Wow, nearly ten reviews for my first chapter alone! I hope this will be a continuing tread for the rest of the story. I'm sad to say this chapter will have some angst, mostly from Stitch. You'll see what I mean.

Story Weaver1, Hamsterviel blew up the prison to fake his death and make it easier to commit his evil. I can't promise that this story will be less tragic than the last, but I'll cut down on the blood and gore.

Evil-Genius-565, you think you know what the monster is? Go ahead, tell me. I don't even have a name for the thing yet!

Anonymous, if you may recall, Hamsterviel was totally surprised by his own power when 001 attacked him. You're assuming he learned how to control this weird ability sometime after he 'died', when in actuality he forgot all about it. That's why he never used it on the show. He only learned about it again later on, somewhere in the timeline of my stories. More on that later.

TSORA86, this is indeed the sequel I promised.

…

Stitch immediately knew it was going to be a bad day when he woke up that morning.

He had fallen out of bed sometime during the night and so he woke up on the cold, hard floor. The radio alarm clock blared some crap that called itself music, waking him up frantically from old nightmares. Also, Lilo was already out of bed, a sign that she was downstairs working with Jumba.

It had been a year since Hunkahunka's revenge, and it had not been a completely happy year either. Nearly a hundred experiments had died in the horrible final battle against Hamsterviel's forces, including Tank and Hunkahunka himself. Their corpses had been destroyed using Jumba's molecular dissociator to keep their DNA from ever being used for evil. A large memorial had been built on the battlefield to honor their deaths. Stitch had grown moody and depressed, blaming himself for the deaths of his cousins. It had been his fault that Hunkahunka had been tortured to the brink of insanity, resulting in his brutal attack on the island. His depression had eased somewhat over time, but it had still succeeded in driving away his beloved Angel and making him feel somewhat alienated by his family.

It didn't help that Lilo didn't spend as much time with him anymore. What with schoolwork, experiment hunting, and being tutored by Jumba in the ways of magic, she had little time for anything else. They had managed to tame and relocate approximately three hundred new experiments thanks to her new training and Jumba's occasional spellcasting, but Stitch still felt somewhat lonely. His cousins were good friends, yes, but Lilo was his first friend, practically his sister. She was special. It hurt that she didn't have as much time for him anymore.

Jumba and Pleakley were no longer very good friends. Jumba still blamed Pleakley for Tank's death, and Pleakley blamed himself for hurting Jumba in this manner. On the outside they both seemed fine, but if something was not done soon there would be a very painful confrontation. Other than that, they were fine. Pleakley continued to clean the house and cook inedible food, while Jumba spent most of his time teaching his apprentice Lilo the ways of magic (and a little evil science, too.)

Surprisingly, Nani was the only one who was truly happy. She had survived her encounter with 001 after months in the hospital (and a few more in therapy), and the first thing she did to celebrate her full recovery was to go out and get pregnant again. Jumba swore he had nothing to do with it this time, and he was telling the truth. It turned out to be the handiwork of the baby-making experiment 152, but that's a whole other story. Nani didn't want to abort it, and had quickly gotten engaged to David. (Since it was technically his, even though they didn't actually do anything to make it. 152's fault again.) Mr. Jameson had given her a promotion and a raise to support the new family, and Nani had promised to make him Father of the Bride as thanks. (Jumba was slightly disappointed by this, but said nothing.) The wedding would be in a few months, just before Jumba predicted she'd give birth.

Stitch looked at the calendar and sagged. Today was Mr. Jameson's annual company picnic, meaning all of the extended Pelekai family would get back together for their second family reunion. That night they would all go down to the battlefield for a sobering reminder of just how lucky they were to be alive, but the day itself would probably be somewhat fun, except for all the painful memories everyone who was around last year had of the whole debacle.

Stitch had been right; this would be a bad day.

But he had no idea just how bad it would soon become.

…

Mertle Edmonds was not a happy little girl.

One year ago, she had unexpectedly fallen in love with Lilo Pelekai, the person she hated most in the entire world. To this day Mertle still had no idea why she had fallen in love, all she knew was that she had, and when she had confessed this love to Lilo, she was knocked out and stuffed in a closet. When she woke up, she no longer loved Lilo, but she felt an immediate burning hatred for her friends, who were crowded over her with looks of concern on their faces. She had surprised herself by the amount of foul language that spewed from her mouth when they took off her gag, insulting their looks and questioning their parentage. They left in tears, vowing never to have anything to do with Mertle again. Mertle herself didn't know why she had said those things, but her feelings of hate wore off the next time she took a bath.

