Part 200 :)
part 1/4 of the epilogues
_______
The hermits stand in stunned silence. They could go back.
They could be human again.
Many of the hermits grow excited and relieved. This nightmare will end for good.
While only a few others hang back. They've grown used to the transformation. For some its grown on them. They've adjusted to their transformations. And on a very select few it feels right.
Others are scared. Scared to turn back. It's been such a long time since they've been human. They don't know if they could turn back. Or they're so far away from being human that they aren't sure how they could go back to normal.
"We should call the others." Xisuma flicks his tail, "Python, Skizz, Etho, and, Hbomb."
"Oh yeah."
Iskall nods, "I'll call Hbomb over."
"Already told Skizz." Impulse shoots Xisuma a thumbs up.
"Calling Etho," Bdubs calls over stifling a yawn.
"Good, I'll message Python then." Xisuma bobs his head.
"Might want to call some of the watchers," Grian chirps.
"Oh yeah." Ren grins.
Vex smiles as she stands with her siblings watching the hermits rush about preparing things, "They seem happy."
"Oh sister," Void looks over to her, "You have not seen the extent of their wishes."
Nether nods, "So much suffering, it shall come to an end. They don't know how to feel."
Humming softly Vex flicks her wrist and plants grow up around her to form a chair. Sitting back she watches the hermits figure out what they should set up for turning back.
Shulkers full of old clothes are brought out from home worlds and long term storage.
A sort of med bay is set up for the hermits who would have a harder time getting back.
Then one by one the Hermits make their choice. To return to human or to stay as they are. Ren finds that he's comfortable as is. It feels right. He's accepted this as a part of him. So he remains a werewolf.
The others make their choice. Some stay changed. Finding they enjoy the powers given to them. And others return to what they feel is right.
________________
Slowly and carefully Mumbo approaches Vex.
"You want to be human?" She asks softly.
Mumbo nods, his eyes turning a warm yellow firm happiness, a small tinge of blue creeping in from anxiety, "If it's possible... It's been, it's been a while."
She nods and starts collecting a ball of magic in her hands. She hands it to Mumbo, "You have your... spot?"
He nods.
"Good, go there and break this." She hands him the crystal. "It will turn you back."
Nodding Mumbo thanks her and walks towards the large hall of bed's they had set up... looks almost like his demise bunker at his big dig. When he leaves the next hermit, Gem, is ushered in privately to make her choice.
Sitting on a bed Mumbo's fans wirrr loudly, for the last time .
In a slow solid motion he breaks the magic crystal.
A Heartbeat later his chest hitches as his Diaphragm contracts, sucking in air.
A thumping in his chest brings his hand to his heart. His heart.
Laughing Mumbo wiggles his fingers. Delighted how the action pulls at his muscles. Not extending tiny pistons. But real movement.
A straining in his chests cuts his laughter off as he slows down to breathe properly. That will definitely take getting used to.
But he's human again and too happy to care. His skin stretches and his arm squishes when he presses his thumb against it. Stretching he runs his fingers through his hair. Oh he's missed this.
His hair, a little greasy, glittering just a little bit red from the dust trapped on the hairs.
It'll definitely take a while, years most likely, to truly return to normal. But this, this is a huge step in the right direction.
_______
When it gets to be Cleo's turn she stands still ask Vex frowns slightly.
"Joe told me you don't want to be human?"
"I'm a Zombie." Cleo shrugs, "I did my time as human."
Vex shrugs, "Alright. Here you are then." Pulling a crystal out of thin air she hands it to Cleo. "When in the safe room. Brake this and you will return to being a zombie."
"Thank you." Cleo grins, "And thanks Joe."
Joe pops into the visible spectrum and waves as Cleo heads out.
________
"And what do you want?" Vex asks.
Impulse shrugs, "I'm not sure..."
"Exsplain it to me." She offers, "I may have some insight."
"I don't want to lose the conetion to void." Impulse admits kicking at the ground, "I want to be human. But..."
"I may have a solution..." Void offers.
"Oh?"
"Follow me my child."
And Impulse follows.
_________
Scar flutters up to land on Vex's out stretched hand.
"What troubles you?" She asks, sensing his discomfort.
"You won't take it as an insult if I want to be human?" Scar asks quickly. Squeezing his eyes shut to avoid a possible look of anger on Vex's face.
Her face falls, "Of course not. You, looking like one of the Ven has nothing to do with this. Chose what will make you happy."
Swallowing Scar nods. "Ok. I want to be human."
"Of course."
Once back in the respawn room Scar settles in the center of a bed. Gem, Cleo, Mumbo, Doc and Cub have already made their choice and are in the room waiting for the other hermits to come though.
As the crystal shatters Scar feels a haze take over his body.
Falling back he shudders then losses conciseness.
