AnimeGirl 144 A/N: Hiya everyone. Guess what! We have a fun guest appearing! Let's give it up for the guest!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except maybe my character (it's half-and-half because I use the name in FusionFall, sort of). Everything else in FusionFall is the property of Cartoon Network, except something that is owned by Teletoon, and then Toonami.

Title: What Gets Me Through the War

Author: AnimeGirl 144

Chapter Twenty Five: The Dark Wizard Lives

I felt bad for skipping out on the Cul-de-Sac celebration last night. Everyone had been on edge since the war began, so last night they had set up a party to diffuse the tension. Sarah and Jimmy had come by to ask me if I wanted to attend; I declined politely, stating that I was tired and they seemed to understand, leaving me to myself. I spent the night rather quietly, using my time going through the items in my house and getting myself reacquainted with my possessions.

After dressing myself for the day, I headed for the front door to find the boys and offer them breakfast. I felt bad for being very spacey yesterday; it seemed to have upset them. As I opened the door, I was surprised by the sight that greeted me. Brent and Trent were wrestling Palmar to the ground. I blinked in shock, since they didn't seem to notice my presence up until my Nano Juniper appeared out of the Nanocom, making a small noise in her throat to gain their attention. The trio stopped and looked up at me.

"Uhm..." I didn't dare ask what was going on.

"See? Perfect opportunity!" Brent said.

The twins pulled Palmar to his feet, but held him in place with one boy holding each of Palmar's arms behind his back.

"Now apologize," Trent said civilly.

"What's this about?" I asked in shock while my Nano crossed her arms over her chest.

"We noticed you were really upset yesterday after Palmar snapped at you, so he's here to apologize," Brent explained with a kind smile in my direction. He then turned to Palmar and said expectantly, "Right?"

"You don't have to force him," I said, feeling sympathetic towards Palmar who looked to be in some discomfort.

"He needs to apologize," Trent said. "He hurt you and that's just not acceptable."

I was touched by the twin's concern, considering that they'd be more loyal to Palmar than myself, considering that their friendship ran much longer with him than with me. I was going to speak out against them forcing Palmar to do this when the leader spoke.

"I'm sorry if my snapping hurt you Alice," Palmar apologized sincerely. "I was worried that something was wrong with you. We're getting closer to the end of this war, and anything can go wrong. I was just edgy. I'm sorry."

I felt a bit of heat in my cheeks but shook it off and smiled at him.

"It's alright," I said. "Why don't you three come in and I'll make some breakfast for all of you."

The mention of food caused Trent and Brent to release their hold on Palmar and to run into the house, causing me to smile at their retreating backs while my Nano followed after to ensure that they wouldn't mess up my kitchen. Palmar followed them more slowly, and once my teammates were in my home, I closed the door to cook for them.

No P.O.V.

Jack sat in a butterfly position, mediating at the edge of Mandark Ind.'s airship. His eyebrows were creased in worry and concentration. Many warriors who wanted to meet him were turned away by Jack's comrade, Tetrax. The alien was worried for the time-traveling samurai since he had been in that position since Alice and her friends had departed from the Darklands.

"Are you alright my friend?" Tetrax questioned the samurai as he stood behind the seated man.

"No," Jack replied, opening his eyes. "I sense that he is growing more powerful."

"Fuse?" Tetrax questioned.

"No," Jack replied as he stood to his full stature and turned to look at his comrade-in-arms. He practically spit out the name, "Aku."

Tetrax remembered his name from Jack retelling his tale of dealing with the Dark Wizard, but Tetrax did not know him personally.

"Please call upon Alice," Jack requested. "I am in need of her services."

Tetrax nodded and grabbed his ComLink.

Alice's P.O.V.

We found ourselves on the airship in the Darklands once again, staring at the two, adult warriors that supervised over the younger warriors in the Darkland. Both were tense, making me slightly worried that something bad had happened.

