Regular Show: Final Infection Part 7

He’s suffered, he’s killed, he’s even had children, but now he’s on the verge of finishing what he started so many years ago. With the help of great friends, and even greater power, he will end his nightmare, and even find out who…and what…he truly is.

His name is Tony Lear’s, and this is his story.

Chapter 1: Tony and Poppet

The royal blue looked up at the massive Hospital as he stood on the snow filled winter streets of Alaska.

Tony: Okay Craig, don’t fail me now.

As Tony looked at the card that read as an appointment to a Dr. Poppet Cove, he then looked at the pendant half that Tom White had given him when he was seventeen.

Yet before entering, he took some time to look at his appearance: he was wearing a yellow t-shirt that had white and red lettering that read ‘out of order’ on it over a blue polo; and under that he had a purple hood which he was wearing over his head. He also had red Elvis aviators, bluish teal jeans, and black shoes.

As our Tony Lear’s took a deep breath and sighed, he entered the building, yet while he knew he was in no danger at the moment, he was still nervous; for this was the second time he was doing something all alone.

The royal blue came to the front desk and looked to the clerk.

Tony: Uh, excuse me.

The clerk looked at him.

Tony: Uh, I have an appointment for a Poppet Cove?

Clerk: Poppet Cove huh? That’s surprising you’d be able to set up something up like that.

Tony: Well my friends say I'm full of surprises.

Clerk: I see; well let me get someone to help you to her.

Tony: Thank you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…At the top of the building…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony followed a young girl as she led him to Dr. Cove. Tony was beginning to feel uneasy, yet he failed to understand why.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The two finally reached a door that read ‘Doctor Poppet Cove’ on it, and the girl knocked on the door.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Girl: Dr. Cove?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove: Yes?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Through the door, Tony was able to hear her voice as an English American mix, yet what shocked Tony was that while he never heard the voice before; he recognized it as if it was from a dream, and this caused his head to suddenly ache.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Girl: There’s someone here who has an appointment for you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove: Very Well, send him in.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The girl allowed Tony to enter the room and come into contact with the last thing he expected.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove was a mix between a Border collie and a Beagle, and had brown eyebrows and hazel eyes. She also had specs, a lab coat, and grey pants with black shoes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But upon seeing her face, Tony’s head once again sprung up, causing him to wince as a sudden flash of her face was seen again, only this time she looked happy; very happy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove: May I help you sir?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh…Poppet Cove?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove: Yes, that would be me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony removed his hood to expose his face to her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh, Tony Lear’s.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove: Are you now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The doctor came closer to him to examine him, and after seeing confirmation, went back behind her desk.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove: So what do I owe this unexpected surprise from one of the many new celebrities?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh, actually I was told to show you this.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue calmly removed the pendant half and showed it to the doctor, who took his hand in surprise to take a closer look at the pink piece of jewelry.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove: Wha-where did-where did you get this?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh, I got it from a…’friend’…he told me to-

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove: When you say friend do you mean Tom White?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue looked at her in sudden shock.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: But-how did you know that?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove didn’t answer; she just looked at him and the pendant half in awe before reaching for something in her desk.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh, Dr. Cove?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove: Wait.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">She pulled out a small white box and opened it not a second later, exposing the other half of the pendant.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: You-…you have the other half?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove: Shhh. Let me focus.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">After she put Tony’s half back on him, she then took her half and put it on herself, and proceeded to try and put the two pieces together.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The pieces fit perfectly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As the two looked at the now whole pendant, Dr. Cove looked at Tony, who slowly removed the red Elvis aviators he was wearing, exposing his alien like eyes, and then she surprised with a sudden hug.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony just stood there, dumbfounded and unaware what to do.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh…Dr. Cove-?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Dr. Cove: Please…call me Poppet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Um, okay uh…Poppet? Why so happy all of a sudden?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Oh that’s right; you don’t remember anything do you?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Well, I am seeing sudden flashes, but aside from that…no.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The doctor didn’t show any signs that she was going to break the hug; instead she began to stroke the back of his head with her left hand, confusing the royal blue.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Wha-? What are you doing to my head-?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Shhh…don’t talk, just let the memories come back to you, and then I promise, everything will make sense.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Still failing to understand, the royal blue decided to listen to her and allowed her to continue her stroking.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But as he did, he suddenly felt an odd sensation appear in the spot where Poppet was stroking, and couldn’t help but giggle from the ticklish sensation.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I…I Kinda feel…a bit…happy…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: That’s good.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Hold on, we’ve just met…don’t you think we should talk first before you continue with…what-what are you even doing?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Like before, she didn’t answer, instead she used her right hand to gently rub the left side of his face, which caused Tony to wince as her familiar feeling fingers trailed on his face, and that’s when Tony understood the cause of the ticklish feeling.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Small pink flower petals were appearing from her hands and rubbing themselves on Tony’s head and face, forming into the most wonderful feeling he’d ever felt in his entire life.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony closed his eyes and allowed the doctor to do her work, feeling more open to her now that he knew she was an infected.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Yet as Tony’s eyes closed, he suddenly began to see flashes, and flashes, and flashes. Flashes of memories he’d never seen before were appearing before his concealed eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Memories of a life that was before the one he had now.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue looked around him to see one of the most beautiful landscapes he’d ever seen, it was on top of a hill with golden grass and a golden sky.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony was wearing an orange pair of sunglasses with gunmetal frames. He also had a black shirt and blue jeans, yet all of his scars were gone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">At his left was Poppet, who was wearing a purple jacket and grey pants with whit shoes; she was also wearing a bronze pair of women’s aviators.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: So how is this supposed to work again?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: All you have to do is take my hands, and roll with me down the hill, and I’ll tell you when to turn your powers on.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Okay.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The Lear’s macaw took the border beagle’s hands in his and lied down on his stomach at the same time as her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: And Now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: And now we roll.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The two of them began to roll down the hill, allowing the grass to soak up their bodies in total warmth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Nuh, uh.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The two continued to roll down the hill until the wheat fields below were halfway from them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Now.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony ignited his powers, yet to the surprise of the Tony who was watching in the eyes of the early Tony the powers he saw weren’t ice; instead it was an amazing blue fire that held an extraordinary combination to Poppet’s pink flower petals.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As the two continued to roll, their powers began to flow into each other’s bodies until Tony was glowing pink and Poppet was glowing blue.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The two were now lying on the soft wheat filled grass, watching as Poppet’s flower petals danced in the golden sky.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I love spring.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Yeah, me too.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As the two continued to stare up at the sky, a shadow fell upon them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">They looked to their upper right to see a light yellow man standing before them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The man was wearing a light grey jacket with black sleeves over a red t-shirt, and purple sunglasses. He also had indigo sweat pants and black shoes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Hey Tom.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tom: Tony…I take it she taught you the thing on the hill?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Oh, she taught you how too huh?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Of course I did.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The Mental Tony (that’s the Tony from the present by the way) looked in shock to see that the one above him was indeed a young Tom White; yet the shock was immediately turned to happiness as the memories began to come back into his head, bringing a cool texture all over his body.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The rest of what he saw was a small montage of happy times the three had had together; memories of several years of happiness, and complete joy, and nothing was able to ruin them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Absolutely Nothing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…back in the present…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue smiled as he opened his eyes; a new sensation was filling his body like an old joke he hadn’t heard in years.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I…remember.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Glad to hear it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Was that all of it?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: No, it wasn’t. I could show you more if you’d like?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I’d love that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony then looked and blushed to see that somewhere while looking in the memories of his long forgotten past, he had returned the hug to the doctor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As they ended the hug, the Border Beagle took the thread from her neck and put it on the royal blue.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: You keep it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Are you sure?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Yes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Just then, an odd sound was heard; the two looked out the window to see a helicopter was suddenly in the air, and coming towards the building.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Oh no.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: What?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: It’s House! He must’ve found me through your powers. Come on, we’ve got to get out of here!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue took his friend by the paw as he led the two of them out of the room just before a missile destroyed it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The two were immediately knocked off their feet as the explosion shook the building; yet the entire impact lasted about thirty seconds.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Are you okay?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: I think so.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony went back to the now destroyed room to see that several cars down below had stopped immediately while their drivers looked upward to see what had become of the building. But that’s when Tony saw bad news.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Oh crap, it’s coming back around! Poppet! Over here!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony then looked down to see that there was a smaller section of the building below.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Can you jump that?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Of course I can.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: then let’s do it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The two of them immediately jumped off of the building and down to the other one below. But the helicopter wasn’t stopping because of this, so they proceeded to jump to the next building, which they climbed until they reached its rooftop.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…Meanwhile, inside the helicopter…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House and John looked on to see that Tony and Poppet were now jumping from rooftop to rooftop.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">John: It looks like they’re heading for that antenna on that building over there.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Alright then; Jack, you know what to do.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack: You got it, boss.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack then launched two missiles at the antenna building, yet while one of the missiles scored a direct hit on the building; it wasn’t until after the bird and dog jumped off of it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The other missile sailed past them and hit the building they were flying towards; allowing them to enter what appeared to be a video arcade.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack: Oh, no you don’t.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The dead eyed tan launched another missile at the two, only for it to sail past them again and to the other side of the wall.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack: DAMMIT!! Missed again!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Patience Jack, you’ll get your chance; and remember; I want the doctor alive.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">This caused John to shoot a nasty glair at the clone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: What?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">John: Need I remind you two morons that’s my best friend down there?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: I don’t think we need this discussion again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack: Ditto.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The bird and the dog were now using the rooftops as if they were playing leapfrog, yet House took notice of a large glass building coming close to them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Jack; take us closer to that building over there.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack saw and almost immediately understood, forming a crooked smile as he did so.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Ready Machine Guns.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack: Yes sir.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…Tony and Poppet…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The two were indeed heading towards the glass building, yet as they did, the helicopter suddenly opened fire on the building, causing the top section to wobble.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony looked up to see that the helicopter had caught up to them, with an evil smiling Jack in the pilot’s seat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Hayenth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: You can focus on getting to that other building, I’ll handle them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Whatever you say, doctor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Without hesitation, Tony used his ice to rocket himself above the helicopter and towards the other building, while Dr. Cove flew into the helicopter’s windshield and proceeded to throw Jack into the now roofless glass building.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony was now inside the building thanks to his ice, and was now forming a ramp so he’d be able to jump to the helicopter, which he did.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">While Poppet destroyed all the controls, Tony ripped out the fuel rod, and allowed it to fall into the winter streets below, and after that the two jumped off of the helicopter and onto a pair of strong telephone wires that they used as tight ropes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: God am I happy Breyton taught me how to climb.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">After getting off the telephone wires, Tony and poppet wall jumped of another building and began to fall.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: TONY!! TRY TO GET CLOSER TO ME!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony obeyed and sailed to her, and after she took him in a strong squeeze, her flower petals formed themselves into a large pair of pink wings, causing those who witnessed to think it was a dream.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: How-? How are you doing that?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: The same way you formed your ice from your mind.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I think I’m beginning to like you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…Meanwhile, at the now destroyed helicopter…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House and John were the only survivors of the crash, and were now exiting the rubble and looking out at Poppet and Tony as snow began to cover their eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Well ain’t that something?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">John: Sure is.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Looks like they bought themselves some time.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">John: Yeah…Tony sure as Hell’s been busy since he’s been dead.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Indeed he has.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">John: Hey, does anybody else know about this?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Nope. And until he’s turned himself into a thorn, no one else will.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…Tony and Poppet…two hours later…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">By this time the two had entered a snow infested forest, and were flying above the tree tops, yet what had really caught their attention was the pinkish hue that folded into the sky with the white snow.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Yeah. So…what should we do now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Why don’t you get some sleep? It’s going to be awhile before we reach our destination.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Okay…uh, hey Poppet?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Yes?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Could you…use that power you have, to help me get to sleep?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The Border Beagle giggled ever so softly as he said this.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: For sure.

