Disclaimer can be found in previous chapters! This is the last chapter! It's short, but…
Chapter 20: Redemption
"Thank you…"
I spoke silently in front of the chameleon lying on a white bed. If Falco and the others hadn't come in time, Leon could've died. Without his help, Wolf could've died as well… I couldn't abandon him. I was grateful that I brought a communicator along. Powalski had no fatal injuries, although he got unconscious by the wolf's attacks.
I walked out from the hospital. A soft breeze blew to my face. It was rather warm… I never felt such a thing since the time I heard my father died. It gave a feeling of something bizarre. I hoped everything's going to be okay…
"Fox!" I heard a voice calling me. "Hey, Fox, where are you going?"
I glanced back. It was just Falco. Was he following me? I had no idea… Anyway, I wanted to be alone, so I guessed I should talk to him. "Huh? Falco, sorry, I want to be alone right now…"
"Eh?" he suddenly gritted towards me. He then patted me to the shoulder and laughed, "If you're worrying about lizard boy, he'll be just fine! If you're worrying about Wolf, well, it'll take a while, but afterwards, he'll get used to it!"
"That's not what I mean! I'm having a short moment about thinking something, yet you come here to disturb me! Sorry, but I need to be alone for a while…"
"Fox, what's gotten into you? It's just Leon! He's alive!"
"JUST GO AWAY!" I suddenly burst out. The bird became silent though, and I felt that I just made a mistake. "S-sorry, Falco. I really need some time to be alone… I… I was… I mean, if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have any idea what's happening in Wolf's head, and that other wolf's problem. And, well, he saved us all…"
"Yeah, I got ya, pal," he smiled at me as he once again, tapped my shoulder. "Well, I better leave you now… You're probably right… The breeze is warm… I can tell why you wanted some time to be alone…"
All of a sudden, my body felt light. My view was all blurry. I found myself falling down to the ground, with Falco catching me.
Hmm… So, you really meant it when you said I could take over your body for a price of saving the fox's breath…
Of course… Why not? Besides, you're keeping your end of the bargain, right?
Yes. I may be barbaric, but at least I know what's honor in deals…
Anyway, I'm glad you didn't ruin my body…
Actually, when I took over, the anatomy changed…
Well, I think it will change back when I return…
I don't think so… I mean, you can't alter the pituitary gland to disintegrate the released enzymes in the body…
Wha?
Well…
Oh well…
Wolf…
What?
When you wake up, I won't exist anymore… I… I have to thank you and Fox for acknowledging me about existing… and opening my eyes to the fact that you don't deserve to fade because an illusion like me wants to rule your body.
You're not an illusion anymore. Illusions can't have feelings, but you have…
Wolf… Please say thanks to Fox for me…
Yeah…
Well… here I am… fading… fading…. fading… I'm fading like a dream…
I woke up from an empty room. All was dark. Well, it didn't matter, anyway. Thanks to Fox, all's well. I guessed that I should move on instead of being stagnant here. Luckily, there's a communicator here, so I grabbed it and took the opportunity to look for him.
"Falco, it's me… Wolf… Yeah, the normal one. Um, where's Fox?"
"Wolf, you're back! Oh, about Fox… he's… he suddenly collapsed! He's inside the hospital! You're in your room in Great Fox right? Hurry! Come out! The ship's parked in the place!"
Wow, I wasn't expecting that reply. Well, I better move and take care of Fox… It's time to pay things that was left unpaid…
Wolf, sorry if I caused you too much suffering. I know I don't deserve your kindness. Maybe, when you wake up, I'll let you go. I won't chain you anymore. I guess we're meant to be rivals after all… Or maybe, we're not meant to be friends… I know I've been repeating myself many times, but I still feel guilty about it… Forgive me…
After those thoughts flew into my head, I found myself inside a hospital room. I looked around, it was all so tranquil. Then, I glance at the side, and saw Wolf asleep. He was seated, while his upper body rested on the desk beside my bed. He… he took care of me when I fainted out of the fight…
"Huh?" he slowly whimpered after feeling me. "Fox? You're okay… Thank goodness…"
I smiled with warmth. This was just like before, when he was just adjusting. "Wolf, remember when you're the one in bed? I guess, you're the one who is taking care of me now…"
"Hey, don't forget," he chuckled as he sat beside me, "I'll repay the stuff you did back then… Well, here they are… fully paid!"
I laughed at his statements. He's being kind and all… to me at least. "Wolf, um, well…"
"We're still friends… No matter what happens…"
"But…"
"It doesn't matter on whose fault did this… As long as we remain friends, nothing can break that bond!"
Wolf… yeah… He's right… Friendship is a strong thing. It can never be broken. Time will test its strength, and hardships will follow. However, when it sustains the trials, it'll bloom. It'll become a powerful force that nothing can ruin…
"Fox, are you okay?"
"Yeah," I replied after being startled. "Thanks… thanks for everything, Wolf…"
"You too…"
END