Author's Note: Hello and welcome to the third installment of The Other Saga. Please don't think this is a trilogy, because it's really not. Oh, well, I suppose you'll understand what I mean when you reach the end.

Disclaimer- I absolutely, positively don't own FOP, so please don't sue, Mr. Butch Hartman, sir.

Chapter One- Dreaming of You

"No!" Timmy gasped and rolled around in his sweat-stained bed sheets. His hand was tightly wrapped around a blanket and he kept thrusting the material forth as though it were a knife. Every five seconds he would jerk violently and begin anew.

Wanda, a fish in the bowl again, watched her godson with alarm. He'd been doing this going on three months, since he came home. Every day, without fail, he would awake with absolutely no memory of the night or sleep.

She knew she wasn't supposed to be there. Cosmo had told her as much, but, try as she might, she was unable to shirk her duties as a fairy godmother or leave defenseless Timmy to fend for himself. Even if she no longer trusted him, she worried about him.

"Lorenzo! Stop!" Timmy murmured and breathed more rapidly. No, she couldn't take this. Despite Cosmo's many warnings and her own misgivings, he couldn't possibly pose a threat in sleep. If she held him, he'd quiet and feel better as well.

Turning into her normal form, she swept down to the bed and hugged him tightly. His thrashing subsided and he silenced. She sighed in relief- it had been nothing. Too bad she didn't know the exact memory he was ailing from tonight…

"Good," The Other whispered as Timmy jabbed with the knife and stabbed the Wanda dummy. It jerked backward and then ceased moving all together.

"You've earned a little extra," Lorenzo crooned and played with Timmy's hair. Timmy had noticed this increasing as of late and not as a platonic gesture, either. If he were more aware of things, he would have realized this usually preceded some sort of molestation, but he was ignorant.

Bending down on one knee, The Other wrapped his arms around him and kissed everywhere within reach. His hands flew and landed on Timmy's hips where he pulled the boy into him. Timmy wanted to say something but his throat closed up.

"My dear, beautiful Timmy," Lorenzo whispered, fingers tugging at his waistband. "I love you…"

"Stop!" Timmy groaned. "NO!"

But his fingers drew the waistband further down…

"NO!" Timmy screamed, in the present, and shuddered deeply. Finally, he was awake. He could feel warm arms encompass him and he leaned into them and the comfort they offered.

Wanda tensed, ready to poof off. He wasn't fully awake but he would be soon. No matter what, she couldn't be spotted.

Sighing, she left her godson with a kiss on the head and vanished just as his eyes opened. Well, once again, Cosmo was wrong- Timmy hadn't tried to hurt her at all. If only she could trust him more.

"Wanda?" Drawing his knees up to his chest, he shot a glance at the fishbowl, the water still rustled a bit. "Wanda, why did you leave me? I need you."

I wish they'd stop fleeing. Every time I call them, they take forever to come and never stay. It's almost as if they're terrified of me or something. Even if I apologize when I see them, it doesn't work. What have I done!

"You guys, I'm sorry. I wish it was enough…" He sobbed, "The Other…"

The Other, a.k.a., Lorenzo DeMedici, stood precariously close to the door frame of Timmy's old room. He dared himself to enter but didn't trust his temper. Things had begun to catch fire in his mansion when he thought about Timmy and those fairies.

Words could not adequately express his loss. Whenever he tried to, it grew into an animalistic howl of despair, pain, and mourning. He craved Timmy with every cell in his body, he needed him.

Of course, the fairies had done a great job of botching this up for him, ruining his happiness. They and their stupid spell, one he hadn't even seen. Whatever it was, it made Timmy leave and he couldn't forgive them for hurting him like this.

Then again, they had a penchant for spoiling his plans. He'd never admit, though, that if his first plan had succeeded, he would have never fallen for Timmy in the first place because the boy would have been dead. The credit could never go to those, those interlopers, for forcing him to lose his heart to Timmy.

One thing was for certain- he'd never, not in all his scheming, figured he'd love him. For Beelzebub's sake, he'd plotted to kill the boy! But there was something so innocent in him, even with everything going on, some naïve little thing Lorenzo couldn't help but love. It was an enigma, but it didn't matter. He loved Timmy and he wanted him back.

However, with his absence, there was a sharp ache in his chest, as though his heart was being ripped out repeatedly and that loathsome Tootie was stomping on it. Why did he have to love her? Stupid true love, he'd fix that!

Led by his heart and not his head, his feet took him to Timmy's bed and he pressed the sheets into his face. Scents assailed him and he closed his eyes, remembering every little nuance. This was too much.

Across the room, there was a crack and Lorenzo lifted his head in bewilderment. He'd gone and lost control of his magic again. The mirror crack'd from side to side. "The curse has come upon me!" cried the Lady of Shallot. Stupid poem, the Faerie Queen my ass.

