Chapter eighteen:

Roger turns only for the changeling to jump on him using a wing to knock the gun away from his hands. He is thrown to the floor and he tries to struggle only for the changeling to start draining him.

That's it. The gun is on the ground with no one able to get close enough to grab it.

The changelings win.

Mello's legs start to feel weak and his vision is starting to darken. He just can't escape this changeling draining him. He closes his eyes thinking that this might be it.

BANG!

Mello falls forward hitting the ground still conscious enough to wince at the impact. He blinks open his eyes only halfway, as his eyelids feel heavy, as he realizes that he is no longer being drained. He is able to see Matt seems to have gotten away from his changeling version and is standing shaking with the gun. He slightly turns even as his body feels heavy to see that the changeling version of him is down clutching his shoulder. He turns back to Matt trying to fight the urge to pass out. "K-Keep shooting." He encourages in a shaky voice before his eyes close as he falls into darkness.

Matt nearly drops the gun in his shaking hands. He is about to call Mello's name when a scream reminds him that others are in danger. He can come back to Mello. He notices his changeling version flying towards him with a screech. He jumps as a gun goes off behind him killing his changeling attacker. He sees the other drop to the floor in front of him and not move. He spins around with wide eyes only to see a group of people who look like some kind of monster hunters.

"We come from the other world to assist!" One declares and the others hurry to go help the other orphans and the teachers.

"H-How did you know we needed help? Who are you?" Matt inquires as the one that had spoken approaches him.

The man has military cut brown hair and he fires his weapon taking out the changeling that has Roger. He lowers his gun to glance to Matt. "Do not underestimate Maverick. Wait you might not know him."

"No. I know him. I was briefly in his world." Matt explains feeling relief that they're not fighting alone.

"Okay, well he may be a shut in but he still has contacts. He managed to send us a message and got us here to come help. We are the changeling hunters." The man turns his intense brown eyes to the direction the changelings are in. "Now then." He makes sure his gun is ready once more. "Let us do what we do best and hunt these changelings." He dashes forward to join in the battle. He turns as Near is able to knock away his changeling form. He takes aim immediately. "The changeling king." He hisses causing changeling Near to sit up and turn to him. "It's over. Your plan is going to fail. And now I'll have the pride of shooting you myself."

Changeling Near dives away tackling Near so they roll on the floor. He quickly changes to look exactly like how Near looks now.

The two push away and they both stare at each other as if changeling Near is mimicking Near's expression as well.

Matt hurries to Mello clutching the gun in one hand not wanting any changeling to get it. "Mello?" He reaches over placing a hand on his friends shoulder. He looks to see if he can tell if the blonde is breathing or not and sighs in relief that he is.

Mello is still alive, out cold from being drained but alive.

Matt glances up to see the man having to figure out which is the real Near. He gets an idea on how he can help with that. He doesn't want Near to be shot and the changeling form of him to get away. He also notices changeling Mello is shifting to try to get up. He'll deal with him before he can attack the hunter. "Near! Get Mello out of here! He was drained but he's still alive!" he takes aim at changeling Mello making sure that he is seen.

Near runs to Mello to go help him before the disguised changeling Near can even move to do so.

The hunter takes aim and shoots at changeling Near knocking him away to which his changeling wings are shown. He turns to see Matt hesitate about killing and aims at changeling Mello since the changeling king won't be getting back up. "I've got this kid. Back off before you see this more."

Matt turns to check on Near seeing him carry Mello away from that spot. He closes his eyes as he winces when he hears the gunshot behind him. He opens his eyes and goes to join Near not daring to look back.

They turn as the front door of the orphanage is kicked in.

"I sent an emergency notification to L." Near pulls out his emergency button out of his pocket.

All the orphans have it as just in case something happens, even though it is indeed easy to forget about having it as usually nothing ever happens.

"I'll go talk to them. You stay with Mello." Matt leaves the gun with Near when the other nods. He hurries to go greet the swat army with guns. "They're from another world! They can disguise themselves and they can drain you! They have wings! Other people also came to help us!" He points to the direction after explaining and the team hurry off to go and help. He just hopes that the help had all arrived just in time. He doesn't want to know that some orphans died because of this attack. He hurries after them going back to joining Near. He looks to Mello with concern. "Do you think that he will be okay?" He inquires looking to his friend worriedly before looking to Near.

"Possibly with a hospital visit. I am not an expert on being drained by magical creatures." Near admits trying to look calm though his worry manages to spill out. He blinks in surprise as the red head hugs him.

"I'm at least glad that you're okay." Matt tells Near who hugs him back.

"You too." Near agrees and the two hug a moment before pulling away.

The two can still hear the fight going on with shots being fired all over. They hope that the changelings will indeed be stopped before anyone is killed.