Bet on Her Heart

Disclaimer: I still own nothing. Thank Sonic Team/Sega and Namco/Bandai for you know who.

Kero Guardian: This is the final chapter…sigh.

Tails: So no matter how frustrated you got over us, you're actually going to miss us?

Cream: Oh, Miss Kero, please don't cry!

Kero Guardian: I'm not crying! BTW, I moved this fic over to Klonoa Section cuz it's mainly about them.

King of Sorrow: Yet there is reluctance.

Final Log: Happiness in Hope

"Joka! You darn lying traitor…"

"Oh please, Janga-chan. I know very well that you were planning something of your own against Garlen-san." The now transformed fiend swung one of his fins barely missing Janga's hat. He glared more furiously as the spring connecting his fin and his torso latched back into place.

The cat, somewhat surprised by the change in the clown, scoffed. "That's my line, buddy."

"You were never my friend, Janga-chan!" With a snap of his tail onto the ground, Joka clenched his eyes together and charged head first into his ex-co-worker.

Faster than Joka, the feline abandoned his clones and leapt up catching one of the spikes on the fiend's back. He braced himself for the impact as Joka crashed into the ground crushing the clones. Then held tightly to the spike as the fiend started to shake, violently trying to throw him off. Janga sneered at the advantage and allowed him to be tossed a little to the left, right into one of the Joka's fins; slamming his claw into the flesh.

Rouge sat up at the clown's shriek of pain only to fall back down. "Joka! You can't beat him like this; he's too fast for you!" She turned her eyes back to her group of friends who had begun to stir awake again. "You guys get up!"

Sonic first on his feet called to his companions, "Come on, we gotta go help!"

"But isn't that one of the enemies…" Shadow questioned darkly.

Joka didn't care for the bat's warnings as he jerked his head to the ocean and plunged swiftly into it. This made Sonic come to a screeching halt, looking back and forth at the water.

"What's he think he's doing?" Amy exclaimed loudly, "He's only going to open the wound wider and he just got back to normal…wait how did he get better so fast?"

Rouge glared first at the pink hedgehog's random question then at the unsettling water, "Joka! You idiot!"

Her hero stomped a foot, stating the obvious, "I can't swim!"

"I don't think Janga can either."

"Oh!" Amy covered her mouth, "Then…I think I can…"

As the girl was making a suggestion Joka burst back out from the surface launching a tail swat into Janga's stomach; Amy going ahead with her idea leapt up and swung her enormous hammer, slamming the gasping cat into the ground. "Knuckles!"

Knuckles nodded and threw a boulder to finish the job. He proudly clapped his hands together until he noticed Rouge frowning and turned to the sound of sand slopping against the water. The bat would have ran to the side of the exhausted fiend, but hesitated. She had never seen anything like his form before and it somewhat frightened her—the only thing it reminded her of was former enemies. 'What kind of friend am I?'

The echidna shook his head, walking over to the thief and placed a hand of comfort on her shoulder, "It's okay, Rouge."

Joka panting on shore, finally managed to lift his head and look over to the group who were all staring back at him now. He watched them freeze up under his gaze before lowering his head down again. "I was not intending on killing anyone…and thank you, Miss Amy for not hitting me instead."

Amy's eyes widened, dropping the hammer, "Did you really think I'd target you?"

The clown let the comment slide. He was too tired to argue and too confused at his current state. What was he going to do now? He had no where to go and if fate worked like it always had before, he'd end up with the same result that the rest of his co-workers would have. Dead or running. "I am tired…of hiding." There was suddenly something warm that tickled the area along his cheek, but he froze before he could look; already knowing who it was.

"Oh, hey it's you." Knuckles blinked at the silent girl.

Lolo stroked the white flesh, whispering, "Please. Look at me, Joka."

Joka didn't budge so the girl smoothed her hand up the side of his face, stopping to rest her arms around his head, hugging him lightly. "You don't have to be scared…no matter what happens…" She pressed her face against him, "I'll find a way back to you."

