Yes, I still own nothing...too bad. ANd this chapter is DeLordy's grand entrance! Mm, I hate him. Good thing he- oops, almost gave away the ending! Hah...I'm not that stupid...well, I hope not, anyway. Happy reading!

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Chapter 3

"RIFF RAFF!"

Magenta's eyes flew open. She sat up and looked around, not quite sure what had happened. Who was making all that noise? She threw the sheets off and jumped out of bed.

The door was slightly ajar and she peered out, just in time to see Frank dashing down the stairs towards the elevator, headed for the lab. He had his trusty whip, and that could only mean that he was in enormous anger. With Riff.

Oh, Riff... she thought. What did you do now?

She caught up just in time to see Frank slam the elevator door shut. She paused for a second on the banister, and then ran back up the stairs and through her and Riff's secret entrance to the lab.

Halfway through the secret passage, she heard the elevator door crash open, and Riff cry out. She heard another bang, and assumed Riff had dropped his tools in a frenzy to run away from Frank. As she entered the lab, she caught sight of Frank chasing Riff with his whip. Riff was just escaping the whip's lash as Frank fruitlessly struck only air again and again.

"RIFF RAFF, ITS FIVE FRICKIN' FIFTEEN IN THE MORNING!" Frank screamed and he ran to catch up with Riff. Magenta watched in horror as Frank finally trapped Riff in front of the elevator.

Riff tried in vain to unlock the lift door, but before he succeeded, Frank's whip lashed out and caught Riff in the back. He cried out in pain as his legs gave out. He tried to grip the lift door for support, but Frank whipped Riff again before he could regain the use of his legs.

Frank continued to beat him, until Magenta finally snapped out of shock.

"Frank, wait! Stop!"

He turned ever so slowly to face her, so stunned to hear her speak to him without identifying him as Master.

"Yes, Magenta, what is it?" he said agitatedly.

Magenta gaped, too scared to really talk, although she knew she must do something to save Riff from punishment. "Um...uh..."

Frank sighed in disgust and raised his whip to hit Riff again.

"Wait!" Magenta screeched.

He twisted around, clearly annoyed at her interruptions.

"I did it," she said hurriedly, hoping her lie was enough to save Riff.

"What?"

"I did it. I did whatever you think Riff did. It wasn't him, it was me. He was down here the whole time. I saw him come down here this morning. He went straight to the lab, didn't even have breakfast." She crossed her fingers behind her back for luck.

"You set my clock five hours ahead?"

"Um, yes? I-I mean, yes, I did."

She caught sight of Riff, his eyed wide with worry. He vigorously shook his head no.

Let me deal with this! He mouthed to her. She ignored him. Frank, however, saw Riff out of the corner of his eye, who was making wild motions to get Magenta's attention. He stared at Riff, clearly confused. Riff saw Magenta staring at him, motioning to him that Frank saw what he was doing. Riff slowly looked up and saw Frank staring at him. Riff became still.

"Uh, whatever," Frank mumbled. He dropped his hand down to his side, clearly lost. "I'm going back to bed." He kicked Riff out of the way, unlocked the lift door, and stepped inside. The elevator motor whirred to life as Frank slowly sunk out of sight.

Magenta emitted a sigh of relief, and rushed over to help Riff.

"Riff, are you O.K.?" she asked, kneeling down beside him.

"Why?" He asked. "Why did you do that? He could have seriously hurt you!" He didn't seem to notice the fact that he would have been seriously hurt (again) if Magenta hadn't said something.

"I couldn't let you get hurt, Riff, not again, anyways. Look, why don't you go lay down in the living room. I'll get you some breakfast."

"Mags, I can't. I have too much work to do."

"Nonsense, Riff. An hours rest won't kill you."

"Well..."

"Oh, Riff," she smiled. "Just go lay down before I hurt you."

He smiled, and almost laughed. "Very well, sister, I shall rest; just don't burn my breakfast."

She chuckled. "Very funny Riff Raff."

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DING DONG!

The doorbell awoke Magenta with a start. She had had the most horrifying dream. She and Riff had gone to Earth and Riff had killed Frank. Now he was imprisoned, waiting to die...

It took her a moment to realize it hadn't been a dream. It was really happening.

DING DONG! The doorbell rang again.

"COMING!" Magenta shouted as she pulled on her robe and tied her hair in a quick ponytail. She arrived at the front door and pulled it open.

"Hello, Magenta."

She gasped and slammed the door shut again.

DeLordy!

"Magenta, dear," began DeLordy, "You can't hide from me forever, darling."

"Yes, I can!" Magenta replied quickly, terrified. What on earth is he doing here!

"Magenta, open the door, my sweet. I must talk with you."

"No!" She screamed. "Go away!"

"Magenta," he turned serious. "I really must talk with you. Please, open the door and let me in."

She bit her lip, deciding whether or not to let him in.

"Magenta," his voice turned syrupy-sweet again. "I'm waiting."

She sighed, and slowly pulled the door open. "Come in."

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Ah, another chapter. I hope the flashbacks/flashforwards aren't too confusing...if you want, I could indicate the change in times, but I won't unless you ask...because I'm evil like that:) Anyway, many thanks to my two reviewers!

HughloverX- uhg, don't ask how Frank knows…he just does. It's one of the perks of being the Prince, I suppose…like, he has spies or something. lol, go figure. And yes, DeLordy plays a significant role in the story…you'll see how. Thanks for your support!

Mandy of the Amoeba- Don't we all wish we owned Riff? Or…maybe that's just you, me and HughLoverX…hehe. Glad you like so far, and it gets better…I guess.