while the rest of the party buzzes. There'll be time to chat and celebrate, and of course he needs to talk with Xavier before the end of the day, but...

There's time to rest before the complicated politics begin.

...but there's one thing bothering him. One thing that needs to be wrapped up.

-------------------------------------

Down by the newly formed lake of thyme, a swarm of butterflies, pulled in from the swaths that have been scouting around, helping people at risk of dying in the final hours before the sphere conflict ended, and generally preparing for the days to come, coalesces. Beyond where most of the others could likely see.

There is already another person there, form indistinct.

ECHOSS: How long have you been here?
???: Since before you were, 'Ravenstar'.
???: Since before most of your little adventuring party, actually.
ECHOSS: Then why are you here?
ECHOSS: This area is withi-

The figure steps forwards. Echoss, in what might be a first for his time on Sussui, flinches, stepping back with a look of panic flashing across his face before he regains his composure.

???: Cut the crap.
???: Remember who's in charge here. You may be the darling of all the political circles right now but I'm the boss.
???: Your little Collective exists by my grace, mercy, and military power.
???: Don't try and threaten me. You know better than that.
ECHOSS: ...Why are you here Alpha?
ALPHA: Why do you think I'm here, moron?
ALPHA: See the scenery, meet the locals, watch my sorta-Ancestor get his gorilla beat by a band of quirky misfits?

Alpha throws a plushie of a tree past Echoss's head. It hits a passing seeker and explodes into confetti.

ALPHA: Did you miss the part where Psi's little stunt was going to erase a third of my territory in one go?
ALPHA: I knew better than to get involved while you punks were on the case but if you'd failed? If you'd all screwed it up at the last second?
ALPHA: Yeah, no, original psi godmodder or not, his era's over, it's MY age now.
ALPHA: The one who wised up and stopped picking fights for the sake of stroking his own ego.
ALPHA: Massive statues of myself in ridiculous places are better for that anyway.
ECHOSS: ...Actually, I was referring to here. By the crater. After dropping your Veil just enough that I, and only I, would see you there.
ECHOSS: Up until ten minutes ago there were two very aggressively Anti-Godmodder and still active Descendants present, and there are plenty of candidates around still.
ALPHA: ...That makes your question more sensible.
ALPHA: That request you filed in?

Echoss tenses up. Alpha tosses something to him, right at him, but softer this time. Echoss catches it and blinks, it's a small packet of paperwork. Filled out and stamped with Alpha's personal signet.

ALPHA: You've got full rights to the sector and everything in it.
ALPHA: Keep me updated, keep in touch with the pals you made here on Sussui.
ALPHA: And if any other warlords get any ideas about stirring the pot you've got as many Nexus field armies as you need to kick their sorry butts back out without any of the natives catching wind.
ECHOSS: ...And tribute?
ALPHA: Waived.
ALPHA: Everything except the tech and surveillance requirements are being stamped off, as far as I'm concerned you've paid your taxes in advance until The End of Man.
ALPHA: You and your friends turned what was almost the biggest catastrophe the Nexus Protectorates have ever faced into the best windfall I've had since the Paradox Space War spontaneously collapsed on itself.
ALPHA: And if all I've been reading on that update terminal up there is accurate?
ALPHA: Seems to me like leaving you in charge of all this might just milk me even more.
ECHOSS: ...
ALPHA: Butterflies got your tongue?
ECHOSS: I was not expecting you to be so...
ALPHA: Reasonable?
ALPHA: I get that a lot these days.
ALPHA: Don't screw this up though.
ALPHA: I'm cutting you more slack than even Phobos gets.
ALPHA: I'll be pretty pissed if all you do with it is hang yourself.
ALPHA: Least you owe me is making sure everybody gets their happy ending so that this all stays finished.

And then the shadow is gone. Soon after so is the Overseer of the Echo Collective.

There's no need for a big ceremonious revelation from Asha. She made a promise, so this was always how things were gonna go. Eventually, she tracks down Marron in the airship.

"So, I have a return teleport spell on standby for Between but... there's not really any rush to go back. If you'd like, we could stay on Sussui for a while. On one hand, they don't really like outsiders, on the other... we just saved the universe. Also, there's a ton of real estate here, so they really shouldn't mind.

I'm not sure what Ette's plans are but... it'd nice to stick around here if possible. Maybe I can even find a way to get you out of your contract with Chaos- (I wonder if he'd be interested in the patent for bottled bottled water?)"

She smiles, happy to be able to breathe freely for the first time in a week.

"In any case, I look forward to whatever adventures we get up to. But maybe a bit of peace and quiet first. How does that sound?"

With the Thymefield gone, Bergilmir pondered on what to do with his unshackled abilities. He thought long on what the world would need.

A symbol. A symbol is what they need. A symbol of peace, of... unity.

With that one word, Bergilmir realized what he would do.

With a thought, he teleported to the crash site of the Dream of Unity. The wreckage still stood, weapons and hull still sticking up from the ground like a monument to arrogance. Despite the short time that had passed, life was already starting to reclaim it, vines and other plants looking like they were preparing to drag it back into the earth.

Bergilmir reached out, and the wood and metal reacted to his command. Steel and oak bent themselves into new shapes, slowly taking the form that they were led to take. In truth, he could have simply snapped his fingers and had it replaced with what he wanted, but making it from this ruin felt more… impactful.

First to show we’re the forms of Tabletopians and Chairians alike. They stood as one, technology and magic alike. Their faces were etched with defiance and determination, the look of one’s that would never surrender or break, no matter the foe. That foe was next to be made.

Spark, tyrant of LOCAA, took shape. He was on his knees, his head bowed before the combined night of the people he had wronged. His weapons were cast aside, his minions in disarray. His visage was cast in shame and rage, and imperious command, still yearning for the control that was lost to him forever. He was broken.

At the base of the statue was a placard, written in every language spoken in that land, so that every person who visited this site would know its meaning, and have new vigor. This monument would stand forever as a warning to kings and masters who forgot who they served. The people.

Pax fluit ex sanguine tyrannes. "Peace flows from the blood of tyrants."

The End of Oblivion

The fusion watches as events go down hard, plays what role it has among the rest of the spherebreakers, and then once everyone has gathered on the airship, it defuses. All three of its component parts seem a bit tired out from the hassle of battle.

"...So, that's that then. I..."

Calibri pauses for thought.

"I have to organize some things. Make the most of downtime while I have it..."

He flickers away in a flash of darkness. Verdana, meanwhile, just sits himself down in one odd corner of the airship.

"How am I actually tired... We won!"

He seems about to take a nap right there and then. Though he'd probably also carry a conversation if someone were to engage him. Lad's always ready. And now cut to Lato, who's flicking through some sort of notepad.

"Our primary duty has concluded here. However... Perhaps there are still some things left for us to do. At least for a while."

House

"...They've done it. Impressive."

Blacklight gazes off into the distance at the conclusion of big battles. He seems... overall relieved, shall we say. And then annoyed when a certain gray lady slams into the ground near the house, springs up to her feet, and proceeds to be very loud/

"AAAAAA'ITE E'ERYONE Y'ALL READY FER MAKIN' THIS 'ERE VICTORY PARTY BE A THIN'? TH' SPHERERBREAKER TEAM DONE DID TH' THANG AN' TH' PLANET'S SAFE, WE-"

"I miss fifteen seconds ago when I was not in close proximity to the shoutiest robot I've ever met in my admittedly short life."

Power flows back into the two goddesses. Even so far from their seat of power, they are gods once more. Having met up after the final battle, they converse.
CRYA: Feels good to finally have our power back, doesn’t it Destiny?
DESTINY: Indeed. The risk of mortality returning upon us so soon was… deeply uncomfortable.
STEYIA: Then, I think we should get going. We must tell the rest of the Pantheon about our triumph. Moreover, we must discuss if this is something the people can hear…

As they get up, someone steps out of a portal. A blonde woman, wearing a white cloak with cyan accents.

SCALTA: Been a minute, huh Steyia? You look a little roughed up.
STEYIA: Went through hell on this planet, indeed. Stared Oblivion down its face. What reason are you here for, then?
SCALTA: Just one. I am here to set up the cultural exchange between us and the Chairians. The Chairian society is weary of outsiders as a whole. Bringing humans here is likely a delicate matter that we must discuss with whatever leadership still exists in Seatopolis.
SCALTA: On top of that, discussing this event in advance will allow us to set a time for the exchange, letting them pick out any interesting technology they have as well as giving proper time for them to recuperate.
SCALTA: You can see why I need to be here, then. Either way, I’m sure you can haul yourselves back home without our help.

Destiny simply nods.

STEYIA: …I do not have many goodbyes to say. Crya might be slightly different.
STEYIA: Do you?
CRYA: I…
CRYA: I think I’ll stay behind with Scalta for a moment! That should be fine, right?
STEYIA: I do not see a problem with that.

Steyia stands up, opening a portal.

STEYIA: …it is truly a relief, now that it is over. I will see you all on the other side.
STEYIA: Goodbye, for a moment.

Steyia steps through, immediately closing it behind her. In the meantime, Scalta turns to Crya.

SCALTA: I was going to talk to the priestess and Sir Cypress one at a time, but I think you should talk to the former. You seem to have formed a good relationship with her.
CRYA: Talking to Taeda one more time seems fun!
CRYA: Let's go, then. They should be close by!

Thus, the two goddesses set out, Crya to Taeda, Scalta to Cypress.

-------------------------

CRYA: Heya, Taeda!
CRYA: So… it’s finally over. I hope this is the last multiversal threat that will arise to any of us, for at least for another while… relatively to either of us.
CRYA: Anyways, my friends seem to be quite excited to perform a cultural exchange, like I’ve mentioned before. They wanted to ask… when do you all want to do that?
CRYA: I think they’re jumping the gun a bit, asking so soon, but we’ve got a lot of time now, don’t we?
CRYA: I’m sure it’ll be fun, whenever it happens.

-------------------------

SCALTA: Greetings, Sir Cypress. It is good to meet you in the flesh… or in person, I am unsure what the equivalent of flesh is for a tree-like species. It is but more research that I must conduct.
SCALTA: While I would love to scan the knowledge of your people right now, I think it is best served for a more formal event. A cultural exchange, as I’ve mentioned prior.
SCALTA: As eager as I am, I understand the condition of the Land of Chairs and Anarchy. It would be in poor taste to conduct a display of civilizations when one stands as half a shadow of itself, to all participants.
SCALTA: I shall simply ask then, when would be a sufficient time to perform such an event?
SCALTA: This should be the last great threat to the multiverse for some time; we have all the time it has to offer.

Venia, for a moment, just seems to be on relentless autopilot as a certain odd feeling fades into the background, fighting as viciously as her abilities enabled her to and otherwise not speaking-as if at long last she had talked herself out of all of her ideas, pure adrenaline keeping her going. The most she did was collect her Key and the shattered bones of Psi's hand (someone ought to!) before being launched into the stratosphere and recovered with the rest of the Spherebreakers.

And then-a few minutes after the threat of everything ends she takes a deep breath, walks up to Nia, and immediately embraces her, kissing deeply and intimately in front of everyone present.

After that-only then does she speak.

"It's over, it's actually over and we're alive, holy shit. We did it. We actually did it!" Venia yells. "It's over! We won! I..."

She hadn't felt like she had done anything good, worthwhile, unambiguously wonderful since she was little-before any of her powers, before the destruction of Ursa, before Regalus. And even that paled. She felt like she was about to ascend to heaven from how happy she felt.

And then the adrenaline started dying off a little.

"... I feel like a sack of potatoes." Venia says, grasping a rail to keep herself steady. "It m-must be the adrenaline dying off... Good, good god that was so much. But I feel so happy, I... It's hard to even explain. This must be what ecstasy feels like."

Her head felt the fog that had settled in since she entered the Thymefield start to part-her full power returning-and yet the rest of the time afterwards felt even more like a blur of happiness, indistinct emotion. Once she touched down she'd retrieve Maria-they'd stay at the Echo Collective with Nia like a little honeymoon. She almost thought of a real wedding with Nia at the thought of that-but that was too fast, too much, for now she'd just savor victory over an impossible foe and the satisfaction of a victory as total as it would get.

"... Oh god, I just remembered, there's going to be a load of stuff to do after all of this to keep things clear and tidy and it'll all be annoying... But it'll be worth it, and damn if it'll be any harder than what the hell we just went through right?"

---

Later that day, before everything ends, Venia heads back to the Rosen Forge and the freshly-reconstructed device with the remaining sapient items.

"OK, this should be enough for all of you," Venia says, gesturing to the gathered ensouled items that yet needed to be restored to biology. "You'll probably feel completely exhausted for hours afterwards-you'll need to readjust to having a full body again and that'll take a while, but I'm sure you'll all be able to manage in time, mkay?"

Venia glances over the assembled-which of course is an inclusion I myself will not write in because that's more a character decision for characters I do not own than my own, but nevertheless I can reasonably assume this is at least more than one person.

---

-more??? probably not tbh-

Auth sighs, with the conclusion of the battle.

AUTH: Good grief... what a week it's been.

Auth sweeps his hair back as he gracefully lands in the airship with the rest of the party. Not far behind is a blonde girl in a blue dress... well, Alicia, who some have been introduced to.

ALICIA: You're telling me! It's been exhausting!

Auth turns and glares at Alicia.

AUTH: You've sat at home watching the adventure! You only showed up at the end! Why are you tired?

Alicia grins.

ALICIA: It's exhausting watching you work! So thankless!

Auth rolls his eyes.

AUTH: You could've shown up a touch earlier, perhaps. Since you're here... I suppose proper introductions are in order.

Auth and Alicia wait to see Nana come down as well.

AUTH: Nana, I'm over here! I have someone I want you to meet.

Auth and Alicia wait for Nana to come by. Alicia bows when she manages to spot Nana come by - after all, she's seen her before.

ALICIA: Aww~! You're just as cute in real life!
ALICIA: I'm Alicia Geraldson! I'm Auth's twin sister! It's nice to finally meet you!

Auth nods, waiting for any response.

AUTH: We'll have lots of time for everyone to get to know each other, now that we've saved reality. I think I'm almost ready to go home and rest, though.

ALICIA: I know! You really need to sleep more, you only slept one night this week.

Auth sighs, and shakes his head, as Alicia giggles loudly.

---

If anyone has anything to say to me I'll respond at this point! I've had fun, everyone. Good game.

<ROUND 351>

Keane celebrates his triumph over the Sphere! Not the party's triumph. Just his. His immense joy causes his head to explode, and his corpse to fly off into the distance with his jetpack. A sorrowful end. I mean, he'll probably be fine, but shhhh.

Elsewhere in the timeline, Chloe and Keane work together to upgrade the Shock Therapist into something actually usable! The battery pack has been upgraded to hold far more energy than before, as well the proper elemental charges that can be used to revive a person! Meanwhile, Chloe has modified the healing dispersing apparatus. No longer is it just a glorified taser; it now has an array of crystals that focuses power into a fatal beam of raw healing potential.

CHLOE: Uh. I think I made the device even deadlier than before.
CHLOE: B-But, don't worry! I've added this amazing lil' thing called a "dial"!
CHLOE: We can actually adjust the amount of energy coming through the device at once, so it won't detonate people! Or uh, zap them!
CHLOE: ...Don't ask why we even have the option to go higher than like, a two.
CHLOE: Settings five and up seem to uh, detonate apples. And other things.

These two idiots may have created another death cure. Of course, it still relies on Godblossom Extract to function, so maybe don't get too comfortable with it. Shock Therapist upgraded into the Life Essence Laser, which revives people at 100% HP with no downsides! A shame it's the end of the game, so you can't use it...

Also, Keane and Sakura continue their quest to break into the Citadel!

Previously on Thymium…

QUOTE (Irecreeper @ Dec 15 2022, 02:07 AM)

The journey to the Citadel is uneventful. Keane and Sakura pass through the front gates with no resistance, walk down the overcast streets, past Plana who has been trying to get a hot dog from Chaos for about two hours now, and into the Citadel proper. There's just one obstacle between them and where the safe is hidden, though. The receptionist. RECEPTIONIST: ...Pardon me, but do you have an appointment, ma'am? RECEPTIONIST: Only high-ranking members of the Chairian Legion, as well as specialized, authorized personnel are allowed in the Citadel at this time. Your armor indicates to me that you're a simple Fighter. RECEPTIONIST: At the moment, it's considered a security and safety hazard. Many have tried to break in to seize the various riches of the Citadel, so unless you have a valid reason to be here, you should leave. SAKURA: H-Huh? I have PLENTY of reasons to be here, for your information! SAKURA: They're, um, uh... Sakura glances over at Keane. Heck. Does he have a valid reason to be here? Surely he can come up with a reason. Quick! Roll deception!

KEANE: Oh, yeah, we're here to renovate the Council's room on behalf of the Spherebreakers.
KEANE: Spark threw a tantrum in there, or something? Messed it up pretty badly. So the Spherebreakers decided it was probably a good idea to fix it up!
KEANE: Just... try to keep it on the down low, 'kay? It's supposed to be a surprise.
RECEPTIONIST: Ah? You’re here on behalf of the Spherebreakers?
RECEPTIONIST: My apologies. Please, go right on ahead.
SAKURA: Yeah! Couldn’t you tell we had business just from looking at us?
SAKURA: Geez.
RECEPTIONIST: Apologies, madam.
RECEPTIONIST: Though, you sound quite familiar, in a sort of aggravating way-
SAKURA: Recognize me? Nope.
SAKURA: C’mon, Keane. Let’s get going.

Sakura grabs Keane by the arm (distinctly not the hand) and drags him down the corridors, down the spiraling stairs. Once they’re at the bottom, Sakura pulls out her standard-issue sword. Still sheathed, she prods the seemingly blank wall just in front of the door. The blade phases right through, an illusory shimmer surrounding the area where the blade pierced through.

SAKURA: Here we are.
SAKURA: You first. If the situation in the underground greenhouse is anything to go by, there might be threats down there.
SAKURA: Iti, angry plants, the tormented spirits of those my father has killed… y’know.
SAKURA: All those good things.
KEANE: …You know, I almost wasn’t expecting that bluff to work. I suppose it’s good for us that it did.
KEANE: I’d say “wish me luck”, but I suppose I don’t really need it. :P

Keane unsheathes the Bancannon from his back and creeps through the illusive wall. Despite Sakura’s worries, the path down is fairly empty. Sure, there’s plenty of rock debris, but it looks that most of the Iti that had burrowed through into the cellar were already slaughtered. For Keane however, the scale of the Citadel’s underground is truly boggling. Spiraling corridors, staircases up and down and all over, mysterious vacant chambers…

SAKURA: I’ve been down here a few times myself.
SAKURA: These tunnels are pretty underused nowadays.
SAKURA: It’s a pretty nice place to hang out… or throw a rave or two.
SAKURA: No idea what they were used for before me, though. Probably like, to hold political prisoners?
SAKURA: Or maybe it’s a government mandate to have crazy-gorilla dungeons beneath your front door.
SAKURA: There’s like a crazy set of tunnels below the Church of Helix over in Omnite. Rose Cultists know how to throw a good party.
SAKURA: ‘Course, they won’t let you in further than like, the front door, but it’s a good time all the same.

Keane tilts his head at her, studying her intensely- well, as much as one can while actively moving through an enormous underground tunnel.

KEANE: You know, I honestly didn’t take you for the kind of person to throw a rave.
SAKURA: Well, most people don’t take royalty as the kind to throw a rager.
SAKURA: They think we’re meant to be all prim and proper and gorilla, but where’s the fun in that?
SAKURA: We have money, we have alcohol- can’t just not use it, right?
SAKURA: Besides… it really wasn’t like it was going to be around much longer. Sphere and all.
SAKURA: I mean, who knows how that’ll end?
SAKURA: The end of game post hasn’t happened yet, right?

Keane chuckles. Despite his efforts, a little bitterness creeps into his voice.

KEANE: Yeah, that makes sense.
KEANE: Might as well spend your cash to have a good time before it all ends, anyway.
KEANE: …For the sake of curiosity, did anyone get mad about that? Disregarding the general public’s opinion.
KEANE: Royal treasurers, anything?
SAKURA: I mean, yeah. Of course they did.
SAKURA: People love to get pissy about this sorta stuff, y’know?
SAKURA: But really. If the Iti didn’t get us, the Tabletopians were gonna finish us off eventually, right?
SAKURA: Helix knows they would’ve done it if they didn’t need to contend with the Second Godmodding War.

Keane is quiet for a moment. However, before he can think of how best to phrase his next question, Sakura perks up as they round the corner into a particularly unassuming room. Surprisingly clean, with abandoned furniture strewn around the room. Sakura shoves over a table propped up against the wall. It clatters to the floor, one of the legs breaking off and clattering against the cobbles. There’s a glimmer of light in the otherwise dark and dusty room from an illuminated keypad.

SAKURA: Here it is! Father’s safe.
SAKURA: Don’t ask how I know where he hides this.
SAKURA: Father was deeply paranoid, so he put a lil’ cache here, where supposedly only he could find it. Y’know, just in case he had to make a getaway or whatever.
SAKURA: Now… if I recall, there’s a keypad here, and a biometric scanner… down here.
SAKURA: I’ll keep a lookout, and you can… do whatever you do.
SAKURA: Not that anyone will find us down here. But you never know, y’know?
KEANE: Aye aye.

Keane kneels down to take a look at the keypad, which is located just above the biometric scanner.

KEANE: Well, actually, first I have to know something- does the scanner activate before or after the keypad?
SAKURA: gorillain’, uh…
SAKURA: I think top to bottom? That makes sense, right?
SAKURA: As for our answer to the biometrics, uh… your party’s scanner might have info on him, right? Maybe we can use that? Recreate his hand?
KEANE: Oh, I think we could do that, definitely!
KEANE: Jus’ give me a second…

Keane quickly disassembles the Gacha Trash and Broken Cryotubes in the inventory (don’t ask how the Gacha Trash factors into it) to create a miniature cloning pod. Placing the Structured Matter inside, he uses the scanner data from Spark, powering the cloning pod with jolts of energy from his own natural electric abilities.

