Xover: Jump Force (The Rewrite) - [CONTINUED]

Shiki Granbell

(A/N: This chapter is the longest of My telling of the story. Please read it to the end!)

Chapter 18: Shiki Granbell

(The Mining Encampment, Sun Jewel (A.K.A. Planet of Gemstones), Sakura Cosmos, 'Edens Zero' Universe)

Kurenai was defeated. The slaves had been released, and were now doing a pretty good job rebuilding their societal structure as a provisional government. Sun Jewel was on its way to becoming a prosperous world once again. But most importantly, a free one. But with all said and done, there was no victory without loss.

Homura had lost Valkyrie. Her mentor, and the closest she'd had growing up to what a parent should actually be, someone who loved her. It was still hard enough for her to process, and Shiki Granbell was completely clueless on how to duly comfort her. And he still had no idea how he was going to break the news of the 'Shield of Edens' to Witch, Sister and Hermit.

'Guess figuring out how to be there for your friends is just part of being a friend, right?'

Shiki mused as he walked alongside his curvaceous, dusty-blonde friend Rebecca Bluegarden and her cyborg cat-friend Happy down a certain street of the encampment, carrying supplies for the next stage of their journey. They had initially come to Sun Jewel in hopes of locating the Swordswoman's Android teacher so that she could complete the 'Shining Stars' Quartet of their ship the Edens Zero, and have it optimised to its full capacity. And with any luck aid them in the final phase of locating Mother.

But now that Valkyrie's gone....?

"They'll get through this, and Homura too! They're tougher than they realise." Rebecca interrupted his train of thoughts, giving him a sympathetic look and a small sad smile, like she knew exactly what he was thinking. Shiki gave a cautionary but still warm chuckle, with his hands behind the back of his head. "Yeah, you're right.." he admitted, ".. 'Coz they've still got each other, and us! And together, we'll reach the other side of the Galaxy, and we'll find Mother.", "Our dreams are still just within reach Shiki. And yours to make your 100 friends, or should I say 90 extra friends?" Rebecca finished with a closed-eyed anime-style smile (the kind that can save a universe, or at least Shiki's day). "Aye sir!" Happy chirped in his usual manner beside her.