Chapter 239: Return
~Third POV~
[Worldline: Kill La Kill]
[Matoi Mansion]
Laying down inside the Matoi Mansion laid a beaten-up Mash Bastion after making his return trip from the Ben 10 Worldline completing his main objective. However, the additional wounds and bandages were signs of wives scolding him.
He pouted as he sweated a bit asking in a calm tone despite the beat down, he graciously gave with his lips twitching, "I know returning bloodied and bruised up wasn't the best idea I had… but did you have to insult to injure bonking me on the head in your super forms though?"
Both the sisters answered in a stern tone, "Yes!"
Mash flinched under their judgmental gazes as Yui dressed as a nurse healing him back to health and trying to seduce him in the process. She was mad of course, but she sees this as a win to get closer to him because of her Ancient Magic.
Although when she did have to treat him she was visibly shocked seeing him need actual time to heal as she asked curiously how he was this badly wounded, "Still I'm surprised how you were this damaged to this extent. Even your natural healing factors are having a hard time adjusting. What kind of enemy did you fight against?"
Hearing this Mash sighed as he replied in a tired tone yawning a bit tired from his encounter with Alien-X, "Sigh… I pretty much fought against another Alien God. This one can do anything and took quite the beating. Fortunately, it had a weakness that I exploited to win although just barely. Son of a bitch can pack a mean punch."
The girls sighed at their lover's recklessness. Although Ryuko pouted not being accounted for the action but understood why Mash wouldn't want them to fight against Alien-X because he could lose them if they did.
Satsuki sighed as she then asked in a curious tone moving on from the topic and Mash's recklessness, "Sigh… you could be quite troublesome my love. But I must ask was it worth it being that reckless in your actions dear?"
*Veeeee*
*Cling*
*Klang*
Revealing an open palm using his [Machine Manifestation] soon transforming into a mechanical crystal key. It was soon enchanted with [Concept Magic] using all his Ancient Magic and knowledge of Professor Paradox to create it.
Showing his latest invention with the combination of science and magic Mash explained in a confident tone, "Through the last 3 years with the combination of science and magic this here is the Multi Navigator. Like a traveling Time Traveler Chrono Navigator, this allows me to put a chrono-mental displaced myself as a GPS for the multiverse… by reverse engineering it and combination of [Concept Magic] using my desires with the concept of 'I want to return home' on it."
He turned his attention to Yui seeing the Mech Crystal Key her eyes widened as he smiled asking for her help in a kind tone, "Yui… can you please help me to ensure the multi-navigator is successful?"
Yui eyes beamed brightly in happiness as she agreed to assist him in the magical aspects of the multi-navigator using her knowledge of Ancient Magic. And Mash works with her on the technical aspects of the key in question.
Satsuki and Ryuko both smiled lightly seeing the hopeful expression on his face. After multiple trials and years away, he finally achieved his main goal of finally getting to return home to his family.
Both left the two to focus on their work to make sure everything was complete and needed precise concentration…
/////
~Mash B. POV~
[Matoi Mansion]
[TOOS].
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Item: Multi-Navigator
Rarity Item: SSS
Type: Multiversal Tracking/Traveling Device
Description: The Multi-Navigator was taken from the inspiration of Professor Paradox Chrono Navigator this magical and technological device was made to locate and travel across dimensions. With the enchant of [Concept Magic] relying on the user's desire and studies of using the [Second Magic] to fill it with infinite Magical Power the user will be able to travel across worlds with merely their desired intent easily able to locate, travel, and return home to the user's intent.
It has also been enchanted with other Ancient Magics [Gravity Magic] allowing the user to charge the item without Magic instead of using the planet's energy (Ether). It has also been enchanted with [Fifth Magic] to enable time travel to the exact point of time to the user's intent. And [Third Magic] Heaven's feel to enable to tap into the potential of the human soul that has no value to enable the impossible processing the belief and will into reality.
This magical device has been studied and tested by Yui and Mash after months of trial and error creating this magical artifact and simulations by the Moon Cell A.I. BB to ensure complete safety.
