Oh man…it's been a while huh? I'm sorry, but I got into other things over that period of time, and I have an update now, so I am not going to beg forgiveness.

That was it.

That one moment.

I was in excruciating pain, yes. I thought I was going to pass out, yeah. I knew I'd busted those god damn ribs of mine again, most definitely. But right then, then and there, something snapped.

I knew what I was fighting, hell, it had taken me long enough to find the dirt on the Gathering. Yeah, it has a name. All lesser ghosts amassed into one, colossal blob thing that could short out my powers. This phenomenon was rare in the Ghost Zone, but not impossible.

I used an elbow to prop myself up and grabbed a tree branch to stand. The wind swapped directions yet again, making it impossible for me to be sure where the portal was that these ghosts were coming in from. I knew their intent though: my destruction.

It was like one of those cartoons you watch on Saturday mornings, only real and really dangerous. And now my enemy had a real hostage.

Sam had screamed and was surely frightened, but I think her temper was beginning to win the better of her now that I was back on my feet. She was kicking out at the hands that held her down, trying madly to get free. I crouched down where I was and tried to form a tactic.

With no way to communicate with Sam clearly, I was sure that whatever plan I could come up with would be a one shot deal. There would be no such things as repeats here. I coughed and spat out blood, but ignored it.

My powers would come back a little the further away I moved from the Gathering. If I moved closer, then I'd get weaker, regardless if I was human or not, I'd still be affected.

My mind was racing and thrashing like so much goth metal gone awry. I knew she had my coat on, which, actually, was something of a help because it had the thermos in it. You can't say I'm totally unprepared. Ok, so fine we had way to use but, but who are you to be judgmental?

I turned my back and started to retreat. If the Gathering stayed in the school yard then I'd have a chance of recovering some speed. I started running like hell. I could feel myself coming back. At four blocks over I was able to change. Seven blocks and I could fly. Up, up, up I ascended into the cold air.

I splayed my fingers and felt the cold running through them like water or hair, waking me up. I gasped from the pain in my body, but the cold numbed it enough to allow me higher. I hovered, calculating how far back I could go before I'd ultimately plummet into the Gathering, which was my best chance at getting to Sam.

Of course, that would also mean I'd probably find my way to another coma or my death. I was banking on death at that point; being in a coma sucks.

I dove like a silver bullet. I felt I could have ripped the sky in half and left the sun naked, but that wouldn't be enough. The green light danced tantalizingly in front of me, everything I could see became illuminated in it. I felt my strength begin to taper. I roared inside, NO! I became determined to cling to it.

The school came into clear view. Sam was distressed, but still trying to fight her way out. At about thirty feet I lost flight and plunged right into the ghosts.

As I'd caught them relatively unaware, I luckily collided with the ground over being caught by them. I hit hard with a sickening thud that made Sam gasp. I thought I'd broken my neck, to tell the truth. Surprisingly, I was still switched, but I was fading fast.

"Oh my god!" Sam's mouth was agape as I found my feet and forced my way to her side. Her face was confused. She must have thought I'd abandoned her, and that wasn't the best sensation for me at the moment. I fought though the other ghosts to the pockets of my coats and then my powers shut off. Kind of like you shut off the TV.

So, I was holding the Fenton thermos, now completely useless, and was standing in the Gathering, something potentially hazardous to my health.

"I thought you'd left…" Sam's voice was shattering over the noise of the wailing spirits above me. I swayed uneasily. I had to ignore her, I had to, I had to focus on getting us out of here.

"I need to power this." I waved the thermos in her face. "I'll explain later…I swear…"

Sam's face contorted for a second. "There maybe one way."

"Anything!" I encouraged, leaning against her. "Anything that would work."

"Trick it!" She hissed. "Trick it into power the thermos. It's suicide!"

"Suicide?" I asked. "Who have you been hanging around with?"

"A few emo kids- just do it!"

Now, that sounds simple enough. I plunged blindly ahead. I was batted to the side by a larger ghost.

"Ho ho," he chuckled menacingly, "I see how it is you win! You keep all your powers in a little-"

Well, there's nothing after that, he grabbed the thermos and it lit up and went to work. My savoir. The Gathering began swirling around me, forcing itself into the thermos. Then there was a grand explosion, and I can't remember anymore.

o-o-o

I woke up. I jumped to and got ready to fight.

"AH!" My scream pierced the cold. All around was green gunk, and people sifting through it. All of a sudden, in the blur, my parents were at my side and the police not far behind them. I slogged through the stuff, which was disgustingly warm, where was Sam!

My father grabbed my shoulders in my frantic searching and I was dragged back to an ambulance. They asked my questions about last night and Sam. God damn it! Where was she?

My thoughts were interrupted by the gasp of my mother. I caught my reflection in the steel bars of the ambulance. My eyes were green. I blinked, willing them back. And, for once, it didn't work. It never would again. That doesn't matter though. What mattered was that I'd lost my best friend.

K, yeah, that sucks. Any way, read and review, please and thank you!