"Pip, pip and cheerio! Who broke the mirror and summoned us?" Anti-Cosmo called and floated through the mirror's shards. Even if it wasn't Friday the 13th, they could still be called forth by a bout of bad luck. Fairy World, apparently, didn't discriminate between bad luck caused by a human and bad luck caused by an anti-fairy in a human's body.

"A human! Doesn't he look like that person who freed us two years ago? What was his name?" Anti-Wanda said.

"Timmy! His name was Timmy!" Lorenzo snapped and clutched the blankets tighter. "Dear, sweet, Timmy…I love you…"

Anti-Cosmo and Anti-Wanda stared at each other, completely nonplussed. Okay…

"Er, um, yes…" Anti-Cosmo said, still perplexed. "Anyway, you need some bad luck."

"I think I've had enough of that, thanks. But you two," Lorenzo grinned wickedly, "are my foes' anti forms. And, since they have given me enough bad luck, perhaps you can endow me with some of the better kind."

A human knows of fairies? And, to boot, he can see us? Who is this creature? "I'm sorry, but I'm quite certain I have no idea what you're talking about," Anti-Cosmo said coldly.

Instead of taking his frustrations out on them, Lorenzo wrenched himself with great effort from the sheets and stood, a calculating smile on his lips. As usual, things had to be in their darkest hour to pick up. Oh, well, they were here now.

"And I am quite certain you do know of Cosmo and Wanda since they are your fairy counterparts. What surprises me is your lack of respect. When was the last time an anti-fairy was human? Hasn't Jorgen always strictly regulated the forms of anti-fairies to prevent their eventual control of Fairy World?"

Yes, yes, I suppose that's true. However, he has a specific air of cruelty about him, one Fairy World would have put a stop to if they knew he existed. Hmm, there also appears to be an air of imbalance, as though, if his story proves to be true, more magic is on his side than the fairy he is supposed to counteract. But is there a fairy counteracting him at all?

"How can we be sure your story is true?" Anti-Cosmo charged and glared at Lorenzo. His wife, however, remained as clueless as ever.

Thinking quickly, Lorenzo conjured an image of his beloved in midair. Actually, this was what he was doing at this moment, having nightmares, but it was unimportant. The main idea was this sort of spell indicated a strong caster and it was difficult to fabricate, even with "technology".

"Timmy…" Lorenzo murmured and fell to his knees. I wish I could hold you in my arms and kiss away your nightmares. (Never mind he was the cause of them). I wish…

"Impressive," Anti-Cosmo said.

"I think you might find it wise to consider working with me. I have great need of your services and I can grant you any wish your hearts desire. If you wish for freedom and never return to Fairy World ever again, I can grant it. Just mull it over," Lorenzo said, ignoring the lump in his throat as he watched Timmy struggle with his memories.

"No returning to Fairy World? Staying here? Sounds too good to be true!" Anti-Wanda said happily and took a bite out her sandwich which she was once again eating with her feet.

"It probably is,." Anti-Cosmo muttered. "What else is in it for us?"

Lorenzo's eyes were still on the scene before him and he glared at Wanda, who had just hugged her godson. Go away, frach! Get your hands off of him! Stop touching him! You aren't worthy, you filthy bitch!

"Stupid frach," he hissed and tore his eyes from the scene. "Anything else you want, of course. I am willing to negotiate."

"We'll see," Anti-Cosmo said, still musing on the idea. He disliked working for anyone and he wasn't certain he liked the use of 'frach', even if it wasn't directed at his wife ('frach' could also be used against anti-fairies).

"Yes!" Anti-Wanda said, quite empathetically.

"A woman who knows what she wants. I like that," Lorenzo said, lying through his teeth. After all, he did hate women (get off of him, cunt!), but telling them that wouldn't help any. He had to wait until they were sufficiently roped in and then pull the trigger.

"I guess we're in," Anti-Cosmo said, shooting a wary glance at his wife. Unlike fairies, they had no telepathy since it was generally considered to be white magic. However, he had always felt it would have been convenient to have it as his spouse always seemed lenient on things he considered idiotic.

"We want telepathy," he growled at Lorenzo. "Can you do it?"

"Done," The Other said. Somehow. It doesn't matter to me if these two live or die, but Cosmo and Wanda will be dead. I will kill them for taking my love away from me. Hell hath no fury like me scorned.

"I told you not to," Cosmo snapped as soon as Wanda returned. "I told you he would-"

((He didn't. Keep it down. Someone, crazily enough, might be trying to sleep at three in the morning.))

((Fine. He still knows how to-))

((That doesn't mean he will. And you were wrong, he didn't try to hurt me at all. He wanted to be held.))

((Yeah, so he could slip a knife out of his sleeve and stab you close up!))

((That's ridiculous. You know well the only reason Timmy acted like that was because The Other's energy was circulating through his body and he was being starved.)) (There was also his parents, but I don't want to get into that).

