What happened next was difficult to describe. Yao would have said that the ground had opened up, bathing everyone in a red light, and dragging people down. Yong Soo would have said that the sky had suddenly become unbearably bright, as though all the clouds had just disappeared. Elizabeta would have said that there was a sudden gust of very hot wind, that for some reason left her shivering and wishing the Canadian kid had brought a jacket. Kiku wouldn't have said anything, because he was mourning his lost dog. Brian would have said, "Mnoiqwnkeoeflllf."

Whatever happened was over in an instant. All of a sudden, there were no more zombies. All the corpses on the ground had vanished, leaving only about half the original crowd, who were very much human.

"They didn't take all the humans who weren't really meant to die," whispered Arthur by way of explanation.

God and the Devil surveyed Their work. "Not bad," said the Devil. "I can't wait till the real Apocalypse. That should be interesting."

God sniggered. "As long as humans stop being jerks about it. It'd be nice if you stopped being a jerk too, but then again I guess that's too much to ask."

Yao was stunned, but then again that was to be expected. "Wait, so is it like this all over the world?" he asked, as people in the crowd began to shift around awkwardly. Francis nodded. "Such is the power of the rulers of Hell and Heaven," he said softly. "He's right, I can't wait till the Apocalypse."

The Devil's musicians had started playing something soothing. Satan didn't protest to their choice of song. Instead, He turned around and drew a line in the air with His finger. A portal opened.

"Unfortunately, this means I have a lot of paperwork to do," He said over His shoulder, already beginning to step through it. "Francis. Don't think you're out of the woods yet; we'll talk about this when you get back."

The portal closed. Francis shuddered and let out a dry sob. Arthur patted him consolingly on the back. "At least we managed not do die," he said. Francis nodded sadly.

A pair of arms wrapped themselves somewhere around Arthur's waist. He looked down. God was hugging him round the middle, peering up at him through straw- coloured bangs.

"Well I'm glad you didn't die, even if you suck," said God. Arthur snorted, amused. "Thank you," he responded. God released him and wandered away.

He pointed at Yao. "You're cool," He said. "Be good and come work for me. I can't wait!"

Yao blinked. "Did you just wish for my death?"

God laughed. "No, not really. Not that I couldn't kill you if I wanted to." He stuck His tongue out and turned on His heel, intent on going back to Heaven. "Now, if you losers will excuse me, I'm going to go and finish of that comic book- GOD DAMMIT!"

He turned around to see what He had tripped over. "Whose dog is this?" He demanded, holding up a small yellow furball. "I should smite you into oblivion!"

Kiku's head snapped up abruptly. "Pochi!"

God looked at him. "This mutt's yours? Fine, here; take it! I don't want that thing in my Heaven!" He literally threw the dog at Kiku, who caught it with tears in his eyes. "Pochi!" he cried, hugging the dog close to his chest. It yipped.

God stood up and brushed Himself off, waving away Arthur's attempt to help. "Stupid mongrel. Anyway, like I said, I want to go home now. Ah, wait a minute." He stopped suddenly, moving closer to the small group of humans. "I think I sense another soul in here."

He stopped in front of the Canadian kid. "A- hah!" God cried, plunging a hand deep into the Canadian kid's chest. It left no mark, and there was no pain. He drew His hand back slowly. To the others' shock, they realised that there was another hand holding God's; God was slowly drawing a soul out of the Canadian kid's body.

He kept pulling, until Elizabeta was completely free. The Canadian kid blinked and raised a hand to his chest. It had been the first time he had truly been his own person in years. He looked up.

"Elizabeta?" he asked breathlessly, looking at the girl before him. She had an odd, translucent quality about her; like her colours were faded and watery. Still, she was beautiful. Long brown hair swept and cascading all the way until her back; and although she had claimed herself to be a warrior, she was wearing a simple green dress. And she was tall, true to her Viking blood. The Canadian kid's eyes travelled from the girl's pretty face to the flower behind her ear. "Wow..."

Elizabeta tittered girlishly. "Hello," she said, curtsying slightly. "This is the first time I am seeing you not from your own eyes. I quite like it."

