Chapter Twelve

Patrick saw Chelsea coming to him with joy. They both hugged each other for relief that they're back together again.

"I was so worried about you!" said Chelsea." I thought you weren't gonna make it!"

Patrick replied "You know I'd never miss your birthday party."

"Young lovers." said Kinomoto offering them a lotus flower. "As promised for recovering the Ryu Sword, I offer you this as a symbol of eternal love. A lotus flower."

"Arigato." Patrick said as he and Kinomoto bowed to each other.

Presented with the lotus, Chelsea said "Patrick, it's beautiful."

"Told ya I've got something for your birthday."

Having their moment, Patrick and Chelsea kissed each other. Rook and Buzz watched them with smiles for how happy the two of them were being together.

One day later, Rook and Buzz were playing Pacific Rim: the video game and they were having a great time. Just then, Patrick came through the front door.

Buzz walked to Patrick with Rook following him. "So?" he asked. "How was the party last night, lover boy?"

"It was off the hook." replied Patrick. "I passed out at ten to twelve, but Chelsea slept with me."

"Hey Patrick," said Rook, "I've been meaning to tell you this yesterday, but… I owe you an apology. For doubting your dreams of doing something to change your life. I understand you wanted to be a hero to make things cooler for you, until you realized… you never needed to from the beginning when a girl sees the hero in you."

"Yeah." Patrick agreed. "But why would you think I would do it alone when we can do it together? You guys are my best friends. I could never leave you behind."

"Well, I gotta hand it to you."

Misheard the matter, Buzz asked "Give him your hand? Are you proposing?"

Rook bonking Buzz on the head and said in annoyance "No, you dumb fuck!" He spoke calmly "I meant to say… even though I kept saying I hate being outside because I don't get out much… our quest was rather… exciting."

"I know what you mean." Patrick agreed. "I think my favourite part is when you cheered me up when I've lost all hope. That meant… a lot to me. It really did."

"Why is that? Is it because before or after you went to Stardust, you're not used to being cheered on?"

"No. I've always been looked down on because I don't think I'm anything important."

Buzz staggered "You are to us, Patrick. Because we're friends, we're roommates, and you've become a hero to the world, even though they keep denying it."

"Not just you." Rook added. "All three of us."

"Yeah." Patrick looked like he was having an emotional moment from this conversation with his roommates. He had a tear running down his cheek, and he wiped it off him.

"Is this the part where we hug ourselves?" Buzz asked.

Patrick paused, then replied "Yes."

Patrick, Rook and Buzz had a group hug together, proud of their friendship and always to look out for each other. Then, the door was knocked. Patrick answered it, and a mailman was there.

"Mail call." said the mailman. He offered an envelope to Rook and took off through the lobby.

Rook looked at the mail and said "Hey. It's from Kinomoto."

"Yes!" cheered Buzz. "I kinda miss that guy. It's so cool he's a reincarnated wizard."

"Hold your horse, man." Patrick staggered.

"My horses? I have horses in the apartment?"

"No! That's a figure of speech, ya dork!"

Rook gave it to Patrick so he can open it. When he did, three black coupons were found. It looked like they're up for another quest.

The trio looked at each other, then smiled and Patrick said "I think we can go for another quest."

"Go off for another adventure?" Rook asked. "How can I say no to that?"

"Same here." added Buzz. "These guys are off on another worldwide adventure to save the world and beat the crap outta demons."

"Well," said the confidant Patrick, "let's get our next quest on."

No telling what will happen, but they'll make it somehow. No matter what it takes, they can withstand until there's nothing left for them to do.

The End