While waiting for the hand to finish incubating, Keane speaks up again.

KEANE: …I have to ask.
KEANE: Do you… really believe that you weren’t going to make it?
KEANE: I mean. Your dad’s plan to drop the Sphere on the Tabletopians, and really his entire handling of the Sphere Crisis was pretty gorilla, but…
SAKURA: I mean, yeah.
SAKURA: Realistically, I… didn’t think we’d make it.
SAKURA: And honestly? After all of this, the prospect of making it is somehow… just as horrifying as not making it.
KEANE: …What do you mean by that?
SAKURA: I mean. Where the hell do I go after this?
SAKURA: I’m the daughter of the man who threw away everything for his own selfish gains.
SAKURA: Also, I’m… probably wanted for embezzlement now. And selling government secrets to the Rebellion. And running a guy over with a spider carriage.
SAKURA: In my defense though, that guy didn’t look both ways before crossing the street. Idiot.

Ding! A natural recreation of Spark’s hand pops out of the cloning pod, much like how bread would pop out from a toaster. Keane picks it up gingerly, wearing a pair of plastic gloves so as to Never Touch Spark’s Weird Gross Tyrant Hand.

KEANE: …I mean. If everything goes well…
KEANE: …
KEANE: Actually, I’m not going to say it out loud. That would jinx it.
KEANE: Anything I should know about Chairian vital signs? We’ve only got, like, a minute before this thing dies.
SAKURA: Why the hell would I know? I’m not a doctor.
SAKURA: J-Just hurry it up!.
KEANE: Loud and clear!

Keane crouches down by the keypad once more. Distinct tendrils of light curl around him, swirling into a glowing aura- much like the one he exhibited during the fight against TRINITY.

He leans down, studying the keypad intently… before mashing the keys randomly and hitting ENTER.

KEANE: That should do it! :D

He slaps the hand into the biometrics slot. It makes a thunk, and the whole apparatus lights up as the scanner does its thing. There’s an aesthetically pleasing puff of either smoke or steam from the vault as it unlocks. A largely cosmetic big turny vault wheel spins counter clockwise, and the vault swings open. Credits, gems, and all sorts of other assorted valuables spill from the open maw.

SAKURA: Oh my god. It actually worked.
SAKURA: It… j-just… look at it all!
SAKURA: We’re goddamn loaded!

Sakura’s eyes glisten as she beholds the cache. Immediately, she shovels handfuls of loot using her hands into her standard issue military backpack. Though they could probably just dump the whole vault into the inventory, the rest of the party would notice, and Sakura certainly can’t have that. She’s barely made a dent in the stockpile before the bag is nearly bursting from the seams. She gestures to Keane.

SAKURA: C’mon, help out!
SAKURA: You can keep a bit, too. Consider it “hush money” or whatever.
KEANE: Eh? Oh! On it!

The two of them working in tandem create a slightly noticeable gap in the stockpile. Among them, they probably have something along the lines of 20,000 Credits.

SAKURA: Okay, so… we might need to do multiple trips.
SAKURA: I had no idea Father was so greedy! Like, I knew he was, but stashing away this much for a rainy day?
SAKURA: How’d he think he’d get away with that?
SAKURA: Anyway, let’s deposit this load back at our base or whatever, then come back for more.
SAKURA: And… maybe bring more bags?

Keane nods, hefting a bag over his shoulder. The two of them begin the trek back to the Citadel, before Keane speaks up again.

KEANE: …You know, Princess, it’s only been a few hours, but, to be completely honest?
KEANE: You’re already a strong contender for just about the coolest person I’ve ever met.
SAKURA: Hah, well, of course!
SAKURA: Who could hope to compare?
KEANE: I like to think we make a great team! You’re the brains, I’m the brawn…

Keane flexes. Yeah, that’s a respectable amount of brawn.

KEANE: I feel like we could do some great things!
KEANE: The two of us are going-

Keane and Sakura pass through the illusory wall… and immediately bump into two brawny guards- twin halberdiers!

RECEPTIONIST: -directly to jail, yes.
SAKURA: O-Oh gorilla.
SAKURA: H-How’d you see through my disguise?
RECEPTIONIST: You… You’re kidding, right?
RECEPTIONIST: You’re perhaps the most recognizable woman on Sussui.
RECEPTIONIST: The moment I heard your snooty, insufferable voice, I knew it was you!
RECEPTIONIST: You, who literally fled the capital with credits in tow!
RECEPTIONIST: And now you return with… some… tall guy?
RECEPTIONIST: literally who are you
KEANE: Keane McZupp. :P
KEANE: wait why did i tell you that

Immediately, the Receptionist jots down Keane’s name into her notebook. She’s unsure how to draw a “colon capital P”, but does her best to jot that down as well. She slams her notebook shut, and as if she rehearsed this routine with her guards, they pull out twin pairs of handcuffs on cue.

RECEPTIONIST: Right, yes.
RECEPTIONIST: Sakura Yedoensis. Keane McZupp Colon Capital P.
KEANE: welp, i guess that’s my name now
RECEPTIONIST: Explain yourselves. What were you doing down there?
RECEPTIONIST: Surely nothing good if the deviating size of your backpack says anything about this, miss Sakura.
SAKURA: H-Huh? What do you mean?
SAKURA: My backpack is a perfectly healthy size and is in no way suspiciou-

With a quick jab of their halberd, one of the guards slices Sakura’s backpack open. There’s a deafening silence from the crowd as a stream of coins and other shinies streams from the backpack onto the cobbles, bouncing and gleaming all around the floor. Sakura trips on her own tongue, bopping Keane on the shoulder as if to say “please make up an excuse now right now do it please”. Keane takes a deep breath, opening his mouth to speak-

KEANE: she told me to do it
SAKURA: WHAT
RECEPTIONIST: …Really, now?
SAKURA: I, um, yes! I told him to help me!
SAKURA: Y-You see… I’m so, so distraught over the death of father dearest. Yes.
SAKURA: Oh woe is me! Keane, tell them how sad I am.
KEANE: It’s true. She was utterly distraught. I had to comfort her for hours before she even felt strong enough to step into the sunlight again.
SAKURA: And in order to ensure that his memory is properly preserved, I need… funds to… hold a funeral for him! Yes!
KEANE: sakura, this excuse blows
SAKURA: SHUT IT-
SAKURA: But… yes! I was unable to access my father's funds due to him being… exceedingly dead, so I had to break into his personal vault down in the-
RECEPTIONIST: …Your father embezzled money and hid it away for future use? Explains an earlier deficit we couldn’t explain…
SAKURA: U-Um… n-no?
SAKURA: Y-You see,

The Receptionist sighs, gesturing to her two guards.

RECEPTIONIST: I’ve heard enough.
RECEPTIONIST: Someone more qualified will question you over at the station.
RECEPTIONIST: Come with these two gentlemen over here, or they’ll make you come with them.
KEANE: Oh, really? I doubt that.
KEANE: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…

Keane screams, glowing with a powerful light, swirling and shifting around him, a venerable pillar of energy stretching beyond mortal comprehension-

RECEPTIONIST: S-Such… p-power!?
KEANE: …AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-
KEANE: -!

-Before it snuffs out unexpectedly. Keane stands there for a moment, completely still… and then slams into the ground as he falls over on his face, unconscious. A now somewhat horrified halberdier gently pokes Keane’s body with the non-pointy end of his pointy stick.

RECEPTIONIST: what
SAKURA: what
HALBERDIER 1: what
HALBERDIER 2: what
RECEPTIONIST: Does… does that count as resisting arrest?
RECEPTIONIST: I’m. I’m so confused.
SAKURA: I’m sure he’s just… doing a bit?
SAKURA: You know. A funny. A trick. A-

Keane is promptly handcuffed whilst still on the ground. The other guard approaches Sakura, handcuffs in hand.

SAKURA: L-Like hell you’ll get me!
SAKURA: T-Take this!

Sakura promptly equips the Perfect Princess Potion! She pops the bottle open, and immediately gets stabbed in the chest before she can drink it. The bottle is dropped, shattering across the ground. Some sort of flux-tainted liquid leaks into the cobbles, probably granting a random worm immense combat prowess. Sakura flops to the floor, injured but not dead.

SAKURA: U-Ugh…
HALBERDIER 1: oh god i’m so sorry she scared me
RECEPTIONIST: Unbelievable.
RECEPTIONIST: Take… take them away?
HALBERDIER 1: right

The two now-criminals are picked up, handcuffed three times just to be safe, and carried off to the local slammer. The process is quick enough: Sakura’s patched up by a local gun-toting helixian priestess before being hauled off to a holding block not too far from the Citadel. Keane and Sakura go from partners in crime to partners doing time, sharing opposite cells.

It’s not long after the incredibly botched robbery that the both of them regain consciousness. A groggy Sakura, missing a small portion of her blood, struggles to sit up from her rickety, rock-hard bed. Keane shifts, groaning.

SAKURA: …Keane.
KEANE: …mmmh?
SAKURA: You’re fired.

Keane jolts awake, nearly launching out of his cot altogether.

KEANE: WHAT?
SAKURA: Y-You like, died at the most pivotal moment o-of the operation!
SAKURA: L-Leaving me alone, t-to… g-get stabbed!
SAKURA: Which REALLY gorillaing hurt, b-by the way!
SAKURA: S-Stabbing a fair lady l-like me… w-what were they t-thinking!?
SAKURA: You can’t just l-let me get s-stabbed like that, i-idiot!
KEANE: Oh, oh no… I’m so sorry, Princess! I didn’t anticipate the exhaustion from hacking the lock… Please, give me one more chance?
SAKURA: Sure. Maybe when we get out of prison in the next five to eight years, or whatever.
KEANE: Or… now?

Keane pulls something out of his pocket- something that the halberdiers apparently missed. He jingles the key to his voidship triumphantly.

SAKURA: That’s… a funny looking rock. Wow.
KEANE: …It only looks like a funny-looking rock.
KEANE: It’s the key to my ship.
SAKURA: Ooh. Maybe that can get us out?
SAKURA: If it works, you’re unfired.
SAKURA: Maybe you’ll even get a raise.
KEANE: We’ll be out of here in no time!
KEANE: Just gotta…

Keane fiddles with the key, pointing one end at Sakura, then at himself, before dangling the key out the window, its pointier end aimed up at space.

KEANE: Bing, bang…
SAKURA: Hey, uh. You sure nobody will see you do that?

Before Keane can answer, there’s a colossal screech and the sound of sirens. Trotting around on all fours, the dreaded POLICE ZWEET arrives! It immediately puts Keane’s arm to sleep, causing him to drop his keys out onto the grass outside. It promptly picks them up with its lack of mouth, and carries them off to the relevant authorities.

KEANE:
KEANE:
KEANE: Just fire me.
SAKURA: already on it

And with that, Keane was fired.

---

Teag heads home. Adieu.

---

Adria suffers a moderate case of the faints. The scale of her accomplishments is simply too much to bear. Sophia and Dorothy speedrun taping them back together, using a Chrono Boost. This increases the building's production speed by 50% for 20 seconds. Some time during the process, Mari stumbles into the temporal field, nursing a coffee. She patiently waits for Adria to come to, a bit too exhausted herself to provide medical assistance. Soon enough, Adria comes to.

MARI: Hey, Adria. Welcome back.
MARI: Damn. You look awful.
MARI: ...Fair enough, though. We all probably look like gorilla right now.
MARI: Just looking at Chloe, she'll be styling and grooming herself for hours when she gets home.
MARI: Hopefully nobody needs to take a dump for the next year or so.

Fortunately for Adria, Mari has already prepared a coffee for her. The two of them take intermittent sips in-between words. Adria mentions that it's time to leave soon, but she'll be in orbit for about a week or so. And of course, after that, there'll be paperwork and junk, and uuuuuugh. But hey- is there anything Mari wants to do right now?

MARI: Hmm. Not really.
MARI: Like, you know I was locked up in Pane's prisons before coming to this planet, right?
MARI: I have like, weeks worth of gaming to catch up on.
MARI: Really, I just wanna go through an extended rest period...
MARI: 'Course, if you wanna do anything with me, I'm willing.
MARI: Just 'cause I wanna rest doesn't mean I can't make time for anyone else.

MARI: But say, if you wanna smash... I'm down.
MARI: ...Video game sense. Obvs.
MARI: Any game works, really. Or maybe I can play a bit with Sophia and the others?
MARI: Hell if I really know what they're into. Maybe it'd be worth getting to know them, if we're all going to the same city?
MARI: That'd mean being like, really social though. And I don't have the energy to talk.

Elsewhere, Hannah completely flubs her chat rolls with Maria. She returns to Nia empty-throated, or whatever you'd call this. Nia gives the presence a gentle smile. Even if she can't see Hannah, she can probably still see her, right?

NIA: ...I get it. I get it entirely.
NIA: You can sorta see why I asked you, right?
NIA: It's... hard, to talk about things like that.
NIA: Don't feel bad that you couldn't do it. It was selfish of me to try and pass off that task, anyway...
NIA: But... well, if anyone can handle it, it's Venia.

NIA: And... if this is goodbye, it's been nice knowing you!
NIA: Stay safe, okay? And I'll be sure to pass on your message!
NIA: And don't worry about Maria, either! We'll take care of her!~

Nia winks to nobody in particular as Hannah makes herself scarce. Though, she can't help but regret that she wasn't able to give Hannah a nice long squeeze before saying goodbye. But at the same time, Hannah really wasn't the type to appreciate that, was she? Oh well, she thinks. Soon, she's off to deliver that message to Venia before she forgets...

---

Echoss witnesses the descent of Alpha. Alpha must be doing something to keep himself masked- otherwise, the Chairheir would've long since vacated the Sphere and attempted to kill them. Or maybe the Chairheir is taking a nap right now. He probably needs it, after crashing the Sphere. But soon enough, both Alpha and Echoss are gone.

Fortunately for Chloe though, there's still an Echoss on the airship. She can still be sociable! :chloehappy:

---

Asha tracks down Marron on the airship. As it turns out, having the entire party crowded on the deck of the airship is a bit overwhelming for her. Asha finds Marron somewhere below deck. It's still incredibly cramped downed there, but for a different reason: all the hardware crammed into the deck of what was a civilian airship makes it a bit hard to move. Still, Marron perks up upon seeing Asha. She pulls the sorceress into a tight hug.

MARRON: We did it! We killed god! Again!
MARRON: yaaaay~

Marron melts into Asha as the latter of them describes plans for the future. They could just warp back to her home planet, but there's no rush. Maybe they could take in the sights of Sussui for awhile? Plus, there's the matter of what they'll do with Ette, and breaking Marron's employment contract with Chaos.

MARRON: That's a pretty loaded question for having just saved the universe.
MARRON: But, hmm...
MARRON: I wanna go on more adventures with you, so... after we take a bit of a break, maybe see some of the sights around Sussui... let's go to your home!

MARRON: Maybe we can take Ette with us, too? But I don't really know what she wants to do. I think she likes it here though, so... I dunno.
MARRON: It'd be nice if we could like, go back and forth, y'know? Adventure on Between, visit Sussui for rest and relaxation and pizza- things like that!
MARRON: As for dealing with Chaos... hm.
MARRON: Well, I'm sure that by mentioning him, he'll-
CHAOS: hello lesbians
MARRON: yep
ASHA: yes

Chaos equips a CANADIAN FIFTY DOLLAR BILL WITH A PICTURE OF MARRON'S FACE ON IT. A piece of paper in the shape of a bottled bottle appears in Asha's hand.

CHAOS: fif[t]y dollars and a marron for [t]he pa[t]en[t]
CHAOS: really you should be paying me [t]o [t]ake marron off my hands
CHAOS: never before have my profi[t] margins [t]aken so mu[c]h damage
CHAOS: bu[t] i'm a generous en[t]i[t]y.
CHAOS: so, how abou[t] i[t]?

Asha ponders the deal. It was good, but...

ASHA: You are a shrewd businesschaos, Chaos... but not shrewd enough.
ASHA: I know this deal is worth more to you than that.
ASHA: One hundred dollars, a marron, AND another sword, in exchange for the patent.
ASHA: That's my final offer.
CHAOS: you s[t]rike a hard bargain
CHAOS: [t]hough you know for a fa[c][t] [t]ha[t] holding four whole swords a[t] on[c]e is impossible, righ[t]?
ASHA: yes
CHAOS: oh okay good
CHAOS: was worried you'd be s[c]ammed

The bottled bottled paper is shoved into Chaos's mouth, and the fifty dollar bill is shoved into Asha's mouth and then cloned, in that order. It's ritualistic, probably. Asha also Asha spits out the dollar bills. With them in her possession, she has the legal rights to Marron! That's right. Asha's adopted a Deviantart OC! Also, she gets a new sword, the sacred SORD..... It's uh, a little bit hard to hold. She can feel her arms getting sketchier by the second as she holds it.

CHAOS: anyway i will now exploi[t] [t]his pa[t]en[t] [t]o make infini[t]e money
CHAOS: seeya nerds
CHAOS: poof

Chaos morphs his body into the words "POOF", before drinking an invisibility potion. He's vanished! Whoa! Marron kicks Chaos in the invisible shins. Chaos promptly perishes from this blow, actually vanishing. Get well soon, Chaos. It's a shame he didn't live to the end of Project Thymium.

MARRON: Whoa! Fifty dollars, twice!
MARRON: That's like... a fancy dinner for the both of us!
MARRON: Wanna get like... pasta? Do they sell pasta here?

MARRON: ...Oh, right.
MARRON: Thanks for uh, hiring me?
MARRON: Getting me fired?
MARRON: I'm... not sure what this actually entails.
MARRON: But thank you!

Marron gives Asha a second squeeze. There's going to be a lot of hugging in the future, isn't there? Not that it's a bad thing.

---

Bergilmir considers changing the world! With his abilities unshacked, he opts to-

OMORIKA: ...Pardon me.
OMORIKA: Even though I am of course, eternally grateful for your contributions to saving this world, and nothing will change that... please don't use the fact that the Thymefield is gone to change everything.
OMORIKA: While I'm not sure what it was you were doing, just keep that in mind, alright?
OMORIKA: In theory, someone with say, the Chairheir's full unbound potential could fix everything in a matter of days, but it might be best to let the healing occur naturally.
OMORIKA: The Chairian people's pride is deeply ingrained, annoying as it can be. Irrational, isn't it?
OMORIKA: We can only hope that they'll soften up to the idea of outside help after such an incident.
OMORIKA: I think one day, we'll be able to accept it as a people. Perhaps that day might even be today.

OMORIKA: ...Of course, I can't say until I return to the city.
OMORIKA: There's a lot of work left to do.

She then leaves Bergilmir to his business. Maybe to finish his post? Who knows.

---

The Triofusion defuses. After the incredible strain of fighting literal god™, perhaps it's understandable that they'd be so exhausted. Despite being maybe-robots (i dunno i'm still a bit cloudy on how all that works). Still, maybe there's work waiting for them? Nothing quite as exhaustive as killing god, but hopefully something useful? Cypress at the very least, seems to have a job opportunity for the team.

CYPRESS: Chairian pride: annoying. However, am Tabletopian.
CYPRESS: So, request. Assist in cleanup. At least, upstairs. The Sky Labs. Mess: incredible. Dream of Unity. Left large hole. Very aesthetically ruinous.
CYPRESS: Compensation... unknown. What pleases you? Credits? Technology? Gift shop paraphernalia? Potato chips?
CYPRESS: Discuss later, perhaps. For now, relax. Bask in victory.

Well, there's a job for them if they want to stick around. And he's offering potato chips as compensation! Awesome!

---

Destiny and Crya reunite with their ancient power! With such overwhelming over at their fingertips now, this world- all worlds, are their oyster! Whatever that means! I really do not get that saying. Like, what's an oyster? That must be a made-up thing by a made-up person. Insane. Anyway, Destiny takes her leave, probably doing a really cool judgement cut sorta thing to create a portal and leave.

Crya however, opts to stay around for a few moments. There's something she must discuss with Taeda. She finds her resting against the OSHA-compliant railings of the airship, absorbing sunlight much like a tree would. Who woulda thunk. Despite her apparent exhaustion, Taeda perks right up as Crya approaches.

TAEDA: Hi, Crya!
TAEDA: With the Sphere gone, I've actually been thinking about the cultural exchange, too!
TAEDA: Like, I wonder what other treats you have in your world? Ice cream's super good, but what if you have like... psychic cream, or something like that? Is there a cream of each element?
TAEDA: Ah, I can't wait!

TAEDA: Holding the festival though... that's a difficult question.
TAEDA: I'd want more people to experience it than just myself, so it'd probably be best to hold it after some order returns to the Chairian people.
TAEDA: We... we did murder our governor, after all!
TAEDA: T-That makes it sound like we did something bad... b-but we did kill Spark, after all.
TAEDA: Things are bound to be unstable for a bit.
TAEDA: But it's fine if we wait- it means we can plan more, and make the event something to be remembered!

Also aboard the airship is Scalta, who takes a moment to visit Cypress. In the flesh. Is wood flesh? Scalta poses a question that will stump philosophers for generations to come. She also poses questions that won't stump people, like "when can we hold the cultural exchange". One that Taeda has already answered, but as a governmental figure, perhaps Cypress has a better view on things?

CYPRESS: Cultural exchange, already? That's forward thinking. So soon. Perhaps too pre-emptive.
CYPRESS: But no matter. Thinking ahead, fine. Planning for future. Always good.
CYPRESS: Timing, difficult matter. Unsure of timeline. Rebuilding nation: rare. Difficult. Haven't done before. Time estimation, unavailable.
CYPRESS: Give it time. That's my verdict.
CYPRESS: Apologies. My answer: unspecific. Such are things. For now, anyway.

