Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again. Chapter 785: Death is too easy.

For the next hour, legal experts and scribes worked diligently, their quills scratching across parchment. One by one, the council members approached, affixing their signatures to the document. Their expressions were sour and grumpy, as if they were signing their own death warrants. Once the final signature was dry, they practically fled the chamber, leaving only Sunshine and her companions behind.

"We accomplished it," Sunshine murmured, gazing at the contract. To commemorate the occasion, she desired no elaborate banquet or grand procession. "Let's go," she urged, taking Nine's arm. "Everyone to my personal space. It's time for a shopping spree! Everything's on me."

[Everything is always on you, host]

Her system responded with unexpected, dry wit, which failed to elicit a smile from Sunshine. Instead, she rolled her eyes.

During the following hour, the stress from the council meetings dissipated entirely, replaced by the joy of receiving free gifts from every section of Sunshine's unique space.

Laughter echoed as clothes were tossed about, weapons were tested, and snacks were devoured. For this special occasion, even the king's guards were permitted to indulge in shopping within her space, an allowance they considered a significant privilege.

Nine donned a pair of high-tech goggles that magnified his eyes fivefold, sending everyone into fits of laughter. "Just wait until my children arrive; we'll clear out an entire aisle in under thirty minutes," he boasted.

Sunshine shuddered at the thought.

Vortan placed a hand on her back, his gaze conveying the same sympathetic understanding as the King's.

As they began to disperse, heading towards their respective homes, their arms were laden with gifts, and their hearts felt lighter than they had in a considerable time. For Sunshine and Vortan, that considerable time equated to years. One had been anticipating years to achieve the status of Grand Master. The other had been yearning for an opportunity to avert the apocalypse and safeguard her world.

Just before the King's departure, he turned to Sunshine and declared, "I will ensure that every detail is executed precisely as we determined," he vowed. "That council certainly knows better than to breach an agreement with the leader of a major planet."

Sunshine offered a warm smile, feeling for the first time that the King was more than just a means to an end. He was akin to her alien grandfather. "Thank you, Grandpa," she said softly.

"No need to thank me," the King replied with a grin. "You were the one who handled the bulk of the work. Maximus laid the foundation with that vault of his. Perhaps the old fellow foresaw its usefulness to you someday. He undertook several journeys to Gencova in the period leading up to his demise. That world is populated by numerous seers capable of predicting the future." He chuckled, offered a wave, and vanished.

*****

Upon rematerializing in her bedroom, Sunshine immediately took a shower and fell into a deep sleep. For the first time in a long time, the rifts no longer occupied her thoughts or caused her anxiety.

When she awoke five hours later, the exhaustion had completely lifted, replaced by an overwhelming sense of excitement. She was eager to share the news with everyone: the rifts were on the verge of being permanently sealed.

No more Watchers, no more mutant monstrosities being unceremoniously dumped onto their planet like refuse, and finally, a genuine opportunity to restore Earth to its former glory as a verdant paradise.

The house was surprisingly tranquil. In the living room, she found Hades seated in a plush armchair, swirling a glass of deep red wine. It was his preferred vintage, reserved only for moments of significant triumph.

"The children?" she inquired.

Hades offered her a smile; he had deliberately refrained from waking her upon their return, knowing how utterly exhausted she was. "Sleeping," he confirmed. He rose and began to walk towards her.

The time was 6:00 A.M., considerably too early for the children to be awake.

"What's the cause for this joyous occasion?" Sunshine gestured with her chin towards the glass. "It's far too early for drinking. What have I missed?"

Hades remained silent initially; instead, he enveloped her in a powerful, bone-jarring embrace. "It's finished, Suni," he whispered into her hair. "It's finally over."

Sunshine pulled back, her expression bewildered. "What is?" she asked, wondering if he had already learned about the impending major rift.

"Moon," Hades stated, his eyes alight with a complex mixture of relief and grim satisfaction. "We've apprehended her. She's been captured. She can no longer harm you, the children, or anyone else, ever again."

Sunshine gasped. "You don't say."

He guided her to a seat and proceeded to recount the entire sequence of events: the staged rescue, the ensuing confrontation, and the brutal retribution Leah and Dominic had sought to exact. Sunshine's eyes widened considerably upon hearing that Leah had not completed the task.

"Leah allowed her to live?" Sunshine whispered, utter shock evident in her voice. "After everything that's transpired?"

He let out a soft chuckle. "Elio intervened with his powers to halt the vengeful couple. Moon is currently confined to a solitary cell at the prison base," Hades explained. "A medical team attended to her swiftly, administering some of our most potent remedies. One might assume the beating Dominic delivered would have been fatal, but no, she's recuperating remarkably well. She's like some malevolent supernatural feline possessing nine lives."

Sunshine's thoughts immediately turned to her friend. "I must see Leah. She must be utterly heartbroken."

Hades winced, "You cannot forget this." He then presented her with the illusion mask, one of many dispersed throughout the residence.

A weary yet victorious smile graced Sunshine's face. "Thank you. I also have some positive developments to share. Through a combination of cajoling, threats, and an unyielding approach, I managed to persuade the Council. They are dispatching their Grand Masters to mend the major rift, along with two others I hadn't even been aware of."

Hades' jaw actually dropped in astonishment. "You... you truly convinced them to offer their assistance? Suni, that's... that's nothing short of a miracle."

"You can say that again," she chuckled. "Let's head over to the Stewards' place, and I'll recount precisely how it all unfolded."

They arrived at the Steward residence shortly after. Ala opened the door, her expression grave. "My mom is ill," the young girl confided softly. "Aunt Nimo is with her in the bedroom. My dad is at the prison, watching the wicked woman."

Sunshine gently patted Ala's head. "It's alright, dear. I'm going to speak with your mother now. Uncle Hades will keep you company for a while."

Hades guided Ala to the living room, where SpongeBob, accompanied by a glass of milk and some cookies, awaited.

Meanwhile, inside the bedroom, the atmosphere was thick with sorrow. Nimo sat at the edge of the bed, tenderly massaging Leah's feet. Leah appeared vacant, her gaze fixed on the wall.

"I had anticipated feeling better," Leah's voice cracked as she spoke. "I thought that witnessing her demise would quell the rage. But it remains, Neems. It continues to burn."

"That's because simply ending her life is the easy way out," Sunshine stated, entering the room.

Both women started in surprise. Leah glanced at Sunshine's illusion mask and drawled, "You look rather peculiar in that getup, Suni. If I didn't know it was you, I would have blasted you with an air bolt."

Sunshine took a seat on the bed's edge, grasping Leah's hand. "You appear utterly worn out, Leah. And you are correct; death is far too swift for someone like Moon. She doesn't merit the tranquility of a grave. She needs to endure suffering, and I have devised the perfect method to ensure it."

Nimo looked up, intrigue flickering in her eyes. "How so? What could possibly be more dreadful than what she has already endured?"

Sunshine leaned closer, a chillingly sharp smile forming on her lips. She began to softly unveil the strategy she had meticulously conceived in the depths of her mind over a considerable period. As she divulted the plan, the tension gradually eased from Leah's shoulders, and Nimo's eyes grew bright with comprehension.

By the time Sunshine concluded her explanation, Leah's expression had softened to the point where she might have actually smiled.