Work Text:
“No matter what
I got your back
i take a bullet for you
if it comes to that”
-No Matter What, Papa Roach
It has been a year and a half since the catastrophic events at Starlight Wonderland. While the entire world tries to adapt to the aftermath of the invasion of Hell’s Armies, as well as Mephistopheles’ failed scheme with the Primordial Gems, the MyStreet gang has moved on with their lives, but their family bond still remains: Garroth, Zane, Lucinda, Travis, Katelyn, Dante, Nana, Aaron, Aphmau, Jonathan and Yuri all live in the Lover’s Lane neighbourhood at Lapiz Point, Canada. Aphmau has established a community focused digital arts and gaming hub backed by the Lycaon Foundation. Zane and Nana became owners of a cake shop. Garroth opened a community martial arts and physical fitness academy. Katelyn has become an athletic coach with Travis as her general manager. Lucinda has become a scientist for the Manna Charitable Foundation, using her magic for the benefit of mankind and distributing Yuri’s Ultima antidote to the public for free. As for Jonathan and Yuri: they have purchased a farmhouse not far from Lapiz Point, where they are surrounded by nature and its children. Due to the mysterious remergence of prehistoric animals and growing populations of supernatural creatures, Aaron used his family’s inheritance to install security cameras and forcefields to protect the Campbell Ranch from dangerous anomalous beings that threaten the farm’s safety.
Jonathan, who has become the owner of the farm, is seen looking after the cattle, while Travis and Katelyn help Yuri feed the animals while Garroth and Zane harvest the crops in two separate combine harvesters.
“Garroth. Remember this ain’t no toy.” Zane said via radio.
“I know, baby brother! It’s just…i’m just happy Johnny hired us to help in his farm!” Garroth said via radio.
“C’mon, Trav. You’re not scared of a bunch o’ goats, are ya?” Katelyn said.
“What? Lyn, we barely survived a demon invasion at Starlight Wonderland. Ain’t no way imma get scared of this. Speaking of which, that book of yours was scary, Yuri. You’re a helluva writer!” Travis said.
“Gee, thanks Trav.” Yuri thanked.
At the cow barn, Jonathan watches Travis and Katelyn helping Yuri from the distance and smiles. Suddenly, Aaron and Aphmau approach Jonathan inside the barn.
“Hey, Jon. How’re you doin’?” Aaron greeted
“Good. What about you and Aph?” Jonathan responded.
“More than good! There’s something we wanna tell ya.” Aphmau said.
“What is it?” Jonathan asked.
Aphmau and Aaron pulled out what appears to be a pregnancy test, and hand it to Jonathan who inspects it.
“What’s this?” Jonathan asked.
“Guess who’ll become a papa!” Aaron cheered.
“W-W-Wait-You’re pregnant?!” Jonathan asked Aphmau.
“Yup! I’m officially becoming a mom! And we want you and Yuri to be our child’s godparents!” Aphmau joyfully said.
The revelation that his best friend and brother figure will finally become a dad, as well as him and Yuri becoming the grandparents of Aaron and Aphmau’s child, makes Johnny bear hug the couple and rush towards Yuri to reveal the exciting news.
“OI!!! GUESS WHO’S BECOMING A DAD!!!” Jonathan shouted, much to Aaron’s embarrassment.
“Did i hear right?! Aphmau’s pregnant hon?!” Yuri asked.
“SHE IS!!! AND SHE AND AARON WANT US AS THEIR BABY’S GODPARENTS!!!” Jonathan screamed, his eyes filled with tears of pure joy.
“GODPARENTS?!” Yuri and the others exclaimed.
Yuri faints on Travis and Katelyn’s arms, as Garroth and Zane decide to call the rest of the gang to celebrate.
FLASHBACK
A couple of years ago, a teenage Aaron and Jonathan are seen talking at Phoenix Drop High, where Aaron confesses he has a crush on Aphmau.
“I-Everytime i see her, i get-agitated. I-I only met her online! I don’t know how to talk to anybody besides you! M-My heart just-burns hot and-” Aaron stutters before Jonathan interrupts him.
“Hey, take it easy, tough guy. Deep breaths. *brief silence* I think you’re in love, man. Why don’tcha try and talk to her? She’s your online friend Shu after all.” Jonathan said, as Aaron looked at Aphmau accompanied by Jonathan's cousin Sayori (who was still alive back then) and began blushing.
“O-Okay…i…i’ll try my best…” Aaron said, as he walked towards Aphmau, who greeted him upon seeing him.
Jonathan watches as Aphmau bonds with Aaron, and a huge smile forms in his face. Seeing his best friend finally be treated like a person instead of an animal warms his heart. But his admiration is interrupted by his cousin, who is extremely happy to see him.
"COUSIN!!! What's up?!" Sayori shouted, rubbing Jonathan's head with her fist.
"HEHEHEHE!! Hey cut it out!" Jonathan giggled.
