Author's note:

Kept you waiting, huh?

Seriously though, sorry for the really, really late update, everyone. I just couldn't find an acceptable way to end this chapter, and have ended up scrapping and rewriting almost the entire thing twice before getting what I consider to be a workable version. It's still not quite what I was aiming for, but at least it ties up this arc for good, and more importantly, allows me to push on with the third Act at long last. Here's hoping the next chapter will flow a little easier and, if all goes well, actually drop on time.

I'm always trying to improve as a writer, so please read and review. Constructive criticism is welcome, flamers are not. If you enjoy this story, please feel free to check out the other stories on my account should you wish.

- RevenantReaper337

Disclaimer:

Ratchet & Clank, associated characters, organisations, and intellectual properties belong to Insomniac Games. All other real world organisations and products belong to their respective governments, companies, etc. Original characters, creatures, weapons, etc. belong to me. Cover art belongs to Nekolover3 and is used with her kind permission.

'Thoughts'

Flashbacks

"Speech"

Chapter 45:

Awakening

Slim Cognito's Ship Shack, [Location Redacted]

Bogon Galaxy

G2.17.098 Galactic calendar

9:14am GST

With a light 'ding' of confirmation and a dull whine of machinery as the doors smoothly parted, Angela stepped off of the elevator and back into the station's hanger bay for the first time in weeks. The previously empty space having long since been taken up with both their various ships and numerous supply crates as Slim Cognito continued to expand their available resources for the fight against Megacorp. Which in turn made negotiating its length something of a chore, given how most of it was simply piled up wherever there was any free space and effectively blocked off any direct route to the far side.

It was a deliberate decision on the station owner's part, with Slim citing it as an extra layer of defence against would be boarders should Megacorp ever come knocking. But unfortunately that cut the other way too, and boy was it a pain in the ass when their little group actually needed to go anywhere. Angela finding herself in full agreement with Ratchet's complaints for once as she finally rounded the last stack of munitions crates between her and one of the few clear patches near the hanger's still sealed outer doors where a ship could land. A quick check of her Wrist Com revealing that the best part of half an hour had passed since she had wrapped up her work and set off down here, and that there was still no further news as to the ETA on their mystery visitor.

Given the arms dealer's cryptic comments and the weird old man Ratchet had previously dragged in from who knows where, it was perhaps not surprising that Angela was more than a little concerned as to whom Slim had contacted, and why he thought they could 'help' their group. Numerous scenarios running through her mind, and none of them feeling particularly good as she leaned against a tarpaulin covered crate with her arms crossed and foot tapping in an impatient rhythm. Her eyes boring holes into the thickly-plated hanger doors before her and wondering not for the first time whether she should have just ignored the man and kept Samus company in the sickbay as opposed to trudging all the way down here on their host's behalf.

"Hey, Cognito," Angela groused, her voice echoing slightly inside the spacious hanger. "When's this 'guest' of yours supposed to show up? I've still got my own work to do, you know."

A dry chuckle issued forth from hidden speakers in the ceiling, only serving to further deepen the lombax's scowl as Slim finally replied. "Don't worry, the ship's on its way. As a matter of fact..." he paused momentarily before continuing, "she just arrived at the outer marker, so you might wanna... take a few steps back."

'Wait... 'she'?'

Before she could so much as think to voice her question however, a dull, reverberating clunking of metal from beyond the hanger bay doors caught Angela's attention. Her fur bristling and eyes widening briefly in disbelief, before quickly shaking off her stupor and retreating behind a sturdy-looking stack of low crates some twenty yards back while fumbling at her belt. Cursing all the while as questing fingers found a collapsible rebreather that was promptly activated and jammed onto her face, along with a magnetic tether with which to anchor herself to the crates via a paid out cable that was swiftly secured in place.

The outer most airlock doors finally fell silent, but while the lombax's ears twitched at the steadily growing thrum of what might have been a small ship's engines, she had no intentions of leaving her impromptu shelter anytime soon. Especially since the inner doors had yet to open, for while Angela logically knew that they shouldn't until the atmospheric pressure between both sets had fully equalised, the threat of being spaced still terrified her to the core, and this definitely wasn't helping at all.

The very thought of being sucked into the airless void filled her with a stark sense of cold dread which she had long since thought forgotten; spawned as it was from half suppressed memories of a low orbit laboratory disaster during the dawn of her Megacorp career. Something which that asshole Slim Cognito had inadvertently dredged up with this stupid, unnecessary stunt, when she could have easily waited in the sick bay until their 'guest' had landed and the danger passed, instead of being stuck down here.

One way or the other, Angela vowed to get back at the shady arms dealer later when the opportunity arose. But as of right now, she was more concerned with holding on to her tether and bracing for a potential explosive decompression as the hanger's inner doors gradually began to part with a rumbling of machinery. The lombax inadvertently holding her breath as a sleek, elongated ship with sharp angles passed through the growing gap, before smoothly settling in to hover over the designated landing spot and gently setting down.

The deep purple colour scheme and neon pink pinstriping certainly proving to be an eye-catching combination, although it was the dark tinted cockpit Angela's eyes were locked on to as the hanger doors were finally closed and secured once again with a dull echoing clang of metal on metal. Or rather the occupant, once the hatch depressurised with a hiss before lazily swinging upwards; Angela's brow rising in tandem at the lithe, curvaceous figure gracefully swinging a long-legged, booted heel over the cockpit's edge before firmly planting it on the ship's stubby port wing. A beaming smile etched across the woman's face almost airbrushed, blue-skinned face, while her faintly glowing eyes quite literally lit up upon catching sight of the disgruntled lombax.

"'Allo!" she exclaimed with an enthusiastic wave. Pausing only long enough to finish dismounting from her ship before making a direct beeline for Angela's position. "You are ze one Monsieur Cognito said to meet 'ere, yes?"

"I… guess so, but-"

"Zhen let us go!" she interrupted with bombastic cheer. Practically teleporting next to the bewildered lombax and hooking an arm around her waist, before steering them both towards the distant elevator while gesturing expressively with her free hand all the while. "Fashion waits for no woman, and I suspect that I 'ave much work to do 'ere. Especially if what I 'ave 'eard about ma muse rousse ees true."