"Alice, I require your assistance," Jack began formally.

"Of course," I said with a nod, patiently waiting for Jack to continue.

"I ask that you go to Hero's Hollow and acquire the Wisdom Seed from the Eyebulb monsters," Jack stated. "Once you have gained the seed, take it to the Dark Tree. It should slow the Dark Tree's infection."

We nodded.

"Before you leave, take this with you," Jack continued, holding out his hand.

In his palm was a black shard that oozed evilness, making me shudder in fear.

"This is the Shadow Fragment that contains the remains of Aku," Jack explained. "When you are at the Dark Tree, destroy it. Without these, Aku cannot gain a foothold in this timeline."

"We understand," Palmar stated, taking the fragment from Jack.

He placed it in his pocket, but I could still feel the effects of the fragment. With no more explanations needed, we headed, by the use of the Skyway, to Huntor's Crest. We avoided Demongo and headed into Hero's Hollow, coming upon the Eyebulbs quickly. After killing a few that stood in our way, we found the one that dropped the Wisdom Seed. I quickly grabbed it before another monster could steal it and handed it to Trent, who safely tucked it away in his pocket. With the seed safely placed away, we headed into the Dark Glade, heading for the Dark Tree. As we were getting closer, I felt the beginnings of a headache that began to grow more and more in pain as we drew closer to the tree.

"Are you alright Alice?" Trent asked as we were heading to the Tree by way of the rickety bridge.

"I-I'll be fine," I answered, gripping the rope for dear life.

"Palmar! Dude! Look at your pocket!" Brent exclaimed in awe when we stepped foot on the floating platform of the Dark Tree.

All our attention was turned to Palmar's pocket. From his pocket opening, a shadow-like substance began to float out of it. Palmar quickly grabbed it and held it in his hand in shock. In shock, I was drawn to the fragment before feeling myself being pulled from consciousness as the fragment floated from his palm and towards me, beginning to feel it fuse with my body. I heard the boys shout, but I couldn't tell for what reason or why. I just felt myself leave the world of the consciousness and fell into unconsciousness.

You are now mine, dear.

No P.O.V.

The boy's stared in shock as the fragment floated from Palmar's palm towards their female friend and watched as it embedded itself in her body. They shouted in shock and worry, unsure of what was happening or what to do. Her eyes were closed as she stood still. The boy's wondered what was happening to her when her eyes suddenly snapped open.

What they saw made them lose their breaths.

No P.O.V.

Demongo suddenly turned in the direction of the Dark Glade.

"Master?" he questioned with delight.

No P.O.V.

Jack's entire body tensed, causing Tetrax to look at him in concern.

"Is everything alright my friend?" he asked.

"He was been awakened," Jack stated.

No P.O.V.

A ping on Dexter's computer caused the genius to look at it in question. As he was bringing up another window to view what had been pinged, Computresss rolled into the room, coming to stand behind Dexter.

"Dexter, I have sensed a high power energy appear in the Darklands," Computress reported. "More details are yet to be known."

"Yes," Dexter said as he viewed what his computer data was reporting. "And it seems Alice is in the middle of it."

No P.O.V.

Fusion Alice turned her head in a random direction while Fuse raised his head. A glare was set on his face as he bored holes into the wall before him. Like his daughter, he had sensed the high power emerge, and he was none-too-pleased.

No P.O.V.

Instead of a pair of blue eyes staring back at them, it was small, cold black eyes. Around her eyes were red, living flames. She regarded them coldly as shadowy energy vibrated off her. They were briefly reminded of their encounter with Fusion Alice, but felt that this was a more dangerous situation. Alice stretched out her hand and clenched it. The boys stared in shock as shadow-like flames consumed her fist.

"How good it feels to be out, even if it isn't in my true body," a deep voice from Alice's throat said.

"That's-" Trent began.

"Aku," Palmar finished through gritted teeth.

"This isn't good," Brent remarked unhelpfully.

