.hack//SIGN Fan Fiction / .hack//LIMINALITY Fan Fiction / .hack//Legend Of Twilight Bracelet Fan Fiction ❯ Episode Three: .hack//Liberty ❯ Epilogue- All's well... ( Epilogue )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Epilogue
Jeremie put down his pen after writing `The End' and handed the book to Ryo, who thumbed through it.
“You did change you and your friend's names, right?” He asked.
“Yeah. I called myself Dan at first, but I stuck with Jeremie at the end. That way no one can actually know who I once was.” He sighed. “It's kinda lonely without Vanessa here.” He smiled. “And without having to save The World, well, I have nothing to do. I finished the book, and now I have nothing.” Ryo smiled.
“Well, I want to ask something: now that your tutoring is complete, what ideas did you come up with for your life?” Jeremie laughed.
“I want to go to University here. After that, well, I don't know. Maybe writing some more, maybe doing International Affairs. I really don't know.” Ryo nodded.
“Well, I have a question. How would you like me to sponsor you, as, well, as a father?” Jeremie looked at him.
“You're suggesting what I think I am?”
“Yeah. I want you to join me and Tsukasa and BT as a family.”
“How dysfunctional. A family of breakaway heroes?” He laughed. “I think I can manage.”
“Then it's settled. We'll get to work on it right away. For now, well, just relax.” Jeremie nodded. “By the way, you have a visitor coming in an hour.”
“Who?”
“They wouldn't reveal who they were. We'll show them into your office when they come. I would get showered. You kinda smell.” Tsukasa said.
“Thanks. I think. Again.” He said as he walked out of the room, showered, and went into his office.
There was a knock on his door. He clicked the button and opened the door. Tsukasa, who was talking with none other than Helba, followed Ryo.
“Helba?” Jeremie stood up. Helba waved at him.
“We need to speak privately.” She looked at the other two, who walked out. Jeremie smiled as he walked over to her.
“What are you here for?” He asked. She took her hood off and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“That's a fine way to say hello.” She said with a laugh. “I just wanted to thank you, personally, for what you did.”
“Like before, it's no problem. I now have a title in The World, and I am officially a Dothacker. Vanessa went back home, Morgan and Jas woke up, so everyone is happy. I am getting adopted by Ryo, attending University, and from there, who knows?” He smiled again. “Please, sit down and put down your bag. I take it you are staying the night?” Helba nodded. “You're taking more and more risks.”
“Well, I also have something for you. Call it something out of my gratitude.” She pulled out an envelope and placed it on his desk. “Open it!” Jeremie opened it and found a card. He looked at the cover.
“In gratitude.” He opened it to have a smaller envelope fall out. He looked inside.
“This has everyone's signature!” Every Dothacker had signed the card. Jeremie opened the smaller envelope to find notes of encouragement, and also two plastic cards.
“What are these to?”
“Well, one of them is a gift from all of us, to you. Wherever you decide to go to college, you can use this, and it will pay for all costs, no questions asked. The other is to a small flat over in Japan. It is forever yours. Whenever you want to go over, visit us at our homes, or do whatever, it's there. Just tell me, and I'll arrange the flight for you. It's a small gift, but we hope it doesn't seem like we don't care.” Jeremie just looked at her.
“This is one of the nicest things that anyone has one for me.” He laughed. “From the deepest part of my heart, I thank you, and everyone else. I hope you can relay that message to them.”
“Well, do it yourself, you lazy little boy!” The door opened and many Dothackers rushed in.
“SURPRISE!” They all shouted as one. Jeremie laughed in shock.
“What's this for?”
“Well, it's a party of gratitude!” Tsukasa said. “We were able to get some of the Dothackers, but none of the Fearsome Foursome, or Mirelle, Mistral, or Sora. The Descendents of Fianna are busy with Kite, Shugo and Rena couldn't come. So, it's just a few people, here to have a little fun.” She finished.
“Still, the gesture is there.” Subaru said. Jeremie nodded.
“But, I finished my job. Why do you do this?”
“Silly boy, you said it yourself: You're Dothacker.” Helba said. “And we're your family. All of us.” Jeremie nodded.
Vanessa, Jas and Morgan looked at each other.
“Life is boring now that The World is safe. No one chases us, or anything!” Vanessa complained.
“Speak for yourself. I like being awake.” Morgan said.
“So, now that we're done, what will we do?” Jas asked.
“Simple. You two will work in The World, and I will do as I damn please.” Vanessa said.
“Hey.” Morgan said.
“It's the truth.” Vanessa said. “I don't know what to do!” She thought. “I guess, I guess I will work my hardest to make Dan proud. I will strive towards working in CC Corps, and I will help heal the company of its corruption, from the inside!” The two clapped for her. Jas grabbed three drinks.
“A toast, to friendship, may it never end.” The three touched cans and drank.
“I would like to give a toast.” Jeremie said. Everyone quieted down.
The party had gone well. They were catered by a local restaurant, and since there weren't any children, they could have drinks and shots out in the open, without fear of any child getting drunk. Jeremie had received a few, smaller gifts, and some invitations to people's houses at anytime. But, he had felt obligated to say something, thus he stood.
“By now, everyone knows that Vanessa, or Emily, has returned home, leaving me here, thinking I was without a family. Yet, that last part isn't exactly true. You have proved me wrong. I lost a world, my life, my family and friends. Yet, I gained so much from it. I saved an entire world from destruction, inherited a legacy so rich and deep in history that my life was enriched, and I gained so many friends in The World that I can't even begin to remember a name. As for family, well, you all said it. YOU'RE my family, all of you. It took me a while to learn that is truth, but I realize now.” He coughed slightly, hiding his breaking voice. “Man gains nothing without sacrifice. I lost, but I gained so much in return, I can't even begin to know how blessed I am from this. I thank all of you, and know that I am proud to be part of this family.” He raised his glass.
“To life!” Everyone drank.
“To liberty!” Tsukasa proposed, with everyone drinking.
“To happiness!” Elk said.
“To family.” Ginkan said. Another drink.
“To us, the Dothackers.” Helba added. Everyone drank, then cheered. Jeremie stood again.
“And, one last thing.” He raised his glass.
“To the friends lost, to the dreams faded, to the unanswered prayers, to the wrecked families, and to the brink of insanity, to the edge of death, and to the skeptics who fought against us: thanks. You have helped me grow as a person, and left an impression on me, forever.” He looked up. “So, to the future, where life is! May it never cease to be exciting, and may we never cease to be fanatics for The World!” Everyone drank to that and laughed, and talked for quite a while.
“Hey, who wants to karaoke?” Helba asked.
“The reflection of faces
Instilled upon my mind
Makes me find the journey
Well worth my moment in time
As a new day goes to and from
It is true that's how life goes
We are here at its beginning
And gone at its end
Taking with us the memories
That time will lend
Memories of each new day
And the love and happiness it brings
Memories of family and friends
The sounds of life and the songs it sings
Yet as the new sun rises
Our lives are not ending
For with each new day comes a new light
Followed by a bright new beginning”
My Journey Two-
Yasmin Said Chali