Epilogue: The Dragon's Final Gift
On the first row is a strange looking but elegant dragon, lined but not colored, surrounded by white. All the words on this page are free-floating.
Dragon
I… do not know of my own origins. Like any living creature, I ponder my own existence. I only know that I have been a part of your world for a long, long time… Perhaps I am the culmination of dreams and spirits of your people. Perhaps I am the spirit of the world itself. Perhaps I am a seed waiting to be born after surviving a global fire that came so close to wiping everything out forever…
On the next row, we see Nowhere Island being destroyed over three panels with more words.
Dragon
When I awoke after you, Lucas, pulled the protective needles… I destroyed the world you knew. The
world you grew up in. And yet, you let this happen, knowing somewhere inside of you the result. Yet
you were not scared. Nor did you have reason to be. Death can be just as beautiful as life. But this time,
there would be no more death… Which you had seen enough of.
On the next rows, the dragon stands up after a few panels and looks up into the abyss of white. On the last panel, it closes its eyes.
Dragon
When I last attempted to rebirth your world, I was forced to stop prematurely. Another power was
pushing against me. But I no longer sense that power. So now it is my hope that I can complete my
task. Know this, Lucas. When I destroyed the world you knew, I granted each and every man and
animal my protection. That is why you all survived. And some of that protection has remained up until
now. But soon, your new world will be complete… And that protection gone. I will leave your world.
And your people will be alone again. They will have to learn how to keep sharing, now more than ever.
With my last breath… I open your world to your people once again… Take care of it…
Next page. The first panel is white, but we zoom out/pan down to see that it was just a cloud. It's early morning outside of Tazmily, and Bud and Lou are walking to their former village with huge backpacks.
Bud
It sure is a beautiful morning, isn't it?
Lou
'spose so. At least all the scary red clouds from last night are gone.
Bud
I hope we're not too late for this big Tazmily gathering we were hearing about.
Lou
Well, we came as fast as we could.
Bud
Yep. Couldn't just leave the old comedy routine in mid-performance, now could we?
They reach the top of a hill and look down at Tazmily.
Lou
Well, there it is.
Bud
Home sweet home.
There's a rumbling. The two watch as white sparkles lift up from Tazmily by the dozens, condense, form the shape of a dragon for a single panel, and then everything turns white. We then see Bud and Lou partially covering their eyes as they watch a beautiful, massive white shock wave spread out from above Tazmily. It blasts off in all directions towards the distance, and then the light fades.
Bud
What do you think that was?
Lou
Could just be Duster blowing up a stove trying to cook again.
Bud smacks him.
Bud
Oh, come on, that was lame and you know it.
Lou
Sorry, sorry…
In several nice, wide panels, we see the shock wave sweep above and beyond the land tower, hitting an invisible wall in the distance and spreading out. The same thing happens to the water tower and what remains of the sky tower. From orbit, we see the points of the triangle world glowing, and then burst out so the shock waves cover the entire world. The area that was originally outside of the triangle lightens up a bit, as well. Finally, over the course of three panels, we see the rubble of the air tower begin to dissolve, then the water tower halfway dissolved from the bottom up, and then the land tower just as glowing sparkles blowing off into the wind. We then switch to Flint's house, where Alle and Sarah are just opening the door and looking outside. They goes outside, followed by a bunch of other villagers that had also taken shelter there. Flint and Boney are the last out. Flint looks over at the chamber entrance. Zoom in on it for a panel.
Back inside the chamber where the final battle took place, Harriet is helping up both Matt and Winston. They stand up tiredly and look around. Everyone else is already up, though still worn out. They then turn their attention to the ASC, still sealed.
Winston
So… is it really… over?
Matt
I don't know. We didn't actually… defeat what was inside of that thing…
Harriet
But we did everything we could.
Lucas
The dragon… I don't sense it anymore.
Kumatora and Duster turn to Lucas.
Lucas (eyes closed)
I think… it finished what it was brought out to do.
Gary
Even in this place, I can just barely sense the world above us… Whatever happened to it, I believe it
may be back to normal now…
Isa
It is a long way back to the surface, but I tire of this darkness… Let's start heading back.
