Chapter 9

"Stop it!" Mike cried as he clasped his hands to his head. He felt like some one was using a battering ram against his skull and his sanity. Memories flashed before him in a blur. He could see them again, relive them again. He felt his body slam into the concrete and ache from the impact. He wasn't sure anymore if it was the concrete floor of his prison or the sidewalk he was beat up on in his memories. Still, no matter what happened, no matter what mental torture this place dragged him to, he could feel a fortifying presence in the back of his mind, protecting him.

And then it wavered.

Something was able to slip past the mental blockade and into Mike's mind. It merged with something already there in the back of his head. And then he felt a sensation he hadn't felt since before his elimination on the island.

A personality took over.

No..

The beast roared in pain, sending reverberations throughout the Otherworld.

Not this, anything but this..

There was no hope left, none at all. It just had to give up, give up and surrender to the pain, to the madness.

He's gone, what good will holding on do anyone?

There were still others out there, but it couldn't fight anymore. This blow was just too much.

Ash, it's up to you to save everyone now. I'm sorry I couldn't be that one.

Elena's identity and sanity disappeared into the chaotic vortex of the Otherworld as her transformation to a Remnant became complete.

A dark-skinned boy and a light-skinned brunette girl, neither of them older than 13, sat next to each other on the edge of a hospital bed, looking up at the TV for the inpatient room. The movie had ended, the credits were rolling, and the girl was tearing up.

"That's how they end part two?" The boy asked. "David just dies?"

"We don't know if he's dead!" The girl protested. "There was a flash of light- something could have saved him!"

"Is he in the next part then?"

"No.." The girl looked down. "You don't see him again. The don't mention him again. The series isn't over though! There's still hope!"

"Wow.." The boy chuckled weakly. "You weren't kidding when you said you were a big fan."

"Anyhoo!" The girl stood up abruptly. "We were going to only watch the one movie. We need to start studying!" She walked over to her backpack on the ground and rummaged through it, pulling out a couple of school books. An audio recorder fell out.

"Gah, crud!" The girl picked it up.

"What's that for?" The boy asked. "I mean, I know it records people, but why do you have one?"

"It's a school project. We had to- Hey!" The girl wiped the remaining tears from her eyes and grinned mischievously.

"What's wrong, Elena?"

"Mike, remember how David's best missions were recon?"

"Yeah?" The boy responded, confused.

"And how you kinda look like him?"

"Yeah?"

Elena's grin grew.

"If you're up for it, I have a plan to take down Doctor Bilekk once and for all. It's stupid, but completely awesome!"

Mike laughed.

"If it's anything like the rest of your plans, I'm in!"

The image of the two children blurred and faded away into nothingness.

Zoey managed to quickly get to her feet after being knocked down by the world shaking. She didn't have time to ask if the other campers saw the scene she just saw. They had to deal with Lea- or with what Zoey assumed once was Lea. The creature had also been knocked down, but was quickly getting to its feet.

"Was that little Vito in the hospital with the Elena chick?" Anne Marie asked. Well, Zoey figured she wasn't the only one who saw the scene this time.

"Now's not the time, Helmet-hair!" Scott called as he stood squaring off against the shadow. The creature growled and took a couple steps forwards. Scott shuddered and reached into his pockets, pulling out a candy bar. "Here, you want this?" He asked, hoping to distract the shadow. The shadow took a couple of steps forwards.

"Her aura is reacting favorably to the candy!" Dawn called. "Let her have it."

"Er- alright." Scott awkwardly tossed the candy bar in front of the shadow. "Here! Now let's pummel it while it's distracted!"

"Dakota help!" Dakota said as she started to step forwards, but Sam held an arm out, stopping her.

"I don't think that's necessary, look!"

Where the shadow once was, there was a slim teenaged girl, unwrapping the candy bar. She had short blonde hair and was wearing a tank top, black skirt, and black combat boots. Suddenly, she stopped unwrapping the candy bar. "I'm back? I'm back! Thank you!" She jumped to her feet and grinned. "I'm Lea again!" She twirled around excitedly, but lost her balance and tripped. Without thinking, Scott stepped forwards and caught her.

"Oh, um, thanks." Lea said, blushing slightly.

"Sha-some one hasn't known Scott for very long." Lightning sighed.

"Er, yeah." Scott said before setting Lea upright and letting her go. "Don't mention it. I mean seriously, don't mention it. Like, if you mention it, I may have to hurt you. Reputation and all." He scratched the back of his neck.

"Oh, don't worry." Lea looked around at the campers surrounding her. "Erm... who are you guys?"

The pain of another anchor to reality being reclaimed did little to upset the monster. He had won his two most coveted prizes. As expected, once he pulled the first under, the anguish took care of the second. Now they would both pay dearly- as soon as he dealt with the rest of the trash. It wouldn't do to have them going around, severing more limbs while he was holed up playing with his new toys. And Ash... if left alone, she could be dangerous. She could ruin everything.

He would obliterate her, then the Otherworld would be his sandbox.