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She woke up in a field of lush green grass. Looking down on her was a beautiful night sky, stars lighting the night like glowing white paint splattered over an inky black canvas. Glowing fireflies rose from the foliage around her, bobbing up and down in the cool air. The moon cast a soft white light onto her face.
She sat up, combing her messy blue hair away from her face. Looking to her side, she watched another girl sit up after her.
“Mophead?” said the girl, turning to her. “Where are we?”
“I know about as much as you do, Dr. Tesla,” Mophead answered. She stood up, looking into the distance. “This place… it doesn’t feel real.”
“Yeah, no kidding.” Her eyes drifted over towards a bright light in the distance. She nudged her partner’s shoulder. “Uh, Mophead… what’s that?”
Ein squinted into the distance. A strange sensation washed over her body, as if the light was calling her soul towards it. Without a word, she began to walk in the direction of the light.
“Uh, Mophead?”
“Dr. Tesla, I think…” She briefly stopped. “I think there’s someone waiting for us here.”
Her footsteps quickened, until she was practically running. Tesla followed behind her, still bewildered. Tesla wondered if her partner had gone crazy, or if this was even Mophead.
The blurry light became a clearer figure, standing in the field of grass and wildflowers. For a second, Ein could have sworn she saw someone else - an older man with thick, round glasses. But soon it became clear who this mysterious figure was.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” greeted Welt Joyce, with a warm, kind smile on his face the two haven’t seen in decades.
Tesla was the first to answer.
“Y-you…” she stuttered, unable to process what had happened. Welt… she hasn’t heard that voice in so long. “Y-you better not be messing with me… this better not be some sick, disgusting joke…!”
He reached out to touch her hand. He was real… he was here… he was really here. Tesla held on tight, she was afraid to let go. She didn’t want him to disappear, she wasn’t ready yet. Tears began to stream from her eyes, as she began to sob. She hugged him tightly, catching him by surprise.
“D-damn you, bean sprout,” she sniffed. “You little…”
“This is… this is a dream…” Einstein muttered to herself as she watched Tesla embrace her old friend. She felt cold, and numb. She always dreamt of the day they would all meet again… but now, she didn’t know what to say. She realized just how much she’s changed since they last met.
“Ein?” Welt said, looking over at her. “Ein… it’s okay. I’m here now.”
She fought back the tears she had been holding in for so long. That name… he said it with such a gentle, kind voice. There was no danger here. They were all here, and they were all safe. She broke down, falling to the grass in tears. She felt the weight of her two friends hugging her, comforting her.
“Mophead… I can’t believe it…” Tesla sighed with a sniff. “We’re- we’re all together again.”
Everything was okay again.
“By the way,” started Tesla, after a few minutes. “Welt, you look horrible.”
“What?”
“She’s right,” Ein agreed. “Those shoes are honestly embarrassing, and the black suit doesn’t fit you at all.”
Tesla shook her head. “Honestly, it’s embarrassing, Welt. I’m ashamed.”
“I-Is that your biggest concern right now?!” He scratched his head. “I thought you would yell at me for dying for you or something.”
“You’re safe, for now,” Tesla muttered. “Happens all the time these days.”
“Excuse me?!”
“She’s right,” Einstein continued. “Sacrificing yourself to save the world seems to be quite ‘hip’ with the kids these days.”
“Ein?!”
“Sorry, inappropriate joke?”
Welt sighed. “I think I missed some stuff.”
“That’s what happens when you’re dead,” Tesla noted with a shrug.
“Well then,” Einstein said, standing up. “Why don’t we catch up?”
The three talked for ages about various things, like recent inventions, the current state of Schicksal, and all the new people they’ve met over the years. Kiana Kaslana, a brave young valkyrie who strives to become strong enough to protect all the beautiful things in the world. Raiden Mei, another Valkyrie, who strives to protect the most important person in her world. Seele Vollerei, a kind, compassonate girl, who reminded the two doctors of Welt in some way.
Murata Himeko, Durandal, Rita Rossweisse, Rozaliya Olenyeva, Liliya Olenyeva. Fu Hua, Siegfried Kaslana, Cecilia Schariac… all of these were names Welt didn’t recognize. But, there was something so comforting about hearing about the heroes of the present era. Learning how wonderful the world has become.
They talked for so long that they began to lose track of time. But, as the sun began to peek out over the horizon, they soon realized that their time together wouldn’t last forever. That Tesla and Ein would wake up from this dream… and that their old friend wouldn’t be coming with them.
Tesla stared into the horizon. “So… we’ll meet again, right?”
Welt lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Tesla, but… this is the end.”
Ein turned to him. “What do you mean… ‘the end?’”
“...You’ll see,” he muttered. “Before the sun rises, I want to tell you something.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I had to leave you. That you had to lose so many people close to your heart, that you had to watch so many others die before you, because of me. I’m sorry for ruining your lives… no, I’m sorry for even existing at all.”
“Have you already forgotten what I told you?” Einstein said after a minute of silence. “‘From today onwards, you are not allowed to apologize.’”
She placed her hand on his shoulder. It seemed arbitrary, trying to comfort someone who’s accepted the fact that he would no longer exist in this world. But she didn’t want him to “die” believing he was a burden to the two most important people in his life.
“...Honestly, one of my biggest regrets was not telling you this before your death,” Tesla began. “But people care for you, you know? Me, Mophead, Joachim… and there’s so many younger people of today who look up to you, who admire your courage, your compassion, and your perseverance. Don’t apologize for your own existence, Welt. You are what gave humanity hope for a brighter future.”
Welt looked up at the rising sun, and then back at the two girls by his side. They were the reason he had chosen to fight for the world after being forsaken by it so many times. To them, he was “humanity’s hope,” but Ein and Tesla were his hope.
“Then… I’ll say thank you. Thank you for giving me hope, for giving me courage, for showing me compassion, and for staying by my side even if it meant losing everything. Thank you for saving my life… no, thank you for just being a part of my life.”
He held the two girls’ hands, and they were afraid to let go. Welt Joyce was a relic of the past, but Dr. Einstein and Dr. Tesla would go on to help create the future.
“Ein, one last thing,” Welt said as the light began to grow brighter.
“Hm?”
“Karl… would be so happy to know that his little brat is all grown up.”
They were engulfed in the blinding, warm light of the sun. And when the two former residents of Lab 42 woke up once more… the third was no longer there with them.