"Because…because I love you." Her confession turned into crying, "Everything will be all right."

The fiend lifted his head now, wanting to talk, but the priestess didn't give him a chance as she pressed a light kiss on his cheek, silencing him. "…"

The group looked to the ground; even Amy had nothing to say. There was nothing but silence and the howling of sirens that became clearer in the distance.

Janga and Garlen's shouting finally stopped when Suiryu slammed the doors to the police car.

Charmy piped up suddenly, "So who gets the bounty money?"

Espio shut his eyes, rubbing his forehead. "Can we not talk about that now?" He let his hand drop before turning to the young priestess standing in front of the now reverted beach ball. He pushed his way past the two girls standing behind her, earning a disapproving whine from Amy and Rouge. To which he ignored and placed a hand on the timid girl's back. "Just because he helped us doesn't make up for the charges against him and what he's already done."

Lolo took a step forward, hanging her head dejectedly, "I know."

"My sweetheart?"

She smiled at him. It was painful and her mind went back to the time she had to say farewell to a certain Dream Traveler, but this time it was different. It hurt so much more, "Joka."

"I love you too."

"Hm?"

Shifting his eyes, Joka blushed; rubbing at the bandage on his hand. "Even though I expressed these feelings before…I am sure that it is safe to say them again, but in a different light. This time I am sure that you are the only one." Even if it meant leaving his past history with Ghadius. There was a small feeling nudging him, telling him that this was the right decision. He would always have hope; after all, wasn't it Claire or Fate, or whatever that brought them together again? "I must serve my time in jail…so please…"

"I'll wait for you!"

Espio backed away, "Out of respect…in all reality Lolo I don't think-", right into a floating figure.

Popka sighed, letting out a loud howl, "Arwa! Why wait Lolo?"

"That's right! You were always waiting!" Rouge clasped her fists together. "Don't wait anymore."

Her childhood friend continued, "I guess…he's an okay guy…so I won't hold anything against you if you went off to visit him at Volk now and then." He raised an arm, "And don't you worry, cuz I ain't gonna tell the High Priestess nothin!"

"Popka!"

She studied the smirk on the dog's face and seeing that it didn't falter, she smiled in return.

She turned back to the fiend, nodding firmly. "I'll visit as often as I can." A light-hearted feeling warming inside her stomach replacing the pit.

Joka grinned, "it doesn't have to be everyday, my sweetheart."

Both laughed and smiled, "Thank you."

The door opened and the young priestess stepped through it with her dear friend skipping behind her. She smiled down at him and fingered through the basket in her arms. Checking for the sweet aroma of apples, Lolo sighed softly.

"You gave me a lot inspiration, Lolo-chan! Just you wait Sonic! I'm not waiting around for you anymore, you're mine!" The pink hedgehog reached out yanking the blue hero into an attempted hug.

"Ah, man! Ames, stop it!"

Rouge rolled her eyes, "They'll never change… Lolo. Let's go shopping if we run into one another again. You can do with more than just that priestess outfit." She gestured to Popka, "Be good, mutt."

"Wahoo! Next time we see each other, let's spend more time together, kay?"

Popka raised his head to the clear skies above, "You think we'll ever see them again?"

Lolo didn't respond at first, but lowered the basket to her side. "Maybe…but right now…" She closed her eyes and giggled, "I'm just hoping Joka will like the pie I baked him!"

End.

Kero Guardian: Thank you. I hope you readers enjoyed the story! Between the confusing balance of characters, I am quite fond of the ending.

Janga: You're just glad that we're in jail. And why the heck did I lose so fast?

Kero Guardian: I suck at action scenes, sorry! Not at all, but rather I tried to keep it realistic. People don't just receive forgiveness that easily. It got kinda mushy in the end.

Popka: Yuck.

Kero Guardian: Well, good-bye "Bet on Her Heart"! I had fun!

Rouge: Amy, you lost the bet! Buy me a jewel!

Amy: What? (Nervous.) Wouldn't you rather get one from your boyfriend?