Mertle spent weeks trying to figure out why she had done those things, but it was not until she saw Lilo make a backpack levitate towards her in school when she thought no one was looking that she realized the truth.

Lilo was a witch.

Mertle wasn't surprised, she had always thought Lilo was a witch, and this just confirmed all her suspicions. Unfortunately, there wasn't really anything she could do about it. Everyone would think she was crazy if she accused Lilo of being a witch in public, and she didn't really have a chance of burning her at the stake either. So, she spent most of her time brooding and thinking up elaborate plots to expose Lilo for the freak she was. In true cartoon style, all her plans backfired horribly and embarrassed her in front of the whole town. She was still sulking from her last failed plan and throwing darts at a picture of Lilo when her mother called for her. "Mertle honey, there's someone at the door for you!"

"Tell 'em to go away!" she yelled.

"Okay!" A few seconds later, her mom said, "He says it's very important he talks to you. His name is…what was that? Ah, his name is Dr. Hamsterwheel!"

"THAT'S HAMSTERVIEL! HAMSTERVIEL!!!" screamed you-know-who.

Mertle gasped and ran out of her room. She found Hamsterviel sitting in a hoverchair just outside her front door. "Milton!" The doctor started to open his mouth to yell. "I mean, Hamsterviel! Long time no see!" She grabbed him and ran for her room.

"Have fun!" said her mom stupidly.

Mertle slammed her bedroom door and faced the rodent. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in jail!"

Hamsterviel smirked. "I broke out. Did you really think a genius of my caliber could be imprisoned forever?"

"I guess not. But why'd you come here?"

"You and I have unfinished business. Now, am I correct in assuming you have completed all the required education your planet's educational facilities offer?"

"Um, no," said Mertle in confusion.

Hamsterviel was surprised. "No? How much longer do you have then?"

Mertle counted on her fingers. "Ten or twelve years, I think."

Hamsterviel sputtered. "Twelve years! Wait, is that in Galactic Standard Years or Earth years?"

"Earth years."

"Twelve years! That's preposterous!" Hamsterviel scowled. "I'll just have to teach you myself, then."

Mertle looked at him in confusion. "Huh?"

"Do you remember how I once said you would make an excellent evil assistant?" Mertle nodded. "I still believe that. I have plenty of minions now, but they're all mindless clones. I could use someone with a little brains in their head. How would you like to be my evil apprentice and aid me in conquering the universe?"

Mertle thought for a moment. "What do I get out of it?"

"Excellent pay, the chance to broaden your horizons, vengeance on that little Earth girl I know you hate, and a galaxy of your own once I rule. How's that sound?"

Mertle grinned evilly. "I'm in."

"Good! One more thing: where can I find the aforementioned Earth girl?"

Mertle scowled. "Lilo? She's going down to the beach for a big picnic. She's been bragging for days that everyone in her freakishly huge family would be attending."

A smile slowly crept onto Hamsterviel's face. "Really? How very…convenient."

…

Angel glanced at Stitch. He was some way down the beach, setting up a spot with the rest of his family. She sighed and lay back down on her beach towel.

"Girl, you've got it bad," said Clip from the towel next to her.

Angel scowled. "Am not! You know we're through."

Clip shrugged. "Whatever you say, Angel." She didn't sound convinced.

After the horrible incident last year, Angel and Stitch's relationship sort of fell apart. Stitch had been suffering from the guilt of causing the deaths of about a hundred family members and other people, while she was still reeling from the trauma of having her friends and coworkers slaughtered by a love-crazed fellow actor who committed suicide when she wouldn't love him. They felt uncomfortable around each other, and started getting into arguments. Loud arguments. On their last one, they had thrown heavy objects at each other while calling each other horrible things. Finally, they broke up. In an attempt to get over her depression, Angel left Kauai for a trip around the world, accompanied by Clip. After several months of adventure they had come back somewhat more cheerful, though Angel was still feeling bad about the break-up. It was clear that she still loved Stitch, but was too scared of getting into another argument like the last one to give him another chance. Not surprisingly, Stitch felt the same way. Sadly, neither of them realized this and continued to hurt themselves by denying their feelings. Classic, huh?