Behind her, God made an impatient noise. Elizabeta nodded. "I think I am going to Valhalla now. It is good for me; I have been waiting a long time. But I think that the last few years have been most enjoyable. Even though I wanted to go, I do not regret having shared a body with you," she smiled at him. Almost as an afterthought, she leaned over and kissed the Canadian kid on the cheek; soft and quick.

God took her by the hand and began to tug her away. She turned to the other humans. "Goodbye, all of you! You have also been most wonderful. I will miss you very much; you are not warriors, but you are very funny. I will see you again maybe, when it's your time. Until then, farewell! Keep your friendship, yes?"

God opened up a portal and had already put one foot through it when the Canadian kid suddenly snapper out of his stupor. "Wait! Wait, what's going on? You're just going, just like that? I'm- I mean, you're not going to be around anymore? You're just leaving me alone?" he ran across the square and grabbed Elizabeta by the hand, preventing her from leaving.

God clicked His tongue impatiently. "Well, of course! She's been dead for ages, where do you think she's supposed to be? Now come on, Elizabeta, we have to go back to Heaven."

"Wait, no! You can't! I mean, I can't live with two souls for ages and then suddenly have it taken away from me! It's not fair," he said. Elizabeta smiled sadly at him.

"What can I do?" she said. "It is my time. It was my time a long while ago."

"But I lo- I li- I mean I'm kind of attached..."

Elizabeta looked at him expectantly. The Canadian kid sighed. He turned to God.

"Take me with you?" he asked.

Elizabeta gasped, but God merely tilted his head sideways. "Your soul in exchange for the stupid dog I just gave back? Sure, I think that could work. No nasty paperwork to fill out about balance shifting and all that."

Yao ran up to them. "Are you sure, man?" he asked. Kiku looked nervous, still holding his dog. The Canadian kid smiled. "Hell, I'm constantly trying to commit suicide anyway. This just makes things easier, right? And well... I'm sort of used to Elizabeta being around," he said, shuffling his feet bashfully. The tips of his ears turned pink. Elizabeta giggled.

Kiku finally smiled. "Well if that's what you want. Goodbye, friend."

The Canadian kid stepped into the portal. "Nah. Not goodbye. I'll see you some day."

Yao nodded. "Yeah," he said.

The portal closed. The Canadian kid was gone.

Kiku chewed on his lip. Kenny was, mercifully, quiet. Yao put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, I'm a psychic, remember? We can talk to him any time."

Kiku smiled sadly and nodded. "Where'd Soo go?" he asked suddenly, looking around for their friend. Yao blinked.

"He's there, I think," he said, pointing at a hunched figure. They drew closer.

Yong Soo's figure appeared to be shaking. Yao asked him what was wrong. Soo turned, eyes red and blotchy.

"Brian!" he wailed, and they understood. Brian had been taken to the Otherworld. Yong Soo jumped up and latched himself onto Yao, bawling. The psychic made no move to dislodge him.

"He was- he was such a good zombie! He fought alongside us! I still never managed to teach him to say 'brains' properly! It's not fair!"

"Yes, yes, I know. Don't worry," said Yao, patting Yong Soo fondly on the head.

Feliciano's eyes were still red, although he was no longer crying. "Thanks for saving me," he said, voice coming out as a soft whisper. Alfred ruffled his hair affectionately, laughing. "Of course I saved you! You totally deserved it! Besides, I like you. You're cool."

"Really?" Feliciano went wide- eyed. "But now you can't come to Hell anymore!"

Alfred shrugged. "I wasn't ever really that crazy about Hell anyway. Besides, we can still be friends! I hear you don't really have a fixed job over there, so you can come visit me in Heaven lots!"

"But Satan-"

"Forget Satan! Nobody cares about Satan. And wait till he sees what I've done to all of Hell's bathrooms," Alfred grinned, making Feliciano giggle. Alfred continued. "It'll be totally cool. And I'll get you a cell phone and we'll make lots of plans and drive Arthur nuts!"

"I heard that," said the other angel sharply from where he was standing aimlessly with Francis. He shook his head. "Honestly, children. I don't know what to do with them."

Francis smiled, tiredness showing in his eyes. "Well, I guess that's that. We inadvertently caused the end of the world, but it's been fixed. We're saved."

