Nicole, Mark *CAUTION MEGA SPOILERS*

[Frappe122]

hey so I just finished the game? I went through all 3 Play-throughs. After the Epilogue in the third play-through I have some questions. (if you only got through one play-through please do not continue I do not want to ruin the game for anyone)


...


At the end we see Nicole and Mark as older versions of themselves going on dates at the same place at the same time in the same universe. Cool cool but um with all that they went through do they just never end up together? More importantly is there no memory of each other? furthermore if there is no memory of each other then how did the reset of the one true timeline happen? and was there the ruling in the official timeline/universe "fixed" timeline and/or the earthquakes never happened?

Because there are so many questions does anyone know if I have missed something along the way? thanks!

[PS]

Hey! Nothing is ever outright stated, but we can reasonably assume some things:

- The Ruling never happens in the true timeline, presumed to be caused by the actions of Maria and Jake in their timeline antics. As such, Nicole and Kate never had to transfer schools, and so they never directly met. Note that we see the true timeline directly after Mark learns of Maria being lost in the missing flight, and minutes later running to find Cathy.
- Memories of the past timelines are either erased, buried, or put aside. If they had kept their memories, it would make sense that they would instantly attempt to reconnect with each other, but that doesn't happen. it's likely they only got a small mental help from all of that, gaining the strength to move on with their lives.
...Maybe, if they ever looked at each other in the eyes, some things would come rushing back?

Take all of that with a grain of salt, of course. Nothing truly confirmed.

Note that if you want to believe that Mark and Nicole get together eventually, there is some evidence that you can use to keep that head canon. But for now, that's where the story ends.

[Fynagle]

Originally posted by PS:

Hey! Nothing is ever outright stated, but we can reasonably assume some things:

- The Ruling never happens in the true timeline, presumed to be caused by the actions of Maria and Jake in their timeline antics. As such, Nicole and Kate never had to transfer schools, and so they never directly met. Note that we see the true timeline directly after Mark learns of Maria being lost in the missing flight, and minutes later running to find Cathy.
- Memories of the past timelines are either erased, buried, or put aside. If they had kept their memories, it would make sense that they would instantly attempt to reconnect with each other, but that doesn't happen. it's likely they only got a small mental help from all of that, gaining the strength to move on with their lives.
...Maybe, if they ever looked at each other in the eyes, some things would come rushing back?

Take all of that with a grain of salt, of course. Nothing truly confirmed.

Note that if you want to believe that Mark and Nicole get together eventually, there is some evidence that you can use to keep that head canon. But for now, that's where the story ends.

It feels like the Ruling at least should have happened in the new timeline, but when I piece it together it feels like that may not be the case. P-111 still disappears, and Jake and his mother still disappear (I need to play back that part but I know Jake's mother fled with him to escape her husband). But yes the difference now is Nichole and Mark come back with some intuition (and not precise knowledge) of the past timelines.

Nichole reconciles with Kate, sharing in their experience of losing a brother/best friend, rather and Nichole stubbornly refusing to admit Jake is gone.

Mark's scene was likely a little back in the past. The whole part with Mark running with Ridel and trying to find Cath stuck out to me as something which happened earlier in the past, likely before the Ruling. My guess is Cath's parents were strict, and the Ruling pushed them into being abusive. That part I feel was a time where Cath was first trying to run away from home, and since no one understood no one went looking for her. And she was either found and brought home or her parents found her, possibly the abuse could have started after that. But with Mark's intuition now, he leads Ridel to where Cath was waiting (possibly hitchhiking). This full talking out helped Mark let go of his mom's disappearance, and he no longer holds onto the piano to cope of her loss. And with the Ruling not happening the event gives Cath more support. The abuse either doesn't happen or is quickly resolved, and she bonds with her brother.

In both instances the collective struggle and trauma, combined with no Ruling, simply doesn't happen. Mark never spends that year learning piano to cope with his mother's loss, Nichole doesn't get shocked into refusing to accept Jake would leave without a word. Without the Ruling, Nichole doesn't move to Liamson and the "crash" never happens. They both live their lives apart, "MCR" growing up and together and Nichole growing up with Kate. Never meeting, never knowing...

Funny thing I did notice is in the cafe Mark is on his "fourth date" with a woman who is twirling her hair. And there is a character who had that habit...

Little shame there was no real conclusion for Louise though, in a way. In First Life she only came out of her shell because of dating Mike, whom she met through Sofia. In other timelines Sofia is either left behind in early childhood or erased completely. And it seemed that was a big thing for Louise, but then this story was more about Mark and Nichole.

[accelerate_max]

if i can edit one part of the true ending it would be mark and nicole to find each other on their older self. or just the first ending but with cath being on all of them. that would be my ideal ending.

if your reading this and hard time coping with the true ending just know that mark and nicole are together for hundred lifetimes. like the first ending they are happy moving on with their life. even though cath is not there. i only wish we had more moments with nicole as adult and wife before it fades