A VI Go down there and snap Clover out of it...

Sam and Alex waited and watched as the solders finished their training and noticed Clover heading toward a particular part of the battle arena to sit and relax. Alex and Sam decided that now would be the time to strike, if they were gonna have any hope of reaching Clover without attracting any of the guards. They were going to have to be quick and smart about it. The two of them walked uniformly down into the training arena and once inside they began hiding amidst the rubble. The targets weren't moving nor could the sound of weapons firing be heard so both assumed that they wouldn't wind up as target practice. As the two maneuvered their way through the abandoned city scape arena they found it easy to hide, making it a perfect opportunity to catch Clover alone.

Their luck came when they saw their friend standing next to an open window. They both snuck inside the completely abandoned square box of a building and then moved up to the window where their friend stood guard. Alex and Sam both grabbed the surprised Clover's shoulders in an instant and puller her into the building before she could respond.

Once Clover was on the ground and had a look at who the two people who had done it were, she smiled ecstatically at both.

"Sam! Alex! You're both wearing uniforms, does this mean you have officially joined the Hive?" she said.

"Sorry Clover," Alex replied seriously "but we're here to get you out!"

"Get me out?" Clover asked.

"Yes. Out of the Hive," Sam said with as much seriousness as Alex.

"Why would I ever want to leave?" Clover asked, seemingly bemused by their statements.

"Clover can't you see what the Hive's done to you!?" Alex asked.

"The Hive has made me realize who I truly am," Clover said.

"It what?" Sam asked.

"I am Clover, the solder and sentry, I am programmed to fight for the hive and recruit suitable candidates on the battlefield," she stated.

"And?" Alex asked while Sam started looking Clover over.

"And that is all," Clover stated.

"What about them?" Alex asked as she pointed out the window to two other solders. A man and a woman, standing side by side completely erect.

"They are Jasmine and Travis, solders and sentries, they are programmed to fight for the hive and recruit suitable candidates on the battlefield," Clover stated.

"But that's what you just said you do," Sam said.

"Yes," Clover said "that is the beauty of the Hive. I am a solder for the Hive and so are they. We all do as we are commanded and no one person is more important than another!"

Alex, in a desperate attempt to reach her friend, plucked off Clover's golden, shimmering sunglasses and looked into her eyes.

"Clover don't you realize? You aren't Clover you're just another solder for the Hive, you aren't really yourself," Alex looked down and then Sam seemed to take over.

"We miss the old Clover. The one who was obsessed with shopping and boys and fashion, she wasn't apart of something bigger but she was herself! Those things, that love of shopping, that self absorbency you had, that way you always prattled off about the latest hunk in your life... they were flawed but they were Clover! Our Clover. The Clover who we love," Sam said.

Clover looked to Sam and Alex for a couple of second and then her eyes seemed to dissuade as her face became one of anguish. She looked down and cried out.

"You're right Sammie!" Clover said "this is wrong... this is all wrong. I shouldn't be like this."

"Clover..." Sam said with a smile.

"It's a good thing you're alright!" Alex said as she stood up. Sam quickly followed.

"OK," Sam said as she looked to the now standing Clover who had quickly regained her composure and her smile "now we need to get out of here."

"Alright," Alex said as she started walking away and Sam followed "let's try to contact Jerry and warn him about-"

Stab. Alex watched in shock and horror as Clover jabbed a syringe into Sam's shoulder.

"SAMMIE!" Alex shouted as her red headed friend fell down and hit the pavement like a rock.

"I am sorry Alex, Sam," Clover said as she put her shades back on "but you will soon understand the Hive's splendor and why I can never go back to the Old Clover..."

Alex's first instinct was to run but she knew that Sam was more important. She grabbed her downed friend, hoisted her up on her back and started carrying Sam off as Clover quickly gave chase to them.

"COME BACK!" Clover shouted "I ONLY WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT TRUE WONDER IS!"

