When the first act came up on stage, Core was ready. Every fiber of her being was ready.

Then the music started.

It was an upbeat song and Core completely lost herself in it. Being here was the greatest feeling Core had ever felt before, aside from the moment she met Rick. And as each act came and went, Core experienced more and more joy. Until the final act was announced.

And Cogopher walked out on stage.

She couldn't believe it. That jerk said he was too busy! But seeing him there was so awesome.

And then the crowd grew silent.

Unlike all the previous acts, Cogopher started out slowly, with nothing but a guitar. And as his mouth parted to sing the first lyrics, he looked upward towards the heavens, and Core knew that he was singing directly to her.

She inadvertently started swaying, and she raised and her hands along with everyone around her.

Then she started crying, and by the time Cogopher's song ended, she was covered completely in tears.

As Cogopher left the stage, she quickly sent him a message, and then she became Coreball and rushed to meet him at their favorite meeting spot.

He met her there quickly, and he couldn't stop grinning.

"I have to go." Core said, as soon as Cogopher was close enough. "I need to see Rick."

"What made you change your mind?"

"I'm just so grateful for my life." Core said. "I promise I'll be back soon; then we can eat hamburgers."

"I'll look forward to it." Cogopher said. "Godspeed you boring girl."

Core took off her headset and robed herself in white fire, then sped off as fast as she could go.

...

Core stood before the gate. "Please open." she pleaded. The gate opened.

...

Core understood in an instant. She flashed in front of the Marauding Dawn and when the Thale launched their attack, she took it head on, deflecting it all around herself, breaking its deadly energy into harmless sparks which disappeared into space. Once its attack was complete, she launched herself at the Thale's throat and with a swing of her mighty arm, she cut the ship in two, then watched as it fell; a smoking ruin.

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...

In a single moment the Thale were defeated. But it happened so fast that no one aboard the Marauding Dawn could immediately comprehend it. And Rick was first, but only because he recognized Core's magnificent form as she dismissed the sanctumlight which cloaked her body.

"My specimen returns." He said to himself. Then he let out a triumphant laugh and rested his hand on Len's forehead. Gradually, the rest of the passengers realized they were safe, and the great feat which had just taken place, and they began to celebrate, though no one abandoned their post.

The Marauding Dawn had no desire to delay their journey, and so they relied on their body language to lead Core as they headed toward the finish line.

...

Core'd waved at Rick and he'd waved back. And there was a woman he clung to. But at least he was safe. She'd made it in time! She could wait to see him, at least a little longer.

Up ahead she saw another structure. It looked similar to the gate but there were two giant posts in front of it, with a space in between them, as if to welcome inbound ships. And then there was a room beyond the posts, but it was completely cloaked in white mist.

The Marauding Dawn passed through the two posts and landed on a landing platform in front of the room beyond. Core landed there too and she was about to wait for Rick when she felt a familiar presence, then heard a familiar voice. It was To-and-fro!

"Alegway would like an audience with you." he said. "No dilly-dallying; he doesn't like to be kept waiting."

Seeing nowhere else to go, Core stepped into the room. Instantly the fog was gone, and she found herself standing in a luxurious study. And there was a man seated behind a great desk.

"Hello." He said.

"Hello." Core replied.

"Please, have a seat." the man gestured to a seat across from him. He must've been Alegway, the Creator of the whole universe, but he seemed so ordinary.

Core took a seat and waited patiently.

"What is your wish?"

"Can I have a sample of my blood?"

"Of course, of course, but is that everything that you want, my child?

As Core looked deep into Alegway's eyes, she knew what he meant.

"I'm grateful...for what happened to me. It allowed to meet Rick and experience so many wonderful things." Core said. "But I would like to try living as a normal girl."

"I can't grant you that wish without giving you more power. Is that alright?"

"What kind of power?"

"I can't undo your gift until the end of all things, but I can give you a special Idealized Space. A place where you can humble yourself." Alegway said. "Do you want that?"

Core nodded.

"Then it is yours, my child. Was there anything else you'd like to say to me?"

"I love you. Thank you."

"I love you too. And you're quite welcome, daughter of Carla and Jim. Now, I have a lot of other guests to host, so if you'd be so kind, could you give us some privacy?" There's a room over there..." Alegway pointed. "...with entertainment and refreshments."

"Okay." Core stood up and walked to the other room, then she sat on a comfy sofa, and after a few seconds of educated guesses, she changed the channel on the TV.

…

Rick and Len marveled at Rick's name atop the spire.

...

Rick and Len were blissfully married in Core's Idealized Space. And Core was a bridesmaid.

...

In Core's Idealized Space, there was a special room. A moonlit room with a great walkway going down its center. And at its end, there was a podium, in front of which Cogopher stood, singing an upbeat tune to the sound of music. And before him, Core danced along with the melody, twirling and jumping in a dress that was a kaleidoscope of colors.

Then, at last, her beloved's song came to an end, and she walked over to a control panel. "I'll change songs." she said.

FIN