Finder walked over, holding some hotdogs. "Hey girls, I got the food. Anything happen while I was gone?"

"Not much, just Angel denying her feelings for Stitch again," said Clip.

Angel growled. "I am NOT in love with Stitch anymore! Can't you get that into your hairy skull by now?"

Clip frowned and rubbed her head. "Finder, do I actually have a skull?"

He sniffed the air. "Mmm…according to my Finding sense, you don't."

Clip nodded. "Yeah, I thought so." She looked off in the distance. "Hey, is that Stitch hitting on Topper?"

Angel shot up. "Where?!" Finder and Clip started laughing. Angel's face flushed. "Very funny, guys."

"Sorry. Hey, is that Stitch walking over here?" asked Finder.

Angel rolled her eyes. "Yeah, like I'm gonna fall for that again."

"Angel?"

Angel blushed and immediately turned around to see Stitch. "Oh…hi Stitch…"

They stared at each other for a time. "Um…I've gotta go." Stitch said quickly.

"Okay…you do that."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Stitch stood there for about half a minute, then walked away. Angel sighed.

"He so digs you," said Clip.

"Shut up."

…

Hamsterviel looked at his slumbering quarry in disgust. "So this is what you've done with yourself…" he muttered. A claw extended from the side of his chair and touched the sleeper. A huge electric current ran through him, causing him to wake up screaming. Hamsterviel laughed.

His target stumbled back, then narrowed his blue eyes in fury. "Oh. It's you."

Hamsterviel got control of himself. "Yes, it's me. Long time no see, Gantu." He whistled. "You've really let yourself go, haven't you?"

In the last year, Gantu had been forced to become a hobo. He lived in the alleys and dark corners of the town, stealing food from garbage cans and dumpsters and spending any money he could find on liquor to drown his sorrows. His ribs were protruding from lack of nourishment, and his muscular physique had sagged somewhat. He also smelled horrible due to his inability to bathe and looked somewhat ill. "What do you want?" Gantu growled. At one point he would have ripped the doctor in half for what he had done to his life, but he was currently far too weak to do so.

"I have a job opening you're perfect for. Seeing as how you have no other chance of a future but this, I thought you might be interested."

"Well, I'm not. Now get out of my house!"

Hamsterviel's eyebrow raised. Gantu's "house" was a torn cardboard box. He changed the subject. "You're looking a little pale there, Gantu. Would it have anything to do with your immune system?"

Gantu was shocked. "I-I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Really? Let's check the data, shall we?" He called up a screen on his chair. "According to the Galactic Encyclopedia, your species, the wharks, have one of the weakest immune systems in the galaxy. A germ that would not even make a trog sneeze could potentially cause a whark's death. However, the species manages to preserve itself from foreign bodies by using the mystical waters of the Purity Ocean on their home planet to fortify their immune system against most diseases. The water's effects last for five years, then the whark must return to the Ocean for another dose. Now, by looking at you, I'd guess your time is almost up. Am I right?" Gantu clenched his chin and said nothing. "I'll take that as a yes." He held out a vial of some golden fluid. "This is a special vaccine I have developed which will strengthen your immune system for one day and keep you from dying from sickness. If you agree to work for me, I will give you daily doses of this vaccine. And to sweeten the deal, you won't even have to work for me very long. I will be passing through your home system on the way back to my headquarters. If you agree to serve me until then, you may leave me when we reach your system and stay on your home planet, where you can start your life anew. How about it?"

Gantu was unsure. The deal sounded too good to be true. There had to be a catch. On the other hand, he knew very well that the doctor was right. He was dying. If he did not take Hamsterviel's vaccine, he'd probably be dead by tomorrow morning. And Gantu did not want to die like this, as a filthy vagabond on an alien world. He sighed, resigning himself to his fate. "I'll do it."

"Good." Hamsterviel tossed the vial to Gantu, who drained it in one gulp. "Now, here's what I want you to do…"

…

Kixx, Houdini, and Dracula (The bat-winged experiment at the end of Stitch: The Movie) were lounging on a beach towel. Well, Kixx was anyway. Houdini was flinching constantly and Dracula was "meditating". Stitch walked over. "Hey, Stitch!" Kixx patted a spot on the towel. "Come and have a seat!"

Stitch shrugged. He hadn't been going anywhere anyway. "Okay." He sat down. "Hi Houdini."

