(We find ourselves, several weeks later after the semester’s ended, at a local chapel. In fact, we’re at Selanio and Selan’s wedding! We find everyone outside as the ceremony’s just ended, and Selan’s throwing the bouquet. There aren’t a lot of people clamoring for it really, but the person who catches it is… Ann! She laughs and shows it to Brian, who blushes and runs off to hide behind his dad. Everyone gets ready to head over to the church’s reception hall so they can go eat cake and food. Omen hides off to the side, trying to get a moment to himself to try and come to grips with the fact that yes, his two best friends just got married to each other. Instead of solitude, he finds Smith waiting for him.)

Xeno: Smith?

Smith: Hello, Xenophon.

Xeno: What’re you doing here?

Smith: I thought you may wish to hear an update.

Xeno: Update…? Is Indrid okay?

Smith: I have been treating him for the past few weeks. His condition has not improved.

Xeno: What? But you have all sorts of advanced medical technology, don’t you?!

Smith: Though he hid it well, Indrid was never in good condition to begin with. (He looks aside) It is probably my fault… I asked him in the 1500’s to return home and be regenerated, but he refused… I should have insisted.

Xeno: Why would he refuse something like that?

Smith: You must understand, Indrid is one of the oldest living beings in the universe. He has certain responsibilities that he would need to see to if he returned.

Xeno: So he’s been shirking his duties for five hundred years?

Smith: Yes, and I have helped him do it. He is a bit of a… ah, what is the word you humans use?… ah. He is a slacker.

Xeno: Don’t… don’t say that. I don’t want to feel like I’ve got anything in common with him.

Smith: Very well.

Xeno: So what’s going to happen to him?

Smith: I called for assistance. A ship arrived today to take him home. His body will be regenerated and he will survive.

Xeno: Oh… good. I’m glad. How long do you think he’ll be gone for?

Smith: It is hard to say. Between the temporal quirks of relativistic travel, and the duties he will have to perform once he is recovered, which he may or may not dodge again… perhaps a year. Perhaps millennia. My predictive capabilities are not quite as good as his, you see.

Xeno: So… you have no idea.

Smith: None whatsoever.

Xeno: Jeez…

Smith: I suppose this means the end of your life being “meddled” with, though.

Xeno: What, you’re not going to take over for him?

Smith: Well, I will indeed take on Indrid’s responsibilities… I would hardly say I am worthy to replace him, but that was the decision… but you must remember that I already have a human of my own who is not so adverse to taking orders.

Xeno: Clovis?

Smith: Indeed. So I will not be requiring your services. Thank you very much for your help in the past.

Xeno: So I’m free?

Smith: Free? Xenophon, your actions have always been your own. We simply will not interfere any longer.

Xeno: Right…

Smith: Again, we thank you. (He turns) Goodbye.

Xeno: Hey, um… tell Indrid I said thank you, too.

Smith: I will.

(Smith leaves. Xeno sighs and turns to leave. Just then, Arco runs over.)

Arco: There you are! Everyone’s wondering what happened to you!

Xeno: Sorry about that. I just needed a moment.

Arco: Overwhelmed by happiness, huh?

Xeno: Yes.

Arco: No, really. What were you up to? Mysterious Omen stuff?

Xeno: Yeah…

Arco: Ah, that’s fine, then. Now come on, before people start worrying.

(Arco takes Xeno’s hand and starts dragging him toward the reception hall)

Xeno: Won’t Cath get jealous if he sees you with me?

Arco: Maybe.

Xeno: …

Arco: …? Xeno, are you okay?

Xeno: Hm? Oh, just thinking, is all.

Arco: About what?

Xeno: It’s just… I could leave. Right now. I could leave and stop being Omen. The Baron and Ira can be a duo, there’s no more aliens or superpowered terrorists gunning us down, they don’t need me… hell, I even get the feeling that Cath won’t let Apogee arrest them.

Arco: What?

Xeno: I could go. Sometimes I used to tell myself that in the past, but I knew it wasn’t really true. But now… there wouldn’t be any real consequences. I could run away. Be normal. Maybe go do some of that stuff I always said I’d do in college.

Arco (worried): Will you?

Xeno: … no. I like my life. I like being Omen. Maybe I said he’s not real, but he’s damn nice to be sometimes. Heh… maybe I’m starting to become the mask, a bit…

Arco (grinning): You don’t wear a mask.

Xeno: Becoming the scarf, then. (He laughs) It’s just nice to know that the only thing keeping me in this life is the fact that I enjoy it. There’s nothing else forcing me here.

Arco (doesn’t really know where this is all coming from, but she’s rolling with it): Good to know.

Xeno: Yeah. Hey, thanks for being so cool about finding out my identity. I mean, it’s awkward enough, I’m glad you didn’t go all fangirl on me…

Arco: Ahaha, actually…

Xeno: Oh god…

Arco: Do you think I could get a photo of Omen and me? You know, for the website?

Xeno: No.

Arco: We could stage it like I surprised you with it and you don’t wanna be there!

Xeno: Never.

Arco: Aw come on, Cath let me get a photo with Amp!

Xeno: Yeah, well, he’s trying to sleep with you, of course he would.

Arco: Th-that’s not the only reason!

Xeno: I beg to disagree.

(Arco whines at Xeno as they make their way back to the group, but Xeno won’t concede.)

Selan (all decked out in her fancy dress): Xeno! What were you doing, huh?

Xeno: Oh, Smith showed up, I had to talk to him real quick.

Selanio: Did he have news about creepyman?

Xeno: Yeah. But let’s not bother with that. After all, it’s time to party, right?

Selan: Yeah! We’re about to cut the cake, come on!

Xeno: Shouldn’t we wait until after the food to cut the cake?

Selanio: Why? Is that a thing?

Xeno: I don’t know, I don’t go to a lot of weddings…

Selan: Whatevs, cake is always first in my book. Then presents. THEN we can eat.

Selanio: Yeah! Also, you guys get to see my awesome dancing.

Selan (going pale): You’re not gonna drink first, are you…?

(Selanio laughs. Selan looks preemptively embarrassed. Xeno smiles despite his horror.)

Arco (whispering): Psst… why doesn’t she want him dancing drunk?

Xeno: Pray that you’ll never find out.

(The party continues, cake is had and dancing happens. Thankfully, Selanio keeps his clothes on, if only because Xeno wouldn’t let him get naked. At the end of the party, Selanio and Selan finally leave to catch their flight and begin their honeymoon.)

(Xeno goes home alone, feeling content.)

—End: Evil FTW.