Harriet
I don't know. Maybe you should put an even stronger barrier on that capsule.
The aliens look at it.
Gary
Making that one nearly killed us…
Isa
But it should hold for a very, very long time.
Voice
I would hope so!
Dr. Andonuts walks into the chamber and looks at the ASC.
Dr. Andonuts
My, my… Look at what's happened to Porky now. He probably didn't expect this to happen.
Lucas
Dr. Andonuts, Porky made you create this capsule for him. It was supposed to be impenetrable and
never open. Why would something leak out of it?
Dr. Andonuts
I could have any number of theories, my boy… Perhaps, basically, it was still built with human hands,
and what is in there… goes beyond human comprehension. Maybe there was no way to keep it in
completely.
Gary
Giegue's body was overcome by his mind long ago… And what was left of him managed to somehow
survive inside that person in that capsule.
Dr. Andonuts
Yes… Perhaps Giygas's influence had entered Porky's mind and was left to ferment for thousands of
years. When Porky entered his world of solitude, the part of his mind finally took over and turned him
into… that creature. Like finely aged wine… Hoo, yes, I think I could use a drink after all this.
Isa
But Giegue really is gone, even if a part of him lives on inside of that device. I suppose that will be
the summary of our report, Gerenthol.
Dr. Andonuts
As much of this term goes against my scientific background, perhaps what is in there really is the pure
embodiment of all the evil in the universe.
Delphia
Something like that can never be allowed to open again.
Sylvester
Indeed. We might've been very close to complete destruction this time around.
Kumatora
But it sounds like that barrier will hold out on its own for a very long time. We just need to make sure no
else can open it, accidentally or otherwise…
Duster
Is there anything that could protect this place?
There's a loud, deranged roar. Everyone looks over to see the messed up Ultimate Chimera approaching them.
Dr. Andonuts (sweating)
Y-yes, I believe that position has been filled.
Matt (holding out his hand)
Come on. Let's go home.
Winston grabs on first, followed by the others. Dragging the others behind him, Matt runs past the chimera in a blur of light. The last we see of it, it has a ? mark. With the group running very fast through the main road of the under city, Harriet shouts out loud.
Harriet
You can't actually teleport us out of here, can you?
Gary
There's a dimensional barrier around this place that would make that impossible…
Matt
But that doesn't stop me from building up the energy and doing the running part!
One last wide shot of the light trail going down the main road as a small part in the world of the infinite city from past worlds. Back above at Tazmily, have a few panels of the villagers (including the DCMC) exchanging worried looks as they wait for their friends to come back. We also see Light's family, with Roger's arm in a sling. Then, they all emerge by climbing out of the chamber entrance. They have to squint their eyes as they had gotten used to the darkness. This takes a few panels, with the villagers getting happier and reacting to the team members as they emerge. Lucas is last, who helps Dr. Andonuts out. Once that's done, Lucas turns to the chamber, and then uses his PSI to close the three door segments. They no longer have a glow or visible patterns. Lucas turns to his villagers.
Lucas
H-hi, everyone…
Richie and Angie come running up and hug Lucas.
Angie
Luky, you're alive!
Richie
I was worried about you way more than Angie was!
Angie
Stuff a sock in it, you hussy!
Angie and Richie get into a cat fight with words and threatening fists as Lucas sighs. By now a few of the villagers are looking at the aliens curiously. Flint pushes his way through the crowds with Boney following. Lucas looks at them and smiles. Flint comes up and hugs Lucas.
Lucas
Dad… Claus and Mom… they're a still a part of our world.
Flint
I know that, Lucas.
Alec and Wes come over.
Wes
Duster… you okay, kid?
Duster
Yeah, I'm fine. Nothing I couldn't handle.
Wes
Where's the egg?
Duster
Well… it opened.
Leder
Opened?
Kumatora
Harriet sung a song that opened it. All the stored memories poured out.
Leder
Goodness. I suppose that egg is better off not in human hands… Still, I did help create it. I feel like a
small part of me has died…
Lucas
I think it fulfilled its purpose, in a way. It saved Winston. It saved… everyone.
Flint looks down at Winston.
