The fight was over.

The war had been won.

Of course, some of them were still reluctant to believe it.

But Anti had finished him off in front of them. Destroyed the monster.

And yet no one was ready to really celebrate.

Sean felt the rough mood, heavy in the air, "Hey . . . isn't this what you guys wanted? He's dead! We should be out celebrating! Drinking! Buffets all around!"

Henrik sighed, "I do not know about you all . . .  but I am exhausted. Plus, I need to check over you all, make sure no one is concussed or worse since Marvin's potions were gone a while ago."

"Let's go to my universe first" Anti suggested, "At least we'll have a roof over our heads and we can all rest there for a bit, yeah?"

"My roof" Henrik reminded him, "Still my house even if it's the other me's"

With a quick flash, they all made it over to the other universe. No one argued about what to do. They just let Hen check them all over in silence and then went their separate ways to their rooms.

Really, Sean was annoyed by it but he couldn't blame them. HE didn't fight like they had to.

But he did know one thing. This was something he really wished HAD been a dream. All this horror and trauma they had to go through. 

He didn't want any of it. Was that really fair of him  to say, though? They didn't have the choice so why should he get one?

The next day, everyone gathered in the kitchen and Anti was cooking breakfast with Chase.

Everything was so quiet, though, like someone had died.

Henrik was sipping on some coffee, reading an old magazine.

Jackie was playing paper football on the table with Jameson.

And Marvin was staring at an old pack of tarot cards he had sitting in front of him.

Anti noticed it and spoke up, "You know, staring at those things is just as useless as truly believing them. The cards don't decided your future. You do"

Marvin just rolled his  eyes, "Yeah . . . . Yeah, I know. But . . . something just feels . . . bitter about all of this. Doesn't it?"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked to the magician who wouldn't tear his eyes away from the deck.

"I mean . . ." Marvin tried to rephrase, "Something feels incomplete. Like this shouldn't be the end"

"There never really is an end, though, is there?" Jackie mumbled, "Isn't that what we were fighting for? We survived. Yes, it's strange but we just  . . . we move on"

'What will each of us do now?' Jameson signed, 'Honestly, I have no clue what I'll do. It's not like I have anyone waiting for me in my universe"

"None of us do" Chase turned off the heat on the bacon and put it on some paper towels. He cleared his throat, though, trying to push a point, "Except for you" he stated to Sean.

Sean swallowed, "I  . . . yeah, that's kind of awkward isn't it?"

"Not at all" Henrik took off his glasses, rubbing at his eyes, he was so tired, "It just means you have family waiting for you. We should get you home soon so no one worries"

Marvin nodded, "Now that Antisepticeye's dead, you're safe and free to-"

"I don't wanna remember!" Sean blurted out.

No one seemed surprised and Jackie even snorted, "Well, that was actually suspected."

"Wait, you guys knew?" Sean knew they thought he was a coward but really?

"It's alright" Chase sat down at the table with them alongside Anti, "No one blames you. Hell, I wish I would forget all of it . . . but I choose not to forget these guys"

Sean looked misplaced. Chase had a point. Did he really want to forget all of THEM?

Marvin saw the look in his eyes, "It's okay. I'll make it so it really DID all feel like a dream if that's what you'd prefer"

Sean nodded, "Yes please. . . .  I know it sounds mean . . but I'd rather forget all this ever really happened."

"Okay" Marvin nodded, "That settles it, then. After we eat . . . . I'll take you back home, Sean"

It was a sadder good-bye than they all thought it'd be. Like a member of the family was leaving them forever.

They shared hugs with Sean and they each had their last words.

Hell, even Anti cried again, which wasn't a surprise.

And then Marvin took him back to his home.

Sean smiled sadly, "So . . . you take away my memories now . . . and I'll forget all of you, huh? Everything?"

"Only if you want" Marvin shrugged, "But if you REALLY want to remember . .  your mind will figure out a way to all on its own. We all wish you the best, Sean. . . . . But hopefully, we never have to see each other again"

Sean nodded, "You know . . . . even though you and Chase broke into my house and kidnapped me . .. . I think it was probably the best thing that could have ever happened to me.  . . . Thank you.  . . I uh . . . I think deep down . . I'll never REALLY forget any of you. Be safe"

Marvin sniffled a little but nodded, "You, too, man. . . .  you too. But don't worry. . . I'll be watching, either way"

"Wait, what?"

But before Sean could ask, Marvin tapped his forehead, making him pass out. 

Luckily, no one else was in the home, so he got Sean in on the couch safe and sound.

He was about to leave but he halted himself.