Alice/Aku regarded the boys again and glared at them.

"Perfect. A way to test my abilities in this body," Aku remarked.

"Get out of her body Aku!" Palmar ordered.

"I don't think you understand, boy. Her body is powerful, and a perfect vessel for me to use," Aku stated.

"I don't care what you believe. Get. Out. Of. Her. Body!" Palmar ordered.

"And what will you do if I don't? Attack me?" Aku taunted, staring down at Palmar haughtily.

Palmar snarled in anger, but didn't say a word against his statement. While he wanted to get rid of Aku, there was no way to do so without harming Alice. Aku seemed to see his dilemma and smirked.

"So weak. It is truly a shame that she is stuck with you," Aku said, looking around his surroundings.

Sensing the Dark Tree, Alice/Aku walked towards the Dark Tree, raising her hand and placing it against the side of the living plant. She closed her eyes and began to draw the dark energy from the tree to consume it with herself.

"What can we do?" Brent questioned in a hushed tone.

"I'm not sure," Palmar answered, keeping his eyes trained on Alice/Aku. "We'll have to do something quickly."

"What about the Wisdom Seed?" Trent asked, holding the seed that Alice had given him. "Perhaps it can do something to give Alice enough time to fight back for control of her body."

"We'll give it a shot," Palmar said with a nod. "Just be careful."

Trent nodded and began to creep towards Alice/Aku carefully, holding out the Wisdom Seed to hurt Aku. The Dark Wizard barely registered the human's presence; He was too busy using the energy to take full control of the alien girl. He was fighting an internal battle to take control of Alice (who he forced into a slumber) in her psyche, but he was being repelled by the alien presence that had been a buffer to her.

You will not harm the girl, Aku.

We shall see.

As Aku began to break the barriers Arthena had placed up to defend her body owner, he felt a searing pain that drew his attention to the external world. He opened Alice's eyes to see one of the human boy's holding up a seed. He snarled in anger and sent a dark energy wave at the human, sending the young man back toward his friends.

"I will teach you for daring to face me," Aku snarled.

Not if I can help it, Aku!

Aku was surprised when he felt himself being frozen from the inside. He returned to the psyche of the inner mind of Alice, finding her slowly awakening with her loyal Arthena protecting her.

So, you wish to play, Aku sneered.

This is Alice's body, and I will not allow you to take control of her! Arthena looked determined as she faced off with Aku.

You cannot stop me you foolish woman! I, the Dark Wizard, am now fused with the girl.

I may not be able to stop you or repel you from this body, but I can contain you.

Aku's eyes widened as he was suddenly engulfed in a bright light. The light extended from the psyche to the external world, causing a glowing light to surround Alice before disappearing. In its wake, the shadowy-flames that had outlined the Keltic was gone, leaving her looking normal.

You may have won this round, but I am far from gone.

Alice's P.O.V.

"Huh?" I managed to say out of my vocal chords as I slowly came too. "What happened?"

"Alice! You're alright!" Brent exclaimed, his worried face hovering over my own.

"We were worried about you," Trent continued, helping me get into a sitting position.

"But... What happened?" I repeated.

"You don't remember?" Palmar asked.

I shook my head. My memory was fuzzy, and nothing was coming. Even Arthena was silent as I called for her.

"Perhaps it's for the best," Palmar said with a nod. "Anyways, implant the Seed into the Tree. We need to stall the infection and then face the Fusion."

"A Fusion?" I asked, looking at him in question. Jack hadn't mentioned a Fusion.

"There's a Portal next to the Tree. Guarantee there's a Fusion inside," Palmar explained.

