Goodbye Log

[legionnpcs]

Who| Anyone that wants in
What| Goodbye log
Where| Legion's Briefing Hall
When| After an award's ceremony at the temporary UPgov building on Earth
Warnings/Notes| N/A

Legion World has been restored, thanks to the Miracle Machine. The Miracle Machine itself has popped off to a new dimension, possibly to the hands of a new Metron. Chronoblivion is dead and so are Its eyes and the remaining Heralds, who exploded to dust in prison once their master was gone.

The awards have been given by Madame President and yes there was a parade.

Time to go home. The Time Trapper left them all with a gift, however, that'll let them return. Strange glowing brands on their bodies that will let them access different dimensions, using T-gates in the Legion's universe as travel hubs, for those that want to want to keep in touch. For those that don't, like the ones that want to run off and make a new criminal life somewhere, they have a chance to grab a T-gate and split before anyone has a chance to stop them, but they'll have to make any goodbyes fast.

Once the Legionnaires walk through the gates to their home universes, their timelines will be locked to the time of the latest person from a particular world -- except for those that are from subtly alternate worlds from each other; they can go home and change the timeline without worrying about changing the past for others. Those walking home to certain death aren't out of luck, either, as the Legionnaires have their ways of faking a death - with fake hologram-disguised bodies, even.

Most of them have retained their powers, though that situation is finicky and strange. In some universes, they'll retain their Legion powers, in some they'll have no powers at all, and for those who had powers back home, they may find they're back to their full powers whenever they're in their home universe.

The native Legionnaires are grateful as anyone could be, especially those trapped for seemingly timeless months in the crystal dimension, who watched the displacees on its crystal walls and actually had hope because of everything they did.

All the displacees have been granted the statue of honorary Legionnaire, and any that feel like they'd like to stay on the team, well...it certainly wouldn't be unwelcome. The Legion needs to get on its feet and the crystal dimension Legionnaires are out of practice and need time to recover. Those that don't want to be Legionnaires but want to settle in the United Planets are welcome to stay as well, and the entire team is to be granted full UP citizenship so that they have dual citizenship with countries in their homeworlds.

Also, surprisingly, the last anon meme that some of them will see went up and instead of cattiness or people judging their coolness, it was filled with one very simple thing: close to thousands of pages of people saying "Thank you, Legionnaires," and giving their heartfelt goodbyes to those that don't intend to stay.

Shock. Awe.

It's the happiest ending they could've asked for. But it is an ending. And now it's time to say goodbye.

Comments

[walkingballpit]

Nah, I kept clearing out when you got too intense or sciency, and I took the fauxffee with me. Don't blame Merl for it.

[ Robbie rubs the back of his neck. ]

You're welcome? No, that's weird. You don't owe me any thanks. For anything.

[iamresponding]

Rich doesn't protest, he just nods.

"Don't worry, I'm going to see if Robbie and Vance and some others are willing to come with me. But if things get too bad for us to handle alone, I'll ask for help. Either from allies I have up there or you guys."

And he means it. Finally.

Then he licks his lips slightly, nervously. They haven't talked about this as much as they probably should've, but first they were just really excited about exploring the new thing they had, and then the multiverse had needed saving. With Legion World's destruction, things had gotten...dire.

Now that there's actually a future, they have to figure out if they can make one together.

"Then after everything dies down, we should - we should talk. About...where we want this to go." He stares at him intently. "I know the separate worlds thing is going to be a little bit of a hurdle, since we both have people back home we care about, but our worlds are only a T-gate jump away from each other. I know we can make this work."

[googledox]

[Brainy smiles a fond smile.]

You weren't my lab assistant because of a burning interest in science - even though you do have some aptitude. You were my lab assistant because I was exhausted and you wanted to help me cope with the strain and have something beyond endless tediousness to look forward to.

[Yes, he's just going to call it out. Robbie deserves more people calling out his kindness for what it is.]

You took great pains to support me during a time I was reviled by the public and consumed with obsessive self-doubt, and spent nearly every moment we were together trying to offer both aid and levity.

You are, in fact, one of the most caring individuals I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, and with my life having been such where I didn't even meet any until I was eleven-years-old that's far more significant than you know.

[He shakes his head slightly.]

I know you still don't see it -- how exceptionally kind you are -- but I sincerely hope that over time you learn to.

[whyarewehere]

Grif turns his hands so he can squeeze Rich's fingers a little.

"Good."

He knows Rich will ask if he needs help, now. They've both grown as people here in the UP.

