EI do not own Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. I do own Core and her back story and the parts of the plot that aren't in the game. This fic spawned largely from my dissatisfaction with the ending of the game. It was an awesome game and I didn't want it to end. So I decided to write a fic. It's rated for language and violence mostly, but also for some sexual scenes.

Enslaved: Marks of the Past.
Chapter Fifteen: Goodbyes.

Trip and Monkey stayed with Core and her colony for several days after their arrival.

Monkey and Core's brothers went mech—and food—hunting and brought back lots of supplies and food—just like old times—and Trip spent her time with the techheads as they shared all their secrets and tweaked the various systems in and around the colony; they were all very interested in her dragonfly. Core spent most of the time sleeping and healing. All her exhaustion and those minor injuries that hadn't bothered her too much on the journey her seemed to catch up all at once and knocked her on her ass. When she was awake, her brothers filled her in on all she had missed while she'd been in Pyramid: her father's death in a mech attack, the birth of several new babies and the growth of the children she'd known into teenagers and young adults, the comings and goings of groups of mechs and the success of the gardens their mother had implemented before her death. Trip and Monkey usually met up with Core for meals and when it rained and they stayed at the colony until it was almost too hard to leave the lively, peaceful place.

But eventually, they decided it was time to move on and the worst part was, Core knew she couldn't go with them.

Currently, Trip, Monkey and Core were sitting on a particularly high pile of rubble outside the colony, watching the sun rise gold and fat and warm above the city as they ate breakfast. The day was going to be mild and clear: good for travel. Where Monkey and Trip were going, they had no idea. Exploring, looking for colonies, whatever came up, it didn't matter as long as they kept going. They both agreed they had to get moving, but they were unspecific as to why and Core didn't care why. She just cared that they were leaving and she'd barely gotten to see them.

"Are you sure you guys don't want to stay? Even for just a couple more days?" Core asked for about the hundredth time that early, early morning. "We could really use people like you around here, especially with all the new kids running around."

"There are enough people around her Core, even without the kids," Monkey said. "All we'll do is get in the way of how your brothers have this place running. They did a good job taking over for your father."

"You know that's not true. We'd find a place for you and Badger, Pike and Twist would love to have another meathead around." Core sighed through a smile and leaned on her knees, pulled up in front of her. "I know you guys want to keep on the move, but… it won't be the same without you here. You're the only two people I've been around since I got out of Pyramid. Hell, you saved me from that hell hole."

Trip reached over and placed a hand on Core's shoulder. "Aside from a few changes, you've got your whole life back and three brothers who love you and will hardly leave you alone. Core, you can't leave. It would destroy your brothers." It was amazing how Trip could pick up on the unspoken suggestion when she hadn't known Core that long.

"I know I'll be fine here, and I want to be here, but…" Here, Core sighed and stretched out on the rock, closing her eyes against the rising sun. She didn't finish her thought. She didn't have an end to the thought.

The trio fell into silence and watched the sunrise, the pale golden light glinting off the remains of glass and metal amongst the stone. All the colour was, for the moment, bleached out of the world and everything was white, black or gold, brilliant and warm. As they watched, the colour began to leak back into the world. The green came first, the trees, vines and moss that covered everything turning their brilliant, jewel-toned shades, followed by the blue of the sky and the water behind them. When the world was almost back to right, Core pushed herself to her feet, standing with her hands on her hips.

"Well I guess you guys should head out, if you're going."

The trio descended to the ground, Trip and Monkey bringing packs with food and water and any other supplies they might need and the colony had to spare. At the bottom of the hill of rubble, Core hugged Trip.

"Take care of Monkey," she said quietly.

Caught a little off-guard, Trip returned the hug and nodded into Core's freshly-dyed blue hair. "I will. Don't worry." She laughed as she pulled back and saw the look on Core's face. "I don't think we get into as much trouble as the two of you did," she added with a grin.

Core laughed at that before she turned to Monkey. She hugged her old friend tightly and was relieved when he returned the gesture. Aside from certain moments when they'd been more than friends and when she'd seen him after getting out of Pyramid, they had never hugged. He just wasn't a huggy person. As she pushed back from him, she lightly kissed his cheek. "Don't get into too much trouble without me."

Monkey cracked a small smile and almost laughed. "I won't."

Core took a step back from her two companions. "You guys are always welcome back here."

Monkey nodded and turned towards the makeshift road that would lead them out of the ruined city. Trip on the other hand, hugged Core again and said her goodbyes before following Monkey as he started out. Core stood there and watched until they were gone and then she climbed back up the high pile of rubble and watched for a long time more, as Trip and Monkey shrunk smaller and smaller. As she watched, she thought of all her favourite memories of Monkey: when they were hunting, laughing, fighting, everything. And then she thought of Trip and the little she knew about the redhead and how much she wished she could get to know her better.

Eventually, Monkey and Trip were gone and only did Core go back inside.

Author's Note.

Thank you guys so, so much for reading and loving this story! I'm so glad so many people enjoyed it! I love you all!

Hopefully the ending was to your liking!

Enjoy!

P.S. I don't know why Monkey and Trip would have to leave, but it sounded like something they would have to do, so I put it in there. You can fill in the reason on your own, I guess.

Next Chapter: There isn't one! Now hopefully they'll make a sequel to the game!