"Whoa, wait, what?" Angela managed to blurt out as her brain finally caught up with the strange woman's sudden actions and jarring manner of speech. Pulling herself free from the surprisingly firm grip around her waist and staggering a few steps away, before shooting the newcomer a glare. "Just who the hell are you, and what are you doing here?"

The woman - a valkyrie if Angela wasn't mistaken - lightly tilted her head to one side like a confused puppy, while an expressive pencil eyebrow rose in unison with her lilting tone. "Did monsieur Cognito not tell you who to expect?"

"No," Angela growled out in rising irritation at the man, "why don't you enlighten me?"

"But of course!" the woman exclaimed, instantly perking up and cocking a hip as she gestured grandly at herself. "How could I not with someone who so desperately needs my services?"

...

'Wait,' Angela wondered, looking down at her modified lab jumpsuit, 'was was that an insult, or...?'

"I... am Debonair!" the valkyrie declared with a dramatic wave of her arm. "Fashionista, designer, and purveyor of ze finest garments in all of Bogon. Per'aps you 'ave 'eard of me, no?"

"Can't say I have," Angela replied dryly; taking a little pleasure in the slight slump of the otherwise bombastic woman's shoulders and accompanying pout. "So unless Cognito suddenly decided to catch up on the latest fashion trends, I'm guessing there's another reason why you're here, Miss Debonair."

"Oh please, call me Debby, darling," Debonair swiftly replied with a renewed smile. "Everybody does."

Before Angela could retort however, the crackling of speakers overhead caught both of their attention as the familiar tones of Slim Cognito's voice echoed forth once more. Only this time it was so uncharacteristically serious, to the point and utterly devoid of the man's usual smugness that she couldn't help but feel an instinctive, gnawing sense of worry that only grew as his words spilled forth. "Doctor Cross, I need you back up in sick bay right now. Something's happening to Ellen and I don't think your little friend can handle it on her own."

Cursing up a storm and with icy dread gripping her heart, Angela promptly bolted back towards the elevator with Debby following close behind. The pair quickly making their way through the maze and piling into the still open elevator car, before the lombax promptly mashed the appropriate floor button and willed it to move faster as she attempted to raise Samus on her Wrist Com. The lack of response only serving to worry her further still through out their all too painfully slow ascent through the station interior and set Angela's mind racing.

What the hell was going on up there? Had something happened to Samus as well? And why the hell couldn't this thing go any faster?!

Unfortunately there were no easy answers, and the only way to find out was at the top of this elevator shaft. Leaving both Angela and a thoroughly concerned Debby little else to do other than speculate as they passed by one floor after another; praying that they weren't already too late.

{()}

Perhaps more than anything else, it was the distinct lack of sound which Ellen found the most disturbing. A deafening silence loomed over the surreal, choking jungle environment into which she had somehow been dropped, and only punctuated by the sounds of her own all too loud movements as she cautiously made her way through the underbrush. Her head on a swivel all the while, and constantly straining to catch the slightest hint of movement between the thickly clustered trees.

That thing was still out there, and while she had yet to encounter it again as of yet, Ellen just knew that it was only a matter of time. Her inherent sense of paranoia ramping up with each passing minute without so much as a probing attack or taunt from the menacing, gaseous creature that had dogged her so relentlessly, and leaving the redhead a jittery mess as she stopped once again to scrutinise her surroundings with short, shaky breaths. This time in the shade of a collapsed and thoroughly rusted out prefab storage shed, similar to those she had seen before on dozens of planets throughout both Solana and Bogon. Which at least gave her something solid to both protect her back and lean against while trying to figure out her next move.

Before she could even think to dwell upon the situation however, a flicker of movement at the very corner of her eye caught Ellen's attention. Her head instantly snapping around towards the source and body automatically shifting into a defensive stance as she took in the seemingly impenetrable treeline with a scrutinising gaze; straining to make out anything beyond a constant sea of dull green. For what felt like an age, she simply stood there; not daring to move or so much as breathe, lest she miss something in the unnatural silence that filled the air. But when no attack came after several long minutes, and with still no sign of what had caught her attention in the first place, Ellen finally began to relax.

Or at least that is until a blur of motion struck from the left with blinding speed; spearing towards Ellen's head and threatening to punch cleanly through her skull, were it not for her equally fast reaction. The redhead ducking low and swinging the previously concealed Versa Blade she had kept flush against her body in an upwards arc, cleanly severing a good length from the tip of the black tendril and leaving it writhing on the floor as an angered screech echoed forth through the impenetrable jungle. What was left of the dark mass clearly recoiling in pain, and giving Ellen precious seconds to escape as she took off once again at a dead sprint. Eager to put some distance between her and the shadowy creature stalking her before it could recover.

Especially since she was pretty sure that her little gamble wouldn't work again, and if it weren't for the fact that the thing was dead set on playing with her like a particularly sadistic cat with a trapped mouse, Ellen was fairly certain it would have easily crushed her by now. But this wouldn't be the first time she had used an overwhelming opponent's ego and personality flaws against them, and if her sneaking suspicion was correct, then there was another force at play here that was preventing it from doing do.

Case in point being the Versa Blade she was now carrying tightly in a reverse grip as she slipped between a gnarled copse of trees and put on a burst of speed. Her own Versa Blade in fact, right down to the last detail, which she just so happened to stumble across in the jungle, embedded in a tree along her path. The going had been particularly hard through the densely packed trees and sinuous, twisting vines strung between, and Ellen had rapidly found herself wishing for something to help hack her way through. But to 'conveniently' find the tool she wanted when needed most?

Ellen didn't believe in coincidences, and thinking back on the last... however the hell long she was stuck in this nightmare, there were numerous other, similar examples of 'lucky breaks' such as her makeshift Molotovs back in the infested classroom. Which meant that something, or someone, was interpreting her needs and providing just enough of an edge to survive whatever was being thrown her way at the time. But as to the how, or why... Ellen honestly didn't know. Nor she could she fathom as to why whatever they were couldn't simply conjure up an exit from this place, despite fervently praying for it almost constantly during her flight, or what the deal was with the random blotches of colour on the otherwise monochrome landscape that seemed to trail in her wake.

But it would definitely go on her 'to do' list of weird stuff to question the strange old mystic about when she eventually found him again, and as of right now there were more important issues to deal with. Namely a seriously pissed off demonic creature bearing down on her with murder in its non-existent eyes, and the multitude of dark spikes spearing from every surface in her path as it bellowed from seemingly everywhere at once.