----
Finally… holding in my hands is the Multi-Navigator. After months of testing and trial and error, I finally have the literal keys in my hands to return home.
Clenching my hands over the item in question with my girls standing by. Rem, Satsuki, Yui, Emilia, and Ryuko with the friends I made over my past travels coming to mind.
3 years. It's been a long 3 years. A little over and change.
A long, long journey. Finally, it's over. I can go home now.
I just have one dilemma. Should I appear after 3 years of my disappearance, or should I just return to the night of my disappearance? How will each choice affect me?
Did I even disappear at all? What if there's a version of me already there and I'm a copy? I tapped my foot nervously as I considered it.
Each option has its pros and cons. It made me nervous but that was when Ryuko slapped her hand on my shoulder with a smug grin as she spoke in a confident tone, "Come on man. Don't tell me you're wussing out after finally getting the means to find your home. Got to show some guts."
She said with a cheeky grin with Emilia agreeing as she bashfully responded in a determined tone helping me calm my nerves, "Now sir Bastion. Your reward is finally within your reach I think you deserve this as much as anyone. You aren't one to be scared of such challenges no?"
Tightening my hand over my Multi-Navigator I heard Satsuki's voice in a calm tone eyeing me with a curt nod, "Bastion you aren't one to fear the unknown. You gained this through your efforts no matter how it was done. No matter what happens we'll be by your side no matter what happens."
Feeling my heart lighten up I exhaled as Rem clung to my arm as she tilted her body to my side granting me a sense of comfort in a soft tone, "Mash. You finally gotten to your goal it makes me happy that you get the chance to see your family again. I bet your little sister and your parents are worried. So…"
Taking my face she planted a kiss on the lips as she tilted her head giving me a sweet smile as she gave me my determination in a sweet tone, "… Don't ever give up. You gave me this lesson a long time ago I think a reminder would do, no? Always talking about a new tomorrow. And besides… giving up doesn't suit you."
I smiled lifting my head in pride. She's right I've fought serial killers, demons, angels, aliens, alien gods, and multiversal heroes. Most of that would likely kill me but here I am the victor against the odds.
*SHIII*
Revealing my Multi-Navigator my eyes filled with purpose as it revealed a door connecting me to my desires and dreams as I spoke thanking them in a grateful tone, "Thanks for the pep talk everyone. I promise when I bring my folks over we'll celebrate together. And… thank you for loving this fool!"
Bowing my head slightly they smiled at my words as Yui soon spoke with a sultry expression her face being a naughty minx, "Ahh… Then please come soon deary so we can go on a date. I promise to make it fun~"
My wife's eyes twitched at her bold claims. Laughing lightly rubbing the back of my head I smiled seeing the door as I stepped forward. It's time to see home after 3 years of being gone…
/////
[Worldline: Earth (Mash Bastion Homeworld)]
[US, Earth]
*SHIII*
Exiting outside from the other end I breathed in a whiff of fresh air. A summer night, a lonely, desolate street. Crickets could be heard chirping, and a cold breeze blew through past me. This feeling…
I smiled. I was finally home. My REAL home.
3 years has passed. I felt my heart rate increase because of the uncertainty of the near future ahead but at the same time joy.
The joy of showing off to my family how much of an adventure and bullshit I had gone through because of somehow getting milk from the Seven-Eleven and returning home only to somehow lost that said milk.
Shaking my head I quickly met through the neighborhood still the same as usual. Walking through the streets some memories flashes in my head growing up.
Such simple times. Naïve and dumb times but ones I gladly liked.
I had a bright idea of going to a college to study medicine in pharmaceuticals just to get a paying job. Who needs that when I'm fucking rich.
But the moment of truth came when I was about to enter my old home's area my eyes widened seeing them. My family is still there after 3 years but two people my eyes narrowed in disdain once I used [TOOS].
