Wow, this is a great story that expands on the series and could easily be cannon! This is so realistic and I totally feel for Aku and what you put him through. What you wrote is so scarily realistic and "cannon" to what would probably happen to Aku after Jack returned to the past. But overall, I agree, Aku was cheated of a final battle with Jack in the future. Like srsly, Ashi just magically creates a time portal outta her a$$ (mouth technically)? I felt cheated with the final battle and ending. At least you make it better and much more bearable! Ty, Kraken Guard! Keep up the great work!

... time. You forgot the last word and punctuation. XD

Eh, other than that, I know this story is already a year ago, but I must say I really enjoyed the story. How you unravel the future guys and Aku would be when Jack returned to the past in the series. Funny I just read another story about Aku who is unsatisfied about the ending because even though he is the main villain and has been there the whole series, people just forgot about his defeat and focus more on Ashi. Nice to know someone finally gave him (future Aku) some attention. Hahahahahahahah.

I loved this. Perfectly captures the probable scenario of Aku's final moments. Very nice! :)

This was great. A satisfying read and and a good end to Aku.

You know...it is strange.
As a German, I did NOT grew up with Samurai Jack (Since the Series never made it past the Second Season here, sadly.). But when I heard on the Internet that a Fifth Season to conclude this Series from 2001 would come out and, like, EVERYONE was hyped about it, I decided to see what all the Fuss was about.
And ohhhh boy, did I grew to LOVE this Cartoon! From the Hero to the Supporting cast, to the Villains, it was just AWESOME!
And Aku...he was one of the Major Plus Points of the Series. The way he could freely switch between a Laughably Hammy Antagonist and a truly Threatening Villain in the blink of an Eye and yet it NEVER felt Out Of Character for him was just SO very intriguing.
And his little, pained "Oh No..." in the Finale was such a powerful moment! And you captured the possible Aftermath perfectly.
As much as he, let's face it, deserved what was coming to him... I can't help but feel sorry, even shedding a tear. To die alone, powerless and scared, while being slowly erased from exsistance... I pity him. I really do. Strange, isn't it? As much as we cry if beloved Heroes meet their End during a Series, it almost always seems so much more sad to see how a Good Villain finally bites the dust. Cry for the Devil at it's finest, eh?

An awesome job you did there. Good Work!
Hendrik Sauer, aka Inquisitor Richard Trevelyan.

Anyone who reads this review, say what you will, but whenever I read this thing, when I read about Aku getting so scared of dying and being unable to do anything about it, just taking in a deep breath or two, slowly fading, wrapping his arms around himself and practically shivering in fear of his fate...I can't help but pity him. I can't help but, for just a few seconds, forget about everything Aku's done, the utterly sadistic and sometimes Laughably Evil (but maybe the laughable part HELPS this strange, possibly crazy phenomenon along.) demon (the word is figurative and literal, of course) he's been throughout the series and just pity this still sentient creature who, like so many other beings in existence, including far too many of the people he's oppressed and killed, is afraid of his oncoming death. It feels ODD to feel this way about Aku, but whenever I think about or read this fic, about him not being able to stop his death and erasure from existence and being at by far his lowest point, and maybe the most...human I've ever even read of him being, I feel pity for him nonetheless.

If this is what Aku felt as he began to disappear, then indeed it woyld be quite the ironic demise, like Aku, I too would've preferred a final last battle in the future than the re-shaping of the past.

Invader Johnny Signing Off.

And Ashi knew.

She did it anyway.

She sacrificed her own life to ensure the freedom of countless generations to come, to ensure her beloved doesn't have to live being hounded by her demonic father, to make sure that humanity has control over it's own fate.

An act of selfless love, if their ever was one. "Amen, I say unto thee, that no greater love exists than to lay down one's life for their friends."