Flint
What a handsome lad.
Winston looks up at him.
Winston
Thanks, mister!
Harriet and Matt smile. Lucas looks at everyone smiling, and then smiles himself.
Leder (adjusting his glasses as he looks at the aliens)
So… who are your two tall friends here?
Gary
We are… visitors to your world.
Isa
Yes. We came here to observe.
Alle
So you're aliens?
Fuel
Wow, that's pretty extreme, huh, Dad?
Lighter
Where are you from?
Gary
From a very distant world. We're detectives, sent here to answer a question. But after all I've seen
during my stay… I feel humbled.
Isa
It is a very long journey back home, but unfortunately, we have lost our ship…
A panel of the aliens looking a little sad with no dialogue.
Taras
Wait. Don't give up hope, alien guys.
Taras, Penny, and Vaughn come through the crowds. Taras opens his sketchbook to his drawing of the alien ship.
Taras
I drew your ship, very detailed. That means it's embedded in my memory. We might be able to recreate
it with our paint.
Isa
But… it's so massive, and technologically advanced…
Penny
Do you have blueprints? Or a map of its inside? My son is right—we might be able to recreate it. But
I need to know the ship inside and out first.
Gary
Y-yes, if there is a chance…
Gary takes out his holographic device and puts the ship's map on the screen.
Penny
I see. Taras, Delphia, Vaughn—memorize this.
Vaughn
Y-you want me to help, too?
Penny
We'll need all the help we can get.
A few panels of the four Painters looking at different pictures of the ship and working with the aliens. Then the four Painters get close to one another, take out their canvases, paint, and point them at the sky.
Penny
Right. All together now.
Taras
This has to be perfect.
Delphia
Let's show Tazmily that the Painters still have it!
Vaughn
Here goes nothing…
Penny
Now!
Globs of energy fire up from the canvases, meet in the air above, explode, and when the flares disappear, a new alien ship is floating above Tazmily.
Gary
Astounding! Such creative perfection!
Isa
Oh, thank you! It looks like an exact replica! Now we can go home!
Delphia (wiping away sweat)
So will you ever return to our world?
Gary
Perhaps… Perhaps one of my people will. Maybe to check on the seal.
Isa
Who knows. Maybe one day our two cultures could become close.
Gary
But for now, we must head back before others come looking for us. I also have a rather lengthy report
to file concerning all that has happened here.
Harriet (holding out hand)
Well, in that case, I hope you have a safe journey home, Gerenthol and Isa'liolus.
Gary
I… Y-yes, thank you.
He shakes her hand.
Gary
I believe we could learn from you humans…
Isa
Goodbye, then. Friends.
Gary takes out a small device and pushes a button. The villagers watchas a beam comes down and picks the two aliens up.
Gary
Continue to respect your world, and we will provide your people with help whenever they may need it.
The two return to their ship. It then moves off to the east. Cut to a whole bunch of mooks outside the wreckage of the old ship, just hanging around, maybe a few can even be trying to put it back together. They turn and notice the ship. A few look at each other giddily (they're strange). Back in town, Bud and Lou have arrived and are seen in the background. The DCMC band members have come up to Duster.
Band Member
Hey Lucky! We got your bass all warmed up for you. How about we send those alien dudes off in style?
Duster
Oh, you know it!
The group looks over to see Marvin and Dr. Andonuts entering the phase distorter.
Duster
So… you two are really leaving.
Dr. Andonuts
Yes. Back to the world where we belong, with any luck.
The rest of the group comes up.
Harriet
What about all the animals at Marvin's ranch?
Marvin
Oh, I'm sure they're returning to normal now! You all stopped whatever was driving them mad in the
first place, right? Though I will miss many of them…
Sylvester
It sounds like a very perilous journey.
Dr. Andonuts
Yes… Our world might not even exist anymore in any time period. And if it did, we might have to cross
entire dimensions to find it. But I will certainly try my best to return home…
Matt
Good luck.
Lucas
Yes. I hope you make it. Doctor.
Duster turns to the group.