((Sure.))

((Cosmo, he's only a scared little boy.))

((He's already proven he's capable of murder!))

((No, he's proven how far desperation can drive you. He only wanted his parents back. Okay, so it was a little twisted how he went about it, but he only really wanted to-))

((To kill us!)) Cosmo finished. ((I mean, who would want to kill such a loveable me?))

((Cosmo, please. He's…)) Wanda glanced through the window adjacent to the bed (after pulling back the pink and green drapes, naturally) and scowled. Once again, Timmy struggled but now there appeared to be a shadowy figure beside him. An astral projection, how clever.

She held up her wand and their conversation became audible. Through the pane, they saw (she spun Cosmo around) The Other kneel at Timmy's side and wipe his brow. Well, at least he couldn't do any harm without being physically present.

"What's the matter?" Lorenzo whispered and smoothed his hair back. However, devoid of any substance, his hand passed straight through. "Shit."

"I wish I could help you. I want to hold you," he murmured just as Timmy awoke and screamed.

"What the- Get away from me!" Timmy scrambled to the edge of the bed in a panic. "Cosmo and Wanda!" Someone would be nice.

"First of all, they don't trust you any more. Second, why aren't you happy to see me? I've been out for three months (training Remy and trying to work on Crocker)."

((He's right. We don't trust him.)) Cosmo reached for Wanda's hand and she squeezed it. He gaped at the moon's reflection through The Other, but, nevertheless, looked comforted by her support. She wished she say the same for Timmy.

"I don't care and what do you mean, they don't trust me?" Timmy shrieked and Lorenzo's form grew heavier, more palpable. They had better be ready to step in but what happened to the shield spell?

"You tried to kill them," Lorenzo said coolly and sat beside his beloved. "Who would trust someone after they've attempted murder? Why the hell are you crying?"

"I…" Timmy faltered and hugged his knees to his chest. "Get away from me!"

"Don't cry, only bitches cry," Lorenzo snapped and slapped him.

Holding his stinging cheek, Timmy whispered, "Guys?" I have no weapons and I'm not sure I still remember how to fight.

"They're not coming." Smiling slightly, The Other kissed Timmy's cheek (the same he'd slapped before) and Timmy flinched. Why was he acting like this? Didn't he miss him?

"That's it!" Wanda snapped. It was apparent Timmy couldn't defend himself and this was all they needed, another relapse. The very thought sent shivers down her spine.

Both attempted to poof into Timmy's room and offer aid but met resistance;. A shimmery green resistance- Wanda recognized it instantly as their own barrier. How very witty of The Other to turn their defense against them.

((What are we going to do?)) Cosmo howled and she winced. Why did Cosmo feel the need to shout and hurt her so?

((I have no idea.)) Wanda whispered in response, trying to make her husband see how much her head was ringing right now.

Meanwhile, Timmy realized he could actually defend himself and fetched an extremely unlikely, albeit useful weapon. Still, one could always bash another's head in with such a device, despite its bulkiness and being unwieldy. This was given The Other was foolish enough to remain in the path of a deadly and dangerous Crimson Chin lampshade.

"But," Lorenzo snatched the shade with both hands, "you haven't seen me for three months. Didn't you miss your lover?"

The lamp fell from his hands and he gasped. "No! Liar!" It can't be! Those dreams, they were real?

"To the world, by and large, yes. To you, ¾ of the time, no, just enough to be affectionate. You have no idea how much I missed you." And that idiot Remy is no replacement.

"No!" Remembering his most recent nightmare, he gasped and shuddered. "No…Liar…"

Lorenzo wrapped his arms around him and began kissing his temples. "What's the matter? Why are you shaking so badly? Has someone hurt you? I'll kill them!

"Come now, tell me what's wrong. I'll protect you with my life," he whispered and stroked his cheek. "I'll die for you."

((Timmy!)) An urgent mindcall alerted him to the situation at hand. If he didn't watch it, Lorenzo could take advantage of him again. Thank God Tootie still had faith in him, unlike his fairy godparents.

"Get off!" Timmy screamed and wrenched himself out of The Other's grasp. He then landed a kick on Lorenzo's midsection and he fell head over heels onto the carpet. It appeared fighting was instinctive, something the body could be taught, regardless of the mind's recollections.

((Go, Timmy, go! Oh, and, uh, you woke me (it's okay, though). By the way, Cosmo and Wanda are watching you from their window. Don't look now, though, because The Other's looking murderous.))

"How dare you!" The Other snarled and reached his arm back to punch him. Timmy caught his wrist in mid-swing and propelled him in the opposite direction. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depends on the side you're taking), Lorenzo's head broke his fall as it was this part which hit the wall.

