Years later…
"All done. They should be here in about five minutes."
Before Caspian's feet lay an expansive black and white buffalo check pattern picnic blanket lined with several wicker picnic baskets stuffed to the brim. The perfect setup nestled within a natural amphitheater, where tall trees and dense foliage encircled the clearing.
This mountainous forest was situated in G-City, home to the Council of Swordmasters Headquarters.
He climbed onto the picnic blanket and lay on his back, hands interlaced behind his head, staring up at the cerulean blue sky.
G-City was usually blanketed in dense clouds, but for such a perfect day, he had blown them all away.
"How far we've all come…"
Caspian's mind drifted to—
Where to start…? Perhaps with Earth itself.
Following 'God's' defeat, there had been a noticeable decline in how fast monsters sprang up. But that didn't mean the world was cured of the monster problem, and it never would be.
That's where Boros and the New Dark Matter Thieves had stood out. They grew into a monster superpower committed to peaceful coexistence with humans. Not all monsters joined them, but enough did to lower global threat levels. Z-City Ghost Town was rebuilt into a kind of kingdom, a haven for monsters and humans seeking positive change.
This stability helped trigger a global baby boom. With danger levels down and peace holding, people started focusing on their future and each other.
Boros did his part too. He now had several children with his two wives, Raptora and Reptera. Their marriage followed the customs of his species, not Earth's, which meant the wedding ceremony involved more combat than tradition.
Caspian still kept in touch with him. That wasn't hard, especially after a small suburb formed near his mansion. Several families had settled there.
Closest to the mansion, in the mountains outside of Y-City, lived his disciple Genos. Still proudly calling himself that, despite everything. Some things, it seemed, didn't need to change.
Genos and Shadow Ring had contributed to the baby boom too. After getting married, they had two children: a boy and a girl. On a different note, their bookstore thrived, and they were thinking of opening up a new location, one closer to Doctor Kuseno.
As for Doctor Kuseno, he visited often to see his grandchildren. The rest of his time went to restoring the planet, working alongside his immortal friends, Dr. Bofoi and Dr. Genus. With three top minds collaborating, they had already revived the wasteland around Z-City. Even Armored Gorilla lent a hand.
Caspian was still overjoyed that Kuseno lived. Seeing the doctor light up around his grandchildren, and Caspian's c—
Anyway, the next closest home belonged to King and Va'thera. It went without saying that they were doing their best to win the baby boom race. There were… a lot.
Their wedding had been memorable. Va'thera's homeworld tried to stop it with a full-scale invasion. Until they met King. The moment they did, they dropped to their knees and named him ruler of their matriarchal race. Just another Tuesday for King, 'The Heroes' Hero.'
Across the street (yes, an actual street was built for aesthetic purposes) lived Suiryu and Lin Lin. They got married, had kids, and co-ran the dojo with Yuta and Suiko. Sometimes Mosquito Girl lent a hand, and the place thrived, offering a mix of fighting styles.
One more couple had a home here, though they were rarely in it — Sweet Mask and Do-S. To Caspian's surprise, Sweet Mask had been the one to propose, and they had a son with another child on the way.
Sweet Mask's dream of the "Ideal Hero" had come true. Not with Caspian, but with the next pair.
Garou and Kiiro. Despite a sudden first date, they sparked an instant connection. Call it fate or Carmin's last gift. Like the others, they married and started a family.
Garou, the former 'Hero Hunter,' now 'Ideal Hero,' rose to Rank 2 in the Hero Association. He also became a guest teacher at Bang and Bomb's dojo.
Speaking of which, the old masters had regained their youth and merged their styles into one unified discipline, reflecting the newfound unity of the world. Their top student? Charanko.
Caspian stayed in touch with all of them. It helped that three (really two) of his wives ran the dojo. Every year, their students competed against Bang and Bomb's at the Super Fight tournament, an event Caspian always looked forward to.
Now let's return to heroes for a moment. The Hero Association was now run together by Sitch and Busho. With the world's overall peace, it was a cushy job the two men deserved. Immortality suited them well.
What was left? Ah, there was a monster named Evil Natural Water. Caspian had discovered a water world teeming with life. And so Caspian let Evil Natural Water become its ruler…
Who was left? Of course, Sonic.
Sonic had founded a new ninja village, one focused on giving orphaned children a better future. Caspian had even helped reconnect him with Flashy Flash. The two now ran the New Ninja Village together. They didn't join the baby boom, but they had their own way of shaping the next generation.
Then—
"Daddy!"
A small voice snapped him out of his thoughts. They were here. The most important people in his life.
¤ ¤ ¤
Caspian felt a weight hit his chest, small arms wrapping around his neck.
"How's my little Scarlett?" He lifted his daughter, her laughter as familiar as it was comforting.
Her hair was black and cut to her ears; her eyes crimson like her mother's. She had inherited more than just looks. She also ran to him the same way her mother did. Sometimes the two would race to hug him first. Scarlett remained the undefeated victor.
"Hehe, you can put me down now."