It can't be helped at the moment, can it? Hopefully the presence of outsiders helps expedite the rebuilding process.

---

Venia collects Psi's bones. Good thing she had the foresight to do this before getting launched out of the Sphere at mach something. To celebrate the occasion, she seeks out Nia aboard the airship. Or perhaps, it's more accurate to say that Nia tracked down Venia? The two of them launch into a deep embrace- Nia more so than Venia, launching herself with enough velocity to knock the both of them to the ground. It is there where they share a kiss that definitely violates some sort of Public Display of Affection laws. But who can blame them?

NIA: We did it!~
NIA: Lesbians: one, the Psi Godmodder: zero!
NIA: You're gonna need to recap me on the lore regarding Psi and stuff though- I definitely had no idea why were we fighting uh, literal god.
NIA: But who cares? We did it, and we're awesome!
NIA: We're gamers!~

More kissing. Chloe, though happy for the both of them, can't help but wish that she had something to share a romantic moment with after killing god. It's okay, though. She can be sad and drink a cola in the corner. Or uh, happy and sad at once. Human things, y'know?

As Venia's adrenaline dies off, it seems that Nia's still full of energy. At least it's more than enough energy for the both of them. Though Venia frets about the future, Nia silences her worries with yet another flurry of kisses.

NIA: Haah... don't worry about all that stuff for now, alright?
NIA: For now, let's just bask in this moment, okay?
NIA: Maybe we can get a room too, since Chloe's totally staring at us all weird~
CHLOE: u-um
NIA: We're too much for her seiso lil' heart to handle, aren't we?
NIA: Let's worry about what we'll do after the airship touches down, okay?
NIA: Like getting lunch! I am famished.
NIA: We can go visit... Chairian McDonalds! Whatever they have!
NIA: Get Chairian burgers and Chairian diabetes from all the sweets we're gonna have!~

...Elsewhere, down in the depths of the Rosen Forge, Venia assembles the sapient items. A quiche, a staff, and a distinct lack of a bow. Notably though, Ga'aunt (a name Longaeva is still oddly comfortable with) seems to already have beaten Venia to the area, studying the mechanics of the machine. The blind assistant cultist, Bandage, silently accompanies Longaeva as he works. Somehow, he's managing to communicate complex mechanical concepts to the old man. With his elderly senses™, the once-gauntlet detects Venia's approach, giving her a friendly if small wave.

LONGAEVA: Ah, miss Praefortis.
LONGAEVA: Good to see you. But you needn't worry about this front.
LONGAEVA: You, the hero of Sussui, have other things to worry about!
LONGAEVA: This bandaged fellow is quite the intellectual! He should have me educated on the ins and outs of the machine in no time at all.
LONGAEVA: Let this old man help you in any way he can. Run along now, lass.
LONGAEVA: It might take a little, but rest assured that these fine gentlemen will be okay.

And so the work begins.

---

The Author searches for Nana post-battle. Alicia tags along behind him, not far behind. Of course, given that the deck of the airship has about 71 open tiles to stand on, it doesn't take too long to locate her. It is really too crowded up here though- they find Nana near the edge of the boat, trying to find respite from the hordes.

NANA: Auth! Hi!
NANA: W-We really s-survived, h-huh?
NANA: I-I didn't think I'd make it, t-to be honest with you...
NANA: What's a gardener m-meant to do against god?
NANA: You were great out there, though! I-If only I could've been of more help...
NANA: B-But... I'm g-glad I was here, a-anyway!

Nana sneaks her hand over to the Author's, performing yet another flagrant display of public affection. At least this one's a bit more subtle than Nia's. Auth also takes the moment to introduce Nana to his twin sister, Alicia.

NANA: O-Oh, hello to you too!
NANA: I-It's nice, meeting you i-in person!
NANA: U-Um... I hope we g-get along!

The gardener bows in respect multiple times in quick succession. If Alicia doesn't like her, her life will be ruined! At least, that's probably what Nana's thinking. Alicia also brings up that Auth's slept for roughly one night this week.

NANA: H-Huh? Really?
NANA: M-My goodness! Please, t-take a rest!
NANA: With the Butterfly dead, y-you can take a nice, long rest.
NANA: I-I'd offer to l-let you rest on my l-lap or something, l-like they sometimes s-show in romantic n-novels
a-and stuff...
NANA: B-But... well... I-I'm made of wood.
NANA: ...Sorry.

a shame

---

Chloe receives a letter from an unknown source. It's not entirely clear where it came from, or how it even came into her possession to begin with. Who just embeds a letter into the hull of an airship, where anyone could find it? She really, really hopes it's not anything embarrassing like that. If it was another love letter from Nia, she'd slap the bejeez out of her. And Nia would probably enjoy it, but that's besides the point. It takes a disconcerting amount of effort to wrench the letter from the hull. But soon enough, the paper is free, and the paper within the paper unfolded...

My dear, dear, dear Chloe,

Sincerest congratulations on your* successful slaying of approximately four gods! Not bad for a first time. You may yet grow into a proper Liberationist. I hope this letter finds you well, and especially for how many hoops I had to jump
through to even write it, let alone have it delivered. Therefore...

Chloe pauses herself right there. She's had this really, really bad habit of reading text placed in front of her out loud. This letter... what if it's a private matter? So she stops reading it out loud. Though the letter is written in irrigo, she's capable of mustering up enough focus to avoid getting distracted by the party, and promptly forgetting the contents of the whole message. But how to memorize a letter that'll be forgotten the moment she takes her eyes off of it? Simple: she'll take notes! It's perhaps the weirdest lecture she's ever attended, but soon enough, she has the Sparknotes™ of the letter jotted down.

But, as the letter details, there is a pen knife in the envelope. Probably explains how it got embedded in the airship in the first place. She claims the pen knife, stashing it away for later usage. Were she to use it to carve a doorway into a surface, she'd be able to- well, given that somebody was likely to be reading her thoughts at this moment (hi chat), it'd be best to keep some things to herself, right?

Still though, she can't help but read out the last bit of the letter.

But if you would rather not take any risks, I'll leave you with my one final request. Slap Venia for me. Just a gentle little slap across the cheek. A friendly gesture from an old friend of hers, which she'll recognise immediately.

Your not-so-humble servant and friend,

Χαρά Ἄνθάκης

She's... not entirely sure what language that text at the bottom is, nor is she sure how to put text on a letter into Google Translate for her purposes. Still, though. There's only one person this letter could be from, right? Chloe, stashing away the letter, promptly walks up to Venia and gives her a pap on the cheek. pap

---

<AN ENDING>
The blazing sun in the pure blue sky casts the shadow of the TC Express Airship to Hell down upon the ruined rooves of the citadel's residencies. Ever so gently, the vessel drifts down to the earth. Movement is abound on the ground, a verifiable forest of Chairians scattering near the soon-to-be landing site. Along the path to the citadel, the airship comes to the gentlest of stops. landing gear deploying.

A half-awake Omorika morphs a wooden ramp down the starboard side of the ship. She's the first one down, taking a calm, polite stroll down to the flagstone paths below. The crowd murmurs quietly, rumors and half-truths dispersing amongst them. For the past few hours, the Sphere had become something akin to a distant disco. Constantly, world-obliterating beams of light and energy shot from the Sphere, it split in half a few times before momentarily reforming- it was constant chaos. For all the citizenship knew, it was the beginning of the end. At least, until the Sphere came crashing down.

Soon enough, Omorika is once again on solid ground. All eyes are on her now, civilians waiting with bated breath, hanging on whatever it is she's about to say. There's absolute silence, save for the general kerfuffle occurring on the upper deck of the airship. Omorika glances over the crowds- it must be at least half the city present here now. The last time she had to manage a crowd like this was when the Iti first began their assaults about a month ago. To think though, that at long last, the threat was quelled.

And, so, after a quick swig of the strongest coffee she had, Omorika spoke.

OMORIKA: People of Locaa, hear me now!
OMORIKA: The threat to our kingdom has passed.
OMORIKA: The Sphere has been completely and utterly destroyed. The Chairheir- Ire, is... dead.
OMORIKA: With his death, the Iti have scattered to the four corners of the world. The destruction of our world has been halted, in more ways than one.
OMORIKA: No longer will we need to stay awake at night, fearing for not just ourselves, but our loved ones!
OMORIKA: No longer will we fret about supply shortages, forced conscription, and pain caused by blatant egoism!
OMORIKA: No longer will we fight amongst ourselves as our leaders pit Chairian against Chairian for their own selfish gains!

OMORIKA: Many gave their lives fighting for our salvation, but... it's thanks to them that we will see another tomorrow.
OMORIKA: Finally, this dark chapter of our history can end!
OMORIKA: Finally, we're.... we're free.
OMORIKA: We're... free.
OMORIKA: Free to seize our own fate.

Silence continues to lingers among the crowds. Then, a single cheer breaks out from the back, poking out from the humanoid treeline.

WILLOW: HELL YEAH!~

One by one, the crowd begins to light up with cheers and applause. Hats go airborne for little good reason, surely to never meet their owners ever again. Magic is fired off into the air haphazardly. One particularly talented arbormancer immediately constructs an incredibly detailed statue of Omorika by demolishing a few nearby trees. Chaos parks his Chaosdog stall near the crowd, offering a 50% discount to celebrate the victory. The crowd is absolutely deafening, the ground rumbling from the sheer verbosity and energy of their riotous cheering. Omorika is taken aback- not that she expected a negative response or the like, but the incredible rallying of the crowd is unlike anything she's witnessed during her time on the Highchair.

Cypress, deciding the world isn't ready for his Tabletopian revelation, morphs back into Chairian form before descending the Airship's brand new ramp. He stands beside the flabbergasted Omorika, patting her on the back. Their voices are nearly unintelligible with the crowd's near-partying drowning them out.

OMORIKA: I-Incredible...
CYPRESS: Is it surprising? Doom's looming: gone. Hardest years: gone.
CYPRESS: We can rebuild. We can rest. We can breathe.
OMORIKA: I-I suppose it isn't, but at the same time...
OMORIKA: I... never thought I'd be able to see the people like this again.
OMORIKA: So long have we dealt with this hardship, and somehow, it feels like it's all melted away in an instant.
OMORIKA: Even if our work has only just begun.
CYPRESS: Paperwork?
OMORIKA: Paperwork.
CYPRESS: Paperwork.
CYPRESS: Do not fret. I will assist.
CYPRESS: ...With everything. Not just paperwork.
OMORIKA: I gleaned that much, yes.
OMORIKA: But thank you, sir Cypress.
OMORIKA: Here's to the future, and our continued cooperation as members of the Chairian people.
OMORIKA: May Helix give us the strength to lead them out of this mess, and into a brighter dawn.
CYPRESS: Most certainly, Omorika.
CYPRESS: Cheers.

Cypress produces his own thermos of coffee from somewhere. Clink. The two coffee drinkers unite their vessels of beverage. Meanwhile, up aboard the airship, the riotous energy of the crowds begins to get to some of the occupants...

CHLOE: S-So many people...
MARRON: What? Too good for praise?
MARRON: It's nice to get some appreciation for once, in my opinion.
CHLOE: N-No, of course not!
CHLOE: It's just... loud.
CHLOE: And I'm tired, and my hair's all frazzled, a-and... you know!
MARRON: Oh, yeah. I getcha.
MARRON: It's stupidly gorillaing loud.
NIA: If you guys are bothered, we can just blow this joint.
NIA: There's enough praise to go around for whoever wants it!
MARRON: Okay, but how do you plan to pass the crowds?
MARRON: We'll be like, adored to death!
NIA: There's still that portal on the lower deck of the airship. We can just go... poofy!
NIA: Then we can hit up a lunch place!
MARRON: Eh? Why hit up a diner when I can just cook for us?
NIA: Ooh, really?
CHLOE: That'd be great!
CHLOE: Shall we get going, then?
MARRON: Yeah! Let's go!
MARRON: I can barely hear myself think here, anyway.

While certainly, a good deal of the Spherebreakers stay behind on the Airship to drink in the glory and praise, a select group makes their way through the portal network, back to the House. Despite her exhaustion, Marron's quick to find a groove in baking. Ette beside her, the two of them get to work preparing one hell of a feast. Though she's certainly never done it before, Marron has somehow gotten her hands on a whole turkey! She eagerly prepares the bird that she definitely won't eat, while Ette works on other fixings that one might find with say, a thanksgiving dinner.

As the most ambitious lunch ever slowly takes shape, Chloe rendezvouses with both Nia and Xavier, holding a private meeting upstairs in the barracks. Nia sits on a high bunk above Chloe, while Xavier sits across from the both of them on a lower bunk. It's been eons since they've been able to have a simple chat like this.

CHLOE: ...What happens now?
CHLOE: The war's over. We did it.
CHLOE: It's... still so, so hard to comprehend, but we did it.
CHLOE: And now we need to consider... what we do now.
CHLOE: We can't just... return to our lives, can we?
XAVIER: Sure we can.
XAVIER: That's what you did after the Second Godmodding War, isn't it?
CHLOE: I guess you're right, but...
NIA: I mean, I'm pretty sure that I'm canonically dead.
NIA: On earth, anyway.
NIA: So... I have no idea if we can do "normal".

NIA: So uh, are you going to jail for kidnapping me, or what?
CHLOE: U-Um...
XAVIER: ...Almost certainly, yes.
XAVIER: While I could likely keep the cops off of my tail forever... it's probably what I deserve, isn't it.
XAVIER: I took away the most precious years of your life so I could pursue science.
XAVIER: I also may have unleashed an ancient eldritch code god upon the world.
XAVIER: But how was I supposed to know about the latter?
CHLOE: I-I mean... t-that's not that bad, r-right?
NIA: I know you love your brother and all, but he still did commit actual legit crimes.
NIA: And sure, he helped saved the world, but... y'know!
NIA: We were gonna go shopping the day after I was kidnapped! He owes me a shopping trip, at the very least!
NIA: Aaaalso several millions of dollars in damages, but still!
XAVIER: ...Yeah.
CHLOE: B-But, but...
XAVIER: I deserve it.

XAVIER: At least for now, though... you've earned your victory over the Sphere, right?
XAVIER: Chill for a bit. The future can wait at least a bit longer.
XAVIER: Sorry if it's... a lot to think about.
CHLOE: N-No, it's fine...
CHLOE: We can't run away from it, can we?
CHLOE: It's... good to keep it in mind.
NIA: Yeah. Just don't fret too much for today, okay?
NIA: Today's a day to celebrate!
NIA: Oke?
CHLOE: ...Okay.

Chloe sighs a deep sigh. Though the future was inevitable, Nia was right. So much has already happened today. For now, she should settle down, and enjoy some time with all of hew new friends. It was the end of an era for the Chairian people, and the beginning of a new world. Of all the times to celebrate, now was certainly the time.

A voice calls from downstairs.

ETTE: Hi hi!~
ETTE: We have food!
CHLOE: E-Eh? You're done already?
ETTE: Of course not, silly!
ETTE: We do however, have... appies!
ETTE: They're like, sticks of breaded cheese! Cheesy sticks!
NIA: Cheese sticks? Awesome!~
NIA: See ya there, Chlo!
XAVIER: Cheese sticks, huh? It's been a bit.
XAVIER: Sure, I'll bite.

The two of them head to the kitchen, one at a frantic pace, the other taking a slow, contemplative walk. Chloe continues to sit where she was, gazing up at the ceiling. Those worries of her could wait another day. With renewed energy, she swings her legs, hops off the bed, and is soon downstairs, joining the others for appetizers. By now, the crowds in the capital have dispersed, leaving most of the party free to return to the house. The team has assembled in the kitchen and other surrounding areas, leaving the house rather crowded. Marron frantically works, cooking at the speed of fire hazard as the other have a bit of a chat.

ETTE: Hey, where's Omo and Cypress? They deserve snacks, too!
ACACIA: She's probably stupidly busy, doing Highchair things.
ACACIA: You guys did overthrow Spark, after all.
ETTE: Why aren't you doing Highchair thingies, Acacia?
ACACIA: Good question.
ACACIA: Because.
ETTE: Okay!

NIA: Venia, everyone! Check out how many cheese sticks I can fit in my mouth!
NIA: ommuufhhhghhhh-
MARI: Don't choke to death, idiot.
NIA: *sounds to indicate choking to death*
MARI: Goddamnit. Here, let me help you...

MARRON: Chloe, you're not totally cooking illiterate, are you?
MARRON: Come and help out before I enlist Asha and accidentally burn this place to the ground!
CHLOE: Sure thing!
MARRON: Oh, feel free to help yourself first, though!
MARRON: Ette says the sticks are extra good!
CHLOE: Oh, absolutely! You've outdone yourself, Marron!
MARRON: Ehehe~

TAEDA: Thank you Helix, for our continued survival. May your light continue to guide us as we persevere into the future, and restore our glory as-
BASS: hey, uh
BASS: okay so total confession
BASS: i have a biiiit of a crush on you
BASS: wanna go out?
TAEDA: E-Eh? Y-You want t-to... w-with me?
TAEDA: S-Sorry, but... I'm already bound to Helix.
BASS: darn.
BASS: imagine joining a cult to get ladies, and then getting absolutely zero by the time they're dismantled
BASS: then imagine saving the world, and still having zero "rizz"
BASS: sucks to suck
TAEDA: I-I'm sure you'll find someone, though!
TAEDA: Don't give up!
AOKI: You'll find someone for you, I'm sure of it.
BASS: ...Thanks, you two.
BASS: also what the hell is a cheesestick

MAXIM: *chittering*
GIBBET: *chirping*
NANA: *clicking*
MAXIM: *concerned chittering*
GIBBET: *chirps in french, but confused*
NANA: U-Um... is my dialect rusty?
NANA: M-Maybe I need you to get back i-in my throat and engrave it in my mind again...
MAXIM: *ominous chittering*
NANA: T-That's not a yes!

R-8733: You're right! The barracks are the perfect place to set up celebratory fireworks!
R-8733: Though, I fear we've missed the mark for such a display.
MAPLE: Nonsense! Now's the perfect time for a display!
MAPLE: Who said that the celebrations were over just 'cuz we're here, eating food!
MAPLE: I bet they'll be partying long into the night!
MAPLE: You can set up then!
R-8733: Oh, you're definitely right!
R-8733: Mind helping me deliver goods to the barracks later tonight, then?
R-8733: You can fly and stuff, so...
MAPLE: Sure thing!

CHI: ...What was it like, down there in the Everground?
CHI: I've only ever been there once before, and that was just to dispose of a certain... artifact.
VULCAN: Hmm.
VULCAN: Take the worst thing you can think of.
CHI: Okay?
VULCAN: And then multiply that by seven random numbers from one to six, one after the other.
VULCAN: Repeat this equation approximately every twenty-six minutes.
CHI: Um...
CHI: Do you wish to... talk about it?
VULCAN: ...Actually, I'm quite fine, thanks.
VULCAN: You get used to it.
CHI: ...

The partying continues long into the afternoon, as Marron continues her cooking. Soon enough, cheese sticks are replaced with a full spread of food and an incredibly exhausted Marron, who melts into a chair with a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes set in front of her. Chloe taps a spoon on a wine glass (which has been filled of course, with distinctly not alcohol), signaling the attention of the party.

CHLOE: Everyone! Thank you for coming!~
CHLOE: I know this party was on short notice, but... I'm glad we could come together one last time.
CHLOE: We really did incredible things, you know! I'd elaborate, but, well... you all lived through it, didn't you?
CHLOE: Here's to the future!~

Glasses raised, the Spherebreakers toast to a new era, a new Sussui. And though after this party, a majority of the Spherebreakers would disperse to the knowns and unknown of the universe, at least for now, it was time to set those worries aside. It's time to celebrate the end of an era, and the dawn of a new world.

THE END

---

The Ancestor’s Grave. That is what they came to call the impact site of the Sphere. Days after the fall, intrepid explorers would perform an analysis of the site. The conclusion? Even down on the ground, the Sphere’s function hadn’t changed much at all. It was a prison for the previous Chairheir- though perhaps, one that they remained in of their own volition.

A single entrance lay just above the water line of thyme matter. A gaping maw where the Harpies would roost. It was there a boat would dock. A robed figure stepped out, lantern in one hand, and some sort of trinket in the other. Though the Harpies would watch their approach and caw with fury, they could not aggress. Not while they were in possession of the Grey Card.

The figure wandered down into the maw, taking a slow and steady pace. It had been many moons since the site had been declared too dangerous for explorers to traverse. A forbidden site. A sacred, holy tomb. And once again, a bustling hive of Iti, though considerably more sophisticated.

Paved roads made of imported stone from the outside world guided the figure down towards the center of the Ancestor’s Grave. They passed by several chambers, each radically different in design. Tight-knit tunnels for the Xenos. A bustling garden of fungus and fauna for the Parasites. A playground of scrap metal from the constructions that once existed on the Sphere, for the Malware. A gorgeous crystalline museum for the Suspended to appreciate. And yet, the figure could not get distracted. Down they went.

Soon enough, they arrived in the central chamber. A sphere-shaped hole within the center of the Sphere. Suspended by thousands of dangling roots was a throne, where the creator of this paradise lay dormant. A walkway of individual platforms, each supported by a singular tree, guided the robed figure towards the throne.

As he neared the core and stepped onto a central platform, he knelt down and lowered his head to the central figure. He laid the Grey Card on the ground in front of him, and set his lantern to the side, dimming it. Only glowing moss that grew all around the room provided any sort of illumination. The dormant figure’s eyes flickered open, thymium and grey shining down upon the visitor’s robes.

???: Hm? A visitor?
???: …Oh! It’s you.
???: Hello. What was your name again?
???: Well, it really doesn’t matter.

