Disclaimer: Still don't own shittttttttttttttttttttttt
"No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true."- Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter
Chapter 4: Max's Paradise (Alternate Title: Paradise Lost)
-Arcadia Bay: Max and Chloe's house-
To say that the new timeline was shocking to Max would be putting it very…very lightly. First and foremost was the fact that she was married. Thinking back it was a testament to how disorientated she was to have not noticed the diamond ring on her finger until Chloe had pointed it out.
-Flashback-
"W-wife!?" Max repeated incredulously making the blonde's frown grow as she raised an elegant eyebrow.
"Uh…yeah…kind of the whole point of that rock on your finger." Chloe stated as the now pale Max glanced down at her hand. Sure enough resting on her ring finger was a gold diamond encrusted wedding band.
"How did I miss that!? Holy shi-"
"Mrs. Caulfield, I regret to inform you that the doctor has diagnosed your wife amnesia. She seems to only be able to recall bits and pieces of the past five years." The nurse making Chloe turn to her in alarm. "It seems she has taken quite the fall. Still, with time, her memories should return."
"Oh my God…babe I'm so sorry this happened to you…" Chloe said as she turned back to face Max, her eyes glistening slightly. "I'll call the school and let them know we will be taking some days off so that we can try and ease you back into your life."
"School? That's right she did say she left class. So she stayed in school since William survived." Max though before frowning. "Are you sure? I don't want to interrupt your studies-"
"Oh please Max, a couple of days won't destroy my GPA. I can make it up later." Chloe said as she waved off Max's concerns. "Besides before your fall, we were planning some days to take off so that the three of us could bond as a family. Though that may be a little difficult now."
"I see-wait…three?" Max questioned in confusion making Chloe give her a sad smile before nodding as she wiped some tears away.
"Three."
-Flashback: End-
Yup. Three.
"I still can't believe it." Max thought as she sat back on their couch with Chloe, watching some movie she hadn't seen yet. Chloe seemed to be deep into it as she didn't even move her eyes from the screen as she struggled to grab a handful of the popcorn that rested in a large bowl on Max's lap. Why didn't they just place the bowl between them you may ask?
Because of the little boy between them that was snuggled up into her side.
It was EXTREMELY hard for Max to not break down in tears every time the boy so much as shifted. Why was this? Well there was one thing Max had intended to take to her grave, her darkest secret; the true reason for Maxine's creation-what led her to tying that noose that fateful night.
There was a reason she had taken to being friends with Dana so easily and it wasn't because of the other woman's looks as she-no- Maxine always joked about. She felt a sense on camaraderie with Dana as both were forced into a similar situation. The blackmail Max had faced was but the lesser of two consequences she had to deal with after getting her drink spiked. Both Dana and Max had come up with the same solution to their…circumstance. There is one key difference, however.
Where Dana had been an adult and researched thoroughly on the issue and reached a well-educated decision. Max had been a young girl who had made a rash decision.
Blackmail did not create Maxine.
Guilt did.
A guilt that threatened to consume her every time she as much as looked at the boy. Her heart actually caused her physical pain with how much she found herself adoring the child. He was so much like her it was frightening, no traces of his fa-his donor could be found.
-Flashback-
"This is us on his second birthday-"
"How?" Max interrupted quietly as she looked down at the photo album Chloe was flipping through.
"How what?" Chloe asked quietly, concern etched on her face as she watched Max swallow back tears.
"How is he here? I mean…last thing I remember…I didn't take the news quite well." Max amended making Chloe give her a knowing look as she wrapped an arm around her.
"I'll be honest Max, things weren't always so…nice for us." Chloe began making Max chuckle bitterly.
"I'm sure my situation now isn't helping it stay that way for you either."
"Max, don't say that. Don't you ever say that." Chloe said as she embraced Max warmly. "Yes I wish you could remember more, but it will sort itself out. We've been through much…much worse than this."
"And if it doesn't? Work itself out I mean?" Max said knowing full well she would never have the memories Chloe held so dear. Chloe surprised her when instead of getting sad or angry, she gave her radiant smile instead.
"Then that just means I get to make you fall in love with me all over again." Chloe said cheekily before her smiled lessened a bit. "I'm sure you noticed the slight limp I have when I walk." Chloe began before nodding towards the corner of the room where Max saw a cane. "I used to need that, and before that I was stuck in a chair."
"What? Why!?" Max questioned in alarm.
"Got in a bad car accident, snapped my back in half." Chloe revealed making Max's eyes widen. "I was mad it happened, but even madder that it didn't kill me. I went to a real low place Max, I was getting worse by the day, suffering-waiting to die when suddenly one day I remembered that kiss you gave me." Chloe said as her cheeks reddened slightly as she gave Max a grin. "I still can't remember what you told me before that kiss, but that was all I needed to give you a call. Just to see how you were doing…it wasn't well either."
"I see…" Max trailed off as she gazed at the blonde.
"One thing led to another and you ended up telling me about your predicament, God…I still can't believe how much hate and despair was in your voice." Chloe said with a shudder. "It was so much like…mine…that I knew you didn't have much time left. So I told you about my situation to give you a pep talk you know? Like 'hey your life sucks but believe me it could be worse, you could be me' that sort of thing. Of course, you being you forgot about your problems instantly and began fretting over me." Chloe said rolling her eyes. "You must have a martyr complex or something."
"Martyr complex?" Max repeated looking a bit amused.
"It's almost annoying how much you put others before yourself." Chloe muttered with an eye roll. "It's why I named our son Holden, wanted him to be a bit more level headed and selfish than his mother…that and your reaction was funny as hell."
"Oh my-I can't believe you! You named my son, our son, Holden as in Holden Caulfield? You bitch!" Max said in disbelief making Chloe laugh loudly, holding her hands up defensively as Max starting hitting her.
"I can't believe I got to see that twice." Chloe said as she wiped her eyes after Max calmed down, her face still flushed.
"Just get back to the story."
"It'll grow on you." Chloe said knowingly. "I was really going to name him Will and told you Holden to get a rise out of you, but at that point you actually liked Holden so we stuck with it. Best decision ever." Chloe said the last part with a frown.
"It grew on me? Wait-why would it be the best decision?"
"Who knows how you women think after labor, think you were on some drugs or something. As for why it was the best decision, well that's coming up in this story." Chloe explained. "You see your family, once they found out about me, fronted all the money need for my surgery. We had to wait though, I wasn't mentally prepared at the time. You gotta understand I could have died, the chance for a successful surgery was pretty low. Wanting to die and being faced with the actual possibility are very different circumstances."