I nodded and, with my friend's help, managed to stand on my feet. Trent handed me the Seed, and I used pushed it into the bark of the Tree. I was unsure of whether or not it worked, but I hoped that it had. Turning to the boys, we headed into the Fusion Portal as a group and appeared in the Fusion's underground lair. After moving through the maze, killing the Eyebulbs that were in our way, we came upon the clearing and found Fusion Jack pacing back and forth. Before we could make a move, he unsheathed his sword and lunged at us. We managed to dodge, but the sword was able to slice me on my side, drawing blood. Before I could utter a sound, Nano Courage appeared, using Soft Shoe Shimmy and healing my open wound.

"Thank you Nano Courage," I said.

"Alice!" Palmar said in warning.

I threw up a shield for protection, and it was a good thing too. The tip of the sword touched the shield, aimed in the direction of the space between my eyes. I used the shield to push Fusion Jack away from me before lowering it and launching a crescent-shaped energy wave, hitting the Fusion in its stomach. The Fusion snarled in anger before lunging for me again, aiming his sword. Nano Coco appeared, using her Egg Bomb to stun the Fusion. It worked, giving us a few seconds to attack. While the boys used their weapons to fire at the Fusion, I relied on my powers for my attacks. The Fusion released a terrifying roar as the Nano's effect wore off, but a final hit caused it to turn into Nano Jack, who bowed, slashed his sword in the air, and then disappeared into the NanoCom.

"Another Fusion down, and another Nano added," Brent said with a triumphant smile as we gathered outside the perimeters of the Infected Zone.

"Are you alright Alice?" Trent asked, turning his attention to me. "You look distressed."

"I'm alright," I answered. "I just feel... different, but I don't know why."

We headed into Huntor's Crest, heading for the Skyway, when we were stopped by Demongo, who seemed all too happy to greet us. He gave a bow that put us all on edge.

"I am at your services," Demongo said before standing up to his full stature.

"What for?" Brent questioned.

"She embodies my Master, and therefore, I am also her loyal servant," Demongo answered, staring at me directly.

This confused me greatly, so I turned to the boys for answers. They were stiff, causing me to be even more confused.

"What is he talking about?" I asked.

"You mean you don't know?" Demongo questioned, cutting off the boys before they could speak. "You embody my Master, Aku."

"Wh-what! N-no. You have it all wrong. I don't..." I trailed off and looked back at my friends for support, but none of them were looking at me.

Arthena? I called, seeing her materialize beside me and behind me.

I am afraid that Demongo is correct, Alice. The Fragment of Aku has become one with your body. You are now the carrier for Aku.

My eyes widened more in shock before I felt a grip on my shoulder. Turning, I found the spirit of Aku staring down at me.

Do not be so frightened my dear.

I shuttered upon hearing Aku's voice and shook my head. Both images of Arthena and Aku disappeared.

"This can't be possible," I breathed out, looking up but not at anyone in particular.

"Do not be so worried. As long as you walk this Earth, I shall ensure your soul's safety," Demongo said.

This didn't comfort me in the least bit, but I shook my head and kept silent.

"Before you go, child, you must return to the Dark Glade. I sense a Fusion counterpart has awakened," Demongo said. "Seeing as you four are fighting them, I believe it is an interest of yours."

"We'll handle it," Palmar grounded out, guiding us away from the soul collector.

Demongo watched us leave with his creepy smile. When we were a little aways from him, my Nano Demongo appeared and slid easily into my arms, crossing his own over his chest as he pouted. Despite my fear of his normal counterpart, I couldn't help but smile at my Nano; I knew deep down none of them would ever hurt me, so I had no fear of my Nano.

"Your little dude jealous?" Brent questioned.

"I am not jealous!" Nano Demongo snapped. "I just do not like how he assumes that he is the protector of her soul; That is my job!"

"It's alright Nano Demongo," I said to my Nano, gently pecking him on the top of his head, avoiding the blue flames.

My Nano seemed to accept this response and disappeared back into the NanoCom. We arrived at the Glade and entered it. It felt different than when we were last in a few minutes prior, but we didn't say a thing about it and simply went on our way to finding the Fusion Portal. When we found it, we entered the Portal, appearing in the lair. We traveled through the lair until we found our Fusion; Fusion Demongo.