"dISgUstINg wHeLp! yOu cAn'T rUN fOrEVer!"

Maybe not. But then again, if her growing suspicions about this place had any substance, then she didn't exactly need to. Ellen forcing herself to move faster still as another tendril lashed out from the jungle to her immediate left, briefly ducking without breaking stride as it reduced several trees to splinters that scythed through the air and left her bleeding anew from multiple shallow cuts across her body. The number of attacks only continuing to grow in both number and viciousness with each passing second as she fled further along the jungle trail, before suddenly veering off to one side and using the heated edge of her Versa Blade to carve a path through a particularly thick cluster of vines.

Despite stumbling through and almost falling flat on her face though, Ellen gave a triumphant bark of relieved laughter as she scrambled to recover her footing. For what lay on the other side was not the thick, claustrophobic jungle she had been hunted in, but rather the much more familiar urban sprawl of Metropolis on planet Kerwan. Completely devoid of colour and a little distorted perhaps, much like the rest of this nightmare realm, but nevertheless a direct improvement on her previous environment. More importantly however, it was further proof that the old man's ramblings may have amounted to something after all, and that her own will had more of an effect upon this place than she had realised.

Now all she had to do was find a way to exploit the ever loving crap out of it.

"tHeRE yOu aRe!"

...preferably before that thing caught up to her again, and decided it was finally done with playing around.

Slim Cognito's Ship Shack, [Location Redacted]

Bogon Galaxy

G2.17.098 Galactic calendar

9:21am GST

Angela was already moving before the elevator doors had fully opened; squeezing through the gap and pounding along the short stretch of corridor to the sick bay before slamming the door open and making and already panicking Samus jump in fright. "What's the situation?"

I-I don't know!_ Samus keened fitfully, her servos trembling and thrusters firing in short bursts as she darted between the myriad of medical equipment surrounding Ellen's cot. One minute she was fine, and the next... This!_

'This' being what looked like a seizure crossed with experiencing a particularly vivid nightmare, given the way Ellen was thrashing around and moaning unintelligibly. The ECG machine nearby showing a dangerously high heart rate that was still climbing with each passing second, while another monitoring chemical imbalances indicated a massive spike in adrenaline flooding the human's body. And throughout it all, the intricately carved symbols etched on to crystal dangling around Ellen's neck continued to pulse erratically, much like a flickering pilot light caught in the wind. The unnatural purple glow casting flickering shadows around the otherwise partially lit sick bay, and only serving to make the scene look far more disturbing than it already was.

The rapid clicking of heels, followed by a sudden hitched breath and quietly muttered 'mon dieu' behind her soon snapped Angela out of her daze. Ignoring Debby's horrified expression in favour of snapping off orders as she rounded Ellen's cot and began to strip the contents of a wall mounted cabinet; desperately trying to come up with a solution all the while. "Don't just stand there, give me a hand! We need to strap her down before she causes herself any more damage!"

R-right_ Samus stuttered, while Debby simply nodded and rushed over to help her. The valkyrie moving with surprising efficiency for someone more at home with dressmaking than medical intervention, much to Angela's surprise and lingering suspicion.

But any speculation as to Debonair's true identity and profession would have to wait until the lombax was damn sure that Ellen was going to pull through. A grimace marring Angela's features as a flailing arm managed to clock her around the head before it could be secured in place, with the others faring no better as they made good use of the adhesive straps she had managed to scrounge up from several sealed boxes. But at least it prevented Ellen from accidentally injuring herself further, or anyone else for that matter until they could work out just what exactly was wrong with her in the first place.

"Samus, give me a readout on her condition. I want to know what I'm working with here. And you..." Angela paused, turning to face the valkyrie hovering anxiously behind her. "How much medical experience do you have?"

"None," she replied swiftly with a brief shake of her head and firm, even tone. "But I can still 'elp. Tell me, what must be done?"

Taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling, Angela's mind raced as she listened to Samus rattle off Ellen's vital signs. Elevated pulse, pupils dilated, and brain activity off the charts yet again after being calm for so long. Would a sedative even work, or would it just make things worse? It was getting harder to think coherently, and the constantly throbbing, aching pain in her jaw didn't exactly help matters one bit. The redhead's rapidly deteriorating condition leaving Angela with little other choice than to simply

take a gamble and hope for the best.

"Okay... Here's what I need you to do..."

{()}

Pain blossomed from Ellen's side, an involuntary gasp of air tumbling from her lips as she continued her loping run along the crumbling walkway. Her right hand pressed firmly against the still throbbing wound while the left kept an awkward grip upon her recently acquired Blaster; spraying bullets over one shoulder in an effort to keep the shadowy abominations on her tail at bay. Not that it seemed to discourage the vaguely canine creatures in the least.

"wHAt's wRoNg, LitTLe rAbBiT?" her all encompassing, vaporous nemesis silkily chided from above. It's bloated body now blotting out the very sky itself, and with a seemingly endless supply of writhing tentacles worming their way through the surrounding buildings like some kind of Cthulhu inspired terror of the deep. "I tHoUghT YoU wAnTEd tO pLAy, aNd YeT yOu sTiLL pErSisT oN tRyInG tO bReAK mY tOyS. hAvE yOu nO sHAmE?"

Ignoring its inane ramblings and attempts to goad her for what they were, Ellen instead chose to concentrate on her immediate survival and finding a way back to the school grounds once more. The ghosts of long dead blarg and their robotic attack dogs harrying her at every turn, regardless of which way she turned or how many she put down, while their master's influence only seemed to grow with every passing second spent within the shattered remnants of a once lively city.

For while Ellen had discovered that she could in fact subtly influence her memory of this place based on prior expectations, resulting in the new weapon she had picked up from a conjured Gadgetron vendor, it was nothing compared to the sheer power of her constant, implacable stalker once it finally caught up. The air itself taking on a sudden chill as crystal blue skies drained of all colour, quickly followed by everything else as the rapidly swelling creature seemed to gorge upon the very essence of this place. Leaving behind little more than a broken, decaying monochrome husk where a majestic city amongst the clouds once stood, and unleashing a slew of twisted memories from her last visit to Kerwan against the already outclassed human.

