A.N. Here it is, guys—the final chapter, epilogue included. I'll save the rest of my comments till the end, save for this one: enjoy!

The crisp and cool water of the river felt great around his body as he swam through it. He'd been following the path of his fleeing goal for over a minute now, the creature proving to be quite elusive. It wasn't fair that he had to resurface for air, he decided, because it was due to that fact that the creature had managed to get away twice now. This time, however, he pushed his already straining lungs a little further and managed to seize the creature with his hands. A frantic struggle ensued in which he tried to keep hold of the thing while racing to the surface.

"Ahh~!"

Air rushed back into his lungs as he broke the surface, leaving him a little lightheaded. He shook it off and swam back to the shore, dragging the panicking yellowtail with him. When he finally got out of the water, he held the helpless fish into the air like a trophy, ready to sink his teeth into it and enjoy his hard-earned meal.

"Zatch, that's disgusting!"

He let out a small noise and turned to the source of the voice—a red-head Mamodo girl near the same age as him, wearing a straw sunhat adorned with a large pink and white ribbon that matched her puffy, long-skirted sundress of the same color. She had her hands on her hips and was giving him a disapproving glare.

"At least cook it first!" She instructed, pointing to the fire a few feet from her.

He lowered the fish to his chest, its floundering dying down. "Aw but why, it's not like it tastes any different!" He argued innocently with puppy-dog eyes.

Her finger shot out more, emphasizing her demands. "I want some too, and there's no way I'm eating something slimy and raw and…" She shivered just thinking about it. "Hurry up." She finished and made her way to the fire, sitting on the yellow and white checkered blanket near it.

He did as he was told and brought it over. She took initiative in cooking the yellowtail while he sat by and watched, his mouth drooling in anticipation of devouring the fish. This 'cooking' thing she was doing was beyond his comprehension and he had no idea why she wouldn't just eat it fresh like he originally wanted to.

"You have to learn to think things through." She informed while checking her delicate cooking. "If you just jump straight into things without thinking, bad things happen."

He groaned, part of it of his own will and part of it coming from his empty stomach. "It's just a yellowtail." He murmured defensively. He wasn't sure why she was lecturing him.

"I know." She giggled, but then continued, "You have to look at every angle and be ready for any outcome. You have to be a strong king, for your people."

Something surged through his mind at the words 'strong king.'

"Being kind isn't enough." She spoke despondently while flipping the yellowtail so the other side could cook.

"Is it almost finished?" He asked excitedly, his eyes locked on the slowly changing texture of the fish.

A weak smile tugged at her lips. "Zatch, you're not listening." Her gaze wandered from the fish to his childish eyes. "You have to be strong by yourself, and continue on without me."

Her sad tone was more than enough to alarm him and pry his attention from the fish to her. He could see sorrow regret all over her face. "Tia, what are you saying?" He tilted his head a little.

Instead of replying she stood and brushed off her sundress. "I have to go now." After taking a few steps away from him, she turned around one last time. "Do you think you'll be okay without me?"

He nodded, albeit uncertainly. "For a little while. I don't know how to cook though, so hurry back!"

She smiled at his innocence. "Don't worry, it's finished cooking."

He gave a gleeful laugh while swiping it from over the fire. It burned his hands slightly but he dealt with it—it was yellowtail, after all. He took a bite and savored it. "Thanks, Tia! You're right. It does taste better this way!" When he looked back to her, she was already walking into the distance with her back to him. "Hurry back!"

Her movement stifled, and he wondered if she was going to turn around and say something important; but then she began to walk away, slow but steady steps taking her farther and farther away.

When his eyes opened, he wasn't quite sure what to make of the drab ceiling above him, for moments ago it had been an endless blue sky with cotton clouds. Upon sitting up, he felt blankets tug at his torso before sliding down to his lap. It didn't take long for him to realize he had been dreaming. It didn't take long for him to realize he was in pain either, the likes of which caused him to immediately double-over. He began to recall why he was in pain: Brago had attacked the town, had attacked the palace, had attacked him, had attacked—a sudden flash of an image, ruby eyes that had lost their gleam. "Tia!"

The blankets were thrown off and he leaped from the bed, his legs collapsing and taking the rest of his body to the ground upon his feet touching it. He was in an immensely weak state.

