[Opening: Project M Theme]

FusionFall Infinite

Season 5

Chapter 36: Homecoming

[Cues: Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 OST – Cutscene 1]

[Neo Bayview]

"Now if there's nothing else you need from me, my team and I are in desperate need of a vacation, and I'd like to get on it post haste, so we still have some time before episode 11's canon begins."

"Bishops. I would point out there's the matter of the Metsu Blade, but that can wait. Frankly, you clearly need a break." Ryker said concerned. "But I just need you to do two things for me. I suggest you and your cohorts hang on to those Emeralds. As for Maylene, it's safe for her and Enid to return home. Tell Steven his job's complete, and Connie's waiting for him in Herkleston."

"I'll let them know." Desmond said relived.

"As for vacation ideas. There are many OU or resort universes themed after different things. I'll ask Merch for suggestions and get back to you. Just hang tight." Ryker said before hanging up.

The new year had brought some changes to the former Crystal Squadron leader. For one, Pearl and Tsubasa moved out of the former HQ to their own place still withn Neo Bayview and not too far away. They wanted their place to raise Jewel and they wanted their own garage and space. Amethyst had moved out as well…to a van in the parking lot nearby. She liked the idea of a mobile home. Thus, the old HQ was practically the Blackthorn family home. He put the phone away to take up his beloved son, Rai.

"Hey little guy." He said affectionately as Rai cooed.

"Ryker, we're back." Jasper said lugging in groceries with Garnet.

"Jasper, in all due honesty, I am really glad you stayed. Your help has been appreciated." Ryker said.

"Of course, my lo-I mean, Ryker. You have been a pleasure to serve." Jasper said humbly.

"Humilty is a good trait to have." Garnet said as she began putting groceries away. "By the way, Priyanka's just arrived back on the planet with company."

"Is that so?" Ryker said as Pink came in with a pack of booze. "And I hope you used your own money to pay for that!"

"I did." Pink said.

He groaned. Pink had not moved out. Everyone else in the house wished she did, but they knew she would not. Ruby and Sapphire hauled in the last of the groceries as everyone finished put them away. Ryker handed the child over to his mother and got on his jacket, socks, and sneakers.

"Priyanka's still at customs?" He asked as Sapphire nodded. "Good, I'll go get her."

[-o-]

[Cues: Nujabes - Another Reflection]

[Pimpleback Mountains Base Camp, The Wilds, The Core]

Saki came out on his car to reflect on things on his own. Yes, the place he picked was an odd choice, but he needed the solitude to think. He sat on the hood of his Murciélago thinking of the past before shaking his head.

"No, I can't keep thinking of the past. Too much of that, I won't even see the present in front of me or the future ahead of me." Saki said as his shoulders sagged.

He had come to the realization at the beginning of the year that his team may be going the way of what was the Crystal Squadron…or at least at risk of it. Taeko , Marie, and Crusher leaving had him stewing at the thought that everyone would just leave and the team be disbanded…forgetton. Of course, his power as an Oracle did allow him to see the possibilities, but he dare not use it for that. He had hope in his friends, and he decided to make two phone calls. The first one being to someone he should have called sooner.

"Hello, Crusher." Saki said.

"Saki, you called…I'm so sorry I le-"

"Don't you dare apologize. You wanted to support your son…and find a place you can start over with your family. I understand…" Saki mused.

"But I left you hanging without a warning, and I was…afraid to even tell you the truth." Cursher said feeling ashamed. "I felt selfish."

"And you shouldn't. Your family is your priority. You know that. I know that. It's the same thing with mine. Taeko needs his dad…and you need him. He's been through so much shit…and so has Marie. You deserve to be done with all this." Saki said looking up at the sky.

"You too, you know. How's your family by the way?" He asked.

"Maylene's off-planet on a mission, and Mandy's just fine." Saki said leaning back on his car. "The Cult's still active, but we're fighting them off."

"Look man, if you need our help, just call me. Stars and universe won't keep me apart…from my brother-in-arms. I love you, brother." Cursher said as Saki shed a tear.

"I love you, brother…" Saki said. "I'll be seeing you soon. Take care."

He hung up and wiped those tears away. He needed a moment, and he could feel that Cursher needed one to.

"Even if all I've lost, what we lost, there's still a chance to make a better tomorrow to leave the past in the rearview mirror." He said to himself before moving to call Mandy.

However, Mandy called him up first.

"Hey Mands, what is it?" Saki asked.

"I wanted to check on you because you just suddenly took off with no word or warning. I checked the graveyard, but you weren't there…and I feel you didn't even go there." Mandy said concerned.

"No, I didn't. I went up in the Wilds to think, Pimpleback to be exact. I needed to reflect and I'm sorry for making you fret over me. I feel like I've been clinging to my past a bit much and the end of the year was a bit of a wake-up call. I realize you mean so much more to me, Mandy. And there's something I want to ask you-"

"Yes." Mandy said flatly. "I've been waiting forever to proprose. I was literally considering just buying the ring to give to you to proprose to you!"