Scarlett's little translucent wings blurred as she lifted off and zipped toward her mother.
Caspian sat up. He knew what came next.
A chorus of joy sounded before a swarm of children piled on top of him.
"Girls, off your father!"
"Boys, you too!"
His children obeyed. They knew better than to upset their mothers. Caspian shared their sentiment.
Once the pileup cleared, he stood and took in the sight of his wives, each pushing a stroller across the grassy clearing. As usual, they were in sync. Every pregnancy had occurred within weeks of each other. He had a certain turquoise-haired Esper's 'Third Eye' to thank for that.
There were also a couple of Rover's puppies yipping and running around. The male puppy was named Wulff, and the female named Maiya. Rover too had joined the baby boom. As for how Rover mated with Grizzly Nyah, Caspian didn't need to know.
First, he approached Mosquito Girl and kissed her deeply.
"Eww!"
"Daddy! Must you always kiss our mommies every time?"
He chuckled. What parent didn't enjoy embarrassing and teasing their children? Especially when it nets such an adorable reaction.
"I must. Without fail." He glanced into the stroller at Liam, their youngest. Near them, Levi, their eldest, played with the others. Both boys had inherited her silver hair and his brown eyes.
Mosquito Girl squeezed his hand, gave him the bright smile she always had, and nudged him to greet the others.
Tatsumaki had settled at the picnic blanket's edge, sunlight catching her cream summer dress. She looked at him, silent but expectant.
He didn't disappoint. Another kiss, another round of disparaging cries from the kids.
Tatsumaki and he had two daughters, Violette and Aveline. He didn't dare mention it out loud, but their tempers rivaled their mother's…
And beneath them in the stroller was their son, Shigeo. As for his appearance—
Shigeo made sucking motions with his mouth before his Esper aura enveloped him and he flew and cradled into her arms.
Let it be known that all of his children are superpowered. Above Dragon-level threats at birth.
"It looks like he's ready for some food."
"You can't help me with this. You obviously want to go and 'greet' your other wives." Tatsumaki prepared to breastfeed Mob. Though before he walked away, she said to him in a hushed tone, "Caspian, tonight let's—"
"We do every night, but you got it."
He gave her one last peck on the lips and moved on.
Yuta stood beside a stroller at the clearing's edge, watching their daughters, Amara and Saffiya, spar with toy swords.
"They've gotten good," Caspian said. "You're an outstanding teacher."
She smiled and kissed him. "Thank you, husband."
"Mother!" Saffiya shouted, flustered.
Amara seized the moment, poking her sister with the toy blade. "I win."
"You cheated!"
"Nuh uh!"
They ran off across the field.
"Amara takes after you," Caspian said.
"I do not k—"
"Wahh!"
Caspian acted first and cradled their youngest daughter, Yasmin. "You didn't like all that noise, did you?" His precious white-haired little girl stopped crying and studied him with wide, curious eyes.
Yuta sighed. "I wish I could get her to quit crying so easily. Saffiya and Amara weren't like this."
"I'll be sure to spoil her heavily."
"Caspian…"
"Within reason."
"That is acceptable." Yuta's stern gaze softened into a honey-like sweetness. "Off with you then. Here, let me hold her. She usually gets hungry right around this time."
Caspian, though he didn't want to, placed Yasmin in his wife's arms. And then, while Yuta prepared herself to breastfeed, he looked over at his four other wives scattered around the picnic blanket.
He made his way behind Suiko and hugged her from behind.
"What do you think you're doing, mister?" She glanced back and asked.
"Coming to take what's mine."
"Then take it."
Her soft lips graced his for a few seconds before he pulled back, and they shared a look. A look that meant tonight would be busy…
Suiko and he decided not to have ki— the hell? Of course, they did. Three, in fact. Three sons. Isaac and Xavier, the oldest two, had joined Saffiya and Amara's game of 'tag.'
"Is he sleeping?" Caspian walked over to the stroller at the corner of the picnic blanket, facing away from the sun.
"Yes, he's tuckered out after visiting Grandpa Amahare earlier. A little strange to call him that after he received an immortality shot." Suiko walked to his side, taking his hand. "Ha, I wish my gran—"
"He would be so proud of you. You're such an amazing woman and mother. And you, as well as your brother, have returned the dojo to its prime. And I know you might not agree, but I think you've brought the dojo to new heights.
Anyhow, Grandpa Suicho is coming over for a barbecue tonight."
Suiko leaned her head against his shoulder. "All thanks to you, Caspian."
"It's the other way around. Without all of you, none of this would have been possible."
They sat in comfortable silence, listening to the cheerful laughter and shouts from the precious family they had all built together.
You might be wondering about Suicho, the late grandfather of Suiko and Suiryu. Well, Caspian's power had reached such levels that he'd gone back in time to bring Suicho to the present. The truly absurd part was how he could change the past while forcing the future to remain unchanged.
Suicho had been shocked at first, but joy came next. He was in his prime again, thanks to an immortality shot, and surrounded by his many grandchildren. What more could he want?