The door opened and someone walked in, although all he could see from his viewpoint was their feet. "Zatch! You shouldn't be out of bed!" The feet scampered out of the room, "Ted, hurry! Zatch collapsed!" and were back not even a moment later, this time coming closer to him. Whoever they belonged to now knelt at his side.

Struggling to lift even his head now, Zatch managed to catch a glimpse of red hair—or was it pink? "Tia!" He cried out happily.

A variety of footsteps were heard as people crowded into the room, one of which sounded like hooves. "Meru-mie!"

"She's right, Zatch. I know you're a tough guy, but even you need rest." Whoever had just spoken was now lifting him and laying him back on the bed. The visage of the person lingered in his vision. It was Ted.

"Tia, where's Tia? I just saw her." Zatch managed to say amidst his delirium.

A pink-haired girl stepped into view. "It's me, Kolulu." She had her hands rested over her heart, a saddened expression across her face out of concern for the distant stare Zatch was giving her. It was as if he were looking straight through her, as if she didn't exist—as if she were someone else.

A hoofed creature pounced onto the bed. "Meru meru-mie!" Ponygon had been excited to see Zatch regain consciousness, but upon him not even turning to acknowledge him, he retracted sadly. "Mie…"

Zatch's eyes were still locked on Kolulu. She didn't dare look away and nobody in the room made any noticeable movement; that is, until Zatch's head slowly encompassed the room and he asked in a whisper, "Where's Tia?" Ponygon was there, Kolulu was there, Ted was there, Kanchomé as well.

It remained silent for quite some time, the uneasiness thickening in the air with each second. Finally, Ted started, "Zatch, listen," he paused for a moment, "Tia is—"

"She had to go somewhere!" Kanchomé interrupted loudly. Everyone in the room turned to him, three of the occupants displaying uncertainty and sorrow, but one displaying relief.

"Just like in my dream." Zatch stated. A bright smile overtook his despair. "She'll be back soon, yeah! I have something to tell her!"

"You bet, Zatch!" Ted chimed in. "But you should really rest up, that way you'll have the energy to go see her when she gets back."

Zatch nodded obliviously and fell back onto the mattress that was much too large for him.

His friends left the room so he could rest. Kanchomé was the last to leave, and as he closed the door behind him, the concerned stares of the other three met him. His gaze dropped to the floor. Their solemn gazes stayed like that for what seemed like eternity.

Years passed…

Zatch continued to lead the Mamodo race, but his ways had changed. He had grown stricter and beneath the kindness that still radiated from him was a hidden sorrow. He had learned strength from pain and wisdom from the dream of a ghost. Prosperity had been achieved throughout the Mamodo race, but it was not by kindness alone.

The king's friends would visit him often. Ponygon visited the most. Ted and Kolulu would always visit him together. Kanchomé stopped by every now-and-then, although the king's fondness of him had waned ever since the duck-faced Mamodo told his greatest lie.

Responsibility was what the king clung to. He gave his kindness to his people and saved none for himself. He showed them bright smiles that were hollow. He shared with them his wisdom to guide them to a prosperous future. All of this was because he knew he had to be a strong king and a kind king, for scarred into his memory and heart was the knowledge of what came with having one without the other; and he would never wish that pain on any other Mamodo.

He stepped out onto the balcony, the air cool and the sky black, cloudless, and specked with stars. He leaned against the balcony in a familiar spot and let his gaze travel up to the never-ending starry sky. A sudden star suddenly shot across the sky, and as fast as it was there it was nearly gone. A sad smile prodded at his lips and a tear escaped one of his eyes.

"I wish…" He strained his ears as if expecting to hear something. Only the sound of the night answered him, so he continued, "…That I hadn't been such an idiot." A single, dry chuckle vibrated his throat before he sat down with his back against the balcony.

It was a special night for him, and for the fifth year in a row he would spend it beneath the stars. There were many up in the sky, but the only one he cared for had just taken his wish into the great beyond. He would send it every year, never missing even once.

Maybe, if he were lucky, one of these times it might just reach her…

A.N. Writing this story has been a long journey, and while it's no secret that I updated it incredibly slowly after the second chapter, I won't deny that I'm sad to see it end. It's always been something I could look back on and brainstorm endless possibilities with, and yet now that it's finished, that's no longer possible. It's like the feeling you get after watching the final episode of your favorite show, if you catch my drift. Well, I'd love to know everyone's thoughts on this ending, so feel free to speak your mind! Thanks for reading and take care!