Life with the Video Game Cast

Chapter 18

The thought raced through my mind and I looked down at my photo frantically. I promised you I'd come back... "G-Guys! I'm honored, really! But... I made a promise to someone very special," I explained, showing them the picture. "This is my mom and dad! In my world. They're the only ones I had in life when life was down... but I had a dream last night! My mom was looking for me and she needed me home! They both do! As much as I would love to stay and get to know each and every one of you, I've already been spoken for. I promised you guys that I wouldn't leave until I fixed everything here. Now that I finally have... I have to go back!" I urged.

A lot of them looked sad but I knew they understood. "I know you think I must be the best and most powerful person in the world... but if I'm honest... I'm really not. I'm a pretty sad excuse if you ask me. I just... I can't see myself helping you to rebuild the world you want today. But... I know someone who would be more than happy to help you get started." I replied.

I looked in the crowd and pointed right at Slenderman. Everyone turned their attention over and he seemed to be in shock. "Yeah, you! Come up here!" I smiled.

Shocked, he walked up slowly and carefully all the way up into the castle. When he got there, even without a face, he acted stunned. "Me? D-Derrick! I'm honored but you know I couldn't possibly-" he began. "No! Don't say that! You... You ran a whole school... You helped everyone feel like they could come to you to express their true desires and wishes! And unlike so many who would've reported them to the Code Master... you sat and listened! You even wanted to help me! You guided so many through years of struggle! And personally, I don't think it should stop there! I know I can't stay here forever. But you can! Please. Be the leader that I know you can be!" Slenderman looked at the crown I had in my hands.

Hesitantly, he took the crown gently from my hands, holding it in his icy white hands. "Derrick... are you sure? It's... The crown itself is made for you!" he asked. "Oh, I'm sure! I believe in you. To so many here, Slenderman, you're their hero! They need someone to guide them to a better future. One that I can't provide right now." I said to him calmly. "Besides, we all know you can make that crown whatever you want." I replied winking. Just as I said that a smile formed across his face. I was surprised but I know he was trying to be the start of the new life. "Well then, I will be king!" he said happily. As he began to place the crown on his head, it transformed into a dark, spikey, black and white crown that gently sat on his head.

Now he stared at the people among him, all of them cheering for their new leader. "I give you, King Slenderman!" I cheered. Loud cheers roared across all the lands. I looked back at all my friends at the castle. Tails, Bendy, and Monika just smiled and clapped for me. When everything quieted down, Lyric slithered towards me. "Well, now that we've got that covered, I think I know of a place to send you home." he replied.

"Really?!" I asked surprised. "In fact, I could send you home right now if you really wanted!" he added. "All I would need is the power source that anyone can find here. So it wouldn't take me too long."

"Wow! I'd love to!" I answered right away. But that's when I looked over at my friends whose moods were changed right after I said that. "You know what... I think I can spare a little bit of time." I replied. "I've got to spend time with the ones who frankly changed my life."

"Oh, Derrick!" Monika cried as she ran over to hug me tightly. She was about to pop me if not for Bendy and Tails who had to pry her grip off of me. "Y-Yep! C'mon! I want to explore everything before I leave for good!" I replied. "You got it! I know the best places to go! Let's make the most of it!" Tails reassured. "But we shouldn't walk. Why don't we," Bendy began, before summoning hoverboards. "Go out in style!" he replied. "You guys are awesome!" I cheered. With that, we hopped onto the board, quickly zooming all over the buildings, throughout the streets, waving to all the citizens who cheered as they saw me. Everything was perfect. Honestly, it was an empire that I knew a true leader would want. I know I'm happy with it. Too bad I had to leave them all over again.

But deep down... there was something that told me it wouldn't be the end.

~~~~~~~~~~

After a whole day of hanging out with my friends, it came to the point where I knew I had to head home where my parents were. It was a bitter-sweet goodbye since everyone indeed was there to see me off for what probably would be the last time ever. "Good luck Derrick. We wish you the best!" Tails told me. I smiled and hugged him tightly. "Thanks for taking care of me for the time that you did. I don't know what could've happened if not for you in the area when I bumped into you that day. I'll hate being away from you guys." I sighed. Bendy walked over smiling brightly as ever with Cuphead at his side. "Thank you! For everything! You've finally brought something here for me to smile about. I... I don't even remember the last time I smiled! I'll never be able to thank you enough!" he told me. "Don't worry! I think I have an idea!" We both laughed as Monika walked up to us too. "I can't believe I'm saying this but... I think I'm actually gonna miss ya kid!" she said, ruffling my hair.

"Life won't ever be the same for me again. And honestly... I think I like it that way!" she went on. She looked over at Ayano and grinned. "Besides, I've got a lot to catch up on!"

"I'll be happy to do more engineering! Without restrictions or anyone criticizing everything I do! Man, I have so many ideas that people might go insane with me sharing them all. Eggman will be more than happy to listen though considering we haven't been doing anything other than engineer club for the past three years!"

"Maybe the art club will be fuller without anyone being scared of me or my dad. And more importantly, I can't start a real relationship." he smiled, flicking his tail in Cuphead's face.

Cuphead rolled his eyes playfully. "Hey, I still owe you for this!" Cuphead chuckled. "Well, I hope it goes well for you guys. I really do! There are a lot of things you guys get to do now that no one's holding you back. I hope no one returns to hold you back again. And if they do, I'll be right back on it!" I promised. "I don't think we'll have any problems! But you might have an easier coming back if you ever do. Lyric said since you're half of us, you'll have really abilities now!" Tails added. "I don't need superpowers to come back to see my wonderful friends. I'll do that... as Derrick. Yeah, just Derrick! After all the high school experience, almost crashing to my death, and meeting new people, er, characters like you, I think I can handle anything from the outside! But it doesn't mean I'm not nervous about anything..." I added.

After one more round of hugs, Mario, Sonic, Peach, approached me. "Listen kiddo, we've heard about what it's like back home. So, we all chipped in!" Sonic explained. Together, Mario, Peach, and Sonic place gold coins and rings in my hand. They were definitely real if anything! I looked up confused. Why did they give me all this? "When you get back home, you can sell them! Get a little money from them! Your family will be so happy!" Peach replied. "Look I appreciate this- But this is too much! I mean- Won't you guys need some of it to help rebuild the new kingdom?" I asked, shocked.

"Pfft! This is the world of video games! We can just regenerate a-new ones! It will never be a problem!" Mario replied. I nodded and put all the gold in my pocket. "Okay, I'm ready." I sighed. "I guess... I guess this is goodbye." I sighed. "We'll never forget you." Bendy promised me.

I sniffed wiping away a tear from my face. "I'll never forget you guys! I promise I'm going to make everything better for you guys when I get back! I swear!" I said.

They smiled and patted my back. "We know!" I smiled once more and looked over at Lyric who carefully slithered over to me. "Are you ready?" he asked. "Definitely." I sighed. He used the crystals and made them swirl around the place we were staying. Eventually, they whirled around me rapidly, glowing brightly as suddenly their shape wasn't clear anymore. A portal formed to my side and lifted me up into the air. "I'LL MISS YOU GUYS!" I shouted. "WE'LL MISS YOU TOO! DON'T FORGET US!" Tails shouted. "HOW COULD I?" I shouted playfully. I laughed as the portal took me in completely.