Here it is! At long last! The final chapter of the story! And it only took me about a year or so to write this whole fic. Well, I really hope you all enjoyed it. It's been a blast. I have a few other things I want to say, but rather than fill up the A/N section here with them I've decided to add an Afterword chapter on top of this one, bringing the entire fic up to a nice round sixty chapters total. You don't have to read it, as it's not crucial or anything, but if you're curious give it a look. Until then, please enjoy the final part of Märchen!

Woo!

Rozen Maiden: Märchen

EPISODE THIRTEEN

Märchen

DOLLHOUSE

The blog of Jun Sakurada

# Ever After

Well what d'ya know, this story had a happy ending. For a while there I really didn't think it would. In the end though, it looks like everything worked out for the best.

Okay, so where do I start? I passed my entrance exams. That was a relief. After the summer break I'll be starting at High School, along with Tomoe. I'm actually kinda looking forwards to it, surprisingly. You know, if you asked me a year ago about going to High School, I'd probably freak out and hide under my bed. Guess that just goes to show I've grown as a person.

The most important thing though is that the Rozen Maidens are back. All of them. Shinku explained to me how that came about. Apparently Alice decided to give up her life to restore them all, and she used their artificial spirits to do it. She imbued each spirit with the essence of the doll they had belonged to, their thoughts feelings and memories. By doing that she was able to turn them into a kind of substitute for the Rosa Mysticas. The only downside was that it meant giving up her own existence to do it.

For all Rozen's talk about how Alice inherited selfish self-interest, that was a pretty selfless thing she did. I really owe her for that, and I guess I kinda feel a little sorry for Rozen. He waited centuries to be with her, and now she's gone. At least he got to spend a little time with her, and now that the Alice Game is over there's nothing stopping him from seeing his daughters. They were all thrilled to finally be reunited with him, and I'll be joining them back at their home in Lebensbaum this summer. Apparently they're going to clean the whole place up and make it just like it used to be.

A summer spent cleaning. Oh joy. I'd just as soon as pass on that, actually, but Shinku insists I go and help out. I am her servant, after all, and boy she doesn't ever let me forget it. You know, you'd think after everything that happened she might treat me with a little bit more respect. Instead, she wants me to dress up as her butler. Unbelievable! The things I put up with.

Still, it's worth it. The look on my parents faces when I carried Shinku downstairs and introduced her to them - priceless. They honestly thought she was just a regular doll. Well, I guess maybe mom figured there was more to her after I reminded her about Kohaku. I think she forgot after all these years. They were still both shocked anyway. Ha, just wait until some of the other dolls come round to visit. I wonder how my parents will cope with Suiseiseki. I'm sure they'll love Hinaichigo.

Oh, that reminds me - Tomoe got herself a girlfriend! And by that I don't just mean a girl that she's friends with. Tatsuya Tsuzuki (yeah, her parents gave her a boys name), a girl from our class who's always been a friend of hers. That was the one who kept wanting to come round here and see the dolls. They've been spending more time together because Tatsu liked to visit and play with Hinaichigo. Tomoe assures me that it's nothing serious, but I've seen the both of them with Hina, and if you ask me it will be sooner or later. Which also reminds me, a funny thing happened the other day ...

Jun was surprised to see a boy standing at the front door to his house, seemingly trying to work up the nerve to ring the doorbell. As he approached he recognised him from school - it was Yamamoto. Frowning, Jun stopped behind him and said his name.

"Ahhh!" Yamamoto leapt with fright and spun around to face Jun, who stared blankly back at him.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

He sagged with relief as he recognised Jun, then wilted further, his expression one of utter defeat. "It's no use. No matter how I try I never seem to be able to do it."

"Do what?"

"Ask your sister out. I keep trying to talk to her, but I either lose my nerve or something happens to get in the way."

Jun gawked at him. "You wanna ask Nori out? As in ... on a date?"

Yamamoto nodded, his shoulders slumped in weary resignation. Just as he was about stagger away, Jun grabbed a hold of his tie and yanked the front door open.

"Hey Nori!" Jun yelled as he dragged the poor boy through the doorway, "C'mere a minute! I found you a boyfriend!"

Where was I? Oh right, Micchan joined the Grimm Brothers' doll company and she's working alongside them now to design outfits and fashion accessories for dolls. Kanaria and Rosetta are competing to try and become the company mascot. Kanaria sees Rosetta as her 'arch nemesis', and the two dolls seem to be involved in some kind of insane battle of wits. Kanaria even started her own online blog about it, detailing the whole thing like some kind of military campaign. It's pretty damn ridiculous if you ask me. Kana's Art of War it's called.