'Something tells me . . . he WON'T forget'

Sean batted his eyes, waking up. Looking around, he was on his couch but he just felt so . . . foggy.

'How the hell? Did I fall asleep here?'

Getting up, he stretched and yawned, checking the time on his phone.

'Geez, that late? Man, I really gotta stop the two videos a day thing . . .'

Groaning, he forced himself up and went into the kitchen to get himself a cup of coffee.

Stifling another yawn, he was about to go check on what more he had to do for editing but he shrugged it off.

'I'll just take a shower first . . . I kinda stink, I guess'

When he got into the shower, his thoughts seemed to melt all around him.

'I think I dreamed  . . . . what was it about, though? Man, I don't quite remember but it FELT cool'

Getting out of the shower, he dried himself off, 'I wish I could remember . . . . '

Sean sighed and gathered some clothes from his closet, getting dressed. 

When he came back into the bathroom, he was about to brush his teeth but he couldn't see himself in the mirror, it was so fogged up.

With a groan, he wiped away the condensation.

Only to lock eyes with himself.

It was suddenly like everything came back to him.

'Whoa . . . . duplicates . . . right?  . . . . and a bad guy . . . . hero . .doctor . . .  puppet guy . . . magician . . . . and a  . . . . ' 

Briefly, he could see Chase's smile and hat and Sean tensed.

'That's . . . . that's it!'

He started to smile, "I . . . I think I have some new video ideas!!!"

Was it just a dream? To him, yes.

But was it JUST a dream?

No. 

This was Sean's new beginning.

Introducing  . .. . . the Septic Egos.

"So it's taken care of then?" Chase asked, lounging on the living room couch.

Marvin just nodded, "Yup. Memories erased and back on track"

"Great" Jackie mumbled to himself, "Now what do WE do?"

"As much as I hate to say it" Marvin started, "I think we need to go back to our old universes"

"So soon?" Anti felt still so unsure about them leaving him, "I mean, like you guys said, no one's waiting for you. Why not stick around for a bit?"

He fumbled around with his new necklace. The marble eye Marvin had given him didn't have a place in his head anymore but he still wanted to keep it close to his heart.

"Honestly, you know what? I'll say it" Anti growled, "What about ME? You're all just gonna abandon me now that Antisepticeye is out of the way?"

"No, Anti" Jackie could sense the growing fear in Anti and tried to put it out quickly, "No one's saying that. Hell, I'll probably stick around for a while, yet. What about you, Hen?"

"eh?" the doctor rubbed the back of his neck, "I mean, I vas going to look over the previous me's notes for the Pheno reactor some more but I WAS planning on perhaps going back to my own universe. . . . . after Marvin makes me a new house . . . since Antisepticeye blew it up with the Pheno energy"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that" Chase slipped in, "I can say I'm not going anywhere any time soon, though! I was supposed to go to court, remember? Antisepticeye had me framed for my family's murder? Since I've been gone for so long . ..  that doesn't exactly bode well for me"

'Or me' Jameson smiled sheepishly, 'A whole theater is dead because of when Antisepticeye possessed my body. I'm a prime suspect, as well, for murder'

"Forgot about that, too" Chase mumbled to himself.

Marvin groaned, "Sissies . . . . Sorry, Anti, but I'll have to leave soon, too. I mean, I have a lot to rebuild and of course I'll visit OFTEN but . . . . "

He couldn't finish.

He made the mistake of looking Anti right in the eyes.

And seeing that hurt look on his face, was just tearing him apart already.

But before could say anything to make it worse . . . . . 

Something in the air made them all shudder.

"Uh . . .  guys?" Jackie turned to Marvin, "Is that you?"

"Nope"

Marvin felt it in the air, though, like a tornado about to land. It was overpowering, "Someone's coming . . . ..  Everyone in the other room! Now!!!"

Not about to question the magician, they all bolted into the kitchen. 

And Marvin's instincts were on point because as soon as they did, a wormhole appeared. Marvin coaxed them all out of view and put his fingers to his lips, signaling for them all to be quiet.

If it was Antisepticeye or another version of him coming out of nowhere, they needed to assess their options first. They wouldn't be taken by surprise again.

But that didn't mean they weren't terrified. 

The kitchen was practically filled with racing heartbeats.

No one wanted to peak in the living room, though. 

They just got over one major trauma. Why start another one, so soon?

But this was all too real to Anti.

This was how he lost his previous family.

His heart didn't beat loud out of fear, though.

No, it  was out of rage.

He wasn't about to lose this one as easily.

Anti nodded to them and even though Jackie tried to stop him, it wasn't in time.