"Be careful guys," Palmar warned.

"But.. Alice already has a Nano Demongo. What does this thing give when we beat it?" Brent questioned.

"We'll just have to find out," Trent said, readying his Noxious Tin Mine and throwing it into the clearing.

It hit the Fusion, causing it to be disoriented for a moment, giving us our chance to jump in and attack. The Fusion released a cackle as it sent Matter balls our way. I raised my shield and defended us from the attacks, sending the balls back at their owner. We split up and attacked from separate sides, sending our attack at it. The Fusion released another cackle as it sent more attacks our way.

"This guy doesn't give up," Brent commented over the sound of his gun firing.

"He's a Fusion," Trent muttered. "Of course he doesn't."

"Stop whining and keep firing," Palmar ordered.

I sent a blast at Fusion Demongo, wanting to keep its attention on me and away from the others. Fusion Demongo didn't seem to catch on to my plan, but it seemed all too happy to attack me. Before it could come anywhere near me to place its claws on me, we managed to turn him into a Nano version of...

"Nano Aku!" the little Nano said. "The Dark Wizard lives."

"We should have seen that coming," Trent remarked as the Nano was greeted by Nano Demongo, who conversed in quiet tones with it and both disappeared into the NanoCom. We exited the Portal and then the Infected Zone, heading for the Skyway monkeys.

"So now there's a Nano Aku," Brent muttered as he followed the group, his hands behind his head.

"It doesn't seem to be too troublesome," Trent remarked.

"I'm just wondering how a Fusion Demongo turned into a Nano Aku," Palmar stated.

"Perhaps Jack can explain it when we arrive back at the airship," Trent said.

My insides turned cold in worry at the mention of Jack. Aku was Jack's mortal enemy; everybody knew that. How would he handle the news that not only was Aku out of his prison, but he was also living inside of me. I did my best not to let this worry surface on my face as we landed on the Mandark Ind.'s airship, but it seemed to not have gotten past Jack's eyes.

"Alice, are you alright?" Jack asked.

"Y-yes. I'm fine," I answered.

"Were you able to destroy the Fragment?" Jack asked.

We looked at each other before looking down. This seemed to have worried Jack.

"Did something happen?" he questioned.

"Well... sort of," Brent responded.

"What happened?" Tetrax asked, stepping up to hear what was being said.

"The... The Fragment piece embedded itself within me," I answered, steeling my nerves for what was to come. "Aku now lives within me."

Nothing happened, which terrified me even more as a silence fell over us. I closed my eyes and waited for... well anything at this point! A hand reached out and touched my shoulder, making me open my eyes and look up. Jack was staring at me, but not in anger.

"It is alright Alice," he said. "It was my fault for sending you out to the Tree; Aku had been waiting for the moment to strike, and he did. For that, I am truly sorry. But I have every confidence that you will be able to defend yourself against him."

I blinked at Jack, not really expecting that response, but I smiled and nodded.

"You must all be tired. Rest here and regain your strength, there is still much to do," Tetrax advised.

We nodded in agreement, feeling that the day had been eventful and leaving us drained. A little relaxation would help immensely.

No P.O.V.

"Dexter, the powerful energy has subdued," Computress reported. "I detect no more spikes."

"Yes," Dexter said absentmindedly, continuing to study the window on the computer. "And it seems it had come from Alice."

"What do you suppose this means?" Computress questioned.

"It means that Alice has more tricks up her sleeves that even I don't know about," Dexter mumbled, his eyes revealing a glint of awe.

Computress just looked at the young genius questioningly before going back to work, allowing Dexter to handle it.

A/N: Heeeeeere's Aku!

Interesting twist, eh? I hope you all enjoyed it and didn't see it coming. How will this affect Alice later on? And the war?

Till, then, this has been AnimeGirl 144! Bye bye!