"I was going to ask you that, in person. But I'm happy that you were blunt with me, it wouldn't be Mandy without that biting scarcasm." Saki said warmly. "I'll have a ring for us both by the end of the day. So…"

"Courthouse wedding. We really need don't need a grand spectatcle." Mandy said surprisingly demure.

"I'll meet you at City Hall then. Love you." Saki said.

"Love you too." Mandy said before hanging up.

Saki got off his car before getting in. He adjusted the radio to something a bit more upbeat.

[Music Ends]

He blazed ahead racing out of the mountains through several areas in the Wilds. Recently there had been efforts to try to rebuild towns within. Namely within Prickly Pines given the lack of infected zones there, and Camp Kidney was soon to reopen in full.

"Not like any from the Camp Lazlo universe made much of a return." Saki thought as he drove faster. "Or maybe I just wasn't minding that."

[-o-]

[Danny Antonucci Immigration Center, Offworld Plaza, Inner City Core]

"Ok, Priyanka. Mind explaining him?" Ryker said pointing at Butters.

"To make it short, she and I were coworkers for the same guy, I'm a weaponsmith. We can say who we used to work for now, right?" Butters asked as Priyanka nodded. "That Gendo Ikari guy…"

"He wouldn't happen to have ties with the Gourdar Empire?" Ryker asked as both Butters and Priyanka. "Oh, well this is going to make things a bit easier. Butters, I assume you don't really got a place to stay?"

"My crazed father's dead…a shame, but he was always a bundle of hatred. And my mother's in an asylum…so no. Priyanka offered to take me in." Butters admitted.

"Well, you can join the Jade Company. We're in need of all the help we can get. Considering our last weaponsmith is in politics, we're in need. We can talk pay when we get to Bayview. You two done here?" Ryker said as they both nodded. "Good."

The three headed out as Ryker unlocked his car.

"What happened to the Agera?" She asked.

"I still have it. I just this 370Z to experiment with. The dark grey paintjob really makes the white dragon decals pop, don't they?" Ryker said starting it up.

"Nice nitrous setup. You got a weapons system?" Butters asked.

"Standard issue smoke bombs dispenser and flashbang cannon out of the headlights. Standard shit for dodging cops during races." Yuki said driving through the streets. "But Priyanka, I do need to know what's going on…and if you'll stay with Jade Company."

"Well, I can't just follow my daughter even if I want to. She's nearly about to be independent. Steven himself as well. Your group is going to need my help. So, I will stay." Priyanka said as Ryker could only sight in relief. "Besides, I had a feeling that we're working with less."

"Yeah…with Peridot as president. She, Lapis, and Bismuth cut ties. I can't even contact Lars nor his team. They've fully embraced being space pirates from what I hear. Greg has no intention to join Jade Company…not like I was going to ask him anyway. Aiko's off working for some version of Kyu. I even had to merge with Fusion Force, so there's that." Ryker said hopeful. "Welcome back, by the way."

"Good to be-"

Priyanka was cut off by Ryker's phone with the car connected to it. He answered it seeing it was from Merch.

"Talk to me, Uncle Merch. What's up?" Ryker asked.

"I got that information you asked me about giving Desmond that vacation he wanted. I'll email you that, but I got something important to warn you about. The cult's going into a bit of a civil war. Seems it's tearing itself apart thanks to all of you and the efforts of everyone else." Merch said.

"I'll break down the champagne. See ya." Ryker said hanging up.

Soon enough, the three were in Neo Bayview as Ryker pulled up to the house.

"Priyanka, seeing that several people moved out of what was HQ, we got spare rooms for Butters." Ryker said as they all got out. "We're actually going getting a new building to call headquarters. But we're debating on where it should be placed. I guess we can start that meeting soon. Either way, go on ahead in. I need to make a call."

Priyanka and Butters went ahead as he got on his tablet to go to his email reading on the information Merch sent him before texting Desmond a little while later. He also sent him coordinates.

"Yo, Desmond. It's Ryker, yeah I got a spot for a vacation. It's an EVA Protected Universe, that hosts the NERV Resort. That world's Asuka and Shinji found inner peace during Instrumentality managing to rewrite their world. No Angels really…and NERV is a resort they run. Turns the Rei I used to know works place...giving massages and happy endings. I managed to pay for a reversation for you and your team. Have a nice vacation."

"Ryker?"

Garnet came up on the roof.

"Saki and Mandy are having a bit of a get together. They finally tied the knot." Garnet said as Ryker put the tablet away.

"About time." Ryker said getting up.

(A/N: It feels good to return this story, and I'll be hitting up The Geist Within as well. These two are overdue for chapters and continuing the story. Mandy and Saki finally get married and we're all on our way to continuing the war with the Cult of Combination. Chapters 7, 8, 29, and 31-34 were edited for noticeable errors, I apologize for not dealing that sooner. As for this and the next two chapters, it'll tie a bit closely to the latest chapter of Evangelion: You Shall (not) Win This Time [Chapter 12]