<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chapter 2: Old times and new friends

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony dreamed when he slept, and this wasn’t like some kind of nightmare or a form of instruction, this was an actual dream-dream, a good dream.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">This was the first time in months Tony actually had a normal dream.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">When he woke up however, he saw himself in a small bed that was next to another, and a sleeping bag was in the middle, yet both were empty.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Anyone else would’ve thought it was just a normal bed, but Tony felt like he was on a cloud since he hadn’t properly slept in weeks. So after looking out the window to see that it was pitch black, he closed his eyes…only to find that his mind was as awake as could be, so he got out of bed and walked out of the house he was in to find himself in what appeared to be a small yet well-built village; and this was more of the neighborhood kind of village, not the medieval type.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Curious, the royal blue spotted a rock next to the house he had just came out of, and decided to sit on it for the rest of the night, watching the beautiful night sky and stars turn into an extraordinary sunrise.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony jumped as he remembered the landscape he saw in the paper limbo, so he went back into the house, came out with a piece of paper and some coloring and drawing tools, and began to draw.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">After Tony finished his picture, he set it on the kitchen table, and prepared to enter the near bathroom, but stopped as he looked to the house.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: (in thought) why has nobody come out of anywhere? Am I the only one in here?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As the royal blue thought on this, he entered the bathroom to wash his face, only to come into a shocking sight of his face.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">His eyes had reverted to their original state, only both eyes had dragon pupils and did not have a kakashi resemblance to them. His scars had also returned to his face, making him look almost exactly the same as when he was in Spain, even his fohawk was recombed and gelled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Well would ya look at that, I’m back to normal.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony took a sigh of relief to see he was back to normal, and then proceeded to go to the kitchen, and find himself some cereal to eat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…Fifteen minutes later…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">By now, Tony looked to see what he was wearing, which turned out to be a purple and green t shirt with one sleeve shorter than the other; along with this, he had peach orange pants, black boots, and was just putting on a matching stalking cap.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As he began to walk outside, a purple scooter suddenly pulled into the small driveway of the house, which was holding a young man about Tony’s age, and had groceries.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: (in Arabic) Hey hey! Tony! All bright and awake I see!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue raised a brow as the man suddenly hugged him, yet Tony was more Lebanese than Brazilian, so he was able to understand him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: (in Arabic) uh…do I know you from somewhere?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: (in Arabic) Oh come now, you don’t remember? It’s me, Cousin Ali!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony’s eyes lit up as this name suddenly rushed back into his head. Ali was a cousin of Tony’s, who he had visited with his father the year he was seven years old.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Ali (like his cousin Tony) was a macaw; casual blue and color and was also an infected. He was wearing black sunglasses with gold rims, dark grey earmuffs, a black jacket, and dark tan pants with dark grey boots.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: (in Arabic) oh my God, Ali!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue excitingly returned his cousin’s hug as a sudden car pulled into the driveway. The two looked to see that a black macaw (and I mean the color black BTW) was quickly exiting the vehicle to see who was hugging the casual blue, only to see it as the royal blue.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Hahaha…Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The other macaw gave a much stronger hug to him, and the royal blue took note that this one was speaking English.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The black macaw wore a dark grey jacket with light green sleeves, dark green jeans, and dark brown adult shoes. He also had similar eyes to Ali, only they had human pupils.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: And you are?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Cousin Fadel.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Oh, Fadel! I remember you!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Well that’s good to know.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The three looked back to the car to see that Poppet was nearby it, and was now wearing a white jacket in place of her lab coat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: I see that you three have been reacquainted.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The three all smiled at her, revealing that smile that Tony had to be one that ran in the family. It also exposed one of Ali’s teeth to be made out of emerald.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: I’ll take that as a yes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: So this place is called…Shai-Ti?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Fadel: That’s right.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: So…what’s been going on since we last met?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Fadel: To be honest, the same as you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Really?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Ali: Yep.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I’m…sorry to hear that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Fadel: Don’t be, you have no need to apologize for something that happened to you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As the group of four continued to walk up the hill they were at, Poppet asked a question.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Hey Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Yes?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Was that you who drew that picture?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue blushed as she said this; while he loved to draw, he wasn’t that hot on letting others know that they were his.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh…yeah.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Fadel: Well, good job, you must’ve put a lot of work into it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Oh, uh…thanks.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Just as they were about to get to the top of the hill, a sudden figure jumped into the air, and attempted to tackle Tony, only for him to dodge the sudden attack, and extend the hidden blade in his robotic arm in order to defend himself.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Tony Lear’s?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: That’s me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: You’re coming with me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: And when I don’t?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: I’ll cut your legs off and drag you to your rightful home: A cage.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Well then, come and get me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The attacker charged at Tony and attempted to severe his legs with a short katana, yet Tony’s head was far clearer than it ever was before, and he was able to dodge or block all of the attacks and even keep an advantage.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">It was as if Tony was fifteen years old again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">By now the attacker had completely tired out, which allowed the royal blue to kick him in the chest, and proceeded to cut his liver with his hidden blade.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Now then, who sent you? Was it House?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: …y…yes…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Is he listening?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Yes…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: In what?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: In…this…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The attacker pointed to his head to see a comlink above his head, and that’s when he heard House’s voice.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Trooper! Come in! What’s your current status?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Mission failed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Oh…Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: House.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: You’ve been active during your second life.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: It’s still my body, and everything was saved on it…so I’ve nothing to worry about, the same way you have nothing to worry about when it’s me you’re talking about.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: I’ll keep that in mind Lear’s, but I’ll be watching you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The comm was then sent to the receiver as Tony destroyed his. And after that he turned to the attacker.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: So…do you accept defeat?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The attacker only responded by attempting to send his sword into Tony’s chest, only for it to hit the ground.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I’ll take that as a no.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The attacker then breathed his last, and fell down dead; while Tony picked up the sword.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Nice blade.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He then proceeded to rejoin his friends and newfound family, and continued to walk to the top of the hill, only to realize that they were on the top of a mountain.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Wow.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Fadel: I know.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: So, what are we to do now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Tell me Poppet, have you ever heard of a man called Sebastian Albino?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Ali: whoa, wait a minute there cousin, you just got here. If we’re gonna go somewhere, can’t we at least hang out for a little bit?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: But-

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue was silenced as the doctor suddenly put two fingers to his lips.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Why don’t I talk to him? I’ll get some sense into him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Ali: Hey thanks.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet then led Tony to the bottom of the hill, where they began to discuss.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Why in such a hurry all of a sudden?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I need to find him, because I have to-

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: I know what you, ‘have’ to do, I saw your memories the same way you saw mine. But your friends said that you could spend as much time as you wanted, so there’s no rush.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: But-

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Tell you what: If you agree to spend the week here, and manage to have fun, then I’ll tell you by the end of the week; deal?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony just stood there, thinking about what to do. Basically what she was saying was that all he had to do was spend one lousy week doing nothing but having fun, and then she could answer his question. After he realized this, he took a deep breath, and answered.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Deal.

<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chapter 3: Say Hello to Patrick Finch

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As the week went by, Tony had actually managed to have more fun than he had in years.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As he and his cousins spent there week doing God knows what, Poppet hung around Fadel’s house and looked at the drawings that Tony had drawn during the time.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony hadn’t had this much fun since he had gone back to Rio de Janero with John, Craig and Rosh.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…Thursday afternoon…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue was spending the morning by himself this day. He had risen early, admired the dawn, and spent most of the time he had already burnt drawing whatever caught his abnormal eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Now he was taking a walk around a spot below Fadel’s area. He had strolled down the cliff that the village rested on and was checking out whatever was down below.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As he continued to stroll down the path he was on, he suddenly heard a scampering sound coming from his left. Curious, the royal blue decided to see what it was, only to come face to face with a large tree.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Hello?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Sup.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony looked up to see that a young man who seemed to be in his early twenties or late teens was sitting on a tree branch up above, yet what confused Tony was that he looked familiar.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The young man was a bright green macaw, and was wearing a brown kepi cap, a torn up tan jacket, and ripped green shorts. He also had mismatched eyes, his right being blue, and his left being a dull grey with a scar running across the skin there.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Morning.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Hey…do I know you?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Depends, why don’t you come up here and we’ll see?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Still curious, Tony decided to cut the kid some slack, and he put Breyton’s parkour lessons to use by climbing up until he was right next to the child.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Hm…now that you and I are face to face I do think I’ve seen you somewhere before.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: What’s your name again?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Name’s Patrick Finch, but you can call me Patrick or Pat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Okay then…Patrick…are you an Infected?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The bright green answered him by shooting a ring of acid at another branch, causing it to instantly melt.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Cool.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: I know right?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: A shame Craig’s not here, he would’ve loved to see that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Craig?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: He’s my best friend.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Yeah, I figured that, it’s just that I think I’ve heard that name before.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: You-you have?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Yeah…can you describe him?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Well, he’s bright yellow, with bright green eyes…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: And scars across the right side of his chin…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …and usually has a revolver and a mace…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: …and mute?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Mute?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Well, he was mute when I saw him last…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Well…all in all, I think we’re talking about the same Craig. I’m his best friend Tony Lear’s.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Oh, so you’re that Tony; yeah I heard about you and some other dudes on TV a few months ago.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Oh, okay. But now that I think about it, I think I saw you with him and some orange kid; is he with you?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: You mean Jesse? No, not anymore…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Uh hey, while you’re down here, you wanna check out my place?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …sure…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The bright green led the royal blue down farther from Fadel’s house, and brought him to what seemed to be the ruins of some old castle.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: What is that?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Well, you know about all the historic ruins in Tyre?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Yeah?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Well apparently there were some in this part of Lebanon too; I found it after I came here, and it’s where I’ve been living for the past five years.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue began to feel uncomfortable as he said this; while Tony wasn’t the smartest man in the world, he could tell that this wasn’t something that was livable for middle class people. As he led Tony inside, he saw that the place was indeed abandoned.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: So…this is where you live?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Yup…home sweet home.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Where exactly…do you sleep?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Oh, over here.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick led Tony up a stone staircase which led to an old throne which was surrounded by some crates.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Nothing like a throne to crash the night, huh?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony didn’t respond; he just looked at the old battered chair in disbelief.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Oh, and under the throne I keep my old knife here…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He pulled out what appeared to be a bowie knife, yet this was hard to see since it looked as though it hadn’t been washed in years.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: …to defend myself.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: When was the last time you cleaned it?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Never did.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony looked shocked, and not in the good way. But Patrick wasn’t done speaking yet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">And these crates have my food, I just smuggled it off some dudes with guns.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: So…it’s all by yourself?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Not too shabby don’t you think-?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: No not the food, I mean…you live here…all by yourself?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">This was the question that caused Patrick’s smile to slowly fade.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Well…yeah…I mean, my family’s dead, the only two people I could call friends are dead, what the hell do you expect?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: But, I saw you in Spain seven years ago, how could you-

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Just because I was free didn’t mean I was suddenly rich, this was the only place I was able to go and stay by myself.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: But what about you? It doesn’t take some rocket scientist to know that you were in my situation, what’s your secret?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue didn’t respond at first, he just unholstered his Megatron Pistol and looked at it with a sad expression.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: You have to sacrifice things…in order to be a success…in my case…my innocence.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …that knife you have is unwashed for a reason, isn’t it?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: *sigh*, yeah…the real reason I keep it this way…is to keep people away from me; after all, who’d respect an Infected?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: To some people, Infected are just normal people. The only thing that would keep them from hating you is the personality you present to them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The bright green looked up at him, but then Tony looked at the crates to see a familiar symbol on them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh, Patrick…where exactly did you get these food crates?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Uh…some cat chick named-

