A lot of things made more sense now. Joseph getting the money to buy the yacht, Tanaka's swim in the ocean, the okisaru—all of them were manipulations of the Yumeka. The Stompers weren't the only ones who could do it—they were just the most powerful. The Givers had their greatest influence in the Blackness itself, which explained its healing power and the cleansing magic of the inky water there—which meant almost certain death to the Shadow Ka.

I tried to get Farmer to explain the nature of the Givers, but he told me that was a tale for another day. We'd had enough mind-blowing details for a while. He said it was enough for me to know that they were the opposite force to the evil of the Stompers, which was just how things worked in the universe. I didn't push the matter.

Farmer also instructed me to use the last chance of the Anything to give myself complete control of the Black Curtain. He'd always said I would need one use of it in the end, and I was glad I had waited. The Curtain now would open and close only according to my command, and in that way Earth could be protected forever. It also meant that maybe I could come back someday. Maybe.

And so it was that I found myself standing in front of a Ripping to the Black Curtain, ready to do the hardest thing possible for a human being.

I had to say good-bye to my family.

I decided to start with Joseph and the Alliance and then save my family for last.

Joseph squeezed the breath out of me and then tousled my hair.

“I wish I could go with you, bud,” he said. “But your family is going to need a lot of help. I figure that's the best thing I can do.”

“Go with me?” I asked, incredulous. “What are you, an idiot? I'd never let you do that. Take care of them, all right? Baka, too.”

“On my life, little guy. On my life.”

I turned toward Rayna, but she stopped me before I got close enough to hug her.

“We are going with you,” said Rayna. “The Alliance is going with you.”

“What …”

“No, Jimmy-san,” said Tanaka. “Don't try to stop us. We go with you. No other choice.”

Miyoko nodded, as did Half, and Hood banged the Bender Ring against the floor. Even the ghost was going with me.

Something filled my heart, and the road ahead seemed a little more bearable. The thought of not going alone had never crossed my mind until that moment, but for some reason it made sense.

“Okay,” I said. “If you're all dumb enough to do that, then I'll be glad to have you.” I turned to Farmer. “But what about our bodies? Who'll take care of them?”

“Don't worry, son,” Dad said, his voice trembling with emotion. “The whole world will be in your debt. I'm sure the full disposal of every government will be at your service. Joseph, Rusty, and I will make sure you're all found and taken care of. I promise.”

“That's right, Jimmy,” Rusty said. His voice shook too, and it meant the world to me. “Nobody's gonna come near your body until they get past me. Here, I grabbed this for you to take. For good luck.”

He handed me the wrinkled, yellowed Braves hat.

I wrapped my arms around him. Mom and Dad joined us, and we stood there for several minutes, hugging and crying. When you love someone so much—when your whole life is defined by the care and concern for that person, there's no need for words. My heart and mind went through a whole range of emotions as we stood there together. I couldn't help but realize the irony of how this very thing had saved my family many times because of the Shield, and now it would be the last thing I did before saying good-bye.

“Jimmy,” Farmer said, “it's time. Your family needs to get back and make sure your body and the others are safe from harm.”

I started to let go, and Mom grabbed me, gripping me to her with all of her strength.

“I'll be there, son,” she said through her sobs. “Every day, every hour. I'll be there, taking care of you, right by your side. Remember that when times grow dark. I love you, Jimmy. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Mom.” I was barely able to get the words out.

And with that, I had enough to keep me alive for years to come.

There were more hugs, more tears, and more promises. But we all knew it had to end, and it was time to go. Me, to the Blackness; them, to waking up in the real world.

Farmer and the girl went first, disappearing through the Rip. Then Tanaka, the birdcage full of okisaru in his hands, followed by Hood and Rayna. Miyoko and Half came to me, touched my arm, and I turned to go with them. They went through, and I looked back at my family one last time. With my eyes flooded by tears, I waved, and did my best to smile so they would remember me that way.

Gripping my hat, I stepped through the Black Curtain and sealed it shut behind me.

The battle for Earth was over.

But for me, the war was only beginning.