Hence the never-ending stream of warped and utterly relentless effigies of the invading blarg troops that Ratchet and herself had fought here over a year ago. Ellen having rapidly found herself under constant assault during her flight across the narrow bridges and walkways that connected a good portion of the desolated city, and without so much as a moment to breathe between each new wave. The only thing even keeping her going right now, despite the constant aching reminder of her numerous injuries, was a combination of sheer determination and a fairly good suspicion as to where a potential exit to this place might be.

Which was why Ellen had taken the shortest possible route across the degraded memory of Metropolis' commercial district. A borrowed hover cab allowing the redhead to neatly bypass Al's Roboshack and the whole roof hopping experience from last time around in favour of a straight shot towards the upper levels and the train station she knew was located nearby, where a climatic gun battle had previously broken out with the remaining blarg forces. Or at least that was the idea, until the now gargantuan being floating high above decided to intervene once again. A single massive tentacle lazily swatting her ride from the sky, before coiling itself around Ellen's fearfully struggling form and lifting it up towards a cluster of blazing crimson eyes.

"eNtERtAiNInG aS tHiS liTtLe gAmE hAs bEeN," the shadowy monster hissed, squeezing her a little tighter and ignoring the pitiful spray of bullets impacting its 'face', "i BeLieVe iT's TiMe wE eNdEd tHiS cHaRaDe oNcE aNd FoR aLL."

So saying, the tentacle abruptly shot towards the sky before snapping down like an overstretched rubber band; releasing Ellen at terminal velocity and sending her screaming towards the planet's surface far below. The seemingly unstoppable being's final parting words echoing through her skull as she passed through the cloud cover at what passed for street level and in to an abyss of all encompassing darkness.

"tImE fOr yOu tO eXpErIAnCe tRuE dEsPaIr..."

Slim Cognito's Ship Shack, [Location Redacted]

Bogon Galaxy

G2.17.098 Galactic calendar

9:25am GST

"Alright... Everybody ready?"

Receiving a pair of nods in acknowledgement, Angela vented a sigh as her eyes flickered towards the auto-injector she held aloft in a gloved hand. A borderline lethal cocktail of sedatives and various agents she had put together with half remembered medical knowledge loaded into the rear via a transparent phial, courtesy of Slim Cognito's not inconsiderable supply stockpiles. Knowledge she so desperately hoped would be enough to ensure that it calmed Ellen's vital functions down to normal levels, but without causing any adverse effects or making things even worse than they already were. But given that the monitors indicating Ellen's state of health were already indicating dangerously elevated levels, what choice did she have?

"Okay... Here we go..."

Taking another steadying breath to calm her nerves, Angela cautiously took a step forward and brought the injector down to Ellen's left arm. The limb held firmly in place with adhesive straps, much like the rest of her body, and preventing the still unconsciously struggling redhead from moving excessively while Angela tried to locate the correct vein. Shortly followed by a quick pneumatic hiss and slight tensing on Ellen's part as the payload was delivered via hypodermic needle, before those present settled back to watch with bated breath.

At first there was no indication of anything changing at all; Ellen's heart rate continuing to climb and her vital signs showing an extreme flight or fight response given the sheer amount of adrenaline pumping through her veins. But after several long, terrifying minutes spent in silence, with none present daring to so much as speak, the first indications that Angela's concoction was actually working began to show through. The redhead's breathing gradually ramping down to much more bearable levels as the cocktail of sedatives went to work in earnest, and letting her settle into a deep, calming sleep that had everyone breathing a collective sigh of relief.

Heart rate is at sixty-seven beats per minute and steadily declining to stable levels, while her brainwave activity indicates a deeper REM state._ Samus rattled off as she flitted from monitor to monitor. The tension clearly bleeding off if her body language was anything to go by as she turned relived optics towards the fatigued lombax. Thank you Angela. I... I don't know what I would've done if you weren't here._

Feeling an adrenaline crash of her own coming on now that the immediate danger had passed, Angela slumped against a nearby trolley of medical instruments and let herself relax a little. The auto-injector discarded amongst the mess of empty bottles she had raided to make her own sedative, while a slightly trembling hand wiped the sweat from her brow. "I'd say 'don't worry about it', but that was way too damn close. A few milligrams either side, and..." She swallowed dryly. "Well, put it this way... It wouldn't be good."

"If you don't mind me asking," Debby asked hesitantly, circling around so that she entered the tired lombax's vision. "But what exactly 'appened to 'er? Before coming 'ere, Monsieur Cognito assured me when zat she was in a stable condition, and yet..."

"Depends on your definition of 'stable' I suppose," Angela murmured; the last few day's worth of fatigue clearly visible on her face if Debby's concerned expression was anything to go by. "Ellen's been having... episodes ever since that crazy old man Ratchet dug up managed to heal her. We figured it was just a product of an active REM sleep cycle; acting out whatever dreams or nightmares are going through her mind, and I've been giving her a steady supply of sedatives to keep her relaxed until her brain manages to reboot itself. But no matter what combination I use, the Nanotech in her bloodstream is adapting to it within a matter of hours, and I've had to start using increasingly... unsafe dosages."

The last one was enough to put a juvenile blargian snagglebeast out for a solid week._ Samus added grimly, drawing both women's attention. If this keeps up, we'll be out of viable sedatives within the next few days, and each episode is more frequent and increasingly violent than the last._

"Then let us hope zat she will recover before zhen, mon petit ami," Debby replied softly before turning her gaze back towards Angela. "But you believe eet will help her for now, no?"

"It'll have to," Angela groused, grunting softly as she worked the kinks out of her back. "I really don't want to risk another one like that, and if the pattern still holds true, then it'll take upwards of four to eight hours before the Nanotech in her blood can properly adapt. Until then she should have a much deeper, soothing sleep cycle unless something else crops up."

"Zhen come," the valkyrie responded firmly with a surprisingly strong, slender hand wrapped around Angela's wrist. "Even I, a women of many talents, need my beauty sleep from time to time, and you, mademoiselle lombax, are no different."

"Hey! What're you-"

Ignoring the obviously tired lombax's protests at being dragged away, Debby gaze flitted towards the room's only other occupant. "Samus, was it not?" At the brief nod she continued. "would you mind watching over her while I take zhis one to bed?"

"Now you wait just one minute!" Angela sputtered hotly, only to be interrupted once again by the force of nature that was Debonair.

