The Wolf's Departure (Klonoa)

Though Guntz still planned on heading off with Butz, the two of them agreed to stay in Breezegale for a few days, helping me get some of my affairs in order.

Once Guntz changed back into his usual outfit, we started by carrying Janga's body out of the rocket's cargo bay, being careful not to touch his claws. After borrowing some shovels from Balue, we dug out a small grave just north of Gunston Mine – we decided not to dig it in the Claire Temple's graveyard, as… well, it didn't feel right to leave the cat anywhere near Lolo.

Before we could drop Janga in, Guntz took his scarf for himself, wrapping it around his neck. "So we can remember what we accomplished." he explained.

With that remark, we threw the cat's body in, before filling the hole back up.

It's over now, Lolo… I thought to myself, grinning a bit. What Janga and his allies did to you… what they did to all of us, they… they won't be able to do to anyone else, ever again…


The next day, I asked Pango if he could help retrieve Guntz's hoverbike – after all, it was still parked near Volk's space force base. To my surprise, he told us he already brought it back – since Guntz was gonna bring me back home anyway (and so he didn't have to lug it through the base), he asked the pangolin to drive the Red Clan II back to the latter's place after he and Boris saw us take off.

With that out of the way, Guntz gave me an ATM card – the one he got from opening my bank account back in Volk – and told me there's a branch along main street where I could withdraw or add to my funds. Though I couldn't think of anything I'd want to spend my money on right now, I took the opportunity to deposit the bundle of dorees I left with Grandpa – the same bundle I got for dealing with Garlen. In hindsight, I probably should've asked if that was an option before heading out with Guntz…


Early the next morning, Pango, Guntz, Butz and I gathered around Lolo's tombstone, the Red Clan II parked a few yards away. At the stone's edge, the Radiant Flower – the same one Pango left for her – seemed to glisten in the red dawn sun.

We stood in silence for what felt like an hour, our eyes locked on the tombstone. I couldn't tell what Guntz and Pango were thinking – all I could focus on was one, singular thought running through my head:

Lolo… thanks for everything…


Eventually, I broke the silence.

"I, erm… I guess this is goodbye, then?" I asked the wolves.

"Afraid so." Butz responded. "But don't worry, we'll… we'll still stop by every once in a while, see how you're holding up."

"Pops is right." Guntz added, before turning to the pangolin. "You still have my radio, right?"

"Right."

"Perfect." He started to approach me. "So, if there's anything you wanna talk about… anything at all… Pango and I'll be there for you."

I grinned slightly. "Thanks, guys…"

"Any time."

With that, Guntz pulled me towards him, embracing me tightly. Not knowing when I'll be able to do this again, I hugged him back, my head resting on his mane.

"Trust me, Klonoa…" he whispered. "Someday, all of this… it's gonna feel like a long time ago…"

"I hope you're right…" I whispered back.

He pulled out of our embrace, before leading Butz over to his bike. Once they hopped on, Guntz started the engine and slipped his goggles over his eyes.

Before he could drive off, I shouted: "Good luck, you two! Until we see each other again!"

Guntz looked back to me, shouting back: "You too, Klonoa!"

He turned back, revved the bike's engine, and drove off with Butz, the former's scarf fluttering behind him. A minute or two later, they seemed to vanish into the horizon.

Now, it was just Pango and me. Looking at Lolo's tombstone once again, I thought over one of the last things she said to me before I woke up in the defrosting tank:

Without me, Breezegale will need its hero… someone to maintain their hope and peace… now more than ever. Even if you do so through small actions, like I have…

"So, uh…" I began, "I imagine you still have a lot to do to prepare for the summer festival?"

"Oh, y-yeah." the pangolin replied. "I still need to make the fireworks for the evening sky show – my plan was to let anyone who wanted to design their own effects. How come?"

"I mean, I… I was just wondering…" I hesitated.

"…Is there any way I could help?"