Anti stomped out of the kitchen, ready to attack and defend with everything he had.

The others listened for a sign.

A scuffle. Words. Yelling. Electricity. Anything.

But there was nothing.

Chase made a hand signal to Jackie that they should go out and check but before they could. . . . . 

Anti breathed out a long breathe he didn't remember he was holding.

"It's . . .  it's you?"

"Hey, Anti" a familiar voice filled the air, "I know a lot's happened. . . . . but I hope you can forgive us for not coming back before"

"I know that voice" Marvin blinked. He tried to piece it together, "Who is that?"

Against his better judgement and Chase trying to stop him, Marvin walked out behind Anti.

But he fell just as silent, mouth agape and eyes unblinking, "What the . . .fuck?"

The familiar voice had a face and it smiled at him, "Marvin . . . .  what's this I hear about you guys leaving so soon after a war fought and won? Thought you could leave without us?"

Marvin swore he heard his ears ringing. This had to be a trick.

It was a trick. 

Wasn't it?

It HAD to be.

No way this could possibly be . . . . .

"Evan?"

Back in the kitchen, Jackie, Chase, Henrik and Jameson snapped to look at each other, confused. 

Didn't Evan die?

"I watched you die . . . ." Marvin started, feeling shock overwhelm him, "You died in my arms. Twice."

This so-called Evan hummed, "Yeah, you probably did. But I'm the OTHER Evan . . . . the previous one's Evan"

Marvin suddenly felt crushed. Crushed and confused.

"But . . I thought Antisepticeye killed you?" Anti whimpered out, "He said he did"

"He lied" Evan filled in, "He's good at that. And Marv . . . I know what you're thinking . . .but just because I'm a different version  . . . doesn't mean I'm any less HIM . . ..  . I've been watching you. . . . I've missed you . . .. we all have"

" . . . All?" Anti caught it.

Evan smiled, calling out to the kitchen, "You guys can come out, too, you know. I have a feeling you'll wanna see this"

They looked to Jackie for guidance. If he said it was okay, and it wasn't a trick . . . then they'd follow his lead.

But something in Jackie's heart just knew . . . there was something about this that he couldn't place.

There was an excitement in the air and he wanted to see it for himself. He nodded and led them out of the kitchen and into the living room.

There, they were face to face with someone that was supposedly Evan  . . . from the previous set.

"I don't understand" Marvin shook his head, "How are you here? Where did you go that Antisepticeye couldn't find you?"

"Marv" Evan smirked, "Please . . . I'm the one who introduced you to the dark arts, remember? I have some tricks up my sleeves that even YOU don't know about. . . ..  once my Marv felt something was wrong, he told me to run. I wasn't with him but I could feel the message. And then I felt that presence. That evil. . . . So I found all the others . . . and brought them with me to a pocket dimension where we waited in safety."

Evan smiled at them all and nodded to Anti, "You did great, Anti. Your brothers would be proud."

"I know they are" he held the marble in his hand but something Evan said threw him off, "Wait . . . you SAW the fight?" 

"Well yeah" Evan snorted, "I did pick up a thing or two from ya, Marv. I watched EVERYTHING."

"Wait so . . ." Jackie broke in on the conversation, "You keep saying 'we'. Who else is with you?"

"I came through first" Evan smirked, "You may wanna brace yourselves"

Before they could say or do anything, another wormhole opened in the living room much to Henrik's disdain.

None of them could believe their eyes.

There they all were, coming out of the wormhole one by one.

But once they were all through, each side seemed to be still cautious.

Was this real?

"We're not . . . ." Henrik swallowed dryly, trying not to get himself too worked up or too excited, "We're not the same .  . . we're not THEM . . . I am very sorry for your losses and-"

"Oh shut up, Henny" Eva spat at him with a smile. She ran up to him and took her hands in his.

Everyone seemed surprised by her actions and Henrik blushed deeply but she wasn't deterred by his nervousness.

She rubbed his hands with her thumbs, "Henny . . ..  it doesn't matter that you're not the previous one I knew. You have the same history. . . the same family. The same silly quirks . . . . I know MY Henny would want us all to be happy. Plus you know with my brain in his multi-universe stuff, you can't argue with my logic and don't you dare even try it"

Henrik was near tears, sobbing but smiled regardless.

This was her.

"My Eva . . . . ." he shuddered out a breathe, "It really is you!" he caved and wrapped his arms around her.

He felt like if he didn't, she'd disappear again but she was fine with it, hugging him just as tight.

"Oh!" She pulled away just slightly, "Olivia! Iris! Come see your daddy!"

Henrik fell to his knees.

