(Insert shameless plug) It wasn't really my intention from the beginning, but I'm going to allow this to be the quasi-prequel to "Mononoke Samurai" and the quasi-sequel to "The Dystopian Map". The three stories basically follow Jack as he finds a surefire way home, has a brief sojourn with Kenshin, then goes home only to face another challenge. But all 3 can be read independently; I just thought it would be a nice addition for anyone who likes my writing. Anyway, this is the last chapter, and like I said, there's going to be a few surprises in store. Just watch. And don't spoil it for anybody.

(By the way, Fumus was a character I used in an earlier original story, though not quite as much as I used him in here. I killed him off in a more humiliating way, even though he ended up killing 3 characters. Melville came out of nowhere, and Rygar is a recurring character in a few other stories, most notably my new Suikoden story. Just thought you'd like to know where I got them)

15: Farewell, Brethren -- The Parting of Jack and Kenshin into Destiny

The quiet air of the abandoned town was interrupted suddenly as rubble and debris were tossed aside and strewn around. Something began to dig its way out of the refuse, blowing out dust like a whale would blow water from its spout. It was like watching a corpse rise from the grave, only this corpse was very much alive, even though the only witnesses to its "death" thought otherwise. The body grumbled and stood upright as it emerged from the tomb it had created, and shook the mess off as it breathed in a deep gulp of air.

The only things that Rygar was missing were his sword and mantle. His dignity was still in place.

Rygar the Red sighed, and gazed around the area for his prey. They were long gone by that point, probably to return the boat before they got back to their ordinary, peaceful lives. He actually smiled--not in malice, but with joy--as he found himself all alone, and loosened the stiff joints in his body as he plowed through the remains of the pagoda he had destroyed. He didn't know what his master would say if he found his tormented student so caked with dust.

"They must think I'm dead by now," he reasoned to himself. "Well, that's okay. Like I said, one less killer in the world. Maybe now I'll actually have an excuse to let them go. It would be best if I left this country and never returned. I only hope that staging my own demise will wipe away some of the waste that has gathered on my name. Now that I'm dead, I can finally get some real peace." He chuckled to himself, and wiped his sleeves off as he lumbered away from the ruins and into the distance--where, true to his word, he was never seen again.

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Jack and Kenshin had said very little since they departed from the ruined town. It took them at least two days to patch up all their wounds, and even then, they still felt unbelievably sore. Both men were used to getting beaten around by enemies, but they had rarely chanced across something with such ghastly power. But unlike the other two killers that had went after them, the one they fought last actually had a good reason to go after them--not for money or thrills, but for some greater good, to ease the burden that other people had and to cleanse his own soul. But he was gone now (they believed)--they were all gone, and with the opposition finally out of the way, Jack and Kenshin really had no reason to be traveling together.

And so, after their exciting and dangerous adventure together, the two warriors had to part. It was going to be inevitable sooner and later--whether by death or voluntary movement, the two men would go down their own paths again and would not meet. Naturally, they would never forget such an experience, and would bring it to their graves as they passed the tale onto younger ears. They decided to part ways, that they did, once their bodies were in good shape and their hearts were ready.

And so, two days passed.

Kenshin and Jack continued to walk alongside each other for a few more minutes, waiting for just the right time to part ways and say their farewells. A long good-bye was unnecessary--they were both warriors and knew how to approach the situation. Besides, they treated each other more like a lost brother than mere strangers who had met and became friends under dire circumstances. They really were very similar, those two samurai from two different ages, coming together to unite their skills and give the world a good show. It was really quite amazing.

Fittingly enough, the two men stopped as they came to a fork in the road. The path to the left led into a hilly area, and the one to the right led into woods. Both looked to be peaceful and easy, a good end to a good brotherhood. Seeing that their opportunity was finally upon them, the two warriors turned and faced each other one last time.

"Well, in many ways, our paths must go in different directions here," said Jack. Kenshin nodded his head.