"Not for zhat, darling," she dismissed with a wave of her free hand. "Even if your fur does have a certain allure, we 'ave much more pressing matters at 'and, and if you are to 'elp ze girl, zhen you need a good night's rest to recharge, do you not?"

Third door on the right, just past the elevator._ Samus helpfully added. Watching in amusement as the exhausted lombax was pulled along like an errant, stubborn child that was long past their bedtime. There should be a spare cot still set up there._

"Traitor," Angela growled under her breath, but otherwise didn't protest as Debonair none too gently guided her along. The valkyrie shooting a beaming smile and parting 'merci' over her shoulder before disappearing through the same door through which they had arrived.

Which left Samus alone with little more than the steady pulse of Ellen's ECG and distant hum of machinery to keep her company. Slim Cognito having long since fallen silent once more, and probably far too involved in some shady dealing or another in order to talk with her. The little converted infobot's thrusters flaring lightly as she descended down towards Ellen's peacefully resting face and nuzzled into the crook of her neck for comfort.

I wish you knew just how badly I want to talk to you right now, Ellen. Please... Wake up soon._

{()}

Just how long had she been falling through this dark abyss without end? Trapped in a never ending freefall that had seen the redhead scream herself hoarse until no air remained in her lungs; the pure, unadulterated terror associated with her long held phobia of heights having long since dulled to a constant buzzing in the back of her skull. Ellen honestly couldn't tell, and being unable to see or feel anything other than the rush of wind blowing past her limp, flailing form as gravity took its course didn't help in the slightest. But after a seeming eternity, a certain sense of... clarity returned to Ellen's senses. As if somebody had doused the smouldering chaos of her mind with ice water; allowing her to pick through the ashes of her thoughts and clearly string them together.

Foremost was the fact that, given how long she had already been falling, Ellen would have long since expected to be splattered across whatever passed for the ground here by now. Given that wasn't the case and the blatant bending of reality she had already witnessed, it wasn't much of a stretch to assume that this place was in fact an infinite loop much like the effect Simon and herself had experienced in the school corridors. Which meant... what exactly? That the now massive, creepy cloud thing which had been stalking her so doggedly intended to keep her here indefinitely, instead of outright killing her? But if so, then why? Was it all just part of some sick game, or something deeper that she simply couldn't see?

That in turn raised the question of just what exactly it was, and more importantly how to stop it for good. Especially since nothing she hit it with seemed to even slow it down for more than a few seconds at best, and even then Ellen wasn't sure whether she had actually inflicted damage or if the monster in question was merely playing along for whatever reason. But the sheer power it had exhibited, and the way it seemed to eat her memory of Metropolis and grow stronger still... Could this one in charge of all the rest, with everything else she had fought before being little more than simple canon fodder? Would destroying the 'boss' allow her to finally wake up from this nightmare and return to those she had left behind?

It had to be the case. That was the way these things always went in stories, games and the like, right? And if Ellen's will had as much effect upon local reality as she suspected, then there was good chance that was exactly how things would work, so long as she believed it so. Which left the issue of actually finding a way out of this pitch black prison and forcing a confrontation with the monster in question, but thankfully she already had a pretty good idea as to how.

'This is all in my head. I make the rules, I'm in control, and I can go wherever I damn well want.'

Closing her eyes and taking a deep, cleansing breath, Ellen slowly exhaled and concentrated on the single desire she wished for most. The clinging darkness almost seeming to recoil away as a faint purple glow emanated from around her collarbone, pulsing in time to her heartbeat and growing stronger by the second, until finally something began to take shape beneath Ellen's still falling form. A vaguely trapezoid structure comprised entirely of glass, slim metal strips cross-hatching all over it in an even, geometric pattern, while blinding light spilled forth into the shadowy realm like a beacon of hope. A symbol of her will made manifest, and a portal through which she might escape. Even if it wasn't quite what Ellen had originally intended.

Nevertheless, an exit was an exit, and Ellen had no qualms about taking the opportunity she herself had created. A faint pressure starting to build in her mind as she slowly sank towards it, before quickly becoming a pounding headache that almost made her lose concentration altogether and caused the portal to briefly flicker out of existence. The task proving to be a lot harder than she had anticipated once it became clear that something was actively fighting back against the redhead; her brain feeling like it was being stabbed by thousands of tiny needles, while an unwelcome voice echoed throughout the surrounding darkness.

"yOu cAnNoT eSCapE yOuR fATe, lITTle rAbBiT. iT iS fOoLiSh tO rEsIsT."

"Says you, asshole," she growled out between clenched teeth; the spiking pain starting to become unbearable by now. "But it's not going to stop me from trying anyway."

With a final burst of willpower born of sheer bloody-minded determination, Ellen's already faltering rate of descent held just long enough for her boots to make contact with the portal, which looked more like a skylight now that she could actually see it herself. The glass suddenly spider-webbing on contact before shattering entirely and plunging her into the light of whatever lay beyond with a sudden burst of speed. Her brief scream of surprise abruptly cut off as she was sucked through scant seconds before the entire construct disintegrated altogether; wreathing the now empty shadow realm with darkness once again.

Which only made things worse since the blinding light combined with her abrupt lack of concentration resulted in Ellen smashing belly first into something so unyieldingly solid that it stole the very breath from her lungs. The force of impact powerful enough to leave a small crater in the unknown surface and cause her body to bounce like some macabre, fleshy rag doll before finally collapsing in a pained, choking heap. Leaving Ellen little other choice than to simply lie there, coughing and spluttering for air, while waiting for her bleary vision to focus enough in order to take in her new environment.

While perhaps a little fuzzy around the edges, the school gymnasium-come-assembly hall was almost exactly how she remembered it. The dull brown lacquered floor crossed with numerous coloured lines, representing the different courts and boundaries for various different sports, and contrasting so vividly with the whitewashed concrete walls that stretched a good twenty odd feet tall on all four sides. One of which was primarily made up of thick safety glass for around two thirds of its length, and normally allowed a good view of the playing fields outside when the equally large blackout blinds weren't in place.

As of right now however, all Ellen could see filtering through was the same dull, grey light as in the nightmarish classroom which Simon and herself had taken refuge in. The thought of which sent a worrying chill down the redhead's spine, and reawakened the lingering guilt from having to leaving her brother behind as she tried to distract herself by looking up at the ceiling far above. Or more specifically the skylight which she had fallen through; something which should have resulted in broken bones at the least given the height involved, had she not been so hardened by constant exposure to Nanotech, and even then she'd be pressed to recover so soon.

