A City of Secrets and Masks

Epilogue

The final member of the Guardians was muted and released two months after their original capture. Tommy saw the light of day and winced away from it. He was led out the door and quite literally tossed into Wilbur's arms.

Every member of the Guardians who still had a working power had their blood drawn and their power copied before they were allowed to leave. The Assembly had the grace to treat everyone's wounds to the best of their ability. Philza was the unluckiest there- He lost his vision in one eye.

Tubbo cried the first time he went back to his apartment alone. He'd always had some sort of background noise, be it the local insects or Tommy's constant noise. Tubbo moved in with the Sleepy Bois days after.

The group that had fought in the final battle were on the borderline of staying together and distancing themselves. They all ended up moving to the same apartment complex, but no one talked to each other. Even those who lived in the same apartment tended to keep to themselves.

Tommy came home about two weeks after everyone else. He didn't talk for a day after being released, and his first statement was, "This is... real?"

That night, Philza invited everyone over to have pizza. Surprisingly, everybody came. It was quiet, but the group did chatter amongst themselves.

Minx bit her lip as she saw Tommy. He had the same hopelessness in his eyes as when she had gone to his cell the first time

Philza, as he usually does, got everyone's attention. He kept his voice low- without Wil's powers there was no way for them to soundproof the apartment. 

"When I was released, I went back to the hub." Philza began. "I wanted to see if it was still there, and what I could salvage. The Assembly had taken most of our weapons and armor, but underneath Tubbo's hive, I found a note."

He pulled the note out of his pocket. It was small, folded to be even smaller.

"This note was coded, but after deciphering it, it was a clue. There were eight of these notes, total, all leading to another note. The final one led to a small lockbox, being stored in the remains of the clocktower."

Phil paused and went to go bring the lockbox out. The group talked for a few seconds, confused but not upset.

All attention was focused back on Phil as he gently set the box down and opened it. Inside rested two vials of clear liquid, two syringes, and another note, explaining.

"The scientists got out before we even got back. This," he gestured to the vials, "is thanks to them. Two vials of the mute antidote."

Silence hung over the group.

"We should use it to get to the mainland." Surprisingly, George broke the silence.

Wilbur nodded. "I say we give one vial to Niki. She has the best power to get us onto a ferry. The other one..."

"We should keep until we can replicate it." Dream said. There were general noises of agreement.

That night, everyone went home like normal, except for Niki. She entrusted her packing to Minx. Wilbur was the one to give her the shot.

Everyone packed up, saying goodbye to their homes. The next morning, at 5 AM sharp, they all met up at the docks. Niki charm-spoke their way onto a ferry and past some guards that the Assembly had set up.

Tommy and Tubbo walked away from the group as they watched the island get smaller and smaller. A PA system crackled to life. "Thank you for coming to Illosia! We hope you enjoyed your time here, and wish you the best back on the mainland."

Tommy set down his bag and looked at the skyline, letting out a sigh.

Tubbo just looked down at his shoes.

A few hours later, the group walked onto the mainland. Eret took responsibility for renting them a temporary place to stay.

Philza wrote up a report on the island and sent it into the Heroics Department anonymously. Then he withdrew the rest of his Guardian funds and got to work finding a home.

The group lucked out there- they found a nice manor on the waterfront, away from the first port city.

It took a bit of elbow grease, but soon everyone settled in.

They still weren't so sure what to do with the other vial of antidote, but that sorted itself out quickly. Phil enrolled Tommy and Tubbo in a local school. They both went for the first day, but after that, it was on and off. Tubbo ended up making friends with another teenager named Ranboo, who visited the manor often.

Somehow or another, he ended up hearing the entire tale. And then he got his hands on the antidote. And then he ended up running tests and eventually replicating it.

When Tubbo asked how he did it, he just shrugged and said, "I'm a man of many talents."

Within the week, everyone had their powers restored. Everyone was a bit rusty, but skills were regained with time and practice. The heroes they had once been took shape again.

The signups for heroes to join the mission to retake Illosia had just opened.

Soon enough, Tommy and Tubbo were back on a ferry, looking at a city that was once a new land, once a home, and now somewhere to be reclaimed.

Tommy spun a bat in his hand as he stepped onto the sidewalk, Tubbo beside him and the rest of their hero agency behind them.

It was good to be back.

---------

One last update will come sometime soon, it's going to be an extended author's note-