"Yes. Before we go, though, I would like to thank you for your help. I really didn't expect such kindness from a stranger, or such skill, that I did not. I still don't know that much about you, Mr. Jack, and yet I feel as if I know you better than anyone else. This was a good experience, my friend. I shall miss you. Salute!" Jack smiled and raised his sword to the sky, where it met with Kenshin's in a musical clang. The two warriors sheathed their weapons with great style and clasped hands in a hearty shake. Finally, they bowed to each other, and went on different paths, never to meet again.

"May good fortune and peace be your greatest companion!" exclaimed Jack as he went down the left path. Kenshin smiled and shouted back.

"Thank you! I hope you find your way home safely, my friend!" Jack smiled, and watched as his friend and brother vanished forever in the opposite distance. He knew he would never see him again, but perhaps some day, Kenshin would read the legendary exploits of Samurai Jack, and would remember his friend. Either way, history was about to change.

"Aku," swore Jack as he hugged the hilt of his blade, "now it is down to you and I! We shall meet again soon, my old enemy! I suggest you pray hard before that day arrives, if you can."

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Kenshin Himura breathed in the sweet scent of the hilly countryside as he wandered down the path he chose. It was a good road, dusty and well traveled, with plenty of friendly people to say hello to along the way. There was a town coming up a few miles further down, and the scenery that towered over him and around him made his smile broad. A great mountainous hill, lush and pulsating with emerald magic, stood watch over the landscape as a single red-robed man continued to wander. The day was beautiful and the sky was clear with just a few traces of white.

So, needless to say, Kenshin was a bit surprised when he heard the sound of thunder.

The world trembled and shook as a great clasp of power erupted from out of nowhere. The heavens exploded into colors, snakes of electricity shot out everywhere, and a dark hole yawned open in the cheery air. Kenshin stared with wide eyes as the mysterious vortex appeared and widened; it was like he was receiving a vision from heaven, and the very angels themselves were coming down to speak with him. What he got instead was no angel, but something so indescribable and surprising that he was rendered totally speechless.

A man came out of the thin air--out of the black hole, actually--and landed on the ground with a crash, sending the dust scattering. Kenshin's eyes became as wide as oranges as he stared at the man that emerged from the magical field. He was a huge guy, big and tall with a chest as broad as a barrel and arms thick like logs. He had a small bushy mustache, orange like fire, and a domed head lightly peppered with hair. The man had a great white shirt on, with what seemed to be a musical instrument slung over his shoulder and a belt made out of cougar's skin. Strangely, he wore what looked like a striped red skirt, and one of his legs was a metallic peg. When he opened his big green eyes and grinned with his big crooked teeth, Kenshin froze with awe.

"ME FRIEND!!!" shouted the man in a loud voice. Kenshin just stared as the big man walked over to him and slapped his shoulder. "Ach, ah dinnae think ah'd ever find ye again, old buddy! Ah thought ah had lost ye forever when ya went off to face Aku! Ah was mighty fortunate that the clan druid could conjure up a portal in time to send me back here with ya! Ach, an' what a mess ah've gotten mahself inta this time! Ah couldn'o think ah anyone better-suited to face this task with than yew!!"

Kenshin was nearly ready to faint. His eyes were about to pop right out of his head. Suddenly, the big man with the strange accent jerked back in surprise as he realized his mistake.

"Wait a minute! YER NOT ME FRIEND!!!!"

Kenshin still couldn't say a word. The man shrugged and resumed slapping his shoulders.

"Ah well, ye'll do in a pinch!! Come on, laddie, ah'll take yew with me an' explain on the way!!" Kenshin felt himself being dragged away by the loud man, his face still in frozen shock over what he had seen. He could only flail and flap helplessly as he followed the strange fellow. "Ach, it's a good thing ah found yew out here, laddie!" exclaimed said fellow as he rushed Kenshin along. "Like ah said, you wouldn't believe the trouble ah'm in now! Come on!!" And just like that, the man leaped up into the portal in time, dragging Kenshin Himura along with him on yet another wild adventure.

The End