Alex paid no heed to Clover's ramblings. If there was any proof their friend was gone, this was it... they were fools. They had no clue what made Clover like this or even if this was really Clover. For all they knew the real Clover was tied up somewhere and this was a robotic duplicate put in to confuse them. Why didn't they investigate further so they could properly help her? This wasn't just normal Hypnosis or some random device on her body making Clover behave this way... Clover was their honest to god enemy right now!

Sam, meanwhile was still trying to overcome the pain in her shoulder... even though it felt oddly calm now.

Alex would make an excellent member of the Hive, Sam thought. Wait what? She really didn't just think that did she?

Of course I did. The Hive is my whole life, Sam thought again. Suddenly her eyes widened. Those weren't her thoughts!

But of course they are. Do you not remember Sam? How you saw everyone move in perfect unison? In perfect harmony? no! Those weren't her thoughts. But maybe they were? She couldn't tell. You liked it Sam. As a matter of fact you absolutely loved it. Sam blinked. She did like that, now that she thought. One last bit of reasoning, one last bit of old Sam came through. NO! This wasn't good. Sam was becoming one of them. Whatever Clover injected her with was transforming her from the inside out. And it wanted Alex too!

"Alex..." Alex heard Sam wine "please... please let go of me."

"No way!" Alex said as she kept running. Alex heard more footsteps through the arena and she was not going to just leave Sam here for them to do with as she pleased.

Alex certainly cares for me. I must show how much I care for her. The Hive will allow me to always be there for her. Now it was twisting her thoughts. Taking Sam's ideals and beliefs and turning them toward the Hive.

"ALEX I BEG YOU!" Sam said. Sam's arms twitched "let go of me!"

"Sammie I won't just leave you here!" Alex said.

"EMBRACE THE HIVE!" Clover shouted from behind.

Clover truly is right I suppose. Oh Clover my best friend. And Alex too. Where would the three of us be separated? I've always been the smart one. The level headed one. Where would they be without me? They need me. And I need them. Clover is a member of the Hive... And so am I now. Sam thought. Truly she was a member of the Hive. It's wonderful order and control were the only thing giving her once chaotic life order. Now she knew exactly how to put her brains to use. By serving and obeying the Will of the Hive.

"That's too bad..." Sam said. A smile creasing her face as she grabbed Alex's torso and then shifted her weight down to pin the girl.

"OW!" Alex shouted as she hit the ground. Looking up, Alex saw a delusional and fanatic look in Sam's eyes.

"COME MY BRETHREN!" Sam shouted as various warriors from the Arena gathered around them "let us recruit this one into our glorious Hive and have hear learn it's majesty!"

"Sam?" Alex whimpered as she looked up to see Clover hand Sam a syringe like the one before.

"Do not worry Alex," Sam said as she moved it down into Alex's neck "I was a lot like you once, purposeless and lost in what I thought was my identity. But just as Clover is solder number 28891 I realize now that I am Sam. Drone number 1344567. I have an identity now Alex! I have a purpose. And so do you."

I love the Hive, Alex thought. She did? That seemed odd. After all she just thought it was Yes I do love the Hive. It is absolutely wonderful. Better than soccer. Better than fun parks or roller coasters. Now hold on. This all didn't seem right Sam and Clover love the Hive too. I should join as well. It's the only practical solution. She... guessed she was right. After all when has her brain ever lied to her? Suddenly a huge influx of information poured into her. As she felt calmness overtake her she suddenly realized just how wonderful the Hive was. She was a scout. Scout number 9031. That title and that number meant more to her than any name or superficial detail like soccer player or computer geek could ever mean.

"You both understand now?" Clover asked, smiling.

"Yes," Sam responded.

"More than ever," said Alex.

The three of them looked at each other and smiled. Their purpose, their mission, their life had been found. Now they could forever be known as Clover, Solder number 28891 and Sam, Drone number 1344567 and finally Alex, Scout number 9031. The Hive awaited them and they were ready to obey.

Bad End