you're going to be amazing

[First on the screen is Wash, brightly lit by the glowing Bond Engine, looking tired and excited and relieved and honestly just...overwhelmed. Today has been a goddamn Day, hasn't it.]

Soooo. The Bond Engine works, I'm pretty sure we have magic back, we went on the ship, and...

[The video turns around to reveal a voidfish - smaller, but still very much a voidfish - waving a tentacle at them.]

There's another voidfish down here. I...think it's a baby.

[It's been about a week into preparations for what can only be considered the final battle. And Roxas has been busy, training, preparing, reconnecting. There's been, a lot of thinking on his part, on a lot of things. Memories mostly, and the relics, and everything that's led to this moment. Bonds as well.

Maybe it's because he can feel them now, more than ever. That new source of magic for them all. And he kind of needs to say something.

The message gets typed and deleted and retyped a lot before he finally sends it.]

So...I've been thinking a lot. About everything.

Kind of hard not to, I guess.

But the thing is...and some of you probably know, before all this started, I was pretty alone. And unwanted.

Coming here changed that.

I don't know what's gonna happen or anything like that, so before anything does I really just wanted to say thanks.

I'm really glad you're all my friends.

[ With everything (mostly) back to normal, Monika appears on the network with a big grin on her face. ]

We did it! We really did it! Can you believe it!?

[ But then she gets more serious. ]

But it’s not over yet. Madam Director wants everyone at the castle right away! The Hunger isn’t far behind, so be careful. Whoever needs help getting here, please let us know! We’ll come for you!

[ And then… Monika seems a little embarrassed. ]

Um as a side note… if you’ve had to deal with the “Evil Queen” at all in the past year, I’m so sorry about that. We can talk things out later once we’re safe.

[ End message! ]

[Michael sucks in a breath through his teeth. It kinda helps to see Monika out here having to do this too, but it's still, uh. A lot. And so soon after Wonderland, too - it's not quite as bad as that, he didn't hurt anyone, but still...]

Hi. It's me, Michael.

I just wanted to say, I am so sorry to anybody I terrorized while we were in that illusion world. Which was...all of you, in theory. I was around for that entire fake history, and I spent a lot of time giving little kids nightmares. Very weird, in retrospect. So if you had some kind of trauma in there...sorry for that.

Also, um, quick question - why are my pockets still full of teeth?

[As those with special assignments start on their way, everyone capable of and willing to receive it receives a message over the magic mental connection that links them all in this illusion. It's the Little Mermaid's voice—Sayori's voice—loud and clear, brimming with affection. With passion and pride, as she speaks from the bottom of her heart about her friends in the Bureau.]

( The Reclaimers )

[She'll answer any responses after the CTAs have concluded.]