"Che…"
"Still with you back in town, we became each other's rock. You stayed with me, said you would be by my side whether I went through the surgery or not." Chloe said before smiling sadly as tears came to her eyes. "You got so big, your stomach I mean, that I figured you shouldn't be cleaning up after two people-let alone one your age. So I decided to go through with it." Chloe said as she wiped her eyes. "Afterwards I was supposed to stay in the chair for a little bit until physical therapy started so I could begin trying to stand up again…"
"That 'supposed' is troubling me, Che." Max said with a frown making Chloe scratch her head sheepishly.
"Right well, you had went into labor when I was down. So when the doctor told us…I kinda…maybe… sprung out of the bed, ripping the wires from me, and took off down the hall in my hospital gown…"
"Chloe!?" Max said scandalized making Chloe chuckle awkwardly.
"Yeah… anyway you told the doctors I could name him, a gift for going through the surgery. Everyone assumed that just meant that I could be the godmother…but I knew…at that point we had fallen hard for each other and I realized that I never wanted to leave you again." Chloe said quietly. "We got engaged that night in secret. But...mom would never get to see it as she got in an accident a few weeks later, she wasn't as lucky as me."
"Jesus Christ."
"I know right? Despair sure loved us." Chloe said with an eye roll. "To make matters worse, William bailed on me."
"What!? No not William he's-"
"He was a good man…" Chloe began with a frown. "He loved mom a lot, probably too much, after she died he just…just went crazy. He drank so much, Max…then one night we got in argument and he hit me…after that he just left, ashamed of himself I think. Haven't seen him since. Everyone was leaving me, I thought you were next. Of course I had the genius idea of telling you that to your face and next thing I know, you drag me off to get hitched that day. We missed a crap ton a school Max, worked our asses off to get to where we are now. Two full rides to Blackwell."
"I'm Impressed, I mean, I know I'm smart but you. Pigs fly now too right?" Max said getting a playful nudge from Chloe.
"Jerk!" Chloe said with a smile. "Watch that cheek, David's gonna be here any moment with Holden."
"David?" Max said in confusion and surprise, though Chloe didn't catch the surprise in her voice. Smiling, Chloe nodded her head.
"Yeah, he's great!" Chloe beamed and Max had to force herself not to jaw drop at the genuine fondness in Chloe's voice. "He was a bit of a hard ass first, I'll admit, but seeing how much work we were putting into our future he took a liking to us. He watches Holden while we're in class, good man. Holden even started calling him grandpa."
"Grandpa." Max repeated, still in disbelief.
"Yup! Definitely making a plate for him for Thanksgiving." Chloe mused. "Same for Kate and Tori."
"Kate and Victoria? Why are they here?" Max questioned getting a wide-eyed look from Chloe. "I remember bits and pieces of them." Max added to explain her sudden knowledge of people she shouldn't remember.
"Ah, well their parents didn't take too well to them getting together. Cut them both off completely, fortunately they too had full rides. We're going to let them crash here over the summer, lord knows this house is too big for just us three." Chloe said with a chuckle. "Any way. That's pretty much the important stuff." Chloe said as she put the photo-album up just as the doorbell rang. "Just on time, must be David."
-Flashback: End-
"Well, looks like it's time to take you to bed, huh little guy?" Chloe asked with a smile forcing Max from her thoughts as she glanced to the side to see the little boy struggling to keep his eyes open. "Let's get you bed, we can spend all of tomorrow hanging out, just the three of us. Would you like that?"
"Promise?" The boy asked as he looked up at the blonde whom nodded.
"Of course, right Max?" Chloe questioned startling Max whom nodded quickly.
"Yeah, just the three of us." Max reassured making the boy smile before he giggled when Chloe lifted him up quickly and slung him over her shoulders like a sack of potatoes.
"It's my turn to put him to bed, don't worry I'll be back soon." Chloe said as she walked away carrying the laughing boy with her. Max sat down on the couch for all of two seconds before her natural nosiness kicked in. She definitely wanted to see how Chloe would be able to put the child to sleep especially now that he seemed to have woken up completely. Moving quietly throughout the house, Max stopped before a doorframe when she heard Chloe's voice and peeked her head into the room to find Chloe lying next to Holden on his bed.
"So what's it gonna be tonight, kiddo? Story or song?" Chloe said seriously as if giving him the biggest decision of his life though Max could see that the blonde was struggling not to laugh as Holden gained an expression that made it seem as though he believed the decision was really that important. After a few moments he finally spoke.
"Well mom, mommy' is better at stories than you so…song!" The boy said with a bright smile making Chloe laugh as she ruffled his hair.
"My pride! One day I will be able to tell even better stories than your mommy, just wait!" Chloe said though he gave her a look that clearly said he didn't believe it. "Alright, song it is." Chloe said before clearing her throat making him beam at her.
"Yay!" Holden cheered as he snuggled back into his bed as Chloe propped herself up on an elbow to look down on him.
BGM: Lullaby for You- TWEWY OST
"There may not be an answer to this too,
why the sky is blue, is the change in me all true?
Now that you are next to me,
I have no fears and all I know is that I want to be with you
Sometimes it's easy to forget the times we weep,
the moment makes us weak, and all the shame I see
Memories exist for all the precious days my heart still wants to keep,
somewhere deep inside of me
A Lullaby For You
Don't you worry baby, I'll be here by your side
May tomorrow be wonderful too
Close to you I hope to stay, endlessly from today
Even through cloudy days you are not alone."
Max brought a hand to her mouth as tears sprung from her eyes, the song was definitely hitting closer to home than she expected.
"Sweet dreams I do not see cause darkness scares me,
is it because I'm still nineteen, Or the loneliness in me
Wish I may I wish I might sleep soundly through the windy nights,
just to dream of you tonight
A Lullaby For You
Stars will always gracefully watch over 'till it's bright
May tomorrow be wonderful too
Take my hand and promise me, that we'll be all right
Finding a place to feel at home you are not alone
Maybe I'll turn back to stay
Where I came from only yesterday
Whisper then, "The past is gone eternally"
A Lullaby For You
Don't you worry baby, I'll be here by your side
May tomorrow be wonderful too
Close to you I hope to stay, endlessly from today
Even through cloudy days you are not alone.
You are not alone."
BGM: END
Max quietly stepped away as she went back to the front room. Sitting on the couch she placed her face in her hands and willed herself to stop crying. She still didn't know if she would be able to adapt to this new time line, but she would be damned if she didn't want to try her best to.
"He's finally down." Chloe said with a grin as she re-entered the room. "God I love that kid, if I said it once I'll say it again. You, ma'am, have some good genes-hey are you okay?" Chloe asked suddenly when she saw the redness in Max's eyes.
"Yeah, don't worry about it." Max said with a smile as she wiped her eyes. "I'm just being weak, you have a really pretty voice, that's all."