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Before he had the chance to finish his sentence, the ‘front door’ to the castle was suddenly destroyed. The two looked down in shock to see that several people were storming the building, and after they had entered the building, a black furred cat came, wielding an UZI with a red laser site.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: …Debra Onyx, and there she is now!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony and Patrick hid behind the throne as Debra loaded her weapon.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Debra: Everyone fan out! I want that little scavenger dead!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick looked even more scared than before now, and he looked to Tony in hopes of finding options.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: You’ve gotta help me Lear’s, she’s gonna kill me!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: And I’m supposed to help you…how?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Well you’ve been shooting guns and even got paid for it! I haven’t shot a gun in over seven years!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Okay but…why would she want to kill you for stealing food?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: I don’t know, I…uh…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony squinted at the bright green.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Was there something else you stole? Something…shiny, perhaps?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: …aw crap.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: What did you take from them?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Well…I did think that these rings looked cool.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick pulled a necklace from under his jacket, exposing two rings with odd symbols attached to the chain and connected together with two wires. Yet Tony recognized them as the same rings that he and Craig had given to Jackie Red-Tail.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Do you have any idea how long they’ve been looking for those?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Uh…no…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: That gives me enough evidence to give us away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: What?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Hey De-!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick quickly covered his mouth, forbidding him from speaking.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Oh come on man! I showed you around the place! At least give me some other weapon so I can protect myself a little better…!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …*sigh*…okay…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony handed Patrick a Tokorov pistol and put it in his free hand while the other one held his knife.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …take this and keep close to me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Oh, thank you Lear’s; I won’t forget this!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue and the bright green were now close to Fadel’s house, and it was very fortunate that they didn’t run into any trouble.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: So…what should I do now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Hm?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: I mean…that was all I had…I mean I know that it was a total piece of crap, but it was all I ever had.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: I guess it’s back to living on the streets and…looking through the garbage.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He then headed off in another direction with a very sad expression, but Tony saw this, and couldn’t let him go around like that, so he grabbed his shoulder.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: No, Patrick, hang on a sec.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The bright green looked back at him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh…why don’t you come back to my cousin’s house with me? He’s got a lot of room and…I could maybe get you some new clothes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick’s eyes suddenly lit up.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Really?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh, sure. I mean, you did once know Craig and, Craig’s my best friend so…friends of Craig are surly friends of mine.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Oh thank you thank you Lear’s, you don’t know how much that means to me!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Well, you might be surprised to know I’ve been in your shoes in one part of my life…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…Fadel’s House…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Okay Pat, let’s see it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick came out of the bathroom in a white sweatshirt, blue jeans, a freshly cleaned kepi cap, and a thin jacket which was dark red, black, and had the under armor logo on the right shoulder.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: What do you think?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Interesting jacket, I’ll give you that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Ali: Hey Tony, ‘Transformers’ is on, you wanna watch it?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh, sure, be right there!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue joined his cousins in the TV room, leaving the bright green by himself outside the bathroom. But starving like hell, and noon around the corner, he decided to go to the kitchen to get something to eat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…Sunday Afternoon…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The week was over. Tony had kept up his part of the deal by having the most fun in years.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Now it was time to speak to the doctor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: So let me get this straight: if she actually does know this ‘Sebastian’ dude, that means we’re going to leave?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Pretty much, yeah.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Alright then…at least I’ll be able to get a little more out of the world.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">After he said this, the royal blue went directly to the doctor, and waited until she took notice of him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Ah Tony, I had a feeling you’d pop up.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I’m sure.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: So what was that question you asked me?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: *sigh*, okay…do you, or do you not know, a Sebastian Albino?

<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chapter 4: Sebastian Albino and some Reconciliation

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet did indeed know Sebastian Albino, and it comes to find out that Craig did as well.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian and Craig had met outside of Croatia not long after he and Tony were separated, and while they didn’t know each other, they had managed to get along just fine since they were both Infected creatures.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">It was Albino who helped Craig reach Tony when he was lost in the mine by himself, yet the true reason as to why was never known.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">After Poppet got into contact with him, she, Tony, Patrick, Fadel, and Ali all took a one way ticket to Miami via plane.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">When they got there, they were relieved that there wasn’t any snow on the ground (like how there wasn’t in Lebanon). While there wasn’t much time to take such notice, it was the near ending of January non-the less, meaning it was a little rainy for the more tropical countries.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Fadel: (rubbing his hands together) Okay, so what’s our move now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Everyone just follow me, and keep close.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">They did as she said and followed her until they reached a fairly large house; and after Poppet knocked on the door, she waited until what appeared to be a middle aged lynx answered.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The lynx was clearly an infected given his snow white fur and black goatee; he was wearing a dark grey sweatshirt with black sleeves, and purple jeans.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Hello Sebastian.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: Ah hello Poppet; I heard you were coming.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The two hugged each other calmly as the others patiently stood behind them; and that’s when the white Infected took notice of them, specifically Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: And this must be the infamous Tony Lear’s, it’s nice to meet you; at last.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: (shaking his hand) Always nice to see a fellow Infected.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: Indeed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Ali: (in Arabic) oh, this is gonna be interesting.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: Your friend Craig told me all about you, why don’t you and your friends come inside, I’ll tell you about our little adventure together.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">They expectantly accepted the offer and entered the house, and then they sat on the furniture that was in the living room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: Tell me; do you recall the cloning project that involved your DNA?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony answered by showing him his robotic arm.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: I see. Well hard as this is to believe, Poppet and I were some of the scientists that took part in the project. It was me, Poppet, a Chihuahua named Toffee, his best friend Whimper, and her classmate Minnie, who was a foster sister of Poppet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Are they here?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: They died after the project.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Oh…I’m, sorry to hear that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: No apology required. Anyways, after we were assigned to the project, we learned that they were intending to use your DNA as a replacement to the Samantha Spix project, and were going to use RT1108 for the main user.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: So what happened?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: What happened?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony nodded his head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: You happened.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: And what about House?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: Who?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: You know the more detailed clone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Oh him. He was intended to be a test project, in order to see how far their limits could go.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: And how far could they go?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: They implanted this special module in his DNA that should he die, he would be reborn with all new abilities. Yet we never got to figure out what.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I do.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: He was given the powers of a vampire, which somehow mixed with fire abilities. After that happened, he went rogue, and began to form his army from there.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Do you know what happened to the other clones?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The only response Tony gave them was a sudden disconnect in eye contact, followed by a tear in the eye.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: There all…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: When you have a job, you either succeed, or you fail. My job was to watch them over like a proper template as if I was a father to several children, and it’s just as simple as the fact that I failed; and that’s all there was to it, I failed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: It’s in the past Tony, it’s over.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Over? Yeah right. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this lifestyle, it’s that nothing is ever over for people like us.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Everyone slowly bowed their heads in sadness as they realized that he was right, only to have it interrupted by a knock at the door.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Hello?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony got up first, advising the others to prepare themselves.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Yes?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: I’m looking for a phone? I need to call my family and I’m a little short on time.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue could easily sense the lying in the man’s words, so instead of opening the door, he kicked it while the man was still outside, only for him to dodge the attack and meet Tony with direct eye-contact.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: You bounce back fast Hayenth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack: I do what I can Lear’s.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The two immediately began to take part in a fist fight, which the others attempted to stop.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Just stay where you are guys; this won’t take long.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack: No, it won’t!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The two continued their fight for some time, so long, that it eventually came down to a sword fight in the streets, with Tony and his short katana, and Jack with his kunai.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Eventually, Jack saw an opportunity and aimed his knife for his face, only for the royal blue to block it with his sword and allow himself to be pinned to a tree.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack: You made me a very depressed man when you and your brother killed most of my friends all those years ago…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack: …and that’s why when I kill you, I’m going to make sure the rest of your family, suffers like all those other families that you mercilessly tore apart-!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">'''BLAM!! '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jack’s words of vengeance were suddenly cut off by a loud gunshot, followed by the pale tan’s body slowly hitting the street. Jack Hayenth was now officially dead; but it was his killer that startled Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Jackie?!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: *sigh*, look; it’s not that I don’t care about those kids. I do, I truly do, it’s just…I was upset is all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: But how did you even…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: It’s complicated…but anyways; I’m sorry, alright? I’m sorry that I was such a bitch to you for most of the time you and I worked together, and I'm sorry I took advantage on you back in Beirut.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Wait, you did what?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: You remember how you were wasted, and on ‘Viagra’?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Well I was there out overseas because I was looking to get more action and meet more people. But when I saw you hanging out with your friends, all wasted like that, I made a move on you because I…well…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: What?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: I made a move on you because I considered that you looked ‘attractive’. But I only wanted to see you a little better, I wasn’t hoping on getting pregnant!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Wait, is that why you came back? You only wanted to apologize?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: I didn’t have that many other options! Look, if you really think that you’re the only one who’s messed up in life…you’re wrong. I’ve made so many mistakes in my life; I have no one else to depend on but myself.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: And right now, the only thing that I seem to be able to do in order to make up for the biggest mistake I’ve made…is apologizing to the one who I took advantage on.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: So I’m sorry Tony. I’m sorry for doing what I did to you, if I knew what would’ve happened, I wouldn’t have done it to you, and made your life even worse than it already was.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The red tailed hawk began to walk away, but Tony stopped her with his next choice of words.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: You didn’t make my life worse; you gave it the gift that it needed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie stopped in her tracks.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I was so lost in the world; I didn’t even know what I needed in the world. But when I met those two little girls, and learned that they were mine, I learned how to straighten out my life; some part of me felt…complete, and I have you to thank for that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie turned around.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: If it wasn't for you, I wouldn’t have anything else to truly live for, nothing to truly protect against the rest of the world.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony walked up to her and did the one thing no one had ever seen him do: he gave her a kiss on the cheek, and pulled her in a hug.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Thank you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie was at a total loss of words, completely unknowing on how to react, so she reacted in the only way she could think; she returned the hug, and began to tear. No one had ever thanked her in such a way before, let alone given her such affection unless she forced someone to do it; this was something that almost made her cry in pure joy. Almost.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As she felt Tony’s real hand stroke the back of her head, he looked around in sudden shock to see that several people were watching them, including the others.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Everyone was smiling.

<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chapter 5: The Next Plan of Action