Arthur frowned. "You're in trouble, though. And you stupid French bastard, why did you cover for me?" he asked, suddenly looking uncomfortable. "I mean, you didn't have to... You could have gotten yourself some sort of awful punishment! What on Earth is wrong with you?" he demanded, trying to look angry. Francis laughed.

"Well, I'm not the only one guilty of defending you. Besides, we've been enemies for far too long to let each other fall. If one of us fails, it's because of the other one, right? That's how it works."

Arthur smiled. "I suppose. I would get bloody angry if someone killed you off before I got to." He sighed and rubbed at his arm. "My wings are killing me. I can't believe we just went through all that. All that just for the sake of a stupid holiday that didn't even last all that long!"

Francis shrugged. "I don't know. Perhaps you think it was stupid, but you do feel better, don't you?"

"Insofar as having to stop the Apocalypse from ending early?" scoffed Arthur, before laughing. "Well, yes, actually, I do feel quite good right now. And well, if I'm lucky, nobody is going to die for a while."

Francis grinned and slapped Arthur on the back, sending the smaller man stumbling forward. "Well, ange, I have to say that despite everything that has happened, I don't regret a minute of it. In fact, I'd do it all again."

Arthur had to smile at that. "Me too, French bastard."

Yao came over with Kiku, Yong Soo still clinging to his shirt. "Arthur, Francis; I want to thank you."

Francis was surprised. "Whatever for?" he asked. Yao smiled.

"For saving the world. Or for trying, at least. I'm quite attached to life as it is, and it's nice to know that someone up there cares about us."

Arthur smiled gently. "And you're quite remarkable. Never have I met someone with your abilities. And you seem to have quite good friends, as well. You're a lucky man. Use your talents wisely, Yao."

Yao smiled and nodded. "That sounds like something I could do."

Alfred drew closer, Feliciano holding onto his arm. "Oi, Artie, let's go home," he said. "I'm aching for something to eat."

Arthur's expression immediately hardened. "Shut up, you, I'm in the middle of having a touching conversation here. Can't you go be stupid somewhere else?"

Alfred laughed. "Come on, old man, it's time for us to go anyway."

Yao only half- listened to Arthur's protest that he was not an old man, thank you very much, instead inclining his head politely to the two of them. "I think we should be heading home, too. It's been pretty crazy. I think what I really need is to eat instant noodles, and then sleep for the rest of the week."

"I'm just happy I have Pochi back," said Kiku, nuzzling his dog affectionately. "Although I'm not letting you near him anymore, you bastard, after what you did to him."

"It wasn't my fault," Yao whined, already turning away to leave, with Kiku following behind. Their argument was punctuated by the occasional sniffle or sob from Yong Soo.

Francis watched them go. Feliciano came over and attached himself to the demon's arm. Francis looked down. "What can I do for you?" he asked pleasantly enough. Feliciano looked at the ground.

"Are you mad at me? For not doing your job like I was supposed to?"

Francis shook his head. Suddenly, all he wanted to do was get back to his ferry. "I'm not angry, Feliciano. It wasn't fair to just throw this at you when you weren't expecting it, without even giving you a proper explanation or showing you the ropes."

Feliciano brightened up immediately. "Great! That makes me happy. Can we go back to Hell together? I'm scared of facing the Devil alone," he admitted. Francis chuckled.

"Yes,let's go," he said. He looked up. "Ange. I think that I should be going. Knowing Satan, I'm not going to be done with this for quite some time. And I think you have some explaining to do in Heaven; even if I doubt your God will be interested."

Arthur regarded him stoically. "Well then. I guess I'll see you around, you French bastard," he said. Francis smiled.

"Oui. Till tomorrow, then, my friend."

Arthur grinned back. "Right. I'll see you at work."

And the final tally of Yao's predictions:

1. Zombies
2. Angels and demons
3. Overcrowding
4. Trouble (no shit sherlock)
5. Demon dogs (pochi)
6. Dyslexia
7. Long lines at the post office
8. McDonald's meat freezer
9. The Canadian kid getting a girlfriend

How accurate were they in the end? Ohohoho.

I adore Captain America/Iron Man now. Even though I haven't even read the Avengers omg I'm a terrible fan hahahaha. It's okey, I'll do it when school's over and I have six months off. I can handre it then.

Crappy ending is crappy.