'Benefits of being in a dream world I suppose...'

Of more concern however was the fact that where said skylight had been was now little more than a debris field swirling around an inky black hole. The centre of which began to slowly bulge like an inflated balloon; stretching and growing into a dangling, gelatinous lump of pure darkness that was easily bigger than a delivery van, before inevitably popping with a sickening squelch. Spraying forth a dense cloud that swiftly rose towards the ceiling and condensed itself into an unwelcomely familiar form that glowered down on her from above.

"piTiFuL," it sneered condescendingly. Crimson eyes boring into her own while lazily unfurling a fresh set of tentacles and spreading them menacingly. "aLL tHaT eFFoRt, oNLy tO tRaP yOuRsELf iN yEt aNoThEr cAgE. diD yOu rEaLLy tHiNk I wOuLd LeT yOu gEt aWaY FrOm mE?"

Snorting in contempt, Ellen steadily pushed herself off of the floor and into a crouch; a smouldering anger gradually taking hold of her and burning away any lingering doubts she might still have. For this was the abomination that had caused her so much grief; the one who had twisted fond memories and preyed upon her fears in an effort to break what it no doubt saw as an easy mark, and for what? Some kind of sick game or amusement? Well screw that and all its messed up friends too, because Ellen intended to make a stand right here and now. Her fists clenched tightly and tone unyielding as she glared unwaveringly back at the object of her ire.

"That's where you're wrong," she glowered with the faint hint of a vindictive smirk forming on her lips. "Because this place might be a cage alright, but I'm not trapped in here with you."

As if on cue, a series of heavy thumps echoed forth from the wall behind her, accompanied by faint chips of masonry cascading down. Ellen's smirk turning positively predatory as she delivered the punch line with an emotionally charged exertion of her will upon the environment. "You're trapped in here with us..."

With one last great crack and an explosion of concrete scything inwards, something large and misshapen came crashing through the wall with a pained roar and skidded across the lacquered floor before grinding to a halt. A thick, powdered cloud of dust momentarily obscuring it from view, before gradually dissipating enough to make out the crumpled, still smoking form of a familiar ape-like rage beast lying face down on the ruined floor. The very same one, in fact, that the mystic had stayed behind to hold off just outside the school's reception area, given the way he was stood upon its back with his robes aflutter and lightsaber still drawn.

"Well, that's definitely one way to make an entrance," another voice quipped with an amused chuckle and that mild Scottish brogue Ellen knew so well. Steady, paced footfalls proceeding his appearance as Simon casually stepped around the probable corpse with his rifle shouldered, but not quite pointing at the looming behemoth above. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Red. But we had a wee bit 'o a pest problem to deal with first."

Hopping down from his lofty perch and landing next to her brother with enviable grace, the mystic smiled lazily as he too followed until they were both stood flanking Ellen on either side. His eyes shining brightly with what felt like a combination of amusement and approval as the redhead suddenly latched on to her brother; hugging him intently and inadvertently causing their somewhat dull surroundings to flourish with a sudden burst of colour in the process. Nodding sagely to himself, the old man piped up. "It is good to see you are well, my child. And that you have finally begun to see this plane of existence for what it truly is.

Lingering a moment longer, Ellen finally let Simon go at his insistence before giving the mystic a narrow-eyed look. "You mean the whole 'possession is an illusion' thing? The fact that I can control or at least influence some of what happens in this place, including bringing us all back together? Yeah, I got an inkling right around the time tosspot up there decided to play hide and seek with me." A growl rose up in her throat. "Why didn't you just tell me in the first place, instead of making me traipse through all this traumatic shit?"

"wHaT? hOw?!" the suddenly much less confident behemoth hovering over them spluttered with a hiss. "tHiS iS mY dOmAiN tO cOmMaNd, nOt sOmE pAtHeTiC eXcUse oF a LiTTle giRL!"

"Because it was something that you had to learn for yourself," the mystic replied softly, a touch of regret evident in his eyes as he gently grasped her arm. "The very fabric of this world hinges upon your own beliefs, your own imagination as to what is 'real' or not. Tell me child, had I done as you asked, would your mind have truly pierced through the illusion of what can or can not be?"

"Much as I hate to say it, he might have a point there," Simon mused aloud, though his hard gaze towards the mystic still mirrored Ellen's own. "I mean, we're hardwired to expect everyday constants like gravity stopping us from just floating off the planet. How hard is it to honestly, truly believe that the rules of physics don't apply to us? That we can fly and make people shit rainbows at will just because we want it to be true?"

"yOu aRe nOtHiNg, dO yOu hEaR mE? nOtHiNg cOmPaReD tO mY SuPreMaCy!"

"Easy to imagine, hard to believe, huh?" Shaking her head with a snort, the mental image of making someone perform a Nyan Cat run all the way into orbit set Ellen off with a fit of giggles that she quickly got under control. Her expression softening and lips curving into a faint smile as she split her attention between both men. "Heh... I guess that would be a bit of a stretch."

With a grateful nod and single step back out of her personal space, the old man released his grip upon Ellen's arm and instead turned his attention back towards the by now furious creature hovering over their heads. "I hope you understand my reasoning, and will forgive my decision in time. But for now, I believe there to be one last obstacle between us and your salvation, my child."

"sToP iGnOrInG mE!" the shadowy creature bellowed loud enough to blow gales and buffet any loose article of clothing or hair. "i, tHe gReAt aBaDdOn, mAsTeR oF aLL hE sUrVeYs, dEmAnD iT! nO LeSs sHaLL-"

"Oh, are you still here?" Ellen asked with a feigned undercurrent of annoyance and a single, slightly raised brow aimed towards it. "Would you kindly piss off? We're sort of in the middle of something."

'Abaddon' visibly recoiled in shock, his probing tentacles suddenly retracting and framing his core mass defensively as if he were under physical attack. "w-wHat?! YOu dArE-"

"Yeah, actually, I do," Ellen interrupted once again. Taking a step forward and directing the full force of her ire on the suddenly much less threatening monstrosity. "It took me a while to realise what it actually means, but at the end of the day, this is my head that we're standing in. Every memory, every insecurity you twisted and used against me are mine to own and mine alone, not yours. And I'll be damned if I let some... emo, edgelord candyfloss thing rule me through fear."