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">After another week of calm settling in Miami’s streets, the group made their way down to Kyoto Japan, where Naji, Rigby and Eileen had been not too long ago.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony was wearing a light yellow hoodie over a black polo and a dark grey trench coat, as well as faded black jeans and black boots. He also had his fohawk re-combed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Okay, so what are we doing again?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: We’re going to get some friends of mine.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: How many?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: Just two.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">They had made their way to a small monastery near a river outside of the city, which actually looked very nice with the landscape.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Ali: So who are these guys again?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: They’re some people who were able to help us escape after the project went overboard.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Ali: I see.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">They went to the front door, and Poppet knocked. A yellow fox answered it, and it was obvious that due to the yellow fur, he was an Infected.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He had blue eyes, which looked normal. He was wearing a black and white under armor sweatshirt, grey pants, and red shoes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: Good to see you Riley.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Riley: You too Dr. Cove.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Riley’s voice was a calm Dutch, which wasn’t very audible in spite of the cool breeze.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: May we enter?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Riley: Oh yeah, come on in! Chris is here too.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">They entered to see that two other people were in the house.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The first one was a lion, but not one of those big lions; this was more of a younger lion.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He was about Patrick’s age, and had dark brown eyes which were poorly concealed by a pair of glasses. He was wearing a blue skull t-shirt, black shorts, and red shoes with black socks.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Riley: Hey Chris, check out who came to say hello.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chris: Sebastian, Dr. Cove, nice to see you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony then looked to see who the second person was, who Tony was shocked to see as…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Mordecai?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: Hey Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai was wearing what appeared to be his green jacket over a grey hoodie, darker grey pants, and black shoes. The royal blue was able to see that the blue jay had an odd smile on his face, which had Tony confused.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: What?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai pointed to his eyes, to expose that his left eye was a bright green, signaling an obvious truth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Please don’t tell me that…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: …I was able to see and hear your comforting words back in Miami, yes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: How many others saw that?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: Everyone from the park who’s still alive.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Oh…okay…so uh…how’d you get away from House? What are you doing all the way in Japan?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: It’s a bit of a long story…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Well go ahead, tell me, it’s the least you can do.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: Well…it started when House found out about the communication we had with you outside the park.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: He was curious as to how we did so, so he tried to examine my head for a possible new ability.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Did he succeed?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: Almost, but I managed to get away when he threatened a gun. After getting out of New York, I found myself lost, so I tried to go back to the park to see where to go but…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: But what?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: The Park’s gone Tony; everything I’ve ever worked for is gone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …I’m sorry.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: There wasn’t anything you could’ve done.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: We both know that this argument will end at me being the one to blame, so can we just end it here?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chris: Hey guys, we’re going out for lunch, you coming?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Uh…sure, on our way.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The group of ten had finished their lunch, and was now on their way to the airport.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: So…where are we going now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: If we’re going to finish House, we’re gonna have to get more people; and knowing you, I think you’d know a few more people here and there.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: Well…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The lynx paused as he suddenly twitched in the head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: …I know a place.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The team was now on the top of an icy mountain, where the lynx was leading them into a small outpost.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Everyone was wearing a scarf and a pair of red lensed German goggles in order to stand up to the cold a little more.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Riley: (whispering) keep on your guard; the lynx seems a little off in the head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Poppet: (whispering) I see it too.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">They passed this on to the others, and they put their guard up in the slightest. They eventually reached the outpost, and took note of the watchtower that was looming overhead, so they made sure that they’d stick close to each other.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">After a few minutes of walking around what seemed to be an abandoned military camp, the team went into a tent, and sat on a table.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: Boss.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Speak to me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: It’s done.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">>>>: Good…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He then just sat there, with everyone else eying him in confusion.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: Who was that?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chris suddenly pulled out a TDI-Vector and pointed it at the lynx’s head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chris: He said who was that?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sebastian: Sorry boys and girls; but someone else beat you to me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Who?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The entrance to the door was suddenly blown up, causing everyone to fly back into the wall. But only Tony kept his posture as he landed on the cold snowy ground.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As he half expected, House was the one who entered the door, along with the twins, yet Amanda was not with them, the same was with John.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: where’d the other ones go?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: They’ve got better things to do.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: You never get any easier to take down, ya know that?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Why is it you couldn’t just stay dead? You would’ve been spared the pain of having to die a second time.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I have a goal I have to finish.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Do you now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He then turned to the twins.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: (in Russian) take the others away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Christine: (in Russian) which ones?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: (in Russian) everyone except Lear’s, and Red-Tail.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">While they were speaking, Patrick and Mordecai were able to sneak behind the now fallen table near Sebastian’s now charred body as the others were taken away by several other troopers. Yet they could only watch as House forced Tony to his knees.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: (in Russian) Rachel, hold him down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">She did as she was told and grabbed his wrists.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: What are you doing?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House responded by grabbing Jackie by her neck with his robotic arm and lifting her in the air as he built up fire in his real arm, ready to burn her alive.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Your children never actually got to meet their mother, and when today’s over, they never will. And since you’re the only witness, explaining her death will be your problem.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Put me down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: I don’t think so Lear’s, I think it’s time you were put in the shoes of your victims.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Just as House was about to burn Jackie’s face, Tony’s eyes were slowly transformed into that of his alien counterpart; a blue fire already building up in his body.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I said, put, me, DOWN!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As he said ‘down’, his body sprouted blue fire all over the place, forcing Rachel to release him as everyone was knocked back.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: What-?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: You really think you’re still winning do you? Well you’re wrong House; times have changed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He then saw Rachel rise to her feet, yet it was proved to be for nothing as the royal blue immediately scorched her body, leaving House and Christine in total shock.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: But how did you-?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: I know what I am.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He then forced them back out of the tent and out into the snowy mountains as the others drove off.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Trooper: Sir are you alright? We’ve loaded up the prisoners and are driving away with them now.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">House: Good, now make room for us and get us out of here! We aren’t properly prepared for fighting at the moment.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">And in an odd form of truth, Tony wasn't either, so all he could do was watch as House and Christine drove off with the others, who were now, also prisoners.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Shit.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Hey, are you okay?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue turned back to see Patrick and Mordecai were tending to Jackie.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: I think so…still have my skin.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The three of them looked up to see that the royal blue’s eyes were slowly turning back to normal, which calmed them as he entered the circle.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Now what do we do?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: I vote that we get down from here and find out where we are.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">In the end, they decided to do just that.

<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chapter 6: Cliffhanger

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The now group of four were quietly walking down the mountain as the weather began to snow, yet they weren’t as miserable as you’d expect since they were following a path.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: Does any of this…look familiar…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Why would you…be asking me…?…I can’t even…see in these…stupid goggles…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: Well at least…were all still…away from those…stupid freaks…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The four of them eventually came to a mountain pass, which three troopers were camping on.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Mordecai, you shoot anyone yet?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: Only when I had too.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">She handed him Patrick’s tokorov TT-33, signaling what he had to do.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The blue jay peeked out to see that two were talking while the other one was sleeping, so he shot the two who were talking first, and saved the sleeping one for last.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">After that, Tony patted his shoulder to signal that he did the right thing. When the four looked onward, they found themselves in one of the many places they did not expect.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: Nevada?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: How’d we get all the way to Nevada?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Ask yourselves that. You’re the Infected.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Well, look on the bright side; no more cold winter.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The others thought about it for a moment, and realized he was right, so they accepted it without incident and went down the mountain.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Yet Jackie began to lead the group after a few minutes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">When they got down, they realized that they weren’t in the clear yet, due to the base that they were approaching, yet it was Jackie who was leading everyone towards it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: What’s all this?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: it’s a safe-zone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: Is this where you’ve been leading us?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Yup.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: But…how did you even know about it?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Because, everything you’re seeing behind those walls…used to belong to me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: What happened?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: I died, that’s what happened. And it’s obvious that Debra’s the one running it now.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: So what’s the plan?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: You took one of those rifles from the troopers’ right?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Mordecai: yeah?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Let me see it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He did as she asked and handed what turned out to be an M1-Garand; yet she didn’t care and loaded it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie continued to lead everyone through the bass as she calmly killed anyone in her path; and all the others could do was follow and watch her gentle hands pull the trigger on the rifle.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">After a while, they had reached a small shack, and Jackie was now giving Mordecai his rifle back in exchange for her pistol.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As she entered, she saw that Debra was sitting behind a walnut desk reading a document of some sort.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Hello Debra.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Debra: Hello Jackie; I guess I should have seen it coming. Hey, did you see Lear’s’ file yet? It’s a complete blank at age nine from there…it’s as if someone forgot to update his blog from there on out.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Well an Infected’s profile wasn’t really bothered back then Debra. Let’s face it…that’s how you lost the rings.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The onyx cat looked through the door to see that Patrick was outside, and still had the rings around his neck.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Debra: So it is.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Did you honestly think that I was just going to let you take everything I had worked for and destroy it, as if nothing was ever there?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Debra: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: I must say; I am very disappointed in you. Even if I’m not around, others will be there to clean up the mess.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Debra: So I take it Mr. Patrick Finch was the…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: …unintended broom who cleaned up the mess. That’s right.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Patrick: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: It’s like I just said, even if I'm not around, another will finish it for me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Debra: Hm.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">She then stood up out of the chair.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Debra: Well, let’s get this over with; just mind the eyes though, they’re an heirloom to my family.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: I’ll make no promises.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">All the others could do was watch as Jackie pulled the trigger.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">At this point, everything was sorted out, and Jackie’s base was hers again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: So…you said you needed an army to beat House?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Yeah. How will these guys do?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: I’ve known all of them, even the ones I killed; these people know how kill.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Alright.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: But let me tell you this before anything else is arranged…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: …you already know why I slept with you, but you never understood why I stayed with you for this long; it’s because I’ve grown to like your personality, especially due to the changes that have been going on with you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Changes?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Don’t try to play coy with me, I've heard all about the personality you used to have when you were fifteen. And seeing you go from a little smartass to someone who actually still has their responsibility with them is something almost everyone is dying to see.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The royal blue blushed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Besides, what’s the point of being parents if we’re not even together?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Did you…actually want to meet the girls?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Well I don’t see why not; after all, I did lay their eggs.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The two of them smiled to each other for a moment.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Anyways, let’s talk about this army; we have resources, and we have connections, we’d be able to work with you easily.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: But that’s not all! We also have ways of communication to other people. Say for example…your older brother?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: And if you’re his spitting image, then I’m pretty sure he’s got some backup himself. You can contact him, and you can see if he’ll be able to get here with some of his friends, how’s that sound?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The red tailed hawk extended her winged arm for the royal blue to shake. This was the exact kind of offer he was looking for, the perfect chance to finally end all of this and take back what belonged to him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">As expected, Tony shook her hand, sealing the deal.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: This is fantastic Jackie; this is…everything I was hoping for.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jackie: Glad to hear it. It always has been a pleasure working with you.

