(AN) I do not own Stranger Things or any related media, characters, or trademarks. This is a work undertaken entirely for my own satisfaction and the enjoyment of readers.
This is the second chapter of this AU. I hope you continue to enjoy it even though I am unsure how many more chapters there will be. I haven't decided whether to go beyond the Season 2 endpoint yet. Remember that if I don't go into detail about a series of events that means they proceed in the same manner as the canon. Please leave your thoughts in a review and enjoy reading. (A/N)
Chapter 2: We Will Survive
Dustin explained his "brilliant" idea to aid El, Hopper, and Kali on their mission. Everyone was onboard with the plan but Steve—he worried more about these kids' safety than he would ever verbally admit. The standoff was shattered when a loud sound interrupted from the Byers' driveway. The confrontation that erupted with Billy was going poorly for Steve, and the kids realized which way the winds were blowing. Max and Mike glanced at each other before the later nodded to the former.
Grabbing the bottle and syringe off the side table, Mike handed them to the girl before saying, "Come on; lets' take care of this." Max nodded and the two walked towards the grappling pair. Mike lashed out with his arm and feet, managing to land a few harmless but painful hits on Billy. The enraged teen spun around to attack Mike when the boy suddenly grabbed the aggressor's mullet—momentarily tilting his head downward. Max jumped in behind her stepbrother and jabbed the syringe into his neck. Both kids backed away quickly before Mike grabbed the implements from Max and refilled the chamber. As soon as Billy stumbled, he dashed forward and gave another injection to the large boy's arm. Turning back to Max, he said, "You can never be too careful." The two of them smirked and high-fived before turning towards the now-gaping Dusting and Lucas.
"That was a little scary, you guys. The two of you shouldn't be that natural at take-downs," Dustin said.
"Thanks for the save," a bruised but still conscious Steve said as he picked himself up off the kitchen floor.
"Yeah; he deserved it. Now I think we were getting ready to aid our friends before my brainless kin got here," Max said.
"No! We're not doing that! It's far too dangerous!" Steve exclaimed.
"We're going whether you like it or not. If that means knocking you out too, then so be it," Mike said while refilling the syringe again. Max nodded and smacked one fist into the other palm.
"I'll hold him down Wheeler," the girl said.
"Hang on! Hang on a second! Fine! Fine, but I'm driving and you brats are letting me take all of the reckless risks," Steve said. The pair of young friends could be intimidating when they worked together like this.
"Don't mess with the Dungeon Master," Dustin whispered to Lucas with a sly grin.
On the way to the cornfield, they all noticed Mike talking to himself once again. Seeing their questioning glances, Mike spoke up: "I told El the new plan. Were supposed to detonate in twenty minutes. After the demodogs are out of the way Kali will create the illusion that the tunnels are sealed behind them."
"This is so weird. You're really talking to your little 'friend' Wheeler?" Steve remarked before Mike nodded.
"We thought they were insufferable before; now they're going to be impossible. Literally in each other's' heads," Lucas said with a sigh.
"It's kind of neat," Max interjected.
"You know, it would have been easier if the two of you didn't get along so well," Dustin said, gesturing to Mike and Max.
After the lights had died down, the kids and Steve returned to the Byers' residence to await the others. Mike and Max moved Billy—still unconscious—out of the house and into his car. Steve drove the car to the school where Hopper picked him up; El communicated the situation to him.
Will returned with the others only a few moments after Hopper's Blazer pulled up to the house. Everyone greeted each other warmly before they went inside the house They all exchanged the events of the evening while making plans for El's safety. None of them knew what was ahead, but they knew it would be manageable together.
(AN) I'm not sure this was very good, but here it is regardless. Please leave a review with your thoughts and suggestions. I'm still working on RAFF but am currently bogged down in a lack of new ideas for moving the plot forward. I might just publish some Will/Eli fluff to keep you satisfied. Leave a review on RAFF if you have any thoughts or suggestions there. Thank you! (A/N)