(A/N:) Well, I did say that I wouldn't be updating as often...

The Struggle of a Friend

Jason POV

I sat, lost in my thoughts, in the house that I shared with my friends. The past few days have been hell for me, for everyone. All three of my best friends are gone, evil and not afraid to kill the people they used to love. I haven't spoke a word to anyone since Aether and Sky had been turned, not even to Dawn. She's taken it the worst though, she locked herself in Sky's room.

Every now and then I hear her sobs coming from downstairs. I felt a nose nudge me, and I look over to Jeffrey. I pet his head for a bit then stand. Walking to the door, I open it and walk downstairs.

Walking to the window, I push the curtains aside and look outside in hopes that maybe, just maybe, my friends would be walking up and completely normal again. Memories of the days I lost my friends came flooding back. Then I remembered how much of a douche I am. I've left the army with no leader, just letting them all be attacked while I stay home and wallow in my own self-pity.

Angry at myself, I walk over to the chest where I keep my armor and swords and start suiting up. Unbelievably, I hear a doorknob turn and Dawn finally emerges from Sky's bedroom.

"W-Where are you going?"

I look at her and say something I should've said the day that Sky and Aether were converted. "I'm going to save my friends."

She reaches into the chest and pulls out her own stuff. "Well, I'm going with you. I'm not gonna go another day without S-Sky."

Right then and there is when my determination to find my friends and bring them back kicked in.

Aether POV

I scanned through the land, where my friends and I would go to hang out. The old fountain, our house, the HQ. But no matter where I looked, there was no Jason. I was frustrated beyond belief, so I tried going to the places a second time checking as thoroughly as possible.

It's like Jason turned invisible, he just went off the grid, nowhere to be found.

I scoured every last place I knew of that he'd been at some point. The last place I could think of would be just out in the country walking around, to nowhere in particular. So that's where I went.

I got into the mindset of Jason, thinking about where I'd be out in the country if I was sad that my friends were gone. Not being able to think of anywhere in particular, I just began wandering around aimlessly, one hand tracing the outline of the hilt of my sword.

"Hello."

I spun around, face to face with Sky.

"Oh, it's you," I said. "Thought you were still unconscious."

"I woke an hour ago, Enderlox let me tag along in the search. Wasn't that hard to find you," he responded.

I nodded in acknowledgement, and we set on our way again before we finally saw Jason up ahead, walking with Dawn. He was in full armor while she had a helmet, leggings and boots. Judging by the getup, I thought, they must be searching for us.

I turned to look at Sky, who grinned at me, and we prepared for ambush.

Dawn POV

The travel was long and hard to endure, but I knew that in the end it'd be worth it to get Sky back. I love him so much, and am absolutely ready to kill that bastard Enderlox for what he did. The rage and love is what kept me going so far, and there's absolutely enough left to get me the rest of the way.

Jason stopped me.

"What the hell are you doing, we have to keep going!"

"I hear something," he said, brushing off my comment.

I rolled my eyes and sighed in frustration. "There's nothing out here, let's go Jason!"

He turns to look at me. "What if it's Sky? You'd wish you had listened if it had been." That was all it took to get a "Fine." from me.

Jason looked around, sword at the ready. He nodded to the right. "Take that direction, I'll go left. If you see him, come get me. I turned to the right and walked off, keeping an eye out for my Sky.

It was so pointless, there was nothing. Jason must be hearing things, I thought. I sighed and trudged forward through the trees.

Sky POV

I waited above, watching Dawn below me. Glancing upwards, I saw Aether get ready. We were about to do it, lure Jason to us using her shrieks as bait. I couldn't even hold back my malicious glee, relishing the thought of bloodshed. This was going to be fun.

I gave the signal and we dropped down.

I hit the ground in front of Dawn, scaring her. She yelped in fright, before recognizing me. "A-Adam?"

"Dawn, I missed you so much!" Deception. After this, she'd never see the betrayal coming. She threw herself into my arms and I motioned for Aether to grab her.

"I thought I had lost-" Aether cuts her off by grabbing her by the arms. I stare at her, and her expression shows confusion and sadness. I draw my sword and she screams.

Jason POV

Nothing, nothing and more nothing. Whatever I heard was gone now. I sighed, ready to give up, when Dawn's scream rings out.

"Dawn!" I yell out, running in the direction she yelled from. Branches slap me, I nearly trip from all of the thick brush, but none of it fazed me. To get there quicker, I started my jetpack and flew. Seconds passed, and I knew that with each one that I'd be less and less likely to save her.

I finally reach her, to see Sky ram his sword through her. I watched in horror as the blade cut through her as if she were nothing, entering her back and leaving out her stomach. Blood poured from the wound, and she looked weaker with each breath she took. I sank to my knees, staring at the scene in front of me. I had failed her. "Dawn..."

Sky's sunglasses fell from his face revealing his eyes, which were completely white.

Dawn gave a pitiful cough, blood dripping from the corners of her mouth. Then Sky made it even worse, he gripped the handle of his sword and pulled it up, brutally maiming her already dying body. More blood, and now gore. I shut my eyes, the scene making me sick.

I only listened as she slid off the blade and hitting the ground with a dull thud. I opened my eyes as she despawned. She'd reappear somewhere, with no memory. She'd get a new life, maybe find happiness and love again but she'd never realize that we were her friends.

Sky's eyes became normal the moment Dawn despawned, and he picked up his sunglasses and put them back on. He and Aether walked towards me. I didn't even fight back as the two grabbed me and took off to their base. My friends were now ruthless killing machines and I couldn't stop it.

I didn't care anymore.