Caspian planned to discuss with Suiko about bringing back her parents and grandmother. He would offer this to everyone he cared about: the chance to resurrect those they'd lost.
He needed to talk to Genos about his family. But the answer was obvious.
Speaking of resurrection, Caspian had already reunited Blast with his wife, Selenian Luna. She had truly fallen in love with Blast in the past, and it showed when they were reunited. It really showed about a year later. Gifted with perpetual life, they decided to live out the life denied to them before.
Blue, their eldest son, had become a lot happier and did his best to better the world. Having his mother back had changed something fundamental within him.
Void, Luna's brother, sought forgiveness from her, even when she expressed there was no need to do so. At least now in the present they were all able to live the happy life they should have originally had. Which—
"Time to 'greet' her next. Only three to go." She let go of his hand.
"You were watching?"
"I love watching you the same way you love watching me."
Suiko's words left him walking away with a goofy smile.
As he stepped away, he noticed Fubuki shooting him 'disinterested' glances while she sat and chatted with Wavygyaza, each holding a baby in their arms.
"Excuse me." He sat between the two.
"Rude," commented Wavygyaza.
"Yes I—"
Caspian met Fubuki's complaint with what they both wanted, a kiss filled with all their feelings for each other.
Fubuki and he had three children together as well. Lucille and Marie, their two eldest, were graced with immense Esper capabilities and remained a real handful even as they continued growing up at not even nine years of age. Currently, the two girls were flying around, blowing a shower of bubbles from above.
Cradled in Fubuki's arms was their son Quinton. What a thick head of black hair he had, and if he didn't have the brightest green eyes. How would he grow up?
Caspian didn't know. He used his 'Omniscience' to protect everyone at all times. Not to peer into their futures.
Wavygyaza on his left side still got tangled in her own thoughts. So, before she could, he pressed his lips to hers, while the taste of Fubuki's was still fresh.
Her bright pink eyes widened before closing in bliss.
In a shocking twist, Wavygyaza and he had three children too. All daughters. Delilah was the eldest of their triad, with Ruby not too many years behind. They both took after their mother the most. Being gifted with her angelic voice. They even wanted to become idols, like their mom once was before she retired at the top.
Caspian would support his children's dreams, but he wouldn't allow them to suffer through the idol industry's nonsense. Wavygyaza vehemently reiterated that point to him. But considering both her and his good friend Sweet Mask were the greatest female and male idols in history, he was confident all would work out down the line.
Annika was the name of the little sweetheart in her arms. He couldn't wait to see the amazing woman she grew into.
Fubuki and Wavygyaza leaned into him, trapping him.
"Don't want to let me go, huh?"
"No."
"I-I don't mind if you stay right here longer…" Fubuki murmured.
Minutes passed before they 'freed' him.
He gave them parting kisses. He just loved finding more reasons to kiss them.
Psykos stood at the center of the picnic blanket, as if waiting for this moment.
Could it be guessed how many kids he had with her? Three? Or… They had three sons together. Jasper the oldest, Alistair a few years younger, but old enough to copy his older brother's pranking ways. There had been a 'couple' of loud arguments between his two boys and his other children. Definitely only a 'couple.'
On Psykos' side lay their youngest boy in his stroller, Leander. Vibrant turquoise hair and brown eyes, taking after both of them. His Esper power awoke within the first hour after delivery. An exhausting day they would never forget.
Caspian looped his arm around her waist, pulling her close before smooching her full magenta lips.
"We have made it, my love." Psykos leaned back into him, watching all the kids run and fly around. "To that 'Perfect End.'"
He brought his other hand down onto her swollen tummy and said, "We have. Although we've already moved past that, am I right?"
Yes, Psykos, Mosquito Girl, Tatsumaki, Wavygyaza, Yuta, Fubuki, and Suiko were all pregnant with their fourth child.
Would that be all the kids they had together? For now. They all agreed that Caspian needed to will away his seed's efficacy for some time.
Here's the thing…
Caspian and everyone he cared about were undying and everlasting. Even if heat death claimed the universe, Caspian would revive it. After all, his strength had reached 'Omnipotence' years ago, the day his first child, Scarlett, was born.
In a couple of decades, they would start creating the next generation. Aiming for five or six children. And they would continue doing so for eternity.
Ramifications way down the line? Caspian had willed away all potential issues. Being all-powerful had its advantages.
"You are right, my love. For after the 'Perfect End' comes the 'Perfect—'"
"Everyone! Time for the family photo!" Tatsumaki, the 'Mommy of Terror' to some when they misbehaved, gathered everyone at record speed, including the two puppies.
As they assembled around the camera on its tripod, gratitude overwhelmed Caspian. Everlasting happiness stretched before him with everyone he loved. His wives cradled their youngest children while their bellies swelled with unborn sons and daughters. The older children they had created together gathered in front, chattering and giggling as they positioned themselves for the photo.
Caspian spoke up. "On the count of three, say the words mommy Psykos told you earlier."
"Yes daddy!"
"One."
"Two."
"Three."
"'Perfect Beginning!'"