Enju is back as well. He's working in his old doll shop again, which he bought back from Micchan. Last time I stopped by I saw Kirakishou staying there with Barasuishou. The two of them have become pretty much inseparable now. It's a little bit creepy if you ask me, the way those two are. They're getting more and more alike each day, and it's got so they're finishing each others sentences off. The other dolls pretty much stay away from them, and I can't say I blame them. There's still a lot of bad feelings after what those two did at the end of the Alice Game. Maybe everyone will forgive and forget one day, but not today.

Oh yeah, while I was there I ran into a familiar face ...

Eiko Sakurada was outside enjoying the summer heat and hanging the washing out on the line. She hummed to herself as she worked and bent down to lift a sheet from the basket. As she straightened up she found herself face to face with a pair of orange eyes framed by cherry red hair.

"Boo," said Kohaku.

Eiko yelped and dropped the sheet back into the basket. Jun lowered the Enju doll a fraction and smirked at his startled mother. Her eyes grew wide and she stared at Kohaku in utter astonishment.

"K-Ko ... haku?" she whispered, scarcely able to believe it. The doll smiled.

"Miss me, Eiko?"

Jun set her down on the ground and stood upright, dusting his hands off. His mother continued to give Kohaku a shocked stare.

"Mom?"

Eiko tore her gaze away from the little red-head and regarded her smirking son as he stuck his hands on his hips. "Y-yes?" she said.

"You're never too old to play with dolls," said Jun, before turning and striding away. Kohaku leapt up and grabbed a hold of Eiko, laughing as Jun's mother caught her.

As far as Suiseiseki and Souseiseki are concerned, they both moved back in with Mr and Mrs Shibisaki, who were overjoyed. Without the threat of the Alice Game looming over everyone's heads now, I doubt they will be forced to leave them again. Also I got invited over there for dinner tomorrow. Suiseiseki is cooking. I know she's a good cook, but I can't help feel a little ... what's the word I'm looking for? Afraid? Yup, that's the word.

Oh yeah, Suigintou. How could I forget her? She's still staying with Megu, only now I have to keep paying them both a visit, because Shinku insists on stopping by there a heck of a lot. I usually end up playing chess or cards with Megu while Shinku and Suigintou catch up. And by 'catch up' I mean they sit there and lament how utterly useless Megu and I are whilst sipping tea. Whatever, as long as they're happy.

I think that's about it. Things are just about back to normal, I guess. Well, as normal as things get when you live and hang out with a bunch of magical foul-tempered obnoxious demonic dolls from hell. On the plus side Rozen doesn't have to hide away from everyone now, and he's actually pretty good at keeping the dolls in line. When he makes the effort that is. He offered to take me on as his apprentice once I finish with High School. I might take him up on that. If being Rozen's apprentice doesn't get me some respect from his daughters then nothing will.

Looking back on it all, everything that has happened these past couple of years has been largely down to that one decision I made. That all important question; will you wind? I chose to say yes. I wound Shinku and my entire life changed because of that. Did I do the right thing? Did I make the right choice, to wind?

Yes. I have no doubt about that at all. If I could go back and do it all over, I'd make the same choice. I don't regret it for a second. I don't know how my life would have turned out had I chosen not to do it, but I'm convinced things worked out for the best this way. It made me a better person, and I like to think I made a difference as well.

I have to go now, Shinku is demanding I make her some tea, and I haven't even started packing for the trip to Lebensbaum. She is such a bossy, pretentious, pushy little doll, I swear ...

Ah, who am I kidding. I love her.

"Hina!"

"Kana!"

"Hina!"

"Kana!"

"Unyuu!" Hinaichigo wailed, "Father! Which one of us is right?"

Rozen stopped before them and considered for a moment, looking from one to the other as they watched him expectantly.

"Actually ... you're both wrong. Souseiseki was right." Rozen turned as he heard a loud crash and clutched at the side of his head. "Suiseiseki! What are you doing? I told you not to touch that!"

"You did? I so do not remember that. I swear Father, this place is such a dump! We should so totally demolish the whole thing and start over."

"Suiseiseki!" her twin scolded, "We can't do that! This is our birthplace, our heritage."

"It's a mouldy old death-trap, is what it is!"

Jun watched their efforts with a faintly bemused expression as the dolls struggled to clean and tidy the centuries old Rozen Estate. He stood beside a high-backed chair next to the window, in which sat Shinku, drinking the tea he had just served her. After a while he leaned over and spoke to her.

"You know Shinku, you could just wind time back a little and this whole place would be spotless and clean with a lot less trouble."

"Perhaps," Shinku accepted, "However they all seem to be having such fun, do they not? I see no reason to deprive them of this opportunity to enjoy themselves."