<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chapter 7: Children

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">…In a far off location…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sarah and Serena were not in New York anymore; but then again they didn’t even know where they were. They were hand-cuffed next to Hailey as a man with a sword was interrogating them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Officer: You think because you’re tough just because you’re not talking?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The only response to this was a loogy to the face from Hailey.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Hailey: You don’t scare us you stupid piece of crap.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Officer: Ugh, it’s so hard to believe that that’s coming from a seven year old. Boys, see if you can make them talk.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sarah: Oh man.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Hailey: Don’t worry, they’ll never get anywhere.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Trooper: Oh yes we will.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He prepared to strike them with a knife, but before he could, someone fired a gun, causing the trooper to fall to the ground dead.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The three girls looked up to see that their savior was Naji Jr. a tek-9 in his hand.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Naji Jr.: Hailey, Sarah, Serena.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Hailey: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sarah: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Serena: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">I’m here with our parents to help save you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He then un-cuffed them with his purple digital energy as a woman with white feathers entered the room with a shotgun.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Hailey: Mom?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nicole: Hailey, oh thank god.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The rose colored girl rushed to hug her mother.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nicole: I’m so happy you’re safe.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Hailey: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nicole: (picking up Hailey) come on, your father’s outside.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">She led the children out to show that Rached was there violently beating the officer even though he was dead by now, his lightning forged sword resting comfortably in his free hand.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Bill: Rosh.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Rached: What?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Bill: Look to your left.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">He did so and saw that they were watching him, causing him to blush.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Rached: …heh, heh…sorry you had to see that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Hailey: Eh, I’m used to it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The rose colored girl gave her father a hug, signaling that she wasn’t lying.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sarah and Serena looked around to see who was in the group that rescued them. It was Naji Lear’s (A.K.A RT1108), Bill Grey, the Scarletanco twins, Rached, Nicole, Josh Crane, Margaret, Rigby, a still pregnant Eileen, Skips, Pops, Thomas, and Jr. But Tony was nowhere to be seen.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sarah: Where’s our dad?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Naji Jr.: He’s not here yet. And to be honest, we don’t even know where he is.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nicole: Hey Jr., who are you talking to-?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">She paused as she looked at the gear the two were wearing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nicole: Uh, Rosh? You uh, might want to come and look at this.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The dark red came up to the bright white as he was lighting a smoke.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Rached: What?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nicole: Look at what they’re wearing?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Rached: …Wait, isn’t that Tony’s hat and headset?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nicole nodded.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Rached: How did you two get those?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Serena: He gave them to us.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nicole: Why would he ever do that? He never shares with anyone except for his…family…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">She looked closer to see their faces.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Nicole: …oh god.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Before anyone had time to process this, Rached’s phone suddenly rang.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Rached: Hello?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Tony: Rosh, it’s Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Rached: Oh hey Tony, great timing. Uh do you know that there are two little girls with your stuff-?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: You found Sarah and Serena?!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Rached: Uh…yes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Let me talk to them, and then I’ll get back to you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Rached slowly handed his phone to the two, allowing them to take it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Sarah: Dad?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Hey girls…you two okay…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Sarah: Yeah…thanks to uncle Rosh.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Thank god. Listen, I can tell you now that this nightmare we’re in right now is almost over. I’ve found people who can help us, but first we need to reunite, so put Rosh back on.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">They gave the phone back to Rached.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Rached: Hello?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Where are you guys right now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Rached: Brazil.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: I see. Well when you’re able, come to Nevada with as many people as you can, and call back this number when you get the chance. We’ll send a signal to you when we get the call.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He then hung up, causing Rached to look back to Bill.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bill: What did he say?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Rached: He said to bring as many people with us as possible.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bill: I can manage, but where to?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Rached: He said…Nevada.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…Two Weeks Later…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…Back at the safe zone…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai and Patrick were talking.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai: …so how exactly do you know about the park?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Patrick: I saw a news report about that Exit 9B or whatever.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai: Oh.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Patrick: So…how many are still alive?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai: Me, Rigby, Margaret, Eileen, Thomas, Skips, and Pops. Everyone else is dead.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Patrick: I thought that the Thomas dude was dead.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai: Well he was for a while, but Mr. Maellard exchanged his life for his. Now he’s in a cage like everyone else.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Patrick: Oh…I see.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Guys.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The two looked up to see that the royal blue was looking up at them, and wearing a yellow t-shirt with the green Deadmau5 logo on the front.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Better come and look outside, we’ve got company.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Curious, the two did so and went with him outside; also taking note of the smile he had on his face.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">They looked onward to see that Bill Grey, Rached, and the rest of those who were with them were calmly walking to the Safe-zone. Bill had managed to find some of his boys, such as Mario, Jano, and Ty. But that wasn’t all, all those who were imprisoned by House, such as Craig and Bernard, and even Tony’s cousins and Poppet were with them as well.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Everyone who was still alive was there, and the army was finally complete.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">But the only two that Mordecai was looking at were Rigby and Margaret, along with Eileen as well, who seemed to have seen Mordecai by the hint that they were happily waving.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">When they got to the Safe-Zone, Mordecai hugged his friends; Tony did the same with his daughters.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: I knew you two would make it out alright.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Sarah: We’re glad you’d think so.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He then looked up to see Craig smiling down upon him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Hey Craig.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: Hey Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Is that one of my old Jackets?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He was referring to the one he was wearing when he came back from the dead.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: Actually, I think it is.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: No worries, what’s the point if I got rid of it?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Hey girls, why don’t you come with me? There’s someone I’d like you to meet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The two looked at each other and followed them to Jackie’s office, where she was examining Tony’s file.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Hey Jackie.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Jackie: Hm?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Why don’t you get away from that, and I’ll introduce you to someone?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">She looked up to see the two girls, almost immediately understanding as she calmly smiled at them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Jackie, this is Sarah and Serena…Sarah and Serena…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The three looked at each other.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: …this is your mother.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The two girls looked at each other in a minor surprise, and then slowly walked to the red tailed hawk as she got out of her chair and kneeled down to see the two better.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Jackie: Bet ya weren’t expecting to meet me, huh?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Serena: Not really.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Jackie: Well…here I am now, and to be honest, it’s really cool that I’m finally meeting you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The two looked to each other, and decided that it was pretty cool that the whole family was now together, so they came to her and gave her a hug, to which the surprised hawk eventually returned with a happy smile.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Smiling was all Tony did as he watched them in their embrace, but in the end decided to join them, bringing them in a strong squeeze.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony was well aware that Craig and Poppet were both watching him, but he didn’t care anymore, he just wanted to keep the moment as long as he could.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">After coming out of the building, Tony looked to Craig.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: What do we do now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Now…we go to New York…and finish the job once and for all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">After the word was spread out, everyone packed what they’d need and made their way upward to New York, ready to bring the chaos to an end once and for all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Serena: Hey dad, when this is over, do you think we’ll be able to find somewhere to live…like for good?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: I already have somewhere in mind.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Serena: Cool.