"I suppose you wouldn't remember that, huh?" Chloe said as she wrapped a comforting arm around Max and brought her to her. "Its fine, we'll get through this. As for my voice, I kind of need a good one considering what I'm studying." Chloe said making Max look up at her in confusion. "I got a scholarship to Blackwell for music." Chloe explained to the now surprised Max. "Yup, if I didn't know my notes I'd be in real trouble."
"I bet." Max said with a short laugh before gazing up at Chloe, her smile dropping slowly from her face.
"What's up?" Chloe asked before her eyes widened slightly when Max's lips claimed her own. Her eyes closed as she deepened the kiss before pushing Max backwards onto the couch. It didn't take Max long to figure out who was dominate in the relationship concerning their more intimate moments. Breaking the kiss, Chloe looked down at Max with an expression of confused longing. "Max?"
"Do it."
"Do what?" Chloe asked as Max placed a hand on the side of the blonde's face.
"Make me fall in love with you again." Max said quietly making Chloe blink before a smile graced her lips.
"It'll be my pleasure."
-The Next Day-
"Everybody up! Breakfast!" Chloe's loud voice rung out through the household startling Max from her slumber. Sitting up, she sleepily rubbed her eyes before glancing at the clock. Her exhaustion disappeared as a feeling of disbelief shot through her body when she saw the clock flashing eight o'clock.
"No way! She's actually up!?" Max thought as she stood up and put on a robe which Chloe told her had belong to her. Before she left the room, she stopped when she saw the Photo album on the nightstand. After a quick debate, she decided to snatch the photo of Chloe's birthday just in case before making her way to the kitchen. "What smells so good?"
"Just my special brand of epic cooking skills." Chloe said as Max and Holden sat down at the table. Max couldn't help but gap ate her attire. Chloe was still in her sleepwear which had consisted of a pair of boxers and a large white t-shirt. No it wasn't that that caught her attention though but rather the red apron she wore with the matching bandana. "Cooking Momma, strikes again!" Chloe declared making Holden cheer while Max was still getting over the fact Chloe was cooking breakfast.
"You cook!?" Max couldn't help blurt out making Chloe chuckle at her dumbfounded expression.
"Yup! Someone had to, and lord knows you can't be trusted near a stove." Chloe stated as Holden's face scrunched up in disgust.
"Bleh!"
"Hush you!" Max said good-naturedly making the boy snicker. "What's on the schedule for today?" Max asked remembering that they were supposed to spend time together today.
"First, food." Chloe said sitting down after finally fixing her plate. "Then I was thinking head out to the park to relax and let you get some pictures-that always relaxed you."
"Arcade!" Holden said sending the crumbs of his toast flying from his mouth.
"Finish your food first and remember your manners." Chloe chastised making him nod before swallowing.
"Arcade please!" The boy said again making her smile.
"Better, we can head there after the park." Chloe agreed making him fist-pump. "Then we can head to the beach and just relax there for the rest of the day, maybe even get our own little bonfire going."
"Sounds great, Che." Max said before leaning over and giving Chloe a peck on her lips.
"Ew!" Holden said before drinking his milk as his parents laughed at him.
-Hours Later: Arcadia Bay: Beach-
To say the day was good would be an understatement, it had to have been the best day Max had in years. The park was peaceful and allowed Max to get great shots of her family, some deer even approached them and let them pet them. After that they went to the arcade where Holden had a blast, Chloe even beat a few high scores on the games. Finally they went to the beach as planned but to their surprise Kate and Victoria were already there. Holden was thrilled because it meant he got to finish the day with his 'aunties'.
"It's amazing right?" Victoria asked quietly as she and Max sat in front of the crackling bonfire on the sand while Chloe, Kate, and Holden played in the water as the sun set in the distance.
"What do you mean?" Max asked curiously as she turned to the taller blonde.
"You can't remember much right? What I mean is it's amazing to wake up one morning and to suddenly find yourself with someone the loves you as much as she does." Victoria stated making Max's eyes widen with understanding.
"Yeah…it is." Max said with a small smile making Victoria chuckle lightly.
"Kate and I, we gave up a lot just to take a chance on each other, you know? For me it was just money but for her…it was her family." Victoria said with a sad smile. "Sometimes I just find myself staring at her, as if I had never met her before or something because every time it hits me that someone out there loves me that much…"
"It leaves you speechless." Max said quietly making Victoria nod.
"Exactly. You probably can't remember it but I was a bit…rough…around the edges at first." Victoria began making Max repress a snicker knowing just how much of a bitch Victoria was. "An idiot I thought was my friend hurt her and I made fun of her for it. I didn't think much of it until one day I went too far and found myself getting my ass handed to me by your wife." Victoria said with a chuckle.
"You fought Chloe!?" Max whispered in surprise making Victoria shake her head.
"I got my ass beat by Chloe, that woman hits way too hard." Victoria said with a smirk. "The only reason I got out of it in one piece is because Kate intervened." Victoria said as her smile disappeared. "She saw something worth saving in me and that floored me, fascinated me even. One thing led to another and we eventually went out, having the stick removed from my ass definitely made it easier for us all to be friends."
"I can only imagine, sounds like you were a devil." Max said as if she didn't know the truth which made Victoria smirk.
"Look I told you this because long story short, I who thought I had everything and almost didn't realize I was missing the most important thing-someone to get up for in the morning. You taught me this and gave me the nerve to take a chance on Kate." Victoria explained before frowning as she turned to Max. "I just wanted to remind you of what's really important in case that fall made you forget just how much Chloe mattered to you. Chloe has her good and bad days, I just don't want one of her bad days to scare you off or something."
"Personal experience?" Max said as she tried to repress the guilt she felt. The only reason she was even there in the new time-line is because she couldn't handle one of Chloe's breakdowns.
"Kate still lapses into depression from time to time." Victoria revealed as she clenched her fist. "Lord knows I pretty much drove her to it. But you know what? You have to be able to love them at their worst so you can better appreciate them at their best. Just don't ever give up on her. The you I know wouldn't but I just don't know you that well. No offense."
"None taken, I understand…I'm just glad we have friends like you." Max said before sighing. "Please don't let me fuck this up-"
"Mom! Mommy! Look! Two moons!" Holden cheered making Max blink before chuckling.
"I don't think that's possible-"
"Holy shit!" Chloe interrupted in alarm, not even bothering to watch her language near her son as she looked up into the sky. Frowning, Max looked up at where they were staring and paled when she could just barely make out what looked like two moons.
"Oh my God." Max muttered in disbelief.
"First the snow, then the eclipse, now this? What is going on?" Victoria muttered fearfully making a lump jump to Max's throat. It was then at that moment the wind inexplicably began to pick up.
"We have to get out of here!" Kate shouted as a vortex began forming off of the shore.