Duster
Well, it's been really… interesting hanging out with you guys. I think I'm gonna stay in Tazmily for a
while and catch up with my dad. But for now…
Duster grabs the wig that the DCMC band leader is holding and puts it on.
Duster
I've got a bass to play.
Duster climbs onto the stage, and the band starts playing a song with lyrics. Dr. Andonuts and Marvin wave to everyone, close the door, and then depart in a flash of light. This would be a good point to a pan a little above the village and show the alien ship blasting off into the sky to leave.
Lucas
Everyone…
The remaining group members turn to Lucas.
Lucas
Thank you for everything you've done. I couldn't of had helped the dragon one last time without you.
Delphia
What happens now, Lucas?
Lucas
You'll always be welcome here, for one. I think new and exciting times are coming for us all… Now that
the world is complete again, I might leave soon to explore it some more. A lot of people will probably
do the same. Everything might start changing quickly…
But for now, I think we all deserve a nice long rest. Let things get back to normal for a bit. You should
at least enjoy what's left of your winter break, right?
Alec
Ah, Lucas… Always wanting to discover new things. You really are my grandson.
Harriet
Lucas… is there anything we can do for you? Anything at all?
Lucas
… Actually…
He turns to Delphia and the other painters.
Lucas
In my world, there was a flower my mother cherished. But I don't think it exists anymore.
Delphia
Do you mean the sunflower?
Lucas
Yes. Do you think… if you find a good spot for some… Could you create some? I've been told Painters can't create life, but what about a master like you? Could you make a simple flower?
Penny
… Yes, but it's very difficult. I can do it, but I need something to replicate from. A sample. Oh, and a
depiction of the plant, as well. Unless you have that…
Lucas opens his mother's diary and flips to a page with a sunflower petal (show this page). He plucks
out the dried out petal and hands it to Penny.
Lucas
Would this help?
Penny
It would very much.
Matt
I got something, too!
Matt brings his backpack around and pulls out a wrinkled sunflower drawing.
Winston
Hey, Matty, did you take that from my room?
Matt
Yeah, I've been… carrying it around. Can I give it to Penny?
Winston
If she can make sunflowers with it, of course!
Matt smiles and hands it to Penny. She puts both objects safely in her bag.
Penny
Thank you. If I can find a suitable habitat for them, I will create some.
Harriet
Oh, wow, I just realized… School starts… Geez, it starts in a few days!
Matt
It will be weird going back to school after all we've just been through.
Winston
We should get heading back though. Mom and Dad are probably so worried…
Kumatora
Yeah… about that… Matty, do you think I could hitch a ride back to my cabin? I kind of haven't been
there in awhile. It might be full of dead rats or something.
Delphia
I need to go home, too. Not that I don't want to hang out with you guys anymore—cause I do.
Sylvester
I should head home, as well…
They all look at Matt.
Matt (sighing)
Fine. I'll take you all back home.
Lucas
I guess this is goodbye, then. At least for now.
Harriet
I'm glad we could help you, Lucas.
Lucas
And… take care of Winston for me, okay?
Matt
Of course. He's our brother, after all.
Lucas smiles. A few more panels of waves and goodbyes from Tazmily. Once they get outside the village, Matt turns to everyone.
Matt
I've never teleported this long a chain before. But here goes… Hold on tight, everyone.
The gang, Penny, Taras, and Vaughn all hold on. Matt teleports the group away, arriving in Vega first, right outside the large arena dome.
Sylvester
Ah, I guess this would be my stop.
Taras (freaked out, looking at mother)
This guy just shrugs it off like it was nothing! That was… f-freaky…
Penny
Oh, show some backbone, Taras.
Vaughn
That was awesome! Again!
Sylvester looks out at the arena a little nostalgically.
Harriet
So… what are you going to do now, Sylvester? Go back to fighting?
Sylvester
I must find something new to do with my life now… I have little desire to keep fighting after all that has happened. Perhaps if there is some way to use my word craft…
Voice
Forget about Leopold! If he doesn't want to work on a team, then we don't need him!
They look over to see Clad in Rad walking away from the arena.
Bill
Yeah, sorry if we don't sing your lyrics the way you envisioned them, Almighty Leopold.