"Why don't you at least help out?" Jun suggested, already knowing the answer to that but asking it regardless. Shinku lifted her chin and pointed her nose in the air haughtily.

"No thank you, it all seems much too tiring to me." She lowered her gaze and frowned for a moment. "Jun? What is the time, please?"

Jun gaped at her. "You do have a pocket watch you know. Check it yourself."

THWACK!

"Ow! Dammit, what did you hit me for?"

Shinku lowered her cane. "You are my servant, Jun; it is your duty to perform whatever task I give to you. Now kindly tell me the time."

Grumbling profusely, Jun pulled back his sleeve and glanced at his wristwatch. "Five minutes to nine."

"Well hello you two," said a familiar voice, "Enjoying ourselves are we?"

Suigintou stood before them, smiling impishly in that way she often did these days. Jun glowered at her and crossed his arms defensively. "We were until you showed up," he muttered sullenly.

"Pay him no attention, Suigintou," said Shinku tartly, "He has yet to learn his proper place."

"Oh I don't know," Suigintou struck a mockingly thoughtful pose and regarded Jun shrewdly, "I think Jun will make simply one hell of a butler someday."

"Bite me," Jun barked back. Suigintou giggled.

"My, Jun, is that a hint of jealousy I detect in your voice?"

"I believe it was ..." said Shinku, concurring with her. Jun stuck his hands on his hips and rolled his eyes at them both.

"Jealous? No, whatever gave you that idea? I mean it's not like I have a problem with the fact that Shinku kissed you and agreed to elope with you or anything. Lord knows it's not like we don't have enough incestuous love affairs around the place ..."

Suigintou moved to the other side of Shinku's chair and all but draped herself on her little sister, stroking Shinku's golden blond hair as she did so whilst treating Jun to a taunting smirk. "Oh my! Aren't we a bitter child? I have an idea Jun; why don't you help Shinku and I to have a bath later? From what dear Suiseiseki tells me you quite enjoy looking at dolls in the bath, and you can even wash our backs for us ..."

Jun stared at them both, and annoyingly Shinku said nothing. She simply stared back at him along with Suigintou, watching with faint amusement as his cheeks flushed red with heat and his glasses slipped down his nose a little. He swallowed and hastily glanced at his watch again.

"Hey Shinku, isn't the latest episode of Detective Kunkun about to start?" he said hurriedly, "It's supposed to be a special episode that introduces his new arch enemy. Y'know, the Moriarty to his Sherlock. You don't want to miss that."

"Indeed. Suigintou, would you care to join us?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, Shinku my love ..." Suigintou said seductively, before shooting Jun a wicked smile.

They had a television set up in the drawing room, a big modern wide screen thing with top quality speakers and everything. The only slightly troubling issue was the lack of electricity. And no satellite or cable hook up. Jun stood before it and scratched the top of his head with the remote control.

"You know, I think I might have spotted the problem here ..."

"Oh no!" Hinaichigo wailed from her spot on the settee, "Does this mean we can't watch the Kunkun show?"

"Fret not, ladies," said Rozen, "It's all in hand." He stood beside the television set, reached out and tapped it, once. It immediately sprang to life, humming with power, the picture displaying the intro credits for the Kunkun show. Jun gaped at Rozen in astonishment as he grinned back.

"Magic fingers," he explained, wiggling said digits. Jun snorted.

"You don't say."

They all sat down to watch the show - Jun, the Rozen Maidens and their father. It started normally enough, with a blood curdling murder that required the great canine detective to be called in to investigate. Everyone was rooted to the screen in anticipation, drinking in every moment of the compelling story. Finally Detective Kunkun revealed how the crime had been committed, and the music swelled to a dramatic crescendo.

"This entire affair has been planned from the very beginning!" Kunkun declared boldly, drawing hushed gasps from the assembled group.

"Who could be responsible for such a heinous scheme?" Detective Cat demanded, breathless.

"None other than that napoleon of crime! That criminal mastermind known as ... Laplace no Ma!"

On screen, the camera shifted to focus on a shadowy figure that emerged from a place of concealment. It was unmistakably a stuffed white rabbit in a suit and top hat - the plushie that the real Laplace had been transformed into by Alice. He gave a theatrical bow and said in a mysterious voice; "You do well to beware of rabbit holes so that you do not lose your nimble poise ..."

At this a trapdoor opened up beneath Kunkun and Detective Cat, dropping them both into an unknown fate. The dolls cried out in alarm at this, all save Shinku, who merely smiled confidently.

"Fear not sisters; Detective Kunkun shall escape and soundly defeat Laplace. By hook or by crook, he shall prevail, for he is truly a genius."

THE END