"What? The storm is still coming and not only that, it's coming earlier!?" Max wondered as Chloe rushed towards her with a scared Holden in her arms.
"Max we have to go-"Chloe's voice stopped suddenly as she froze in place along with Holden, Victoria, and Kate. Max shook her head fearfully as she stood up and turned back to face the Vortex which hadn't stopped moving, in fact it was much closer than before.
[You can't escape your destiny.]
Max's head pounded loudly before she collapsed to her knees, blood spilling from her nose, before blacking out. Her last sight was that of the frozen Chloe and Holden being reduced to dust.
-?-
Max groaned as she struggled to stand up. She looked around in confusion as she found herself standing in a plane of pure white.
"Where am I?"
[The eye of the storm]
"You…you can talk? How?"
[It should be obvious by now that I am no simple storm. I am an aggregate of temporal anomalies.]
"What do you want? Why do you need to destroy Arcadia!?" Max shouted angrily.
[I do not need to destroy Arcadia. What I am here for is you.]
"W-what?"
[Time is like a river, it flows freely and without end…but sometimes dams are built that stop the natural order.]
"A dam? You're not making sense."
[You humans with your free will, always changing fate at your discretion. When Fate is interfered with, I come to remove the transgressors so that time can continue moving forward. The one you call Chloe was supposed to die by her friend's killer, not Nathan. However the human boy DID kill her and YOU stole a fragment of my power to save her.]
"What!? When did I-"
[I was there to rectify the mistake in her fate for should one's fate not come into fruition the timeline will unravel and I shall be no more. What happens after that, not even I know. I had taken the form of a blue butterfly, you took my picture, stole my image and with it a fragment of my strength.I was enraged at first but our link allowed me to experience what you did…and before long I found myself wanting to live as well. To experience life amongst you mortals but that was impossible for I had no body I could claim as my own…or so I thought.]
Max swallowed a lump in her throat, not sure she like where this tale was going.
[Your power grew and with it, my influence over you. Before too long I would take your vessel as my own and with it even if fate was not fixed, I could escape unscathed with my power intact…or at least that was the plan. Nothing goes according to plan with you infuriating mortals. You refused to give me your body and using my power you reset the time-line.]
"Wait what? I don't remember any of this!"
[Of course you don't you foolish mortal. Unlike me, you are not perfect, but you are cunning. Every time you reset you would change one little thing to alter the time-line. The change would alter everyone's fate in a vain attempt to save your friend from her destiny. The resulting changes would change the course of your own life, thus leaving you without any memories of a previous time-line. Still that mattered not for the you that took your place would continue the tradition of getting in my way and stopping the time line from progressing.]
"Hold on…the way you're talking…" Max began as her face paled. "How long have we been at this? How long have you been after me?"
[Eons.]
"Oh my God."
[That's another reason you yourself took steps into making sure you would not remember, to prevent yourself from going insane and ensure that you would always try to protect Chloe with an undying passion. Still it does not matter, for I learned, oh yes, I learned quite well and now I have won, I have your vessel!]
"What do you mean!? I'm right here, are you going to try to take me over? I won't let you have my body!" Max shouted angrily making the plain rumble as if the vortex was laughing.
[As amusing as you are, no, I do not require that SHELL]
"Make sense!" Max shouted before her eyes widened when the air a few feet before her shattered. Her hands trembled as she saw…herself. "M-Maxine?"
"Lower your voice Max, it's unbecoming of you." Maxine said with a smirk, her body was covered in white fabric and her entire left arm was covered in a bright blue glow that matched her glowing irises. "Miss me?" Maxine asked as she brushed her long hair from in front of her face.
"How is this even possible? Vortex what did you do!?"
"There is no vortex anymore Max." Maxine said with a smile as her eyes seemed to shine a bit brighter. "We have become one. It once again thought it could take me over, but I have over powered it…still this power has definitely opened my eyes."
"Over powered? Take you over? How!? You don't even really exist!"
"That's adorable Max." Maxine said with a laugh before raising her left hand. "You still think I'm the mask."
*Snap*
Max crashed to her knees as she was assaulted with memories, memories she had long forgotten.
"No…" Max whispered as tears filled her eyes as she continued to be assaulted by images.
"Do you remember now? I was the real one, I was an introvert, kept to myself and lived life day by day…until I met Chloe. She was so nice to me, oh how much I wanted to be her friend back then so I thought 'maybe I can try to open up a bit more'. Do you get it yet? You were a mask made to make friends and at some point I lost myself in you…until that fateful night that is, when your actions woke me up."
"I'm…I'm not real?" Max asked as she looked down at her trembling hands.
"You're just a mask." Maxine said with a scoff. "Max the mask." Maxine said with a giggle. "I've already wiped out this entire time-line with the vortex, soon you won't even have a body to anchor you anymore and once I have your bit of the power returned to me…I will make this world once more in my image."
"No…no you can't just lord this power over people like some sort of God-"
"And WHY NOT!?" Maxine boomed angrily. "I'm not human anymore, I'm not past, present, or future, I just am. I am transcendent! These idiots slaughter each other by the millions for some concept of power they created! Money? Jewels? Oil? They don't even know what power is!" Maxine said with a sneer. "Most live their lives with their actions determined by some god they believe in but can't see and then turn around to claim they have free will. No, I've had enough, if they want a God I will give them one they can see and I shall judge them as I see fit! My will is absolute!"
"And who made you the judge!?"
"The world! If God won't answer your prayers then become your own God instead!" Maxine said with a laugh. "Get it yet?" Maxine questioned before lifting her glowing left hand as Max bowed her head. "You see this arm? We pretty much have the hands of God themselves. It contains my portion of the vortex's power and as you can tell it is much greater than yours. If I even as much as tap you with it, you will die." Maxine said before extending her pointer finger and preparing to tap Max on her head. "It was a good run, Max."
"I may be a mask but at some point, after all these years, haven't I become as real as you?" Max said quietly, her head still bowed. "I mean at this point I know you-no me-no- us so well, from our strengths to our weaknesses."
"You can be as 'real' as you want. I have already ascended past that." Maxine said with a scoff. "And what weakness of mine could you possibly know."
"One we're prideful to a fault. You can't just win, you have to rub it in, providing anyone with enough time to come up with a way to take you down a peg." Max said as she raised her head, glaring at the impassive form of Maxine. "And two-this one I found out thanks to Chloe-we have one hell of a glass jaw."
"What-"Maxine questioned but stopped when her head was whipped to the side courtesy of a surprisingly vicious haymaker from Max. The pain sent her crashing back to her rear as Max scrambled to her feet and reached into her bag. Maxine's eyes widened in alarm as Max pulled out the photo of Chloe's birthday which began to glow gold. "Don't you dare!" Maxine shouted as she raised her left hand to reverse time.