Elton
Can't say I ever really liked the guy, but we do need a new writer.
Joe
Oh, hey! It's Harriet and friends!
Harriet
Hey, guys. How's it going?
Elton
Not too good. We're out here on tour and trying to introduce some new songs, but our writer quit!
Sylvester
How unfortunate. Writers can often trip over their own pride, especially when they possess such a voluptuous ego…
Joe
Hey, that's not bad. You got anymore words of wisdom one liners?
Kumatora (arms crossed, sarcastic)
Maybe Sylvester the poet should be your new writer.
The band looks at one another. And then back at Sylvester.
Bill
Have any poetry on you?
Sylvester (reaching into pocket)
Well, nothing recent, but…
He takes out his book of poetry and hands it to Bill, who skims it over.
Bill
Hey! This stuff is pretty good! How would you like to be our new writer?
Kumatora
What? Don't you three already have enough gag-inducing songs?
Delphia
I dunno. I think Sylvester's poetry is okay. Maybe it'll actually make the band better.
Matt
I thought you hated Clad in Rad.
Elton
Hey, we are right here. Sheesh.
Taras
Hey, I think you guys are pretty far out myself!
The band just looks at him, and then back at Sylvester.
Joe
So what's your name, big guy?
Sylvester
Sylvester.
Bill
Well, Silver Star Sylvester, let's see what you can do.
Sylvester
Very well, then.
Sylvester turns to the others.
Sylvester
I don't know where this might lead me, but at least it's something to do, is it not?
Harriet
It's not like the writer of the songs usually gets famous, you know.
Sylvester
Yes. But I like it that way. Songs can help pass down stories through generations… And I do believe
that I have plenty to tell.
Delphia
So… I guess this is goodbye for now.
Harriet
Thanks for all the help, Sylvester. I can't wait to hear your first song!
Matt
Well, it's not like Clad in Rad can get even worse. So I guess they can only improve with you on board!
Harriet sighs. Clad in Rad drags Sylvester off as he waves back at the group. Then Emma comes out of nowhere and starts chasing after them.
Emma
Hey! Who's the new guy? Come on, tell me! I have to be the first to know!
She notices Harriet and waves back at her.
Emma
Oh, hi, Harriet! Oh, wow! You actually made some friends! See you back home!
Emma runs off. Zoom in on a window at the top of the side building attached to the arena. Phil and Agnes are watching Sylvester being dragged away.
Agnes
What is Sly doing with Clad in Rad down there?
Phil
Aw, geez. He better not be wimping out and actually joining those noise makers.
Agnes (arms crossed)
I happen to like Clad in Rad. They're just darling.
Phil
Sylvester's a fighter! Being in a boy band is just the opposite!
Agnes
I dunno, I'm kind of curious about Sly now. This is an interesting turn in his life: using more brain than
muscle for once.
Phil
You got issues, lady.
Back on the ground, Matt is holding out his hand again.
Matt
Guess the Painters are next.
Matt teleports to Delphia's village's square. Winston looks around.
Delphia
Well, here we are… back at home.
Penny
Finally. I've been away for so long.
Winston
This place seems familiar…
Delphia's family including Markos come over.
Markos
Delphy, you're finally back!
Delphia smiles and hugs her parents. Delphia's uncle then notices Winston as he is looking around.
Uncle
Isn't that…
Nasty Lady
That boy! That boy has come back to cause more havoc!
Jerk
You're right! That is him! Get him out of here!
Winston holds on Harriet, afraid.
Harriet
Hey, take it easy. Winston wasn't himself when he did those things to your village…
Winston
P-please, I'm sorry…
Jerk
That's not good enough! He also stole from us! That's a serious crime!
Matt
Leave Winston alone! It's not his fault all that happened!
Delphia
It's not like anyone was hurt, and we can rebuild our village in a day, anyway.
Nasty Lady
Delphia, you should be ashamed! Traveling with this child—how could you do that?
Delphia's Dad
Hey, take it easy!
Mom
Delphia just got back from what must've been a tiring journey.
Jerk
And I bet she's been exhibiting her painting skills to the whole world! Now others will come here and
expect us to amuse them with our "bizarre" abilities!