???: You’ll be happy to know that the experimentation was a success.
???: Creation has been utterly enthralled with this substance since it came into their databanks, you know.
???: “Waluigi Thyme”.
???: And we’ve been able to synthesize… just a little bit of the stuff.
???: It took a lot of time, effort, and research to get this far! Even for Creation!
???: Creation is currently attempting to synthesize a far more efficient manufactory process, so don’t expect to get much more than this.
???: Plus, this stuff is dangerous. Far too dangerous for anyone to have.
???: But…

In a puff of green flames, a bottle appears in the former Descendant’s hand. Waluigi Thyme, in a small bottle for a small person. Barely enough to season one’s fries and write a sick song about said subject. They hand it to the cloaked figure.

???: You’re just as aware as me, right?
???: Waluigi Thyme is the ultimate in creative stimulants.
???: I’m eager to see what you’ll create!

The figure lowers their hood, and gives thanks to the figure before him.

CYPRESS: …Thank you, Chairheir.
CYPRESS: This bottle. Put to use.
???: Chairheir? Nobody calls me that anymore.
???: Nobody calls me much of anything anymore, come to think of it.
???: But with a new start, comes a new name, right?
???: Call me… Gaia.

???: Wait, no. Sethbling?
???: Um, Hephaestus?
???: Godot? Unity? Impact? Unreal?
???: Notch? Hold on, Hatsune Miku? Nah.
???: Still workshopping things.
???: Ah! Got it!
???: Locus. Call me Locus.
LOCUS: Yeah. That sounds good. Might workshop it more, though.
CYPRESS: Understood, Locus.
CYPRESS: And once again. Thank you.
LOCUS: You’re quite welcome!
LOCUS: Now, go forth! Create something to behold!
LOCUS: Goodbye, and sweet dreams!

With that, Cypress reclaims his lantern and the Grey Card, and begins the long trek back out of the Ancestor’s Grave. Once out of eyeshot, Locus stretches, and leans further back into their chair. Soon enough, they’re dormant once more, imagination running rampant. As Cypress returns to their vessel, they gaze up at the night sky, where the moon casts its gentle light over the land.

CYPRESS?: ...Well, here we go.

PROJECT THYMIUMCREDITS
PLAY - Heritors of Arcadia (Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia)





THE VANISHEDThese characters were not present around the time of the final battle.

SAM
Battles Cleared: 1
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 0
Sam mysteriously vanished during the war against the Sphere. Their fate is unknown.

MOO
Battles Cleared: 1
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 0
Moo also mysteriously vanished during the fight against the Sphere. Their fate is unknown.

XAE GOLDENSTAR
Battles Cleared: 1
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 0
It is unclear why so many people vanished during the time of the Sphere, like Xae Goldenstar here. Their fate is unknown.

SIERRA PENA
Battles Cleared: 1
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 0
Omorika has led investigations to discover the whereabouts of Sierra Pena post-Sphere, but to no avail. Their fate is unknown.

ANSEM, SEEKER OF DARKNESS
Battles Cleared: 1
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 0
Like many others, Ansem also mysteriously vanished. Omorika has not bothered looking for them. Having the literal villain of Kingdom Hearts be found is… likely not a good thing for the kingdom. Their fate is unknown.

ROSEMARY
Battles Cleared: 1
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 1
Rosemary vanished some time during the Sphere’s dominion. Chloe hypothesizes that they went to Egypt, but ultimately, their fate is unknown.

KONGOU
Battles Cleared: 2
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 1
Kongou straight up vanished. Cypress still doesn’t understand how they lost an entire battleship, or how a sentient battleship managed to pair up with the Spherebreakers, anyway. Their fate is unknown.

THINA
Battles Cleared: 3
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 0
Thina was nowhere to be found shortly after her arrival on Sussui. Omorika feels that she finally found what she sought, which was to be alone and free in this world. Their fate is unknown.

COLORS FULL
Battles Cleared: 4
Final Karma: 2
Accomplishments Obtained: 6
Colors Full vanished from the battlefield, but their colorful (pun fully intended) fighting style inspired artistry from many Chairians for years to come. Their fate is unknown.

MONIKER
Battles Cleared: 6
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 0
Moniker vanished. It is really unclear how the GM is meant to come up with so many different ways to spell “this character vanished”, but they’re doing their best anyway. Their fate is unknown.

WOODTHORNE
Battles Cleared: 6
Final Karma: 3
Accomplishments Obtained: 0
Woodthorne was not present for the final confrontation against WARE. Hersilia theorizes that perhaps, they moved into the woods of Locaa to aid the woodland creatures against the inevitable devastation that would occur from the Sphere’s end. Their fate is unknown.

GENERIC
Battles Cleared: 8
Final Karma: -10
Accomplishments Obtained: 4
The famed “wide beam wizard”, though certainly an asset to the Spherebreaker’s efforts, vanished at some point during the war. Their fate is unknown.

VOLATILELILY0058
Battles Cleared: 11
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 1
The fate of Lily is… actually completely known! Mari received an email from them, learning that they’re still working as an NPC is Ethelwynn. Still though, it’s unclear why she so suddenly returned.

LITTLE PACKO
Battles Cleared: 11
Final Karma: 6
Accomplishments Obtained: 0
Packo vanished at some point during the sojourn to the Sky Labs. Ette still keeps her eyes peeled for her rotund friend, hoping that one day they can reunite and share some bread together. Their fate is unknown.

THE MAN
Battles Cleared: 20
Final Karma: -1
Accomplishments Obtained: 2
The Man vanished from the face of Sussui rather suddenly. It is, however, widely believed that they found their suitcase, thus fulfilling their grand ambition. At the very least though, their contributions to the Spherebreakers were certainly legendary. Their fate is unknown.

ZAHLIA
Battles Cleared: 20
Final Karma: 9
Accomplishments Obtained: 3
Zahlia and Simeon one day left the planet, or so Chloe believes. With how much they contributed to the fight against WARE, she wishes that she could’ve gotten to know them at least a little better. Their fate is unknown.

YATO YUMI
Battles Cleared: 20
Final Karma: 14
Accomplishments Obtained: 5
The war master that was Yato Yumi appeared, slew Spark, and then left without another word. Truly legendary behavior. Their fate is unknown.

BRUTISHACE THE NECROMANCER
Battles Cleared: 26
Final Karma: 3
Accomplishments Obtained: 4
Perhaps the most painful loss in Chi’s eyes, Brutishace was considered the most valuable member of the Spherebreakers left unaccounted for at the end of the war. A shame- she could certainly use someone like him to help rebuild! Their fate is unknown.





THE SURVIVORSThese characters were present for the fall of the Sphere.

TAEDA
Ever Faithful
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
Though many good priests and priestesses were lost under Spark’s careless command, one devout follower persevered through the storm- Taeda Loblolly. After the war, Taeda devoted herself entirely to repairing the damaged faith. To this end, Taeda decided to make use of the biggest asset at her disposal- Omorika’s recommendation for her ascent to the Highchair. Becoming the religious head in place of the fallen Sequoia, Taeda would set her sights high on her first task after the war- the restoration of the Church of Helix.

BASS
Illusory Rose
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
In the months following the Sphere Crisis, Bass Americana gained immense fame for his heroism in the conflict… and yet despite that, he had no luck with the females. He resumed his acting career, performing in shows across Locaa, but the experience always felt off. Each performance only deepened the hollow feeling inside Bass's gut, and eventually he couldn't find it in him to enjoy himself anymore. So, when a call from an old acquaintance came in a year later, Bass jumped at the opportunity.

R-8733
774623 63 843 759 54448
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
R-8 was not permitted to continue his work in explosives as a civilian. Reluctant to join the (in shambles) Chairian military after his experience in the Rebellion, R-8 joined Bass's theater troupe, serving as stage and effects manager. He was happy for his friend's success and excited to be along for the ride, but part of R-8 felt as if his talents were not being exercised to their fullest potential. He could also tell that something was gnawing at Bass, and when the message from the Highchair arrived, he encouraged his friend to pursue it, hoping it would open new avenues in life for them both.

MAXIM
Scythe of the Iti
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
With nobody to bind them after the war, Maxim found themselves in the wild once again. Grey permeating their being, they roamed the forests of Sussui for some time. Making use of their humanoid puppet, they hunted down wild game to sustain themselves. However, this simple life was soon interrupted by a chance meeting with the Eliti, Droplet. In exchange for a good known as “popato chisps”, Maxim was enlisted as the hopefully not-literal right hand of Droplet. What would the two of them accomplish together, now that they’re free from the Sphere? Only time would tell…

CHI
The Poison Woman
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
Stella Chi was formally brought into the new administration of Locaa as Cypress's right-hand woman. None except the Spherebreakers knew her dark secret: that under the alias of Pomme, she had founded the Rebellion. While Chi did not regret her role in Spark's overthrow, she did blame herself for the other crimes the Rebellion had committed under her watch, and she threw herself into humanitarian and rebuilding work in the following year. That work was only interrupted by a private conversation with Cypress -- a conversation that left her shaking afterwards, though she refused to tell anyone why.

AOKI
Uncaged Songbird
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
After witnessing the horrors of the battlefield first hand, Aoki stepped down from the limelight, much to the distaste of those pulling her strings. Consequences be damned, she fled from her handlers, finding refuge with her love. Supported by Gum, both in the mental sense and the “not getting vultured by her handlers” sense, Aoki wouldn’t touch the stage again for a long time. She did however, find great joy in producing music on her lonesome. The unique sounds of an unchained idol would fascinate Chairians for years to come.

GIBBET
Birb
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
A shadowy, cruel looking beast with noose-laden wings, Gibbet became every bit as terrifying as the Gallows ever was. For Hersilia, she never expected that taking care of the Spherebreaker’s pet Iti would be so… peaceful. Despite their intimidating stature, Gibbet was in fact, the “goodest of boys”, and ended up becoming one of Hersilia’s favorite creatures, second to only her Freja. Gibbet was easily domesticated and put to good use in taking care of Hersilia’s spider hordes, where one could say they became a fairly good father.

VULCAN
Caretaker of the Everground
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
Somebody had to take care of the First Sin down in the Everground. Being the only one capable of doing so, Vulcan took the plunge into the Everground once again. However, fearing that some remnants of the Chaos Butterfly remained- followers of Yulania or perhaps a few remnant Exhibitions- she would on occasion return to the surface to hunt down and expunge threats to the recovering Locaa. She would never properly reunite with her daughter Magnolia- the one entity that she would turn a blind eye to during her conquest against the Butterfly.

NOT!ECHOSS SOLOMON SPIDER
Sponsored By Bottled Bottled Bottled Bottled Bottled Bottled Bottl-
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
Upon returning to his house in the Echo Collective, Solomon was arrested for misdemeanor identity theft, reckless endangerment of the fabric of reality, and misuse of classified information for personal amusement. Having already anticipated this outcome for his poor decision making, he went along as quietly as a superpowered creature of living ink and whimsy can. Between his routines at the local comedy clubs on field trips and a penpal exchange with Hannah established with a little help from a certain non-<0> butterfly demon, he's able to keep his more ridiculous proclivities under control until he qualifies for parole.

BOSHI
Homesick
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
After assisting in defeating the Butterfly, Boshi looked to the stars once more. He knew he could not keep traveling with Sophia and Co. when the Mushroom Kingdom was under constant threat. Plus, he really started to miss ol' Yo'ster Isle. He has Rosalina bring him back to the Mushroom Kingdom to see his old island once more. Despite being far, far away, Boshi still writes letters to Sophia. And somehow, Sophia always manages to receive them, regardless of where she is.

SOPHIA
Another Day, Another Adventure
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
Sophia returns home with Adria, apparently having helped save a planet. In other news, the sky is blue. Sophia also returns with a message from the Echo Collective, saying to expect a ship on a diplomatic mission to appear sometime in the future. Perhaps a flourishing alliance could be maintained between the two... not that Sophie cares, as after a number of days back home, to the tune of facepalms of her school's staff once again, she sets off on another adventure.

DOROTHY
Artistic Flow
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
After assisting in the Butterfly's defeat, Dorothy decided to return to Neo Nedilia to pursue her life goal of becoming an artist. Her skill with a brush flourished from the pretty little trees back at Acacia's house and into works noteworthy enough to garner some attention from the public. Not much, but she has a niche following. However, after finding out that she'll have a hard time doing this for a living, she started practicing her magic more. Eventually, she went on to assist Hannah in running her medicine shop on Sussui, though with no proper training, Dorothy was relegated to using her magic to heal rather than use medicine. Whatever works! Hannah and Dorothy remain great friends to this day.

HANNAH
Medic of the Wilds
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
After helping to slay the Butterfly, Hannah remained uncertain whether to stay on Sussui or return home with the others. After pestering Adria for a copy of her old prototype teleporter, Hannah set it inside her new home in the Absence Caverns prior to taking off with the others. She began properly training as a doctor, taking her recent field medic experience to heart, excelling at her craft. She often checks on her home back on Sussui, whether craving the wild hunt of the forest or running her new medicine shop near the caverns. Occasionally, Hannah visits Symphony Hall when she's not busy, often curious if The Reflector and Aegra's reflection are around to chat. She also often writes to Not!Echoss, never forgetting their good deeds to her.

MICHAELA
A Long Road to Recovery
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
After the Butterfly's defeat and her subsequent release from prison, Michaela was immediately taken into custody by one of Stasis City's higher-ups. Through committing what is widely considered a warcrime, along with some long pent-up mental health issues, she was sentenced to countless sessions of therapy. There, she divulged her full thought process of the events leading up to the crime, including the chat she had with Echoss while imprisoned. With such a vast quantity and severity of deep-seeded issues, however, Shelly's recovery was - and is - very slow to this day. An improvement is an improvement, however. She has not seen Hannah since her departure from Sussui...

MARIA
Heiress of Chaos
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
Maria joined her adoptive older sister in her trip to the Echo Collective only vaguely aware of the state of her father-and, perhaps, that he wasn't really as nice as he looked. While she remains content in her new home, plans form in her mind to return to Sussui, and discover the full truth...

CHAOS
The Winner of this Game
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
Chaos, adopting Maria as his heir, and now with the rights to Bottled Bottles, soon became the strongest entity on Sussui (or so he claims). While he swears he’ll probably conquer the planet later, he’s a little busy spoiling Maria rotten and drawing out her potential as the God Queen of Capitalism. To this day he still runs his humble(?) Chaosdog(?) stand, a humble tower of hotdogs marking the location of the cart at any given moment.

ACACIA
Abandoned Weapon
Battles Cleared: 2
Final Karma: -20
Accomplishments Obtained: 3
With the dissolution of the Spherebreakers, Acacia was enraged when Omorika decreed that she would be booted from the Highchair. One failed murder attempt later, Acacia was sentenced to perhaps a fate equal to death: her immense magic being sealed away. Unable to cope with the loss of her immense power, Acacia became a shut-in at her home in the Royal Gardens. It was only with help from Hersilia that Acacia was capable of re-igniting her passion for painting. With Hersilia by her side, Acacia would eventually simmer down- at least a little! Eventually, under stern supervision, she would find her way to Abies’s old home in Seatopolis, where she would create a beautiful memorial mural for him.

KEANE MCZUPP
Eleventh Hour Infinity
Battles Cleared: 3
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 1
Keane McZupp Colon Capital P was released from prison after two weeks, having gotten time off for good behavior. Upon his release, he immediately set off to find Sakura Yedoensis and make up for his prior infractions, seemingly disappearing off the face of Sussui in the process. Several Voidic reports received in the intervening time indicate he is of very little threat, and should one encounter him, it should be noted that he is very polite and is willing to work for petty change and the barest scraps of affection. Also, a sentient pot of pasta is offering a hefty reward for information that may lead to his whereabouts. That's probably normal, right?

CYPRESS
A True Dream of Unity
Battles Cleared: 6
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 1
After the war, Cypress found himself as part of a renewed, reconstructed council. No longer bound by Spark’s expectations to create dazzlingly creative machines of war, Cypress was able to fully devote his power to helping the people he so cherished. Although he would conceal his identity as a Tabletopian to the people, that never bothered Omorika or the other members of the council. And yet, something nagged at his mind…

THE SLEUTH
One Life Surrendered, So Yours Can Begin
Battles Cleared: 7
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 0
With his final acts ruining the Spherebreaker’s deathless run, the Sleuth found himself within a white void. A heavy brass instrument bridged the path between life and death. There, he would meet face to face with a familiar friend. The game they would play was simple. Gloomhaven. One full campaign. And so, they would play long into eternity, in a place devoid of existence.

KALIS
The Wild Mage
Battles Cleared: 9
Final Karma: 3
Accomplishments Obtained: 4
Kalis settled back in to the life they'd left quickly, adventuring and experimenting and blowing things up both accidentally and on purpose. A few things changed, though. Their party contributions still tended more towards support. They had new tales of vanquished foes and broken builds to regale their fellow heroes with. And they knew that it was only a matter of time before chance whisked them off to somewhere else once more. And it was going to be fun.

JOE
A Farmer
Battles Cleared: 13
Final Karma: 3
Accomplishments Obtained: 5
With the source of his life unrestored, JOE soon faded away. Never again would there be a chance to restore his farm to its former glory. And yet, even with his passing, the legend of JOE would never die. Farmers all around Sussui would pray to the God of the Harvest, JOEbob, to protect their harvest. Those who did pray to him swear on their lives that illusory entities would manifest around their farms at night, watching over their crops with vigilance.

TEAG
The Man of Incredible Violence
Battles Cleared: 14
Final Karma: -3
Accomplishments Obtained: 8
Teag wouldn’t stay around Sussui for long; the Charians were probably still a little upset with him for the guys he violently turned into splinters, like, a week ago. He will probably return home and spend the rest of his days avoiding getting stuck in any mindscapes or being obligated to save any universes. He'll always remember these adventures, though, and all the friends he made and enemies he annihilated along the way. Those who witnessed their allies getting shot likely wouldn’t forget him, either.

STAR
Grey Stargazer
Battles Cleared: 14
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 9
Star wandered Sussui for months, trying to find themselves. While Chairian society was not always accepting of them, they nonetheless discovered many things about it they loved. Including something called… “gender”?

THE REFLECTOR
Number Six
Battles Cleared: ?
Final Karma: ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ?
…

BERGILMIR
The Guardian Frost
Battles Cleared: 15
Final Karma: 14
Accomplishments Obtained: 5
After the defeat of the Descendant, Bergilmir made his goodbyes, made sure Chloe left safely, and returned to his world, ready to continue his journey of defending the innocent from the tyrant. But time ran faster in his world. And in his absence, new tyrants had sprung up. The revelation broke him, and after, decided to take up a new quest. Uniting the sparse enclaves of kind rulers, he quickly conquered six cities. But his new knowledge had changed him. Tyrants were given one chance to surrender. If they rejected him, they were wiped out, chosen men put in their place. Within a year, Bergilmir ruled a good-sized kingdom. But he had a new fear: had he become what he had hated for so long? In the midst of pondering this, he felt called back...

HEXAGON
Six Sided Savant
Battles Cleared: 16
Final Karma: 2
Accomplishments Obtained: 8 + THE ROCK
Despite his statement of only being on Sussui to kill WARE and get out, the legend of Hexagon lives on. Chairians and Tabletopians whisper alike of a mysterious low poly figure in red glimpsed across the world, visiting people in silence to deliver the mythical and rumored gift of " Foam ". The whispers to this day say that the same figure can be found at great rivers and lakes across the world, seemingly set on finding the greatest catch. Foam and fish.

ETTE
A Real Girl
Battles Cleared: 22
Final Karma: 22
Accomplishments Obtained: 3
With Marron and Asha busy being adventurous lesbians™, Ette decided to do what any responsible little sister would do- open a bakery in Seatopolis! While the Chairians of the city were understandably wary at first, Ette’s bright disposition and delicious treats soon eased their worries, and won her a loyal following. Soon, Ette had a full-blown cafe on her hands, and enough money to support her and her family. Now, they could live a comfy, cozy existence here on this wooden planet!

REMIEL
The Raindrop that Fell to the Sky
Battles Cleared: 24
Final Karma: 0
Accomplishments Obtained: 12
With the Sphere broken, Remiel's work here is done, and so they depart from Locaa not long after. They aren't clear about where they're going—they're not quite sure themself—but perhaps they and the others will meet again some rainy day. They leave behind their brown cloak as they fade away, along with one other item: a playing card, a King of Diamonds scrawled with the words "BURN ME IN CASE OF EMERGENCY".

HOSHI & ANGEL
(and Patch, Oda, Keiko, Monika...)
Battles Cleared: 24
Final Karma: 19
Accomplishments Obtained: 9
Authorities are still currently investigating the disappearance of Angel. As of right now, the prevailing theory is that Angel is currently either in hiding or deceased, both due to perceived "Crimes Against Not Being A Degenerate. They Know What They Did.", as described by Marron. All claims that Marron is the one perpetrating the hunt against Angel have been confirmed. All parties aforementioned in the subtitle space did not choose to respond. Please forward any information regarding the whereabouts of Angel to 1-800-MARRON-BONK. Also legally not considered a paired ending.

CALIBRI
Blue Shade of Vengeance
Battles Cleared: 33 (sum of team)
Final Karma: 58 (sum of team)
Accomplishments Obtained: 16 (sum of team)
Calibri stuck around on Sussui for a while, helping with reconstruction and managing some of the affairs outsiders could be trusted with, maybe just hanging out with people in general. But eventually, it would come his time to leave. He would make sure to leave a phone number for those who were interested, or that he simply trusted. And he would make sure he could visit them again. "i hope we'll keep in touch for the rest of our lives.”

VERDANA
Red Light of Mercy
Battles Cleared: 33 (sum of team)
Final Karma: 58 (sum of team)
Accomplishments Obtained: 16 (sum of team)
Verdana would spend quite some time on Sussui, helping manage any affairs he could be trusted with and supporting those who had more dangerous work. But eventually, it would come his time to leave. And so he would leave with a heavy heart, though like his brother, he would make sure to provide those he trusted or who were eager to keep in touch with a means to contact him in future. "IT WAS GREAT TO MEET EVERYONE. I'M EAGER TO SEE WHERE THE FUTURE TAKES US..."