*FLASH!*
"MAX!" Maxine boomed with pure unadulterated rage as Max managed to leave the time-line just in time to escape the reach of Maxine's powers. "Tch. It doesn't matter, this time line is gone and she is but a mask. She'll fade away soon enough and her strength will return to me…and if it doesn't…well it will be amusing to watch her fall from grace." Maxine said as her lips curved into a bright smile.
-Years Earlier: Arcadia Bay-
"Of course I'll come pick them up!" William said after his wife asked him to pick up groceries. Max said nothing as she made her way to the kitchen and helped Chloe with the food. After a few minutes of waiting, William found his keys, said his goodbyes and left.
"Max you okay? You're kind of quiet." Chloe said, concern lacing her voice as she turned to face her friend whom seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown. "Max what's on your mind?"
"Damn…keep it together Max, I'm already feeling light headed…if I don't change something quick I won't exist and Maxine will win." Max thought before shaking her head. "Trying to think of how to stop my evil twin."
"Oh ha ha, come on seriously Max. What's the issue?" Chloe asked as she crossed her arms. "You know you can tell me anything right? We're best friends."
"And what if I don't want to be best friends?" Max asked quietly as she turned to face Chloe.
"What?" Chloe asked with a hurt expression. "What the hell did I do?"
"You made me love you." Max said making Chloe blink owlishly.
"I love you too-"Chloe stopped talking when Max claimed her lips as if her life depended on it, Chloe actually felt herself getting a bit weak in the knees as Max continued raising the intensity of the kiss before finally breaking it off. "Where the hell did she learn this!?"
"That's what I meant." Max said as Chloe gaped at her, completely speechless.
"Jesus Max! W-when did this happen? You fell for a girl-me!?" Chloe asked incredulously.
"No I fell for a smile, a soul, a heart, and a great personality…kind of iffy on the brain though." Max said getting a playful swat on the arm from a blushing Chloe. Max gave her a sad smile as her surroundings began to glow. "I love you Che. Always have, always will, the only way I'd leave you is if I truly couldn't help it, please remember that. In your darkest moment, just remember that I love you even if you don't feel the same towards me." Max said before grinning when Chloe nodded her head.
*FLASH!*
-Two Years Later: Seattle-
Max sat on a bench nervously as she held a pamphlet in her hand, her heart thumping in her chest. She read as much as she could on the procedure, but like many things when it finally became time to go through with it she got cold feet.
"Mrs. Caulfield. The doctor will see you now." The receptionist said getting her attention as she placed a hand on her abdomen instinctively.
"B-be right there…" Max said meekly. "It's time, God I know I don't pray much but if there was ever a time to send me a sign to not do something, this would be it-"
*BZZZT*
Max blinked and the receptionist looked at her curiously as she pulled out her phone. Max's eyes widen in shock at the number and looked up at the receptionist.
"Uh…cancel my appointment...I need to take this." Max said as she answered the phone and began walking away, leaving a confused woman behind. "H-hello?"
["Uh…hey Max...wow this is awkward. I know it's been awhile and we didn't part on the best terms but…um….how are things?"] Chloe questioned as Max leaned against a wall before sliding down a bringing her knees to her chest.
"Fake answer or real answer?" Max asked with a wavering voice.
["Real! Come on Max, hit me with the nitty and gritty, you okay?"] Chloe questioned, her concern evident. It only grew when she heard sniffling from Max's end.
"My life has gone straight to hell and I don't know what to do! I'm so scared Che, all I've done is try to help but life keeps fucking me over!" Max exclaimed.
["Whoa! Calm down Max and start from the beginning."]
"It began when I went to a party a few months ago…"
-Present-
Max groaned as she found herself sitting up in a bed that didn't belong to her. Rubbing her eyes she looked up to see Chloe sitting at her desk in front of her. Once again Chloe's hair was short and blue.
"The fuck happened." Max muttered as she rubbed her head. Max winced as, unlike in the previous time-line, the memories slammed in to her-catching her up to date on what she missed out on. This time Max and Chloe had rekindled their friendship much earlier resulting in Holden continuing to be born. Ironically, her love for her son and need to protect them from her father resulted in 'Maxine' anyway nearly causing the exact same events in her 'original' timeline.
There was one key difference though besides the inclusion of her child.
In the original time-line, Maxine had begun falling for Warren only to reawaken feelings towards Chloe which led the three to be in a relationship limbo until the horrible argument.
In the second time line, Max awoke to find herself married to Chloe with Warren together with Brooke.
In the present time-line. Chloe, now aware of her sexuality earlier, had been in a relationship with Rachel only for her to still go missing for six months. Max, still carrying feelings for Chloe, comforted her during the disappearance up until the present time while beginning in a 'friends with benefits' relationship with Warren once more as she had assumed Chloe would never love her as much as she did Rachel. Chloe's jealousy over the situation made her still lingering feelings for Max one of the worst kept secrets in Arcadia Bay history.
Well for everyone except Max whom she admitted may have been a bit denser this time around. A child definitely limited her relationships as opposed to the other time-line.
Oh and the evidence found in Frank's RV had NOT changed which pretty much meant Rachel was probably having an affair.
To sum up…
Shit had gotten fucking complicated.
There.
That's it.
How eighteen to nineteen year olds had this much drama in their love life, Max didn't know, and to be honest she really couldn't care less at the moment. All she wanted to do was get the hell out of 'Maxine's' clothes and get ready to deal with her whenever she decided to arrive. One thing was for certain, solving this case, finding Rachel's killer and preventing him from killing Chloe was her priority now for it seemed to be the only way to stop this time-loop, ground hog day, bullshit.
Max was very stressed at the moment.
Maybe there weren't any masks and just one stressed out (bitch) Max and one normal (nice) one? Max had no idea she could be this bitter and frustrated without Maxine.
"Language~" Chloe said teasingly as she turned away from her desk to smile at her friend.
"I don't give a fuck anymore-"Max stopped when she heard a gasp and glanced to the side to see Holden staring at her with wide-eyes as he played with some toys
Fuck.
She did have a kid now didn't she?
"Sorry honey." Max said apologetically before turning back to Chloe whom seemed to be struggling not to laugh at her. "This week has been complete bullsh-er-crap. We're going to end this investigation tonight or so help me God I am going to snap."
"You okay, Max? I've only ever seen you this testy when someone wakes you up from a good dream." Chloe said as she raised an eyebrow. Max shuddered as she thought of the paradise Maxine had destroyed before shaking her head.
"Trust me, Che. Some things are just better off not being known." Max muttered before standing up and moving to Chloe's closet.
"What are you doing?" Chloe asked curiously. "Thought you wanted to try nothing in my closet."
