AN: Finally, I'm finishing my story! It's been fun writing; I really don't know what to say here. Just… thank you all for reading my story. Seeing your reviews really brightens up my day.

Janus, in his new body, looked at the rest of his enemies with contempt before a cruel grin spread on his face. There were still enemies of his here, and they would all die by his hands.

"Isn't it ironic," he asked them mockingly, "that although you came here to destroy me, you have only made me stronger? It will be so… satisfying to have you die by the hands of your friend…"

"You fiend!" Diego roared, lunging at Janus. "Get out of his body, now!"

That was the reaction that Janus was hoping for. He quickly raised his hand, suspending his attacker in the air. "In a few minutes, the waves of darkness I have generated inside of your body will tear you apart from the inside. You should not have angered me."

The rest of the friends watched in horror as Diego was suspended in the air, writing in pain. Orchid had had enough.

"Stop it!" She yelled. "Rayman, I don't know what he did to you, but fight it! Stop this now!"

Janus didn't answer. Instead, he merely increased the flow of dark energy inside of the Phantom and smiled malevolently at his pain.

"I said STOP!" Running up to Janus, Orchid gave the evil creature a stinging slap. The Godking was stunned for a few seconds, seemingly unable to comprehend the girl's anger and audacity. Suddenly, he turned towards the girl in a rage.

"You… you…" He was unable to express his rage in words, so he struck the girl instead with his magical energy. He meant to only stun her, but the force of his blow sent her crumpling to the floor.

Suddenly, something stirred in Janus' host. He stared in horror at the fallen girl, unable to comprehend what he had done.

No! Janus thought. You belong to me! Don't… don't try to fight me!

Janus' thoughts were then prematurely interrupted by a jarring blow that sent the pendant flying into the air. As Janus' spirit lay on the ground, it could vaguely see a tall, brown man standing over him. He had time for one final thought as the man lifted his boot.

Orion! No!

*******

Consciousness began to return to Rayman's body as he slowly rose from the ground. He looked at Orion, who had his back turned and his head hung in shame. He didn't know what to say to the giant who had once been his enemy, so he just said the first thing that came to his mind.

"Thanks."

Orion merely nodded; no words needed to be said. Rayman then turned to Diego, who was lying on the ground.

"Are you okay, friend?" He asked Diego. "I can't believe what I did to you…"

"Don't think anything of it." Diego said, grinning weakly. "You had no way to know what you were doing. Just help me up and we'll be even."

Rayman stooped over to help his friend up, grunting with exertion as his own strength had not fully returned to him. As he rose, Ly and Simon flocked at him, seeing that their friend was back.

"Rayman! You're back! We were so worried…"

"I'm so glad to see you… I was worried that you had been overcome by Janus permanently."

"Don't worry; I'm fine." He said to his overjoyed friends. "How's Orchid?"

Simon's composure had suddenly turned grim as he moved out of the way. There Orchid lay in an unmoving, crumpled heap.

"Orchid!" Rayman cried frantically as he channeled all of his available energy into her body. "Orchid, wake up!"

"It's no use." Ly said sadly. "She was hit too hard. I think she's…"

"No! She's alive, I know it!" Rayman yelled fiercely as he began to channel his very life force into her. "I won't let you go, Orchid. I love you too much…"

Suddenly, she began to stir. "Rayman? Is that… is that you?"

"Yes!" He said, embracing her. "You're going to be alright…"

The other friends smiled and moved away to give the two lovers some space. No one wanted to disturb the moment.

Just then, the volcano began to rumble.

"What in the…" Diego muttered.

"It's an eruption!" Orion yelled. "Quick! You all need to leave!"

"Orchid, can you…" Rayman asked nervously.

"Yes, I can move." She said as she began to rise painfully.

"Orion, what about you?" Rayman asked.

"I'm not going."

Rayman couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What? Why would you stay here?"

"My sins are too numerous." He said sadly. "I can never live with myself after all I've done. And besides, my wound would just slow you down."

"Nonsense!" Simon said suddenly. "I know you helped him kidnap my daughter, but I forgive you for what you've done. If you stay here… I stay as well."

"So do I." Diego added.

"And I." Rayman said.

"Thank you." Orion said. "Now, we have to hurry! It could erupt at any second now!"

At that, the friends ran down the stairs of the Keep, with Rayman staying behind to support Orion and Orchid. They barely made it out before the volcano erupted.

*******

The friends watched in silence as the Keep erupted, collapsing in upon itself. As the volcano collapsed into rubble, the poisonous smoke began to dissipate from the Badlands, as Janus' evil reign was finally ended. Finally, Diego spoke, breaking the silence.

"It has been wonderful knowing you, my friends." He said. "You have changed my life forever, and I will always remember you. I will stay here with my people, as it is my duty to them."

"I'm going to stay here too." Orion said. "I don't know where I'll go, but I'll figure that out."

"I understand." Rayman said. "Will I ever see you again?"

"Well, I may not see you for a while," Diego said, "but I will see you again. After all…" He winked slyly. "I don't want to miss seeing your children."

"Diego, Orion, it was good to know you both as well." Rayman said, trying to hide his blush from the Phantom's previous comment. "I think we should go now, as well, so we can get back home before too long."

The rest of the friends bid their goodbyes as well, and left at a brisk pace. Diego and watched until they were out of sight, and then he turned to the giant to his side.

"Orion, are you sure you don't want to go with them? I know that you feel terrible about what you've done, but it's all in the past. They'll accept you for what you are, not for what you've done."

At that, the large man began to think before turning to his companion with a smile. As he dropped his weapons on the ground and set off in the direction where the friends had gone, Diego stood and watched him until he too faded out of view. Finally, he turned and walked away, knowing that, someday, they would all meet again.