<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chapter 8: Let’s Finish It

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">House stood in his office that rested on the large building that was once known as the Infection Facility wearing his now sleeveless white jacket, dark grey jeans, and black boots with bronze colored zippers. He had a rather upset looking frown on his face as he saw a very large crowd of people approaching.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Inside his office were himself, Christine, John, and Amanda.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John was wearing a sleeveless gunmetal metal vest over a bright green sweatshirt, and had black pants with yellow gloves.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Everyone else looked unchanged.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">House: Ladies, Gentlemen, I have a rather serious problem…’we’…have a serious problem; which is right outside our door, and ready to bulge down our door.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Amanda: Why don’t you get to the point House? Lear’s and his family have been a pain in everyone’s ass more than ever, ever since you shot him in that mine.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">House: I might have had a better attempt at killing him should I have had a little more help and support, Amanda.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Amanda: In case you forgotten clone, I’ve had thorns in my sides as well, one of which is down there with Lear’s.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: Only proving that none of you have had any luck keeping what you’ve stolen.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">House: And what about you John? Wasn’t it your job to make sure that no one was to leave?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: …no. That is a job for the rookie recruits; I have people to hunt and kill, and a nature to follow up to.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Christine: Oh my god, you sick maniac F**KS are all the same; Lear’s, Scarletanco, Caracara, hell even Greenwing, they’ve all declared war on each and every one of us; and it’s clear that they won’t get a Fu**in grip until each of us are dead!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">As she finished speaking, an explosion was heard, and the four looked to the surveillance camera to see that Tony and the rest were entering the building, yet this was all they could see as Bernard shot the camera.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">House: Well what do ya know, you were right.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Christine: I told you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Everyone was quiet as they walked into the building; everyone’s trigger finger was itching to release.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony was wearing a black leather jacket and gloves with a light yellow zipper, and light blue jeans with black boots.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Rached was wearing a dark tan jacket with dark grey sleeves that had a red and green pattern on them; he wore this over a jungle green hoodie, dark blue jeans, and black shoes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Nicole had on a medium purple jacket, a light yellow shirt underneath, dark tan jeans, and black biker boots.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Breyton had a black theleese jacket with dark grey rolled up sleeves; and under it was a green t shirt.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bernard was wearing a black jacket with dark grey stripes and the right sleeve rolled up, a green hoodie underneath, light green jeans, purple shoes, and his signature purple fedora.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Everyone else looked unchanged.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Alright, you all know what you have to do! So make sure you keep up to it!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Breyton: No one stop, no one rest, no one lie down until your dead! After this day is over, we will be free!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Everyone in the army heard his words, and with all the children and the still pregnant mole in a safe location, nothing would stand in their way as they raced to their true enemies.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…Craig…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The bright yellow was running with the dark blue as the two of them ran farther and farther up the building as bodies fell everywhere around them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bernard: You think anyone will be with him?!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: Probably Christine! After all, she’s the only one he’d still be able to depend on!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bernard: Got it! So who’s killing who?!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: You can take down Christine! John is mine!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">After a good ten minutes of mowing down those who stood in their path, Bernard and Craig made their way to a metal door.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">After forcing it open, Craig and Bernard found themselves looking directly at John and Christine, both of which had a sword.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: Hello Craig; Bernard.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: Hello John.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig motioned with his fingers to approach Christine as Craig continued to make his way to John.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: I must admit I’m a little disappointed in you. I thought you’d be able to bring a few more people with ya.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: One is all that will be needed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: Well, if we’re going to fight one on one, let’s make sure that people will know that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He then built up a red energy in his fingertips, causing the floor beneath him and Craig to fall, and it kept on falling until they reached the lowest floor of them all; the boiler room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…Bernard…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The dark blue looked down as the floor fell, yet his main focus was Christine.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bernard: You must be Christine. I’ve heard a lot about you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Christine: As I have you, Bernard Greenwing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bernard pulled out his signature Kukri Machete blades, and took a fighting stance as Christine readied her sword.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Christine: Ready?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bernard: Always.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Their fight began. Bernard jumped and flipped in the air as he spun his swords around and around.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Christine was able to dodge him as he sent his blades to the ground, yet the dark blue was quick to react as the dark purple attempted to send her sword into his legs.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bernard: I warn you; I will bite back.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Christine: Ask if I give a shit.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">She jumped in the air and threw her sword at her, pulling out dual kunai knives as she did so, yet it could only impale itself into the ground as Bernard back-rolled out of range.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bernard readjusted his hat as she came at him with her kunai, but Bernard was the fastest of the group, so dodging was out of the question.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Christine: You’re fast Greenwing, I’ll give you that!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bernard: I’m the fastest of them all!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">She threw her knives at a large light above, hoping it would crush him, which it didn’t. Bernard counter-acted by throwing one of his blades at her. Yet while it did impale her arm, she simply pulled it out and used it to dual the dark blue as the two began to lock blades on and off.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">After a while, the dark purple got annoyed, so she kicked him in several pressure points, and then across the hole as she prepared to finish it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bernard watched as she jumped across the hole, landed on the edge, and tried to slash Bernard’s face, only to realize something rather convenient to Bernard’s case.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Bernard: Blade too short.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He then upper-cutted her in the jaw, threw his remaining blade into her chest, and watched as the back of her head bounced off of the other edge of a hole and fell into the abyss, leaving nothing more than a little bit of blood from where her head bounced, and the other blade.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…Craig…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: You know, you did have a chance to join us.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: You think I don’t know that?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: Then why did you stay on the other team? We could’ve been friends again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: Let me explain something to you John; before I kill you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: When I was going around the world with Tony, Muscle Man and his buddies, and Sarah and Serena, I thought back on all the things you did here all those years ago; but then I thought on how you must’ve been before you were kidnapped, and that’s when I figured it out.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: You aren’t John Gallinule IV, you sick, mutated, freak…John Gallinule died long before I even had the chance to meet him, and once I kill you, I’m going to make sure that this little fact is passed on, so everyone will understand why you really have no weakness.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: …that hurt Craig…that really hurt…but it won’t matter. Because even if you didn’t get to meet me before my kidnap, it doesn't excuse the fact that you and I once were, always were, and always will be…friends.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: You know the worst part about this entire nightmare John?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: It’s that you’re absolutely right.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The fight began.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig quickly rushed up to John carrying his signature spiked mace, and leaped high in air and allowed his weapon to clash with John’s Spanish sword.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The two clashed on and off, sometimes with Craig with an advantage, and sometimes John with an advantage. But no matter how much they fought, neither of them would tire.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John’s extreme speed and insanity were what truly matched up with Craig’s awesome strength and durability, yet John wouldn’t stop moving, and this caused Craig to get somewhat pissed off.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">But then John thought he had him at the moment he managed to disarm Craig of his mace, only to prove that he was wrong when Craig suddenly started to throw rapid punches at him, eventually causing him to drop his sword and defend himself the old fashion way.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">While the two of them were about the same size in muscle, Craig was a little stronger, and finally had the upper hand he was really looking for.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He spun around as he threw punches at his former friend, but he wouldn’t stop, no matter what John did or said to him; it only made the situation worse.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">But John eventually had enough, and used his red energy to force him back about five feet, and then Craig attempted to strike back with his magnetism, yet John counter acted with his red energy, causing the two to go into a direct standoff.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Yet while Craig’s posture was unchanged, John went a little unbearable as his upper clothing began to tear off of his body. By the time the standoff was over, and Craig was knocked to the floor, John’s upper clothes were gone, exposing his horrid scarred chest. The largest scar was across his chest, and was deep enough for one to run not one but two fingers into it. He also had a disgusting bit of scab marks across the left side of his stomach, and this was the kind that would never heal; ever.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig looked in horror as John picked up his sword, and began to advance across his former friend. Knowing that he had little time, Craig began to build up as much energy as he could in his hands as John came up to him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: No matter what happens, or what has happened…we have always been friends…and we always will be…friends…forever.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He then raised his sword for the final blow, but was surprised when Craig used as much power as he could to rip John’s chest open, causing him to drop his sword, and fly back into the wall.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">While this was about ten to twenty seconds, Craig almost immediately lost all the rest of his energy, and stopped. John slowly fell to the floor, and lied down on his hip, while Craig slowly walked up to him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Craig: It’s like you said…friends…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">John: …forever.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Then Craig put John on his back, and put his sword in his hands as his eyes went grey; so Craig closed them as a sign of peace. Craig then picked up his mace, and began to walk to the exit, but stopped as he heard a bloody splat, he turned around to see Christine’s body had hit the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">And it hit the floor hard, and good.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Yet as he saw this, he couldn’t help but smile at Bernard’s success, so he calmly walked out of the room, and back into the light of battle, ready to bring the heat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…Mordecai…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai and Josh were both running to the back entrance. They had accidentally separated from Margaret, and Rigby, but they knew that they could handle themselves.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Yet as they continued to run, they were suddenly joined by Chris and Riley, with Chris and his Vector, and Riley with a Falchion.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Riley: Hello boys!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai: Hey, whassup!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Chris: We’re killing!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Josh: Alright then, how about giving us a hand?!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">When they entered the next room, they came into contact with a man in red and black military armor and skull mask helmet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai: (unsheathing his katana) let’s get him!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Josh followed with his hatchet, and then Riley with his Falchion, yet Chris stayed back a little bit with his Vector and provided covering fire.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">They all attacked him with their blades, yet while they remained unscratched, the armor had the same story, well…at least when they were able to strike a blow.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The armored man had a large battle axe which was providing rather good defense and offence since he was strong enough to carry it like a light stick.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Yet the others were fast, and able to dodge most of the attacks, but things got worse when more troopers came to assist, so Chris focused on them while the others focused on the man in the armor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai began to get irritated after a few more minutes, so he used as much strength as he could and landed a good blow in his helmet, causing it to dent.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Yet this seemed to have been turned into a mistake, for the man then slammed his axe into the concrete floors and pulled out a heavy machine gun, immediately firing afterwards.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He eventually focused on Riley since he was sending some nice blows into his back, so Mordecai attempted to pull the axe out of the ground, before realizing two things. One, the man was towering over him; and two…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai: What kind of vitamins do you take to get to lift something like this?!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He seemed to have been angered when he said this, so he punched him back and onto the floor, causing Josh to use his gravity to mildly crush his helmet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Yet the man proceeded to aim for Josh, But Riley reacted fast and used the distraction to cut off his mask.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">But when they saw the face, they were horrified.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The man’s face looked as if it were zombified, and had eyes like Amanda’s. His hair was shoulder length, he had an unshaved face, and half of his face was totally disfigured, but they recognized what was left.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Josh: Oh…so that’s what happened to the remains of Tony’s other body.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The zombie Tony screamed in fury, ripped the axe out of the floor, and proceeded to throw it on at Josh’s face. Yet Josh was able to dodge it, and it hit the wall with brute force.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">As the zombie Tony began to advance, he suddenly twitched as he felt several little balls hit him in the back of the head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He turned around to see that Mordecai was back on his feet, and holding an automatic shotgun in one hand, and a chainsaw in the other.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai: Come and get it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Zombie Tony reached behind his back and pulled out a minigun, and then he did something with his face. It was too disgusting to see what he was doing, but Mordecai knew that he had formed a smile.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Zombie Tony opened fire. But Mordecai was able to dodge the fire the same way Tony dodged Anderson’s fire in the mine.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Yet Mordecai was also able to fire at Zombie Tony since he was slower than the real Tony. And when he ran out of bullets, he ran up to the disgusting creature with his chainsaw, and after five minutes of a gruesome battle, Zombie Tony was dead, killed with a chainsaw ran into his mouth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Another five minutes later, Margaret, and Rigby entered the room, only to examine their friend’s bodies.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai’s arms and chest were covered in blood, his lower left lip was gushing blood, and his eyes were bloodshot from apparently being exhausted. His feathers were also tangled and extremely messy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Josh’s glasses were cracked and broken, the shirt he was wearing was all torn and dirty, and his hatchet was so red from blood it looked like that was how it was painted.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Riley and Chris had several bloodstains on their clothes, but that was as bad as they looked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Margaret: Mordecai? Are you okay?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai: Not really…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Josh: I think it’ll be better…if you find somewhere for him to sit…he’s been through a lot during the past few minutes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Margaret: …yeah…I can see that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Mordecai: Please help me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…Breyton…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Breyton was getting rather excited as he, Katie, and Jalen made their way to Amanda, whom they got closer to with every step.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Breyton: Remember, Amanda has to die. It might seem hard for you to do since she’s our sister, but the things that she’s done have been pushed too far.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Katie: I understand.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">The three cleared from room to room, non-stop until finally, they had reached her, and it was no doubt. The cold blooded killer Amanda Scarletanco who was indeed Breyton’s big sister was staring at him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Amanda: You’ve made one big mess little brother.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Breyton: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Amanda: Silence? How disappointing. I thought you’d be a little more…angry.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: Oh I’m angry. I’m just better at hiding it than you are.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: Really? Well it’s safe to say that you’ve been no better at fighting me than you were back in Russia. Now give your big sister one of those guns.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton looked to Katie, and then Jalen.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: I’d rather have myself violated by an animal.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda's smile dropped to a frown.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: GET HER!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">The three charged at her, only for her to send all three of them back at the same time with her dark energy, knocking out Jalen and Katie in the process.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: Just you and me now little brother.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton flipped to his feet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: I wouldn’t have it any other way.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">He then unsheathed his hidden blades, and proceeded to attack her. The two of them proceeded to do a free-run battle in the room, flipping all around, and attacking with their hidden blades. Yet no matter how much time went by, they refused to tire.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton flipped in the air and attempted to cut out Amanda’s eyes, but she summersaulted to the floor and dodged the attack, then she did the same thing backwards and kicked him in the spine.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">This pissed Breyton off even more, so he used his dark energy as armor for his arms. He then launched it at Amanda, and the two began to play catch with their powers, and when Breyton saw this, he scattershot at her by building up serious energy into his arms.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: You’ve gotten no better than when you were on the plane!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: Bringing that up reminds me of what I did wrong last time: I gave you an option: either to surrender, or accept your friend’s death.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: …!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: I will never make such a mistake, EVER AGAIN!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">She then charged her brother and forced the two of them through the window…just as Katie came too.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">…Tony…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony was slowly walking to his target, who was sitting quietly in his office.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: You’ve rebuilt this piece of crap pretty quickly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Many hands make light work. I really do wish you would’ve been here with us; we could’ve really used your help.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: I don’t have time for shit like that anymore, I actually found myself in possibility of a…future.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: That’s how you see those children isn’t it? A possible way of escaping your life, so you can be oh mister innocent, am I right?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: Why would I have to play innocent when everyone knows who I am?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: A very good question.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">As he finished speaking, he suddenly built up fire in his hands, and immediately shot at Tony, only for the royal blue to block and catch the attack, turning it into blue.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">After the fire disappeared, Tony’s eyes turned into their alien form, causing his arms to flow with fire and ice; but House just did the same with his own fire.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Shall we?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: Let’s do it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">It started. Tony rocketed himself into the air and landed hard to the ground, but House caught him and began to swing him around all over the place, eventually letting him go and making him land feet-first on the wall.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">When Tony regained his posture, he immediately began to run around the room as House shot large fireballs at him, hoping that he’d get lucky and kill him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">But Tony was better prepared than he was with Cordell, so he jumped off the wall and tried to freeze House in his tracks, but he disappeared into fire and a few feet behind him, yet Tony saw and immediately ran to him, and they both ended up in a sumo lock.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: Let’s face it House, you might think you’re tougher than everyone else, but in reality you’re still just a drop of blood that came from my arm.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: That’s why I’m trying so hard to fight and kill you! No matter what I do, no matter what I have, even with this power, I’m still just a clone! But I had just gotten wind of another body inside yours, and better yet, it’s one you can spare!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">He then grabbed Tony’s chest, and began to pull.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: What are you doing!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Give me that other body! I don’t care about the powers, you can keep them! All I want is to be made whole!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Other Tony: LEAR’S! I STILL HAVE THIS EXTRA POWER, TAKE IT!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">As Tony absorbed the power, House absorbed the body, and the two began to get even more powerful. But as the energy calmed down, House suddenly faded into the floor, and Tony began to breathe heavily at the sudden boost he received.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">But then the floor suddenly started cracking all around him, which made him trip over.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: What’s going on?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">The floor (and for that matter the entire top of the building) suddenly started to rise up, and eventually went so high above the ground; they were in the upper atmosphere.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: Whoa.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Indeed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony looked to see that House was emerging out of the ground. His feathers were now medium red, his eyes looked similar to Tony’s, only they were red and orange, and his body itself looked almost larger than Zombie Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: House?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: That’s right, I’m whole now Tony Lear’s, I'm finally whole!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Fire began to surround him like a vortex. He truly was his own form now, even if he still looked just like Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: And you don’t look that half bad yourself I might add.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony looked at himself to see that he wasn't lying. His body was now white as snow, and had several blue Chinese markings on his right arm which read ‘Fire and Ice’. His eyes were also now blue as the ice he controlled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Now that we’re both ready, let’s get started.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">…Breyton…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Right now Breyton was locked in hands with Amanda, who was trying to wear him down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: That’s quite a strong boost you’ve got there! I can’t wait to see where it came from!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: You won’t take me down that easily, Amanda! Not without fighting!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: I’m well aware! But you can’t hope to resist forever!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: I still have to try!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">…Tony…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony immediately charged to House and threw a kick, which he blocked with his elbow, but then Tony summersaulted forward and kicked him in the stomach. But then House positioned his arm so it was how being held by Tony, and he ran so he could knock Tony off of the ‘island’.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">But Tony was much faster than before, and he jumped over House’s head and front flipped back on the ground, just in time to dodge House’s next slam attack.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Then he began using elements all around him, such as some of the fallen weapons that were all around them. Tony shot for the M16, and immediately began to fire at House’s head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Cheating the game huh? Alright, I’ll level.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House jumped over Tony as he continued to fire at him, and he used his newfound strength to pick up part of the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Here, catch!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">He then threw the floor piece at Tony, but he dodged it and began to punch, kick, and jab at House’s chest and stomach.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Would you quit, doing that?!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">He wasn’t taunting him or anything, he was actually a little pissed, so he jumped up and tried to punch Tony into the floor, only to punch the floor itself.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">But then everything shook.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: What the…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">It did so again, and then everything felt like it was shifting.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Oh that’s not good.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">The island then began to fall back into New York, right towards the spot where Amanda and Breyton were wrestling.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: GET THE HELL OFF OF THIS THING AND CONTINUE WHEN LANDED!?!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: YOU READ MY MIND!!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">They immediately jumped out and off of the building, immediately becoming blue and red meteors that followed the big orange asteroid.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">…Breyton…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: How can you resist for such a long time!?!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton couldn’t hold it in any longer, he was strong, but Amanda wouldn’t stop. And that’s when he noticed Katie was slowly limping to them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: Because…Amanda…that boost we talked about…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: It came from Katie!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda’s eyes went wide.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: KATIE IS THE BOOST!!? OUT OF MY WAY, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">He spun Breyton and released him, slowly allowing his energy to return to his body. Then he saw Amanda picking up Katie by her throat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: Finally…I finally have the power…to be my own person!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton looked in shame, but then looked up to see the upper building was coming down fast.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: Now I’ll be able to stand up to even House! And then I’ll be able to do what I want to do!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House and Tony were starting to lose speed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: And nothing will get in my way ever again! Not even-! …a large upper half section of a skyscraper?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">She released Katie as she said this, which allowed Breyton to pick up his twin sister, and then flip off Amanda.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: Catch ya later you crazy bitch!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">He then used his power to disappear, leaving Amanda to look up at the building with a confused look.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">The building directly targeted her head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">The blow was amazing. So amazing that nearly half of the city was destroyed. And several people in the facility were killed in the blast…including Patrick, who calmly watched the explosion.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">…Tony…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">The two of them landed in the now destroyed upper half, which was actually nearby the spot Amanda was at.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">The two were completely charred. There was no way to tell who they were anymore.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: Oh, oh God, oh…I don’t think I can even stand anymore.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Neither can I…oh God…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">His body suddenly began to form dark red spikes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: I don’t think my body is accepting that!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: Neither is mine!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">They both shot large red and white spikes at each other. Two hit House in the head; three hit Tony in the stomach.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House and Tony both fell to their knees, yet while House’s body began to get even more disfigured, Tony’s was put into a black orb, which just floated there.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: …Tony…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">He then fell down, just as Breyton and Katie entered the room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">…Breyton…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">The two were looking in total ruins of the place.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: Holy shit!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Katie: No kidding, holy shit! This place looks like a graveyard!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">That’s when Amanda suddenly appeared out of the floor, and looked totally unharmed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: Oh Breyton, Breyton, Breyton…did you actually think that a thousand shards of rocks and glass would be enough to crush me?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: Surprising as this sounds Amanda, that wasn’t part of the plan.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Her smile faded.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda: But then, how did it…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">That’s when House’s body suddenly rose up, his eyes white and totally blank.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Katie: Hm?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">It then grabbed Amanda by the face, and did one of the most horrifying things ever; it connected his body to hers and removed her skin and feathers.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Katie: OH MY GOD!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Amanda's scream was terrible.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">As her skin was completely robbed from her body, she was then thrown back into the wall where Breyton and Katie were.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: …Amanda…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">All she was doing was fearfully squirming as the creature got back up on his feet. His face was somewhat reformed, and his blank whit eyes were staring at the Scarletanco family.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: *grunt*

