Corad: Man, the very last chapter of this fic…such a joyous yet somewhat upsetting occasion. It's been a long 20 months since this story first began, and I'm surprised that I kept with it for this long. I would've thought this story would have been dropped, like so many other stories before it. But with the encouragement from all the reviewers, and the others who have been reading, you've kept me going. So, I'd like to thank every single person who has taken their time to read this. I'm honoured that you chose my story to read, and I'm thankful to those who have kept up with it since it first began.
I would personally like to thank the reviewers for the last chapter. To CrazyFFKHOttsel, thankyou for your kind words and for enjoying this fic.
To Mr Chocolate, whenever I see your name I get a crazy urge to eat chocolate…mmm…chocolate…(drools all over keyboard) But err…thanks for your review too!
To Jaklover, don't fret about little Sky ok :) I know what you mean about missing it too…but it won't be completely gone thanks to the upcoming sequel.
Heheheh, to SomeDude…your reviews are so funny. You really gotta get an email so we can chat to ya more often. Lol, that cubby house incident…Bijoux and I were wondering whether you knew Johnick, and now we know O.O It's kinda scary too, because it was that same night you reviewed, that we were wondering when we'd see you again (Creepy eerie music starts up). But thanks for your reviews and support!
Thankyou to Windshadows too for reviewing chapter 67. I'm glad you enjoyed it :D
To Phoenixral, thankyou for your support. I hope you'll like the sequel too when I put it up.
And finally a thankyou to GreyJedi who has only just begun reading. I wanted to thank you here because I can't find another way to do so, but I hope you enjoy reading the other chapters. I hope you're able to get an account soon too. Well, with that all said, I should probably continue. Here it is, the final update for this fic…
Sharok: Corad doesn't own Jak and Saxter…
Corad: It's Daxter you idiot…I own Saxter…remember it was that potato sack.
Sharok: Oh…ok….well she doesn't own them, but she owns me. Skytha belongs to Jaklover too, and Lenna belongs to Salena. Please enjoy everyone…this is set a couple of weeks after the last chapter.
Epilogue – It Wasn't Meant To Be
ooO Sharok's POV Ooo
I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't. I'd sacrificed everything I had to offer to save my pack. I declared war on the elfish in the hopes of saving my kinship with the wolves…but I failed. I lay here, a broken man. That fight with the young lad…he's a strong boy I can tell you that. Sheer determination and raw courage had lead to his victory…suffering and loathing led to my downfall. I owe my sister that. She could see past my façade…she wanted her old brother back, even if it meant killing us both. This has only strengthened our love and bond for one another. I have learnt never to leave her again. She's my own guardian, protecting me from the cruel man I can easily become. If she hadn't had thrown us off the cliff, I would have done a terrible, irreversible deed. I can remember her screaming voice, as if it were yesterday. Crying out to me, reaching for comfort and love that I had abandoned her. Her tight arms were shaking around me, as we fell to our deaths. My life flashed before my very eyes, and I could see all the accomplishments I had made in the Krimzon guard. The pain we both felt when our parents died, the heavy feeling of guilt when I'd awoken after killing a defenceless citizen as a wolf. I saw all my faults, all the cruel things I put upon myself and those around me. Especially Skytha…the memory of her young, scared face as my wolfish fangs sunk deep into her unprotected shoulder…she still loved me, even after that.
As we fell that day, I could hear her apologising profusely, her arms wouldn't let go and she even pecked a kiss on my forehead. Did she care for me this much? I had betrayed her, almost killed her…but yet she still loved me. I could remember shouting out an apology back, grabbing hold of my pendant in mad panic. I almost didn't make it…a second later and we would both have struck the ground, dead. But I painfully morphed into a wolf, the wind catching my wings as I spread them out. Sky continued to fall, but I caught her on my back and flew low to the ground, away out of sight. My sister kept a tight grip on my neck the whole while, her face pressed into my fur as she cried her heart out. My heart had felt heavy too, full of grief and hatred. How much pain had I really inflicted upon her? How much worry had she felt since my disappearance? Oh Sky, if you could only know how much I love you…how much I want to apologise to you. You've been my light…my saviour for fourteen years. You're everything to me…I'm sorry.
Upon arriving back to the wasteland, my wolf pack, or what remained, came to greet us. Skytha had slid off my back, collapsing in the sand weeping uncontrollably. A few of the wolves rushed to comfort her, but the lone wolf who turned to me; the one wolf who helped me walk on my limp arm and offered support, was Ramshei. We had our differences I admit, but deep down we were like brothers. He cared for me, even if he didn't show it. And I for him. I remember him turning to me, blue eyes narrowed in concern as he spoke "We thought you wouldn't return. I plead forgiveness, leader" before bowing his head to wait for my amnesty. "Take no heed brother…I would have thought the same," had been my own soft reply. After that the wolves had settled down for the night, and Skytha mended my broken, and should I say, mutated arm. I would be lucky if I could ever use it again.