LATO
Awakened Sol Aeterna, Yellow Blade of Duty
Battles Cleared: 33 (sum of team)
Final Karma: 58 (sum of team)
Accomplishments Obtained: 16 (sum of team)
While Lato did not know the people here as well as she'd like to, she did at least spend some time in the aftermath getting to know them better. She wove that into her self-elected duties of handling all the tasks people would allow, critical or menial. But eventually, it would come her time to leave. Mostly. She kept one copy of herself on Sussui, which could perform any future duties and serve as a backup if anything happened to her main self. Regardless, she has a whole multiverse to explore, and a duty to investigate it. "There is still so much to be done. I will aid with everything I am capable of doing."

EN-913
Gunmetal Gunner
Battles Cleared: 33 (sum of team)
Final Karma: 58 (sum of team)
Accomplishments Obtained: 16 (sum of team)
EN-913 would hang around on Sussui for a good long while, longer than the other two who initially journeyed here with her. She spent her time mostly on helping out around the place, experiencing some of the more intriguing parts of Chairian and eventually Tabletopian culture. But eventually, it would come time for her to leave. She bade farewell to the people she'd grown to appreciate on Sussui, gave them a means to stay in touch, and a promise that she'd visit them again when she had the chance. Then she would go.

DAKSTER
Sage Supreme
Battles Cleared: 34
Final Karma: 2
Accomplishments Obtained: 9
When the dust settled, one thing was immediately clear to Omorika. She had been completely and utterly surpassed in terms of raw summoning potential. Though it brought her incredible shame, she would not let this defeat overwhelm her. Rather, she saw this as the perfect chance to enrich the next generation. With nowhere to go, Dakster accepted a letter of invitation from Omorika. His task? To teach and train new generations of Sages, to protect Locaa from any further threats. Already this program has bore fruit, helping to replenish the many Sages slain by the Sphere.

DESTINY & CRYA
The Empress of Stars & The Dutchess of Ice
Battles Cleared: 40
Final Karma: -18
Accomplishments Obtained: 8
After the Inter-universal War and the Butterfly, the gods realized that threats to their universe were not going to be uncommon. They began to seek out alliances, developing relationships with powerful civilizations such as the Echo Collective. Additionally, Crya, alongside Scalta, facilitated the cultural exchanged between Sussui and Auten, giving both societies fascinating insight on the potential of magic. They continue to rule their people, for many prosperous eons to come. Also legally doesn’t count as a paired ending.

BAUHAUS-93
Warrior of Worlds
Battles Cleared: 40
Final Karma: -4
Accomplishments Obtained: 11
Bauhaus returned home to formally finish his cool space knight mission, remembering to tell people back home about Sussui's coffee and how it's actually very safe there. Trade and commerce, woo!

NIDRA
Saviour Of The Waking World
Battles Cleared: 42
Final Karma: 12
Accomplishments Obtained: 14
Nidra initially assisted with the reconstruction of Locaa, but her periods of wakefulness would grow shorter as the weeks passed. Several months after she seemed to vanish without a trace, Nidra was found asleep in a comfortable corner of Sussui, dead to the world.





THE SHIPPEDThese characters obtained a paired ending.

EREN & MAPLE
Absolved Automaton & Otherworld Valkyrie
Battles Cleared: ? & ?
Final Karma: ? & ?
Accomplishments Obtained: ? & ?
Eren found himself entering surgery for the safe removal of JACOB and JERICO within a day of WARE's defeat, and woke up whole of body and mind beside the new bodies of his companions shortly after. With easy access to Sussui, he made it to his first ever date precisely on time. Maple and Eren were certainly an odd couple (most people's idea of a first date does not include tracking down Fell Beasts), but the two of them clicked and soon settled down in Seatopolis. The two of them became guardians of Locaa, though many would ask Omorika why funds were set aside for "crime fighting superheroes".

CHLOE & ECHOSS
Cobalt Heart & Peace For Golden Wings
Battles Cleared: 28 & 26
Final Karma: 25 & 36
Accomplishments Obtained: 6 & 13
With the threat of the Butterfly out of the way, Chloe, with the help of Echoss, was able to relocate to the Echo Collective. Though her family took a long time to adjust to such an alien world, Chloe took to these new horizons happily. In the weeks following the destruction of the Sphere, Echoss found himself far busier than normal. Between established communications with nearly half a dozen new worlds and the formation of many new friendships, he found himself handling his role as Overseer better than he had in centuries. His fellow leaders of the Collective let out a collective sigh of relief the day that Echoss's therapy began to bear fruit at last.

ASHA & MARRON
Sword-Holding Chainsaw-Enthusing Girl-Kissing Sorceress & Fatewoven Threads
Battles Cleared: 35 & 24
Final Karma: 18 & 8
Accomplishments Obtained: 20 & 11
With Ette dead-set on making a quaint little bakery, Marron and Asha decided to stick around on Sussui for the time being. With all the credit they had from saving the world, they had the cream of the crop when it came to real estate. But, in the end, their hearts settled on the place where they found one another- the house of the Spherebreakers. With Omorika's permission and blessing, they invoked the enchanted snowglobe to return the house to its prior state. There, they would live in (relative) peace, taking on odd jobs from the council that would result in what they desired the most- heart-racing adventures! And the two of them were truly happy.

ADRIA & MARI
Crystalline Chronostasis & Revolution From Another World
Battles Cleared: 41 & 14
Final Karma: 4 & -1
Accomplishments Obtained: 20 & 2
After slaying the Butterfly, Adria and Mari were eventually able to make their way into the stars, to Neo Nedilia. After Adria assisted in dragging Mari through a lengthy legal registration process, the two bunked together in Stasis City until things were in order. Not that it took long; with Adria's assistance, Mari was able to revolutionize transportation with the introduction of teleportation technology. Ever so often, the two of them would visit one another to catch up and socialize... even if Mari's attempts to court Adria were ultimately destined for failure.

THE AUTHOR & NANA
The Ink-Saint & Symbiotic Savant
Battles Cleared: 41 & ?
Final Karma: 236!!! & ?
Accomplishments Obtained: 22 & ?
Though the Sphere's fall seemed to transform the Iti around the planet, the fundamental changes to Nana's body caused by Maxim still remained. Though she felt a stranger with her mutations, she still loved the Author dearly enough to go with him on vacation to a hellscape known as "London". There, amidst the fantastical flora, fauna, and fpeople, Nana learned that perhaps, she wasn't so strange after all. Auth seemed much more relaxed after the collapse of the Sphere, an invisible tension released. Without the weight of the universe on his back, he was that much warmer and attentive with Nana. With someone special to him, he found someone to share all the things that he loved with. Soon after their trip they visited his home, the Genesis Library. He was consistent in his love for Nana, and happy to support her in everything that she did.

IRONGUTTA & MAGNOLIA
The Monstrous Mechanic & Everlasting Eviscerator
Battles Cleared: 40 & ?
Final Karma: 8 & ?
Accomplishments Obtained: 12 & ?
Irongutta remained on Sussui to aid in the restoration efforts, though it wasn't clear whether he was invited or asserted himself first. Either way, he loved a project, and there was plenty left to both break down and build back up again. The friendships he had forged with fellow explosives appreciator R-8733 and former living weapon Magnolia had only grown deeper, and was the first time in ages the ork had those he could consider best friends. There was hardly a boring day on Sussui with those two around (plus Piggo), and that was more than enough for him. Magnolia, despite having a body to use, was more than happy to stick by his side as a weapon. It is said she thinks of Irongutta as her new father, but getting her to admit that might be hard…

VENIA & NIA
The White Rose & The Starstruck Snowflake
Battles Cleared: 43 & 20
Final Karma: 72 & 6
Accomplishments Obtained: 35 & 10
Venia and Nia took up Echoss'es offer to emigrate to the Echo Collective. Living not too far from Chloe (much to her joy), Venia and Nia enjoyed peace, fame and each other. While Venia spent time using her knowledge of the future to invent unparalleled wonders, Nia remained a carefree individual who never stayed at any one job for too long. And though one day, they'll need to return to the future to deal with the fallout of Regalus's death, those problems couldn't seem farther away.





THE ENDThank you for playing!~

After the battle was over, Kalis stayed on Sussui for a while. They joined in the victory celebrations, volunteering their services as a firework display up until an accidental magic surge turned a spectator into a duck. (He got better.) They mingled with the other Spherebreakers, discussing different perspectives on magic and learning how different techniques could be applied within different systems. They cleaned up a couple sidequests that hadn't been touched in the main story, aiding Chairians in rebuilding after everything that had happened by collecting twenty or fifty of whatever moderately rare item was required. But it was always going to be temporary. The story was over. The postgame content could only last so long. And it was time to go.

Only it wasn't really content, was it. This world... didn't operate like Kalis's did. There were mechanics, and Creation and his terminal, and they were familiar, but they were only half the story. Underneath it all, there was another layer. Something flexible in rules yet rigid in substance. Something much more singular and fragile than anything Kalis had known.

Kalis had saved the world before, of course. Any character worth their salt had done it at least twice, and by the time they stumbled into the Rosen Catacombs, Kalis had six salvations under their belt. But it wasn't like Kalis was the only hero to have slain Archlich Dul-Therazak or the Mooneater Dragon. There were hundreds upon hundreds who could lay claim to the same deeds, even discounting those who had been Kalis's allies. And if they had failed? If they had been sent back to their spawn point again and again until they ceased to try? Everyone else would still have done it, and there would still be a moon out in the sky.

This time, this world, was different. Nobody but these Spherebreakers would ever be its heroes, and there never would have been another chance. There were rezzes, but no true respawns, no save loads, no instances. This story had only happened once, and would never happen again, and never would end any other way. And its echoes would keep unfolding, forever, like butterfly wings, until somewhere in the turbulence another story began.

Maybe it already had.

Maybe it was always happening, everywhere, forever.

-----

Wild Light flashed around Kalis in a twisted circle as they scrawled runes of burning power into the air. Equations of elemental alchemy from the fateful experiment that misfired and brought them here. Keybinds, passwords, names that reminded them of home. New symbols with no intrinsic meaning within Kalis's framework cobbled together from a half dozen systems of magic. All assembled with one purpose: Chaos control. It wasn't enough to simply leave. It was time to go home.

The circle spun faster and faster, Wild Light leaving Kalis's hand as the motion became self-sustaining. Kalis lifted off the ground, arms outstretched, chanting words of power and then binding the chants into macros to layer them on top of each other in ways no single tongue could manage. The circle expanded, then caught on nothing, juddering chaotically and shedding rainbow sparks. The air inside tore, then shattered. The circle collapsed like a dying star. And Kalis smiled.

A shower of potted plants fell from the sky. Every river in pi kilometers flowed backwards for exactly two seconds. Four-leaf clovers grew fifth leaves. An unseasonal aurora borealis manifested in local kitchens. Freak electromagnetic fluctuations caused two dozen large pizzas to be ordered to the Citadel on Keane McZupp's credit card. A woodpecker scored a perfect foamcrit and reduced a tree to splinters. And out in the Void, Kalis cut through space like a beam of light, expelled from the rift that had swallowed them on a trajectory that through chance yet not through chance pointed them directly for home.

<ROUND 352?>
…Emptiness. Absolute emptiness. The Spherebreakers found themselves within the midst of a seemingly endless void. Last they all remembered, they were celebrating at the house. Marron made cheesy sticks and everything. And now, they were… here. Wherever here was. Whisked away across space and time, into an untextured shadowy room…

Though it was completely dark, a few things were clear. There was a floor! That’s something! And air, and… some sort of marble statue here? It’s probably marble. What other stone would someone make a statue out of? Limestone? Don’t make me sick. There’s also definitely some sort of air freshener in the area. Actually, quite a few air fresheners. Probably somewhere in the range of one to three hundred.

Someone has the bright idea to throw a Lumipod to shine light upon this curious situation. They throw it ever so gently, causing it to not splatter into a burst of light, but instead act as a sticky lightbulb. Slapping it on the ceiling, a dim light shines upon-

CHAOS: holy hell guys have some pa[t]ien[c]e
CHAOS: i was gonna have a drama[t]i[c] spee[c]h and every[t]hing [t]o announ[c]e why we’re all here
CHAOS: [t]hen i was gonna like, do some[t]hing really [c]ool whi[c]h i have [t]o[t]ally planned and was no[t] working on in [t]he dark whi[c]h’d ligh[t] up the room with lava
CHAOS: like [t]hose [c]ool mine[c]raf[t] reds[t]one [c]on[t]rap[t]ions
CHAOS: no[t] sure why i fel[t] [t]he need to spe[c]ify mine[c]raf[t] sin[c]e you all know [t]his is a mine[c]raf[t] spinoff
CHAOS: bu[t] hey maybe you [c]onfused i[t] with dwarf for[t]ress
CHAOS: an unders[t]andable mistake, i make i[t] all [t]he [t]ime
CHAOS: almos[t] as of[t]en as i forge[t] [t]o put bra[c]ke[t]’s around my [t]’s, like i did las[t] line
CHAOS: do you know how painful i[t] is [t]o speak like [t]his?
CHAOS: very.

CHAOS: side[t]ra[c]ked, [t]hough
CHAOS: anyway as i was saying before you so rudely explored [t]his mys[t]erious [c]hamber
CHAOS:

…You’re pretty sure that line of dialogue was meant to be blank.

Chaos throws a roomba at the Lumipod on the ceiling, causing the fruit to explode in a flashbang pulse, briefly illuminating the entire room. There’s… some sort of statue garden? Where is this? It can’t be the house. Perhaps in the month or so following the game’s ending, while nobody was posting, Chaos dragged everyone away to some murder chamber underneath his taco truck? It’s more likely than you’d think.

The awkward silence mingles wih the shadows for about a minute or so. Then, fwoom! The light of Chaos’s cellphone (armed with Discord Light Mode) completely dispels the darkness. Far as anyone can tell, he’s behind a humongous circular desk, spinning at speeds that man was not meant to comprehend. Looks like he’s left his text messages on speaker, too. The party listens in…

CHAOS: marron
CHAOS: marron where’s my mood ligh[t]ing
MARRON: E-Ette gorillaed up the cobblestone generator!
CHAOS: I-It’s not my fault, for once!
CHAOS: [c]obbles[t]one genera[t]or?
ETTE: I-It’s not my fault, e-either!
ETTE: Marron put the lava t-too close to the tree, a-and we need as much wood as we can out here-
CHAOS: why are you guys doing [t]ha[t]
CHAOS: who [t]old you [t]o make a [c]obbles[t]one genera[t]or
MARRON: Y-You did!
MARRON: Resources are incredibly scarce out here, a-and you’re the one who only brought the bare minimum up here!
CHAOS: oh yeah
CHAOS: hehe whoops i’m so [c]lusmy

Chaos, realizing his mood lighting isn’t going to arrive any time soon, opts to just increase everyone’s brightness level from Moody to Bright. It’s still dark as all heck (or at least it would be if not for Chaos’s phone), but inexplicably, this one circular area in the darkness is a bit more visible than everything else.

CHAOS: so, i be[t] you’re wondering
CHAOS: “[c]haos, why are you so handsome?”
CHAOS: i be[t] you’re also wondering
CHAOS: “[c]haos, why are you ne[c]ropos[t]ing [t]his dead game? only splash[c]a[t] was [c]onsiderate enough [t]o make ano[t]her pos[t], and [t]ha[t]’s no[t] enough for ano[t]her update?”
CHAOS: i be[t] you’re also also wondering
CHAOS: “[c]haos when did you ge[t] [t]he abili[t]y [t]o read minds?”
CHAOS: [t]he answers [t]o [t]hose
CHAOS: one: i[t]’s be[c]ause mr [t]wo builders drew me [t]ha[t] way
CHAOS: [t]wo: uh i forge[t]
CHAOS: [t]hree: round fif[t]y [t]wo: look i[t] up!
MARRON: W-What do you mean you forgot!?
MARRON: A-And why are you still texting in the group chat?
CHAOS: four: oops

Chaos stops texting on Discord. The light level is now more appropriate with light level 0 on Bright mode.

CHAOS: uh. why are we here again?
CHAOS: i’m sure i’ll remember even[t]ually.
CHAOS: for now, make yourselves a[t] home.
CHAOS: [t]he plo[t] will pro[c]eed shor[t]ly.
CHAOS: we probably [c]an[c]elled [c]o[t][t] for a good reason, righ[t]?
CHAOS: i’m sure you all have ques[t]ions.
CHAOS: ask away!

Chaos sits down, still rapidly spinning. He’ll patiently await a question or two before advancing the plot forward, next round!

Someone from the audience raises their hand.

CHAOS: when are we hos[t]ing [c]haos awards six

<ROUND 353???>

Someone very handsome asks a question! Chaos hi-fives the audience member, then responds with a very eloquent answer to the question.

CHAOS: li[t]erally never
CHAOS, IN THE AUDIENCE: aw man [t]ha[t] su[c]ks
CHAOS: bu[t] don’[t] worry
CHAOS: we have a new program [t]ha[t] will sys[t]ema[t]ically dele[t]e all [t]he so[c]ks from your wardrobe
CHAOS: s[t]ar[t]ing from righ[t] now be[c]ause i [t]o[t]ally forgo[t] we were doing [t]his
CHAOS: [t]itle[c]ard!

THE CHAOS AWARDS 5: 2
COMING SOON TO DVD

CHAOS: i feel like [t]his par[t]i[c]ular show was mean[t] [t]o have a gimmi[c]k
CHAOS: but wha[t]ever
CHAOS: i’m sure i’ll remember soon enough
CHAOS: no[t] wai[t]ing for ques[t]ions [t]his [t]ime, [t]hough
CHAOS: fill in [t]hese forms, now!
CHAOS: [c]as[t] your nomina[t]ions in [t]hese amazing [c]a[t]egories!

CHAOS: normally we have [t]his long elabora[t]e presen[t]a[t]ion of [t]he ca[t]egories, but [c]hloe was feeling mo[t]ion si[c]k for some reason
CHAOS: hell if i know why
CHAOS: so jus[t] read [t]hese powerpoin[t] slides ou[t] to yourselves, okay?

VIEW CATEGORIES: Click Here

The slides are surely read, because I’m writing text here that indicates you read them like a good captive audience. If you didn’t read them, I will bwaah in your general direction. Just be sure to not read Chloe's speaker notes at the bottom of the slides, though. She'll probably be angry.

CHAOS: now [t]ha[t] you’re familiar wi[t]h our [c]a[t]egories
CHAOS: why no[t] fill in [t]hese nomina[t]ion papers?
CHAOS: every vo[t]e [c]ounts!
CHAOS: only one [c]an win [t]he [t]rue ul[t]ra mega bes[t] girl forever plus five plus [t]wo award
CHAOS: [t]here’s also bes[t] boy s[t]ill but who [c]aresssss
CHAOS: me. i do.

SEND IN NOMINATIONS: Click Here

Send in your nominations now! Proper voting will begin at an undisclosed time, in an undisclosed location, directly in your backyard. (Or uh, to be clear, probably a week from now? Only one form per person, please!)

In another dimension, there is a faint clanking and groaning of pipes. Then, without warning, the statue of Chaos POPS into the air, and Keane emerges from the pipe below with a telltale BLOOP-BLOOP-BLOOP!

Then the statue of Chaos comes back down, bonking him on the noggin.

KEANE: ow
KEANE: ...Man, where in the hell are we?

He looks around. Looks like the only person here is Chaos. Keane storms up to the desk, opens his mouth- and then notices the stack of bubble forms before he can get a single word out.

KEANE: Ooh, bubble forms!

Happily scooping up a form, he wanders over to the spot where a Mari statue is supposed to be constructed, purchasing the upgrade with his father's credit card. While he's there, Keane also picks up the pile of additional Chaos'es, and uses them to nerdpole up to a higher vantage, so no one can spy on his vote sheet before he's finished. We all know he's going to vote for Sakura to be best girl, anyway.

MEANWHILE, IN ANOTHER DIMENSION...

...Nobody from the Hat Squad shows up. At least, not immediately. You’d think at least Sophie or Hannah would show up. How strange...

Then, a girl falls out of the ceiling, belly-flopping directly onto the floor. Ouch...?

Waist-length deep crimson hair, baseball uniform, a gnarly looking bat... one thing’s for sure.

She’s not a Spherebreaker. How the hell did this girl get in here!?

Despite landing face-first into the floor, she seems okay. She sits up, no worse for wear. Actually, she seems to be enjoying the sting.

???: Mmh, that’s nice...~
???: ...?

She looks around. Blinks a few times. Unfamiliar surroundings. Darkness except for the light right in the center. She’s confusedly sitting there, listening to a... glitch(?) go on about an awards ceremony or something.

???: Where...?
???: Where am I? Where’s sis? Where’s home?
???: Who are these people!?

She must be referring to the statues and Chaos. She just sits there, thinking about what to do.

???: ...I should call sis. There’s no way my phone doesn’t work.
???: I oughta take a ballot here too. I bet she’s too “busy” napping again.

She runs over to the desk and snags a scantron thing.

???: I have no idea what any of this is, but I’ll try and have fun!

She doesn’t know the ravenous horror that will come with the Best Girl award. Regardless, she sits behind the Chloe Statue, takes out a flip-phone, dials a number, and waits.

Luckily, she has reception here. Wow!

???: Heya, Louisi sis!

...From the phone, you hear what is likely our crimson-haired baseball girl’s name from a very groggy girl on the other end of the phone. Abigail.

ABIGAIL: This might sound weird, but I’m in this weird metal room with a... talking glitch?
ABIGAIL: Could you-
...
ABIGAIL: I don’t wanna, there’s people and other glitches here lookin’ at me weirdly, there’s these statues of probably really really important people I don’t know, and there’s also something about an award show and a ballot or something.
...
ABIGAIL: I dunno.
...
ABIGAIL: You nappin’ again?
...
ABIGAIL: Oh neat!
ABIGAIL: Okay, I’ll chill for a bit.
ABIGAIL: At least nobody wants me dead here.
ABIGAIL: ...I hope.
...
ABIGAIL: Yeah but I’m not suicidal, jeez...
...
ABIGAIL: Okay, thanks sis!
ABIGAIL: Have fun!
...