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: Hm?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">His body then began to get even worse. But the freakiest part was how his tongue suddenly started to get as though it was forming its own mouth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton: Whoa, whoa what the Fu-

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Before he could even finish his sentence, the tongue suddenly grasped Amanda’s neck, and pulled the helpless being away directly into its awaiting jaws, where it began to eat her alive.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton and Katie froze; horrified by the horrid disgusting sight they were witnessing before them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">As more of Amanda’s body was devoured, the more of House’s body was reformed, while the black orb that held Tony did nothing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">After all of Amanda’s body was eaten, House’s body suddenly began to be surrounded by a strong black fire, and then a cry of energy, a quick scream, and it was over. House stood there with a dark red body, a black mouth, and a bright red pair of eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">And he just stood there, as if he was dumbfounded, not doing anything. But then he formed a smile, but not like and evil or demented smile, this was more of a happy and excited smile.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Well…that was tasty.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton and Katie: …!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Then he raised an eyebrow and cracked his fingers.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Now let’s see what I can do with all that new power.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">He then built up energy in his arms, and then his whole body was surrounded by the biggest form of black fire you’d ever seen, yet the orb was unharmed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Then House’s back suddenly formed a large black scaly wing, which even caused Breyton to get a little nervous.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: So much power. I never imagined I could…it’s so amazing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">He then looked at the orb.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Thank you Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Then the orb began to glow.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">…Tony…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">The orb was turning from black, to a bright glowing white, which almost blinded House.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">And then the orb was gone; replaced with a white winged being. He was whiter than snow, he had wings of an angel, he had eyes and a strong outline of a golden yellow, and his forehead had a small symbol which meant one word.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Light.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: Hello House.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Hello Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony: Shall we?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">House: Let’s.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">They then built up energy into their bodies; House’s of darkness and Tony’s of light. And then they fired their raw power into a stand-off.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Breyton and Katie watched in amazement. Unable to determine who win the battle, but whoever was gonna would win would win fast.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">After a while, House began to push harder, and this made him smile. Tony was starting to get tired, so he closed his eyes and prepared for death. But then he heard something that no one else could. Something no one else could understand, something beautiful and strong and healthy. But Tony could understand what it was, and it made him stronger.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">It was the two voices of his daughters.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">Tony fought back with everything he had, and it worked. House was unable to contain this light, and soon enough it began to rip his body apart, making him scream in fear.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt 199.5pt;">As it slowly began to finish, Tony’s mind heard another voice. Someone was calling his name…someone…from a long time ago.

<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chapter 9: Life in the Afterlife Part 2

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">As House’s body exploded, Tony felt himself being knocked off of his feet, and flew back in slow motion as everything around him was suddenly turned into tiny little squares, and disappeared into nothing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Then all he could do was cry out as he fell into pitch black darkness.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">When Tony came too, he found himself lying down on an odd dark grey floor, with pale tan pillars all around. Then Tony looked at himself to see that he was a bright aqua blue, and had amethyst purple eyes with cool Peridot green pupils, and had what appeared to be paler blue squares coming off of his body.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He then looked upward to see tiny colorless cubes were falling like snow all around him, disappearing when they made contact with the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Curious, Tony moved his arm to touch one of the cubes, and saw several flashes of his daughters’ memories in a matter of seconds; some flashing immediately, and some freezing in his face; yet Tony understood it all; he realized that the lives of his Sarah and Serena were almost as his own.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He began to walk around, taking note of the lack of sound in the odd room he was in, and kept on walking until he noticed a door at the end of the room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">As Tony walked into it, he soon saw that he was now in what appeared to be the hill that he and Poppet were on in the dream he had.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: Wow…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">His words were quiet, yet they echoed in the landscape he was in anyways. After closing the door, it crumbled and sunk into the soft dirt that Tony was standing on.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: What is this place?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He slowly began to walk down the hill, allowing the golden grass to soak his bare feet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">But then he looked upward, and saw something he didn’t see before; it was two other planets, one red, and one white, and seemed to be circling the planet like moons. It wasn’t until he saw this did he realize the insane truth; he was not on earth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">And if he wasn’t on earth, and this was where he used to live in his first life, that could only mean one thing; he was not a creature of earth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">As he realized this, he then saw a small white cube slowly fall to him. He calmly allowed it to fall in his hand, and he watched through his mind as the truth, the real truth, was finally revealed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony saw that he, Poppet, and indeed Tom White were all friends from another planet, yet this one wasn't there original home.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Their original home was the white planet, which turned out to be covered in clouds so no one could see the surface; but the surface was completely futuristic,   something one would expect in ‘star wars’.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He also saw that everyone who lived there was indeed an Infected, each with a responsible life to live. Yet while most people in this planet worked as they were supposed to, Tony, Tom, and Poppet were those who lived an adventurous life, and explored instead of worked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Soon enough, their adventurous ways went to the point where no one trusted them, and for the sake of their well-being, they were sent to the planet below, where only normal animals lived, and this allowed the three to do whatever they pleased.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">But suddenly there was a change. The sky turned red, the grass died and dried up, and the animals turned to ash.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Someone had made contact with their planet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">When the three came to, they found themselves in an earth laboratory, where several doctors were looking at them in amazement. One of these doctors was Benjamin, the one who was falsely rumored to have created the Infection.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Yet it was now clear to the Tony who watched that he was Tom’s first friend on earth, and treated him and the others with the most respect while the others did nothing more than experiment on them, and attempt to copy off of their DNA for their own purposes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Yet when Benjamin realized why they were doing this, and what had become of their planet, he told them everything, only to be killed by his own security.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">When Tom, Tony, and Poppet saw this, they became angry for the first time on earth (and for that matter, in several years); this caused them to destroy the facility they were in, and then escape from it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">They found themselves in a late future of the earth, where cars flied, and people lived in floating homes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Yet the trio had little desire for this, so they found the way to go back in time, and upon splitting Poppet’s heart pendant into two pieces, the three went deep into the time span of several periods.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tom's period was the oldest, and traveled so far back in time humans hadn’t even evolved from apes yet, and that was before even skips.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Poppet and Tony went into the modern times of the world, yet something went wrong with Tony. When he hatched from the egg he was born in, all of his previous memories were erased, making him believe he was just a normal boy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">While Poppet remembered, she eventually learned how to let it go, and moved in with the rest of the world.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">But Tom never forgot, and never let it go. Instead he learned how to kill people slowly, and how to use his DNA to make others like him. Ever since he plotted his revenge by reforming their planet with the one they were on now.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">That was why this had started; that was why Tom was intent on making people suffer…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…and that was why Tony had such a large involvement.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony grasped his head as the memories finished playing. He couldn’t believe what he saw, but there it was, in living color, there was no escaping it now.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Unknowing on what to do, he lied down on the grass with his arms and legs spread out in the grass, and did nothing more but look up at the sky of what was once his home.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">After a half hour or so, Tony got up and continued to walk. Due to the multiple changes in landscape, it seemed as if he was walking for hours, or even days, yet his energy didn’t die down even in the slightest.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">After a while, he found himself coming up to a large door, which was almost as big as a house and brown as chocolate.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">When he opened it, he could feel a chilly sensation rush up against his bare spine, but this didn’t stop him from entering through.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">When he got through, he found himself in a nearly colorless forest; totally pale and a little chilly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">He began to walk onward, the chills getting colder and colder with every step he took.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">Eventually, Tony began to hug his arms in an attempt to get warmer; he figured that he must’ve died again, but this was totally unlike the last time; a completely different location, and a set of color and sound.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt;">>>>: You’re cold.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony looked to his right to see that House was there, with a body of glowing red in reference to Tony’s aqua blue body.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">House: My body is warm. If you wish to live through this place, you will come to me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony slowly began to approach his clone, but just as he was getting close enough for House to touch him, he suddenly stopped and stepped back.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">House: Aren’t you cold?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: …no. How can I be cold…if my body…commands ICE!?!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">When Tony shouted ‘ice’, his forearms became armored up with fragments of strong ice.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">House: Your body must fuse with mine. I must become whole!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: Not today.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">As the two began to fight, they unknowingly began to go even farther into the forest; yet it was fortunate for Tony that they were staying on the path.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">House: There is nothing left for you Lear’s! Give up!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: Why do you keep failing to understand?! I will not give up like you would, because I have something that you never will; a family to love!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">House: …!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: You had the chance to have that when you met Naji, but instead you threw him away for your own desires, and you left him behind like everyone else!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">House: SHUT UP!!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">House kept on trying to absorb Tony, but he just wouldn’t allow it, his body was just unwilling to quit.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">And they continued to fight on the path they were on, not stopping for even a second.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">After what seemed like days, House finally began to tire, and this gave Tony an advantage. With one last desperate attempt, Tony punched House into the forest…where his body suddenly caught fire.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony watched with shock as he saw the body of his clone be destroyed in the power he had used as a weapon.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Yet it eventually ended, and House’s body was finally incinerated.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony’s face soon turned solemn, and he began to continue walking down the path, making sure that he wouldn’t fall into the trees.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">But as Tony continued to walk, he suddenly heard the worried voices of his daughters somewhere ahead.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Serena: (faint tone) daddy!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Sarah: (faint tone) dad! Dad you have to wake up!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony immediately broke out into a sprint, praying to God that his children were okay.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Yet when he got at an incredibly far rate down the path, he suddenly realized that the voices remained as faint, and that’s when he realized that the voices were in his head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">But as he started to tear, he suddenly saw something up ahead. He squinted to see that it was a bright yellow dot. Almost as if it was…sunlight?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony immediately broke out into a run again, and saw that the light was indeed sunlight; and the closer he got to the light, the warmer his body became.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">He finally reached the light, but then found himself in a dark cylinder-like tunnel, yet the light remained ahead of him, so he kept on moving forward.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">As he continued to run faster, the tunnel continued to get smaller, yet Tony was only crouching when he got out, and then he saw that he was on a bridge with a metal railing; but this didn’t stop him as he continued to move forward.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">But then fire began to spread all around him, forcing him to run faster as it began to consume the bridge behind him. Tony ran and ran, but all the way, he could still hear the worried faces of his daughters, and this pushed him harder than he ever thought possible.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">The light ahead of him soon turned to blue, which looked cooling in the boiling hot flames around him. But just as the flames were going to catch up to him, he made it out of the horrid place, and found himself in what appeared to be the sky. Yet what also caught his attention was that the bridge and he were above the clouds.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Eventually, the railings that he was between got smaller and disappeared, leaving on nothing more than a five inch bridge. The air that was around him felt cooling to him, and it soothed his glowing body. But then he found himself at the end of the bridge, and without any more options, he did the only thing he could do.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">He jumped.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">When Tony woke up, he found himself on the top of a mountain, with a silver railing separating him from the edge, yet as he got to the railing, he saw that he was in what appeared to be Lebanon, but things that were destroyed were there as well, like the park, the hotel he stayed at in Ibiza, and his house…his home, it was there.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">>>>: Hello Tony.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony looked back in shock to see that three people were behind him. One was dark blue, one was a light olive green, and the last one was a female Lear’s macaw.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">But Tony recognized and knew who they were; but he was surprised, for they were the last three people Tony ever expected to see again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: …mom…?…dad…?…uncle Naji…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">And so it was; his parents and his uncle. Now for those of those of you who don’t know, uncle Naji was someone who Tony had met in Lebanon when he was five, yet he apparently died the same way as his parents.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Majed (Tony’s father): How are you?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: Uh…confused…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Anita (Tony’s mother): That’s understandable.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: Where are we? I thought I was supposed to have gone into the underworld.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Uncle Naji: The underworld was brought there because you were on…’business’…or so you call it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: …?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Anita: You don’t have to be confused; it was just that something that you were doing for your friends.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: I know what we’re talking about, I mean, why would I come here instead? Shouldn’t I have gone back down there?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Majed: Why? Was there something else you needed to do?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Majed: It’s over Tony, all that horror and the ‘big nightmare’, it’s over now, and you’re awake. All of your friends are awake. You have your freedom.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: Really?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Uncle Naji: And as a bonus, you've found yourself here. Where everyone else good has died. They’re all here, waiting for their children to return to them; and they have all of this to enjoy while they wait.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: …