What he says next makes it hard not to pull him in and kiss him again, Grif really has to check the impulse.

"Rich," he says, "After all the crap we went through to get here, there is no way in hell a commute is gonna stop me." There's a little bit of fierceness in it, the same stubbornness that has always characterized this affection. There are particulars to sort out, sure, but... well.

They did just face down the end of the multiverse together.

How hard could it be?

[iamresponding]

"Good," Rich echoes.

He ducks his head a little bashfully, in a way he rarely does, smiling.

"'Cause I'm hard to surprise, with the kind of live I lead. I'm pretty much used to everything coming out of left field. But this - what we've got - caught me by surprise."

His smile widens so that it's very, very clear it's not a bad thing.

"And it's my favorite surprise. One of the best things I never saw coming."

[walkingballpit]

[ Robbie looks at Brainy like he's slightly crazy (so pretty much normally) and laughs. ]

That's not - that's how I'd be with anybody stuck in even one of your shoes. And it's not a big deal, man. It's not exceptional. It's how I think everyone should be.

[ He doesn't know how to explain how he thinks everyone needs to be better without insulting half of the U.P. ]

Anyway, don't think you're rid of me or anything. If Lyle doesn't take you for a walk regularly, I'm going to drag you to 21st century parties.

[walkingballpit]

Yeah, it's not bad.

[ He sounds cool about it, but it's hard to keep himself from beaming. They lucked into one of the better HQs the world has to offer. ]

It gets hairy when we 'port in without telling anyone, but I figure it butches the team up. We should probably work on that.

You really want to stick around and help train teams?

[ It's the first part that makes him get all stupid and emotional. He's been doing so well, and it's the guy from his universe who makes everything get a little runny.

Robbie doesn't ask permission, but he goes for the big hug. ]

[whyarewehere]

Grif's proud to make Brainy laugh. The dude's been through some shit. He deserves to be able to laugh.

"I gotta go home. Pull some friends' asses out of fires. Make sure my sister's not doing anything stupid. Eat a bunch of things that would cause a scandal here. Business as usual."

He's going to have to go out of his way on the last one, though. Living on Chorus's moon means it's hard to get good stuff sometimes.

"Gonna hang out with Rich some after that."

No further commentary on that.

"...I guess you're gonna be fixing a lot of stuff?"

[walkingballpit]

Yeah, I do.

[ Robbie shrugs, waving a hand at Grif. ]

You got yourself all booed up with one of my oldest friends. So I've got a right to worry, cause I don't want him hurt. By the way, you hurt him, I break you, et cetera et cetera ancient Sicilian message.

[ But he gets that Grif's world is Different and that Grif is unlikely to intentionally be that big of a dick, so Robbie's very lax on his already weak threat game. ]

We're running out of time. If you're holding onto your best material, the encore is now.

[whyarewehere]

"C'mere."

Grif hugs him again, almost like he's trying to memorize how this feels. It also puts him in close so he can say, quietly,

"Love you too, Superman."

[iamresponding]

[Robbie doesn't need to ask permission for a hug. He never ever needs to ask permission.]

[Rich wraps those massive arms around him and hugs him tightly. This feels like it's come full circle somehow. When Robbie'd gotten to the Legion's universe, Rich had hugged him, and things had gotten dribbly then, too. But there'd been so much sadness in it then. They hadn't known if Rich could go home alive.]

[Now they can look to a future that actually exists and it's one that even has the better parts of the past - the best parts of the past, in fact. And also some good things that will be new. They'd faced a lot of hardship that'd had to be coped with, and pain that'd needed to be dealt with, but they'd still gotten over and gotten here.]

Yeah. I figure any time I have to go up to space, you and Vance have experience, you can take over.

[Rich finally lets go, hand still on Robbie's shoulder.]

I want to give the new guys what we never had. When the Avengers turned us down at the door. Hell, if they ever struggle with the kind of stuff we can't help with, we could even ask if Dr. Ry'kerr's willing to take on some cross-world appointments, if they decide they want it.

We had to find our own way, but they don't have to. Even beyond our team, none of the new kids should ever have to anymore. We ought to keep an eye out, ask them how they're doing the times we see 'em. Make sure they're getting what they need.

Not many other people are gonna be doing it.

[sir_vancelot]

Well, that's not kosher.

[It's a bad joke, but it's what comes to mind. And Robbie doesn't usually mind his terrible jokes.]

[walkingballpit]

[ Laughing, Robbie shakes his head with a mischievous look at Vance. ]

Then I'm definitely not kosher. I'm 25% bacon. Does that mean I'm treif?