And everyone watched as the two children walked up to him. Olivia seemed unsure but Iris didn't know any better and hugged him.

Eva rubbed Henrik's back as he held their daughter, "I know from watching that you never got to meet her. But here she is . . . Meet your second daughter, Iris"

Henrik couldn't even hardly breathe, the tears would stop.

"Daddy?" Olivia was still unsure but Henrik looked up to her, holding his hand out.

She cautious touched his hand.

But that's when she knew and she smiled, "Daddy!" she joined in the hug and Henrik knew then, he'd be on the floor for a while.

Chase was just as unsure as Olivia had been. Should he really accept that these counterparts were just like HIS family he had lost?

Was it right?

Was it morally correct?

He didn't have to answer that.

Little Jack came running.

"Daddy!"

He had a visceral reaction he couldn't control.

The little boy ran for his father and jumped into his arms and Chase could do nothing but catch him.

Hold him.

And he knew that this was his son.

"Jack?" he whimpered softly into his son's shoulder.

"I've missed you, daddy" his son mumbled in his shirt.

Chase sobbed, tears running down his face, holding his son once more. It was like he had never lost him.

Stacey was soon in front of them but he couldn't put little Jack down. 

She put her hand on his cheek, feeling his face and looking into his eyes, "I know . . . I know you're different . . . we have some differences. . . .  but uh . . . . are you really Chase? I mean . . . can you be? This isn't . . . this isn't wrong?"

Chase breathed out, gently putting Jack down before holding her cheek with his own hand, "You know what?  . . . . I don't care if it IS wrong. I've missed you so fucking much, Stacey" 

He didn't think, he just acted and kissed her.

But everything seemed to fall into place in that moment. She kissed back and they all held each other close, just savoring the moment.

Jameson walked up to Emily, who was standing with Griffith and Wiles. He didn't have a voice anymore but finally at least, he wanted to tell her how much he loved her.

But he didn't have to.

Emily smiled and rushed to him, hugging him, "I know you cannot talk but I just want to tell you. . . .you were so brave JJ!"

Jameson blushed red as she pulled away but it wasn't over.

She signed to him, 'I love you!' and then she pecked him on the cheek.

"Finally!" Griffith cheered, "I mean . . . you two have technically been together but THIS you . . . man it's like watching the romance bloom all over again for the first time! Right, Wiles?"

"Whatever" she rolled her eyes, "This stuff is so mushy. When do I get to go back home? My cats are probably already out on the stree-"

Before she could finish, Jameson attacked them both with a big hug.

It was enough to melt Wiles' heart, "Oh . . . whatever. So soft, you all are"

"You love it" Griffith teased her.

Jackie didn't know what to do so he just waited to see if THIS Sammie could come to him or stay away.

He wouldn't blame her if she didn't feel right about this.

For everyone else, they were spouses and children. This was his SISTER.

Or . . ..  sort of his sister.

Would they feel the same kinship as with the OTHER Jackie?

He was already accepting their denial.

Jackie couldn't take it. He couldn't handle being in the same room with them all if she didn't accept him.

He turned away and was about to leave for the kitchen.

But a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

He turned slightly to see her.

But he couldn't pretend like the others could, "I. . . .  I'm not . . .him. I'm not the same"

"No, you're not"

That stung and Jackie had half a mind to just running up to his room and locking the door.

But she continued, "But you're still my brother . . . ."

His breath hitched and he slowly turned to face her.

She hugged him around his middle, "Even if you're from a different universe. . . . you'll still always be my little brother"

"Yeah! You'll always be my uncle Jackie!" Benny was quick to hug him, too.

Jackie's heart was racing and his chest was starting to tighten but he was just trying to stop himself from crying like the others had.

But he was failing.

Sammie still held him, though, "I know I'm not exactly like the sister you lost . . . but maybe I'll be close enough?"

He couldn't take it and a strained sob escaped him, "Fucking hell . . . ..  you're not just enough . . . you're fucking perfect, sis . . . . I've missed you two so much . . . .. I blamed myself . . . . . I'm so fucking sorry" he cried, "I'm so sorry"

"Hey, it's okay" she held onto him even if he was twice as big as her, he was still her little brother, "It's okay, Jackie. . . . . I know everything. I saw it all from Evan's crystal ball and it is NOT your fault, okay? It's not your fault . . . . it was just fate. .  . . no matter how cruel.  . . . .  but I'm also happy . . . because fate is what also brought us back together again"

Jackie couldn't even say anything back to her, not letting go.

He wouldn't let go for a second.

Marvin held Evan's hand after beating Sampson and Bee away. They had their own little hug fest and were now just watching everyone else get their happy ending.