Penny
Enough.
The villagers all look at Penny and realize who she is.
Jerk
C-Chief! I—I didn't s-see you! I can't believe you're back!
Penny
Delphia and her friends should be welcomed and congratulated here. They have worked together to
stop the force driving the animals wild, among other things.
Nasty Lady
Chief… I apologize.
Taras
You're all acting like a bunch of morons.
Jerk
But you know how secretive we must be…
Kumatora
That's still no excuse for being jerks to us.
Penny
My fellow villagers, please listen to me. Something extraordinary has happened, thanks to these
people here. The dragon was fully awakened, and I believe that our world has been opened to us.
I also believe that our own powers have even returned to their former strength.
Markos
So what does that mean for us?
Penny
It means… that we have a new, large world to help carve out. I don't know how much longer we'll have
our powers, but with what time we have left, we should use them to put the new expansion into the world at a good starting place.
Uncle
Then we should begin sounding out expedition teams.
Penny
Yes, but under strict supervision. I know these are exciting times, but remember: we have our powers
to add polish and a human touch to the world the dragon has given us; not reshape it into our own
ideas of perfection.
Delphia
Chief Penny, I would like to be on one of these teams. I could probably work well with Markos.
Penny
I will keep your request in mind, Delphia.
Penny turns Taras.
Penny
Taras, would you stay and watch over the village while I'm gone?
Taras
I, um… Y-yeah, sure, Mom…
Penny
That's a good boy.
Penny turns to the others.
Penny
Thank you for everything you've done for us.
Harriet
It sounds like your village is going to be busy for a while… Delphy, do you think we'll ever see each
other again?
Delphia
Oh, don't sound so morbid, Harriet! Of course we'll see each other again! Just because I'm a Painter
doesn't mean every moment of my life is based around mystic quests and all that. I can be modern,
too! I'll visit sometimes, okay? I'm sure I'll have plenty of stories to share, especially about the new, big
world out there!
Matt
We'd like that.
Delphia comes over to Matt.
Delphia
You know, Matty, someday you and I should go out an adventure into the new world, too.
She kisses Matt on the cheek. He has a 0_0 expression, and then blushes.
Harriet
Awww, Matty—you have an admirer.
Matt
Y-y-yeah, heh… heh…
Winston (near Kumatora so she can hear)
Gross…
Kumatora
Yeah, young love is gross.
Kumatora (looks at Taras)
(Although… N-no, Kuma. He's probably not into older women, anyway. R-right?)
Delphia
It's been fun, everyone. Take care.
Vaughn
Bye! I hope Penny makes those flowers you wanted!
Delphia
Yeah, we'll bring you some, okay?
One last panel of them looking at one another. Cut to Kumatora's cabin for a panel, and then they teleport in. Kumatora walks up to her cabin.
Kumatora
Well, I guess we don't really need to do much of the whole goodbye thing. I live like a half mile from
you guys, after all.
Harriet
You're not going to head back to Tazmily?
Kumatora
Not right now. I never really had much of a home back in Lucas's world, anyway. Lucas and Duster and
well… you guys, have really been my only friends.
Matt
You're going to have to settle down at some point, you know.
Harriet
Yeah, how old are you, anyway?
Kumatora
That's none of your business!
Winston
I think I see a wrinkle…
Kumatora
What? No! You better be joking…
Harriet
Take it easy, Kuma! We're just teasing you. You're pretty fun to be around, that's all.
Kumatora
Really…? Anyway… Guess this is kind of where it all began, huh? And now it's over. Guess I don't
need to read the sweaty palms of kids anymore.
The three kids smile and wave. Kumatora then waves back and watches them leave.
Kumatora
You three… you've done so much.
Maybe some day I'll have kids like you…
Ack… what am I saying? Me having kids? I think the world would end first… again.
Kumatora goes back inside. We see the door closed for a panel, and then it creeks open and Kumatora looks out again, and we see the kids leaving from the back of her head.
Kumatora
You three take care of yourselves…
For two or three panels, we just follow the kids as they walk home. After they walk by the store where Harriet got stuff in the beginning, with the owner sweeping the sidewalk, they run into Gullible Guy who is leaning against his cart rather dishearteningly.