[sir_vancelot]

At least for Vance, this isn't good-bye. Not like he thought it would be at one point. Once, when he'd envisioned this moment, he thought he'd be trying to talk Rich into staying with the Legion. Someplace he'd still be alive and could help others.

Now, though, he walks over and leans next to Rich, looking out at the entire group.

"We've done well."

[sir_vancelot]

[Robbie will get treated to the sight of Vance blushing. Just a bit, but he rallies pretty well. He thinks. Without spluttering, at least.]

I'm pretty sure that's not how it works. And I'm not finding a rabbi to ask.

[walkingballpit]

[ That's adorable. It should happen way more often. How does he make it happen? ]

Is whatever sea animal eats shrimp kosher? This is suddenly important. Then again, pastrami and Swiss is delicious. And everyone says chocolate is sinfully delicious. Maybe I don't want to be kosher.

[sir_vancelot]

[Keep saying things that could be taken as slightly sexual jokes? Vance still isn't all that good at this relationship thing.]

Don't worry, I'm not actually kosher. Mostly because you end up needing, like, two kitchens and fridges. Who actually has the space for that?

[Well. They did. Because they live in a freaking MOUNTAIN now.]

[walkingballpit]

[ Oh, that. He can manage that, although he's had more practice with girl-based innuendo. ]

You... do know that we've found three kitchens in Wundagore so far, right? I can't remember if we finished clearing out all the rooms. Don't get me wrong - you can eat however you like, as long as I can eat bacon and sushi. But kitchens aren't your problem.

[ He grins more widely. ]

Actually being able to cook? That's your problem. It's a good thing you're pretty.

[sir_vancelot]

[Vance rolls his eyes and nudges Robbie in the side. He's chuckling at himself, though.]

It's not like I got a lot of practice when I was living with Nita and after that, I mostly could eat with the Avengers.

Besides. How many New Yorkers actually know how to cook?

[walkingballpit]

[ Robbie just shakes his head. ]

Is it wrong that I want access to the never-ending Avengers buffet without actually dealing with them? Like if Jarvis could hook us up with some eggs benny on a Saturday, who's really going to know?

[ It should be becoming obvious that Robbie still misses one thing above all else: diner food. The greasy, cheap Long Island and North Jersey spoons. ]

... speaking of poached eggs, do you think we could poach Jarvis if we offered him a team where only 1 person drinks to excess?

[sir_vancelot]

[Honestly, Vance considers that.]

I mean, we could ask. But we could probably find somebody else to cook.

If we had the money, at least.

[orbislife]

[ Rico easily leads Zenyatta out of the public eye. He has Zenyatta's complete trust, and Zenyatta appreciates the sentiment. He unfolds his legs and sits in the nearest chair. After using Transcendence to help carry the Miracle Machine, it provide hims a little relief on his systems. (Of course, he could rely on his Legionnaire ring instead of his omnic energy, but this works as well.) ]

I believe exhausted would be the best way to describe it. My body may not tire like a human's would, but my soul can. How are you?

[unrecovered]

[There is, quite suddenly, a gray kitten on Zenyatta's lap. It meows loudly and starts kneading at his pants, as kittens are wont to do.]

[Of course, DC is rarely anywhere without Wash being close behind. Zenyatta may not have visual facial expressions, but Wash is still fluent in body language, and Zenyatta does not look up to his usual standard.]

I don't have an orb I can stick on you to make you feel better, so. [He gestures at DC and shrugs. Kittens work, right?]

[unrecovered]

Wash just shakes his head and puts his hand on John's arm. "I get it. You've got a mission." He's Master Chief. He always has a mission. "You don't have to explain it to me. Just keep in touch, okay? Send the occasional message back here and let me know you're alive."

This is just about the only downside to success; everyone going back to their own times and dimensions. Sure, there's a Master Chief in Wash's dimension, and there may well be an Agent Washington in John's dimension, but they're not the same and they both know that. It makes things complicated.

Fortunately, they're both pretty good at complicated.

[the_civilian]

"Is it weird that I'm kind of terrified?" Tadashi asks, looking over at Grif. "I mean, I've spent the last year worried that I was going to snap back to a roaring inferno and die, but now that I know that isn't going to happen I don't know how I'm going to handle having a "something next"."

He's going to have to lie to a bunch of government agents about where he'd been for a year, but at least he could tell his friends and Aunt Cass (and Hiro, if the version that had come here isn't the same one) where he'd actually been. That was going to be weird.