When he wakes up he notices a familiar face grinning down at him.
"Cub?"
"The one and only." Cub grins back.
Scar brings his hand up and Cub takes it.
Spending a moment to marvel at the lack of a size difference he smiles. Then launches himself into a hug.
"Woah." Cub stumbles back at the suden weight of his friend in his arms.
"I missed this," Scar can't help the crackle in his voicez
"So did I."
________
About halfway though her explanation Vex pauses, "You did not start this transformation as human?"
Jevin bounces slightly, "I got cursed as a teen. Been a slime ever since."
"Do you want to be human again."
"I- I'm not sure..."
"Well im not planing on going anywhere anytime soon so you'll have time to make your choice."
Jevin nods, "Thank you..."
________
As Python slithers you towards Vex he flicks his tongue out tasting the air. It's the first time in we'll over a year that he'd been on the Hermitcraft server.
"And what do you wish to return to?" Vex asks.
"A Creeper." He hisses slightly. "How I was before the meteor."
"Of course."
As with all the others Python is given the crystal. Once in the respawn tent he activates it.
His tail splits back into legs. Feet form out of the scales.
Lifting one of his legs up, he flexes his knee and extends it fully.
Hissing in happiness he chuffs. Deciding not to try to stand up and walk around he watches the others who are adjusting to being human.
________
"And what do you want?" Vex asks to Ren.
He sighs, "I don't know... I like being like this. But..."
"Do not worry about the others." Vex shakes her head, "What do You want?"
Ren's ears droop, "Yeah, I want to stay like this."
Vex nods, "Will you allow me to stabilize the transformation?"
Ren nods, "Sure."
_________
As Grian hops up to Vex he gives a half smile, "I want to go back."
"Of course."
As Grian settles into the bed in the respawn room he takes a deep breath. Then he breaks the crystal.
Bones snap and crackle as they rearrange. Wings crumble to dust. Feathers die and fall out littering the ground.
After a painful few minutes. Grian's human again.
Groaning, he starts moving his feet. A bit of pain flares up and he stops moving, "Ugh this'll take getting used to."
_______
As Zedaph crushes the crystal in his hand he huffs a breath out and grits his teeth as his legs reform.
His horns fall off with a clatter.
Feeling a lot more solid he lets out a sigh of relief that he didn't know he was holding. The ghost and sheep parts are gone.
He stands up and tries to get used to moving as a human again.
Impulse comes over to help out and they stay like that until Tango rushes out of Vex's temporary hall.
__________
Hooves prancing nervously Beef walks into the hall. "Please, turn me back."
"Of course." Vex bows her head, "You have had a hard time."
The cow centaur nods, his ear flicking, "yeah."
Handing him the crystal, Vex smiles, "Go, be yourself."
As soon as he's made it to a bed he shatters the crystal.
He passes out.
When he comes to a few moments later he's human. Laughing in relief he rubs his ankle. Rolling them around to get movement back into them.
Not daring to stand he lays on the bed and gets used to feeling normal again.
___________
Sitting on his bed with Crystal in hand, Xisuma shudders.
Then he breaks it, shattering it too dust.
Instantly his body reconfigures. Bones move to their correct places. Spines fall off, horns disappear, eyes turn human.
Then all at once the rest of the transformation reverses.
Scar practically runs over to hug Xisuma. "You probably missed this more then I did."
Xisuma nods. More and more hermits join the group hug as they notice he's back to being human.
Handing him his usual helmet Ex hugs his brother tightly. "I'm glad you're back..."
"Me too."
_________
"And what would you choose?" Vex asks.
Etho curls his tails around, "Human. Definitely human... It was fun. But I miss being human."
"As you wish." She smiles, handing Etho the Crystal.
_________
"I want to stay like this." Xb says quickly.
Vex nods, "But you want something changed?"
"Yes. Uh can you make it so, uh I don't have to like split my time."
After a moment Vex nods, "Of course."
"Thank you."
_______
Taking a nervous breath Tango looks up at the towering Dimensions standing in front of him. He knows his choice, of course he does. Who would want to be a kid? From behind False gently nudges him forwards.
Jaring him from his thoughts.
So he walks up to Vex. "I want to be humon."
Nodding Vex starts the spell to undo Avar's curse then freezes. "Oh dear..."
Squeaking Tango fluffs his wings up.
"I can not turn you back now." Vex says.
"WHAT?" Tango's breath hitches as his wings draw in tight, tail curling around his waist he looks up, "Why not?"
"Do you want to grow up again?" Void asks.
The color drains form Tango's face as his eyes start to water slightly. He gets it. He really does but it's just not fair...
Notes:
Thank you so much for reading.
Did you expect the hermits to choose what they did?
Let me know in the comments.
Not every hermit was covered for some open endings.