However, if he thought one hit would knock his foe out, Timmy was sadly mistaken. Swaying slightly as he gained his second wind, Lorenzo stood and glared. Son of a bitch! There was only one way to snap this twerp back to his senses, a solid blow to the stomach.

Forgetting to block himself, Timmy was wide open for the shot and he staggered, finally slipping onto his bedspread. If his memory hadn't been faulty, he would have remembered The Other fought dirty if given the opportunity. Still, he was wringing his hands in guilt, and he appeared as if he suffered emotionally what Timmy suffered currently.

"I…sorry," The Other murmured. "I didn't want to hurt you but you left me no alternative. Are you all right?" He kissed Timmy's forehead.

"If only you hadn't made this so damn difficult! Timmy, I love you and I don't want to ever have to do that to you again."

Exploding with anger, all the pent-up frustration from Cosmo and Wanda's fear, Tootie's reluctance, and the trickery reached a boiling point. Timmy shoved The Other off of him and jumped to his feet. "You don't love me! You never loved me! You only love yourself and I hate you!"

For a second, The Other simply stood there, mouth agape. More pain than he ever knew flooded his senses- the pain of his beloved full of hatred aimed at him was overwhelming. He couldn't think for a second, a fog clouded his eyes.

"Get out," Timmy spat and retrieved the lamp. He proceeded to hit The Other over the back of the head and there he lay, unconscious. Wow, he'd never thought he'd possessed enough power to knock The Other out cold, but he had.

((You did it!)) Tootie squealed and dashed into the room to sweep Timmy into a super hug so strong he couldn't breathe. She smothered him in kisses while he glanced over at The Other. Somehow, the victory seemed shallow.

"Are you okay?" Wanda popped into the room. Finally, the barrier had stopped repelling them. She too glanced over at The Other and wondered if he was speaking the truth. Did he really love Timmy so deeply he would do anything for him?

((Please let go for a little while. I can't breathe!))

((Oh, sorry. I forgot!))

((What, that I like to breathe?

((Yes…))

Timmy turned his head to look at his fairy godparents. They floated there, trying to smile but failing miserably. The best either could manage was a miniscule raise of the lips. His heart plunged into his still tender stomach looking at them.

"I did it!" Timmy called but they just shook their heads. "Don't you want to congratulate me?"

For a second, it appeared as though Wanda were about to speak, but instead, both vanished back into the tree house. Goddamit, not again.

"Or acknowledge my existence?" He whispered. "I think I'd settle for a conversation."

Tootie said nothing, simply bit her lip. She had no sage words of wisdom, nothing comforting, so, she rested her head on his shoulder. Sure, she would love to say, "they'll come around", but she knew this wasn't true. Poor Timmy.

"I'm sorry…"

"Where were you?" Remy snapped as Juandissimo returned late yet again after a grueling night in the lab. His hair was disheveled and the usual luster in his eyes was lacking. A faint smell of chemicals still clung to his clothing.

"I demand-"

"I am in no mood, young one," Juan sighed and held up his wand. The Other plummeted to the floor, still out like a light. "Go play with him."

"What? I don't want to and he beats me!"

"Then pick another game!" Juan retorted and floated through the lab door again. "Leave me alone."

Turner, this is all your fault. I'll get you if it's the last thing I ever do. Ugh, I guess I'd better move Lorenzo before he wakes up. He'll beat me for sure.

Gary glared at the underside of a slide on Dimmsdale Elementary's playground. Rain splattered his jacket but he ignored it. He was cold but didn't care.

"Not cool. I'll get you for this, Timmy. You don't deserve Tootie and I'll show you what revenge really means. You'll never be the same again."

After the what-if spell, Gary was finally released from Timmy's mind and he'd slinked off. For three months he'd bided his time, waiting for The Other to make a move. This wasn't to say he wasn't on Lorenzo's side for vengeance because he wasn't. He had no desire to hurt Cosmo and Wanda but to punish Timmy for hurting them.

"Soon, Tim-Tim, the moment will grow nigh and you, my dear friend, will die."

Vicky awoke with a start. Stupid nightmare- or had it been? Mark Chang, even though he was an alien, was the only guy who had ever treated her with any ounce of affection and loath though she was to admit it, she needed someone. Okay, so he was slimy with tentacles, she'd deal.

One thing bothered her. In the dream, he'd been human; a human with short orange hair, a teal t-shirt, and long black pants. Perhaps, dare she dream of it, he could protect her. In a human form, things would work out better anyway.

But did he really want her after all that time? He could have met someone else and fall for her instead. She would be his species, not her.

"Who am I kidding? He doesn't care!" Vicky snapped and threw her head angrily down on the pillow. "I don't deserve to be happy."

And, in a corner of sterilized lab, all the way out on Yugopotamia, Mark Chang looked over his calculations and measurements one last time. Everything looked all right, even if his parents didn't agree.

"Vicky, my love, I'm coming!"