Harriet
Hey, what are you doing here?
Guy
Peh. Looking for new customers. Of course, now everyone knows not to buy stuff from me, thanks to
you.
Matt
I'm telling you—if you just lower your prices, you might make sales.
Guy
But I have them set so that if I just sell a few things, I could retire!
Winston
That doesn't work. No one ever bought my cup full of lemonade for a hundred coins.
Harriet
Anyway, um, you kind of helped us out quite a few times. So… thanks.
Guy
I did?
Harriet
Yeah. You actually helped us save the world, really.
Matt
But so did a lot of other people…
Guy
I… I helped you save the world?
He is overcome with pride and holds his hands on his heart.
Guy
I knew I had a purpose in life.
The three siblings look at one another.
Harriet
Anyway, we have to head home now.
Matt
Yeah. See you.
They leave with Guy still overcome with pride. After a panel or two of more walking, they enter their street. A few zoo animals are still meandering about. When they get close to their house, they notice that a cop car is in their driveway.
Harriet
Is that a police car?
Matt
Oh, no… what now?
Winston
Maybe Uncle Shigo is doing a public disturbance thing again?
The three run up to their door and open to see the detective and his partner talking to Mom and Dad, interrupting them mid-sentence.
Detective
Anyway, we believe we might've found a lead about where Willem headed the night he—
They turn around and notice Matt and Harriet in the doorway. Mom, Dad, and Shigo all notice them as well. Harriet and Matt look up at the detectives with -_-… expressions while crossing their arms. Then Winston pops out from between the two and waves.
Winston
Hi, I'm back!
Mom and Dad
Winston!
The three adults meet the kids halfway in the living room and hug and stuff. The detective looks at his partner and sighs.
Detective
Well, that was a waste of time…
Partner
And after all the hard work we put on this case…
They leave. Another panel or two of the big family reunion, with Chipper running in at some point. Then we have a few panels of a full family dinner without dialogue, where the kids are reenacting parts of their adventure with hand gestures and stuff (they've also changed clothes). Harriet speaks over these and the next batch of dialogue with free floating words.
Harriet
After all I had been through, I finally returned home with both of my brothers. We came so close to
having our family torn apart, but… Lucas helped stop that from happening. He knew what that was
like. He didn't want to see it happen again.
These character epilogues should have two panels each. We see Dad putting away the tripod in the small photo studio and talking to Matt , with Matt nearby looking at a photograph. Then close up on his face, so we can see his new pair of glasses and more reassured look.
Harriet
The world is bigger now. I think I know that simply by feeling it. And something has changed.
Something that was there before is no longer there… Maybe we're on our own now. But we still
have each other.
A panel of Taras training some Painter kids, including Vaughn.
Harriet
With the world complete again, we might eventually separate and drift away from one another. But all
of us spent our entire lives together up until now, and we'll always have that.
A panel of a snowy mountain, with several hooded figures in large coats ascending it. We see Delphia, holding a paper in the wind. Close up on Delphia, looking at the sunflower drawing as her coat blows in the wind. Markos is issuing orders to the others in the background.
Harriet
Some will want to explore and expand right away. But I think I'm just fine where I am.
Now go to a Clad in Rad concert in Scarlet with the former pig masks obviously enjoying it and getting rowdy. A repaired Steemi is hovering above the stage and holding up a rack of lights. Close in on Sylvester, watching from the side and behind the curtain, making notes.
Harriet
The dragon, if it was real, was said to have been watching over us for the past ten years… But with it
gone, I think we might've all been overcome with a sudden feeling of loneliness.
A shot of the DCMC with Duster playing in it in the Dragon village. The second panel shows the villagers, obviously not understanding the music and scratching their heads.
Harriet
I don't think about any of the past worlds that much. And maybe none of us really should, no matter
what memories we may have of it. But maybe the simple knowledge that we made mistakes in those
past places is enough for all of us… Maybe this time, we can prevent those mistakes.
Now we see Kumatora working with some officials to help get the animals at Marvin's ranch back home. She obviously looks bored with the task.