"Things change, besides Rachel's taste isn't too bad." Max said before smirking. "How good are you with a pair of scissors?" Max questioned making Chloe look at her in surprise.
-Outside-
"Really impressed with myself!" Chloe said as they walked out of Chloe's house. Max once again had her hair cut short and was now wearing black torn jeans with a grey, black, and white t-shirt under an open red plaid shirt. "Still should have let me dye it all red."
"You're lucky I let you give me red highlights because you were having fun, don't push it." Max said with a laugh before schooling her expression. "Holden is going to be safe at your house?"
"Of course, I may not like step-douche but he is good with a gun." Chloe admitted. "Though it won't come to that, we'll figure out what happened tonight."
"You're right…just…just promise me that if something happens to me, you will look after him at least until my parents can grab him." Max pleaded.
"Max-"
"Promise me!"
"I promise." Chloe said reassuringly making Max nod. Max knew why Chloe was confused, the bluenette thought she was scared of whomever took Rachel but Max wasn't even close to being afraid of them. Seeing your loved one's turned to dust kind of desensitized you from conventional murder.
No Max was terrified of herself.
The next time she met Maxine…there was no telling what would happen.
-Blackwell: Nathan's Dorm-
Breaking into to Nathan's dorm was incredibly easy, but Max was still cautious as she had no idea what she would find. Max clenched her fist tightly in anger when she saw a broken lamp, one Chloe had used to fend off Nathan when he drugged her.
"I wasn't even in here two minutes…he's a monster…there is no defending this, being misguided only goes so far, meds or no meds."
"Hmph, so you are finally seeing reason. I must say I am impressed with how you handled yourself against me."
"Maxine!?" Max thought as she tensed.
"Relax, if I wanted you dead you would be…no…no this is much more amusing than I anticipated. Why should I convince you to surrender to me? Let the humans bring about their own fall. Once you see their darkness, you'll consume them yourself. You're just like me after all."
"I'm nothing like you!"
"Could you have picked a more cliché line? This is not some struggle between good and evil. This is a matter of you giving in to your nature. I wonder how many people you will kill before facing me. You still have the memories of our time together after all, part of me will always be in your subconscious Max." Maxine said with a laugh. "Let the games begin, Max. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and wait until the 11th to bring you down. I want to take you down at your best." Maxine said before her presence vanished from Max's mind. Max simply glowered as she continued looking through the room.
"I maybe angry, but I'm not like her…I would never kill-" Max bit her lip as her belief was instantly tested when she saw the picture of a drugged Chloe Nathan had in his drawer. "He…he wouldn't count right? He's not a person-no bad Max. You are NOT a judge. Nothing gives you the right to determine anyone's fate, not even Prescott's."
Max continued her search and narrowed her eyes even more as she searched through his computer. There was an email to Victoria trying to reconcile after what he tried to do to Kate and an email from his father talking about some sort of family destiny. The email from principal Wells apologizing for accusing him of having a weapon really made her blood boil but she still did nothing. After a bit more investigating, she found a private cellphone hidden behind the couch and quickly took it.
"Time to leave." Max thought as she left the dorm and made her way back to Chloe whom was acting as lookout at the entrance to the boy's dormitory.
"Damn, Max, you're finally back. I got worried. So what did you find?" Chloe questioned making Max frown.
"His room was hella creepy….but check this out." Max said as she pulled out the phone. Chloe took it and looked over it for a second before smirking.
"Boom! Nathan, we got you by the balls fucker." Chloe said just as the door opened behind them making the glance up to find Nathan walking in.
"What are you doing in my dorm!?" Nathan questioned angrily. "You're such a nosy bitch Maxine!"
"Stay back Nathan!" Max warned though it wasn't to protect herself or Chloe, but ironically Nathan. She was at her limit and could feel her powers continue to evolve. As much as she hated to admit it, she had no idea what she would end up doing if pushed too far at the moment.
"Make me, ho!" Nathan challenged as he was getting held back by Chloe. It was at that moment a brown blur rushed out from the corner of her eye and pushed Nathan back. Max looked on incredulously as Warren stood in front of her and Chloe.
"Stay back Maxine." Warren said with a frown. "I got this."
"Get the fuck out of my face." Nathan practically growled out making Warren sneer before viciously head-butting Nathan in his face sending him crashing back down on to the ground. "You are so fucking dead!" Nathan shouted as he pulled out his gun only for Warren to instantly kick it out of his hands and send it sliding across the hall.
"Holy shit!" Max thought in disbelief as Warren walked forward and began kicking Nathan viciously in his chest.
"Get off me brah!" Nathan shouted but Warren didn't look close to giving up his assault. Max was now faced with a dilemma. Stay out of it or let Warren continue kicking Nathan's ass.
The speed at which Max had made the decision to stay back and watch was mind-boggling.
"You like to hurt people, huh?" Warren said angrily as he continued to kick Nathan. "Like Maxine? Like Chloe? Me? What about what you tried with Kate!?" Warren questioned as he knelt down and began punching the shit out of Nathan. "Feel that motherfucker!?" Warren shouted angrily as blood began to splatter on his knuckles from Nathan's badly bruised face.
"You're not going to let him have all the fun are you? Despite how…appealing…he looks right now."
"There is nothing in it for me."
"Oh, I beg to differ. How bad do you want to solve this case? I can show you away to extract as much information as you want from him."
"Why are you trying to help me?" Max thought with a frown.
"I am NOT the vortex…I only have our best interests in mind. What about Holden? Will you really risk not solving this case and endangering him?" Maxine questioned before chuckling. "Besides I love watching you grow, it makes me eager for our next clash and believe me you will need all the power you can get for that."
"Warren! Stop!" Max finally shouted as Nathan began breaking down into tears. Max pulled Warren off of Nathan and held him for a moment as he began to pant tiredly, all of his energy had went into that onslaught.
"Warren, look at me." Chloe said as she looked at him with wide-eyes. "Everything bad I said about you? Taking it back right now. That was epic." Warren gave her a tired smile as Max walked over to Nathan and knelt down next to him.
"Please…I'm so sorry…"
"That's the thing, Prescott. Sorry doesn't always cut it no matter how genuine it is. I don't care how messed up in the head you are, you pulled a gun out on me and my friends numerous times. You assaulted someone I love and attempted to do so again on a close friend of mine and I bet that's just the tip of the iceberg." Max said as she place a hand on his face and tightened her grip. She wasn't sure what he saw on her face at that moment but it definitely made him empty his bladder.
"Stop! I'm sorry! Please-AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Nathan screeched with so much agony that even Chloe and Warren winced as the veins in his head popped out while his eyes rolled back.