As night fell and passed, and when the sun finally arose the following morning Lenna returned. She brought to us news of Haven city. Torn had pulled through after his injury. She claimed she went to visit him after the medic fixed his wounds. I regret inflicting my anger on him. Torn had been a friend…he believed me when no other would, but I betrayed him. I have no hope for his forgiveness. The governess managed to overcome the trauma a few days after. Lenna kept volunteering to spy on Haven's inhabitants for us, and brought new news every day. She'd even established a close bond with that Jinx fellow. I wonder how his arm is going. The young lad I shot is still recovering from what I've heard also. He was a strong soul to survive that. I shot him twice, but still he refused to seek death for good. That black Ottsel, Simron…Lenna told me he's joined up with Erol as a team. I can see Jak and Daxter in a hard competition now.
Yes…Jak…he was strong willed. Just like his old man. I wonder how their relationship is going. Lenna informed me he won the first class race the other day. I didn't have a doubt about him you know. I could sense he had winners blood in his veins. Won a snazzy prize too…a new racing zoomer, an upgraded version of a jet board and his own racing outfit. He's one lucky bastard. There's been talk amongst the inhabitants of Haven that Jak may finally take the thrown alongside his father. That would be something; a werewolf taking reign. I…I wish the young lad luck. Him and his father. The rightful leaders to the city at last. I only wish I could return to see it for myself…
Deep down, I can't believe my luck. My friends have forgiven my abandonment and moved on. Ramshei has been acting strangely lately too. Maybe that old wolf is just glad to have me back. Skytha informed me he wanted to take the pack under his rule when I had been absent. Maybe he still does want that position…our God; Irigaj has calmed down and moved away. The dark clouds lining the wasteland's horizon have vanished, and we all feel at ease once again. I'm sorry my God. I should never have disobeyed you. 'Tis my fault the pack had split. A few days upon my homecoming, the other half of the pack returned asking for my forgiveness. I showered them in it, already taking note of the loss of life they'd suffered. I also noted Mitsun, one of the elderly wolves, was gone. We'd shared meaningful conversations together over the years I'd known her; seen rare sights and fought hard side by side…but it seems she was killed in a raid against the city. I'll miss her greatly. Although I vow to strengthen our pack again, it shall never be the same without her company and wise heart leading us.
From this past experience, I now know to look out for my pack. Abandoning them to fight the elves was a wrong move…I must stay by their side, and guide them through the hard times even if futile. I am their leader, their guardian. It's my duty to lead and protect them. To find food and command in battle. I will never leave them again. I will never leave Sky. I have painful scars to remind me in the future. Hmm, my arm is still aching numbly. It's been two weeks since my downfall. Two weeks of suffering the same throbbing pain in my flesh. My cheek will be scarred for life too. Jak managed to slice it with his dagger in our one on one combat. It stung at the time as it spilled out fresh blood, but no more. My shoulder wound may finally heal itself after this long time too. Skytha forbid me to morph into wolfish. It's been hard staying an elf in this barren land, but it's for the best I know. My arm can't cope with the twisting change, and I feel my shoulder should finally be given the chance to heal. I'm surprised it didn't get infected…but my pack has taken care of me. They treat me like their leader, even as an elf. Hunting every night, and warding away foes during the day they vowed to keep me safe from harm until I was back on my feet. But…I deserve harm…for all I did. Please everyone…my friends…my brethren…my sister…I'm sorry.
Soon after, Haven and Spargus both made an oath to leave the metal heads alone. If the beasts attacked a city, the wolves would be called in to take care of the problem. From this day on, both races lived in peace and harmony.
Corad: Sharok has his final words…I felt I had to really explain his intentions and the side of him you didn't get to see. He wasn't all bad…just felt betrayed by the elves he'd protected for 6 years as a KG. So you could say the war wasn't only fuelled by the pack's starvation, but the anger he felt towards the elfish kind. So, with this being the final chapter, again I'd love feedback from the fellow readers who take their time to read my stuff. Anything at all…I'd love constructive criticism about how to improve. I'm aware this story was way too long, and I'm working on that for the sequel lol. But please, any comments at all I'd like to hear. Speaking of the sequel too, the prologue will go up soon sometime. I might give it a week or two before it goes up, but for those who are interested, keep an eye out ok. That fic will be delving deeper into the wolfish theme on Jak's part while he goes on a pilgrimage to seek the wolfish truth. Anyhow, thanks again to everyone who've read this. I really appreciated your time, so thankyou. I guess this is a farewell to some…take care everyone, and for those who'll read the next fic, I'll see ya later!
Sharok: If anyone is interested too, Corad has submitted a one-shot fic on fanart central about Skytha and I. It's a song fic, and because of the rumours going around that song fics aren't allowed on this site, she felt it might get reported. So as an alternative, it's on fanart. If you'd like to read that, go into her homepage and then into stories. Well, I'll see ya all guys!