The New Kid

Chapter 21: The Epilogue

Phew. There were times where I thought I'd never make it to this point. But, here it is, with 225 reviews after just 20 chapters, faved 46 times and added to 25 story alert lists. And I've already dragged this chapter out because I didn't want it to end, but… before I end up stalling a few more days, I present to you the final chapter and epilogue of this Golden Sun fanfic, "The New Kid."

Disclaimer: I don't own Golden Sun. If I did, part 3 would've been out ages ago so I could find out what the heck happened with the Anemos and how long it took for Alex to be un-paralyzed (admit it all you anti 3rd part people, you've wondered about those loose ends too :P )

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"We're headed for the park again right after school. And I think Felix is getting nervous about tryouts."

Isaac glanced from the clock on the classroom wall to Jenna in the desk beside him, his chin resting casually on a palm. "Already? You didn't tell him they start next week, did you? Because he's still got the entire summer break."

Jenna rolled her eyes. "Nah, that would've been too easy. You know Felix: always the worrywart. Probably doesn't help that it was the king of procrastination that finally convinced him to tryout, though."

Isaac had to laugh at that. "I don't know. Garet hasn't been that bad lately, has he?" Jenna shrugged with a slight grin, but couldn't answer back as the school bell rang and the entire class jumped up.

It was the final day of classes for the year, and the commotion in the rooms and halls was almost deafening as everyone said their goodbyes. Lockers were slamming shut as the owners hurried away from them one more time, and plenty of happy tears could be seen coming from the groups of seniors and their friends. If the noise wasn't enough, it was near impossible to get through the hubbub unless alone.

"See you at the park, Isaac!" Jenna called before slipping off through the crowd for the hall where her locker was located. Isaac stood to the side until she was out of sight; waved to Mia when she passed; pointed Garet in Jenna's direction when he came clamoring over (something about her having a book he forgot he needed to return to the library); watched Ivan helping Sheba carry her notebooks and broken-down locker shelves; and called but went unnoticed by the passing Felix who looked lost in thought. Or was it anxiety?

Hard to believe it's already been a few months since everything happened, Isaac mused, merging into a break in the traffic to head for his locker. The last thing he remembered before waking up was Alex nearby and saying some things, and even that was clouded. He couldn't really expect much better, though, considering how he had been unconscious for an entire day afterwards.

Whatever the tidbits were that Sheba had left in the company's database, they were enough to land Babi, Iodem, and the majority of the higher staff in prison within hours of the collapse, as well as launched a full investigation into Tolbi politics and businesses. Without the regular dose of Lemurian Draught, images of Babi soon appeared in the news when he came to the end of his life sentence prematurely. Apparently, aging returns to the normal rate for humans when the draught is absent for some time, something Kraden had jumped at the chance to study.

Kraden himself had been cleared of any willing involvement in the crimes facing Babi's legacy. Deciding to stay in Vale rather than returning to Tolbi's scientific community, he rented a house on the north side of town, one with enough room for his own personal laboratory and office in the basement. He also applied and was hired for a teaching position at Vale High for the next school year in the science and history departments, something the young Adepts had cringed at since they had all signed up for one or both of those exact subjects.

Saturos and Menardi didn't stick around long after Babi went down. Actually, they disappeared promptly once they got outside. From what Alex explained to Isaac and the others later, Saturos and Menardi were never really on Babi's side to begin with, and the part where they helped Babi escape was to mislead him straight for the police and clear the way for Alex to teleport back in. He wouldn't say what their reasons were for joining Babi in the first place, aside from it being, "no one's business but theirs."

Alex himself was scheduled to graduate from Vale High with Karst and Agatio a few days after school ended, and then would stick around a few weeks before heading for the university in the city of Vault. As for the "inside help" Ivan had mentioned, it had been Alex all along, though perhaps making it sound like only one person was playing the double agent had been the wrong way to put it.

Ivan and Sheba would start the next school year as sophomores, with Sheba in a class usually reserved for upperclassmen to maintain and manage the school computers. Garet didn't show any promise yet for handling his own school work, but he did succeed in finally making Felix agree to tryout for the school's soccer team. Jenna was still clueless on how he did it, and no one else was really sure how, either, except maybe Ivan and Sheba.

Mia had applied to work as a library aid in exchange for one class period for the senior year. She wouldn't find out if she got the position until she got her schedule, but she was already trying to memorize where every section was.

Picard – or Piers, as he was now going by – stayed with Kraden for a short time until they located the ship Babi had hidden from him. Only Kraden knew he was leaving until the teens got letters from the Lemurian in the mail. He'd left them with the alchemist to send once he was gone, not being much of one for farewells even at his age, whatever his age was. Isaac had felt the worst out of them all for not getting to see him one last time. Piers had been helping him with his Psynergy and how to better control it, and when Isaac couldn't be found at home his friends knew he was probably at Kraden's studying the notes Piers would give him.

