[Faraday]
[Chapter 63]
[The End? Or the Start of a New Beginning.]
A woman walks through a void, an endless expanse devoid of time and space. Her long pink hair flows around her, and her colorful dress stands out against the dark emptiness. This imposing woman is known as Soshin, her higher Avatar referred to as Soshin Null.
Soshin Null uses a single wish to summon the entire cast of characters and informs them, "Game Quest is going through some changes."
Soshin continues, "Many of the side stories will be moving to a different Wikidot from the one you know. There will also be a... reboot of Game Quest coming soon."
Veldona's eyes widen as she realizes there will be another "her," or at least someone like her.
Veldona asks, "Wait, is this because of the Crisis?"
Soshin nods, responding, "Yes. The Crisis has destabilized the Multiverse, so I'm putting it back in order before the Higher Gods take advantage."
She turns to Baryon, adding, "Baryon, the necklace I gave you when you manifested into my lower form will protect you from all unnatural and natural events."
Baryon says, "Thank you, Soshin."
Meanwhile, Katrina, Bayon, and Lolibaba look frustrated, unable to complete their mission.
Soshin then uses another wish to summon Cindy Kitty.
Katrina's eyes fill with tears as she sees her mother. She runs forward and hugs her tightly.
Katrina asks, "But... why, Soshin?"
Soshin calmly replies, "We're in danger—or rather, you all are."
"And I don't have the time to fix it myself."
"Rogue Superpowerranked individuals are nearby."
Veldona asks, "There's more than four?"
Veldona glances at the others, "Can we go back now?"
God quips, "Veldona, you can teleport anywhere. Why don't you just teleport us out?"
Veldona strides up and slaps him. God only laughs before teleporting everyone back to Seoul.
[South Korea]
God grins, "Let's have some fun before we go back to killing each other."
Henryzx900 says, "Back on Earth, huh? Petra and the others must still be in hell."
He then adds, "Yo! I'm going to grab my keys."
Veldona asks, "Are you taking Astrolaris with you?"
Astrolaris responds, "Yes. I'll be going with him. I want to grow closer to my new holder. We'll have a good time here in South Korea."
Veldona nods, "Alright then. See you both later."
As they leave, Veldona waves goodbye.
[Later…]
Rosaria, Chang, and Zigzag are sitting on a nearby bench.
Rosaria marvels, "So, this is Earth, huh? It looks amazing!"
Chang nods, "Yeah, it really does." Realizing he's back home, Chang decides to invite Rosaria and Zigzag to his apartment.
Meanwhile, Veldona sits on another bench nearby, enjoying an Orion Choco Pie. She gazes up at the sky and sighs, understanding that her story, and Chang's, may be ending—at least this version of it.
Later, in her modest Seoul apartment, Veldona relaxes in front of the TV, watching a popular South Korean drama.
She sighs, "This is the life. Peace. This feels nice."
With a slight explosion, she turns on the air conditioner, basking in the cool breeze.
She calls Rei, informing her, "You can take control of the space colony and the universe again."
With that, Veldona tosses a pen into the air, declaring, "Miraculous Ladybug!"
The declaration restores order to the universe. The Mafia retreats or is arrested, Chang, Rosaria, and Zigzag complete their trials and receive their licenses, Lando and friends become national heroes, Rei Akima regains her true form, and Veldona feels a sense of clarity return.
Despite the peace, Veldona wonders why Soshin appeared in such a form. As she contemplates, Soshin appears behind her.
Soshin says, "I heard you thinking about me, Veldona."
"Do not think of me as some kind of God."
Veldona retorts, "I mean, you're more of a god than I am. I'm just a walking bomb, after all."
Soshin places a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Nonsense, Veldona. You're one of the few superpowers to reach this level."
She adds, "Though David remains a mystery. And also, the Hyperpower? It's fake."
Veldona's eyes widen. "FFake? How could that be?"
Soshin explains, "It's simply a condition. If met, it transforms you into a supposedly more powerful form, but it couldn't work on me. I may have even broken the system entirely."
"I gave the Hyperpower to Baryon during her battle to protect this universe. Baryon is quite special, you know."
Veldona nods, "I know she is. But so are you."