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Uncle Naji: Let me show you. See that family down there?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony looked to see what appeared to be Patrick running to his parents, who were overjoyed to see their son again. And near them, were Jessie and his big brother Ethan, calmly watching as Patrick rejoiced with his family.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Uncle Naji: That is something that happens here every day.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Anita: You can stay here with us if you want, but that’s your own decision.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">He thought about it for a moment, it was one of the best offers one could ever receive. And to top that off, he had a chance to be back with his parents; the two people he never thought he’d see again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: You guys know I’d want that more than anything, but I can’t; not yet at least.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Majed: Let me guess, you want to go back to your children.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: They’re gonna have lots of friends, I know that for sure, but they’ll only have two parents, and there’s one that’s missing right now.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Anita: Oh, we see.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony then smiled at his family, and gave them a hug, which they immediately returned without delay. As Tony’s body began to glow brighter, he could hear his father say one more thing to him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Majed: We’re so proud of you.

<p class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Chapter 10: Epilogue

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">…The Land of the Living…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Sarah: Dad! Dad!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">The two of them were looking at Tony’s ‘body’, which was covered in House’s blood, but it was also back to its normal, royal blue self.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Serena: Dad, wake up!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Craig: Tony!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">The two turned around to see that Craig was running up to them, and as he did, Tony’s spirit sneakily slipped into its proper home.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Craig: Make some room, I’ll check his pulse.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">He did so as Tony’s heart began to beat again, bringing a total sigh of relief from his friend.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Sarah: Is he…ya know…?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Craig: He’s okay. He’s okay; I think he’s just passed out from the blast.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">The two children sighed in relief as well, totally relieved that their father was okay.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Craig: Yup, that’s your father; always scaring people because he thinks it’s funny.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">He said this as he saw his friend form a smile as he continued to sleep.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">…Hospital…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony, Rached, Naji, Bernard, Breyton, Mordecai, and many other people were in the infirmary as their wounds began to finally heal.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Craig, Nicole, Sarah, Serena, Naji Jr., Rigby, Margaret, Eileen, and all the others were waiting either outside, or in the rooms visiting their unconscious families and friends.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Nicole: How are they doing?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Doctor: It’s very surprising that their actually doing very well, I’d suggest coming back in about a few weeks or so.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Nicole: Thank you.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Now for those of you that still remember, the eggs that Margaret had laid indeed hatched, and fortunately for them, their parents were the first two that they saw. The two were twins, one male, and one female. The boy was named James, and the girl was named Janie, both of which were healthy infants, as normal infants were supposed to go.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Eileen had also given birth to the baby that she was carrying, which was revealed to be a female raccoon, which she and Rigby named Sally. It was still unbelievable for Rigby to get it all in, but in the end he accepted it, just like Mordecai did.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">But for now, let’s return to our sleeping royal blue.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">…Three Weeks Later…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony was one of the last to wake up from his sleep. When he came too, he saw that he was in the hospital wing, and others were talking to each other nearby.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: *sigh*

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">He calmly got out of the bed he was in, and found his Deadmau5 t-shirt and some jeans, which he put on.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">As he walked out of the room he was in, he saw that Sarah and Serena were both sitting on some chairs, waiting their turn to see their father. But they were almost shocked to see that he was already awake, smiling, and on his knees with open arms.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">As the three embraced, Dr. Poppet Cove looked down at them and couldn’t help but smile herself; she never expected her best friend Tony to ever become a father; yet here he was, with two children to call his own.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Then Jackie came up to Tony as he continued to hug their children. He only smiled at her, yet instead of doing the same, she grabbed his cheeks and gently kissed him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">After she finished with that, she then whispered something in his ear, which caused his eyes to suddenly light up in surprise. Then he saw that Breyton was looking at him with a raised brow, so he said the only thing he’d have to with a wide grin.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony: None of your business.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Tony, Sarah, Serena, and now Jackie as well, were exiting the hospital with just about everyone else. No one could fully believe that it was finally over, that they finally had their lives back to themselves.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">But here they were, walking out of that hospital, and eventually New York. But no one would ever forget the long years of living in the way they did, having to fight and kill just to survive.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">But it was now over, and that was that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''…Eight Years Later… ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Multiple spots of North Carolina’s city streets were housing those who were rather different from the others.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">As such, in a local prison, a certain prisoner was being released from custody…again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">He was dark blue macaw with blackish purple eyes, and a white beak and legs. His head was cut and recently trimmed, and his bright orange prison uniform was a near seconds away from being replaced with a neat blue coat with gold-yellow sleeves, light tan jeans, purple shoes, large dark purple sunglasses, and a matching purple fedora.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">As the dark blue exited the prison peacefully, he barely took notice of the bright yellow macaw with dark tan legs and beak, a white headband, bright Peridot green eyes with white pupils, a tan silk vest over a green and red shirt and orange shorts with brown boots.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">As the bright yellow proceeded to exit the indoor firing range he was in, he calmly secured a judge magnum in its case while passing a crimson red macaw.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">The crimson red had a dark grey beak and legs, was wearing a brown fedora smaller than the dark blue’s, a pair of dark metallic red sunglasses, a mustache that had a large beard to go with it, a black coat with dark grey pants and shoes, a red shirt that he wore under his coat, and a gold colored belt with metallic red hinges.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">The crimson red and what appeared to be his teenage son walked across the street and onto a bench that rested near a bus stop as casual a silver macaw and a faint white macaw were silently running on the rooftops nearby. The casual silver had odd purple, white and red eyes, and was wearing a black jacket with matching gloves and dark brown pants with dark red boots. He also had a small scar on his left cheek and had a faint beard with sideburns. The faint white had a camouflage jacket, a black beanie over red died feathers, grey jeans, and yellow shoes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">The casual silver and faint white continued to run across the rooftops in perfect form, jumping onto a train that was approaching the station, and housing a dark grey. He had a blue beak with legs, and was wearing a grey dress shirt with black pants and a black tie; and also had small brown reading specs with a small Chinese hat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">The dark grey strolled out of the train and station, holding a suitcase as he walked; and not even bothering to take notice of a royal blue macaw exiting a taxi. The royal blue had a dark mustache, sole patch and goatee, and wore Elvis sunglasses with chrome metal and red lenses, and he had a greyish blue beak and legs (along with several scars on the left side of his face), and was wearing a dark grey jacket with a light yellow collar over a green dress vest with a pink heart necklace, blue jeans, and brown shoes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">The royal blue walked around the city block he was in, along with two late teenage girls who were presumed to be his daughters, they slowly stopped and sat next to a sleeping dark red macaw on the other side of the bench. The dark red (like the royal blue) had several scars on his face that were mostly covered with a grey beard, and he had dark tan legs and a beak. He was wearing chrome reflective aviator sunglasses, and a grey suit with a black collar and cuffs, a reddish brown tie, and black adult shoes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">The dark red woke up several minutes later, not the slightest bit surprised that he was alone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">…Several hours later…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">The dark red was sitting at his house by himself, lounging on a futon as he continued to watch his favorite programs; calmly waiting for his wife and daughter to return from their time out together. As he continued his time of relaxation, a knock suddenly went on the door. He calmly stood up, walked to his front door and opened it, calmly smiling as he saw the royal blue was outside with the crimson red, and the teenage children.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">About fifteen minutes later, the three were accompanied by the dark grey, dark blue, and casual silver; each happy to see the three.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">They all talked, and they shared stories of their old times together. Eventually, the dark red’s wife, who was white in color with a green shirt and blue pants returned home with their daughter, who was rose red in color, about as old as the other young ones, and wearing a black blouse and blue jeans. Along with them was the royal blue’s spouse, who was a red tailed hawk with a red jacket, green pants, and black shoes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">Yet while it wasn’t a surprise that they came back home, it was a surprise to see who else came with them, who turned out to be a blue jay, a raccoon, and the families that they had were with them as well; but it was a good surprise, and they all talked and had the most fun in years.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">After about a few weeks, everyone went back home to their own home countries, and they all went back to their normal lives. And I no longer mean like the lives you all have seen them live, I mean like the lives that you've been living; just like normal, unharmed, happy lives.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">These were the lives that they’ve always wanted; and now they were all theirs. So say good night to these good people as their door of adventure finally closes, and everything goes back to normal at long last.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''Hello. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''You may not know me, but that’s okay. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''If you read this note, then I’m probably dead, but that…is also okay. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''What you have just read was a story of a nightmare that dozens of innocent people had lived in, and lost their innocence along the way; including me. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''But I have no regrets, for my innocence was lost weeks before any of the park dwellers got to meet Tony Lear’s, I lost it when I took advantage of a drunk man you and I know as Mordecai Quintel. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''I did what I did because I was in love with him; but I suppose I paid the price for what I did, due to the fact I became pregnant with his child, but I now realize that that is my own fault. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''When I gave birth to the child, instead of raising him to be a responsible person like all the others, I taught him everything there is to know about street smarts, and when I finished doing so, I left him on the streets. You don’t know who he is, but you will over time, once you read his story. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''Throughout the years I made him suffer, I turned him into an enemy of myself, and when he was old enough, he got his revenge on me, and after a long and gruesome battle, I ended up in jail, which is precisely where I am now. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''I don’t know where my son is now, but with my arrest on his conscious, I can tell that he is happy. But whether or not I’m in prison, it will not matter, for I am already a dead woman; the man you call House is coming for me, and will take me to a place where I will die by the hand of the one who has taken Mordecai’s heart: Margaret Haddad. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''I know of what will happen, because I have seen it through several visions of the future, and I saw that many people were saved, many were killed, and the rest didn’t change at all…I am in the third category. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''But enough is enough. I can tell that House is at my cell door, and my time of passing is upon me. But I can assure all of you; there is still more to tell, but for now…goodbye. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">''Cloudy Jay. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center; tab-stops: 83.25pt right 6.5in;">' The End…? '