If anything else, Abaddon seemed even more enraged at her blunt description of his gaseous form and promptly lashed out with a pair of whip-like tendrils. Simon and the old man just barely managing to dive aside before the impact could crush them both; leaving a shattered stretch of lacquered flooring on either side of the tense but still defiant redhead, and a rhetorical question on her lips as she gave the shadowy being a calculating look.

"You really can't hurt me, can you? Or at least not physically anyway; not unless I actually believe that you can. That's why you kept chasing me instead of finishing me off when you had the chance, why I always seemed to have the means to escape. Because no matter how bad things got, part of me wanted to believe that I still had a chance to win and never let go."

"yOuR sUrViVaL iS mEaNiNgLeSS!" Abbadon hissed, his numerous tentacles writhing and main body looking... perhaps a little smaller unless she were mistaken. "yOur cOnTiNuEd eXiStAnCe oNly pErMiTTed bEcAuSe wE cHooSe tO aLLoW iT, nOtHiNg mOrE!"

"Oh I don't think so," Ellen continued as she took another, much more confident step forward. The floating monstrosity backing away in tandem and squirming uncomfortably as she levelled a piercing glare at what passed for its face. "There's an old saying from back home; 'fear makes the wolf look bigger,' and you? Without that hold over me, you're nothing but an empty threat at best. One I let rule over me for far too long.

"s-sToP! CeAsE tHiS fOoLiShNeSs aT oNcE!" Abaddon screeched with a stuttering, rising tone. Tentacles sloughing off as he retreated further still and large portions of his body mass simply disintegrating altogether into black vapour that blew away on an invisible breeze. "yOu cAn'T dO tHiS tO mE! tHiS rEaLm iS MiNe tO rUle oVeR, nOt sOmE iNsIgNiFiCaNt pReY!"

"Not anymore..."

Ellen's gaze darkened, her arms raising almost of their own accord as a shimmering mass of light formed in her arms, before condensing into the bulky, familiar weight of the RYNO she had once wielded against another monster not so long ago. Her two companions soon finding themselves equipped with identical models that were similarly raised towards the rapidly shedding ball of darkness still hovering overhead as it's remaining limbs thrashed in growing panic. All three swiftly acquiring a solid lock on Abaddon's dwindling centre mass, just as the tightness in Ellen's voice mirrored her finger's pressure against the trigger.

"This is my head, asshole, and you've long outstayed your welcome. Sweet dreams."

By now, the writhing mass of shadows that comprised Abaddon's form was no larger than an average SUV and had lost a good amount of altitude in its desperate attempts to maintain control. Which didn't help one teensy, tiny bit when not one, but three entire salvos from perhaps the single, most lethal portable missile launcher system ever devised struck home. Engulfing it entirely with enough explosive force to wipe out an entire armoured company, and utterly obliterating the shadowy embodiment of Ellen's fears and regrets so thoroughly that not even so much as a wisp remained. It's fading, echoing death throes being the only sign that Abaddon ever even existed.

In the deafening silence afterwards, Ellen almost didn't register the sound of boots pacing across the lacquered floor until Simon was practically stood next to her. Not daring to take her eyes off of the spot where she had last seen the thing that had caused her so much grief and outright terror for... however long she had been trapped in this place, lest it somehow rise up again. "Is it... over?"

Even then, it was only his soft tone and gentle hand laying upon her now shaking shoulder that finally forced Ellen to break away and acknowledge him with watery eyes. Simon's own filled with deep concern as he pulled his baby sister into a much needed hug. "Aye, it's over, Red. We got 'em."

With a choked sob, the RYNO slipped from Ellen's grasp and clattered noisily to the floor as sheer relief chased all the fight from her tense, quivering form. Simon making slow circles on her back and letting her work through the sudden, overwhelming torrent of emotions as the floodgates finally opened and Ellen latched on to him for all she was worth. Letting all of the pent up terror, frustration and heartache she had been holding back come crashing down in one fell swoop, and perhaps feeling a whole lot better for it than she had for a very long time.

Ellen honestly couldn't remember the last time she had felt so peaceful, so fulfilled as she was right now. Reunited with her brother and getting a chance to make up for past regrets and lost time, she never wanted to let him go again. But of course, nothing lasts forever, and while the mystic wisely kept his distance so as not to intrude upon their moment, eventually he was forced to remind them of his presence with a polite clearing of his throat.

"Sorry," Ellen offered by way of apology as she reluctantly pulled away from her brother's embrace, her cheeks flushed and eyes still misty from such a maelstrom of emotions. "I... really needed that more than I thought."

The mystic, however, simply smiled back with a sad fondness that she couldn't ever recall seeing etched upon his face. "Worry not, child. I understand all too well that which ails you, and would never wish it upon another soul. But… I'm afraid the time has come to return."

It took a moment for her to connect the dots, but once she had, Ellen's eyes widened fractionally in recognition. "What? No, I can't! Not yet!"

"Ellen," Simon began softly, drawing her gaze back towards him and the turbulent look in his eyes. "I know you don't want to, and I wish we had more time together, but you need to go back."

"How can you say that!? I only just got you back!" she near yelled back in frustration, tears prickling and threatening to blur her vision yet again. Even as reality set in and the lump in her throat reduced Ellen's voice to a sobbing whimper. "I'm not- I... I can't lose you again. I just can't..."

Simon let the redhead bury her face into his plate carrier covered chest as he held her close, gently swaying them from side to side as he rested his chin atop her head. It was a familiar comfort, and a terrible reminder of each time they had parted before when Simon's leave had ended and he was called back to duty once more. Bringing forth bittersweet memories of better times, and making her wish that they could just stay like this for just a while longer, even though she knew in her heart that it simply couldn't be.

To the Ellen's surprise however, it was not her brother that replied next but rather the strange old man whose guidance had allowed had allowed her to make sense of this otherworldly place. His features kind and understanding, while a gnarled, bony hand rested gently upon her opposite shoulder as he spoke with conviction. "My child, there comes a time in life when we must accept that there are thangs beyond our control. We each have a role to fulfil in the great cycle of the cosmos, and while ours have been fulfilled, your own lies beyond in the waking world."

