"Damn, I actually lost, how frustrating-...oh, wait. My main goal here was to make sure to keep the time travel device out of the hands of those assholes. So, with my defeat, I've accomplished that goal...still, losing does suck," Aurora thought to herself, feeling conflicted.

As she shakily sat up, she stiffened as her surroundings suddenly changed, finding herself in a dark void, along with Raven, Aster and Ariodred.

"Let me start by congratulating you on winning, Raven Kyzer. Congrats on runner-up, Aurora Pretorius, and to you two for your semi-finalist finish," Kilzachs greeted them.

"Just send me back to my world...I'd rather not have my failure rubbed in my face," Muttered Ariodred in response.

"Don't be too hasty, this could still work out for you. Now, then, Raven and Aster, your team has won, but you don't actually have any desire for the time travel device, right?"

"I mean, I guess it wouldn't hurt to have it. But no, not really," Aster shook his head, Raven nodding in agreement.

"And you, Aurora, you straight-up don't want the device in your world, do you?"

"Nope, my goal was to stop my enemies from getting their hands on it."

"And finally, Ariodred, among all the participants, you desire the device more than anyone, to go back in time and prevent the death of your girlfriend. This is a bit unorthodox, but as thanks for entertaining me, I've got a proposition.

Raven, in exchange for handing the device to Ariodred, I can adjust your body so that you'll be able to fully retract your scales. In other words, you'll be able to appear fully human, but without losing your powers. You can also consider it my way of making up for essentially forcing your team to participate. What do you say?" Offered Kilzachs.

"Yes! I-...no, wait. I have to consult with the rest of my team first, it wouldn't be fair-..."

"Nah, I say go for it. You're the one who won, after all, so I'd say you've earned this right. Plus, this is something you've wanted for a long time...I doubt there's anyone in our team who'd deny you that," Interjected Aster with a smile.

"Are you sure? Is it...is it really okay?" Responded Raven, feeling a wave of emotion, while Ariodred watched with bated breath.

"Mhm, it's more than okay."

"In that case...yes, I accept your offer," Remarked Raven, as he glanced at Kilzachs.

"Alright, then it's settled. I'll adjust your body accordingly, and the time travel device goes to Ariodred. There, it's done," He replied, with a snap of his fingers.

Raven stared down at his right arm, instinctively understanding how to use the new ability granted to him.

His eyes widened slightly as the scales on his arm receded, before feeling the scales on his torso and legs receding too.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he lifted his top up slightly, touching his stomach. He felt the slight sting of tears in his eyes and a lump in his throat, Aster giving him a pat on the shoulder.

"I...I can't believe it. I don't look like a Monster anymore...," He uttered quietly, a tear trickling down his cheek from his left eye.

"And here's the time travel device. Since you want to use it immediately and go back to the past, I'll configure it...how far back do you want to go? Oh, and your teammates can keep their memories too, if you want," Kilzachs informed Ariodred.

"Send me back a day before the incident. And yeah, I'd like my teammates to keep their memories too, that'll make things a lot easier," He nodded, before Kilzachs fiddled with the device and handed it to him.

"There, it's set. Just press that button and you're good to go."

"I-...thank you. I...I really needed this."

"What about me? Do I get anything?" Inquired Aurora with a wry smile.

"Uh...I guess I could fine-tune your body so that your strength and power are maximized," He suggested after mulling it over.

"Hm...nah, that's fine. I'm the strongest in my world as it is, so I don't need to get stronger," She shook her head.

"Okay, looks like that wraps it up. Time to send all of you back to your worlds," Remarked Kilzachs, before adding, "Thanks for entertaining me, I hope it was worth your while. Bye, now."

Everything went white as he snapped his fingers, Raven closing his eyes as the surroundings turned blindingly bright, before abruptly fading.

As he opened his eyes, he looked around in bemusement, as he found himself back at the party in the castle, along with the others.

"Oh, we're back," Remarked Celia, a look of relief on her face.

"Yeah. In hindsight, I guess that wasn't so bad...especially considering what I got out of it," Responded Raven, as he held up his right hand with a smile, Celia's eyes widening in surprise.

"Woah, your scales are gone! What happened?"

"In exchange for the time travel device, I can now fully retract my scales, plus my wings and tail too. I forgot what it feels like to not have that stuff," He grinned cheerfully.

"I'm so happy for you, Raven, you finally got what you've been wanting for so long. I'm glad...though, maybe bring out the scales every now and then?" She requested sheepishly.

"Sure, maybe once in a while," He replied with a smile, before glancing up as the others came walking over.

"It's finally over, I'd like to pretend that never happened," Sighed Lexia in exasperation.

"I had a great time, wonder if we'll ever be able to go there again?" Mused Colt with a grin.

"I'm just glad we all survived," Chimed in Akila.

"It's good to be back, but given the end result, I'm glad it happened," Raven thought to himself, as the others gathered around, before continuing his train of thought, "I'm pretty curious about those other worlds too, I knew different worlds existed thanks to Akila, but seeing people from so many different worlds was pretty cool. It's definitely an experience I'll never forget, that's for sure."

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