[Maria Bastion Lv.2 Mother]
[Bradely Bastion Lv.3 Father]
[Alexis Bastion Lv.1 Sister]
[Conman Lv.3 Faker]
[Conman Lv.2 Gunman]
Not needing any info, I already knew that my poor folks were being taken granted for. Those two conmen were using excuses of not finding any leads about my disappearance are instead trying to take me for granted.
Mongrels. Seeing them soon leave my home I walked right up to the door pressing the doorbell as it rang and I waited…
*Ding*
*Dong*
My father soon opened the door confused seeing me. I smiled and gave him a big hug, "I missed you."
Confusion soon dawned on him but clenching me tighter he asked in a disturbed tone touching me to see if I was real, "W-What happened? Are you… you my boy? Mash…? Mash Bastion…."
Letting me go I smiled as I did this dumb joke he likes to pull on me wiping the tears off my face with a stupid happy grin, "Mash…? Don't you mean Mash the like button, you old bastard?"
His eyes widened as he beckoned me to come in tears streaming down his face as I continued saying in an excited tone, "Sorry for being gone for 3 years but… it's a bit of a wild ride. You'll want to be sitting for it."
He nodded gravely and beckoned me inside. It was one hell of a shock for my folks...
/////
[Bastion Residence]
Explaining everything that happened to me over the last 3 years was probably the hardest challenge I had to do. Explaining the dangers, people, and wild adventures I've gone through just to finally be here.
They were of course shocked but when I showed my Magic. Well… they were stunned to silence but none so than my little sis who's 14 years old with stary eyes asked in an excited tone, "Holy shit!! You can do magic?!! Can you teach me, big bro!!"
I chuckled at her short-sightedness. My little sis. But soon with surprising gentleness my mom walked over and hugged me as she patted my cheeks tearing up in a thankful tone, "You've had it hard. But you're back now. And that's what's important."
I sniffled a bit hearing that as tears streamed down my face responding in a happy tone, "Yes. I'm home again."
When everything was calmed down my body felt a shiver as my mom's kind tone turned cold asking serious questions, "So… from your little adventure you promised to marry 5 women I hear? Emilia, Rem, Satsuki, Ryuko, and Yui?"
Gulping as I sweated a bit from my mother's questioning I meekly nodded my head in a calm tone, "Yes… look I know how –"
That was when she calmed down as she asked her next question not letting me have the chance to speak, "Good. I expect you to marry them and be committed. I can excuse you for being alone in these magical and alien worlds but when it comes to commitment you must uphold it."
I sighed nodding my head with my father chuckling at my misfortune as he added fuel to the fire in a cheeky tone, "So… when are we expecting the grandkids, my boy?"
… you are dead to me. My eyes twitched as my mother looked at me expecting an answer as I gulped nervously from this.
I fought vampire serial killers, Demon Beasts, magician clowns, cultists, killer bunnies, memory-wiping whales, Witches the OP ones, Holy Knights, demons, angels, fairies, Sin Archbishop, Heroic Spirits, Holy Grail wars thrice, Gilgamesh, high school, exhibitionists, feminist dictatorship, alien clothing, horny rapist woman(s), alien evolved god of clothing, immortal witch, robotic aliens, the supernatural, again alien omnipotent god, and multiverse hero.
And yet despite all the enemies I face the one I have trouble facing is my mother asking me when I'm gonna have grandkids –
That was when my sister chimed in with a mischievous grin on her face adding fuel to my demise as mother stared intently into my soul of her words jokingly, "So… when's the wedding between you all…"
Gulp. I glared intently at my lil sis as she snickered at my misfortune as mother grabbed my hand and 'sweetly' smiled tilting her head in a commanding tone, "Yes, my sweet 'baby' boy… when are you gonna do all of that sweetie? And please don't tell me we missed such an important event…. Right Mash Bastion?"
This is my toughest trial yet… growing up. But all jokes aside though I couldn't help but smile throughout all of this.
Missing this type of family interaction. Despite the deep shit I'm in I merely felt glad meeting and joking with my folks again like this. After all, the trouble and fights I've been through I'm finally glad I got to reach the finish line…
It's good to be home.