So saying, the mystic stretched an arm back towards where the ape-like beast's corpse he had ridden in on lay, with both Ellen and her brother's gaze following suit. The two siblings' faces sporting an equally surprised look of wonder, and more than a little awe at the sudden lightshow taking its place with a blinding, veritable rainbow of colours that danced amongst one another in a complex, ever swirling pattern. The beams of light almost seeming to strobe all the way towards the ceiling, restoring life and colour to everything it touched, before finally condensing into a much smaller ball of deep purple energy that quickly shrank down in turn, taking the shape of a... much more mundane object.

"Is that an door standing up on its own?" Ellen asked, still blinking back the tears as curiosity warred with her inner turmoil.

For surely enough, right before them stood a perfectly ordinary, if well maintained solid oak-panelled door. One that was set into a freestanding frame, far away from any wall, and with a large, brass handle that glinted beneath the gym's artificial lighting. But otherwise completely normal were it not for the way it had appeared, or the way that the mystic had sidled over to stand beside it with a sweeping gesture and knowing smile upon his face.

"It is a manifestation of your desire to leave this place and awaken," the old man offered by means of explanation. "I can show you the way... But it is you who must open the door, my child."

"He's right, y'know," Simon added quietly, quickly recapturing her attention. "Your boy still needs you out there. They all do; him and all the other crazies you've been running around with." he chuckled as a flicker of mischief lit up his eyes. "I mean, who else is going to stop some old fart from unleashing a fuzzy blue hamster apocalypse on everyone's arse, bar my baby sister?"

"I know, but... Fuzzy blue hamster?" Ellen choked out a laugh at his description, still sniffling but starting to feel a little lighter inside. "Seriously, that's what you're going with?"

"Hey, it works, doesn't it?" Simon replied with a grin, pulling his sister back a little so he could see her face. "'specially if it means I get to see you happy again."

"Yeah..." she breathed out, looking up at him with a wistful smile. One that neatly mirrored his own, and the heartache they felt at the prospect of letting each other go for last time. "I just wish it didn't have to be this way."

"Aye, I know..." he sighed, before taking a reluctant step back and placing a firm hand upon her shoulder. "There's so much I want to tell you, so much we missed out on together, and God willing, maybe one day we'll be able to make up for lost time. Just don't think of this as a 'goodbye', but more like... us parting ways for a while. Besides," he held up the dog tags she still had around her neck, letting them twist and dangle before her eyes. "You'll always have a little bit of me with you, wherever you go."

Ellen simply nodded, still sniffling and not trusting her voice at that moment as Simon gently pulled her into what would surely be their final embrace. But rather than bitterness and sorrow at their inevitable parting, she felt a sense of peace and hope that, when her own time eventually came, they would eventually be reunited once more in whatever lay beyond the mortal world. "I'm going to miss you all over again. You know that, right?"

"Me too, Red... Me too."

Giving her hair one last ruffle before guiding his sister towards the standing doorway and letting her walk the remaining distance unaided. Each step feeling like a mile as she slowly distanced herself from the comforting safety of her companions and approached the unknown. A hesitant hand grasping the brass handle and partially turning it, before shooting one last look over her shoulder at the two men who had kept her alive throughout this ordeal. Simon, standing at rest with his rifle slung and a sad but comforting smile upon his face; the mystic stood beside him with the Jedi robes still in place and a nod of encouragement towards her. She drank in every feature; committing them to memory and praying that she would remember all of this when she woke up. "Take care you two... and wish me luck."

And so, with one last deep breath and a fractional twist of the handle, Ellen Pearce opened the metaphysical door to a new chapter in her life.

Woo… I can not tell you how glad I am to finally see this arc done and dusted! In all honesty, had I known just how frustrating it would become, I probably would have never written it in the first place. But I'm kind of glad I did, and that it gave me a chance to explore Ellen's psychology and back story in a little more depth. Plus of course the opportunity to bounce the other characters off of one another and see how they react under stress, along with reintroducing perhaps one of my favourite OCs…

Thanks again for putting up with me during this awkward period, and hope you enjoyed the chapter for what it was. See you next time!

Review replies:

Stephanieeche10 - Thanks! It's good to be back, and with a bit of luck, updates should be a lot more regular as we finally get into the meat of Act 3.

starrat - Thanks again, glad you enjoyed it!

GamerHeart - Fair enough. Story-wise, I tend to stick to whatever works for the narrative, and shoehorning in every weapon in the game just for the sake of inclusion isn't really practical.

Razor of DOOM - Well said, and perceptive too. To misquote and paraphrase an old saying; there's nothing more powerful than human imagination, and the ingenuity to make ones dreams a reality.

Dovahkiin795 - Thanks!

Firestar5277 - Thank you, and I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter for what it was. To be fair, I can sometimes be my own worst critic, and whatever I write never truly feels 'good enough' to me. Plus… I kind of go off on a tangent sometimes, and have to forcibly reign myself in so as to finish a story arc - as is the case presently. But I like to think I'm getting better with time and experience, and at the end of the day, so long as people such as yourself continue to enjoy my works, then I must be on the right track.

*Shuffles awkwardly*

Yeah… the 'ghosts of Christmas' thing kind of took a back seat to somewhat organic increasingly random plot points, but squint and you might see it. With a magnifying glass. Also, I really haven't had much of a chance to characterise Samus until now outside of small hints, and it felt like a good opportunity while things are relatively 'quiet'. Same goes for Ellen to a degree, with multiple breadcrumbs and little factoids throughout the last few chapters 9hopefully) helping to establish more about her history. Although Mainly, this arc has been all about making peace with her demons and various issues that plague her psyche. Some more literal than not.

Also, pun time! Nice one there too, and so I present you with my own. What's a necromancer's favourite home furnishing store? Carpet-Wight!

DarkEnigma95 - Why thank you kindly! I'm not doing too shabby, if I do say so myself. The last few chapters have taken a bit of a turn for the dramatic, haven't they? Though I like to think with good reason, and at least it gives me a reasonable chance for some characterisation, as with Samus, and hopefully revealing a little more about both Ellen's past and mentality. Also, mystic, not-quite redneck hippie Jedi is a go in her mind, so why wouldn't he have a lightsaber? As for Ratchet and Clank, they're still out with Cash at this point, trying to shutdown Protopet factories. But rest assured they'll be back soon, likely in the next chapter. Hope it lives up to your expectations!