Then there were the times when Isaac would ask Piers questions, either on Psynergy or about Babi's company. Normally, Piers answered the questions readily, but one of their early conversations stuck with him.

"So, why did it all really happen?"

Piers studied Isaac for a moment before answering. "Your father used to be an employee in Babi's company. Babi had already known for years about you. I do not know how, but he did, and Iodem often tried luring Kyle to talk about your Psynergy. If Kyle had found out about what was planned for you, he would have fought it with everything he had. Babi knew this and had it ordered that Kyle be dealt with."

"And you didn't do anything to stop it or defend us?"

"Isaac, I swear that if the plan had been to harm you that day instead, I would have stepped in instantly. I believe your father knew what he was facing."

"What makes you think that?"

"I made a vow to him days before it happened. During a conversation between us, he did not know why he felt so uneasy, and I promised to him that I would see to it that you were taken care of should anything happen to him." Piers sighed. "I honestly wanted to step in and save him. Really, I did, and it nearly killed me not to. But I was not supposed to be there to begin with. It was to be the first attempt made against you, and Babi had taken extra measures to ensure no one went soft. If I had made my presence known, then you would have quickly lost your mother and home instead, and possibly your father still. I had to wait until it was over and Iodem gone before I could approach you and take you home."

Isaac didn't say anything back; the lump in his throat wouldn't let him. Piers seemed to understand and stayed silent for a moment. "I was sent to watch over you, Isaac. To make sure your powers were not taken advantage of. And to the best of my abilities at the time that is what I did."

"You mean to make sure the person with this Psynergy wouldn't be turned into some weapon," Isaac said quietly. Piers didn't respond to that.

Isaac couldn't help feeling it was because of his questioning that Piers left without notice a few weeks later, even if Kraden insisted it wasn't.

"Isaac! Over here!" Isaac looked up to see Jenna jumping up and down near Felix's Honda, waving her arms in the air. Isaac would've asked how she beat him out, but knowing her decided against it as they got in and drove the distance to the park.

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"I'm open! I'm open!"

"No you aren't!"

"Hey! Ivan! Bring that back here!" Those on the sideline laughed as Ivan chased the ball down the field, Garet charging after him for stealing the ball. No one noticed their hidden audience.

"You really think there's need for concern anymore? Hmm, I thought they would at least give you more of a break and send someone else for a while."

"Some options were not left open to me." Piers watched as Ivan scored a goal, and Garet threw his arms in the air in defeat. "And Isaac is close to being an adult but he is not there yet. His Psynergy will continue to grow, and there is no way to predict how much."

"Fascinating." Kraden wiped off his glasses on his shirt before readjusting them on his face. "And what of Alex?"

Piers shook his head. "Alex no longer desires to increase his strength. Bad memories, you could say. His Psynergy is not as abnormal as Isaac's, so I doubt there is any need for concern."

Isaac brought a hand up to his chest and frowned slightly. Mia was sitting beside him on the edge of the picnic table and looked over. "Feeling okay?"

Isaac nodded and lowered the hand again with a reassuring smile. "Yeah, just the usual. Thanks." Mia smiled too and shrugged, turning her attention back to the book she was reading. All of Isaac's friends knew about how he'd still get chest pains from time to time, but Kraden assured them it was just a leftover side effect of that last night at Babi's, and nothing life threatening. Didn't mean they were any less anxious, though, when the Adept showed signs of hurting or discomfort.

"And you're sure you don't want him to know you're back?"

Piers shook his head. "Isaac has already lost five years of his life to his Psynergy, he will only lose more if people are constantly checking on him, watching him, and telling him what to do. Besides, he no longer blames himself for things beyond his control."

Kraden thought on it before nodding his agreement. "In short, time to let him stand on his own two feet."

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"Alex Azul." Alex walked across the stage casually, as though being in front of a stadium full of people didn't faze him. The principal handed him his diploma in one hand and shook hands with the other. The graduation photographer's camera flashed, and Alex started back for his seat.

"He sure does like to smirk, doesn't he?" Jenna whispered.

Isaac chuckled to himself. "It's just his way, I guess."

"Well he doesn't have to be so good at it," she mumbled back, but blushed slightly and froze when new graduate looked up at her with that smirk of a smile of his. Isaac couldn't tell if she was actually embarrassed or plotting to beat the Mercury Adept to a pulp afterwards for it.

"Uh… Jenna?"

"Ignore her. She's just acting silly," Felix cut in. Isaac started to say something, but decided otherwise when he got one glace of Felix's expression, who was partly glaring down at Alex. Garet didn't look too thrilled beside him, either.

Several more names were called before, "Agatio Drago," and later, "Karst Ficher." Isaac knew the two were Proxian, but just looking at them they looked like everyone else who walked across the stage. Though he guessed the makeup and methods to hide their scales and face markings had to be torture under the dark graduation gowns in this heat.

