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The Polar Opposites
Prologue
The words seemed meaningless to the spectators. They weren't even able to hear what Eleven said; but for the boy in front of her, her message clearly had an effect.
Billy seemed to have overpowered the darkness within him, and with a last breath of his humanity left, he stood to defy the monster – which, in return, was clearly displeased. He kept himself in front of El, and took discreet steps towards the creature, defying it. Everything about his physique looked so fragile and vulnerable at that moment, but his gaze held strength, or at least the most he could muster considering the circumstances. Even so, it meant enough offense to the monster, which was clearly getting ready to attack.
The attack, however, never came. The giant creature started stumbling, and roaring in despair. It didn't take too long for it to finally lose all balance and collapse. The members of the group who were on the second floor of Starcourt quickly took steps back, to avoid getting hit by the monsters' tentacles as it became lifeless.
Once the Mind Flayer hit the ground, so did Billy. All El could do was widen her eyes in worry, before they succumbed to her weakness and closed as she fainted – like her mind finally understood the imminent danger was over and she finally could give into her own state.
After a couple seconds that felt eternal, the group realized the gate must have been closed by the adults; the monster no longer seemed to breath. It was dead. It was over.
Max was the first to break the silence, as she reached the center of the mall with Max following closely behind. "Billy!" She screamed on top of her lungs as she noticed her brother laying on the ground, clearly unconscious. She was already crying, and didn't bother to hold it back. She crouched besides him, and from her peripheral vision, she could see Mike do the same besides El – whose presence Max hadn't actually noticed before, even though the unconscious girl wasn't that far away from Billy.
The group members who had been separated into smaller teams on the second floor all met together and hugged each other tight, just before going down the escalator to meet the others. Steve and Robin both simultaneously positioned themselves to pick up Billy and carry him, not waiting for Max to ask them. At the motion, Nancy and Jonathan silently follow suit by picking up El from the ground.
As everyone reached the outside, the parking lot starts being packed by military-looking helicopters in the distance, still giving enough space in-between them for ambulances to arrive at the place. The vehicles stop when they get closer to the group, and they quickly take in El and Billy first for intensive care.
El is the first to wake up, somewhat confused at her surroundings, but she soon takes it all in. She gets off the ambulance, without any restraint from the paramedics, and her first sight is Joyce hugging Will while staring back at the younger girl. Joyce's crying eyes tell El everything she needed to know, and she doesn't like it one bit. Hopper is gone.
A few meters from there, Max is silently watching her stepbrother's unconscious body as the paramedics finish their last procedures before they take off to the hospital at a fast speed. He is weak, but the professionals assure the young redhead that Billy is alive. That doesn't diminish her fear. Even with their troubled relationship, she likes him, she always has. And deep down, she knows Billy likes her too… in his own fashion.
As Billy and Max's ambulance drives away, reporter cars from TV channels and radio stations of both Hawkins and nearby towns reach the scene, flooding the place. From what can be overheard, they believe what took place inside was some type of accidental fire.
Joyce finally releases her son from her embrace, and both stride towards their ride home. They both release a breath they didn't know they were holding as they sit on the car, waiting for Jonathan. They are tired. But they are safe and sound.
It's over.
Or so they hoped this time around.
Three months later, and here is everyone from the group – or almost everyone – waving goodbye to the Byers, who are also taking El with them. Who could judge them? Hawkins was no longer what it once were for them. Even if they are remaining in Indiana, they're better off fair away from this town.
Lucas and Max hug side by side as they watch the truck go. A somewhat frail-looking Billy pats his sister's head discreetly as he watches the same scene with an unreadable expression. Mike can't keep his eyes off the position El sat on the car, with Nancy comforting him with discreet strides on her younger brother's back. Dustin watches everyone silently, and gives one last look at the now distant car before bringing his gaze to his feet; he wished Steve and Robin could be here too, but they had job interviews they couldn't miss.
The American man's ears can no longer stand the howling wind. The snow falls endlessly, making his forced labor even more difficult – not like the Soviet soldiers around seemed to care about his well-being, or anyone else's.
He makes a brief stop to take a breath as he runs a head through his forehead, bringing it a bit upwards where once he used to have hair. He takes a glimpse to his surroundings with a scowl on his face, before resuming his work.
I have to figure out how to get out of this shit hole, is the thought that keeps repeating itself on a loop in Hopper's mind.
The End
Author's notes: This is my attempt at writing how the story would go season 4 onwards, in an AU. As you can see, the prologue is needed because I would like to Billy Hargrove to be alive. My initial plan is for the story to focus primarily on the teenage cast. I am open to suggestions and constructive criticism. Thank you.