Later, as he and Aaron head back from school, Jonathan notices a purple-haired girl standing on the edge of a bridge, preparing to take her own life. She furiously throws her phone, and lifts her right foot to jump to her death, only for Jonathan pulls her back without hesitation.
“Why?! WHY?! WHY DID YOU SAVE ME?! I DON’T DESERVE TO BE SAVED?! I’M JUST A USELESS, WORTHLESS FUCKING WORM!!!” The girl cried, questioning Jonathan why he saved her.
“I’ll get you help! Just stay with me! AARON! CALL AN AMBULANCE!” Jonathan said, as he ordered Aaron to call for help.
“HANG ON! I’M ON IT!” Aaron shouted, as he picked up his phone and called the ambulance, who arrived just in time while Jonathan tried to comfort the girl.
Later that day, Jonathan pays the girl a visit, who is being looked after in a mental hospital after being diagnoses with clinical depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“A visitor for Yuri Takahashi!” A guard said, as Jonathan entered the girl’s room.
“Hey. You okay?” Jonathan softly asked.
“Why did you come here?” Yuri asked.
“Wanted to see if you’re doing fine. Especially after…y’know…” Jonathan replied.
“I can’t take it anymore....i’ve always been so alone…my Mom and Dad are gone...everyone just…hates me for…no reason…i didn’t do anything wrong…*tears up* i just want to be like everybody else...but everybody…especially that bitch Ivy…they call me a freak…all because i...i like things ‘normal’ people don’t…i feel like a nuisance…i just wish i was never born…” Yuri confesses. Jonathan sits beside her and listens without judgement.
“Hey. Don’t say that. What those people said to you was cruel. And it’s not right. People shouldn’t have the right to point fingers and spit on you for the way you look. Or the kind of clothes you’re wearing. I have a friend whom people also call a freak. But not me. He’s a kind and smart guy who never wants to hurt anybody. What others say to you isn’t true. None of it is true. Do you understand me?” Jonathan softly assured.
“But why…? Why do you bother wasting time with a piece of shit like me?” Yuri asked.
“*gently places his hand on hers* Because this ‘piece of shit’ had some of the best grades i’ve ever seen.” Jonathan replied.
“H-How’d you know…?” Yuri questioned.
“I just know. The teacher revealed our grades and i’m impressed by how smart you are. Your grades are even higher than mine.” Jonathan said.
For the first time in her life, Yuri feels a sense of warmth and security she had never felt since her father’s departure and her mother’s death. She hugs Jonathan and cries in relief, realizing there is someone that deeply cares for her. Jonathan hugs her back and comforts her, gently rocking her body side to side as she buries her face in his shoulders.
“W-What’s your name…?” Yuri asked.
“Jonathan. But most people call me Johhny.” Jonathan replied. "Oh, i almost forgot. *pulls out a purple smartphone* Got this just for you."
"Y-You're giving me a new phone...?" Yuri questioned.
"Yes. A new phone. I want you to have it." Jonathan replied.
His kindness and empathy were enough to break Yuri's nihilistic armor, and she looks at her new phone, which contains stickers of her favorite book Call Of Cthulhu. She smiles and hugs Jonathan tighter as a sign of gratitude.
“J-Johnny…you will always be the one…” Yuri whispered.
END OF FLASHBACK
Later that evening, the gang holds a party in celebration for Aaron and Aphmau’s official parenthood. The couple also reveal the child’s gender to be female, meaning they are having a daughter. Everybody is present: Dante, Laurance, Blaze, Garte (who managed to survive thanks to the Shinigami Ryu’s magic), Master Kovac, Kim, Lucinda, Melissa (who was resurrected by Lucinda by accident), Asch, Pierce, Leif, Noi, Eric and Sylvana. The gang has finally found peace after the events at Starlight, and the family has a new future member. Laurance, Dante, Travis, Katelyn and Garroth are talking about how far they’ve come, while Nana is curious about the child, as Aphmau and Aaron lean on each other. Jonathan and Yuri drink red wine together with Melissa and Lucinda, who are officially a couple. Nobody knows that Melissa was resurrected, and everyone believes they thought she had died back at Starlight but she managed to sneak her way inside the escape yacht after defeating Michael/Mephistopheles.
“Hold on, isn’t anyone gonna talk about how Melissa survived?” Laurance asks.
“You worry too much, Laurance. I’m just glad she got out safely like the rest of us.” Dante said.
“Yeah! Is there anything better than hanging out together like a family?” Garroth said.
Asch looks outside the window and witnesses Ava’s ghost waving at him.
“*sigh* I miss you, Ava.” Asch whispered.
“OOOOO!!! Am i gonna be like an aunt to your girl?!” Nana asked.
“Uhhh…yeah…sort of…” Aaron nervously replied.
“EEEEEEEEE!!!!!!” Nana exclaimed, as she hugged Zane tight.
“N-Nana…i can’t breathe…” Zane said.
“I’m so proud of you, little brother. I believe you’ll be a good father.” Melissa said.
“Aye. So do i.” Jonathan said.
“Heh. Thanks guys. Seriously, i wouldn’t know what to do without you all.” Aaron thanked.
