Part 1: The End

(Author's note: I've had this ending written for a while. While I still have a ways to go in finishing the first story arc I'm writing for Lara, I've had a number of ideas for a Part 2 I've jotted down. One thing led to another, and I had this written; with that in mind, I've decided to post this and work on Part 2 in tandem. I guess don't read if you don't want spoilers, but who knows how long I'll take to write the first one...)

Miss Sinister had been defeated. Any and all traces of Nathaniel Essex had been completely wiped from her mind, and Claudine Renko was free to live as her own person. The X-Tribe agreed to take her in, their telepaths assisting in helping her mind heal. In time, she became a full member of the tribe, adapting to the ways of the Savage Land and becoming a valued ally -- and lover -- to the Seven.

The Seven Allied tribes settled in the once abandoned City of United Tribes, forming The Clan of the Seven. The union ceremony was the largest in the history of the Savage Land, lasting for days. Known by many as the Queen of the Savage Land, Shanna was chosen as the keeper of the city. She was eagerly accepted as a tribeswife by every woman in the Seven, and they made sure to show their appreciation for her at the ceremony.

The clones, freed from their programming, were now free to choose their own path. Most opted to remain in the City, building a new life for themselves. It was difficult, at first; they shared the memories, and feelings, of the originals, and it took some time to adapt. But they were welcomed with open arms by the women they knew as their tribeswives, and as they got to know their originals, they developed their own identities. In time, they formed a tribe of their own.

On most of her adventures, this would have been the point where Lara rode off into the sunset, returning to Croft Manor before embarking on another journey. Not this time, though. She had found her home in the Savage Land, in the City of United Tribes, among her many new tribeswives whom she'd so deeply fallen in love with. A land in which she would remain young and beautiful for as long as she stayed there. Making love to other beautiful women. Watching other beautiful women make love. A land of unparalleled beauty, Lara thought to herself.

And there was so much more to experience. With the tribes united and once again interacting with one another, there were thousands of gorgeous tribeswomen for Lara to meet and romance. Untold tombs and temples to explore with her more thieving lovers. More adventures to be had. Even with the tribes united and Essex gone for good, the Savage Land remained an extremely dangerous place. Who knew what else was out there? Lara wanted to find out.

On occasion, Lara thought about her previous life in the outside world. Her old friends. Sharing her discoveries. At times, she missed it. But the Savage Land had all the adventure of her previous life, and so much more romance, pleasure and sex; she could never go back to the life she once had. At most, she might visit the outside world in the future. But the Savage Land was her destiny. Her true home. The sapphic paradise she had no idea she wanted, but could no longer live without.

She had become La-Ra, lesbian champion of the Savage Land.

Epilogue

Ushuaia, Argentina

"Are you ready?" Sara Pezzini asked as she boarded the boat. "There's no turning back once we get going."

"Totally ready," Aspen Matthews answered. "I mean, who doesn't dream of a vacation to a place nobody's ever come back from?"

"Lara, for one," Sara said back. "She lives for that sort of thing."

"Good point," Aspen admitted. "Let's go."

Sara Pezzini and Lara Croft had been close friends for years, teaming up for many an adventure since their paths originally crossed. Their adventures would soon bring them face to face with Aspen Matthews, where they would face off against the Arctic Blue. The three women would become close friends after the adventure, contacting one another often.

It was common for Lara to disappear on one of her adventures for months at a time. But it had been over a year now, and things felt... different. Both women knew Lara was still alive. She was the toughest person Sara & Aspen knew. But if something was wrong, they couldn't just ignore it. They needed to find their missing friend.

The boat departed from the point and headed towards their destination. The Savage Land awaited...