Abigail hangs up and starts filling in the scantron sheet...

---

A short while later, her phone rings.

ABIGAIL: S-Sis? What's going on?

After a brief word, she gets hung up on. Abigail sighs.

ABIGAIL: I hope nothing bad happened...

She continues filling out the sheet while she waits.

<ROUND 354?>

Keane wakes up. Where is he, anyway? The void is careless, unforgiving, and unfathomably terrifying. There's not even any windows here or anything. Actually, maybe the void isn't scary. The void is goddamn lazy. But perhaps the laziness in itself is terrifying? Keane doesn't let these questions bother him as he obtains a bubble form, looting it.

Bubble Form added to the inventory!

He then wanders over to the Mari statue- or at least, the idea of a Mari statue. It looks like in order to summon a Mari statue, someone will need to spend a whopping 1,010,000 Credits! For Keane however, who has long since beaten Project Thymium and has unlocked the Infinite Money Cheat Code, this is no issue. He purchases the statue. From orbit, a monolith of stone punches through the roof of the void, revealing empty space.

...Wait, the void has a roof? And why can we see faint pinpricks of light out of the hole the monolith arrived through? And why is the hole sucking everyone in? Keane is sucked into the vacuum of space, and dies instantly. Once Keane has been ejected, along with fifty three other copies of Chaos, an energy shield projects itself over the hole left by the monolith, rendering the room airtight once more.

A voice rings over the intercom. The Void- if this is the Void, anyway- apparently has an intercom.

MARI: Oh god. Which of you idiots blew a hole in the space station?
MARI: Why would you do something so goddamned stupid like interact with anything? Don't you know that comedic laws dictate we will all die if you so much as TOUCH ANYTHING?

MARI: ...Wait, Chaos did tell you we're in space, right?
MARI: That seems like a really important detail to omit.
MARI: Uh. Yeah. Welcome to space!
MARI: That's the gimmick of this awards show!
MARI: Woo!

We're in space? Holy hell.

---

Someone called Abigail appears! It is unclear how she made it into this space station, but Chaos welcomes her aboard! Or at least, he would if he wasn't asleep. No wonder this post took so goddamned long to make. Abigail takes a moment to fill out a nomination sheet, whilst pondering the wonders of the world. What sort of wacky space-related hijinks will everyone get up to during these Chaos Awards?

And why are there only two posts, anyway? Dead game.

---

There's yet another flash of light in the shady depths of the Distinctly Not Void. A teleporter beam! A wonderful sci-fi trope! Marron manifests behind Chaos, armed with a broom, a dream, and hunger pangs. She gives it a twirl, makes a Honkai: Star Rail reference, then selects the single-target option on her broom. Chaos is smacked with the bristle-y part for (56) Crushing Damage.

MARRON: CHAOS WAKE THE gorilla UP! WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP!
MARRON: WE'VE BEEN UP HERE FOR TWO MONTHS!
CHAOS: ow ow ow
MARRON: I AM RUNNING OUT OF POTATOES, CHAOS! DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS, TO GROW POTATOES IN SPACE!?
MARRON: Apparently not that hard, if that one movie Asha and I watched has anything to say...
MARRON: BUT WE'RE NOT ON MARS, SO I AM FRESH OUT OF IDEAS AND POTATOES.
MARRON: AND DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO COOK GOOD FOOD WITHOUT POTATOES?
CHAOS: please s[t]op [t]alking ow ow ow
CHAOS: every line of dialogue you speak has an implied broom hi[t] behind i[t] ow ow ow
MARRON: AND EVEN WORSE! WE'RE RUNNING LOW ON MILK!
MARRON: CHLOE IS GRUMPY BECAUSE I WON'T LET HER WASTE ANY MORE MILK ON BREAKFAST CEREAL!
MARRON: AND WE ARE DISTINCTLY NOT LOW ON CANNED BEANS, WHICH IS A GODDAMN TRAVESTY!
MARRON: WHY DO YOU HAVE SO MANY BEANS!? HOW COULD ANYONE EAT THIS MANY BEANS?
MARRON: HALF THE GODDAMN STATION IS DEDICATED TO BEAN STOCKPILING, AND ONLY BEAN STOCKPILING!
MARRON: WHY COULDN'T YOU STOCK FOODS THAT ARE ACTUALLY GOOD, HUH? I AM SICK AND gorillaING TIRED OF BEANS EVERY GODDAMN DAY!
CHAOS: bu[t] beans are funny ow ow ow
CHAOS: remember when i laun[c]hed beans a[t] pane? [t]hey're like, par[t] of my branding ow ow ow
CHAOS: so anyway wha[t]'s wrong ow ow ow
MARRON: W-Wha...?
MARRON: H-HAVE YOU BEEN LISTENING!?
MARRON: I HAVE BEEN YELLING AT YOU FOR THE PAST MINUTE, AND my throat is getting so, so heckin' sore...

Marron ceases her broom assault. She's completely out of breath.

CHAOS: here, wa[t]er
MARRON: t-thanks

Marron downs a Bottled Bottled Water in a near instant. She's gotten quite adept at siphoning fluid from these paradoxical bottles. Probably since it's the only form of water on the station. While there is plumbing, the plumbing just dispenses bottles of bottled bottled water. Would that make it bottled bottled bottled water? I don't know. I really don't want to find out. We can't end the universe with bottles a second time.

MARRON: phew
MARRON: okay
MARRON: So, as I was saying.
MARRON: Can you just... actually host the voting period now?
MARRON: The sooner we end this, the sooner we can get back to Sussui and catch up on Children of the Thyme.
CHAOS: oh yeah sure i've had [t]he vo[t]ing page prepared for awhile now le[t] me ge[t] it
MARRON: Alright, cool. Thanks.

MARRON: ...Wait, how long have you had it prepared for?
CHAOS: hold on le[t] me [c]he[c]k
CHAOS: a[c][c]ording [t]o [t]imeandda[t]e do[t] com, [t]here have been... fif[t]y days since i prepared [t]he form and [t]oday.
MARRON: Y-You... h-had it done t-the whole t-time...?
CHAOS: ye i like [t]o ge[t] [t]hings squared away before i nap
CHAOS: why are you mad
CHAOS: no really why are you mad

...As Marron continues to bash Chaos with a broom, the person writing this text decides to deploy the all-important voting link!

VOTE ON THE WINNERS: Click Here

Send in your votes now! Voting will close whenever I feel like it. No promises on when the finale to the award-winning awards show will drop. The tired sleepy calls at all hours of the day, and I am but a sleeping slave of the sleepy tired.

Low Sussui Orbit : 0800 Hours

For one final time, the stage had been set. Months of preparation, rewrites, and naps had led them to this point. This performance had to be perfect. Absolutely perfect, lest their query’s interest drift away. Dressed in her usual attire, Chloe saunters onto the stage. Her grace would draw the awe of the… strangely non-existent crowd. For today, her only audience member would be watching through the lens of a camera.

How the hell did she manage to get into these circumstances? And where was Chaos when he was most needed? The Chaos Awards wouldn’t be the Chaos Awards without him. These questions, though they would likely be answered later into the writeup, eluded those reading these words at the moment. Chloe knew, of course. She just wasn’t thinking about the answers to either of these questions at the moment.

The red light behind the camera flashes on. From behind, Mari gives a thumbs up. With a deep breath, Chloe sighs, before giving her best smile to the camera!

CHLOE: Ladies and gentlemen!~
CHLOE: Or, I suppose, just ladies this time…
CHLOE: No, wait. It’d just be lady, singular. Right?
CHLOE: Let me try that again…

CHLOE: Lady! Singular!~
CHLOE: It is my pleasure to welcome you, and only you, to…
CHAOS: Mari, titlecard-

THE CHAOS AWARDS 5: 2
THE END OF THE END (PART ONE)

Before she continued any further however, Chloe would need confirmation that their target was, in fact, actually watching. The recon teams would need to do their job. Hopefully, they’d respond soon enough…

---

Slightly Higher Than Low Sussui Orbit : 0801 Hours

The Dark Queen, Destroyer of Celestial Bodies, Render of Time and Space and Women Because She Felt Like It. A very long title that Chaos helped her come up with. While a bit long for her tastes, she knew for a fact that it would strike fear into the hearts of fish everywhere. She rose up from her dark sinister bed, gazing at her dark sinister alarm clock that sat upon her dark sinister side table.

Oh god. It was 8:02 AM. She had overslept! She would miss the Chaos Awards! In a hurry, the Dark Queen flicked on the lights, transforming her room from dark and sinister to cyan and incredibly sinister! Her wardrobe was plundered, looting a flowing shadowy dress that would not be welcome in a christian Minecraft server. And a sweater. Because it was cold. And a sleek metallic tiara that resembled some kind of spiky plant. Because it was stylish.

She slid out of her bedroom, skating across the floor with supernatural grace. She strode right past two lamps that definitely looked identical and not at all like two very differently sized people wearing lampshades. The lamps stood perfectly still, daring not to move. At least, not until the Dark Queen had skid straight into her couch, wiping out directly onto its surface and boosting her SP Regen by 5 per Regen Phase.

SUSPICIOUSLY MARRON-SHAPED LAMP: S-She… didn’t notice us, right?
NON-SUSPICIOUSLY ETTE-SHAPED LAMP: Nope! I think we’re okey-dokey!
MARRON: How could such an airhead b-become… the Dark Queen?
MARRON: D-Did we really need such an elaborate plan to… n-neutralize her?
ETTE: Yeah! Mr. Chaos said so, and he’s really smart!
ETTE: She’s a threat to… the biggestest source of income the universe has!
ETTE: The sun!
MARRON: …He was joking about that, y’know.
MARRON: Anyway, shhhh.

MARRON: Remember, our job is simple.
MARRON: Make sure that the Dark Queen remains distracted by the Chaos Awards.
MARRON: While she’s absorbed into reading the multi-page gorillapost, our forces will sneak up on her vessel, and destroy it.
MARRON: Then, bam! World saved!
MARRON: Or at least, what’s left of the world after the previous few shows.
ETTE: But…
ETTE: Aren’t we on her vessel?
MARRON:
MARRON: Well gorilla

MARRON: gorillain’, typical Chaos plan…

The two watch the Dark Queen from their lampshades, still completely unnoticed.

ETTE: I sent Mari the text that our target is in position!
ETTE: Now we just need to stand here and remain vigilant for however many more paragraphs this event is!
MARRON: Nicely done, sis.
MARRON: So: you keep watch, okay?
MARRON: I’ll think of a way to get us out of this mess, before the others blow up this vessel.

As Marron leaves her post, grabbing a nearby coat rack and propping her lampshade upon it to stand in for her, she sneaks off into the depths of the icy vessel. Though, as she skulked around, she had but one question.

Why the hell was Nia the Dark Queen?

NIA: Wow, lucky me!~
NIA: They had exactly a three minute delay, and I was three minutes late!
NIA: Chloe’s lookin’ great as usual, too!
NIA: I wonder how the serial escalation will go this time? A shame I’m not part of the show…
NIA: I have better things to do!~
NIA: But after this.

Equipping an entire gallon of ice cream from the hardened dessert-crafted floor, Nia began to snack away. Mmm. Floor flavored. It really didn’t get better than that.

---

Low Sussui Orbit : 0803 Hours

MARI: Chloe! We’re on! GO GO GO!
CHLOE: Gotcha!

Tuning out the voice from her earpiece, Chloe recalled the entirety of the 10,598 word long script, which also included things like her recalling the entirety of the script. Chaos was truly an innovative writer. But seriously, where was he? Skipping out on the plan that HE made, the absolute gall! Still, she had a job to do. The fate of the universe depended on it.

CHLOE: Anyway, since you missed the intro, I’ll go and repeat the introduction…

CHLOE: Lady! Singular!~
CHLOE: It is my pleasure to welcome you, and only you, to…

THE CHAOS AWARDS 5: 2: 2
THE END OF THE END OF THE END (PART ONE)

From backstage, Mari triggered simulated audience applause, spliced together from dozens of her own claps. While normally the Temmies and other assorted members of the Awardoverse would be in the audience, they were all off on apparently essential parts of Chaos’s grand plan. One would think having a normal audience would be good for maintaining the guise of a standard awards show, but ever since the mass extinction of Awardoverse Sussui caused by the Protemmietor, and the countless lives lost to the reanimated First Sin, they were really strapped for hands here.

But the show must go on, nonetheless. No matter how scuffed or how late it might be.

CHLOE: While we’ve done several shows like this in the past, and you surely know how this works by now, it’s tradition to explain the rules of this show!
CHLOE: Using all of the data we tabulated from you, the audience, we’ll hand out shiny trophies to those who win each of their respective categories!
CHLOE: Each winner also receives a coupon that’s valid for one free Chaosdog! What a steal!~

…Did the plan really need this much corporate shilling, though? Chloe barely managed to hide the disdain she had for the Chaosdog brand. Something that would surely kill her in the fabled seventh entry of the Chaos Awards, but god knew that wouldn’t come to fruition.

CHLOE: We’ll begin by introducing our categories!
CHLOE: Ten awards, as well as the fabled Best Girl, Best Boy, and Best Enby awards!

CHLOE: Our first category is the “Best In” awards!
CHLOE: These awards will commemorate the utmost of experts in each field! Whether it’s in Murder, Support, Roleplay or Being a Silly Little Guy, rest assured that only the best of the best will be exalted to the top!
CHLOE: This was, of course, determined objectively. Not subjectively. Chaos advises allowing your feelings to be hurt by the outcome of these votes, and to fight over it.

CHLOE: Then, we’ll be covering the Scenario awards!
CHLOE: These cover what was the best of the insane scenarios we took part in!
CHLOE: We’ll learn of the Best Battle and Best Boss, as well of two never before seen categories: Hardest Battle and Easiest Battle!
CHLOE: Unlike last grouping, Chaos says this one’s subjective!

A disclaimer appears on screen. “CORRECTION: THIS CATEGORY IS EVEN MORE OBJECTIVE, AND IF YOU WIN EASIEST BATTLE YOU SHOULD FEEL BAD ABOUT YOURSELF.”

CHLOE: Then, the humble Text-Based Awards! Though a small category, it can still certainly shatter your bones!
CHLOE: The Best Story Moment and Best Flavor Text... I wonder who’ll win?
CHLOE: It probably involves girls kissing, if I had to guess.
CHLOE: No idea how that’ll work for the flavor text.

Then, Chloe sighs.

CHLOE: Finally… there’s the Best Entity categories, but I don’t want to dwell on that.
CHLOE: Someone’s gonna die when those awards come around, and my best coping mechanism is to pretend there is no problem.
CHLOE: And, those are all the awar-

The screen that normally displays text relating to each category, offended that it wasn’t involved in this year’s production of the Chaos Awards, crashes down from above Chloe, only mere centimeters away from bisecting her. Scrawled upon it, written in what’s likely strawberry jam, are the words “WORST GIRL CONTEST”. And an arrow that just so happens to be pointing to Chloe.

CHLOE: E-Eh?
CHLOE: W-Worst Girl Contest? I-I wasn’t told about this!
CHLOE: A-And… I didn’t do a-anything t-to deserve that award, r-right?
CHLOE: A-Am I a bad person?
CHLOE: M-Mari, what do I-

Mari’s voice comes across Chloe’s earpiece. Her voice is made louder in post-processing for your listening pleasure. Or uh, reading? Look, you have a voice in your head that’s reading this text out, right? AND NOW THAT VOICE IS YELLING FOR NO REASON. See? Listening pleasure.

MARI: No interruptions! Keep going!
CHLOE: B-But… t-this is definitely foreshadowing! W-We can’t just ignore it!
MARI: So what if it is? If it’s foreshadowing, nothing we do can prevent the foreshadowed event.
MARI: That’s just basic storytelling.
CHLOE: W-What?
CHLOE: F-Fine! Whatever! It’s probably nothing!

Chloe delivers the fallen screen a swift kick, dealing (4) Crushing Damage to it. The screen is slain instantly, falling over and dissolving into dust.

CHLOE: A-Anyways!
CHLOE: On with the show!~

Music swells as the camera fades to black, and a commercial begins to play. But, who wants to watch a commercial? Let’s go look somewhere else, where something more interesting is happening.

---

Distinctly Not Low Sussui Orbit : 0810 Hours

Meanwhile, in a galaxy that’s an unknown distance away from the one that holds Sussui, but is probably a good distance away if you had to ask me…

GLITCH TEMMIE: Mister Echoss, was it?
GLITCH TEMMIE: I think you know why we’re here.

Echoss blinks. Once, then twice. Mere seconds ago, his office was as pristine as could physically or psychologically even be, not a single atom out of place. And even now… well, he’s not entirely sure what happened. There was a portal, somehow bypassing every security measure he had in place. A windowless van drove right through his favorite desk, and a horde of unfortunately familiar cat-things spilled out all in the span of two seconds, before the windowless van drove through another portal that happened to appear between it and an innocent potted plant.

And now, these creatures… What did they want?

ECHOSS: I have not been keeping abreast of the temmies' latest endeavors for the past few hours.
ECHOSS: To what do I owe this... "Visit".
ECHOSS: And why did you break into my main office for this instead of just asking me back on Sussui?
GLITCH TEMMIE: Apologies for the sudden and destructive intrusion, esteemed sir Echoss.
GLITCH TEMMIE: We, lacking opposable thumbs, asked sir Chaos for a drive to the Echo Collective. We were not aware that he would take a left on the interstellar hyperspace railroad and drive directly into your establishment.

The horde of approximately five and a half Temmies all bow solemnly. About as well as a quadruped can do, anyway.

GLITCH TEMMIE: Anyway. While we did not agree on the means of transport, we simply had to come along.
GLITCH TEMMIE: Such a potential business opportunity… How could we say no?
GLITCH TEMMIE: Mister Echoss. We would like to buy the Echo Collective.
ECHOSS: No.
GLITCH TEMMIE: gorilla.
GLITCH TEMMIE: Plan B, then.
GLITCH TEMMIE: We would like to purchase one of the Echo Collective’s dyson spheres.

Echoss taps his chin as the Temmies begin to scrape together parts of Echoss’s broken desk into a whiteboard to draw business diagrams™ on. He snaps his fingers and a new desk materializes in for him to begin pulling papers onto.

ECHOSS: Under normal circumstances I would ask what you're planning on doing with it first.
ECHOSS: But I've had this lingering feeling that something is terribly terribly wrong all day.
ECHOSS: Which goes without saying since the awards ceremony is supposed to begin today, but I believe having the out of the way one or another serves us better.

What Echoss is not aware of is that Chaos salvaged and sold Echoss's Internet router on Sussui to pull for Furina two days ago, and as such Echoss has missed the opening of the Chaos Awards entirely.

GLITCH TEMMIE: Your worries are understandable, but do not worry. While we are unsure of what Chaos plans to do with an acquired Dyson Sphere, our analysts have determined the most rational course of action.
ECHOSS: who did you just say wants the sphere
GLITCH TEMMIE: Which, we will enact on the acquired goods, whether he likes it or not.
GLITCH TEMMIE: Please observe the white board.

A Temmie with The Whole RGB Spectrum of Markers Taped to Tem spazzes out against the surface of the white board, drawing a beautiful rendition of a dyson sphere. Intricately designed engines and a command bridge have been added to the behemoth structures. Actually wait, aren’t they just ripping off Locus’s Sphere? The shame.

GLITCH TEMMIE: The Temmie population is expanding at a truly rapid rate, and we believe that given the projected course of the awards show, Sussui will be rendered uninhabitable within a few hundred paragraphs.
GLITCH TEMMIE: So, we require a new home. However, any vessel we could potentially construct would be too small, and take too long to construct.
GLITCH TEMMIE: So. We will make use of this Dyson Sphere that Chaos wants to purchase so badly to create an arkship for the Temmie species.
GLITCH TEMMIE: The size of the structure will allow for unparalleled economic growth in all sectors for thousands of years, even in the case of Sussui’s destruction.
GLITCH TEMMIE: In addition, this arkship shall be a perfect staging point for our dominati- erm, colonization of the known universe.

Echoss is staring slack jawed at Glitch Temmie, having dropped his pen halfway through the explanation.

ECHOSS: Ah. Erm. That does make sense, yes.
ECHOSS: Before we start negotiations, please excuse me for a moment I need to make some phone calls.
GLITCH TEMMIE: By all means. Take your time.

---

Low Sussui Orbit : 0815 Hours

Five minutes of commercials? Truly ridiculous. Chloe prays to herself that Nia’s attention span was long enough to survive the commercial break. She told Chaos that the commercial break was a bad idea! Sure, he’d make marginally more profit, but there was the chance that Nia- sorry, the Dark Queen, would destroy the sun (or whatever it was she was planning) in the five minutes of sponsored airspace.

Though, Mari probably would’ve told her if the sun went out, or if a bunch of Chibi Nia Strike Fighters ran a bombing run on the vessel she was in. Which, of course, was the glorious “HMS Chaos Reveng” (sic), so named because Chaos’s finger slipped while he was in communications with Creation’s Creations. Of course, the ship was in the shape of Chaos’s face, which cast its ominous shadow upon the landscape of Awardoverse Sussui. Children on the planet’s surface would speak in hushed tones about the giant face in the sky that most definitely ate children.

That was enough thinking to herself, though. Mostly because someone was screaming in her ear.

MARI: Chloe. What the hell are you doing? We’re back on air! Do the show!
MARI: Do you know how awkward it looks if you’re standing on stage, perfectly still for fifteen seconds???
CHLOE: A-Ack! R-Right!

Chloe clears her throat. She leans towards the camera ever so slightly, and gives it a friendly wave.

CHLOE: Welcome back, everyone!~
CHLOE: Now that we’re all here, let’s get on with the awards, shall we?
CHLOE: Let’s begin with the first award of the night, shall we?