Soshin replies, "I am special. Very special, in fact. I have many forms across many languages and cultures, but they all point to the same conclusion—I am the First. I have always existed. There has never been a time in which I have not roamed the land."
Veldona asks, "Do you know of my mother's mother?"
Soshin considers. "Perhaps. Allknowing, yet never knowing enough. Veld Godfox was an interesting woman… or so I've heard. I also know that you and your mother don't have the best relationship."
Veldona grumbles, "I don't. She's... difficult."
Soshin gently says, "Have you tried talking it out?"
Veldona sighs, looking up at the ceiling. "I don't want to talk to her."
Just then, Lolibaba appears, waving to Soshin and Veldona. "Heya! What's up, guys?"
Veldona and Soshin stare in mild disbelief.
Lolibaba laughs, "Bad time? I'll get out of your way," she says, sitting down on a chair she conjures.
Veldona and Soshin resume talking about the state of the universe, or rather, the lack of one.
Soshin smiles, "You can go back to doing what you do best, Veldona."
Veldona grins, "Boom!"
She sighs wistfully, "But there's nothing left to destroy."
Soshin reassures her, "There will be… give it another five chapters."
Veldona stares at Soshin, pondering her last words. The air feels charged, as if the fabric of reality is holding its breath, waiting. Soshin gazes out over the cityscape, her expression unreadable.
Veldona breaks the silence, "You know, sometimes I wonder if all this… fixing… really means anything. Are we just preparing for another explosion?" She smirks, though her eyes reveal a flicker of doubt.
Soshin nods slowly, her eyes distant. "I understand, Veldona. Even creation and destruction—the most ancient forces—are fragile. But someone has to preserve the balance, even if it feels like we're just delaying the inevitable."
Lolibaba, who has been quietly sipping tea nearby, chuckles. "Life's like a big ol' cycle. Sure, we end things, but there's always something new crawling out of the ashes. Just think of it as... job security." She gives a playful wink.
Veldona sighs, "Maybe. It's just hard to see the point sometimes. When you've seen everything burn down and rebuild over and over, it loses its charm, you know?"
Soshin lays a comforting hand on Veldona's shoulder. "If you ever feel lost in it, just remember what drives you, what gives you purpose. Even if that purpose changes, you're the one who defines it. That's what makes you… unique."
Veldona laughs, a bit more genuinely this time. "I guess I'll keep blowing things up until the universe decides what it wants. Besides, I'm not too bad at it, am I?"
Lolibaba chimes in, "I'd say you've mastered the art. But speaking of explosions, there's been some strange tremors in the Nexus Realms. Rumor has it that the Guardians are worried."
Soshin's expression shifts, a shadow crossing her face. "Yes, the Nexus Realms… something dark is stirring there. And it's unlike anything we've encountered before."
Veldona tilts her head, intrigued. "Dark? How dark are we talking?"
Soshin's voice grows quiet. "Old. Ancient energies, older than even the First Realm. Forces that once shaped everything… and could tear it all apart."
Lolibaba leans in, her tone uncharacteristically serious. "The Guardians haven't fully recovered since the last Crisis, have they?"
Soshin shakes her head. "No. And if these forces awaken, it could mean an end beyond anything we've faced. Not just the end of a chapter… but the end of existence as we know it."
Veldona clenches her fists, her voice resolute. "Then we'll face it. We'll take whatever comes next, together."
Soshin gives a faint smile, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "I knew I could count on you. But remember, Veldona, you can't carry this burden alone. The others—the ones you left behind—will need to face this too. Old bonds will be tested, and new alliances will need to be forged."
Veldona nods, a faint sadness in her eyes. "They might not all agree with me anymore. Some of them… they're different now."
Soshin shrugs. "Sometimes, that's what makes the strongest bonds. Change is inevitable, but unity is a choice."
Lolibaba stands, her usual grin returning. "Alright then, heroes. Who's ready for another adventure? I'd hate to miss out on all the fun."
Soshin raises her hand, and the space around them begins to ripple. "Prepare yourselves. The path ahead will be treacherous. But if we're going to face what lies beyond, we'll need to be ready for anything."
With a final nod to each other, Veldona, Soshin, and Lolibaba step forward, disappearing into the shimmering portal that opens before them, leaving the quiet of Seoul behind and stepping into the unknown.
[End]