“No. Thank you, Aaron. For pulling me out of that dark place when i needed the most.” Melissa thanked, reminding Aaron that he was one of the people who saved her from being consumed by revenge.
After the celebration party, Jonathan and Aaron have a chat at the entrance to Campbell Farm. The childhood friends rest their arms at the fences and admire the sunset.
“So Aph and i are thinking to name our little girl Aline. I hope i raise her so she can grow up as a healthy and happy girl.” Aaron said.
“Give her the life you always deserved, eh? What Derek did to you was inhuman. And i don’t want your daughter to go through what you’ve been.” Jonathan said.
“Neither do i. I’m just happy i have a real family that loves me unconditionally. *looks at Johnny* We’ve been through so much together, you and i.” Aaron said.
“I remember when i first met you when we were kids, you were this angry, anti-social kid that wanted to be left alone. Most people saw you as a freak. But me? I saw something in you that made me bond with ya.” Jonathan remarked.
“Remember high-school? You and Aph never gave up on me. Whenever i felt overwhelmed, you stood up for me. You’re the first person to treat me like a person instead of a caged beast. Hell, you even taught me how to express my feelings and be more…sociable. I’m not sure i’d hang out with Aph or the others if it wasn’t for you.” Aaron said.
“Aye. When we last saw each other, you left university. You cut ties with your family and moved to Aph’s. But that was shortly before…y’know…I’m sorry about Rachel…” Jonathan said, while still mourning the deaths of Rachel, Rowan, May and Sayori.
“It’s okay. Yuri and i helped you get through…especially since you’ve always been there for me.” Aaron said. “We had so much fun at Love~Love Paradise too. Our girlfriends splashed each other while we carried them, remember?”
“How could i not? That was a good memory.” Jonathan said.
“*sigh* When you think back on it, we’ve really been through alot, huh?” Aaron asked.
“So much. We laughed. We cried. We bled for each other. In the end, we finally found peace. Let the past die. Focus on what comes next.” Jonathan said.
“And what’s happening now.” Aaron said. “Say…you’re gonna marry Yuri, right?”
“Already planning it. What about you? You gonna continue your family business?” Jonathan said.
“Hmm…i’m not sure. Melissa said she’ll try and reform the Lycaon Foundation. No private military contracts, no spyware, none of that. Think i wanna help people, especially traumatizes lycans, by creating an animal therapy program. Y’know, working with things like dogs to help people heal emotionally. I don’t want people to go through what i’ve been through.” Aaron said.
“That’s good. Especially since the Apocalypse left many people traumatized and all.” Jonathan said.
“Not to mention leaving them homeless. But with Melissa as CEO, hopefully the Lycaon Foundation can help the survivors, like the Manna Charitable Foundation and Anomaly Research Center.” Aaron said.
“AARON! COME ON! IT’S GETTING DARK!” Aphmau shouted from the distance, as the others prepared to head back home.
“COMING! Look bro, i gotta go. *hugs Jonathan* Thank you…for being the best friend a guy like me could have…” Aaron said, as a single tear falls down his cheek.
“No…thank you, Aaron. For all the adventures. You’re like the brother i never had.” Jonathan said.
“We’re brothers until the end. See you around, Johnny.” Aaron said, as he left the Campbell Farm with Aphmau and the others, while Jonathan and Yuri watch.
Back at the farm, Jonathan and Yuri are lying on their bed, looking back at everything they've been through.
"*sigh* That was so much fun. Johnny, i'm so happy for those two." Yuri said.
"So am i. But we'll be the ones who'll marry next, right?" Jonathan said, as Yuri giggles.
"Johnny? Remember when we first met?" Yuri asked.
"Yeah. I do. I met this sad, hopeless purple-haired girl with nothing but a hollow void in the eyes. She tried to take her own life once." Jonathan replied.
"And you were there to save me. You visited me daily during my time at the hospital. You never gave up on me. It felt like God actually listened to my prayers and sent a guardian angel to protect me." Yuri said.
"Divine intervention, eh?" Jonathan said.
"Yeah. And when you struggled to sleep due to your nightmares...i was there for you...just as you've always been there for me." Yuri said.
"Aye. We've really been through alot, huh?" Jonathan said.
"So much. I think the happiest day ever was at Love~Love Paradise. Or maybe our first kiss!" Yuri said.
"Heh. *kisses Yuri on the cheek* Thank you, Yuri. For pulling me out of the dark." Jonathan thanked.
"No. *gently grabs Jonathan's face* Thank you, Johnny. For saving me from perdition." Yuri thanked.
The two then start making out before sleeping peacefully, as a thunderstorm suddenly hits the farm. The rain taps the window, as the couple continue to rest, not minding the sound of thunder echoing throughout the farm. The next morning, the screen passes through the cast waving at the camera at Lover's Lane before it finally pans to a photograph in the middle of a grassy field beneath the sunlight, showing the MyStreet Gang during their youth smiling and waving for the camera with a text on the bottom right that reads “Home”.
THE END