Best In Murder
Flashy graphics appear on the television screen you can definitely see, reading in size 4 bolded font, “BEST IN MURDER”.

CHLOE: The traditional first award of the night, Best in Murder!
CHLOE: What more is there to say? Those who receive this prestigious award are experts in the one thing that really mattered in this game: violent dismemberment.
CHLOE: O-Of course, supports a-are important too, b-but this isn’t the support category!
CHLOE: A-And so are debuffers, and positioners, and summoners…
CHLOE: I-I’m… gonna shut up before I make myself look bad.
CHLOE: Anyway, there should be an envelope around here…

Chloe stands around quietly, looking up and down the stage.

CHLOE: U-Um…
CHLOE: Normally, I’d have a co-host who’d hand me the envelope, but we’re really short staffed this year…
CHLOE: Let’s see…
CHLOE: Marron and Ette are out and about, Mari’s in the back doing nerd stuff, Nia’s currently the Dark Queen, the Highchair’s manning the helm, and I should not be talking about this on air…
CHLOE: So in terms of assistants, this leaves me with…

The famous Project Thymium character Seeker Steve steps onto stage, a Seeker with an absolutely dapper bowtie. In their mouth is an envelope! They trot towards Chloe in an agonizingly slow fashion.

CHLOE: …A seeker, huh?
CHLOE: Ah, if only we had marketable Seeker plushies! I’d love to have just a big ol’ pile of Seekers to make into a big ball, and then cuddle up with!
CHLOE: I wonder if Marron would be willing to-

A guillotine manifests above Seeker Steve, bisecting him into two halves. No Half Measures, the dimension-hopping Eliti notorious for leaving half-Seekers everywhere, manifests from the upper half of the bisected Seeker, grabbing the lower half and pulling it into another dimension. Where will it place that other half? On Locus’s doorstep, of course. Much like how a cat leaves a horrifically vivisected bird upon your welcome mat, which you then need to powerwash for hours.

Anyway, Chloe mourns the sudden and violent death of Seeker Steve. Her sorrow is short lived though, as Gibbet flies in from offstage, picks up the letter, and deposits it in Chloe’s hands.

CHLOE: Ah, Gibbet!
CHLOE: Are you my new co-host? It’d be lovely if you’d-

Gibbet flies off with the upper half of Seeker Steve, which No Half Measures has vacated. Chloe is left alone once more, the only signs of the three Iti’s presence being the envelope and a splattering of Thyme Matter. Chloe pouts, but doesn’t let her sorrow overcome her.

CHLOE: W-Well… the winner of the Best in Murder award is…
CHLOE: *envelope opening sfx*
CHLOE: …It is “Hey, I bet I can snipe this letter from 16 tiles away.”
CHLOE: That’s… that’s what it says.
CHLOE: I should probably hold this away from my chest-

The letter is pulped by an ear-shattering shot from the Ultra Heavy Railgun. Factoring in the paper’s 100% weakness to fire, the shot deals an ubercritical (1,638) Fire Damage, overkilling it 1,637 times. Vitalstrike then adds an additional (1) damage.

Miraculously, Chloe is unharmed by the shot, at least physically. Afflicted with at least one turn of Stun and three turns of Fear8, Chloe is speechless as Teag walks through a newly-bored hole in the back of the auditorium. He hops onto the stage, and fetches the golden trophy that Gibbet just flew in.

He leans towards Chloe, and whispers something into her headset mic.

TEAG: Violence.

He then expends an Autoloader to reload his weapon, and fires a hole into the ground. He jumps down through the chute, probably accidentally venting himself into deep space.

MARI: Chloe? Just do this next award without me.
MARI: We’re getting reports of two hull breaches in the Chaos Reveng.
MARI: I’ve gotta fix them. Just pretend that there’s graphics on the screen, and that the viewing experience isn’t hampered in any way.
CHLOE: o-okay

Chloe ends turn a few times, allowing her Stun and Fear to wear off naturally. Who needs therapy when you have the power of wasting time?

Votes: (1st: Teag, 7) (2nd: Marron, 3) (3rd: Asha and Acacia, 2). Complementary medals will be sent to those who were runners up.

Best In Support
The flashy graphics that were on screen for “Best in Murder” never actually left. They’re still there, blatantly displaying the wrong award. Fortunately, though Mari has dropped the ball, Gibbet has returned with an envelope in record time! Nobody needs to die for this award! Hurray!

CHLOE: Ah, Gibbet! You’re back!
CHLOE: I’m so lonely. All my friends are out doing interesting and quirky things, while I’m stuck here, announcing awards as always.
CHLOE: Like this here Best in Support award.
CHLOE: Unfortunately, this award is for physical support, not emotional support.
CHLOE: Were this the emotional support award, you’d be number one, Gibbet!
CHLOE: You’re my number one emotional support birb!

Gibbet lands on Chloe’s head, dropping the letter into her hands.

CHLOE: And, the winner of this year’s Best in Support award is…

Chloe pauses, her eyes rapidly shifting from left to right. This has been too easy.

CHLOE: …We good?
CHLOE: We’re good.
CHLOE: The winner is, The Author!
CHLOE: Has he won this every year? Good for him, though!~

The Author is beamed onto the stage through standard futuristic warping devices. He’s actually surprised by winning Best in Support. Again. Again. It's a few moments before he starts speaking.

AUTH: Um. Hello, again. I'd like to thank everyone for voting for me for this support. The competition has been much fiercer now than at any point in the past, I think.
AUTH: It really makes me happy to know that my contribution is still valued highly. I personally would like to credit Star, for my ability to heal the wounded would be far more limited, even using flight, without the portals around each arena they've provided.

AUTH: I would also like to thank Nana for her support over the course of our adventure. I'm not going to say something like "I wouldn't have persisted without her", because we all know that's not true, but her support made it much easier to.
AUTH: Er... and I'd like to congratulate everyone, again, for stellar work dealing with the Sphere. It wasn't easy for any of us, and our victory was remarkable in its limited casualties.
CHLOE: Aww, thanks!
CHLOE: Though, I would like to ask a favor-

Auth glances down to the vivisected Seeker which doesn't appear to have been swept off the stage. He sighs, and snaps his fingers, ink peeling out of the stage to cover up the gruesome wound and start stitching together a new rest-of-the-body for Seeker Steve. Before all that long, he should be right as rain. And then not much later, he should be revived again, just as before No Half Measures got involved.

AUTH: All better, Chloe? I haven't missed anything? Keep an eye out, I don't know if that guillotine feels spite.
CHLOE: Ah, Auth! You brought him back! Thank you so much!
CHLOE: I’m so glad to see you again, mister Seeker Steve! You and Gibbet can both be my co-hos-

S H I N G. Gibbet casts Big Cutty once again, killing Seeker Steve a second time. And, before the Author can revive him again, the same standard teleportation beam warps him off the stage. Gibbet chirps happily. Chloe also chirps, though instead she sings a tune of raw despair. She falls to her knees as the halves are both taken away by No Half Measures.

CHLOE: why must everything i cherish be cut to ribbons?
CHLOE: B-But… it’s okay, Gibbet. Y-You… probably d-don’t know any better…

The glint in Gibbet’s eyes suggests otherwise. But who could blame Gibbet, even if they didn’t know better? They’re a small birb. That means they’re legally exempt from everything, except taxes.

CHLOE: W-We’ll be… right back, after these messages.
CHLOE: T-There aren’t any messages in actuality, but I need to hit up my therapist real quick.
CHLOE: Hold, please.

Chloe runs backstage, sobbing. There is no commercial break. Just a blank stage. With Gibbet on it. He do be hoppin’ around.

Votes: (1st: Auth, 9) (2nd: Kalis, Keane, and Star, 2) (3rd: Ette, 1). Complementary plaques will be sent to those who were runners up.

---

Very Extremely Slightly Higher Than Low Sussui Orbit, Like Maybe Fifty Meters Up From Low Sussui Orbit : 0830 Hours
The bridge of the Chaos Reveng buzzes with life. Six crewmates sat in a circle, zero imposters among them. While it was certainly unconventional to have your ship’s bridge in a circular formation like this, the Highchair really wouldn’t have it any other way. For whatever reason, Taeda sat upon the highest of the chairs around the table, wearing the biggest, puffiest pope hat.

TAEDA: Weapons! Status report!
ACACIA: My MP’s been low for the past six rounds! Someone go ring up Droplet so we can produce more Monster Energy already!
TAEDA: I-I told you, you can’t k-keep firing Siege Spires out through the hull t-to deal with enemies!
ACACIA: Yeah, but can our guns even match my firepower?
ACACIA: No! No they can’t!
TAEDA: Y-You dare doubt t-the power of Helix’s divine r-railcannons?
ACACIA: yes
TAEDA: H-How dare y-you? I-I will not-
CHI: Please quiet down, you two.
CHI: I’m on call with a patient.

Chi bobs her head to her cellphone. The person on the other end is venting and bwaahing about how their hopes and dreams have taken immense damage from railgun fire and guillotines. Chi jots down a few notes with her free hand. She would need to charge extra for this session.

Taeda, not wanting to interrupt such an important call, decides to cease arguing with Acacia. She can simply dispose of her later, once the awards show is over. For now, she needed to chat with the other half of her crew. Who knew what Nia’s flagship, the Frozen Moon, was up to?

TAEDA: U-Um… communications! Status report!
CYPRESS: All systems nominal. Two exceptions: breaches. Mari, enroute. Fixed within hour.
OMORIKA: No motion detected from the Frozen Moon, either.
OMORIKA: Seems like the awards show plan is actually working, to my utmost surprise.
OMORIKA: And, as Acacia neglected to mention, our weapons are fully charged.
OMORIKA: Are we good to begin our assault upon the Frozen Moon, Captain Taeda?
TAEDA: Certainly!
TAEDA: We just need to wait for the go-ahead from the away team.

The Sleuth’s fingers buzz around a terminal. He’s on Discord, apparently. The most secure communications line.

THE SLEUTH: The Sleuth gives a thumbs up to Captain Taeda. Marron and Ette had given the go-ahead.
THE SLEUTH: While he still wonders why Taeda was chosen as the ship’s captain, he carries on regardless. Questions regarding leadership could wait for after the operation.
TAEDA: Perfect! We attack after the commercial break!
CHI: …I will attempt to expedite this therapy session, then.

The crew readies themselves for an arduous fight against the Dark Queen.

---

Slightly Higher Than Low Sussui Orbit : 0832 Hours
Despite the lack of commercial break or actual content on the television, Nia is absolutely enthralled by the screen. Gibbet is hopping around, chirping, and beating Seeker Steve’s current floorstain with increasingly heavy amounts of guillotine strikes.

NIA: Yaaaay! Cute birb!

Ette, still pretending to be a lamp in a far-off hallway, is facing her toughest ordeal yet. Dare she potentially break her cover and risk the mission to bear witness to a cute bird? Like most lamps, she sweats bullets.

ETTE: Must… resist… urge…
ETTE: Must… remain… inconspicuous lamp…

Meanwhile, Marron finds herself in the deepest halls of the Frozen Moon. There has to be escape pods somewhere, right? Head hunched down, Marron crawls around the tiny corridors. Soon enough, she finds an entire bay of escape pods, located right next to the Communal Ice Cream Supply. Unfortunately for Marron though, they were the tiniest, cutest little escape pods to ever exist. They must’ve been for the thousands of Chibi Nia’s that crew the Frozen Moon.

Yet, curiously enough, Marron hadn’t encountered a single chibi yet. Which was incredibly lucky for her, given that a single Chibi Nia had over 700 different ways to down her, and that was just with their bare hands. Factoring in their lethal mastery over ice magic, Marron wouldn’t stand a chance unless she caught a Chibi Nia unaware. Even then, she’d need to overcome their absurd DGE stat of 80, and get a highroll crit to drop them instantly.

So, further down she goes into the veins of the ship, searching for a way out. Soon enough, she finds herself in a much more reasonably sized hallway- a good sign! This must be an area of the ship that Nia herself actually frequents enough to warrant the expanded passage. Maybe there’d be an escape pod behind that large, ominous door?

Cutting a peephole through the door with her fingernails (it was made of hardened ice cream, after all), she peers into the room. Well, it wasn’t so much a room, as it was Hangar Bay N. While it may sound like there are several more hangar bays, there only exist hangar bays N, I, and A. So that’s where the Chibi Nia’s all were.

Their tiny legs carried them around the room, entire flight crews preparing swarms of lethal spacecraft. Strike fighters, bombers, jetpacks with knives… the whole arsenal was there. They were even filling entire breaching ships with heavily armed Chibi Nia operatives.

So, like a responsible Marron, she texts the Sleuth. Through Discord.

notrubyrose: @(MOD) TheRealProblemSleuth THEY’RE COMING
Itsamemari: that’s what she said :chloecool: :chloecool: :chloecool:
TheaterKid27: eyoooooo :basspog:
notrubyrose: :marronangry:
notrubyrose: THIS IS SERIOUS
notrubyrose: THEY’RE GEARING TO ATTACK
notrubyrose: THERE’S LIKE, SO MANY OF THEM.
Itsamemari: wasn’t nia distracted by the show? when would she find time to scramble together her entire force :auththink:
notrubyrose: I DON’T KNOW

In truth, Nia hadn’t said a word to her army of Chibi Nia’s. What had really happened was that a Chibi Nia had infiltrated the discord server Marron was on, and was relaying tactical info to her fellow Nia’s. They never would suspect that @ChibiNia2163 was in fact, the enemy.

notrubyrose: THEY ARE DEFINITELY LAUNCING SOON THOUGH
Itsamemari: *launching
notrubyrose: OH MY GOD SHUT UP I AM TRYING TO SAVE YOUR LIFE
notrubyrose: also when is the sleuth gonna finish typing
(MOD) TheRealProblemSleuth: @notrubyrose Thank you for your timely report, Marron. However, if we are to carry out the plan as scheduled, you will need to delay their launch in whatever way you possibly can. May I suggest sneaking in and shutting the hangar bay doors, then destroying the control panel? Sincerely Yours, The Sleuth.
notrubyrose: oh there
notrubyrose: so is the plan for me to die
notrubyrose: because that’s what it sounds like :marronbwaah:
Itsamemari: yep :meownodders:
TheaterKid27: yep
TheaterKid27: hold on place a spawn point i’ll tp
notrubyrose: sure???

Marron uses a Scroll of Spawn Point. Bass spawns into the Frozen Moon battle. While it has a Player Cap of 40 (+3 NPC’s), they wouldn’t have time to coordinate enough posts to get an entire army in there. Not that they’d have the manpower, anyway.

BASS: sup
MARRON: Sup.
BASS: i’ll disguise us
BASS: just follow my lead
BASS: and leave the talking to me
MARRON: Gotcha.

As Marron and Bass advance in through the doors, Ette remains perfectly still. As a good lamp should. A lamp that is positioned right behind the couch where Nia was. Gibbet was, in fact, very cute. She had no regrets coming here. Much to her terror though, Chloe had returned to the stage. The show was starting up once more.

Ette hoped that Gibbet would stay on as a co-host. He really was just the cutest lil’ guy.

---

Low Sussui Orbit : 0840 Hours
…Where is Chloe? She really should be back on stage at this point. Gibbet flies offstage. There’s no activity for a few moments, when suddenly, the camera feed shifts! The camera has turned towards the control booth. Mari’s still not back, but Gibbet’s there now! He’s the backstage crew! He unhinges his beak, and eats the laptop that Mari was using to control the broadcast.

Best In Roleplay
Moments before the feed switches entirely, the text “BEST IN ROLEPLAY” flashes on screen for half a second. oh no-

---

Distinctly Not Low Sussui Orbit : 0841 Hours

Stacks of dense legalese bury Echoss’s desk in black and white. Hordes of Temmies run to and fro, hopping about with monocles and pads of paper to read and write new documents. Every so often similar sheets appear in or disappear from Echoss's hands, or the in and outbox he moved to a higher shelf to keep out of temmie range. Teleporting paperwork, what will they think of next?

Just then, yet another windowless van burst into Echoss’s office through a dimensional rift, slamming into his desk once more. Fortunately though, this van was merely a 1:8th scale LEGO model, causing minimal damage and instead just shattering into hundreds of shiny, overly expensive plastic bricks. Echoss's desk wobbles for a second despite such a small impact, then collapses, sending papers flying everywhere. Echoss sighs and a swarm of glimmering butterflies begins collecting the scattered paperwork.

GLITCH TEMMIE: Ah, sir Echoss.
GLITCH TEMMIE: While not strictly related to our business negotiations, the contents of that windowless van may be of great interest to you.
GLITCH TEMMIE: You may find it quite a pleasing surprise.
GLITCH TEMMIE: And please, pay no attention to our camera crew, who have been here the entire time just in case this happened.
ECHOSS: I was wondering why the cameras with temmies taped to tem were here but I suppose it was overly optimistic to assume that the awards ceremony would not intrude on my private office from the beginning.

…Among the shattered debris of the van is a golden, stamped envelope. Echoss waves his hand and the envelope flies upwards in a swirl of gold sparks to him. On cue, the envelope promptly unfolds, revealing a plain card with simple, black text on it.

HELLO CHLOE PLEASE READ THIS TEXT: “THE WINNER OF BEST IN ROLEPLAY IS ECHOSS / PIONOPLAYER”

How… utterly perplexing?

ECHOSS: ..."Best in Roleplay"?
ECHOSS: Well I suppose I can be glad that my trauma was engaging for the audience.
GLITCH TEMMIE: As expected of you, sir Echoss. To somehow win an award whilst in the middle of negotiations.
GLITCH TEMMIE: I believe the usual protocol is to make a speech about your accomplishment.
GLITCH TEMMIE: Normally, I believe Miss Elem would be the one prompting you to do this, but the fact that they sent the envelope here… it brings a bad omen.
GLITCH TEMMIE: But regardless. Any words of wisdom for the audience that is surely watching us?

A stack of Temmies, all armed with microphones, form a mic stand in front of Echoss. Another stack of Temmies forms a proper mount for the camera, fixed almost on Echoss’s face. It’s about a foot offset to the right, but surely nobody will notice, right? Writing slowly begins to appear on the wall in the empty section of the camera view, how peculiar.

ECHOSS: I suppose it is customary to give a speech upon winning an award, even for a competition one wasn't intending to participate in. It can't be helped I suppose.
ECHOSS: I would like to offer my thanks to everyone who voted for me, on both sides of the metaphorical fourth wall.
ECHOSS: While my experiences as a "main character" have been tumultuous, I suppose I am glad to have gone through them.
ECHOSS: And if the story I've lived has inspired or comforted those who've watched it then all the better.
ECHOSS: In particular I would like to thank all of the spherebreakers except Chaos for their support. And Miss Elem, I do hope you're still wearing that necklace I gave you earlier in the week.
ECHOSS: Will that be all, tem?

On the wall, the writing has become fully readable, as follows: "[fawnt='Chaos can't read this']Everyone currently watching this show from Sussui please call the following evacuation hotline number at your soonest convenience: #901-1207-3246-265538[/fawnt]"

Meanwhile, Glitch Temmie nods tem head.

GLITCH TEMMIE: That will do perfectly, sir Echoss.
GLITCH TEMMIE: Now, with those formalities out of the way, let us continue our negotiations.
GLITCH TEMMIE: Anyway, we are willing to off the entirety of Chaos’s-

Sirens suddenly blare in Echoss’s office. Echoss massages his head and clicks a button that manifests a holographic screen in the air. The screen shows a white, unmarked, windowless van just outside of one of the unrepaired dyson spheres. A tow cable extends from the back of the van into the surface of the megastructure, gas fumes spewing from the vehicle’s exhaust port. Tem applies face to palm, creating the tiniest little “pap”.

ECHOSS: And of course it's the one you're all trying to buy.
ECHOSS: Terrence?

The intercom crackles to life and another voice can be heard.

"We can see it sir. Do you know who this is?"

ECHOSS: It's Chaos.
GLITCH TEMMIE: He brings shame to us all.

Several voices besides Terrence's can be heard groaning, with a few mixed curses thrown into the mix for good measure.

ECHOSS: Glitch Temmie, am I correct in the assumption that once we have completed these negotiations you will be willing to "deal with" Chaos in order to claim your purchase and drive him off?
GLITCH TEMMIE: But of course.
GLITCH TEMMIE: Fire all weapons. That windowless van will not go down without a fight.
ECHOSS: I doubt anything short of a full siege or usage of weapons that would damage the shell will permanently remove it.
ECHOSS: But fortunately, we don't have to.
ECHOSS: Terrence, General Creed? I want you two to collect all the defense force leaders and weapon development teams.
ECHOSS: You have full permission to use and test everything that will either not cause collateral damage or will cause little enough that we can have a single repair crew clean it up within 6 hours of Chaos being removed.
ECHOSS: Don't use everything at once. Perhaps see if the toon adjacent commanders have ideas, I'm inclined to believe that the funnier you can make Chaos' impending bad day the easier this will be.

Echoss pauses.

ECHOSS: And send me the footage. I believe there's a few people who would like to... "Review" it.

The two towers of Temmies, still holding the camera and microphone, vibrate in anticipation.

Votes: (1st: Echoss / Pionoplayer, 5) (2nd: Star / Serpent, 4) (3rd: Calibri / Semple, 2). Complementary certificates will be sent to those who were runners up.

---

Low Sussui Orbit : 0845 Hours
However, before the feed can show the beatdown of a lifetime, the feed switches back to the stage. Chloe’s back, hurray! Mari marches back on stage, with a thyme-matter covered laptop. Chloe stares in abject horror, jaw entering Even Lower Sussui Orbit. So much blood- erm, thyme. Actually, Mari’s covered in a lot of blood, too. Probably her own blood, given the claw marks on her face.