" . . . It almost makes up for everything . . . you know?"

Evan snorted, "I wouldn't say that. I still had to watch myself get decapitated."

"Oh hush. I'd rather forget that ever happened. Still repressing it even after Antisepticeye's mental torture"

"I know. Sorry. . ..  So" Evan squeezed his hand, "Did you ever finally get what that future card was telling you?"

"Seriously?" Marvin snorted, "Tarot is still not my game. But if I had to make a final decision. . . ."

He smiled as he looked on all the happy faces, "I'd say it was for new beginnings."

"Me too"

Anti was flabbergasted.

It had been so long since he had seen all of them together, it nearly broke the rest of his crumbling heart.

'Everyone . . . . they all lived. . . . .' he held onto his necklace but he still felt pitiful.

'But if I had saved MY Septics from the beginning, then none of this would have happened to begin with and-'

"Anti!" Stacey snapped her fingers in his face, busting him out of his deep thoughts. He didn't even noticed she had walked up to him.

They all looked right at him. He blushed, having half the mind to run. But instead, he glitched slightly, creating a small buzz in the air.

Stacey gave him a big warm smile, "It's all thanks to you, Anti. You saved us all"

He couldn't believe what he was hearing, "What? . . No, I . . . ." he bit his lips, straining to even  think about it, "I . .  I couldn't protect them . . "

"You were willing to give EVERYTHING for your family. And that IS everything, Anti." she pat his shoulder, "I know my Chase and the others are proud of you and happy. I FEEL that." she moved her hand to his chest, "And you should, too. . . . .  They'd want you to know that. To feel that."

"You don't need to blame yourself, Anti" Eva addressed him, too, "We don't blame you. In fact, if it wasn't for you, we'd still be in hiding. You saved us all and that's something to be proud of. So get off that pity horse and be happy!"

Anti snorted, knowing Eva had always been course and blunt in a good way.

But he smiled.

Because they meant it.

Anti smiled and nodded with tears escaping his watch, "Okay . . . . okay . . . I love you guys"

What a day.

What a week.

What a TIME it's been since the big fight and reunion.

Marvin, Evan, Bee and Sampon had a lot on their plates rebuilding the current Henrik's mansion that got destroyed by the Pheno blast and the Iris building, not that he'd have any need for it anymore.

Henrik was officially retiring from the Pheno Energy world. Good riddance.

For now, he was talking with Eva about staying in his universe. It'd take a while for Marvin to work some magic so Eva, Olivia and Iris would be alive in their universe for public record but it'd all be worth it. 

Jameson decided to stay with Anti for a little while longer but was now on 'speaking' terms with Emily and they'd exchange magical letters that Marvin charmed for them to go in between universes. 

Since Chase couldn't return to his universe with a suddenly alive spouse and child by legal terms, he decided to stay in the previous Chase's universe. That way Marvin wouldn't have so much work rebuilding so many memories with police, neighbors and such.

Jackie, even though he could go back to his universe without being convicted of murder although framed like Chase, decided to stay in the previous Jackie's universe with Sammie and Benny. And yes, Rose was also still alive in that universe as well.

And then there was Marvin.

There was already a bridge open between all their universes but he made one through the current Henrik's so it'd be easier to travel between. All they had to do was call out the meeting zone where all the bridges intersected and joined.

Where Anti still lived in the previous Henrik's old house.

Anti cracked his back with a small glitch, finally finished putting up the newest big family picture.

It had everyone in it.

Including him in the front.

They all had insisted.

Jameson had put a timer on so he could finally be in a picture with everyone.

He grinned, "Now that's a great picture." he nodded to himself.

In the picture, he was being hugged by Jackie, Jameson, Chase, Marvin and even Henrik with the others all around them.

Anti didn't remember ever smiling that big, he had been so happy.

He still was.

'I know they can't replace you guys' he thought his previous first family, 'But I know you're happy now that everyone is safe and together. You're still here, I can feel it. And you always will be.'

He nodded to himself and smiled, stepping back to look at the picture again.

'But a part of life is moving on and I know you would want that for not just them . . . but for me too. I've spent so long hiding in the dark full of guilt and hurting myself over what could have been. But now  . . . .I have more people to protect. More loved ones that I can bond with and cherish.'

"Anti, are you coming in?" he heard Chase yelling for him in the kitchen, "You better hurry or I'll cut the turkey without you!"

He laughed softly to himself, turning to go to them.

"And that's a family"  

Anti held the softly glowing marble in his hand.

"That's my Septic Family."

Oh but wait . . . is that a juicy Epilogue around the corner? :)