Harriet
But no matter what happens next, at least I've made so many new friends. And so have Matty and
Winston, of course.
Lucas looking out at the same hill from the very beginning of the story, from the front. We just see Boney with him. But on the second panel, we're behind him, and it turns out that Flint and Alec are near him, and the entire village is there, too. (Literally, every villager should be at least somewhat visible)
Harriet
It's up to us to shape this world, our world, into something new and beautiful…
Up in the alien ship's bridge, Gary and Isa are at their computers as they enter space. They've let the mooks on the bridge, and they're enjoying themselves. We see them from the front first, and in the second panel, we see Gary's report and the screen that has a picture of Giegue and reads "Report Complete." (in alien writing that we can still decipher).
Harriet
Although we probably wouldn't mind some help from others…
Finally, we see Matt and Winston's room from the doorway. Winston is at his desk with the light on, with Matt leaning against the bunk beds. Second panel is a close up on Winston's drawing. It's a flower stem, but the flower is missing. Back to normal panels. Harriet walks in.
Harriet
Hey, you two.
Matt
Hi, Harriet. Winston's started drawing again…
Harriet
What of?
She walks up and looks at the drawing.
Winston
I wanted to draw a sunflower… But… I can't see it clearly in my head anymore. I don't want to draw an ugly one that's all wrong, you know.
Matt
Lucas said sunflowers don't exist anymore.
Harriet
But if Penny and Delphia manage to make some again, maybe they'll bring one to us.
Winston
I'd like that. I guess I'll wait to draw it again for now.
He puts that paper away and grabs another.
Winston
I know what I should draw…
He starts drawing again as Matt and Harriet watch.
Harriet
So… school starts tomorrow.
Matt
Yeah. And I just realized I still have homework to do.
Harriet
I can help you after dinner if you want, Matty.
Matt
Sure. Thanks.
Winston (drawing intently)
I could use some help too, Harriet.
Harriet hugs Winston as he draws.
Harriet
You are just the cutest thing, Winny.
Winston
Ew, gross!
Matt
Don't suffocate him, Harriet…
Matt looks at the window, and then goes over and looks out. A landscape shot of Burgundyville at twilight. He looks up at the sky.
Matt
The sky… Feels so different now.
Another panel of him just looking out.
Voice
Kids, dinner!
They dash out of the room. The last panel is of Winston's drawing, which is of his family, including Shigo. This of course contrast's Matt's earlier line when he was wondering why Winston never drew any of "us." On the next and last normal page, we're in orbit above Earth. The alien space ship is there. On a few smaller panels, it blasts away in a trail of light that fades. Then we enter some time warp panels that show the city lights down below grow in size and spread across the world. A few satellites appear in one panel, and in the next, there are many. Finally, we pan over during this last time period, and see that Starface is simply floating carefree near a satellite. In the very last panel, it turns its head and looks at the viewer.
The special end page has Dr. Andonuts walking up to a house in the snow with "Andonuts" on the mailbox. It's night and we see figures in the window with some kids. One of the figures bends down and looks out the window (obvious by the arm position). The door then opens and we go behind two darkened figures as they look out at Dr. Andonuts. Close up on the old guy as he smiles.
The "The end" page is of a small vase with a single sunflower inside, next to the family photo from part 16. The back cover, the very last page, is a water color style image of a young, childlike Giegue with Maria knelt down to him. He's showing her some very basic PSI.
Credit ideas (pre back cover)
These can change and be added to. The credits should include small head shots of every major character and enemy. Surrounding the credits should be lots of smaller photos. These can show change of seasons, characters doing things in a normal life again (like Will trying to cheat off someone in school), family activities, the detectives' lives back at their home, different locations around the world, more exploration into the grand new world, Harriet singing for Clad in Rad (would really like to see this one), Matty at a fantasy movie premiere, looking a little oddly at all the people dressed up as characters, the other party members doing things, and more. Credits should be six pages long and has plenty of room for creativity. A lot of these photographs can and should be done throughout production of the comic and used as official art. Also, official art that wasn't made just to be one of these photos can be filler (under several other photographs to cover black space), as long as the image makes sense.