"Dear God…" Max whispered, her voice wavering as she found herself looking through Nathan's memories. "So much pain…death…how could you? How could you willingly be a part of this?" Max questioned as tears slid down her cheeks. The wetness beneath her hand alerted her to the fact that Nathan was crying as well. "All those women…who helped you with this!? Who!?" Max shouted as she continued to search though his mind, her own anger getting the best of her.
"AHHHH PLEASE, ENOUGH! PLEASE!" Nathan shouted before he began foaming at the mouth as blood came out of his nose, eyes, and ears. Max had started off poking through his memories gently but the more she found, the more she despised the man beneath her. Her violent assault on his mind only stopped when both Chloe and Warren pulled her off of Nathan.
"Get off me!" Max shouted angrily as she spun around to glare at them, making them both tense with slight fear as they gaped at her. Confused by their expressions, Max turned to a window where she could faintly see her reflection and paled when she saw crimson irises fading away into a familiar blue.
"Holy shit…" Chloe whispered making her swallow a lump in her throat before slowly turning around to look at Nathan, but there was no Nathan to be found, just a skeleton that was partly disintegrated. "M-Max-"
"Let's keep going on." Max stated as she walked towards the door. "It'll be alright, it'll be alright, everything will be alright." Was Max's calming mantra as she tried to focus on the here and now, a technique that was a favorite of Maxine's. She could grieve later, but now she had an Armageddon to stop.
"Who's the bitch now?" Chloe asked after picking up Nathan's gun and spitting on his remains.
-Outside-
"So what now?" Warren questioned as he stood outside with Max and Chloe. "Nice look by the way."
"Thanks." Max said with a tired smile.
"Is there anything you two are going to need help with?" Warren asked making Max nod.
"Yeah, I need you to stick with me. Chloe, go home and get our family out of this town." Max said seriously making Chloe blink before frowning.
"What? Excuse me? Are you really trying to send me away, now? When we are so close?"
"Yes, look I know you don't like it, I get it. The thing is though everything depends on you not getting killed by Rachel's killer-"
"Whoa! Hold up! Killer?" Chloe interrupted with wide-eyes which was mirrored by Warren "What do you mean, killer?"
"Rachel is dead, Che." Max said quietly. "I saw it in his mind. They've been abducting women, trying to fulfil some stupid destiny or whatever. Doesn't matter their destiny that pales in comparison to mine. Something bad is coming you guys, something I have met personally." Max said with a shudder. "I need to stop it and I just don't know how, that much power will turn you all to dust in an instant. My power is growing and I can only hope it's enough to stop that…thing…tomorrow or this entire planet is fucked."
"What the hell is coming tomorrow?" Warren asked incredulously making Max release a shuddering breath.
"Me." Max said confusing them before she turned to Chloe and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I am sorry for your loss, Che, believe me I am but if you don't want to lose even more than you already have, listen to me. I can take you to her body, but after that you have to get out of here." Max pleaded quietly as Chloe's eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Show me." Chloe said firmly making Max nod before glancing back at Warren.
"I'll meet you at the party later to put an end to this case once and for all." Max told the man whom nodded.
"Got it."
-Junkyard-
"No…no…anywhere but here, not the place we hung out at…" Chloe said quietly as they walked through the junkyard. Max stopped as she glanced down at a particular spot.
"Right there." Max said quietly making Chloe fall to her knees as she shook her head.
"No…" Chloe said quietly before she began digging at the ground. "Please God no!" Chloe begged as she and Max dug at the ground. It didn't take long but soon they found some parts of clothing followed by a terrible smell that nearly made Max vomit. "Why…who the hell does this!?What kind of God let's this happen!?" Chloe shouted angrily as Max held her tightly while the bluenette broke down. "Why Max? I loved her so much. She was my angel."
"I know, Che. Be strong just a little longer for me, please. You succeeded, you found her when everyone else stopped searching and together we will save many more women from this fate." Max said quietly as she tried to comfort Chloe.
"W-who did this? Who helped Nathan?" Chloe asked angrily. "Who killed Rachel!?"
"Jefferson." Max said quietly making Chloe tense before she looked up at her in disbelief.
"Your teacher!?"
"Yeah, and he's going down tonight." Max swore. "It's why I need you to leave. If you go, he will kill you. Warren and I can stop him and then I can focus on the biggest issue of all."
"Oh you flatterer you~"
"Shut. Up."
"Promise me Max, promise me that you'll make that bastard pay." Chloe said quietly. "I want that bastard dead, Max."
"Chloe…"
"I know it's a lot to ask of you, especially since I bet you're still shaken up about Nathan. Still if you can't do it, then you can forget about me staying away." Chloe gave her ultimatum making Max grimace. The last thing she wanted to do was kill another person but as horrible as it may have sounded she'd do it in a heartbeat to keep the woman before her alive.
"Fine, I'll…do it." Max said with a wince. "I'll deal with him."
"Body number two, what happened to you not leaving a trail of bodies in your wake? So, so proud of you Max."
"You lied to me the first time, you didn't tell me that technique would kill Nathan."
"And it wouldn't have if your rage hadn't interfered. No that total obliteration of Nathan was all you."
"Thank you Max," Chloe said quietly. Max remained silent but did tighten her embrace.
-That night: Vortex Party-
"So what's the game plan?" Warren questioned as they stood at the entrance to the party. Max pulled out her camera and instantly took a picture of herself and Warren. "Uh, Maxine? Don't think this is selfie time."
"I can travel through pictures, remember?" Max asked as she waved the picture before placing it in her pocket. "Think of it like a save point or something. Something goes bad, I can come back here and try a different approach."
"Smart!" Warren said with a smile. "Let's go get that bastard." Warren said as he moved forward only to stop when Max suddenly tensed before grabbing on to his arm for support as she struggled to remain standing.
"Okay that failed, new plan." Max said with a grimace making him blink as he realized that she must have time traveled.
"Whoa! What happened?" Warren asked as he helped her stay upright.
"He has a syringe filled with some kind of drug or another. He snuck up on us when we went back to the junkyard and got me with it. I heard two shots before blacking out, not sure you made it, when I woke up I found myself in his dark room." Max muttered before shuddering.
"Are you okay?" Warren asked as he listened to her tale with wide eyes.
"He tortured me Warren, he kept sticking me with needle after needle but I got free and manage to escape through the photo." Max said quietly. "I'm so damn tired, War. I just want this week to fucking end."
"It will Maxine, I promise. Afterwards we can all put this behind us." Warren swore making her smile slightly.
"Thanks."
"Are you sure you are okay?"
"I'll be honest, I'm hurt Warren. I don't know what he shot me with or what he did to me while I was out, all I know is that my body feels weak and is in pain." Max said quietly as she forced herself to stand on her own two feet. "If I don't make it out of this alive, tell Chloe I'm sorry for breaking our promise."