CHLOE: W-What did you do to G-Gibbet!?
CHLOE: S-Sure, they might’ve m-murdered Seeker Steve and e-eaten your laptop, b-but they didn’t deserve t-to die!
CHLOE: I just got out of t-therapy, too…
MARI: What? If anything, Gibbet killed me.
MARI: Apparently, casting Skeletal Toss to wrench the laptop they’re choking on out of their beak is “rude” and “not a good way to deal with animals”.
MARI: Turns out, you should only be using Skeletal Toss against humans who are choking on laptops. Who knew?
CHLOE: I-I… don’t think you’re meant to be using Skeletal Toss for medical purposes i-in the first place!
CHLOE: Nevermind, we should just- MARI THEY’RE COMING BACK
MARI: gorilla gorilla gorilla-

Mari flees the stage with all the power of 4 MOV, her actions wasted on editing the stream instead of sprinting. It will not be enough to escape Gibbet’s 5 MOV with additional Flying, and that’s not even factoring in Gibbet’s easily spammable Tekekinoosis. Once again, Chloe is all alone.

With nobody to interrupt her (well, save for Mari, who’s inconsiderately screaming), Chloe is left with her thoughts. Sure, there’s a show that’s meant to be running at the moment, but her therapist told her that she should care for herself a little more. And, dispelling those worrisome thoughts is self care, right?

CHLOE: Is that what Chaos was doing?
CHLOE: Why would he want a dyson sphere?
CHLOE: He said it was his “master plan”, but I really don’t see how a dyson sphere ties into what we’re trying to do.
CHLOE: I-I’m sure that he has a greater reason f-for abandoning us on such a pivotal day of the plan, t-though!
CHLOE: …
CHLOE: W-What am I saying!? T-There’s no way he has a greater reason!

Chloe experiences zen loss, much to the dismay of her therapist. Then again, would her therapist experience dismay? That just means MORE CASH. After downing a Panacea to dispel her (Zen Loss, 2), Chloe peps up just a little. It’s time to continue the show. Though, after such a string of interruptions, would Nia still be watching? God, she hoped. It’d be really awkward if she was hosting this show for nothing.

CHLOE: Uh. Where was I?
CHLOE: R-Right! The next award!

Best In Shenanigans
Chloe fondly remembers the days when this was more of an awards show, than a really, really goddamn extended, scope+powercrept show of unmitigated chaos. But anyway, an award! Maybe if she’s fast about it, she can advance the plot, and not need to worry about how she would meet a violent end for as long.

CHLOE: Okay! Next up, the Best in Shenanigans awards!
CHLOE: I… really don’t know how we quantify a shenanigan?
CHLOE: Maybe it’s like, based on how much the GM wanted to strangle you by the end of the game?
CHLOE: Or maybe it means you were just like, really silly in a totally serious and extra gritty adventure?
CHLOE: As we all know, forum games are a matter of life and death. There should be no levity in playing them. No fun is to be had.
CHLOE: It is all about TRIUMPHING OVER IRE, WHO COULD NOT DEFEAT THE SPHEREBREAKERS AFTER FIVE YEARS OF CONSTANT BATTLES!

The person writing this text at the moment curls up into a ball and cries. Tears of joy, of course. His characters are developing sentience, and are rebelling against him! Finally! Perhaps in the Chaos Awards 5: 3, his characters would declare war on him, and there’d be a really epic meta battle where he typed ASCII weapons to fight off his own creations. That would be peak fiction, and he could die as an accomplished writer. But not this award show. The scope creep needs SOME direction to grow, right?

CHLOE: Okay, technically there was that once incident with Reisz, but that was more a problem with us, than him being smart or tactical…
CHLOE: But whatever.
CHLOE: Anyway, the winner of this award is…
CHLOE: …
CHLOE: Wait, isn’t she meant to be filming the other show, they can’t be here-

Keane walks on stage from the wrong direction, carrying a trophy. She hands the trophy to Keane, who has crashed through the ceiling. The resulting hole quickly fills with money, creating an airtight seal to keep the void of space away. Undeterred, Keane hops up, accepts the trophy, and takes the time to shoot a wink and a finger-gun at a cardboard cutout of Sakura. Said cutout is advertising the latest and greatest show, Children of the Thyme. Sakura’s hands are currently full with the filming process, so she couldn’t attend. So sad.

KEANE: Thank you, thank you!
KEANE: It is my honor to open up this lovely new power plant, which, as we all know, is revolutionary because it derives power from spinning baby turtles around in centrifugal devices-

Keane stops and stares down at her cue cards. That speech was for three doors down, where the central power core was. She throws a whole stack of them behind her, like confetti.

KEANE: Oops! Wrong speech!
KEANE: Sorry, I've got a busy schedule today! But then again, don't we all, ha ha!
KEANE: Ahem.
KEANE: It is my honor here today to accept the Prismatique^tm magazine award for Sexiest Vamprobabilitant Alive-

Keane flushes a bright rainbow, tossing another stack of cue cards behind him. That speech was for the same three doors down. Said celebration was most certainly very confusing.

KEANE: Haha, that's definitely the wrong speech.
KEANE: (Copies of the Prismatique issue in question are available at the gift shop.)
KEANE: Ah-ach-ach-ahem!
KEANE: …
KEANE: I would like to sincerely thank you all for this award.
KEANE: Despite my time with you all being brief at best, the fact that I've apparently made a mark on this game in such a way as to obtain this award warms my heart.
KEANE: But, it really, really wouldn't have been possible without all of you.
KEANE: I'm not going anywhere anythyme soon, so... I hope we'll create more amazing things together as we trek onwards into the future.

KEANE: ...Anyway!
KEANE: I'd also like to announce that after several days of extremely stressful and borderline-traumatizing business negotiations, McZupp Corporation is proud to partner with Chaosdog:tm: as a distributor!
KEANE: As a bonus, participating regions will also have access to the new Khaos McZog Chaosdog, made with real primogem and stellar jade!
KEANE: Unrelatedly, we legally have to disclose that we are not liable for any damages caused as a result of this business deal.

The camera pans over to Chloe, who is now wearing McZupp Corporation-branded power armor. Unfortunately, Keane forgot the power core, so Chloe’s basically entombed in a metal coffin. She screams, but nobody can hear her from within the fifty tons of hardened plasteel.

KEANE: ...And that's my cue to head out.
KEANE: Got a busy day ahead of me! I have to go report to the Chancylvanian High Council on that time I did enough buffs to legally count them as drugs, drank Droplet's bath water, and befriended Sakura Yedoensis as a ploy to use her rightful claim to the throne as a puppet dictatorship-

Before they can finish their sentence, Droplet is teleported onboard, immediately punting Keane through the now-existing window. Keane McZupp was The Impostor. 1 Imposter Remains. The broken window is filled with an enormous clog of money from Keane's pockets, again maintaining the atmosphere of the Chaos Reveng. Droplet turns to the power armor, spearing it with an accusatory glare.

DROPLET: CHLOE.
DROPLET: You’re welcome. He had it coming.
DROPLET: Now, I’d free you from your little tomb, but…
DROPLET: I KNOW WHAT YOU DID WITH MY BATH WATER.

Droplet pushes the suit of power armor over. Chloe continues to scream, this time out of first-hand embarrassment.

Votes: (1st: Keane / King_Fuffy, 9) (2nd: JOEbob, 4) (3rd: Hexagon / Carleah, 2). Complementary shiny cups will be sent to those who were runners up.

…This happens just in time for Mari to return to the stage, with Gibbet caught in a birdcage. And 1 HP, but what matters is that she didn’t run out. Gibbet angrily chirps, apparently incapable of escaping a flimsy brass cage.

MARI: Whoa, Chloe. Did you steal Droplet’s bath water or something? That’s screwed up.
MARI: I thought my sister would be better than that. A shame.
MARI: But I suppose those who appear the most seiso are actually the most degenerate.
CHLOE: *muffled denial of allegations*
MARI: So sad.
MARI: But, since I am a kind and loving sister, I shall let you out of your warranted prison, so that you may make a live apology, right now!
MARI: Ahem.

Mari crouches down next to Chloe, accessing her sister’s equipment tab. She loots the Keane McZupp Brand Power Armor, depositing it into the group inventory. Why is a full suit of Power Armor considered Tier 0, anyway? We may never know. Chloe is free to wreak havoc on the world once more.

MARI: Anyway, fess up. Now.
CHLOE: W-Wha!? B-But, Destiny was the one w-who put me up to i-it! I can’t j-just… deny someone’s request to get materials!
MARI: Really? Trying to shift the blame onto someone else? That’s rich.
MARI: Besides, even if she asked you to do it, did you need to go through with it? Nope.
MARI: Also, hurry up your apology. I’m gonna die of blood loss in like twenty seven seconds.

Unable to argue, Chloe stands up against a blank portion of the wall, and lets the camera zoom in on her face. She lets out a prolonged sigh. Mari also hands Chloe a ukulele. Though, she doesn’t know how to play, so she just randomly strums it as she talks. She also holds up a cue card with a pre-written apology.

CHLOE: Hello, gamers.
CHLOE: I have made a severe and continuous lapse in judgment, and I need to apologize. I don’t expect you to forgive me, for there is no excuse. The goal of my content is always to entertain. But I clearly crossed a line, and I am ashamed of myself. I need to do better, I will do better, and I will be better. This will never happen again.
MARI: okay good, now plug the merch-

Mari succumbs to blood loss, flopping onto the stage. Chloe snags Mari’s laptop as it tumbles from her grip, just barely saving it from shattering against the ground. She inputs a few quick commands into the keyboard.

CHLOE: A-Ah, geez…
CHLOE: W-We’ll be back, right after… Mari recovers!
CHLOE: H-Hang in there, a-alright? D-Don’t you die on me!
CHLOE: Not that there’s a mechanic for bleeding out while downed, but…
CHLOE: S-Still, hang in there!

The feed goes… completely black. Oh no. Chloe, that was the wrong button. CHLOE WHAT HAVE YOU DONE-

---

Slightly Higher Than Low Sussui Orbit : 0859 Hours
Nia stares at a perfectly black screen.

NIA: Aw.
NIA: I was really enjoying the show, too!
NIA: So, can I get you anything else, dearest visitor?
ETTE: More tea, please!~

Side by side on the couch, Nia pours Ette another cup of green tea. Ette bobs her head politely, and takes the cup with both hands. She blows across the surface, steam billowing from the somehow not-melted cup of ice.

NIA: So, uh.
NIA: When’d you get on board?
ETTE: Oh, I was the lamp! Was I convincing?
NIA: I… own a lamp?
NIA: Whoa. I was thinking my hallway was fancier than normal!
NIA: How about you stay with me, and be my lamp for a lil’ longer?~
ETTE: Awww, I’m flattered!
ETTE: But Ette’s really busy, yo! She’s busy, uh…
ETTE: …spying on you?
NIA: Whoa! I’ve always wanted a stalker!
NIA: Keep it up!~

Nia’s phone buzzes for the fiftieth time today. Must her crew be so needy? What could possibly demand her attention?

NIA: Anyway, since the stream of dopamine from the TV has shut off, I should go and check my texts!
NIA: Help yourself to more floor ice cream if you want, okay? You’re doing great!~
ETTE: Thank you!

Nia flips open her phone. Ah, apparently her security team of Chibi Nia’s has caught a group of intruders. Her team of market analysts have also determined that she should come down here and gloat to maximize her Evil Villainess Points. Fifty more, and she gets a free french fry from Chaosdogg! Five thousand more, and she can get medium fries!

NIA: Ooh, we caught intruders!~
NIA: Wanna come with?
ETTE: Um, okay!
ETTE: Let’s go!
NIA: Yay!~

Nia boots off her television, and hops up from the couch. Ette toddles along behind the Dark Queen as she makes her way through the frozen corridors of her vessel. It’s not long before she makes her way to Hangar Bay N. There, a group of Chibi Nia’s surround two people. Marron, who has been beaten up and tied down to a chair. There’s also Bass, who has been given a table and chair and is busy signing autographs for the Chibi Nia’s. The line is over sixty Nia’s long.

NIA: Hiya!~
NIA: Welcome to my secret lair, you two!
NIA: I mean, maybe it’s not so secret anymore, but it used to be pretty secret!
ETTE: S-Sis! A-Are you okay!?
MARRON: do i look okay to you
ETTE: A-And Bass! H-How are you okay?
BASS: apparently they identify me as a “tumblr sexyman” and are obsessed with me
BASS: pretty cool, huh?
ETTE: Whoa! Congratulations!

As Ette bobbles over to her sister and begins to patch her up, Chibi Nia #385 delivers a Codex Proelium entry to Nia. She flips through it. This is perhaps the smallest entry she’s ever witnessed.

<The Spherebreaker’s Phase>
Marron moves to (AZ46).
Bass moves to (AY46). Actually Just You sets Bass to look like a Chibi Nia.
He then forgets that his special isn’t The Greatest Show in this universe. It also wasn’t charged.
BASS: haha whoops
BASS: man i suck at this
MARRON: B-Bass? BASS???
The Spherebreaker’s debuffs tick down.

<The Dark Queen’s Phase>
The Dark Queen’s buffs tick down. Regen occurs.
Chibi Nia #652 moves to (AZ45).
Chibi Nia #459 moves to (AZ47).
Chibi Nia #385 moves to (BA46).
Chibi Nia #069 moves to (AY45).
Chibi Nia #911 moves to (AY47).
Chibi Nia #743 uses the Warp Ring to teleport to (BA45).
Chibi Nia #-43 moves to (BA47).
All of the above Nia’s slap Marron! (5+3) damage! (5+3) damage! (5+3) damage! (5+3) damage! (5+3) damage! (5+3) damage!
CHIBI NIA 069: Nia!~
A critical (10+3) damage!
A now dizzy Marron collapses to the ground.
BASS: well, good thing i’m still here
BASS: i can salvage this-
Due to a majority of the party being wiped out, the battle ends in failure…
- = D E F E A T = -

The Chibi Nia’s looted:
x1 Skill Point (the party drops to 99)
x500 Credits (from Marron’s wallet)
x14 Chocolate Chip Cookies (also from Marron’s wallet)
The Nightmarron (Weapon)

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Mirror Smash
CHIBI NIA #069 ACCOMPLISHMENT GET: Marron’s Ribbon
CHIBI NIA #911 ACCOMPLISHMENT GET: Chibi Nia #385 Friend
CHIBI NIA #385 ACCOMPLISHMENT GET: Chibi Nia #911 Friend

Nia hands the Battle Log back to Chibi Nia #385, who wanders off to tape it to a fridge, and to go on an ice cream date with her new friend.

NIA: Uh, okay.
NIA: First time I’ve ever had intruders here, and it’s the first time I’ve had to give an evil speech in public, so give me feedback, okay?
ETTE: Okay!
BASS: sure thing
MARRON: i would really rather die-
ETTE: S-Sis says she’ll give feedback, too!
NIA: Great!~ Thanks, guys!
NIA: Oh, and Ette! Gonna need to tie you up. That’s the law when giving evil speeches.
ETTE: Sure thing!

Two Chibi Nia’s push a whiteboard behind Nia. Another Chibi Nia wheels in a small cart, with a single black marker on it. Nia snatches the marker, and begins to doodle on the whiteboard while a group of four Nia’s struggle to tie Ette to a chair.

NIA: Now, uh.
NIA: I think… what I’m meant to do is like, explain my evil plan, or something? And my tragic backstory?
ETTE: Yeah, that sounds about right!
ETTE: What even is your plan, anyway? The plot of this Chaos Awards makes no sense.
NIA: Well, it’s gonna make sense now!
NIA: Or at least, as much sense as it can!

Nia draws what looks like a toothpick with several doritos coming out of it. An ice cream cone is doodled beneath it.

NIA: The sun!
NIA: It’s uh, really bright, and really annoying!
NIA: I’ve always tolerated the sun, but today it has committed a grievous offense!
NIA: One day, Venia and I went to the store to get ice cream!
NIA: However, I then really had to take a gorilla! As one does, y’know?
NIA: And when I came back…

Nia wipes her hand across the “ice cream” part of the ice cream cone. It refuses to erase. Turns out, the Chibi Nia handed her a permanent marker. Whoops. To remedy the problem, Nia punches a hole in the whiteboard, removing the part that should’ve been erased.

NIA: My ice cream! It was gone!
NIA: There was only one explanation for the atrocity that had occurred!
NIA: THE SUN HAD DECLARED WAR, AGAINST ME! NIA!
NIA: So naturally, I went over to Chaos, and asked him if we could destroy the sun.
NIA: Cuz’ if anyone could do it, and would listen to my brilliant plan, it would be Chaos, right?
NIA: But for some reason, Chaos was actually against it!
NIA: He said that “i[t] would be bad for profi[t]s”, but who cares about profits? Capitalism is temporary, but memories of ice cream dates are eternal!
NIA: So uh, naturally, I blew up one of his Chaosdogg plants to get him to submit to me!
ETTE: T-That’s not a very good way to handle conflict resolution!
NIA: For some reason, this made him really, really angry, and we had a lil’ bit of a falling out.
NIA: So naturally, in order to pursue my ambitions of destroying the sun by myself, I took off into space!
NIA: The plan is simple!

Nia draws a really, really big gun on the whiteboard. A four year old child’s impression of a gun, but it’s a really big heckin’ gun.

NIA: I AM GOING TO SHOOT THE SUN UNTIL IT DIES.
NIA: This will mean no more heat, which means INFINITE ICE CREAM DATES.
NIA: That’s the plan!~
NIA: Any questions?
MARRON: W-Wait, y-you were serious about destroying the sun!?
MARRON: I-I thought that was like, a Chaos joke, or s-something!
ETTE: A-And it’s not the Sun’s fault for being so shiny all the time!
ETTE: If you have a quarrel with anyone, it’s with the one who created this world, and the concept of suns!
NIA: Whoa, Ette! You’re a genius! YOU’RE RIGHT!
NIA: I SHOULD KILL GOD!
MARRON: N-NO!
ETTE: N-Not my point, b-but… as long as the Sun’s okay!
NIA: But I’ll kill the Sun anyway, just to stick it to god!
MARRON: WHY
ETTE: U-Um…

Ette ponders Nia’s flawless motivation for taking off into space and creating her own evil empire.

ETTE: D-Don’t you think this is a little… extreme?
ETTE: Like, even if the sun melted your ice cream, y-you could’ve just bought a new one!
ETTE: Isn’t Venia infinitely rich? And infinitely ice creamed?
NIA: …

Nia mutters something under her breath, downtrodden.

NIA: Y-You… wouldn’t get it…

Almost immediately, her mood recovers.

NIA: B-But… my conviction cannot be broken!
NIA: I will destroy the sun! For Venia!~
MARRON: Nia.
MARRON: Let me give you some constructive criticism.
MARRON: YOUR PLAN IS gorillaING STUPID-

Marron is pegged with a snowball to the forehead, knocking her out once more. Her chair falls over shortly afterwards. Ette is apparently unfazed by this. Marron had it coming. You can’t just yell at someone during their evil speech! Unless it’s a clever retort!

NIA: Anyway, this concludes my evil gloating speech.
NIA: Questions? Comments?
BASS: let me see here

Bass reviews his notes, which he was writing the whole time. Ge was the only one not tied down.

BASS: Okay, so. Pretty good speech overall.
BASS: While I don’t quite understand the plot that you’re writing here, you clearly put a lot of effort into this speech, and have a powerful driving force.
BASS: In addition, it seems like there are additional hidden depths to your evil speech, which while not elaborated upon, add some much needed foreshadowing to what would otherwise be a straightforward lecture.
BASS: However, there still are criticisms.
BASS: While eliminating Marron mid-speech was an excellent move to prove that you mean business as the Dark Queen, that should’ve been done towards the middle of the speech to incite fear into the hearts of your remaining listeners, instead of at the end.
BASS: Doing it earlier would give the event more time to linger in the hearts of the audience, and give the rest of the speech a more sinister tone.
BASS: In addition, I would recommend pre-preparing slides ahead of time, instead of drawing on a whiteboard. It would give you more of a professional aura.
BASS: But again, overall, it was a very good speech. I do enjoy an affably evil villain.
BASS: Overall, a very solid eight out of ten. Incredible for a first-time performance, in my opinion.
NIA: Thank you, thank you!~
NIA: I’ll keep this in mind for my next speech!
BASS: you’re welcome
BASS: always willing to help my fellow actors!

Nia claps her hands, and the Chibi Nia’s push away the whiteboard. They also pick up the chairs containing each of the intruders, hoisting them up.

NIA: Anyway, take them all to the brig!
NIA: Or uh, whatever spare rooms we have! I don’t think we have prison cells!
NIA: Chibi Nia #111, you have Inspired Recruitment, so go see if you can recruit any of them to our cause!

She steps out to the edge of the sci-fi air barrier that divides the cold void of space from the exit of the hangar. She pulls out Boxican, leveling him towards the sun.

NIA: Now, my fellow Nia’s!
NIA: Today is the day!
NIA: Now that my regularly scheduled television programming is finished, we shall begin our conquest over the sun!
NIA: And then, our conquest over GOD THEMSELVES!
NIA: Take off, every ZIG! You know what you doing! Move ZIG!
NIA: Destroy the Chaos Reveng!
NIA: Ensure that NOBODY can stand in my way!
NIA: And hopefully…

The Chibi Nia staff dramatically dim the lights in the hangar, leaving a single spotlight shining over the Dark Queen. Hordes of ships fly out of the hangar bay, zipping by from behind Nia. They deploy their icy wings, spiraling out into the stars, before course correcting towards the looming visage of Chaos’s face in the distance. It will be a long, brutal battle, dwarfing even the length of Heart of the Sphere in length. Nia speaks into the void, the hangar now completely bereft of ships.

NIA: …it’ll be what I need to win that award, and make the best of what little time we have left.

THE CHAOS AWARDS 5: 2: 2: 2
THE END OF THE END OF THE END THE END (PART ONE)

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Chaos Awards, where we actually cover more awards, and continue what is apparently now a space opera.