The cowardly rabbit quivered. "Please don't hurt me."

Stitch rolled his eyes. "Hey Dracula." There was no response. "Dracula?" He poked the experiment. Dracula reacted instantly, pulling out a shuriken and throwing it. He missed Stitch by a mile and struck some harmless well-meaning hermit crab, killing it. Stitch blinked. "Was that supposed to hit me?"

Kixx pulled Stitch away from Dracula. "Don't bother Dracula Stitch, he thinks he's a ninja."

Stitch stared at Kixx in confusion. "Why?"

"He's practicing the part for his new movie." Everyone knew Dracula starred in horror movies down in Hollywood.

Stitch was still confused. "He does horror movies. Why is he playing a ninja?"

Kixx shrugged. "His studio wanted to try something new. To prepare, he's been eating, sleeping, and breathing ninja to perform flawlessly. He's still got some kinks to work out, though."

Dracula's eyes flew open. "My technique is flawless. Do not mock that which you do not understand, foolish one." He went back to "meditating".

"See what I mean?" Stitch nodded and said nothing. Kixx sighed, seeing his friend was uneasy. "What'sa matter, Stitch? Still moping about last year?"

Stitch nodded. "Yeah…I don't really see how you and everyone else who was there that day can just go on with your lives like it never happened."

Kixx shrugged. "Well, for one thing, we realized it does us no good to hold on to something that hurts that much too tightly. We just…let it go."

"Let it go?"

"Yeah, and you should do the same. You're always depressing to be around now, a real downer. You're almost as bad as Gothika. (As the name implies, Gothika is a moody suicidal gothic experiment.) Just let it all go."

Stitch frowned. "I can't let go. That would be disrespecting the memory of all the cousins that died that day."

Kixx shook his head. "No coz, it's not disrespecting em'. We'll always remember what happened that day. We honor our lost friends by going about our lives the best we can. It wouldn't make them happy to see you as miserable as you are now, I can tell you that."

Stitch frowned. "But…the guilt…"

Kixx snorted. "Guilt. Let me tell you something about guilt, cousin. People feel guilty all the time for failing to do something or affect something that they had no control over in the first place. And when it really is their fault in some fashion, the guilt goes to their heads. Just like you. I felt guilty for helping destroy Tank's life-support armor and causing him to die, but in the end it wasn't my fault. I had no idea he needed that armor to live. And even if I did know, I was counting on the doc to fix him up. I didn't know Pleakley would screw everything up. And in a way, I don't blame him so much for that either. Pleakley can't help being a clumsy oaf, that's who he is. No, the person who really deserves all this blame is Hamsterviel. He's the one who turned Tank and Hunkahunka into monsters, and as such is the one really responsible for their deaths."

"But Hunkahunka wouldn't have been turned into a monster in the first place if I hadn't let him go!" Stitch protested.

"You had no idea he would be tortured. If there's anything you should feel guilty for, admittedly it's that. But it wasn't you who caused all those deaths. Yes, Hunkahunka would never have released 001 or opened that giant warp gate if you hadn't let him go…but if it wasn't him, it would just be another stooge of Hamsterviel's who did it. Hamsterviel is the one who made the clones that killed so many of us. He's the one who's always been trying to ruin our happiness. He's the one who is ultimately responsible for all those deaths. And he's also dead, thanks to you."

Stitch thought that over for a few minutes. "I guess you're right, Kixx."

"Yeah, I know."

"But…even if it wasn't all my fault…his death didn't bring back all the people who died. They're avenged, yes, but still dead. What did I accomplish?"

"You saved all of us from a horrible fate, that's what. And that, my friend, is something to be proud of." Kixx smiled. "Feeling any better?"

"Yeah, a little…" Stitch admitted.

"Good! Now maybe you can get over yourself and get back together with Angel!" Kixx said half-jokingly.

Stitch laughed and threw a handful of sand at his cousin's head. Kixx ducked, and the sand hit Dracula, who immediately threw another shuriken, this time hitting an experiment in a sensitive area. They all grimaced at his screams. "Ouch. That's gotta hurt."

…

Hamsterviel floated at the edge of the beach, out of view from his future captives. A smile came to his face.

It was time to begin.

…

I hope I didn't bore you with all the introspective crap and stuff, I just wanted to resolve a few things. Next time the action finally kicks up as Hamsterviel reveals that he is, in fact, not dead. See you then!