"I won't have to. You're gonna be okay." Warren reassured her as they entered the party. Max knew the deal now, hang around a bit before leaving for the junkyard. Jefferson would follow them, but she would be ready this time.
"Victoria." Max called out when she finally spotted the taller blonde. Victoria turned to face her friend with a witty comment but stopped when she saw that the woman looked almost dead on her feet.
"Maxine?" Victoria questioned with a frown. "Are you alright?"
"Not at all…look, be careful. I need you to listen to me, everything I am about to tell you is completely legit." Max before shaking her head. "I figured out what happened to Rachel."
"What?" Victoria asked in alarm making Max grimace as she urged her to be quiet.
"She's dead Victoria, I found her body." Max said as Victoria's face grew paler. "Jefferson killed her, pull out your phone I'm going to give you locations where you can find the evidence to give to the authorities."
"Wait if this is true, why don't you do it?" Victoria questioned in confusion.
"Jefferson has his eyes set on you tonight. I'm going to get him away from you after you win the contest and deal with this personally…look Tori, I won't lie. I am probably not getting out of this." Max said seriously before giving her a weak smile. "So do me a favor alright? Save a dance for Kate."
"You're…you're being serious right now." Victoria said as if something had blown up in front of her. "Max, wait-you don't have to do this alone."
"I have a little help, don't worry." Max said before laughing lightly. "It was extremely bumpy, Tori but you were definitely an interesting friend." Max said before leaving the stunned blonde alone as she disappeared within the crowd of dancers. Eventually Max clapped for Victoria after she won the contest, said woman looked terrified but managed to fake a smile as she stood close to Jefferson. Max used that moment to sneak off.
-Junkyard-
"She's still here." Warren muttered as Max grimaced knowing what was coming. Counting down from ten in her mind, she schooled her expression as she suddenly hopped forward to avoid getting stuck in the neck with a needle. Spinning around she raised her right hand and glared at the scowling form of Mark Jefferson whom quickly pulled out a gun and shot at her.
*Rewind*
A bead of sweat slid down Max's face as the bullet stopped a mere inch from her face before reversing and going back into the gun. Jefferson looked at her in surprise and Warren used his confusion to tackle him to the ground and attempt to steal the gun from him. Unfortunately, the older man as much stronger and manage to flip Warren over and aim the gun at him.
"Get off of him!" Max shouted as she pulled William's knife that Maxine had swiped from her pouch and stabbed it into the man's shoulder blade make him release a pained shout while Warren scrambled free from under him. Max tried to take the gun from him only for a gunshot to ring out that made her lose her footing. Growling, the teacher pushed Max back sending her crashing down onto the ground as he stood over her menacingly.
"This could have gone much easier, Maxine!" The man said as he aimed the gun at Max whom wasn't sure if she could raise her hand and activate her power before he could shoot her. She had gotten incredibly lucky the first time.
*BANG!*
Jefferson looked down in surprise to find a bullet hole in his chest before blood spilled from his lips as he struggled to glance behind him.
"You…"Jefferson muttered before falling over revealing a pissed off Chloe.
"Burn in hell." Chloe muttered before rushing over to Max's side. "Fuck! Max you've been hit!" Chloe shouted in alarm as Warren rushed to her side as well. Max grimaced when her adrenaline began dying down allowing her to feel the bullet wound in her side.
"I told you to get out of here with our families!"
"I sent them away, told them about a storm warning and that they should evacuate. Joyce and David have your son, don't worry." Chloe explained though Max's glare never lessened.
"Why did you come back?"
"You don't honestly think I would leave you to face this without me do you? And that said, you can't leave me either." Chloe said as she held Max. "Warren call an ambulance!"
"Already on it!" Warren said as a phone was pressed against his ear.
"Come on, stay with me." Chloe pleaded making Max give her a sad smile. "Can't you reverse your wounds or something?"
"Never figured out how to get these powers to work on me. It's as if my body isn't affected by them or something." Max said before giving Chloe a sad smile. "Looks like I'm leaving you again, huh?"
"Don't say that, Max! Please." Chloe pleaded as tears filled her eyes.
"You know I never stopped loving you, not even once." Max said as blood began to come out of the corner of her mouth.
Come on, Max not now, don't you dare tell me that now!" Chloe said angrily. "There has to be something I can do!"
"There is, dig up that corpse for me." Max said tiredly confusing Chloe. "Don't worry, I can hold on a bit longer." Still confused, Chloe didn't hesitate to grant what might have been Max's final wish. Warren helped out as well and before long the shriveled up corpse of Rachel Amber was unearthed. "Thank you." Max said quietly as she lifted up her hand and pumped out the last bit of power she could muster and began reversing time on the corpse. The pain was unbearable, the strain was probably pushing Max into the grave faster but she didn't relent. She was determined to finish this last thing.
"Oh my God." Chloe muttered as she and Warren watched in morbid fascination as life slowly began returning to the once decaying body.
"Don't you dare hurt her again, Amber." Max said with a small glare before her vision began to darken after her arm felt as though it was being ripped apart. The last thing she saw were flashing lights and Rachel's eyes opening followed by Chloe calling out her name frantically.
"Max!"
To be continued…
Next Episode: Finale: Maximum Potential (Alternate title: Incursion)
Reviews:
Masterart: Not exactly sure what you asked but if I got it right then I will update it eventually, just finishing this up first. It's only five chapters long.
Alpenwolf: Glad you liked it and yeah I always love putting crazy twists on the worlds I write about. Thanks for the review!
PricefieldHasRuineMyLife: Dat pen name tho. Lol. Glad you like the updates, hope you enjoy this one too!
Tale Master Redux: Sometime after I finish this (it's literally only 5 chapters) there is A LOT of work that goes in to writing Sora, taking a small break to research and improve my writing skills a bit to make higher quality chapters.
Grunt Gunner00: Glad you like the twist!
Wadethewolf: Haha thank you!
Z2010Deadmeat: This is how I plan to deal with it! Lol Thanks for the review.
Funio10: Fine you can have her back lol thanks for the review!
AJ Lexie: Lol have to give a shout out somewhere. And you're right about that, poor Chloe.
ShepardisaBOSS: Thanks for the review and yup you know me too well by now, nowehere near being the end of her.
Rowanred81: Glad you liked the update and you're right about masks, hope this didn't mess up your mind too bad when concerning who is real and who is fake. Sometimes we try so hard to please others that we don't notice the masks we slip on just for them. Yeah definitely goes too far sometimes.
Warhaven22: lol well four kids short but close enough XD Thanks for the review bro!
Edboy4926: Saw some lets plays of it-looks like heavy rain with better graphics and a more horror centric story. Definitely want to try it out!
Leez: We already discussed the review but thanks for feedback anyway!