After the applause and cheering at the end, it was time for the graduation party, something that all seven underclassmen were invited to. Isaac helped Felix carry the cups of punch back to where Garet and Ivan sat at a table. Both were watching the girls – Mia, Jenna, and Sheba – talking out on the dance floor while the DJ was still setting up, though both were also sending sideways glances at Alex who was standing to the side. Felix just ignored them at first and sat down, until he noticed what Alex himself was looking at.

"I hate that guy," he mumbled, sitting down before taking a sip of his punch. Garet nodded slightly in agreement. Ivan didn't even do that.

Isaac wasn't sure whether to laugh at them or just keep his mouth shut, so he stuck with the latter. Smart move. Alex finally noticed the warning looks he was getting, but just shrugged as though he didn't know what they were looking at him for and started to walk off. The three guys turned their attention back to their drinks like nothing happened but still irritated, but Alex motioned to get Isaac's attention. Excusing himself from the table, he followed after the teleporter.

"Yeah?" They stopped after just turning a corner into a side hall.

"Your friends sure are protective of the girls," Alex said casually, leaning back against the wall with one hand in his pocket and holding the small plastic cup with the other. When Isaac was too confused to answer right away, Alex continued. "How's your Psynergy working out for you?"

"Oh, um…" Isaac rested a hand lightly on his chest. "Well, it's there… Haven't used it much lately, though." He closed his hand into a fist. "Still hurts every now and then."

Alex nodded solemnly. "Same here; but that's to be expected." Isaac looked back at Alex, just now realizing it was the first time he had seen the senior in clothes that showed some skin below the neck, and now he could see why. A dark patch was just slightly visible from under where the top button was left open.

"Alex, what-?"

Alex glanced down and casually buttoned the shirt the rest of the way. "Psynergy on our level takes a lot out of us. You should know that."

"Y-yeah, but... Alex, was that-?"

"Frostbite? Pretty much. I had enough trouble teleporting from room to room with no distractions. Think of what it took to teleport out of a burning building." He shrugged. "Piers healed it the best he could, so I guess we both have our marks now."

"Yeah… I guess so."

There was a pause before Alex broke the silence. "Hey, did you say hi to Saturos and Menardi?"

Isaac looked up surprised at that. "They're here? I thought they were still in hiding?"

"Nah, that was just a temporary cover. Kraden fitted them with some new disguises so they wouldn't match the descriptions of the old ones. See the two talking to Karst and Agatio?"

They both looked into the room, Isaac following Alex's line of sight until he saw the graduates. Sure enough, they were talking to a man and woman. Menardi now had braided brunette hair under a puffy hat and tan skin. Saturos had a black ponytail that looked similar to Felix's.

"Kind of weird, seeing them like that but knowing who they really are."

Isaac nodded. "They are… who they are."

Alex nodded also in agreement. "Mm-hmm. And you know what else?" Isaac looked over his shoulder at the former bully, who smiled to himself. "You're not a new kid anymore. But just don't let that get to your head or anything." He shrugged, put his hands in his pockets, and walked coolly back into the room as though nothing had changed.

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The End…...?

Wooooooooooooooow…

Isaac: I'll say. You actually let me live and stay in one piece.

Yeah, it just wasn't your time yet.

Isaac: oO

Weird that it's finally over. I might have to write the sequel for withdrawal purposes, if nothing else. And now for the Academy performance. I'll make it quick though, 'cause I'm no good when ending a long time project.

Big thanks to all the reviewers and readers, and the IMers and e-mailers. TNK wouldn't have gotten half as far if it hadn't been for all the input.

Thanks to Uber Spoonz for not killing me when I slacked off and being someone I could joke around with at times, and reviewing (a lot), and at least seeming to be a sane obsessed fan (you know I'm just kidding…kinda). And to the friends (Zen-yuu, Angel of Atonement) that she somehow convinced to start reading this story.

Thanks to Jenna.fan and all the friends I didn't know were standing behind her until the end of our IM conversations (that freaked me out the first time, lol).

Thanks to HyruleLegend for the IM chats and story suggestions, and putting up with my slow responses while I attempted to clean my room without getting caught online. Too bad the reviewing option decided to be ebil and not work for him.

And… holy crap, I didn't even realize or I forgot that I got a review from- (cough) someone I can only dream of writing as well as… (yeah, I'm real sneaky there, ain't I?)

And thanks to Spirit Seer, Dracobolt, kd7sov, Sorceress Sakura, chibby, savinglifelessness, Fjord Cannon, Meneil, epobbp, Fehize, and Judgment Flame for the steady reviews and support. And thanks of course to anyone I didn't mention just now who I probably should've, everyone who reviewed even if just once, and those that read but didn't review (don't worry, I'm a terrible reviewer myself).

Now, I'm off to work on my other GS stories, study for midterms, and contemplate how to take care of my new dorm goldfish, Sushi. Heh, I start laughing every time I tell someone its name.